Wix is a popular cloud-based web development platform used by over 200 million people worldwide to create websites and online stores. But does Wix actually work well in South Africa? Here is a detailed look at how suitable Wix is for South African users.
Overview of Wix
For those unfamiliar, Wix is a DIY website builder that allows anyone to create a website through drag-and-drop tools and pre-made templates. Some key features include:
- Intuitive editor – Easy drag and drop interface to add and style content.
- Templates – Hundreds of designer-made templates for different site types.
- Responsive design – Sites automatically adapt for mobile.
- Ecommerce – Built-in ecommerce features for creating online stores.
- Forms & databases – Tools for building forms, surveys and managing data.
- Blogging – Integrated blogging platform.
- SEO – SEO tools for improving site visibility.
- Free plan – Limited free hosting for basic sites.
Wix is primarily marketed to small businesses, online stores, designers, photographers and bloggers.
Wix Server Infrastructure
A common question South Africans have is whether Wix sites are hosted in South Africa. Currently, Wix does not have local servers in South Africa. However, they use the following infrastructure:
- Sites are hosted on servers in the US, Europe and Asia.
- The network includes 34 data centers globally.
- CDN servers around the world cache site content locally.
- Sites use HTTP/2 for fast loading.
- SSL certificates on all sites for security.
So while your Wix site data may not reside in South Africa, it is distributed on servers internationally for better redundancy and performance.
Wix Site Speed in South Africa
Since Wix sites are not hosted locally, site speeds can be a concern. However, extensive caching and CDNs help optimize performance for South African users:
- Average load time: <2 seconds for South Africa
- CDN caching of static assets across local PoPs
- Page caching minimizes server requests
- Lazy loading of images and video
- Minification and compression to reduce size
Site load times ultimately depend on the site size and complexity. But overall Wix site performance in South Africa is quite good compared to other website builders.
Wix Support for South African Payment Methods
A key aspect of running an ecommerce site in South Africa is supporting local payment methods. Wix provides the following SA payment options:
- Credit cards – Visa, MasterCard, American Express
- PayFast – Popular South African payment processor
- SnapScan – Allows mobile payments via app/QR codes
- PayU – Supports EFT South Africa payments
- COD – Cash on delivery option
The ability to accept payments via PayFast and SnapScan is vital for connecting with South African buyers. Wix covers the basics well.
Domain Registration in South Africa
To use a .co.za domain on Wix, you first purchase the domain from a South African registrar like Truehost.co.za, Domains.co.za, or ZA Central Registry.
Once you own the domain, you can point it to your Wix site through their domain connector. Wix offers a free ‘.com’ domain to use with sites as well.
Languages and Localized Content
Wix provides two key options for localizing content:
- Multilingual sites – Pages can be created in multiple languages like English + Afrikaans.
- Location settings – Format dates, currencies, taxes etc. per location.
This allows South African sites to have English and Afrikaans pages as needed. Products and taxes can be adapted for the local market.
Cost of Wix in South Africa
Wix pricing is the same globally. Their available plans are:
| Plan | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Combo | R159 |
| Unlimited | R234 |
| Business Basic | R328 |
| Business Unlimited | R469 |
| Business VIP | R659 |
The combo and unlimited plans are likely sufficient for most small businesses in South Africa. Overall these prices are very reasonable compared to hiring a developer.
Pros of Using Wix in South Africa
Benefits of using Wix for South African sites include:
- Easy to make sites without coding skills
- Affordable pricing model
- Good performance despite geographic distance
- Support for local payment methods
- Option for multi-language sites
- Choice of South African domain extensions
Limitations to Consider
A few limitations to note:
- Lack of regional hosting local to South Africa
- Additional fees for addons like domain registration
- Limited customization capabilities compared to custom-coded sites
- Must renew subscription to maintain access to site
Conclusion
Wix provides South African users with an easy way to create functional websites and stores at affordable rates.
While hosting is not local, performance in the region is quite reasonable.
Support for local payment methods and languages allow sites to be tailored for the South African market.
Overall, Wix can be considered a viable option for South African individuals and businesses looking to establish an online presence.
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