There are currently many options for free website creation platforms/software. The more popular ones like Wix, WordPress, and Weebly have huge user bases. They are not only easy to use, but also provide free versions. Wix and WordPress are two of the most popular website platforms on the internet. They both have their pros and cons, but which one is the best for your business?
What is Wix?
Wix was founded in 2003. Because of its simplicity and convenience of use, this website construction tool has amassed a large number of devoted users over the years. This tool is being used to build over 4.5 million websites around the world.
Wix eliminates many of the problems associated with website creation and upkeep by offering a full variety of services such as hosting space, professionally designed templates, drag-and-drop editors, and plug-in apps.
Wix has planned many different levels of usage plans based on the various needs of website operation, ranging from free versions to enterprise plans including e-commerce functionality. The key distinction is the amount of bandwidth and network space used, as well as whether or not online shopping and paid e-commerce facilities are used.
Wix Basic Tutorial
In most cases, new customers can begin with the free plan. They will receive an exclusive network area and become the beginning point for creating a website after enrolling as a member. Wix officially offers two alternative website development ways. The first allows customers to select the most appropriate one from more than 700 categorized design templates and apply it directly.
Another option for swiftly creating a website is to use Wix ADI, the platform’s artificial intelligence design help (Artificial Design Intelligence). After you answer a few easy online questions, the AI software will automatically select and develop a website prototype for you. The following page’s content can be added with the use of an easy-to-use drag-and-drop editor. If you want to expand the functions of the website, you should look for it in the Wix App Market. There are over 250 free and premium application plug-ins available for users to choose and install based on their needs. Make a form, for example, or create a content string using the Instagram Streaming App, for example.
Wix has been evolving into a more open website service platform in recent years. The Corvid by Wix interface allows developers to add additional capabilities to the website using computer programs. For instance, designing dynamic pages or working with back-end databases. Connect and do follow-up queries and data filtering. If you want to further modify your website, you may discover matching talents in the official Wix Marketplace to assist you. Furthermore, Wix has begun to be able to perform partial relocations, and it has now supplied an operation interface for migrating from WordPress to Wix.
Wix Fees
Although Wix is straightforward and easy to use, many capabilities come at an added cost. You can find the following charging plans on the Wix website:
Advantage
- Provide free webspace
- Users do not need to be concerned about technical issues because the device is simple to use.
- Provide website security and automatic backup
- 24 hours customer service
- There are complete online teaching resources
Disadvantage
- The website is reliant on third-party systems and lacks autonomy.
- Commercial advertisements will be incorporated into free plans.
- Once you’ve chosen a design template, you can’t modify it. The website content will be erased if the layout is altered in the future.
- The number of application plug-ins is small, which has an impact on the website’s scalability.
- Many features or services, such as using your own registered domain name, demand additional payments.
- Customization is relatively rigid, and it is difficult to create new functionalities based on your specific requirements.
What is WordPress?
WordPress is a popular website platform that allows users to create a website with little to no programming experience. It offers a wide variety of features and options, making it an ideal choice for users who are looking for a simple, yet powerful platform. Some of the most popular features include an easy-to-use drag and drop editor, built-in SEO tools, and the ability to create custom templates. Additionally, WordPress is free to use for both personal and commercial websites.
WordPress comes in two flavors. The first is a website produced and hosted on the WordPress.com platform. This pipeline is extremely similar to Wix’s operation technique; both are cloud-based renting (SaaS – Software as a Service) website hosting services. The key benefits and drawbacks are likewise identical and thus outside the scope of this study. The alternative option is to hire a virtual host from a third-party host business (such as Bluehost, A2 Hosting) and then install the WordPress software to use it. What we want to talk about here is how to use this strategy to create a website on your own. This is also the most often used approach for creating websites today.
WordPress, which was first launched in 2003, is free and open-source software (open source). Currently, this software is used to build over 35% of all websites in the globe, with WordPress accounting for almost 1 in every 3 websites.
At the moment, WordPress powers roughly one out of every three websites on the planet. This program is used to develop websites by certain huge gateway websites such as the New York Times in the United States, Disney’s official website in the entertainment business, and the stunning Vogue fashion publications.
Because of the large user base, the WP peripheral sector has generated a lot of interest, and as a result, it has fostered a lot of people resources for website design and software development. This has clearly aided the extension, personalization, and technical maintenance of website features.
WordPress is a content management system in and of itself (CMS, Content Management System). It was initially intended primarily for personal blogs. Because this system is simple and easy to use, and the software’s capabilities are becoming more and more sophisticated, even extending to the Internet, such as the WooCommerce shopping cart system, it has the potential to become highly popular and a preferred tool of choice for web builders.
WordPress Basic Tutorial
Setting up a website with WordPress is frequently more difficult than with Wix. The basic operation flow in actual installation is as follows:
- Purchasing a Domain from a Domain Registrar or Web Hosting
- Web hosting for rent
- Install WordPress software — For the time being, most hosting companies will offer a simple “one-click” automatic installation mechanism. This enables people to easily install it on their own.
- Select a theme — you can get a free version from the WordPress website or purchase a pro version from a third-party channel.
- Install plugins — plugins that are relevant to SEO (search engine optimization) or security protection.
- Add material to the site using the built-in Gutenberg drag-and-drop editor.
Advantage
- The free and open-source software that is simple to modify.
- With tens of thousands of free and premium theme themes available, it’s simple to satisfy all of your site design requirements.
- The variety of program plug-ins is extensive. It is simple to create additional functionalities to meet a variety of requirements.
- SEO-friendly website structure can successfully enhance visibility on search engines such as Google.
- Excellent content management tools, far superior to those of Wix.
- The website is simple to immigration- there is a high level of autonomy, whether it is to change the host type or host company. It can immigrate quickly
- A popular digital asset trading object – a well-managed website or blog that is easy to sell at high rates on auction sites like Flippa.
Disadvantage
- Wix’s operation and management are more sophisticated.
- Renting web hosting space comes at an additional cost (web hosting)
- There is no formal customer assistance; you must locate the answer on your own using the Internet.
- Some computing knowledge is necessary. In addition, some familiarity of the HTML web design language is required.
Both Wix and WordPress are popular website platforms used by millions of people around the world. They both have their own strengths and weaknesses, but they are both powerful tools that can be used to create a professional website.
WordPress is more popular than Wix, but Wix has a growing user base. Both platforms offer a wide range of features, but Wix is better suited for creating simple websites while WordPress is better suited for more complex websites. Overall, the two platforms are very similar and either one can be a great choice for building a website.
Comparison between Wix and WordPress
Let us now evaluate and compare these two popular blogging platforms:
| Table Header | Wix | WordPress | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | A extremely easy-to-use drag-and-drop website builder. Wix is designed for non-technical people, so you don’t need to know how to code. | Learning curve is steep (not beginner friendly). It is preferable if you know how to code and are technically aware. If you don’t, you may need to recruit someone who is. | Wix |
| Design and Customization | There are over 800 professionally created templates to choose from, but you can’t change them without redesigning your site. | Control over your site’s appearance is nearly infinite (if you have advances coding knowledge). Remember that we encourage using WordPress themes created by the platform itself. | WordPress |
| Apps and Plugins | There is limited customization, but all features and operations are rigorously managed, monitored, and tested to assure optimal operation. | Very adaptable and configurable, but could be troublesome if your custom tools or plugins fail. | It’s a draw! |
| Ecommerce | Any of its ecommerce programs include built-in sales features. Ideal for selling a few items. | To develop an online store, you must first install a plugin such as WooCommerce. Better suited to pure ecommerce sites or bulk sales. | WordPress |
| Blogging | Categories, tagging, mobile blogging, and contributing authors are all supported. There is also a free media library included. | Categories and tagging are also supported, as well as highlighted photographs, post backdating, and private posts. | WordPress |
| SEO | Basic SEO capability is included, with advanced options available through Site Booster on the Unlimited subscription or higher. | Basic SEO tools, with the Yoast plugin adding advanced functionality at $69 for one website. | It’s a draw! |
| Ongoing Maintenance | Because Wix does not allow external developers to access its platform, it controls all aspects of the platform, which means it manages all upgrades and maintenance work for you. | Requires continuous maintenance and monitoring, especially if the platform, theme, or plugins are updated. You are responsible for the upkeep of your website. | Wix |
| Help and Support | A dedicated support team with well-organized tutorials is available. You can also receive assistance via phone or email. | A large community forum with many debates, although it is not properly organized. Getting a timely response is also problematic. | Wix |
| Pricing and Ongoing Commitments | 7 premium plans, with prices ranging from $14 to $49 per month (based on annual plans). Wix is also available for free, however it has some limits. | Depending on a variety of conditions such as hosting, themes, plugins, hiring help. | It’s a draw! |
Which Platform Is Better for Your Business?
WordPress has a far larger global market share than Wix. Although it has a higher technical level and is more difficult to use than Wix, it has clear advantages in terms of the capabilities and expansion it can handle. In terms of cost, because WordPress requires the rental of a web host, Wix is usually less expensive for low-traffic websites. However, if your website has a big volume of visitors or you need to employ e-commerce features, you must switch to Wix’s higher-level pricing plan. The cost of a WordPress website will be lower at this time.
Furthermore, Wix is best suited for general tiny personal or simple directory-type websites, whereas WordPress is a comprehensive website solution that can be used for everything from personal blogs to large-scale commercial official websites. There will be more room for growth. As a result, if you want to develop a long-lasting and scalable web business, using WordPress to host your website is a good choice.
In the end, it all comes down to what you need your website to do. If you want a simple, easy-to-use platform, then Wix is better for you. If you want a more powerful platform that can handle complex projects and themes, then WordPress is better for you.