Search results

Ready to showcase your best work? Start building your portfolio →  As an SEO editor who reviews hundreds of portfolios every year, I can tell you this upfront: portfolio SEO is what determines whether your work actually gets discovered.  If you want clients, recruiters, collaborators or producers to find you, you need more than a great portfolio website , you need a site that’s structured, written and optimized to rank. I’m breaking down everything I personally recommend when optimizing a portfolio for search, including the exact steps I use when editing and evaluating creative websites at scale. Ready to build smarter, search-friendly portfolio websites ? Start with our guide on how to make a portfolio  that’s both beautifully designed and optimized to rank. With Wix’s portfolio builder, you can create a professional, eye-catching portfolio in just a few clicks. Customizable website templates and intuitive tools make it easy to showcase your work with confidence, leaving a lasting impression on every visitor. TL;DR: portfolio SEO Here’s your quick overview of the core SEO features and actions that make the biggest impact. Portfolio SEO action What it does Optimize project pages Helps each piece of work rank for niche, targeted keywords Write descriptive alt text Makes your visuals discoverable in Google Images Use clear metadata (titles + descriptions) Improves click-through and keyword relevance Add keyword-rich copy across your site Gives search engines text to understand your expertise Improve your site structure Ensures Google can find, crawl and index all your pages Build topical authority Positions you as an expert in your field Implement technical SEO basics Boosts performance, Core Web Vitals and indexability Now let’s go deeper into what it takes to get your professional portfolio ranking. Portfolio SEO: what it is and why it matters When I talk about portfolio website SEO , I’m referring to the strategy of optimizing your portfolio so Google can understand your expertise, index your content properly and match it with people searching for your skills. Strong portfolio SEO does three things Gets your work in front of the right people.  You rank for the specific services you offer. Builds your authority.  Search engines recognize you as a subject-matter expert. Creates passive discovery.  Your portfolio works for you even when you’re not promoting it. If your portfolio isn’t optimized, it’s basically invisible to the people searching for exactly what you do. Here’s why this matters:  a recent study found that 96.98% of desktop clicks, and 97.56% of mobile clicks, go to results on page one (the top 10 results) , meaning ranking outside of that range drastically reduces your visibility. Explore the best portfolio website builders and choose a platform with the built-in SEO features you need to get your work seen. Portfolio SEO in 10 steps Below is the exact optimization workflow I use when helping creators and professionals improve their portfolio SEO. Follow these steps in order and you’ll cover every signal that matters. Define your portfolio SEO keywords Optimize your homepage Optimize each project page with SEO-focused structure Optimize all your images Improve technical performance Strengthen your portfolio's topical authority Improve internal linking Add schema markup Optimize for local SEO Improve portfolio metadata 01. Define your portfolio SEO keywords Your portfolio can only rank for what you intentionally target. That’s why keyword mapping is always my first step. This is where you set the foundation for everything that follows: your homepage copy, metadata, project pages and even your image SEO. I normally build a simple keyword map that includes: One primary keyword  (“fashion photographer,” “freelance UX designer,” “AI illustrator”). Five to ten secondary service keywords  that reflect what you want to be hired for. Project-level keywords  for each case study (for example, “brand identity for wine label,” “NYC product photography”). Your keywords should match the real phrases clients search, not internal creative jargon. People rarely Google “visual storyteller with multidisciplinary frameworks," they search for “brand designer,” “copywriter” or “wedding photographer.” Expert tip:  I always run a quick check in Ahrefs, Semrush or Google Search Console to validate the phrasing people actually use. Even a five-minute keyword scan can help you uncover search variations, questions and long-tail terms you might not have considered. 02. Optimize your homepage Your homepage is your most important SEO signal after your project pages. It needs to clearly communicate your identity, niche and services, both for users and for Google. If your homepage lacks text or clarity, your entire portfolio becomes harder to rank. A high-performing SEO homepage includes: A clear H1  using your primary keyword (“ photographer portfolio ,” “UI designer portfolio”). A one-paragraph intro  describing your niche, audience and specialty. A featured projects section  linking to your strongest case studies. A services or capabilities overview  written in keyword-rich language. A concise, SEO-friendly bio  explaining who you are, your expertise and your approach. Don’t try to be overly clever or mysterious with your headings. SEO rewards clarity. If a visitor can’t instantly understand what you do, Google won’t either. Expert tip:  Treat the first 100 words of your homepage like your elevator pitch. It’s one of the highest-value SEO areas on your entire site. “Keep your portfolio simple and intentional. Show only your best work and give each piece context so people understand your process. A curated portfolio always feels more confident than a crowded one.” - Chava Katz, PMM @ Wix Pages at Wix 03. Optimize each project page with SEO-focused structure Your case studies are prime SEO assets. Each one has the potential to rank for long-tail queries that match what people hire you for, and many creators underutilize them. A strong case study structure includes: H1:  A clear, keyword-rich title (“Brand identity project for artisan coffee shop,” “eCommerce product photography for skincare brand”). Overview:  One short paragraph covering the service, scope, client type and location if relevant. Challenge/approach:  A concise summary of your strategy or creative process (this is a great place to naturally add service keywords). Outcome:  Share results or impact, even qualitative outcomes matter. Images:  Include descriptive alt text and contextual captions if helpful. Think of each project page as an SEO landing page, not just a gallery. Text helps Google understand your work, but it also helps clients understand your value. Wix user tip:  Use Wix’s “ Project Pages ” layout blocks to create consistent formatting, Google loves consistency. 04. Optimize all your images Portfolio sites are image-heavy by nature, which means image SEO is a non-negotiable ranking factor. Google Images drives significant traffic for photographers, designers, illustrators and artists. I optimize every visual with: Descriptive file names:  “eCommerce-product-photography-vitamin-c-serum.jpg” instead of “IMG_0043.jpg.” Meaningful alt text:  Describe the subject, context and purpose (e.g., “Flat-lay product photography of organic skincare bottle with natural props”). Captions (optional):  Add context, especially when showcasing commercial work. Lightweight file sizes:  Compressed images improve Core Web Vitals and indexing. Expert tip:  Alt text is not a place for keyword stuffing, but it is a place for clarity. Write as if explaining the image to someone who can’t see it. 05. Improve technical performance for portfolio SEO Your visuals are your strength, but they can also slow you down. Portfolio sites often struggle with performance because of full-bleed images, large video embeds and unnecessary animations. Here’s how I make sure technical SEO supports your design: Compress images  before uploading. Use WebP formats  where supported. Avoid excessive motion  that triggers layout shifts. Limit third-party scripts  that slow down load times. For Wix users: Most optimization happens automatically behind the scenes, but uploading pre-compressed images always produces the best results. Learn more: Is Wix good for SEO? Wix SEO tips Wix SEO evolution Wix SEO Learning Hub 06. Strengthen your portfolio's topical authority Topical authority is what separates ranking portfolios from invisible ones. Google rewards creators who demonstrate depth, expertise and real experience. To build topical authority, I recommend: Publishing detailed case studies (your biggest authority boosters). Adding process explainers or behind-the-scenes breakdowns. Writing thought-leadership pieces related to your niche. Maintaining a small blog with educational or industry insights. Answering common client questions ( FAQs ) in long-form content. Think of it as proving you’re not just talented, you’re knowledgeable. Expert tip:  Even three to five well-written articles can move your authority score, and launching a blog with a blog maker is one of the fastest ways to begin. 07. Improve internal linking for portfolio SEO Internal linking helps Google understand which pages matter most, and it improves navigation for users as well. A portfolio without internal links is a portfolio without structure. Add links between: Homepage → key projects Project pages → relevant services Services → case studies About page → work and services This creates a network of relevance across your site, helping Google map your expertise. Pro tip:  Use anchor text that reflects the keyword of the page you’re linking to (“brand identity design case study,” “ wedding photography portfolio ”). 08. Add schema markup Schema markup helps search engines interpret your content more accurately. It’s not always visible to users, but it sends strong signals about who you are and what you offer. The best schema types for portfolios are: Person Organization CreativeWork ImageObject Breadcrumb Wix automatically generates most essential schema, but you can always extend it. Expert tip:  Validate your schema using Google’s Rich Results Test to catch formatting or missing-field errors. 09. Optimize for local SEO If your work is location-based, local SEO can drive extremely targeted traffic from people ready to hire. Add: A location-aligned H1 or subheading  on your homepage or service page. City or region in your metadata. A Google Business Profile  if you work with local clients. A contact page  with your full NAP details. Local SEO can move portfolios up the rankings faster than national SEO because competition is typically lower. Wix user tip:  Use Wix’s built-in location tools to add structured NAP data without code. 10. Improve portfolio metadata Metadata is still one of the strongest SEO signals. It’s the first thing users see in search results, and the first thing Google reads to understand your content. Strong metadata includes: Clear, keyword-driven titles: “ Model portfolio | NYC editorial & commercial work.” “Brand designer portfolio | visual identity & packaging design.” Human-friendly descriptions  that set expectations (“Explore my work in…,” “Case studies include…”). Avoid robotic or keyword-stuffed text, you want clarity and click-through appeal. Expert tip:  Write metadata like ad copy. You’re selling the click. Create your portfolio based on your industry: Video portfolio website Photography portfolio website Music portfolio website Model portfolio website Interior design portfolio website Illustration portfolio website Art portfolio website Architecture portfolio website Portfolio SEO: best practices for every type of creative portfolio Below are the recommendations I give depending on the creator’s field. 01. Portfolio SEO for designers Design portfolios benefit from elements that clearly explain your craft, not just showcase it. I recommend including: Detailed case studies  that walk through the problem, your approach and the outcome, Google can’t understand visuals without narrative context. Keyword-rich project titles  such as “UI design for fintech app” or “Brand identity for boutique winery,” which help search engines categorize your work. Process explanations  that describe how you think and build. Google needs context, not only visuals, so the more you articulate the story behind your design work, the better it will rank. Explore more portfolio resources for designers: Graphic design portfolio UX design portfolio Industrial design portfolio Game design portfolio Interior design portfolio Interior design portfolio website 02. Portfolio SEO for photographers For photography websites , image search is one of the biggest traffic drivers. I always optimize: Alt text  that describes what’s in the photo in plain language, without stuffing. Captions  that add contextL location, mood, style or client type. EXIF data preservation  when it’s relevant (e.g., location or camera details for travel or landscape photography). Location modifiers  to help with local discovery. Adding natural phrases like “NYC wedding photographer portfolio ” on your page can make a real difference. If you’re building or refreshing your site, check out our guide on how to make a photography portfolio  that’s optimized for both search and visual impact. 03. Portfolio SEO for writers A writer’s portfolio should behave like a publication. To help Google understand and surface your work, include: Keyword-focused headlines  that reflect your niche or writing style. Clear categories  for essays, copywriting, journalism, scripts, etc. Author website schema  to reinforce your identity as the creator. Links to your published work  to build authority signals. Google loves written content, use that advantage fully. Learn more: Best website builders for writers How to make an author website 04. Portfolio SEO for artists and illustrators Your medium and style are SEO gold. Make them obvious through: Specific keyword phrases  like “digital watercolor illustration portfolio” or “3D character art portfolio ,” which pinpoint your niche. Clear labeling of your style and technique  across project pages. Never assume someone knows what type of artist you are. Spell it out in your copy so both users and search engines understand instantly. Explore more guides for artist portfolios How to make an art portfolio Digital art portfolio Online art portfolio Tattoo portfolio 05. Portfolio SEO for developers A strong developer portfolio should prove what you can build. Prioritize: Clear use cases  showing what the project solves or demonstrates. Tech-stack keywords  (React, Node.js, Python, etc.) placed naturally in your project descriptions. GitHub integration  so Google can connect your portfolio with your code. Schema for code samples or projects  to help machines understand complex technical content. Developers often skip metadata, don’t. It’s one of the biggest missed SEO opportunities in this field. For inspiration, explore our curated list of web developer portfolio examples  to see how others showcase their skills and structure their sites for visibility. Common portfolio SEO mistakes creators should avoid These are the issues I see most often, small oversights that can quietly hold your portfolio back: Using vague headings like “My Work.”  Clear, keyword-rich section titles give Google something meaningful to index. Relying on a single page instead of dedicated project pages.  One URL can’t carry all your SEO weight. Skipping text descriptions.  Google can’t “see” visuals without written context. Missing metadata.  Titles, descriptions and alt text matter more than most creators think. Uploading oversized images.  Heavy files slow down load times and hurt rankings. No internal linking.  Connect your pages so Google (and users) can navigate your work. No keyword strategy.  If you don’t state your niche, Google can’t classify you. Over-designing at the expense of crawlability.  Beautiful layouts still need structure. Your portfolio can be both gorgeous and SEO-friendly. It’s never an either/or.  Explore how a modern website builder or AI website builder can help you build a portfolio that’s both beautiful and search-optimized. Portfolio SEO: tools I use and recommend These tools give you a full picture of how your site performs, how Google sees it and where you can improve: Google Search Console  for indexing, queries and technical issues. Google Analytics  to understand user behavior, SEO trends and traffic patterns. Ahrefs or Semrush  for keyword research and backlink insights. Website launch checklist  for quick, high-impact fixes. PageSpeed Insights  to catch performance issues that may slow rankings. Screaming Frog  for a full crawl of your site’s structure and metadata. Schema.org validator  to confirm your structured data is clean and accurate. You don’t need every tool on this list, but the more visibility you have, the better your SEO decisions will be. Final thoughts If you want your portfolio to bring in more clients, leads and opportunities, SEO isn’t optional, it’s foundational. Your portfolio becomes infinitely more discoverable when you support your visuals with structure, context, speed and keyword clarity. Do the steps above once, maintain them quarterly and your portfolio will not only look good, it will rank, especially if you built it with best practices for how to make a website  in mind. Portfolio SEO FAQ What is portfolio SEO? Portfolio SEO is the process of optimizing your creative or professional portfolio so search engines can understand your services, index your work and rank your pages for relevant keywords. Strong portfolio SEO ensures your projects, services and expertise get discovered by the right clients. How long does portfolio SEO take to show results? Most creators start seeing early portfolio SEO improvements within 4–8 weeks, depending on your niche, content quality and how often Google crawls your site. Bigger jumps in rankings typically appear after consistently optimizing project pages, metadata and internal links. What keywords should I use for portfolio SEO? Choose one primary keyword that reflects your main expertise (e.g., “brand designer portfolio” or “wedding photographer portfolio”), then add secondary service keywords plus specific project-level keywords. Tools like Ahrefs or Google Search Console make this easier by showing real search patterns. Why aren't my portfolio images raking on Google? If your images aren’t appearing in search, you likely need better portfolio SEO signals: descriptive alt text, optimized file names, compressed images and surrounding copy that clarifies context. Image-heavy sites require intentional optimization to perform well. Do I need a blog to improve my portfolio SEO? You don’t need a blog, but adding even a few thought-leadership posts or process explainers can dramatically boost topical authority, one of the strongest ranking factors for portfolio SEO. It helps Google understand not just what you create, but how and why you’re an expert. How do I measure whether my portfolio SEO is working? The easiest way to track portfolio SEO performance is by monitoring metrics in Google Search Console: impressions, clicks, average position and which keywords your pages are starting to rank for. I also check traffic to individual project pages, improvements in image search visibility and whether new keywords are appearing in the “queries” report. If your content is indexed, your rankings are rising and your project pages are getting more organic views, your portfolio SEO is working.

Let's face it, writing can be difficult—which is why writing assistants that use artificial intelligence (AI) are in high demand these days. Today, AI writing tools aren't just good for writing cheeky ad copy. They’re powerful enough to write website content from the ground up, and to make your work as a writer easier and sharper than before. You’ve got your choice of tools for starting a blog , note-taking, improving grammar, writing SEO tags, translating text, editing copy and much more. Below you’ll find a list of the best AI writing tools in our opinion that help with one or more specific aspects of writing. They can help you generate ideas more quickly, conquer writer’s block and make the entire process of writing more efficient. So, let's dive in, starting with our own proprietary tool, Wix's AI-powered text generator. See the full power of Wix’s AI-powered website builder up close. 15 AI writing tools to check out Wix Grammarly Rytr Jasper Frase Simplified Otter.ai ProWritingAid Quillbot Hemingway Editor Textio Semrush Wordtune Gemini for Google Workspace Anyword 01. Wix Best for: Website copy creation and blogging Great for product descriptions for an eCommerce website or just general site copy creation, Wix's AI text creator can be accessed in several ways. You can access it from the Wix Editor within certain modules (e.g., product descriptions, or wherever you add a text element to a page), or use Wix's website templates to generate an entire site. In the latter case, the copy will be automatically written across your website. By inputting just a few details about your business, you can generate text for all of your site pages: your homepage, About page, Services page—you name it. Create hundreds of unique product descriptions in a matter of minutes. Or, get the creative juices flowing with fresh, punchy text ideas. If you've got a blog, emails, social captions or Google ads in need of some TLC, the AI text creator can be of help. It'll provide suggestions based on your goals, tone of voice and target audience. Wix's AI title generator and full suite of AI blogging tools can further help you generate content from scratch. Outline, create or edit text on the fly—including content that's optimized for a target keyword. Explore all of Wix's AI tools and take the first step towards building your website. Key Wix features : Built-in integration with Wix’s overall website editor, which allows for a unified content marketing strategy Unique copy for a variety of web pages, including your About page, Welcome page, product descriptions and more Full suite of AI blogging tools, allowing you to outline, write and edit entire posts Adapts copy to the space available for the content Flexible and versatile: results are specific to your industry and intent Pricing: Wix’s AI text generation and blogging tools are available with any free or Premium Wix plan—no character or AI prompt limits. 02. Grammarly Best for: Grammar checks and enhancing writing style Grammarly has long been known as a digital writing tool designed to enhance your writing by checking for grammar, wordiness and tone. Its focus is on keeping your writing clear, error-free and impactful. Most recently, the platform added GrammarlyGO, a generative AI feature that uses ChatGPT’s large language model (LLM) that can compose new text, rewrite, personalize and more across your favorite apps (think: Gmail, Google Docs and Microsoft Word). Grammarly’s AI writer can additionally assist with paraphrasing content, or writing new copy for your resume, business report and more. Key features: AI-based writing assistance that provides real-time feedback and corrections to improve the overall flow and style of writing Integration with various platforms, including email systems, browsers and word processing apps Other core Grammarly features include tone detection and plagiarism checker, which checks your work against billions of web pages to make sure your content is original Pricing*: Grammarly offers essential writing suggestions, AI text generation and tone detection for free. Paid plans are available for $30/month (or $12/month when billed annually) and come with additional features, plus 2,000 AI prompts (versus just 100 with the free version). Pricing for an Enterprise plan, which includes unlimited AI prompts and dedicated support, is available upon request. 03. Rytr Best for: Content creation and writing assistance Rytr is an AI writer and content improver. It generates long-form content like blog posts, checks plagiarism, creates outlines and briefs, and supports more than 40 languages. You can specify writing tone (e.g., assertive, casual, etc.) and choose from a selection of use cases. Use cases may include anything from a blog outline and job description, to song lyrics and YouTube video descriptions. You can further enhance or change existing text using a built-in command bar. Key features: AI-powered writing assistant that makes it easy to revise and enhance existing text Built-in grammar, tone and plagiarism checker Supports more than 40 languages and 20 tones Can use as a standalone platform or as a plugin with popular writing apps and search apps like Semrush Pricing: Rytr offers a free plan that includes 10,000 characters per month and access to core features, like use cases, tones and their built-in plagiarism checker. They have two tiers of paid plans for $9 or $29/month, with the latter offering the most customization options and dedicated support. Annual plans are available and allow you to get two months free. 04. Jasper Best for: Content creation, particularly longform content Jasper is an AI writing tool built on the same LLM as ChatGPT. It has an accessible interface and integrated prompt “templates” that make it ideal for content writers, marketers and agencies. It most recently launched Brand IQ that acts as a "brand guardian"; establish a brand voice, visual guidelines and a style guide with the help of AI. Like many AI writing tools, it has a built-in plagiarism checker though it costs extra to run plagiarism scans. It has many extras like a chat feature (similar to ChatGPT), a built-in AI art generator and a handy way to organize projects. Key features: Dozens of content templates that cover just about every writing use case you can think of including blog posts, content summarizing, marketing strategies , company bio, etc. Brand voice alignment that allows users to create various writing styles based on sample snippets of text Real-time collaboration that lets users easily share and collaborate on projects Pricing: Jasper starts at $49/month for a monthly “Creator” plan. That gets you unlimited text generation and access to most of the bells and whistles of what is a very feature-rich platform. It only includes one seat, but the “Pro” plan starts at $69/month for one seat (but up to five additional seats) and access to some more robust features. They also offer a Business plan with custom pricing. The Creator and Pro plans both have seven-day free trial options, plus offer 20% in savings if you opt for yearly billing. 05. Frase Best for: SEO-driven content and project collaboration Frase is an SEO research tool and content writer in one. It has features that help you optimize existing content by importing documents or generating text directly on the platform. With its user-friendly interface, it's a popular choice among content creators, SEO specialists and digital marketers. It offers assistance with content briefs, question research and content scoring. The Frase AI writer is available with the Pro add-on, in addition to other advanced SEO features. Key features: Real-time SEO suggestions as you write (including elements like word count, link info and domain authority for top-ranking pages for a given keyword) People Also Ask tool that displays what your audience is asking online—great for coming up with topic ideas and helping you tailor content to specific queries Content curation that uses AI to gather and organize content from various sources AI-generated content briefs based on your target keywords Pricing: Solo plans start at $15/month ($12/month if paid annually) with a limit of 20,000 AI words per month, 10 search queries per month and one user seat. Basic plans are $45/month ($38/month if paid annually) for unlimited words, 30 search queries per month and one user seat. If you want unlimited words, unlimited searches and more seats, you’ll want the Team plan, which costs $115/month ($97/month if paid annually). The Pro Add-on unlocks Frase's AI Article Wizard and up to 30 articles per month for an additional $35/month. 06. Simplified Best for: Marketing-focused content creation, including images and video Another AI-powered content creator, Simplified’s key selling point is that it’s really good at generating content—including copy, graphics and video—for marketing campaigns. For content producers, Simplified has all the content-creation features needed to support a comprehensive content strategy , including built-in formats for generating social media content (headlines, scripts, Instagram and Facebook Stories, newsletter copy, etc.) You can even produce short films and create an AI voice that be cloned for multiple assets. Its AI Brand Book feature additionally helps you to lock in your brand's style and voice across all channels. And, by connecting all of your social channels to the platform, you can automate distribution. Key features: Large media library that includes millions of free images, audio clips, videos and design templates Brand voice monitoring and tools AI voice cloning Supports more than 30 languages and 10 tones Content calendar to help you plan, schedule and publish social media posts in bulk Real-time collaboration tools so teams can easily work together on projects Brand kits that store your brand elements like colors, fonts and media files Pricing: While Simplified is an all-in-one platform aimed at marketers, its various tools are priced separately. For example, the Design Editor costs $14.99/month for the pro version (or $9/month if paid yearly). The AI Writer is $18/month (or $10/month if paid yearly) for the pro plan. That said, Simplified offers a Free Forever plan across all of its core capabilities: graphic design, video editor, AI writer and social media. 07. Otter.ai Best for: Transcribing and summarizing meetings and audio Otter.ai is an AI-powered transcription tool that converts spoken content into written text. It can capture and transcribe live conversations, meetings, lectures and other audio sources with high accuracy. You can additionally upload audio and video files, and create searchable transcripts for them. Otter connects to popular online meeting tools like Google Meet and Zoom, plus provides live summaries of meetings in real-time. It makes meeting notes searchable and collaborative since they can be shared with team members, clients, consultants, etc. More recently it released features for AI Chat and AI Channels. The former allows you to get meeting summaries and status updates, plus keep up with your emails more easily. The latter allows you to create an online channel, where you can chat with the Otter AI bot and with team members at the same time. Key features: Real-time transcription that lets you easily transcribe live conversations as they happen Powerful AI-driven speaker identification distinguishes between different speakers in a conversation and is great at understanding different languages and accents Creates searchable meeting transcripts Summarizes meetings and emails Integrates with popular platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams and other conferencing tools Team features including editing, sharing and chat Pricing: Otter offers a free Basic plan that includes AI meeting transcriptions, Otter AI Chat and other features. You’re allowed 300 monthly transcriptions (30 minutes per conversation). Its paid plans range from $16.99/month ($8.33/month if paid annually) to $30/month ($20/month if paid annually), though Enterprise packages are also available. All paid plans come with team features, "import and transcribe" and more—the number of seats and transcription minutes vary by package. 08. ProWritingAid Best for: Improving your writing with grammar, style and general content writing tips ProWritingAid is a versatile AI-powered writing assistant that provides suggestions and improvements for your written content. It seamlessly integrates with various apps, both desktop and online, making it easy to incorporate into your flow of work. ProWritingAid identifies weak words and highlights sensory details, offering “show, don’t tell” suggestions to improve the pace and engagement of your writing. The platform is endorsed by many users who have seen significant improvements in their writing skills and clarity after using the tool. Key features: Cross-platform integration means it works across various apps like Microsoft Word, Google Docs and Scrivener Comprehensive writing feedback offers more than just grammar checks, helping to enhance the overall quality of writing Built-in editing assistant acts as a personal editor, helping you refine your own content for a better reader experience Pricing: ProWritingAid offers a free plan with a 500-word limit, which gives you just enough space to test its features. Its paid plans span across monthly, yearly and lifetime plans. A Premium plan costs $30/month (or $10/month if paid annually, or a one-time payment of $399 if you choose the lifetime deal) and gives you unlimited word count and access to all its core features. The Premium Pro plan grants greater access to the platform's AI features and costs $36/month (or $12/month if paid annually, or a one-time payment of $699 if you choose the lifetime deal). 09. Quillbot Best for: Paraphrasing content while maintaining or improving fluency and readability QuillBot is a paraphrasing tool that uses AI to help you rewrite or rephrase text. Quillbot’s focus is on making written content more fluent and “readable” and as such, is more of an add-on tool versus a full-fledged generative AI tool. It connects with common writing tools like Word, Google Docs and more—plus has a Chrome extension. Its core capabilities include a citation generator, AI detector, translator, plagiarism checker, summarizer and more. Key features: Paraphrases content based on preset styles (e.g., formal, academic, etc.); you can also add your own custom style Revises content by expanding, shortening, simplifying, etc. Provides before/after readability scores on rephrased text Lots of built-in writing aids, including a thesaurus, grammar checker, plagiarism checker, content summarizer and citation generator Pricing: The basic version of QuillBot is free, but you only get 125 words for the Paraphraser or 1,200 words for the Summarizer (among other things). Premium plans are available for $19.95/month ($13.31/month if paid quarterly, or $8.33 if paid annually). Premium users can paraphrase an unlimited number of words and can summarize up to 6,000 words at a time. 10. Hemingway Editor Best for: Improving your writing with a focus on making it more concise and readable Hemingway’s AI-powered writing assistant helps you craft bolder and clearer content. The editor scans text to identify potential areas of improvement. It then highlights text in different colors based on what needs fixing. There are five areas of improvement including: weak writing, confusing sentence structure, complex words, weak adverbs and passive voice. Hemingway additionally gives you a readability score that displays a basic content rating (good, OK, etc.), along with the estimated grade level for a piece of writing. Key features: The unique highlighting system makes it easy to focus on where to improve your writing; each color works towards achieving the main goal of making your writing stronger and more legible Readability score estimates reading level and the ideal reading level to shoot for (e.g., “Keep writing below the 10th-grade level for general audiences”) Summary panel offers a word count, estimated reading time and a breakdown of the number of highlights in each category Desktop app (paid version) allows offline use, saving work within the app, exporting in various formats ( PDF , HTML, Word, Markdown) and direct publishing to platforms like Medium and WordPress Pricing: The Hemingway Editor offers three types of paid plans, two of which are geared towards individual users. The first of these is offered for $10/month (or $8.33/month if billed annually) and comes with 5,000 AI sentences per month. The second tier is available for $15/month (or $12.50/month if billed annually) and includes 10,000 AI sentences per month. The final tier, which is intended for teams, also costs $15/month (or $12.50/month if billed annually)—but this price is per user. In other words, you can manage multiple licenses on a single bill while retaining full access to The Hemingway Editor. 11. Textio Best for: Writing and revising job recruitment-related language and enhancing inclusivity in hiring Textio is a self-described “intelligent recruiting solution” that offers writing assistance specifically tailored for HR and recruitment teams. This is a specialty writing assistant that caters to medium and large businesses in various sectors like IT, healthcare, finance and education. It equips managers with tools to improve performance feedback, helping to deliver feedback in a clear, unbiased way. Meanwhile, recruiters can use Textio to create job posts that appeal to top talent and support DEI efforts. Textio stands out as a tool that not only improves candidate response rates but also boosts team productivity and promotes language inclusivity. Key features: Intuitive suggestions focused on helping users improve their writing Job description assistance, complete with automated suggestions that can support writing multiple job descriptions at once Real-time editing and AI-driven suggestions Searchable database of job candidates Language bias detection that identifies biased language so that it's easy to remove Integration with major Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), like Greenhouse, Lever and Jobvite Pricing: Pricing is available upon request. 12. Semrush Best for: Keyword research and SEO analysis While not a standalone AI content tool, Semrush complements your content and marketing strategy by providing AI-assisted keyword intelligence and analysis. The platform provides content marketing tips and insights that inform all aspects of keyword and content planning. The focus is on finding keyword and content ideas to improve web marketing tactics like SEO, PPC, content and social media marketing. Semrush offers a built-in SEO Writing Assistant that helps you rephrase, compose or evaluate content. It also offers a free AI Writing Assistant app that provides a dedicated workspace for creating articles, images, job descriptions and more. Key features: Content analyzer evaluates the quality of your content, suggests improvements and identifies content gaps compared to competitors. SEO writing assistant evaluates content for readability, originality, tone of voice and SEO AI Writing Assistant app generates content for a plethora of use cases, including blogs, press releases, emails and more Pricing: While its AI features and add-ons are available for free with any Semrush plan, Semrush is a professional tool aimed at mid-to-large businesses—with a price tag that matches. The Pro plan costs $139.95/month ($117.33/month if paid annually) for five projects and up to 500 trackable keywords. The enterprise plans (Guru and Business) cost $249.95/month ($208.33/month if paid annually) and $499.95/month ($416.66/month if paid annually), respectively, and offer lots of perks for pro users. 13. Wordtune Best for: Fact-checking and helping non-native English speakers with their writing Wordtune is an AI-based writing tool that helps you write better and faster. It can help you present ideas more clearly, concisely and creatively. It can also help you strengthen content with more valuable information and details that you may have missed initially. The platform claims to check at least five sources before deeming a fact credible to use. Wordtune specializes in five main capabilities: rewriting, writing assistance, new content generation, summarization and AI Q&A (Answers). Key features: AI-powered writing assistant the provides real-time suggestions as you write Tone-suggestion tool that changes sentence phrasing based on tone (e.g., professional, casual, excited) Wordtune “Spices” uses AI to “spice up” your text—this is a plug-and-play tool that enhances the text you give it by adding details, expanding on topics, providing definitions, adding a counter argument and more Integrates easily with popular writing apps and platforms like Word, Google Docs, LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter); there’s also a Chrome extension Provides foreign language translation (from foreign language to English) for non-native English speakers Pricing: Wordtune is free for up to 10 rewrites or AI suggestions a day and a handful of other features, including AI summaries and text corrections. The Advanced version is available for $13.99/month (or $6.99/month if paid annually) and gets you 30 rewrites or AI suggestions a day, plus unlimited text corrections and text recommendations. There’s an Unlimited version for $19.99/month (or $9.99/month if paid annually) that comes with unlimited everything and premium support. And, finally, a Business version has even more features, but you’ll need to reach out to Wordtune for pricing on that. 14. Gemini for Google Workspace Best for: Generating content within Google Docs, Slides, Gmail and more An extension of its popular chatbot, Gemini for Google Workspace allows you to open Gemini from any existing spreadsheet, deck or document that you may have created with Google. For example, you can access Gemini directly from Google Docs, where you can ask the AI to write a new blog post from existing notes. Or, open it from Gmail, where you can ask it to summarize your emails and draft up a response. You can even ask it to create images—or an entire slide—in Slides, or ask it to translate a conversation that's happening in Meet. The greatest perk is that you don't have to leave or recreate the work you've already started in your Google Workspace. Gemini works within these programs to make your job easier. Key features: Native solution offered within Google Docs, Slides, Meet, Sheets, Gmail, Calendar, Drive and more to keep all of your work secure and in one place Easily collaborate with team members across multiple programs Generate copy on the fly in Google Docs and Gmail tools Transcribe, translate and summarize Google Meet calls Standalone web app that can serve as a research analyst, copywriter or other type of assistant Pricing: To use Gemini directly within your Google apps, you'll need to have an existing Workspace plan. Workspace plans start at $6 per user per month with a one-year commitment. The Gemini add-on is offered as two plans: Gemini Business ($20/month per user with a one-year commitment) that includes all its core features, and Gemini Enterprise ($30/month per user with a one-year commitment) that includes advanced meetings with support across 65+ languages and other perks. 15. Anyword Best for: Copywriting assistance for marketing teams Anyword is an AI-driven copywriting tool designed to help marketers, writers and businesses generate high-converting copy for various platforms. It uses advanced machine learning models to understand the context of a piece of writing and produce ads, emails, website content and other copy that resonate with your audiences. Anyword emphasizes its ability to predict performance of your content, thanks in part to its industry-specific AB-test data set and custom AI models, which can monitor for your brand voice. In addition to providing content suggestions and a standalone editor, Anyword integrates with ChatGPT, Gemini and other copilots to assess results and apply your brand voice. Key features: Platform-specific recommendations tailored for Facebook, Google Ads, Instagram, etc. Predictive performance insights for copy gives you a sense of how copy will perform pre-launch Language and tone customization adjust the tone of the content to match your brand voice Integration with ChatGPT, Notion, Gemini and more Pricing: Anyword has several paid plans. The Starter plan costs $49/month (or $39/month if paid annually) and includes one seat, 100 performance predictions and other features. The Data-Driven plan costs $99/month (or $79/month if paid annually) and comes with three user seats, 175 performance predictions and more. The Business plan costs $499/month (or $349/month if paid annually) and includes three seats, 250 performance predictions and more. Enterprise, or custom, pricing is available upon request. * Note: The prices listed in this article were last updated November 22, 2024. Looking to create a website? Get started with the Wix AI website maker  today.

Ready to showcase your best work? Start building your portfolio →  In this article, we’ll cover how to make a website that showcases your digital art portfolio and NFTs, and explore 10 examples from artists that are worth learning from. While digital art has been around since the '60s, the use of new media technologies and NFTs have become increasingly popular among artists, curators and collectors in the web3 era. If you’re an artist who knows how to make NFTs, you can create an online portfolio website  to showcase your digital work and build a community among potential buyers and fans. Learn more: What is a portfolio? With Wix’s portfolio builder, you can create a professional, eye-catching portfolio in just a few clicks. Customizable templates and intuitive tools make it easy to showcase your work with confidence, leaving a lasting impression on every visitor. TL;DR: digital art portfolio examples Digital art portfolios are essential for showcasing your work, building a following and promoting NFTs in the web3 era. The best digital art portfolios combine strong visuals with clear navigation, helpful context and links to marketplaces or NFT drops. In this guide, you’ll learn how to create your own digital art portfolio website and see 10 standout examples that demonstrate effective design, storytelling and community-building strategies. Key features of a strong digital portfolio: Feature Why it matters High-quality visuals Make a strong first impression Organized gallery / categories Help visitors find what they’re looking for NFT / sales integration Let collectors engage with your work Artist bio and storytelling Connect visitors to your story Responsive and interactive design Keep visitors exploring on any device 10 digital art portfolio examples Your art is the star of the show, but a digital art portfolio should also focus on good web design. The following are examples of simple and accessible ways to display your digital creations—from illustrations and video to NFTs —while providing a browsing experience for visitors that will keep them engaged with your art. Beeple Nedavius Yehuda Devir Bearville Mirage Happy Little Hairdos StoneyTigersClub Crypto Carrot Patch Cardano Forms Goal World 01. Beeple Mike Winkleman, AKA Beeple , is an American digital designer widely known for his first NFT release, which sold for $69 million at Christies . While his website’s homepage seems relatively pared down (it features the navigation menu above a brief bio), it includes special touches to engage his visitors. For example, as readers scan each section, animated hover effects trigger a preview of the artist’s work. His website also features a pro gallery to view his ongoing collection of surrealistic and vibrant Everydays, plus a link to his NFT portal for interested collectors to learn (and see) more. 02. Nedavius The digital art portfolio of New York-based Nedavius gives visitors a taste of his unique 3D style, injecting personality into his site via custom vector art. For example, “The Process” page brings visitors into an animated workspace that visually outlines his projects behind the scenes. His footer menu ties it all together with nostalgic hand-drawn typography that includes links to his NFT portfolios, as well as Discord and Foundation accounts. You can read a full interview with Nedavius about his 3D art and his process. 03. Yehuda Devir Yehuda and Maya Devir created the viral web-series-turned-comic-book, One of Those Days , in 2016. Their website showcases their widely adored books, individual prints, and online exclusives, such as YouTooz Dolls and their recent NFT collection, XOXO . The social bar links to their active YouTube channel and other social media channels, ensuring fellow artists and collectors can easily stay up-to-date with the Devirs’ artistic evolution. 04. Bearville The Bearville NFT landing page kick-starts the hype around their 9,600 hand-drawn NFTs. Equipped with an About section, FAQs and an infographic roadmap, the carefully selected content about future NFT drops sets expectations for potential collectors. 05. Mirage Visitors to Mirage’s NFT website can learn all about their Cactus Genesis collection and predicted timeline for minting. But once they become more interested in owning one of the hundreds of algorithmically illustrated cacti as an NFT, they’ll need to realize their purchase on the Oasis marketplace. Fortunately, their NFT grants advanced access to Mirage’s community and future drops. 06. Happy Little Hairdos Happy Little Hairdos’s clever parody project has evolved from an illustrated coffee book into a collection of 10,000 NFTs. Their all-encompassing digital art portfolio and NFT website features custom images, videos and written content that tell the story of the project and sheds light on J.J. Weinberg’s artistic process. It also strategically uses a “fro’d-map” to outline the project’s progress and build community around anticipated minting dates, merchandise drops and scheduled events. 07. StoneyTigersClub This simple NFT website provides visitors with everything they need to join the StoneyTigersClub. Imagery is important, but NFT websites don’t always need a gallery since many visitors will jump to your marketplace profile for the full view. StonyTigersClub gives visitors a taste of their style with previews of the NFT artworks, plus legacy images throughout their roadmap. 08. Crypto Carrot Patch The Crypto Carrot Patch uses their one-page website to foster a supportive and active community of like-minded creatives who want to give back to the planet. They describe the individual creators behind the NFTs and talk more about the project’s long-term goals, mission and process, including their plans to donate 5% of their NFT collection royalties to Rainforest Foundation US. 09. Cardano Forms Cardano Form dedicates their extensive digital art portfolio to promoting their latest NFT drops, such as the “Soukan Series.” Cardano’s well-designed FAQ page provides visitors with clear-cut answers to common queries such as, “What is an NFT?” plus more information about their own brand and metaverse projects. 10. Goal World Goal World’s cohesive, colorful site provides visitors details about the soccer fandom’s “kick-to-earn” project as well as an inventory and a clear-cut roadmap. The NFT collective also uses .io as a top-level domain to give their site some authority and to align it with other web3 websites like OpenSea.io. How to make a digital art portfolio to showcase your NFTs Whether it’s an NFT website outlining your projects, a landing page or a digital art portfolio, keep the following tips in mind to ensure your site will be a great resource for potential buyers and fans, regardless of which type of website you go with. Include an About page Expand on your work by including a dedicated About page that outlines your professional experience, interests, specialties and bio. Start with a portfolio template If you’re a multimedia artist interested in diving into the NFT marketplace, start with a professionally designed portfolio template to ensure your website has all the foundational elements and relevant integrations you need. Then, you can customize your site from header to footer. Add a pro gallery If the main purpose of your website is to act as a digital art portfolio, make sure you include a pro gallery that will allow you to showcase your creations. From still images to videos, your portfolio should give visitors an overview of your work. Be sure to include your most recent projects and those you’re the most proud of. Don’t forget to include details like the creation date and medium to provide interested users with more context. Give visitors a roadmap When building a community around NFT collections online, roadmaps are an essential strategic tool. From minting dates to the creation of merchandise or events—an NFT roadmap outlines the full scope of a project’s intent and projected progress. Most importantly, it sets the expectations for audiences who want to stay informed about release dates. Connect to an NFT marketplace NFT artists and collectives should not forget to link their marketplace pages once they're ready. Visitors to Mirage’s NFT website, for example, will learn all about the collections and predicted timeline for minting through their digital portfolio. But once they become more interested in owning an NFT, they’ll need to connect to the market, using blockchain technologies such as digital wallets , crypto wallets and cryptocurrencies to realize their purchase. Key elements of a strong digital portfolio To make your digital portfolio stand out, focus on these key elements that highlight your work, tell your story and engage visitors: Curation:  Show only your best, most recent and relevant work (10–40 pieces) Organization:  Group by medium, project or series for easy navigation High-quality images:  Use crisp, well-cropped images or show art in context Metadata:  Include title, year, medium and dimensions for each piece About page:  Share your story, inspiration and skills, optionally with a short video Context (optional):  Add brief notes on your process or inspiration Professionalism:  Keep the design clean and minimal unless your art calls for something unique Call to action:  Include contact info, social links or an online store

Wix and AI go way back to 2016, when we launched Artificial Design Intelligence (ADI), our first AI website builder. Since then, we've continued advancing our offerings to enable you to grow your business and succeed, leveraging the many opportunities AI brings. We’re turning the corner on something amazing, and we’re only at the beginning of how AI will transform Wix and the website-building experience. There are a lot of fantastic things you should expect to see released in the next year. Today, I'd like to highlight a suite of AI-powered features and capabilities that are already integrated into the Wix platform, many of which you probably already use. I also want to give you a glimpse into upcoming releases that will be available to you soon. Let's dig in. Available now: AI Text Creator AI Template Text Creator Alternative Layouts AI Image Creator Auto Background Removal and Auto Enhance Auto-Generated Trailer Product Descriptions Product Recommendations AI Domain Generator Coming soon: AI Website Builder AI Page and Section Creator Object Eraser AI Assistant for managing your business Here are Wix's AI features you can use today ChatGPT can help you generate remarkable content Many of us use ChatGPT on a daily basis. Today, OpenAI’s ChatGPT is available inside Wix; we call it the AI Text Creator . We combined Wix’s deep knowledge of site creation with ChatGPT to give you the ability to generate high-quality content. I’ve tried it on a few websites, and I love it. It helped me create excellent content within minutes. If you want to create a new website and you need content for all of the pages, including inner pages, you can use ChatGPT with our AI Template Text Creator. You provide a brief description of the website you want to create, and ChatGPT will create the text and content for the entire site. The tool will even make sure the text and the design are working well together. Now that you know you can use ChatGPT within the Wix Editor, I’m really excited to tell you that, with the power of modern AI, you can use it not only for text but also to enhance your designs. The first design tool I want to share seamlessly helps you change your sections layout. The Alternative Layouts tool gives you the ability to redesign parts of your website in a single click. High-quality images are an essential part of what makes a website look professional. Our suite of AI-powered image editing tools is designed to help you improve the visually significant attributes of your images. With the AI Image Creator , simply describe the image you want and a unique image will be generated for you. You can use the Auto Background Removal and Auto Enhance tools to refine your photos and upgrade their quality to match the look and feel you seek for your website. Another exciting feature is the Auto-Generated Trailer tool that quickly transforms video files into professional-looking trailers. You can use AI eCommerce features to optimize your business Product Descriptions make it simple to describe your eCommerce products almost instantly. Personally, I found it very useful. If you sell products, I highly recommend giving it a try. You can use Product Recommendations to target your customers with relevant products for them to buy. It is more traditional AI, but it does improve sales, mostly for stores with many products. With our AI Domain Generator , you can choose the perfect name for your brand from different options of unique, catchy and relevant domain names. All of the above are some of my favorite AI features that are available on Wix today. Now I want to share with you our future, soon-to-be-released AI features. Something big is coming your way It seems only natural that you should be able to write a prompt on Wix to create a complete, full-blown website. That’s why I’m thrilled to reveal one of the most anticipated products at Wix, the AI website builder , which is truly the next generation of website creation. You are given a prompt to input the website’s intent, ChatGPT generates the text while we generate the website design and images. What makes it groundbreaking is that it is not a template. In fact, it’s a unique website designed and tailor-made for you, according to your needs, generated with AI and advanced algorithms. The design and layout are completely fitted to the site’s content. It doesn't stop here. When you want to edit your site, you can prompt the tool to make high-quality changes. And of course, it integrates with our business applications including Stores, Bookings, Restaurants, Events and more. I know this sounds like magic and too good to be true for it to be this easy, but I promise this AI website builder will soon be a reality. AI Page and Section Creator If you already have a website, adding a page or a section will be so much faster. All you have to do is describe what you want and the page or section will be created for you with the layout, design and text. Object Eraser With this tool you can seamlessly extract subjects from images and manipulate them. AI Assistant for managing your business We are now working on a new AI Assistant tool. It will suggest improvements for your website and create strategies based on personalized analytics and site trends. The best thing is that it will help you with your day-to-day tasks to take your business to the next level. I truly enjoy this product and that it will help you boost your business. My final thoughts AI has been and will continue to be a core part of Wix, and it will make our platform even better for you. The current AI revolution is just the beginning, and in the next few years, you will see that the new AI technologies will bring many opportunities to make your website and business better. At Wix, we are fully committed to bringing you fully-integrated innovations with an excellent user interface experience. I am very excited about the future and all the value that this new technology can bring to you, our customers. Avishai

When it comes to starting a business  in the music industry, choosing the right business idea  is crucial. With this in mind, we’ve compiled 10 popular and profitable music business ideas to help you transition from musician to entrepreneur and start a business doing what you love. Combine that with the music industry’s increase in global recorded music revenue , and you’ve got yourself a business worth singing about. 10 music business ideas to start today If you're passionate about the music industry, there are tons of business opportunities to explore. From providing specialized services like music production and artist management to selling musical instruments or offering music lessons, these ten business ideas cater to different aspects of the music world, offering a range of paths for aspiring entrepreneurs. Music production studio Music blogging Instrument repair and customization Music school Music equipment reseller Artist management Music event planning  Music streaming platform Music merchandise store Music licensing agency 01. Music production studio     Music producers skillfully create and produce music for various purposes, such as albums, commercials or films. They work closely with artists to bring their musical visions to life, utilizing their technical and creative skills. Music production allows for artistic expression and the creation of diverse musical projects. Producers can choose to work independently, collaborate with artists or be employed by recording studios. Successful producers can expand their business by working on high-profile projects, collaborating with established artists or even starting their own record label. 02. Music blogging Blogging is ideal for passionate individuals with strong ideas and instincts about music. Music bloggers can explore different genres, styles and artists, connecting with a community of music enthusiasts. Through affiliate marketing, sponsored posts and product endorsements, music bloggers can monetize a blog  and other platforms they are featured in. Learn more: How to start a music blog 03. Instrument repair and customization Instrument technicians specialize in repairing, modifying and customizing musical instruments such as guitars, drums and keyboards. Since musicians regularly require instrument maintenance and customization services, this career offers consistency once you build up your roster of regular customers. Technicians also have the opportunity to showcase their creativity through customizing instruments and optimizing their sound. 04. Music school Running a music school involves offering music lessons and classes to aspiring musicians, covering various instruments and genres. Music schools contribute to the local community by fostering musical talent, catering to students of different ages, skill levels and musical preferences. 05. Music equipment reseller Music equipment resellers purchase instruments, audio gear and accessories from manufacturers or wholesalers and sell them to consumers or retailers. Compared to manufacturing or running a music venue, starting as a reseller requires a lower initial investment. Musicians regularly invest in new equipment and accessories. Running a reselling business provides insights into consumer preferences and industry trends. You can also sell niche products and music collectibles for enthusiasts looking for these types of treasures. Learn more about how to make money as a reseller  and reselling business ideas  to make you profit. 06. Artist management Artist managers work closely with musicians to oversee their career development, negotiate contracts and handle promotional activities. Building strong connections with artists can lead to long-term collaborations and success, as the music industry's continuous evolution offers opportunities for artist managers to navigate new trends and opportunities. Managers connect with industry professionals, fostering collaborations and opening doors for their clients. 07. Music event planning Event planners in the music industry specialize in organizing concerts, festivals and other musical events. A career in music event planning provides ample opportunities for creative expression through the curation and executing unique music events. You’ll call on your in-depth knowledge of the music industry to collaborate with artists, venues and sponsors. 08. Music streaming platform Creating a music streaming platform gives music fans a place to find music that inspires them and artists a digital platform to share and monetize their art. Subscription-based models provide a steady income stream for the platform. Music streaming platforms connect artists with a global audience. Platforms can support emerging artists by showcasing their music to a wider audience. 09. Music merchandise store Music merchandise stores sell branded products such as T-shirts, posters and accessories featuring the logos and artwork of musicians and bands. This can be a great scalable business idea , if you plan on working with big name artists and labels. Merchandise stores allow fans to connect with their favorite artists on a personal level. Selling merchandise can be a lucrative additional income stream for artists and the store. Catering to specific genres or fan bases creates a dedicated customer demographic. 10. Music licensing agency Music licensing agencies assist artists in licensing their music for use in films, TV shows, commercials and other media projects. Licensing fees provide a consistent income for artists. Placement in media projects enhances artists' visibility and popularity. Licensing agencies build relationships with filmmakers, producers and advertisers. How to get started with your music business idea Starting a music business idea takes careful planning, creativity and an understanding of the music industry. Whether you're interested in music production, artist management, or any other aspect of the industry, here's a general guide to help you get started: Identify your niche Define your passion and determine the specific area of the music industry that you care about the most. This could be music production, artist management, music education or any other niche. Conduct market research Do your research to understand the current trends, demands and challenges in your chosen niche. Identify your target audience and competitors. Then, identify opportunities by looking for gaps in the market where your skills or offerings can fulfill a need. Create a business plan Executive summary:  Summarize your business idea, mission and goals. Company description:  Provide details about your business, including your niche, services and unique selling points. Market analysis:  Detail your research findings, including target audience and competition. Organization and management:  Outline your business structure, team and roles. Services or products:  Clearly define the services or products you will offer. Marketing and sales : Develop a marketing strategy to promote your business. Funding:  determine how much capital you need and explore funding options. Financial projections:  Outline your revenue and expense projections. Tip: Try this business plan template , that will help you kickstart your new venture. Legal considerations Choose a legal structure for your business ( sole proprietorship ,  LLC  or corporation ) and register it accordingly. Check local regulations and obtain any necessary licenses or permits. Understand copyright laws and consider trademarking your business name  or logo. Build your brand Create a unique and memorable brand identity including a logo and business name. Establish an online presence by learning how to make a website that highlights your brand and resonates with your audience. Set up profiles on social media platforms relevant to your niche, attend industry events, connect with professionals and build a strong network in the music industry. Develop your skills and resources Continuously improve your skills through courses, workshops and networking events. Invest in the necessary equipment and tools for your specific niche, whether it's musical instruments, production software or other resources. Create a portfolio Create a portfolio  that highlights your skills and previous projects. This is especially important for music producers, artists and other creative professionals. Learn how to make a music portfolio to get your sound and story heard today. Set pricing and financial policies Determine your pricing strategy for your services or products. Dictate payment terms, invoicing procedures and any other financial policies for clearer relationships between you and your clients. Marketing and promotion Use social media, a professional business website  and digital marketing strategies to reach your target audience. Attend industry events, collaborate with other professionals and leverage your network for business opportunities. Consider offering promotions or discounts to attract initial clients or customers. Launch your business Start with a soft launch to test your services and gather feedback. As you gain traction, consider scaling your operations and expanding your offerings. Celebrate small successes, like new artists joining your roster, or a successfully-produced event.  Provide excellent customer service Focus on customer satisfaction by providing excellent customer service to build positive reviews and repeat business. Stay informed and adapt Stay Updated and keep up with industry trends, technology and changes in the market. Being flexible and willing to adapt your business strategies based on feedback and market shifts. Starting a music business requires dedication, creativity and a deep understanding of the industry. Tailor these steps to fit your specific music business idea and don't hesitate to seek advice from professionals in your chosen niche. Inspiring music business websites built on Wix Guitar in a Bar   This guitar school offers a cool way to learn guitar, while relaxing at the comfort of your local bar. Hologram Electronics  This Tennesee-based team is offering wild effect pedals for studios and music producers, using a retro website with an online store and product demos. Mid West Music Festival This festival in Minnesota, US is an inspiring example of a successful music business. Their stunning website showcases what they do by showcasing their talent, selling tickets and merch and hosting live sessions.  Build a website with Wix today Music business ideas frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to starting and running a music business: What are the legal requirements for starting a music business? Decide on the legal structure of your business. Register your business and obtain any required licenses and permits. Understand copyright laws and consider trademarking your business name or logo. Make sure to comply with local and national regulations related to the music industry. How much does it cost to start a music business idea? Do I need a degree to start a music business idea? How do I finance my music business idea? How do I market my music business idea? How do I protect my music and intellectual property? How do I stay competitive in the music industry? What challenges might I face in the music business? Other business ideas to consider Scalable business ideas Family business ideas Business ideas for teens Service business ideas Businesses to start with little money Unique business ideas Online business ideas Low-cost business ideas Side business ideas Outdoor business ideas Home-based businesses Mobile business ideas Consulting business ideas Freelance business ideas Reselling business ideas Business ideas for couples Rental business ideas Small town business ideas Travel business ideas Wedding business ideas Print on demand business ideas Finance business ideas Cleaning business ideas Marketing business ideas Art business ideas Tech business ideas Restaurant business ideas Fitness business ideas Dropshipping business ideas

Your name idea deserves a home. Secure your domain now → Naming your business can be frustrating, overwhelming and even paralyzing. Josh Brentan, a brand shaper behind many Wix product names, says the key is iteration. Start with a long list of ideas, brainstorm without judgment and don’t rush to cut. Here’s how to do it step by step so you can land a name that sticks, resonates and grows with your brand. Naming your business just got a whole lot easier . The Wix Business Name Generator gives you custom, on-brand ideas fast—along with the tools to bring your idea to life. TL;DR: how to name a business This guide walks you through practical ways to come up with strong ideas, test them in real-world situations and avoid common mistakes that can hold your brand back as it grows. You’ll learn: How to brainstorm name ideas using name generators, wordplay and mash-ups How to match your name to your audience, industry and brand vibe How to choose a name that can grow with your business What makes a name easy to say, spell and remember How to test names with real people before committing How to check domain, social and legal availability Which naming mistakes to avoid so you don’t box yourself in later Once you nail your name, create a business website How to name a business: 15 tips First study your industry and competitors to know which type of business name is most effective for your market, Then, use the following steps to brainstorm a list of potential business names. Use a business name generator Look at other industry business names Embrace wordplay Use your own name Create a mash-up business name Appeal to your audience’s interests Pick a scalable business name Consider acronyms Beware of trendy names Tell your story Use foreign or local words Make your name flow Picture your brand name Test your name with an audience Check name availability The Wix Business Name Generator   helps you find names that fit your brand vibe. Simply describe your business, pick a style and add some keywords to get name ideas that fit your brand. The tool also checks for domain availability, suggests logo options and provides branding tips. It's the perfect all-in-one solution for saving time and getting your new venture off the ground. 01. Use a business name generator A business name generator can help streamline your brainstorming. To start, write down three simple things: type of business, a catchy word to include in the name, and how you would describe your brand (and check out best AI business name generators ). As you come up with descriptive terms, ask yourself what your business name should communicate. Check for terms associated with your product or service. For example, if you launch an online store that sells natural products, consider words like “raw,” “green,” “fresh,” or “organic.” Explore store names to help you land on one. Once you type in the words, the tool produces many options. To further narrow down your choices, perform market research and draw inspiration from the best company names among your competitors. Found the perfect name for your business? Lock in your domain  before someone else does. 02. Look at other industry business names Researching your industry is like taking a peek behind the curtain at the competition. You’re not copying—you’re figuring out what works. By studying business name ideas in your field, you can spot trends and see what grabs your audience’s attention. It’s a smart way to understand what makes a name stand out and what’s been done to death. For example, tech companies often lean toward sleek, modern names while creative brands go for something more playful or abstract. Checking out these trends gives you a starting point without having to reinvent the wheel. Don’t just blend in—use what you find to spark ideas. The goal isn’t to copy but to take what works and add your twist. Look at standout names in your industry and figure out why they work. Are they short, catchy or packed with personality? Exploring enough examples will give you a better sense of what makes a business name stand out. And remember, just because something’s trending doesn’t mean you have to follow along. Learn more: How to start a business 03. Embrace wordplay Let’s face it: everyone loves a good pun or clever play on words. Having a bit of wordplay in your business name can make you stand out and stick in people’s minds. Puns and rhymes add personality to your brand, making it more fun and relatable. Think of a bakery called “Knead to Rise” or a marketing agency named “Adventures in Ads” — their names instantly tell you what they do while showing off a playful vibe. The trick is not to overdo it. Make sure the wordplay is clear and easy to understand so it doesn’t confuse potential customers. A clever name can still feel professional if it matches your brand’s style and the service you offer. Done right, wordplay grabs attention and leaves a positive impression, like a little wink to your customers that says, “We’re here to brighten your day.” 04. Use your own name Using your name for your business adds a personal touch that builds trust and shows you stand by your work. For consultants, coaches or anyone offering personal services, it creates a stronger connection with clients by making it clear you’re the face behind the business. A unique or catchy name can also make your brand more memorable and help you stand out. Plus, it’s often easier to secure domain names and social media handles with your name, so you can hit the ground running. Using your name for your business isn’t always the best choice. If you plan to grow big or sell the business someday, a name tied to you can make things more complicated. A design studio or law firm can do well with a personal name, but it might not work as smoothly for a global brand. Think about where your business is headed and decide if your name fits that vision. Naming your food business? Pick a name that makes people practically taste, smell or enjoy your food. Think about your niche—bakery, café, food truck or specialty product—and the feeling you want to create: comfort, excitement, indulgence or health. You can use descriptive words like “Fresh Bites,” clever wordplay like “Dough-Re-Mi” for a bakery or simple mash-ups like “Snacktopia.” More about food business names . 05. Create a mash-up business name Combining two existing words can result in a fun, distinct and captivating business name. Mash-ups (also called portmanteaus) work surprisingly well for a business name, since they can creatively communicate your company’s greater mission. For example, Groupon combines “group” and “coupons,” and “instant camera” and “telegram” for Instagram. To create your own, jot down words associated with your brand. If your business has two or more concepts, use a portmanteau to ensure your name reflects both ideas. Then remove the first word’s last syllables and the second word’s beginning syllables. Write your frankenword on paper and read it. Ask yourself, “Is your newly invented word unsightly, or does it have character?” Consider playing around with spelling for a more polished name, like Netflix (internet and flicks). 06. Appeal to your audience’s interests An effective name should create buzz around your business and its offerings. While your business’s name doesn’t have to convey an obvious meaning, it should evoke a particular interest, memory or feeling for your audience. Take Whole Foods, for example. Its name suggests health and wellness to its target market yet is broad enough to appeal to all food shoppers. Whole Foods rolled out its private label brand— 365 , signaling a clear message: customers can expect fresh food and a unique shopping experience every day of the year. Jeff Turnas, senior vice president of global culinary at Whole Foods, said: “For the past 37 years, we have built our company by leading with high quality standards and continuous innovation. We are now excited for the next evolution to extend our offerings to a broader audience in a way that complements our successful Whole Foods Market brand.” When naming your fitness business , pick a name that reflects the feeling you want clients to experience, whether it's action, energy, strength, balance or peace. Use words that fit your niche, play with simple word combinations or creative twists and consider including your location or specialty to help your brand stand out. More about Fitness business name ideas 07. Pick a scalable business name As a rising small business owner, you’ll need to plan for your future while getting your business off the ground. Although you can’t predict what your company will look like in the coming years, choose a business name that won’t limit your entrepreneurial growth. Imagine if the skateboarding shoe company Vans picked a name focusing on footwear alone, like “Sneaks.” It could have prevented the company from becoming a household name for much more, such as clothing, fashion accessories and backpacks. In turn, don’t choose a highly specific business name. For instance, the hypothetical Nonna’s Gnocchi small business could easily offer other pastas, thus the word Gnocchi in the name could inhibit business growth. Likewise, names based on a geography may not always work if you expand to other cities, countries and continents. Pro tip: Incorporating your business name into your email address is one of the most favorable email name ideas for creating a consistent brand presence that scales with your business . A good business name  sticks in people’s minds, is easy to say and spell and shows what your business is all about. It should connect with your audience, give the right vibe and leave room for your business to grow. The best names are unique, stand out from the crowd and feel natural when spoken. Bonus points if your domain and social handles are easy to grab. 08. Consider acronyms Along with keeping it short and simple, consider the acronym that will follow before you select a business name. An acronym is a term formed from the first letter of each word in a phrase. The public better recognizes the acronyms of several multi-billion dollar companies than their full name, including IBM (International Business Machines) and CVS (Consumer Value Stores). Though you might not want to abbreviate your business name, your customers or other companies might refer to its initials anyway. Properly investigate your acronym’s meaning before going to market to evade an embarrassing result. 09. Beware of trendy names Businesses that have successfully evolved over time share one thing: They’ve avoided trends. Take the case of the “drop the vowel” trend and which led to brand names like Flickr, Grindr and Scribd. While it might have seemed hip or cool to do at the time, the names now sound dated and aren’t easy to say, spell or recognize worldwide. You also want to consider how your business name will visually appear in your logo, which is key to your brand identity. Create your own logo using your business name. 10. Tell your story Great storytelling evokes certain emotions and creates personal connections. A good business name can do the same for its customers. Ben & Jerry’s global ice cream takeover exemplifies a perfect brand story. Today, the name celebrates the grassroots success of its founders, who never gave up on their dreams. “With a $5 correspondence course in ice cream-making from Penn State and a $12,000 investment ($4,000 of it borrowed), Ben and Jerry opened their first ice cream scoop shop in a renovated gas station in Burlington, Vermont,” says its website . While the company scaled to a larger corporation owned by Unilever, the name Ben & Jerry’s evokes the industrious story of the owners behind it. To come up with a blog name , start by getting clear on your topic, tone and who you’re writing for. Brainstorm words your audience would actually search for, mix them with descriptive or playful terms and say them out loud to see what sticks. Aim for something easy to spell, easy to remember and flexible enough to grow as your content evolves. 11. Use foreign or local words Give your business name a unique twist by adding a foreign or local word that reflects your brand’s vibe or story. A foreign word can bring a touch of mystery and sophistication, while a local word connects you to your roots and community. Think of a luxury spa using “Serene” (French for peaceful) or a local diner with a regional term that instantly resonates with customers. It helps your brand stand out in a crowded market where standard names are everywhere. Keep it simple though. The word should be easy to pronounce, spell and understand. You don’t want customers struggling to say or remember your name. Always double-check the meaning too, to make sure it aligns with your values. Foreign words can be fresh and intriguing, but they might not click if your market doesn’t connect with that language. Choose something meaningful that your audience will remember and relate to. It’s all about striking that balance between authenticity and standing out. 12. Make your name flow A name with good flow is easy to say remember and share. It doesn’t make people pause or stumble when they try to pronounce it. Instead it rolls off the tongue smoothly in conversation video or audio. When a name is pleasant to say people are more likely to repeat it to others. This is how word-of-mouth marketing starts—through natural conversations and recommendations. What helps a business name flow When testing for flow listen to how the sounds connect. A name with smooth transitions between letters and syllables is easier to say. Pay attention to its rhythm too—the natural beat when you speak it. Flow is also crucial in practical situations. Imagine saying the name over the phone in a loud café or on a podcast. Will people understand it? A complex or unclear name will get lost in the noise. The same goes for spelling. If someone hears it once can they type it into a search bar correctly? Voice assistants and customers will struggle with names that sound one way but are spelled another. Simple sound rules for catchy names These small details make a big difference in how a name sounds and feels. End with an open sound: Names ending with a vowel or soft sound ("Luma" "Vero") are often easier to say and remember. Avoid tongue-twisters: Hard letter combinations like "ptk" or "skr" make people stumble. Keep sounds clean and simple. Pay attention to stress: For short names, stressing the first syllable ("SOLera") sounds confident and solid. Stressing the second syllable ("soLINA") feels softer, more relaxed. Pick the pattern that matches your brand’s tone. Skip double consonants across words: "Sweets Studio" sounds clunky; "Sweet Studio" is much smoother. Don't overcomplicate spelling: If a name sounds like a common word but is spelled oddly, people will misspell it and struggle to find you online. Examples of names that don’t flow as well: Quickcart (double hard consonants make it clunky) Brightlinker (too long, awkward rhythm) Snaptrix (sounds forced, spelling might confuse people) Plantera (ends abruptly, feels heavy) Trendifyo (awkward ending, hard to say naturally) Picture your brand name To test a name, see how it lives in the world you'll use it in. Think in context : Drop your top name choices into different scenarios: website headers social media avatars packaging email signatures even invoice templates. A name that works only in one context is limiting. For example, a long quirky name might look fine in a playful Instagram bio but feel awkward on a printed product label. Check for mental imagery : Does the name evoke a visual in your mind? Names that create mental images are easier to remember and share. Think “Blue Apron”—you instantly get a kitchen or meal vibe. “InstaCart” suggests speed and convenience. Test adaptability : How does the name hold up if the brand pivots or expands? Could it carry new products or services without losing its meaning? Sketch a few scenarios like an app turning into an e-commerce platform to see if the name can scale. Micro-testing : Create mockup ads or social posts with the name. Does it feel natural in headlines hashtags or text overlays? A name that feels forced in these common spots can sabotage your marketing down the line. 14. Test your name with an audience Reach out to friends, family, partners and investors to get their insight and validate your business name. These conversations can further inspire you or cause you to rethink your name choice. During these conversations, ask questions like What feelings does the name give you? Do you find it easy or difficult to spell ? Guide their attention to these aspects to receive more constructive feedback. If you catch yourself explaining a long and complex story about your name, consider this a sign to go back to the drawing board. You want your business’s name to be on the tip of everyone’s tongue, so it should be snappy, memorable and stand on its own. To come up with a YouTube channel name , think about what your channel is about and how you want to come across. Jot down words tied to your niche, your personality or the result viewers get, then mix and match until it sounds natural and easy to remember. Keep it short, say it out loud and make sure it still works if your content expands later on. 15. Check name availability Make sure that you can own your chosen business name and that another company doesn’t already use it. This will come in handy when you register a business name . To do so, check out the following places: The domain availability: As a business owner, you must maintain an online presence. When you create a website, your domain name should be closely associated with your business name. Check that this domain hasn’t already been taken using a domain name search tool or any name search tool. Search engines: See what comes up when you search your name. If you do business internationally, check for cultural references across the countries. Social media platforms: Search social media to make sure that the name is available. Your Instagram handle, Facebook Business Page, and the other social media branding aspects can be just as important to your business as your domain name. Your local business registration service: Check that someone else didn’t already register a business name similar to yours. If you live in the U.S., you can check with uspto.gov . If you are located elsewhere, go to the host country’s government website and familiarize yourself with their business registration process. Register your business name: Lastly, if you choose to register your business name, you’ll need to first file legal paperwork for becoming a business entity. You may select to form an LLC , C-corp or partnership . Your entity name will be the legal name for your business and you’ll have to sign every official document under this name as required by state laws. Register your business name with the secretary of state’s office, local or county agencies. Also make sure that your business name is in line with any guidelines in your state related to naming a business. In all states, if you start an LLC you must include that in your name, as one example. Other official guidelines may prohibit or limit the use of certain words in your name. All states also insist that a business name doesn't mislead consumers by pretending to be something it's not. Let the idea marinate overnight or even for a few weeks. Can you see the name splashed across a billboard or in the news? This will allow you to truly see if it fits. You can always operate as a DBA (doing business as) before making it official. However, changing your official business name later on—in legal documents and branding assets—might be more complex than doing it right now, especially if you’ve built brand recognition. After all is said and done, no matter how you come up with a business name, make sure you’re personally happy with it. Naming your fashion or beauty brand starts with your niche—be it skincare, makeup or apparel. Think about the vibe you want to set like luxury, minimal or edgy. Use words that evoke texture and color, then say them out loud to see how they feel. Picture your favorite pick on labels and packaging. How to name a small business When naming a small business, it’s important to choose something that connects with your community or niche. A small business thrives on its personal touch and the relationships it builds with customers so your name should reflect what makes your business special while feeling familiar and welcoming. A good name can make customers feel like they’re supporting a trusted local spot. Take advantage of the flexibility small businesses have and get creative. You can draw inspiration from local landmarks, street names or something that reflects the culture and values of your area. This adds a personal, community-focused feel that big companies can’t easily replicate. Also think about how your name will grow with your business. If you’re planning to expand, make sure it works for larger markets or a wider audience down the road. Naming a business? Here’s what you should not do Choosing a name for your company is exciting, but avoid these missteps that can confuse your audience or slow your business down: Copy competitors  – Be different. A business name too close to others won’t help you stand out. Pick something hard to say  – If it’s tricky to pronounce, people won’t remember it. Keep it short and simple. Chase trends  – Trends fade. Pick a business name that sticks around. Skip checking availability  – Before settling on a company name, confirm it’s available as a domain and on social media. Go too vague  – Be clear about what your business does so people get it right away. Miss hidden meanings  – Double-check for cultural or unintended meanings that could cause trouble. Ignore trademarks  – Avoid legal issues by making sure your business name isn’t in use. Box yourself in  – Choose a company name that gives your business room to grow. Forget SEO  – A name that’s easy to search helps customers find you faster. Make it all about you  – Focus on what connects with your audience, not just what you prefer. Types of business names   There are many types of business names, each designed to have a specific impact on consumers. Choose yours according to your target audience and brand identity.   Descriptive business names Descriptive business names are utilitarian and specific to the offered product or service. These names leave little room for interpretation and may benefit a business entering a new market. They could also be harder to trademark or register since they contain generic words or phrases. Examples: Bank of America The Weather Channel Hotels.com   Abstract business names Non-descriptive names are interesting, inventive and instantly grab customer attention. They strike a specific tone, whether playful, formal, motivating, optimistic or humorous. Examples: Kodak Venmo Waze Acronymic business names   These short and sweet business names are easy to remember and spell. Science and technology-related companies commonly use acronymic business names. These names do not transfer emotions or creativity to their customers.   Examples: HP IBM NASA   Geographical business names Geographical names link the business to its location, making it easier for local customers to identify them or to provide context for those outside of the region. However, these straightforward names can often make it harder for companies to grow outside their locality.   Examples: California Pizza Kitchen Brooklyn Brewery American Vintage Compound business names Compound business names combine two different terms to form a new, memorable and often friendly word. They may comprise a descriptive and abstract word, two descriptive terms, etc.   Examples: PayPal Netflix FedEx Founder business names If you want to create heritage and legacy for your brand, name your business after its founders. This business name type can also help customers emotionally connect with your brand. Businesses like law and accounting firms commonly use founder business names to evoke professionalism and trust.   Examples: Ben & Jerry’s The Walt Disney Company Johnson & Johnson Why is a business name important? A good business name can shape how a customer perceives a brand. Therefore, a business name also has practical implications: It can help protect your brand reputation over time. A  2022 study found  that “fun” business names—or those that used creative linguistics like playful fonts, symbols and unique spelling—protected against brand transgression. The researchers showed that “fun brand names create hedonic value for consumers by playing with language and creating brand names in inventive ways.” When it comes to choosing a business name there are some general guidelines to keep in mind. These include: Scalability:  a name that grows with your business is important. It can be fun to start small and personal with your name but if you plan to expand or go global eventually, think about how well such a name will hold-up. Memorability : if your business name isn't memorable, neither will your business be. Memorable doesn't necessarily mean gimmicky or provocative but something that sticks in people's minds, in a positive way. Consistency:  sometimes, depending on your industry you may have to choose being consistent with industry standards and competitors over creativity because its what clients or consumers expect. Law firms, for example, are unlikely to have quirky names because of the serious services they provide. Your name must be consistent with your brand services or products. Uniqueness: your business needs to stand out and you'll have to do these primarily with your offerings but your name should reflect what makes you unique and better. Depending on your brand and industry you can do this with humor, by making up a name or just by going for something no one else has. Web-friendliness:  make sure it works well also as a domain name, so that it's not too long or difficult to spell — for when people are trying to type your business name into search or a web browsers. Remember your business name becomes your brand name, potentially your domain name and website name too. How to name a business FAQ Should you name your business after yourself? Naming your business after yourself can be a good option if your name carries strong brand recognition or aligns with your business's identity, like "Martha Stewart." However, ensure it fits your target audience and isn't too difficult to pronounce or spell. Consider the future if you plan to expand or partner with others. Can you sell or buy a trademark? Yes, trademarks can be bought and sold like any other intellectual property. The process involves legal agreements, valuations and official transfer documents. Consult an intellectual property lawyer for guidance. What are recent trends in business names? Recent trends in business names: Minimalism and simplicity: Short, clear and easy-to-remember names are gaining traction, emphasizing instant recognition and online searchability. Think "Cotopaxi" or "Casper." Authenticity and storytelling: Names that convey brand values and evoke a sense of identity are popular, creating emotional connections with consumers. Examples include "Honest Kitchen" or "Patagonia." Incorporating tech: Tech-infused prefixes like "nano," "cyber," or "AI" signal cutting-edge solutions, particularly in fast-moving industries. Look at "OpenAI" or "NanoTemper." Niche-specific: Names that pinpoint a specific target audience or offer personalized experiences are on the rise. Think "BarkBox" for dog treats or "Peloton" for interactive fitness. Word blending: Combining multiple words into a catchy and unique name is still popular, creating brand new terms like "Warby Parker" or "Dropbox." What makes a great business name? Memorable and catchy: Sticks in the mind and encourages word-of-mouth. Unique and distinctive: Stands out from competitors and avoids confusion. Relevant to your brand: Reflects your business's values and target audience. Easy to pronounce and spell: Avoid complex vocabulary or unusual spellings. Available legally: Not already trademarked by another business. How do I name my LLC? Check your state's naming regulations for LLCs, which often have specific requirements. Include "LLC" or "Limited Liability Company" in your name to maintain legal protection. Follow the general advice above for choosing a strong and memorable business name. How can you create a business name incorporating your children's names? While using children's names can be sentimental, for various reasons consider potential downsides: Future limitations: It may restrict name changes or branding as your business grows. Personal privacy concerns: Exposing children's names publicly might not be ideal. Professional image: Ensure the name aligns with your business's desired image and industry. If you choose to incorporate children's names, do so subtly, perhaps using initials or middle names, or incorporating them into more creative wordplay. What makes a bad business name A bad business name is hard to spell, pronounce or remember, making it tough for customers to find or recommend you. It might be too vague, overly complicated or tied to short-lived trends that don’t reflect your brand’s long-term identity. In the end, a bad name can confuse your audience, hold back your growth or fail to reflect the values and mission you want to share. Looking for specific business name ideas? Band names Restaurant names Craft business name ideas Boutique business name ideas Photography business name ideas Travel business names Tech business name ideas Clothing brand names Jewelry business name ideas Consulting business name ideas Beauty business name ideas Real estate business name ideas App name ideas Marketing business names Candle business name ideas Food truck business name ideas Gym business names eCommerce business names Trucking business names Bookkeeping business names Construction business name ideas Nail business name ideas Plumbing business names Dropshipping business name ideas Painting business names Contractor business name ideas DJ name ideas

Start your blog → Get started with Dropshipping  today → The rise of the internet, social media and eCommerce has ushered in a new range of opportunities for entrepreneurs to start businesses online. Some of the most popular ways to make money online include, e-commerce and blogging. e-Commerce sites  have become an effective way for artists, creators, freelancers and anyone looking to sell their unique creations or services, while blogs have emerged as powerful tools for sharing knowledge, building communities and generating income. If you're thinking about starting a business , perhaps you already have an idea in mind - a hobby you'd like to make profitable or something similar - choosing between blogging and ecommerce to make that business idea a reality, is a valid idea to consider. In this article we'll break down blogging vs ecommerce and help you choose which is best for making money online . Starting a blog should feel exciting, not overwhelming, right? With the Wix Blog Maker, you get everything you need to create, design and grow your blog from scratch–without needing a tech degree. Use Wix’s intuitive tools to share your ideas with the world.  How to choose between eCommerce and blogging? The choice between creating an e-commerce site or starting a blog to make money should be influenced by several factors. These include your personal interests, your willingness to handle inventory or create content regularly and your long-term business goals. Whether you're drawn to the idea of selling physical goods or prefer writing compelling articles, selecting the right monetization platform is a decision that will shape your business planning and ultimately success. Learn more: eCommerce advantages and disadvantages What is eCommerce? E-commerce is the buying and selling of goods and services over the internet. This includes but is not limited to online shopping, electronic payments and shipping solutions to broker transactions between businesses and consumers. Examples of eCommerce platforms include Wix, which allows you to set up an online store with their ecommerce website builder. Generally an ecommerce platform will include the robust and secure website infrastructure needed for ecommerce, including reliable web hosting and security features. What is blogging? Blogging is the act of creating and publishing content on a website regularly. It's a way to share knowledge and connect with like-minded individuals. Blogs can cover an endless range of topics and can be personal or professional in nature. Learn more: What is a blog Examples of blogging platforms include Wix. With their blog maker you can create a blog for free - hosting and web security included. Key differences between a blog and eCommerce website When deciding between starting a blog or an e-commerce website, it's important to understand the key differences between the two. Knowing the differences can help you make the right decision about which to start. The primary difference lies in their core objectives: blogs are designed to inform or entertain through content while e-commerce websites are focused on selling products. Blogs can be a platform for personal branding or thought leadership, whereas e-commerce sites are geared towards commercial transactions. E-commerce websites require mechanisms for shopping carts, checkout processes and secure payment options which are not necessary for blogs. Each online monetization model has its own set of challenges and rewards that should be carefully considered in light of what you aim to achieve with your online business. eCommerce vs blog: time to setup and run each as a business eCommerce time investment Running an online store involves several time-consuming tasks: Business setup: This includes creating your website , setting up product listings, and establishing payment solutions and shipping processes. Ongoing ecommerce management : Daily operations such as processing orders, managing inventory and handling customer service inquiries are part of the routine. Marketing efforts: You'll need to invest time in promoting your products through various channels like social media, email marketing and possibly paid advertising. Learn more: How to create a website  from scratch Blogging time investment Blogging also demands a significant amount of time, especially in these areas especially when it comes to making money blogging . You'll need to consider: Content creation: Developing ideas, researching topics, writing blog posts and editing are all time-intensive activities. Blog site maintenance: Regularly updating your blog's design and functionality to ensure a good user experience is essential. Audience engagement: Responding to comments, networking with other bloggers, and building a community around your blog requires ongoing work and effort. Both e-commerce and blogging demand consistent effort over time in order to make money. While the nature of the work differs—product-focused tasks for e-commerce and content creation for blogging—the success of both hinges on your ability to manage and invest your time effectively. eCommerce vs blogging: resources required Whether you're planning on storing inventory or simply need a workspace for your computer, the space you have available can influence your decision between e-commerce and blogging. eCommerce resources For an e-commerce business , you'll need to think about: Inventory storage: You must have enough space to store the products you sell, which can grow as your business expands. Warehouse space: A dedicated area for packing and shipping orders is essential to maintain organization and efficiency. Production area: If you're creating handmade items or similar, you'll need sufficient space for crafting and assembling products. When starting out with ecommerce it may be possible to use your home as a storage, assembly and production solution. This can help you keep initial startup costs low. However it may also limit the scale and size of your online business, as you may be limited in how much inventory you can store and handle at a time. This will then directly impact how much you can sell. Blogging resources Blogging compared to ecommerce, on the other hand, generally requires less physical space: Digital space: While you don't need room for physical products, having a reliable computer and internet connection is essential. Minimal physical resources: A small desk or even a spot at a local café can serve as your blogging headquarters. The contrast in resource requirements between e-commerce and blogging is stark. E-commerce can demand a significant amount of physical space as inventory grows (unless you opt for dropshipping , which requires no inventory to be held physically), whereas blogging can be operated from virtually anywhere. eCommerce vs blogging: cost to start Starting any business involves some level of financial commitment. Whether you're leaning towards e-commerce or blogging, understanding the monetary investment required will help you plan and budget effectively. eCommerce cost The financial demands of running an e-commerce platform can be substantial: Initial investments: These may include purchasing inventory, setting up a website, and acquiring necessary equipment for product photography. Learn more abut ecommerce website cost. Recurring costs: Monthly expenses can consist of website hosting fees, payment processing fees and possibly subscription services for managing your online store. Start an online store with Wix and web hosting is free with all sites. Potential returns: While the upfront costs can be high, the direct sale of products typically offers a clear path to profitability. Blogging cost Blogging can often be started with a lower initial investment but still requires careful financial planning: Website costs: You'll need to pay for domain registration and web hosting services - with Wix hosting is always free and you can register a domain name with a paid plan. Learn more about how much a blog costs . Content creation: While you can write content yourself, hiring writers or purchasing images may be necessary as your blog grows. Articles can start from US$500 per 1,000 words and up. Monetization strategies: Investing in marketing and SEO tools can help increase traffic to your blog, which is essential for monetization through ads or affiliate marketing. When you start a blog with Wix, you get access to a full suite of free SEO tools. E-commerce requires more capital upfront but has a straightforward revenue model through product sales. Blogging might start as a low-cost venture but often takes longer to monetize. It's important to assess your financial situation and determine which model aligns with your investment capabilities and risk tolerance. eCommerce vs blogging: ways to monetize Understanding the various ways to generate income from your online business is crucial. Both handmade e-commerce and blogging offer diverse monetization strategies but they differ significantly in how they can be implemented and the potential income they generate. E-commerce monetization With an e-commerce website, your primary source of revenue will be through product sales. However, there are additional streams to consider: Direct sales: The most straightforward way to earn money - you sell products at a profit. Partnerships: Collaborating with other brands or artisans can lead to new products and shared revenues. Wholesale opportunities: Selling your products in bulk to retailers can increase your sales volume. Blogging monetization Blogging allows for a variety of monetization strategies beyond direct sales: Advertising: Display ads on your blog can provide income based on traffic and click-through rates. Affiliate marketing : Earn commissions by promoting other companies' products relevant to your audience. Sponsored content: Partner with brands to create content that promotes their products or services for a fee. The potential income from both models depends on factors such as market demand, pricing strategy, traffic volume and engagement with your audience or customers. While e-commerce may offer quicker financial returns through direct sales, blogging can establish multiple income streams over time. It's important to consider which monetization methods align with your business goals and how you plan to sustain and grow each one. eCommerce vs blogging: long term business growth When planning for the future of your online business, it's essential to think about long-term sustainability and growth. Both handmade e-commerce and blogging have unique considerations that can impact their longevity and success. Scalability E-commerce: As your customer base grows, you'll need to consider how to scale your operations, from increasing inventory to streamlining order fulfillment. Scalability often requires additional investment in resources and infrastructure. Blogging: Scaling a blog can involve expanding content topics, increasing posting frequency or building a team of contributors. The scalability of a blog is more flexible and can be adjusted based on audience growth and engagement. Market trends E-commerce: Staying ahead in e-commerce means keeping up with consumer trends, product innovations and competitive pricing. It requires constant market analysis and adaptability. Blogging: For bloggers, staying relevant involves keeping content fresh, informative, and aligned with what readers are interested in. It also means adapting to changes in SEO practices and social media algorithms. Sustainability E-commerce: The sustainability of an e-commerce business can be influenced by factors such as supplier reliability, shipping costs and product demand. Environmental considerations are also becoming increasingly important to consumers. Blogging: A blog's sustainability often hinges on the creator's ability to consistently produce high-quality content that resonates with their audience. It also depends on maintaining strong SEO practices and adapting to digital platform changes. Is blogging a good idea for eCommerce businesses? Integrating blogging into an e-commerce strategy can be a game-changer for online stores. This is because it's not just about selling products it's also about building a brand and connecting with customers on a deeper level. How can blogging help eCommerce? Driving traffic: Regular, quality blog posts can improve your website's SEO, bringing more potential customers to your store. Establishing authority: Sharing expertise via blog content can position your brand as a leader in your niche. Improving and strengthening customer engagement: Blogs create opportunities for customers to engage with your brand beyond the checkout page. It can also be a way to generate repeat sales and loyal customers. eCommerce vs blogging: which online business model is right for you Deciding between starting handmade e-commerce business or a blog comes down to your personal interests, skills and the type of commitment you're ready to make. Each model offers distinct benefits and challenges that can influence your decision. If you have a passion for creating products and are willing to handle inventory and order fulfillment, e-commerce might be the right path for you. It requires upfront investment but offers the satisfaction of selling tangible goods and potentially quicker financial returns. On the other hand, if you enjoy writing and sharing knowledge or stories, blogging could be a fulfilling choice. It often requires less initial financial investment and can be done from anywhere, but it may take longer to monetize. eCommerce vs blogging Which is more profitable, a blog or ecommerce website? Profitability depends on various factors such as niche, audience size, monetization strategies and operational costs. Both blogs and e-commerce websites have the potential to be profitable but they follow different business models and timelines for seeing a return on investment.

Ready to share your ideas with the world? Start your blog → Blogging can be seen as a personal or professional platform where individuals or companies share insights, stories and information relevant to their audience. It's often a space for thought leadership and direct communication with readers. On the other hand, content marketing is a strategic approach focused on creating and distributing valuable, relevant and consistent content to attract and retain a clearly defined audience — ultimately, to drive profitable customer action. When it comes to your online marketing strategies , choosing between blogging and content marketing is about understanding how each can serve your business goals in different ways. Both blogging and content marketing have their place in a robust digital marketing strategy. The key is knowing when and how to use each one effectively. Starting a blog should feel exciting, not overwhelming, right? With the Wix Blog Maker, you get everything you need to create, design and grow your blog from scratch–without needing a tech degree. Use Wix’s intuitive tools to share your ideas with the world.  What is blogging? Whether you're an individual sharing your life experiences or a company providing industry insights, blogging is about expressing ideas and sharing knowledge. It can be a personal or professional asset that allows for direct interaction with readers through comments and feedback. Blogs are often updated regularly, keeping content fresh. According to Allison Lee, Editor-in-Chief at Wix.com, “Blogs don’t get enough credit for their long-term advantages. In the long run, a blog can serve as a huge traffic driver and a way to connect with future customers (case in point: our Wix Blog is the first touchpoint for millions of people who may have never stumbled onto our site otherwise). That said, a blog is a long-term commitment—it requires a well thought-out strategy and consistent maintenance. Beyond saying ‘I want to get traffic,’ you need to understand your blog’s overall value to your brand, and acknowledge that two readers may come across your blog with two very different intentions and varying levels of familiarity with your brand.” Use a blog maker to start your blog. What is content marketing? Content marketing goes beyond writing articles, it's about creating a variety of content types—videos, podcasts, infographics—to meet your audience where they are. Think of content marketing as a long-term relationship with your customers, where you provide ongoing value through informative and engaging content that encourages trust and brand loyalty. Learn how to build a smarter approach with an effective AI content strategy . Blogging vs. content marketing: Key differences The main aim of blogging is to share information and engage with readers on a personal level. It's about building a community around your brand or interests. Content marketing, however, has a broader goal, to drive specific business outcomes. It's about using content to guide your audience through the buyer's journey, from awareness to consideration and ultimately to the decision stage. Scope of content While blogging typically involves written posts, content marketing encompasses a wider array of formats. You're looking at white papers, e-books, newsletters, social media posts and more—each serving different stages of the customer journey and various audience preferences. Strategy and planning Blogging can be spontaneous or planned but often focuses on timely content that speaks to current trends or events. In contrast, content marketing requires a strategic approach that aligns with business goals. It involves careful planning, audience segmentation, and performance analysis to ensure that every piece of content serves a purpose in the larger marketing strategy. Blogging vs. content marketing: the advantages Blogging advantages As a type of marketing , blogging offers a unique set of benefits for businesses: Regularly sharing your expertise makes you a go-to resource in your field. Fresh, relevant content can improve your search engine rankings, making it easier for people to find you. Blogs create a space for dialogue with customers and peers, fostering relationships. Blog content can be shared across social platforms, increasing your reach. Content marketing advantages Content marketing also brings powerful advantages to the table: Strategic content guides potential customers through the sales funnel. Diverse content types can introduce your brand to new audiences. Through informative content, you help customers make informed decisions. Consistent, valuable content keeps your brand top-of-mind and builds trust. How to include both blogging and content marketing in your strategy Think of your blog as the cornerstone of your content marketing strategy. It's where you start conversations, share insights and establish your brand's voice. A blog is a powerful tool to attract visitors to your website and can serve as the springboard for a broader content marketing plan. Blogging examples include: Focusing on in-depth tutorials within a niche, a business can position itself as an industry leader. With a mix of guest posts and staff-written articles, a brand can expand their network and increase user engagement. Once you've laid the groundwork with blogging, it's time to broaden your horizon with content marketing. This means exploring different content formats—such as videos, podcasts, and infographics—to reach a wider audience. Each format can cater to different preferences, helping you connect with people in the way they like best. Content marketing also involves strategic distribution through various channels to ensure your content gets seen by the right people at the right time. Content marketing examples include: A comprehensive e-book series to capture leads and build a strong email marketing campaign. Targeted video marketing campaigns, generated a significant boost in product awareness and sales. Leveraging user-generated content on social media, can increase customer loyalty and online visibility. Be inspired by these content marketing tips . Learn more: Blogging vs. podcasting Blogging vs. freelance writing Blogging vs. copywriting Blogging vs. content writing FAQ Which is better, content writing or blogging? When you're weighing content writing against blogging, it's not about which is better overall, but which is better for your specific goals. Blogging is excellent for building a personal connection and establishing thought leadership. Content writing, as part of a broader content marketing strategy, is ideal for driving business objectives and engaging customers across various touch points. Blogger vs. content creator, how do the roles differ? A blogger is someone who primarily writes articles for a blog. They might share personal stories, insights, or expertise. A content creator, however, could be doing any number of things: crafting blog posts, designing infographics, producing videos, or managing social media content. Their role is more diverse and aligned with the multifaceted needs of content marketing. Is blogging a form of marketing? Yes, blogging can be an integral part of your marketing strategy. It helps in SEO (search engine optimization), establishes your expertise in the industry, and can drive traffic to your website. While it's just one piece of the marketing puzzle, it's a powerful way to connect with your audience on a more personal level within your broader marketing efforts.

Ready to share your ideas with the world? Start your blog → Whether you're a business owner, a marketing professional or simply curious about content marketing , understanding the difference between blogging and copywriting is important. What exactly are copywriting and blogging? How do they differ and when should one be used over the other? Perhaps you're considering which to pursue for your career or business. This article aims to shed light on both, providing you with clear insights into copywriting vs blogging. Starting a blog should feel exciting, not overwhelming, right? With the Wix Blog Maker, you get everything you need to create, design and grow your blog from scratch–without needing a tech degree. Use Wix’s intuitive tools to share your ideas with the world.  What is copywriting? Copywriting is the art of persuasive writing with a clear goal — to sell or promote a product, service or idea. It's the voice behind the ads that catch your eye and the compelling call-to-action buttons that prompt you to subscribe or purchase. Copywriters are the ones crafting messages that drive people to take action. It includes: Crafting compelling headlines that stand out in a crowded marketplace. Writing persuasive product descriptions that highlight benefits over features. Developing email sequences that nurture leads and convert subscribers into customers. Creating ad copy that captures interest and compels clicks. Learn more about how to build a copywriting portfolio of your own. What is blogging? Blogging is about creating informative and engaging content that resonates with readers. It's less about direct selling and more about sharing knowledge, stories or insights that build a connection with your audience. Bloggers aim to inform, entertain, or educate often fostering a community around shared interests or topics. Blogging for business includes all this but can also lead to creating a blog with an acquisition first strategy — whether it's traffic, lead gen or conversions. It allows businesses to: Share industry insights and thought leadership articles that showcase expertise. Provide valuable information or how-to guides that solve reader's problems. Improve SEO efforts with keyword-rich content to improve search engine rankings. Foster a community around the brand, encouraging loyalty and repeat business. Blogging vs copywriting and which to choose Deciding whether to focus on copywriting or blogging can be an important choice for your business or personal brand. Each has its strengths and potential cons. When to choose copywriting You might lean towards copywriting when your primary objective is conversion—turning prospects into customers. Here are some situations where copywriting is the preferred strategy: Launching a new product:  You need persuasive copy that convinces consumers to try your latest offering. Boosting sales:  Your goal is to increase revenue, and you want content that directly contributes to that end. Email marketing campaigns:  You're looking to nurture leads and require compelling calls-to-action that drive subscribers to purchase. Advertising:  Whether online or offline, effective ad copy is crucial for capturing attention and eliciting a response. When to choose blogging Conversely, blogging could be more beneficial when your aim is to build brand awareness, establish authority or provide value through content. Here's when blogging comes into play: Audience education:  You want to share knowledge and insights related to your industry. Improving SEO:  Regular, high-quality blog posts can help improve your website's search engine rankings. Building a community:  You're focused on creating a loyal following around your brand or niche. Content marketing:  You need a steady stream of content that engages, informs, and entertains your audience over time. The choice between copywriting and blogging doesn't have to be exclusive. Many successful businesses and personal brands integrate both into their content strategies for maximum effect. By evaluating your specific needs and goals, you can determine the right balance for your marketing strategies and goals. Is blogging still relevant? Yes! It's crucial to build your brand's voice and community, and allow you to expand your reach to relevant audiences who might otherwise don't know you exist says Judit Ruiz Ricart, Blog Strategy Expert at Wix.com Copywriting vs blogging: getting started Whether you're looking to persuade with powerful copy or engage through compelling blog posts, here's how to get started with both: How to get started with copywriting Learn the fundamentals:  Understand the principles of persuasive writing and marketing. Practice regularly:  Write daily to refine your skills and develop your unique voice. Study successful copy:  Analyze effective ads and marketing materials to see what works. Build a portfolio :  Create samples of your work to showcase your abilities to potential clients or employers. Network:  Connect with other professionals and potential clients through social media, industry events or online forums. Learn more: How to become a freelance writer How to make money as a freelance writer Blogging vs freelance writing How to get started blogging Choose your blog niche:  Select a topic area that interests you and that you're passionate about. Start your blog:  Choose a blogging platform, secure a domain name and design your blog. Create helpful content:   Write blog posts that provide value, whether it's through information, entertainment or inspiration. Be consistent:  Publish content regularly to grow your audience and improve SEO. Engage with your readers:  Respond to comments and interact with your readership to build a community. Create a blog with a blog maker. Copywriting and blogging: Pros and cons Both copywriting and blogging offer unique advantages and challenges. Understanding these can help you navigate the content creation landscape more effectively and seize opportunities for growth and earning. Pros of copywriting Copywriting often leads to immediate results in marketing campaigns, such as direct sales. This makes skilled copywriters highly sought after for their ability to craft compelling messages that convert customers. Effective copywriters can command high rates due to their contribution to revenue generation. For copywriters one of the biggest perks of the career is the ability to work from anywhere, you just need a computer and internet connection. Plus there's the the opportunity to be a freelance writer, or an in-house writer working remotely. Cons of copywriting The direct tie to sales means there's often more pressure on copywriters to deliver results. Copywriting projects can also come with demanding timelines that require quick turnaround times. There's also a constant need for fresh and new ideas, the competitive nature of marketing requires continual Pros of blogging Bloggers often have more leeway in topic selection and writing style than copywriters who may have very specific copy briefs to follow. Quality blog content can continue driving traffic and engagement over time through SEO which makes blogging an essential part of many business marketing strategies. Monetized blogs can generate income through ads, affiliate marketing or sponsored content even when not actively working on them. This can make them a great source of passive income. Cons of blogging It may take time before a blog gains traction and starts seeing significant traffic. To get to this point can take a lot of consistent content posting to generate traffic. Regular posting is necessary to maintain engagement, which can be challenging over time. Blogging vs copywriting FAQ Do copywriters also write blogs? Many copywriters are versatile and can indeed write blogs. The skills of crafting compelling narratives and engaging readers are transferable between copywriting and blogging. While their primary focus might be on promotional material, copywriters can also excel at creating informative blog posts that subtly guide readers towards a brand or product. What pays more copywriting or content writing? When it comes to earnings, both copywriting and content writing (including blogging) have the potential to be lucrative. However, copywriting often has a higher earning potential due to its direct impact on sales and marketing campaigns. That said, successful bloggers and content writers can also earn significant income, especially if they attract a large following or work with high-paying clients or industries. Is copywriting a good side hustle? Copywriting can be an excellent side hustle for those looking to supplement their income. Its project-based nature allows for flexibility in workload and schedule, making it ideal for fitting around other commitments. Plus, with the growing demand for digital content, there are ample opportunities to find freelance copywriting gigs. Is copywriting beginner friendly? Breaking into copywriting can seem daunting at first glance, but it is quite beginner-friendly with the right approach. Start by honing your writing skills, understanding basic marketing principles and building an online portfolio of your work. There are numerous online resources and courses available that cater specifically to aspiring copywriters.

Ready to share your ideas with the world? Start your blog → Starting your own blog can be an exciting and lucrative venture. Sharing your expertise with the world can attract an audience and establish your online presence. But, you may find yourself first asking— how much does it cost to create a blog ? Before you dive into the blogosphere , it’s important to be realistic about the costs involved in order to make it worth your while.  This article will outline the different expenses you may encounter from how to make a website  when starting your blog, to domain name registration and web hosting fees. Once you know the potential costs of blogging, you can make a better informed decision about how to pursue your blogging goals.  Learn more: How to start a blog Starting a blog should feel exciting, not overwhelming, right? With the Wix Blog Maker, you get everything you need to create, design and grow your blog from scratch–without needing a tech degree. Use Wix’s intuitive tools to share your ideas with the world.  How much does a blog cost? If you make a website for free  on your own, a basic blog can start from free and cost as little as $16 per month. However, more complicated websites or ones that require the assistance of professionals like photographers, copywriters or designers, can cost upwards of $10,000. Let's examine the variables that can impact the cost of starting a blog. Learn more: How much does a website cost Can you start a blog for free? Yes, starting a blog for free is possible. There are free platforms and tools to help you kick-start your blogging journey.  Check out more on the best blogging platforms  to see which one is a good fit. While starting a free blog may seem like a great idea, before diving in, it's important to consider a few key points: Limited features and customizations : Blog platforms that are free may come with limited customizability options, which can make it difficult to establish your brand identity. Restricted growth : Free blogs often lack the necessary features and tools to help you grow your website traffic and monetize your content. Lack of ownership : The terms of service for free blog platforms can change at any time, meaning that your blog and its content could disappear overnight. Distracting ads : Ads on free blogs can sometimes detract from your content and make it less appealing to users. Security risk : Free blogs generally tend to be less secure than their paid counterparts, which can put your personal information and that of your readers at risk. You can also read more about is Wix good for blogging  and why. Ready to get blogging? Get started with  Wix  today. What bloggers really pay for: Common blog costs Here’s a detailed breakdown of some considerations that can influence blog costs. Included in each section, we've outlined the average cost ranges to help you estimate expenses. Domain name Website hosting  Website security Business email address Templates Logo and branding Email marketing tools SEO tools Social media tools Domain name Average cost range:  $0-$1,000+ per year While it may seem like a small detail, your domain name  plays a crucial role in establishing your brand identity and making your blog stand out from the rest. Getting a unique and memorable domain name can give your readers an idea of what to expect from your blog and help build trust and credibility with your audience. The domain name cost  varies depending on the provider and the type of domain you want (learn more about how much a domain name costs ). Tip: A Wix  premium plan , will give you a free one-year domain name voucher to offset your initial blog costs. Website hosting  Average cost range:  $0-$250 per month Website hosting  makes your blog accessible to readers all over the world via the internet. It involves a service that stores your website files on servers and delivers them when someone types in your blog's URL. The cost of web hosting can vary depending on the provider, package and level of service. Some providers, like Wix, offer free website hosting  as part of their website builder package. Investing in a reliable and trustworthy provider that offers the necessary features to meet your blogging needs is worth considering. From security to site speed, web hosting affects your blog's overall performance, impacting your users' experience and your ability to drive traffic and revenue. Ready to create a blog? Get started for free with the  Wix blog maker  today. Website security Average cost range:  $0-$200+ per year The costs of website security  can fluctuate depending on your platform or hosting service. Some providers offer basic security measures at affordable prices, while others may charge more for advanced protection against potential cyberattacks. Being proactive in protecting your blog can ultimately save you money and avoid the cost of dealing with a security breach. Tip: With Wix, security is already built in and included in the price when you start a blog. You’ll get 24/7 monitoring to detect vulnerabilities and keep both your information and your site visitors details safe.  Business email address Average cost range:  $0-$15 per month Creating a business email address  will give your blog a more professional look. Plus, it will streamline your communication efforts, keeping everything in one organized inbox. Investing in a business email address that includes your domain name is a relatively low-cost way to maintain a brand identity. The benefits of a business email address are worth the cost, including increased credibility, better delivery rates and improved brand recognition. You'll be able to communicate effectively with clients and readers, while also ensuring that your emails aren't getting lost in spam folders. Templates Average cost range:  $0-$70+ Templates are pre-designed   layouts that help you create the look and feel of your blog without having to code each element from scratch. Templates can be helpful to solidify your brand’s visual identity while also organizing your site’s content effectively.   Check out these totally customizable and free blog website templates  to help you get started.   Logo and branding Average cost range:  $0-$10,000+ one time fee A memorable  blog logo , a well-defined brand identity and a carefully chosen blog name create a cohesive  representation of your blog that helps distinguish it from others in your niche. Your blog name plays a role in capturing the essence of your content and attracting your target audience. Combined with a unified logo and look, it fosters brand recognition and trust amongst your readers. The cost of developing a logo can vary depending on several factors, like the complexity of your design, the number of revisions you require and the expertise of the designer you choose. You can cut blog costs and create your own using a  logo maker  tool.  Use Wix's  blog name generator  to create a catchy and relevant blog name that aligns with your brand identity. Email marketing tools Average cost range:  $0-$100+ per month Having a strong email list of blog subscribers and readers is an invaluable asset when it comes to blogging. By collecting email addresses, you can start building relationships with your readers, making your blog a more meaningful destination. It's important to start building your email list as soon as possible. With email marketing tools , you have a way to engage with your readers and provide them with more content. Remember, the goal is to build relationships with your audience and make your blog a trusted and valuable resource. The cost to your blog can range depending on the number of subscribers you have and the frequency of emails you send. SEO tools Average cost range:  $0-$1,000+ per month When it comes to running a successful blog, paying attention to blog SEO —or search engine optimization for your blog is key. This is the process of optimizing your blog's content and structure to boost its visibility and ranking on search engine results pages (SERPs). There are a wide range of SEO tools—both free and paid, that can help you identify the best keywords to target, generate new post ideas and even learn more about your niche audience. By investing in SEO tools, you're giving yourself the best possible chance of making your blog stand out in an oversaturated market. Wix SEO  offers a comprehensive package of tools to help manage your blog’s SEO strategy. Other tools like Ahrefs , Semrush  and Keyword Everywhere  can be helpful to find relevant keywords for your blog content. These tools offer free and paid versions, so you can always upgrade as needed based on your blog needs and cost limitations.  Expert tip from Chaya Arbiv, SEO specialist at Wix: “If your blog isn’t easy to find online, it’s like writing in a diary that no one reads. Make sure your blogging tool offers strong SEO features, like meta tags and an easy way to control URLs. That’s how new readers will discover your posts.” Social media tools Average cost range:  $0-$100+ per month Repurposing or repackaging your blog content into social media posts or video content is a cost effective way to increase blog traffic . Social media tools can help plan long term content on multiple platforms and are designed to schedule and automate posting, driving traffic to your blog and easing the workload significantly. Tools like a Pinterest scheduler can pre-schedule blog content to also post on Pinterest. Additionally, using a  video maker  tool can streamline your efforts to turn blog content into video content for a range of social platforms.  Depending on the scale of your social media efforts, the blog cost prices will vary. Keep an eye out for free trials to test which tools are actually useful and maximize your blog content. You also want social media tools that not only schedule content but also monitor online conversations and analyze your data.   Main costs to build a blog review Beyond the basics: Other blog costs Whether you’re just starting out, or a blogging novice, there are other blogging costs to consider as you grow and scale your efforts. Consider these additional costs as you estimate how much it will cost to start a blog.  Hardware Having the right hardware is important to produce quality blog content—this includes a reliable laptop ($600 - $2,000), a smartphone with a good camera ($40 - $100 per month) and a strong internet connection ($20 - $80 per month). While all of these can add up, it's essential to invest in your tools if you want to produce quality blog content.  Blogging courses Consider investing in courses to help you grow as a blogger. These courses come in different levels, from beginner to advanced, and vary in price. Free online learning platforms like Wix Learn  provide valuable knowledge and skills to create better and more strategic blog content.  Outsourcing content As your blog grows and you want to scale your efforts, you may look to hire external writers for a steady flow of fresh and captivating content. In addition, having freelance writers or content creators who are experts in their field will help boost your blog’s expertise, authority and trust—also known as EAT.  Like website designers, though, their rates will vary based on their experience. Typically, you can expect to pay anywhere from $10 to $75 for a single blog post.  Paid plugins and apps Paid plugins and apps can bring powerful features to your blog that go beyond the basics. Free tools are great for getting started but premium options unlock advanced features like automated backups, image optimization, SEO tools , pop-ups, eCommerce add-ons and custom forms. These tools simplify your workflow, boost site performance and create a smoother, more professional experience for your audience. Costs typically range from $5 to $50 per month per app with higher-end tools available for bigger budgets. If you’re using Wix, a big plus is that many features are already built in or available in the Wix App Market . You can quickly add tools for email marketing, live chat, social media or bookings without dealing with technical headaches. Wix takes care of updates and compatibility so you can focus on building your blog instead of fixing tools. Adding a few well-chosen paid apps can make your blog run smoother and feel more professional. Blog costs using a web designer vs. a website builder When mapping out your blog costs, you might consider hiring a web designer  or using a website builder to initially get started.  Website builders, like Wix, offer customizable templates and drag-and-drop functionality, enabling you to design and launch a site quickly and inexpensively.  Web designers may offer a more hands-on approach. While designers can establish a unique brand identity and develop a website with specific features and functionality, this option can be more expensive and time-consuming. Ready to start your blog now? Sign up with  Wix  today. Types of blogs  As you delve into the world of blogging, there are many types of blogs  you can start, covering a wide range of subjects. From fashion and real estate blogs to book and food blogs, the possibilities are virtually limitless. The key is to choose a specific topic that will be the central focus of your blog and its content strategy. This will help you establish a strong brand identity and provide valuable information to your readers. Determine your blogging commitment When estimating how much it costs to start a blog, it's also crucial to assess your commitment level and set clear goals right from the start. This can help you evaluate not only the costs involved, but also your time and energy. Let's explore the different categories below to help you get started on the right track: Hobby blogging If you're seeking a creative and engaging outlet, consider yourself a hobby blogger. Starting a blog requires little to no financial investment, making it perfect for exploring your interests without a long-term commitment. Side hustle If you’re looking to build a profitable blog but short on time due to other priorities like a full-time job, family obligations or other commitments, think of your blog as a side project. Side hustle bloggers are dedicated to keeping their blogs updated and engaging with their audience. They're willing to invest some money for long-term growth and success. Full-time blogger As a full-time blogger, you understand that investing in your blog can lead to growth and revenue. By treating your blog as a business, you recognize the importance of higher costs like professional website design, marketing campaigns and tech support. These investments help you establish a strong online presence and attract more readers, boosting the success of your blog. Tips for starting a blog If you're thinking about starting a blog from a cost perspective, there are a few tips to keep in mind. Prioritize value over growth : Focus on building strong foundations for your blog, rather than solely chasing metrics and rapid growth. Take the time to assess your blog’s potential revenue, profitability and long-term sustainability before making significant financial commitments. Determine your needs : When creating your blog, start by carefully considering the key features that are essential. Think about the specific functionalities and elements that would best serve your blog's purpose and target audience. Take inspiration from Wix user Zion Adventure Photog , a local photography group in Zion National Park. They effectively use a blog to provide tips and guides for planning an adventure in the park while promoting their photography services. With a blog focused on photography, you might prioritize features like a responsive image gallery, customizable image layouts and integration with social media platforms for easy sharing. Plan for the future : When considering the growth of your blog, it's important to envision how it will evolve over time. Think about the potential expenses that might arise as a result of this growth, such as hosting fees, marketing campaigns and hiring additional team members.  Be specific:  Finding a specific blog niche idea  is more profitable than writing about just anything. Leveraging your expertise in one focused area can help you create better and more relevant content. For example, according to Ahrefs blogging statistics , the most profitable blogging niche is the food blog niche. "Food bloggers have the highest median monthly income ($9,169) as compared to bloggers from all major niches". If you want to tap into this specific blog niche momentum, learn more about how to start a food blog  or how to make money as a food blogger . This will help you map out your blogging goals and understand just how much it costs to start a blog, knowing the potential money you can earn in return.  Expert tip from Sharon Hafuta, SEO blog editor at Wix: “There is no “one-size-fits-all” approach when it comes to blogging; what might work for one person may not work for someone else. What is important is that you have your finger on the pulse when it comes to your blog’s performance. Tracking data over time, spotting trends and experimenting with different strategies are some of the best ways to find out what works for you.” Blog monetization strategies to start earning Starting a blog comes with expenses, from hosting and domain fees to design and marketing. The good news is you can offset these costs while growing your audience. Here are strategies to start monetizing your blog right away: Affiliate marketing  – Share products or services your readers will actually love and earn a commission whenever someone buys through your links. It’s a simple way to make money while giving your audience helpful recommendations. Sponsored posts  – Partner with brands that fit your blog’s style. Sponsored content helps you earn income while introducing your readers to products and services that are relevant to them. Display ads  – Add ads to your posts with platforms like Google AdSense and earn money based on views or clicks. On Wix, you can easily create an ad unit and drop it into your blog. Sell digital products  – Turn your knowledge into eBooks, templates or online courses. Once they’re ready, you can sell them over and over to your audience. Offer services  – Use your blog to show off your skills, like freelance work, consulting or coaching. Your posts help attract clients who appreciate your expertise. Blog subscriptions  – Give your readers exclusive content they can subscribe to for a fee. On Wix, just go to your dashboard, open the Blog tab and pick the posts you want to monetize. How much does it cost to start a blog FAQ Is it worth it to start a blog? Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter dominate the internet. The rise of short-form video content like TikTok and Instagram Reels has further changed the way we consume and create content. However, blogging is still a relevant and proven content marketing strategy if you're still wondering if blogging is worth it . Blogging can be a great investment if you're willing to put in the time and effort to create quality content and promote your blog . Whether you're looking to build your personal brand, create a passive income stream, or gain exposure for your business, blogging offers a proven way to achieve those goals. What are the ongoing costs of maintaining a blog? Ongoing blog costs may include web hosting renewal fees, domain renewal fees and additional expenses for premium themes or plugins if you choose to enhance your blog's functionality. Also, if you end up hiring freelance writers, editors or photographers, you will have to retain them via ongoing payments.  Can I monetize my blog to cover costs? Yes, you can monetize a blog  through several approaches to help mitigate the initial costs. One option is to sell a product or service directly through your site. This can range from physical items to digital resources like e-books or courses. Another option is to create gated content that requires users to pay or subscribe for access. This can be a great way to offer premium content to dedicated followers while generating revenue. The challenge is finding the right balance between monetizing your blog and maintaining the trust and loyalty of your audience.  Can I start a blog without technical skills? Yes, many blogging platforms, like Wix, are designed for users without technical expertise. They provide user-friendly interfaces, and you can find plenty of online resources and tutorials to help you get started. How do beginner bloggers make money? Once you have selected your niche and created relevant content, as a blogger, you can start earning income through various channels. Affiliate marketing, sponsored posts and advertising are some of the most popular methods on how to make money blogging .  You can read more about blogging for beginners  to find more lucrative ways to get started.  Can a blog be started for free? Yes, free blog makers like Wix allow you to start blogging without upfront costs. However, these often come with limitations, such as non-personalized domains, ads you don’t control and limited monetization options. How much should I budget for marketing a new blog? For new blogs, marketing costs vary widely, from free strategies like social media and SEO to paid options such as ads. Budget $50–$500 for initial promotion, focusing on social media ads, email campaigns or influencer collaborations to drive traffic. What are some popular blog niches with good monetization potential? Some of the most popular blog niches with strong monetization potential include personal finance, health and wellness, lifestyle, travel and technology. These topics attract large engaged audiences and offer multiple revenue streams from affiliate marketing and sponsored content to digital products and courses. Niche blogs that solve specific problems or provide expert insights tend to perform particularly well. Choosing a niche you’re passionate about also makes it easier to create consistent high-quality content that resonates with readers.

Investing your money in online ads poses its own new challenges, as you’ll be dealing with many different types of ads and platforms. With this in mind, we’ve compiled a thorough and in-depth guide to the different ad types and formats out there to help you build a solid online advertising strategy and spend your budget wisely. Today’s economy’s key driving force is ever changing and marketers, whether they’ve been in the game for a while or are new to the field, must bring their a-game if they don’t want to fall behind. Entrepreneurs have come to the understanding that the only logical thing left to do in a world swarming with competitors is to create a website for their business and focus their efforts on building and revamping their online advertising strategy, while building some great advertisement examples at the same time. Benefits of online advertising As today’s leading medium for marketing you owe it to your online business to be online. While mass marketing like radio spots and printed media can make a difference to your business’ success, it won’t enable you to create a personal relationship with your potential consumers from around the world like online advertising can. Not only will you be able to reach out to your target audience on a global scale and enable millions of consumers to reach your business, online advertising is also incredibly convenient and accessible. You can easily track sales items online, send notifications, develop a targeted audience engagement strategy and plan ad campaigns accordingly with just a few clicks. Plus, you’ll have access to a wide array of analytics tools so you know exactly which campaigns, marketing strategies and keywords are working for your business and which are not. And if that wasn’t enough of an incentive for you to delve as deep as you can into internet advertising, one of online advertising’s top advantages is its cost-effectiveness and low operating cost. Unlike old-school methods where you have to spend a fortune to promote your products and services, online ads are inexpensive with certain sites enabling you to promote your website for free. Not to mention, you’ll be helping the environment by reducing paper, printing, and postage usage. Types of online advertising Whether you’re a seasoned paid specialist or are new to the online advertising game and have only heard of Image Ads, Video Ads and Carousel Ads, there are so many types of online ads available, it’s easy to get lost. Most online advertising ads run today run according to programmatic advertising. This is essentially the use of technology to automate the targeting and running of online ads. It involves using software to target specific audiences, often in real-time. It's what makes online advertising so efficient and impactful. In order to choose the best ad format for your campaign’s purposes and goals, ensure your ad is engaging a improve your return on Investment (ROI), you’ll need to familiarize yourself with these four main types of online advertising: Social media ads Paid search ads Native advertising Display advertising Social media ads With more than half of the people on earth using social platforms, you simply can’t ignore social media advertising. In fact, social media ad spend has already surpassed printed ads and ranks as the third-largest advertising channel , behind TV and paid search. Promoting your business via social media you’ll be able to reach and target specific audiences across the different channels, drive leads and sales, and leverage a variety of ad formats so that they best serve your marketing goals. Note: One way you can promote your business is by using a link in bio tool such as Hopp by Wix to direct users towards your website and specific social channels via one designated URL. When choosing the best social media ad format, ask yourself who your target audience is and which platforms they use, as well as the characteristics of the action you’re trying to promote. Knowing the different features and advantages each social ad strategy can offer you will help you figure out where to invest your money for better results. Facebook With over 2.7 billion monthly active Facebook users and more than 90 million small businesses using the platform’s free business tools, reaching your relevant public has never been easier. Using Facebook’s ad targeting tools you can reach out to three types of audiences: Core audiences: this tool enables you to define an audience based on their age, interests and geography. Custom audiences: helps you get back in touch with users who have previously engaged with your business. Lookalike audiences: enables you to reach new people whose interests are similar to those of your best customers. There are several ways to advertise using Facebook, with the most commonly used ones being image, video, story and lead ads: Image ads are great for driving traffic to your website and improving your internet advertising by sharing collections of images. Video ads are super popular as they are both visually captivating and are perfect for showcasing your product and brand. Story ads are an interactive solution that enables you to combine between photo and short-form video content. Lead ads allow you to capture lead information, whether for newsletter subscribers, event registrations, or follow-up services without directing users out of the Facebook platform. To learn more about how to make the most of each of these formats, read through our guide on the best practices to creating successful Facebook ads . Instagram Instagram is the social channel with the second-highest ROI among marketers, and is particularly relevant for those targeting audience ranges between the ages of 18 and 34. You can advertise on Instagram through your professional business account, create ads for your Facebook Page and promote them on either or both channels, or create custom campaigns in the Facebook Ads Manager targeted specifically at your Instagram audience. Similarly to Facebook, Instagram ad types include image ads, video ads, story ads and lead ads. However, the most innovative ad types on Instagram at the moment are Ads in Explore and Shopping Post ads: Explore is a discovery surface for users searching for new content and exploring their interests helping marketers reach a new audience. Shopping Post ads include a product tag and allow you to maximize the reach of your products by boosting shoppable posts or creating the ad from scratch in Ads Manager for more creative flexibility. Twitter There are over 187 million global daily active users on Twitter, with stats showing that 77% of Twitter users appreciate a brand more when it responds to their tweet. While digital advertising is less common on Twitter since organic reach is still a major indicator of a brand’s performance on the network, ads can still help you reach your business’ goals, particularly if your target audience ranges between the ages of 35-65. Many B2B companies and e-commerce brands have found success creating Twitter ads through influencer marketing campaigns. Rest assured knowing that the potential to monetize your efforts on the social network will likely pay off, as stats have shown that 40% of users made a purchase based on a sponsored tweet. You can target a specific audience on Twitter and then leverage your advertising strategy across Pinterest and Instagram as well, or turn to Conversational Ads - which are tweets with CTA buttons promoting specific hashtags. This type of ad can help you fuel word-of-mouth promotion of an upcoming event or product launch, however, you’ll have to request access to this ad format by filing a support ticket on Twitter. For more tips, check out our full guide on how to use Twitter. LinkedIn LinkedIn is the second-most popular social media platform among B2B marketers, ranking only behind Facebook, and it’s definitely the place to be if you want to promote your business. Its one-of-a-kind targeting capabilities allow you to target users by criteria the other platforms simply don't offer: including unique demographics, job title, job function, and industry. LinkedIn’s Message Ads enable you to send direct, one-on-one messages to your audience so you can share an event registration, promote a free product trial and more. Message ads will help you drive more website traffic and generate more leads with interactive features like Lead Gen Forms, which help you reach a very specific audience, and automated calls-to-action. YouTube As the fourth most-used social media platform by marketers , YouTube ads help you reach potential customers and have them take action when they watch or search for videos on the platform. Unlike other types of social media advertising, on YouTube you’ll only have to pay when users show interest in your ad. Ads on the platform appear before and during videos or as stand-alone promoted videos displayed after a search is performed. You can choose to advertise on YouTube using different types of ad formats, as well as targeting specific demographics and interests. Pinterest With a strong focus on visuals, Pinterest boosts over 442 million monthly active users, the majority of which are female. The platform’s ads are pieces of content pinned by marketers and brands that have a dollar sign added to their description. Marketers can then link pinned items to their official pages to drive traffic. With stats showing that businesses can reach more than 169 million people on Pinterest and that shopping is a top priority for 48% of the platform’s users , this is definitely a site to consider on your online advertising strategy. Paid search ads Paid search ads, also referred to as search engine marketing or SEM , help businesses reach people searching online for specific queries on search engines. This type of advertising works on a pay-per-click advertising model, meaning until someone clicks on your advertisement, you don't pay. While organic results on search engines and other free ways to promote your website could in fact help your business grow, they don’t have the same effect paid search ads have. In fact, businesses generally make an average of $2 in revenue for every $1 they spend on Google Ads. Furthermore, advertising on search engines protects your brand from competitors setting out to buy your branded terms. The most popular platforms for paid search ads are Google, Bing and Yahoo. Google is obviously the most used search engine with a whopping 3.5 billion daily search queries, and with stats showing that over 70% of the total searches worldwide are performed on Google. You can’t, however, afford to ignore its competitors. In order to know where you should invest your money, check your brand’s keywords on Yahoo and Bing in order to verify whether they are actually making a substantial amount of traffic to your site or not. Once you’ve mastered one of the three search engine platforms advertising techniques, advertising with the other two will be straightforward and a lot easier. Check out our guide on how to advertise on Google so you can start building your online advertising strategy on search engines. Native advertising Native advertising matches and functions naturally in the media format in which they appear. The key to native ads is that they are non-disruptive and could in fact go unnoticed by readers. With that being said, studies have shown that even though readers may not even realize they are consuming a paid advertisement, 31% are still more likely to buy from a brand after viewing their native ad . There are different types of native ads: “In Feed" ads that appear in the social network feed, search and promoted listings that appear at the top of your Google search results or in the sidebar, and content recommendations that appear after you’ve finished reading an article online. This type of internet ads expose your products and services to huge amounts of potential consumers and create a close relationship between publishers and brands. Consumers look at native ads 53% more than display ads , which means that even though your ad may not look promotional, it’s getting the job done. Display advertising Display ads are usually text, image or video-based and are meant to encourage a click-through from the user in order for him or her to take a specific action, such as get to the following page, make a purchase, etc. Most of them are promoted on a cost-per-click (CPC) basis, meaning that every time the user on a search engine clicks the ad, the advertiser gets charged an amount based on their overall bidding strategy. There is no wonder then that display ads are notorious in the advertising world, having tricked users into clicking misleading ads. However, in the right platforms they can be used to leverage data in order to display your ads to the targeted audience you’re looking to reach. Google display ads Using the Google Display Network (GDN), advertisers can design visually appealing ads and place them on millions of websites and apps (including YouTube and Gmail) straight from their Google Ads account. The platform enables you to target your specific audience through demographic and geo-targeting as well as your targeted audience’s specific interests. If you prefer, Google Ads will take care of the bidding process and will even figure out who your ideal audience is by using its automated targeting and bidding features. Clicks, impressions, conversions and Google Analytics can all be tracked from Google Ads, so you can see just how effective your ads really are. Facebook’s audience network Facebook's Audience Network uses the same targeting data from the Facebook platform in order to help you place native ads, banner ads , full-screen ads, in-stream ads, and rewarded video ads on the network’s websites and apps. This helps you monetize with high-value, boost your revenue and give every ad impression the opportunity for maximum earning potential with real-time bidding. How to measure the success of online advertising Key to understanding and increasing the impact of online advertising is knowing which metrics to set as KPIs and track, in order to understand the success of your online advertising campaigns. There are many metrics to track, and some are more relevant for some types of campaigns than others. But some of the main include: Conversion Rates: this is the percentage of users who take a desired action after seeing an advertisement. Often this is the most tracked metric for advertising campaigns and the real measure of how successful it was. Click-Through Rates (CTR): CTR measures the number of clicks on an advertisement divided by the number of times it was displayed. A high CTR indicates that the advertisement was engaging and relevant to the target audience. It would also demonstrate that an ad is reaching the right audience, with the right content. A low CTR would need to be investigated and the campaign or assets optimized to raise it. Cost per Action (CPA): CPA measures the cost of each desired action, such as a sale or sign-up, and is used to determine the return on investment (ROI) of an advertising campaign. This can be used to decide if it's worth continuing to run an ad or campaign based on how high or low the CPA is. Bounce Rates: Bounce rate measures the number of visitors who leave a website immediately after arriving. A high bounce rate can indicate that the advertisement wasn't relevant or effective in capturing the user's attention. A low bounce rate would suggest the opposite. Monitoring bounce rate is important for understanding how to improve the optimization of ad landing pages and resources. Return on Ad Spend (ROAS): ROAS calculates the return generated from an advertising campaign, divided by the amount spent on advertising. It's a useful metric for determining the overall effectiveness of an advertising campaign. Lifetime Value (LTV): LTV measures the value of a customer over the lifetime of their relationship with a business. This metric helps determine the long-term impact of an advertising campaign on customer acquisition and retention. It's a long term metric and must be treated as such. Engagement Metrics : Engagement metrics, such as likes, comments, and shares, can provide insight into the effectiveness of social media advertising and help measure the reach and impact of an online advertising campaign. They help advertisers understand what type of ads and what type of content resonates with their target audience and can be used to plan future campaigns. Referral Traffic : An increase in referral traffic to a website can indicate that the advertisement was successful in driving traffic and generating interest. Referral traffic can also be a way to track and measure brand awareness. Sales Metrics: Sales metrics, such as revenue and units sold, provide a direct measurement of the impact of advertising efforts on a business's bottom line. This may be less easy to track if you offer services or something less tangent than an actual product, but understanding the number of subscriptions an ad bought can also be considered a sales metric. There are also a number of micro ad relevant metrics to track specific ads, depending on their type and goal. These include, cost per mille, cost per engagement, cost per cost per lead, cost per view, cost per install to name just a few. Potential concerns around online advertising While there is no doubt that online advertising is impactful. However there are a number of considerations to consider when deciding how to run an online advertising strategy: Privacy : Online advertising often collects personal data to target advertisements, which can raise privacy concerns around how that data is shared and used. It also puts it at risk of being leaked from a cyberattack or similar. Misleading Ads: There have been instances where advertisements are misleading or make false claims, which can lead to customers losing not only trust in a specific product or brand but in online advertising in general. Ad Fraud : Ad fraud involves the use of bots or fake traffic to artificially inflate ad metrics, causing advertisers to focus on specific ads and assets that seem to be helping them meet KPIs, when the opposite is true. This leads to resources and ultimately money being wasted. Ad Fatigue : Over-saturation of online ads can lead to ad fatigue, where users become desensitized to advertising and ignore it. This can then potentially make future ads less effective, or makes it harder to capture the attention of ad weary online users. Ad Blocking : The use of ad-blockers has become increasingly popular, making it difficult for advertisers to reach their target audience. These can be installed as extensions on a computer or browser and allow users to block ads on web pages. Ad Discrimination : Online advertisements can be discriminatory, excluding certain groups based on factors such as age, race, and gender. Online advertising FAQ What are the main types of online advertising? The main types are, paid search ads, social media ads, native advertising and display advertising. What are the pros of using online advertising? You can reach a targeted audience efficiently. Paid advertising allows you to set targeting criteria, such as audience location and behavior. This allows you to narrow down your audience in line with your target market. It's generally more cost effective than traditional marketing, such as outdoor or TV. Online marketing is easy to track, and draw insights from, including how well you're meeting set metrics and KPIs. Online ads can also be changed fast, in order to respond to data and insights from previous campaigns. What are some of the downsides of online advertising? Online advertising can be competitive, and expensive - depending on the niche, industry and audience you're targeting. You'll also have to deal with potential ad fatigue, in a world where online audiences are often bombarded with ads and choose not to interact with them. Standing out in competitive spaces online can be tough.

Turn your ideas into sales and start selling with Wix eCommerce →   When it comes to online retail, the work of  building an eCommerce website  and perfecting it is never done. As an online store owner, you not only have to think about if your site looks good, but also if it’s going to convert visitors into customers effectively. Think of your website as a car and yourself as the mechanic—every time you fine-tune your site, it'll drive a little smoother, move a little faster and stay strong for years to come.  This article will serve as your instruction manual for eCommerce website optimization. Discover eight invaluable strategies for improving your site’s performance and creating an unforgettable experience for your shoppers.  As you prepare for high-traffic shopping moments like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, these strategies become even more valuable for keeping your store fast, reliable and ready to convert visitors into customers. Ready to start your eCommerce journey? Now’s the perfect time to bring your vision to life. With Wix eCommerce, you have the tools to build a professional online store and create a website that captivates your audience, drives traffic and boosts sales. Take the first step and explore Wix eCommerce today. Make your mark online and turn your ideas into success. TL;DR: eCommerce website optimization Ecommerce website optimization is about making your store faster, easier to use and more appealing to shoppers. Use clear CTAs, fast-loading pages and SEO-friendly product pages so visitors can find what they want and take action quickly. Simplify checkout, include all the product details customers need, and try different pricing strategies to see what drives sales. Personalize the experience using browsing history, past purchases or location to recommend the right products. Keep an eye on analytics like traffic, conversion rate, average order value, bounce rate and customer lifetime value to spot areas for improvement. Use classic sales tactics like flash sales, seasonal promotions or limited-time offers to create urgency and boost conversions. Ecommerce website optimization strategies Make your CTAs obvious Audit and increase your site speed Implement SEO best practices on your product pages Simplify your checkout flow Test pricing strategies Give your customers all the info they need Track analytics and metrics regularly Personalize the shopping experience Experiment with classic sales strategies 01. Make your CTAs obvious A call to action (CTA) refers to a piece of text, link or button that encourages customers to take a specific action. If you use an eCommerce website template , it usually comes with a built-in, well-designed CTA, making it easier for visitors to know where to click. CTAs that are difficult to find or understand can hinder the success of this  type of website , where visitors are often hopping between pages to find what they’re looking for.  Customers should know exactly where to go to look at the items in their cart and proceed to checkout. If you’re using a button, pick a color that contrasts against the background. For example, if you look at this landing page for Wix’s  landing page builder , you’ll notice that the white “get started” button stands out against the green background. This makes it one of the first things visitors see when they land on the page. Your CTA’s copy should also be obvious. “Your visitor should be absolutely sure what pressing the button will do and where it will bring them, otherwise they will never click,” says Amanda Weiner, CRO expert at Wix. While it may be tempting to replace an ordinary “add to cart” button with text that says “treat yourself,” you’ll want to stick to clear, descriptive text. Straightforward language can lead to more immediate action, plus improve  website accessibility . Don’t have a website? Use Wix’s  eCommerce website builder  to get started today. 02. Audit and increase your eCommerce site speed Every second counts when it comes to eCommerce site speed. According to an analysis by Portent , a site that loads in one second has an eCommerce conversion rate that’s 2.5 higher than a site that takes five seconds to load.  Not to mention that faster loading times can improve things like your SEO (search engine optimization) or Google Ads quality score, which may have a material effect on the traffic to your store.  Use tools like the Wix Site Speed dashboard to get a better sense of your site's performance. The Wix dashboard specifically uses real visitor data to accurately reflect what your website visitors are experiencing. It will show you how fast your website is using a number of Core Web Vitals, including: First contentful paint (FCP):  How long it takes for the first piece of content to show up on the page when your website loads Largest contentful paint (LCP): The time it takes for the largest page element to appear First input delay (FID):  How long it takes for your website to process a visitor’s first interaction with a page, such as a click or scroll Cumulative layout shift (CLS): How many times elements change positions on your page, which indicates visual stability  The Wix Site Speed dashboard provides recommendations for improving overall performance, accessibility and SEO. For example, you might be advised to compress video files before uploading them to your website. Or, you may find that you’re using too many custom fonts. Check this dashboard regularly and update your site accordingly to ensure a smooth, uninterrupted shopping experience.  Related reading: How much does an eCommerce website cost?   03. Implement SEO best practices on your product pages A recent Klarna study found that 32% percent of U.S. consumers still begin their online shopping journey with a search engine. In other words, SEO should be top of mind as you’re fine-tuning your site. There are many factors that go into SEO—but at minimum, you’ll want to make sure that you’re using keywords that are relevant, descriptive and highly searched throughout your website and product pages .  To do so, conduct keyword research for each product and page. (If you’ve got too many pages to tackle at once, focus on the pages for your best-selling or recommended products.) Keep an eye out for the most popular phrases that people are googling to discover products like yours. You can use a tool like  Wix's Semrush integration  to identify keywords and sift through a number of helpful metrics:  Search volume: The number of individuals that search for the keyword within a specific timeframe (usually a month).  Keyword difficulty: How difficult it would be to rank for that keyword. This is usually related to the amount of competition there is for a keyword and the number of backlinks those competitors have. Search intent: The purpose behind a user’s query. Are they searching with an informational intent (e.g., “how to choose the right sneakers”), navigational intent (e.g., “sneaker store near me”), commercial intent (e.g., “best deals on running sneakers”) or transactional intent (e.g., “buy Adidas Ultraboost”)? Weigh the above metrics to find the ideal keyword for each page. For example, at this stage, you might find that instead of targeting the phrase “running shoes,” you’re better off targeting “women’s running shoe size 9” because it’s more specific, has a high search volume and relevant to people who are ready to make a purchase. Once you’ve decided on the right keywords, incorporate them into your product pages via the product name, description, alt text and/or URL. Note: if you’re using Wix, you can always tap the AI text creator or AI meta tag creator for help with writing. Ecommerce consultant  Luke Carthy also recommends checking out the “People Also Ask” section  of relevant search engine results pages (SERP): “As you search more queries, you’ll surface more questions and potentially begin to identify patterns and questions that frequently appear. Take note of these details, as they’re likely to come in handy when you’re working on your descriptions.” Remember, SEO isn’t a one-and-done deal; keep an eye on your rankings and take steps to retain or improve them over time.  04. Simplify your checkout flow The average  abandoned cart rate  in eCommerce stands at a whopping 70.19%. While abandoned  shopping carts  are an inevitable part of selling online, you can reduce them by simplifying your checkout flow and removing any friction. The only way to decrease abandonment is to understand why it happens. According to a  meta-analysis of 49 studies  by Baymard Institute, cart abandonment is often a result of one of these events: Extra costs are too high (48%):  When taxes, shipping and fees end up increasing the order total unexpectedly, many customers tend to ditch their carts. Solve this problem by incorporating fees into your product pricing or offering free shipping for orders over a certain amount. The latter technique has the added benefit of encouraging customers to buy more than they may have initially intended. The site required a new account (26%):  If your website makes people create an account to proceed with checkout, you could be adding unnecessary friction to the transaction. Offer a guest checkout option to help new customers breeze through this step, then let them create an account to keep track of their purchases or access special promos after they’ve checked out. Delivery was too slow (23%):  When shoppers encounter extended delivery windows or uncertain arrival dates, they may opt to look elsewhere for quicker solutions. To mitigate this, offer expedited shipping at a higher cost or offer free shipping after a certain threshold to give them a reason to be patient. Wix users can also use the ShipStation integration to help streamline the fulfillment process.  Didn’t trust the site with credit card information (25%):  After seeing countless consumer data breaches in the news, customers may be hesitant to input their financial information on smaller business websites. Alleviate these concerns by offering alternative payment options, like PayPal or Google Pay, which hide payment information from merchants. If you use Wix Payments, you can let customers know that they’re protected by PCI Compliance, the highest marker of  eCommerce website security. Checkout process was too long or complicated (22%): Even customers who make it through lengthy checkout processes will likely feel agitated, so streamlining it is just as much a matter of user experience as it is about lowering your abandoned cart rate. Do your best to simplify form fields and condense the process to fit on a single page ( Wix checkout customizations  can be useful on this front). Offer express payment methods like those mentioned in the last bullet.  Total cost was hidden (21%): Customers want to know the total amount they’ll need to spend on shipping, fees and taxes before they enter all their information. Be transparent by displaying any extra costs as early as possible in the checkout process. Don’t forget to send emails that can help you recover abandoned orders. Learn how to set up and automate abandoned cart emails in Wix . 05. Test pricing strategies When it comes to pricing on your eCommerce site, small adjustments can make a big difference. It’s a good idea to run tests that can help you understand what offers or prices resonate with your customers without guessing. This is part of learning how to make money online . Ultimately, you’ll want to find that sweet spot where your prices aren’t too low that they cut into your margins or too high that they drive shoppers away.  There are several pricing methods worth testing:  Subscription pricing: Subscription pricing is a win-win for customers and merchants—you get recurring revenue, while customers receive convenience at a good price. For example, a feminine hygiene brand might give customers a 5% discount on each box of tampons via its tampon subscription service.  Odd-even pricing:  This popular technique suggests that prices that end in an odd number (e.g., $3.07) subconsciously signal a deal, while prices that end in an even number (e.g., $100.00) signal a luxury item. Additionally, prices that end in a 9, such as $2.99 or $29, tend to sell better than prices that are rounded up, such as $3 or $30. Pre-order pricing: Pre-order pricing lets you gauge customer demand before fully launching a product, allowing you to adjust prices based on early interest. Offering a discount for pre-orders can encourage commitment while giving you insights into how much people are willing to pay for your product. Learn how to activate pre-orders in Wix .  Comparative pricing: Help customers understand how good of a deal they’re getting by showing the original price slashed out right next to the new price. You can use this eCommerce optimization technique to price sales or clearance items or show how your prices compare to your competition. Decoy pricing: It’s said that when presented with two options, customers gravitate toward the cheaper option. When presented with three options, they tend to choose the more expensive option. Therefore, adding a third option can steer customers toward the more expensive product. Bulk discount: Mimic brands like Costco incentivize customers to spend more by offering a lower price per unit when they buy large quantities of a single item. This convinces customers to buy more in one go, which saves them money and boosts your business's sales. Price anchoring: Experiment with how you organize products on category pages to take advantage of anchoring, which is the practice of displaying products side by side to create context and perceived value. Bundle pricing: Increase your average order value (AOV) by bundling products together and offering them at a discount. Customers will love the deal they’re getting, especially if you compare the individual item prices to the bundle pricing. Gift cards, discounts and coupons: Encourage repeat purchases with one of these classic strategies. These types of incentives give shoppers a reason to spend more money while letting them decide to redeem their savings. Explore how gifts cards work on Wix , or how to offer discounts and coupons on your Wix site . Upsell/cross-sell: Upselling and cross-selling are great ways to increase order value by offering customers related or higher-end products as they shop. By suggesting complementary items or premium upgrades, you can enhance their shopping experience while growing your overall sales. Add a related products gallery  or integrate ReConvert  with your Wix site to cross-sell and upsell your customers intelligently.  06. Give your customers all the info they need In a brick-and-mortar setting, customers can touch an item, hold it, test it out, try it on and ask a sales associate any pressing questions.  When it comes to your online store, it helps to mimic this in-person shopping experience by giving customers all the information they need upfront. To this end, optimize each part of your product pages, including: Photos:  Upload photos from multiple angles. Include full-product images and close-ups. If the product is wearable, show models of different sizes wearing it. Stage the product to show customers how to use it or how to pair it with complementary products. View more  eCommerce photography  tips. Description: If customers couldn’t see the product, how would you describe it? Mention features that aren’t shown in the images as well as those that are. Include SEO keywords to make your product easier to find. Instructions: If applicable, explain how to use your product. What might be obvious to you might not be obvious to your customers. If relevant, include assembly instructions. Think beyond words when it comes to instructions. Videos or graphics can help customers visualize your products and how to use them. Shipping and return information: Hidden shipping pricing and speeds are one of the top reasons customers abandon carts, according to the same Baymard study mentioned earlier. To mitigate this, provide essential shipping information along with links to comprehensive policies on every product page. Materials: What are your products made of? List the materials in clothing, jewelry or home goods, as well as the ingredients in food and skincare products. Sizes or measurements: For wearable products, include a size guide on each product page to help customers find the right fit and reduce returns. For other types of products, like furniture, tools or appliances, provide as many product measurements as possible. Diagrams can be helpful in either case. Reviews:  Customer reviews help potential customers learn even more about your products, such as sizing or troubleshooting advice. Highlight testimonials, awards and other proof points on your site—or encourage users to leave their own reviews. Wix users can find various solutions in the Wix App Market  for showcasing and collecting feedback. Back-in-stock or pre-order status: Prominently display the in-stock status of your product. If a product is out of stock, consider giving your buyers the option to join your email list (see how to create back-in-stock notifications in Wix ) or pre-order your item on the spot.  Create an online store  with Wix today, or explore other clever eCommerce merchandising  techniques. 07. Track analytics and eCommerce metrics regularly Sales figures alone can’t give you a full picture of how your business is doing, especially online. Website-related analytics can help you fill in the blanks by pointing out obstacles that are getting in the way of the shopping experience.  Here’s a list of eCommerce KPIs and reports worth monitoring. All of these are available in Wix Analytics—track these to keep a pulse on any issues or disruptions on your site.  Traffic: Traffic indicates how many people visit your website. The goal is to have more and more traffic over time while maintaining a steady conversion rate.  To drive traffic to your online store , invest in SEO, advertising and email marketing. Conversion rate: Conversion rate measures what percentage of website visitors complete an intended action, such as making a purchase or signing up for a newsletter. If your conversion rate falls below the industry average, check for patterns in cart abandonment on your site. The culprit could be a complicated checkout flow or a slow-loading site.  Average order value (AOV): AOV measures how much your customers typically spend when they purchase something from your website. Compare your website’s AOV month over month or quarter over quarter, and look for any patterns. A decline in AOV could mean that it’s time to implement some upselling and cross-selling strategies or special deals. Bounce rate: Bounce rate measures the percentage of visits to your website that ended after just one page. A bounce rate between  20% and 45%  is common for eCommerce websites. A lower bounce rate is better than a higher one, so if yours falls above this range, check that your pages have enough relevant and engaging content (among other things).  Customer lifetime value (CLV or LTV): CLV measures how much a customer has spent on your eCommerce website over their entire relationship with your brand. Calculate your average CLV and use it as a benchmark. If this benchmark drops over time, employ retention marketing strategies to keep customers coming back for more. You could, for example, introduce a loyalty program that gamifies shopping and rewards customers for their patronage. Wix merchants can use  Wix Loyalty Program  to let customers accrue points that they can redeem for coupons. Slow-moving inventory:  If your analytics tool has a slow-moving inventory report, use it to identify products that have been sitting on your digital “shelves” for too long. Get these products moving by putting them on sale, placing them in your clearance section or bundling them with more popular products. Sales by product category: This eCommerce report can help you understand which types of products perform best on your website. Use these insights to determine which inventory to reorder and which categories to expand. For example, if your online store focuses on suitcases but you see that travel accessory sales are outperforming suitcase sales, you might decide to introduce new accessories to your inventory. Email marketing: Keep an eye on the performance of your marketing emails, such as your abandoned cart ones. There are several metrics that can be useful on this front: open rate, click-through rate and unsubscribe rate—just to name a few. A low open rate could indicate a need for stronger headlines, while a low click-through rate could warrant stronger CTAs and active copy. (Learn how to set up abandoned cart emails in Wix  or see how to integrate Klaviyo  with Wix for more advanced email needs.)  08. Personalize the shopping experience Use the data you already have to make each visitor feel like your store was built just for them. Show recommended products based on what they’ve browsed or purchased before. For example, if someone buys running shoes, highlight matching socks, water bottles or fitness gear on their next visit. Personalization doesn’t have to be complicated—even a “recently viewed” section can guide customers back to products they were interested in. Email and onsite messages can also be tailored. Send targeted promotions or product suggestions based on a shopper’s past behavior. For instance, if a customer frequently buys skincare items, offer them a discount on a new moisturizer or highlight a best-seller they haven’t tried. Wix users can integrate apps or use built-in features to automate personalized email campaigns making it easy to reach each customer with relevant offers. Dynamic content on your site helps increase engagement and conversion rates. Swap banners, pop-ups or homepage sections to reflect the visitor’s location, interests or shopping history. A returning visitor from New York might see a “Free shipping in NYC” banner while someone browsing winter gear in December sees seasonal promotions. 09. Experiment with classic sales strategies One way to get more people to complete their purchase is by promoting special deals clearly on your site. For example, flash sales and countdown banners create a sense of urgency; people are more likely to click “buy” when they feel time is running out. Meanwhile, you can use lightboxes or other pop-up messages that promote special offers and events, such as an end-of-season sale. Learn more: Setting up a lightbox in the Wix Editor  or integrating a countdown timer on your Wix Site Another easy way to keep your site engaging is by updating its design to match the time of year. For holidays like Christmas, you can use festive colors, promoted limited-edition products or add seasonal graphics to give your site a warm, holiday feel.  When Black Friday comes around, try bold, eye-catching banners that highlight deals. These changes don’t need to be huge, but they can make your site feel more relevant and timely—and put your customers in the shopping spirit.  Don't miss out on maximizing your seasonal sales: Check out the ultimate eCommerce holiday readiness checklist and get your business holiday-ready today. Ecommerce website optimization quick checklist When all is said and done, there are many different ways to tweak your website. Not all the tips listed above are must-dos, but at minimum, you’ll want to make sure to tick these off your list:  Type of eCommerce website Optimization strategies All eCommerce sites Use clear CTAs, fast-loading pages, SEO-friendly product pages, simple checkout, detailed product info, track analytics, personalize shopping experience, test pricing strategies, run seasonal or limited-time promotions Fashion & apparel Add size guides, high-quality images, personalized product suggestions, seasonal promotions Electronics & gadgets Show detailed specs, create comparison charts, offer upsells and cross-sells Health & beauty Highlight customer reviews, offer subscriptions, suggest related products Home & furniture Include measurement guides, bundle products, show shipping info Food & beverage Show ingredients and expiration dates, suggest related items Sports & outdoors Add gear guides, cross-sell accessories, highlight reviews, run flash sales Books & media Make search easy, bundle products, offer discounts Toys & kids Include age guides, multiple images, seasonal promotions Ecommerce website optimization FAQ What is eCommerce optimization? Ecommerce optimization refers to the practice of improving your online store to drive more sales. Examples of optimizations include increasing site speed, implementing SEO, simplifying your checkout flow and testing various pricing strategies. Why does eCommerce optimization matter? Ecommerce optimizations matter because they can help your business sell more, gain customers and make more money overall. By auditing your website’s performance before optimizing it, you can figure out where to best invest your time and resources. How is conversion rate calculated? Conversion rate is calculated by dividing the number of conversions visitors complete on your website by the number of website visitors. A conversion happens when visitors take a specific action on your website, such as adding a product to their cart or signing up for your email list. More often than not, however, sales are the main conversion goal for eCommerce websites.  What is a good eCommerce conversion rate? While eCommerce conversion rates vary by industry, the rule of thumb is that the more expensive the item, the lower the conversion rate. According to Kibo Commerce , for example, food and beverage conversion rates hover around 4.9% while home and furniture conversion rates are 1.4% on average.  What are the factors in eCommerce website optimization? Ecommerce website optimization involves enhancing factors such as website design, user experience and page load speed. Additionally, effective product categorization and search functionality play crucial roles in optimizing the user journey. Furthermore, the use of persuasive product descriptions and high-quality images can significantly impact conversion rates on an eCommerce website.