Wix vs. Ionos: Best Website Builders Compared

A well-designed website is a fundamental asset for any small business. With consumers increasingly relying on online research before making purchasing decisions, having a professional and functional website is no longer optional—it’s essential. Whether you run a local shop, a service-based business, or an e-commerce store, the right website builder can help establish credibility, attract customers, and drive growth.

Among the many website builders available, Wix and IONOS are two of the most popular platforms for UK businesses. Both offer a range of features, pricing plans, and tools designed to make website creation accessible to users of all experience levels. But which one is the best website builder for small businesses in the UK?

This in-depth comparison of Wix vs. IONOS will break down their features, pricing, ease of use, e-commerce capabilities, SEO tools, customer support, and more. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of which platform best suits your business needs.

Let’s dive in.

Wix: A Leading Website Builder for Small Businesses

Wix is one of the most well-known website builders worldwide, offering an intuitive drag-and-drop interface that enables users to build stunning, professional websites with ease. Founded in 2006, Wix has grown into a global platform with over 200 million users, including small businesses, freelancers, and e-commerce entrepreneurs in the UK.

Our top picks for February 2025

Wix

• 24/7 enterprise-grade security
• 900+ designer made templates

Top rated in website creation

Visit Site

Why Wix Stands Out

Wix is particularly popular due to its user-friendly approach and extensive customization options. Unlike traditional website development, which often requires coding knowledge, Wix allows users to create and modify their websites using a visual editor, making it accessible to beginners and experienced users alike.

The platform offers two main website-building methods:

1. Wix ADI (Artificial Design Intelligence): Wix ADI automatically creates a website based on the user’s answers to a few questions. This option is ideal for beginners who want a fast, hands-off approach to building a website.
2. Wix Editor: This drag-and-drop website builder gives users full creative control, allowing them to customize text, images, layouts, and design elements without any coding skills.

Key Features of Wix

• 900+ Professionally Designed Templates – Suitable for businesses, e-commerce stores, portfolios, and blogs.
• App Market – Access to 300+ third-party apps for added functionality.
• E-commerce Capabilities – Comprehensive tools for selling products, services, and digital goods.
• SEO Tools – Built-in SEO features like custom meta tags, structured data, and automatic site indexing.
• Marketing Integrations – Email marketing, social media tools, and analytics included.
• Scalability – Suitable for small businesses looking to expand.

Who Should Use Wix?

Wix is best suited for UK small business owners, bloggers, freelancers, and entrepreneurs who want an affordable, easy-to-use, and highly customizable website builder. Whether you need a simple business website, a portfolio, or a full-fledged online store, Wix offers the tools and flexibility to meet various needs.

IONOS: A Business-Focused Website Builder with Hosting Expertise

IONOS, formerly known as 1&1 IONOS, is a well-established web hosting and website building provider with over 30 years of experience. Based in Germany, IONOS serves millions of customers globally and is one of the leading website solutions providers in the UK and Europe.

Our top picks for February 2025

IONOS

• Daily backups & protection
• Intuitive dashboard

Start with 90% off, only £1/mo

Visit Site

What Sets IONOS Apart?

Unlike Wix, which is primarily focused on website design and ease of use, IONOS takes a business-first approach, offering website building tools alongside domain registration, hosting, security, and cloud services. The IONOS Website Builder is designed specifically for businesses and professionals, providing essential tools for secure, scalable, and efficient online presence management.

Key Features of IONOS

• AI-Powered Website Builder – A guided, step-by-step website creation process.
• Business-Oriented Templates – Pre-designed themes focused on corporate, retail, and service-based businesses.
• Built-In Hosting & Security – Free SSL certificates, automatic backups, and DDoS protection.
• SEO & Local Business Features – SEO optimization tools and Google My Business integration.
• Fast Page Load Speeds – Optimized hosting infrastructure ensures fast website performance.

Who Should Use IONOS?

IONOS is a great option for UK businesses that prioritize security, hosting, and affordability. It’s particularly well-suited for:

• Small business owners looking for a low-cost yet professional website solution.
• Entrepreneurs who need an integrated hosting and website builder package.
• Businesses that require strong security and automatic backup features.

Which Website Builder is Right for Your Business?

Features Comparison: Wix vs. IONOS

When selecting the best website builder for small businesses in the UK, it is important to compare key features such as ease of use, design flexibility, e-commerce capabilities, SEO tools, and overall performance. Both Wix and IONOS offer strong website-building solutions, but they cater to different business needs.

Ease of Use

Wix: Intuitive Drag-and-Drop Editor

Wix is known for its user-friendly interface, making it one of the easiest website builders to use. It offers two primary website-building options:

• Wix Editor: A fully customizable drag-and-drop interface, allowing users to move elements freely and design a website without any coding knowledge.
• Wix ADI (Artificial Design Intelligence): Automatically generates a website based on user preferences, making it ideal for beginners.

The Wix dashboard is also highly intuitive, providing access to website settings, design tools, SEO options, and e-commerce management in a centralized location.

IONOS: AI-Powered and Structured Website Builder

IONOS takes a more structured approach to website creation. Instead of full drag-and-drop functionality, it provides a module-based editor that allows users to customize predefined sections. While this can make website building faster, it offers less design flexibility compared to Wix.

The platform also includes an AI-powered setup assistant, which creates a website based on industry type and user preferences, making it easy for beginners. However, the interface is less intuitive than Wix, particularly when it comes to making design changes.

Verdict: Wix offers greater flexibility and creative control, making it the better choice for businesses that want full customization. IONOS is a good option for those who prefer a structured, guided approach to website creation.

Design and Customization

Wix: Over 900 Customizable Templates

Wix provides an extensive library of more than 900 templates, covering a wide range of industries, including e-commerce, service-based businesses, blogs, and portfolios. These templates are:

• Fully customizable, allowing users to edit layouts, colors, fonts, and interactive elements.
• Mobile-responsive and optimized for different screen sizes.
• Compatible with third-party apps and custom code, enabling advanced design modifications.

IONOS: Business-Focused Templates with Limited Customization

IONOS offers pre-designed business templates that are optimized for corporate websites, professional portfolios, and service-based businesses. While these templates provide a clean and professional look, they are:

• Less customizable compared to Wix.
• Limited in terms of layout modifications and design flexibility.
• Focused on simplicity, making them easier to use but less adaptable for unique branding needs.

Verdict: Wix is the better option for businesses looking for complete design control and customization. IONOS is ideal for businesses that want a simple, professional design with minimal effort.

E-Commerce Capabilities

For businesses looking to sell products or services online, selecting a website builder with strong e-commerce features is essential.

Wix: A Versatile E-Commerce Solution

Wix provides a comprehensive set of e-commerce tools that cater to both small businesses and growing online stores. Some of the key features include:

• Product Management: Supports physical and digital products, as well as subscription-based services.
• Payment Processing: Accepts payments via credit/debit cards, PayPal, Stripe, and Wix Payments, with no additional transaction fees.
• Multi-Channel Selling: Allows integration with platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Amazon, and eBay for expanded sales opportunities.
• Abandoned Cart Recovery: Automatically reminds customers to complete their purchases.
• Shipping and Tax Tools: Offers real-time shipping rate calculations and automated tax settings.

Wix e-commerce is scalable, making it suitable for businesses that want to start small and grow over time.

Our top picks for February 2025

Wix

• 24/7 enterprise-grade security
• 900+ designer made templates

Top rated in website creation

Visit Site

IONOS: Business-Oriented E-Commerce Platform

IONOS provides essential e-commerce tools but lacks some of the advanced features found in Wix. Key features include:

• Product Catalog Management: Supports physical and digital products with integrated inventory tracking.
• Payment Processing: Accepts major payment providers, including PayPal and Stripe, but does not have an in-house payment gateway like Wix Payments.
• Security Features: Includes SSL certificates and DDoS protection to ensure safe transactions.
• Basic SEO and Marketing Tools: Offers SEO settings and Google My Business integration to improve search visibility.
• Shipping and Tax Management: Allows users to set customized shipping rates and tax settings, though it lacks real-time carrier integrations.

Our top picks for February 2025

IONOS

• Daily backups & protection
• Intuitive dashboard

Start with 90% off, only £1/mo

Visit Site

Verdict: Wix is the better choice for businesses that want a flexible and scalable e-commerce solution. IONOS is more suited for small businesses that need a secure but basic online store.

SEO and Marketing Tools

Wix: Built-in SEO and Marketing Features

Wix includes a range of SEO and marketing tools to help businesses improve their online presence. Some key features include:

• Wix SEO Wiz: A step-by-step guide for optimizing site content.
• Customizable Meta Tags and URLs: Allows users to edit meta titles, descriptions, and custom URLs for better search rankings.
• Structured Data Integration: Supports schema markup for enhanced search engine visibility.
• Email Marketing and Social Media Tools: Includes built-in email campaigns and social media integrations.

IONOS: SEO Tools with Local Business Focus

IONOS provides a basic but effective set of SEO tools. It includes:

• Meta Tag Customization: Users can edit meta titles, descriptions, and URLs to improve search rankings.
• Google My Business Integration: Helps local businesses increase their online visibility.
• Basic Blogging Features: Allows businesses to create SEO-friendly content, though the blogging platform is more limited compared to Wix.

Verdict: Wix provides more advanced SEO tools and marketing integrations, making it the better choice for businesses looking to optimize their online presence. IONOS is a good option for businesses that need basic SEO with a focus on local search visibility.

Performance and Reliability

Wix: Strong Hosting and Speed Optimization

Wix offers reliable hosting with 99.9% uptime and global content delivery networks (CDN) to ensure fast-loading pages. Wix automatically optimizes site performance through:

• Lazy Loading: Ensures images and media load only when needed, improving page speed.
• Built-in Caching: Enhances website performance and reduces load times.
• Mobile Optimization: Ensures websites are responsive and load quickly on all devices.

IONOS: Fast and Secure Hosting Infrastructure

As a hosting-first company, IONOS provides high-performance hosting services. Some of its standout features include:

• Free SSL Certificates: Enhances website security and trustworthiness.
• DDoS Protection and Automated Backups: Protects websites from cyber threats and data loss.
• Data Centers in the UK and Europe: Ensures fast loading times for UK businesses.

Verdict: IONOS provides stronger hosting infrastructure and security, while Wix focuses more on website performance and usability.

Wix vs. IONOS Features Compared

For businesses looking for a fully customizable, scalable website builder with e-commerce and marketing features, Wix is the best choice.

For small businesses that prioritize affordability, built-in hosting, and security, IONOS is a strong alternative.

Pricing Comparison: Wix vs. IONOS

Pricing is a crucial factor for small businesses in the UK when choosing the best website builder. Both Wix and IONOS offer multiple pricing plans, catering to different business needs, from simple websites to fully functional e-commerce stores. Below is a detailed comparison of their pricing structures, features included in each plan, and overall value for money.

Wix Pricing in the UK

Wix offers a variety of premium plans tailored to different needs, including website and business/e-commerce plans. Below is an overview of these plans:

Website Plans:

Note: Prices are subject to change. For the most current information, please visit Wix's official pricing page.

IONOS Pricing in the UK

IONOS provides straightforward pricing with introductory offers for new customers. Below is an overview of their web hosting and e-commerce plans:

Web Hosting Plans:

E-Commerce Plans:

Note: Prices are subject to change. For the most current information, please visit IONOS's official website.

Conclusion:

When choosing between Wix and IONOS, consider your specific business needs, budget, and the level of customization you require. Wix offers extensive design flexibility and advanced e-commerce features, making it ideal for businesses seeking a customizable and scalable solution. In contrast, IONOS provides a more structured approach with integrated hosting and security, appealing to businesses that prioritize simplicity and reliability.

Customer Support Comparison: Wix vs. IONOS

Reliable customer support is an essential factor when choosing the best website builder for small businesses in the UK. Business owners need prompt and efficient assistance to resolve technical issues, manage website updates, and ensure smooth operations. Below is a comparison of Wix and IONOS customer support services, including their availability, support channels, and response times.

Wix Customer Support

Support Availability:
Wix offers 24/7 customer support, ensuring that users can get help whenever needed. However, the level of support varies depending on the plan selected.

Support Channels:

• Help Center: Extensive knowledge base with step-by-step guides and FAQs.
• Live Chat: Available for users seeking real-time assistance.
• Phone Support: Available to users with Core plans and above.
• Priority Support: Included in the Business VIP and Business Elite plans, ensuring faster response times.

Response Time:
Wix typically responds to support queries within a few hours, though priority users receive quicker assistance.

Additional Support Features:

• Community Forums: Users can discuss issues and find solutions with the Wix user community.
• AI Assistance: Wix offers automated troubleshooting tools for common website issues.

Best for: Small businesses that require self-help resources and responsive customer service, particularly those subscribed to higher-tier plans.

IONOS Customer Support

Support Availability:
IONOS provides 24/7 customer support across all plans, with dedicated support representatives available at all times. Unlike Wix, IONOS ensures that even its basic plan users receive full access to support services.

Support Channels:

• Phone Support: Available 24/7, with a direct phone number for UK users.
• Live Chat: Available for all plans, allowing quick access to support agents.
• Personal Consultant Service: Each customer is assigned a personal consultant, providing direct, one-on-one assistance.
• Help Center: A detailed knowledge base covering website building, hosting, and domain management.

Response Time:
IONOS is known for fast response times, particularly through its phone support and live chat. The personal consultant service ensures that businesses receive consistent and personalized support, which is a key advantage over Wix.

Additional Support Features:

• Website and Hosting Assistance: IONOS provides specialized support for domain management, hosting, and website security.
• Dedicated Business Support: Users can schedule one-on-one consultations to receive tailored business website advice.

Best for: Businesses that prioritize direct access to human support, particularly those who prefer phone-based customer service and personalized consultation.

Which Website Builder Offers Better Support?

Conclusion: Wix vs. IONOS Which is Better?

Choosing the right website builder is a crucial decision for small businesses looking to establish a strong online presence. Both Wix and IONOS offer valuable tools and features, but they cater to different types of users based on their specific needs.

When to Choose Wix

Wix is the better choice if you need a fully customizable, user-friendly website builder with powerful e-commerce and marketing tools. It provides:

• A drag-and-drop editor that offers full creative control.
• Over 900 templates covering various industries.
• Advanced e-commerce features including multi-channel selling, abandoned cart recovery, and automated tax tools.
• Comprehensive SEO and marketing integrations to help improve search rankings and drive traffic.
• A robust app marketplace for extending functionality.

Best for: Small business owners who want a website with complete design flexibility, extensive e-commerce options, and powerful marketing tools.

When to Choose IONOS

IONOS is ideal for businesses that prioritize affordability, security, and built-in hosting. It offers:

• Lower introductory pricing, making it an affordable choice for startups.
• Pre-built business-oriented templates designed for professional use.
• A personal consultant for one-on-one support, ensuring businesses get tailored assistance.
• Enhanced security features with free SSL, DDoS protection, and automatic backups.
• Integrated local business SEO tools, helping small businesses improve visibility in their region.

Best for: Small businesses that need a cost-effective, secure, and professional website builder with strong customer support and built-in hosting.

Both Wix and IONOS have their strengths, and the best choice depends on the specific needs of your business. Before making a final decision, consider your budget, the level of customization you need, and whether you require advanced e-commerce tools or prefer a simpler, business-oriented platform. For more information, check out our in-depth Wix & Ionos Reviews.