Before diving into the world of apps, it's important to gain a basic understanding of the way the Wix ecosystem works. Once you understand what each part of the ecosystem does, start exploring the different ways to extend Wix with your own functionality.
The Wix ecosystem includes a range of tools and services that enable Wix users to build a web presence and manage their businesses online.
The following diagram shows the main parts of the Wix ecosystem:
Wix offers multiple approaches for creating websites, each designed for different needs and technical preferences.
Wix offers the following drag-and-drop editors:
These editors offer a visual, drag-and-drop interface with AI-powered features that let Wix users:
Sites built with these editors have a Wix-powered frontend.
Here's what the Wix Editor looks like:
Wix Vibe is Wix's conversational website creation tool that builds sites through natural language prompts. Unlike the drag-and-drop editors above, Vibe uses a chat-based interface where Wix users describe what they want, and the AI generates site content and structure. While Vibe includes visual editing components, these aren't as fully-featured as the dedicated drag-and-drop editors.
Sites built with Vibe have a React based frontend and use the Astro framework.
Here's what the Wix Vibe editor looks like:
For developers who want complete control over their frontend experience, Wix Headless enables you to build custom websites, mobile apps, or any digital experience using your preferred technologies and frameworks, while still leveraging Wix's powerful backend infrastructure and business solutions.
Once you create a site, Wix provides tools for ongoing management and operation.
The dashboard is a site's control center. It enables Wix users to set up, manage, and operate their sites. Whether a site was built using the drag-and-drop editors, created with Vibe, or developed as a headless project, all sites use the same unified dashboard.
In the dashboard, Wix users can:
Here's what the dashboard looks like:
Wix's platform offers an extensive array of services and tools for developers to integrate with and extend the Wix ecosystem.
At the heart of Wix's backend are its native business solutions, which cater to diverse industries with advanced solutions for bookings, online stores, events, payments, eCommerce, loyalty programs, and more. These business solutions are designed to integrate seamlessly with Wix websites, as well as with external clients that take advantage of Wix's headless infrastructure.
Wix APIs give you access to Wix's services and resources, providing a gateway that enables developers to easily integrate with different areas of the Wix ecosystem. APIs include:
Wix offers multiple API technologies for integrating with backend services and resources, including REST, JavaScript SDK, GraphQL, and Velo.
Wix's Content Management System (CMS) is responsible for managing the content that Wix users add to their sites, including text, media, videos, store products, and booking services. The CMS seamlessly integrates with Wix's site-building tools, providing a user-friendly interface for creating and editing content, as well as mechanisms for easily connecting CMS data to site elements.