WIX and other WYSIWYG: a (false) good idea?

A question that has been asked frequently in recent years: why pay to develop a website when (almost) free services exist?

And in this domain, we often hear about WIX. So let’s take a closer look at why these low-cost solutions are not always the most suitable depending on your objectives.

For those who don’t know WIX, it’s a platform that allows you to build your own website without needing any knowledge of the required technologies. This type of platform has seen significant growth in recent years because, indeed, the cost is (apparently) much more advantageous than entrusting your website to a professional agency.

But with these conveniences and savings come significant compromises. And that’s what we will address in this article.

Let’s be clear: the option of a WYSIWYG is not to be dismissed entirely. In fact, if your need is simply for a showcase page with some information, images, and a “call to action” to send an email (and SEO is not one of your concerns), this type of solution might do the job perfectly.

The issues arise when your needs are a bit more demanding (often necessary for businesses that require more advanced features and a strong presence in search engines).

Let’s list the pros and cons of such an option:

Advantages

The Price

There’s no arguing it—it’s not very expensive to get your site online quickly using this type of service.

Simplicity

No prior knowledge is required. If you can handle software like Microsoft Word and PowerPoint, you shouldn’t have any problems.

Attractive Pre-designed Templates

Indeed, there are hundreds of modern and attractive templates available. Often, they might seem a bit “cookie-cutter,” but the result is rarely unattractive.

Disadvantages

Poor Results

WYSIWYG websites generate terrible, very long, and heavy code. Additionally, the meta tags are not structured at all. While this might not mean much to you, it affects crucial points: slowness from the perspective of the end user, but more importantly, very poor results in search engine optimization (SEO). What you see is not what Google sees…

These two points are vital for a performant and sustainable website.

Lack of Advanced Features

When it comes to more advanced features, platforms like WIX fall far behind. For example, if you need to establish a connection with an external database (API calls), develop a bidirectional platform, inject dynamic content, or build a secure and performant eCommerce site, WYSIWYG is definitely not a good option. In some cases, it’s simply not possible. In others, you would still need professional technical knowledge, and the project structure could be very flawed.

Customization

While pre-made designs may seem appealing at first glance, a brand’s identity often requires deeper work that demands consistency and a unique character. From this point of view, customization on these platforms is very limited. Additionally, if you want more sophisticated effects like animations, the use of professionals remains essential.

Not So Cheap After All

The initial prices may seem very low, but they can quickly increase when adding extra features. Indeed, the WIX platform offers an App Store with all the features it provides, and the bill can quickly become steep. But this is certainly not the highest cost you will face: the lack of visibility of your site on Google will cost you much more in terms of lost potential customers. And when it comes to site speed (even minor delays), it is associated with an incredible number of user drop-offs.

Content Locked to the Platform

Generally (and this is the case with WIX), hosting your site is required on their servers. Migrating your site or data to another host/platform will be very complicated, if not impossible. This means that if your site grows and you want to add features that their platform does not support, you might find yourself at an impasse.

Conclusion

WYSIWYG platforms have their niche but remain very limited. In specific cases, when the website has no significant growth ambitions or when the desired features are very simple, there is no reason not to use them. For everything else, turning to professionals is still the best solution.

Do you have a project? Let’s discuss it over a cup of coffee!