Website building doesn't get much easier than with WIX. It provides all the tools most people could ever need inside an intuitive and simple interface. I loved the drag-and-drop tools that let me control the design alongside AI functionality for speeding up tedious tasks. The interface is a little busy but I can forgive it considering the number of features that are packed into such a small space.
For
Incredibly easy to use
Hundreds of templates
AI tools to speed up workflows
Against
Limited customisation
Subscription fee for advanced features
Quite a busy interface
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Wix is going to appear in most people’s lists of the best website builders. What many people won’t know is that Wix comes in two different packages. There’s Wix Studio, which offers a slew of dedicated tools for brands and then there’s Wix Classic, which is a better fit for individuals wanting to create online portfolios.
Wix Classic provides more than enough for most with a drag-and-drop interface that anyone can use and a quick setup tool for building websites quickly. It is because of these reasons that Wix Classic is one of the best website builders for small businesses.
We last reviewed Wix in 2021, which means it’s about time we put it through its paces all over again. This is especially true given the number of new AI features that have been added since last time around. As part of my testing, I created a photography website with a bio, a contact form and a set of other pages. Read on to see how Wix performed.
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(Image credit: Future)
Features
Wix Classic contains a range of features that take all the hassle out of making a website. I've written about the templates and AI tools in dedicated sections below so here we'll run through some of the other features.
Media: One thing that is important to creatives is the ability to beautifully present their work. WIX provides tools to upload files from a wide range of locations, including a computer or social media account. Media can be displayed using specific blocks with the additional ability to crop and filter images to suit specific needs. Finally, it's also possible to add entrance animations, sticky videos, and interactive galleries to your website.
Marketing: WIX gives users all they need to integrate their website with their social media presence as well as optimise SEO.
Mobile editing: With a mobile device mode built into the heart of WIX, it's incredibly simple to make sure your website displays perfectly every single time.
Ecommerce: WIX Classic provides a range of features that enable users to create online stores with features like product listings, payment processing, and shopping cart functionality.
(Image credit: Future)
Performance
WIX delivered a high level of performance throughout the whole process of creating my photography portfolio website. Menus open instantly, pages are saved quickly, and I had no issues with any downtime or lost content.
The only thing that could be argued is that WIX is a little slow in generating results from the AI features. This might frustrate people but when you add up all that WIX is doing behind the scenes, I think it’s speed is pretty admirable. It certainly didn’t hinder creativity or get in the way of my workflow.
(Image credit: Future)
Templates
WIX offers over 900 website templates. That is a lot of templates but thankfully it’s possible to search and filter them to help you narrow down your options. Categories of templates include restaurants, online stores, portfolios, and more.
WIX also asks a set of questions at the outset, which, if answered, enable them to recommend templates to suit your needs. I found this functionality very helpful, as I’m rarely in the mood for searching through countless templates in pursuit of the perfect one. Thankfully, I didn’t have to with WIX.
After choosing my favourite template, I was pleased to see the ability to customise the template I had chosen. I could do this by moving elements around with the drag-and-drop functionality as well as adjusting styling such as colours and fonts. Navigating all of these settings couldn’t be simpler.
(Image credit: Future)
AI tools
It is the set of AI tools that elevate the WIX user experience to a whole new level. The first AI tool I encountered was the initial 'chatbot,’ which asked a number of questions to enable it to generate a starting point for my website. The feature was quick, responsive, and on the money when it came to the results.
Then there is a set of AI tools that are accessible through the main interface. These enable you to generate new text or improve upon existing copy. WIX performs admirably here, although users will need to be aware some of the generated content sounds too much like AI. This will rarely be desired for creatives who want to put their stamp on their work. Thankfully, any generated text can be easily edited.
Finally, I was extremely impressed with the theme assistant, which was in beta at the time of writing. By utilising the AI chatbot, I was able to quickly edit the theme of my website. I began by asking it how I could change my colour scheme and after some further questions, it opened up the part of the interface that enabled me to fulfil that process. I doubt I'd use this AI feature once I had become familiar with the interface but it was certainly nice to have a helping hand along the way.
(Image credit: Future)
Interface
The WIX interface is surprisingly easy to navigate given the sheer number of features that are included. Most of the tools are located in the menu on the left-hand side. It’s broken down into sections, including adding sections, site design, and media. Some additional settings and tools are located on the top bar but when designing an actual website, these are rarely needed.
As well as the aforementioned tools, there is also an ‘in-context’ floating toolbar that contains everything required for editing the content of a specific page. It’s also through this toolbar that layouts can be adjusted and quick edits made.
The interface allows for easy swapping between editing your website in desktop and mobile modes. In the early days of website design for mobile, users were at the mercy of however website builders decided your website would respond across from desktop to mobile platforms. No longer. With Wix, it’s now possible to customise layouts and content to guarantee it’ll look great on whatever device it’s being viewed on.
It’s fair that the WIX interface has quite a lot going on but it doesn’t take long at all to get your head around it all. It’s certainly no more complex than any other website builder I’ve used.
Who is it for?
Individuals and small businesses who want to create a simple website. This might be a basic online portfolio or an online presence. Wix Classic struggles if you’re looking to create highly customisable websites or build complex e-commerce websites.
(Image credit: Future)
Buy it if...
You have no idea how to build a website
You want a free website builder
You need a drag-and-drop interface
Don't buy it if...
You plan on making an e-commerce heavy website
You’re creating websites for customers
The Verdict
8.5
out of 10
Wix
Website building doesn't get much easier than with WIX. It provides all the tools most people could ever need inside an intuitive and simple interface. I loved the drag-and-drop tools that let me control the design alongside AI functionality for speeding up tedious tasks. The interface is a little busy but I can forgive it considering the number of features that are packed into such a small space.
Paul is a digital expert. In the 20 years since he graduated with a first-class honours degree in Computer Science, Paul has been actively involved in a variety of different tech and creative industries that make him the go-to guy for reviews, opinion pieces, and featured articles. With a particular love of all things visual, including photography, videography, and 3D visualisation Paul is never far from a camera or other piece of tech that gets his creative juices going. You'll also find his writing in other places, including Creative Bloq, Digital Camera World, and 3D World Magazine.
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