Wix Versus WordPress: The Differences Explained

As a business manager, one has a full plate. One of the many decisions they may face is choosing the right platform to build the company's website upon. There are a number of products one can use; two popular options are Wix and WordPress. 

It is difficult to understand which no code/low code platform is the best choice to use. The details can be overwhelming.  This article will compare Wix versus WordPress and explain the differences for the selection process. 

What Is Wix?

Wix is a website builder that offers a drag-and-drop interface to build websites. It's a popular choice for beginners and those who don’t have a lot of technical knowledge, small business owners and those who want a quick and easy website. 

Wix offers a range of templates, and users can customize them with their own content and images. Wix provides a free plan with limited features, as well as a range of paid plans.

What Is WordPress?

WordPress is an open-source content management system (CMS). It allows users to build websites and manage content.

WordPress is a popular choice for bloggers, businesses and even large organizations. It offers a range of themes and plugins to customize your site. While WordPress is free, users need to purchase hosting and a domain name to use it.

Wix and WordPress: Design and Customization

It’s tempting to think that all website software works the same, but that’s just not true. Wix and WordPress are different website-building platforms with different features, capabilities and approaches to website creation.

Here are a few highlights of the differences between design and customization for the two platforms:

Both Wix and WordPress offer a range of templates or themes that you can customize to fit your needs. Wix's templates are visually appealing. The drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to customize them. 

However, Wix's templates are limited, and users cannot modify the website's code.

WordPress offers more templates and customizability. Users can choose between free and paid themes. With even minimal technical expertise, users can modify the code. 

Additionally, WordPress offers a range of plugins to add features and functionality to your site.

Are Wix and WordPress Easy to Use?

Both Wix and WordPress offer user-friendly interfaces and tools to make website creation as easy as possible. However, the level of ease of use can vary depending on the user's technical knowledge and experience.

Wix

Many users find that Wix is generally more user-friendly than WordPress. Its drag-and-drop interface makes it easy for beginners to create a website without any coding knowledge. Wix offers a simple editor that allows users to customize templates, add elements and manage their website's settings without much difficulty. 

Wix also provides a range of tutorials, guides and customer support resources to help users get started and troubleshoot any issues that may arise.

WordPress

WordPress requires users to have some technical knowledge. While it offers a user-friendly interface for creating and managing content, users will need some knowledge of the following:

• Website hosting;
• Domain registration; and
• Themes and plugins. 

This is just to get you started working on the platform—there’s a definite learning curve. It can take a significant amount of time to learn the ins and outs of the software.

WordPress offers a vast range of customization options, but this can also make it more complex to use for beginners. Even so, once users have the knowledge, WordPress is just as user-friendly as Wix.

E-Commerce Capabilities of Wix and WordPress

Both Wix and WordPress offer e-commerce solutions. Wix's e-commerce features are built-in, and users can easily add products and create a store. Wix offers a range of payment options, and users can manage their store from the same platform as their website.

WordPress offers a range of e-commerce plugins, the most popular being WooCommerce. WooCommerce offers a range of features and customization options, but users need to have the technical knowledge to set it up properly. WordPress also offers a range of payment options and integrations with other e-commerce services.

Comparing SEO Capabilities and Features

Search engine optimization (SEO) is vital for any website to rank well in search engine results. Wix offers a range of SEO features to help users optimize their websites for search engines: 

• Page titles;
• Meta descriptions;
• Image optimization;
• SSL certificate; and
• XML sitemap.

Wix provides another SEO tool—SEO Wiz. The tool guides users through the process of optimizing their website for search engines. It analyzes the website's content and provides personalized recommendations to improve SEO.

WordPress offers a vast range of SEO features and capabilities to help users optimize their websites for search engines, including:

• Customizable permalinks;
• XML sitemap;
• Image optimization;
• Mobile responsiveness; and
• Website speed optimization.

Another popular feature of WordPress is the vast range of free and paid SEO plugins it offers.

Overall, WordPress provides a comprehensive range of SEO features and capabilities through its customizable settings, making it a popular choice for users who want to optimize their websites for search engines.

Third-Party Integrations

WordPress generally offers more third-party integrations compared to Wix. This is mainly due to the fact that WordPress is an open-source platform with a large community of developers who create plugins and extensions for the platform.

WordPress has over 58,000 plugins available in its official plugin directory. Plugins cover a wide range of functionalities and integrations such as:

• SEO;
• Social media;
• Email marketing;
• eCommerce; and
• Analytics.

In addition, there are many third-party plugins available outside of the official directory. 

While Wix does have its own app market with over 300 apps, it may not offer as many integrations compared to WordPress. Wix curates apps in the Wix app market. Third-party developers are not involved.

Like WordPress, the Wix app market covers a range of functionalities, including forms, social media, booking and more. Along with the robust integration features comes a range of security concerns, including security issues associated with email.

Website Security Features and Measures

Website security is critical for protecting sensitive information, preventing malware attacks, avoiding downtime and avoiding legal liabilities. By prioritizing security, you can build a website that is both user-friendly and safe for your users.

Remember to regularly update your website's security measures. Staying up-to-date with the latest security trends and technologies helps keep your website remains secure.

If you don't have a dedicated IT security team, you'll want to consider managed IT services from a business that specializes in providing IT security for websites.

Both Wix and WordPress offer security features and measures to keep their users' websites safe from potential threats. 

Wix and Website Security

Wix's security features include:

SSL Certificates

Wix websites include a free SSL certificate, stating that all data exchanged between the website and the user is encrypted.

Backup and Restore

Wix offers automatic website backups and restores. In case of any security issues, users can restore their website to a previous version.

Two-Factor Authentication

Wix provides two-factor authentication (2FA), adding an extra layer of security to users' accounts.

Secure Hosting

Wix hosts all its websites on secure servers and performs regular security updates.

How WordPress Manages Website Security

WordPress is an open-source platform, which means that its security depends on the users' efforts to keep their websites safe. Still, WordPress provides various security features and measures, including:

SSL Certificates

WordPress users can obtain an SSL certificate for their website, stating that all data exchanged between the website and the user is encrypted.

Plugin Updates

WordPress provides regular updates to its plugins and themes, helping to keep them secure and free from vulnerabilities.

Password Protection

WordPress users are encouraged to use strong passwords and change them regularly to prevent unauthorized access to their website.

Security Plugins

WordPress users can install just about any plugin under the sun. Security plugins add an extra layer of website security. Plugins may be free of charge, but some require payment to activate.

Wix and WordPress both provide security features and measures to help keep their users' websites safe from cyberattacks and other website security issues.

Wix offers more built-in security features. WordPress users have more control over their website's security through the use of security plugins and regular updates.

Ultimately, the level of security for both platforms is dependent on the user's efforts to keep their website secure.

Can You Switch from Wix to WordPress?

While it's possible to switch from Wix to WordPress or vice versa, it can be a complex process. You may require technical expertise or the assistance of a professional web developer.

Wix to WordPress

If you're switching from Wix to WordPress, you'll need to export your content from Wix and import it into WordPress. This may involve converting your content to a compatible format, such as XML. You'll need to endeavor to include all images and media files in the import process.

You'll also need to recreate your website design in WordPress, which may require selecting a new theme or hiring a web developer to create a custom design for you.

WordPress to Wix

If you're switching from WordPress to Wix, you'll need to manually transfer your content and design to Wix. This may involve recreating your website design using the Wix website builder and copying and pasting your content into the appropriate sections.

It's worth noting that switching platforms can also have an impact on your website's search engine rankings and other metrics. You'll need to plan the switch carefully and ensure that you have a backup of your website data in case of any issues.

Careful planning and execution help keep your website functional and meets your needs.

Is Wix or WordPress a Better Fit?

After exploring the different features of these two popular players in the web technology adventure, which platform is a better fit for your needs? Here’s a brief look at the different areas where each platform shines:

Wix

Wix is best suited for small businesses, bloggers and those who want a quick and easy website and don’t have lot of technical knowledge. Wix is also a good choice if you want a website builder that handles all the technical aspects, including security and updates.

WordPress

WordPress is best suited for bloggers, small businesses and large organizations that want full control over their website's design, functionality and content. WordPress is also a good choice for those who have the technical knowledge or a dedicated team to handle the technical aspects of running a website.

Website Selection Process

If it comes down to a winner between Wix vs WordPress, both are excellent platforms for building a website—the choice depends on what works best for you. When choosing between Wix and WordPress, consider your business's needs, your technical expertise, your budget and your tolerance for managing cybersecurity. 

EisnerAmper does not endorse any product or service or warrant that any products or services are appropriate for any particular business.