Far from being as flexible as CMS giants like WordPress and Shopify, Wix is a SaaS (Software as a Service) generally appreciated for its ease of use.
While « posts, » « plugins, » and PHP errors dominate the learning curve of beginners struggling with traditional content management systems, Wix adopts a drag-and-drop approach that greatly limits customization freedom but provides a quick, turnkey solution.
If you’re someone with limited time and little interest in web development, and simplicity is a top priority for you, Wix is a solid choice.
Wix: Simple Showcase Sites at the Expense of Implementation Freedom
As a developer, I tend to avoid Wix because its ease of use (or should I say « simplistic ») comes with a significant drawback: pronounced limits in terms of customization. Unlike custom developments made possible with frameworks like Blazor (using the robustness of C#) or the flexibility of a mass tool like WordPress or Prestashop (in PHP), Wix has a relatively closed ecosystem.
No WebAssembly, Minimal JS, Limited CSS: A Developer’s Nightmare
As a fan of web applications that perform nearly as well as native applications, I have a preference for robust technologies like WASM (WebAssembly), which allow developers to create feature-rich programs (in C++, C#, or Rust) with a bit of JavaScript glue.
So, it’s a bit disappointing when I see the limitations of a tool like Wix, clearly designed for very standard websites, with feature customization as dry as the Gobi Desert in October. But then again: who would expect a canary to sing Edith Piaf? A bird is meant to chirp, and Wix is meant to create showcase websites. Period.
Render Unto Caesar That Which Is Caesar’s
While it’s not my first choice, Wix is a suitable solution for many projects. I’ve lost count of the number of clients who somewhat naively (and understandably) ask me, « So, how much for a simple website, like 5 or 6 pages? » Often, when I answer « it depends, » I get a response like « Well, just a simple, normal website » (thank you, Captain Obvious). In such cases, I tend to think Wix is a good fit (though sometimes, I later realize it was the wrong choice because the client suddenly wants to add a custom e-card editor, which is absolutely impossible to implement on Wix).
Combining speed with simplicity, Wix’s interface has the advantage of including clear hosting options, DNS management tools, a straightforward configuration system, and a smooth deployment process. In short: Wix is turnkey in just a few clicks. That’s why the platform is still worth considering for certain people.
Build a Wix Website in 3 Steps
If you want to give it a try yourself, go to the official site and create an account. It’s easy—just fill in some basic information, and you’re ready to go.
Step 1: Choose a Template
However, the first challenge is not to get overwhelmed by the numerous templates available. At this stage, it’s mainly about choosing a design that closely matches your vision. Whether you’re a florist, interior architect, or a Komodo dragon vet, don’t worry—there’s something for everyone!
Once you’ve selected your graphic base, it’s time to experiment: colors, fonts, and images are surprisingly easy to adjust, almost as easy as adding a logo (or anything else that comes to mind).
Step 2: Add Widgets, Snippets, Apps
I may have exaggerated in my initial warning: you can actually customize the code on a Wix site to some extent, though it’s more for web designers than developers.
Specifically, you can add custom HTML code to implement specific, but relatively simple features—think more along the lines of a contact form than a flight simulator or invoicing generator!
Typical use cases involve communication tools, like creating a custom contact form or a tailored image gallery.
That said, Wix modules have recently expanded with a growing collection of apps available in the platform’s « App Market. »
Step 3: Deploy and You’re Done!
The reason Wix remains a viable solution for many showcase website projects is that the platform doesn’t compromise on essential aspects like SEO.
One of the biggest fears in recent years has been « not being on Google. » Even though simply publishing a site doesn’t guarantee it will be indexed (ever heard of SEO?), some key elements are covered, such as:
- Editable meta tags
- Customizable URLs
- An interface for adding keywords
Unfortunately, Wix’s early reputation still lingers, leading many to dismiss it when choosing which technologies to use, assuming it’s impossible to appear on the first page of search engines with this platform (spoiler alert: it’s not true).
The Checklist: The Ultimate Tool
The only real tool that will determine whether it’s better to build a PHP site on Laravel, install and customize WordPress, or create a site on Wix in a few clicks, is the requirements document.
If your web communication project’s UX/UI doesn’t need to provide a tarot card app, an aura detector for visitors, or (more esoteric still) an international invoice generation system synced with fiat currency exchange rates… then Wix should suffice.
So the real question isn’t « how to create a site on Wix » (since the platform can explain that much better than I can) but rather « why, for whom, and by whom should you create a site on Wix? »