Why Israel is set to become a pioneering force in the next gen of the internet

Talk of the metaverse is rife all around the world today, and we can already see plenty of evidence that suggests Israel will play a central role in the development of tomorrow’s internet. 

Although thoughts surrounding Israel’s role in powering the internet may immediately conjure thoughts of multi-billion dollar software firm Wix, formidable rivals are already emerging to create a vibrant outlook for the future of life online. 

Set to play a key role in the internet tomorrow is Duda, a web development startup that’s already raised $100 million, and Elementor, which is a software startup that’s built on a massive open-source community with sights already firmly set on optimizing revenue. 

When it comes to web development today, the market is categorized fairly evenly between WordPress websites, and the rest of the ecosystem – including more closed platforms. W3Tech data suggests that WordPress is currently used by 43% of the 10 million most popular websites on the internet. On the closed platform side of the industry we can see more evidence of decentralization, with Shopify powering 4.4% of the most popular sites whilst Wix accounts for 2.2% ahead of Squarespace, which is responsible for 1.9% of heavily visited websites. 

Wix has been acutely aware of the popularity of WordPress in the field of open-source web development, and recently ran a series of ads based around a web developer complaining to his therapist about the problems he was having with the open-source WordPress before lamenting that “WordPress reminds me of my father, because they both give me zero support.” 

The ad campaign was run under the slogan “You Deserve Better,” but drew some criticism from fans of open source web development, who argued that Wix’s rigid format stopped creators from being able to explore its content. 

Although Wix is by far the most popular Israeli firm in the world of web development, the country also boasts some major startups that reach across the open-source and closed platform divide, with both setting sights firmly on pioneering Web 3.0. 

Much like Wix, startup Duda utilizes standalone content management, design, and storage. However, Elementor is building a free WordPress plugin which adds professional website design options. 

The growth of this rich array of Israeli talent can help to pave the way for revolutionary developments in the future of the internet. As the metaverse beckons, we’re likely to see Wix, Duda, and Elementor all reaching businesses and consumers alike – whether they’re building pages themselves, relying on templates, or enlisting the help of ever-popular python development services. 

Wix steps up its Web 3.0 offensive

As Web 3.0 and the metaverse becomes increasingly hot property, Wix has stepped up its bid for a broader market presence through the launch of a no-code native mobile app builder that can enable users to create their own apps. 

Known as Branded App by Wix, and available for $200 per month, the feature is set to aid business owners in creating a more comprehensive brand experience for customers via a completely customizable website, domain name, and a native app. 

Wix has claimed that its data “demonstrates that native mobile apps are increasingly a key business driver for brands to acquire and connect with customers, build brand loyalty, and ultimately serve as an additional revenue stream.” The app builder represents a key step towards harnessing the rich interconnectivity of the internet of tomorrow. 

The app-builder looks set to be a natural extension of Wix’s popular drag-and-drop website builder which doesn’t require users to undergo any coding skills to take on – again, helping to bolster the accessibility of the internet. 

Wix has also recently announced an integration with Amazon that enables eCommerce merchants using its platform to leverage Multi-Channel Fulfillment (MCF), which is a service from Fulfillment by Amazon that optimizes pooled inventory to fulfill orders across other channels such as websites. 

“Wix has built an open platform and has a significant infrastructure that allows any type of fulfillment to be integrated into the product,” said Arik Perez, head of eCommerce at Wix. “We help merchants integrate with the best fulfillment service for them and their users, whether it’s a third-party app built with code or partnerships like this with Amazon.”

Readying for the metaverse

The metaverse is set to be the next major frontier for the internet, and Israeli firms are already working to deliver innovative solutions in the emerging space. 

As the data from CTech shows, Israel has a constellation of businesses that are set to influence areas like blockchain, cryptocurrency, reality technology, gaming, asset markets, and workflow. 

We’ve already seen Israeli endeavors building into the metaverse, with Chabad creating the world’s first Jewish Center in the metaverse. 

Based in the sprawling Decentraland virtual world, the MANA Jewish Center represents an early foray into what’s set to be a vibrant online ecosystem. 

With a wide range of companies already actively working to create a better interconnected world for tomorrow, it’s clear that Israel’s finest tech firms will play a major role in making the internet of tomorrow a reality.