Are you seeking an easy-to-use yet powerful platform to establish your online presence? Then, the Wix website builder might be the perfect solution!
In this comprehensive review, we'll dive into the latest 2024 version of Wix, providing an in-depth look at its features and guiding you on building your own Wix website. We've spent months putting this platform to the test, and we're excited to share our findings.
Let's explore the answer to the crucial question, “Is Wix a good website builder?” by examining these key points.
- Pricing;
- Easy to use;
- Designing templates;
- 5 useful customization tools;
- Apps and integrations;
- eCommerce features;
- SEO and marketing features;
- Security;
- Customer support;
- A 5-step tutorial for Wix website creation.
Join us as we explore each aspect in detail!”
1. Pricing
Wix stands out as one of the few website builders offering a completely free plan. This makes it an excellent choice for users on a tight budget who don't require extensive website features. As long as you don't mind a few ads, it's a cost-effective way to get your website up and running.
However, if you're looking for a more professional touch with your own domain name, eCommerce features, or more advanced capabilities, Wix's premium plans are worth considering. Wix caters to various needs with two main offerings:
- The Original Wix: Starting from $17/month, these plans eliminate Wix ads, allow for custom domains, and provide additional storage, bandwidth, apps, and marketing tools. Most plans even sweeten the deal with a free domain for a year.
- Wix Studio: Designed for freelancers and agencies, Studio plans start at $16/month. There are five tiers with specialized features for design-focused businesses, and you can contact Wix directly for custom pricing options to fit your unique requirements.
No matter which Wix plan you're considering, their generous 14-day money-back guarantee lets you explore risk-free. If it's not the perfect fit, simply cancel within the trial period for a full refund.
2. Ease of Use
Wix's flexible pricing plans cater to a wide range of budgets, but what about the actual experience of building a website?
Based on my experience, Wix's interface is remarkably straightforward and user-friendly. Building a website with Wix is a breeze for users of all levels, from complete beginners to those with more experience.
Wix's drag-and-drop editor truly simplifies the design process. Just select the element you need – whether it's a text box, image, video, or anything else – and drag it to your desired location on the page. You can create a stunning layout without writing a single line of code. This means you can have your website up and running quickly, even with no prior experience.
And don't just take my word for it! Wix's user-friendliness is backed by countless positive reviews on platforms like Trustpilot, where it holds an impressive 4.6/5-star rating with over 18,000 reviews. Clearly, many users find Wix to be incredibly intuitive and easy to use.
3. Designing Templates
You might have seen how intuitive Wix is to use, but where do you start when it comes to designing your site? Let's take a closer look at these templates and discover how they can inspire your website's design.
There's no doubt that Wix website builder is the leading platform in terms of theme options. This hosted solution comes with an impressive collection of 900+ website templates on its theme store, all neatly organized into various categories for different purposes.
Based on my personal experience, all Wix website design templates are not only visually appealing but also packed with features that ensure smooth navigation and a seamless user experience on both desktop and mobile devices.
Therefore, my take is that whether you are building a Wix blog, creating an online portfolio to showcase your work, or anything in between, you can always find an ideal template for your Wix site – one that looks great and functions beautifully on any screen size.
4. Customization Tools
One of Wix's greatest strengths that can not be missed in this Wix Website builder review is its remarkable ability to cater to users of all skill levels. Whether you're a tech novice or a seasoned web designer, Wix provides the tools you need to customize your website to your liking.
Wix Editor
For those new to website building, Wix's drag-and-drop editor is a game-changer. Want to move a button? Just drag and drop it to your desired location. It's that simple! Wix also provides helpful alignment guides and a toolbar with tools for resizing, positioning, and even adding animations to make your website truly pop.
But what about ensuring your website looks great on any device? Wix has you covered! Wix excels at mobile responsiveness, automatically adjusting your website's layout to fit perfectly on smartphones and tablets. You can rest assured that your site will provide a smooth and enjoyable browsing experience for all visitors, no matter how they choose to view it.
Wix also makes it incredibly easy to personalize your chosen template. Change fonts and colors, add your own content, swap out images, and even tweak the layout to match your brand and style – all without writing a single line of code.
Wix Editor X
On the other hand, Editor X is Wix's advanced creation platform, tailor-made for designers and agencies who crave pixel-perfect control and responsive designs. Unlike the basic Wix editor, Editor X delivers website-building templates with a cleaner, more design-focused approach. Crucially, these templates are responsive, which sets them apart from those available in Wix's classic editor interface.
Editor X functions more similarly to Adobe Photoshop or InDesign than a typical website builder. It employs layers for element stacking and offers Masters for swiftly replicating design elements across pages. For responsive websites, Editor X begins with three-page sizes, with the option to add more breakpoints for different resolutions. In general, it's notably swifter to reposition elements using Editor X, surpassing even the standard Wix website builder.
Wix ADI
Don't want to start from scratch? Wix ADI (Artificial Design Intelligence) can be your personal web designer. Answer a few questions about your site's purpose and style, and Wix ADI will work its magic, generating a personalized layout in minutes. It even pulls in relevant content and integrates your social media feeds!
I was curious to see just how easy it was, so I put Wix ADI to the test. With just a few clicks and answers, I had a beautiful website ready to go – it was truly impressive. Of course, you can always customize the details further, but Wix ADI gives you a fantastic starting point to build upon.
Wix Velo
If you want to take customization to another notch, this solution also comes with Wix Velo (previously known as Wix Corvid). This is a comprehensive web development platform seamlessly integrated into Wix's visual builder. It allows you to build professional web applications and add custom functionality to your Wix sites, all within a familiar and intuitive environment.
Here is what Velo by Wix brings to you:
- Open platform: Velo combines a visual builder with a built-in IDE, serverless Node.js, and integrated databases, all backed by the secure Wix Cloud.
- Custom functionality & interactions: Beyond Wix's built-in features, you can create tailored interactions and functionalities using Velo's APIs.
- Front-end & Back-end development: Velo enables serverless coding in both the front-end and back-end, giving you full control over your website's logic and behavior.
Wix Media & Mobile Responsiveness
Over and beyond, Wix website builder offers seamless media management. You can store your uploaded images in convenient online folders to reuse them throughout your website. It’s even possible to integrate photos and videos directly from platforms like Flickr and Facebook.
Wix also provides access to a vast library of free stock images and videos, giving you plenty of options to enhance your website's visual appeal. And if you need even more choices, you can explore premium stock images from BigStock at very reasonable prices.
But stunning visuals are only part of the equation. Wix also excels at mobile responsiveness, ensuring your website looks fantastic and functions flawlessly on smartphones and tablets. Wix automatically creates mobile-friendly versions of your site, adhering to Google's mobile-friendliness standards.
For those who desire more control, Editor X offers a fully responsive design environment, allowing you to fine-tune every detail for a seamless user experience across all devices.
All in all, Wix makes it incredibly easy to create a visually stunning website that shines on any device. With Wix, you can effortlessly manage your photos and videos, ensuring they look their best across all platforms.
5. Apps and integrations
Wix's built-in customization tools give you remarkable control over your website's design and functionality. But what if you need even more features or want to connect your site with other powerful tools?
That's where Wix's App Market and integrations come in. There's a vast selection of 800+ add-ons, catering to almost every need of an online business such as QuickBooks, Mailchimp, and Google AdSense. While the selection might not be as extensive as other platforms like Shopify, Wix apps provide solid functionality and can be either free, freemium, or paid.
6. eCommerce features
Wix provides strong eCommerce tools that enable every business, despite its scale, to sell effectively online. Be it a physical or digital product, this website builder bestows flexibility and easiness when establishing a thriving online store.
Wix gives you the power to enhance your product presentation with detailed high-resolution images, interactive zoom-in options, and compelling product videos. To streamline the product listing process, businesses can leverage Wix's CSV template feature for bulk uploading. This feature is particularly beneficial when migrating to Wix from other platforms.
When it comes to payments, Wix offers multiple options for a smooth customer checkout experience. Popular gateways like PayPal and Stripe are seamlessly integrated, ensuring secure transactions. Wix also provides basic tools for configuring shipping and tax settings. However, integrating with major shipping carriers like UPS or FedEx might require additional setup for businesses with more complex shipping needs.
Wix understands that sometimes customers leave items in their cart without completing a purchase. That's why they offer abandoned cart recovery tools to help you recapture these lost sales. Wix can automatically send reminder emails to encourage customers to return and complete their purchases.
But that's not all! Wix also provides a range of marketing tools to help you grow your online store. You can create enticing coupons and discounts to attract customers, build email lists to keep them engaged, and seamlessly connect your store with social media platforms to expand your reach.
7. SEO and marketing features
In terms of search engine optimization, Wix website builder provides an adequate set of functions to boost your site's appearance on Google, Bing, and other search engines. After several months of working with Wix, I think these are the best SEO and marketing tools that the platform offers:
- Wix SEO setup checklist: Step-by-step guidance for SEO beginners, with personalized recommendations to rank higher on SERP.
- Powerful SEO toolset: Fast loading times, mobile responsiveness, XML sitemaps, 301 redirects, customizable meta tags, and more.
- Google integrations: Seamlessly connect with Google Search Console and Analytics for in-depth performance insights.
- Social media ads: Easily create and manage Facebook & Instagram ad campaigns, powered by Wix AI.
- Blogging platform: Publish engaging content, customize your blog's design, and boost your SEO with built-in features.
8. Security
Is Wix a secure choice, ensuring the protection of both your data and that of your customers? Yes, the Wix website builder incorporates numerous built-in features designed to safeguard your website and ensure its security. In more detail, your data during transmission is encrypted using HTTPS, TLS 1.2+, and automatic SSL, while data at rest employs AES-256, which is the most robust commercially available encryption standard.
Moreover, all websites on Wix adhere to the strictest Payment Card Industry Data Standards, accompanied by anti-fraud measures, ensuring the protection of payment information and securing transactions.
9. Customer support
Wix's intuitive interface often makes support unnecessary, but when you do need help, their comprehensive system has you covered. Start with the easily accessible Help Center, packed with articles and tutorials. If you still need assistance, submit a ticket or request a callback. Impressively, this support service is available 24/7, even for free accounts.
Their helpful chatbot guides you through potential solutions, but if needed, you can connect directly with a live support agent for personalized help. In my experience, Wix's support team is responsive and knowledgeable, providing timely assistance and resolving our queries effectively.
Wix Website Builder Tutorial – 5 Steps to Build a Wix Website
Now that you've learned all the ins and outs of Wix website builder, let's learn how to build a Wix website in a few simple steps.
Step 1. Set up your Wix account
To get started with Wix, simply head over to their website and sign up for a free account. Fill in the necessary information, including emai and password. You can also use the existing Google or Facebook login credentials to create your Wix account.
After that, you might need to answer a quick survey from Wix before continuing your journey.
Step 2. Choose a Wix template and customize your website
Now it's time to lay the foundation for your website! Wix offers two paths to get started: Wix ADI and Wix Editor:
- If you're new to website building or prefer a more automated approach, choose Wix ADI. All you need to do is answer a few questions about your website's purpose, style, and desired features. After that, you can customize it further using the Wix Editor (we'll cover that in the next step).
- On the flip side, choose the Wix Editor if you prefer a more hands-on approach and want to browse Wix's extensive template library. Select a template that aligns with your vision (business, portfolio, online store, etc.). Wix will then automatically install the template for you, so you can start customizing it right away.
Whether you chose Wix ADI or the Editor, you're now ready to customize your website template.
- Now, use the drag-and-drop editor to:
- Add, remove, or rearrange elements (text, images, videos, buttons, etc.)
- Personalize your website's design with your brand's colors, fonts, and images.
- Experiment with different layouts and sections.
If you're comfortable with code, you can use Wix Velo for more advanced customizations.
Step 3. Enhance your Wix site by adding essential functions
Without proper functionalities, your website might be dull and invaluable to visitors. Therefore, based on my experience, I advise that you should include some necessary functions in your Wix site, such as:
- Contact form: Allow visitors to easily get in touch with you.
- Image gallery: Showcase your products, services, or portfolio with eye-catching visuals.
- Social media links: Connect your website to your social media profiles to grow your online presence.
- Blog: Share your expertise, news, and updates with engaging blog posts.
You can find these features and many more in the Wix Editor's menu on the left side of your screen.
Step 4. Choose a domain name
Now that your website is taking shape, it's time to give it a unique address – its domain name. This is how visitors will find your site online.
- Click on Settings in the top bar. Select Connect Domain.
After that, Wix will show you two options for domain names, which are:
- Get a free Wix.com domain: This option gives you a free subdomain under Wix's domain. While this is a cost-effective starting point, it may not look as professional as a custom domain.
- Connect your own customized domain: This option is ideal if you already own a domain or want to purchase one from Wix or another domain registrar.
Step 5. Publish your Wix site
On the main menu, you can find the Upgrade, Save, Preview, and Publish buttons in the top right corner.
- When you make changes to your site, click the Save button often and make sure Autosave is active.
- Double-check that your site looks great on both desktop and mobile devices by using the Preview button in the upper right corner.
- When you are satisfied with everything, simply hit the Publish button and introduce your online presence.
- If you're planning to sell products or services, you'll need to Upgrade to a premium plan before publishing. This will also allow you to connect your custom domain and remove Wix ads.
Wix Website Builder – FAQs
Is Wix free?
Yes, Wix has a free plan with basic features. However, it includes Wix ads and uses a Wix subdomain instead of a custom domain.
Is it good to make a website on Wix?
If you are looking for a low-cost yet fully functional way to build an online presence for personal purposes, Wix website builder could be a great option. It is suitable for artists showcasing their masterpieces, bloggers expressing their opinions, and designers displaying their portfolios.
What is the average price to build a Wix website?
The cost varies depending on your needs. It can be totally free if you can sacrifice several features of the premium plans. But if you want to take your Wix website to another level, it might cost you from $16 to $159 per month.
Is Wix a good website for beginners?
Absolutely! Wix is one of the easiest-to-use website builders in the market. Its drag-and-drop editor, AI tools, and extensive tutorials make it easy to create a website even without technical skills.
Wix Website Builder – Final Words
And that brings us to the end of my Wix website builder review. Overall, Wix has lived up to its reputation as a user-friendly builder tool with the recent addition of AI features. This platform is significantly more accessible to people who have less technological knowledge. Thanks to its stunning templates and advanced designing tool, Wix website builder can certainly meet your needs.
If you're looking to switch platforms, whether moving to Wix or away from it, LitExtension's migration service has your back. With over 300,000 successful migrations and 200,000+ satisfied customers worldwide, LitExtension will be your trusted partner for seamless website transitions.
If you like this article, don't forget to check out our LitExtension blog to find more ideas about Wix. Last but not least, join our Facebook Community to connect with thousands of eCommerce enthusiasts from all over the world.