Definición:
Wix is a cloud platform that facilitates the creation of websites in a simple and intuitive way. Developed by the company Wix, it allows users to design websites without the need for advanced technical knowledge, thanks to its user-friendly interface and accessible design tools.
Origin and evolution of Wix
Wix was founded in 2006 in Tel Aviv, Israel, by Avishai Abrahami, Nadav Abrahami and Giora Kaplan. The idea came about when the founders were trying to create a website for another project and realized the difficulty of doing so without technical knowledge. This led them to develop a platform that would simplify the process of creating websites for anyone. Evolution of Wix:
- 2007: Launch of the first beta version of Wix.
- 2009: Introduction of the freemium business model, allowing users to create websites for free with payment options for advanced features.
- 2010: Wix reaches one million registered users.
- 2013: Wix becomes a public company and begins trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NASDAQ).
- 2015: Launch of Wix App Market, offering additional apps to enhance website functionalities.
- 2018: Introduction of Wix Code, a tool that allows users to add advanced functionality to their websites through custom code.
- 2020: Wix reaches 200 million users worldwide.
Wix features and usage
Wix uses a “Drag & Drop” design system, which makes it very easy to use. This functionality allows you to add and organize elements on a website in an intuitive way. Among its many features, Wix allows:
- Add images and videos.
- Choose from a wide variety of fonts and colors.
- Integrate forms and icons to link with social networks and Google Maps.
- Include plugins, e-commerce functionalities, contact forms, email marketing and forums, through applications developed by Wix.
Wix operates under a freemium business model freemium. Users can opt for free hosting with advertising, which uses the subdomain your-domain.wix.com, or choose a paid plan that offers a custom domain and other benefits. There are several packages available to meet different needs.
Advantages and limitations of using Wix
Advantages
Among the advantages of using this platform we can mention:
- Ease of use: The intuitive drag-and-drop interface allows you to create a website without any technical knowledge.
- Variety of templates: Wix offers a wide range of customizable templates for different types of businesses and purposes.
- Integration with applications: Allows you to add additional functionality through Wix-developed applications, such as email marketing or e-commerce.
- Freemium model: Offers a free option for those who wish to test the platform before committing to a paid plan.
Limitations
Listed below are some of the limitations of Wix:
- Limitations of the free plan: Includes Wix advertising and does not offer its own domain. Paid plans may be insufficient if the business grows in traffic, as the basic plan only offers 1GB of bandwidth.
- Loss of control over the domain: With a free subdomain, Wix retains ownership, which affects SEO and control over content.
- Mandatory advertising: Some plans display advertising and the Wix logo on the website, which can affect the professional image of the business.
- Migration and content ownership: The site created in Wix cannot be easily migrated to other platforms such as WordPress, Joomla or Drupal. If you decide to switch providers, you will need to rebuild everything from scratch. In addition, changing templates within Wix means starting from scratch.
- Limited SEO: Although Wix allows you to add tags and descriptions, SEO may be insufficient for a good ranking in Google.
- Slow loading speed: Loading speed is essential for Google ranking, and Wix can be slower than other platforms.
- Limited compatibility: Wix is not fully responsive, as it may not adapt well to tablets.
- Additional costs for analytical tools: To use Google Analytics or the Facebook pixel, it is necessary to pay, unlike other platforms such as WordPress, where these integrations are usually free.
- Limitation on third-party tools: Wix offers its own tools, but does not allow the integration of third-party alternatives, which limits the flexibility and customization of the site.