Wix Studio vs. Wix Classic in 2024
- Andy - Off Piste Studio
- Oct 5, 2024
- 11 min read
As businesses and individuals seek more sophisticated ways to establish their online presence, Wix has expanded its offerings to cater to a wider range of needs. This article delves into the key differences between Wix Studio vs. Wix Classic, exploring how these tools cater to different user needs and project requirements in 2024.
Having a strong online presence is crucial for businesses and individuals alike. The choice of website building platform can significantly impact the success of your online venture. This comprehensive guide aims to provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision between Wix Studio and Wix Classic, taking into account factors such as design capabilities, user experience, scalability, and more.
The Evolution of Wix
Wix began as a user-friendly website builder, democratizing web design by making it accessible to non-developers. Over the years, it has grown into a comprehensive ecosystem of web development tools. The introduction of Wix Studio marks a significant milestone in this journey, offering advanced capabilities for professional designers and agencies.
A Brief History
Wix was founded in 2006 with the vision of making web design accessible to everyone. The platform started with a Flash-based design tool, which was revolutionary at the time. As web technologies evolved, Wix transitioned to HTML5 in 2012, marking a significant improvement in website performance and compatibility.
The Birth of Wix Studio
As Wix's user base grew and diversified, the company recognized the need for a more advanced solution catering to professional designers and agencies. This led to the development and launch of Wix Studio in 2023, a platform designed to meet the complex needs of web professionals while maintaining the user-friendly approach that Wix is known for.
Wix Classic: The Foundation of DIY Web Design
Ease of Use and Accessibility
Wix Classic continues to be the go-to platform for individuals and small businesses looking to create a professional website without extensive technical knowledge. Its intuitive drag-and-drop interface allows users to visually construct their websites, placing elements exactly where they want them on the page.
Key Features of the Wix Editor
The Wix Editor is the heart of the Wix Classic experience. It offers:
Drag-and-Drop Functionality: Users can easily add and position elements on their pages.
WYSIWYG Editing: What you see in the editor is exactly what your visitors will see on the live site.
Inline Editing: Text can be edited directly on the page, making content creation seamless.
Media Integration: Easy upload and management of images, videos, and other media files.
Templates and Design Freedom
With a vast library of customizable templates, Wix Classic offers a starting point for nearly any type of website. Users can easily modify these templates or start from scratch, using the visual editor to create unique designs that reflect their brand or personal style.
Template Categories
Wix Classic offers templates for various industries and purposes, including:
Business and Services
Online Stores
Creative Arts
Community and Education
Blogs and Personal
Events and Hospitality
Each template is fully customizable, allowing users to adapt it to their specific needs while benefiting from a professional design foundation.
Limitations in Responsiveness
One of the primary limitations of Wix Classic is its approach to responsive design. Websites created with this platform are essentially static, meaning they don't automatically adjust to different screen sizes. Instead, Wix Classic offers a separate mobile editor, which allows users to create a mobile-specific version of their site.
The Mobile Editor
While not fully responsive, the Wix Mobile Editor does provide some flexibility:
Automatic Mobile Adaptation: Wix attempts to create a mobile-friendly version of your desktop site.
Manual Adjustments: Users can make specific changes to the mobile version without affecting the desktop site.
Mobile-Specific Features: Options to add mobile-only elements like a call button or mobile action bar.
Wix ADI (Artificial Design Intelligence)
In addition to the classic editor, Wix offers an AI-powered solution called Wix ADI. This tool creates a website for you based on your answers to a series of questions about your business and preferences. While not as flexible as the main editor, it provides an even quicker way to get online for those who need a simple website fast.
Wix Studio: Empowering Professional Designers
Advanced Design Capabilities
Wix Studio takes web design to the next level, offering tools and features tailored for professional designers and agencies. It provides greater control over layout and design elements, allowing for more complex and custom website structures.
Key Advanced Features
Custom Interactions and Animations: Create sophisticated user interactions and smooth animations to enhance user engagement.
Advanced Layout Control: Use flexbox and grid layouts for precise control over element positioning and responsiveness.
Custom Font Integration: Easily upload and use custom fonts to maintain brand consistency.
Global Design System: Create and manage design tokens for consistent styling across your entire project.
True Responsiveness
Unlike Wix Classic, Wix Studio supports fully responsive web design. This means websites created with Studio automatically adapt to any screen size or device, ensuring a consistent user experience across desktops, tablets, and smartphones.
Responsive Design Tools
Wix Studio offers a range of tools to help designers create truly responsive websites:
Flexible Breakpoints: Set custom breakpoints to fine-tune how your design adapts to different screen sizes.
Responsive Typography: Create fluid typography that scales smoothly across devices.
Adaptive Layouts: Design layouts that automatically reorganize content for optimal viewing on any device.
Device Preview: Instantly preview your design on various device sizes within the editor.
Collaborative Features
Wix Studio introduces advanced collaboration tools, making it easier for teams to work together on projects. This includes features like shared design libraries, team permissions, and version control, which are essential for agencies and larger organizations.
Collaboration Tools in Detail
Shared Asset Libraries: Create and share collections of design elements, such as color palettes, typography styles, and UI components.
Role-Based Permissions: Assign different levels of access to team members based on their roles in the project.
Version History: Track changes and revert to previous versions if needed.
Commenting and Feedback: Leave comments on specific elements or pages for easy communication within the team.
Simultaneous Editing: Multiple team members can work on different parts of the site simultaneously.
Developer Tools and Customization
For those with coding skills, Wix Studio offers advanced developer tools that allow for even greater customization:
Custom Code Integration: Add custom HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to extend functionality.
API Access: Integrate third-party services and create custom functionality using Wix's extensive API.
Database Collections: Create and manage custom content structures for dynamic websites.
Dev Mode: Access a more code-centric interface for direct manipulation of site structure and styling.
Key Differences: Wix Studio vs. Wix Classic
Target Users
Wix Classic is ideal for:
Small business owners
Freelancers
Individuals with limited web design experience
Those needing a simple, quick website solution
Wix Studio caters to:
Professional web designers and developers
Design agencies
Businesses requiring complex, custom websites
Teams working collaboratively on web projects
Design Flexibility
While both platforms offer design flexibility, Wix Studio provides more granular control over every aspect of the website. This includes custom breakpoints for responsive design, advanced animation capabilities, and more sophisticated layout options.
Comparing Design Workflows
Wix Classic:
Start with a template or blank canvas
Use drag-and-drop to add and position elements
Customize using built-in design tools
Limited options for custom code
Wix Studio:
Begin with a design system or from scratch
Use advanced layout tools for precise positioning
Create reusable components and styles
Extensive options for custom code and integrations
Learning Curve
Wix Classic is designed to be intuitive and easy to learn, even for those with no prior web design experience. In contrast, Wix Studio has a steeper learning curve, requiring users to understand more advanced web design concepts and techniques.
Skills Required
Wix Classic:
Basic computer skills
Understanding of simple design principles
Familiarity with content management
Wix Studio:
Proficiency in web design principles
Understanding of responsive design concepts
Knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript (for advanced customization)
Familiarity with design systems and component-based design
Scalability
Wix Studio offers greater scalability for growing businesses and complex projects. Its advanced features and collaborative tools make it suitable for larger websites and e-commerce platforms that may outgrow the capabilities of Wix Classic.
Scalability Factors
Site Complexity: Wix Studio can handle more complex site structures and larger numbers of pages.
Traffic Handling: Both platforms offer robust hosting, but Studio is better equipped for high-traffic sites.
Team Growth: Studio's collaboration features make it easier to onboard new team members as your business grows.
Custom Functionality: The ability to add custom code and integrate with external APIs makes Studio more adaptable to evolving business needs.
Performance and SEO Considerations
Both Wix Classic and Wix Studio provide built-in SEO tools to help websites rank well in search engines. However, Wix Studio offers more advanced optimization options, including:
Faster loading times due to optimized code structure
Better control over meta tags and structured data
Improved mobile performance through true responsive design
SEO Features Comparison
Wix Classic SEO Tools:
SEO Wiz for guided optimization
Customizable meta titles and descriptions
Alt text for images
SSL certificates for all sites
Basic schema markup
Wix Studio SEO Enhancements:
Advanced schema markup options
Custom URL structures
Automated XML sitemaps
Robots.txt file customization
Integration with Google Search Console and other SEO tools
Performance Optimization
Website performance is crucial for user experience and search engine rankings. Both platforms offer features to enhance site speed, but Wix Studio provides more advanced options:
Wix Classic:
Automatic image optimization
Caching mechanisms
Content Delivery Network (CDN) integration
Wix Studio:
All Classic features, plus:
Custom code minification
Lazy loading for images and videos
Advanced caching strategies
Performance monitoring tools
Pricing and Value Proposition
Wix Classic offers a range of pricing plans suitable for different needs, from basic websites to small e-commerce stores. Wix Studio, while generally more expensive, provides additional value through its advanced features and is often more cost-effective for agencies and businesses working on multiple projects.
Wix Classic Pricing Tiers
Free Plan: Basic features with Wix branding
Combo Plan: Personal use, ad-free
Unlimited Plan: Entrepreneurs and freelancers
VIP Plan: Priority support and professional features
Business Basic/Unlimited/VIP: E-commerce capabilities with increasing features
Wix Studio Pricing Model
Wix Studio typically operates on a different pricing model, often based on factors such as:
Number of projects
Team size
Advanced features required
Custom enterprise solutions
The exact pricing for Wix Studio may vary, and it's best to contact Wix directly for a tailored quote based on your specific needs.
Use Cases and Examples
Wix Classic Success Story
A local bakery used Wix Classic to create a charming website showcasing their products and allowing customers to place orders online. The owner, with no prior web design experience, was able to set up the site in a weekend, using a pre-designed template and customizing it with their own photos and branding.
Key Benefits for the Bakery
Quick Setup: The bakery owner launched the site rapidly, capitalizing on immediate business opportunities.
Cost-Effective: The affordable pricing plan fit well within the small business's budget.
Easy Maintenance: The owner could easily update the menu and special offers without technical assistance.
Basic E-commerce: The site's simple online ordering system streamlined the bakery's operations.
Wix Studio in Action
A digital marketing agency leveraged Wix Studio to create a complex, data-driven website for a multinational corporation. The site featured interactive data visualizations, multilingual support, and a custom CRM integration. The agency utilized Wix Studio's collaborative tools to manage contributions from team members across different time zones.
Project Highlights
Advanced Functionality: The agency implemented complex features that would have been challenging with Wix Classic.
Scalability: The site was designed to handle high traffic volumes and frequent content updates.
Team Collaboration: Multiple designers and developers worked simultaneously on different aspects of the site.
Custom Integrations: The team used Wix Studio's API capabilities to integrate with the client's existing systems.
Future Trends and Developments
As we look ahead, we can expect both Wix Classic and Wix Studio to continue evolving. Potential developments might include:
Enhanced AI-driven Design Assistance
Both platforms are likely to incorporate more AI-powered features to assist users in creating better designs and user experiences. This could include:
Improved auto-generated layouts based on content and user preferences
AI-driven content suggestions and optimization
Automated accessibility improvements
Advanced E-commerce Capabilities
As online shopping continues to grow, both Wix Classic and Wix Studio are expected to enhance their e-commerce features:
More sophisticated product recommendation systems
Enhanced inventory management tools
Improved integration with various payment gateways and shipping providers
Advanced analytics for sales and customer behavior
Integration with Emerging Technologies
Wix Studio, in particular, is likely to lead the way in integrating cutting-edge web technologies:
Support for WebAssembly, enabling high-performance web applications
Integration with Progressive Web App (PWA) technologies for better mobile experiences
Enhanced support for Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) content
Improved Collaboration and Workflow Tools
As remote work becomes more prevalent, both platforms may introduce more advanced collaboration features:
Real-time co-editing capabilities
Enhanced project management tools within the platform
Improved version control and asset management systems
Focus on Performance and Core Web Vitals
With search engines placing increasing importance on website performance, both platforms are likely to introduce more tools for optimization:
Advanced caching mechanisms
Improved code splitting and lazy loading techniques
Built-in performance auditing tools
Conclusion
The choice between Wix Classic and Wix Studio ultimately depends on your specific needs, technical expertise, and project requirements. Wix Classic remains an excellent option for those seeking a straightforward, user-friendly website builder. It's perfect for small businesses, personal projects, and anyone looking to establish an online presence quickly and easily.
Wix Studio, on the other hand, represents the next evolution in web design platforms. It caters to professionals and businesses requiring more advanced features, true responsiveness, and collaborative tools. While it demands more technical knowledge, it offers the flexibility and power needed for complex, custom web projects.
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, both platforms are likely to adapt and improve, ensuring that Wix remains at the forefront of web design technology. Whether you're a DIY enthusiast or a professional designer, Wix offers a solution to bring your vision to life on the web.
Practical Next Steps
Assess Your Needs: Evaluate your project requirements, technical skills, and long-term goals to determine which platform is right for you.
Try Both Platforms: Take advantage of Wix's free trials to experience both Classic and Studio firsthand. This hands-on experience can provide valuable insights into which platform aligns better with your workflow and objectives.
Consider Training: If opting for Wix Studio, invest time in learning its advanced features through Wix's official resources and tutorials. Many online learning platforms also offer courses on Wix Studio for those looking to master the platform.
Plan for Scalability: Even if starting with Wix Classic, consider how your needs might evolve and whether a future transition to Studio might be necessary. This foresight can help you make design decisions that will facilitate an easier transition if needed.
Engage with the Community: Join Wix forums and user groups to learn from others' experiences and stay updated on new features and best practices. These communities can be invaluable resources for troubleshooting and discovering innovative ways to use the platforms.
Evaluate Your Team's Capabilities: If you're working with a team, assess their skills and experience with web design tools. This evaluation will help you determine whether Wix Classic's simplicity or Wix Studio's advanced features would be more beneficial for your team's productivity and output quality.
Consider Your Budget: While Wix Classic offers transparent pricing tiers, Wix Studio's pricing may vary based on your specific needs. Carefully consider your budget and the return on investment each platform could provide for your project or business.
Analyze Your Target Audience: Think about who will be visiting your website and what kind of experience they expect. This analysis can help you decide whether the simpler designs typically created with Wix Classic are sufficient, or if you need the more sophisticated capabilities of Wix Studio to meet your audience's expectations.
Review Case Studies: Look for case studies or examples of websites built with both Wix Classic and Wix Studio that are similar to your project. This research can give you insights into what's possible with each platform and how others in your industry are utilizing them.
Consider Future Integrations: If you anticipate needing to integrate your website with other tools or services in the future, explore the integration capabilities of both platforms. Wix Studio generally offers more advanced integration options, which might be crucial for your long-term plans.
Seek Professional Advice: If you're still unsure which platform is right for you, consider consulting with a web design professional or a Wix expert. They can provide personalized advice based on your specific situation and requirements.
Start Small and Expand: If you're new to web design, consider starting with Wix Classic and a simple website. As you gain experience and your needs grow, you can explore transitioning to Wix Studio. This approach allows you to learn the basics before diving into more complex features.
By carefully considering these factors and taking a strategic approach, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your web design goals and sets you up for success in the digital realm. Remember that the best choice is the one that meets your current needs while also providing room for growth and adaptation as your online presence evolves.
Both Wix Classic and Wix Studio offer powerful tools for creating and managing websites, each catering to different skill levels and project complexities. By understanding the strengths and limitations of each platform, you can choose the solution that best fits your unique requirements. Whether you opt for the user-friendly simplicity of Wix Classic or the advanced capabilities of Wix Studio, you'll be well-equipped to establish and grow your online presence in the ever-changing digital landscape of 2024 and beyond.
