Investing in a Wix website is a strategic move for anyone looking to establish a strong online presence. Wix, known for its ease of use and versatility, offers various features that can cater to personal blogs, professional portfolios, small businesses, and even e-commerce stores. However, simply creating a website is not enough. To truly get the most out of your Wix website investment, you need to understand how to leverage the platform's features effectively and optimise your site for maximum impact. This guide will provide you with comprehensive strategies to help you maximise your return on investment (ROI) from your Wix website.
Understanding the Basics of Wix
Before diving into the strategies, it's essential to have a solid understanding of what Wix offers. Here are some key features and benefits of using Wix:
User-Friendly Interface
Wix is renowned for its drag-and-drop builder, which allows users to create stunning websites without any coding knowledge. This feature makes it accessible for beginners and time-efficient for more experienced users.
Customisable Templates
Wix offers hundreds of templates across various categories, including business, online stores, creative arts, and more. These templates are fully customisable, allowing you to tailor your site to your brand's specific needs.
SEO Tools
Wix includes built-in SEO tools that help you optimise your website for search engines. This feature is crucial for improving your website's visibility and attracting organic traffic.
App Market
The Wix App Market offers a wide range of applications that can enhance your website's functionality. From marketing tools to customer management systems, the app market has solutions for various business needs.
Mobile Optimisation
All Wix templates are mobile-responsive, ensuring that your website looks great on any device. This feature is vital given the increasing number of users accessing websites via smartphones and tablets.
E-commerce Capabilities
For those looking to sell products or services online, Wix provides robust e-commerce solutions. These include secure payment processing, inventory management, and customisable product pages.
Customer Support
Wix offers multiple support options, including a comprehensive help center, forums, and direct support through tickets or calls, ensuring you can get help when needed.
Maximising Your Wix Website Investment
To maximise your investment in a Wix website, it's essential to go beyond the basics and explore advanced strategies that can help you achieve your goals. Here are some tips and techniques to get the most out of your Wix website investment:
1. Choose the Right Plan
Wix offers several premium plans, and choosing the right one is crucial to maximising your investment. Here’s a quick overview of the plans:
Wix Classic Editor Premium Plans in the UK
Note: Accurate pricing as of July 2024
Understanding the cost of a Wix website starts with exploring the different pricing plans available. Wix offers several plans tailored to various needs, from personal blogs to full-fledged e-commerce sites. Below, we'll break down these plans and their features.
Free Plan
Wix offers a free plan that allows users to create a website with limited features. While this plan is suitable for personal projects or experimenting with the platform, it comes with several limitations:
Wix-branded domain (e.g., username.wixsite.com/siteaddress)
Wix ads displayed on your website
Limited storage and bandwidth
Basic customer support
Light Plan
The Light plan is ideal for personal use or small businesses that need a professional-looking website without Wix ads. It includes:
2 collaborators
2 GB storage space
Light marketing suite
Free domain for 1 year
1,500 CMS items
Cost: Approximately £9 per month (on a yearly plan)
Core Plan
The Core plan is suitable for entrepreneurs and freelancers who need more resources and advanced features. It includes:
5 collaborators
50 GB storage space
Basic marketing suite
Free domain for 1 year
4,000 CMS items
Accept payments
Basic eCommerce
Cost: Approximately £16 per month (on a yearly plan)
Business Plan
The Business plan is designed for those who want to build a professional brand. It includes:
10 collaborators
100 GB storage space
Standard marketing suite
Free domain for 1 year
10,000 CMS items
Accept payments
Standard eCommerce
Cost: Approximately £25 per month (on a yearly plan)
Business Elite Plan
The Business Elite plan offers premium features and priority support, making it ideal for growing businesses. It includes:
15 collaborators
Unlimited storage space
Advanced marketing suite
Free domain for 1 year
100,000 CMS items
Accept payments
Advanced eCommerce
Advanced developer platform
Cost: Approximately £119 per month (on a yearly plan)
Wix Studio Premium Plans in the UK
Note: Accurate pricing as of July 2024
Free Plan
Wix offers a free plan that allows users to create a website with limited features. While this plan is suitable for personal projects or experimenting with the platform, it comes with several limitations:
Wix-branded domain (e.g., username.wixsite.com/siteaddress)
Wix ads displayed on your website
Limited storage and bandwidth
Basic customer support
Basic Plan
10 GB media storage
3 site collaborators
1,500 CMS items
Site analytics
Free domain for 1 year
Cost: Approximately £9 per month (on a yearly plan)
Standard Plan
50 GB media storage
5 site collaborators
4,000 CMS items
Site analytics
Free domain for 1 year
Accept payments
Cost: Approximately £14 per month (on a yearly plan)
Plus Plan
120 GB media storage
10 site collaborators
10,000 CMS items
Site analytics
Free domain for 1 year
Accept payments
Priority support
Cost: Approximately £21 per month (on a yearly plan)
Elite Plan
Unlimited media storage
15 site collaborators
100,000 CMS items
Custom analytics reports
Free domain for 1 year
Accept payments
Priority support
Dedicated data infrastructure
Cost: Approximately £119 per month (on a yearly plan)
Choosing the right premium plan ensures you have the necessary features without overpaying for services you don't need.
2. Optimise for SEO
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is crucial for driving organic traffic to your website. Wix provides several SEO tools to help you optimise your site. Here are some SEO best practices:
Keyword Research: Identify the keywords your target audience is searching for. Use tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ahrefs to find relevant keywords.
Meta Tags: Ensure your meta titles and descriptions are optimised with your primary keywords.
Content Quality: Create high-quality, relevant content that provides value to your audience. Regularly update your blog with fresh content.
Alt Text for Images: Use descriptive alt text for your images to improve your site's accessibility and SEO.
Internal Linking: Link to other pages within your website to improve navigation and SEO.
3. Leverage the Wix App Market
The Wix App Market offers numerous apps that can enhance your website's functionality. Here are some must-have apps:
Wix Stores: For e-commerce functionality, allowing you to manage products, track orders, and process payments.
SEO Wiz: A step-by-step guide to improving your site's SEO.
Visitor Analytics: To monitor and analyse your website traffic.
Wix Chat: To engage with visitors in real-time.
Social Media Stream: To display your social media feeds on your website.
4. Customise Your Design
A well-designed website can significantly impact user experience and engagement. Here are some design tips:
Brand Consistency: Ensure your website design aligns with your brand's visual identity, including colours, fonts, and imagery.
Responsive Design: Make sure your website looks great on all devices, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones.
Navigation: Create a clear and intuitive navigation menu to help users find information quickly.
Calls to Action (CTAs): Use compelling CTAs to guide visitors towards desired actions, such as making a purchase or signing up for a newsletter.
Loading Speed: Optimise images and use efficient coding practices to ensure your website loads quickly.
5. Create Quality Content
Content is king when it comes to attracting and retaining visitors. Here are some content strategies:
Blogging: Regularly update your blog with informative and engaging posts related to your industry.
Multimedia: Use a mix of text, images, videos, and infographics to keep your content engaging.
User-Generated Content: Encourage users to submit reviews, testimonials, and other forms of content.
Content Calendar: Plan your content in advance to ensure consistency and relevance.
6. Utilise Email Marketing
Email marketing is a powerful tool for nurturing leads and driving conversions. Wix offers email marketing solutions that integrate seamlessly with your website. Here’s how to make the most of email marketing:
Build a Subscriber List: Use sign-up forms and pop-ups to collect email addresses from your visitors.
Segment Your Audience: Divide your email list into segments based on user behaviour and preferences for targeted campaigns.
Engaging Content: Create valuable and engaging email content, including newsletters, promotions, and updates.
Automation: Use automated email sequences to nurture leads and maintain engagement with your audience.
7. Implement Analytics and Tracking
Understanding how users interact with your website is crucial for making data-driven decisions. Wix provides several analytics tools to help you track and analyse your site's performance:
Google Analytics: Integrate Google Analytics with your Wix site to gain in-depth insights into user behaviour, traffic sources, and more.
Wix Visitor Analytics: Use this tool to monitor visitor statistics directly from your Wix dashboard.
Heatmaps: Use heatmaps to see where users are clicking and how they navigate your site.
8. Engage with Your Audience
Engaging with your audience helps build relationships and loyalty. Here are some ways to engage effectively:
Social Media Integration: Connect your social media accounts to your website and encourage visitors to follow and engage with you on social platforms.
Comments and Feedback: Enable comments on your blog and respond to feedback to create a sense of community.
Live Chat: Use live chat to provide real-time support and answer visitor questions.
9. Regularly Update and Maintain Your Website
Keeping your website updated and well-maintained is essential for ensuring its long-term success. Here’s how to maintain your site:
Regular Updates: Continuously update your content, images, and features to keep your site fresh and relevant.
Security Measures: Implement security measures to protect your site from threats, including SSL certificates and regular backups.
Performance Monitoring: Regularly check your site’s performance, including loading speed and uptime, to ensure a smooth user experience.
10. Invest in Professional Services When Needed
While Wix is designed to be user-friendly, there may be times when you need professional help. Investing in professional services can enhance your website’s design, functionality, and performance. Consider hiring professionals for:
Web Design: If you need a unique, custom design that stands out.
SEO Optimisation: For advanced SEO strategies to improve your site’s search engine rankings.
Content Creation: For high-quality, professionally written content that engages and converts.
Marketing Strategy: For a comprehensive digital marketing strategy that drives traffic and sales.
11. Explore Wix’s Advanced Features
Wix offers several advanced features that can help you get the most out of your website. Here are some advanced options to consider:
Wix Code (Velo): For those with coding skills, Wix Code (Velo) allows you to add custom code to your site, enabling advanced functionality and interactivity.
Multilingual Sites: Create multilingual versions of your site to reach a broader audience.
Wix Ascend: A suite of business tools including email marketing, social media posts, and customer management. In 2024 this changed where email marketing is now available as a separate premium plan and Ascend still exists (current Wix Ascend customers can for now still use and subscribe to their Ascend plan)
12. Participate in the Wix Community
The Wix community is a valuable resource for getting tips, advice, and support. Engage with other Wix users through forums, webinars, and social media groups to share experiences and learn from others.
Next Steps
Investing in a Wix website is a smart move for anyone looking to establish a robust online presence. By understanding the costs involved and implementing the strategies outlined in this guide, you can maximise your Wix website investment and achieve your business goals. From choosing the right plan and optimising for SEO to leveraging the Wix App Market and engaging with your audience, there are numerous ways to get the most out of your Wix website.
Remember, the key to minimising costs and maximising value is careful planning, regular monitoring, and continuous improvement. Stay engaged with your website's performance, seek out cost-saving opportunities, and make adjustments as needed to ensure your Wix website remains an asset to your business's online presence.
If you need help optimising your website, we can help, book a discovery call with Rory by clicking below.