When you are searching for a platform from which to host your website, it is inevitable – and wholly necessary – that one of your primary concerns will be the strengths and weaknesses inherent within the platform’s in-built security features.
It is, after all, an unfortunate fact of life for any site operating online that the landscape of digital threats is continually evolving, and these even relatively small businesses are highly vulnerable to the whims and changing tactics of cybercriminals.
Two of the most high-profile website builders operating today are, of course, Wix and WordPress. But, while both offer a readymade platform on which individuals and businesses can build their own websites themselves, rather than investing in a costly, bespoke site design from a website designer, the two platforms hold more differences than they do similarities – particularly when it comes to the inbuilt security features offered to users.
If you are wondering whether or not to opt for Wix or WordPress – and, by extension, the platforms’ security practices – then read our comparison below for more information.
Track Record
Both sites offer a whole host of benefits. For WordPress, it’s the highly customisable nature of a CMS, the value of its existence within an open-source community (although, of course, this can be a weakness), and the sheer volume of themes and plugins available.
The simplicity of drag-and-drop customisation, artificial design intelligence (ADI), and a whole host of built-in free tools for promotion and growth means that you can make a website with Wix even if you hold zero experience in this area.
Still, no company is immune to its track record, and that is one of the most effective ways of judging whether or not a platform is utilising and pursuing the best security practices for its users – some of whom, having no technical understanding of digital security, are entirely reliant upon these in-built features.
For WordPress, it is no secret that hacks and breaches represent a significant part of their past performance and current reputation. Even those who haven’t used the platform for themselves may well have encountered WordPress-hosted sites that set off a host of warnings from their antivirus.
There is no single reason behind WordPress’s vulnerability to hacking, but, unfortunately, the issue does not seem to be improving with time. In 2019, for instance, WordPress sites accounted for 90% of all hacked CMS (content management system) sites – a number which should be seen as a warning sign to any current or prospective WordPress user.
That’s not to say that there aren’t ways of securing your WordPress site, but that sites created via this platform are vulnerable to a whole gamut of inherent vulnerabilities to which many other site owners have fallen prey over the years.
In this respect, Wix’s track record is far more reassuring. The platform they offer to non-designers is focused on customisation, rather than requiring users to worry about their own security, and the wealth of templates and plugins they offer come via the App Market, rather than an open-source community, which can expose unsuspecting users to some significant security flaws.
For that reason, Wix’s history should be much more reassuring for users – even those whose understanding of ‘internet security’ starts and ends with a strong password.
User Control
We all approach website builders differently. While some of us enter into the process with a baseline of know-how and tech-savvy, some of us really do need to rely on the full range of readymade tools, templates, and guides in order to put together a sleek, professional, and, most importantly, working website.
What that means is, for some of us, it is important that the platform offers some leeway in terms of user input and that we have the freedom to deviate from the traditional template in order to augment, improve, or personalise our sites.
When it comes to security, the story is the same, and some prospective users may feel reluctant to commit to Wix due to the design-centric approach they take to their platform. But, while it is true that the website builder is heavily optimised for users looking to perfect the more aesthetic qualities of the user experience, Wix also offers a range of options for those looking to go into a little more detail when it comes to the more technical aspects, such as security.
Wix Velo, for instance, enables users to add their own code within the traditional platform. What’s more, their Editor X platform is optimised for more experienced site designers and offers a great deal of flexibility for those who hold enough experience to take the reins.
Of course, WordPress lives up to its reputation as a highly customisable CMS – a fact which makes it a strong contender for any code monkey – but it is important to remember that an object is only as strong as its weakest point, and WordPress’s security portfolio still leaves much to be desired.
Of course, WordPress lives up to its reputation as a highly customizable CMS – a fact which makes it a strong contender for any code monkey – but it is important to remember that an object is only as strong as its weakest point, and WordPress’s security portfolio still leaves much to be desired. For those who still wish to create their websites with WordPress, they can use a WordPress security plugin for their sites.