If you're running a trades business in 2026, your website isn't just a digital business card anymore. It's the first place potential customers check you out before they pick up the phone. And whether you choose Wix or WordPress to build that site can make or break how you show up online.
The debate between Wix and WordPress has been going on for years, but here's the thing: it still matters. A lot. Especially if you're a contractor, plumber, electrician, or any other trades professional who needs to generate leads, track jobs, and show up in Google's Map Pack.
Let's cut through the noise and talk about why WordPress is still the best choice for contractors in 2026.
Design: Templates vs. Themes (And Why Customization Matters for Trades)
Wix is easy. You drag, you drop, you're done. The platform gives you pre-designed templates that look decent right out of the box. For someone who just wants a simple website up fast, it's tempting.
But here's the problem: those templates are rigid. You're stuck within the guardrails Wix built for you. Want to add a custom job estimator tool? A project gallery that actually converts visitors into leads? A booking system that integrates with your CRM? Good luck. You'll hit the ceiling fast.
WordPress, on the other hand, gives you thousands of themes built specifically for trades businesses. These aren't just "pretty templates", they're frameworks you can customize down to the pixel. Need a homepage that highlights your emergency services? Done. Want a portfolio section that shows before-and-after photos of your renovation projects? Easy. Want to integrate your scheduling software so customers can book you directly? WordPress has plugins for that.
The difference is control. Wix gives you a rental property with rules. WordPress gives you land you own, where you can build whatever you need. And when your business grows (and it will), you'll be glad you started with a platform that can grow with you.
Features: Plugins vs. Apps (CRM and Lead Tracking for Contractors)
This is where the rubber meets the road for trades businesses. Your website needs to do more than just look good, it needs to capture leads, track jobs, and connect with the tools you're already using.
Wix has an app marketplace, but it's limited. The apps are often basic, and if you need something niche (like integration with a specific contractor management software), you're probably out of luck. Plus, many Wix apps come with monthly fees stacked on top of your Wix subscription. Those costs add up fast.
WordPress has over 60,000 plugins. That's not a typo. Whether you need:
- Lead capture forms that send inquiries directly to your CRM
- Quote calculators for instant estimates
- Appointment booking systems that sync with your calendar
- Client portals where customers can track project progress
- Pipeline management tools to move leads through your sales process
WordPress can handle it. And because it's open-source, developers are constantly building new tools tailored to specific industries, including trades and contracting.
At Funky Moose Digital, we work with contractors who need their websites to do heavy lifting. That means integrating with systems like Jobber, ServiceTitan, or Housecall Pro. WordPress makes those connections possible. Wix? Not so much.
Performance: Speed, SEO, and Owning Your Digital Property
Let's talk about something that directly affects your bottom line: how fast your website loads.
In 2026, Google's Core Web Vitals are a huge ranking factor. That means if your site is slow, you're not showing up in local search results. And if you're not showing up, you're losing jobs to competitors who are.
Wix sites are hosted on Wix's servers. You don't get to choose your hosting, and you don't get to optimize performance the way you might need to. Sure, Wix handles some basics automatically, but if your site starts getting traffic or you add features, things can slow down. And when they do, you're stuck.
WordPress gives you full control. You can choose fast, reliable hosting providers optimized for speed. You can use caching plugins, image compression tools, and CDNs (content delivery networks) to make sure your site loads in under two seconds. That matters when someone in your service area searches "emergency plumber near me" at 10 PM on a Sunday. Fast sites win.
But here's the bigger issue: ownership.
When you build on Wix, you're renting space. Wix owns your site. If they change their pricing, their terms of service, or, worst case, if they go out of business, you're screwed. You can't just pick up your site and move it somewhere else. You're locked in.
WordPress is different. You own everything. Your content, your design, your data, it's all yours. If you want to switch hosting providers, you can. If you want to redesign your site completely, you can. You're not trapped in someone else's ecosystem. You're in control.
For a trades business that plans to be around for the long haul, that ownership matters. You're building an asset, not renting a storefront.
Why WordPress Wins for Local Search and the Map Pack
If you're a contractor, you live and die by local search. When someone in your city searches "kitchen remodeler Regina" or "electrician Prince Albert," you need to show up in the Map Pack, those three businesses Google highlights at the top of the results.
Your website plays a huge role in that. Google looks at site speed, mobile-friendliness, content quality, and local SEO signals. WordPress makes it easier to optimize for all of those things.
With plugins like Yoast SEO or Rank Math, you can fine-tune every page on your site for local keywords. You can add schema markup (the code that tells Google exactly what your business does and where you operate). You can optimize images, improve load times, and build location-specific landing pages for every neighborhood you serve.
Wix has SEO features, but they're basic. You can't get as granular, and you're stuck with Wix's built-in limitations. For a business competing in a crowded local market, those limitations cost you leads.
The Real Cost: Flexibility vs. Simplicity
Yes, WordPress has a learning curve. It's not as plug-and-play as Wix. You'll need some technical know-how, or you'll need to work with a digital marketing agency that specializes in building websites for trades businesses.
But here's the trade-off: with that learning curve comes power. You're not locked into a template. You're not stuck paying for a dozen little apps that don't quite do what you need. You're building a site that works exactly the way your business works.
Wix is easier upfront, but it's more expensive and more limiting in the long run. You'll hit walls. You'll get frustrated. And eventually, you'll probably need to rebuild on a more flexible platform anyway.
WordPress costs more time (or money, if you hire someone) at the start. But it saves you headaches, gives you more control, and grows with you as your business scales.
Why Funky Moose Digital Builds on WordPress for Contractors
At Funky Moose Digital, we work exclusively with trades businesses. We build websites, run Google Ads campaigns, and manage CRM systems for contractors who need more than just a "brochure site." We need platforms that can handle lead tracking, appointment booking, and integration with the tools our clients already use.
That's why we build on WordPress.
It's not because it's trendy or because we're tech geeks. It's because WordPress gives our clients the best chance to compete online. It's fast, it's flexible, and it's built to last. When you invest in a WordPress site, you're investing in an asset you own: not renting space on someone else's platform.
If you're serious about website design for contractors and want a site that actually helps you book more jobs, WordPress is the way to go.
The Bottom Line
Wix is fine if you need something simple and fast. But if you're building a serious contracting business that needs to compete in local search, capture leads, and integrate with your existing systems, WordPress is the better choice. It's more flexible, more powerful, and it's yours.
In 2026, your website isn't just a nice-to-have. It's the foundation of your digital marketing strategy. Choose a platform that can grow with you( not one that holds you back.)
