17 Huge Reasons Not to Use Wix for Business Websites

Wix is one of the most widely used platforms for designing websites. You will see their ads everywhere online. Influencers sponsor it as this great tool that takes care of all the details when creating a site. However, that's not the whole story.

Wix is an excellent website builder for beginners. There are huge reasons not to use Wix for business websites. One of these reasons is that it's definitely not a complete package when it comes to website design for businesses. Website design entails taking care of specifics like optimizing landing pages, niche targeting, etc. These things aren't given the attention they need in Wix.

Here are the reasons we'll cover today:

• Using Wix Makes Your Brand Look Cheap
• Wix Has Serious SEO Limitations
• Wix Oversimplifies the Difficulties of Designing a Website
• Wix Has Various Hidden Costs
• Wix Doesn't Allow You to Migrate Website Data Easily
• Wix Terms and Conditions
• Wix's Poor Customer Support
• Wix Payment & eCommerce
• Wix Website Speed Limitations
• Wix Website Security Limitations
• The Vendor Lock-In Problem
• Template and Design Restrictions
• Platform Instability and Bugs
• Pricing Manipulation and Billing Issues
• E-commerce Specific Limitations
• Shared Hosting Vulnerabilities
• Limited Business Scalability

With that said, let's go over all of them one at a time.

1. Using Wix Makes Your Brand Look Cheap

Wix is directed at people who need free or extremely low-cost websites. Consequently, the company limits users to a collection of premade website templates. The generic design and URL (business-name.wix.com) makes you look unprofessional, and customers will immediately start to question if you're a legitimate business.

If you want to connect your domain, you need to pay $4 a month. Until you don't pay them $8 a month, Wix branding will not disappear.

But it comes with some limitations. 1GB bandwidth and 500MB space. Really? If your website gets 500 daily visitors and each visitor opens two pages, you'll need at least 30GB of bandwidth.

Sooner or later, you'll be forced to use the Unlimited Package to cater to your traffic needs. The worst part? Wix websites are created from pre-made templates, and your clients can sense the design from far away.

Additionally, Wix templates don't provide a personalized experience to the customers considering they're made to cater to a vast audience's needs. Let's take the example of Starbucks.

Starbucks has performed tremendously well in making an idea where everybody may have an excellent encounter drinking coffee in an inviting ambiance. Otherwise, drinking coffee was never special. That's why your website should solve your visitor's problem that is not generally possible from pre-made templates.

2. Wix Has Serious SEO Limitations

Ahrefs conducted an interesting study to compare Wix SEO with WordPress. Ahrefs studied 3.2 million Wix websites and 3.2 million WordPress websites. According to the study, 46.1 percent of WordPress sites got at least a monthly organic traffic, compared with only 1.4 percent of Wix websites. That's a huge difference.

Of course, organic traffic doesn't prove Wix is better than WordPress. But, Wix lost the match when WordPress found to have more referring domains than Wix.

Wix has huge SEO limitations:

• Post URL Limitation. You cannot change the permalink structure at all. Wix places /post/ for the blog post that is annoying

• Robots.txt and .htaccess Limitation. You cannot modify Robots.txt and .htaccess that are crucial files for larger websites. You can instruct Google Bot which pages to index and which not to index to ensure only quality pages are indexed on Google. The .htaccess file helps in redirection and fixes canonical URLs quickly. Helpful for advanced SEO specialists.
• Javascript Rendering. Wix renders web pages through JavaScript that is not readable by search engines without rendering. Furthermore, this element only works for websites if the user has JavaScript enabled for their browser. This is a fundamental problem with the design language employed by Wix. It's specifically hard for a business website to target its clientele if the tool they're using doesn't allow that. Due to Javascript, the Wix sites load sluggishly.

• Multi-Language Limitations. Are you thinking of running your blog for multiple languages? For example, SEMrush writes blog posts in Deutsch, English, Deutsch, and Français to rank better in the respective country. You cannot do this on Wix at all. It's possible with the hreflang tag that Wix doesn't support at the time of writing this post.

3. Wix Oversimplifies the Difficulties of Designing a Website

Now, Wix's primary issue is that it sets the expectation that anybody can design and produce a site. That is not true. It seems Wix templates may satisfy all goals and goals, and they do not.

Each and every single day, an increasing number of people and businesses are hiring UX specialists to make their site more valuable and consumer-friendly. UX specialists utilize a User-centered design (UCD) process to generate design choices that will solve issues and enhance user experience. A procedure I guarantee Wix doesn't provide.

If Wix could satisfy the above expectations, millions of dollars wouldn't be spent employing UX specialists and organizations to build out sites. Companies of all sizes will only select a Wix program. Firms are more affordable than that. They understand they want something which will speak for their end customers; they know the value of excellent user experience, and so should you.

The templates Wix provides aren't professionally equipped, together with your end goals in mind; they're designed fast, lacking imagination, and made in massive amounts, to provide you all these choices. Most small business companies fail since their sites don't satisfy your end objectives, convert earnings; you can be certain, yours will probably fail also.

4. Wix Has Various Hidden Costs

Wix is affordable for small users and even some small businesses. Its premium plan begins from just $4 a month. Even the highest-paid premium plans are $24 a month, which is surprisingly affordable. Wix doesn't make it clear that all the prices are yearly until you scroll down and read the small text that states, "Displayed prices are for yearly subscriptions, paid in full at the time of purchase."

Moreover, when you add the apps that Wix provides from third parties, things start adding up.

The Wix app store may have some great apps for functionality and additional options, but it eats into your budget.

Wix doesn't make it abundantly clear that your website won't have to deal with these costs. Since it advertises itself as a one "subscription fee fits all" platform, it doesn't mention that detail. This isn't a problem, though. Many online subscription services skip over the details. However, for small businesses that need additional website functionality, this is a crucial element.

5. Wix Doesn't Allow You to Migrate Website Data Easily

Migrating data is one of the most painful things you can do when running a website. If even one thing goes wrong, you may have a significant problem on your hands. I know of glitches that delete every single image associated with the website, and they have to be re-inserted manually. With business websites, as large as they are, you can't afford mishaps.

This is where Wix kind of drops the ball. It doesn't make it convenient for its users to move their content. This is intentional to keep users on the platform. A lot of ecosystem-based companies do it, including Apple. However, if you plan to change your platform or overhaul your website, Wix will make it hard for you. How hard?

You have to migrate through RSS and manually saving each image and upload to your desired CMS. It could be automated with a WordPress plugin, but you're always at risk of losing traffic and SEO juice.

6. Wix Terms and Conditions

It seems a good idea Wix offers secure and completely free web hosting, letting you concentrate on the important things — such as building your very own beautiful site. But you're always at the risk of account suspension without any prior notice — at any time and in any manner.

It means a small mistake can destroy your business website in a matter of seconds; it doesn't matter you have been with Wix for a decade. Since you don't have any control over the Wix hosting, you're at the mercy of their business rules. It's better to create a website on WordPress or any other open-source application where you have complete control over your website. You can make regular backups on your clouds like Google Drive, Dropbox, or Amazon S3 in case something wrong happens with your site.

7. Wix's Poor Customer Support

Customer service is the core of a company, which leaves the client feeling respected and valued. Although providing a superb service may involve additional source, time, and cash, you'll see a boost in your sales when you invest money in good customer support since your customers will provide free word of mouth marketing.

Bear in mind; it will be six times more costly to get a new customer than to keep a present customer!

Have a look at Trustpilot's reviews about Wix—64% of the reviews are 1-star.

Wix clients are frustrated when it comes to customer service.

Another bad review.

Wix doesn't have only two negative reviews, but 1402 1-star reviews — that's an alarming number.

8. Wix Payment & eCommerce

A payment gateway is a service that enables all of your credit card transactions by your credit card supplier. It is a bridge between an eCommerce website and the bank which supports a customer's credit card payment via the payment gateway providers. On Trustpilot, dozens of people have reported against the Wix Payment Gateway for eCommerce.

On top of that, Wix holds your payouts for verification for a more extended period, and sometimes, Wix can freeze your account.

9. Wix Website Speed Limitations

Website speed is a critical factor in the success of any website, as it can impact user experience, search engine rankings, and even conversions. Unfortunately, Wix's website builder can be slow to load, negatively impacting your business in many ways.

Firstly, slow website speed can frustrate users and cause them to abandon your website, resulting in a high bounce rate. This can signal to search engines that your website does not provide a positive user experience, which can hurt your rankings. Secondly, slow website speed can also impact your website's performance on mobile devices.

Most people browse websites on their mobile devices today, and slow-loading pages can be particularly frustrating on smaller screens. Finally, slow website speed can impact your website's ability to convert visitors into customers. If your website loads quickly, visitors may become impatient and choose to purchase from a competitor instead.

While Wix's website builder is designed to be user-friendly and easy to use, its website speed limitations can significantly impact your business. If you are considering using Wix for your business website, it is important to understand these limitations and weigh them against the benefits of using a website builder.

10. Wix Website Security Limitations

Secure websites are essential for businesses, and Wix takes this threat seriously. Wix uses industry-standard security protocols to protect its users and their websites. They also offer SSL encryption on all websites, including custom domains, which helps to protect against hackers and other security threats.

However, while Wix takes security seriously, there are some limitations to their website builder. For example, Wix doesn't allow you to install third-party security plugins, which can be a disadvantage if you need more advanced security features. Additionally, Wix has limited security settings, which may need to be improved for some businesses with higher security needs.

Wix also doesn't offer website backups on all pricing plans, which can be a concern if you need to restore your website after a security breach or data loss. Finally, Wix doesn't allow users to directly access their website's server files, which may be a limitation for users who need more control over their website's security.

Suppose you need more advanced security features or greater control over your website's security. In that case, it may be worth considering other website builders or working with a web developer to build a custom website with more robust security features. Although Wix takes security seriously, their website builder has some limitations regarding security features.

11. The Vendor Lock-In Problem

One of the most devastating issues with Wix is its proprietary ecosystem that makes migration virtually impossible. Unlike WordPress or other open-source platforms, you cannot export your website data to migrate to another host or platform. This creates a dangerous dependency where businesses become locked into Wix's pricing and limitations regardless of their evolving needs.

Real users consistently report this as their biggest frustration. A long-time Wix user shared their experience: "It's impossible to scale your business with Wix... If you want to do anything slightly more ambitious than what their modules allow, you can't". Once you decide to part ways with the platform, you need to completely rebuild your website from scratch - losing all your work, time, and potentially your search engine rankings.

This vendor lock-in strategy is intentional. Wix has designed their system to make it as difficult as possible to leave, knowing that many businesses will simply accept increasing prices and limitations rather than rebuild their entire online presence. For growing businesses, this becomes a critical bottleneck that can severely limit expansion opportunities and technological advancement.

12. Template and Design Restrictions

Once you select a Wix template, you're locked into that choice forever. You cannot change templates without losing all your content and starting from scratch. This inflexibility becomes a major problem as businesses grow and their design needs evolve. What seemed like an appropriate template for a startup may look unprofessional or inadequate as your business matures.

The mobile responsiveness issues compound this problem significantly. Users consistently report that mobile versions of their Wix sites look completely different from desktop versions, often with broken layouts, misaligned elements, and poor user experience. This requires extensive separate optimization work for mobile devices, and even then, the results are often subpar compared to truly responsive platforms.

Furthermore, Wix's drag-and-drop editor, while seemingly user-friendly, creates inconsistent code that can lead to rendering issues across different browsers and devices. Professional designers and developers find the platform frustrating because it limits their ability to create truly custom, pixel-perfect designs that reflect a brand's unique identity.

13. Platform Instability and Bugs

Wix users frequently experience platform instability that can disrupt business operations. The editor crashes regularly, especially when working with photo editing features or complex layouts. One premium subscriber of six years noted: "Why is almost every feature of my Wix sites becoming riddled with bugs and nonsense?" These aren't isolated incidents but systematic issues affecting thousands of users.

The platform suffers from frequent technical problems including form submission failures, payment processing errors, and random page loading issues. Users report spending hours trying to accomplish simple tasks due to system glitches. The mobile editor is particularly problematic, with changes not saving properly or appearing differently once published.

Third-party integration problems add another layer of complexity. Wix has difficulty connecting with external services and APIs, limiting businesses' ability to use essential tools like advanced analytics platforms, marketing automation systems, or custom CRM solutions. This forces businesses to work within Wix's limited ecosystem rather than choosing best-in-class solutions for their specific needs.

14. Pricing Manipulation and Billing Issues

Customer complaints reveal a disturbing pattern of unexpected price increases and unauthorized charges. Users report receiving bills 54% to 110% higher than their previous plans without adequate notice. The Better Business Bureau has documented numerous cases of unauthorized billing, with users being charged hundreds of dollars for "renewals" they never authorized.

The pricing structure itself is deliberately deceptive. Monthly plans cost 24-41% more than annual plans, but this isn't clearly communicated upfront. Users often discover after signing up that the advertised prices require paying for entire years in advance. Auto-renewal charges frequently appear in spam folders, leading to unwanted payments that Wix refuses to refund despite their 14-day policy.

Multiple users have reported being "upgraded" without consent, jumping from $500 every three years to over $800. When customers attempt to dispute these charges, they encounter unresponsive customer service and strict no-refund policies. This pattern of billing manipulation has resulted in thousands of complaints across consumer protection platforms.

15. E-commerce Specific Limitations

For businesses requiring robust e-commerce functionality, Wix falls dramatically short compared to dedicated platforms. The platform offers limited product management capabilities with insufficient variant options and pricing flexibility. Basic features that are standard on other platforms - like wishlists, abandoned cart recovery, and advanced inventory management - were either missing entirely or only recently added after years of user complaints.

Shipping restrictions create significant operational challenges. Wix only works with about 5 predefined shipping companies, making it impossible for businesses with specific logistics needs or international operations to function properly. Tax handling is equally problematic - if you charge taxes in one country, it raises prices everywhere, creating accounting nightmares for businesses operating in multiple jurisdictions.

The payment processing system has generated numerous complaints on Trustpilot and other review platforms. Users report extended payout holds, frozen accounts without warning, and difficulty accessing their own funds. The Wix app marketplace offers just 400 apps compared to Shopify's 2,400+ options, severely limiting businesses' ability to add necessary functionality or integrate with essential business tools.

16. Shared Hosting Vulnerabilities

Wix uses shared hosting infrastructure where server resources are distributed among multiple websites. This creates several critical problems for business websites that require reliable performance and security. During peak usage times, your site's performance can degrade significantly as other sites on the same server consume resources, leading to slower loading times and potential downtime.

Security vulnerabilities become a shared risk in this environment. If another website on your server gets compromised, it can potentially affect your site's security as well. You have no control over server-level optimizations, caching configurations, or security hardening measures. This lack of control means you're entirely dependent on Wix's infrastructure decisions, which may not align with your business needs.

The shared hosting model also means you cannot implement custom server configurations, install specific software versions, or optimize for your particular use case. For businesses that need guaranteed uptime, dedicated resources, or compliance with specific security standards, Wix's shared hosting architecture presents unacceptable risks and limitations.

17. Limited Business Scalability

Perhaps the most damaging limitation for businesses is Wix's inability to scale alongside growing companies. As your business expands, you'll quickly hit ceiling after ceiling - bandwidth limitations, storage restrictions, functionality constraints, and performance bottlenecks. The platform that seemed adequate for a small startup becomes a straitjacket for a growing enterprise.

Professional developers and agencies consistently advise against Wix for business use. One web developer summarized: "Wix makes it easy to jump right in, throw together a web page and publish it. Before you do that you need to stop and think, and work out what your business needs for your online presence". The ease of getting started masks the severe limitations you'll face as your business grows.

The inability to access and modify source code, implement custom functionality, or integrate with enterprise systems means that successful businesses eventually must migrate away from Wix. However, due to the vendor lock-in problem, this migration requires completely rebuilding the website from scratch - a costly and time-consuming process that could have been avoided by choosing a more scalable platform from the beginning.

Final Thoughts

The growth of all-in-one website builders such as Wix has enabled an increasing number of consumers (often with limited technical expertise) to create sites in just a couple of hours easily. But specifically, Wix does not satisfy the price tag, SEO, flexibility, and requirements that many modern-day small business owners need.

Wix may be perfectly okay for casual and bloggers amateurs; they nevertheless suffer from various defects, making them unsuitable for company requirements. When they start growing and getting some SEO knowledge, they regret the decisions, but it's too late to move on to another platform.