Website building has improved in recent years, and so has online activity. People no longer want boring mono-tone sites; they want creative freedom and sassy websites.
Nothing appeals more to a DIY enthusiast than a blank slate. That’s what Wix is! Whether you are a novice or a DIY-er, the Wix Website Builder should be at the top of your list.
Wix has over 150 million users
The premise of building a website is to present your business to the world. While this may be true, the actual work depends on your skill level, time, goals, and circumstances. Wherefore, building a website by yourself or by using a Website Builder is a delicate balance of convenience and control.
But before you burst out your cheque-book, indulge in this Wix Review to understand how Wix works.
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Wix Overview
Wix is a Website Builder established in 2006 by the Israeli-owned Wix Company. Since inception, Wix has grown exponentially to host a staggering 150 million users as of 2019.
Wix is a Drag-and-Drop-type Website Builder that automatically runs in your browser. More importantly, there is no installation needed and Wix offers its own web-hosting services.
To date, Wix has the widest array of options of any Website Builder in the market. From pre-built designs to 500 plus different themes. If there ever was an option, Wix has it!
Wix has the widest array of options
With Wix, building a website can be as simple as 123 (Sign-in, select a template, and begin designing). You can build your own website in HTML5 as well as a Mobile website without a tad of technical skills or coding.
How Does Wix Work?
Building a website on Wix resembles moving into a pre-built house. The structure, represented by the theme, is solid and can’t be changed. But you can decorate the interior as you see fit.
Once you settle on a theme, you cannot switch it later. If you have to change it, be ready to redesign the whole website or scrap it and start from scratch.
But don’t worry, Wix has the latest designs in templates and an impressive collection of Apps, widgets, and tools in the Wix App Market.
Drag and Drop your images anywhere
When we call it a Drag-and-Drop website builder, that is exactly what it is. You can literally drag and drop images, text, and videos anywhere you want. And the best part is, you get to see your website taking shape.
But as far as controlling your website, designing it is about as far as you will go. Wix has an all-inclusive approach to their business including hosting their users’ websites. Additionally, they own the tools to build the websites as well as the Admin Panel where you sign-in to your website.
This may not be a problem if you’re a novice who needs the help. With the sheer number of options offered, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. Otherwise, it is a good thing that Wix tries to start you off from the template stage rather than actual scratch.
Who Should Use Wix?
By now you may be wondering if Wix is a good fit. Wiz is suitable for small businesses that require a single sub-level website.
In fact, Wiz carries loads of industry-specific templates catering to Small Enterprises, Cafes and Restaurants, Musicians, Graphic Designers, Photographers, and Hospitality businesses.
If your business requires a huge website with 30 pages or more and complex structures, Wiz is not your ideal choice.
Wix Features
Wix has some outstanding features which make it a leader in the website building front. We want our Wix Review to reflect all the good and bad attributes to help you make an informed choice.
1. Wix Editor and Wix ADI
When deciding to build your website on Wix, you have two choices at your disposal. The Wix Editor or Wix ADI.
Create your website by using Wix Editor for a more hands-on approach or Wix ADI for an automated method.
The Wix Editor
Wix Editor is the feature that makes Wix malleable. All you have to do is Drag and Drop.
Wix Editor opens the user up to all the choices provided on the site. You can customize your website and add features, Apps, tools, widgets, and galleries as you see fit.
Explore unique Wix Editor features like Photo Filters and Animated Texts. You can even upload your own Text Font if you like.
Wix site offers a quick step-by-step video guide to building your website with Wix Editor. If you are new to website building watch the video, if not, skip and get right into it.
Wix ADI
Wix ADI is an automated AI feature that builds the website for you using an algorithm. Newbies and users who are pressed for time find this feature indispensable. Below is the Wix ADI product pitch.
Wix ADI is a great resource for users who want a quick website.
First, Wix ADI will ask you a couple of questions about the website you want. These questions include the kind of website you want, your business name and location, and your preferred website design.
Next, ADI does some online recon to determine which website best suits your business. In a couple of minutes, you will have a stunning a website intuitively donning the same colours as your Business Logo.
If you need to edit the Wix ADI website, you can! Wix ADI lets you switch back to the regular Wix Editor any time you want. Conversely, switching to the reverse is a tad more complicated. You have to save the initial ADI version in order to restore it.
Finally, comes the ADI website review; a process dubbed ADI’s Proposal. If you approve the ADI website simply click the “Go Live” button and you’re done!
In case you need to integrate your website to mobile devices, Wix is optimized for mobile device use.
Wix websites adapt to the browser type and device including for users with disabilities. These features are especially crucial because DIY and novice website creators may not have the time or skills to do this well.
Setting up the Mobile Version of your website is a breeze
However, each time you edit your website, you may need to do the same for your mobile website as well. This often creates inconsistencies between the desktop version and the mobile version of your website.
2. Template Designs
Wix is unmatched in the sheer array of templates available. You can find a template for almost any kind of business.
Even though in the past Wix reviews complained of outdated themes, they have since updated their templates. Now Wix features designer-made, ultra-modern templates with sleek layouts- over 500 of them!
The templates are intuitive with thousands of high-resolution images in stock at your disposal.
Wix has tried to make their Template Gallery as accessible as possible. It is organized by category, portfolio, one-pager, industry, and style among others. Still, the choices available are intimidating. But such is the cost for total creative freedom.
3. Wix App Market
The Wix App Market is at the heart of Wix website customization. Altogether, there are more than 300 Apps in the Wix App Market including Tools, Widgets, Galleries, and 3rd party Apps. Wix counts about 90 of their own Apps in the Wix App Market.
The Apps are monetized so you can select the ones that apply to your business. Among the most popular Apps:
- Social Widgets (social media sites, forums, and comment boxes)
- Marketing Widgets (traffic generators, email marketing tools, coupons, and social contests)
- Hospitality Widgets (restaurant menus, receipts, restaurant social bar, open table reservations, hotels, and air bnbs maps)
- Scheduling Widgets (reservation booking, contact form builders, and appointment bookings)
- Event Widgets (event calendars, social media streams, event forms, and event bookings)
Wix has the largest array of Music Apps of any Website Builder
These are just a few examples of the Apps available on the Wix App Market. You can search by category, type of business, monetary value, or tools made by Wix vs 3rd party companies.
Musicians enjoy the widest array of Audio Player Apps of any website builder. Wix allows them to market their music like in CD Baby and Distrokid. The same flexibility is reflected for all other portfolio businesses like photographers, bands, artists, and fitness experts among others.
4. Wix Pricing
Is Wix Free? Well, yes and no.
Wix offers 5 subscription-based packages to fit different budgets. Each package has different features depending on the pricing.
Wix offers 5 different subscription-based packages
i). Connect Domain
Connect Domain is the most basic of all Wix Packages at $4.50 per month. With this package, you get 1GB bandwidth monthly which is enough for about 1000-2000 visitors per month.
In addition, you get 500MB storage and you can move a pre-existing domain to Wix or connect to Wix from another host. This package features Wix Ads.
ii). Combo
The Combo Package goes for $8.50 a month with 2GB bandwidth monthly and 3GB storage.
You can connect a pre-existing domain to your Wix domain or create your own Wix Domain Name– free for a year. Additionally, you get a Customized Favicon as well as remove the Wix Ads.
The Combo package is best for personal websites. This is because the 2GB bandwidth can only support around 3000-5000 visitors per month.
iii). Unlimited Package
The Wix Unlimited package is the most popular package for small businesses. It costs $12.50 a month and offers Unlimited Bandwidth and 10GB storage.
You get complimentary Site Builder and Form Builder Apps valued at $108 cumulatively. A Free Domain, a Customized Favicon, and No Wix Ads are included in this package.
iv). E-Commerce Package
The e-Commerce package goes for $16.50 monthly. You get Unlimited Bandwidth, 20GB storage, and an Online Store.
A Site Builder and Form Builder come as part of the package. Move your existing domain to Wix or connect it to Wix from a 3rd party host.
You will enjoy a Free Domain for a year, a Customized Favicon and no Wix Ads on your website.
e-Commerce works best for small e-commerce businesses with a monetization feature especially because the Online Store comes pre-built with a monetization aspect.
v). VIP Package
VIP is the ultimate Wix package. It comes in at $ 24.50 monthly. With VIP you get all the features of e-Commerce Package plus 10 Email Campaigns a month and Priority Response.
The VIP package is for the user who wants everything and more.
All Wix Packages come with Free Hosting, No Set-up Fee, 500MB+ storage, Domain connection, Technical Support, and Google Analytics.
vi). Wix Free Website
Just in case you want a free website or maybe you want to play around with the Wix Website Builder, try a Free Wix Website. This website will show Wix Ads and have limited functionality.
For example, you cannot use your Domain name unless you upgrade to a subscription-based Wix Website. The best you will get is your domain name behind a Wix Sub-domain name. There are no professional features in this package.
5. Wix SEO
SEO is the driving force behind all the websites on the internet. There is no benefit in a great site that no one can find. So, SEO Ranking is key.
“Wix’s websites work fine in search,” says Google’s John Mueller.
The true measure of a website builder lies in how well its content ranks on search engines compared to its rivals. Consequently, Wix has worked hard to catch up to other website builders like WordPress and Weebly.
SEO ranking depends on a myriad of factors. Here is a checklist of the main things to include in your website and content;
SEO Checklist
- Meta Titles
- Google Search Console
- Meta Description
- Headings
- Custom URLs
- Image Alt Text
- Canonical Tags
- SSL encryption
- Social Media integration
- Google Analytics
- 301 redirects
- Speedy Uptime
- Google Engine instructions
- Mobile friendly
- Structured Data
- Sitemap
Wix has all of the above SEO optimizing tools except for Structured Data and Sitemap.
Even though there is a Sitemap, Wix reviews indicate it that doesn’t work as well as it should. Seeing as how important a Sitemap is to your website vis-à-vis the search engines, you have to manage the Sitemap yourself from the Google Search Console.
Structured Data is additional information that helps search engines to know how best to present your page on search engine results. Wix does not have this feature built-in as is with other website builders. Therefore, inconsistencies due to human error may occur because you have to enter your Structured Data manually.
Wix SEO Wiz
On the bright side, Wix offers a revolutionary Wix SEO Wiz that automates SEO for your website.
Wix SEO Wiz is an SEO automation tool
An in-depth Wix review reveals that the Wix SEO Wiz is not a long-term solution to your SEO needs. Nevertheless, this is a good start-off point especially if you are new to SEO and need time to learn.
Based on a few questions, the Wix SEO Wiz will devise an SEO Plan for your business and even display your achievements as you continue to meet your goals.
6. Wix E-Commerce
Wix e-Commerce, like all the other aspects of Wix, focuses on simplicity.
Right away, Wix e-Commerce platform features all the basic elements in other e-Commerce platforms. You can expect to Drag and Drop your images and videos and have the same creative freedom that Wix is famous for.
The templates are stunning as is the ease of use. Wix tried to keep the e-commerce platform decluttered except for 5 icons to the left of the page. These are for settings, modifying your pages, designing items, adding components, and visiting the App Market.
Wix Store Icon
The Wix Store Icon is extremely handy for checking orders, inventory, and customers.
Wix Store Icon is used to check on inventory, customers, and orders.
You can easily add details like sales, include a product gallery, or even add a Buy button with a few clicks. Furthermore, you can sell both physical and digital goods on the Wix Store.
The e-commerce interface is user-friendly to you and your customers. Checkout is seamless and secure. A cute “Thank You” note appears every time a customer makes a purchase and you get an email notification.
E-Commerce Pricing
As far as pricing, e-Commerce is only for e-Commerce and VIP package clients. Wherefore, the normal subscription fee of $16.50 monthly or $24.50 monthly will apply depending on your package. There are no sales charges.
7. Wix Restore and Backup
Site History is a tool for reserving your website in case you need to reimpose it at a later date. You can, therefore, reinstate your website to any previously saved version.
However, back up is done manually. Previously saved versions of your website remain the same. In other words, your site does not update automatically when you make changes to your Live website.
8. Wix Password Protection
Wix offers optimal Password Protection.
You can have individual passwords for individual pages. With this feature, you can create a membership site where select members sign-up for login details. As a result, members gain access to protected content.
These Password Protection features do not integrate with e-commerce. Additionally, you have to manually approve the members.
Wix in a Nutshell
- Simple to use
- Affordable
- Free domain hosting
- 14-day money back guarantee
- Creative freedom
- Great for small business and newbies
- You can’t export your data
- Wix only supports single tier websites
- Certain upsells within the paid subscriptions.
Final Thoughts
In our Wix review conclusion, Wix is a strong contender in the Website Building arena. Even with a rocky start, Wix has developed into the go-to website builder for freelancers and small businesses.
Do we recommend it? Yes. Wix is a great choice if your site is a small single-level website. The flexibility and freedom of choice simply can’t be beaten!
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