WordPress vs. Wix in Test

WordPress is by far the most popular Content Management System (CMS) for creating websites and has long shed its limitations - such as the original focus on blogging. In terms of its prevalence, Wix, with a single-digit market share, poses insignificant competition, but one that is rapidly growing. Particularly the young start-up, the small to medium online shop, the successful band, and the solo artist are increasingly opting for the perceived dwarf over the market leader. Reason enough to take a comparative look at the market leaders for website builders and CMS in our Wix vs. Jimdo Test.

Wix and WordPress - two approaches to a perfect homepage

With WordPress, it is a classic CMS: it consists of a collection of scripts that, in conjunction with external files such as images and a database, create a website in real-time. Regardless of the task - whether it's a blog, online shop, or internet presence - WordPress requires a suitable environment for its operation. This includes several additional and sometimes paid services like web hosting. Additional expenses arise from commercial extensions such as plugins and apps, for example, for Search Engine Optimization (SEO) or templates.

In contrast, Wix is a website builder system offered by the Israeli company Wix.com, including support and limited SEO, through its own infrastructure. The setup and configuration are done exclusively online via the browser - local installation is neither required nor possible. Users do not need technical knowledge or additional programs to create a website and do not have to worry about details such as webspace, servers, or their prices, but can fully focus on main tasks such as content and SEO.

User-Friendliness in Focus

One of the reasons for the success of WordPress is undoubtedly its clear and convenient interface. It makes even complex tasks such as rights distribution, SEO integration, or extension and configuration of plugins and apps understandable. For a long time, the CMS was considered a model for user-friendly design and handling for various purposes from blogs to online shops. However, proving that it can be even simpler is Wix in the test.

Wix uses a drag-and-drop system - users can drag elements to their desired location, assign properties to them, and create connections through menus. This eliminates all inputs such as the position or size of elements and the editing of source code. Problems due to incorrect calculations are avoided - the time-consuming search for solutions is unnecessary, leaving more time to work on SEO, blogs, or online shops. If difficulties do arise, professional support is available at no extra cost.

Flexibility in Extensions and Designs

The keyword for an attractive, industry-specific, or thematic presentation is templates - design templates for specific customer groups or purposes. In the Wix test, there were more than 600 different examples of these from which a user can choose. Categories such as blogs or online shops are divided into thematic or industry-specific sections. Individual templates can be viewed and tested with a click of a mouse.

WordPress installs templates through an internal system for plugins and apps, which serves as a free interface for developers. This allows programmers to write extensions and publish them within and outside the official marketplace. This approach increases flexibility and the selection of apps but can lead to incompatibilities between different plugins or during a WordPress update. Adjustments, updates, and support are solely the responsibility of the developers. The user must ensure that no complications arise from different extensions and program versions.

In contrast, with Wix, templates and plugins for SEO are available in a central online shop as a source of certified extensions. External developers offer their products, like smartphone apps, on a monitored platform. They undergo testing by Wix to ensure error-free operation. This system guarantees high security, reliability, and compatibility with the current version.

Direct and Indirect Costs

As software, WordPress is subject to the GNU General Public License (GPLv2), and the download for self-installation is free. Its chief developer also offers ready-to-use installations through his company Automattic, which customers can book for free or as subscriptions in special packages like blogs, online shops, or business sites. Wix uses a similar payment system, but websites are created within the company's closed builder. Therefore, a local installation for testing purposes, such as for an online shop, is not possible.

Both providers start their prices with ad-based free versions and charge less than five euros per month for small packages. They also offer special, more expensive packages for commercial purposes like an online shop. These include additional services such as SEO tools for WordPress or faster support for Wix. Regardless of these primary costs, commercial projects incur additional expenses, which are usually significantly higher - for example, for marketing, continuous SEO implementation, or unique content.

WordPress vs. Wix in a Duel - The Winner

As in our previous test of Wix vs. Jimdo, neither of the two systems emerges as a clear winner. The prices for managed hosting do not differ significantly for small and medium-sized businesses or an online shop; a private blog is ad-supported and free. Certain advantages, such as higher flexibility or SEO tools from WordPress, are balanced by Wix with a clear, convenient configuration and comprehensive support.

Photo: pixelcreatures | pixabay.com

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