How to Choose the Right Website Builder for Your Business (and Why Wix is a Great Choice)

How to Choose the Right Website Builder for Your Business (and Why Wix is a Great Choice)

So, you’ve decided to take the plunge. You’re starting a business, or maybe you’ve been running one for a while and you know it’s time to get serious about your online presence. You know you need a website, but as you start to look into it, you’re hit with a dizzying array of options: Wix, WordPress, Shopify, Squarespace… the list goes on. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, and to worry about making the wrong choice.

Choosing a website builder is a bit like choosing a business partner. You want someone reliable, who makes your life easier, and who can grow with you. The right platform can be a powerful engine for your business, while the wrong one can be a constant source of frustration. In this post, we’re going to cut through the noise and give you a clear, down-to-earth guide to choosing the right website builder for you. We’ll also take a closer look at why we at Eccleshall Websites often recommend Wix to our clients, and how it can be a fantastic platform for small businesses in the UK.

What to Look for in a Website Builder

Before we dive into specific platforms, let’s talk about what you should be looking for in a website builder. These are the key factors that will determine whether a platform is a good fit for your business.

**Ease of Use:** This is a big one, especially if you’re not a tech-savvy person. The last thing you want is to spend weeks trying to figure out how to add a new page or change a font. A good website builder should be intuitive and easy to use, with a drag-and-drop editor that lets you see your changes in real-time. You should be able to build a professional-looking website without having to write a single line of code.

**Scalability:** Your business is going to grow, and your website needs to be able to grow with it. A good platform will allow you to start small and add new features and functionality as your business expands. You might start with a simple one-page website, but in a year’s time you might want to add a blog, an online store, or a booking system. A scalable platform will make this process seamless.

**Features and Integrations:** Every business is different, and you’ll need a website builder that can cater to your specific needs. If you’re a photographer, you’ll need a platform that can showcase your portfolio in a beautiful way. If you’re a consultant, you’ll need a booking system that lets clients schedule appointments with you. And if you’re selling products, you’ll need a robust e-commerce solution. Look for a platform with a wide range of built-in features and an app market that lets you add third-party integrations.

**Pricing and Value for Money:** Of course, budget is always a consideration. But it’s important to look beyond the headline price and consider the total cost of ownership. Some platforms might seem cheap at first, but then charge you extra for essential features like a custom domain name or e-commerce functionality. Look for a platform that offers transparent pricing and a range of plans to suit different budgets. And remember, your website is an investment in your business, so it’s worth paying for a quality platform that will help you grow.

**Support and Community:** When you’re building a website, you’re bound to have questions. That’s why it’s so important to choose a platform with good customer support. Look for a platform that offers 24/7 support via phone, email, and live chat. It’s also a good idea to choose a platform with a strong community of users, as you can often find answers to your questions in online forums and Facebook groups.

A Closer Look at Wix

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s take a closer look at Wix. Wix is one of the most popular website builders on the market, and for good reason. It’s a powerful and versatile platform that’s a great choice for a wide range of businesses. Here are some of the things we love about Wix:

**User-Friendly Editor:** Wix is famous for its drag-and-drop editor, which is one of the most intuitive and easy-to-use on the market. You can literally drag and drop elements anywhere on the page, giving you complete creative control over the look and feel of your website. And if you’re short on time, you can use Wix ADI (Artificial Design Intelligence) to create a stunning website for you in minutes. Just answer a few questions about your business, and Wix will automatically generate a custom website for you, complete with text and images.

**Vast Template Library:** Wix has hundreds of professionally designed templates to choose from, covering a wide range of industries and styles. Whether you’re a plumber, a life coach, or a restaurateur, you’re sure to find a template that’s a perfect fit for your business. And all of Wix’s templates are fully customisable, so you can tweak the design to match your brand.

**App Market:** Wix’s App Market is a treasure trove of third-party apps that you can use to add new features and functionality to your website. There are apps for everything from e-commerce and booking to marketing and social media. This means you can easily extend the functionality of your website as your business grows, without having to switch platforms.

**Strong SEO Features:** SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) is the process of getting your website to rank higher in Google’s search results. And Wix has a great set of built-in SEO tools to help you do just that. With Wix SEO, you can easily add meta tags, create a sitemap, and connect your website to Google Search Console. Wix also has a personalised SEO plan that will give you a step-by-step guide to improving your website’s SEO.

**Good for Various Business Types:** One of the great things about Wix is that it’s a very versatile platform. It’s a great choice for a wide range of businesses, from e-commerce stores and service-based businesses to portfolios and blogs. Whether you’re selling handmade jewellery, offering consulting services, or showcasing your photography, Wix has the tools you need to succeed.

Wix vs. Other Popular Platforms

Of course, Wix isn’t the only website builder on the market. There are a number of other popular platforms to choose from, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Here’s a quick look at how Wix compares to two of the most popular alternatives: Shopify and WordPress.

**Wix vs. Shopify:** If you’re planning to build a large e-commerce store, Shopify is a great choice. It’s a very powerful and scalable platform that’s designed specifically for e-commerce. However, for smaller e-commerce stores, Wix can be a more affordable and user-friendly option. Wix’s e-commerce features are more than powerful enough for most small businesses, and its drag-and-drop editor is much easier to use than Shopify’s.

**Wix vs. WordPress:** WordPress is a very powerful and flexible platform that’s a great choice for experienced users who want complete control over their website. However, it has a much steeper learning curve than Wix, and you’ll need to have some technical knowledge to get the most out of it. For most small business owners, Wix is a much better choice. It’s easier to use, more affordable, and has all the features you need to build a professional-looking website.

Beyond the Website: Making Money Online

Having a great website is a fantastic start, but it’s just the beginning. The real goal is to use your website to make money and grow your business. And there are so many ways to do that! You could sell products, offer services, start a blog, create a membership site… the possibilities are endless.

But if you’re just starting out, it can be hard to know where to begin. That’s why we recommend a fantastic resource called **24 Ways to Earn From Home**. This 298-page guide is packed with practical, real-world advice on how to make money online. It ranks 24 different income-earning opportunities by their realistic earning potential, time to first income, and likelihood of success. It’s a brilliant resource for anyone who’s serious about building a successful online business.

For just **£27**, you get a complete roadmap to building extra income from home. It’s an investment that will pay for itself many times over. We can’t recommend it highly enough.

Conclusion

Choosing the right website builder is a crucial first step in building a successful online business. It’s important to choose a platform that’s easy to use, scalable, and has all the features you need to grow. For most small businesses in the UK, we believe that Wix is an excellent choice. It’s a powerful and versatile platform that’s easy to use and affordable.

But remember, your website is just the beginning. The real magic happens when you start using your website to make money. So, once you’ve built your website, be sure to check out **24 Ways to Earn From Home**. It’s the perfect resource to help you take your online business to the next level.

Starting a business can be a daunting prospect, but with the right tools and resources, you can do it. You’ve got this!