Migrating from Wix for Better Local SEO

For many small businesses, Wix is an attractive starting point for building a website. It is simple to use, offers stylish templates and requires no coding knowledge. However, when it comes to achieving strong local SEO performance, Wix can hold businesses back. The platform has inherent technical limitations that prevent websites from competing effectively in local search results. For this reason, many businesses consider migrating to more SEO-friendly platforms such as WordPress or Webflow. This article explores why Wix struggles with local SEO, what benefits alternative platforms provide, and how the migration process can be managed successfully.

Why Wix Holds Back Local SEO

Although Wix has improved its SEO tools in recent years, it still lacks the depth and flexibility required for strong local rankings. Structured data implementation is limited, URL structures are restrictive, and advanced technical settings are often locked down. For example, managing multiple location pages with clean, consistent metadata is far more complex than it needs to be. Page speed, another crucial ranking factor, is often hampered by Wix’s heavy use of JavaScript and client-side rendering. For businesses in competitive local markets, these shortcomings can mean losing out on valuable visibility.

Why WordPress and Webflow Perform Better

WordPress and Webflow provide more control over technical SEO elements. In WordPress, users can access plugins like Yoast SEO or Rank Math to optimise metadata, implement structured data and generate XML sitemaps tailored to their needs. Developers can also edit canonical tags, robots.txt files and schema markup with precision. Webflow, while more design-focused, gives greater control over code cleanliness, structured data, and fast-loading hosting infrastructure. Both platforms allow businesses to create scalable location landing pages, blog posts targeting local keywords, and optimised service pages without the restrictions often found in Wix.

Improved Speed and User Experience

Site speed and mobile usability are major ranking factors for local search. WordPress can be paired with optimised hosting providers that prioritise performance, and caching plugins can significantly reduce load times. Webflow offers fast hosting through its global content delivery network, ensuring a smooth experience for users regardless of location. This is particularly important for mobile users, who now represent the majority of local search traffic. A faster, more reliable website not only helps SEO but also encourages higher engagement and conversions.

Better Support for Multi-Location Businesses

If your business has more than one location, managing multiple Google Business Profiles, landing pages and structured data entries is much easier in WordPress or Webflow. WordPress plugins and templates allow businesses to replicate page structures for each location, ensuring consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) information while still allowing unique, optimised content for every branch. Webflow enables similar scalability with clean design systems and editable collections. Wix, in comparison, requires clunky workarounds that quickly become unmanageable.

The Migration Process: How to Move Effectively

Migrating from Wix to WordPress or Webflow requires careful planning. The first step is to audit your existing site to identify which pages, images and resources need to be transferred. For WordPress migrations, you can either rebuild pages manually or use third-party tools to export content where possible. Choosing the right hosting provider is critical, as speed and uptime directly impact SEO. Once pages are recreated in WordPress or Webflow, metadata, titles, alt text and structured data should be reimplemented to preserve SEO value.

301 redirects must be set up from old Wix URLs to the new platform’s URLs to avoid losing search equity. This ensures that anyone visiting your old links will be directed to the correct page on your new site. Once the migration is complete, resubmit your sitemap to Google Search Console and monitor indexing. It is also wise to test performance, mobile usability and page speed immediately after launch to ensure that the new site delivers the intended SEO improvements.

Challenges and Considerations

Migrating from Wix is not without challenges. Because Wix does not allow for full content export, much of the transfer must be done manually. Businesses should also be mindful of design differences between platforms. A Wix template may not translate exactly to WordPress or Webflow, so consider whether this is an opportunity to refresh your brand identity or user experience. Time and budget should also be factored in, as migration projects require investment. However, for businesses dependent on local visibility, the long-term benefits outweigh the short-term inconvenience.

Conclusion

Wix is convenient for beginners, but its technical SEO limitations make it a poor choice for businesses serious about local search performance. Migrating to WordPress or Webflow unlocks greater flexibility, faster speed, and advanced SEO control that can significantly improve rankings and visibility. By planning the migration carefully, setting up redirects, and re-optimising content, businesses can transition smoothly and begin reaping the benefits of stronger local SEO. For local businesses competing in crowded UK markets, moving away from Wix is not just a technical upgrade. It is a strategic decision that can transform long-term growth.