Are you looking to start a website but have a tight budget? Then Wix may come up in your research. They have a free plan for anyone who wants to create a simple site without spending any serious money upfront.
While the free plan sounds tempting, it comes with limitations that might delay your site’s gradual growth. You’ll have to deal with ads, a Wix-branded subdomain, and restricted features like limited storage and bandwidth.
In this article, we’ll explore these pros and cons in more detail. You can decide if Wix’s free plan works for you or if it’s time to look at paid plans or other website builders.
What you need to know about Wix’s free plan
Wix’s free plan is a good way to get started with website building. The Wix website builder comes with its own set of basic features. Though, you may face roadblocks if you aim to build a more professional site with Wix’s free plan.
Features of the free plan
Here’s what you get with Wix’s free plan:
- Drag-and-drop editor. You don’t need to know any coding to design your site. Just pick a template, then drag and drop different elements — like text, images, and buttons — into place. Pretty simple for beginners.
- Access to templates. Wix offers tons of templates, so you can choose one that fits your style. If you’re into creating a personal blog, portfolio, or something else, there’s likely one for you to get started with.
- Free hosting with a Wix-branded subdomain. Your website will be hosted on Wix’s servers at no cost, but your URL will look like this: name.wixsite.com/website. Your site will carry the Wix brand, which might not give the most professional look if you plan to launch a business.
- Ads. One downside of the free plan is the Wix-branded ads that pop up on your site. These ads can make your website look much less polished and take up space. You’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan to get rid of them.
Who the free plan is best for
The free plan works best for certain types of projects, like:
- Personal blogs. If you’re sharing your thoughts or hobbies without the need for advanced features.
- Portfolios. Showcasing your work without worrying about the extra costs.
- Event landing pages. For one-time events or promotions with basic details.
- Hobby sites. A place to experiment and explore without financial commitment.
If you’re looking to build a business-ready website, the free plan will probably hold you back pretty quickly. But if you’re just testing the waters or making something casual, it’s a good place to start.
Understanding Wix pricing
Aside from the free plan, Wix also has paid options that unlock more features, remove ads, and give you more control.
What’s included with the Free Plan
With Wix’s free plan, you get the basics: a simple drag-and-drop editor, access to templates, and hosting with a Wix-branded subdomain. But there are some important limitations to keep in mind:
- Wix ads will be displayed on your site.
- You’ll have limited storage (500MB) and bandwidth (500MB/month), which isn’t enough for more website content or user traffic.
- You can’t use a custom domain. Your website will always have the Wix subdomain.
- You have no access to premium features like Google Analytics or eCommerce capabilities.
Overview of paid plans
Wix’s paid plans offer several tiers if you want more control and flexibility. Here’s a breakdown of their updated pricing tiers as of November 2024:
Light
- It’s ideal for personal use or simple websites.
- It comes with basic website features such as a custom domain, 2GB storage space, and removal of Wix ads.
- This is a good choice if you just need a professional-looking site without the need for eCommerce or advanced features.
Core
- A step up from Light, the Core plan is perfect for freelancers or small business owners needing a bit more functionality.
- You get 50GB of storage, the ability to remove Wix ads, and access to premium apps and integrations.
- It’s useful for those who need a more polished site but don’t necessarily want advanced eCommerce capabilities.
Business
- This is the second most expensive option and the one they recommend for new businesses.
- The Business plan includes features you need for eCommerce, like the ability to sell products online, accept payments, and access to 100GB of storage.
- It’s suitable for entrepreneurs or small businesses looking to create a professional, fully functional online store.
Business Elite
- This plan is the top-tier option and is the most expensive one.
- It includes everything in the Business plan, plus priority support, advanced marketing tools, and unlimited storage.
- The Business Elite plan is for larger businesses or anyone who needs more features, fast support, and plenty of storage for their growing website.
Comparison table of paid plans
Here’s a quick comparison of Wix’s paid plans:
| Feature | Light | Core | Business | Business Elite |
| Custom Domain | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Wix Ads | Removed | Removed | Removed | Removed |
| Storage | 2GB | 50GB | 100GB | Unlimited |
| eCommerce Capabilities | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Priority Support | No | No | No | Yes |
| Marketing Tools | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Price | Cheapest | Average | Expensive | Most expensive |
Hidden costs to watch for
Even if you go with one of Wix’s paid plans, there are still some costs to keep an eye on:
- Domain costs. The first year of your custom domain is included in the plan, but after that, you’ll need to pay an annual renewal fee.
- Paid apps and integrations. Wix offers additional tools and features through its app marketplace, but many of these come at an extra cost.
- Privacy protection. If you want to hide your WHOIS information so your personal details aren’t visible to the public, you’ll need to pay for this as an add-on.
What alternatives to Wix should you consider?
Wix is popular, but it’s not your only option. Depending on what you need, other platforms might offer better features, pricing, or ease of use. Let’s check out some top alternatives on the internet right now.
Squarespace
Squarespace is known for its beautiful, mobile-optimized templates. It’s ideal for users who want a polished, professional-looking website, especially creatives or small businesses.
- Pros:
Squarespace offers stunning designs and great built-in features like blogging and eCommerce.
- Cons:
It’s more expensive than Wix, and there’s a bit of a learning curve to its interface.
Weebly
Weebly is an easy-to-use, budget-friendly website builder with drag-and-drop functionality and basic eCommerce features. It’s great for simple personal sites or small online stores.
- Pros:
Weebly’s simple interface and affordable pricing make it ideal for beginners.
- Cons:
Limited customization options and fewer features compared to Wix and other competitors.
WordPress.com
WordPress.com offers powerful customization options and is ideal for blogging, small business sites, and larger websites. It’s perfect if you need flexibility in design and content.
- Pros:
Highly customizable with robust tools for blogging and eCommerce.
- Cons:
Requires some technical knowledge to take full advantage of its features, especially with design and advanced functions.
Shopify
Shopify is a top choice for serious eCommerce websites. It’s designed to help businesses sell online with ease, offering a variety of tools for managing products, payments, and shipping.
- Pros:
Shopify provides everything you need for a successful online store, from payment gateways to inventory management and marketing tools.
- Cons:
Shopify can be expensive, especially for smaller businesses, with additional costs for apps and themes.
Why Web.com might be the best option for your business
Web.com is a great choice for businesses, offering strong eCommerce features, customizable templates, and reliable customer support. Established in 1999, it has built a reputation for providing scalable solutions for businesses of all sizes for over two decades.
- Better for businesses. Web.com offers better tools for businesses, including easy eCommerce setup, customizable templates, and better scalability as your site grows.
- 24/7 customer support. Web.com provides round-the-clock customer support, ensuring you get the help you need anytime.
- No hidden costs. Web.com’s pricing plans are more straightforward, with fewer surprise fees for features or upgrades.
- One-month free trial. You can test out Web.com’s features with a free trial to see if they fit your needs before fully committing.
- AI-powered website builder. Web.com’s intuitive website builder is enhanced with AI capabilities, allowing users to easily customize their site’s look and functionality without requiring technical expertise.
- Professional email services. Provide a professional touch to your business communications and establish credibility with email addresses that match your domain name.
- Domain name registration and management. Secure the perfect web address for your brand with Web.com’s domain registration services, which include options for domain privacy and protection.
- Professional design services. For businesses seeking a more tailored approach, Web.com’s team of experts can design your dream custom website, ensuring a unique and professional online presence.
Should you stick with Wix or try something else?
Wix’s free plan is a good starting point for beginners or personal projects, but it comes with limitations like ads, a Wix-branded subdomain, and limited storage — making it less ideal for businesses or professional sites.
As you weigh your options, think about what you really need from your website. Wix’s premium plans offer features like custom domains and eCommerce tools, but don’t overlook other platforms like Web.com. It’s a flexible platform with great support, and you can try it out with a one-month free trial before committing.
Ultimately, pick the platform that best fits your goals, whether it’s Wix for simplicity or Web.com for a more scalable solution. Take your time, your website’s future depends on it.
Frequently asked questions
The free Wix editor can be used indefinitely, but it comes with limitations such as a Wix-branded subdomain, ads, and limited storage. If you want more features like a custom domain or the ability to remove ads, you’ll need to pay.
You’ll need to pay for a custom domain, more storage and bandwidth and additional features like premium apps or integrations which you may eventually need.
As you start looking at paid options with better features, alternatives like Web.com become more attractive, especially when you consider 24/7 customer support, more transparent pricing, total cost of ownership etc.
The free plan can work for personal projects or simple web pages. All free Wix sites include ads and a Wix-branded subdomain, which can make your site look less professional.
Yes, it does. Using Wix hosting rather than your own domain looks less professional and can hurt your site’s rankings in search engines. Also, the ads displayed on free sites can negatively affect the user experience which in turn can impact your SEO ranking.
