I think everyone remembers their first website and shudders – whether it was the worlds most customised MySpace page (how many people got their start in coding thanks to those skills I wonder…) or a badly coded multi page website done in DreamWeaver and actual code files that barely worked. No matter what side of the fence you fall on there, we can all appreciate how easy it is to create a beautiful website yourself with just the click of a few buttons and a reasonable eye for what looks good. My first website was my own. And it was (in 2011) a Wix website. And I still shudder. From that experience to a few more websites built on the platform and quite a few conversions from Wix to WordPress, I have learnt a little bit that cements my belief that WordPress is literally the best website builder known to us. Here’s what they won’t tell you about working with Wix. Updating things is frustrating. Getting the initial build done on a Wix website isn’t all that difficult. Once you learn how the system works, the user interface is pretty friendly and you can get the thing working quickly. But basic functions like blogging or an Instagram feed or adding more items to your portfolio are much more difficult than they need to be, and it dis-inclines you to do it. A website is a living breathing thing, and should be updated regularly for you to build better search engine results, a better user experience and ultimately grow your brand (whatever that looks like). Mobile responsiveness is not a priority Today we have to be constantly aware of how technology and devices changes our impression of a website. If you’re working on an iPhone 7 and all of a sudden someone’s website looks like shit, you’re absolutely going to notice and assume that business simply isn’t up with the times. So while you might be able to make your website look the way you want it to on YOUR computer or phone, Wix gives you incredibly limited tools to test and see what your site looks like on other devices or browsers. I just don’t think it’s good enough, and I have absolutely been burnt before. Hosting is a pain in the ass. Wix really encourage you to purchase hosting through their channels, and you have to be a hacker of defence-department proportions…
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