Just like the age-old questions of dogs or cats? Coffee or tea? The (for the sake of this post) quandary of Wix or WordPress will likely keep you up at night.
EB Media builds sites primarily on WordPress. It’s the OG of web builders with a proven track record and has the adaptability for cross-functionality. However, Wix, for the web design newbies, also holds merit. The brand also has several integrations for businesses. So going back to the question of which one would work better for your needs?
There are many website companies out there, but arguably Wix and WordPress have defined industry standards. Let’s weigh the pros and cons of the two brands to better determine your best fit.
Wix
Founded in 2006, in Israel, a major tech hub much like our nearby Waterloo Region, Wix has grown exponentially through savvy marketing and proof in its user-friendly design.
Pricing
The first key point to note when it comes to pricing is that Wix has different plans (including their add-on Ascend Plans for business) and yes, regular sales. The free version of a Wix site gives you a Wix-specific domain (usually including the email you have signed up with) and the Wix banner ads will remain on your site until you switch to a paid plan (except for the most basic.) The upside of Wix in comparison to the latter WordPress, which we will delve into below, is that they host the website on their server. This eliminates outsourcing for the brand and the website owner. It’s a one-stop-shop.
Wix offers 4 for your website and 3 business plans. The prices range from $5 monthly to Business VIP at $35 monthly, in USD pricing. The higher-level plans often can be purchased for 50% off and give you a free custom domain for 1 year.
Design Capabilities
Wix has 100s of templates, all approachable from both an aesthetic and From a creative standpoint, that added to the brand’s appeal. The modifications are endless if you choose to use a template. They also have the drag-and-drop feature and allow you full customization from scratch if you wish. The navigation of the design process is engaging and user-friendly and their preset templates are searchable by niche. For example, if you are a photographer looking to build your portfolio, you can find a series of options then customize it to your taste.
Additional Features
Wix has a simplistic and defined backend. They also incorporate a blogging app, along with e-commerce aspects for integration. For their SEO, they optimize your site regularly and allow you to define your keywords and keep reports on the progress.
Wix has many in-house features, but also several useful apps accessible for use. The searchability for what you need to help your site expand is there, and the business (Ascend) plans offer a lot of services that would help you thrive.
WordPress
Founded in 2003 by American and English Developers Matt Mullenweg and Mike Little. WordPress was born when Mullenweg was 18, as a fork (variation) of b2/cafelog for his then and now blog Ma.tt.
The irony of writing this article at present is the latest post from Mullenweg titled Wix and Their Dirty Tricks is up. From a quick scan, there is a validity held, but also, it doesn’t discredit the points made about Wix above. It’s a discussion of business practices and is an interesting (and aggressive) read. Craft your own opinion on that one!
Pricing
WordPress is FREE to get started. However, you need a domain name and web host to install it. These additional third-party costs can be tricky if you are new to website building. Comparatively, it does give you more flexibility in your pricing plan because you can pick and choose what works for your budget. WordPress has five plans with the eCommerce plan costing $59 (USD)/monthly.
Design Capabilities
It has tons of design templates to choose from and customize and a robust CMS. The originator of the blogging site, most content creators have experienced WordPress throughout their careers. It has perhaps the most recognizable backend.
WordPress uses a block editor, which makes things a little more restrictive (in a good way.) There are also drag and drop page builder plugins. They also have both free and paid themes, depending on your taste. Paid themes would be considered premium in regards to the extra support and options available.
Additional Features
Since WordPress is the elder statesperson of the website building and design community, they have many integrations or coding opportunities to have plugins installed on your website. With the paid themes mentioned above, you have more integrative plugins depending on your brand’s needs.
When it comes to a breakdown, Wix is a helpful web builder to learn on. As their brand evolves, so do their capabilities. EB Media Solutions prioritizes WordPress because of the potential for growth and customization for their clients.
WordPress offers more from a longevity standpoint and is adaptable to what you are trying to achieve. It is the ultimate powerhouse for the web designer, and the professionals often prefer it. It makes your site unique, and the possibilities are endless. However, it also requires a savvy professional to help you get all you can out of WordPress to build your site.
Need a fully customized website for your brand built on WordPress?
EB Media are Hamilton’s best web designers. We are a full-service company that can work with you to create the best website for your business. We will focus on your needs. From aesthetic to functionality, we can help you thrive and showcase your brand’s best assets!
Contact us today to see how we can take your web design to the next level!
