5 Reasons I Use and Recommend Wix for Startups
Updated: Apr 10, 2022
Yep, I totally recommend Wix. This may be an unpopular opinion.
For the longest time, I was a WordPress advocate. WordPress continues to be the top-recommended website builder because of its reputation in the marketing agency and developer realm. However, I wanted to see what else was out there.
Last year was a pivotal moment for me. After diving into other platforms. I realized I missed out on a lot of opportunities to learn what worked best for businesses.
This is not to say that you can't use building platforms like WordPress, but I highly recommend trying out all of them to ensure you aren't missing out on a chance to improve your process.
A friend of mine started her business with Wix. I thought it was odd at first. I was one of those skeptics too. I understood the importance of SEO and WordPress' reputation in the marketing space.
Nevertheless, I gave Wix a chance. In my experience being a Marketing Director for over 7 years and using every CRM, CMS, and tech platform out there, I was very surprised by the functionality of Wix especially the ease of use. It's literally designed for first-time business owners because it incorporates an all-in-one type of feel.
You can use Wix for startups, and small businesses, and scale it if you need to.
Here are five reasons I use Wix and recommend Wix for your small business too.
Let's begin!
Wix Overview
Wix is a website builder that tries to make it easy for people without technical knowledge to construct their own website or online store.
It's a 'hosted' solution, meaning it's hosted on its own servers ('in the cloud'). As a result, you won't have to install any software and won't have to pay for any hosting.
You can create, maintain, and advertise a Wix website as long as you have a web browser and access to the internet.
It changed the game for website builders. Wix is one of the most well-known website builders, having been created in Israel in 2006 and today employs 5,000 people. It also has a large user base: Builtwith.com estimates that it currently powers 7 million websites.
This makes it a larger operation than several of its competitors, such as Squarespace, Jimdo, and Weebly, which all have far smaller user populations.
In addition to it being user-friendly, Wix is free. Its free version has some limitations which are to be expected. However, if you are working with zero budget, consider it a short-term option for putting together a nice website for nothing.
If you do opt for the free version, just know that you'll have limitations such as ads on your site and you won't be able to host your own domain.
On the bright side, the Wix free plan includes hosting and allows you to use all of Wix's 800+ templates.
It also allows you to use all of Wix's graphics, clip art, and icons, as well as install apps from the Wix app store (more on this later).
On the free plan, you get 500MB of storage and 500MB of bandwidth. For a tiny website with little traffic, these restrictions should suffice. You can also use the free plan without providing any credit card information.
The Interface is Simple
I have to give credit to Wix for making their interface simple to understand and use. Despite popular opinion, I quite like the design of their backend. You have an easy layout that looks more modern than what you would see on WordPress.
All of the tools you require are only a few mouse clicks away. Even on the free plan, you get instructions and tools for customizing templates so that your website matches the design of your business.
The interface gives new business owners step-by-step instructions on how to connect their Google My Business. What I really enjoyed about Wix was how it gives business owners, like you, tips and tricks on how to improve their website's visibility. In a matter of minutes, I can have my clients' websites running and set up on Google My Business.
They are in complete control of their integrations. There are no messy plugins or additional steps needed.
You Receive All-In-One Solution
You can imagine this is probably one of my favorite things about Wix. I remember during my time working at other companies how we needed a CRM, a CMS, Emailing Software, a Social Media Management tool, Learning Management System, Invoicing, and more to meet customer expectations.
Not with Wix! I was amazed by how I could send invoices, manage and schedule social media content, create email automations, and schedule email content, all in one platform. You don't need to work with seven different tools.
A startup business or a small business with a team of employees can develop an easy process. If you have a sales team, you can have your sales team manage leads, and orders, send invoices, and customers from one location.
I can see a marketing team using the social media management tool and email marketing tool to nurture incoming leads.
Tools you can replace with Wix:
Content Scheduler
Social Media Management
Email Automation
Customer Relationship Management Software
Customer Management System
Invoicing
Learning Management System
You can save money for sure.
Even if you don't have a team yet, you can definitely do it yourself. I found myself being able to manage my marketing tactics and paid ads in a matter of minutes. I didn't have to go from one application to another either which made it convenient and useful for business owners on a time crunch.
The Upgraded Designs are Modern
My client's websites receive compliments all the time.
Wix's drag-and-drop design features allow you to create a modern website in a matter of minutes. This enables you to launch a commercial or personal website without making a significant financial investment.
Some of the templates are restricted with the free plan, but otherwise, you receive an immediate and solid user experience.
You might not be into the design and that's okay! What I recommend is hiring a freelancer on Fiver who can design your website for about $200. With Wix, you can easily invite developers and freelancers to work on your site for you.
Also, Wix allows you to design the mobile version too without little to no issues.
The one downside is that once you choose a template, you can't update it or change it as you would on WordPress You'll need to create a new website and transfer your data over.
Nevertheless, if you don't plan to change your website 2-3 years from now, it's a good headstart.
Not Locked Into Long Term Plans
You won't be locked down to a messy contract if you decide you want to change to something else. This is a perfectly reasonable request.
Many website builders bind you to 24-36 month contracts in order to offer you an affordable premium plan. With Wix, you don't have that problem. You may try it out for as little as $5 per month and cancel at any moment if you choose to upgrade from the free option.
Wix Handles Security
You can count on having a secure website with Wix. Security is important for startup businesses. The last problem you need is being hacked or having your information stolen.
Wix websites perform above average in terms of speed right out of the box. Since the site is hosted on a Wix server, you don't have to be concerned about security.
As a result, you may focus more on developing your site and utilizing the services you've purchased from their various premium bundles.
The Bottom Line
Wix isn't without issues, but it's a well-rounded tool that allows a small business on a shoestring budget to build a website with a lot of features. You may create a site with an online store, a blog, email marketing, galleries, appointment booking, and much more for a minimal monthly price.
The platform is rather simple to use, with a plethora of well-designed wizards, support tools, training films, and help files that effectively guide even the most apprehensive users.
Finally, Wix is a great option for small business owners or individuals who want to quickly create a beautiful website with a lot of useful features without breaking the bank — if you fall into that category, you'll love the variety of 'out of the box' features Wix offers.
I've provided you with links to try out both the Wix Website Builder and the Wix Ecommerce Builder.