Alternatives to Wix: Shopify and more

Are you looking for an alternative to Wix? Have a look at these other website-building platforms.

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Jason Loewenthal

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Wix lets you build a website without needing any coding skills. It’s part of a range of website-building platforms that make it easy for businesses to get set up and scale as they grow.

However, if you’re not sold on Wix and want to see what some of its competitors are, then read on. Another platform might be more suitable for your needs.

Shopify

If you’re looking to build an online store then chances are you’ve come across Shopify. It comes with website-building tools, SEO and analytics, payment processing, inventory management and AI features. Shopify also helps you make sales and market using social media.

Pros

  • The biggest player in e-commerce platforms
  • No tech costs because they're included in the price
  • User friendly for you and the customers
  • Access to the Shop Pay ecosystem which can increase sales

Cons

  • You're limited by Shopify's templates
  • Monthly fees can increase quickly if you add lots of Shopify's paid apps
  • Using other payment methods can incur extra charges
  • Credit card fees aren't returned when you process a refund

WooCommerce

WooCommerce is a plugin that works within WordPress to make any site a functioning store. You can set up a store with flexible secure payments and manage orders. It has an app store so you can use add-ons if you want extra features. However, bear in mind that hosting, updates and security would be your responsibility, so you need to consider this before committing.

Pros

  • No monthly platform fees
  • You can use any payment processor you like without being charged extra
  • It lives inside WordPress so SEO is front of mind
  • You own your own data, hosting environment and website

Cons

  • You have to pay for plug-ins
  • You're in charge of your own security and hosting
  • Plug-ins can cause issues with the website if one stops working
  • Can slow down significantly if traffic spikes

BigCommerce

With advanced tools and zero platform transaction fees, BigCommerce can give you clarity on cost. It offers flexible tools and integrations, expert support and the ability to sell products across multiple domains.

Pros

  • Advanced features included in monthly price
  • Doesn't charge transaction fees
  • Third-party real time shipping calculations are available on any plan
  • Unlimited number of staff accounts

Cons

  • Monthly price is based on revenue, so if you earn more you'll be forced to upgrade
  • Can be more complex than competitors
  • No email marketing tools
  • You need to use third-party apps to set up subscriptions

Squarespace

You can easily create a website that looks like it has been designed by a professional with Squarespace. Web hosting, software updates and security are included in the price, so you can focus on making your site perfect. Expect a sleek user experience if you choose this option.

Pros

  • Designed so that anyone can create a good-looking website
  • All-in-one solution to build a website
  • Built-in marketing tools
  • Easy for beginners to use

Cons

  • Fees can add up if you need more features
  • Not as good for e-commerce as other platforms
  • Limited flexibility for complex or massive product inventories
  • Website editor can be difficult to use

Bottom line

Utilising an e-commerce platform can help you launch a digital storefront quickly, but every platform is different. There are lots of platforms that do similar jobs to Wix, so you need to decide what you want to build then choose the platform that best fits your needs.

You should consider what tools are available, how quick it is to set up and how much you’re going to need to spend to get what you want. Many platforms offer free trials, so that could help you make a decision.

If you’re not sure about using Wix and want to see the alternatives, consider some of the other platforms on this list and decide if they might be better suited to your needs.

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Senior writer

Jason is a writer and editor. He worked as a senior subeditor for Finder for 5 years and in that time became familiar with a wide range of financial products and services. Before that, he worked for Australian Associated Press. He has a BA from Macquarie University in Australia. Jason loves to help other people find new ways to save money. See full bio

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