Wix is a popular platform for building websites and simple mobile apps. It supports many uses and necessary features for small businesses, personal sites, and other needs. This quick guide provides an overview of Wix, its top features, who should use it (who shouldn’t), the best alternatives, and how to learn it.
What is Wix?
Wix is a website builder cloud-based platform that allows users to create, design, and manage websites without coding. Designed for both novices and professionals, Wix offers many features, including customizable templates, design tools, and integrations to craft a robust website.
What is Wix Used For?
Wix is a website builder with many functions. It excels at creating these types of sites:
- Business: Wix can create professional-looking websites for businesses of all sizes. It has business templates and tools to help create a website that showcases your products or services.
- Portfolio: Wix is a good option for creating portfolio websites for freelancers and creative professionals. Wix offers portfolio templates and tools to help showcase your work and make it easy for potential clients to contact you.
- E-commerce: Wix can make e-commerce websites with various features to help you sell online products, including a shopping cart, payment processing, and shipping integrations.
- Blog: Wix is an option for creating blog websites via apps in their market. Wix offers blog templates and tools to help you write and publish posts.
- Personal: Wix can also be used to create personal websites. Wix offers personal website templates and tools to help you create a site that reflects your personality and interests.
Standout Features
Here are some of the more notable features offered by Wix:
- Intuitive Drag-And-Drop Editor: Design your site with Wix’s online interface. Easily move elements with the drag of your mouse and edit them with several options.
- Native Marketing Tools: Use SEO and digital marketing tools right on the platform without needing to discover, add, and filter plugins.
- Easy Setup: You can get a solid custom site design by answering a few questions in their setup wizard.
- Wix App Market: Find add-ons and integrations to expand your site’s functionality.
- App Builder: Wix offers a way to create a mobile app. This is a great bonus for those who need more than a website.
These are only some overview highlights. The best features and tools will depend on your needs and preferences.
Who is Wix Best For?
Wix caters to many users and has many pros and cons for different scenarios. Let’s break down who should and shouldn’t use Wix.
Who Should Use Wix?
- Small Business Owners: For those starting a business or running a small operation, Wix provides an easy and affordable way to build a website. Whether you’re a local bakery, a consulting service, or a craft store, Wix’s templates can get you started so your site can build from a strong foundation.
- Freelancers and Professionals: If you’re an independent contractor, photographer, writer, or any other professional wanting to showcase your portfolio and attract clients, Wix offers dedicated designs and tools to highlight your skills and services.
- Online Retailers: Wix’s e-commerce functionalities make it a prime choice for individuals or businesses selling products online. It offers tools for inventory management, payment processing, and even customer reviews.
- Artists and Creatives: Musicians, painters, graphic designers, and other creatives can leverage Wix to showcase their work in visually engaging ways, complete with galleries, video backgrounds, and more.
- Non-Profits and Community Groups: Organizations looking to share their mission, mobilize volunteers, or even collect donations can benefit from Wix’s non-profit templates and discounts for charities and non-profits.
Who Shouldn’t Use Wix?
While Wix offers versatility and ease, it might not be the best fit for everyone. You might find other platforms better depending on your specific needs and goals. Let’s explore examples where alternatives might be better:
Heavy Content Publishers
Recommendation: WordPress
For those who intend to publish vast amounts of content regularly, platforms like WordPress are more suitable. With its extensive plugin ecosystem and greater control over content organization, WordPress is a top choice for online magazines, news outlets, and other content-rich websites.
Advanced E-Commerce Platforms
Recommendation: Shopify
If your primary goal is to operate a large-scale e-commerce store with advanced features, platforms like Shopify might be a better bet. These platforms offer more advanced inventory management, integrations, and scalability options dedicated to e-commerce.
Customized Web Applications
Recommendation: Web development frameworks like Django or Ruby on Rails
For those who need to create highly customized web applications or sites with specific functionalities beyond a typical website, using full-fledged web development frameworks might be the way to go.
Minimalist Bloggers
Recommendations: Medium
For writers and bloggers who want a no-frills, focused platform for their writing, Medium is a better alternative. It offers a clean, minimalist experience that allows easy content publication without the hassles of site maintenance.
Large Enterprises
Recommendation: Custom Solutions
Large corporations with complex digital needs might seek enterprise-grade solutions with dedicated developers and customization. Quality enterprise platforms should offer a suite of tools for content management, digital marketing, analytics, and more, suitable for expansive sites.
Top Wix Alternatives
Here’s a summary of our favorite alternatives for those exploring website builders:
- Squarespace: Known for its sleek designs and ease of use. A great solution for those who want drag-and-drop controls, with limited parameters to help avoid errors.
- WordPress: Highly customizable with a vast plugin selection. It has a steeper learning curve but it’s the best option for anyone focused on content.
- Webflow: Offers intuitive and flexible design controls, but requires more web development and design knowledge. Great for portfolio and personal sites.
- Shopify: Best suited for online stores and dedicated e-commerce websites. If you’re looking to sell products or do dropshipping, this would be a stronger option.
If you still want more options, try exploring some of the other website builder alternatives.
How to Learn Wix
While it’s relatively easy to build a site with Wix, mastering the platform takes time and practice. Start with these resources to build your essential skills.
- Official Tutorials: Wix offers a collection of step-by-step tutorials on their official website.
- YouTube Tutorials: Many content creators have made helpful Wix tutorials that cover many common issues. Search YouTube for anything you want to learn more about.
- Online Courses: Platforms like Udemy and Coursera offer courses on Wix website design and development. Better if you prefer structured learning.
- Experiment: Dive in and start designing. The best way to learn the platform is by using it. If there’s anything you’re confused or curious about, Google it or use AI to learn more.
Playing with Wix’s editor and tools is the best way to learn more about the platform and if it’s best for you. You’ll get a feel for how to design a site and what features fit your needs.
Bottom Line
Wix is a versatile platform for creating customized websites without needing to code. It has many useful templates, tools, and integrations. However, as with any tool, it’s essential to invest time in learning its offerings and nuances to decide if it’s right for you. ?
