How Wix’s Slow Speed Damages Your Local Search Rankings

Discover how slow Wix websites harm local SEO rankings and what you can do to improve site speed and visibility.

At Lillian Purge, we specialise in Local SEO Services and reveal How Wix’s slow speed damages your local search rankings to show the direct impact site speed has on local SEO success.

Google has made it clear that website speed is a ranking factor. Fast-loading pages create a better user experience, reduce bounce rates, and improve engagement   all signals that tell search engines your site is trustworthy and valuable.

When a website takes too long to load, visitors are likely to leave within seconds. Google tracks this behaviour and interprets it as a poor user experience, which can lower your rankings. In local search, where competition is high and attention spans are short, speed can make the difference between being found or ignored.

How Wix sites typically perform

Wix is popular for its ease of use, especially for small businesses creating their first website. However, the platform’s simplicity comes at a cost. Wix sites often load more slowly than those built on platforms like WordPress or Squarespace, mainly due to:

  • Heavy use of JavaScript to power its drag-and-drop design features.

  • Bloated page code that adds unnecessary size to each page.

  • Large, uncompressed images and background videos.

  • Limited control over server optimisation and caching.

While Wix has improved over the years, these issues still affect performance, especially for sites with multiple pages, complex designs, or large image galleries.

The impact of slow speed on local search rankings

Local SEO relies heavily on user experience and relevance. Even if your business has accurate local listings and strong on-page optimisation, slow load times can reduce your visibility in key areas like the Local Pack and Google Maps.

1. Higher bounce rates

When users click on your website in search results and it fails to load quickly, many will leave before interacting. A high bounce rate tells Google your page wasn’t helpful or engaging, which can push your rankings down.

2. Lower dwell time and engagement

If visitors stay on your site for only a few seconds, Google assumes your content doesn’t satisfy user intent. Engagement metrics such as time on page and interactions (clicks, scrolls, form submissions) play a subtle but important role in ranking strength.

3. Reduced crawl efficiency

Search engines allocate a crawl budget   the number of pages they’ll crawl within a certain period. Slow websites use more of this budget, meaning fewer pages get indexed. For local businesses with multiple service or location pages, this can prevent important content from appearing in results.

4. Poor mobile performance

Most local searches happen on mobile devices. If your Wix site loads slowly on mobile, it not only frustrates users but also fails Google’s Core Web Vitals assessment, which measures real-world performance. A site that performs poorly on these metrics is less likely to rank well in mobile search results.

5. Lower conversion rates

Speed affects not just rankings but also revenue. Studies consistently show that even a one-second delay in page load time can significantly reduce conversions. For local businesses, this can mean fewer calls, form submissions, and walk-in visits.

Wix and Google’s Core Web Vitals

Google’s Core Web Vitals are key performance metrics that measure how users experience a website. They include:

  • Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) – How long it takes for the main content to load.

  • First Input Delay (FID) – How long it takes for a page to respond to a user’s first interaction.

  • Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) – How stable the layout is as the page loads.

Many Wix sites struggle to meet recommended scores in these areas, particularly LCP, which directly affects ranking potential. Google expects websites to load their main content within 2.5 seconds or less.

Why speed is especially important for local SEO

Local search results are highly competitive. When a user searches for something like “electricians in Bedford” or “cafes near me,” Google prioritises businesses that provide quick, reliable experiences.

A fast-loading site improves:

  • Visibility in local search results – Google rewards sites that provide better user experiences.

  • Engagement and dwell time – Visitors stay longer when pages load instantly.

  • Mobile usability – Faster sites perform better in “near me” searches.

  • Conversion potential – Customers are more likely to take action on a responsive website.

In contrast, a slow Wix website can lose ground to faster competitors, even if the content and local SEO setup are strong.

How to improve the speed of your Wix site

If you’re committed to staying with Wix, there are several steps you can take to improve speed performance:

  1. Compress images – Use smaller file sizes without sacrificing quality. Wix has built-in tools for image optimisation, but always check before uploading large files.

  2. Limit animations and video backgrounds – These add significant weight to your pages. Use them sparingly or replace them with static visuals.

  3. Simplify page design – Avoid unnecessary widgets, galleries, and scripts that slow down performance.

  4. Enable caching – Wix automatically caches content, but make sure to clear and refresh it after major updates.

  5. Monitor Core Web Vitals – Use tools like PageSpeed Insights or Google Search Console to track loading performance.

  6. Keep your site structure simple – The fewer redirects and complex page layouts, the faster your site will load.

Although Wix limits how much control users have over technical optimisation, applying these steps can help reduce load times and improve your SEO results.

When to consider switching platforms

If your Wix site continues to perform poorly despite optimisation, it may be time to migrate to a faster platform. Options like WordPress, Webflow, or Squarespace offer more flexibility and control over performance settings.

Migrating doesn’t have to mean starting from scratch. You can recreate your existing design and content while ensuring better speed, security, and scalability. For businesses reliant on local search, this investment can quickly pay off in higher rankings and improved conversions.

Expert advice

A fast website is no longer a luxury   it’s an essential part of any SEO strategy. Local customers expect instant access to information, and Google prioritises sites that meet those expectations. Even a small improvement in load time can boost search visibility, engagement, and revenue.

If your Wix site is slow, use it as an opportunity to audit your wider digital strategy. Speed, design, content, and user experience all work together to build authority online. Addressing these areas not only enhances SEO but also increases customer trust and satisfaction.

Conclusion

Wix is an accessible platform, but its slower speed can have serious consequences for your local search rankings. Google favours websites that load quickly, deliver seamless mobile experiences, and provide value from the first click. By optimising your Wix site   or migrating to a faster platform   you can ensure your business stays competitive in local search results. Fast sites attract more visitors, convert better, and build stronger reputations in their communities.

We have also written in depth articles on Migrating from Wix for Better Local SEO: How & Why to Move to WordPress or Webflow and How to Build a Wix Website as well as our Wix Hub to give you further guidance.