Building a website used to require a degree in computer science or a hefty budget for a developer. Now, site builders like Wix and SquareSpace allow anyone to launch a digital storefront in an afternoon. But creating a pretty website is only half the battle. People need to find it…and that’s where SEO comes in.
All business owners rely on search traffic to drive sales and visibility to some degree. If you are considering a drag-and-drop platform, you shouldn’t assume it will perform well in search engine rankings. Today we discuss the reality of simple site builders and reveal where they might hold your business back.
The Benefits of Simple Website Builders
Wix, Squarespace, and Weebly have simplified web design. They offer intuitive interfaces that allow users to drag and drop elements onto a page without writing a single line of code. For a local bakery or a new restaurant, this accessibility is incredibly valuable.
These platforms usually include built-in templates, secure hosting, and automatic mobile responsiveness. You save time and money, allowing you to focus on running your business rather than managing server configurations or worrying about plugin updates.
What about SEO on Wix?
Most drag-and-drop website builders include built-in SEO features that cover the basics. Users can update meta data and customize URL slugs. These tools often generate sitemaps and provide straightforward ways to add alt text to images.
For a small portfolio or a local service business with low competition, these foundational features are often enough to secure local search visibility. However, problems arise when you’re not the only business in your area and you’re finding that your website isn’t ranking well in Google. Your SEO professional is probably going to hit some roadblocks when they try to optimize the Wix site.
Where Wix Falls Short on SEO
Despite heavy investments in improving its reputation, Wix still faces significant limitations for organic search performance. One example is the fact that not all pages on your site can be optimized. In an effort to simplify the website building process, they automate certain portions of pages. This sounds like a win, right? What if the content they are automating isn’t good, and you can’t improve it? That’s a roadblock.
Additionally, Wix creates rigid URL structures for certain page types. Blog posts and store products often carry unnecessary strings in the URL, which is a poor practice for site architecture. Users also lack full control over the website’s technical backend. You cannot implement schema markup or edit the .htaccess file. Also, you may find that inactive pages are still showing up in the sitemap and there isn’t a fix for this issue.
To be clear, having a poorly optimized site may not be a ‘drop everything and build a new website’ problem. If your business is doing well, maybe you limp along until it’s time for a new one. All websites need to be refreshed or rebuilt from time to time, so once you’re thinking of building a new site, choose a CMS that is better for SEO. You’ll probably find that a well designed WordPress or Shopify site is just as simple to use as a Wix or Weebly site.
If you have questions about the SEO health of your site, get in touch. We’re happy to help you weigh your options and decide what CMS is the best for your organization’s future.