You might have heard of Wix, that super-popular website builder everyone's talking about.
It's great for many things, like creating simple websites, blogs, or portfolios.
But when it comes to dropshipping, is Wix your best bet?
Well, not really.
In this article, we'll discuss why Wix might not be the ideal choice for dropshipping and introduce some better alternatives.
Let's start!
At a Glance: Why Wix for Dropshipping Is Not Recommended
Let's cut to the chase.
You can use Wix for dropshipping.
I mean, if you really wanted to, you could probably use a typewriter to send emails (okay, maybe not!).
But just because you can doesn't mean you should.
When it comes to dropshipping, Wix might not be the best choice.
Here are some of the reasons why:
- Wix is not built for ecommerce. While Wix is an excellent and easy-to-use website builder for basic websites, it's not really designed for the unique challenges and needs of dropshipping.
- The ecommerce features are somewhat limited. Dropshipping or ecommerce isn’t just about creating product pages. It's also about managing different currencies, calculating taxes on the go, offering real-time shipping quotes, and much more.
- Few dropshipping apps. The Wix App Market has a limited number of dropshipping apps. This can make connecting your dropshipping store to your dropshipping supplier more challenging.
- Limited design flexibility. While Wix offers some cool design templates, it uses a design approach called 'absolute positioning.' In simple words? Your website might not always display how you would want it on different screen sizes. Plus, if you ever want to change your store's theme, it’s pretty time-consuming with Wix.
These are just a few reasons why we wouldn't recommend Wix for dropshipping.
Ultimately, there are other great ecommerce platforms for dropshipping.
Platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce have been created with ecommerce in mind, likely making them a better fit for your dropshipping store:
Tip: Have you already created your Shopify account? If not, sign up by clicking this link here to get a free 3-day trial + pay $1/month for the first 3 months!
7 Reasons why Wix is not ideal for dropshipping
Let's dive a little deeper into why Wix might give you a few challenges for dropshipping:
1. Fewer advanced ecommerce features
Since Wix isn't a dedicated ecommerce platform, they don't have every feature you might need for your ecommerce store.
Here are a few examples:
- No multi-currency selling. Imagine having a customer from France who wants to pay in Euros, but your site only accepts US dollars. Not ideal, right? Other ecommerce platforms often allow multi-currency selling, making it super convenient for both you and your international customers.
- No automated tax calculation. Taxes can be a headache. Especially when selling globally, you'd want a platform that automatically adjusts and calculates taxes based on where your customer is located.
- Limited real-time shipping quotes. Customers love knowing their shipping costs upfront. Wix only has this feature available in the US, but other platforms, like Shopify, offer it in other countries, too.
2. Limited dropshipping apps
Sure, Wix has an App Market, but if you're searching for dropshipping apps, the selection is limited:
At the moment, Wix offers 25 dropshipping apps, while there are 482 dropshipping apps on the Shopify App Store.
The limited selection of dropshipping apps is a drawback because you'll have access to fewer automation tools.
Dropshipping is all about efficiency. The less time you spend updating products or tracking orders, the better.
Many platforms offer apps to automate almost everything.
With Wix? Not so much.
3. It's more difficult to connect with suppliers
The limited selection of dropshipping apps brings us to the next con.
Since there are fewer dropshipping apps on Wix, you'll also have less choice in dropshipping supplier apps.
In general, Wix offers popular dropshipping supplier apps like Spocket or Syncee.
However, many others, like Supliful or Trendsi, are missing:
If you can't install a supplier app on your dropshipping store, you'll spend much more time on:
- Product imports. With an app, you can auto-import products from your suppliers directly to your store with just a few clicks.
- Syncing inventory and orders. Imagine selling a product that's out of stock because your site didn't update in time. It might happen when you don't have real-time inventory updates in place. Plus, fulfilling orders becomes much easier with a direct connection to your supplier!
4. Design limitations
Diving into design, Wix definitely offers a user-friendly experience with its drag-and-drop interface.
At the same time, it's not as easy as other platforms.
Remember the 'absolute positioning' we talked about earlier?
This means that while your website might look stunning on your laptop, it could appear a bit off on a mobile device or a different screen size.
Other ecommerce platforms use fully responsive theme builders, which means your store automatically 'responds' to the screen size it's viewed on and will look great everywhere:
While Wix offers many templates, getting them to look and function exactly how you want can be tricky.
That's also because Wix doesn't allow you to edit your site's general code or the CSS of your theme.
5. It's not easy to change your store template
With Wix, changing your theme isn't as easy as you might hope.
If you've already created your dropshipping and want to switch your store template, you must completely rebuild your store on the new template.
That means applying a different template to a site you already created is impossible.
It's not just frustrating but also time-consuming!
6. Slower load times
In ecommerce, load times are crucial.
A split-second delay can mean the difference between a sale and a potential customer bouncing off your site.
And when it comes to Wix, there's some room for improvement.
According to a recent study, Shopify stores typically load in 3.07 seconds, while Wix stores take 5.55 seconds.
Those extra seconds might not seem like much at first glance, but for online shoppers (who, let's be honest, can be impatient), this can be a significant delay.
7. Scalability concerns
Dreaming big? That's the spirit!
However, as your dropshipping business grows, you'll want a platform that can grow with you, adapt to increased traffic, and more.
While Wix is great for small- to medium-sized projects, it might not be well-equipped for high-volume dropshipping stores.
The better Wix alternatives
While Wix has its benefits for other uses, it's not ideal for dropshipping.
But don't worry! There are lots of other platforms designed especially for ecommerce.
Let us tell you about one of the best: Shopify.
1. Shopify
Shopify is a platform that's almost synonymous with ecommerce and dropshipping.
Here's why it's a favorite for many:
- Purpose-built for ecommerce. Shopify was designed with ecommerce in mind. So, setting up your store and managing your products is super easy.
- Dropshipping apps. Integrating with suppliers is almost always possible with Shopify. Most new dropshipping suppliers focus on getting their Shopify app ready first, simply because most dropshippers use it!
- Design and flexibility. Shopify offers many responsive themes that are perfect for dropshipping. And if you ever want to switch up your store's look, it's much easier than on Wix!
- Scalability is a non-issue. Shopify is built to handle growth. Many successful dropshipping stores use Shopify, and don't forget about large ecommerce brands like Gymshark or Kylie Cosmetics.
- Robust app ecosystem. From SEO tools and marketing integrations to customer reviews and loyalty programs, there's an app for almost every need.
- 24/7 Support. With 24/7 customer support, any problems or questions you have are addressed promptly.
Learn to create a Shopify dropshipping store: How to Start a Shopify Store: The Definitive Guide (2024)
2. WooCommerce
Next on our list is WooCommerce, a free plugin for WordPress.
The main difference between Shopify and WooCommerce is that Shopify is a fully-hosted ecommerce platform, while WooCommerce is self-hosted, which means you have to take care of the hosting yourself (including all related things, like security, backups, etc.).
Nevertheless, some people prefer WooCommerce over Shopify, and here's why:
- Customization. Given that WooCommerce is open-source, the sky's the limit when it comes to customization. If you can dream it, there's probably a way to build it with WooCommerce.
- Affordability. WooCommerce is a free plugin. While there are costs associated with hosting and other WordPress plugins, it's often more budget-friendly than other platforms.
- There's a huge plugin ecosystem. Like WordPress, WooCommerce has a vast library of plugins.
- Full ownership. Unlike some platforms where you're essentially 'renting' your store, with WooCommerce, you truly own your site.
- Community support. Being open-source, WooCommerce has a large, active community. Got a problem? There's a good chance someone else has solved it already.
Related article: Shopify vs. WooCommerce: Which One for Dropshipping in 2024?
3. BigCommerce
Ending the top three is BigCommerce, another major player in the ecommerce space.
BigCommerce is built specifically for online sales, and therefore, it's a great solution for dropshippers.
The main way that BigCommerce differentiates itself from other platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce is by offering lots of built-in features, which reduces the dependency on third-party apps.
Also, they mainly focus on bigger brands (which is why the 'Enterprise' page is their main homepage), but they work with small businesses through BigCommerce Essentials.
Here are some other benefits of BigCommerce:
- Integration with multiple sales channels. Want to dropship on Amazon, eBay, or even Facebook? BigCommerce offers integrations with these platforms, allowing you to manage all your sales from a single dashboard.
- Security and reliability. BigCommerce puts the highest focus on ensuring your store is secure. With built-in SSL, DDOS protection, and secure hosting, you can focus on selling without worrying about security problems.
- Enterprise benefits. BigCommerce also has several benefits for the larger 'Enterprise' businesses. For example, there are no additional transaction fees on BigCommerce Enterprise!
Find more alternatives here: The 5 Best Ecommerce Platforms for Dropshipping in 2024
So, when should you use Wix?
After discussing the challenges of using Wix for dropshipping, you might wonder if the platform is any good.
Absolutely!
Every platform has its strengths, and Wix is no exception.
Here are some example scenarios where Wix could be the perfect fit:
- Personal or portfolio websites. If you're looking to showcase your photography, writing, or any other talent, Wix's user-friendly drag-and-drop builder can quickly help you create a visually appealing portfolio.
- Blogging. Wix's blogging features are pretty good. So, if your primary goal is to share your stories, Wix might be what you need.
- Event or landing pages. Hosting an event or launching a campaign? Wix offers great templates suited for one-off pages.
Summary
Before we go to the conclusion, we've created a quick summary of this article for you so you can easily remember it:
- Wix is a user-friendly and visually appealing website builder, but it's not optimal for dropshipping stores.
- Some drawbacks of using Wix for dropshipping include limited ecommerce features, a scarce selection of dropshipping apps, and challenges in supplier integration.
- Better alternatives to Wix for dropshipping include platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce.
- Wix is best used for personal or portfolio websites, blogging, event or landing pages, and other non-ecommerce projects.
Conclusion
Choosing the right platform for your dropshipping store is like picking the right shoes for a marathon.
You want something that supports you and doesn’t give you blisters halfway through.
While Wix is great for creating quick websites like a personal blog or a portfolio, it might not be the best for a serious dropshipping business.
However, remember that if you want to do dropshipping on Wix, you can.
In that case, you might be interested in our Modalyst review. (Modalyst is a dropshipping app that was acquired by Wix!)
Good luck with choosing your ecommerce platform, and have a great rest of your day!
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