Migrating from Wix for Better Local SEO

Learn why Wix holds back local SEO and how moving to WordPress or Webflow can improve performance, speed and visibility.

At Lillian Purge, we specialise in Local SEO Services and have written Migrating from Wix for Better Local SEO: How & Why to Move to WordPress or Webflow for those considering a move to platforms that give better search and growth outcomes.

Wix is often the first website builder many small businesses use because it’s simple, visual, and quick to launch. However, as your company grows, you might find that Wix’s built-in limitations start to restrict your ability to rank well on Google, especially for local search. Migrating from Wix to a more SEO-focused platform like WordPress or Webflow can unlock better technical control, faster loading speeds, and stronger visibility for location-based searches.

This guide explains why Wix can hinder local SEO performance, what benefits WordPress and Webflow offer, and how to migrate your site without losing traffic.

Why Wix Can Limit Local SEO Performance

While Wix has improved its SEO features over the past few years, it still lags behind when it comes to technical optimisation, flexibility, and site structure. Many local businesses find that their Wix websites don’t perform as well as expected in organic search results, especially in competitive regions.

Some of the most common SEO limitations of Wix include:

  1. Restricted URL structure: Wix automatically adds characters such as “/post/” or “/product/” to URLs, reducing control over clean keyword-rich slugs.

  2. Limited schema markup options: Local businesses need structured data (like LocalBusiness or Service schema) to improve visibility in local search results. Wix provides minimal control over this.

  3. Slower load times: Wix’s heavy use of JavaScript and visual elements can lead to slower page speed, which affects user experience and ranking.

  4. Restricted blog and category management: SEO success often relies on strong internal linking and content silos, which are difficult to implement in Wix.

  5. Weaker integration with advanced tools: Google Tag Manager, Search Console customisation, and advanced analytics tracking are harder to configure on Wix.

For local businesses competing against established companies, these small issues can add up to a significant disadvantage.

Why Migrate to WordPress or Webflow

WordPress and Webflow are both powerful platforms that give businesses full control over SEO and performance. Choosing between them depends on your needs, technical ability, and design goals.

WordPress

WordPress powers over 40% of all websites globally and is highly flexible for SEO. With plugins like Yoast SEO or Rank Math, you can manage metadata, sitemaps, schema, and redirects easily. It’s ideal for content-heavy websites or those focusing on blog and service pages for local SEO.

Advantages include:

  • Full control over site structure and technical optimisation

  • Access to advanced SEO tools and plugins

  • Seamless integration with Google Analytics and Search Console

  • Easy management of redirects when migrating

  • Thousands of themes optimised for speed and usability

Webflow

Webflow offers a more design-focused experience but without compromising SEO control. It’s suited to businesses that want a visually impressive, modern website with built-in technical optimisation.

Benefits include:

  • Clean HTML and CSS structure with fast loading speeds

  • Easy on-page SEO settings (titles, meta descriptions, alt text)

  • Automatic SSL certificates and responsive design

  • Advanced schema markup through custom embeds

  • Better control over site hierarchy and URL structure compared with Wix

Both platforms offer superior control over technical and local SEO than Wix, which means better chances of ranking for local search queries such as “electrician in Bedford” or “accountant near Milton Keynes.”

SEO Benefits of Migrating for Local Businesses

When moving from Wix to WordPress or Webflow, local businesses typically see several measurable improvements:

  • Improved site speed: Faster websites perform better in search rankings and convert more visitors.

  • Enhanced mobile experience: Both WordPress and Webflow are highly responsive, which supports Google’s mobile-first indexing.

  • Optimised local pages: You can easily create individual service area pages with unique metadata, structured data, and internal links.

  • Better analytics and tracking: More precise data enables smarter marketing decisions.

  • Increased backlink potential: High-quality SEO structures attract stronger organic links from local directories and partners.

These technical and strategic advantages work together to improve visibility in Google Maps, local pack listings, and regional search results.

How to Migrate from Wix to WordPress or Webflow

Migrating a website requires careful planning to avoid losing search visibility. The goal is to transfer all key elements   design, content, metadata, and backlinks   without breaking links or confusing search engines.

Here’s how to handle the process step by step.

  1. Audit Your Existing Wix Site

    • Export a list of all your current URLs using a site crawler like Screaming Frog.

    • Note which pages generate the most traffic or rankings.

    • Record meta titles, descriptions, and alt text for reuse.

  2. Choose the Right Platform

    • If you prioritise content flexibility and SEO depth, choose WordPress.

    • If you prefer design freedom with strong technical performance, choose Webflow.

  3. Recreate Site Structure

    • Replicate the same navigation and page hierarchy in your new platform.

    • Use clean, descriptive URLs to replace Wix’s auto-generated ones.

  4. Migrate Content

    • Copy over all written content, images, and videos manually to ensure formatting accuracy.

    • Optimise headings, keywords, and image alt tags during the transfer.

  5. Implement Redirects

    • Use 301 redirects to map old Wix URLs to new ones on your WordPress or Webflow site.

    • This ensures that visitors and search engines find your updated pages and no authority is lost.

  6. Submit Your Sitemap to Google

    • Once live, submit your new sitemap through Google Search Console.

    • Check for crawl errors and indexation issues in the following weeks.

  7. Test and Monitor

    • Use Google Analytics and Search Console to track changes in traffic and performance.

    • Watch for 404 errors or broken links that could affect rankings.

Migrating from Wix can temporarily affect your rankings, but if done correctly, your visibility and traffic usually recover quickly and grow beyond previous levels.

Avoiding Common Migration Mistakes

  • Skipping redirects: Failing to set up redirects from old Wix URLs can result in lost rankings and traffic.

  • Copying design but not SEO settings: Recreate metadata, headings, and schema manually.

  • Launching without testing: Always review links, contact forms, and mobile responsiveness before publishing.

  • Ignoring analytics setup: Set up Google Analytics and Search Console immediately after launch.

Proper migration is about more than moving your content; it’s about rebuilding your SEO foundation for long-term success.

Why WordPress or Webflow Helps Local SEO

Both WordPress and Webflow make it easier to implement the technical and on-page elements that improve local search performance. You can:

  • Add LocalBusiness schema for your name, address, and phone number.

  • Create location-specific service pages with optimised metadata.

  • Embed Google Maps directly on contact pages.

  • Add structured FAQ sections to answer local search queries.

  • Improve internal linking between regional pages and blog content.

These small but powerful enhancements make it easier for Google to understand your location, services, and relevance to nearby users.

Expert Advice for a Smooth Migration

  1. Back up your Wix content before starting.

  2. Use a temporary staging domain to build your new site before going live.

  3. Keep your sitemap and robots.txt updated after migration.

  4. Track ranking changes weekly to measure progress.

  5. If you’re unsure, work with a migration specialist to handle redirects and indexing.

Summary

Migrating from Wix to WordPress or Webflow can feel like a big move, but for local businesses serious about growth, it’s one of the smartest SEO decisions you can make. Better control over site speed, structure, schema, and tracking leads to stronger local visibility and more qualified leads.

If your business is ready to take that next step, Lillian Purge can help you migrate seamlessly while protecting your existing rankings and improving your search performance. We combine technical SEO expertise with strategic planning to ensure your new site is built for long-term local success.

We have also written in depth articles on Why Wix Fails Local Businesses: A Local SEO Breakdown and How Wix’s slow speed damages your local search rankings as well as our Wix Hub to give you further guidance.