Wix is one of the most popular ways to build a small business website, and for some businesses it is the right call. We build websites for a living, so we have an obvious interest here. This article tries to be fair anyway. We will show the numbers, say where Wix wins, and let you decide.
The short version
Wix is a tool. You pay a monthly fee and you build the site yourself. We are a service. You pay $500 + GST once, and we build it for you. The question is mostly whether you want to spend your time or your money.
What does Wix cost an Australian business?
At the time of writing (October 2026), Wix’s plans page lists Light at 17.77 a month, Core at 29.77, Business at 39.77 and Business Elite at 159.77, all on yearly billing, with the yearly amount paid upfront. Wix says prices and currency vary by location, and the page we could load did not confirm Australian dollar figures. Check the amount in AUD at checkout before you commit. Wix also says its listed prices include GST, which matters if you can claim GST back.
Wix includes a free domain for the first year on its paid plans, as a voucher you must use within 60 days. It does not cover renewals, so you pay for the domain from year two. Apps cost extra. Online bookings, email marketing and some SEO tools are often paid add-ons, so the real bill is usually above the headline plan price.
Cost over one year and three years
Wix lists its plans in US dollars as a reference, and charges Australians in local currency plus GST at checkout. At the time of writing (October 2026), the Wix pricing page shows Light at US$17, Core at US$29 and Business at US$39 a month, billed yearly and paid upfront. Most small businesses that want to take bookings or payments land on Core or Business. Our numbers come straight from our pricing, in Australian dollars, excluding GST.
| Item | Wix Core | Straight Up Web |
|---|---|---|
| Build | Free, you build it | $500 |
| Monthly cost | US$29, paid a year upfront | $49 Care, first 3 months included |
| Year 1 total | US$348, plus any paid apps | $941 |
| Three year total | US$1,044, plus apps and domain renewals | $2,117 |
| Your time | Many hours | A short form and one round of changes |
On pure dollars, Wix is cheaper. We will not pretend otherwise. The gap is what you pay us to do the work, keep the site running and edit it for you. Our Care plan covers hosting, SSL, security and backups, plus 30 minutes of small edits a month. Domain renewals are separate, so ask us about that when you get started.
How much time will Wix take you?
Wix is easier than most builders, but it is not instant. You pick a template, write every page, size your photos, set up the contact form, and work out the SEO settings. Many owners underestimate this. A simple site can take a weekend. A good one often takes weeks of evenings, and then it needs updating.
With us, you fill in a short form and send a few photos. We build it in 7 days. You get one round of changes before launch.
Who does the work?
On Wix, you do, or you hire a Wix freelancer on top of the subscription. With us, we do. That includes the design, the contact form, Google Business Profile and Search Console set up, and the on-page SEO basics. See the full list on our websites page.
What about SEO?
Wix sites can rank on Google. Wix gives you SEO settings for titles, descriptions and a sitemap. The tool is not the limit. The limit is knowing what to write and setting it up properly. If you have the time and the interest, you can do this on Wix.
We set up the basics for you at launch: titles, descriptions, schema and a sitemap. If you want ongoing work, our Grow plan at $250 a month adds local SEO, two posts a month and free Google Ads management up to $1,500 a month in ad spend. Read more on our SEO page and in how long SEO takes. Either way, SEO takes months, not days.
Who owns the site, and can you take it with you?
This is the biggest difference. A Wix site lives inside Wix. If you stop paying or leave, you cannot simply export the site and host it somewhere else. You can keep your domain if you own it, but you would rebuild the pages elsewhere. That is true of most hosted builders, and it is worth knowing before you invest months of work.
With us, you own the site and the domain. There is no lock-in contract on our plans, which run month to month with 30 days’ notice. Whatever you choose, ask about domain ownership and lock-in before you pay.
When is Wix the better choice?
Wix is probably the better choice for you if:
- You enjoy building things and have the time, and you want to make changes yourself, often.
- You need a very small site fast, or just want to test an idea for a few months.
- You need features beyond our scope, such as a large online shop or a complex booking system.
- Your budget is tight this month and you can spare time instead of money.
- You want a drag-and-drop editor and a big app store.
Our scope is limited on purpose. We build up to 5 pages for $500, with no add-ons. We do not build shops with a checkout. If you need to sell products online, Wix, Shopify or Square Online are good options. For a custom build, we refer you to our sister studio ClickTheory.
When is Straight Up Web the better choice?
- You are busy running the business and do not want to learn a website tool.
- You want a fixed price you can plan around.
- You want to own the site and domain outright.
- You want someone to call when something breaks.
How to decide
Count your hours. If a Wix site costs you 30 hours and your time is worth $50 an hour, that is $1,500 of effort before you start paying the subscription. If you enjoy it, that is fine. If not, $500 + GST starts to look cheap. For the wider picture, see how much a website costs in Australia. Questions are welcome on our FAQ page, or you can start here when you are ready.