WordPress vs Wix: Comparison for Photographers
Introduction
In the world of website building, WordPress and Wix are two platforms that are often compared. Both have their strengths but for photographers seeking a truly professional option, WordPress emerges as the more favorable solution. Let’s explore why.
1. Full flexibility and unrivaled customization
WordPress excels in its flexibility and customization options. It offers thousands of themes – the most capable of which offer users endless possibilities for personalization. If you can envision it, it can be built!
In contrast, Wix offers a more limited, streamlined approach. There are a moderate number of photography-centric templates available (it should be noted that Wix has more templates than Squarespace does). The biggest downside with Wix however is that once a template has been chosen, templates are not interchangeable. Once you’ve built out a page with a template, it has to stay on that template or be completely rebuilt from scratch.
Wix users are definitely restricted in their ability to truly make their sites their own.
2. Hosting
If you decide to move your site away from Wix, you’ll find it’s not a straightforward process. This lack of portability can be a significant drawback for those who may wish to switch platforms in the future.
If you are considering Wix you should ask yourself if you are likely to be on the platform forever. If the answer is no, it makes sense to start your WordPress journey at the earliest.
3. SEO Optimization and Performance
When it comes to SEO and performance, WordPress again takes the lead. With the right plugins, such as Yoast or RankMath, you can optimize the SEO for every page and post on your site. Plus, modern WordPress sites tend to load faster than Wix sites, a critical factor for both user experience and SEO.
While Wix has made strides in improving its SEO capabilities, it still falls short of the robust options WordPress provides.
4. Cost-Effectiveness
In contrast to Squarespace, Wix does offer free plans. However, sites created on the Free plan are plastered with Wix branding and Wix URL restrictions – hardly the most professional business image.
Wix has been criticized for its relatively high monthly costs, currently, their core plan costs $27 a month (nearly $330 a year) and this plan lacks a lot of core functionality. For just 3 or 4 times the annual cost of Wix’s core plan, you could invest in a super premium site from Wedding Photographer Sites. With a site from Wedding Photographer Sties you would own it yourself, and you would be free to host it however you like!
While Wix offers all-in-one packages, the costs can add up as your site grows and requires more features. With WordPress, you have the freedom to choose your hosting service, themes, and plugins.
Conclusion
While Wix may appeal to beginners for its ease of use, WordPress offers superior flexibility, open-source interoperability, better SEO tools, and lower monthly costs, making it a more favorable choice for photographers looking to build a professional website.
