Embarking on the digital journey of choosing between Wix and WordPress for your website is akin to navigating through a vast landscape of possibilities. These two giants in the web development realm, each with its unique charm, present a spectrum of features that cater to diverse needs. So, let’s delve deep into the world of Wix and WordPress, exploring the nuances that define these platforms, all while keeping it as breezy as a South African summer day.
Wix vs. WordPress Showdown: Unveiling the Numbers
As we step into the comparison, let’s kick things off with a staggering statistic. Given that there were over 1.88 billion websites online in 2023. Wix powers 43 million websites, showcasing its widespread popularity. Conversely, WordPress boasts an even more impressive figure, standing as the backbone behind a staggering 810 million websites. This makes WordPress the world’s most widely used CMS platform for websites.
| CMS | Websites (% of total) | Websites (number)* |
| WordPress | 43.1% | 810 million |
| Shopify | 3.9% | 70 million |
| Wix | 2.5% | 43 million |
| Squarespace | 2.1% | 38 million |
| Joomla | 1.8% | 30 million |
1. Pricing and Costs: Navigating the Digital Economy
When it comes to finances, Wix offers a tempting entry point with a free basic website builder. However, this comes with a caveat – Wix-branded ads and a domain that might lack that personalized touch. To unlock the full suite of features, consider diving into Wix’s premium plans, starting at about R230/month* ($12.50/month). Wix included a free domain for the first year but .co.za domain is not included here.
* Wix is priced in US Dollars, and the Rand equivalent is subject to the current exchange rate. The exchange rate utilized is as of 07/01/2024.
The WordPress software is open source, and it is available for free for anyone to use. The freedom it offers comes at the expense of requiring hosting and a domain name. A basic hosting plan with Bakgat Marketing comes in at R80/month*, and R100/year* for a custom .co.za domain.
*Pricing for 2024, subject to change with increases
Read how to pick domain name for your business
2. Design and Layout: Crafting the Aesthetic Experience
Imagine your website as a canvas, vibrant and captivating. Wix steps up with over 900 pre-made templates, each responsive and crafted in HTML5. These templates cover a diverse range of categories – from business and eCommerce to hobbies and personal endeavors. It offers a simple drag-and-drop interface where you can select any element on your site and start editing it in a WYSIWYG interface. However, here’s the catch: once you’ve chosen a template in Wix, you’re committed. Customization is at your fingertips, but template-switching is off the table.
In the WordPress realm, creativity knows no bounds. With thousands of free and paid themes, your website’s aesthetic evolution mirrors the dynamic beauty of a protea in full bloom. WordPress has some of the most intuitive drag-and-drop page builder plugins. These drag-and-drop editors provide you with even more tools to create professional-looking websites without writing code. The flexibility to switch themes at any moment grants unparalleled freedom in shaping your digital presence.
Wix and WordPress both offer easy, code-free ways to write content, make pages, and manage business and eCommerce websites. Wix does a great job with their editor interface, but it lacks advanced capabilities. WordPress offers ease of use that can be extended with a little bit of a learning curve, which is great in the long run.
3. Plugins and Apps: Enhancing Functionality with Digital Sprinkles
Wix prides itself on a collection of around 200+ apps that add an extra layer of functionality to your site. These apps cover an array of features, from contact forms and image galleries to social media integration and email marketing. While the collection may be limited compared to WordPress, Wix ensures that the essentials are covered, catering to the most common needs expressed by site owners.
On the flip side, WordPress is synonymous with a plugin paradise, boasting over 59,000+ plugins available in the WordPress.org plugin directory alone. Whether you dream of creating a contact form, installing Google Analytics, building a membership site, or selling online courses, there’s a plugin designed to make it happen. The versatility offered by WordPress plugins is a hallmark, providing a solution for virtually every conceivable feature.
4. eCommerce Showdown: Turning Digital Storefronts into Reality
For those venturing into the realm of online selling, Wix and WordPress approach eCommerce with distinct strategies. Wix reserves eCommerce features for its paid plans, meaning users on the free plan must upgrade to unlock the full potential of Wix Stores. Transactions within Wix occur without additional pricing fees, offering a transparent approach to online selling. While third-party apps enhance the eCommerce toolkit, the overall feature set may feel more confined.
WordPress, armed with the formidable WooCommerce plugin (Core plugin is free), emerges as the heavyweight champion of eCommerce. Offering built-in support for popular payment gateways like Stripe, PayPal, and direct bank transfers, WordPress simplifies the selling process. The abundance of additional eCommerce plugins further amplifies the possibilities, catering to various business models and product types.
5. SEO – The Digital Visibility Game: WordPress and Wix in the Ring
In the realm of Search Engine Optimization (SEO), WordPress stands out as a seasoned maestro. The Yoast SEO plugin provides real-time suggestions for content improvement. Customizable permalinks contribute to SEO-friendly URLs, enhancing visibility on search engines. The hierarchical content structure aids search engines in understanding relationships between different pieces of content. Additionally, an extensive array of SEO plugins, covering everything from XML sitemaps to image optimization, places WordPress at the forefront of SEO strategy.
Wix, while not as intricate in SEO as WordPress, has made strides to enhance its capabilities. The Wix SEO Wiz serves as a user-friendly guide for beginners, offering step-by-step optimization recommendations tailored to business types. Customizable meta tags for individual pages provide crucial information to search engines. Emphasizing mobile optimization, Wix automatically generates XML sitemaps, facilitating efficient crawling and indexing.
Expertise and Assistance with Bakgat Marketing
As you navigate this thrilling journey of building your digital presence, it’s crucial to have a guiding hand that understands the nuances of web development. Here at Bakgat Marketing, we take pride in our expertise in web development, offering a range of services, including web design, graphics design, digital marketing, social media management, and business branding.
If you find yourself in need of assistance, guidance, or a tailored quote for your web development endeavours, don’t hesitate to give us a call. Our team is dedicated to helping you navigate the intricate world of web development, ensuring that your online presence not only meets but exceeds your expectations.
Your digital adventure awaits, and with Bakgat Marketing by your side, you’re equipped to turn your vision into a vibrant reality. Happy website building, and remember, we’re just a call away for all your web development needs!
