So, you want to build a website? Well, there’s a few platforms that will help you do it, but the two most popular are WordPress and Wix. You can only use one though, so which is better? While both help you to create a webpage there are some key differences between the two that will inform which choice you make. So, let’s take a closer look and see what each platform has to offer.
The big difference between WordPress and Wix is in how they help you build/manage your website. Wix is navigated through a drag-and-drop system, not too different from Word or PowerPoint. It’s easy to click through your own website like you would any other, which makes building extremely intuitive. WordPress, on the other hand, is generally navigated through a series of menus. This gives you a behind-the-curtains look of your site, at the cost of not being able to see how it will be viewed by the public before publishing or previewing your work. Recently, WordPress has incorporated their own block editor which functions similarly to Wix’s system, steadily improving their ease-of-use over the past few years. However, since editing on Wix is clear and immediate, it’s likely better for beginners who are just starting to build their own webpage.
Out of the box, Wix offers over 900 free templates to choose from, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to find one close to your vision. WordPress, too, offers templates in themes, however its real strength lies in the customisable code you’ll have access to. If you can get past the technical knowledge required, you can edit the code to create whatever website you want. Adding to this customisation is the vast sea of plugins you can explore and make use of. There’s a huge variety to choose from, many of them utterly mediocre, but user reviews should point you in the right direction. Wix has a few plugins of its own, but since coding for WordPress is more accessible for amateurs, there’s many more, and the scope of customisation falls in its favour.
While they can be free to start, getting the most out of your website builder means paying for complete functionality. Once again, Wix’s model is simpler, but with less options. They offer a kind of all-in-one plan; domain, hosting, bandwidth – all priced from £3 to £18 a month. Traditionally WordPress pricing has been more complicated, with domain and hosting bought separately. Recently however, they’ve begun encroaching on Wix’s territory, just like with their block editor. Their all-in-one plans range from £3 to £36 monthly, with the upper-echelon intended for the unique requirements of e-commerce sites. Like always, you can still pay for plans from third-party sources too – but be prepared to invest a larger starting cost.
While Wix might be easier for the layman to get their head around, WordPress’ extensive customisation opportunities means it’s likely better to use in the long run. This is especially true if you intend to use your site for e-commerce or blogging; WordPress’ capabilities in these areas far surpass that of Wix. The strength of Wix lies in its intuitiveness: it’s designed in such a way to work for anyone with even the slightest interest in creating a webpage. WordPress has been incorporating some of Wix’s key features over the past few years, but its strength lies in the depth it offers to anyone willing to learn it. If you can get over that initial hurdle of tech know-how it will serve you better for longer.
All the sites we create are built with WordPress, giving you, the customer, the ability to manage your own website. We make sure they’re bespoke and unique to the requirements of your brand.
If you’re looking to build a professional and engaging website, contact us! We’re always happy to help. You can also take a look at some more of our blogs – you’re bound to find some more helpful information!