Do you ever wish that you could create the perfect website for your business without needing to pay thousands to a web development team? Web building software makes this desire a reality. There are dozens of web building applications on the market, many of which don't require a strong coding background.
Two of the top options are Duda and Wix. Wix is a global leader in web development that allows you to choose from hundreds of templates to build a functional website in minutes. Duda is a more affordable choice that's optimized for bloggers and those who prefer to customize their own code.
I've taken a look at both of these services to help you understand which is the best option for you.
Overview of Duda and Wix
Shared Features
Unique Duda Features
Unique Wix Features
Ease of Use
Duda
Duda was launched with the goal of being easy to use. To that end, it has a drag-and-drop interface that integrates with the advanced website builder. One of the biggest selling points is that the builder has a number of ready-made templates optimized for different platforms.
At the same time, there is one big potential detractor: You need some knowledge of CSS and HTML coding to create customized content. For those with a basic web development background, this may be a strength rather than a weakness. But this won't be the best website for absolute beginners.
The site comes with a custom widget builder. Rather than using an integrated marketplace, you're given the tools to create your own widgets and app. You have the capacity to code and implement image effects, countdowns, analytic tools, and other typical site elements.
Developer mode is another great asset for more experienced website builders. It lets you access the coding environment of the entire website, so you can improve and change the interface as needed.
Another extension is the mobile website builder. For people who don't have a lot of time to sit at a desktop, this can be a huge time saver. It lets you access your website dashboard from a mobile app. You can change your interface and the appearance of your pages depending on the elements you've customized.
It's important to note that you will need some technical background to make full use of the builder. The drag-and-drop templates can also sometimes be frustrating because they're gridded with columns and rows that cannot be changed.
Wix
Rather than being designed with developers in mind, Wix is made for people who have no technical background whatsoever. The process is built around creating hassle-free websites within a few minutes. Right from the getgo, you have access to convenience features like automatic sign-in, an intuitive dashboard, and multiple website building instruments.
The ADI system is a type of automation that uses artificial intelligence tools to create web pages for you. To use this feature, you'll give the following information:
From there, the app will generate a website that features the blocks, elements, widgets, and apps that are necessary. In addition, if you have a business Facebook page, you can use the algorithm to generate content by importing your Facebook posts.
You can accept the generated site as-is, or you can make customized changes to the layout or content.
The Editor is an interface that gives you slightly more control over the site building process, but you still don't need any coding background. The drag-and-drop interface lets you create pages with your desired elements from either a blank slate or from one of 550 available templates.
If you want more flexibility with your add-ons and your page design, the Editor allows you greater creative control than the ADI. Either way, this is the top website builder for those who don't have technical skills.
Winner: Wix
Wix wins this round since the customized builders require no background technical knowledge. However, for those who prefer to code themselves rather than edit existing elements, Duda's interface will have more appeal.
Flexibility
Duda
There are a few key aspects of Duda's setup that make it highly flexible.
One is the Code Editor. This program allows you easy access to the HTML and CSS coding for your website. It also makes it very easy to create your own page elements and integrate them into your design.
The blogging feature is another one of the strongest selling points. Duda websites have masterful blogs that are streamlined, easy to navigate, and simple to read. Using the blogging feature, you can:
Every Duda plan comes with a free SSL certificate, which is essential for maintaining a secure website. You can also use the Code Editor program to create structure for your professional SEO campaigns. There's an automated SEU Wizard that can help with structuring and major website settings.
Various ecommerce templates are available. In addition, the program integrates with up to thirty payment options.
Wix
One key factor in Wix is the Marketplace, which is loaded with more than 300 unique widgets and add-ons. You can integrate these into your website for free. You can create calendars, integrate analytics, add contact forms, and make image galleries.
There are also SEO features. You can create custom page URLs, edit your titles and page descriptions with keywords, or use an automated SEO wizard.
Ecommerce tools are only available in premium plans, but they are extensive. They cover small and medium-sized ecommerce stores.
Winner: Duda
Duda wins the flexibility contest because of your ability to create anything you want through the custom code builder. It also has a good amount of ecommerce integration at the base level. Wix works well for those who don't have coding experience, but the best ecommerce features are only available with a premium plan.
Pros and Cons of Duda
Pros
Cons
Pros and Cons of Wix
Pros
Cons
Final Thoughts: Which is Better?
Both of these website builders have great e-commerce features, drag-and-drop builders, and available templates to make life easier. The best one for you depends on how you prefer to build websites, plus the type of website you're building.
Duda is great for text-based websites. It has fantastic blogging functionality and article management systems that are unparalleled by the competition. On top of this, it has the best support for HTML and CSS coders, since the code builder lets you create and personalize your own widgets and page elements.
Wix is best for people who don't have much web development background. Because there's a marketplace and hundreds of available templates, you don't have to spend as much time on your website. However, there's not as much room to build your own elements from scratch using coding.