WordPress or Wix: which one for a professional website?WordPress or Wix: which one for a professional website?

WordPress or Wix? The short answer: Wix if you want a simple site right away without managing anything, WordPress if you want a site that belongs to you and can grow. I mostly build WordPress and custom sites, and I regularly see businesses leave Wix as they grow. Here's the point-by-point comparison, with each one's real limits.WordPress oror Wix? The short answer:answer: Wix if you wantwant a simple site rightright away without managing anything,anything, WordPress if you wantwant a site that belongsbelongs to you and cancan grow. I mostly buildbuild WordPress and custom sites,sites, and I regularly seesee businesses leave Wix asas they grow. Here's thethe point-by-point comparison, with eacheach one's real limits.

• Ease of use: Wix wins. Drag-and-drop editor, nothing to install.Ease ofof use: Wix wins. Drag-and-dropDrag-and-drop editor, nothing to install.install.
• Design and feature freedom: WordPress wins. Themes, plugins and code with no ceiling.Design andand feature freedom: WordPress wins.wins. Themes, plugins and codecode with no ceiling.
• Ownership: WordPress wins. The site is yours; a Wix site can't move to another host.Ownership: WordPressWordPress wins. The site isis yours; a Wix sitesite can't move to anotheranother host.
• Tech to manage: Wix wins. Hosting, security and updates are included.Tech toto manage: Wix wins. Hosting,Hosting, security and updates areare included.
• SEO: WordPress has the edge with finer settings; Wix covers the basics well.SEO: WordPressWordPress has the edge withwith finer settings; Wix coverscovers the basics well.
• Long-term cost: compare case by case, Wix subscription versus WordPress hosting and maintenance.Long-term cost:cost: compare case by case,case, Wix subscription versus WordPressWordPress hosting and maintenance.

Wix is a hosted website builder: you pick a template, move the blocks, publish. Hosting, security and backups are handled for you. For a first online presence or a test, it's quick and comfortable.Wix isis a hosted website builder:builder: you pick a template,template, move the blocks, publish.publish. Hosting, security and backupsbackups are handled for you.you. For a first onlineonline presence or a test,test, it's quick and comfortable.comfortable.

• You rent your site: if you want to leave, it has to be rebuilt elsewhere.You rentrent your site: if youyou want to leave, itit has to be rebuiltrebuilt elsewhere.
• The free plan shows Wix ads and a subdomain address, as I explain for free stores.The freefree plan shows Wix adsads and a subdomain address,address, as I explain forfor free stores.
• You're limited to what the editor and its apps offer.You're limitedlimited to what the editoreditor and its apps offer.offer.
• A template used by many other sites is easy to spot.A templatetemplate used by many otherother sites is easy toto spot.

WordPress is free software you install with the host of your choice. The site, the copy and the data belong to you. With a light theme and a few plugins, it can do anything: showcase site, blog, store, several languages. I go through the method in creating a WordPress website.WordPress isis free software you installinstall with the host ofof your choice. The site,site, the copy and thethe data belong to you.you. With a light themetheme and a few plugins,plugins, it can do anything:anything: showcase site, blog, store,store, several languages. I gogo through the method inin creating a WordPress website.

• You need hosting and a domain name.You needneed hosting and a domaindomain name.
• WordPress, the theme and plugins need regular updates, hence the value of maintenance.WordPress, thethe theme and plugins needneed regular updates, hence thethe value of maintenance..
• A slightly longer learning curve than Wix, especially without help.A slightlyslightly longer learning curve thanthan Wix, especially without help.help.

Both let you set the basics: titles, descriptions, page addresses. WordPress goes further in detail (structured data, speed, page organisation), which matters when competition is strong. Either way, content and the technical base make the difference, not the tool alone.Both letlet you set the basics:basics: titles, descriptions, page addresses.addresses. WordPress goes further inin detail (structured data, speed,speed, page organisation), which mattersmatters when competition is strong.strong. Either way, content andand the technical base make thethe difference, not the tooltool alone.

1. Must your site last and grow (pages, blog, store)? If so, WordPress.Must youryour site last and growgrow (pages, blog, store)? IfIf so, WordPress.
2. Do you never want to deal with tech? If so, Wix, or WordPress with outsourced maintenance.Do youyou never want to dealdeal with tech? If so,so, Wix, or WordPress withwith outsourced maintenance.
3. Must the site truly look like you? A design drawn for you is easier on WordPress or custom-built.Must thethe site truly look likelike you? A design drawndrawn for you is easiereasier on WordPress or custom-built.

Wix to start, WordPress to build.Wix toto start, WordPress to build.build.

If your site is a work tool that should bring you clients for years, choose WordPress, or have it built. Wix remains a good choice to test an idea with no commitment. And if you're torn between doing it yourself or getting help, I compare the options in freelancer, agency or website builder. How I work is on the WordPress website page.If youryour site is a workwork tool that should bringbring you clients for years,years, choose WordPress, or havehave it built. Wix remainsremains a good choice toto test an idea withwith no commitment. And ifif you're torn between doingdoing it yourself or gettinggetting help, I compare thethe options in freelancer, agency or website builder.. How I work isis on the WordPress website page.page.