Story Provide by awesomelytechie

 

On a scale of 1 to MySpace pages, I think Wix websites are at an 8 (aka modern day Geocities). What does this means? It means I think they’re pretty terrible to use even though they’re easy to set up. In fact, the only good thing about Wix websites are that they are so easy that even the most technologically-challenged person can have a site up and running within an hour.

I get it, though. I know why people use Wix sites (or Weebly). Folks are a bit intimidated about setting up their websites but this is one shortcut that is not worth it. I have receipts too (reasons).

I’m here to let you know why you should not use Wix for your website or blog, no matter how tempting it is.

1. Flash technology

A lot of Wix websites are built on Flash technology (they’re trying to push HTML5 now so they do have that capability now), which is the enemy of web prosperity. Flash is so frowned upon that many phones don’t even display it, and some tablets don’t either. This means you’re already excluding a portion of people who might want to see your website. People who are perusing the web on their phones will have a hard time with your site.

2. Google does NOT like Wix

Even more important though, Google is not a fan of Wix. Like at all. Part of it is because of that Flash it uses. Your website will not rank well, which makes it harder for people to find. This will affect how much traffic you can potentially get because your site will not be search engine optimized. In 2014, that’s an expensive mistake.

Also, you can’t verify Wix sites in Google Webmaster, which matters considerably. Especially if you ever get hacked. Don’t know about Webmaster and why you need it? I wrote about it so click that link.

I don’t think Wix websites get hacked though because there’s no need to. SHADE.

3. Loads slow

Wix websites load slower than those built on HTML (like WordPress) and this will lose people who do want to read about you. Why? We have very little patience and having to wait 10 seconds to see a website is something we’re not used to. We will just click off. Slow loading sites will turn visitors off, and first impressions on the web can be everything. It can keep someone from visiting your site again.

AND with a slow loading website, you will be further penalized by search engines because they know that your site provides poor user experience and they won’t want to vouch for it. That goes back to Google not liking it. See? It’s a cycle of meh.

4. It doesn’t look as good.

I have never seen a Wix website that looked highly professional and really nice. Wix sites do not look great or modern, in my opinion. They look like Web 2.0 circa 2004 and in a world where innovation and staying on top of what’s happening matters, this is a mistake.

5. It’s Expensive.

To add insult to injury, Wix websites are not cheap. You’re supposed to get what you pay for but what you pay isn’t matching the value you get.

WordPress (.org) software itself is free. What you pay for is server space for hosting, which holds the content of your site. You can get hosting for as cheap as $4 a month for your WordPress site. That’s $48 for the entire year. And you have full website capability and the ability to customize your heart out. You typically have all the space you can need, and you have a site that can be without ads if you like.

Meanwhile, Wix sites are starting at $4.08 a month and that’s the most basic plan.

Basic is truly right here. Your site has the “THIS SITE WAS CREATED WITH WIX.COM!” ad on it, mobile ads and small amount of storage space. NAWL! Not worth it. You might as well just go with a platform that gives you more freedom.

Update: You can have a FREE Wix website now. 

If you want to create a website that looks professional, gives great user experience and plays well with Google, a Wix site is not for you. AT ALL. Not right now, anyway. They would need to overhaul the platform for this to change. It’s a shortcut that won’t present you as the awesome person/business/entity that you are.

People are afraid of WordPress because they think they have to be techies to use it. NOT TRUE! I’ll debunk that myth another day with a tutorial on how to set up WordPress. I know Wix sites are easy to set up but I don’t think the ease should trump the usability. If you’re currently on there, consider migrating your site to somewhere else. Even if not WordPress, look up SquareSpace as an option.

The moral of this story is: don’t use Wix!

 

Don’t forget if you are looking to redesign your site so it responsive and mobile friendly contact Cherry Fresh Designs for all your web design needs.