Untitled design 8 5
Untitled design 8 5

The SEO Benefits and Drawbacks of Wix Websites

Introduction

Wix is a popular website builder known for its user-friendly interface and stunning templates. However, when it comes to Search Engine Optimization (SEO), there has been a longstanding debate about whether Wix websites are good or bad for SEO. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll examine the various aspects of Wix websites and their impact on SEO. We will explore recent improvements in Wix’s SEO capabilities and discuss the lingering issues that might still affect your website’s search engine performance.

1. Cleaner URL Structure for SEO

Wix has made significant strides in improving its URL structure, which can have a positive impact on your website’s SEO efforts.

1.1 Improved Visibility on the Web

One of the notable changes Wix has implemented is replacing the hash-bang URL structure with a more traditional and customizable one. This change makes it easier for search engines to crawl and index Wix websites, ultimately improving their visibility on the web.

1.2 Shorter and More Informative URLs

The new URL structure in Wix also results in shorter and more informative URLs, making it easier for users and search engines to understand the content of a page at a glance. This can contribute to better SEO rankings.

1.3 Easier URL Submission to Search Engines

With the elimination of the escape fragment part in URLs, it becomes simpler to submit Wix site page URLs to search engines. This ensures that your content gets indexed accurately and efficiently.

1.4 Compatibility with Analytics and Advertising Tools

Wix’s new URL structure allows compatibility with tools like Universal Analytics and AdWords Express, enabling you to better track your website’s performance and run advertising campaigns effectively.

2. Rel=canonical Tags Removed

Wix’s previous use of rel=canonical tags on pages other than the home page had raised concerns among SEO professionals. These tags essentially told search engines that all pages on your Wix website were duplicates of the home page, potentially harming your SEO efforts.

2.1 Increased Exposure to Search Engines

The good news is that Wix has removed this setting, which means search engines like Google and Bing now crawl, read, and index your Wix website without considering every page as a duplicate. This change can have a significant positive impact on your website’s search engine exposure.

3. Other New SEO Features

In addition to the improvements mentioned above, Wix has introduced several other SEO features to enhance your website’s performance:

3.1 Advanced Blog SEO Capabilities

Wix now offers advanced blog SEO capabilities, allowing you to optimize your blog posts effectively for search engines. This can be invaluable for driving organic traffic to your site.

3.2 SEO Apps via the Wix App Market

The Wix App Market provides a variety of SEO apps that can further boost your website’s SEO performance. These apps offer additional tools and functionalities to help you optimize your site for search engines.

4. AJAX and Its Impact on SEO

It’s essential to understand that Wix websites rely on AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) technology. AJAX combines XHTML for content, CSS for presentation, and JavaScript to display website content dynamically. While AJAX can create visually appealing websites, it’s not inherently SEO-friendly.

4.1 Hash-Bang URLs and SEO

To make Wix websites crawlable and indexable, they rely on hash-bang URLs (#!). Hash-bang URLs are used to instruct search engine crawlers, like Googlebots, to crawl a page. While effective, this approach has its limitations in terms of SEO.

5. The Rel=canonical Tag Issue

Despite the recent improvements in Wix’s SEO capabilities, one lingering issue is the use of rel=canonical tags, which can negatively impact SEO.

5.1 Understanding Rel=canonical Tags

Rel=canonical tags are used to identify duplicate content on your website for search engines. They help prevent search engines from penalizing your web pages for having duplicate content, which can lead to lower search rankings and reduced organic traffic.

5.2 Page Authority Impact

Because Wix employs rel=canonical tags, the page authority of each service or product page built on a Wix website can suffer. This means that Wix might decrease the SEO value of all web pages, except for your home page.

6. The Impact on Business

For businesses that heavily rely on their online presence to generate leads and attract new customers, the SEO limitations of Wix can be a significant concern.

6.1 Decreased Leads for Some Businesses

In particular, industries like home service contractors, where lead generation through the website is crucial, may find that using Wix significantly reduces the number of leads generated. This is primarily due to the SEO challenges associated with Wix websites.

Conclusion

Wix has made notable improvements in its SEO capabilities, such as adopting a cleaner URL structure and removing rel=canonical tags from pages other than the home page. These changes can positively impact your website’s search engine visibility and user experience.

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