Bluehost vs Wix 2023: Which Works Best for Blogging and Building?

Do you want to skip the read and get right to my pick in this Bluehost vs Wix battle? The better website builder for most people is Wix.

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Introduction to our Bluehost vs Wix Comparison.

Which platforms wins – Bluehost or Wix?

These days, one of the key challenges for most companies who have an online presence is finding a reliable hosting service that also helps them improve their SEO scores, allows them to offer goods and services online via a reliable server, and protects their sites from hackers and denials of service.

In which case, it helps to weigh your options. In this particular review, we will be looking at two industry players who have been top of mind for most people who have built (or are currently building) online ecommerce hubs or professional sites over the past two years: Bluehost and Wix.

Those in the know may find this review somewhat incongruous, given the nature of Bluehost and Wix.

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Overview:

Before we dig deep into this Bluehost vs Wix showdown, here's a snapshot of each:

Bluehost:

First things first. What you need to know about Bluehost is that at its core, it is a hosting provider. Therefore, its focus relates to managing bandwidth and storage space rather than website creation.  Nevertheless, this hosting provider has been inextricably linked to the popular blogging platform WordPress.org , being the latter's preferred hosting service. It should be noted that before 2021 the service provider did also have its own site builder called Bluehost builder (Express editor). We’ll see how that stacks up against the competition below too. However now new customers will only have the option to use the new Bluehost Website Builder (for WordPress).

Wix:

Wix is, for the most part, one of the world’s favourite site-building and hosting platforms. Along with an easy-to-use AI-driven site builder, Wix also throws hosting into the equation, taking the guesswork out of that aspect of site building for its millions of users across the globe.

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Ease of Use:

How are both Bluehost Wix like to the user? Which is easier to use?

Bluehost:

Here’s the thing about Bluehost builder in this Bluehost Wix debate: the hosting service is not really for novice users. If you want to be able to use Bluehost for web building well and effectively, you must also need to learn how to use WordPress – yes, seriously.

Bluehost is one of WP’s most recommended hosting services for its self-hosted open-source WordPress.org platform. What complicates matters further is that Bluehost needs to use two management programmes: WordPress’s content management system (CMS) interface for content and page creation and cPanel for overall site management. However, its ties to WordPress make Bluehost better in Wix vs Bluehost for blogging.

Wix:

Unlike Bluehost Wix is a “what you see is definitely what you get” platform. What stands out in this Bluehost and Wix debate is that Wix’s Automated Design Intelligence or WIX ADI is paired together with a systemic framework that is highly intuitive.

Even if you don’t know a lick of code, it’s so easy to use that you can just sign up, log in, and away you go. Also, as previously stated, you needn’t hunt down a third-party hosting service as site hosting is already built into the package.

Winner – Wix! We’re giving this round to Wix in this Bluehost vs Wix comparison – and, really: who doesn’t love a platform you can already use from the word “go?”

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Features and Flexibility:

Let's evaluate the many features and range of flexibility that Bluehost Wix provides to users.

Out-of-the-box:

What features can you expect out of the box from Bluehost and Wix?

Bluehost:

Right out of the gate, Bluehost comes streaking out with a bunch of features that site owners and developers really want: unlimited bandwidth, a free domain for a year, and 50Gb of storage space. However, where it does fall flat is its very basic Bluehost site builder – it’s a quick way to get started and. online, but it has very little in the way of more solid features to improve site functionality and interactivity.

Wix:

Here’s what people love about Wix: a drag and drop builder that allows users to lay their site out as they deem fit. In the Wix UI, practically everything is simple and functional: elements and tools are all laid out in plain sight, so you needn’t dig deep for them.

Bluehost vs Wix Themes and Templates:

From an aesthetic point of view, which between Bluehost or Wix creates a more stunning site?

Bluehost:

On its own, Bluehost builder doesn’t have any themes save for the default CMS template bundled. For the most part, however, those who want to host their sites on Bluehost depend on the themes gallery of their builder of choice. If you’re using WordPress, you have access to the platform’s extensive selection of both free and 3rd party premium themes.

Wix:

Unlike the limited themes with Bluehost Wix has over 800 distinctive themes in a variety of categories. Therefore, between Bluehost and Wix, Wix is definitely pulling into the lead at this point. The sheer variety means that there are options for ecommerce in different industries and more aesthetic selections for casual site creators or creatives.

Customisation Tools:

How far can Bluehost or Wix take you in terms of customisation?

Bluehost:

What we’ve noticed about Bluehost is that, despite the fact that it’s essentially impartial as a hosting service, its creative and customisation options lean heavily towards WordPress-driven solutions.

Blue Sky, its expert-driven solutions service, offers customisation for WordPress CMS sites, but also offers the service for those built on a different platform. It does take a lot of the stress out of the development and customisation process, but users need to budget as the service isn’t cheap.

Wix:

Wix’s customisation tools are already built into its UI. This makes it easy to customise the look of your site by simply swapping out themes or modifying elements within a page. More technical customisation tools allow users to create custom features to improve the interactive nature of their sites.

Bluehost vs Wix 3rd Party Integrations:

What integrations capability does either Bluehost or Wix offer to users?

Bluehost:

Bluehost clients who use WordPress have access to the platform’s nearly 60,000 apps and plugins. The good news is that the possibilities for enhanced functionality are endless. The bad news, however, is that these may also compromise the security of your website, given how the majority of these open-source plugins are community-developed as opposed to officially sanctioned.

Wix:

Wix’s in-platform App Market features 300 third-party integrations, including ecommerce solutions, collaborative platforms, communications tools, social media integration widgets, and content feeds.

Hosting:

When it comes to hosting, which excels between Bluehost or Wix?

Bluehost:

Bluehost prides itself on being one of the most affordable hosting services in the industry and is also one of the few that actually offer both cloud-based and shared hosting. In fact, it is WordPress's top hosting preference.

The former is considered the gold standard these days: sites hosted on the cloud enjoy 99.99% uptime, practically no lag even if other sites on the server experience a spike, and the ultimate in online security.

The shared hosting service is also none too shabby, but the content delivery network (CDN) service will probably work better for sites that do not generate or involve so much in the way of sensitive information.

Wix:

Compared to Bluehost Wix sites are hosted via an extensive content delivery network (CDN) with data centres deployed in various locations to ensure business continuity at all times.

Backups:

If something happens that compromises your files, how does Bluehost Wix provide backup?

Bluehost:

Unfortunately, doing data backup on a Bluehost site is a manual process wherein you need to save important information – customer info, transactional data, daily earnings – as individual *.csv files into a separate storage device or into your desktop.

Wix:

The Site History feature allows users to save a previous iteration of the website – but only until the most recently saved version. That said, users need to manually code or edit their sites to update them once they go back online.

Migration:

If you want to transfer your site to a different platform and vice versa, how do Bluehost and Wix help?

Bluehost:

Unfortunately, as with backups, Bluehost migration needs to be done manually or with the use of a WordPress-compatible third-party migration app like Jetpack.

Wix:

In Wix’s case, you can only migrate sites within the platform: essentially, only from one Wix account to another. The platform’s Transfer Site only works for in-platform moves, and there are still no provisions for transferring sites from one platform to another, though the manual workaround involves exporting .csv files from a different storefront.

Winner: Wix! – in this Bluehost vs Wix comparison. If we’re going by the number and range of features, we’re giving this to Wix.

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SEO and Mobility:

How do Bluehost and Wix help you top the search engine rankings?

SEO:

With Bluehost, users have to pay for SEO. Under the Blue Sky experts menu, the Bluehost team can design your site and already get it all revved up for SEO. And yes: it does come at a price.

If you choose Wix, the platform’s SEO tool suite is already built into the UI, and it can be used by anyone with a Wix account. However, it ought to be noted at this point that those on a free subscription will find limits to the service.

Mobile:

What about mobile responsivity in Bluehost and Wix? Bluehost currently doesn’t have a mobile interface, but it does offer an app that allows users to optimise their sites for both iOS and Android devices.

Like Bluehost Wix doesn’t have a mobile app, either, but you can work with it via mobile browser. However, we don’t recommend this: it can be a pain to work with on a smaller screen.

Pagespeed:

How fast are sites with Bluehost and Wix?

Sites hosted with Bluehost will load within a respectable 3.22 seconds. Compared to Bluehost Wix is a little faster at three seconds flat.

Winner: Draw! in this Bluehost vs Wix ‘SEO and Mobility' comparison round.

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Bluehost and Wix eCommerce Tools:

How easily does Wix vs Bluehost WordPress let you set up an online store?

Bluehost:

Again, Bluehost builder hangs onto WordPress in this context – and that means it has WooCommerce in its arsenal. Automattic’s open-source ecommerce plugin offers a whole roster of ecommerce capabilities that users can clip onto their websites to transform them into fully functional online stores.

Wix:

Wix’s ecommerce toolkit features a number of tools for online store management, online and offline marketing, international currency support, shipping schedules, and delivery logistics.

Winner: Draw! Because both platforms have a very basic ecommerce toolkit, we’re calling this Bluehost vs Wix eCommerce tools fight a draw.

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Support and Resources:

Which is better Wix or Bluehost – in terms of getting competent support?

Bluehost:

Bluehost offers 24/7 customer and technical service via email, LiveChat, and phone. Its knowledge base is also well-maintained. Much of its team’s expertise arguably revolves around its hosting service rather than its builder. However there is also a Bluehost Sky Service WordPress Support team but this comes at additional costs.

Wix:

Compared to Bluehost Wix offers an extensively researched, updated, and maintained knowledge base for quick tips and advanced learning on your own. However, its customer and technical service is only available during business hours on the phone and LiveChat is only available for higher subscription tiers. Email support is always available.

Winner: Bluehost! in this Bluehost vs Wix ‘Support and Resources' comparison.

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Bluehost Wix Pricing:

What value for money can you expect from Bluehost and Wix?

Bluehost:

For as low as $2.95 monthly, Bluehost gives users access to powerful servers in which to house their websites, along with perks like unlimited bandwidth and more than ample storage. It also offers hosting plans depending on the size of your business, so it can be as low at $2.95 for a personal site to up to $119.99 for sites created for VLE customers.

The optional Bluehost Sky Service WordPress Support then costs from $24.99 per month.

Bluehost refund policy page states that you can cancel your hosting plan within the first 30 days for a full refund.

Wix:

Wix has seven subscription plans, with premium plans priced between $14 to 49 monthly. Interestingly, in keeping with its “freemium” persona, practically all of the features offered for premium plans may also be used – within certain limits – by those on a free subscription.

As stated on their terms of use page, there's a 14-day money-back guarantee on all plans.

Winner: Draw! in this Bluehost vs Wix ‘Pricing' showdown. It depends on what you need: Bluehost’s costs are very reasonable for site hosting and Wix’s work well for those in the market for a site builder.

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Comparison Winner: Bluehost or Wix?

All things considered, is Bluehost better than Wix? We declare Wix as Comparison Winner in this Bluehost vs Wix review. Bluehost wins if we are looking for a more advanced WordPress route with straight-up site hosting. Wix, on the other hand, continues to be the basic site builder of choice for most people.

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Conclusion and Recommendation to our Bluehost vs Wix Review:

To wrap up this Bluehost or Wix toss-up;

What is Bluehost best for?

Bluehost is best as a site hosting service, and it works particularly well with self-hosted WordPress sites.

What is Wix best for?

Wix is a great basic builder and host, but we recommend it for those building up their brands and growing businesses.

Bluehost vs Wix Alternatives:

Here's a list of the best Bluehost vs Wix alternatives to create a an online presence:

Bluehost vs Wix Final Word:

Depending on what you need, we recommend that you also look over your options for both site hosting services and builders in order to find one that works best for your needs.

>> Try Wix for Free <<

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FAQ:

I’m on WordPress.org. Can I use Bluehost for my site?

You definitely can. Bluehost is considered one of WordPress’ key technical partners and it has provisions built in for hosting sites built with the CMS platform.

Does Bluehost have a builder of its own?

Yes, but it’s pretty basic so it may not give you all the features you need.

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That’s all for now:

If you've read our Bluehost vs Wix comparison review up to here, we are grateful. Remember always to keep abreast of the latest developments on website builders, eCommerce, and other articles, such as the ones below;

• Best website builder programs
• Best website builders for authors
• Best website builder app
• Best website builder for affiliate marketing
• Best website builder in UK

Please share any comments below!