Wordpress or Wix for a static website?

[DJE]

Not sure if this is in the relevant section of the site so mods please feel free to move it.

I have just started a laser tattoo removal business and i need to get an online presence by having a website.

I have another business online using Shopify so i am familiar with eCommerce platforms but have no idea where to start for a content based website.

I could go with Wix, which will be pretty straight forward to set up with its drag and drop features but it doesnt have the wow impact of some of the Wordpress themes out there.

Can i have a Wordpress site without all of the usual blogging features?

I do need to be able to edit the site slightly as i want to build it built with conversion in mind. So i need to place a strong call to action to complete an inquiry form or have my online booking system on show. Any tips would be appreciated.

I plan on bringing the traffic from Facebook and Adwords.

Thanks all

 

[ryedale]

Don't waste your time with Wix, you won't get anywhere with SEO and you'll end up wanting to move the site elsewhere after a bit

 

[UKSBD]

Just use Pages instead of Posts in Wordpress and create a Page Template with nothing but the content.

 

[fisicx]

Wix! Aaaaaaaaarrrrrrrggggghh!

Take that as a no.

Can i have a Wordpress site without all of the usual blogging features?

Yes.

And it is superb for adding the before and after images your site will no doubt need. And you can easily add testimonials and enquiry forms and even a booking system.

You can make wordpress do pretty much what you want.

 

[Cromulent]

Yeah Wix is pretty terrible. I'd stay clear of it.

Another option that others haven't mentioned is to use a static blog generator.

Advantages over Wordpress are:

• No database needed
• Ultra fast as no server side scripting needs to be processed and no database query lag / delay
• Easily customisable
• Offers pretty much everything Wordpress does in an easy to use manner
• Very easy to backup your blog using Git or Mercurial (or some other version control software)
• Can edit blog posts / pages in your favourite text editor (great if you are a Vim or Emacs fan)
• Output is just plain HTML which results in small file sizes further increasing the speed at which your website loads

So yeah. I use a static blog generator for a couple of personal blogs and would never move my sites back to Wordpress.

 

[DJE]

I will stay away from Wix then

So how do i go about setting up a wordpress site. Do i sign up and link my domain to wordpress and they host it much like most ecommerce platforms or do i need to self host the site?

I would love to have the before and after image feature and a booking system but I imagine it will all be big extra cost or i would need to learn how to use the whole wordpress system which is time i am short of.

 

[DJE]

So yeah. I use a static blog generator for a couple of personal blogs and would never move my sites back to Wordpress.

Where can I find out information about static blogs or where I can sign up? This is the problem, i am unaware of where i need to go for a static site.

 

[Cromulent]

Where can I find out information about static blogs or where I can sign up? This is the problem, i am unaware of where i need to go for a static site.

I use Pelican but there are loads of other options. A simple Google search for static blog generators will list loads of options.

Here is the link for Pelican though:
http://docs.getpelican.com/en/3.5.0/

 

[fisicx]

So how do i go about setting up a wordpress site. Do i sign up and link my domain to wordpress and they host it much like most ecommerce platforms or do i need to self host the site?

You can do either. I prefer to self host as you have a lot more freedom.

I would love to have the before and after image feature and a booking system but I imagine it will all be big extra cost or i would need to learn how to use the whole wordpress system which is time i am short of.

It's all pretty much free. You could get the whole thing set up in a weekend. Or ask for help, there are plenty of WP developers on UKBF who could get you started.

 

[KM-Tiger]

... a laser tattoo removal business...

If you did go with Wix you would have a USP:

"Your tattoo will be removed quicker than this home page will load!"

 

[DJE]

I am avoiding Wix. Glad this forum exists

 

[Faevilangel]

There are 2 versions of WordPress

1) WordPress.com - hosted blog system (like blogger and tumblr), only use if you want a blog imho (as adding domains and other bits are expensive)

2) WordPress.org - you download and host your own copy of WordPress (hosting is pretty cheap around £20-£40 a year for basic hosting). You get more control including custom themes, plugins and your own custom domain (mydomain.co.uk)

 

[UKSBD]

Setting up a new website and using Wordpress is simple
IF you know what you are doing.

If you don't it can be a complicated process, but it is well worth you doing it properly and learning how to do it rather than letting someone do it for you.

Doing it yourself means you have total control and can then get different people to assist you if required

Detailed information on registering a domain, setting up hosting, adding domain to hosting, managing website and installing Wordpress here - http://www.uksbd.co.uk/how-to-set-up-a-new-website-from-scratch-using-wordpress/

That is just the beginning though!