Divi is a user-friendly WordPress theme that can create multifaceted websites. However, the menu was a bit boring… until now! Learn how to create menus with converting elements in my tutorial.
How-To Build a Custom Divi Menu
WP Staging is a Life Saver for Website Design!
If any of you are website designers, you have probably experienced the complexities of website migration. For the majority of my website development career, I have relied on Backup Buddy to help migrate my websites. The scary thing about Backup Buddy, and other migration plugins such as All-In-One WP Migration and WordPress Duplicator, is you are deleting the entire site to upload a new WordPress site.
*Enter Paranoia.*
Nevertheless, Backup Buddy is more reliable and quicker than manual migration which can take hours and leaves more room for error. Every time I do a website migration, I feel a little yank at my nerve endings until recently…
*Enter WP Staging*
If unicorns created a staging plugin, it would be WP Staging. The plugin allows you to duplicate your website creating an entirely new WordPress database at the click of the button. The features are perfect for a website redesign.
The first step is to choose a URL extension. For example, you can choose /dev/ so your website would be example.com/dev/.
After choosing your extension, the plugin will copy over your pages, media, posts, plugins, and theme files. It will be an exact replication of your website. From there, you can wipe your testing website and start from scratch or just make basic edits.
When you are ready to push your edits live, there is a Pro version of WP Staging for $98. Sounds steep? The ease of the plugin is worth the cost. Additionally, you will have to purchase any high-quality migration plugin. The only free method is manual.
When I Use WP Staging for Website Design
WP Staging is not ideal for every development situation. I use WP Staging when I am performing a WordPress redesign. For example, the client has an outdated website and wants to revamp the site. This could entail a new theme or simpler requests, such as photos, colors, and text. I use WP Staging to duplicate their existing site, perform the redesign, and push the website live.
If you are a WordPress website designer searching for an easy method to redesign and launch websites, I suggest reviewing WP Staging. Please see this video created by WP Staging for more information:
If you need a website designer in Bend, Oregon, contact Get Global Marketing. We create websites with a high ROI so you can focus on building your business. Contact us in Bend or Redmond, Oregon at (541)706-9442.
WordPress Versus Wix: Which Should I Use?
In every industry, there are different ways of completing a job. The same story is true for website development. WordPress and Wix are two main competitors in the website world. Business owners that do not know the difference, often use a certain platform without knowing the differences. It is important to know they difference between WordPress and Wix, and what your developer is using.
As a WordPress website developer, I am of course slightly biased! However, this article is my most honest representation of both platforms and what they can do for you.
Features of Wix versus WordPress
| Feature | Wix | WordPress |
| Custom Colors and Font | X | X |
| Multiple Pages | X | X |
| Blog Capabilities | X | X |
| Mobile Optimization | X | X |
| Visual Editor | X | X |
| Page Builder | X | X |
| Free Website Option | X | X |
| Drag and Drop | X | |
| Pre-Built Themes | Hundreds | Thousands |
| Plugins and Apps | 200+ | 55,000+ |
| Ecommerce | X | X |
The Major Deciding Factors
You Are Building the Website Yourself
Many business owners want to build their website themselves. In this situation, it is important to have drag and drop features. Wix offers pre-built themes to drop written content and photos into boxes. Be aware that many Wix websites have the reputation for looking alike.
If you want your website to stand out, you need to build a customized WordPress website. However, it will take more effort. WordPress includes page builders, such as WPBakery, which is a front end visual designer.
You Want to Customize Your Website
The customization features in Wix are limited. WordPress provides thousands of plugins and apps to create a beautiful, functional website that stands out among competitors.
The plugins include event calendars, ecommerce layout and billing, creative portfolios, and more. As a website developer, I have been able to provide clients customized design and features using WordPress plugins.
You Want a Free Option
Both WordPress and Wix have free options. When you choose the free options, the domain of your website ends with either wix.com or wordpress.com.
For example, getglobalmarketing.wordpress.com.
However, free Wix websites also include Wix ads. This appears very unprofessional and low budget for a business. If you are looking for a free option, choose WordPress.
You Are Willing to Pay for Hosting
WordPress and Wix offer hosting options to upgrade your website. WordPress is a CSS platform that offers hosting through many companies online. You can either use a free or dynamic premium WordPress template. Bluehost and HostGator are two of the top WordPress hosting companies.
Packages vary depending on the bandwidth, domain privacy, and spam protection. I build my websites on Bluehost. WordPress packages start at $3.95 for 50GB of website space and unlimited subdomains. The Choice Plus package is perfect for ecommerce websites. At $5.95 per month, Choice Plus includes unmetered website space, domain privacy, unlimited subdomains, spam protection, and more.
Wix packages are bought through the Wix website. Pricing starts at $11 per month for only 2 GB of bandwidth. Ecommerce websites must pay at least $20 per month to accept credit cards.
After evaluating WordPress versus Wix, I think they both have their time and place. If you love wasting money than go with Wix! Just kidding… sort of.
If you want to build a website yourself and do not mind ads than Wix is the website platform for you. The drag and drop feature will allow you to build your own site. If you are paying a professional, make sure that they are WordPress website developers! They can provide you with more customizations, templates, SEO optimization, and more affordable, effective hosting.
I apologize if I am offending the Wix professionals in the website world! However, this is my truth and I am sticking to it. If you need a beautiful, WordPress website, contact me, Gillian Rowley at gillian@getglobalmarketing.com or (541) 706-9442.