WordPress vs Wix for a Small Business: Hosting and Email Pros

Updated 2026-07-21 · Hosting Reviews

When you type WordPress vs Wix for small business into a search box, you’re really asking: which platform lets me get a professional site online quickly, affordably, and with reliable email? The answer depends on three things – the hosting environment, the domain & business email setup, and the ease of building and maintaining your site. Below you’ll find a no‑fluff walk‑through that covers those three pillars and shows why Hostinger is a solid, budget‑friendly choice for the whole package.

What you need before you start building

Regardless of whether you end up on WordPress or Wix, the basics are the same:

• Domain name – your brand’s web address (e.g., yourbusiness.com).
• Business email – an address that matches your domain (info@yourbusiness.com) to look credible.
• Hosting – the server space where your site files live.
• Site builder – WordPress (self‑hosted) or Wix’s drag‑and‑drop platform.

If you already have a domain, you can keep it and point it at a new host. If you’re starting from scratch, buying a domain and a starter hosting plan together saves time and often money.

Shared vs Cloud vs VPS: Which hosting tier fits a small business?

Most small businesses can start with a shared hosting plan. It’s the cheapest tier (usually $3‑$7 / month on introductory rates) and gives you enough CPU, RAM, and bandwidth for a modest traffic volume. Shared hosting works well for:

• Blog‑style WordPress sites with a few hundred visitors per day.
• Wix sites that are actually hosted on Wix’s own servers, so you only need a domain and email.

If you anticipate rapid growth, spikes from marketing campaigns, or need more control over server settings, look at cloud or VPS options. Those start around $10‑$15 / month and let you scale resources without migrating.

Hostinger offers shared, cloud, and VPS plans under one dashboard, so you can upgrade without moving providers.

WordPress vs Wix: The platform showdown for small business

Both platforms let you create a functional site, but they differ in flexibility, cost, and long‑term ownership.

WordPress (self‑hosted)

• Full control over design, plugins, and SEO.
• One‑click installs on Hostinger; you only pay for hosting and the domain.
• Free themes and many low‑cost premium options.
• Requires a bit of learning – you’ll manage updates, backups, and security.

Wix

• All‑in‑one builder with hosting baked in.
• Drag‑and‑drop editor – no code needed.
• Monthly fees include hosting, SSL, and support (typically $14‑$23 / month).
• Less flexibility for custom functionality; you’re locked into Wix’s ecosystem.

If you value complete ownership and plan to expand features (e‑commerce, membership, custom integrations), WordPress is the better long‑term bet. If you need a site up in a few hours and don’t want to tinker with plugins, Wix can be a quick solution.

Domain & Business Email: Register and set up in minutes

Having a custom domain and matching email does more than look professional – it improves deliverability and trust. Here’s a quick workflow using Hostinger:

1. Search and register your domain. Use Hostinger’s domain search tool, pick an available .com, .net, or niche TLD, and add it to your cart. Intro offers often include the first year for free or at a discount.
2. Choose a hosting plan. For WordPress, the “Premium” shared plan gives you 100 GB SSD, free SSL, and one‑click WordPress install. For Wix, you’ll still need a domain, but you can keep your Wix subscription separate.
3. Set up business email. Hostinger bundles a basic email account (or you can add a premium mailbox) with most plans. In the control panel, go to Email → Create Account, enter the prefix (e.g., info) and a strong password.
4. Configure DNS. If your domain is registered at Hostinger, DNS records are auto‑filled. If you bought the domain elsewhere, point the nameservers to Hostinger’s (ns1.hostinger.com, ns2.hostinger.com) and add MX records for your email.
5. Test. Send a test email from a personal account to your new address and reply back. Verify that the site loads via your domain.

This entire process typically takes 10‑15 minutes once you have a payment method ready.

Speed, security, and maintenance basics

Regardless of platform, a few universal practices keep your site fast and safe.

• Free SSL. Hostinger includes an auto‑renewing SSL certificate – enable it in the control panel.
• Caching. For WordPress, install a lightweight caching plugin (e.g., LiteSpeed Cache) – it reduces page‑load time dramatically.
• Regular backups. Hostinger offers daily backups on higher‑tier plans; otherwise schedule a plugin like UpdraftPlus.
• Updates. Keep WordPress core, themes, and plugins up to date. Wix handles updates automatically.
• Image optimization. Compress images before uploading (use TinyPNG or built‑in WordPress tools).

Speed and security directly affect SEO and customer trust, so don’t skip these steps.

Step‑by‑step: Get your small‑business site live in under an hour

1. Pick a domain name that matches your brand (keep it short, avoid hyphens).
2. Sign up for a Hostinger shared plan that includes one‑click WordPress install.
3. During checkout, add the domain registration and a basic business email account.
4. After purchase, go to the Hostinger hPanel and click “Install WordPress”. Follow the wizard (site title, admin user, password).
5. Choose a lightweight, responsive theme (e.g., Astra or GeneratePress) and import a starter template.
6. Install essential plugins: SEO (Yoast), caching (LiteSpeed Cache), contact form (WPForms), and security (Wordfence).
7. Set up your business email in the Email section and configure it in Outlook or Gmail for sending/receiving.
8. Publish your first pages (Home, About, Services, Contact) and test on mobile.
9. Enable the free SSL from the SSL tab; force HTTPS via the plugin or .htaccess.
10. Submit your site map to Google Search Console and start sharing your new URL.

That’s it – you now have a professional domain, a working business email, and a live WordPress site hosted on fast, affordable servers.

FAQ

Do I need a separate hosting account for Wix?

No. Wix includes hosting in its subscription, so you only need to point your domain to Wix’s servers. You still need a domain registrar, which you can get from Hostinger and then update the DNS.

Can I switch from Wix to WordPress later?

Yes, but it requires exporting your content, setting up a new WordPress site, and re‑creating any design elements. Starting with WordPress from day one avoids the migration hassle.

Is the business email included for free?

Hostinger bundles at least one basic email account with most shared plans. Premium mailboxes (more storage, extra addresses) are optional add‑ons.