5 min read
For anyone interested in building a website, there are many potential software solutions on offer. Two of the most popular options are Wix and Webflow. Each platform provides an appealing, but distinct set of features. Not sure which builder is best for your needs? Read on to learn about the pros and cons of each system and let you decide which choice should win out in the matchup of Webflow vs. Wix.
Webflow was founded in 2012 and has consistently grown its user base thanks to a versatile and user-friendly tool set. The platform offers thousands of pre-made templates that help you create websites regardless of your coding abilities and knowledge. An introductory version of Webflow is available for free with several subscription tiers offering further customization options and capabilities such as personalized domains, custom code, and password protections.
Founded in 2006, Wix is a cloud-based website builder that also brings web hosting and design services under one platform. Wix features hundreds of pre-designed templates and simple drag-and-drop tools that make it easier for novice designers to create functional websites without a deep understanding of coding.
The breadth of customization in Webflow can be a double-edged sword. The amount of freedom is great, but it also leads to a steeper learning curve than other builders. This makes the existence of Webflow University and the surrounding support systems all the more important in helping to bring users up to speed.
By contrast, Wix is designed to be easy to pick up for beginners. A drag-and-drop editor, pre-made templates, and AI tools allow you to make websites with minimal effort. However, the lack of flexibility in regard to interactions or transferring content does put some limits on what you're able to do with Wix.
Webflow offers advanced templates and tools to give your website a personalized aesthetic that fits your design vision down to the finest detail. Users can create accomplished websites with standout features such as high-level animations and custom interactions that add a level of dynamism to your site. The platform's efficient code is optimized for search engines and Webflow's platform is built to scale with your needs with seamless integrations and developer-friendly features.
Wix may not offer the freedom of Webflow, but it still offers enough variety to make it a sensible choice for many designers. The templates are user-friendly and do not demand design experience to be utilized well. Regardless of the industry you work in, Wix likely has some designs that fit your brand goals.
The highly organized nature of Webflow's code allows for excellent SEO optimization. Custom sitemaps and URLs combined with alt-text for images and real-time changes to meta tags give users several avenues to adapt their SEO strategy - all without the use of plugins.
Wix offers a simple setup that relies on built-in plugins to reach its potential. Users can change page URLs and meta tags, but there is not enough support for greater structural changes to blog posts or product pages that could lead to better results on search engines. The platform uses heavier code, which also leads to longer load times. Wix does automatically adapts designs for mobile, albeit without the granular control available on Webflow.
Webflow's e-commerce tools are promising, but remain a work in progress. Three of the platform's premium plans come with integrated features such as online payments, automatic sales tax, and currency conversion. You can use Webflow to make a customized online store, but the limited availability of Stripe narrows the use cases for Webflow as an e-commerce site.
Wix offers users the ability to build a custom eCommerce site with product grids, landing pages, ads, and promotions without the need for coding knowledge. It doesn't have the same breadth of options as Webflow, but it is a functional platform for smaller businesses.
A starter version of Webflow is available on a free plan and there are four additional premium plans: Basic ($14 a month), CMS ($23 a month), Business ($39 a month), and a customized Enterprise version that is priced upon request. Each plan is built to satisfy digital organizations of different sizes and ambitions.
Wix's lowest-level plan is the Light plan which costs $17 a month. There are another four available plans: Core ($29 per month), Business ($35 per month), Business Elite ($159 per month), and the custom-priced Enterprise. All plans come with hosting, but include different features and bandwidth size. Before signing up for any plan, it's important to verify what your business needs from a builder platform.
Webflow provides several support options to help people get the most out of their platform. Webflow University offers videos, courses, and other materials to educate users on different facets of Webflow features. They also host online forums where members of the Webflow community can help each other solve problems and organize in-person events around the world where designers can take part in workshops and network.
This is one comparison that is in Wix's favor. Their customer support includes phone and live chat, as well as 24/7 support for all subscribers. Business Elite and Enterprise customers also get priority support for their issues.
Webflow is the better choice for professional web designers or businesses with the expertise or passion to make use of the freedom enabled by the platform. Its extensive customization options make Webflow the best choice for professional creators who want to build a distinct website with a variety of features.
Wix is best used for smaller businesses or personal projects. What its tools lack in customization, they make up for in ease of use capabilities. Even if you aren't an expert web designer, you should still be able to create a functional and appealing website.
Experienced designers will reap the benefits of Webflow's features more than anyone. The amount of flexibility may take some time to fully understand, but once you overcome the learning curve, you can use Webflow to create a website that is fully tailored to your interests.
Wix provides the basics to create a fundamentally sound website. Pre-made templates and a drag-and-drop interface allow users of varying skill levels to make websites that may not have all the bells and whistles but do function reliably well.
Better is in the eye of the beholder. If you are a designer or business that can take advantage of the customization tools and higher level of input on small details, then Webflow is the better platform. If you don't require that much complexity on your website, then Wix should have enough capability to fulfill your website needs.
Webflow offers more avenues to optimize your SEO than Wix does. Webflow lets you personalize your web page with custom semantic code, URLs, and edit meta tags in real time to improve your SEO standing. Wix's SEO features are solid, but do not provide the same level of power.
It is not easy to transfer data between separate Wix templates, let alone export it to another building platform. If you decide to use Wix, do so with the expectation that you will do so for a long time.
While Webflow is scalable enough to be used for many projects, Wix is the platform that is made specifically for smaller businesses.
Webflow's blog showcases a tutorial guide to help new Weblow users understand the basics of the platform.
Wix does the same thing to display 10 tutorials to get up to speed with their tools.
Webflow explains how to use its tools to maximize SEO.
Wix has several helpful pages on how to boost SEO in a general sense and specific best practices for Google.
Visit G2's website for user reviews on Wix and Webflow.
Wix and Webflow offer many features that can help push your business to the next level, but if you need extra support can always go a long way. If you want professional help to unlock your site's full potential, WFPulse exists to help companies develop the best SEO strategy for their situation. Contact us today if you are interested in our work.
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