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  • Best website builders UK (2026): compare features, pricing and use cases

    Turn your ideas into a website you love with Wix →  Looking for the best website builders in the UK? This guide compares the leading platforms available to UK users, helping you choose the right solution based on features, flexibility and pricing. If you’re starting from scratch and searching for a free website builder , or you want faster setup with an AI website generator , the tools below cover a wide range of needs. From beginner-friendly builders to professional platforms used by agencies, we break down the top UK website builders based on design control, AI capabilities, blogging, eCommerce website features and long-term scalability. You’ll also find clear, practical guidance on  how to make a website  that meets your goals. Building a website for your business, passion project or side hustle should be easy and exciting. With Wix, you can design, customize and launch a professional website in minutes. Everything about Wix is built to simplify the process so you can focus on what really matters: bringing your ideas to life. Ready to make it happen? Start creating the website you’ve always envisioned today. TL;DR: best website builders UK The best website builders in the UK combine ease of use, flexible web design tools and fair pricing. Some platforms focus on beginners who want to get online quickly, while others are designed for professionals managing complex or multiple sites. Quick takeaways Wix offers the most complete all-in-one website builder for UK users. Wix Studio is designed for agencies and advanced web creators. Budget-focused builders prioritise speed and simplicity over flexibility. Not all platforms offer a free plan or built-in AI features. "The most important thing before building a website is good research. Know what you want to do and collect good inspirations that will contribute to your design." - Anna Suntsov, blog and social design team lead at Wix Website builder Best for Paid plans start at (UK) Wix All-in-one websites Free plan available, paid plans start at £9/month Wix Studio Agencies & professionals Paid plans start at £9/month IONOS Small business basics Free trial, paid plans start at £10/month SITE123 Simple, fast setup Free plan available, paid plans start at $12.80/month Elementor WordPress design control Paid plans start at £12.99/month Bluehost Website hosting + website building integration Paid hosting plans start at £3.79/month Hostinger Budget-friendly websites Paid plans start at £2.39/month Network Solutions Traditional web services Paid plans start at $4.99/month 8 best website builders UK Choosing the best website builders in the UK depends on what you’re building, whether that’s a personal site, blog, online store or client websites at scale. Below, we compare the most popular UK website builders using the same criteria across every platform: site creation, free tools , blogging, eCommerce, AI features for a website and pricing. Jump to a builder: Wix Wix Studio IONOS SITE123 Elementor Bluehost Hostinger Network Solutions 01. Wix Wix is for everyone, from first-time website builders to growing businesses looking for a reliable, all-in-one platform. It's a drag-and-drop website builder that combines visual design control, AI-powered tools and a comprehensive feature set, giving UK users the flexibility to build professional websites without relying on third-party plugins. Key features: Thousands of website templates for every niche and industry. AI website generator to create sites from prompts in minutes. Built-in blog maker with categories, tags and SEO features. Native eCommerce tools including a dropshipping website builder and print on demand services , making it easy to sell online . Wix Marketplace for additional functionality. Pricing:  Free plan available. Paid Wix Plans  start at £9 a month (billed annually). Month-to-month pricing also available. Get a  free domain name  for one year, plus access our domain name search  and domain name generator  to find the perfect web address. 02. Wix Studio Wix Studio is designed for professional web creators, agencies and freelancers who build websites for multiple clients or complex projects. Studio gives professionals more advanced layout control, performance optimisation and collaboration tools than standard website builders, while remaining fully hosted. “The best website builder for agencies is the one that fits your team’s rhythm and grows with your client base. Look for platforms that minimize busywork and maximize creative freedom, so you can focus on what really moves the needle.” - Roy Wax, PMM at Wix Studio Key features: Advanced responsive website templates  for versatile designs. Powerful content management system  for structured content. Collaboration tools to help teams manage clients and projects. Performance and SEO optimisation tools built in. Granular control over design, layout and interactions. Wix Studio management tools  for client management and project workflows. Pricing:   Wix Studio plans  start at £9 a month (billed annually). Month-to-month pricing also available. Learn more about Wix Studio: Wix vs Wix Studio Wix Studio vs Shopify Wix Studio vs Framer Wix Studio vs Webflow Wix Studio vs Duda 03. IONOS IONOS is a long-standing web services provider, offering website builders bundled with hosting and domains. Its builder focuses on straightforward site creation for small businesses rather than advanced design flexibility. Key features: Template-based website editor. Basic AI text and layout assistance. Built-in blogging functionality. Simple eCommerce tools for small catalogues. Domain and email often included with plans. Pricing:  Free trial available. Paid plans start at £10 per month. Learn more: Best AI website builders Traditional vs AI website builder Best AI landing page builders How does an AI website builder work Prompts to use with AI website builder Best website builders for beginners 04. SITE123 SITE123 is designed for users who want to publish a website quickly with minimal setup. It prioritises speed and simplicity over deep customisation. Key features: Guided website setup process. Pre-designed layouts with limited customisation. Built-in blog and basic SEO tools. Simple eCommerce functionality. Free subdomain on entry-level plans. Pricing: Free plan available. Paid plans usually start from around $12.80 a month (billed annually). Month-to-month pricing also available. Learn more: Sample portfolio websites How to design a logo How to make a business website What is web hosting 05. Elementor Elementor is a visual website builder for WordPress rather than a fully hosted platform. It’s best suited for users who want hands-on control over design and are comfortable managing hosting and plugins separately. Key features: Visual drag-and-drop editor for WordPress. Theme and page design control. Blogging via WordPress. Ecommerce via WooCommerce integration. Third-party plugin ecosystem. Pricing: Paid plans start at £12.99/month a month (billed annually). Learn more: Wix Studio vs Elementor What is a domain How to make a portfolio How to register a domain 06. Bluehost Bluehost is primarily a hosting provider that includes website-building tools. It’s commonly used by beginners who want hosting and site setup in one place. Key features: WordPress installation and site setup tools. Basic website builder functionality. Blogging via WordPress. Ecommerce through WooCommerce. Hosting and domain bundles. Pricing: Hosting plans start at £3.79 a month (billed annually). 07. Hostinger Hostinger offers affordable hosting plans with built-in website-building tools. It’s often chosen by users prioritising low cost over advanced features. Key features: AI-assisted website builder. Template-based editor. Blogging functionality. Ecommerce tools for small stores. Hosting included with plans. Pricing: Paid plans start at  £2.29 a month (billed annually). Month-to-month pricing also available. 08. Network Solutions Network Solutions is a longstanding player in the website services space, focusing on domains, hosting and website creation tools via an AI website generator. Key features: Template-based website builder. Basic blogging functionality. Simple ecommerce options. Domain and hosting services. Limited modern design flexibility. Pricing: Paid plans start at $4.99 a month (billed annually). Explore Wix vs Network Solutions →  Best website builder UK: feature comparison When comparing the top website builders in the UK, it helps to look at key capabilities side by side. All of the platforms below cover the essentials: hosting, blogging, eCommerce, and design tools, but they differ in flexibility, AI support and target users. Website builder AI tools Blogging Ecommerce Wix Yes Built-in Built-in Wix Studio Yes Built-in Built-in IONOS Yes Built-in Built-in SITE123 Limited Built-in Built-in Elementor Yes Third-party Third-party Bluehost Limited Third-party Third-party Hostinger Limited Built-in Built-in Network Solutions No Built-in Built-in Wix offers free website hosting , is an all-in-one builder that includes a drag-and-drop editor, AI website tools, blogging tools  and eCommerce. It’s designed for users who want flexibility and speed in one platform. This side-by-side look shows that while all of these builders cover core functionality, the right choice depends on your priorities: ease of use, design flexibility, AI assistance, or multi-site management. How to choose the best website builder UK Selecting the right website builder can make the difference between a site that’s frustrating to manage and one that grows with your goals. In the UK, options vary widely in ease of use, AI capabilities, blogging and eCommerce tools and cost. Focusing on a few key criteria will help you make a choice that fits your needs now, and in the future. Key factors to consider: Hosting vs self-managed:  Fully hosted builders, like Wix, handle technical aspects like website security and website maintenance . Self-managed platforms, such as Elementor on WordPress, give you more control but require you to manage hosting, backups and website updates . AI assistance:  Some builders include AI website generators or AI content strategy tools that can help you quickly create layouts, copy and design elements. This is especially useful for beginners or those who want to accelerate the website-building process. Blogging and eCommerce needs:  Built-in blogging and online store features reduce reliance on third-party plugins or apps. If you plan to run a blog or sell products, ensure the platform supports the features you need, like SEO settings, categories, product variations and online payment processing . Scalability:  Think about growth. Can the platform support multiple pages, additional sites or higher traffic? UK pricing and support:  Transparent pricing matters. Look for plans that fit your budget and include customer support suitable for UK users. Check whether pricing is billed monthly or annually and whether local support channels are available. Making the right choice is about balancing your current needs with your long-term plans. Consider which of these factors matter most to your business or project and use them as a framework when comparing builders. Check out these website building lessons to learn more. Why trust Wix's experts Wix provides guidance you can rely on because every recommendation is backed by hands-on experience. Wix's website-building specialists work closely with product teams, designers and SEO professionals to test platforms thoroughly and compare features objectively. These experts update their advice regularly, ensuring that the guidance reflects how people actually build websites today, not outdated specs or surface-level comparisons. With Wix, you get insights based on real-world testing and professional expertise, helping you make confident choices for your website. Editor’s note:  All prices and information in this article are accurate as of January 11, 2026 and are subject to change. Please check the provider’s website for the most up-to-date details. Best website builders UK FAQ What is the best website builder in the UK? The best website builder depends on your needs. Wix is widely used for its balance of ease, flexibility and built-in features, while Wix Studio is better suited for agencies and professionals. Explore more website builders: Best website builders Australia Best website builders for portfolios Best beauty website builders Best AI website builders Best website builders Canada Best website builders for designers Best website builders for freelancers Best website builder for small business Best hotel website builders Best resume website builders Best website builder for restaurants Best website builders for photographers Best real estate website builders Best website builders for writers Best church website builders Best website builder for teachers Best website builders for musicians Best website builders for cleaning business Best responsive website builders Best landscaping website builder Is there a free website builder in the UK? Yes. Platforms like Wix offer free plans for users looking to create a website without committing to a paid plan. Which website builder is best for small businesses in the UK? Small businesses often prefer fully hosted website builders that handle technical details like security, updates and website management , while still giving them control over design and content. Wix stands out in this space by offering a complete all-in-one platform that includes eCommerce tools, marketing strategies and features, blogging and AI-assisted site creation. With Wix, small businesses can launch professional websites quickly, manage online stores, run email campaigns and optimise their site for search engines, all without relying on third-party plugins or additional services. This combination of simplicity, flexibility and built-in capabilities makes Wix a practical choice for UK businesses looking to grow online efficiently. What is the best website builder for creating a portfolio website in the UK? Wix is one of the best website builders for creating a portfolio website in the UK. It offers a wide range of professionally designed portfolio templates, drag-and-drop customization and features that make it easy to showcase your work online. If you’re looking for inspiration, exploring real-world portfolio website examples  built on Wix can help you see how layouts, visuals and content come together to create a professional portfolio. Be inspired by the best website designs to get started.

  • 6 best website builders for artists

    Ready to let your work shine? Build your portfolio →   Our list of the best website builders for artists is designed to help you find the one that's tailor-made for making your artist website . Being an artist in the 21st century isn't easy (has it ever been?). Not only do you need to be creative and master your craft, but you also need to create a strong online presence for yourself. Your website serves as a digital gallery of your work. Making it inviting, easy to explore and aesthetically pleasing will encourage people to stay and learn more. How do you make a website if you're not proficient in web design? The answer lies in choosing the right website builder —one that both simplifies the design process and supports your marketing efforts. Showcasing your talent should be easy. With Wix’s portfolio builder, you can create a professional, eye-catching portfolio that shows your best work in just a few clicks. Wix’s customizable templates and easy-to-use tools let you present your skills with confidence–leaving a lasting impression on anyone who visits your site. TL;DR: best website builders for artists Your art deserves a site that works as beautifully as it looks. We break down website builders that help artists get online with ease and impact. Whether you want to showcase your portfolio, sell your work or just create a digital home for your art, the right builder can bring your vision to life, without requiring you to learn how to code. We chose builders that support creative freedom, streamline the setup process and offer the right mix of tools to help you grow. From flexible templates and media galleries to built-in eCommerce and print-on-demand integrations, each option is evaluated with artists’ real needs in mind. Selection criteria What we looked for Ease of use Drag-and-drop editors and customizable templates to simplify the build process Design flexibility Full control over layout, colors and fonts—plus mobile responsiveness Artist-specific features Media galleries, SEO tools, analytics, eCommerce and print-on-demand integrations Cost Free plans or transparent pricing to fit a range of budgets Customer support Access to tutorials, live chat or phone support when you need help 6 best website builders for artists Wix SmugMug Format Weebly Pixpa FASO 01. Wix Have you heard of palimpsest art? It's a relatively new art form in which you transform a painting into something new. Think of using website templates as a form of palimpsest art—the challenge is to transform a template to make it your own. With near-limitless customization opportunities, AI features and templates for all types of websites , Wix is your playground. Want to add some flair with parallax scrolling or tweak the color scheme? Go for it. How about setting up a shop that offers both original pieces and print-on-demand merch? You got it. You can even add custom code with Wix Velo to really make it yours. Learn more about the print on demand companies you could work with. If you're too busy to get your hands dirty, the art and illustration templates have enough personality and functionality to get you started. Or, you can use Wix’s AI website builder to create a bespoke website, complete with personalized site copy and all the visual components you need to showcase your best work. Learn more about all of Wix AI tools . But a visually stunning website is just half the story. The other half is robust performance, and that's another area where Wix shines. With two decades of continuous refinement, Wix boasts an infrastructure that is not only secure for you and your visitors but also lightning-fast and reliable. If all that weren’t enough, Wix also has the marketing tools you need to get your art the visibility it deserves. With robust tools for SEO, email marketing, multichannel selling, advertising and even print on demand, Wix makes it easier for your target audience to find you. Plus, you can harness the power of Wix Payments and point-of-sale (POS) solutions to track both online and offline sales in one place and accept payments online . Be inspired by these artist website examples , all built on Wix. Price: Free plan available, as well as monthly premium plans starting at $17 per month. Annual plans available. Free plan ($0): Limited features and ads. Light ($17/month):  Basic plan for simple sites. Core ($29/month): Basic eCommerce features and marketing suite. Business ($39/month): Geared towards growing your brand.  Business Elite ($159/month): Unlocks unlimited storage & scaling capabilities. Enterprise: Custom plan for large corporations.  Learn more: How much does a website cost and how to make a Wix website Ready to have all these Wix features at your fingertips? Learn how to create a photography website with Wix and sign up for a free account today. 02. SmugMug SmugMug is a specialized playground for photographers to display their work as vividly as they capture it. SmugMug understands that your photos aren't just pixels on a screen—they're your business, and often, your livelihood. That's why it comes equipped with robust eCommerce features. Whether you're selling digital downloads or custom-printed canvases, SmugMug handles the complexities of online transactions, freeing you to focus on creating stunning visual stories. SmugMug additionally aims to preserve the integrity of your work, offering all subscribers unlimited storage with zero image compression. That means your photos remain as crisp and true-to-life as the moment you captured them, allowing you to display your art without compromise. To simplify your workflow, SmugMug seamlessly integrates with Adobe Lightroom and photo platforms like Flickr, because as any photographer knows, the process doesn't end once you've snapped that perfect shot. Price: Monthly plans starting at $25 per month. Annual plans available. 03. Format Specializing as an art portfolio builder, Format flaunts features that are particularly important to illustrators and filmmakers, such as copyright protection and integrated video hosting. Illustrators, with Format you can effortlessly sell art online without having to pay commission fees. Format also takes care of printing and shipping your digital illustrations , so you can sell physical offerings like canvas wraps, metal prints and more. Another option: you can choose to participate in Format's Artist Marketplace, a curated platform of artwork with global reach. The best part is, Format handles all the marketing and sales for you. As for filmmakers, Format doesn't skimp on the essentials. You can upload a generous 10GB of video clips, as well as tap into its integrated video hosting. Avoid the hassle of embedding videos from other platforms; Format ensures a streamlined and professional look for your portfolio. What's more, every plan comes standard with robust copyright protection, so you can display your masterpieces without a second thought about unauthorized use. And if you're eyeing business expansion, Format's Pro and Pro Plus plans let you set up a full-fledged online store on your site. It's a comprehensive package, making Format a popular for illustrators and filmmakers looking to showcase their work and grow their business. Price: Monthly plans starting at $12 per month. Annual plans available. 04. Weebly If you’ve ever participated in a craft fair or art show, you know that “cash only” is the best way to scare away customers. Today, people expect a variety of payment options, and that's where Square comes in. Known as a popular POS system for businesses on the move, Square's acquisition of Weebly in 2018 elevated Weebly from an ordinary website builder to a comprehensive sales platform for artists who sell their work in various settings. By using Weebly for your online presence and Square for your in-person transactions, you can make sure that your inventory and sales data are synced, no matter where you sell your art. So, whether you make a sale on your website or at a local art show, your inventory and financials will be automatically updated. This level of integration eliminates the need for manual updates, reducing the risk of errors and freeing up more of your time to focus on your art. Price: Free plan available, as well as paid monthly plans starting at $13 per month. Annual plans available. 05. Pixpa As an artist, your work often speaks for you, and Pixpa gets that. Pixpa helps you create a strong portfolio website by offering a range of customizable, visually striking templates that allow you to showcase your art in the best light possible. As with other website builders in this list, Pixpa understands that artists are entrepreneurs. That's why they offer an integrated eCommerce platform designed to help you sell your art directly from your website. Have clients who need private galleries? Pixpa enables password-protected galleries where you can share works-in-progress or client-specific collections securely. This makes the platform ideal for photographers, designers or anyone who needs to provide restricted access to a selected audience. What about growing your audience? Pixpa offera built-in SEO and marketing tools that help make sure people find you and not just another artist when they search online. Price: Monthly plans starting at $8 per month. One-year and two-year plans also available. 06. FASO FASO is tailored to painters and sculptors who want to break into the online art market. Picture your website as an elegant, virtual gallery where collectors and enthusiasts can stroll through the digital corridors, eyes widening at every masterpiece you've created. FASO helps you turn that vision into reality. Beyond this, FASO offers tools engineered to close sales. Ever browsed art online and wondered, "How would this painting look in my living room?" FASO erases that uncertainty with its innovative "View in Room" feature. This lets prospective buyers virtually "hang" your artwork in their own space, giving them a real sense of how it will fit into their world. FASO's Automated Marketing Platform additionally pushes your art to an expansive network of more than 70,000 collectors, galleries and art aficionados. Furthermore, FASO helps you establish a brand newsletter to keep your fan base updated on your latest works, upcoming exhibitions and latest insights. So, if you're a painter or sculptor looking to not only showcase but also sell your art online, FASO offers a well-rounded platform tailored to your needs. From visualizing art in a room to marketing your pieces to a wide audience, FASO equips you with the tools to turn your passion into profit. Price: Monthly plans starting at $15 per month. Annual plans available. Learn more about why you should use a website builder. Learn more: Best AI website builder  Best website builder for small business Best one-page website builders Personal website builders  Free website builders  Cheap website builder  Best membership websites How to choose the right website builder as an artist According to Esin D. Habif, product marketing lead (outbound) at Wix: "Even if infrastructure is not the first thought that comes to mind when creating a website, if it’s not robust enough, it can cause major headaches for website owners when trying to scale a website later on." Choosing the right website builder as an artist is a crucial step in showcasing your work effectively. Here are some key factors to consider: Ease of use Drag and drop functionality is a must if you want to make a site without coding. Wix uses a drag and drop editor for just this. Also look for access to customizable website templates that you can make your own but which also mean you don't have to spend a lot of time building website pages from nothing. The more specific the templates, such as these creative art templates , the better. Learn more: How does an AI website builder work Design flexibility Customization is important, to make a unique website that represents your art. Being able to choose your own colors and typography is crucial. You want to put your own stamp on your site as an artist. Also check that you can make your site mobile-friendly, so that no matter where anyone is accessing it from, it works and looks great. Features and tools There are many useful features and tools to look for in a website builder for artists. Some important ones to look for include: Media galleries, to show off your artwork. eCommerce capabilitie s, in case you should ever want to sell your work online. SEO tools , that make it easy to implement basic optimizations to help your site appear on search engines. Analytics tools , these help you gauge the performance of your site in terms of visitors. Print-on-demand (POD) integration, allowing you to sell prints, canvases or apparel with your designs without the hassle of managing inventory. Cost If your budget is small, or if price is important to you for whatever reason, research the cost of making a website with each builder first. With Wix you can create a website for free, or opt for a paid plan. Customer support Good, reliable customer support is a must — both live chat and phone support if necessary. It's also a plus if the website builder for artists you choose provides tutorials and guides on using their platform too. Get started with your website design  with Wix today. Editor’s note: all prices are current as of July 23rd, 2025. How to make an artist website  Creating an artist website is a great way to share your work with the world and connect with a wider audience. Follow these nine steps to get started:  Establish goals for your artist website : Define what you want to achieve whether it’s selling your artwork, attracting commissions, showcasing your portfolio or building a fan base. Clear goals will guide your decisions throughout the process.  Choose a website builder : Look for a platform that’s user-friendly and offers creative tools to help you bring your vision to life. The right builder will give you flexibility while keeping things simple. Wix is a great option, offering intuitive features and customizable templates to suit any project. Pick a template : Select a design template that matches your artistic vibe. Templates with clean modern layouts are ideal for spotlighting your art.  Register a domain name : Secure a custom domain that reflects your identity or brand. A name like yournameart.com makes it memorable and professional.  Set up your website pages : Include key pages such as a homepage to introduce yourself, an About page to share your story, a gallery page to feature your work and a contact page for inquiries.  Showcase your artwork : Upload high-quality photos of your art arranged into clear categories or collections. Add descriptions to give visitors context and connect them with your pieces.  Make your site mobile-friendly : Optimize your site so it looks and functions beautifully on mobile devices. A seamless mobile experience ensures no visitor is turned away.  Review and publish : Double-check each page for typos, broken links or design tweaks. Once you’re satisfied, hit publish and bring your website to life.  Maintain your artist website : Keep your content fresh by adding new projects, updating news or sharing blogs about your creative process. Regular updates show you’re active and engaged.  Website builders for artists FAQ How do I create my own website as an artist? To create your own artist website, choose a website builder that suits your needs. Select a template that complements your artistic style, organize your portfolio with high-quality images of your work and include an 'About Me' section. Ensure easy navigation, provide contact information and consider adding a blog to share your artistic journey, techniques or upcoming exhibitions. How much does it cost to have an artist's website? The cost of an artist's website can vary. DIY platforms offer affordable plans starting at a few dollars per month. If you hire a professional web developer, costs may range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, depending on the complexity of the site. Additionally, there may be expenses for a custom domain, hosting and any premium features you choose to include on your website. Is Wix a good website builder for artists? Yes, Wix is a good website builder for artists due to its user-friendly interface and a variety of customizable templates. Artists can easily showcase their work through Wix's drag-and-drop functionality, making it accessible for those without extensive web development skills. Wix also offers features like an online store for selling artwork and a blog for sharing artistic insights. Wix is also great for all types of sites, including actor websites too. Check out these best website builders for designers. How can I optimize my artist website for SEO? To optimize your artist website, focus on search engine optimization (SEO) techniques. Use descriptive titles and alt text for images, incorporate relevant keywords in your content and regularly update your portfolio. Utilize social media platforms to share your artwork and drive traffic to your site. Additionally, engage with your audience through a blog, encourage visitors to sign up for newsletters and consider participating in online art communities to enhance your website's visibility and reach. What should I include in my artist website's portfolio section? Your artist website's portfolio section should showcase your artwork effectively while providing visitors with relevant information about your work. Make sure to include high-quality images, artwork titles and descriptions, categories or collections, an artist statement, exhibition history, a contact form and social media links. How can I protect my artwork from unauthorized use on my website? To protect your artwork from unauthorized use, start by adding watermarks to your images, making it clear they’re protected while still showcasing your work. Use low-resolution versions of your artwork on your website to make them less appealing for unauthorized use or reproduction. Finally, include copyright notices on your site and, if necessary, register your work to have legal recourse for any infringements. Is a website worth it for an artist? Yes, a website is absolutely worth it for an artist. A website allows you to share your story, sell your art and update fans and clients on your latest projects. It’s a platform that reflects your unique creative identity while giving visitors an easy way to connect with you, making it an invaluable tool for growing your artistic career.

  • Most AI-generated website content is generic. Here’s how to make sure yours isn’t.

    Ready to create your own website? Get started with Wix's website builder . Today, small business owners are turning to AI to craft website content—and the numbers show it’s not just a trend. For anyone learning how to make a website , AI tools simplify creating professional content. A 2025 survey from Thryv  found that AI adoption among small businesses jumped from 39% in 2024 to 55% in 2025. Of those, more than half (55%) say content generation is their primary use case. But from what I see out in the wild, many SMBs are barely scratching the surface. This is because they type in a few quick prompts and get bland, generic content that reads like it was generated from a quick prompt. This isn’t a knock on SMB owners—learning how to prompt AI effectively is just one part of a crash course in AI education we’re all getting on the fly.  I may have written a few more prompts than the average person, so let me start with this. The real trick to getting AI to deliver great results is simple: give it context. Lots of it. Related:   Small business website statistics What a prompt with context looks like Let me give you an example. Say you give AI the following prompt:  “Help me write around 100 words of content for a landing page announcing a Fall sale.”  And let’s assume that it has no other context or access to previous chats you may have had with it.  AI would go ahead and confidently write the content with some room for you to fill in the blanks. It’ll probably lead with “Fall into savings!” or something lame like that. It will mention that for a limited time, your customers can save big on Fall finds.  It will be bland and generic. Here’s what I actually got with one of the most popular AI tools (emojis included): 🍁 Fall into Savings! 🍁 [Author’s note: See? I told you] Autumn is here, and so are our biggest deals of the season! For a limited time, enjoy exclusive discounts on your favorite products—from cozy essentials to must-have seasonal picks. Whether you’re refreshing your wardrobe, upgrading your home or finding the perfect gift, now’s the time to save. Don’t wait—these Fall specials won’t last long! Shop today and embrace the season in style while enjoying unbeatable prices. Shop the Fall sale now and make this autumn your most stylish, comfortable and budget-friendly yet! That’s almost 90 words about a Fall sale that doesn’t say a whole lot. But you can’t expect AI  to give you much when you didn’t tell it a whole lot, either. And it’s making an assumption that you sell clothes or home goods, which may or may not be true. Now, imagine you give AI this prompt:  “Help me write content of around 100 words for a landing page about a Fall sale. I own a costume shop. The sale dates are October 2-9. The sale is for every item in the store, with the steepest discounts of up to 40% off on Halloween decorations.  We will also be offering free face-painting during this time, which will hopefully bring in more families, who make up the majority of my business. The location of my store is [address]. I want to avoid cliche language. Add a reference about how even vampires would risk going out in the sun for this sale.” Here’s what the same AI tool gave me: Step into the spirit of the season at [Your Store Name]! From October 2–9, every item in our store is on sale, with Halloween decorations reaching up to 40% off—so good, even vampires might risk stepping into the sun.  Families are especially welcome: we’re offering free face-painting to make your visit extra fun. Explore our wide range of costumes, props, and décor to create a hauntingly memorable Halloween.  Whether you’re trick-or-treating or hosting the ultimate spooky party, this is the perfect time to stock up. Visit us at [address] and grab your favorites before they vanish! See the difference? The more information you give it, the more personalized—and less generic—your output will be. Learn more:   How much does a website cost ? How I built a Wix website for my mom How to choose a website builder The formula I like to use: RACE To help you create content with AI when making a website , let’s look at a handy prompting framework you can use. The one I share when I’m giving “Intro to AI” sessions is the RACE framework , as written by Trust Insights. It stands for Role, Action, Context, Execute. If I’m being honest, I didn’t actually follow it in the example I gave above about the costume store, so let’s expand on that example. First, tell AI what role you want it to take on. Using the example from earlier, you might say, “You are a copywriter with a specialty in creating high-converting landing pages.” Then, state the action : “I would like you to help me write content for a landing page based on the following information.” Next, give the AI context,  like how I provided extra detail earlier about the product discounts, face-painting and even a quip about vampires. Then, just to remind it what it’s supposed to do, add another line about executing  the task.  “Please let me know if you have any questions that would help you in this task. If not, please write the landing page content now.” (Do you have to say “please?” No. But my mom taught me to be polite.) Now, take a look at what AI gave me:  🍂 Fall into Savings at [Your Store Name]! 🍂 From October 2–9, every item in our store is on sale, with Halloween decorations up to 40% off—even vampires would risk the sun to snag these deals!  Bring the whole family and enjoy free face-painting while you shop. From spooky décor to show-stopping costumes, there’s something for every ghoul and goblin.  Don’t miss this chance to transform your Halloween and your home without breaking the bank. Swing by [address] and make this Fall unforgettable. Well, it still says “Fall into Savings,” which I’d want to fix, but that’s why you always need a human in the loop. Speaking of which… How I make sure my content sounds human Using the RACE framework will get you much better results from AI, but it’s still important to review all AI-generated content. And even if you’re not an editor, there’s one thing you should definitely do to ensure a human touch. Read the content out loud to yourself and see how it sounds.  In my experience, whether the text is generated by AI or another person, this is the best way to identify phrasing that needs to be reworked. But be warned: AI will often put together a string of words that sound nice in sequence but don’t actually mean much if you think about them for more than two seconds.  So, read it out loud. Then either make fixes yourself or let AI know about a specific sentence or word you don’t like and ask for changes. Here’s how I would have edited the email above. I’ve marked my changes in red. The Fall Super-Sale is Coming From October 2–9, every item in [Your Store Name] is going on sale, with Halloween decorations up to 40% off—even vampires would risk the sun to snag these deals!  Bring the whole family and let the kids enjoy free face-painting while you shop. From spooky décor to show-stopping costumes, there’s something for every ghoul and goblin.  Don’t miss this chance to transform your Halloween and your home without breaking the bank. Swing by [address] and make this Halloween unforgettable. Of course, it’s up to you as to how much you want to use AI for your business website  content. Personally, I don’t like it too much for writing headlines because I’m very  picky about headlines. To me, AI is best used for anything that is highly specific (product descriptions, for example) because specificity acts as a compass for AI. The narrower and clearer the task, the more precise, useful and aligned the output tends to be. Read also: Sure, AI can design your whole website—but you give it soul Discover seven things you can do in 30 seconds with Wix's AI image tools . Bring yourself to the AI party There’s a final ingredient to ensuring your AI-generated web content  isn’t bland and generic, or, as they like to call it these days, “AI slop.” That ingredient is you. Your personality, your expertise, and your ideas. AI has amazing capabilities, but to get amazing results, you have to bring yourself to the party, too. When you combine what makes you unique with the generative powers of AI, that’s when the good stuff really starts happening. Building a website from scratch  and need help creating compelling content? Check out what Wix’s powerful built-in AI tools  can do for your business.

  • How to start a blog in 10 steps: a beginner's guide

    Ready to share your ideas with the world? Start your blog → Want to start a blog ? The easiest way is to use a blog maker that gives you access to the tools you need to design, write and publish posts in one place. With just a few steps, you can launch your blog, share your ideas with the world, grow and audience and even open up new income streams. This guide walks you through the process from your very first idea to hitting “publish” with confidence. You’ll also get tips on writing posts and attracting readers so your blog reaches the right people. Create a website with Wix. Starting a blog should feel exciting and effortless. With the Wix Blog Maker, you get everything you need to create, design and grow your blog from scratch. Explore how you can use Wix’s intuitive tools to share your ideas with the world. TL;DR: how to start a blog Starting a blog is easier than it seems. Pick a topic, set up your website, design it to match your style, write your first posts and share them with your audience. With consistent effort, you’ll build a blog that attracts readers, showcases your expertise and supports your goals. To help you create a blog that stands out, here’s a quick look at what makes a great blog. What makes a great blog What it includes Why it matters Clear focus Keeps your content relevant and attracts the right readers Consistent posting Builds trust and keeps your audience engaged Authentic voice Helps you connect and stand out from other blogs Useful and valuable content Provides readers with insights, answers or entertainment Easy-to-read format Makes your posts enjoyable and accessible Strong visuals Supports your content and makes your blog visually appealing SEO-friendly structure Helps new readers discover your blog through search engines Easy navigation Allows visitors to explore more of your content effortlessly Calls to action Encourages readers to take the next step, like subscribing Learn more: How to start a website How to start a blog in 10 steps Choose a blogging platform. Use a platform that offers customizable templates. Pick a hosting platform. Consider a platform with good bandwidth, uptime and customer support. Find the right niche. Narrow down your theme and have a specific audience in mind. Select a blog name and domain. Choose a descriptive name that piques readers’ interests. Set up and design your blog. Include imagery and effects that reflect your theme. Brainstorm blog topics. Write down all your ideas before narrowing down topic selections. Write your first blog post. Engage your audience with a killer title and use headers to make the content skimmable. Create an editorial calendar. Create a calendar to help you publish consistently and hold yourself accountable. Promote your blog. Use marketing strategies to expand your reach. Make money blogging. Take advantage of opportunities to monetize your blog. In this complete how to blog A to Z tutorial, we’ll cover everything from choosing your blogging platform to making money from your written work. With a little bit of guidance, you can get your blog online in 30 minutes or less. This is going to be the most comprehensive advice you’ll find on building a successful blog from scratch. If you want to start a blog fast, though, feel free to use the numbered steps above as a quick cheat sheet. You can go directly to the step you need the most help with, or grab a cup of coffee and read it all the way through. What is a blog? While a blog can encompass an entire website or simply be its own section of a website, this is a place to share content about a topic you’re passionate about. Starting a blog will typically include both written and visual elements published in an easy-to-read, article format so visitors can swiftly browse and find what they’re looking for. And with over 31.7 million blogs in the US alone, you can literally find blogs about every subject out therein, from home renovation to baking to local business marketing strategies . Once you’ve established a community of readers, the possibilities are truly endless. We use our blog as a platform to support you on your website building journey. Our posts guide you through the entire process, from start to finish, giving informative insights and practical tips at every step along the way.  As far as a timeline goes, there's no definitive "perfect" time to start a blog. If you feel that you have the time and resources to start, manage and promote a blog and are enthusiastic about sharing your ideas with the world, it might be the right time to take the plunge and start your blogging journey. The sooner you start, the sooner you can learn and grow as a blogger. 01. Choose a blogging platform If you're here, you're likely curious about how to get started—and you're in the right place. The first step in starting a blog is to select a blogging platform or Content Management System (CMS) for publishing your content. A quick Google search will show you that there are several different sites available that suit bloggers from all industries. The blog you're reading is actually built on Wix, a free website builder I highly recommend for new and seasoned bloggers. Wix’s blogging platform is fairly straightforward to get the hang of, and it offers a variety of attractive design options and templates to work with. In addition, it comes with features to analyze your blog’s performance and monetize your content, which will come in handy as you setup your blog and build your readership. How much does it cost to start a blog? When researching how to create a blog, one of the biggest questions people have is how much does it cost to start a blog . On many blogging builders, starting a blog is completely free . You can decide at any point whether you’d like to upgrade to a variety of different plans, depending on your budget and needs. Learn more about how much does it cost to build a website. 02. Pick a hosting platform Once you select your preferred blogging platform, you’ll need to choose a hosting platform. A blog, like other types of websites , requires a host. This essentially stores websites on a server under a unique address so that visitors can easily reach them. On some blogging platforms, hosting is already included, so you won’t need to find a separate web host when setting up your blog. In that case, you can skip this step and move to Step 3 . With other blog builders, such as WordPress, you will need to find and pay for a separate web hosting platform. Some popular options include: BlueHost HostGator GoDaddy DreamHost If you’re not sure which web hosting platform to choose, take into account these factors: Uptime: The amount of time that the server hosting your website is up and running. A strong uptime rate (99.95% or above) is a good indication that the host’s servers perform well. Bandwidth: The amount of data your website can transfer to visitors over a certain period of time. This factor is based on the size of your website pages as well as the amount of traffic you expect. This quick bandwidth calculator can help you determine your site’s bandwidth. Customer support: Customer service you can contact in the event something goes wrong. Ideally, your hosting provider should offer an online help center, offer callbacks and respond to questions and concerns on social media. Once you’ve chosen your blogging platform and hosting provider, you can start coming up with your blog idea. Don’t worry about picking and registering your domain name just yet. We’ll walk through that process together in Step 4 . 03. What to blog about? How to find your blog niche There is virtually no limit when it comes to your choice of subjects. The most crucial thing is that you select a specific topic area that will be the central focus of your entire blog and its content strategy. What is a blog niche Popular blog niche ideas How to choose your blog niche Don’t follow trends you don’t love Stay focused Testing the waters Your blog niche doesn’t need to be perfect What is a blog niche A blog niche  is the specific topic your blog focuses on—like travel, tech, food or personal finance. A niche lets you narrow your content to attract a specific audience. Think of it as picking your lane: readers know what to expect and you become the go-to person for that topic. Why does this matter? When your blog has a clear focus, it’s easier to grow. Search engines understand your site which helps with SEO. Readers are more likely to stick around and subscribe when the content feels made for them. And if you’re looking to make money from your blog, a niche makes it easier to recommend products, attract partnerships or create content that converts. Popular blog niche ideas These blog topics attract big, active audiences and offer lots of room to grow, monetize and build a community. Blogging for fun, as a side hustle or to support your business? These niches give you plenty of flexibility and potential—especially when you bring your unique voice and experience. Personal finance : Budgeting, saving, investing and making money online— finance blogs are always in demand. Health and wellness : A health blog can cover everything from fitness routines and nutrition tips to mental health advice and holistic living practices Food and recipes : Share meals, diet-specific cooking (vegan, keto or other food blog  types) or cultural cuisine. Travel : Tips, itineraries and experiences from around the world or your own backyard. Parenting : Advice, stories and activities for new parents or families. Lifestyle : A broader niche that can include home decor, fashion blogs , productivity or minimalism. Tech and gadgets : Reviews, how-tos and insights into the latest devices and trends. Beauty and skincare : Tutorials, reviews and routines for makeup and skincare enthusiasts. Career and personal development : Productivity tips, job hunting or entrepreneurship. Education and learning : Great for teachers, tutors or curious minds. Share study tips, teaching tools or start a book blog  with reviews and reading guides. How to choose a blog niche Before picking a niche, think of it like finding your blog’s sweet spot. It should be something you love talking about, know a bit about and that people are actually interested in. The best niches mix passion, knowledge and the potential to grow through ads, products or building a loyal group of readers. 3 steps to pick the perfect blog niche: Narrow down your interests : Start by listing 5–10 broad interests then narrow each down to something more specific. For example, if you love travel, maybe it’s backpacking in Southeast Asia; if you like cooking, maybe it’s vegan recipes. These personal interests will help shape a niche you’ll stick with and actually enjoy building content around. Research your blog audience : Start by using tools like Google Trends  to see how many people are searching for certain subjects. The more searches a topic gets, the more potential audience you have. For example, “vegan recipes” shows steady interest, making it a strong choice for a blog niche while topics with lower or declining interest like “paleo recipes” may have fewer readers. Check if it’s profitable : Even if you’re running a hobby personal blog , it’s a good idea to explore ways to make money from it. Affiliate marketing is a popular option where you promote products and earn a commission on sales. Consider how your niche fits into this, like writing "best of" or "how to" posts with affiliate links. For example, a "Best kitchen appliances for easy cooking" post could include links to food processors making you money with every sale. Don’t follow trends you don’t love Jumping on a trending topic can be tempting when it feels like everyone else is making it work. But if you're not truly interested, your blog won't last. Writing about something you don’t care about feels like a chore and readers will notice when you're not into it. Passion is what keeps your blog going and makes the process more enjoyable. Stay focused Another trap to avoid? Going way too broad. “Lifestyle” might sound cool but it’s too broad. Instead, go for something like “sustainable living for young moms” or “minimalist style for city dwellers.” It gives your blog a clear focus and helps you build a loyal audience. Also stick to your chosen niche—changing topics all the time confuses readers and hurts your SEO. Testing the waters: how to know if your niche will attract readers Before jumping in, make sure people actually want to read about your niche. A quick Google or Pinterest search will show you what kind of content is already out there. If you find blog posts, YouTube videos and products, that’s a great sign. Tools like Google Keyword Planner can also help you see if your topic gets decent search traffic. Forums and Facebook groups are super helpful too. Look at what people are asking, complaining about or curious to learn—those are your content ideas. And don’t skip checking out the competition. What are other bloggers covering? What are they missing? That gap could be exactly where your blog stands out. Your blog niche doesn’t need to be perfect Most bloggers don’t get it right on the first try. You might start out writing about wellness and realize you’re actually into natural skincare. Or maybe you find your groove creating tech tutorials for beginners instead of covering every new gadget out there. That’s totally fine. Your blog can grow and evolve with you. It’s not about having the perfect plan from day one—it’s about staying flexible and figuring out what works. Many successful bloggers refine their niche as they go, learning what resonates with their audience and what feels good to create. Start now, adjust along the way and enjoy the process. 04. Select a blog name and domain As you think about how to make a blog, the question of what to name it is probably lurking somewhere in the back of your mind. There are three main routes you can go with your blog's name. These include: Your first and last name The name of your business (if you have one) A creative new name When choosing your blog’s name, you should also think about the personality you want it to reflect. Should it be formal and professional? Sweet and romantic? Edgy and offbeat? If you’re stuck on names for your blog , this blog name generator is a helpful source of inspiration. Once you decide, you should also go ahead and choose your domain name for your blog. Also referred to as a URL , a domain is a site’s address on the web (this website’s domain name, for example, is www.wix.com). Typically, your domain name will be the same as, or at least influenced by, the name of your blog. If you really want your blog to stand out, consider a .blog domain extension . It's a clear and unique way to help your blog and content pop. Tips for picking a domain name for your blog: Keep it short and simple so it's easy to remember. Try to use keywords related to your blog's niche. Avoid numbers or hyphens—they can be confusing and hard to share. Check if the domain name is available using a domain name search . Make sure it aligns with your blog name for consistency. Pro tip: Find the domain owner and registration details for a website with a  Whois domain lookup .  05. Set up and design your blog Choose a blog template Decide which pages to include Get indexed on search engines Create a blog logo At this point, you’ve chosen a blogging and hosting platform, domain name and blog niche. You’re now equipped with all the basics for setting up your blog. Here's how to optimize your blog design : Blog templates - food and travel Choose a blog template The first part of setup for a blog is selecting a template. Like your blog’s name, its look and feel will be an important part of its personality. The most efficient way to get your blog up and running is to choose a pre-designed blog template . Afterwards, you can customize it based on your preferences. Be sure to pick one that conveys your blog’s subject area. There are website templates for bloggers of any genre, whether you’re a food blogger, starting a photography blog or write about business. As you browse, think about the mood you want your website to communicate, for example. whether it’s classic, modern, rugged or minimalist. You should also take that into account as you further personalize the template with your preferred colors. Color psychology plays a huge role in forming your audience’s impression of your blog. As you choose a color palette, keep in mind the feelings and attitudes that different colors evoke. Blue, for instance, tends to evoke dependability and trust, while yellow evokes energy and joy. If you’re unsure of which templates to choose, these blog examples serve as a helpful source of design inspiration. Decide which pages to include Once you’ve chosen a template, think about which pages to include. Most blogs include more than just a section to display their posts. They might also include an online store, as in the image below, or a contact page. Here's an overview of the different options when designing your blog: 01. Contact page: This is a place to put your email address so that fans and potential business partners can reach out to you. You can also include a contact form so that people can send a message directly through your site. 02. About page: This tells visitors who you are, what you do and why you do it, providing some context behind your blog and humanizing your content. 03. Online store: You’ll also want to add a separate online store page if you’re thinking of selling items related to your blog. You can call this page “Products” or “Shop.” In addition to your primary content pages when you create a blog, you can include a few legal pages to protect your interests and inform your visitors. Create a disclaimer page to clearly explain the accuracy of your information, especially if you're giving advice or using affiliate links. A privacy policy is often required by law and tells users about how you handle their data. You can also add a Terms of Service page to outline usage rules, user expectations and your rights. If you want to beef up your blog with even more pages, a Tutorials page, Now Trending page or Author’s Pick page are all popular options. Furthermore, some blogs opt to place their posts directly on the homepage, while others keep their homepages and blog pages separate. If you do this, make sure to include a navigation menu so that visitors can easily access your blog as well as any other pages. There’s no right or wrong way to set up a blog, so play around with different options to see what best suits your style and personality. Keep in mind that you can always add or remove pages over time as your blog evolves. Get indexed on search engines Another part of starting a blog is making sure it’s visible on Google and other search engines. This is crucial if you want your content to pop up in search results, so you’ll want to take care of this step right away. First, make sure your site is indexed on Google. Essentially, this means giving Google a heads up that your blog exists. You can do this by submitting your sitemap to Google Search Console . Pro tip: Google Search Console is not only important for indexing your site, but it’s also a valuable platform that you’ll be using throughout your blogging journey. It tells you important data about your blog’s site visitors and clicks, which you can use to improve your content. To find out whether your site is already included in Google’s search index, do a quick site search (a site search uses your homepage URL and takes the form of site:yourblogname.com ). If your blog pops up in the search results, then your site is already indexed. Create a blog logo Finally, polish off your site with an attractive blog logo . This is another way to add personality to your site, and it’s an essential step if you want to create a blog that evolves into a recognizable brand. One option is to design your own or outsource the task, but you can also use an online logo maker . These tools give you plenty of room to customize your logo with your preferred colors, fonts and icons, and tend to be quicker and more affordable than hiring a professional designer. Once you create your logo, place it in the upper left-hand corner of your website, and link it to your homepage. This will help brand your content while improving the navigation experience for readers. 06. Brainstorm blog topics On the technical side, your blog is now setup and ready to go. It’s time to start thinking about which topics you’ll get started with. Begin by thinking about your experiences, successes, failures or discoveries related to your niche. What insights can you share? What ideas are you looking to explore in-depth? Understanding your audience As you think of topics, try to get into your readers’ heads. Here are some questions to guide you through the brainstorming process: What characteristics does my target audience possess? What subjects does my target audience get excited about? What challenges does my target audience face? Understanding what resonates with readers can make all the difference. Some content formats just click because they’re handy, easy to digest and leave readers ready to take action. Content formats that work Take "how-to" articles, for example. These are blogging royalty, and for good reason. According to research from Statista , about 76% of bloggers say they publish "how-to" content. Why? Because these articles deliver real value by walking readers step-by-step through a process, whether it’s learning to bake the perfect sourdough or optimizing a website. Another format readers love? Lists. From "10 travel essentials" to "5 simple ways to save money," lists hold their own, with 55% of bloggers including this type of content. Lists work so well because they’re clear, organized and completely scannable. Your audience can skim through quickly, find what they need and apply it right away. Choosing topics that matter Here on our blog, we choose topics by focusing on what matters most to you, our reader. We pay attention to trending industries, common questions and what people are searching for right now. By mixing popular topics with practical advice and insights from our in-house experts, we make sure our content is genuinely helpful. We also explore niche areas that often get overlooked, adding unique tips to give you your website, blog or other online presence that extra edge. Our goal is simple–create blog posts that solve real-world problems and provide value to anyone ready to start their own blog. Using the topic cluster model You can also come up with ideas using the topic cluster model . Essentially, this is a tightly organized system that strings together related posts using a series of internal links. While this process is usually considered part of SEO, you can also think of it as a mind map for coming up with ideas. By this model, think about a broad topic—say, recipes—and then divide that up into smaller subtopics, like dinner recipes or brunch recipes. Then, divide those up into even more specific topics, like 20-minute dinner recipes, mimosa recipes, and cake decoration ideas. Any of these topics could be its own blog post. If you’re still stuck, this list of blog ideas can help jumpstart the brainstorming process. They include: A 30 before 30 list (also 40 before 40, or 50 before 50) Your sources of inspiration Beginners’ guides Time-saving hacks A challenge you’ve faced Use these ideas to guide you, but feel free to add your own creative twist based on your niche. 07. Write your first blog post Start with keyword research Come up with a blog post title Outline your main points Write engaging content Insert images Optimize for SEO Edit and publish Now that you’ve come up with ideas, you’re ready to dive into the writing. Let’s go over how to write a blog post from start to finish: Start with keyword research Finding the right keywords is crucial for getting people to read your posts. By targeting certain phrases with your article, you increase the chances of your blog appearing on search results pages for those queries. Let’s say, for instance, that you want to share a carrot cake recipe in your blog. You’ll want to target keywords such as: Carrot cake Carrot cake recipe Best carrot cake recipe How to make carrot cake Depending on your topic, some keywords may be more obvious than others. You can refine your keywords using free keyword research tools such as Google Keyword Planner or you can use more robust paid options like SEMrush or Ahrefs . Targeting keywords Next, you’ll need to strategically target your selected keywords throughout your article. This means two things: First, you’ll need to sprinkle those phrases throughout your post (but try to do so as organically as possible—no one likes unnatural keyword stuffing). Second, you should structure your article based on the format you see in the top 10 search results for those keywords (you can also reference these results when deciding how long should a blog post be ). Analyzing competitors Let’s say, for example, that you want to write an article about your favorite carrot cake recipe. Start by checking your competitors—the top 10 search results on Google for the keyword “carrot cake recipe.” When you type that phrase into the search engine, you’ll notice that the top results are written as numbered steps, rather than as a story. You can therefore assume that most readers prefer the list format for these types of posts. In order to provide valuable content to your readers—and to rank high on Google as a result—you’ll want your own post to assume a similar format. Covering all the main points Likewise, you’ll want to touch on all the main points covered by your competitors. This doesn’t mean you can’t be creative. It’s just to say that in addition to sharing your own original insights, you should cover all the bases. To continue with our example, let’s assume that when you look up “carrot cake recipe,” the top search results include a section about how to make cream cheese frosting. This is an indicator that many readers find this content helpful. In addition, it shows that Google has a preference for articles including that detail. You’d be wise, then, to touch on this idea in your own article. Outline your main points Keyword research gives you an idea of the best format for your blog post, as well as which sections to include. This naturally segues into the outline stage of the writing process. First, choose which type of blog post you’d like to write. Will it be a how-to guide? A product recommendation? An op-ed? Whichever blog post template you choose, you’ll want to have a clear idea in mind before structuring the outline. Then, use headers and subheaders to break up your content into organized, bite-sized chunks. Beneath each heading, make bulleted notes of the main points you’ll include in each section. This will be the skeleton of your first blog post. Feel free to use this downloadable blog post template to help with your outline. All you need to do is fill in the blanks. Come up with a blog post title The next part of starting a blog article is coming up with a strong title. You can come up with your blog titles at any stage of the planning process, but the best ideas often arise as you build your outline. Why titles matter A blog title is a small but mighty piece of content. Often, it makes the difference between whether or not people click on your article. When it comes to writing blog post titles, we keep it simple, clear and to the point. We’re all about grabbing your attention while giving you exactly what you need to know. Our goal? To speak directly to you in an approachable tone that still shows we’ve got the know-how. Each title is designed to promise real value–from solving a problem, answering your questions or walking you through a step-by-step guide. And yes, we make sure to include some SEO magic, so our blogs are easy to find, but we never sacrifice that for personal touch. Because here’s the thing, a great headline isn’t just about getting clicks; it’s about keeping our promise and giving you exactly what you’re looking for. Strategies for catchy titles To make your blog titles catchy and compelling, put yourself in your readers’ shoes. Think about what might interest and excite them, and try the following strategies: Be clear and direct Promise value Appeal to your readers’ emotions Pique their curiosity Use humor, alliteration or wordplay Here are a few fill-in-the-blank blog title ideas to help you: If you’re curious about diving more into what makes a headline a success, Buzzsumo’s shared headlines study is also an insightful resource. Looking to make the most out of your blog? Subscribe to the Wix blog newsletter and get fresh content and updates straight to your inbox. Write engaging content Now, it’s time to start typing away. Keep in mind that you’ll need an introduction, body text broken up by headers and sub-headers, and a conclusion (optional). Crafting catchy headlines Start with a compelling headline that grabs attention. Use curiosity, numbers or clear value propositions to make readers want to click. A strong headline sets the tone for your entire post. Writing the introduction In the introduction, grab your audience’s attention with a captivating anecdote, a compelling quote or statistic, or an interesting fact. Then, share a brief summary of what the article is about, making sure to grab the interest of your readers. Building the body Next, write the body text, using your outline as a guide. This is where you share your knowledge and expertise as a blogger. Be sure to avoid fluff; writing for the sake of writing is one of the biggest blogging mistakes . Instead, make sure each sentence is meaningful, and dive straight into sharing your original insights and actionable tips. You should also use a tone of voice that resonates with your audience, whether it’s funny and casual or serious and formal. Writing reader-friendly content Break your content into short paragraphs, headers, subheaders and bullet points. Use images, charts or visuals when possible to make your post easier to scan. A well-structured article keeps readers engaged and improves readability. Wrapping up with a conclusion Finally, wrap up the post with a concluding section. While not every blog includes this final bit, it’s a nice way to tie your ideas together and share your closing thoughts. Keep in mind that writing a blog post can take several hours, and it’s a process that shouldn’t be rushed. Set aside at least half a day to write your first draft. Using AI to speed up content creation There are quicker ways to research, plan and create blog content, if you choose to decide with AI content generation tools. There are several to choose from - including Open AI's Chat GPT, Google's BARD and others such as Jasper.ai. Just be sure to heavily edit any AI generated content, be on top of fact checking it's output and don't forget to bring your own voice and style to the content. Write a blog post with AI As AI content generators become more popular and as their output improves, considering whether to use AI to write blog posts is a valid question a lot of bloggers are asking themselves. AI content generation can speed up the blog writing process and help you create more, faster. However, in our experience, AI generated content still requires a large degree of human editing, fact checking and injecting of experience into it. So while it might help you create drafts faster, it's not going to be something you can publish fresh from an AI content generator. However you can use AI for other parts of the blog writing process. You can use it to: Create blog titles Write meta titles and descriptions Structure your blog articles Help you proofread for grammar and spelling mistakes Insert images As you start your blog, remember that your choice of images can strengthen readers’ overall impression of your article. Whether you add photos, screenshots or illustrations to your articles, they should be functional as well as beautiful. Make sure they convey your main points and highlight important examples in the post. If you don’t have your own images, begin by browsing free stock photos on the web. Pexels and Unsplash are both popular sites for gathering visual material. While you might eventually want to use photos you take yourself, stock photos are a quick way to get your blog started. Optimize for SEO Once you create your content, there are a couple things you’ll need to take care of before hitting Publish. These steps primarily revolve around strategy, from improving your blog SEO to generating conversions through your article. Here’s a quick post-writing checklist to guide you: Double check your keywords: Quickly search your content (CTRL+F) to review your use of keywords. Did you include all the keywords you intended to? If not, check to see whether there are any other opportunities to incorporate the keywords throughout your article. (Keep in mind that keyword stuffing is considered a bad practice, and search engines can penalize you for it. Incorporate them naturally into the text, rather than forcing them in.) Add internal links: One trick up every bloggers’ sleeve is to link between their blog posts (also known as the practice of internal linking). This helps improve your posts’ SEO, and it also encourages your readers to browse your other articles. Rather than linking randomly, you should link between primarily related blog posts; this is better for SEO, and it also makes the links more valuable to your readers. If you’re just starting a blog and don’t have much content yet, don’t forget to go back into your posts and add in the links later. Incorporate CTAs: The next trick in the book is to include calls-to-action (CTAs) throughout the article. These little snippets of content often take the form of phrases such as Buy Now, Subscribe, or Read More. By placing call-to-action buttons in your article, you can direct readers to buy your products, subscribe to your newsletter, or click for further reading. Use alt text: Because Google can’t read photos, bloggers often add a short description to each image (ideally using keywords) to help the search engine understand what is being displayed. This description, called alt text, helps your images show up in Google image searches. Write your post’s metadata: Metadata is the term for the text used to display a web page in Google search results. This includes the meta title (also known as the title tag) and meta description. Sometimes, the meta title is the same as the title of your blog post, while other times, you’ll want to choose a slightly different title for displaying your post. There’s no right or wrong here, so long as your title is engaging and includes your most important keyword. The meta description, which is the short snippet of text beneath the meta title, should also include your main keywords and should preview the article’s main points. Choose your URL: Every webpage has a dedicated URL, and your blog posts are no different. A strong URL helps your articles rank high on search engine results pages, and typically contains a keyword. Blog post URLs often take the form of www.yourdomainname.com/blog-post-keyword or www.yourdomainname.com/blog/blog-post-keyword . Pro tip: Edit the slug, or the end portion of the URL, to be simple, clear and include a keyword. For instance, www.yourdomainname.com/delicious-cake-recipes reads much better than something long or generic. There are also more advanced SEO strategies you can employ: Add structured data: Adding structured data markup allows search engines to display rich snippets in search results, such as ratings, images and additional details. These snippets improve visibility and attract more clicks by making your content appear more informative and engaging to users. Optimize for voice search: Voice search relies on natural language and conversational queries, so tailoring your content to include long-tail keywords and question-based phrases improves your chances of appearing in results. Using structured answers within your content can also make it more compatible with voice-activated devices. Edit and publish You now have everything you need for your first blog post. Give it a couple reads, and share it with family members or friends to review. It’s always helpful to have a second, third, or fourth pair of eyes. When you think your article is ready to go, upload it to your blog. Your blogging platform will also have a place for you to type in the metadata and URL. Once that’s done, hit Publish and let the celebrations begin. 08. Create an editorial calendar You’ve just written your first blog post. Take a break, and when you’re ready, plan out the rest of the month’s posting schedule. Creating an editorial calendar is an important part of starting a blog. It’s an effective way to ensure you publish content consistently, letting you hold yourself accountable as a writer and ensuring you don’t deviate from your blogging goals. Your readers want new content, and you need to deliver. Plus, search engines take into account how frequently you publish when determining your site’s overall ranking. You probably already have a handful of topics from your brainstorming session in Step 6. If not, use the same process to come up with new ideas. Once you have at least 10 or so ideas, start building a content calendar. Your calendar doesn’t need to cost a thing, and it certainly doesn’t require the use of unfamiliar tools or platforms. Open up Excel or Google Sheets, and start building a schedule from there. The columns you use are completely up to you, but you’ll probably want to create different sections for the publishing date, blog title, main keywords, article status and comments. Pro tip: If you know you’re prone to procrastination (aren't we all?), open up a Google Calendar and fill in your deadlines there. You can even set aside blocks of time in your calendar for writing. How often should you blog? When learning how to start a blog, a big question people ask is how often they should be publishing new content. As a rule of thumb, the more often you blog, the more traffic you get. There’s no black-or-white answer for exactly how frequently that is, but studies have pointed us to a few important statistics : 11 or more posts per month yields a noticeable increase in traffic. Among small companies of 10 or fewer employees, those who published at least 11 blog posts a month had twice as much traffic as those who published two to five blogs a month. Small companies also found that publishing at least 11 posts per month yields twice as many leads as those publishing six to 10 monthly articles. This is important if your goal is to obtain subscribers, sell products or work as an affiliate (more on that in Step 10). How often you blog also depends on your goals . If your main goal is to generate brand awareness, start with one to two new posts per week. On the other hand, if you’re primarily aiming to increase blog traffic , you should ideally be writing three to four new posts per week. Keep all this in mind as you create your editorial calendar, but make your goals small and achievable. If you set unrealistic deadlines that you can’t meet, you’ll get thrown off course and even discouraged. You can always ramp up your efforts once you get used to publishing and make it a habit to stick to your schedule. In addition, remember that you can always bring in guest contributors to up the quantity of published content each week. Expert tip from Sharon Hafuta, SEO blog editor at Wix.com: "When blogging, it’s easy to think, 'The more I blog, the more people will read it.' And that may be true in some circumstances. But it’s also about striking a balance between quality and quantity, as well as brevity and exploring your content in sufficient detail, to keep your audience engaged and coming back for more—a concept sometimes referred to as 'blog cadence.'" Here are some ways Wix can help you get your site out there: 09. Promote your blog Share on social media Create a blog newsletter Write for other sites and consider guest blogging Reach out to an existing community Participate in question and discussion sites Invest in paid ads Try new content formats Add videos to your blog Network for backlinks Build an email list At this stage, you have everything you need to start a blog. These last couple of steps will focus on how to spread the word about your blog and grow it into a serious monetization tool. In order to get readers, you’ll need to find creative ways to drive traffic to your site. While improving your SEO is an important step, the following methods can also help you promote your blog . Note that most of them are completely free, while a few (like advertising) are paid. Share on social media: Social media is an excellent place to post your content and draw attention to your blog. Whether you promote your blog on Facebook , Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn, it’s a great way to reach new readers. Learn more about blogging vs instagram in our guide. Create a blog newsletter: Send out a weekly email newsletter to engage your readers and get them coming back to your blog for more. This will help you sustain a loyal fan base. To get subscribers to your blog email list in the first place, include a prominent Subscribe button in your website’s navigation bar, footer and within your blog posts. Write for other sites and consider guest blogging: Strengthen your reputation as a writer and expert in your niche by publishing content outside your own website. Consider opening a Medium account and making a name for yourself there, or post articles on LinkedIn . You should also keep an eye out for guest blogging opportunities, which are offered by publications such as Forbes and Entrepreneur . This helps you expand your reach and introduce your content to new audiences. Reach out to an existing community: Facebook groups, forums and LinkedIn groups are gathering places for people interested in a particular topic. If you find an online community that’s relevant to your blog niche, share your website with them and network among their group members. Participate in question and discussion sites: Sites such as Quora and Reddit give you the opportunity to highlight your blog in discussion threads. Use one of your blog posts to answer a question or follow up on a comment, but be sure to come across as helpful and informative rather than promotional. Invest in paid ads: In addition to sharing posts on social media, you can boost your posts with a paid promotion so that they reach more people. Likewise, you can pay for Google ads and reach new users through the search engine. Try new content formats: Expand your reach even further by trying new content formats. These essentially repurpose the same information provided in your posts. For instance, you can turn your blog posts into videos and start a YouTube channel. You might even create a podcast or offer a webinar. The sky's the limit. Add videos to your blog: Adding videos to your blog often elevates engagement and draws in a wider audience by transforming your content into a dynamic experience. Videos help visitors stay longer on your site, a key factor in improving SEO. By seamlessly integrating videos into your posts, you ensure they not only complement but also enrich your written content. Network for backlinks: Networking plays a key role in building backlinks, which are critical for boosting SEO and monetizing your blog. Backlinks from authoritative sites signal to search engines that your content is credible, improving its rankings and driving organic traffic—key factors for monetization. To earn quality backlinks, engage with other bloggers through thoughtful comments and social shares, and pitch guest posts to share value while securing links to your site. Build an email list: Growing your email list is one of the best ways to stay connected with readers and drive consistent traffic back to your blog. Offer something valuable like a free resource or exclusive content to encourage people to sign up. Make it easy for them to subscribe by adding sign-up forms to your homepage, blog posts and sidebar. Once your list starts growing, send regular updates or newsletters to keep readers engaged and coming back for more. Track key metrics such as open rates, click-throughs and conversions to see what resonates with your audience, and use these insights to continuously optimize your email campaigns. Learn more: Blogging vs Youtube 10. Make money blogging Affiliate marketing Advertise within your blog Offer paid subscriptions Write sponsored content Sell e-books and merchandise Provide consulting services Create and sell online courses Explore diverse income streams Build a strong brand If you’re looking to create a blog with a large readership, chances are you’re also aiming to make money from your blog’s popularity. We touched on affiliate marketing earlier in the article, but let’s talk more about this and other money-making strategies that can help you generate passive income from your writing efforts. There are more ways than one to make money blogging . Here’s a quick overview of each method: Affiliate marketing: This is one of the most common ways to make money blogging, and it’s easy to get started. Intermediate affiliates can earn between $300 to $3,000 per day , and that number only goes up with experience. There are plenty of affiliate marketing programs out there, but Amazon Associates is a popular choice for beginners. Advertising within your blog: Another option is to display ads within your blog, which means you’re essentially selling your blog real estate as ad space. This is a fairly reliable way to make money, as you’ll be earning revenue with each click. If you’re thinking of taking this route, Google AdSense is by far one of the most lucrative and popular programs. Offering paid subscriptions: You know how the New York Times makes you pay to read their content? You can do the same thing with your blog. While some of your articles should be free, you can also create exclusive content that readers can buy access to through a subscription plan. Write sponsored content: Reach out to companies—or, as you blog grows, make it easy for brands to contact you—regarding sponsorship opportunities. You’ll be writing articles that promote those companies’ products, and the business, in turn, will compensate you for the posts. Sell e-books and merchandise: You can also sell digital or physical goods directly from your site. This might include branded merchandise, products related to your field, or e-books and other online resources. One way to do this is by adding a Pay button to your homepage that your readers can click to browse your merchandise. Provide consulting services: This approach involves making use of your professional experience and harnessing the knowledge you’ve gained as a professional blogger. Based on your insights and expertise, think about the kinds of consulting services you might be able to offer to your clients. If you’re writing a nutrition blog, one such idea could be making customized diet plans or working as a nutrition coach for clients. Create and sell online courses: Use your expertise to develop online courses that teach skills or share knowledge in your niche. Start by identifying a topic that aligns with your blog content and appeals to your audience’s needs. Then, create engaging course materials such as video lessons, downloadable resources and quizzes. Explore diverse income streams: Diversifying income streams is a crucial step toward building a sustainable and profitable blog. By exploring opportunities like public speaking, you can turn your expertise into income while expanding your network. Social media advertising offers another avenue, allowing you to leverage your influence for sponsored content and brand partnerships. Together, these strategies not only boost revenue but also enhance your blog’s credibility and strengthen its overall brand presence. Build a strong brand: A strong, recognizable brand is key to growing your blog and turning it into a reliable income stream. Create a consistent voice, design and message that resonate with your readers. Whether it’s your blog name, logo or topics you cover, a strong brand helps you connect with your audience and keeps them coming back. It also makes you more appealing to sponsors, advertisers and new opportunities. For further details, take a look at this article on how to monetize a blog or check out the Wix Learn online course on monetizing your blog. Ready to start your blog now? Sign up with Wix  today. 5 reasons to start a blog and is it worth it People make blogs for a variety of reasons, many of which mean blogging is still worth it, some of these reasons include: 01. Share your ideas with the world Sometimes you just want to be heard and get your ideas out into the universe. This is where starting a blog can help—it’s a form of communication and space that’s entirely your own. You can use your creativity and passion to create a space customized exactly to your liking where you can share your ideas, expertise and experiences. 02. Promote a product or service Blogging for business  is a great way to engage potential customers and provide more information about a product or service. Additionally, blogging does wonders for a website's SEO. 03. Build your brand Starting a blog provides a platform to showcase your knowledge and skills, establishing yourself as an authority in your field and building credibility and trust with your audience. As Ophyr Hanan, Blog Growth and SEO Outreach Specialist at Wix, says, "By fostering relationships and collaborating on content, it can help build the foundation for thought leadership and authority building both for you and within your industry." 04. Earn income Blogging can be profitable with time and continued effort. The best way to see the monetary fruits of your labor is by posting quality content regularly that draws in new readers and brings more traffic to your website. This will help your blog gain advertisers and can also boost your status as an online influencer, which can open up the door for affiliate marketing. 05. Build a community Thanks to the internet, we no longer need to live in the same city, state or even country to feel connected to others. When you create a blog as part of a wider blogosphere  community, you create a space to share your story and ideas, as well as start conversations with people all over the world with mutual interests. A blog typically has a comments section where your readers can speak with you directly, allowing you to engage in conversation and build relationships. Blogging stats to reinforce why starting a blog can still be a good idea Yes, competition is fierce with over 600 million live blogs globally but with over 4 billion active blog readers—there's still demand for blogs. Building a blog as a part of content marketing is still alive and well, believe us. Businesses with blogs generate 55% more traffic than those that don't, meaning they still work. Data shows that B2C blog content is shared 9.7 times more than any other type of content—meaning starting a blog to promote a business, works. B2B businesses that use blogs get up to 67% more leads than those who don't. Related reading: Experts weigh in on why you should start a blog Is it too late to start a blog? Blogs are still a popular and effective way to share your thoughts, ideas and expertise with the world. In fact, building a blog is one of the most popular forms of content marketing. It can also be a great way to build a community and connect with other people who share your interests. Expert tip from Judit Ruiz Ricart, Team Lead of Blog Growth at Wix: "Blogging is crucial to build your brand's voice and community, and allows you to expand your reach to a relevant audience who might otherwise not know you exist." Remember that the internet is still growing, with more and more people using it every day. This means that there's a large and growing potential audience for your blog, too. While there are many blogs out there, there's always room for new voices and perspectives. If you have something unique to share, people will be interested in reading it. And the best part is that there are many tools and platforms that make it easy to create and manage a blog. There are a number of reasons why blogging is still relevant, including: Search engines love blogs Starting a blog is a great way to improve your website's SEO and rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs). This is because blogs provide fresh, high-quality content that is relevant to your target audience. Blogs build authority When you write informative and engaging blog posts, you establish yourself as an expert in your field. This can help you attract new customers and clients, and build trust with your existing audience. Blogs build connections Blogs provide a platform for you to share your thoughts and ideas and to connect with other people who share your interests. This can help you build a community around your brand. This is especially true of service industries, fitness blogs for example are a great way to build a loyal health focused audience and the same is true for almost every industry. Blogs generate leads and sales When you write blog posts that are relevant to your target audience, you can include calls to action that encourage them to learn more about your products or services, or to contact you for a consultation. The blogging landscape has changed in recent years, the space is more competitive as more blogs exist and competition for audience numbers grows. Hand in hand with this social media and video have become more popular ways to consume content, especially amongst younger audiences. However amongst all of this blogs still play an important role in the content marketing mix. Blogging resources - how to become a blogger As you learn how to create a blog and become a blogger, browse these blogging resources to help guide you through the writing process, SEO and more: Blog post checklist : Check off these steps to ensure you’ve covered all the bases with your first blog post. Blogging for beginners : Read through these additional tips on how to start your blog from scratch. Free online writing courses (Udemy) : Browse Udemy for professional writing courses that will help you develop your blogging skills. Free SEO tutorial (Moz) : Learn the basics of SEO with this free six-part video course. Blogging tools to make a blog successful Finally, online tools are a big part of launching a blog, since they make the process more streamlined and efficient. Here’s a quick list of some helpful blogging tools you can use to start a blog—don’t forget to bookmark them for future reference: Google Keyword Planner : Get data about which keywords to use in your blog posts. Google Analytics : Obtain insights into your blog’s data to strengthen its performance. Google Search Console : Have a clear view of the number of website visitors and clicks your blog receives. ShareThrough’s headline analyzer : Type in your headline and get feedback on its strengths and weaknesses. Pexels : Find free stock photos for your blog articles. Grammarly : Review your writing with an AI editing tool. BuzzSumo : Keep track of trending content to create relevant, targeted posts. Asana : Manage your writing schedule with an online task management tool. At this point, you have all the tools and resources you need for starting a blog. You couldn't have found a more rewarding endeavor, and I couldn't be more honored to help you create a blog and get it off the ground. Feel free to bookmark this guide as a reference as you begin this new journey, and happy blogging. Firsthand insights from a successful wedding planner For Kristine, a seasoned wedding planner, the busiest months mean juggling new inquiries, onboarding next year’s couples and producing multiple weddings at once. “Wedding season is intense… it definitely isn't for the faint of heart and requires an incredible attention to detail,” she says. Her blog has become a way to share guidance, ease decision fatigue and build trust with couples before they even reach out. That’s where Wix makes the difference. “I use Wix blogs consistently as well as forms. These two tools have helped me consistently place high for SEO in Google and streamlined inquiries from couples all over the world,” she shares. Like other pros featured in Wix’s wedding season advice for businesses , Kristine uses her blog to both support couples and scale her business, showing how a Wix blog can be a marketing tool and an authentic extension of client care. Why trust Wix’s experts? This article was written by Wix’s in-house experts, who have years of experience helping people start and grow successful blogs. Every tip, template suggestion and example comes from real Wix projects, designed to help you launch a blog that looks professional, runs smoothly and supports your long-term goals. At Wix, we’ve helped millions of creators, business owners and entrepreneurs share their ideas through blogging. Our team stays at the forefront of content, SEO and design trends, ensuring the guidance we provide is practical, actionable and rooted in real-world results. You can trust this blog as a go-to resource for every stage of your blogging journey, from setting up your first post to scaling your content into a lasting online presence. You can also read more about is Wix good for blogging  and why. How to start a blog FAQ How can I start a blog for free? First of all, you'll need to choose a blogging platform with free user options. With Wix, for example, you can create a blog for free. You can also save money when starting a blog by writing all of your content yourself and by using as many free content planning and keyword research tools as possible. You can also use stock images included within the template or editor of your blogging platform for free in most cases. How do I make a successful blog? First of all you'll need to define 'successful.' Generally a successful blog is one which has a large readership, and generates considerable amounts of traffic. But depending on your blog niche, the goals of a successful blog may look different. For some bloggers an engaged readership who share your content widely and look at it as a source of authority and trust, is what defines the success of their blog. For other bloggers how fast, and effectively their blog can be monetized or act as a part of their marketing funnel, would be another indicator of success. How to make a blogging website? There are a few steps necessary to making a blogging website. Once you've chosen your blog niche, you'll need to create your actual site. Choose a website builder, like Wix, with hosting included and everything you need to create a blogging website from their blog creator. How do bloggers get paid? Bloggers can get paid in a variety of ways, including: Advertising: Bloggers can sell ad space on their blog to businesses. The amount of money bloggers make from advertising will vary depending on the size and popularity of their blog. Affiliate marketing: Bloggers can promote other people's products or services on their blog and earn a commission on each sale that they generate. Sponsored posts: Bloggers can write posts about specific products or services in exchange for payment from the company that produces the product or service. Selling digital products: Bloggers can create and sell digital products, such as e-books, online courses or templates. Selling physical products: Bloggers can sell physical products, such as merchandise or handmade goods. Membership sites: Bloggers can create membership sites where readers pay a monthly or annual fee to access exclusive content or resources. The best way for bloggers to get paid is to diversify their income streams. This way, if one income stream dries up, they will still have other sources of income. Can you start a blog as a side hustle? Yes, you can start a blog as a side hustle. In fact, blogging is a popular side hustle for many people, as it can be a relatively low-cost and low-time commitment way to make extra money. When starting a blog as a side hustle, you will need to choose a niche, create a blog and start publishing content. Once you have a following, you can monetize your blog through a variety of methods, such as advertising, affiliate marketing and selling your own products or services. How to write a blog post with AI? AI can be a valuable asset throughout the content production process, from generating topic ideas to serving as a proofreader. AI tools like ChatGPT and Bard can help brainstorm blog topics, provide research insights, construct outlines and even write drafts. However, it's crucial to review and refine AI-generated content to ensure accuracy, relevance and adherence to your brand voice. Additionally, grammar checkers like Grammarly and ProWritingAid can assist in proofreading, but their suggestions should be considered carefully to avoid altering creative writing styles. Do blogs make money? Yes, blogs can be profitable ventures with the potential to generate income through various monetization strategies. Common methods include advertising (e.g., Google AdSense), sponsored content, affiliate marketing, selling digital or physical products, offering services and membership/subscriptions. Successful bloggers often diversify their income streams and focus on providing value to their audience to maximize revenue potential. How do I start a blog with no money? To start a blog with no money, begin by leveraging low-cost blogging platforms and use social media and online communities to attract visitors. Invest time and effort into building relationships with your audience and consistently providing value through your content. With dedication and persistence, you can gradually grow your blog into a successful venture without initial financial investment. How to make a blog popular? To be in with any chance of making a popular blog, you're going to need to start by choosing a popular niche (something you know at least one audience once will) and then by creating great content. To become popular though you'll then need to invest as much again in promoting your blog, generating traffic to it and engaging your readers. Popular can be defined in many different ways when describing a blog - traffic, readers, shares, going viral, comments and engagement, sales from a blog. Make sure to define what popular means to you before chasing it. What are the baby steps to starting a blog? Choosing a niche is an important baby step in starting your blog. Once you’ve picked one, start writing. Don’t get caught up in perfecting your blog’s design or tackling technical details just yet—those can come later. Focus on sharing your passion and ideas in your unique voice. Write content that feels natural and engaging, whether it’s a story, a tip or an idea. Publishing your first posts, even if they’re not perfect, is the best way to grow and improve. What are legal considerations for bloggers? Bloggers need to be aware of several legal considerations to ensure compliance and protect themselves. Key areas include creating a privacy policy to inform readers about data collection practices, using disclaimers to clarify the accuracy of information and any affiliate relationships, and respecting copyright laws by using only licensed or original content. Additionally, bloggers should be mindful of advertising regulations, such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines in the U.S., which require clear disclosure of sponsored content and affiliate links. What is the 80/20 rule for blogging? The 80/20 rule for blogging suggests you should focus 80% of your efforts on promoting your content and 20% on creating it. This principle highlights that even the best content can go unnoticed without proper promotion. By dedicating more time to sharing posts on social media, optimizing for SEO and engaging with your audience through email or collaborations, you can amplify the reach and impact of your blog. How much money is 1000 views on a blog? Earnings from 1,000 blog views vary widely based on factors like your blog's niche, the ad networks you use and how you monetize your site. On platforms like Google AdSense, you might earn anywhere from $1 to $10 per 1,000 views depending on your audience's demographics and interests. If you use affiliate marketing or sell your own products, this amount could be higher. Understanding your audience and diversifying income streams can help maximize your earnings per thousand views.

  • Partners for life: 7 things to look for in a B2B partnership

    When it comes to servicing SMBs, enterprise B2B strategic partnerships  have emerged as catalysts for innovation and growth. They unlock added value for SMB customers at a significantly reduced cost compared to developing new products in-house, while also massively contributing to overall revenue. With 95% of Microsoft’s revenue, for example, flowing directly through partners , businesses large and small can benefit from this strategy. However, not all partnerships are created equal. It’s important to consider what the agreement will bring to your SMB customers, your business and your B2B partner, in both the short and long term. To ensure mutual benefit and longevity, it's crucial to carefully select the right business partners. Empower SMB customers with all the crucial steps to start a business . Choosing a B2B partner Here are seven key factors to consider in choosing a B2B partner. Industry leadership Brand reputation Custom partnership Audience expertise Extensive product offering Support infrastructure Commitment to growth 01. Industry leadership A B2B partner should be a market leader both you and your customers can rely on. Opt for a partner with a proven track record of success, looking at things like the number of years in the industry, size of customer base and market share. Ideally, it’s best to find your match in a different industry. “Combining the strengths of two industry leaders can unleash exponential value for customers,” says Kevin Nolan, CEO at GE Appliances, on their partnership with Google Cloud . A strong B2B partner should always be on the cutting edge in their field. They should be a product/service-focused trailblazer, consistently releasing updates and new developments . Ensure a solid foundation for collaboration by selecting a partner who stands out in the industry, bringing unparalleled expertise and resources to the table. “We selected Wix to be our preferred partner because of their leading technology and product innovation,” says Robert Keane, Founder and CEO at Vistaprint. A solid product roadmap and consistent new releases are signs of an industry leader. 02. Brand reputation Reputation speaks volumes. Aligning with a B2B partner renowned for their brand integrity and commitment to excellence enhances your credibility and instills trust among customers. Co-branded campaigns and industry reports can have an amplified effect. According to PartnerPath, 68% of consumers  can make buying decisions simply after seeing a co-branded campaign. How do you assess brand reputation for a partnership? For the greatest impact, your partner’s brand should speak for itself and be nearly synonymous with their offering. Try this: When you think of the respective market, what are some of the first brand names that come to mind? 03. Custom partnership Seek a B2B partner that’s not only willing but eager to tailor their offering to meet a partner’s needs. A cookie-cutter approach rarely yields the desired results. Prioritize partners who take the time to understand your business objectives and adapt their strategies accordingly. Flexibility should be core to the process. A custom partnership  ensures alignment on values and goals, and maximizes mutual benefit. A B2B partner must be able to build a tailored offer that fits your business and audience. 04. Audience expertise Partnering with a team that has developed a deep knowledge and understanding of your specific target audience can be a huge benefit. Sometimes sharing part of a customer base isn’t enough. It’s best to find a company that has invested time and energy into your particular audience. Partnering with experts ensures that solutions are finely tuned to address unique business challenges and capitalize on opportunities. As Tom Priore, Executive Chairman and CEO at Priority Technology Holdings, explains: “Wix is on the front end of generating revenue for small merchants  like our customers. That’s why we knew they’d be a great partner.” 05. Extensive product offering Seek a B2B partner with a comprehensive ecosystem: a wide range of products and/or services to empower SMBs of any business type . Products and services should be verticalized and tailored to the specific industries of your audience. And the offering shouldn’t stop at one particular thing. It should expand to include related services that your SMB customers will inevitably need in order to achieve success. Agree on an offer that empowers you to deliver end-to-end solutions. SMBs can learn how to create a website  using Wix’s complete business solutions. Digital commerce solutions can include online selling, reviews, social promotions and more. 06. Support infrastructure Reliable support is paramount for both customers and partners. Prioritize partners who offer multichannel, multilingual support  to customers: from email to phone to chat, along with resources like written and video tutorials. SMB customers should have 24/7 access to some type of support. And don’t neglect your own support, either. Make sure your partnership includes an intentional approach to B2B customer success . You and your business deserve a dedicated, experienced account manager to take the journey with you throughout technical and business processes. Learn more: B2B partnerships for online directories , Domains and B2B partnerships SMB customer support should include multiple communication channels. 07. Commitment to growth Make sure to have a long-term view when establishing a B2B partnership. Choose a partner that’s committed to ongoing innovation and growth, that will collaboratively develop an all-encompassing strategy, implement routine analysis and identify new opportunities and revenue streams. Don’t just think about immediate benefits. Make sure your B2B partner is in it to win it with you. In a nutshell—when picking a B2B partner, it’s best to consider those that are poised for sustained growth and innovation, capable of evolving in step with your business. I always prioritize factors like industry leadership, product portfolio and long-term vision for a sustainable and fruitful partnership. Remember: It's not just about choosing a B2B partner for now, but for 5, 10 or even 20 years from now. A strong B2B partner is a partner for life. Learn how a channel partnership  with Wix can drive growth for your business and your SMB customers.

  • Memes 101: What they are & how to use them

    The internet is a living thing. It changes, evolves and responds to live events. With technology constantly developing, one can blink and miss the current golden age of the latest online phenomenon. So if you suffered from a really long blink during the last decade, give or take, you might have missed the divine wonders that go by the name – “memes.” Before we begin with this “everything you wanted to know about memes, but were too afraid to ask” guide, let’s make sure we’re all on the same page regarding the pronunciation of this funny word. The word “meme” is pronounced with a long “e,” like the word “seem,” just with an “m” instead of the “s.” Afraid you won’t remember the right pronunciation and cause havoc mixed with embarrassment if the subject comes up during the next family dinner? Remember this sentence: “Low self-esteem? Every night the same bad dream? No one wants to join your team? Don’t worry, it’s not extreme. Have a cup of ice cream and send someone you like a funny MEME.” We could have just given you a link to a   recording of someone saying the word , but where’s the fun in that? Not everything can be as easy as   creating a website . What are memes? The original “meme” was a term coined by Richard Dawkins to describe how cultural information spreads. However, unless you’re wandering through the halls of the nearby sociology school, when someone mentions the word “meme,” they’re probably referring to a funny image or a video being shared on social media. The common use of the word “meme,” usually refers to the “internet meme,” a subset of the general meme concept. Remember that thick book you used as a weapon during fights between you and your brother? Well, dictionaries have other purposes. One of them is to provide us with dry but informative definitions. Case in point: Most common internet memes are image macros – photos with a bold caption written in Impact font. The text will usually be humorous or sarcastic. Aside from this familiar form, memes can also be a video, GIF, saying, an event or pretty much anything that can be copied or slightly changed and go viral across the web. Why do we use them? If you got this far, you probably understand what memes are, so the next question in line is, why do so many people use them around the world every day? Simply put, they are the internet’s inside jokes. They convey a feeling of familiarity and relevance, being a part of something bigger. The cultural knowledge you gained from years of watching television and browsing social media channels has now made it possible for you to understand and enjoy this joke. That’s the secret ingredient that turns memes from regular jokes to viral material. There are few more reasons why memes are one of the go-to moves of the average social media user, as well as your more seasoned   social media influencer : They're eye-catching. They enable you to express complex ideas through a simple concept by relying on the meme context, origin and common use. They have a viral potential. They push you to paint your creative thoughts in more humorous colors. They're easy to create. How to use memes The most vital part of using memes is to understand the context of the content you’re sharing and to know how to leverage its full meaning. The best way to do so is by spending some quality time with your best pal Facebook, and start putting some work into the scrolling wheel. If your Facebook friends prefer a wild bingo night over sharing funny memes, you can always visit   Know Your Meme . This website documents internet memes and serves as a knowledge hub about their origins. You can browse the most popular memes and check out common uses of each one. Examples of the best memes We can continue with more detailed descriptions of meme usage, but sometimes, it’s better to show the flying, yellow elephant than to talk about it. For this showcase, we decided to focus on image macros, so “ Rickrolling ,” “ Be Like Bill ,” “ All Your Base Are Belong To Us ,” “ Spinning Dancer Illusion ,” “ Double Rainbow Guy ” or “ Dancing Baby ” – we’re sorry, but don’t wait for an invitation to this party. Here are 10 examples of the web’s greatest, funniest and most popular image macro memes: 01. Bad Luck Brian 02. First World Problems 03. (Captain Picard) Facepalm 04. One Does Not Simply 05. Philosoraptor 06. What if I Told You 07. Success Kid 08. Condescending Wonka 09. Conspiracy Keanu 10. X, X Everywhere How to create memes Wondering how to create a meme by yourself? Well, you can sleep late and prepare the pancakes, because it’s easy like a Sunday morning. Meme generators are scattered all over the web like flyers on the sidewalk, just next to the guy who hands them out. They’re free, simple, accessible and they don’t require any kind of software installation. No need to waste time on choosing a font or trying to center the text – all of these preferences are already set. Because we don’t want to exhaust your tired fingers with typing “Meme Generator” on Google, here are some great resources you should try: imgur.com/memegen  – A meme generator by Imgur, the popular free image hosting platform. Straightforward and simple. https://imgflip.com/memegenerator  – Fast, clear and easy to use. Allows users to create “private” downloadable memes that won’t go online unless you decide to publish them. The evolution of memes Internet memes have evolved, hand in hand with the rise and transformation of the internet. From the Hamster dance meme of the mid-1990's, to the rise of TikTok today, memes have grown in popularity and evolved into almost an art form of their own. Today memes encompass a range of styles and types from dank memes, to deep fried memes, to those inspired by surrealism. Some brands have even decided to get involved in the world of memetic marketing, which is using memes for marketing. Gucci did it as early as 2017 with their tfw gucci watch campaign which saw them using memes on Instagram as part of their marketing efforts. Love it or hate it, it generated a lot of interest and attention - which is what it's all about anyway, right? What are memes FAQ Why is a meme called a meme? The word "meme" was coined by Richard Dawkins in his 1976 book "The Selfish Gene." Dawkins defined a meme as "a unit of cultural transmission, or a unit of imitation." He argued that memes are similar to genes in that they can be copied and spread from person to person. What is the main purpose of a meme? The main purpose of a meme is to spread an idea or concept. They are a fun and easy way to express your emotions, share information, connect with others or start conversations. You can also use them to promote products or services. What are the types of memes? Memes are constantly evolving, and new types of memes are being created all the time. But here are just some of the types of memes that exist:  Image macros: These are the most popular memes, the ones that use a picture or image with a caption. The image is often humorous or absurd, and the caption usually expresses an opinion or makes a joke. Advice animals: Advice animals are memes that use a picture of an animal with a caption that gives advice. The animal is often used to represent a certain personality type or attitude, and the caption usually offers some kind of advice or wisdom. Copypasta: This is a block of text that is copied and pasted over and over again and spread all over the internet. Copypastas are often used to troll or spam people.

  • How one man’s Netflix-themed wedding proposal website led to a “yes”

    Turn your ideas into a website you love with Wix →   It was around five years ago when Fabio met Marina. They were just two Brazilians living overseas, eager to find a community that would remind them of home. As fate would have it, the two met through mutual friends. Then six months later, they were officially dating.  “Once we started dating, we were attached at the hip,” says Fabio. “We became one person.” It didn’t take long for Fabio to start imagining their future together. But being “attached” made planning a proposal tricky. “I had to wake up early or pretend that I was going to a friend's house to work on this”—and that lasted for four months.  His secret project: a proposal website. While most couples learn how to make a website  for an upcoming wedding, Fabio decided that he’d propose to Marina in an unconventional way. He’d design a wedding proposal website inspired by their favorite streaming site, Netflix.  Create a website  with Wix today.  Building the wedding proposal website on Wix It’s worth noting that Fabio is the Portuguese growth manager at Wix (though, to be clear, this idea was all his own and carried out independently) . The website building world isn’t new to him but, as he points out, he’s not a professional web designer.  Even so, Wix had the tools he needed to mimic the look and feel of Netflix’s iconic website. Using a combination of Wix’s built-in tools and a few other AI tools, Fabio was able to recreate the classic streaming site experience and sprinkle in a few personal touches.  The resulting website  was a showstopper. If you view it today, you’ll find that it’s funny, familiar, heartwarming and entirely mobile-optimized.  Read also: Your website should speak your brand's language—here's how Below, Fabio walks us through how he went about creating the different components of his site, from the main pages down to the playful animations.  Read also: Explore 27 types of websites  you can build, or 10 creative event websites  to glean inspiration from.  The site theme Whether we’re consciously aware of it or not, we all associate Netflix with its dark theme and bright red logo. Fabio took steps to replicate this on his site. He started out by opening up a blank canvas in the Wix Editor. F rom there, he used custom colors and a font that was similar to the streaming site’s for his own site theme. “Netflix also uses shadowing,” adds Fabio, thinking back on the process of creating the homepage. “For example, when you look at your home screen, you can see an almost transparent shadow in between the featured movie or show and the sections beneath it.”  To mimic this shadow effect, he added a colored strip between the two main sections of the homepage and gave it a transparent gradient.  Check out free wedding website templates , best wedding website builders and wedding website examples . The loading screen Every Netflix user is familiar with its loading screen: the simple yet memorable animation that appears when you first open the app from your phone or TV. Fabio sought to create a similar preload experience.  However, “the motion was the hardest thing I had to do,” says Fabio. He couldn’t easily build the motion from scratch, nor did he want to spend too much time learning how to code. Thankfully, YouTube is a remarkable place; he was able to find sample code  provided by a Wix Partner that showed how to create an animated preloader. He copied the code into Wix (which, despite being a drag-and-drop platform, still supports custom coding) and added his own image to create a chic preloading experience. The “manage profiles” page The profile page was relatively easy to create, given its simple layout. All Fabio needed to do was upload three custom images to use as profile pictures, mimicking that of multiple account holders (he, of course, made sure to include an image of Marina and their dog, Shelby). He added these to a three-column strip that would keep the images aligned and equally spaced out.  He also added a hover effect so that the images would expand upon hover. The effect was available out of the box on Wix, allowing Fabio to simply select the animation he wanted to enable. The homepage  The most important page, the homepage, probably required the most TLC. According to Fabio, structuring the web page was the easy part. He could use the sections, photo galleries and buttons available in Wix to create a Netflix-like experience. The most time-consuming part were the videos. This required him to be resourceful and juggle multiple AI tools to create the videos he envisioned. He used tools like VEED  and Vidnoz  to create two series of videos: one that would illustrate all the ways that he’d propose to Marina if he could, and another that would show famous people telling Marina why she should marry him.  These videos made up the two rows of content below the featured video. Meanwhile, the main video teased the main event. The proposal page While most websites include a call to action (CTAs) like “contact us” or “buy now,” you’ll see that Fabio’s has two unique CTAs.  One sits at the bottom of the homepage. “Mozi, você deseja continuar?,” it reads, which translates to “Mozi [Fabio’s nickname for Marina], do you want to continue?” The second exists as a subtle button in the upper-right-hand corner, which Fabio could easily customize from the Wix Editor. The button itself is a picture of Marina’s ring.  Both lead to what we’ll call a “marry me” page. Following the same theme as the rest of the site, the page resembles Netflix’s logout page. It reads, “Marina, will you marry me?” There are technically two response buttons on the page—but “the ‘no’ button doesn’t work,” Fabio chuckles. A hand wearing Marina’s ring slides into view, drawing attention to the “yes” button. When clicked, the “yes” button expands while the “no” button fades out of view. Each of these effects were readily available in the Editor, simplifying Fabio’s work.  The big reveal So, how did it all come together?  “I called Marina to a restaurant by the beach (which also happened to have the same name as my last name: Goldman), and she went there without even knowing that I’d be there already,” Fabio recounts. “I spread out QR codes throughout the restaurant with signs that said crazy stuff like ‘Marina, you need to look at this’ and ‘The person that did this is crazy.’ She could use her phone to open up the site. And because the site looks like Netflix, it was very intuitive.” “Anyways, I was hidden inside the restaurant. When Marina got inside and started looking at the QR code, I showed up, and we looked at the website together.”  The answer, of course, was a resounding yes. Looking back on the day, Fabio knows he'd do it all over again. “There are no words to describe how much I admire Marina. Everyone who knows her knows how special she is and how much joy and beauty she brings into every room she walks into. She deserves the world and more.”   How to create your own unique moment (as told by Fabio)  If you’re looking to create your own wedding website  or wedding proposal site, Fabio has a few words of wisdom. Think beyond one day. “Think about how you can use your website as more than just a place for you and your fiancé to visit at the time of the proposal. You’ve put so much work into it, so why let it go to waste after just one day? Your website is something that your fiancé can proudly share with friends after the proposal, along with the ring on their finger. You could even use your website to store all of your memories before, during and after the wedding. Unlike a physical photo album, you won’t lose your site. You’ll always have it to look at whenever.” Imagine your website as a gift. “It’s interesting to think of your website as part of a present. You’re not building it to sell something to lots of people—you’re building it to make one person feel special. So be sure to add personal touches that represent you and your partner, like inside jokes that only you two will understand. If you like comedy, add some funny things that will make your partner laugh a bit along the way.” Plan ahead and make full use of your time. “If you’re like me, you might need to find windows of opportunity to work on this while your partner’s not around. If this applies to you, it’s best to plan ahead so you’re not scrambling in the moment. Remember that your website and all the supporting assets, like videos or images, are two different things that need creating. However, they can be done simultaneously.” Don’t be afraid to ask for help. “If you’re crunched on time or need expert advice, ask for help from friends or even professionals to build any kind of asset you want to include on your website. It’s OK to ask for a professional to finalize some details of your website or projects, in case you can’t do exactly what you planned." Plan for the unexpected. “It’s very important to be ready to change your mind along the way, either because the stuff you planned in your head isn’t doable, or you have a change in heart. At the same time, don’t stress over small details. If your partner is the right person, they will like whatever you make for them.”  Create your own site today with Wix. Try it now for free .  Editor’s note: This article is in no way affiliated with, sponsored or endorsed by Netflix.

  • How does email work on Wix? Your complete guide to connecting a mailbox

    Get your professional business email address →  Business email on Wix operates by managing the connection between your domain and your email provider, rather than hosting the mailbox itself. By configuring specific DNS records (like MX records), Wix ensures that emails sent to your custom domain name are routed correctly to your provider's servers. Setting up email for your website is a crucial step in professionalizing your brand. When you make a website  with Wix, you have the flexibility to either connect an existing email service or purchase a new business email directly through Google Workspace, integrated right into your dashboard. Follow this guide to learn how to use email on Wix and how the technical side works, from DNS records to mailbox management, so you can communicate with confidence. Get your business email up and running fast. Wix provides built-in security, plenty of storage and real-time tools to help you stay on top of your work. Everything’s backed by 24/7 support so you can focus on growing your business. TL;DR: how does email work on Wix? Short on time? Here’s the breakdown of how email functionality operates within the Wix ecosystem: Feature Description Email hosting Wix does not host email mailboxes. It connects your domain to an external email provider (like Google or Outlook). DNS management You manage MX records and other DNS settings within your Wix account to ensure email delivery works. Google Workspace You can buy and manage a Google Workspace business email directly through Wix for integrated billing. External providers If you already have email (e.g., GoDaddy, Yahoo), you can connect it by updating MX records in Wix. Prerequisites You must have a custom domain connected to Wix via name servers to manage these records. Learn more: does Wix provide email hosting? How does email work on Wix? Understanding the mechanics of how email works on Wix starts with distinguishing between your website host and your email host. Wix is a website builder that helps you create your site and offers website hosting , but it doesn't store your actual email messages. Instead, it acts as the traffic controller for your domain. For your email to send and receive messages properly, your domain needs specific DNS records called MX (Mail Exchange) records. Your MX records are provided by your email host e.g. Google Workspace. These records point to your email provider’s mail servers. Think of MX records as the address label on a package: they tell the internet where to deliver your mail. If you purchased your email outside of Wix, you connect it by adding their specific MX records to your domain's DNS settings inside your Wix account. Wix simplifies this process, allowing you to select your email provider from a dropdown list to automatically add the correct MX records. If your provider isn't listed, you can manually add the MX and other necessary DNS records provided by your email host. A critical detail to remember is that you must connect your domain via Wix name servers, not via pointing. If your domain is connected via pointing, Wix doesn't control your DNS records, meaning you'd have to update your email settings at your domain registrar, not in Wix. In short, Wix does not host or transfer your email mailbox history. It simply manages the DNS records so your existing mailbox works seamlessly with your Wix-connected domain. However, if you want everything under one roof, you can purchase a Google Workspace email directly through Wix. This option allows you to manage billing and basic user settings directly within your Wix account, simplifying your administrative tasks. Learn more: How to transfer a domain name . How to connect your email to your Wix website . How to set up email with Wix Connecting an existing email service to your Wix domain is straightforward. Since Wix manages the DNS records for domains connected via name servers, you'll do all the work right in your dashboard. Go to 'Domains' Select 'Domain Actions' Choose connection method Select provider Save changes 01. Go to 'Domains' Make sure your domain is connected via name servers (not via pointing) in Wix. You can check this by going to logging in to your Wix account and navigating to the Domains page. 02. Select 'Domain Actions' Find the domain you want to connect and click the 'Domain Actions' icon (usually three dots) next to it. 03. Choose connection method Select "Connect an email purchased outside of Wix" or "Edit MX records". 04. Select provider Choose your email provider from the dropdown menu. Wix will automatically insert the correct MX records for that provider, so you don’t have to copy them manually. If your provider isn't there, select "Other" to enter the MX records manually. 05. Save changes Click 'Save' to apply the new records. Once you save these changes, propagation (the time it takes for servers worldwide to update) can take up to 48 hours, though it often happens much faster. Discover more: what is Wix hosting? How to set up a business email with Wix If you don't have an email provider yet, Wix offers custom business email addresses through a partnership with Google Workspace. This gives you a professional email that matches your domain (like info@yourdomain.com) while using Gmail's powerful interface. Here is how you can set up a business email with Wix: Start the purchase Go to the 'Business Email' section in your Wix account. Choose your plan Select the domain you want to use, the number of email users you need and your preferred Google Workspace plan. Complete the purchase process. Wait briefly It takes a moment for the system to process. Wait at least 5 minutes after purchase, then click 'Setup Business Email' in the 'Business Email' section. Create your account Enter your primary email address (the handle before the @ symbol) and create a secure password. Confirm details Double-check your contact information and submit the setup. Activate Sign in to your new business email admin account to accept Google’s Terms of Service. This step is mandatory to activate your email. Add users (optional) You can add additional user emails anytime from the business email page if your team grows. Note:  You must own a domain connected to your Wix account before you can purchase a business email. Also, business emails are a separate subscription from your website Premium plans. You can purchase as many licenses as you need, up to 300 total. Explore further: What is a business email? How to create an email with your domain Domain name and website hosting Benefits of using email with Wix Integrating your email management with your website builder offers several advantages that streamline your workflow and boost your brand's image. Centralized management When you purchase Google Workspace through Wix, you consolidate your billing. Instead of tracking payments across different platforms, you manage your website subscription, domain renewal and email costs all in one place. Professional credibility A generic email address (like yourbusiness@gmail.com ) can look amateur. A custom business email address that matches your domain builds immediate trust. It signals that you are an established entity. Wix offers business email addresses with Google Workspace integration, ensuring you get that professional look with reliable infrastructure. Reliable infrastructure By partnering with Google Workspace, Wix ensures you aren't just getting an email address; you're getting robust security, 99.9% uptime and industry-leading spam protection. You get the familiar Gmail interface without the " gmail.com " tag. "Email is the bridge between your brand and your customers. Keeping it professional and reliable isn't optional; it's foundational." Built-in collaboration Using Google Workspace through Wix gives your team access to shared calendars, cloud storage and real-time collaboration tools. As your business grows, it becomes easier to onboard new team members, manage access and keep communication organized across your entire operation. Learn more: Is Wix good for business email? How does email work on Wix FAQ Can I transfer my existing email hosting to Wix? No, you cannot transfer the actual hosting of your mailbox contents (emails, contacts, calendars) to Wix. Wix does not host email servers. However, you can connect your domain to your current email provider by updating the MX records in your Wix account, or you can switch to a Google Workspace account purchased through Wix and migrate your data separately. What happens to my email if I transfer my domain away from Wix? If you purchased a Google Workspace mailbox through Wix and you transfer your domain to another host, your email subscription remains with Wix. You will need to manually update your specific MX records at your new domain host to keep your email working. If you want to transfer the email subscription management itself directly to Google, you will need to cancel the subscription in Wix and set up billing directly with Google. Why is my email not working after connecting my domain to Wix? The most common reason for email issues after connecting a domain is incorrect DNS records. If you connected your domain via name servers, your MX records might have been reset or entered incorrectly. Go to your Domains page in Wix, check your MX records and ensure they match exactly what your email provider requires. Also, remember that DNS changes can take up to 48 hours to propagate fully.

  • 17 best real estate agent websites, plus tips to create your own

    Bring your inspiration to life with a Wix website →   The real estate brokerage industry has grown about 6.4% per year over the past five years , making it an exciting time to build your business. In this article, we’ll share the best real estate agent websites built by Wix users, as well as some tips for creating your own- including how to write a bio to include. By browsing these designs, you’ll be able to draw inspiration from your favorites and get started with your real estate business right away. As a real estate agent, there are several ways to spread the word about your business: handing out business cards, creating social media pages and even sponsoring local events. Perhaps the most critical strategy, though, is to create a website  dedicated to your brand. Read Also: How to start a business , How to plan a website While marketing was once a combination of local print ads, flyers and old school mailers, it has shifted toward being a predominantly online practice, utilizing things like RSS feeds . These days, establishing your digital presence with a striking website - complete with customer testimonials, informative content and a full description of your services - is the most effective way to draw new clients to your business (if you're still not sure, check out does my business need a website ). Get your properties online fast with a professional real estate website . Need inspiration for your website? With Wix, building a standout site is easier than ever. Choose from hundreds of customizable templates and use Wix’s easy drag-and-drop website builder  tools to make your vision come to life. Turn your ideas into reality and see just how simple it is to create a unique, professional website. TL;DR: best real estate agent websites Top real estate websites help clients browse listings, trust your brand and find the right property fast. The best websites  combine simple navigation, high-quality visuals and clear trust signals while giving users tools to search, filter and connect. According to top real estate designers, sites with client testimonials , fast loading speed and mobile-friendly design get higher engagement and more inquiries. Focus on these key features to create a site that stands out, builds credibility and drives results. Feature Why it matters User-friendly navigation Visitors can browse listings and pages without getting lost High-quality images and videos Shows properties clearly and builds trust Clear contact and call to actions Makes it easy for clients to reach out Property search and filters Helps users find what they want quickly Client testimonials and reviews Adds social proof and credibility 17 best real estate agent websites Discover 17 of the best real estate agent websites that combine stunning design, strong branding and user-friendly features. These top sites showcase how agents connect with clients, highlight listings and create memorable online experiences that turn visitors into loyal customers. Schraner Realty Maddalone Real Estate Next Door Alliance Anne Mahon Adventure Realty Idaho House & Co. Liza Fox Carlile Group Bonita Vickrey Realtor Laurie Wotus Say Yes with Jess Living Tahoe The Pinnacle The Melner Group Rodriguez Homes Bellis Realty Group Glennis Sells Homes 01. Schraner Realty Schraner Realty  is a standout real estate agent website  that blends personal branding with professional design. The homepage introduces Nathan and Jamie, highlighting their Idaho roots and local expertise, which instantly builds trust with potential clients. Clear navigation directs visitors to services, community pages, and relocation guides, making it easy to explore their offerings. Personal stories and client testimonials add warmth and authenticity, showing their approachable personality and dedication. This real estate agent website demonstrates how combining local knowledge, helpful resources, and a friendly brand can create an engaging online experience. Love what you see? Create your own real estate website using this same template. Template name:   Construction company website template 02. Maddalone Real Estate Startin g with their real estate slogan  “Rooted in Experience. Inspired by Home.” Maddalone Real Estate  is a strong real estate agent website example that clearly communicates their expertise and appr oachability. Their clean design, spacious layout and intuitive navigation make it easy for visitors to explore listings and learn about their home purchase assistance option. A photo of Matt and Fonda Maddalone is featured on the homepage giving a personal touch and building trust with potential clients. The site also includes detailed team bios and client testimonials that underline their experience and commitment. This real estate agent website blends transparency, friendly branding and practical resources to create a welcoming and trustworthy experience for potential buyers and sellers. Love what you see? Create your own real estate website using this same template. Template nam e:   Start from scratch website template 03. Next Door Alliance Real estate and property management company Next Door Alliance has a sleek, urban feel. Their blue color palette not only matches the large photograph of skyscrapers on their homepage, but also gives the brand a sense of reliability and trust. Visitors can easily contact them by going directly to the form at the bottom of the homepage, or by clicking the Request a Quote button found in various places on the site. Love what you see? Create your own real estate website using this same template. Template name:   Law firm website template 04. Anne Mahon Massachusetts-based real estate agent Anne Mahon  has a welcoming website that speaks for itself. The homepage opens with a large photograph of a shiny home interior, which instantly catches the visitor’s eye. Directly beneath the image, she introduces herself with a short bio that highlights her achievements and emphasizes her passion for customer service. She also includes a search bar  at the bottom of her homepage, making it easy for site visitors to search for homes based on categories such as neighborhood, number of bedrooms and price range. Love what you see? Create your own real estate website using this same template. Template name:   Bar website template 05. Adventure Realty Idaho T he  Adventure Realty Idaho  website stands out with its well-organized navigation that makes exploring the site straightforward. Visitors can easily find what they need with dedicated menus for Buying and Selling, allowing them to jump right to local information or start their property journey. The Contact section is always just a click away and links for subscribing help users stay connected. This thoughtful menu structure keeps everything within reach, making the experience feel simple and supportive from the very first visit. For extra peace of mind, the site’s  FAQ page  is a handy resource for quick answers to common questions. Love what you see? Create your own real estate website using this same template. Template name:   Coming soon landing page website template 06. House & Co. Kim & Javen’s House & Co.  showcases their local expertise and client-first approach. This real estate agent website example features a clean hero fold, simple menu items for Buyers, Sellers and Testimonials that makes browsing easy. Personal bios, neighborhood highlights like wineries and hikes, and visible contact info put the team and community front and center, while client quotes build trust. The site is a great example for agents who want a friendly, approachable website that shows local knowledge and makes it easy for visitors to get started. Love what you see? Create your own real estate website using this same template. Template name:   Doctor website template 07. Liza Fox Liza Fox  is a standout real estate agent website example that blends professionalism with personal warmth. The homepage is clean with a crisp logo, soft color palette and a bold headline about helping clients buy homes on land in the Tacoma, WA area. On her about page she shares how her previous experience as a social worker inspires her empathetic service-oriented approach. She also offers a “Step by Step Seller Guide” showing serious commitment to educating her clients and making the process smoother. The contact page is clearly laid out making it easy for visitors to reach out and connect. Love what you see? Create your own real estate website using this same template. Template name:   Architecture firm website template 08. Carlile Group Carlile Group  is a stro ng real estate agent website example built around trust, education and experience. The homepage greets you with a warm mission‑driven message and a call to “Schedule a Goals Call,” setting a supportive, client‑focused tone. Her about page dives into her journey as a native of Placer County and her broker‑owner role, showing deep local roots and long‑term commitment. The site also features free buyer and seller guides you can download and a clear “Buy” and “Sell” section, showing she cares about educating her clients. With a clean layout, soft fonts and genuine testimonials, this real estate agent website empowers visitors by giving them both expertise and heart. Love what you see? Create your own real estate website using this same template. Template na me:   Talent recruitment agency (corporate) website template 09. Bonita Vickrey Realtor Bonita Vickrey Realtor  is a clean and simple real estate agent website built for trust and clarity. The site features a soft color palette, a welcoming hero image and straightforward navigation that guides visitors toward her contact form. With over 8 years of experience in real estate, she positions herself as a seasoned local expert focused on client care. Testimonials and a clear call to action make the homepage feel personal and credible. This site shows how an agent can communicate expertise, warmth and professionalism all in one space. Love what you see? Create your own real estate website using this same template. Template name:   Real estate agent (clean) website template 10. Laurie Wotus Laurie Wotus has designed an informative, comprehensive real estate agent website that provides clients with everything they need to get started. Her homepage boasts a unique design: a large, slow-motion video of a happy couple in their new home plays on repeat, and it’s overlaid with a headshot of Laurie. Written across the video are also the three main values that inform her work: integrity, honesty, and community. As part of her strong commitment to customer service, she includes a live chat in the bottom right corner of her site. Love what you see? Create your own real estate website using this same template. Template name:   Real estate firm website template 11. Say Yes with Jess Say Yes with Jess  is a warm and confident real estate agent website led by Jessica Corbett, who brands herself as “Mrs. Real Estate DMV” and serves Maryland, D.C. and Virginia. The site’s design features a welcoming hero image, soft but energetic color palette, and a clear menu with key pages like Homebuying Guide and Homeselling Guide. Jessica’s personal story — how she and her husband started with just $600 — is front and centre, which adds a deeply relatable, authentic touch. Her free homebuying and homeselling guides are easy to access and clearly laid out, showing she’s committed to educating clients. The testimonials, professional headshots and friendly tone make this real estate website feel both expert and accessible. Love what you see? Create your own real estate website using this same template. Template name:   Real estate broker (clean) website template 12. Living Tahoe Tanya Soule’s real estate agen t website, Living Tahoe , is professional, informative and easy to navigate. The homepage features a prominent search bar that lets visitors quickly browse available listings while her market reports give a clear snapshot of current conditions and property trends. The site also offers helpful resources including a sign-up form for personalized home matches and guides to local attractions. With its clean layout, user-friendly tools and local expertise, this website makes it simple for buyers and sellers to get the information they need and feel confident in their decisions. Love what you see? Create your own real estate website using this same template. Template name:   Real estate firm website template 13. The Pinnacle With its sleek, modern design, this real estate website evokes luxurious, contemporary living. The Pinnacle  benefits from straightforward and intuitive website navigation, with different pages that describe each of the apartment building’s areas. A separate page, titled “Location,” expands on the city and local attractions, showcasing the neighborhood at its best and encouraging people to move there. Love what you see? Create your own real estate website using this same template. Template name:   Business consultant website template 14. The Melner Group The Melner Group  is a family‑driven real estate business based in Bend, Oregon, led by brokers Beth and Rick Melner. Their website opens with the headline “What Does Home Mean to You?” clearly highlighting its hero section, which is designed to engage visitors and create a welcoming, personal connection. The about page shares their story which highlights their balance of experience and personal values. The site also features client testimonials prominently lower down, which reinforces trust and showcases their track record. With a professional layout, modern fonts and a focus on family and community, this real estate agent website shows how authenticity and competence can build real connection. Love what you see? Create your own real estate website using this same template. Template name:   Home remodeling company website template 15. Rodriguez Homes Rodriguez Homes  offers a standout real estate website example for agents working in West Michigan and the Lakeshore. The homepage opens with their bold claim of being in the “Top 1% of 3,500+ agents” and a clear hero image of the team, making credibility front and center. Site sections like Buying, Selling, Luxury and Community Links are easy to access and styled with a consistent black‑and‑white palette that feels modern and confident. Free home valuations, detailed team bios, and pages on new construction and luxury listings show depth and specialization. The testimonials and stats about “$27 M closed in 2022” give readers concrete proof of success—this site teaches how to combine proof points, clear navigation and local focus into a high‑quality real estate agent website. Love what you see? Create your own real estate website using this same template. Template name:   Webinar landing page website template 16. Bellis Realty Group Bellis Realty Group  is the Portland‑area boutique real estate firm led by Jazzmin Reece, and her website mixes high trust with a warm, personal touch. The homepage clearly states her mission to help with buying, selling, relocating or investing and a “Get Ready to Chat” call‑to‑action feels encouraging and confident. The site design uses clean lines, soft typography and a balanced color palette that feels both professional and friendly. Client testimonials show real-world results and the detailed “How I Serve My Clients” section with visible contact options makes it easy for visitors to connect. This website inspires confidence, highlights local commitment and gives users a clear path to engage. Love what you see? Create your own real estate website using this same template. Template name:   Wedding photographer website template 17. Glennis Sells Homes Glennis Sells Homes  highlights Glennis Dawson’s 19+ years of real estate experience with a clean, inviting website designed for clarity and ease of use. The homepage immediately introduces her approachable personality with a friendly welcome message while the simple navigation guides visitors to listings, testimonials and resources without feeling overwhelming. Client reviews and success stories are easy to find, showing real results and building trust. The combination of clear design, relatable content and easy contact options makes this site a strong real estate agent website example that feels both professional and human. Love what you see? Create your own real estate website using this same template. Template name:   Business consulting company website template What is a real estate website? A real estate website is an online platform that serves as a marketplace or marketing tool for property agents. These websites allow real estate agents, brokers and even property owners to list properties for sale or rent. Then, potential buyers or renters can browse through these listings based on different search parameters such as location, price, size, amenities and more. Real estate websites are designed to provide comprehensive information about each listed property. This can include images, floor plans, descriptions, location details and in many cases, virtual tours. They also include contact information for the listing agent or owner and often have a booking feature for users to schedule viewings. Some real estate websites are also informational, providing buyers, sellers and renters with tips and advice on buying, selling and renting properties, understanding real estate trends and navigating the real estate market. Successful real estate websites focus strongly on user experience, making property search as effortless and efficient as possible. They also strive to provide accurate and comprehensive property details along with high-quality photos or videos. Examples of real estate websites include Zillow, Realtor.com and Redfin in the United States, Rightmove in the United Kingdom and MagicBricks in India. How to create a real estate website and design tips If you’re feeling inspired by these real estate agent websites, you can create your own website using these professionally designed real estate website templates . Note that these templates are completely free and can be easily customized to fit your business’s unique needs. Choose the right brand identity : As you build a real estate website , consider the impression you want to make on your audience. Do you want to be cheerful and exciting? Serious and professional? Whichever you choose, design a logo and select a color scheme in a way that reflects your business’s personality. Using a Real Estate Logo Maker can help you accomplish that. Introduce yourself: Include a professional bio on your homepage or About Us page to emphasize your achievements and experience. If you work with a team, you should introduce each team member and provide their respective contact details. Use this space to go beyond listing your qualifications—tell your story and connect with your audience. Share what inspired you to pursue real estate, what motivates you in your work and the values you bring to your clients. Personal touches, like a passion for interior design or a dedication to supporting local communities, can help you stand out and feel relatable. Make yourself easy to contact: Once you grab the attention of interested clients, they’ll need a way to contact you. Be sure to include your business email and phone number on a prominent place on your website, such next to your bio in or in the website footer. You can also add a contact form to the bottom of your homepage or a dedicated Contact Us page. Include a mission statement: Tell your audience not only what you do, but also why you do it. This helps you resonate emotionally with potential clients. You can address this on your About page, in your bio, or within a designated section of your homepage. Offer customer testimonials: Happy customers are often your biggest advocates. Ask past clients to provide a recommendation that you can include on your site. Choose testimonials that illustrate not just the results but also the experience of working with you. Personal quotes that reflect your availability, communication style or care for your clients give that extra human touch visitors are looking for. Use stunning visuals: In addition to learning about your business, your site visitors will also want to know what their new home might look like. Make sure to incorporate large scale images on your homepage, as well as image galleries to show homes for rent and for sale. You can also add a video to your site to talk about your services or provide virtual home tours. For Kindling Home founder Mackenzie Precht, professionaly shot photos were a must for her site: “For real estate businesses, particularly short-term rentals, you invest so much time in purchasing, designing and furnishing the property. You should put the same investment in your website’s photography." Get in touch with live chat: Finally, take your real estate agent website to the next level by adding a live chat widget that lets you respond to customers right away. This extra bit of customer service may be exactly what you need to convert first-time visitors into loyal clients. For more inspiration, check out this curated list of best business websites . How do I make my real estate website design really stand out? Making a real estate website stand out in what can be a crowded and competitive market, can be challenging — and it takes a mix of design and functionality. Often however it's more a case of getting the design basics right, rather than opting for something totally way out there or unique. Yes, you want your brand and service to stand out but property seekers also need to understand that you're reliable and that they can find properties easily on your site. Here are some of the top things you need to get right on your site if you want your real estate website to stand out: Intuitive navigation : Especially on a property site, searchers must be able to filter and find what they are looking for. Clean design: That doesn't interfere with the functionality of your site, which is its purpose. High quality images: To showoff your properties to their best. Mobile-friendly: Users want to search for properties on the go and from different devices, a site that works well no matter where people are looking from is important. Detailed property listings : The more detailed and transparent the better. This is after all why people are on your real estate website. Extra tools: Sometimes offering additional tools or services related to renting or buying a property can help your site and in turn, your brand stand out. Tools such as mortgage calculators can be helpful to include. Start a real estate blog : A blog can be a great way to build a community, generate traffic to your site and build your brand as a property agent. Blogs can be used to showcase your experience and exp professional bio ertise in the industry. Use your blog to share valuable educational content, such as guides for first-time homebuyers, tips on preparing a house for sale or insights into current real estate market trends. By addressing common questions or concerns, you position yourself as an expert clients can trust. The more helpful and consistent your content, the more your visitors will see you as their go-to real estate resource. Expert tip from Sharon Hafuta, SEO blog editor at Wix: "Blogging without SEO is like writing in a journal no one will read. Optimizing your content makes sure your message reaches the right audience and drives organic traffic that can make a real impact." Best real estate agent websites FAQ What is the best website builder for real estate agents? Wix is a great choice for real estate agents who want a professional, impactful website. Choose from customizable templates designed for realtors to easily showcase property listings and connect with clients. Built-in SEO tools, mobile optimization and an intuitive editor help you attract visitors and stand out in the market. Manage appointments, add virtual tours and scale your site as your business grows—all with advanced features that make your job easier. Do realtors really need a website? Yes. A website is a powerful tool for realtors to stand out in a competitive market. It showcases your property listings, builds your credibility and helps potential clients find you online. A well-designed site lets visitors explore your services, learn more about you and connect directly.

  • How to make a copywriting portfolio that lands you clients

    Ready to showcase your best work? Start building your portfolio → Building a copywriting portfolio is the first and most important step to turning your writing skills into a business. In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to create a professional copywriting portfolio that showcases your talent and brings you clients. Even if you’re starting from scratch, this step-by-step process will help you choose your best work, design a portfolio website and write persuasive descriptions that demonstrate your value as a copywriter. 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: How to make a copywriting portfolio Short on time? Here’s what you’ll find in this guide: Step Summary 1. Choose your best copywriting samples Select 3–5 diverse pieces that show your range and skill. 2. Write project descriptions Explain each project’s goal, audience, and results. 3. Design your online portfolio Use a clean, professional template 4. Add testimonials or metrics Showcase credibility and measurable impact. 5. Optimize for SEO and sharing Make your site discoverable and easy to share. How to make a copywriting portfolio in 5 steps Creating a copywriting portfolio doesn’t have to be overwhelming or difficult. Follow these five clear steps to go from blank page to a professional website that gets you noticed. Choose your best copywriting samples Write project descriptions that sell Design your online copywriting portfolio Add testimonials and case studies Optimize and promote your portfolio 01. Choose your best copywriting samples Start by selecting your strongest work, the work that you want to make the focus of your copywriting portfolio. We suggest using a mix of long-form articles, ad copy, website copy and email campaigns to demonstrate your versatility. Remember quality trumps quantity—three polished samples are better than ten average ones. If you don’t have client work yet, create mock projects to show your skill and creativity. Learn more about how to create a writing portfolio of your own. 02. Write project descriptions that sell your work Each portfolio piece should include a short paragraph describing the goal, your approach and the results. For example, highlight how your landing page copy increased conversions or how your product descriptions improved engagement. Keep descriptions concise and results-driven as this helps clients see your value immediately and mirrors some of the best writing portfolio examples out there. 03. Design your online copywriting portfolio First you'll want to choose a portfolio maker. With a portfolio builder you can choose to create a website for free, or opt for a paid plan. There are many benefits to making your copywriting portfolio builder, here are some of them: Robust website infrastructure: many of the best portfolio builders include a domain name , web hosting, enterprise-grade security and other crucial features as a given when you create a portfolio with them. This means all you have to focus on is presenting your work in the best way possible. Drag and drop editing tools : these make it easy to customize your copywriting portfolio, upload your writing samples and other important portfolio features, like a contact form and information. Portfolio templates: with over 2000+ website templates to choose from, Wix makes it easy to build a copywriting portfolio from scratch without design or coding experience. All Wix portfolio templates can be customized, so you're able to make it unique to your writing style and professional brand. When it comes to designing your copywriting portfolio websites , its important to design with a clear layout, site navigation and important pages — homepage, work samples, testimonials and contact form. Get inspired by these sample portfolio websites . 04. Add testimonials and case studies to your copywriting portfolio It's important to ask past clients for short testimonials that highlight your professionalism and results to include with your work samples. If you’re new to copywriting you can include mock client feedback or performance data from personal projects. Case studies with before-and-after results are especially effective for showing the ROI of your copy. 05. Optimize and promote your copywriting portfolio Once your site is live, you optimize it for SEO by using Wix's in-built SEO tools. You can also decide to add social share buttons, post your work on LinkedIn and include a link in your email signature. Its important to find ways to promote your portfolio, in order to attract potential clients to it. 01. Jed Donahue Jed Donahue’s  website is a great example of how speaking to your client’s pain points can compel them to reach out. The homepage header copy, “When you need great content, I’m here to help,” focuses on the customer’s needs. Testimonials from previous clients provide proof that Jed can deliver results. Meanwhile, the “What I can do for you” section gives a practical breakdown of the workflow and services that clients can expect. Learn more: Why do I need a portfolio? How much does a portfolio website cost? 02. Sam Carlson Sam Carlson takes his writing portfolio a step further by putting his client work front and center. He highlights his creative flair and prowess as a copywriter by including engaging introductions for each case study. Every project page boasts a concise and clever summary, followed by the client's logo and key project assets. Additionally, his "Fun" page, which presents his personal projects, offers a glimpse of his hobbies and talents outside of writing. Looking to make another type of portfolio? How to make a nursing portfolio How to make an acting portfolio How to create a dance portfolio How to create a UGC portfolio How to make a voice acting portfolio How to write a cover letter for a portfolio How to make a copywriting portfolio FAQ Do I need real clients to create a copywriting portfolio? No, you can build a strong portfolio using mock projects, personal blog posts, or rewritten examples of real ads (with credit). The goal is to demonstrate your skills, not client history. What should I include in my copywriting portfolio? Show 3–5 samples, short project descriptions, testimonials and a brief bio. Always include a clear CTA to contact or hire you.

  • Online advertising: The complete guide to internet ad types and formats

    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.

  • 7 web typography rules

    There was a time when type on the web was “supposed” to use a sans serif. Then the awareness of web fonts emerged, to ensure your design loaded quickly and efficiently. But the rules of internet typography have changed since the early days. Now, website typefaces are anything but boring and there’s no reason to stick to a safe sans serif unless it serves your purpose. When it comes to making a website the new rules for website typography may not be what you think. Learn how to build a website  effortlessly with this step-by-step guide. 7 web typography rules Types of font to use Font size and scale Readability and accessibility Usability Space and contrast Line lengths matter Break up text 01. Types of fonts to use in web typography The first rule of modern internet typography is that there’s no right and wrong style of typeface. Yes, there was a time when it was recommended to use sans serif choices for web design and app design. There were a few reasons for this, mostly rooted in readability in relation to screen resolution. Early screens didn’t have the sharp, high-quality displays that are standard for pretty much every desktop, tablet, and mobile device. Because of the simplicity of sans serif fonts, they were more legible on low-resolution devices and easier to render accurately. That’s not really a concern for most designers anymore. So, play around with other typography styles. Mix and match serifs, sans serifs, and even handwritten fonts or experimental typefaces. There are a lot of myths as well about what kinds of fonts to use, regardless of style, when deciding how to design a website . The most common categories of fonts include: Web fonts : These types of fonts are automatically downloaded by the browser as soon as someone visits the web page. This means that any (and every) browser renders them in the exact same way. Web fonts are a CSS feature and have wide-ranging compatibility. The most common web font providers are Google Fonts and Adobe Fonts (formerly Typekit). Web fonts are important if you want things to look a specific way for all users all the time on any device or browser. System fonts: These typefaces use the fonts installed on your computer to render typography on websites. It’s still a fairly widespread practice, but unlike web fonts, the resulting design will end up looking different for different users and devices. Variable fonts: The newest method for website font delivery is through variable fonts, an OpenType font specification that enables many different variations of a typeface to be incorporated into a single file, rather than having a separate font file for every width, weight, or style. This makes it possible to animate fonts, making them move fluidly between the various widths, weights and styles. There’s no right or wrong type of font to use here. They each have pros and cons that you should align with your website design needs and goals. That being said, a lot of developers are incorporating variable fonts into redesigns and builds. It can really provide nice flexibility that allows you to use the typefaces you want in an efficient way. Learn more: What is web design? , The worst website font pairings 02. Font size and scale Traditionally, we measured typography in fixed-height measurements, such as points, x-height, and pixels. Throw that out the window! For internet fonts, you should use relative measurements to create a typography scale, so that everything maintains the same proportions regardless of size, browser, or device type. Measure in ems, or rems, and percents to compose a better scale for typography. Ems are your best bet if you think in pixels and have a hard time imagining any other way. Ems are based on the default font size in the viewer’s browser, and you can use proportions to scale font sizes up or down. Generally, 1 em is 16 pixels, based on a fixed measurement. Since that is a common body text size, that’s a good place to start with scaling type. If you want the body text to be roughly 18 px, do a little math: divide the size you want in pixels by the parent font size to find the measurement in ems (for example 18/16=1.125 em). Ems can be specified up to three decimal places for a fairly precise unit of measure. Designing for font size and scale using percentages is a lot like using ems. Start with a base font size. Typically, this is the body text since it is the most used across the design, making it a recommended starting point for a typographic scale. Then type sizes for different text elements are generated using a percent value based on the default font size (for example, if the default is 16, 150%=24). After you have established a unit of measure, then apply the math to create a visual scale for the project. Not only does this tool show a nice conversion between pixels and ems, but it also applies several different scales, allowing you to change the preview font selection and base font size or create a custom scale altogether. The good thing about using percentages or ems is that these units of measure can provide an accessibility advantage as well. Since text sizes are based on user preferences, users that use bigger text on screen (or smaller) will have the same user experience as someone who sticks to the default settings. Seeing as resizing works on mathematical calculations, not fixed sizes, it proportionally accounts for almost any user/browser setting in the same way. In other words, using a fixed measurement prevents the necessary adjustments from happening at the browser level. Plenty of users change their default setting or use zoom in-browser, and you definitely want your website to adapt accordingly. Good website typography is usable, readable and accessible. 03. Readability and accessibility Good website typography is usable, readable and accessible. To achieve this, employ visual hierarchy and CSS hierarchy. To ensure readability, connect your typographic scale to CSS custom properties. Each level of type should be assigned a job, such as body, header, subheader, quotes, and more. Use your scale of font sizes and assign them to the appropriate CSS functions. This might sound elementary, but ensuring the visual and technical aspects of typography match creates consistency for reading. This consistency, in turn, makes content easier to scan and digest because of visual patterns. So, by linking visual hierarchy and CSS hierarchy, you have better chances of creating content that humans (as well as search engines) can read with ease. Another important aspect to take into account in technical typography is choosing some of the best fonts for websites that are easy for readers of all abilities to understand. There are a few guidelines to consider for the primary font to ensure that you are designing accessible type elements: Use a base font that’s readable without assistance. This is usually 16 px or larger depending on the typeface. Select a typeface with a large, consistent x-height. Use headings and subheadings to establish hierarchy. Measure using a relative scale. Avoid images of text, because they can look grainy, can’t be read by search engines, and don't scale by device size. Check type styles against Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1). 04. Usability When it comes to typography, usability isn’t always the first thing that comes to mind. Usability is more commonly associated with design elements such as buttons, links, or images. But typography has to be usable, too. The number one thing you can do to ensure a usable type design is to pick–and stick to–a limited typography palette. A website should use one to three typeface families. For many websites, two typefaces is plenty. Select typefaces with distinct visual identities that are different from one another. While you want them to match–look for similar letter shapes or x-heights–the font differences should be easy to identify. You can choose fonts from different categories of typefaces (such as a serif and sans serif) or use weight, color, or size to create contrast. Dramatic font changes can make content easier to scan and digest. While you might think they are boring, popular and well-known typefaces can be the easiest for many people to read and absorb because their eyes are already comfortable with them. (It’s not a mistake to use Helvetica; there’s a reason it is so popular.) Colors also have an impact on usability. Some tend not to work for text. Avoid them, or use them sparingly: Light blue: People associate light blue text with a link. Red or green: These colors can present readability concerns for people with color blindness. Any color similar to the background: Gray on gray, for example, can be difficult to read. Multiple font colors: Too much decoration gets messy and hard to read in a hurry; if you are going to use a colored type element, stick to just one. The best web typographers also understand that using text elements as links can be a challenge on many devices. For users, tapping an inline text link can be a challenge on smaller screens and gets even more challenging with multiple links in the same section or paragraph. Whenever possible, avoid inline text links, opting for buttons instead. This provides a visual cue that a text element is a link and a usable function that helps eliminate user error. 05. Space and contrast If you weren’t already thinking about space and contrast, these are as much a part of good web typography as anything. Space and contract contribute to readability, accessibility, and visually stunning text. When it comes to space, the most important text spacing may be the amount of space between lines of text. Too much space and paragraphs or multi-deck headers don’t look like they go together, which can cause confusion and hinder reading. Too little space can cause strain on the eyes, making users turn away from blocks of copy because they are uncomfortable to read. Keep the following rules in mind: For most fonts, a good starting point for line height is 1.5 times the font size. For smaller, lighter, or narrow fonts, adding more space can increase readability. For oversized typefaces, think 80 px or higher, a little less space might be ideal. For fonts with long descenders, add line spacing. For all caps, text without descenders, or with short descenders, decrease line spacing. Increase the line height between different type hierarchies, such as between a header and body copy. Contrast is any text element that differentiates it from another design element. Good internet typography has plenty of contrast, so that the text is easy to see and read. This means that it: Is a different color than the background. Stands apart from other text elements. Has adequate space separating it from images, videos, or other design elements. Is appropriately sized to surrounding elements. 06. Line lengths matter Just as important as font selection and size, is creating text blocks that are designed for reading. The heftier the text elements, the more important this becomes. Consider these basic guidelines as a starting point to help determine sizing for the body text container elements: A comfortable line length on desktop devices is 45 to 80 characters wide (including spaces and punctuation). The ideal number is 66 characters per line for body text. Smaller screens should err on the side of shorter line lengths. One more line length consideration? Avoid hyphenation. It works in books and printed materials, but can make a mess online. If text block spacing is awkward without hyphenation, it is a sign that your lines are too long or too short for the font you have selected. 07. Break up text When it comes to reading on the web, text shouldn’t be designed to look like a novel. Good website typography incorporates font selection, style, and hierarchy, as well as how text blocks are broken up to facilitate reading. Use paragraphs, lists, block quotes, and varying elements to enable users to scan text. The easier it is for users to scan your web page and find information that is of interest to them, the more likely they are to stick around on your page. From an online marketing perspective, they’re also more likely to convert if they easily understand the page goal. Experiment with different text block variations and formats to determine what type of reading your audience prefers, and design more text elements in that format. Remember to create appropriate hierarchies for each different style, such as CSS specifications for bullet or numbered lists, quotes, FAQs, or other text elements.

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