Wix Review 2024: Is It Really the Best Website Builder?

Wix web builder takes the scary out of creating a website. First, we tested Wix by creating an eCommerce site from scratch with AI assistance. Our AI website was user-friendly and professional but had some downsides. Then, we went through the manual process of creating the same website to compare our experience with Wix’s AI features.

The good news is that novices can start for free without needing to upgrade. But if you’re an individual vendor or a small business, you probably want to upgrade to access premium SEO, marketing, and eCommerce tools. Either way, Wix can help you create an appealing website in no time.

If you’re curious about Wix and want to know what we discovered during our hands-on testing, check out our review below.

Wix review at a glance

We last tested Wix on November 18th, 2024.

Our experience

We were pleasantly surprised at how easy Wix was to use when building a web page. We tested both the AI-generated site and the manually made site. While both were easy and user-friendly, the AI-generated site was much more professional and much faster than the manual version.

We were able to start for free on the Wix site and choose either the AI or manual setup path. We started with AI and had a beautiful, fully functional site in less than 5 minutes after answering a few quick questions. When we made a second site with the manual tools, we had a few more steps and choices to make. We picked templates and input content goals. The AI site came out fully functional, with small tweaks needed, while the manual site came out with much more we needed to add.

Once the initial site is built, the tools become the same. There are multiple sections for creation, management, widgets, and more. When we switched to the mobile view, it was just as easy to manage all of these categories as it was on the desktop. There’s even a space to write blog posts directly from your mobile device.

Overall, we were impressed with how easy it was to create sophisticated, interesting-looking websites on Wix. The AI assistant was comprehensive, and the creator tools allow you to build an online home that clearly states your message and looks inviting to readers. We think Wix is an asset to anyone who wants a website but might not want to hire a designer.

Wix prices and subscriptions

Wix ranges from Free-$159/mo and can be customized based on your needs. Business Elite has the most storage and access, but individual vendors and small business owners have all the eCommerce tools they need, starting with the Core plan.

We recommend the Free and Lite plans for hobbyists and enthusiasts. If you’re looking to start small, these are solid options that allow you to launch your idea for a very low monthly commitment. You’ll benefit from the eCommerce tools available on the Core plan if you’re already an established independent business that needs room to grow.

The Business and Business Elite plans offer the most expansion capabilities for larger businesses or those needing to grow rapidly. Just know that you can start small and scale up whenever you need the extra features and resources.

Wix isn’t the least expensive option for building websites, but we feel the AI building tools make it worthwhile for the Free, Lite, and Core plans. Businesses that need more may not want to use Wix for their heavier trafficked sites, but newbies will find the tools intuitive and the price points doable.

The Core Plan is likely the best option for small businesses. The Business and Business Elite plans have a higher monthly price point, and the Free and Lite plans don’t include site analytics or eCommerce tools. If you’re a hobbyist or enthusiast, the Free or Lite plans are a good, low-cost option.

Wix features

Wix includes a library of features useful for various types of websites. Creatives and hobbyists can access powerful AI and editing tools to create visually dynamic websites. Entrepreneurs will find Wix useful as well. Payment and storefront integration with popular platforms like Facebook Marketplace and eBay are essential to building an eCommerce site.

• Website building tools
• Editing tools
• Widget library
• eCommerce tools
• SEO and blogging assistance
• Marketing tools
• And more

Free plan

The free plan would be a perfect tool for portfolios if it came with a custom domain. The AI tools are intuitive and help design a professional site, while the editing tools give you the power to create visually appealing pages. We found the AI tools easy to use and intuitive, but the pre-written blog posts lacked any depth. We suggest writing your own content for the site.

Wix offers a vast library of images and allows you to upload your own. The editing tools give you the power to create a complex site and even include some eCommerce options like the ability to list services and prices. To accept payments or get analytics, however, you’ll need to upgrade to the Core plan or above.

Building a website

The manual building tools we used were useful. Once we gave Wix a little info about what we wanted to do, it suggested templates that would match our site. It also asked us for our site goals to help install widgets in the initial site build.

As helpful and easy as the manual tools are, the AI tools are even easier. We answered about five questions, clicked a few goals populated by the tools, and wound up with a fully built site. It included a section for consulting with prices already populated and three pre-written blog posts. The blogs weren’t the highest quality, but they were easy to edit into something with our voice.

Overall, both sets of tools will help you build a visually appealing website.

Using and editing media

Uploading and editing your own images for your site is easy with the tools provided. Wix photo editor is a built-in solution for light editing, but if you need more advanced editing tools, you have access to Adobe Express.

After we uploaded a picture, we could choose the built-in editing tools or go to Adobe. We found that Adobe took a while to load, but the built-in tools worked quickly and well.

Widget library

All widgets, plug-ins, extensions, etc, fall under the App Market. It’s easily accessible from the side menu and sorted by function. Want to add social media buttons or link your print-on-demand business? Wix has an app for that.

Some apps may have a price attached, but most are free. You’ll have even more free options when you upgrade to a paid plan.

eCommerce tools

The eCommerce tools integrated into the site promise to allow you to connect dropshipping partners, monitor customer cart status, create coupons, launch marketing campaigns, integrate with selling platforms, and more. Business owners will have a full range of tools to list and sell products as well as manage customers, build brand loyalty, and take payments.

SEO and blogging tools

One of the biggest criticisms we saw about Wix on sites like Reddit was its lack of SEO tools. We think Wix fixed these issues by creating an SEO checklist to help you rank on Google. Even if you have no prior SEO experience or knowledge, the AI tools provided by Wix will help you get started. Obviously, these won’t replace a marketing plan, but as you improve your content, you’ll be searchable to customers who may not have heard of you before.

Marketing tools

You’ll have access to a variety of marketing tools. In addition to SEO and email marketing, there’s integration for social media and third-party tools like Google Analytics. Create a loyal customer base by scheduling weekly email campaigns, targeting the right demographic on Facebook, or hitting known keywords you can assess with analytics.

Bonus features

Wix includes AI-powered tools to do everything from helping you create content to managing the content on your site in a dedicated content management system (CMS). If you aren’t sure how to use these tools, Wix includes an extensive self-help library, 24/7 customer care, and access to professional website builders who will take you to the next level.

Security and bandwidth

Wix is adamant that it takes security seriously. While it doesn’t disclose exactly what its information security program is, it does disclose its use of data encryption via HTTPS and TLS 1.2 and above. All Wix sites come with an SSL certificate.

Wix customer support

Wix tries to push you to use the AI Chatbot or the self-help guides. When we tried asking about importing a site from another web-building platform, the AI assistant kept spinning its wheels, asking us the same questions repeatedly. We did have to say that it wasn’t being helpful before it gave us more support options. Eventually, we got to a menu where we could schedule a live chat or a callback.

FAQs

Bottom line: Is Wix good?

Yes, Wix is good. Wix may have had limited tools previously, but the new integrations and updates, as well as the inclusion of AI, have made it a very user-friendly and helpful site. While it’s not the least expensive option on the market, we believe it’s a good investment with the AI tools and eCommerce integrations.

If you’re serious about building a viable website, Wix will help you kickstart that dream. It’s one of the best website builder platforms we’ve tested, and we think you’ll be just as impressed.

Learn More

On Wix's website

Website Builders

Wix

• Free plan includes comprehensive AI and editing tools
• Easy-to-use platform with intuitive design elements
• eCommerce sites will need paid plans

Author Details

Mary James

About the Author

Mary is a seasoned cybersecurity writer with over seven years of experience. With a B.S. in Liberal Arts from Clarion University and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Point Park University, she educates audiences on scams, antivirus software, and more. Her passion lies in educating audiences on helpful ways to protect their data.