Wix vs. Netlify: Which Is Better for Your Small Business Website?
Before you pay for a website, find out what you really need, what it may cost, and which option will be easier to manage.
Quick answer: Wix is often better for business owners who want to update their own websites, take payments, and manage tools in one place. Netlify can be a lower-cost hosting choice for a simple, custom-coded website. The best option depends on what you need your website to do.
A client recently asked me which one she should choose. It’s a great question because most business owners don’t want to spend money on tools they won’t use. They want a website that looks good, works well, and helps people find their business.
I use Wix for my own website, but I also build custom-coded websites that can be hosted on Netlify.
Here’s how I help clients choose.
Wix vs. Netlify: What’s the difference?
Wix is a website builder. You can create a website, change its design, add pages, and manage many business tools in one place.
Netlify is a website hosting service. It puts a coded website online so people can visit it.
Think of it this way:
Wix gives you the tools to build and manage your website.
Netlify gives your coded website a place to live online.
When I build a Netlify website for a client, I create the design and code first. Then I publish it through Netlify.
Both can give your business a professional website. The way you manage them is different.
Which one should you choose?
What your business needs!
My recommendation:
A simple website with contact information = Netlify
A website you can easily edit yourself = Wix
An online store= Wix or Shopify
Appointment booking = Wix or Acuity Schuedling
A custom landing page = Netlify
A blog you plan to update often = Wix
Lower hosting costs for a simple site = Netlify
Built-in business and marketing tools = Wix
These are starting points, not strict rules. Both options can do more with the right setup.
When is Wix worth paying for?
Wix is a good choice when you want more control over your website without learning to code.
Let’s say you own a salon.
You want customers to see your services, book appointments, and pay online. You may also want to add photos or change your prices.
Wix offers tools that can help you do these things.
I use Wix because I like being able to manage my own website. I can make updates without having to rebuild the site each time. I can also make update from a mobile device front be app.
Wix may be right for you if:
You change your website often.
You want to take payments online.
You need booking or store tools.
You want to write blog posts.
You prefer to make changes yourself.
Some features require a paid plan or extra apps.
Wix also has a free plan, but you’ll need an upgrade to connect your own domain name.
My advice: Pay for the tools you’ll use, not the ones that just sound nice.
When is Netlify the better choice?
Not every business needs an online store or booking system.
Let’s say you’re a consultant.
You need a homepage, a list of services, a short introduction, and a way for people to contact you.
You may not need to change the website very often. A custom-coded website hosted on Netlify could be a great fit. You can have your own colors, photos, logo, buttons, and page design.
Netlify also has a free hosting plan that may work well for a small website.
But there’s one important difference.
You won’t automatically get a simple drag-and-drop editor like Wix.
If you need changes, you may have to update the code or ask your website designer for help.
My advice: If you only need a professional website with basic information, don’t pay for business tools you won’t use.
Is Wix or Netlify cheaper?
For many simple business websites, Netlify can have lower hosting costs.But there’s more to the cost of a website than hosting.
Website Expense Summary:
Free hosting does not mean a free website.
You may still need to pay someone to design your site, buy a domain, or connect special tools.
The cheapest option today may not be the cheapest option over time.
Ask yourself: What will I need to pay for each year, and who will handle future changes?
What else do I need to pay for?
Before you buy a website, make sure you understand these four things.
1. Your domain name
Your domain is your website address, such as mybusiness.com You can buy it from a company like GoDaddy or another domain seller.
You usually pay to renew it each year.
I suggest buying your domain through an account you control. That way, your website address stays under your ownership, even if you change designers.
2. Your business email
You may want an email like hello@yourbusiness.com.
Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 are two services you can use. Your business email does not have to come from your website host.
3. Website updates
Websites need care.
You may want to add photos, change your hours, update services, or fix a broken link.
With Wix, you can make many of these changes yourself.
With a basic coded website, you may need someone to help.
4. Extra tools
You might want customers to book a call, join your email list, fill out a form, or pay online.
Some tools are included with website plans. Others cost extra. Make a list of what you need before you start paying for software.
Can a Netlify website have forms, payments, and booking buttons?
Yes! A website hosted on Netlify can include contact forms, payment links, booking links, and other tools.
For example, you could connect a button to an outside booking service or a form that collects customer inquiries. But these features don’t appear on their own. Someone needs to connect and test them.
If your business needs many tools working together, Wix may be easier to manage.
If you only need a few buttons and a contact form, a simple coded website may be enough.
Can both websites show up on Google?
Yes. Both Wix websites and websites hosted on Netlify can appear in Google Search.
But being online doesn’t mean you’ll show up first.
Google needs to find and understand your website.
Your website should clearly explain:
What your business does.
Who you help.
Where you work, if location matters.
How people can contact you.
Why someone should choose your service.
Your pages should also work well on phones and load quickly.
This is part of SEO, which means search engine optimization. SEO helps search engines understand your website. You can also use Google Search Console to check whether Google has found your pages.
A pretty website gets attention. A helpful website gives people a reason to contact you.
What if I want to grow my website later?
Think about what your business may need next year. Maybe you only need a contact page today, but you plan to sell products later. Maybe you want to start a blog or offer online classes. You don’t have to build every feature right now.
But you should talk about those plans before choosing a website platform.
Moving from one platform to another can take time and may cost money. It’s better to plan ahead than to pay for a full rebuild because your first website no longer works for your business.
Five questions to ask before hiring a website designer
Before you pay someone to build your website, ask:
Will I own my domain and have access to my website?
Can I update the website myself?
What will I pay each month or year?
What happens if I need changes later?
Will my website work on phones and be ready for Google Search?
A good designer should be able to explain these answers without making you feel lost.
My recommendation: Start with what your business needs
If you want a website you can manage yourself, with tools for payments, bookings, and regular updates, I’d look at Wix.
If you need a simple, professional website with a few pages and a way for customers to reach you, I’d consider a custom-coded website hosted on Netlify.
There isn’t one perfect choice for every business.
And you don’t have to figure it all out alone.
At The Effect Advertising + Marketing Company, I help business owners understand their options and build websites that fit their needs.
I believe technology should make running your business easier, not harder.
Have a website question?
Tell me what you’re trying to build. I’ll help you understand your options before you spend money.
Share your questions with me on YouTube!
Watch: Wix vs. Netlify Explained
A client asked me this same question, so I recorded a short video walking through both options. [WATCH THE YOUTUBE VIDEO]
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wix better than Netlify?
Wix is often better if you want to edit your own website and use built-in business tools. Netlify may be better for hosting a simple, custom-coded website at a lower cost.
Can I use Netlify for a business website?
Yes. Netlify can host business websites, including service pages, portfolios, and landing pages. More advanced tools may require extra setup.
Can I build a Wix website for free?
Yes. Wix has a free plan. To connect your own domain and use certain business features, you’ll need a paid plan.
Is Netlify hosting really free?
Netlify offers a free plan with usage limits. A small website may fit within those limits. If your website needs more resources, you may need a paid plan.
Do I need to know how to code to use Netlify?
Not always. Someone can build the website for you. But making changes to a basic coded website may require technical help.
Can I use my own domain with Wix or Netlify?
Yes. Both support custom domains. Wix requires an eligible paid plan to connect one. Netlify supports custom domains on its free plan.
Do I need a website if I already have social media?
A website gives your business a place to share key information, collect inquiries, and guide customers toward the next step. Social media can help people find you, while your website helps them learn more.
Platform plans and features may change. Check current details before purchasing.
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