Comparing Wix and GoDaddy is essential for individuals and small to medium-sized businesses seeking a reliable and user-friendly website-building solution. Although both services offer the tools you need to create your website via their easy-to-use platforms, there are several critical differences you should be aware of before committing to either provider.
In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of Wix vs GoDaddy, their features, pricing, ease of use, and other crucial factors to help you make an informed decision. Keep reading to learn which service may be better for your needs and requirements and which website builder we rate higher overall.
Wix vs GoDaddy Compared
Before we get into the details, here’s a head-to-head GoDaddy vs Wix comparison at a glance:
Wix | GoDaddy | |
---|---|---|
Starting Price | $12/month (three-year plan) | $10.99/month (three-year plan) |
Free Plan | ✅ | ❌ |
Free Domain | Yes, for one year | Available with paid plans |
E-commerce Capabilities | ✅ | ✅ |
Included SEO Tools | ✅ | ✅ |
User Support | 24/7 live chat, email, and callback | 24/7 phone and live chat |
Storage | From 2 GB to unlimited | Unlimited |
Security Features | ✅ | ✅ |
Money-back Guarantee | 14 days | 30 days |
GoDaddy vs Wix Pricing Compared
In this section, we’ll compare Wix and GoDaddy pricing structures to determine which provider offers more value for money and extra features with each plan.
Pricing Plans | Wix | GoDaddy |
---|---|---|
Free Version | Free website builder, but your websites will use a Wix domain and have Wix ads | Free website builder, but your websites will use a GoDaddy domain and have GoDaddy ads |
Starter | $12/month (3-year plan) $14/month (2-year plan) $17/month (1-year plan) $24/month (1-month plan) |
$10.99/month (3-year plan) $10.99/month (2-year plan) $10.99/month (1-year plan) $16.99/month (1-month plan) |
Advanced | $21/month (3-year plan) $24/month (2-year plan) $29/month (1-year plan) $36/month (1-month plan) |
$14.99/month (3-year plan) $14.99/month (2-year plan) $14.99/month (1-year plan) $29.99/month (1-month plan) |
Premium | $26/month (3-year plan) $29/month (2-year plan) $36/month (1-year plan) $43/month (1-month plan) |
$20.99/month (3-year plan) $20.99/month (2-year plan) $20.99/month (1-year plan) $34.99/month (1-month plan) |
Wix and GoDaddy are among the best free website builders since their free plans let you create and customize websites but come with several limitations and numerous ads.
Opting for one of their premium plans removes provider ads from your website and lets you host it on a custom domain. However, unlike Wix, GoDaddy doesn’t provide a free domain to its users, which can add to your fees.
Wix may be more expensive initially, as GoDaddy offers a significant discount to new customers for the duration of their first subscription. That means the difference in Wix vs GoDaddy cost won’t be as noticeable once it’s time to renew your GoDaddy subscription.
Wix also wins a point in this category because it offers a free domain for one year and isn’t much more expensive after renewal. It’s worth mentioning that both services provide free SSL certificates and a score of marketing features with each plan. Additionally, you can compare Wix and GoDaddy by trying their services risk-free today, thanks to their lengthy money-back guarantees.
Wix vs GoDaddy Ease of Use
Winner: GoDaddy
The GoDaddy website builder is ideal for first-time users because of its beginner-friendly features. From its intuitive dashboard to its user-friendly editor, nothing about GoDaddy is confusing, and you’ll have an easy time creating a website, even without any prior experience.
Its single editing tool lets you choose between numerous pre-made templates, which you can customize until you’re satisfied with the look of your website. However, you shouldn’t expect total control over each page element’s position and size, as GoDaddy prioritizes simplicity over customization when it comes to the website creation process.
Conversely, Wix offers more customization, which makes it one of the best website builders, but its editing tools have a slight learning curve. Like GoDaddy, it has an extensive library of pre-made templates that you can use as a starting point and edit to perfection using Wix Editor. Wix Editor gives you much more freedom than GoDaddy’s editor, as you can edit even the slightest web page details, but it makes it harder to fix any mistakes you may make as a beginner.
Additionally, Wix has Wix ADI, a questionnaire-based website-building tool that presents you with a finished website based on your answers. The questionnaire will help Wix determine your website’s purpose, design preferences, and needed features, and it will pull from its database of design elements and content to create a website. You can then use its drag-and-drop editor to refine the site.
Although Wix provides more creative freedom, GoDaddy simplifies website creation and is easier to learn than most competitors we tested, which wins it the point in this category.
Wix vs GoDaddy Key Features
Winner: Wix
GoDaddy offers a decent suite of features businesses and individuals need to create their websites. However, Wix is our choice for this category because it offers more customization for specific industries and a comprehensive app store.
In this section of our GoDaddy vs Wix review, we’ll compare some of their most crucial features to help you make an informed decision.
Wix vs GoDaddy Integrations
Winner: Wix
Comparing the pros and cons of Wix vs GoDaddy can’t go without comparing their ability to integrate third-party services that can help you boost your website’s security, performance, search engine rankings, and more.
- Wix: The Wix App Market is an invaluable source of third-party integrations, including some of the best CRM software providers, email marketing services, accounting tools, and similar products. Paired with its excellent editor, the App Market opens a world of possibilities regarding your site’s customization and functionality, which many competitors can’t match.
- GoDaddy: In comparison, GoDaddy doesn’t offer nearly as many integrations as Wix. But it can connect your site to some of the most popular apps that help enhance your team’s collaboration, site security, customer engagement, and more. Although it lacks app diversity, its integrations are easier to implement than many solutions Wix works with, which may be appealing to beginners.
Although we found GoDaddy easier to use, Wix wins in this category because it offers an impressively larger selection of third-party integrations.
Wix vs GoDaddy Customer Reviews
Whether you’re comparing GoDaddy and Wix for SEO, security, marketing, or some of their other capabilities, one of the best ways to get accurate information quickly is to read through third-party user testimonies on websites that let users leave genuine reviews. After reading through dozens of Wix and GoDaddy reviews on Trustpilot, here’s what we discovered.
With nearly 18,000 reviews, of which 75% give it the highest score, Wix scores 4.6 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot. Most users praise the accessibility Wix gives them to third-party services and the Wix Editor that gives them pixel-perfect control over the look and feel of their pages. Additionally, the users describe Wix’s customer service as knowledgeable and quick to respond.
GoDaddy enjoys an even better rating from its users, with more than 100,000 reviews, of which 84% give it the highest score for a total of 4.7 out of 5 stars. Most reviews point out the quality of its customer support, as it is easier to reach than most, thanks to GoDaddy’s phone support channels. Users also praise its ease of use, especially if you want to experiment with different templates without losing your content.
However, no website builder is perfect, so there isn’t a shortage of negative reviews either, especially from their free users who are unhappy with the amount of ads on their websites. Additionally, GoDaddy users aren’t fans of its renewal pricing, while some Wix users find its left-side menus complicated and confusing while looking for specific features and site editing tools.
Read all GoDaddy reviews on TrustPilot.com
Read all Wix reviews on TrustPilot.com
Wix vs GoDaddy: Which One Wins?
Wix | GoDaddy | |
---|---|---|
Price | Winner | ❌ |
Security | Winner | ❌ |
Ease of use | ❌ | Winner |
Features | Winner | ❌ |
Integrations | Winner | ❌ |
Customer reviews | ❌ | Winner |
Designs and Themes | Winner | ❌ |
Wix’s advanced features and detailed website editor make it the better choice for users looking to create professional-looking websites. Additionally, its App Market adds the versatility many businesses need to enhance their website’s capabilities and customer relations via third-party integrations.
Although GoDaddy loses this contest, its qualities shouldn’t go unnoticed. GoDaddy provides solid integration with its own suite and several popular services, and the simplicity of its website builder is second to none. That makes it an excellent pick for beginners who value ease of use more than customizability.
How We Review And Test Website Builders
To provide our readers with accurate and well-informed recommendations, we test the most popular website builders on the market to find the best options for you. Our methodology consists of the following criteria:
- Template Variety and Quality: We evaluate the range and quality of pre-designed templates offered by each website builder, considering factors like aesthetics and customization options.
- Mobile Responsiveness: We test the responsiveness of websites created with each builder to ensure they display correctly and function smoothly on various devices, including smartphones, tablets, and desktops.
- Customization Options: We examine the level of customization available within each website builder: layouts, fonts, colors, custom CSS or HTML code.
- Ease of Use: We assess the user interface and overall usability of each website builder to determine how intuitive and beginner-friendly the website builder is.
- Speed and Performance: We measure the load speed and performance of websites built with each website builder, considering factors such as page load times, image optimization, and caching options.
- SEO Features: We analyze the built-in SEO tools and features offered by each website builder, including meta tags, sitemaps, URL structures, and integration with analytics platforms.
- E-commerce Functionality: We evaluate the e-commerce capabilities of each website builder, assessing product listings, inventory management, payment gateways, and order processing.
- Integrations: We look at the integration capabilities of each website builder, including compatibility with third-party tools such as email marketing software, CRM systems, and social media networks.
- Customer Support: We test the responsiveness and availability of customer support offered by each website builder, such as available support channels, response times, and user satisfaction ratings.
- Scalability and Flexibility: We evaluate the scalability and flexibility of each website builder, considering factors such as the ability to add new pages, features, and functionality as the website grows and evolves.
- Security Features: We review the security features of each website builder, including SSL encryption, malware scanning, and regular security updates.
- Analytics and Reporting: We examine the analytics and reporting capabilities of each website builder, including the availability of built-in analytics tools, integration with external analytics platforms.
How to Choose the Best Website Builder
Choosing a website builder depends on your unique needs and requirements, so we’ve prepared a list of crucial factors to consider before you subscribe to a provider. Here’s all you need to know before making your decision:
It’s crucial to consider your personal or business needs before subscribing to a website builder. If you’re building a personal portfolio or a blogging website, there’s no need to subscribe to a plan that offers advanced eCommerce features required to create an online store.
Additionally, ensure your future website builder has all the tools you need to create a website that can handle high traffic and provide a satisfying experience for your visitors if you intend to make a business or e-commerce website.
Avoid providers that offer just one or two plans, as you’ll often be paying for services your website doesn’t require. The best website builders offer multiple plans, allowing users to pick the ones that suit their needs at affordable prices.
Once you find a provider that offers scalable plans, ensure their pricing fits your budget and that their more expensive plans offer advanced features your business might need later. For example, if you’re creating an e-commerce website, a limit of 5,000 inventory items might be sufficient when you start, but your provider should leave room for upgrades as your business grows.
Look for providers with a drag-and-drop builder, pre-made templates library, and user-friendly dashboard, even if you’re tech-savvy. Building a site from scratch can be tedious, no matter your experience. Additionally, the website builder should make SEO, marketing, and integrations easily accessible so you have no issues reaching a broader audience.
Determine which features your website needs and ensure your website builder offers them. These include SEO tools, analytics, customizable templates, and email marketing tools, among other features.
Look for providers that offer mobile website accessibility to help you reach a wider audience and make your website more user-friendly. For example, both Wix and GoDaddy offer mobile view, a feature that lets you see how your page would look on a smartphone before you publish it.
Your website builder should allow you to create a website that reflects your brand’s look and feel and makes it stand out. To achieve that, you’ll need a product that offers a wide variety of pre-made templates and detailed editing tools to help you change how each page element looks, from size to design and color.
Advanced users should look for editors that allow CSS and HTML editing, as they can provide greater control over the changes you make.
Avoid providers that don’t offer 24/7 customer support and multiple support channels, as quickly dealing with issues you can’t resolve alone is crucial. In addition to live chat, phone, and email support, your website builder should have easily accessible online support centers with resources on fixing frequent issues, tutorials on using their services, and user forums.
FAQs
Is it better to buy a domain from Wix or GoDaddy?
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Can I switch from GoDaddy to Wix?
References
- What is the Importance of Web Design for Your Audience? (SmartInsights)
- Why Websites Get Hacked (Sucuri)
- Mobile Website Accessibility (Accessibility)