Why use WordPress over Wix to build your own website.

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 to hook in a URL that you might have purchased from somewhere else. And buying their hosting is exorbitantly expensive and you will be paying for that sucker for years. Email hosting is difficult to set up, extra storage is hard to come by and spam. My god the spam! All in all, I found the hosting part of working with Wix one of the major reasons why I wanted to run far far away.

Add-ons are non existent.
Want to include a pop up that hooks into Mailchimp? Can’t do it. Want o create an autoresponder for anyone who sends an enquiry? Can’t do it. One of the biggest advantages of WordPress is that there are so many add ons that you can put into your website, from auto page builders to Mailchimp forms and pop ups, that will help drive your business. Some of the apps available in the Wix app market are so simple (and built to be that way so they work for everyone) that they don’t have functionality that some assume is basic or common behaviour.

Wix is a great website builder of you want to throw something together really quickly and have it look half decent with a bit design knowledge on your side and absolutely no coding skills. That’s why I used it! But if you want a website that really drives your business, is the corner stone of your online activity and really makes you look great online, I would suggest getting in to WordPress.

If you don’t know where to start or want someone to literally get your website working for you, then I would love you to get in touch and let’s make sure that you look good no matter where your customers are online.
If you want to see more of my web design work, you can always check it out here.