Website Building with Wix: A Smart Stepping Stone
Wix is one of the most beginner-friendly website builders available and a great option for indie authors looking to establish a web presence quickly without needing to code.
What is Wix?
Wix is a drag-and-drop website builder, meaning you can design your website visually by placing elements (like text boxes, images, and buttons) exactly where you want them. Think of it like playing with building blocks — no code, no jargon, no panic attacks.
Key Features for Authors
Wix comes loaded with features that make it easy to launch a professional author site. Here’s what you can create:
Homepage with custom images and branding
About the Author page
Books and Series landing pages
Newsletter signup forms (integrates with Mailchimp, Klaviyo, and others)
Blog for updates, thoughts, or book extras
Contact Page with embedded forms
Integrated Email (with branded domains via Google Workspace)
Social Media Buttons and Feeds
Analytics Tools (Google Analytics and built-in Wix Analytics)
Indie Author Website Checklist: How Wix Measures Up
| Feature | Available in Wix? |
|---|---|
| Homepage | Yes |
| About the Author Page | Yes |
| Books/Series Landing Pages | Yes |
| Newsletter Signup | Yes |
| Blog | Yes |
| Contact Page | Yes |
| Email (Custom Domain) | Yes (via Google) |
| Social Media Integration | Yes |
| SEO Tools | Yes |
| Analytics | Yes |
| Mobile Optimization | Yes |
| SSL Certificate | Yes (free) |
| Payment Portals | Yes (PayPal, Stripe, Wix Payments) |
| Podcast Integration | Limited |
Plans, Tiers, and Pricing
Wix offers a free tier with Wix-branded ads and a URL like yourname.wixsite.com. While fine for testing, it lacks professionalism. Most authors will want a Combo or Unlimited plan:
Combo Plan: ~$16/month — good for a basic, ad-free site with a custom domain
Unlimited Plan: ~$22/month — ideal for authors expecting medium traffic and wanting more storage and bandwidth
Business Basic Plan: ~$27/month — includes ecommerce features (useful if you plan to sell books directly)
Annual plans include a free domain for one year and access to premium support.
SEO and Marketing Tools
Wix has improved dramatically in recent years in the SEO department. You get:
Built-in SEO Wizard that walks you through optimization
Meta titles, descriptions, and alt tags
URL customization
Structured data markup
Wix also allows integration with Facebook Pixel and Google Ads for retargeting campaigns.
Learning Curve: Smooth for Beginners
Wix’s interface is extremely intuitive. With drag-and-drop functionality, you won’t need to write a single line of code. Most users can build a functional website in a weekend. The visual editor gives real-time previews, so you can experiment without fear.
That said, moving from Wix to WordPress later isn’t seamless. You’ll need to recreate your content manually or hire someone to help. So if you plan to build a large site later, consider starting with WordPress to avoid rework.
SSL Certificates and Mobile Optimization
SSL Certificates (the lock icon in the browser bar) come free with all Wix plans. This secures your site for visitors and improves SEO rankings.
Mobile Optimization ensures your website looks great on smartphones and tablets. Wix automatically generates a mobile-friendly version of your site, though you may want to tweak the layout manually to get it just right.
Podcasting and Media Embeds
Wix allows you to embed podcast episodes using third-party services like Spotify, SoundCloud, or Anchor.fm. However, Wix is not an ideal platform for hosting podcasts directly. Use it to showcase your podcast, not distribute it.
Pros and Cons of Wix for Indie Authors
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy drag-and-drop interface | Limited scalability beyond a certain size |
| Fast to launch | Conversion to WordPress is manual |
| Good template selection | Ecommerce features cost extra |
| Affordable plans | Less control than WordPress |
| Built-in SEO and analytics tools | Less customizable for advanced users |
| Mobile and SSL included | Ads on free plan |
Moving from Wix to WordPress: What to Expect
If you begin with Wix and later decide to upgrade to WordPress, be aware that there’s no export/import button. You’ll need to:
Purchase hosting (SiteGround, DreamHost, etc.)
Install WordPress
Rebuild your pages manually
Re-upload all media
Reconfigure SEO settings
Some services and freelancers can handle the migration for you, but it can cost $300–$1000 depending on site complexity. If you’re planning a big expansion (like a store, podcast hub, or multilingual content), starting with WordPress from day one might be smarter.
Final Review: Wix for Indie Authors
Wix is ideal for indie authors who want to get online fast, stay within budget, and have no background in coding. It shines as a stepping stone platform — easy, clean, and powerful enough to meet most early needs.
Learning Curve: 4.5/5 — almost anyone can use it
All-Around Performance: 4/5 — great for beginners, but not forever
If you're looking to build a long-term, scalable author brand, you might outgrow Wix eventually. But if your priority is getting started without stress, Wix is one of the best tools out there.
And remember — wherever you build your website, be sure to track your book sales across retailers using tools like ScribeCount, so your site and your data work together to grow your author career.
