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  • How to create a restaurant website: the complete guide

    Turn your ideas into a website you love with Wix →   On top of that list of restaurant must-haves is, you guessed it, creating a restaurant website . A strong and professional online presence has the power to enhance your restaurant marketing efforts, get customers booking tables, ordering in and sharing the experience with their friends. Luckily, cooking up the perfect website for your restaurant doesn’t necessarily require coding or design skills. Simply follow the steps below to create the website of your dreams all on your own. And super charge your food business at the same time. Julia Child once said, “People who love to eat are always the best people.” As a restaurant owner, you definitely have first-hand experience of this. But even for the most avid of foodies, a restaurant is about so much more than delicacies alone. From your drool-worthy plating, to impeccable service and perfect ambience, there are so many factors that play a part in making your restaurant as good as it is. Building a website for your business, passion project or side hustle should be easy and exciting. With Wix, you can customize and launch a professional website in minutes, no coding needed. We’re all about simplifying the process so you can focus on what matters most–bringing your ideas to life. So why wait? Let’s get started on creating the website you’ve always wanted. TL;DR: How to create a restaurant website Your website is often the first taste people get of your restaurant—so it needs to work hard for you. This guide walks you through how to create a site that’s not just good-looking, but actually helps grow your business. Whether you're opening your doors for the first time or giving your site a refresh, the steps are easy to follow and built with restaurant owners in mind. You’ll learn how to choose a template, add your menu, set up online ordering or reservations and make sure your site looks great on any device. The guide also covers SEO, linking your social channels and tips for keeping your site updated as your restaurant evolves. Top features of a great restaurant website Feature What it does Great food photos Show off your dishes and give people a reason to book or order Easy-to-find menu Let visitors quickly see what you serve and how much it costs Built-in reservations Help diners book a table without needing to call or message Online ordering Let customers place takeout or delivery orders straight from your site Mobile-friendly design Make sure everything works smoothly on phones and tablets Clear contact info Share your hours, location and how to reach you Search-friendly setup Help your restaurant show up on Google and Maps Connected socials Keep people in the loop by linking to your Instagram, Facebook and more Customer reviews Build trust by highlighting real feedback from happy guests Strong branding Give your site personality and make it feel like part of your overall vibe How to create a restaurant website Whether you serve nachos and guac or avocado toast and matcha, we got you covered with this complete step-by-step guide to launching your very own restaurant website: Gather up inspiration and ideas Plan out your content Choose a mouth-watering template Get your website on brand Make sure you're mobile friendly Mind your SEO Ask for feedback Shout it from the rooftops 01. Gather up inspiration and ideas Inspiration can strike outside of the kitchen, too. Read up on the latest web design trends and browse through restaurant websites that you especially like. Keep an eye out for websites of establishments in your proximity, or ones with a dining style similar to yours. You can also take a peek at this collection of restaurant website templates for inspiration that can help get your restaurant's vibe online. As you look through these restaurant websites and templates, make a mental note of why you find them so appealing, and what you think can be made better. These insights will prove useful in creating your own website. You can then start brainstorming any ideas you may have for your site. Do you envision a full-screen photo welcoming your visitors, or do you prefer to start with only a restaurant logo or even a bakery logo ? Do you want your visitors to navigate through the website using a menu, or by scrolling down on a single, long-scrolling page? With ideas such as these starting to take shape, you can begin to plan out your site’s structure. 02. Plan out your content Approaching the preparation of a meal without choosing its ingredients first is the web design equivalent of not deciding on the pages or sections you’d like your website to include before visiting the Editor. Think of what information you want to provide your visitors with (anything from opening hours to a photo gallery) and what actions you’d like them to be able to perform (such as reserving a table). To ease you through the decision-making process, here’s our list of recommended pages for a restaurant website. You can, of course, add or detract from this list to best reflect your business, but consider these options a great place to start: Homepage: As the entryway to your site, your homepage is your one chance at a first impression. This section should be clean and uncluttered, providing only the most concise information which visitors need to know straight away. Your business name , meaning the name of restaurant, should be placed prominently and followed by a smaller tagline that explains the service you provide. Finally, adding one or two eye-catching visuals to your homepage is always good practice for hooking visitors. Menu: The food you serve is the essence of your business, and should therefore be at the core of your website, too. Entice your visitor’s appetite with your selection of dishes, while also mentioning prices and specials. With the Wix Restaurant Menu app , you can build a menu that looks great on both desktop and mobile, and is even search-engine friendly. Determine menu pricing and make sure your menu is laid out in a way that is clear and intuitive. For improved readability, consider adding photos of your dishes or dividing the menu up by sections. Gallery: We eat with our eyes first, which is a good enough reason to show off your cuisine in all its glory. Get visitors in the right mood with delicious-looking photographs of your food, restaurant, and maybe even a glimpse inside the closed doors of your kitchen. The Wix Pro Gallery features photos in their optimal resolution on both desktop and mobile, and allows you to choose from a variety of layout designs. If you run an active Instagram account for your restaurant, you can seamlessly integrate your Instagram Feed onto your site, keeping your content as fresh and up-to-date as your social feed. Orly Gottesman of Modern Bread & Bagel stresses the power of visuals: “Having strong, appetizing-looking images is really important. And having images match with what the actual food looks like so that customers aren’t surprised when they get it.” Reservations: What better way to get customers in the door than to allow them to book a table right from your website? Relying on walk-ins and phone calls alone is ineffective for any business, and results in untapped potential. Wix Reservations allows visitors to pick their time, day, and party size when they book a table. Then, it follows up with an automatic email and text confirmation once you’ve accepted their reservation. As the business owner, you’ll be able to manage all reservations and collect customer information online, with no cover fee. Delivery orders: If your business offers takeout or delivery, your website is nothing short of a golden opportunity to reach more customers. Use Wix Restaurants Orders to create a friendly and easy-to-use interface that allows customers to pick their favorite dishes directly from your delivery menu. They can pay and tip from any device or split the bill between friends, and even order in advance. With this 100% commission free tool, the control over your orders remains solely in your hands. You can decide on delivery areas, receive notifications on every incoming order, accept and manage all orders on the go, and so much more. Contact: Before your customers get too ‘hangry,’ make sure they have everything they need to get in touch with you. Add a separate page or section that includes all relevant contact information. Mention your opening hours, location(s), phone number, email, and link to your social media accounts. You can also add a contact form or subscription form to your newsletter, if you have one. On top of creating a contact page, place your most important contact information in the footer of your website (the bottom part, which shows up on all pages of the website) so that it’s easily accessible from every page. Your footer can include your opening hours, phone number, address and social media links. About: The ‘About’ or ‘Our Story’ page is your place to share a little of what makes your restaurant so unique. Write about the background story of your business, your expertise, mission and values. You might also want to introduce your team members and tell each of their individual stories. Let your site visitors get a feel for your restaurant, its people, and the ideas behind it, so that they’ll feel right at home even before stopping by. Testimonials: This one is optional, but if any of your customers have ever raved about your life changing macaroons, or if any publication has ever written a review glorifying your exceptional service, don’t miss out on the free PR work. Customers view unbiased reviews as a highly reliable source of information, so add flattering quotes, and don’t forget to name the source for extra credibility. 03. Choose a mouth-watering template You don’t have to be a web designer in order to make your website look as appetizing as your dishes. Instead, browse through a selection of designer-crafted restaurant and food templates to find the one that’s right for your business and is in line with your aesthetics and needs. Each template is fully customizable so that you can use it as-is, or as a starting point to play around with and reach the results you’ve envisioned. From small tweaks to downright makeovers, these templates are yours for the taking. In case you prefer to go down a quicker route, Wix ADI can launch your website for you in a matter of minutes. Simply answer a few questions so that the AI website builder can gather information about your business goals and the type of website you’d like to create. Then, watch a website materialize into cyber existence right in front of your eyes. Learn more about how to build a website with AI. 04. Get your website on brand We know that your restaurant was thought out down to the last detail. You made sure that the napkins would be color coordinated with the takeaway bags, and had the specials of the day hand-lettered in your finest chalk handwriting. When learning how to create a professional website , the same careful attention to branding and visual language should also be carried over onto your website by looking after the following elements: Add your logo: This is the first step in branding your website in order to make it distinctly and unmistakably yours. A logo serves as a little visual anchor that customers associate with your brand. If you don’t already have one, you can easily create a logo with the Wix Logo Maker . On the same topic, make sure to also add a favicon (the small icon at the top of your browser) which can be a smaller version of your logo or even just one part of it, such as an initial. Define your visual language: Every element on your website should feel on brand, which means that they all have to align under the same visual language. To do this, choose a limited color palette and a set number of fonts for your website. Restrict your use of color to one main color and two to three accent colors in order to achieve a cohesive feel. Choose colors that evoke the right emotions to go with your establishment. For an organic coffee shop, for example, you might want to use a palette of greens and neutrals that give off a healthy and fresh vibe. For a pizza parlor, however, you might prefer a more appropriate warmer palette of reds and yellows. This same frame of thought should be applied to the fonts used on your website . Here too, pick three fonts at the very most. Choose one font as your primary, to be used across titles and headers, another as the secondary to be used in your running text (for the majority of your writing and all paragraphs), and an optional third accent font (used less often, such as in sub-headers, buttons and navigational menu, etc.). Get a domain: Your domain name is the address to your website, such as https://www.wix.com . Your domain name should be the name of your restaurant, and preferably include a keyword that is affiliated with what you do (like the type of cuisine you serve, or the name of your town). For more information, consult this guide to choosing the right domain name for your website. Learn more: How much does a website cost Tip: Not sure what to name your business yet? Use a restaurant name generator for inspiration and ideas. 05. Make sure you’re mobile friendly More and more people today browse the internet from their smartphones. Optimizing your website for mobile is essential in making sure that it’s accessible even on the go (or alternatively, from the living room couch for an especially indulgent takeout order). All Wix sites are automatically converted into a mobile version, but it’s still worth going over yours to make changes as you see fit. Remember that for the ideal mobile browsing experience, it’s better to simplify your content and navigation. Try to strip down your site down to its bare necessities, removing extra content so that it looks its best even on the much smaller, mobile screen. Ensure that all font sizes and colors remain legible on mobile too. Note that all different Wix Restaurants features, such as the Menus, Orders, and Reservations apps, all come optimized for mobile, so you can easily run your business from any device. 06. Mind your SEO As gorgeous and user-friendly as your website may be, for it to be truly effective in bringing in new customers, you want it to show up on search results—and in a high-ranking position, at that. Through the process of SEO (Search Engine Optimization), you can give your site a little boost whenever anyone searches the web for a business similar to yours. The Wix SEO Wiz can help in creating a personalized SEO strategy tailored to your needs, guiding you through processes such as picking keywords for your website, adding alt text to images and more. For additional information on SEO, check out our guide to getting found on Google , Bing and the likes. As a restaurant owner, it’s likely that your main area of focus should be your local SEO. As we now turn to Google to answer all of our daily questions, such as where to get our next cup of coffee from or where to go for ice cream, it’s crucial that you sign your place up to Google my Business . This way, if you run an ice cream parlor in Austin, Texas, you’ll have much better chances of showing up on searches for ‘ice cream in Austin,’ ‘best ice cream in Austin,’ and so forth. 07. Ask for feedback Now, just one final check before publishing your website : Preview the site for any broken links, spelling mistakes, or other errors. You can then publish, but don’t share it for all to see just yet. Send the link to just a few trusted friends for their thorough review and scrutiny. Ask your fans to report back with honest feedback on their experience, whether they ran into any navigation problems or if they were able to catch any others mistakes. You can even have them book a table in your restaurant or order a meal, going through the online process from start to finish, in order to double check that everything runs smoothly and as planned. It’s much better to spot those mistakes now and with friends than at the hands of your customers. 08. Shout it from the rooftops Your restaurant website is now live and kicking, and your customers should be in the know. Start by sharing the news of your new website using restaurant social media marketing. Create a visually-appealing Instagram aesthetic that's in tune with your branding and be sure all your posts are aligned. Link to your site from the profile section on each of your social channels (such as your Instagram Bio and Facebook About section). Take advantage of restaurant email marketing, too, and share your new site with subscribers. You could do some real-life sharing, too, by incorporating your URL into your restaurant’s branding, such as on business cards, delivery menus and more. Check out some more proactive ideas on our guide to promoting your website for free . Once your site is out in the world, don’t let it slide down your list of priorities. Every once in a while, freshen things up with new and up-to-date content. If you release a seasonal menu for autumn, for example, add it to your website with a beautiful photo to go along (and remember to take it down when the time comes). Make sure your website reflects the most accurate information, and revise your info in case you change opening hours, open a new location, or need to share any other update. And lastly, brace yourself, as orders are about to come flooding in. How to create a restaurant website FAQ Does a restaurant need a website? Yes, having a website is essential for a restaurant. A website serves as a central online hub where potential customers can learn about your restaurant, view the menu, make reservations and even place orders. It provides a platform for showcasing your brand, creating a positive first impression and reaching a broader audience. A well-designed and informative website can significantly contribute to the success and visibility of a restaurant in a competitive market. How much does it cost to build a restaurant website? The cost of building a website for a restaurant can vary widely depending on factors such as the complexity of the site, features required, design elements and the expertise of the professionals involved. Generally, a basic restaurant website with essential features like menu display, contact information and an about us section can cost anywhere from a few hundred to a couple of thousand dollars. More advanced websites with online ordering, reservation systems or custom design may incur a higher restaurant website cost . It's advisable to get quotes from web developers or agencies to determine a more accurate estimate based on your specific requirements. Learn more about how to make a website for free. How do I organize my restaurant website? Organizing your restaurant website effectively is crucial for a positive user experience. Consider the following organization tips: Homepage:  Feature an inviting homepage with high-quality images, a brief introduction and quick access to essential information. Menu:  Clearly display your menu, categorizing items logically. Include descriptions, prices and allergen information. About us:  Share your restaurant's story, mission and values. Introduce the chef and provide insights into what makes your establishment unique. Contact information:  Make your contact details easily accessible. Include a map, phone number, email address and links to your social media profiles. Reservation:  If applicable, incorporate a reservation or booking system. Ensure it's user-friendly and provides confirmation details. Online ordering (if applicable):  Facilitate online ordering with an intuitive interface. Include clear calls-to-action to encourage users to place orders easily. Specials or promotions:  Highlight any ongoing specials, promotions or events to entice visitors to explore further. Gallery or virtual tour:  Showcase high-quality images of your restaurant's ambiance, dishes and any unique features. Consider a virtual tour if applicable. Customer reviews/testimonials:  Display positive reviews and testimonials to build trust and credibility. Blog or news section:  Keep visitors informed about updates, events or relevant news related to your restaurant. What functionality does my restaurant website need? A restaurant website needs online menus, reservations, your contact details and your location with a map. It should include online ordering if relevant, customer reviews and social media links to your social media accounts. What are some no-no's when designing a restaurant website? You should avoid cluttered layouts, hard-to-read fonts and slow-loading pages. Don’t use PDF menus (as they frustrate mobile users). Avoid auto-playing music/videos and flashy animations that distract customers from booking a table or ordering food. You site must include your contact information.

  • How to make a responsive website in 4 steps

    Turn your ideas into a website you love with Wix →   Website development  has evolved, and responsive web design has gone from ‘nice to have’ to ‘need to have’ for agencies looking to build differentiated websites for their clients. As the number of devices online has skyrocketed, designing for specific screen dimensions has clear limitations: you have to account for more screen sizes with less margin for error in your designs. In contrast, a responsive approach makes sure that when building a website , it looks polished at all breakpoints. Improve your clients' UX and increase website traffic by creating a professional website that caters to all devices when you make the switch to responsive design. Building a website for your business, passion project or side hustle should be easy and exciting. With Wix, you can customize and launch a professional website in minutes, no coding needed. Wix is all about simplifying the process so you can focus on what matters most–bringing your ideas to life. So why wait? Let’s get started on creating the website you’ve always wanted. What is responsive design?  Responsive web design is the process of designing types of websites that adjust to the size and capabilities of every device or browser it’s viewed on, thereby guaranteeing that visitors always see the best possible version of your site. Incorporating dynamic content  makes sure that your site adapts seamlessly to user interactions, enhancing the overall experience. With so many devices, browsers and resolutions available on the market today, creating a responsive website is now essential for crafting a successful user experience. Responsive web design not only enhances user experience but also positively impacts web indexing . If you’re curious about how to create a static website , it’s important to understand the key differences in design flexibility between static and responsive layouts. Learn more: Responsive website examples Static vs dynamic websites What is web design? How to make a professional website What makes your website responsive?  If you’re a designer or web creator about to embark on a new responsive project, you’ll probably need to adjust to thinking in relative sizes and proportions rather than envisioning one fixed and final layout, since responsive websites scale according to their dimensions. Read on for expert tips on how to make a responsive website from start to finish. How to make a responsive website in 4 steps 1. Get started with wireframes 2. Define your breakpoints 3. Design for small screens first 4. Create a fluid grid 01. Get started with wireframes The process of web design always starts with planning the layout, and there’s no better tool for early layouting than wireframes. A wireframe is a schematic representation of a future design, and it's a convenient method for structuring your layout in an organized, yet low-fidelity manner. Wix Studio  offers a few ways to jumpstart the wireframes for your new site: Open and start editing one of our  wireframe templates  directly on the canvas If you’re a Figma fan, use our  Figma plugin  to access fully-customizable  templates , then seamlessly import to your Studio sites Generate wireframes customized for your project using our AI-powered visual sitemap and wireframe generator Here are a few important points to consider when wireframing: Keep your wireframes unpolished Speed and simplicity are two key attributes of wireframes. At the early stages of product design, you need to experiment and see what solutions work best for your users. Don’t spend extra time making your wireframes pixel perfect. Instead, create your layout and validate it with your target audience and stakeholders, focusing on functionality and information architecture rather than aesthetics. Create wireframes for different groups of devices Mobile, tablet and desktop are the most common types of devices that people use to browse the web. When creating wireframes, try and address all three groups to see whether your design scales well across them. When creating wireframes, try and address all three groups to see whether your design scales well across them. Learn more: How does AI work Types of AI AI tools for business Wix vs. Wix Studio Wix Studio vs. Elementor 02. Define your breakpoints Breakpoints are the building blocks of responsive design, making them a crucial step when making a responsive website. Breakpoints are the pixel values at which your design is adjusted, so that visitors always see the best possible version of your site, on any viewport size. Breakpoints are defined by CSS media queries width (min-width and max-width) and height (min-height and max-height). Those media queries determine the conditions under which specific media attributes are applied, allowing you to change styles based on the type of device or browser that renders the web content . If you’re building your website on Wix Studio, you’ll have 3 default breakpoints to start with: desktop (1,001 pixels and up), tablet (751-1,000 pixels) and mobile (350-750 pixels). You can also edit the existing breakpoints or add custom breakpoints to fit your project’s needs, code-free. While there is no universal set of breakpoints, there are a few recommendations you can follow when choosing yours: Try to maintain the least number of breakpoints possible. Since designers have to adjust content to match breakpoints, you should strive for around 3 breakpoints for the most device flexibility.  The main criteria in choosing your breakpoints shouldn’t be your devices, but the content you have. Your content should determine how the layout adjusts to its container. Customize the design for every viewport Be intentional about what you show or hide at different breakpoints. For example, a common approach on mobile is to hide top-level navigation options and use hamburger menus instead. This approach helps you save more real estate on your screen and makes the experience more content-focused. At the same time, make sure not to hide any content that can detract from the user experience. Learn more about how to build a website . Be intentional about what you show or hide at different breakpoints. 03. Design for small screens first When it comes to creating responsive layouts, most designers follow a mobile-first approach, meaning they design the content to fit a small screen size first. Create a layout that works well at the smallest breakpoint and then adjust it for larger viewports. (Don't worry if you feel limited by the mobile layout. Once you move to the desktop version, you can easily add more effects like these custom cursor examples.)  Learn more: How to make a mobile friendly website Practice a content-first way of thinking When designers craft a mobile experience, they have to think about what content they want to provide users with, and in what order. The small screen size is great motivation to conduct content inventory, evaluate the content and prioritize it according to the needs of end-users. This process helps distinguish essential content from unnecessary elements that on smaller screens, can become a distraction. The content-first approach also helps create a more solid visual hierarchy. By clearly prioritizing your content and messages, you’re likely to decide what content should be viewed first, what should come up second and so on. Tip: Start with Wix free web templates to quickly create a mobile-friendly professional design Consider the physical characteristics of the device itself When you design for mobile, you don’t only design for a small screen size. You also design for a touchscreen. Both content and interactive elements should be optimized for comfortable interaction with a finger. It is possible to use media queries like orientation and aspect-ratio to define condition checks and alter the design based on the user's device. Test your design on a real device A design might look perfect on your monitor, but as soon as you start interacting with it on your smartphone, you notice some drawbacks. Define a few key scenarios of interaction such as key tasks that your users want to complete on your website, and try to complete them yourself on an actual mobile phone. Define a few key scenarios of interaction such as key tasks that your users want to complete on your website, and try to complete them yourself on an actual mobile phone. 04. Create a fluid grid A grid is a two-dimensional framework consisting of columns and rows that allows you to precisely position UI elements on a web page . Proper use of a grid in website management will help you avoid situations in which individual UI elements overlap in different screen sizes, resulting in a solid layout that’s fully responsive. Grid allows for the flexibility of creating a tailored layout for each breakpoint you've defined, so that the content and design will perfectly fit each viewport. Changing the number of columns and rows in a grid, as well as their size and spacing, can create a better layout for site visitors. The size of the columns and rows can be defined using different types of grids: Fixed (pixels): To create such a grid, you need to set the size of one of your columns or rows to a specific number of screen pixels. This grid type means that one or all of your columns or rows will maintain a fixed size across all devices. Fluid  (percentages or fractions): Fluid grids automatically adjust to the available screen space, maintaining a consistent look and feel across multiple devices. Using fraction as a measuring unit makes the size of grid items proportional to each other (e.g. in a grid of 2 columns, if the fraction for the left column is set to 2, and the fraction of right one is set to 1, the left column will take up 2/3 of the available screen space). Fluid grids automatically adjust to the available screen space, maintaining a consistent look and feel across multiple devices.

  • How to make your website accessible

    Being that one in four adults in the U.S. have a disability, it’s essential that you create a website that accommodates users with a variety of different needs. “We need to make things accessible so that we’re not excluding anyone from using our products or services,” Reginé Gilbert , who (quite literally) wrote the book on inclusive digital design , said in an interview with Wix. “You’re opening your business to more business when you make it more accessible.” In the blog below, we’ll cover strategies for creating a more accessible online experience so that no matter what your line of business is, you know how to make a website that’s inclusive to all. What is web accessibility? Web accessibility is the inclusive practice of ensuring there are no barriers that prevent interaction with, or access to, websites on the World Wide Web by people with physical disabilities, situational disabilities and socioeconomic restrictions on bandwidth and speed. Web accessibility is important because it ensures that everyone has equal access to the information and services that are available online. People with disabilities may use a variety of assistive technologies to access the web, such as screen readers, text magnifiers and voice recognition software. Web accessibility also benefits people with situational disabilities, such as people who are using a mobile device in a noisy environment or people who have a temporary injury, and people who have limited bandwidth or are using a slow internet connection. 16 ways to make your website accessible Building a website from scratch is a massive undertaking, so making it accessible might seem daunting. Don’t worry—with these handy tips and the Accessibility Wizard by your side, you'll breeze through the process. Just keep in mind that while the Wizard and this article offer great insights, they don't cover everything about web accessibility. So, if you want to tackle any major issues head-on, it's worth considering hiring an accessibility expert to give your site a thorough check. By combining these resources and seeking professional guidance, you'll create a website that's inclusive, user-friendly and ready to welcome everyone. Skip the accessibility plugin Choose fonts that are easy to read Consider how design complexity could impact user experience Choose a high-contrast color scheme Add alternative text to every image Provide transcripts or closed captions for files with audio Make your website keyboard accessible Opt for on-page content rather than PDFs Keep the text short and sweet Organize your site for easy navigation Offer multiple means of communication Add an accessibility statement to your site Use templates Optimize forms for disabled users Ask visitors how you can improve Use a content management system that supports accessibility 01. Skip the accessibility plugin Accessibility plugins may seem like a quick fix, but about 13% of the websites sued in 2021 had third-party accessibility overlays . Moreover, these plugins tend to create more problems than they solve. In addition to causing performance issues and security risks, they can even introduce new accessibility issues. “The way to make a site accessible is to build it the right way,” said Wix Head of Accessibility Nir Horesh, whose team assesses every Wix feature and element to ensure that they accommodate users with disabilities. Rather than treating accessibility as an afterthought, it’s important to make sure that your site is built with accessibility in mind from the get-go. 02. Choose fonts that are easy to read Because font options are limitless, it's tempting to feature elaborate typography on your website. Unfortunately, the more decorative the typeface, the less legible it is to your customers. People with dyslexia, learning disabilities, aphasia and poor vision will have an easier time reading a clear font . Featuring more than two fonts on a page will, moreover, make your page look chaotic and slow down reading speed. Although you can upload external fonts to the Wix Editor, standard fonts are the easiest to read. Tahoma, Verdana and Museo are very reliable options. Individuals with visual impairments may also struggle to read italics, all caps and other styling methods. Instead of over-relying on these font styles, use a larger size or a second font to format headings. Related: The problem with overdesigning: how to make sure your website isn’t trying too hard 03. Consider how design complexity could impact user experience “When the internet started, it was only text and links. It was 100% accessible,” said Horesh. “The more complexity we added, the more accessibility issues we created.” For example, while flashy graphics, features and effects are fun, they introduce new accessibility issues. That doesn’t mean you have to revert to the basic website features ; it just requires you to design thoughtfully from the start. Ask yourself whether a feature could hinder a customer’s ability to navigate your site. If you think it might, consider either removing it or adjusting it to accommodate different needs. For example, moving elements could potentially cause motion sickness, trigger epileptic seizures or distract people with ADHD. If you’re determined to include dynamic content, it’s imperative to provide options for user control. This can be accomplished by adding a pause button or setting the content to automatically stop after a few seconds. Granting users the ability to pause, stop or adjust the timing of dynamic content allows them to engage with your website at their own pace and ensures a more inclusive experience for all. 04. Choose a high-contrast color scheme Creating an attractive color scheme is branding 101, but how you infuse it into a website can affect its usability. Customers with limited vision and color blindness often struggle to read text that is too similar in color to that of the background. A high-contrast dynamic is key. Because low-contrast text is the most common accessibility issue , it’s an important one to pay attention to. The WCAG requires a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for text, with a few exceptions. Because larger and thicker fonts are easier to read, the ratio threshold for 18-point text and 14-point bold text is lower at 3:1. Decorative text and logotypes are exempt. Wix’s Accessibility Wizard checks for color issues, but it’s best to plan ahead, e.g., you can use the WebAIM contrast checker to assess your color scheme. Unfortunately, too sharp of a contrast can create issues for people with dyslexia; pure black text against a pure white background can create a swirling and blurring effect. To keep things simple, opt for an off-white background with dark gray text, and apply your brand colors elsewhere. 05. Add alternative text to every image Because screen readers can’t interpret visuals, customers who are blind or have limited vision need text-based descriptions so that they don’t lose any context. When you add alternative text (often referred to as alt text ) to an image’s settings, the Wix Editor incorporates it into the coding of the webpage so that the screen reader can describe the image to the viewer. As a bonus, Google’s algorithm takes that text into account when determining a site’s ranking on relevant search result pages. Writing alt text isn’t a straightforward process. In order to be helpful to the user, the alt text must be accurate, concise and relevant to the context of the image placement. It shouldn’t be longer than 125 characters or include the phrase “image of,” but it should have proper punctuation and include any relevant text that appears in the image. Images that only offer aesthetic value don’t need alt text, so mark the image as decorative in the Wizard. 06. Provide transcripts or closed captions for files with audio To ensure that customers with hearing impairments won’t miss out on any relevant information, provide transcripts for audio files and closed captions for videos . Note that many of today’s consumers actually prefer to watch things with closed captions, and some even turn off the sound when viewing audio or videos on the go. In fact, studies find closed captions increase views, watch time and comprehension. As with alt text, transcripts and closed captions can also support your SEO efforts. 07. Make your website keyboard-accessible Because my arthritis makes scrolling difficult, I prefer to use keyboard controls to navigate the web. Some people with disabilities can only use keyboard navigation , so all elements of a website must be keyboard-accessible. To this end, you’ll want to incorporate visual indicators that highlight a keyboard user’s position on a webpage. Note: Wix equips all of its websites with these features, which you can toggle on and off using the Accessibility Wizard. Learn more about making your Wix website accessible . 08. Opt for on-page content rather than PDFs While it may be tempting to upload a beautifully designed PDF onto your website, it's important to consider the accessibility and SEO implications of doing so. Browsing a PDF on a device can be awkward for the average user and presents challenges for individuals with vision impairments who rely on screen readers. To ensure inclusivity and improve user experience, create accessible digital content instead of relying solely on PDFs. Alternatively, you can provide a link to a PDF version of your content for those who prefer to read or print out the information, ensuring you cater to different preferences. 09. Keep the text short and sweet Describing your company’s unique offerings with fancy language shuts out people with learning disabilities. Plus, people often skim online information, so using simple language can prevent misunderstandings. Use easy words, simple sentences and short paragraphs so that people with a middle school reading level (in compliance with WCAG guidelines) can understand the information. Copyediting software, such as Hemingway Editor or ProWritingAid , can help determine the reading level of your writing and suggest changes to make it simpler. 10. Organize your site for easy navigation Giving each page a clear structure enables people who use keyboard navigation or screen readers to scan your content. Doing so makes reading more comfortable for people with dyslexia, ADD or memory disabilities, too. To create a well-structured website, your content needs distinct sections, descriptive headings and effective coding. The Wix Editor will do all the coding for you, as long as you’re using the appropriate text themes. When you write a heading, format the text with the theme that corresponds with its relevance on the page. For example, we set the title of this section, “Organize your site for easy navigation,” as Heading 3 because it is a subsection of “How to make a website accessible,” which we set as Heading 2. Headings should be succinct enough that they’re scannable, but descriptive enough so that customers can rely on them to find information. You’ll want to treat them as a resource rather than a branding opportunity. So instead of naming a product category section "Cool Digs," opt for a more descriptive label like "Home Decor.” To ensure the effectiveness of your headings, create an outline of your site and map out the customer journey. If you can’t easily find your way down the different paths, you need to return to the drawing board. 11. Offer multiple means of communication Whereas people with a vision impairment are usually more comfortable speaking over the phone, those with a hearing impairment may have an easier time communicating through email, chat, forms or social media messaging. With this in mind, offer multiple ways for customers to reach out to your business. Use tools like the Wix Inbox to provide efficient customer service and manage all of your communications under one roof. 12. Add an accessibility statement to your site To express your commitment to customers with disabilities, write an accessibility statement on your website. Explain that you intend to address any issues they experience while browsing your website or visiting your physical location. Transparency is key; acknowledge any issues you’re aware of but haven’t yet been able to resolve. You can use this accessibility statement generator to help with the wording. 13. Use templates One of the easiest ways to make your professional website accessible is by starting with a template, even one of Wix’s free website themes , that follows WCAG best practices. Wix’s designers collaborate with the accessibility team to ensure that its simple website templates are optimized from the start. 14. Optimize forms for disabled users Forms play a crucial role in gathering user information, facilitating interactions and enabling transactions on your site. When optimizing your website for accessibility, it’s important to check that any forms are designed in a way that accommodates disabled users. By implementing a few key strategies, you can create forms that are inclusive and user-friendly for individuals with disabilities: Concise labeling: Provide clear and descriptive labels for each form field. Labels should be associated with their respective input fields using proper markup to enable screen readers and assistive technologies to read them aloud accurately. Instructions: Include clear and concise instructions to guide users through the form-filling process. Ensure that error messages are presented in a visible and understandable manner, clearly indicating the specific fields that require correction. Use color contrast and icons to enhance visibility. Keyboard accessibility: Check that form fields and interactive elements can be accessed and operated using a keyboard alone. This is vital for users who rely on keyboard navigation instead of a mouse or other pointing devices. Allow users to navigate through form fields using the "Tab" key and provide visual focus indicators to highlight the active element. Field validation: Implement validation checks to ensure that users provide valid and properly formatted input. Offer suggestions or autocomplete options whenever possible to assist users and reduce the risk of errors. Clearly communicate any format requirements or constraints to users upfront. Responsive design: Optimize your forms for different devices and screen sizes. Ensure that form elements are appropriately sized and positioned to avoid overlapping or cut-off content, especially on smaller screens or when using zoom functionalities. Note: Wix Forms meet all of these accessibility best practices, so you don’t need to worry about learning how to implement them yourself. 15. Ask visitors how you can improve According to Reginé Gilbert, the best thing a business owner can do for customers with disabilities is to ask them what they need. Consider using the Wix form builder to add a feedback form underneath to make getting in touch as easy as possible. “The beauty of the web is that you can change things,” Gilbert said. “We’re going to make mistakes and we’re going to learn and we’re going to do better.” 16. Use a content management system that supports accessibility Not all CMSs are created equal when it comes to accessibility. In addition to standard features like keyboard navigation and screen-reader compatibility, Wix’s Accessibility Wizard helps you identify and fix things that may cause accessibility issues. Other CMSs that offer good accessibility features include WordPress, Drupal, Joomla and Plone. By using a CMS that supports accessibility, you can not only expand your potential audience but also improve your website's search engine ranking. Important note about compliance: At Wix, we are committed to ensuring everyone, regardless of ability, can use our products and services. We are continually working on improving them, in line with accessibility standards. Wix.com cannot guarantee or ensure that the use of our services is compliant with all accessibility laws and worldwide regulations. You are responsible for reviewing and complying with local legislation applicable to you or to your site visitors. Why is it website accessibility important? Setting up an accessible site isn’t just the right thing for your business and your customers; if you fail to do so, you risk getting sued. Case in point: In Robles v. Domino’s, it was ruled that Domino’s website violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The plaintiff, a visually impaired man named Guillermo Robles, sued the company because he couldn’t order a pizza with his screen reader. Since the case began in 2016, web accessibility lawsuits have increased by 40%. To better serve all of your customers and avoid such legal trouble, your website must adhere to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Fortunately, Wix designs every feature according to these guidelines, ensuring compliance from the start. Wix’s Accessibility Wizard flags accessibility issues on your site, plus provides guidelines for preventing other issues. Learn more about how to make a professional website What are the four principles of web accessibility? The four principles of web accessibility are defined by the WCAG , which provides a set of guidelines and standards for creating accessible web content. The four principles include: Perceivable: Information and user interface components must be presented in a way that can be perceived by all users. This includes providing text alternatives for non-text content (such as images), ensuring content can be presented in different ways (such as through audio or braille) and making sure the content is easy to see and hear. Operable: The user interface and navigation of a website should be operable by all users, including those with disabilities. This involves making all functionality available through keyboard access, providing ample time for users to interact with content and avoiding content that may cause seizures or other adverse reactions. Understandable: Web content and its operation should be clear and understandable to all users. This includes using plain language and avoiding jargon or complex terminology, providing clear instructions and error messages and organizing content in a logical and consistent manner. Robust: Websites should be developed using robust technologies that can be interpreted reliably by a wide range of user agents, including assistive technologies. This principle encourages the use of web standards and guidelines to ensure compatibility across different platforms and technologies. How to check your web accessibility There are a number of ways to check your site's web accessibility. Here are a few tips: Use an automated accessibility checker. There are a number of automated accessibility checkers available online. These tools can scan your website for common accessibility issues and provide you with a report. Some popular automated accessibility checkers include: WAVE Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool A11Y checker SiteImprove Accessibility Checker Wix’s Accessibility Wizard also helps you identify and fix things that may cause accessibility issues. Use a screen reader. A screen reader is a software program that reads aloud the text on a computer screen. This can be helpful for identifying accessibility issues that are not detected by automated checkers. To use a screen reader, you can install a free program such as NVDA or JAWS. Have your site tested by a person with a disability. The best way to ensure that your site is accessible is to have it tested by a person with a disability. This will help you to identify any accessibility issues that may not be detected by automated checkers or screen readers. Here are some additional tips for checking your site's web accessibility: Check your site's code. Make sure that your site's code is valid and that it follows the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Use semantic HTML. Semantic HTML is a way of using HTML to convey the meaning of your content. This can help screen readers to understand the structure of your page and to read the content aloud in a meaningful way. Provide alternative text for images. Alternative text is a text description of an image. This is important for people who are using screen readers, as it allows them to understand what the image is about. Use a high-contrast color scheme. A high-contrast color scheme can make your site easier to read for people with low vision. Make sure your site is keyboard navigable. People with mobility impairments may not be able to use a mouse. Make sure that your site can be navigated using only the keyboard. How to make your website accessible checklist Here are some of the main factors to consider when creating and designing an accessible website. This is by no means an exhaustive list but a place to start: Image alt text, should be descriptive Color contrast Easy navigation Headings in order Video captions Descriptive URLs Content structure Accessible PDFs Font choice Markup of tables Labelled forms Regular accessibility audits

  • How to make a quick website easily (with and without AI)

    While having a website is crucial for any business, building a website can often seem like a daunting task, especially when time and resources are of the essence. And if you're trying to get a business off the ground, you know time is always in short supply. The fastest way to learn how to design a website with AI  is by using an AI website builder , like Wix, which lets you create a great-looking and functional site in seconds. Looking to create without AI? You can use a website builder, to quickly create a professional website without any technical knowledge. Website builders include drag and drop editors as well as pre-designed website templates that make it easy to get started with how to create a website. How long does it take to build a website with AI? This table breaks down the fastest way to get a website live using an AI website builder. Times are estimates and can vary depending on how much content or customization you add. Use it as a practical guide to move from idea to published site without getting stuck in unnecessary steps. What to do to build a website fast Estimated time Plan your website purpose (blog, services, eCommerce) 5–10 min Answer AI builder questions about design style and features 5 min Let the AI generate your website <1 min Customize template, colors, fonts, images and layout 10–30 min Add content (text, images, videos) 10–30 min Review and publish your website 5 min Learn more: What is a Wix website? How hard is it to make a website ? Best vibe coding tools How to make a professional website How to build a website fast: getting started When it comes to building a website quickly, understanding what makes the process fast is key, its not just about how quickly you can get a site online but also about how efficiently you can manage and update it once its live. A fast website-building process by definition involves minimal steps and it should allow you to go from concept to live site in a short amount of time without compromising on your website's quality. Learn more: Is Wix easy to use? One of the fast way to create a website is by using a website builder. Website builders offer a number of features to help speed up the process. These include. Website templates for different industries and types of websites . Wix, for example, has over 2000+ designer made templates for free. Drag and drop editors, that make it easy to quickly customize a site without any technical skills. Built-in tools for SEO , website analytics and eCommerce are standard with website builders, which make it easier to both create and manage a website. Many website builders, can be used for free — making it easy to create a site fast even with limited resources. Learn more about some of the best free website builders to create a site fast. How to create a website quickly in just a few steps When it comes to making a website fast, planning is everything. Plan and prepare your site Choose a website builder (including an AI website builder) Design and customize your website fast 01. Plan and prepare your site Before figuring out how to design your website (and fast) , you need to plan its purpose. What is it that you want to achieve with your site? Is it selling online ? Is it for providing information, through a blog perhaps or something to help you generate leads? Do you need it to help your customers book your services? The purpose of your website will impact everything, from the template you choose to the services you add to your site. If you plan to start an online store you'll need ecommerce website templates and other features such as a shopping cart and product pages design. If you're starting a blog , you'll need blog templates , a blogging schedule and other types of content. You might also want to enable commenting on blog posts. Learn more about how to quickly create a wide range of websites: How to make a service website How to make an ecommerce website How to make a business website How to make a portfolio Next outline your key pages and content your site will need. Important pages include a home page, an about page and if relevant services or products pages. Learn more: How to plan a website 02. Choose the right website builder Choosing the right website builder is crucial for a smooth and fast website-building process. You'll want to find one that prioritizes ease of use, like Wix and require no technical skills or knowledge. To learn how to make a Wix website , follow these steps: 1. Sign up : Create a Wix account if you don't have one. You can start building for free. 2. Choose a template : Browse through the Wix templates  and select one that fits your needs. 3. Customize your site : Use the Wix Editor  to add elements like text, images and videos. You can drag and drop elements to customize your layout. 4. Publish your site : Once you're satisfied with your design, click the publish button to make your site live. 5. Connect a domain name : If you want to register and buy a custom domain , you will need to upgrade to a paid plan. Consider using an AI website builder which can help you build even faster. To build a website using AI with Wix, follow these steps: 1. Go to the Wix AI Website Builder  and click 'Start Chat'. 2. Answer the AI's questions about your website preferences, such as design style and required features. 3. The AI will generate a personalized website based on your answers. 4. Once generated, you can customize your site further in the Wix Editor. You can also use AI tools to create text content, images and even logos for your site. Explore more about these features in this Wix AI tools roundup . 03. Design and customize your website fast Once you've chosen a builder, it's time to design and customize your site. This step involves selecting templates and tailoring them to fit your brand or business. Choose a website template that suits your website type and purpose. Business website templates Beauty website templates Restaurant website templates Health website templates Photography website templates Once you've chosen the right website template you can quickly adjust its colors, fonts and layouts to reflect your brand identity. Quick website design hacks Keep design simple but strategic. Stick to one or two fonts and a basic color palette but make sure they reflect your brand personality and create hierarchy across headings, buttons and body text. Use contrast to draw attention to key elements like calls-to-action. Pre-built sections and blocks save massive amounts of time because they come with spacing, formatting and responsive design baked in, so you don’t have to worry about mobile issues or alignment. Leverage drag-and-drop editors fully. Move elements around, resize images, swap sections or reorder pages without touching any code. Use built-in widgets for forms, booking systems, galleries or eCommerce features. Widgets keep functionality consistent and prevent you from spending hours testing third-party integrations. Even small touches like pre-styled buttons, countdown timers or social media feeds can elevate your site instantly without slowing you down. Think about the user’s journey as you design. Keep layouts clean and uncluttered but intentional. Every section should guide visitors toward an action or piece of information. Organize content into clear blocks, use whitespace to make pages readable and highlight the most important features first. Templates and AI tools handle the heavy lifting, but customizing them thoughtfully ensures your site looks unique, professional and aligned with your goals while still saving time. Tips to save time building your site Get all your stuff together before you start. Images, logos, videos, product photos and text—have everything ready in one folder so you’re not hunting for files while building your site. Organize them by page or section so when you drag and drop elements, everything falls into place without extra clicks or confusion. Let AI handle the heavy lifting. Headlines, page copy, product descriptions and even blog posts can be generated in seconds. Feed the AI a short brief and tweak the output instead of writing everything from scratch. This works especially well for FAQs, service descriptions or social proof sections that need clear, polished wording fast. Repurpose what you already have and batch tasks for efficiency. Old blogs, email newsletters and social posts can all be adapted for your website, saving time and keeping messaging consistent. Edit all images at once, generate content in a single session and set up SEO basics like titles, descriptions and alt text together. Pick a default style for fonts, colors and buttons and use AI to create placeholder content you can swap out later. Mistakes to avoid when building your site fast Rushing a website can seem efficient, but cutting corners often creates extra work down the line. Many beginners focus on speed and forget that a fast website is only useful if it’s clear, functional and aligned with their goals. Without a plan, you’ll spend time rearranging pages, fixing content or redesigning layouts that could have been set correctly from the start. Skipping testing and mobile previews leads to errors that frustrate visitors. Over-relying on default templates or AI suggestions without adjusting them for your brand can make your site look generic and forgettable. Avoiding these pitfalls saves time and ensures your site works well from day one. Common mistakes include: Too many elements on a page : Widgets, animations, or decorative graphics may look nice but slow down design and confuse visitors. Ignoring mobile optimization : Layouts that work on desktop often break on phones or tablets. Skipping planning : Not defining key pages, site purpose, or features leads to endless revisions. Neglecting testing : Broken links, missing images, or slow loading pages create a poor user experience. Blindly using AI suggestions : Templates and generated content need tweaks to reflect your unique brand. Overcomplicating design : Custom fonts, colors, or layouts can waste time without adding real value. Building a quick website easily FAQ What's the fastest way to build a website? The fastest way is to use an AI website builder like Wix. You can create a website in minutes. Can I create a website in two hours? Yes, it's possible to create a basic website in as little as two hours using tools like Wix. By selecting a template and customizing it with your content, you can quickly create a site and publish it. Can I create a website fast and for free? Most website builders, including Wix, offer free plans that allow you to build a basic site at no cost. However, these plans may have limitations such as ads or limited features. Consider upgrading for more functionality. What is the simplest website to build? The simplest website is a one-page site with just the basics—your name or business, what you do and how to contact you. A clean template, a few images and short text are all you need to get it live fast. How to create a website in 5 minutes? Use an AI website builder to set up your site almost instantly. Answer a few quick questions, and the AI generates a ready-to-go design with text, images and layout already done. All you need to do is adjust small details like your name, headline and contact info before publishing.

  • How to write an effective privacy policy for your website

    These days, collecting data associated with your visitors and customers on your website has become a standard marketing practice. Using this data, you can improve the customer experience, refine your marketing strategy and, in some cases, earn extra revenue. Collecting this information, however, comes with a few attached strings: as consumers become more protective of their data, governments increasingly regulate how businesses can gather and use it. For example, the European Union now requires such privacy policies by law , as do some American states . For this reason, your website must have a privacy policy letting visitors know what information you will collect, what you will do with it, how you’ll protect it and the recourse for privacy violations. The same also applies for any website converted into an app . Here, we’ll show you how to write a privacy policy, as part of your general web privacy and website management efforts , that will increase your compliance with privacy regulations and put your customers at ease. What is a privacy policy? A privacy policy is an industry standard for any website that collects visitor data, and in most countries, required by law . Creating a detailed privacy policy that outlines what data you collect, why you collect it, and how you use it shows that you care about your users’ privacy and value their patronage. For small business owners and entrepreneurs launching their online presence, learn how to make a website with a secure builder like Wix . Why does your website need a privacy policy? Many customers worry about data collection and misuse. According to Pew Research , around half of Americans have decided not to use a product or service because of privacy concerns. Business owners can restore the public’s faith with transparent data collection. When you inform users exactly what information your site gathers, how you use it, and why you collect it, you establish trust and build customer loyalty. When writing a privacy policy for your business website, give prospective customers the confidence to buy your products online without fear that their information will fall into the wrong hands. Tell them how you secure that information—especially if you process online payments. The same goes for if you're selling services, or other forms of content, such as an online course. When you create a Wix website , you can easily adjust your privacy settings from the Wix dashboard . Using the Wix Privacy Center, you can add a privacy policy to your site, enable cookies banners , ensure data collection, and use tools that help you comply with the GDPR and CCPA . At Wix we take our commitment to protecting our users' websites and their data seriously. To learn more about how we do this visit our Privacy and Security Hub. How to write a privacy policy There are several ways to create a privacy policy when you’re learning how to make a professional website . For an excellent and binding policy that is unique to your business, you should hire a lawyer. It’s the most expensive option, but a lawyer will be able to tailor a privacy policy to your precise needs and give your company the best protection. An alternative is to use free online privacy policy generators, which allow you to copy and paste a boilerplate policy onto your website. From there, you can customize the policy to suit your specific needs. A few good generators include FreePrivacyPolicy.com and GetTerms.io . These tools allow you to add sections that make sense for your business, and offer prompts to help you determine the kind of language your business may need. Another budget-friendly option is to write your own policy using a template or sample, which gives you the utmost control over the policy. This way, you’ll have an idea of which information should go into a basic website privacy policy. Then, you can add any policies unique to you, your business or your website. This resource with sample privacy policies may serve as a helpful guide. Finally, you may choose to write a privacy policy from scratch. If you go this route, here are some of the most important topics to cover: What data you’ll collect and how you’ll use it Methods of collection Customer communication Redress and security information Child privacy Future changes Contact information 01. What data you collect and how you’ll use it You should list the exact types of data that you collect from users, such as IP addresses and email addresses. This may include a person’s name, age, address, interests, credit card information, banking information and more. Be as specific as possible to avoid any misunderstandings. In addition to telling people what you collect, you should also tell them why you collect it. Whether you’re using information to recommend new products or tailor promotions to your target audience, be transparent to help put customers at ease. A statement such as “We may use your information to provide you with special offers” is effective and to the point. 02. Methods of collection Users will encounter some obvious data collection methods while using your site (such as their credit card information when they checkout), but your website privacy policy should lay out all the ways that you collect data. You should disclose your use of online forms, opt-in pop ups and checkout pages, but also mention any information that your website collects on the back end, like IP addresses and users’ location. 03. Customer communication One of the principal reasons that websites collect data is to communicate with customers. If you’re collecting contact information, a communications clause is necessary. This section should let users know how and why you plan to contact them. If you send regular email newsletters, text users about flash sales, or provide transaction updates through Facebook Messenger, SMS or email, your website privacy policy should say so. Be sure to list the methods of communication you use and how they’re used to avoid any confusion or breach of trust. If, for any reason, users don’t want to have their information collected, they should have the choice to unsubscribe. The communication clause should therefore explain that visitors may opt out of having their information collected at any time. Tell them exactly how to do it by referring them to a link or providing an email address to reach out to. You can, however, mention that when they choose to opt out, it may affect their site experience. For example, products or deals relative to their location or demographic may not be disclosed. 0 4. Redress and security information People’s financial information is a sensitive topic, and rightly so. Your website privacy policy may detail the encryption and website security measures implemented to protect sensitive information like credit cards, bank accounts and home addresses. If people don’t feel comfortable paying on your website, you’ll lose out on potential revenue. In addition, you should provide information about a customers’ rights related to their personal information. In accordance with privacy regulations around the world, site visitors may have - among other rights - the right to access their data or ‘be forgotten’ (be permanently deleted from your databases). You should provide your users with a list of their rights and the ways on how to exercise them. If customers feel that you have violated their privacy or that you have not honored your own policy in some way, they deserve a method of redress—a way to set things right. Your privacy policy is serious and you should take it seriously. Add a redress policy that tells visitors who to contact if they feel the policy has been violated. This shows that you stand by the policy and respect consumer privacy. You can also let customers know they can report a privacy violation to the U.S. government. Pro-tip: Websites built on Wix offer around-the-clock-monitoring and use the strongest encryption standard commercially available to safeguard businesses and their clients online. Supported by anti-fraud protection, sites are also compliant with the highest Payment Card Industry Data Standards. Therefore, businesses running on the platform receive enterprise-grade security managed by experts. 05. Child privacy Due to the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) in the United States, you need a clause that addresses child privacy. This law states that it is illegal for your site to collect private information from minors without using a specific protocol to do so. Even if your business caters to adults, it may be necessary to add a brief clause to indemnify you in the event of any accidental violation of COPPA. For instance, Hormel Foods uses this simple passage: “Our Website is not intended for children under 18 years of age (or the age of majority in your jurisdiction). We do not knowingly collect, use, or disclose Personal Data from children under 18. If you believe that we have collected, used or disclosed Personal Data of a child under the age of 18 (or the age of majority in your jurisdiction), please contact us using the contact information below so that we can take appropriate action.” If your website does target children under the age of 18, you’ll need to create a more detailed Children’s Privacy Policy on its own landing page. You can read more about Children’s Privacy rules here . 06. Future changes Businesses grow and change, and so do privacy policies. As such, your privacy policy should include a section that informs users of your right to adjust the policy at any time, and of their right to know about any revisions. This section should tell users that you may notify them of any changes when they occur and which method of communication you’ll use. You should also add a note in bold to the top of your website privacy policy to alert visitors of any new changes. 07. Contact information It’s a good idea to add your contact information to your privacy policy. This offers customers an even greater degree of transparency. By giving them a clear way to contact you with any questions or concerns, you show that your company genuinely cares about user privacy. Another great way to do this is by creating a contact form . DISCLAIMER: The explanations and information provided herein are only general explanations. You should not rely on this article as legal advice or as recommendations regarding what you should actually do. We recommend that you seek legal advice to help you understand and to assist you in the creation of your privacy policy. Use a free website builder to get started. Location and data protection laws Location and data protection laws are a complex and ever-evolving area of law. However, there are some general principles that apply across most jurisdictions. Location data is any data that can be used to identify a person's physical location. This includes data from GPS devices, cell phone towers and even social media posts. Location data is increasingly being used by businesses and governments to track people's movements and to target them with advertising and other services. Data protection laws are designed to protect individuals' privacy and to give them control over their personal data. These laws typically require businesses and governments to obtain consent from individuals before collecting or using their data. They also require businesses and governments to take steps to protect the data from unauthorized access or use. Location data is often considered to be particularly sensitive personal data because it can be used to track people's movements and to create detailed profiles of their activities. As a result, many data protection laws have specific provisions that apply to the collection and use of location data. For example, the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) requires businesses and governments to obtain explicit consent from individuals before collecting or using their location data. The GDPR also requires businesses and governments to take steps to minimize the collection of location data and to anonymize or pseudonymize the data whenever possible. In the United States, there is no federal law specifically governing the collection and use of location data. However, a number of states have passed their own laws that regulate the collection and use of location data. For example, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) gives individuals the right to access their location data, to request that their location data be deleted and to opt out of the sale of their location data. Businesses and governments that collect or use location data should be aware of the applicable data protection laws and should take steps to comply with those laws. This includes obtaining consent from individuals before collecting or using their location data, taking steps to protect the data from unauthorized access or use and minimizing the collection of location data whenever possible. Individuals should also be aware of the data protection laws that apply to the collection and use of location data. Individuals have the right to control their personal data and to choose how their location data is used. Pro tip : Start with easy-to-use website design templates to create a site that looks great and works smoothly. How to write a privacy policy for your website FAQ How can I write a privacy policy for a blog? A privacy policy for a blog should disclose the types of personal information collected from users, such as names, email addresses, and IP addresses. It should also disclose how the information is used, such as to send out newsletters or track blog traffic. The privacy policy should also include a statement that users can opt-out of receiving marketing emails. What is a privacy policy template? A privacy policy template is a document that can be used as a starting point for creating a privacy policy. These templates typically include the required elements of a privacy policy, such as a description of the personal information collected, how the information is used, and how it is shared with third parties. What kind of privacy policy is required for websites? The kind of privacy policy required for websites depends on the type of website and the data that is collected from users. For example, a website that collects personal information from children under the age of 13 will need to comply with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). An eCommerce website that collects credit card information will need to comply with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). Eric Goldschein has a decade of experience in digital media and has written for outlets including Business Insider, Startup Nation, BigCommerce, Square, HostGator, Keap and Fundera, covering finance, marketing, entrepreneurship, and small business trends.

  • Roni Sagi: from America’s Got Talent to building a brand online

    Roni Sagi recently captured hearts on season 19 of America’s Got Talent , taking second place with her unique dog-dancing performance. Her “paw-inspiring”  performance wasn’t just about her dancing or the amazing bond she shares with her dog, Rhythm—it was a full-on emotional experience. Her success on AGT shows how telling your story can truly resonate with your audience—and that’s something we can all learn from. We sat down with Roni, fresh off her AGT run, to learn more about her experience of making a website that reflects her unique artistic style. Her site is a perfect example of how small business owners and creators can build a recognizable presence both online and offline. "Never in my wildest dreams did I think that dancing with dogs could be my actual career. Now, anyone, anywhere can learn to dance with his dog through my online courses." - Roni Sagi, America's Got Talent runner-up, season 19 Get started with  making a website  using Wix, or follow our guide on  how to build a website . Keta Tov means good vibes Roni’s website, Keta Tov  (which translates to good vibes), built on Wix, is a natural extension of who she is as a creative.  The moment you land on the site, you’re greeted by a gallery of bold photos that capture Roni and her canine crew (yes, there are four dogs in total, Bailey, Pessah, Martha and, of course, Rhythm)—a true showcase of her artistry.  What’s more, her website has subtle movements at every touch. Whether it’s the elegant use of hover motions or video loops, Roni’s site manages to mirror her refined dance moves that are always center stage.  Let’s dig deeper into Roni’s creative process of creating a website, sharing how it's not just a portfolio, but a site promoting her courses and subscription packages for other dog owners.  Finding her rhythm in web design Take a closer look at how Roni turned her passion into a business. She didn’t just put together a website—she made sure every part of it felt like her, from the way she connects with her audience to how she presents her courses. For Roni, it’s not just about selling her services; it’s about sharing her love of dog dance with others.  From mood board to photo shoot Mapping out the look and feel A business, not just a website Unleashing the right features Paw-inspiring takeaways The planning phase: from mood board to photo shoot Before diving into the design of her site, Roni took the time to plan everything out carefully, starting with a mood board. She pulled inspiration from a variety of sources to create an aesthetic that would guide the look and feel of her site. This mood board helped her stay focused on the visual style she wanted and gave her a foundation for every creative decision moving forward. Want more help on how to plan a website ? First, understand all the benefits of a website  and what makes a good website .  Roni then organized a photo shoot specifically for her website. The idea of the photos was to capture both the movement and the bond she shares with her four-legged dance partners. She wanted that philosophy to be front and center on her site, so the shoot captured moments that highlighted her dogs' personalities and her relationship with them, showing how much deeper the bond goes than just the physical performance."It ties back to what Roni emphasizes in her classes: the connection comes first, and the dance follows.  What we can learn from this This approach is a great example of how your brand’s visuals should align with your core values. Whether it’s through imagery, colors or design choices, everything on your site should tell the same story, just like how Roni’s site reflects the deep connection she shares with her dogs. Pro tip:  Even if you don’t have the budget for a professional photo shoot, you can take photos on your own. Be sure to map out the style in advance. Try using Wix AI tools  for image auto-enhancement , which optimizes images by analyzing and tweaking the color, contrast, brightness and sharpness. Or, test out auto-background removal to clear out background noise and make images pop.    Mapping out the look and feel After completing the photo shoot, Roni moved on to mapping out the look and feel of her website. She found some inspiration from Wix templates , but ultimately decided to build her site from scratch, giving her the freedom to design something that felt truly authentic to her brand. Roni experimented with various color schemes and fonts to find the right vibe for her site. She also focused on functionality, deciding whether to keep everything on one page or create separate sections to showcase different aspects of her business.  Since selling her dog training courses was a key feature, Roni thoughtfully planned the layout of content and visuals considering how visitors would navigate the site and aimed to present her services clearly while remaining true to her brand's essence. What we can learn from this For small business owners creating their own sites, this step in the process is critical. Your site’s appearance matters, but how it functions for your customers is just as important. Roni’s approach shows the importance of balancing design and usability to create an effective online presence. Pro tip:  Wix offers a full suite of totally customizable tools to level up and align all your branding efforts, like a logo maker and AI design tools. Plus, in the Wix Editor, you have access to plenty of pre-made color palettes and customizable settings. You can automatically apply your color theme across your site or apply the colors of your theme to any element on your site. Getting it right: a business, not just a website For Roni, her website is more than just a digital space—it’s her business and her source of income. So, getting it right was paramount.  “As soon as I posted, ‘Now I’m opening an online course website,’ immediately people responded,” recalls Roni. “They started registering. They started asking questions about it. And at this point in time, the online courses are the main part of the business.” She drew inspiration from platforms like MasterClass . On MasterClass, you often get a sneak peek—a few seconds of video or a small glimpse of what’s inside each course, which draws you in. Roni mirrored this on her own site, giving visitors a taste of what to expect from her courses. But there was another question Roni had to ask herself: Would she give away any content for free? Roni took a leap of faith and decided to offer a smaller, introductory course for free. It was a smart move that paid off. Offering a “try for free” option allowed potential customers to experience her teaching style and witness the bond she shares with her dog.  This approach guarantees that Keta Tov is both visually appealing and well-suited to her business goals. By offering a preview and a free course, Roni has set herself up for success, using her site as both a showcase and a tool to grow her business. Pro tip : If you’re also in the business of selling online courses, check out these designer-made  online education website templates  for inspiration. Unleashing the best features for Roni’s site Beyond the design and user experience, Roni’s website is set up to run her business efficiently. Here are some of the Wix specific website features  that Roni used, all in the pursuit of learning how to create a professional website  with a sense of movement. Managing payments:  She accepts payments directly on the site through Wix Payments , offering customers both single payment options and flexible payment plans. This gives her audience the convenience and flexibility they need when purchasing her courses. Tapping into social proof: Roni also understands the importance of building trust, so she includes testimonials from clients who have taken her classes. These testimonials foster social proof and make potential customers feel confident about their decision to buy. Making legal terms easy to understand:  Alongside this, she ensures her legal terms and conditions are clearly laid out, meeting industry standards for transparency and professionalism. Visitors to her site know exactly what they’re getting and the terms they’re agreeing to, which is key for any small business. Connecting with the community : Another great feature on her site is the integration of the Wix Community  tool on each class. This allows participants to join group discussions with others who have taken the same class, adding an element of connection and support. Plus, Roni provides detailed descriptions of each course, making it easy for visitors to understand what they’ll be learning and what’s included. In addition, members-only sections offer exclusive content and perks, fostering loyalty and long-term engagement with your brand. Adding a group forum, like Wix Groups encourages community interaction, allowing members to connect, share insights and strengthen their relationship with your business. Infusing video elements:  While Roni sells her video courses, she uses a video feature that offers a little teaser when a user hovers over the image. This is called an entrance animation, which is a way make a website feel more dynamic and engaging by smoothly introducing elements as users scroll or navigate. Not only does this entice them to click, it offers an interactive component that highlights her business.Check out how to add and customize animations . Utilizing hover interactions: Hover interactions  enhance user engagement by providing intuitive, responsive feedback that guides users and makes navigation clearer. This subtle visual effect can reveal additional information without cluttering the design. For example, when you hover over Roni’s images you see the dogs moving, or you see Roni getting a sweet kiss from one of her poochies.  Wix Pro Gallery:  The Wix Pro Gallery  lets you showcase images, video and text in a single multimedia display. You can choose from various layouts, customize the design, adjust settings and explore advanced options to suit your needs.  Pro tip : Before you make it official and kick off your site, be sure to use this website launch checklist . Related reading: See how Josh Harmon marches to his own beat with his website. Paw-inspiring takeaways Roni’s ability to blend creativity with a strategic online presence is a reminder that success doesn’t just comefrom honing your craft, but also from building a brand that resonates with your audience.  “The fact that in such a short time I was able to build my own business, reach so many people around the world and create such an echo about dog dance, that’s something that makes me super proud.” - Roni Sagi, America's Got Talent runner-up, season 19 For small business owners, building a website that’s both functional and reflective of your brand’s identity is essential. Whether you’re showcasing products, services or creative work, your site is an opportunity to tell your story visually.  Here are some takeaways for getting your own small business online: Tell your story : Whether you’re performing on stage or running a website, connecting with your audience on a personal level can make a big difference. Keep it simple : A clean, well-organized website like Keta Tov ensures that your content shines through without unnecessary distractions. Show your personality : Your website is an extension of you, so make sure it feels true to your brand. Authenticity is what people respond to. Turn challenges into opportunities: According to Roni, "when you face a challenge, or some doubts or something that makes you kind of think, I'm not sure if I can do it or if this is the right thing for me. I think that it's really important to kind of take a step back and ask yourself, what's the opportunity here?”

  • 15 teacher website examples that make the grade

    Build your website in minutes, try Wix for free today → Teachers are building websites to share resources, book lessons and showcase their expertise—and it’s easier than ever to get started. With the right website builder  (or even an AI website builder ), you can create a polished site in minutes—no coding or design skills needed. In fact, 92% of teachers say the internet and teacher websites are vital for professional development, helping them share best practices, highlight teaching methodologies and promote ongoing growth ( Pew Research Center ). In this post, you’ll find teacher website examples that demonstrate how real educators use their sites to highlight their work, connect with students and parents, and build a standout online portfolio. Along the way, we’ll walk you through how to make a website from scratch , how to make a portfolio  as a teacher, and what goes into the best portfolio websites  in education today. Ready to launch your own site? Explore the best website builders for teachers  to get started today. When choosing a website builder, you want one that’s flexible, powerful and easy-to-use. Wix is the go-to platform for millions of users looking to create a stunning website effortlessly. See what makes Wix stand out from the crowd and why it’s the right fit for you.  TL;DR: teacher website examples Before diving into the real-life examples, here’s a quick summary of what sets the best teacher websites apart. These sites don’t just look good—they work hard. Whether they’re built to showcase experience, sell online courses or merch or book coaching sessions, each one is designed with both clarity and conversion in mind. Feature Purpose Professional design Clean, modern layouts help teachers look credible and organized Clear site purpose Whether it's blogging, selling or coaching, great teacher websites have a focused goal Content structure Strong use of section for About, Services, Blog, Portfolio or Store keeps content scannable Calls-to-action (CTAs) Effective CTAs prompt visitors to subscribe, book, buy or connect Mobile optimization Sites must look and work just as well on phones as they do on desktop Ecommerce functionality From teacher merch to courses, many teachers monetize Marketing strategies Smart marketing strategies help teachers get discovered Personal branding Photos, bios and custom logos help build trust and showcase personality With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at 15 teacher websites that bring these elements together beautifully—and see how you can create your own using a powerful AI website builder. "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 15 teacher website examples Ready to see how to make a teaching portfolio  that converts? These real-life Wix teacher websites showcase both stunning design and smart strategy. Across these 15 diverse examples, you’ll learn from educators who built everything from educational blogs to eCommerce stores, coaching sites, custom merch platforms and more ways to monetize a website . Each review will highlight what makes the site work—from layout and branding to user flow and monetization. Plus, I’ll show you the exact Wix website templates they started with—so you know what works and how to customize it for your own needs. Let's get started: Sunflower Scaffolds Dr. Cherly Peterson Teaching Across Borders How to Teach Elementary School Areulia Davis Always Upper Elementary Nessman Teaches Pocketful of Primary Ms. Ussin Teaches Minor on Set Mindset Math Bear and Bug Learning Teacher Shift Cross-Curricular Creations Mira Mohsini, PH.D. 01. Sunflower Scaffolds Sunflower Scaffold 's teaching website is a stellar model for educators wondering how to start a teaching blog  or how to start a blog  with solid educational content. Besides a blog, it features an online store  to sell online teaching materials and courses, and also offers coaching—making it one of the best coaching website examples . It even demonstrates how to make a coaching website  with intuitive calls-to-action ( CTA s) and service descriptions. Business ideas for teachers : blog + eCommerce + coaching Smooth CTA flow for blog, store and coaching bookings Strong use of eCommerce Inspired? Here’s the exact Wix template behind this teaching website: Template name:   Toy store website template 02. Dr. Cheryl Peterson Dr. Peterson ’s site is a polished one-page website  built with a top-tier blog maker  tool. It’s ideal for authors using the best one-page website builders , offering a smooth scrolling journey that showcases her books, courses and services. This teaching portfolio demonstrates how to make money as a teacher —with avenues for consulting, courses and book sales—plus it’s a strong model for the best website builders for writers . Sleek, linear storytelling—from About to Offerings Integrated monetization (books, services, resources) Clean CTA prompts for downloads and contact Strong author-focused layout, ideal for writer educators Inspired? Here’s the exact Wix template behind this teaching website: Template name:   Strip header layout website template 03. Teaching Across Borders With a memorable .blog domain , Teaching Across Borders ' portfolio site nails the importance of a strong domain name  in building brand identity. The integrated shop demonstrates powerful eCommerce merchandising for selling custom merch , complete with product galleries and “Buy” buttons that make transactions feel effortless. Memorable branding using a .blog extension Featured products highlight custom merch offerings Smooth online shopping experience with product previews & checkout Inspired? Here’s the exact Wix template behind this teaching website: Template name: Classic layout website template 04. How to Teach Elementary School How to Teach Elementary School is a bright, vibrant platform loaded with smart school website design  and clever marketing strategies —including a visible subscription box teaching exemplifying how to make a subscription website . The educational resources are branded with a custom logo created via using Wix's free logo maker , reinforcing professionalism and consistency. Professional, bright design tailored for education. Prominent subscribe feature—perfect for building a subscriber base. Custom logo adds polish and cohesive branding. Inspired? Here’s the exact Wix template behind this teaching website: Template name:   Art school website template 05. Areulia Davis Areulia Davis ’s site is a textbook case of a sleek consulting website , designed with intention and clarity in mind. This site clearly models how to make a consulting website , laying out services, value and contact information with a minimalist aesthetic that keeps the focus on results. Clean, professional aesthetic tailored to consulting Clear service descriptions, pricing options and benefits Simple contact form guides prospects into booked sessions Inspired? Here’s the exact Wix template behind this teaching website: Template name:   Motivational speaker website template 06. Always Upper Elementary Always Upper Elementary is a fun and captivating website site that shows just how powerful some of the best portfolio templates  are, by structuring content around grade levels, projects and educator background. It’s also a great example of portfolio name ideas , helping inspire your own naming conventions for teacher showcases. Structured into grade-by-grade or theme-based portfolio sections Teacher story and mission woven in—adding personalization Aesthetic clarity and navigational simplicity Inspired? Here’s the exact Wix template behind this teaching website: Template name:   Elementary school class (playful) website template 07. Nessman Teaches Nessman Teaches ' teaching portfolio is a shining example of how to build a freelance portfolio , and specifically how to make a portfolio for a job . It's a clear resume website  with focused sections on experience and impact. It also leverages classic resume website templates , while staying true to her teaching roots. Crisp resume-style layout: skills, projects, contact Demonstrates freelance/business/job portfolio best practices Branded Wix website while still looking professional Inspired? Here’s the exact Wix template behind this teaching website: Template name:   Creative CV website template 08. Pocketful of Primary Pocketful of Primary 's teaching portfolio is an outstanding business portfolio —vivid visuals, embedded links and clear showcases of work. It demonstrates savvy Instagram marketing  and YouTube marketing , offering great reference for social media portfolio examples  in teaching. Embedded Instagram and YouTube content for social proof Clean layout of lesson snippets, blog and teacher-led content Balanced mix of personal style and professional resources Inspired? Here’s the exact Wix template behind this teaching website: Template name:   Motivational speaker website template 09. Ms. Ussin Teaches Ms. Ussin 's teaching portfolio excels at teaching online courses, highlighting her programs with strong calls to enroll. The inclusion of a scrolling testimonial carousel emphasizes client satisfaction—an indispensable tool for conversion and credibility. Course descriptions and signup forms front and center Carousel of testimonials builds trust Logical progression from overview to signup Inspired? Here’s the exact Wix template behind this teaching website: Template name:   School website template 10. Minors on Set Focused on home-based and traveling education, Minors on Set offers a clear blueprint for how to make a homeschool portfolio , with sections for teaching philosophy, sample work, and narrative reflections. The structured FAQ page  answers key parental questions proactively. Clear structure for homeschool learning and documentation Engaging storytelling about student progress Informative FAQ page reduces friction for visitors Inspired? Here’s the exact Wix template behind this teaching website: Template name:   Creative CV website template 11. Mindset Math Mindset Math 's teaching website serves as a polished professional website and a strong example of web design  in education. The clear website navigation , crisp visuals and logical flow show why it's considered among the best teacher websites. Using a ".org" domain emphasizes organizational credibility versus a ".com", driving home why choosing .org vs .com  and knowing what is a domain name  and how to register a domain name  matter for professional educators. Learn more about how to make a professional website Simplified menu highlighting About, Programs, Resources Interactive features and clean web typography improve the user experience Clear call-to-action inviting visitors to explore math resources Inspired? Here’s the exact Wix template behind this teaching website: Template name: Educational NGO website template 12. Bear and Bug Learning Focused on email marketing , Bear and Bug Learning 's website expertly integrates sign-up forms and lead magnets—offering readers free worksheets to boost engagement. The well-structured blog offers creative newsletter ideas  that bring teachers back again and again. Prominent email opt‑in form with incentive Consistent email branding and resource offers Blog posts organized to support downloadable content creation Inspired? Here’s the exact Wix template behind this teaching website: Template name: Minimal layout website template 13. Teachers Shift Podcast With a split focus on blogging and podcasting, Teachers Shift Podcast site examines blogging vs podcasting  strategies and sets a great example of podcast website examples . Focused on helping teachers find their teaching niche, or a new carreer path all together, Teachers Shift Podcast is the perfect source of support for teachers. Embedded audio players and episode show notes also serve as an AI portfolio example  and double as a video portfolio  when they incorporate YouTube clips or trailers. Homepage features latest podcast episodes, show notes and resources Embedded audio player streamlines listening Blog section supports accompanying articles and resources Inspired? Here’s the exact Wix template behind this teaching website: Template name: Music podcast website template 14. Cross-Curricular Creations Cross-Curricular Creations is a visually rich site and a strong example of a teachers website combined with an illustration portfolio website , showcasing creative assets like worksheets, icons and educational visuals. Built on one of the best landing page website builders , this teacher website is clean layout and bold images prioritize visual portfolio presentation, making it a standout example. Gallery-style sections present visual works clearly Used landing page templates to organized categories for different design styles and subjects Minimal text that allows art to take center stage—making it one of the best landing page examples Inspired? Here’s the exact Wix template behind this teaching website: Template name: App landing page website template 15. Mira Mohsini Focused on literary work and writing aids, Mira Mohsini 's teaching website is full of some of the best writing portfolio examples  with publishing samples, blog posts and downloadable content. It guides visitors through how to make a writing portfolio  by showcasing both creative and technical work. Organized sections for personal writing, client work and testimonials Downloadable PDFs and blog code snippets. Contact and collaboration form make it easy to connect Striking black and white website design Inspired? Here’s the exact Wix template behind this teaching website: Template name: Editor website template "A great teaching website isn’t just a place to share what you know—it’s a platform to grow what you do. These examples prove that with the right tools, every teacher can build something impactful. - Sharon Hafuta, SEO blog editor at Wix" Why teaching websites matter No matter where or how you teach, your website is the foundation for everything else—your content, your side income, your online visibility. With more teachers turning to digital platforms to blog, sell and connect, teaching websites are becoming an essential tool for building a flexible and fulfilling career. Whether you want to start small or scale big, using a website builder like Wix makes the process fast, affordable and personalized. You can also uses some of the best AI web design tools to generate your site, choose from teaching-focused templates and get free website hosting  to get online without delay. Learn more: What is web design? Choosing the right teaching website for your goals Your goal Best site type Features to prioritize Share ideas or resources Blog or podcast Blog maker, social sharing, SEO tools Sell lesson plans or merch Online store Ecommerce, product pages, secure checkout Offer tutoring or coaching Booking site Appointment scheduling, service pages, testimonials Showcase your resume or portfolio Personal portfolio website Resume builder, image galleries, About section Teach courses Course website Course modules, payment setup, contact form Teaching website examples FAQ Can teachers make money with their website? Yes. Teachers can monetize their teaching websites through blogging, offering coaching or tutoring, launching an online store or creating digital courses. Tools like Wix make it easy to set up a shop, book services or add premium content for subscribers. How to create a teaching website? To learn how to make a teaching website or portfolio, start by choosing a website builder like Wix. Use a website template or let the AI website builder generate a layout for you. Include sections for lesson plans, student work, certifications and your teaching experience. How do I choose a domain name for my teaching website? When choosing a domain name for your teaching website, aim for something short, memorable and relevant to your subject or audience—like your name, grade level or teaching niche. Use a domain name generator  to brainstorm creative ideas, and run a domain name search  to check availability. Platforms like Wix make it easy to search, register and connect your domain all in one place—whether you go with a .com or a unique .blog domain. What to include in a classroom website? Your teaching website should include an About section, teaching philosophy, portfolio or classroom examples, blog or resource links and clear calls to action—like booking, subscribing or shopping. If you're selling products or services, be sure to add an online store or scheduling software . What is the best website builder for teachers? The best website builders for teachers are ones that offer flexibility, built-in templates, free website hosting and tools like course modules or blogging features. Wix is a top choice thanks to its AI website builder, education website templates and eCommerce tools.

  • 9 key website features that will help you maximize your site’s potential

    Although aesthetic design is important when planning how to build a website , it’s not the only thing that matters. As a Wix Partner who has built hundreds of websites, I (and the rest of the Wix Pro team) know that a quality site is so much more than a pretty picture. User-friendly navigation, intuitive design and airtight security are just a few of the most vital website features. Whether you’re figuring out how to create a website or how to improve an existing one, make sure to cover everything in this website features list. Want to hire a Wix Partner like me? Find website designers on the Wix Marketplace. Get to know the Wix Editor on Wix Learn . Website features list The importance of different website features depends on the purpose of a site, but there are a few that every site needs: Intuitive navigation Responsiveness Accessibility for everyone Mobile-friendly interface Attractive design High-quality content Multiple contact options Airtight security Reliable infrastructure This website launch checklist can help you get started, especially if you’re learning how to create a professional website . 01. Intuitive navigation If you have what a site visitor is looking for, they should be able to find it without much effort. That’s why it’s so important that your site is easy to navigate. An intuitive website smoothly guides site visitors and directs their entire experience. User experience (UX) design is not only helpful for site visitors, but it’s also a way for site owners to manage user behavior. One of my responsibilities as a website designer is to create paths that lead visitors where my clients want them to go. For example, the primary aim of the Symmetryk website is to encourage users to try a demo version. I designed a “Book a Demo" call-to-action (CTA) button in a grapefruit color that stands out against the blue background, then used it twice above the fold. Olya Black's site design for Symmetryk. The website features that make a site easy for users to navigate also help search engines understand its structure. Therefore, implementing navigational elements on your site increases the likelihood that search engines will index and rank its web pages. Let’s discuss a few website features that’ll make your site easy to navigate: Breadcrumb trails: Breadcrumb trails show site visitors where they are within a website and helps them understand its overall structure. They also make it easy for visitors to navigate back to higher-level pages. Breadcrumb trails are typically displayed near the top of a page and show the path that a visitor has taken to reach the current page. With Wix, you can customize breadcrumb trails to fit your purposes and brand. Clear calls to action: When implemented effectively, CTA buttons drive conversions and encourage visitors toward the desired actions. The language should be clear and concise, leaving no room for confusion about what the button does. Wix users can design and animate buttons to attract attention and make them more interactive. For example, I gave the CTA button on the GG Event House website a hover effect that reveals confetti when a mouse moves over it. Navigation bar: Also known as a navigation menu or header, a navigation bar provides links to the main sections of a website. This essential website element enables visitors to quickly find their way around the site. I typically use single-level navigation bars to avoid overwhelming site visitors, but complex websites can benefit from multi-level site menus . When designing the site for Primavera Clinic , for example, I built a custom navigation system that splits the menu across three slides. Olya Black's site design for Primavera Clinic. 02. Responsiveness A responsive website is one with layouts that adapt to the size and orientation of a visitor’s browser window. That responsiveness ensures that the site looks great and functions well, regardless of whether the visitor opens it on a laptop or a smartphone. This website feature also makes the design process more efficient, because the site owner doesn’t have to create separate mobile and desktop versions of each web page. The Wix Editor has a variety of design tools that enable users to make their site more responsive: Customizable layouts Slideshows Galleries Full-width elements Container boxes Learn more about how to use Wix here. 03. Accessibility for everyone According to the World Health Organization, more than one billion people experience disabilities . They are all potential customers that a business could lose if their websites aren’t designed with them in mind. Plus, having a website that doesn’t meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) opens you up to lawsuits. Here are a few website features that are necessary for accessibility : High-contrast color schemes: Customers with limited vision and color blindness struggle to read text that is too similar in color to that of the background. Use this contrast checker to assess your color scheme. Keyboard navigation: People with visual and mobility impairments often rely on their keyboards rather than a mouse to navigate websites. Simplified language: Writing conversationally, using simple vocabulary and avoiding complex sentence structures ensures that people with learning disabilities (and skim readers) can understand your site. Alt text: Screen readers use alternative text on images to translate them for people with visual impairments. Clear hierarchy: Design your site and content hierarchically, so that information flows from most to least importance. Use headings predictably and keep your design language consistent across the site so that people who use keyboard navigation can move easily through the site. Easy-to-read fonts: Choose simple or familiar fonts so that people with dyslexia, learning disabilities, aphasia, and poor vision can read comfortably. Wix's Accessibility Wizard helps identify and fix accessibility issues that I might otherwise miss. This handy tool ensures that every visitor, regardless of ability, can view and navigate the site. Keep in mind that the Wizard doesn’t address the entire scope of web accessibility, so consider hiring an accessibility expert to check your site for glaring issues. 04. Mobile-friendly interface As of February 2023, about 61% of internet traffic comes from mobile devices . Therefore, there’s a significant chance that most people are accessing your site from their phones. If your mobile site isn’t up to snuff, they might not stick around. Plus, mobile-friendly design is essential if you want people to find your business on search engines. Google uses mobile-first indexing, which means that it prioritizes websites that are optimized for mobile devices. Your mobile website must be convenient to use, quick to load and as interactive as possible. Although responsiveness is an important aspect of mobile-friendly websites, it’s not the only thing that’s necessary. Simple navigation, readable fonts, and quick-to-load imagery are also important. With Wix’s mobile website builder you can easily adapt your desktop website to a smaller screen and even create a customizable mobile app for your brand. You can eliminate and add content or even change the layout completely. I especially appreciate the quick action bar website feature because it encourages mobile site visitors to get in contact with the business. Be sure to consider mobile-friendliness right from the start as you map out how to plan website . 05. Attractive design An attractive design can capture the attention of visitors and make them more likely to stay on your site. This can lead to increased engagement and a lower bounce rate. Attractive site design can also convey a sense of trustworthiness and professionalism, which can help to establish your brand as a reputable and trustworthy source of information or products. MOOI Clinic has hired me three times in the past six years to give their website a makeover. This investment ensured that their website design is always current and that it evolves with the business’s evolution. According to the owner, these efforts have helped to bolster credibility and success. Luckily, you don’t have to be a professional designer in order to take advantage of this website feature—Wix has hundreds of website templates that you can customize to suit your needs. Related reading: How Roni Sagi , runner up on American's Got Talent brought her business online. Olya Black's site design for MOOI. 06. High-quality content The text, images and videos you put on your professional website are just as important as (if not more than) how well you build it. Content that is informative and unique catches and holds a visitor’s attention. It can also help with search engine optimization ( SEO ), because their algorithms avoid recommending poor-quality web pages to searchers. Content that is high-quality isn’t just accurate and well-written; it also provides value for a site’s target audience. Keep their needs and interests in mind as you create your content and aim to deliver information that is both relevant and engaging. Although AI bots such as ChatGPT or Wix’s AI Text Creator can be great for producing content, they can’t offer the unique perspective and human touch that you can. Because of that, search engines might skip over AI-generated content and site visitors might not find it engaging enough to stay. Therefore, it’s best to use AI-generated content as a starting point and editing it to best fit your site. The website I built for Unlimited Robotics demonstrates the power of high-quality content. With the Academy of free tutorials for robot developers, the robot-focused blog and the FAQ page, Unlimited Robotics attracts, engages and fosters relationships with its relevant audiences. 07. Multiple contact options Whereas some may want to speak to someone on the phone, others may prefer getting in touch through social media. Offering different contact options gives visitors the flexibility to choose the communication method they prefer. This shows potential customers that your business is reliable and prioritizes customer service. It also increases their likelihood of becoming customers. By providing multiple contact options, you can also make your site more accessible to a wider range of people. For example, visitors who are hard of hearing may prefer to use email or live chat instead of calling, while visitors who are visually impaired may prefer to use a text-based chat feature. Because you can respond to many different channels from the Wix Inbox and keep track of customer contact information with Wix Contacts , it's easy to provide efficient customer service. Therefore, offering multiple means of communication improves the customer experience without creating extra work for you. Here are a few website features to include so that all customers are comfortable getting in touch: Live chat: Users can customize Wix Chat according to their availability and design preferences. They can also automate the chat box to start conversations or reply to customer messages. Social media links: Linking to all your social media accounts in a social bar gives people more opportunities to get to know and engage with your business. Phone number: When you use Wix to set up a business phone number , you can accept both calls and texts. Contact form: A contact form is a great website feature because it enables you to keep your communications organized and collect customer information. Wix Forms automatically adds form submissions to your contact list. Email address: Some customers prefer emailing directly over filling out contact forms, so consider offering both. Quick action bar: As previously mentioned, I love adding quick action bars to mobile sites because customers can get in touch with the click of a button. 08. Airtight security If your website collects personal data (such as credit card information and email addresses) from visitors, a strong security system is a vital website feature. Site visitors need to know that they can trust you with their information, and security breaches can jeopardize your brand reputation. Luckily, every Wix user has enterprise-grade website security with features like two-factor authentication, secure payments and anti-fraud protections. 09. Reliable infrastructure Can your website’s infrastructure drive away business? Absolutely. If a site is slow to load, cluttered or hard to navigate, users may become deterred and abandon it. According to a recent survey, almost a quarter of consumers find slow loading to be the most frustrating aspect of shopping online. In order to keep your visitors interested, it’s important that every page on your site loads in fewer than three seconds. Compressing images, removing unnecessary plugins, fixing broken links and reducing cookie sizes can help to improve site reliability . That said, the best thing you can do is use a reliable website builder to run your site. Wix optimizes every website feature for performance . It even has a site speed dashboard that helps you track and improve load times. Check the load time and overall performance of your site on a regular basis to ensure that it is optimized. Website features FAQ What are features in a website? Website features refer to the functionalities and elements that are integrated into a website to enhance user experience, improve engagement, and achieve specific goals. The features of a website can vary based on the site's purpose, industry, and target audience. What are some important website features? Reliable, robust site infrastructure and security are two of the most critical website features as these impact a site's functionality. Other important functions can include navigation, responsiveness, accessibility, mobile-friendly design and great design. What are website features vs functions? Website features refer to the distinctive characteristics and capabilities that enhance user experience, such as navigation menus, search bars and contact forms. Functions, on the other hand, pertain to the practical operations a website performs, like processing payments, sending emails or managing user accounts. While features focus on user interaction and design, functions are the operational aspects that fulfill specific tasks or purposes, collectively contributing to the overall performance and utility of a website. What are some important business website features? Business website features include a clear and compelling homepage, an intuitive navigation menu, contact information accessibility, and a responsive design for various devices. Product or service pages with detailed information, a secure and user-friendly checkout process for e-commerce, and a blog or news section for updates and industry insights. Testimonials, social media integration and a well-designed "About Us" page can build trust. Lastly, incorporating SEO elements and analytics tools can enhance visibility and measure performance for business growth. What are some features of a dynamic website? Dynamic website features include real-time content updates, interactive elements like forms and user-generated content and personalized user experiences. Content Management Systems (CMS ) enable easy content modifications, while databases store and retrieve information dynamically. Dynamic pages adapt to user preferences and behaviors. E-commerce functionalities for dynamic product displays and pricing enhance user engagement. Integration with APIs allows for seamless connections with external services. Overall, dynamic websites provide flexibility, responsiveness and interactivity, catering to evolving user needs.

  • Website launch checklist: 50 essential things to do before (and after) publishing

    Working out how to make a website is an exciting endeavor, and launching it even more so. It’s a rewarding moment to see your site, a culmination of strategic planning and design, go live. That being said, you should do everything in your power to make sure it’s close to perfect by the time you share it with the world. When it comes to website design , mistakes happen, tasks go unfinished and sometimes, technology just doesn’t live up to our expectations. For these reasons and more, following a website launch checklist is a great way to ensure you’ve covered all your ground before you click the “publish” button. It should be an integral part of how you plan a website . From updating your design to ensuring good user experience and performance, continue reading for our curated website launch checklist, including 50 essential things to do before, during and after publishing your website. First starting your website? Learn about what makes a good website . Website launch checklist Here are the top 50 things to do before, during and after you press “publish.” As you read, you’ll see our website launch checklist is broken down into three parts, according to what phase you’re at with your website creation. Analyze what needs changing Check website speed Research competitors and industry trends Identify your goals List out action items Choose a website builder Pick a website host Set a publishing date Learn the steps of building a site Decide on a website layout Develop design elements Create your website pages Optimize photos Include your logo Integrate analytics software Purchase a domain name Design a website under construction page Arrange strategic CTAs Add an email sign up form Polish your mobile website design Optimize on-page SEO Link to your social accounts Connect or transfer your domain Update copyright year Proofread written content Test out forms Link logo to homepage Review your design Get feedback from a friend Check for broken links Test out UX Scan for accessibility Update contact information Set up live chat Customize 404 pages Write a privacy policy Plan off-page SEO optimization Organize your list of contacts Prepare social media accounts for promotion Click publish Back up your design Perform a usability test Check site’s security with SSL certificate Submit your website for indexing Verify analytics Test new website's speed Promote your site Outline a performance tracking plan Make it multilingual Map out a maintenance plan Website checklist part one: mapping out your site Before you start your design, you’ll want to map out how to make your website. From choosing the right website builder to making sure your elements are on-brand, here are twenty tasks you don’t want to overlook during this creative phase. Some of these are relevant only when re-designing a website, which will nonetheless come in handy in the future. 01. Analyze what needs changing If you’re redesigning a website, your first step should be to understand the scope of your project. Review your current site and make a list of the things that need to change. This can include everything from visual to broken links that negatively impact performance. It can also include removing pages or sections or adding new pages and features. Adding an online course for example. 02. Check website speed One of the great things about revisiting your site’s design is the chance to go back and understand how to optimize content for the highest performance. Run a speed test to figure out what’s holding your site speed back and incorporate this feedback into your updates. 03. Research competitors and industry trends Doing an analysis of websites within your industry is well worth the effort. This task can help you discover popular visual and technical features that will level up your design, making it well worth the effort. Equally important is ensuring it is unique and offers your target audience a new, better experience than competitors. It’s also a good idea to investigate what web design trends are making their way onto the scene. Being in the know about the elements trending in the web design world will give you fresh ideas and incorporating these qualities onto your site will make an outstanding impression on visitors. 04. Identify your goals Whether you’re redesigning your website or building one from scratch, the next thing you should check off your list is identifying your goals for doing so. For example, if it’s an online portfolio , one goal would be to gain more clients; for a business website, your goals might center on showcasing your services or improving customer experience—things you’ll define more clearly as you explore how to create a professional website . Of course, if you are redesigning your site, you'll have even more to work with. Your goals for this project will additionally focus on improving visual language, performance and user experience. 05. List out action items Understanding your goals will naturally lead you to think of the practical steps needed to accomplish your website launch . A detailed list of action items will help you stay accountable to the tasks at hand, while helping you manage and track them. We recommend using this website launch checklist as a starting guide—but as you get into the nitty-gritty of your design, you’ll want to add more details. Including specifics like dates, item descriptions and who is assigned the task (especially important when you’re working with a team) will help you reach goals efficiently. 06. Choose a website builder Finding the best website builder for your personal and professional needs is a must. There are a wide range of these platforms today, suitable for users with diverse experiences—from beginners who've never made a site before, to professional designers. For example, a content management system like Wix will connect data from your website with a server. The low-code no-code platform uses a WYSIWYG interface and CMS that reveals real-time edits on the user’s display—making the entire website launching process more streamlined and user-friendly for beginners. Research the options, keeping in mind how much it costs to make a website on each platform and which of them have the features you need. Look out for user reviews before making your decision. In addition, consider checking out an AI website builder (or something more specific to your industry like the best restaurant website builders ) to see if they are a good fit for your site. Read also: Wix vs. GoDaddy or Wix vs. Shopify 07. Pick a website host In order for your final product to appear on the internet, you’ll also need to decide how to host your website . This will ensure it is stored in a web space for visitors to access worldwide. Known as servers, these spaces can be rented and acquired through a website hosting provider, or built locally. Many website-building platforms include free web hosting . Like Wix, these platforms will usually include automatic setup and be protected by security monitoring. 08 . Set a publishing date A deadline is a lifeline. Make sure you don’t jump into your website creation (or re-creation) process without setting time-oriented goals. In addition to setting a publishing date, you should secure dates for having a draft website ready, getting feedback from your friends and performing a usability test. 09. Learn the steps of building a site With website builders like Wix, and with plenty of pre-design templates at your disposal, it’s easy to jump into creating your site confidently without preparation. But although you'll have the basic foundations covered, it doesn’t hurt to get a few pointers before you begin. There are plenty of resources and guides online on how to build a website from scratch which you can review to brush up or expand your knowledge. You might also need to consider using website under-construction templates . Waste no time and create your site from start to finish with Wix's website builder . 10. Decide on a website layout As you map out how to plan a website , think of it like setting the foundation of your site, since it will determine the arrangement of visual elements on each page. The best website layout for your design will be determined by a variety of factors: the goals of your website, the message you want to convey to viewers and what kind of content you’ll include. Brand designer Chantalle Alberstadt emphasizes why a clear structure is so crucial:   "A good sitemap is like the blueprint of your house—the more accurate it is, the smoother the implementation will be. UX and UI depend directly on how clear the structure is." 11. Develop design elements Running the gamut from your website color scheme to your choice of font—and even more sophisticated design elements like motion—every visual aspect of your site should be taken into consideration when checking off to-dos from your website launch list: Images: Have high-quality images and videos ready. Nothing is worse for your appearance than bad-quality images. Website color scheme: Choose a color scheme that represents your brand or otherwise creates the effect that you want. If you go the minimalistic route, you might want to stick with classic black and white, but bold colors can always make the right statement. Chantalle Alberstadt advises: “The color [of the CTA button] must stand out clearly from the rest of the design – ideally an accent color.” Typeface: Just the same as color, your choice of font should be considered when planning out your website. You might change your mind when you see the site’s design as a whole, but it’s a good start at this point to have a few typeface styles in mind. A checklist helps you define this role correctly from the start, explains Chantalle Aberstadt, founder of BoredBrands Studio.: "A website can only perform well if it fulfills the right role within the overall system." Related reading: Gather inspo from Roni Sagi , runner up on America's Got Talent and her dog dancing website. 12. Create your website pages Once you’ve secured basic visual guidelines for your website, it’s time to start building your individual pages. While the number of pages will depend on your website purpose and what type of website you are creating, here are some basic web pages to consider: Homepage: Since it’s likely to be the first thing visitors will see, aim for a homepage design that’s clean, organized and eye-catching. It should clarify who you are and what you do and serve as a starting point for visitors to navigate through your site. About Us page: A space to share your story, values, methods and any other information that defines your brand. Contact page: When visitors want to reach out, they should be able to get hold of you easily. Be sure to include a contact page with your phone number, postal address, business email address and social media accounts. 13. Optimize photos When it comes to photos, quality is everything. Ensure your images are the appropriate file type, because this will affect size and quality. Since Wix supports several image formats , you shouldn’t run into any issues. Pro tip: If you’re uploading a large photo, only to have it display very small on your website, that’s a waste of online storage for you and loading time for your visitors. When you can, user an image resizer to resize your photos to the resolution they will display at. 14. Include your logo Want to strengthen your brand presence? Whether it's a personal brand or business, including your logo across your website will be the culminating factor for branding its design. Typical places to include a logo include your website’s header, at the top of a homepage and especially in the favicon area. A favicon is a small icon that appears on a tab in your web browser that should also display your logo—adding this tiny element only enhances your brand identity. Don't have a logo yet? Try creating your own with the Wix Logo Maker . 15. Integrate analytics software Web analytics software will help you monitor your site’s performance and optimize as you grow. These platforms measure various metrics, like traffic and conversions and help gather insights about how users arrive at your website and interact with it. 16. Purchase a domain name A domain name is like your website’s online address. By choosing one that represents your brand, your site will definitely stand out professionally. Not to mention, it will help users find it. You can start by finding the right domain name on registrars like Wix before you connect it (more on that below) and launch your website. Learn more: What is a domain name? 17. Design a website under construction page While you're in the middle of your site’s design, it’s never a bad idea to get one page ready for publishing first: that is, a website under construction page. This way, people who reach your URL before your new site is ready will at least stay in-the-know and anticipate the upcoming reveal of your new website. Pro tip: Include an email list sign-up form on your under-construction page to encourage future engagement with visitors. 18. Arrange strategic CTAs One of the most important elements of your website is how to tell your visitors to perform a desired action. Calls-to-action are what prompt your online audience to do exactly that. Generally in the form of a clickable text or button with actionable short phrases like "sign up" or "click here," you want to make sure your CTAs are appropriately placed throughout your website. According to Chantalle, this is the foundation: "Before you choose colors, fonts or layouts, you need to know who you are, what you offer and for whom." Learn more: Website name ideas   19. Add an email sign-up form Forms are an essential part of web design and small business—whether it’s a contact form to get visitors interacting, or an email sign-up form to build your audience. If you see email marketing in the future, it’s a good idea to set up an email signup form on your site from the get-go. Wix Forms is an example of an online tool that makes creating signup forms easy, including customizable templates and streamlined data collection. Whatever platform you use, be sure to check this off your list so you get a head start on building your email list. 20. Polish your mobile website design With mobile internet usage constantly on the rise and mobile devices accounting for 52% of global internet traffic , providing the best possible web experience for smartphone users is an absolute must. Once your design elements are in place, and you're happy with the look of your website, preview how your site appears on mobile devices and make sure it’s either responsive or has a design adapted for smaller screens. Website checklist part two: pre-launch elements Once you’ve mapped out your website design, you're down to double-checking your content and fine-tuning the details before the official launch. 21. Optimize on-page SEO SEO , or search engine optimization, is the process of optimizing your website’s content so it ranks well on search engines. This is an important aspect of organic marketing. Some SEO best practices to check off your list include (but are not limited to): Adding meta descriptions throughout your site, which tell Google how each page should appear on search engines. Optimizing page speed , which is also a part of good user experience. Adding alt text to images, another way to ensure your site is accessible. Doing keyword research and implementing keywords throughout written content and alt text of your site. Chantalle Alberstadt explains: An accessible website is ultimately also a better UX website. Pro tip: With a website design platform like Wix, you’ll have built-in SEO tools to ensure you check off the most important steps for optimizing on-page SEO. 22. Link to your social accounts Social media marketing is an integral part of off-page SEO and will help you communicate with customers and boost engagement. Once your site is live, you’ll want to have it connected to social media accounts so visitors can follow you and stay up-to-date. In your design, you can include a stylish social bar that displays links to your accounts. 23. Connect or transfer your domain You’ve purchased a domain already, now it’s time to connect it to your site . Alternatively, if you already have one connected to another site or host, you should transfer your domain to the new one. Most website-building platforms will give you support to connect a domain directly through their platform. Once your domain is connected, individuals can use that address to access your site. Pro tip: At this point, if you’ve designed a coming soon page , you can publish it for visitors to see. 24. Update copyright year Most websites include a copyright date at the footer of their site. Before you click “publish,” make sure to add one with the correct year. Although it’s a tiny detail, websites with an old copyright year make the impression they’re out-of-date altogether. 25. Proofread written content Set aside time to double-check your written content for errors. Proofread all text added to your website–from informational copy to headlines and blog posts. Even better, ask a trusted friend or colleague to peer edit your site, since there's nothing better than a second pair of eyes. “A good headline combines getting to the point + emotion + benefit,” advises Chantalle Alberstadt. At this point, you’ll also need to replace and filler text, such as lorem ipsum , with the intended content for your site. Pro tip: Before you design a single button, answer the strategic questions. Who are your customers? What should your website achieve? “Ask yourself: Who am I helping specifically – and with what? The clearer your benefit, the better,” says the expert. 26. Test out forms Your website will likely include forms in order to connect with visitors and collect data from users. This could include an email signup form, contact form, online survey or more. Now’s the time to test out these forms, make sure they function properly for visitors and ensure the data gets stored. 27. Link logo to homepage Pinning a logo at the top of your website for all to see is a strategic move. Even better is to make sure you link that image back to the homepage. This is a common—often expected—feature in the user experience and helps visitors navigating your site get return to the homepage with ease. 28. Review your design Before you hit “publish,” review your website design from top to bottom to make sure you’re happy with the way it looks. You may want to refer to design theories like the principles of design, to ensure your site follows fundamental aesthetic guidelines like balance and visual hierarchy. 29. Get feedback from a friend We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: two sets of eyes are better than one. Ask a friend (or two) to review your website with diligence. They’ll certainly have a fresh perspective and can point out elements you may have overlooked. 30. Check for broken links In the midst of designing a website, it’s easy to link anchor texts to the wrong URLs. Run through each link on your site and make sure it leads to the right place and isn’t broken. This is something you should ask friends to report on, too. 31. Test out UX In addition to checking that links work properly on your website, you’ll want to ensure it gives visitors a positive user experience. This means ensuring website interactions run smoothly and making sure nothing impedes the browsing experience. Testing your site's UX design can include tasks such as (but are not limited to): checking that your pages are compatible across all browsers and devices, ensuring content— such as images and video—are uploading properly and performing a load test to make sure your site can handle increasing traffic. Chantalle Alberstadt recommends: “Make sure that individual images are no larger than 500 KB (I always try to stay below 200 KB) – even better, less.” 32. Scan for accessibility Making sure that all users have equal access to your website is crucial. This is where website accessibility comes in—it gives people with disabilities the opportunity to use and interact with your website. Run an accessibility audit to ensure your site meets the standards of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines and make any necessary changes. When using Wix, the Accessibility Wizard is a one-of-kind feature that will scan your site, point out accessibility issues and guide you to resolve them. For more details on how to make a website accessible , check out our guide. 33. Update contact information Whether included in your About Us page, a unique contact page or in the footer of your website—double-check that the information you provide users is correct and updated. Especially if one of your website goals is to build an audience and customer base, it’s crucial they are able to be in touch with you. 34. Set up live chat Since instant messaging like texting or DMs has become a standard—it can only benefit your brand to include a live chat feature on your website. This extra form of communication will increase correspondence, improve customer services and close on more sales 35. Customize 404 pages A 404 error page online page that appears when you click on a broken link that's no longer available. This can easily happen if someone mistypes the URL as well. The look and functionality of a 404 page can make or break your customer experience. By customizing a 404 page for visitors, you can make a pleasant visual impression and include links that will encourage them to continue exploring your site. 36. Write a privacy policy A privacy policy accomplishes a number of things. First, it lets visitors to your site know what information you will collect and what you will do with it. It also tells visitors how you protect that information and provides recourse for those who feel that you or a third party has violated their privacy. Read more about how to write a privacy policy for your website to learn how to satisfy legal requirements and put your customers at ease. Alberstadt says: “I cannot give legal advice, but I recommend having the content reviewed regularly—especially if you are using new tools, tracking or newsletter forms. Even small changes can have an impact on the privacy policy.” 37. Plan off-page SEO optimization Off-page SEO optimization means the actions you can take outside of your own on-page SEO to boost your ranking. These include writing guest blog posts that link back to your own site, posting on social platforms, writing in forums and external linking. 38. Organize your list of contacts Whether you're using a built-in email marketing app or an outside platform like Mailchimp, start getting your email contacts ready at this stage. You’ll need to set up an official mailing list to promote your website after it goes live. If you’ve already added an email signup form to your under-construction page, it’ll be much easier to check this task off your list. However, you should spend additional time organizing your contacts, deleting inactive members and separating contacts into groups based on location, interests and where they sit in your marketing funnel. 39. Prepare social accounts for promotion Social media will play an important role in spreading the word about your website and getting more visitors. Subtasks on your social media prep list include: strategically gaining new followers, preparing and scheduling promotional posts and adding a link to your website’s domain in all social account profiles. 40. Click 'publish' It’s not likely you’ll forget this step, but once your design is set and reviewed—it’s time to click that “publish” button and let your site go live. Check this by plugging in the site’s URL into your browser and ensuring your site is displayed properly (don't forget to preview it on mobile). Website checklist part three: post-launch tasks Now that you’ve officially pressed “publish,” you’ve reached the post-launch website checklist. Here are elements you should review and follow up on to ensure your site is visible at its very best. “A website is never really finished – it grows with the company,” says Chantalle. 41. Back up your design Product yourself against losing your website design and data by setting up a backup plan. In order to do this, you need to choose a backup location and create a schedule to ensure your site’s copies are stored and updated on a regular basis. 42. Perform a usability test A common practice in UX design is usability testing and can be extremely helpful for revealing how visitors react to your site. It might be “extra”—but worth it. Ask a group of targeted users to do a test run and follow up with questions about their experience of your site. Key observations will include: seeing if the user can complete their tasks, whether or not they enjoy using the site and if it meets their needs. Whenever problems arise, it’s an opportunity to find solutions to users’ frustrations and challenges. 43. Check your site’s security with SSL certificate SSL certificates (the ‘s’ in https://) ensure that data transmitted to and from your site remains private and safe. These small data files connect a cryptographic key to the site owner’s details, establishing an encrypted link between the server and the browser. Generally, an SSL certificate will be provided by your website hosting software, or a third-party app. When building a website with Wix, your site will be automatically equipped with one of the best free SSL certificates in the market. 44. Submit your website for indexing Once your site is published, it needs to be indexed on Google in order to appear on search engines. In order to do this, sign up for Google Search Console and submit a sitemap . Sitemaps give information to search engines, such as which pages are on your site and when they were last updated. 45. Verify analytics Make sure that your integrated analytics software work, and start reviewing the data collected. Your web analytics tools will give you insights into how many people visit your site, what pages they clicked on, if they made a purchase, their location and more. Since this information can help guide the way you curate your website content, it will prove especially helpful in the first few months after you launch. 46. Test your new website's speed Page speed refers to how fast content on your webpage takes to load, which will impact usability, conversions and your site’s ranking on search engines. Typically, a page that loads in under three seconds on average is considered a good speed. One of the most reliable and popular methods is using Google PageSpeed Insights , where you can simply submit your site URL and wait for Google to deliver a report on your site's performance. 47. Promote your site It’s a good thing you’ve already used this website checklist to begin the process of gathering new contacts and setting up your social media accounts. Now that your new website is live, it’s time to promote it to the masses. There are a combination of resources you can use to advertise the launch of your new website. For one, you can promote it on social media by creating unique posts and stories leading visitors to your new site. Additionally, you can announce the news with an email campaign sent to your list of contacts and good old word-of-mouth. 48. Outline a performance tracking plan Planning ahead, set specific for regularly tracking your website performance in the future. This includes analytics, speed and scanning for bugs or errors. Whether it’s weekly, monthly or more often—staying on top of how your website performs will give you insights into what works and what doesn’t and can guide your maintenance plan moving forward. 49. Make it multilingual You may not have resources for a multilingual website at the start, but as you begin reaching new audiences, locations and languages, it’s something you’ll consider. From translations to localizing content and SEO, read more on how to build a multilingual website before you get started. 50. Map out a maintenance plan To ensure your site continues to be up-to-date, working at full capacity and performing well, a website maintenance plan is critical. Include a schedule for revisiting tasks—such as updating plugins, checking security, renewing content, refreshing design and ensuring usability—that should be done regularly and addressed when there are issues. About the expert Chantalle Alberstadt is a brand designer and entrepreneur with over seven years of experience developing holistic brand strategies. As the founder of BoredBrands Studio,  she guides companies on their journey to a strong brand identity. Her focus is on combining creativity, entrepreneurial thinking and authentic designs that resonate and foster growth. Website launch checklist FAQ What are the steps to launch a website? To launch a website, start by planning your goals, choosing a website builder and host and designing your site’s layout and content. Optimize for mobile, SEO and user experience then connect your domain, set up analytics and test everything—forms, links and design. Once it’s polished and ready, publish it and start promoting it across your channels. How to test a website before launching? To test a website before launching, check all links, forms, buttons and navigation to make sure they work smoothly across devices and browsers. Review content for typos, test page speed and scan for mobile responsiveness, accessibility and SEO readiness. Getting feedback from others and running usability tests can help catch anything you might have missed. Should you do SEO before or after website launch? Start SEO before your website launch. Optimizing your site structure, content, keywords and meta tags early helps search engines index your pages faster and builds a strong foundation. After launch, keep improving your SEO with performance tracking, backlinks and content updates.

  • 13 templates for your website under-construction page

    The website is under construction - we’ve all been there. You type a web address into your web browser expecting a fully functioning website. What you see instead is a dull under construction page informing you that the website is temporarily unavailable. Although you appreciate the notification, you’re left hanging in online limbo. When it comes to how to make your own website , remember that the internet never sleeps. Whether you’re performing maintenance or building a new website from scratch, a good website under construction page can be used to continuously show content and add value to your business. In this article, we’re going to master the art of the under-construction page together. We’ll discuss which features to include, and demonstrate how the right design can increase audience engagement and maintain healthy SEO results for your site. You’ll also find a selection of the best website under construction templates that you can customize in no time. Check out these free website templates  and start creating a website for free today. What should a good website under-construction page include? While you're working on revamping your website you’ll want to hide the progress before the big reveal. Your website under construction page will be a temporary placeholder using cache where you can notify your audience that something better is coming. Believe it or not, under construction pages can be eye-catching and engaging - two crucial ingredients for stirring hype around your business’s new reveal and keeping your website relevant. Learn more: How to choose a website template on Wix Let’s go over the key elements required in making an attractive and functional website under construction page. Coming Soon message Your under-construction page will preempt the important questions visitors have when visiting your site, such as: why your site isn’t available, when it will be up and running again, how they can contact you in the meantime and where they can find more information about you and your site. Keep your message short and simple, but don’t be afraid to exercise your brand’s tone of voice. Professional, casual, fun, or exciting - the language you use here will reinforce your brand’s identity . Under construction image The image on your under construction page does a lot of work—it grabs attention, sets expectations and builds curiosity. A simple “coming soon” illustration might do the trick, but you can make it more exciting. Use an image that teases what’s coming, like a sneak peek of your product, a mockup of the site or a behind-the-scenes team photo. To add urgency, try a countdown timer graphic or an animated “loading” visual. Make sure your image is high quality and web-optimized. Use SVG or PNG for illustrations, JPG for photos, and GIF or MP4 for animations or looping videos. Keep file sizes small so your page loads fast, even on mobile. A hero-style layout works great here, letting the image take center stage with a short message or call to action layered on top. Visual elements Your visual design should flow naturally from your brand—even if your site isn’t live yet. Start with your color scheme: pull from your logo or planned website palette to keep things consistent. Place your logo in a visible spot (top center or top left works best) and make sure it’s sized right for mobile and desktop views. To make the page feel more polished, add icons to represent your services or upcoming features. Background textures or subtle gradients can add depth, and animations like a blinking “under construction” banner or a loading bar can keep it engaging. If you’re collecting emails or allowing signups, stick to clean, well-designed form elements that feel trustworthy and match your brand style. Keywords If you’re launching a brand new website , you won’t have to worry about your search engine rankings decreasing because of your website changes. But for websites that were once online, going offline for an extended period of time can harm your website’s SEO . Minimizing negative effects on SEO, a website under construction page presents opportunities to write useful information while using keywords relevant to your industry. Not only will your audience know you’re trustworthy, you’ll also impress search engines - and let them know you’re still around. Calls-to-action Your website might be under construction, but you can still convert visitors into long-time customers by adding some good ole CTAs. Strategic calls-to-action can entice them to sign up for notifications or join your mailing list, so that they’ll be the first to know when your website is ready. You can also keep up with your social media marketing strategy by adding links to your accounts - chances are, visitors will follow to find more information. Contact info Maintaining communication with customers is a critical part of business management. Keep in touch with potential or current clients by adding contact information to your under-construction page. This is a smart way to upkeep customer service and stay on top of potential clients. 13 top under construction templates While you’re busy creating your professional website, an under-construction template will conveniently outline the elements you need, making the entire process run much quicker—especially if you’re learning how to create a professional website . Plus, when you edit these using a WYSIWYG software like Wix , the editor reveals real-time design changes and edits to the user interface. The following 13 under construction templates all boast a professional design, while being fully customizable. Website under construction template Coming soon landing page template Marketing launch page template Business coming soon template Online store coming soon template Site coming soon template Celebration coming soon template Coming soon launch template Photography coming soon template Gaming coming soon template Store coming soon template Blog coming soon template Film coming soon template 01. Website Under Construction Template This versatile template will help build excitement around your upcoming website. It includes practical elements that will help your business grow, while maintaining a modern aesthetic. Central to this template is the progress bar, which is easy to update and allows visitors to visualize your progress. A call-to-action button initiates a strategically timed lightbox, with an email sign up form encouraging visitors to subscribe for notifications. 02. Coming Soon Landing Page Template Enticing your audience with special elements like animated images and videos won’t only look nice and professional, it is engaging too. Thanks to the use of video, paired with a parallax scrolling effect, the background is dynamic. When you edit the template, you can replace this with any video from the Wix Gallery, or upload a video of yourself in action. Although it's just for show, the transparent clock GIF over the background video is an eye-catching and relevant graphic that connects well to your site coming soon theme. The template also has a dedicated section for your About Us text, perfect for telling new audiences about your brand and providing you with more opportunities to include relevant keywords. Looking to make a landing page from scratch? Check out the Wix landing page builder . 03. Marketing Launch Page Template Using a minimal amount of text but a lively full screen video background, this website coming soon template hones in on the most important and actionable details. The bold font makes it easy to highlight your business name , while a website sign-up bar front and center makes for a strong, succinct call-to-action. Although your website is coming soon, social media buttons at the bottom of the page will encourage visitors to follow your brand in the meantime. 04. Business Coming Soon Here’s a professional one-page website template created for business owners who want to keep their coming soon page sleek and informative. Choose a background photograph that will represent your business and set a sophisticated tone with the classy neutral color scheme and use of a professional font. Smack in the middle of the page is a call-to-action button with exciting copy, urging visitors to “be the first to know.” The live chat box feature is a nice personal touch that will make communication a breeze. 5. Online Store Coming Soon Template Chic as they come, this coming soon page template is ideal for business owners who are in the process of launching an online store and want to open an online store with a splash. Its layout dictates the delicate balance between an eye-popping sneak peek of your products and practical information such as a “coming soon” message, a newsletter sign up bar and links to social media accounts. The classic website footer at the bottom of the page is the perfect place to add your contact information and a live chatbox, so future customers will know that they’re not missing out on the opportunity to connect with you. 6. Site Coming Soon Template One look at this stylish website coming-soon page will let visitors know that great things are coming. While the template is beautiful to start, it leaves room for you to tweak certain elements of its design. Play around with the various design features and use images or colors that reflect your brand's style. A “learn more” button will direct users to a full screen lightbox - that’s extra space for you to write about your brand and offer users more content. 7. Celebration Coming Soon Template Unleashing a new website is absolutely cause for celebration. That’s exactly what this festive website under construction page template will communicate to your audience. The template can be easily customized by including a personal message or links to your social media pages. Don’t forget to set up the “notify me” button, so interested visitors can celebrate your new website release with you. 8. Coming Soon - Launch Template 3, 2,1...blast off! Get ready for the launch of your new site with this clever coming soon website template. The artistic imagery and unique use of typography in this template evoke the good news of your website’s development. Set at the bottom of the page, a static online form is the perfect way to ensure site visitors that you’ll inform them when you’re ready for takeoff. 9. Photography Coming Soon Template Even though you’ve got a website under construction, you can still flaunt your professional skills and creative talent online. One of the best features of this coming soon template is the slideshow background, where you can display multiple examples of your work. A floating menu ensures that visitors will see your name and logo, even when scrolling down the page for more information. This is a perfect coming soon template for photographers, designers, or any business owner who wants to give their audiences a taste of what’s to come. 10. Gaming Coming Soon Template If sci-fi and gaming are your thing, look no further for the under-construction site of your digital dreams. The striking color palette, fonts, and imagery suits this theme, but leaves a lot of room for customization. A roomy footer leaves space for a concise about us section, and by placing social media links and a subscribe form at both the top and bottom of the site, you double the chances of users staying connected. 11. Store Coming Soon Template A subtle website under construction page might be just what you need while you’re working on your online store. The elegant design of this template underscores key details like your opening date, social media accounts and contact information, so you can continue building your customer base. When it’s time to make noise with your website reveal, you’ll have the perfect audience to share the excitement with. 12. Blog Coming Soon Template Sophisticated and stylish, this is a great website under-construction page for bloggers and business owners alike. The split screen website layout adds some flavor by leaving room for intriguing designs or photographs that might represent your brand. But the smart layout will bring the majority of the visitor's visual focus straight to your sign-up button. The live chat box feature is a nice personal touch that will make communication a breeze. Looking to learn how to create a blog ? Get started with our blog maker. 13. Film Coming Soon Template Roll out the red carpet, you’ve got a film on the way. Heighten the anticipation around its release with a coming soon page that acts like a preview. This website under construction template makes it easy to upload a trailer using Wix Video, while presenting important details like the release date and what actors are starring in the film. Perfect for directors, producers, or anyone involved in the film industry - you’ll be able to increase views and create a fan club before the release of your film. For more inspiration check out these 10 essential Wix tutorials . Where can I find under construction website templates for free? If you're looking for free under construction website templates , Wix is an excellent place to start. Wix offers a variety of customizable website templates , including some specifically designed for under construction or coming soon pages . To access these, simply sign up for a free Wix account and browse the template library. With Wix, you also get web hosting , easy customization tools and the ability to seamlessly transition from your under-construction page to a full website when you're ready. This makes Wix a convenient all-in-one option for those looking to quickly set up an under-construction page and then expand it into a complete website later. Explore more templates: Affiliate website templates Family law website templates Notary website templates Insurance website templates Mortgage website templates Printing website templates Electrician website templates Roofing website templates Veterinary website templates Dental website templates Dog breeder website templates Chiropractic website templates Digital marketing website templates SaaS website templates Auto detailing website templates Barbershop website templates Cleaning service website templates Hair extension website templates Website under construction template FAQ: How to show a website under construction? Create a simple landing page to let visitors know your website is under construction. Use a clear message like "Coming Soon" or "Under Maintenance." Add your logo, a short description and a way for people to stay updated, like a contact form or email signup. What to put on a coming soon page? A great coming soon page has your logo, a short intro or teaser text, a launch date (if you have one), and a way for people to connect, like social links or a newsletter form. You can also add a countdown timer, background image or animation to make it more visually engaging. How to put a Wix website under construction? To put your Wix website under construction, start by creating a "Coming Soon" page with a simple message. Set it as your homepage in the "Menus & Pages" section, then hide or restrict access to other pages. Once that's done, publish your site to display the placeholder while you finish building.

  • What is a website builder? Everything you need to know

    Turn your ideas into a website you love with Wix →  These days every business needs a website, and free website builders make it easy to create one fast. They’re designed to be simple so anyone can make a website from scratch without needing tech skills or outside help. TL;DR: What is a website builder? A website builder is a platform that helps you create a website without coding. It provides drag-and-drop editing, ready-made templates and hosting so you can design, update and launch your site in one place. This makes it ideal for small businesses, creators and anyone who wants a professional site without the technical hassle. To choose one, focus on your goals, budget and how much flexibility you’ll need as you grow. Pay attention to things like ease of use, hidden fees and update tools. AI builders can save time on setup but they still rely on your input to make smart choices. What is a website builder? How does a website builder work? Key features to look for in a website builder How to choose the right website builder What to know about AI website builders Website builder FAQ In 2025 it was estimated that upwards of 18 million live websites were built with website builders. Wix websites accounted for 45% of those sites . What you need in a website builder Who you are Website builder features to focus on Service provider (coach, freelancer, consultant) Booking tools, client forms, mobile design, fast load speed Online store owner Inventory tracking, payment options, low fees, product layout options Blogger or content creator SEO tools, blog layout flexibility, category tags, easy updates Beginner with limited time Simple templates, AI design help, strong support, no-code editing Designer or creative professional Full design control, custom fonts, animation, video support Local business owner Location maps, business hours, call buttons, local SEO settings Growing team or business Page scaling, app integrations, team roles, user permissions Building fast for testing Quick setup, ready-made templates, free trial, drag-and-drop editor What is a website builder, exactly? A website builder is a tool that allows you to create a website without needing to write code. These platforms provide all the necessary components to design, build and launch a website , making them an ideal solution for businesses looking to establish an online presence quickly and efficiently. Well-known examples include Wix .  What you get with a website builder A website builder comes with everything you need to get your site online without using separate tools or services. Most combine design, hosting and management in one place so you don’t have to piece things together yourself. Most website builders include: Ready-made templates you can customize Drag-and-drop editing for pages and layouts Built-in hosting so your site is live without extra setup Domain connection or registration options Mobile-friendly design tools Ecommerce features for selling products or services SEO tools to help your site show up on Google Integrations with apps for email, payments or bookings Who website builders are best for Website builders work well for anyone who needs a professional website quickly without dealing with coding or complex setup. They’re especially useful if you want to manage your own updates and keep costs low. They’re a great fit for: Small businesses that need an affordable, all-in-one solution Freelancers who want a portfolio or service-based site Creators or bloggers who need a simple way to share content Local businesses that want to be found online Online sellers starting with a small eCommerce store Nonprofits or community groups that need an easy-to-maintain site Not sure why you need a website ? Our guide can help. What's the difference between an online and an offline website builder? Generally when we refer to a website builder, we mean an online one. ​It's web-based and can be used from your browser with an internet connection. This is the most commonly recognized definition of a website builder, an online one. You can make a website from any connected device with it. On the other hand, offline website builders are software programs that need to be downloaded and installed on a local computer. You can create a site without being connected to the internet but then will need to manually upload your site to a web host once it's done. This is a process that requires technical knowledge and isn't accessible to everyone. How does a website builder work? Website builders typically offer a drag and drop editor and interface, allowing you to select elements like text boxes, images and buttons and place them on your webpage . This makes it easy to customize the layout and design of your website  according to your preferences. Being easy to use doesn’t mean website builders hold you back. They offer plenty of design options and powerful features, letting you create blogs , eCommerce websites , online stores , service business websites and much more. Learn more: Best real estate website builders Best website builders for freelancers Best website builders for small business Best website builders for service businesses Why use a website builder? Building a website used to mean hiring experts or learning to code. Today, website builders make it simple for anyone to create a professional website quickly and affordably. They handle the tricky parts so you can focus on growing your business or sharing your passion. Here are some of the main reasons why using a website builder makes sense for most people, offering a straightforward way to get started if you’ve been wondering how to create a professional website . Cost-effectiveness Website builders are a budget-friendly option for small to medium businesses. They eliminate the need for hiring professional web developers (learn more: website builder vs web developer ), which can significantly reduce costs. Most platforms offer affordable subscription plans that include hosting, domain registration and design tools. Many also have free plans with basic features, perfect for testing or personal sites. Wix offers a free plan, while paid plans start at $19 per month and include a customizable domain name plus more features. Learn more: Cheapest website builders Free website builders How much does it cost to make a website Why use a website builder Drag and drop functionality One of the standout features of website builders is their drag and drop functionality. This allows you to easily arrange elements on your site without any coding knowledge. Additionally, customizable options enable you to tailor your website's appearance and functionality to match your brand identity. "As a creator or entrepreneur, you’re often wearing multiple hats. You’re designing the website and optimizing for SEO. This means you need a website builder that makes it easy and intuitive for you to do all those things on the same platform while still delivering results as if you were working with experts in those fields." Esin D. Habif, product marketing lead (outbound) at Wix Quick setup and launch With a website builder, the timeframe from concept to launch is significantly shortened. You can have your website up and running in just a few hours or days, depending on the complexity of your design — shortening the time it takes to build a website . This rapid deployment is ideal for businesses eager to establish an online presence swiftly.  What are some key features to look for in a website builder? Not all website builders are created equal. Knowing which features matter can help you pick one that fits your needs and saves you time and frustration. Here’s a look at the key features to keep an eye on when choosing a website builder. Customizable design Having access to a wide range of website templates  is crucial. These templates serve as the foundation of your website, allowing you to choose a web design  that aligns with your brand. The ability to customize these templates ensures that your website stands out and reflects your unique business identity. Wix, for example, has over 2000 customizable templates that can be used for a wide range of uses and businesses. Learn more: Should I use a template to make my website? eCommerce website templates Portfolio templates Design flexibility Look for website builders that offer flexibility in design elements. This includes options to adjust colors, fonts and layouts, enabling you to create a visually appealing site that captures the attention of your audience. Mobile-friendly Today, having a mobile-friendly website  is essential. A responsive design  is what determines if your site looks great on all devices, from desktops to smartphones. This capability improves the overall user experience on your site.  eCommerce functionality If you're planning to sell products or services online, e-commerce functionality is vital. Website builders should offer tools for setting up an online store , including product listings, shopping carts and secure payment gateways . Effective e-commerce platforms provide inventory management and order tracking features. These tools help streamline operations and ensure smooth transactions for both you and your customers. Learn more: Try Wix's landing page builder Blogging capabilities If part of your plan is to share updates, publish articles or grow your site through content marketing, look for a website builder with strong blogging features. Some platforms offer only a basic text editor, while others include tools for adding categories, tags, featured images, scheduled posts and SEO settings for each blog entry. These features make it easier to organize your content and improve how it appears in search results. A good blogging setup also helps keep visitors engaged. Check if you can enable comments, add social sharing buttons or include things like related posts and email signup forms. If your blog is a big part of your marketing or brand strategy, make sure the builder you choose supports regular publishing without extra effort. Tools and apps integrations The ability to integrate with other tools can enhance your website's functionality. These integrations allow you to add features such as analytics, marketing automation and customer relationship management (CRM) systems. Some website builders include some of these tools within their editors, examples include Wix Analytics .  " Choose a website builder that allows you to make fast pivots based on your business needs. If, from one day to the next, you need to add events or an online store, make sure your website builder makes that possible for you." Esin D. Habif, product marketing lead (outbound) at Wix Explore the Wix app market  for more options.  Site infrastructure The website infrastructure  of the builder you use is essential when it comes to the security and performance of your site. You should prioritize a website builder that includes enterprise grade website security  for all sites, including SSL certification, 24/7 monitoring and automatic updates. You also need to know that your builder includes secure web hosting , domain name registration and guarantees such as high uptime . Wix delivers 99.99%  for example.  "What often gets forgotten when talking about choosing a website builder is the capabilities of the infrastructure that’s promised to you—the reliability of the hosting, the level of security in place to protect your visitors’ data and, of course, your site's speed. 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." Esin D. Habif, product marketing lead (outbound) at Wix Multi-language or international websites If your business serves customers who speak different languages or live in different countries, a website builder with multi-language support can save you a lot of time. Some platforms offer built-in tools to create language versions of your site, while others require third-party apps. These features help you show the right language to the right visitor automatically, making your site feel more local and personal. Not all website builders offer this, so it’s worth checking how the platform handles translation. Can you customize text on each version? Does it support right-to-left languages like Arabic or Hebrew? If you plan to grow internationally or already have a global audience, this can make a big difference in how professional and trustworthy your website feels. User roles and permissions If you're the only person managing your website, this might not matter much at first. But as your business grows, you may want others to help—like a writer, designer or marketing person. Some website builders let you create different user roles so you can control what each person can do. For example, you might let someone edit blog posts but not change the design. Without user roles, you may have to share your login with everyone, which isn’t secure. Having the option to give limited access helps protect your site and makes collaboration easier. Check if the builder offers role settings like admin, editor or viewer, and if it’s included in your plan or costs extra. Accessibility compliance Accessibility means making sure your website works well for people with disabilities—like those using screen readers or needing high-contrast text. Some website builders include tools that help you meet accessibility standards (like WCAG), such as reminders to add image alt text, choose readable fonts or check your site’s contrast levels. Even if you don’t know much about accessibility, a builder with built-in checks can help you create a more inclusive site. This not only improves the experience for more people but can also protect your business from legal issues in some countries. Look for builders that highlight accessibility as part of their features or templates. Backups and version history Mistakes happen. You might accidentally delete a page, change something that breaks your layout or lose work during an edit. A good website builder will automatically save backups of your site and let you roll back to a previous version if needed. This can be a lifesaver when something goes wrong. Not all platforms offer this, especially on lower-priced plans. Check if the builder has version history, automatic backups or a manual way to save your site. It’s one of those things you hope you never need—but you’ll be glad it’s there when you do. Customer support and help resources When you're building a website, questions come up—whether it's how to add a section, connect a domain or fix something that isn’t working. Fast and helpful customer support makes a huge difference, especially if you're not a tech expert. Some builders offer live chat or phone support, while others only offer email or community forums. It also helps to have clear tutorials, FAQs or video guides built into the platform. Before choosing a builder, check what kind of help you can expect and if it’s available 24/7. If you run a business and need to fix problems quickly, strong support can save you time, money and frustration. Scalability You might be starting small, but your website should be able to grow with your business. Some builders make it easy to add new pages, open an online store, launch a blog or accept bookings—all without starting from scratch. Others may be more limited, especially on basic plans. Think about what you may need six months or a year from now. Will you want to offer memberships, run events or add more team members? Choosing a website builder that supports those features now—even if you don’t need them yet—can save you the hassle of moving to a new platform later. How to choose the right website builder Understanding what matters most helps you choose a website builder that fits your needs perfectly. This makes creating and managing your site simpler, faster and way less stressful from start to finish. Set your website priorities Start by figuring out what your website needs to do. Think about the type of website  you want — a simple info page, a blog or an online store. Knowing this helps you pick a website builder with the features you actually need, so you don’t waste time or money on extras you won’t use. Also, consider what you might want to add later, like booking tools or memberships. Some builders work better for certain types of sites, so choose one that fits your current goals and can grow with you. Keep your budget in check Set a budget for building and running your site. Website builders come with plans ranging from free to premium. Make sure you check what’s included at each price level and pick one that fits your budget but still gives you the features you need. Don’t forget ongoing costs like domain names, apps or eCommerce fees. Knowing these ahead of time helps you avoid surprises and keeps your website running smoothly. For more tips, check out maintaining your website . How to tell if a website builder’s worth it Test the editor before committing:  Try building a sample page to see if the editor is easy to use and responsive. A clunky editor wastes time and causes frustration. Watch for hidden fees:  Review plan details carefully. Some builders charge extra for domains, removing ads or eCommerce tools, which can add up fast. Time investment required:  Think about how much time you can spend learning and building. Some platforms offer fast setup with templates, others take longer but give you more control. Customer support quality:  Look for builders with fast, helpful support through live chat, phone or detailed guides so you don’t get stuck when problems come up. Template quality and flexibility:  Pick builders with modern, industry-specific templates you can fully customize to match your brand and style. Hosting and domain services:  Check if hosting and domain registration are included and managed by the builder or if you need to handle them yourself. eCommerce fees:  If you sell online, check if the builder charges transaction fees on top of payment processor costs to avoid surprises. Brand style support:  Look for features that support rich media, custom fonts, animations and video backgrounds so your brand stands out. App and tool integrations:  Check if the builder connects smoothly with marketing, CRM, analytics and payment tools you use or want to add. What to know about AI website builders AI website builder speeds up the process of getting online by removing much of the guesswork. Instead of picking templates or dragging elements manually, you’re guided through a short setup where you answer questions about your business, design preferences and goals. The AI then generates a personalized site layout—sometimes with written content, matching images and suggested pages based on your industry. This can save hours, especially for first-time users or busy business owners who just need a solid starting point. What sets one AI builder apart from another is how flexible the result is. Some let you fully edit everything after the AI setup, while others lock in certain layouts or design elements, making it harder to change later. Another factor is how well the AI handles essential features like mobile design, SEO tools or image optimization. If those are treated as afterthoughts, you may still need to do a lot of manual cleanup. Also, check if the AI offers ongoing suggestions to improve your site or if it’s just a one-time helper. "I think the biggest game-changer is the fact that you can easily create a stunning website, and you don’t need to understand layout, design or anything to get a great working website. You can get the creative juices flowing with AI’s help and Wix’s expertise until you get exactly what you want." Yaara Asaf,  head of product (Wix Editor) Learn more: Traditional vs AI website builders How to use a website builder like Wix Sign up: Visit Wix  and create an account. You can sign up using your email or social media accounts. Choose a template: Browse through Wix’s extensive library of templates and select one that fits your business style and needs. Customize your site: Use the drag and drop editor to add elements like text, images and videos. Adjust colors, fonts and layouts to match your brand identity. Add features: Incorporate additional features such as contact forms, social media links or an online shop if needed. Preview and publish: Once satisfied with your design, preview your site to ensure everything looks perfect across devices. Then, hit  publish to make your website live and share it with the world. Tips for using a website builder effectively once your site is live SEO optimization Keyword research : Identify relevant keywords related to your business and incorporate them naturally into your website content, titles and meta descriptions. Quality content : Create informative and engaging content that provides value to your audience. Regularly update your site with fresh content to improve search engine rankings. On-page SEO : Use headings, alt text for images and internal linking to enhance the structure of your site.  Regular updates and maintenance Regularly update your website’s content to keep it relevant and engaging for visitors. This includes blog posts, product listings and company news. Monitor your website performance using analytics tools to identify areas for improvement, not just site speed but traffic and engagement as well. What is a website builder FAQ What does a website builder do? A website builder helps you design, build and launch a website quickly. It handles layout, structure, hosting and sometimes SEO and eCommerce, so you don’t need to manage everything manually. What’s the easiest website builder for beginners? Most builders are beginner-friendly but look for ones with drag-and-drop editors, clear templates and good support. Ease of use matters more than the number of features. Do I need coding skills to use a website builder? No. Most builders are designed for people with no coding experience. Some offer custom code options but they’re optional. Are free website builders worth it? Free plans are fine for testing but they usually come with ads, limited features or no custom domain. For a professional site, a paid plan is better. What’s the difference between a CMS and a website builder? A CMS (content management system) gives you more customization options but often requires technical skills or developer help. A website builder is more beginner-friendly, offering drag-and-drop tools, templates and built-in features that make setup fast and easy. Do I need a website builder to make my website? Not necessarily. You can build a site using a CMS or by coding it yourself but a website builder is the fastest and easiest option—especially if you want to avoid technical setup. Should I pay for a website builder? Free plans are useful for testing but paid plans offer more features like custom domains, ad-free pages and eCommerce tools. If you want a professional-looking site with room to grow it’s worth paying.

  • How to choose a domain registrar in 14 steps

    The perfect domain is just a click away:   claim your domain →  Need advice on how to choose a domain registrar ? Your domain name is your unique address on the internet, so picking the right domain registrar to manage it is a big deal. But with so many options available, it can be tough to know where to start. You’re not just buying a name; you’re investing in a service that will manage a critical piece of your brand. Follow this guide on how to choose a domain registrar that works best for you, so you have all the information before making a purchase and building a website .   Your domain is more than a web address, it’s the first impression of your brand. With Wix, you can easily find and secure a custom domain that reflects who you are and what you do. Whether you’re launching a business, blog or portfolio, your perfect domain is just a few clicks away. Start building your online presence and claim yours today. Learn more: What is a domain name and how does it work ? H ow to buy a domain name TL;DR: How to choose a domain registrar Think of a domain registrar as the company that reserves your spot on the internet. They manage your chosen web address (for example: yourbusiness.com ) and make sure it points to your website. When you buy a domain, the registrar reserves it for you, keeps your registration details in the official database and supplies domain name management , including allowing you to renew, transfer or update settings such as DNS records, so your website and email work correctly. Learn more: What is DNS? How to choose a domain registrar in 14 steps Ready to find the perfect domain registrar for your brand? We’ve broken down the process of choosing a domain registrar into fourteen simple steps to help you find the perfect partner for your website's address: Compare initial pricing and renewal costs Check for hidden fees Evaluate the user experience Look into customer support options Consider domain transfer policies Read reviews and check reputation Explore additional services Ensure WHOIS privacy is included Check the registrar's security features Understand the domain expiration policy Check TLD availability Look for bulk domain management options Review DNS management tools Verify registrar accreditation 01. Compare initial pricing and renewal costs First things first: let's talk about price. Many domain registrars offer tempting introductory prices for the first year. You might see deals for as low as a few dollars. While a great deal is always a plus, the real cost often shows up during renewal. Make sure you look beyond the first-year price tag. Check the renewal rates, as these are what you'll be paying for the long term. Some registrars might offer a low initial price but have much higher renewal fees, so a little comparison shopping now can save you a lot of money down the road. Explore more: How much does a domain name cost? 02. Check for hidden fees Nobody likes surprise charges. As you compare prices, keep an eye out for any hidden fees. Some registrars may charge extra for services that others include for free. “Certain domain registrars offer packages with added security (like WHOIS privacy protection), premium DNS services, SSL certificates or website-building tools. While these extras can increase the annual cost, they offer value in terms of convenience, security and performance. For businesses handling sensitive data or relying heavily on online transactions, these features are crucial." - Kumar Abhinav, senior link building analyst at Mavlers A common example is WHOIS privacy. This service keeps your personal information (like your name, address and email) private in the public domain directory. Some registrars offer this for free, while others charge an annual fee. Also, look for any administrative fees or charges for transferring your domain to another provider. Transparency is a good sign, so choose a registrar that is upfront about all costs. Learn more: What is domain privacy? 03. Evaluate the user experience You'll be managing your domain through the registrar's dashboard, so it should be easy to use. A clean, intuitive control panel makes tasks like updating your contact information or changing your domain settings straightforward. You shouldn't need a technical manual just to manage your domain. Many registrars have tutorials or screenshots of their user interface. Take a look before you commit. A simple, well-organized dashboard will make your life much easier, especially if you're new to managing a website. Looking for domain inspiration? Take a look at the most common industry domain names . 04. Look into customer support options When you have a question or run into an issue, you want help to be readily available. Before you sign up, check out the registrar's customer support options. Do they offer 24/7 support? Can you reach them by phone, live chat or email? Good support can be a lifesaver. Look at customer reviews to see what others say about their support experience. A registrar with a reputation for responsive and helpful support gives you peace of mind, knowing that help is there when you need it. 05. Consider domain transfer policies You might not plan on switching registrars now, but it's good to have the option. Each registrar has its own policy for transferring a domain to a different provider. Most registrars will lock a domain for 60 days after registration or transfer, which is a standard industry practice. However, some may have complicated processes or charge a fee to transfer out. Read the transfer policy carefully. Choosing a registrar with a clear and fair transfer policy gives you the freedom to move your domain if you ever find a better service elsewhere. Learn more: How to transfer a domain name 06. Read reviews and check reputation What are other people saying? Customer reviews are a fantastic resource for getting an honest look at a registrar. Check out reviews on trusted third-party sites to get a sense of the company's reputation. Look for patterns in the feedback. Are customers consistently praising the customer service? Are there frequent complaints about hidden fees or technical problems? A registrar with a solid track record and positive reviews is usually a safe bet. Find out more: I want to buy a domain name I have a domain name, now what? 07. Explore additional services Your domain name is just one piece of building your website. Many registrars offer a bundle of other services. These can include web hosting , email hosting and website builders. Bundling services can be convenient and sometimes cost-effective. If you need hosting or a professional email address (like you@yourbusiness.com ), see what the registrar offers. This can simplify your setup by letting you manage everything in one place. Just make sure the quality of these extra services meets your standards. Learn more:   Web host vs domain registrar 08. Ensure WHOIS privacy is included As mentioned earlier, WHOIS privacy is important. When you register a domain, your personal contact information is added to a public database called WHOIS. Without privacy protection, this information is visible to anyone, which can lead to spam emails and unwanted calls. Many reputable registrars now offer WHOIS privacy for free as a standard feature. Prioritize these providers. It's a simple way to protect your personal information and maintain your privacy. 09. Check the domain registrar's security features Domain security is crucial for protecting your website and your visitors. Knowing how to secure your domain  is vital , and a good registrar will offer security features to prevent unauthorized changes or transfers of your domain. Look for features like two-factor authentication (2FA) for your account and a domain lock. A domain lock prevents your domain from being transferred without your permission. These security measures add an extra layer of protection, keeping your domain safe from potential threats. Find out more about domain security and how to avoid domain spoofing and domain hijacking . 10. Understand the domain expiration policy What happens if you forget to renew your domain? It's a common mistake, but it can have serious consequences, including losing your domain name. Different registrars handle expired domains differently. Most will offer a grace period (often around 30 days) after the expiration date, during which you can renew the domain, sometimes for a higher fee. Check the registrar’s policy on domain expiration and grace periods. Even better, choose a registrar that offers an auto-renewal option. This automatically renews your domain before it expires, so you don’t have to worry about it. When you register a domain name  with Wix, renewal is yearly and reminders are sent well before your registration is up. Learn more: Expired domains vs dropped domains 11. Check TLD availability As of June 2024, there were approximately 362.4 million domain names registered worldwide , with about 38% of those under country-code top-level domains (ccTLDs). Before you settle on a registrar, make sure they offer the top-level domains (TLDs)  you want, such as .com, .net, .org or niche extensions such as .shop, .io or .ai. Some registrars specialize in certain TLDs, while others have broader options. Having access to multiple extensions is helpful if you plan to register variations of your domain name for brand protection or future projects. Learn more: .org vs .com vs. net 12. Look for bulk domain management options If you manage multiple websites or plan to expand your online presence, a registrar that supports bulk domain management is essential. This feature lets you search, register, renew and configure several domains at once, saving time and reducing the risk of missing renewals. It’s particularly valuable for businesses, agencies and investors managing large domain portfolios. Planning to grow your site? Find out more: What is a subdomain? 13. Review DNS management tools A good registrar should include robust DNS management within your account. This means you can easily add, edit or delete DNS records (like A, CNAME, MX, and TXT) without needing a separate hosting provider. Advanced DNS tools—such as automated record updates, DNSSEC support and fast propagation—give you better control and security for your website and email setup. 14. Verify registrar accreditation Always choose a registrar accredited by ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) or, for country-specific domains, by the relevant national registry. Accreditation ensures the registrar meets industry standards for transparency, data protection and dispute resolution. Using an accredited registrar gives you confidence that your domain ownership is legally recognized and safeguarded. Domain registrar feature Importance What to look for ICANN accreditation High Official listing on the ICANN directory Transparent pricing High Clear initial and renewal costs; no hidden fees Domain transfers Medium A straightforward and low-cost transfer process WHOIS privacy High Free or low-cost privacy protection to hide personal info Customer support High 24/7 support via multiple channels (phone, chat, email) User experience Medium A clean and easy-to-navigate management dashboard Where to register domain names You can register a domain name directly through an ICANN-accredited registrar or through a reseller. Registrars manage the domain registration process, while resellers (like some hosting companies or website builders) offer domain registration as part of a larger package. Platforms like Wix are both a direct registrar and offer a complete package, giving you a streamlined experience from start to finish. How much does it cost to register a domain name? The cost of a domain name can vary widely. A standard .com domain typically costs between $10 and $20 per year. However, prices can change based on a few factors: Top-level domain (TLD):  Common TLDs like .com are usually affordable, while newer or more specialized TLDs like .io or .ai can be more expensive. Promotional pricing:  Many registrars offer low introductory prices for the first year, but be sure to check the renewal rates, which are often higher, and could even be double the initial registration fee. Privacy protection:  Some registrars charge extra for WHOIS privacy, which hides your personal information from public view. Others, like Wix, include it for free. Find out more: Does Wix offer free domains? Why choose Wix as your domain registrar? Wix isn't just a place to get a domain name; it’s a complete platform for building and growing your brand. When you get a domain from Wix, you get more than just an address: All-in-one solution:  Get your domain, hosting and a powerful website builder all in one place. Free domain with Premium Plans:  Get a free domain name for the first year when you sign up for a yearly premium plan, and utilize the Wix domain name generator . Free WHOIS privacy:  We believe your privacy is important, so we include WHOIS privacy protection at no extra cost. Intuitive management:  Easily manage all your domain settings, DNS records and connected services from a single, user-friendly dashboard. Learn more: How to buy a domain from Wix Ready to claim your domain? Choosing a domain registrar is a foundational step in your online journey. By focusing on transparent pricing, robust security and reliable support, you can find a partner that helps you build and grow with confidence. When you're ready to take the next step, consider an all-in-one platform that simplifies the process, so you can focus on what you do best. Buy a domain  today . Choose a name that fits your brand and get started with a trusted registrar. How to choose a domain registrar FAQs How do I check if a domain registrar is accredited? You can verify a registrar's accreditation by checking the official ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) directory. An accredited registrar has met ICANN’s standards for operation and can be trusted to manage your domain securely. What happens if my domain registrar goes out of business? If your registrar is ICANN-accredited, your domain is protected. ICANN has procedures in place to transfer domains from a failing registrar to another accredited one, ensuring you don't lose your domain name. This is a key reason why choosing an accredited domain registrar is so important. Can I transfer my domain name to another registrar later? Yes, you can transfer your domain to a different registrar. Most domain registrars have a standard process for this, though some may have a 60-day lock-in period after initial registration or transfer. Be sure to check the transfer policy and any associated fees before you commit.

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