Volusion vs Wix Test 2023: Who’s The Better eCommerce Choice?

Do you want to skip the read and get right to my winner? Wix is the Winner within this Volusion vs Wix comparison platform test.

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Introduction to our Volusion vs Wix Comparison

Volusion vs Wix? We need to ask this question given the increasing number of site building platforms available today.

In this review, we’re pitting Volusion, one of the oldest eCommerce-specific web building platforms in the industry, with Johnny-come-lately-to-the-field Wix. We’re going down to the brass tacks on this one. Let's see how these two perform in terms of ease of use, eCommerce tools, design tools, overall functionality, and pricing.

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Overview: Who Do You Choose As Website Builder?

Before we do our formal comparative review, let’s look at our contenders in their respective corners:

Volusion:

Volusion has the distinction of being one of the granddaddies of the website building scene. Since 1999, it has been one of the first eCommerce-centric platforms. Currently, it hosts over 30,000 online stores – a modest figure compared to the likes of Shopify and Squarespace. Nevertheless, the numbers have been growing ever since its developers rolled out V2, the modified and improved version of the platform. It features an intuitive web building platform partnered by a proprietary suite of web store-specific tools.

Wix:

Wix started out in 2006 as a generic site-building platform that was meant to create non-commercial (personal or corporate information) websites. It only delved into the eCommerce scene in 2010, then hopped aboard the social commerce bandwagon in 2011 with the introduction of its Facebook store module. As of the end of 2020, 600,000 of the 160 million websites built with and hosted via Wix are eCommerce hubs scattered across the globe.

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Ease of Use:

Volusion:

As user-friendliness goes, Volusion wouldn’t be the first choice for those who are just starting out. While its current V2 edition is intuitive, the fact that the UI is split into front- and back-end functions without the ability to jump from one to the other makes it frustrating to use, especially for those who are just starting their online stores.

Wix:

Know absolutely nothing about either HTML, CSS, or the barest basics of setting up an online store? No problem: Wix is easy to use right out of the box, enabling you to create a good-looking website that is easy for customers to navigate and is a doddle to manage.

Winner – Wix! within our ‘Ease of Use' Volusion vs Wix comparison.

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Features and Flexibility:

Out-of-the-box:

Volusion:

Setting up Volusion is pretty straightforward: all you need to do is sign up for a MyVolusion account and you are ready to start creating your online retail hub.

Wix:

Everything you need is set up when you log into Wix: from a drag-and-drop builder to an extensive tool suite. Also, if you’re subscribed to any of the platform’s high-end pricing plans, you can easily link your site up to any domain that you own.

Wix vs Volusion Themes and Templates:

Volusion:

With only 45 available templates, of which only eleven are free, Volusion can be frustrating for those who want a diverse array of choices for creating visually stunning and highly functional online stores. Also, prices per premium template are steep: $180 apiece – not exactly something you would budget for if you’re just starting out.

Wix:

500 templates, all optimised for mobile use, with industry-specific options, and in styles that suit your brand aesthetic and colour scheme? Sign us up! Choosing a Wix template is fantastic as all you really have to do is add your text and images to make it completely your own. Unfortunately, if you’re going to change your mind and swap out the design, no can do: you’re going to have to start over.

Volusion vs Wix Customisation Tools:

Volusion:

It may not be big on looks, but you have to admit that Volusion pulls out all the stops with its array of proprietary tools which enables users to create a custom user experience (UX) on their individual sites and web stores. Need a policy document delineating the terms between you and the customer? There’s a tool for that? Want to know how much it will cost to ship to a Southeast Asian customer from anywhere in the UK? There’s a tool for that, too.

Wix:

If you need an app to make transactions move smoothly or for matters like taxation and costing, you’re bound to find it in Wix’s handy App Market. Aside from these, this online store offers numerous options for customising the overall look and feel of your site, enhancing the UX through advanced or specialised widgets.

Volusion vs Wix 3rd Party Integrations:

Volusion:

The bad: technically, Volusion only has 22 apps with direct integration to the platform. The good: one of them is Zapier and this nifty little app enables you to integrate your Volusion-built store with a host of integrations, including those for social media, payment portals, and online marketing. It can be quite a challenge to deal with, though, as you’re using one third-party app to deal with another.

Wix:

As we said, if you need it, the Wix App Market probably has it. You have over 250 third-party integrations at your fingertips, ranging from improved productivity to facilitating shipping and delivery.

Wix vs Volusion Hosting:

Volusion:

Volusion sites are hosted within the platform’s own servers. Given security concerns over the past year, though, many users opt to build on the platform but choose to host their sites on a subdomain or a totally different DNS host altogether. Bandwidth and storage are unlimited across all subscription packages.

Wix:

All sites are hosted via a content delivery network (CDN) across all subscription packages, and technical support is available when you need it.

Volusion vs Wix Backups:

Volusion:

A built-in Import/Export facility enables users to back up their information in external files – but this only holds true to premium tier subscribers. While daily automated backups are also built into the system and you can ask them to restore your site, you can only do this for free once. The next time you need help, Volusion will charge you $199.00.

Wix:

Wix provides regular automated backups at regular intervals across all subscription packages.

Migration:

Volusion:

Volusion requires a third-party migration app to shift sites from different platforms.

Wix:

Wix has a Transfer Site function built into the UI though it only works for transferring sites from one Wix account to another. Sites built on other platforms cannot be migrated to Wix.

Winner – Wix! within our ‘Features and Flexibility' Volusion vs Wix comparison.

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SEO and Mobility:

SEO:

Volusion:

With its built-in SEO-enhancing features, Volusion makes it easier to create more effective metadata and keywords to make your site easier to find online.

Wix:

It’s a draw on this score as Wix also has numerous built-in and third-party sourced tools to enable creators to make SEO-friendly sites.

Mobile:

Volusion:

While Volusion sites are optimised for viewing and interaction on mobile devices, the platform does not offer any means of editing or managing your online store if you’re away from your desktop.

Wix:

We could say the same thing for Wix: you can make it look good for a smaller screen, but there’s no way of managing it on the go.

Pagespeed:

Volusion:

Volusion’s average page speed falls slightly below the 3.2-second global average, clocking in at 3.5 seconds on desktop, and slower on mobile.

Wix:

Wix’s Wix Turbo update has certainly helped when it comes to page speed as sites now load at three seconds flat on average.

Winner – Wix! within our ‘SEO and Mobility' Volusion vs Wix comparison.

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Volusion vs Wix eCommerce Tools:

Volusion:

We take issue with the fact that the full extent of Volusion’s eCommerce capabilities can only be used by those in its two top subscription tiers. Only those with Business and Prime plans can integrate their stores with Amazon and eBay, get SSL certificates for their sites, and have access to both advanced analytics and marketing tools.

Wix:

Wix now has its own fully functional eCommerce builder with a full complement of tools, security options and access to a growing number of global payment gateways.

Winner – Wix! within our ‘eCommerce Tools' Volusion vs Wix comparison.

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Support and Resources:

Volusion:

The nice part about Volusion’s knowledge resources is its regularly updated info blog and the bounty of start-up guides and well-curated onboarding materials for both online entrepreneurs and digital marketing people. Unfortunately, it still falls short when it comes to technical support, as those in the lower subscription ranges have to make do with time-constrained live chat.

Wix:

No question that Wix comes way ahead in this category with its 24/7 multi-channel technical support, extensive knowledge bases, and community forums which allow for meaningful interaction between expert and novice users.

Winner – Wix! within our ‘Support and Resources' Volusion vs Wix comparison.

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Wix vs Volusion Pricing:

Volusion:

Pricing ranges from the cheapest $29 per month to $299 per month. The subscription costs are higher than Wix, to be sure, but still competitive. However, this gives small business owners something to think about.

As per their terms of service page, you can test the platform out with the Volusion 14-day free trial. Volusion claims that all sales are final and the platform does not issue refunds under any circumstances.

Wix:

The price range is from $17 to $35 a month all in for its top tier subscription. The Business VIP plan features all the bells and whistles you need to create and maintain a well-performing online store. Overall, Wix certainly gives users more bang for their buck.

Wix stores don’t come with a free trial. However, as stated on their terms of use page, you can enjoy a 14-day money-back guarantee on all paid plans.

Winner – Wix! within our ‘Pricing' Volusion vs Wix comparison.

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Comparison Winner: Volusion or Wix?

Taking everything into account, we declare Wix as the comparison winner.

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Conclusion and Recommendation to our Volusion vs Wix Comparison

Are you looking for an eCommerce builder that’s reasonably priced but gives you everything you need to build an eCommerce site? Then go with Wix.

What is Volusion best for?

The high price range may intimidate small and mid-sized business owners. However, if you're a veteran online store owner looking at growth options, Volusion is the better choice.

What is Wix best for?

Wix is a great choice for start-ups, sole proprietorships, and SME owners. It’s a great platform to start on, but for companies that are scaling up operations, then you will need a more robust provider for your requirements.

Wix and Volusion Alternatives:

Here's a list of the best Wix and Volusion alternatives to create a an online store:

Wix vs Volusion Final Word:

As with anything, what we’ve featured here is an opinion based on actual use and testing. You would do well to shop around for an eCommerce-centric site builder that is in keeping with your needs. We recommend that you take advantage of Wix's free trial to really get a good sense of each platform.

Try Wix for Free

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That’s all for now:

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

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Please share any comments below!