The verdict in three sentences
Wix is simple but slow, closed and rental-based: you pay a lifetime subscription for a site you don't own and can't fully export. Migrating to Next.js cuts load time by three (LCP from 4s to under 1.5s) and pushes the Lighthouse score from 50-65 to over 90. The key to not losing your SEO: an exhaustive URL map and clean 301 redirects.
Why leave Wix in 2026
The problem isn't the editor, it's the model: permanent subscription, unowned code, capped performance, and an export that recovers neither design nor features. In the West African market where many visitors are on 3G, Wix slowness directly costs conversions.
| Criterion | Wix | Next.js (owned site) |
|---|---|---|
| Model | lifetime subscription | site owned once paid |
| Mobile LCP | ~3 to 4 s | < 1.5 s |
| Lighthouse score | 50 to 65 | > 90 |
| Code ownership | no | yes |
| Full export | limited | total (you host it) |
| Customization | editor-limited | unlimited |
| 3G optimization | weak | strong (SSR, optimized images) |
3-year cost and migration checklist
| Item | Wix (3 years) | Next.js (Kolonell site) |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription / build | 430,000 to 1,770,000 FCFA | one-shot build from 250,000 FCFA |
| Hosting | included but capped | 25,000 to 75,000 FCFA/month managed |
| Ownership at the end | none | site 100% yours |
| Performance | capped | Lighthouse > 90 |
| Migration time | — | 5 to 12 days |
The essential SEO checklist: (1) export content and list all existing URLs; (2) rebuild the same structure or map each old URL to the new one; (3) set 301 redirects one by one; (4) recreate title/meta/Open Graph tags; (5) regenerate sitemap.xml and submit it to Google Search Console; (6) check Core Web Vitals after go-live; (7) monitor rankings for 4 to 6 weeks.
Mini case study
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Aïssatou, a training consultant in Dakar, pays Wix 29 EUR/month (≈ 19,000 FCFA), i.e. ~684,000 FCFA over 3 years, for a site that loads in 3.8s and caps at 58 on Lighthouse. Migration to Next.js: one-shot build 350,000 FCFA + 25,000 FCFA/month managed hosting. Over 3 years: 350,000 + 900,000 = 1,250,000 FCFA, but an owned site, 1.2s LCP, Lighthouse 94, and — with clean 301 redirects — 0 lost rankings. Organic traffic grows ~15% thanks to speed.
FAQ
Will I lose my Google rankings when migrating? Not if the 301 redirects are exhaustive and title/meta are preserved. Google transfers authority from the old URL to the new one within a few weeks.
How long does a Wix to Next.js migration take? Between 5 and 12 days depending on page count and complexity (blog, forms, e-commerce). The bulk of the work is URL mapping and redirects.
Can I recover all my Wix content? Text and images, yes; design and features, no — they are rebuilt better on Next.js. It's a chance for a faster, owned design.
Does the speed gain really matter? Yes: going from 4s to 1.5s LCP cuts bounce, especially on 3G, and improves mobile ranking. A 10 to 20% conversion gain is common.
What happens to my domain name? You keep it and point it to the new hosting. No interruption if the DNS switch is prepared with redirects in place.
Let's talk about your project. We migrate your Wix site to Next.js with URL mapping, 301 redirects and zero SEO loss. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
