The main difference between Wix and WordPress is that Wix includes web hosting and is a website builder, while WordPress is an open source CMS with more customization options available. There are actually three different comparisons that we need to cover. Some readers think of the self-hosted option when they think of WordPress, but there's also a commercial entity. We'll dive into all three below.
Before we look at the different tradeoffs between Wix and WordPress, we need to define exactly what Wix and WordPress are. WordPress is technically free website software that manages the content, designs, and functionality of your website. But it's used in two different ways. Self-hosted WordPress is like buying a house.
You can do whatever you want. There are no rules or limitations. But you have to take care of everything (or hire someone to take care of it). It's also as cheap or as expensive as you want it to be.
And for your information, this basic explanation is very similar to Squarespace vs. WordPress, or even hosted ecommerce platforms like Shopify. InMotion Hosting is a little more expensive overall, but it has excellent support for WordPress, & security, plus a drag-and-drop tool similar to that of a WordPress website builder called BoldGrid, if that's your thing. Either way, self-hosted WordPress will have much cheaper prices, both relatively and absolutely, no matter what WordPress hosting you use.
With self-hosted WordPress, not only will you get a cheaper price month after month, but you'll also have the ability to have unlimited features, unlimited design options, and*unlimited websites. But a lot of that depends on the exact features you're looking for. However, self-hosted WordPress represents a much better deal based on pricing alone. The addition to self-hosted WordPress varies between hosting companies.
This is because it is your software that you are installing. It's as if Apple's customer service were responsible for a new software you bought. In fact, I've created a simple WordPress configuration guide here along with WordPress tutorials, as some hosting companies tend to provide your account information and let you do it. They will also offer a WordPress creation application to help.
However, when it comes to setting up and onboarding, you're still pretty much alone. You can email the support team for specific questions, but there's no obvious “do this and then that” process after installing WordPress. If terms like “FTP” or “Security Patch” or “Googling for answers” aren't overwhelming, then you can appreciate the minimalist integration of self-hosted WordPress. It's not complicated once you overcome the learning curve and have full control.
A common myth in building websites is that a “WordPress website” or “Wix website” or “Shopify site” is a specific web design or look. Too many customers choose or discard a platform because they “don't like the look”. In the case of self-hosted WordPress, there are thousands of free designs that you just have to select from the Appearance menu. Self-hosted WordPress offers unlimited control of options &, which is great, but it can create problems of its own with quality control, security, and code conflicts.
Whether it's to improve SEO functionality, set up an e-commerce site, add quotes, upload information in bulk, add a social network, or anything you can think of, you can do it with self-hosted WordPress. On the downside, it's also possible to create a code conflict in WordPress and block your website. It's not common for you to stick with well-compatible add-ons, but it's something that can happen. Both WordPress and self-hosted ones are “good for marketing & SEO”, since they generate well-coded and trackable HTML CSS &.
All are independent companies that actively invest in customer service and will help with more specific WordPress issues than others. That said, even if you have excellent hosting support, your self-hosted WordPress website is inherently unique. If you have a highly customized self-hosted WordPress website with lots of plugins and theme editions, you'll have to go through a troubleshooting process no matter how good your hosting company's support is. If you're comfortable solving problems and solving problems, a self-hosted WordPress site with a good hosting company will be the best option.
Going back to the house analogy, it's like changing the air filter on a monthly basis and setting up a security system. They are not complicated, but they are your responsibility. My post on essential plugins for WordPress is a good resource. Wix and WordPress are well-known brands for good reason.
Both have made having a website much easier than it used to be. Both are good options for certain projects. If you value control over convenience and have time to learn, then opt for a self-hosted WordPress site. Use my website setup guide here.
Just remember that if you decide you want more flexibility later on, it's going to be difficult to leave Wix. For some users, especially those who don't have the technical knowledge or the budget to hire a developer, a hosted solution like Wix may be a better option, at least initially. However, unlike Wix, Squarespace allows you to create fully responsive sites, and its learning curve is arguably less steep than that of Wix and WordPress. You can browse through different categories to find the types of tools you want, from e-commerce to media and marketing.
In addition to direct support, Wix also offers a ton of useful articles and video tutorials created in-house. As for hosted website builders, Squarespace is definitely worth a look: it's a little more expensive than Wix and omits some of its more advanced features, but it's easier to use and its templates are fully responsive. Alternatively, you can use the “Wix ADI” (“Artificial Design Intelligence”) mode, which automatically creates a customizable website for you with images, video and text. For lead generation and for creating a list, you can't use Sumo (again, very popular) on Wix sites.
These are things that I realized only after trying to include these tools for customers (on their Wix websites). When using Wix, you must have a “Business and Ecommerce” plan to access the ability to sell online. Out of the box, Wix provides some basic data capture forms that you can use to allow customers to contact you or subscribe to mailing lists. This will make the editing experience more on par with that of Wix in terms of ease of use, although it's likely that you'll still need some coding to make your designs look exactly the way you want.
Overall, it's fair to say that Wix is the winner in the mobile app department because, unlike WordPress, no special configuration process is required for the Wix app to work. Wix made the decision to sacrifice some flexibility to create a site-building experience that makes it easy for even beginners to create a functional website. . .
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