If you’re new to creating websites, choosing the appropriate platform can get confusing. Wix and WordPress, both let you create websites, but are different in many ways. To make the right decision, you must grasp the fundamental differences between the two platforms.
Wix vs WordPress
WordPress is a Content Management System (CMS) that enables users to create & manage vast libraries of content. The platform provides different tools and features to build a website.
Initially, WordPress was a blogging platform, but over a period of time, it outgrew that classification. Today, WordPress powers a significant part of the web and can be used to create nearly any type of website.
Did You Know?
You can start building your website with WordPress at less than ₹ 500 per month. Know more.
Wix is a website builder – a platform that offers the tools needed to build a website. Wix comes with a lower learning curve and is great for beginners. However, there are limitations to what one can accomplish with a website builder, some of which we will discuss further.
Let’s understand how Wix and WordPress fare on the following parameters:
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- Ease of use
- Site management
- Performance
- Security
- Ability to customise
- eCommerce compatibility
- Ease of Use
Wix is fairly easy to use and manage. The platform asks for your preferences to provide you with website suggestions and guides you in creating your first site. Wix provides access to a clean dashboard for users to utilize the features.
WordPress is also known for its ease of use. Installing it on a web hosting platform provides users with the popular WordPress dashboard. WordPress comes with a user interface simple enough to understand the functions by just browsing around. Understanding the various tools and using them regularly eventually makes building the website easier.
To sum it up, here’s how they fare in their ease of use –
Wix: Easy to use out of the box.
WordPress: Easy to use; provides more ease and capability based on your understanding of its tools.
- Site Management
Wix keeps things simple and takes care of everything in the background. For instance – updates are something Wix itself takes care of in the background.
WordPress directly provides access to a whole range of site management options right from the beginning. For instance, it lets you customise the URL structure, which can be important for some website owners. WordPress also has a number of useful plugins you can use to better your website and its content.
To sum it up,
Wix: A straightforward site management experience.
WordPress: Provides greater depth and options.
- Performance
Wix is a hosted platform. Therefore, you will be paying for access to a website builder & hosting, all within one package. Wix does not allow customisations that can change the fundamental performance of the website.
WordPress lets you use the hosting plan of your choice. You can look for the best plan according to your needs, which will help define the website performance. WordPress also comes with different plugins that let you improve your website’s performance.
Wix: Great for not having to worry about fine-tuning the website performance.
WordPress: You can ensure that the website is always running in top form.
Bluehost provides a WordPress guide that can help you learn how to create and manage your website with the right tools. Click here to access our guide.
- Security
With hosted platforms like Wix, one does not get to edit the underlying software’s core functionality. It ensures fewer security vulnerabilities, as access to the core software is restricted. Wix also regularly self-updates, taking away the concern of outdated software.
WordPress powers a significant percentage of the web. It is therefore a big target for online attackers. However, WordPress is still very secure. By adopting some smart practices, such as regularly updating the site, plugins, and themes, users can be better prepared. WordPress and its community also release patches frequently, to protect websites from the latest threats.
Wix: Restricts software access for more security.
WordPress: Can be very secure, as long as one is ready to put in some research and effort.
- Ability to Customize
Wix lets you add a lot of useful functionality to a website, such as comment sections, live chats, and forums.
WordPress is higher on customizability. It provides easy access to thousands of plugins and themes. It lets you significantly alter the functionality and appearance of your site, letting you create unique websites with almost limitless feature options.
Wix: Lets you add basic features and functionality to your website.
WordPress: Easier to use for customisations, offering nearly unlimited feature options.
- eCommerce
Wix lets you add an online store to a website, although the option comes in a paid plan. The eCommerce plans include all the necessary features needed to sell products, but can, at times, lack add-ons.
WordPress website builder supports eCommerce sites and offers a free WordPress tool called WooCommerce, which is used by a large number of top eCommerce websites. It also comes with other free eCommerce plugins which let users sell nearly any type of product or service. Installation is free, and only the transaction fees need to be paid.
Wix: Paid eCommerce plan.
WordPress: Free plugin options; more flexibility and choices.
Did you know? Bluehost offers WooCommerce Hosting, which can be used to build, promote, and start selling products and services.
Wix vs WordPress – Which one is better?
The answer depends on why you need a website builder.
Both platforms are easy to use for beginners, but WordPress is great for experienced users too. Wix lets you create attractive websites with the help of a visual builder. WordPress offers nearly limitless possibilities with unmatched customisation, an open-source nature, and a large number of themes and plug-ins. It also provides more flexibility and control over data.
Both Wix and WordPress are great if you’re starting out, but if you’re planning for the future and expecting growth, WordPress should be the platform for you.
