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Turn your ideas into sales and start selling with Wix eCommerce →   SEO is a crucial part of any eCommerce marketing  strategy. It’s one of the most cost-effective ways to increase visibility around your brand. Crack open this guide for tips on how to master eCommerce SEO and  drive traffic to your online store . It's hard to overstate the importance of search engine optimization (SEO). After all, you can't make sales if you don't get any traffic to your site. And, well, traffic doesn't exactly fall from the sky. Fun fact: all Wix sites are backed by a solid infrastructure that's built with SEO in mind. Get started with Wix eCommerce  today. Ready to start your eCommerce journey? Now’s the perfect time to bring your vision to life. With Wix eCommerce, you have the tools to build a professional online store and create a website that captivates your audience, drives traffic and boosts sales. From endless customization options and built-in SEO to powerful marketing tools, everything you need to grow your brand and reach more customers is right at your fingertips. Take the first step and explore Wix eCommerce today. Make your mark online and turn your ideas into success. What is eCommerce SEO, exactly? Ecommerce SEO is the process of optimizing each page of your eCommerce website so that it gets discovered, indexed, and ranked by search engines like Google. Billions of new pages and sites are published every day, so it’s in your best interest to make your pages easier to find and rank by following SEO best practices when it comes to your e commerce efforts. Get inspired by eCommerce website design ideas. Why is eCommerce SEO important? More than three-quarters of consumers ( 78% ) say that they’ve spent more time researching products or brands online than in stores. Search engines are largely to thank for this, with more than 8.8 billion searches occurring in a given day, according to Internet Live Stats . This means that there’s a lot of potential money to be made. Your buyers could be googling anything from “how to treat damaged hair” to “car replacement parts.” By optimizing each page of your site—from your homepage to your product pages—for SEO, you give yourself a higher chance of ranking for these terms. Did you know: the first five organic results account for 67.6% of all clicks on the first page (source: Zero Limit Web ) If that’s not convincing enough, consider this: while SEO is a long-term play (read: you won’t see results overnight), it doesn’t require money to see ongoing results. Unlike ads, it’s free to start, and it’s essentially the gift that keeps on giving. Top benefits of eCommerce SEO Naturally attract buyers to your online store Receive ongoing traffic from a free, “always on” channel Reach people at various stages of the buyer journey Build your brand authority around key topics Educate and/or build trust with potential customers through content The 5 core ingredients of a strong eCommerce SEO strategy Perform eCommerce keyword research On-page SEO for eCommerce websites   Off-page SEO for eCommerce websites   Optimize eCommerce site architecture   Fix technical issues on eCommerce websites   01. Perform eCommerce keyword research Keywords are the literal terms or phrases that people enter into a search bar to find the content that they’re looking for online. Practically speaking, they’re the words that you’ll want to weave into your content to help people and search bots understand what your page is about. The biggest mistake sellers make at this stage is neglecting to do proper, thorough keyword research  or making assumptions about search intent. Let’s take the keyword “books” as an example. This is a rather broad term that could attract anyone from a person looking to buy a book, to someone looking to publish his or her own book. Keyword research also tells us that, though “books” gets over 300 thousand searches in a month, it's highly competitive and has 17.2 billion results.   So, if you're a merchant who sells books, you’ll want to target a more specific keyword—one that attracts people with a clear intent to buy (aka commercial intent). Think: "cookbook for beginners" or "best vegan cookbooks.” The exact keywords you target will depend on the type of page that you're optimizing (e.g., are you optimizing a product page, category page, or blog?) and your target audience. As you perform keyword research, here are several things to keep in mind: Search volume : While broad keywords typically have higher search volumes (e.g., “shoes”), long-tail keywords  (e.g., “blue suede shoes for women”) tend to signify higher commercial intent. Weigh the pros and cons of both when crafting your keyword list. Competition : Be mindful of keywords with high competition. A high-volume word like "cookbook" may be very difficult to rank for, especially if you're just getting started with SEO. It's usually not realistic to shoot for hyper-competitive keywords like these. Relevance : Check that the keywords you’re planning to target are terms that your buyers actually use. A good initial step to take is to scan the first page of results for your keyword and see how closely those results match your content. Do they touch on similar topics or products as your page? Do you see a lot of your competitors on the SERP? Or, are many results irrelevant to your business? Search intent : Think about the purpose of the page you’re trying to rank. Product pages should target keywords that appeal to users with a higher intent to purchase (e.g., "blue Nike sneakers"). Alternatively, if you're optimizing a blog, you'll probably want to target keywords with an informational intent (e.g., "best sneakers for running"). Unbranded vs. branded: While you'll want to rank for unbranded terms (search terms that don’t contain your brand name), it's important to track branded terms that you rank for as well, especially as your business grows. Some customers may be searching things like "[Your brand] support" or "[Your brand] vs. [your competitor]." When it comes to discovering new terms, here are some tools and strategies that can help: Amazon : Naturally, the best place to start is where many people actually search for products. Simply typing in a product category in Amazon’s search bar will immediately give you dozens of keyword ideas. For example, typing in “jean jacket” brings up keywords like “jean jacket with hoodie” or “jean jacket for women." Jot these terms down in a spreadsheet so you can do further research into them later. Google search : Google SERPs can expand far beyond eCommerce queries, but typing product terms like “denim jacket” produces some great suggestions (e.g., “denim jacket under $500"). Scanning the “People Also Ask” and “Popular Products” sections can inspire additional ideas. Google Trends : This free tool lets you compare keyword popularity over a specific time and geographic location. Easily see if a keyword is gaining or losing interest over time, and discover related queries. Google Keyword Planner : Another free tool by Google, Keyword Planner shows monthly search volume around key terms and phrases. Note: this tool is intended for folks looking to advertise on Google, so some metrics won’t be as relevant to your research. Still, Keyword Planner is good for getting the ideas flowing. Competitor sites: Your competitors may have already done the eCommerce SEO research you’re looking to do right now. Click on their product pages and see what words they consistently use throughout the title, URL, and description. Right-click on those pages and hit "View Page Source" (or use a browser extension like MozBar ) to view title tags and meta descriptions. SEO keyword research tools : Paid services like Semrush  and Ahrefs  can help you get even more granular in your research. Built specifically to help marketers improve their SEO, these platforms provide metrics like monthly volume, keyword difficulty, and more. You can additionally perform competitive research and track which keywords you already rank for, and how your rankings fluctuate over time. 02. On-page SEO for eCommerce websites As you publish or update pages according to your target keywords, you’ll want to be mindful of on-page SEO practices. On-page SEO involves optimizing elements of your eCommerce website to help it rank higher on search engines. Note that every page on your site needs to be individually optimized. While this may sound daunting, remember that SEO is an ongoing process that can (and should) be tackled over time, not just when building an eCommerce website . Start by optimizing your most important or highest-converting pages. As you do so, make sure to heed these tips: Create URLs with SEO in mind : Include your primary keyword in the URL itself. To get the most out of your URLs, you should keep them as clean and succinct as possible. Avoid unnecessary subpages and filler words like "and" or "of.” Don’t cram multiple keywords into your URL either. An example of a bad URL: www.amazingstore.com/categories/jackets/denim-jacket-cheap-hoodie-buy An example of a great URL: www.amazingstore.com/jackets/denim-jacket Optimize your page titles: Include your target keyword in your page’s main title (H1). Google sometimes displays your H1 content as the title of your search listing, so you’ll want to keep it compelling for human readers. For product and category pages, it’s generally helpful to follow a specific formula for your titles to ensure consistency. For example, you could use a formula like this: Brand + Model Name + Model Number + Top Differentiator + Product Type. An example of a strong H1 for a product page: Men’s Any-Weather Waterproof Denim Jacket Create rich, relevant product descriptions : High-quality product descriptions help to convert buyers, reduce returns, and—from an SEO perspective—give Google the information it needs to rank your pages. Avoid skimping out on your descriptions or copying-and-pasting ones from another page. Google also balks at duplicate or “thin” content. Optimize title tags and meta descriptions : The metadata of your page helps to inform what appears on SERPs. The title tag, for example, may appear as the blue heading that users see when they’re browsing a Google results page. The meta description, in turn, may inform the copy underneath the heading. Here’s an example of how the title tag and meta description appear on an organic listing for Wix eCommerce. Make sure to include your main keyword in the title tag, ideally near the front. Your title tag should be 50-65 characters long to avoid getting cropped, while meta descriptions should be 155 characters or less. Wix eCommerce users can take advantage of the SEO Patterns  tool that simplifies the process of optimizing metadata for a large number of product pages. Instead of editing them one by one, use variables  to automate the metadata and keep each page optimized. Use high-quality images : It goes without saying that beautiful, high-quality product photos can keep guests on your site longer and increase the chances of making a sale. Google also assesses your visitors’ time on page—the longer they stay, the higher your page will likely rank. Optimize alt text and image file names : Search engines rely on alt text and image file names to properly “read” your images. Towards that end, make sure that your file name describes your photos in a few words. Similarly, your alt text should provide more context around your images. Alt tags are an important accessibility tool for visually impaired users who rely on screen readers, so avoid needlessly stuffing your tags with keywords. Focus on providing clear descriptions of your images. Example of a bad image name: IMG12490137.jpg Example of a good image name: denim-jacket.jpg Example of bad alt text: men's jean denim jacket bomber blazer coat Example of good alt text: Male model wearing YourBrand's denim jacket Establish good internal links : Internal links are links that point from one page on your website to another page on your website. They help people and search engines easily find other content that’s related to the page that they’re on. Adding a “related products” section to your product pages is a good place to start. You'll also want to link to important product and category pages from your site menu. If you have a blog, link to your product pages from your articles (and vice versa). Be particularly selective of the anchor text that you use when linking (e.g., use the anchor text "denim jacket" instead of "shop now.") Add schema markup to your product pages  - Schema markup refers to a piece of HTML code that you can add to a page to inform how Google displays certain information on its SERP. For instance, it can help you to display prices, product reviews and more directly from the SERP . If you created your site with Wix eCommerce, Wix simplifies this step by automatically adding schema markup to your store pages. If you aren’t using Wix, you can add schema markups with Google’s Structured Data Markup Helper . 03. Off-page SEO for eCommerce websites Off-page SEO includes steps you take outside of your website to improve your rankings. The most common off-page SEO tactic is link building, which is when you get other sites to link back to your site. Google sees backlinks as “votes” for your website, or evidence that other people find your content valuable. With that said, not all links are created equal. Search engines will give more weight to links from high-quality, authoritative sources. Meanwhile, “toxic” backlinks—those that come from low-quality sites or were acquired through black hat tactics—may harm your rankings. To earn links the proper way, focus on creating high-quality, shareable content. The best links are natural ones that are earned through honest work. To widen the reach of your content, focus on PR efforts, marketing collaborations, and influencer campaigns that naturally generate links to your site. Social media is another powerful channel for multiple reasons. Search engines include some social media posts within SERPs, and social media can help build attention around your store. Though social media does not have a direct impact on SEO, several studies  show a correlation between social shares and ranking. On your website, make sure to add social media buttons on all of your product pages and encourage people to share your store, products, and/or blog posts. 04. Optimize eCommerce site architecture Having a clearly structured site isn’t just essential for a good shopping experience. It’s also essential for SEO. There are three important things to keep in mind when planning your eCommerce site architecture: No product page should be more than two to three clicks away from your homepage You should have a clear hierarchy between pages Keep your structure simple so that you can more easily add and organize pages in the future For eCommerce, in order to simplify your site, you should categorize pages as either products or product categories. If you have a large store with lots of products, consider adding one tier of subcategories as well. Create a clear site hierarchy and linking strategy so that Google knows which pages on your site are the most important. Pages higher up in the hierarchy (like your homepage) will usually hold more authority in Google, and things like URLs and breadcrumbs help to communicate the hierarchy of your pages. Example of a breadcrumb: Men's apparel > pants > joggers It’s worth noting that Google may even integrate your breadcrumbs into your listings on mobile search results, making it easier for shoppers to understand what your page offers. 05. Fix technical issues on eCommerce websites Google’s algorithm penalizes websites with a poor user experience. Think: pages with slow load times, broken links, and other technical issues that frustrate visitors. No matter how much effort you pour into on-page or off-page SEO, you won’t get satisfying results if your online store has technical problems. So, take the time to take these steps: Perform technical SEO audits : Evaluate your site’s performance using tools like Google Page Speed Insights . You can use tools like Screaming Frog  and Deep Crawl  to perform even deeper technical SEO audits, or the Wix Site Speed Dashboard  to understand site performance based on real user data. Taking care of your online store’s technical performance needs to be done routinely, so you'll want to revisit this step time and time again. Fix broken links : Broken links are links that no longer lead to their intended destination. Search engines will lower a page’s rank if it contains broken links. Instead of removing dead pages, we recommend creating 301 redirect s. This lets Google know that people who land on an old URL should be sent to a different page. For example, in eCommerce, it’s common to retire product pages after items have run their course. In this case, you’ll want to redirect the defunct product page to a similar product or category page. Remove excess pages : Having lots of excess pages can slow a website down, which is a common problem among eCommerce sites. Make sure that you don’t have any duplicate pages, or pages that aren’t actually used or linked from anywhere. Another common issue is having multiple URLs for the same product, due to variations like size or color. This causes search engines to split traffic between multiple URLs for the same product, which, in turn, can reduce the ranking of each page. Instead of having multiple pages for the same product, including product options  so that customers can choose color, size, material or other variants without leaving the page. Alternatively, you can use noindex  HTML code to tell Google to ignore (i.e., not index) variation pages. Compress images : Large pictures can take an extremely long time to load, particularly on mobile devices. Ecommerce sites have hundreds, if not thousands, of images, so it’s important to compress images when possible. Some image-editing software provides a “save for web” option to optimize images. You can also reduce an image’s file size manually by shrinking the physical dimensions or decreasing the resolution. However, if you use Wix eCommerce, you can skip a lot of this work—Wix will automatically resize your media and convert it to modern image formats, like WebP. Change web host or upgrade bandwidth : One of the biggest factors affecting your store’s speed is the bandwidth that your web host provides. While every host is different, some offer bandwidth upgrades. If you feel like your site is too slow it might be time to invest in higher bandwidth. If you built your store with Wix, you won’t have to worry about this because Wix offers unlimited bandwidth with all our eCommerce packages. Learn more: eCommerce website examples SEO 101 glossary: key terms that you should know Before we jump in further, there are a few basic SEO terms that you’ll need to know. A crash course on how search engines work So, what counts as a search engine and how does it work? Google, Bing, and Yahoo! are some of the biggest search engines in the world. However, Google reigns supreme with just under 92%  market share (as of June 2022). Bing, the next closest contender, isn’t even in the ballpark, with just around 3.2% of search market share. This is why when people mention SEO, they’re mostly referring to Google. Google—like all other search engines—has its own unique ranking algorithm. Today, it crunches hundreds of data points to decide when, where, and how to rank your web pages. Its ever-evolving algorithm is sophisticated enough to know that when a user searches for "men's jean jacket," he or she is probably looking to make a purchase. Whereas if the user searches for "wash jeans,” he or she is more likely looking for instructions on how to wash jeans properly. Note how in the example above, the first result is from Tide’s website (this organic placement is also technically called a featured snippet, which shows an excerpt of the page directly on Google). Upon clicking on the result, the user is sent to a page that gives step-by-step instructions on how to properly wash jeans—and from there, has the option to explore more tips or shop Tide’s products. Though the user may not have initially been seeking out Tide, he or she is now engaged with the brand and may be more likely to purchase from them now or in the future. Top ranking factors As mentioned earlier, search engines crawl hundreds of ranking factors, each with its own level of importance and purpose. Some factors are used to gauge relevance, while others are used to determine the trustworthiness of your content. Among the many factors that search engines may use, here are several worth noting: A user's browsing history A user’s Location Backlinks Domain age Content length Content freshness Content quality Content uniqueness Page load speed Mobile-friendliness Keyword usage Grammar and spelling While it’s impossible to control all of these factors, there are some within your reach. This is where your handiwork comes in. Between fine-tuning the technical components of your site to optimizing the elements of each page, below are steps you can take to increase your chances of ranking. Bonus: advanced eCommerce SEO tips and resources There’s a lot more you can do to improve your SEO rankings. Here are a few pro tips for supercharging your eCommerce SEO. Write a blog: From a pure SEO standpoint, creating a blog  may be one of the best things you can do for your eCommerce site. Blogs are an effective way to add fresh, engaging content to your website. Blogs let you go above and beyond the limited content on your product pages, allowing you to explore and rank for topics that are important to your customers. Add product reviews : Aside from being a powerful tool for increasing conversions and trust, product reviews can help to beef up your product pages for SEO. By adding customer-written reviews  to your pages, you can increase the amount of text on your page and potentially feature more LSI keywords. If you’d rather be in full control over the content on your product pages, you can always collect reviews privately through post-sale emails and hand-pick the ones you want to showcase. Use tools and guides to maximize your eCommerce SEO strategy : Building and maintaining a good eCommerce SEO strategy isn’t a simple task, especially as SEO continues to evolve. Consult the Wix SEO Learning Hub  for the latest tips. Wix merchants can also take advantage of Wix SEO tools  to implement on-page SEO, improve site performance, and more. Improve user engagement on your eCommerce site : Utilizing eCommerce merchandising and eCommerce UX best practices can help keep users on your site longer, which can improve your site's performance on search engines. Ready to start your eCommerce journey? Start an online store  today. Ecommerce SEO FAQ What is eCommerce SEO? eCommerce SEO is the process of optimizing your online store for search engines. This means making sure that your website is easy to find and ranks high in search results for relevant keywords. Why is SEO important for eCommerce?   SEO, or search engine optimization, is the process of optimizing a website or web page so that it ranks higher in search engine results pages (SERPs). eCommerce SEO is important because it can help you to attract more visitors to your online store. When people search for products or services that you offer, your website will be more likely to appear in the search results. This means that you will have more opportunities to make sales. How do I improve my eCommerce SEO? There are a number of things that you can do to improve your eCommerce SEO. These include choosing the right keywords, creating high-quality content, building backlinks, and solving any technical issues that may arise. Which eCommerce platform is best for SEO? Wix offers a number of SEO tools that can help you improve your website's ranking in search engines. These tools include keyword research tools, title tag and meta description generators, and sitemap generators.

Start dropshipping now Over the past decade, eCommerce business owners and consumers alike have demonstrated a vast capacity for resilience and as the industry continues to grow, it’s important for store owners to consider the things they know about th e cu rrent eCommerce  lan d scape, while also preparing for the unexpected. To this end, we’ve compiled a list of 10 strategies and tips to focus on to help your eCommerce business grow. Get inspired by eCommerce website design ideas. How to grow your eCommerce business: 10 ways 1. Build a community   2. Think like a brand marketer   3. Explore new sales channels   4. Offer eCommerce Gift cards   5. Live stream shoppable events   6. Nudge zero-party data collection   7. Construct a customer advisory program   8. Build out a story-driven product detail page model   9. Invest in content   10. Test new markets 01. Build a community around your business Several years ago, Lush UK announced they were leaving Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Their aim was to redirect their community of customers to their online store , speaking directly with their customers using live chat on their website or via email and phone. On Twitter, they wrote : “Over the next week, our customer care team will be actively responding to your messages and comments, after this point you can speak to us via live chat on the website, on email at wecare@lush.co.uk and by telephone: 01202 930051.” Building a brand community fosters customer loyalty  and connection. This goes beyond brand awareness to fostering an actual relationship with your customers. It’s all about the interactions and conversations you have with your customers. Much of this occurs on social commerce platforms like Twitter, Facebook or Instagram. But, increasingly, brands like Lush UK are bringing their communities back to their own digital storefronts. Take personal care and beauty retailer Sephora which hosts a variety of community-oriented features including groups, conversations (Q&As with brands), a gallery of customer images and videos, and a hub for events.   Sephora’s community hub  is hosted on Sephora.com where customers can post and share content, but it also pulls from social platforms like Instagram to feature customer images and videos. When assessing the value of brand communities, Harvard Business Review notes that communities help in a variety of ways, for example, by resolving issues via the community and reducing the number of support requests. They can boost visibility in search results and create buzz around an event, product, or initiative. One underutilized method to create a community around your business is to add a forum to your site. Forums help you foster lively conversations, building customer advocacy in an inviting and active way. They’re also a great way to capture more detailed customer feedback as you’ll be able to see your most passionate customers talk about your products and services. Already a Wix use r? Wix Groups  a llows you to add robust forum features to your existing store through a one-click process. Your forum will be fully customizable, allowing you to mirror your site’s brand aesthetic and comes mobile-friendly out of the box. 02. Think like a brand marketer The proliferation of eCommerce vendors including traditional retailers like Walmart, digital behemoths like Amazon and emerging direct-to-consumer brands like Warby Parker and Allbirds, make it difficult for small retailers to stand out. When you are learning how to start a business , you figure out that differentiating your brand in this crowded environment involves lots of work from a branding perspective. But building brand recognition—and loyalty—is particularly important for eCommerce businesses. Nearly 80 percent  of consumers purchase items because of the brand name. Investors love a good brand too, with over 80 percent prioritizing brand recognition. This year, online store owners will need to think like brand marketers every step of the way. That means building a community (see above), embracing social media, focusing on creating and delivering high-quality content, and leveraging opportunities like options to sell subscriptions  (as well as AI in eCommerce ) , using a service like the one offered by Wix, eCommerce gift cards and different fulfillment options to foster loyalty and improve customer experience. 3. Explore new sales channels Brands can no longer rely on paid Facebook or Google Ads to create demand. A diversified marketing approach is the only sustainable approach to building an eCommerce business, particularly when you consider how many channels consumers use across their entire buying journey. A great example of this is Amazon, with recent data demonstrating that over 70 percent  of U.S. consumers begin their product searches on the retail giant’s website. Thus, your eCommerce strategy should include an understanding of how to sell on Amazon  (and a plan to start selling on the platform). You should also explore/experiment with new channels beyond Amazon including: Ebay : There are 187 million global users on eBay and the site boasts 101,000 shopping hours a month. Google Shopping: Google offers several different ways for eCommerce businesses to showcase their products including search and Shopping ads. Bing Shopping: Yes, Bing is still an option, with 60 million U.S. users and a high-value audience (but less competition from other advertisers), this is another one to add to the mix. 04. Offer eCommerce gift cards Digital gift cards can help boost brand awareness, drive sales, and inspire customer loyalty. Use of digital cards has skyrocketed over the past year and a half as a result of several pandemic trends. These include the rise in demand for advanced payment solutions and the widespread use of mobile shopping (specifically, smartphone usage). Growth in this sector is staggering. The global digital gift cards industry generate d $258.34 billion  in 2020. This is projected to increase to $1,101.03 billion by 2030. There are many ways eCommerce gift cards can benefit your online store. They can attract last-minute shoppers to your website during the holidays, improve your search engine rankings with dedicated “gift card” landing pages, and attract new customers. Gift cards also help boost revenue above and beyond the cost of the card, since research has shown that recipients tend to overspend the card amount by an average of about $60 . They’re also a great way to reward loyal customers for repeat business. Read more: Best eCommerce platforms Squarespace alternatives Wix vs Squarespace 05. Live stream shoppable events Live stream shopping is an emerging digital trend that both online store owners and customers are embracing. A live stream shopping event occurs when a person or business uses streaming video to sell products or services in real time to a live audience. The delivery method varies but can include social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, eCommerce website examples and dedicated video platforms like YouTube. Live stream shopping events can be one-to-many events where a host broadcasts to an audience (e.g., QVC style) or one-to-one clienteling events where a salesperson speaks directly to a customer while the customer shops. Live stream shopping is extremely popular among Gen Z and Millennial consumers, with roughly 60 percent  of both groups saying they’re comfortable purchasing from a brand’s live stream event. As live stream shopping grows in popularity, the functionality offered by platforms and providers continues to improve. For example, TikTok recently rolled out a shoppable feature that enables users to add pop-ups to live shopping events. Viewers can tap on the product popup to add the item to their shopping cart with mobile checkout beginning within TikTok. This kind of functionality within live stream video is happening across the entire social media ecosystem and promises to be an exciting new tactic for eCommerce businesses in the new year. 06. Nudge zero-party data collection Zero-party data is the information that a customer shares directly with a business. It differs from first-party data in that it doesn’t include website analytics, CRM, social media profiles, and other customer data shared indirectly. Zero-party data is becoming increasingly important because privacy regulations like Europe’s GDPR and California’s CCPA limit the collection and sharing of consumer data by third parties without their consent. Zero-party data facilitates eCommerce personalization—enabling you to customize content like product recommendations, offers, and deals to your customers as they shop online. Focusing on this strategy is cost-effective since you likely already have a database of customer information, plus consumers are willing to provide their data to companies when there’s a clear benefit. The best way to collect zero-party data is by asking customers to register on your website  or app. Think about how you can get more than just contact information during this process. For example, you can ask about sizing and color preferences or other details relevant to what you sell (e.g., preferred operating system, topics of interest, etc.) You can also get zero-party data by creating email campaigns, offered by services by Wix CRM , and adding surveys or polls  to your website. Learn more: eCommerce KPIs  you should be following 07. Construct a customer advisory program Most businesses want to know what drives, excites, and motivates their customers, but getting this information from simple polls or customer feedback forms can be challenging. Creating a customer advisory program can help you better understand your business. Advisory programs are great for building community and they don’t have to be a big expense. You can offer your customers gift cards or free merchandise as an incentive to participate. An effective customer advisory program uses different methods of outreach (e.g., focus groups, surveys, beta tests, etc.) to obtain high-value feedback from your customers about your business, products, and user experience. eCommerce merchants can test different messaging and gain a much better understanding about which products customers prefer. Advisory feedback can also help you create more intuitive and conversion-oriented user experiences, gain insight into preferred online payment solutions , and unearth nuances like whether customers want options to buy products internationally. 08. Build out a story-driven product detail page model Creating effective, conversion-oriented, and impactful product detail pages is a balancing act. It requires that multiple elements work together to inspire customers to make a purchase. Most customers abandon product pages due to lack of information, clear images, a poorly visualized call-to-action, and lack of trust elements (e.g., accreditation badges, return policy link, etc.). Merchants can optimize the buying experience by making every product page tell a story through the use of detailed product descriptions, great visuals (including video elements) and compelling social proof in the form of badges and customer reviews/ratings. You should also clearly indicate product availability and communicate urgency (e.g., low stock, shipping cutoffs around the holidays, etc.). A product page that tells a story contains crisp, informative product descriptions accompanied by important information (e.g., the model’s measurements and size they’re wearing). It should speak directly to your target audience, and clearly communicate the product’s features and benefits while communicating emotion (e.g., cozy, comfortable, festive, etc.). 09. Invest in content The right content can help eCommerce merchants educate, inform and engage with customers. The content on your product detail pages, category, and home pages is really the bare minimum of what you should have on your online store. To sell online, you need to connect your content strategy with your commerce strategy, aligning messaging across all customer touchpoints. When building an eCommerce marketing strategy , plan your content around the customer’s needs. Make sure people can find information about your products on social media and can access information via mobile devices. Your content strategy should consider every channel where your content will appear. Content should be accessible and documented so that it can be easily retrieved and repurposed. A great way to begin planning content for the coming year is to do an audit of your existing content including what’s outdated and what’s missing as well as a wish list (e.g., live stream video events, long-form blog posts, updated product images, etc.) This will help you understand the timing and resources needed to consistently create and deliver content throughout the year. Learn more:   eCommerce business names   10. Test new online markets The internet is nothing if not a vast global marketplace, blurring the definition of what it means to buy and sell locally. Globally, buying power is growing. In 2020, 1.4 billion people were part of the global middle class, with 85 percent located in Asia Pacific countries . Suffice it to say, there’s never been a better time to test new eCommerce markets. International eCommerce presents a huge opportunity for digital store owners who want to expand to new markets. Our own data has found that Wix online store owners who sell across borders average nearly 700 percent more in sales than those who don’t. Learn more: International ecommerce When testing new markets, it’s important to thoroughly research the rules and regulations of each region, localize your store (e.g., by adding native languages , ensuring content is culturally sensitive, and hiring a native speaker to review all website elements). Selling to new markets can help differentiate you from your competitors. It’s a great way to grow your eCommerce business. Learn more: Shopify alternatives Wix vs Shopify WordPress alternatives Best business ideas to start with little money   Every Wix online store  is built to deliver industry-recognized speed, performance, and reliability.

When you're learning how to build a website for your small business, it's crucial to grasp the core web design principles that make a site successful. Understanding these can help you understand how to design a website that truly reflects your business goals and branding. Your web design should be well-planned, prioritize function over form and encourage engagement and conversions. In order to help you achieve this we've put together some top web design tips for a small business website . Get inspired by eCommerce website design ideas. 10 web design tips for a small business Set clear website purpose and goals Prioritize simplicity via navigation and layout Use consistent branding and design elements Don't neglect the user experience Make sure of accessibility for all users Plan high-quality and relevant content Use professionally designed templates Hire a web designer, if necessary Optimize for search engines (SEO) Test, test and test your website 01. Set a clear website purpose and goals Before you start designing, know what you want your website to achieve. Are you looking to sell products, provide information or collect leads? Setting clear goals will guide your design choices Your website should communicate its purpose clearly from the moment a visitor lands on it. A clean design with a clear message helps users understand what you offer and what action they should take. For example, if you provide landscaping services , your landscaping website should highlight this with high-quality images of your work and clear calls to action that include "Request a Quote" or "View Our Services." Clearly state what sets your services apart, as Cross States Landscape does. Whether it's your experience, pricing, or customer service make sure it's front and center. Your website should facilitate easy communication between you and your customers. This could be through contact forms, live chat support or frequently updated FAQs. If you're selling products or services from your ecommerce website, the commerce aspect of your site must be secure, straightforward and user-friendly. Features like one-click purchasing and easy-to-find shopping carts contribute to a smooth shopping experience. Learn more: eCommerce website examples 02. Prioritize simplicity via navigation and layout A simple, intuitive website navigation is key to keeping visitors on your site. Users should be able to find what they're looking for without any confusion. This means having, amongst other design elements, a well-organized menu, a search bar for larger sites and a website layout that guides the user naturally through your content. Consider carefully your website architecture and hierarchy. This should be planned around how you expect users to move naturally around your site to find what they're searching for. This also means setting a hierarchy for your website pages too. "Clear website navigation makes it easier for visitors to explore without frustration," says Oren Inditzky, Wix's VP and GM of Online Stores, who examined the science of first impressions in web design . "Use familiar labels and organize content logically so that users can find what they need in just a few clicks." A sitemap can help visualize how different pages are connected and create a user-friendly experience. Avoid cluttering your pages with too much information or too many images—clean layout helps users focus on what's important. 03. Use consistent branding and design elements Consistent branding across all pages reinforces your business identity and builds trust with your site users. Your website's color scheme, typography and overall web design should reflect your brand's personality consistently. This includes using your logo effectively and ensuring that all design elements align with the image and message you want to project. Part of this might also include building a community around your brand can increase customer loyalty and engagement. Features like customer reviews, forums, or social media integration allow customers to interact with each other and with your business directly on the website. A well-designed website should always connect with other marketing efforts such as social media campaigns or email marketing. Integrating these platforms helps create a cohesive online presence for your brand. Some top tips for branding consistency in your web design include: Ensure your logo is prominently displayed, typically in the top left corner of every page, as this is where eyes tend to look first. Use colors that reflect your brand palette —consistent use of colors helps reinforce brand recognition. Choose fonts that align with your brand's character—whether it's professional, friendly or modern—and keep font choices consistent across the site. Use images that convey your brand's values and message. Whether it's product photos or lifestyle shots, they should be high quality and on-brand. The language and tone used in your content should reflect your brand personality, whether it's authoritative, conversational, or informative. 04. Don't neglect the user experience At the heart of user-centric web design is UX. Your site should be easy to use, navigate, and understand. Users should find value in what your website offers them, whether it's information, products or services. How to offer the best user experience on your site? Don't be afraid to listen to your users. You can collect feedback through surveys, user testing or analytics tools . Then, use this information to make informed design adjustments that enhance the usability and appeal of your site. This might include moving buttons, to make it easier for users to commit to an action on your site. Or it might mean changing the layout of a product page to make it clearer to see what you're selling and the price. Offering personalized experiences can also set your small business apart when it comes to your website UX. Customization could mean allowing users to set up their own profiles or providing tailored product recommendations based on browsing history. Tailoring the user experience to individual needs can significantly boost engagement. Personalization can range from customized product recommendations to remembering a returning visitor's name. A user-centric website is also a high-performing one. It loads quickly, functions properly on all devices and doesn't leave users waiting. 05. Make sure of accessibility for all users Your website should be accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities. This means designing for various devices, potentially designing a responsive website or making your site more mobile friendly. It's important to consider things like color contrast for readability and alt text for images. Designing for accessibility not only widens your audience but also demonstrates social responsibility as as mall business owner and brand. It's the right thing to do. "As soon as the user makes their website accessible, the door to the population of people with disabilities, which includes about a billion people, opens. There is tremendous business potential here, alongside the creation of a space that everyone is welcome to take part in and enjoy." - Nir Horesh, head of accessibility at Wix.com 06. Plan high-quality and relevant content The content on your site must be relevant to your audience's interests and needs. It should provide value, whether that's through informative blog posts, product descriptions or helpful how-to guides related to your industry. Keeping content fresh and updated is also important for engaging visitors and improving your SEO. Focus on writing and including copy and visuals that engage your audience. Remember the importance of relevance and clarity in communicating with your visitors. Visuals can make or break your website's appeal so use high-resolution images that reflect your products or services in the best light. At the same time use your content to guide users towards taking action with clear CTAs like 'Buy Now,' 'Learn More' or 'Contact Us.' You might also want to consider starting a blog or checking out these 7 things you can do in 30 seconds using Wix’s AI image tools . 07. Use professionally designed website templates Using website templates to design and build your site can be a time efficient way to design website, especially if you're not a web design and have no web design experience. Use a website builder, like Wix and you can choose from hundreds of pre-designed templates for your site. Choose from: eCommerce website templates Service business templates Blog templates 08. Hire a web designer, if necessary Hiring a web designer might be an option to consider, depending on the complexity of your site and web design plans. A web designer can help with creating custom designs and optimizing for accessibility. They might also be necessary if you're hoping to combine custom web design with advanced site functionality. However hiring a web designer is not necessarily essential when it comes to making a website. Most website builders make it easy to create a stunning, functional website with little to no design knowledge. 09. Optimize for search engines (SEO) A well-designed website should always be optimized for search engines. Think clear structure, relevant content and fast loading times – these factors may influence SEO ranking. Great content is at the heart of SEO and a key element of your web design. SEO-optimized longer. Keep your content fresh and monitor your website's performance, including rankings and traffic sources, to stay ahead of the game. According to Mordy Oberstein, Head of SEO Branding at Wix.com Leveraging SEO and integrating it into the website creation process is vital. Various studies have shown that organic search is the single greatest provider of traffic to websites - with that being even more pronounced within the B2B context. To that, traffic from organic search, when done correctly is essentially built to last (with proper maintenance over time, of course) and forms a crucial part of a site’s long-term growth. You don't have to be an SEO expert to make sure that your web design is SEO friendly. Plus the SEO assistants that come with some website builders, can help you make sure your site has its basic SEO optimizations in place. 10. Test, test and test your website Website testing, both of how it looks and works is something that should happen throughout every part of the web design process for your small business. You need to know how your target audience will react to your branding, the UX of your site and its functionality. You can do this through focus groups, using external auditing tools or by inviting groups of potential users to test for you either for a paid amount or in return for a product or service trial. Sometimes even the best planned websites, fail in testing or issues arise that can be caught once a site is fully up and running. Be inspired by our round-up of web design quotes . Web design tips for small businesses FAQ How often should I update my website? Regular updates keep your website fresh and can improve SEO. Aim for minor updates every few websites and a more significant review quarterly. Can I use free images on my website? Yes but make sure they're royalty-free or have a Creative Commons license. Images within the Wi editor are, for example. Should my small business website have a blog? A blog can boost SEO and establish your expertise. If you have the resources to maintain it with quality content, it's a valuable addition to your site. How can I make sure my site loads faster? Optimize image sizes (for example Wix compresses all user images to Webp for better performance), minimize code (also a given with Wix), use caching (Wix does automatically for all its user sites) and consider a content delivery network (Wix uses many globally located CDNs) to improve loading times.

The perfect domain is just a click away:  claim your domain→ Starting a Limited Liability Company (LLC)  in the state of Washington can be a daunting but rewarding experience for any small business owner. With this in mind our article will guide you through the process of forming an LLC, from choosing a business name  to understanding the costs involved. Whether you're a seasoned business owner or new to this world, understanding how to navigate the formation of an LLC  is a good place to start a business . Secure your perfect domain in just a few clicks with Wix. Get everything you need in one place: business email, reliable hosting, SSL protection and full privacy. With 24/7 support and no hidden fees, getting your site live is simple and worry-free. How to start an LLC in Washington in 7 steps Pick your business name Choose your registered agent Obtain relevant state business permits File a Certificate of Formation Draft your LLC operating agreement Apply for an EIN and pay relevant taxes Organize your annual reports 01. Pick your business name When starting a business in Washington , the first step is to choose a name for your LLC. This is both a creative and legal step. Your business name should be unique and should not be the same as or too similar to other names on record with the Washington Secretary of State . Ending your chosen name with "LLC," "L.L.C.," or "Limited Liability Company" is necessary to fulfill state requirements. Follow these steps to make sure your business name is distinctive and complies with all necessary regulations: Check for availability : Use the Washington State Secretary of State's online database to search for business names already in use.  Follow naming guidelines:  Avoid restricted words that could confuse your LLC with a government agency (e.g., FBI, Treasury). Build a website and choose a domain name : Look up domain availability  if you plan to also focus on understanding how to create a website , which can be easily done through platforms like Wix. Tip:  If you're having trouble coming up with a unique name for your business, consider using a business name generator for more inspiration. 02. Choose your registered agent Every LLC in Washington State must have a registered agent. This is an individual or company that agrees to accept legal papers on behalf of your LLC. Your registered agent must be available during regular business hours and have a physical address in Washington State. To choose the right registered agent, consider the following factors: Reliability:  They must be trustworthy and able to handle confidential information related. to your business. Availability:  They should be consistently available at the listed address during business hours. Compliance : They should meet all legal requirements set by the state of Washington State. Need help setting up your LLC? Wix has partnered with LegalZoom ,  the No. 1 choice for online business formation to help you start, run and grow your business. 03. Obtain state business permits Depending on the nature of your business, you may need specific permits or licenses to operate legally in Washington State. These could range from general business licenses to industry-specific permits. Starting an LLC in Washington State, unlike in most other states, is a two-agency process. Washington requires you to register your LLC with both the Secretary of State (to exist) and then the Department of Revenue For example, if you plan to start a plumbing business in the state you need to be a Licensed Plumbing contractor under the relevant law, SB 6170. Changes made in 2021 meant that. a general contractor license is not enough to work as a plumber in the state. Here's what you must do to register: Make sure that your business is first registered with the  Department of Revenue . Get a Continuous Plumbing Contractor Surety Bond or an Assignment of Savings . Purchase a general liability insurance policy to protect yourself Fill in the Application for Plumbing Contractor application. Pay the required application fee of $139.10 . Complete the Designated Plumber Assignment . Finally pay the required application fee of $50. To obtain the necessary permits in order to register your business , follow these steps: Identify specific requirements: Check with local and state agencies to determine what permits you need. Complete all applications:  Fill out all required paperwork accurately and submit it to the appropriate authorities. Pay any fees : Be prepared to pay any associated fees for obtaining your permits. Learn more: How to get a business license 04. File a Certificate of Formation The Certificate of Formation is a critical document that officially creates your LLC in Washington State. You'll file this with the Washington State Secretary of State , either online or by mail, along with the required filing fee.  Filing requires the following key actions: Gather your business information : You'll need your LLC's name, registered agent information and details about the structure of your business and its management. Fill out the form : This is the specific form used for filing an LLC's Certificate of Formation in Washington State. Submit your application and pay relevant fees : Complete the process by paying the necessary fee. This is $200 to file an LLC online or $180 by mail.  Once your LLC registration is approved : You'll get a Unified Business Identifier (UBI). This 9-digit number is your permanent ID across all Washington agencies Washington state requires an Initial Report (listing your members and address): This is due within 120 days of formation. If you file this at the exact same moment you file your Certificate of Formation (the system will ask you), it's free.  If you skip it and file it later, it costs $10. 05. Draft your LLC operating agreement Although not legally required in Washington State, creating an operating agreement is highly recommended for any LLC. This internal document outlines ownership structures, member roles and operational procedures for this type of business .  Here’s why an operating agreement is important: It clarifies business rules and guidelines : It sets clear expectations for members regarding operations and conflict resolution. This is necessary for the long term success of your business. Protects LLC status : Helps maintain limited liability status by proving that your LLC is a separate business entity . Prevents misunderstandings : Reduces potential disputes among members by detailing policies and procedures for how the business should be run. 06. Apply for an EIN and pay relevant taxes An Employer Identification Number (EIN)  is like a social security number for your LLC. It’s necessary for hiring employees, opening bank accounts and filing taxes. Securing an EIN  involves: Applying online or via mail:  The IRS provides free EIN registration through their website or via mail submission. Understanding your business tax obligations : Research state-specific taxes that apply to your LLC, such as franchise tax or sales tax. In Washington State for an LLC owner this means a 15.3% self-employed tax (12.4% social security, 2.9% Medicare). For more information, visit the Washington State Department of Revenue website .  07. Organize your annual reports If you start and run an LLC in Texas you'll need to submit annual reports to the Washington Secretary of State. These reports keep your business information up-to-date and are required even if there are no changes from the previous year. Failure to file can result in penalties or even dissolution of your LLC. To ensure you’re compliant with this make sure to:  Know due dates : Mark your calendar for when the annual report is due, this is always the last day of the month in which the business was first formed. Fill out the online form : This is the specific form used for filing an LLC's Annual Report in Washington State. Submit and pay fees : Complete the submission process by paying the $70 filing fee. How much does it cost to start an LLC in Washington State When you're planning to start an LLC in Washington State, it's important to budget for the various costs involved. These expenses can vary depending on the complexity of your business and any additional services you may need.  The main costs for starting an LLC in Washington State Filing Fee for Certificate of Formation : The state of Washington requires a fee when you file your Certificate of Formation. This is one of the primary costs you'll incur. For an LLC it costs $180 . Registered agent fee : If you choose to use a professional registered agent service, they will charge an annual fee for their services. Business license application fee : To operate your LLC, you'll need to apply for a Washington State business license, which comes with its own fee. Specialized permits and licenses : Depending on your industry, additional permits may be necessary, each with varying costs and application processes. Annual report filing fee : Each year, your LLC will need to file an annual report with the state, which includes a filing fee. Employer Identification Number (EIN) : While obtaining an EIN from the IRS is free, if you require assistance or choose to use a third-party service, there may be additional costs. Additional costs may include: Legal or financial consulting fees : If you seek professional advice during the formation process, these services will add to your startup costs. Domain registration and website creatio n: Establishing an online presence via a website is crucial in today's market. Costs here include domain registration  and potentially hiring a web designer or using a website builder like Wix. Business insurance : Depending on your industry, you might need various types of insurance to protect your LLC. Learn more: Cost to start an LLC Who can start an LLC in Washington State In Washington State, starting an LLC is open to various individuals and groups, but there are specific eligibility criteria that need to be met. It's important to understand who can form an LLC in the state before you begin the process. Residency You don't have to be a Washington State resident or a U.S. citizen to form an LLC in the state. However, your LLC must have a registered agent with a physical address within Washington State. Legal status Both individuals and entities can form an LLC. This includes sole proprietors or business owners looking to change their business structure and existing businesses by creating a new LLC. Industry restrictions Most types of businesses can form an LLC in Washington State but certain professions with specific regulatory requirements might need to form professional limited liability companies (PLLCs). Examples include dentists, chiropractors, osteopaths and architects. Benefits of starting an LLC in Washington State Forming an LLC in Washington State offers a range of appealing advantages for business owners including legal and tax advantages. Limited liability protection As the name suggests, an LLC provides its owners with limited liability. This means your personal assets are typically protected if your business faces lawsuits or debts. This allows you to take the risk of becoming a business owner without worrying about sacrificing your own home, for example. In short, LLCs have flexible tax options and protect owners from personal liability. Shylene D’Addario, VP and associate general counsel at LegalZoom Pass-through taxation LLCs often benefit from pass-through taxation where the business income passes through to the owners' personal tax returns, avoiding the double taxation that corporations can face. Flexibility in management Unlike corporations, LLCs have a flexible management structure. You're not required to have a board of directors or hold annual meetings. Ease of formation and maintenance Compared to other business entities, forming and maintaining an LLC is relatively straightforward with fewer formalities and paperwork. Credibility with customers and partners Having 'LLC' after your business name can add professional credibility, which may help when dealing with customers and partners and with building a trusted brand, Potential disadvantages of starting an LLC in Washington State While there are many benefits to forming an LLC in Washington State, it's important to consider the potential disadvantages as well. By being aware of these, you can make a well-informed decision about whether an LLC is the right structure for your business. Limited growth potential An LLC may not be suitable for businesses that plan to go public or seek investments from venture capitalists as it doesn't allow for the issuance of shares. Self-employment taxes Members of an LLC may be subject to self-employment taxes on their share of the profits since they're considered self-employed. Annual fees and reports Washington State requires LLCs to file annual reports and pay a fee, which is an ongoing commitment that sole proprietorships do not have. Transferability of ownership Transferring ownership interests to an LLC can be more complex than with a corporation. It often requires approval from other members. Why start an LLC over another business entity in Washington State? Choosing the right business structure is a critical decision when it comes to starting a business. In Washington State, forming an LLC is often chosen because of its unique advantages. Let's compare it with other business structures to understand why an LLC might be the best choice for your situation. Here's how an LLC compares to other business structures: Sole proprietorship : Unlike a sole proprietorship, an LLC provides personal asset protection, separating your personal liabilities from those of your business. Partnership : An LLC offers more protection for each member compared to a partnership, where each partner can be personally liable for the debts of the business. Corporation : While corporations also provide limited liability protection, they’re also subject to double taxation (taxes on both corporate profits and shareholder dividends). An LLC avoids this with pass-through taxation. LLCs also offer these unique advantages: Operational flexibility:  Corporations are required to have a formal structure with directors and officers, while an LLC can be managed by its members or managers. Fewer record-keeping requirements : An LLC has less stringent requirements for record-keeping and reporting compared to a corporation. Profit distribution flexibility : Profits in an LLC can be distributed in any manner agreed upon by the members, unlike corporations that distribute profits according to the number and type of shares held. You've formed your LLC in Washington State, now what? After successfully forming your LLC in Washington State, the journey to building and growing your business is just beginning. There are several important steps you should take to ensure that your LLC operates smoothly and is compliant with state laws. Open a business bank account Keep your personal and business finances separate by opening a bank account specifically for your LLC. This will simplify accounting and tax filing. Obtain business insurance Protect your LLC with the appropriate insurance policies. Consider general liability insurance, professional liability insurance or product liability insurance depending on your business needs. For example, if you’re looking to start a contractor business  in the state you’ll need to consider general liability insurance, professional liability insurance, workers’ compensation insurance, tools and equipment insurance and potentially commercial property insurance too.  Comply with employment laws If you plan to hire employees, ensure you comply with all employment laws including wage requirements, labor standards, and workplace safety regulations. Additionally, focus on these areas to manage and grow your LLC: Understand ongoing compliance requirements:  Familiarize yourself with any annual filings or fees required by the state of Texas to keep your LLC in good standing. Develop a strong brand identity : Create a logo with a logo maker , establish a brand voice and build a professional website to present a cohesive image to customers.  we Implement a good accounting system:  Good financial management is essential for any business. Set up an accounting system that allows you to track expenses, profits, and financial growth accurately. Looking to start an LLC in another state? How to start an LLC in Texas How to start an LLC in California How to start an LLC in Maryland How to start an LLC in Florida How to start an LLC in South Carolina How to start an LLC in North Carolina How to start an LLC in Michigan How to start an LLC in Massachusetts How to start an LLC in Virginia How to start an LLC in Pennsylvania How to start an LLC in Indiana How to start an LLC in Tennessee How to start an LLC in Colorado How to start an LLC in Arizona How to start an LLC in Louisiana How to start an LLC in Mississippi How to start an LLC in Wisconsin How to start an LLC in Ohio How to start an LLC in Georgia How to start an LLC in Illinois How to start an LLC in New York How to start an LLC in New Jersey How to start an LLC in Missouri How to start an LLC in Alabama How to start an LLC in Washington State FAQ What's the processing time for forming an LLC in Washington State? The processing time can vary depending on the filing method. Online filings are typically processed within two to three business days, while mailed applications may take several weeks. Do I need to publish a notice of my LLC formation in Washington State? No, Washington State does not require you to publish a notice of your LLC formation in a newspaper, unlike some other states. Is it mandatory to have an Operating Agreement for an LLC in the state? While it's not legally required, having an Operating Agreement is highly recommended as it outlines the ownership and operating procedures of your LLC. Can I form an LLC in Washington as a single member? While it's not legally required, having an Operating Agreement is highly recommended as it outlines the ownership and operating procedures of your LLC.

Turn your ideas into a website you love with Wix →   Wix vs Squarespace is one of the most common comparisons for anyone researching a website builder  and learning how to make a website . What once required technical skills can now be done with a website builder, giving creators, entrepreneurs and small businesses the tools to design, customize and publish a professional site in hours, not weeks. Both Wix and Squarespace are leading platforms for building websites, whether you’re launching an online store , promoting a service or showcasing creative work. But while they may seem similar at first glance, they take very different approaches to design, flexibility and ease of use. In this guide, we break down Wix vs Squarespace across key features to help you choose the right website builder for your goals. Building a website for your business, passion project or side hustle should be easy and exciting. With Wix, you can design, customize and launch a professional website in minutes. Everything about Wix is built to simplify the process so you can focus on what really matters: bringing your ideas to life. Ready to make it happen? Start creating the website you’ve always envisioned today. Intro to Wix and Squarespace Both Wix and Squarespace emerged onto the scene in the 2000s, establishing themselves as pioneering website builders distinguished by their unique brand identities and offerings.  Wix Now trusted by over 6.3 million subscribers  (or a total of 263 million registered users when you include free users on Wix) across 190 countries, Wix is primarily known for its user-friendly platform and versatile business solutions. “We’re constantly developing and releasing new features to simplify the website building process so our users can focus on running their businesses,” writes Wix’s Co-founder and CEO Avishai Abrahami  about Wix’s culture of innovation. You can also read Wix reviews  direct from users who've built a website or started a business. Create a website  with Wix today. Squarespace Squarespace, on the other hand, is often praised for its elegant design templates and features that are tailored to creative professionals and artists. True to its mission  (“We believe design is the ultimate competitive advantage. We build products that help entrepreneurs stand out and succeed.”), the company puts design front and center. By the end of Q1 2024, Squarespace had surpassed 4.9 million unique subscribers . Wix vs. Squarespace: key features Drag-and-drop capabilities Web design (and AI) Templates Security and reliability Blog Ecommerce Marketing  SEO Customer support Pricing Drag-and-drop capabilities When it comes to drag-and-drop, Wix arguably sets the gold standard. It has been prioritizing its DIY web builder from the get-go, launching with an intuitive drag-and-drop site solution back in 2006, when code-only platforms were the norm. Today, Wix offers two website editors: the original editor, built for SMBs and independent creators looking for a unified business solution—and Wix Studio, designed specifically for agencies and enterprises looking to create exceptional design experiences for their clients.  Wix Studio represents the height of Wix's offerings. With intricate design features and detailed CSS control, Wix Studio gives you the freedom to create captivating and highly distinctive websites. Squarespace, on the other hand, broke into the market in 2004 with a block-editing engine catered towards individuals with little-to-no design experience. The Classic Editor, (which is still accessible today)  allowed users to drag elements across a gridded canvas; upon Squarespace’s Fluid Engine release in 2022, more flexible drag-and-drop capabilities were added to the platform.  Fluid Engine still allows you to move elements on the page within a controlled grid area, but lets you work within a bigger canvas and has fewer constraints than the Classic Editor.  Bottom line:  While Wix and Squarespace both excel with their intuitive website builders, Wix offers more customization by putting fewer limitations on how page elements can be placed or structured. For those seeking more design flexibility and responsiveness, Wix Studio emerges as the ideal solution. Explore Wix Studio to elevate your web design, or read more about Wix vs. Studio . Web design (and AI) Wix has been a trailblazer in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI) for website building since 2016 when it introduced its artificial design intelligence (ADI)—a powerful tool that could suggest a website layout based on a few simple questions. Today, the influence of AI runs deep within Wix; from site creation to business management, AI features are seamlessly integrated throughout the platform. With its newly minted AI website builder , you can quite literally chat back and forth with AI to design an entire website from scratch. Once your site has been created, you can continue chatting with AI to tweak the theme, layout and other design elements. Further tweaks can then be made in the Editor itself, where you can use built-in AI tools to generate images, content and video trailers (among other things).  Squarespace has its own AI website design system dubbed Blueprint AI, which helps you decide on the proper website structure, colors and other elements of your site. The elements are then pieced together—a bit like a puzzle—to form your website. Instead of the conversational approach that Wix takes, Squarespace’s Blueprint AI tool walks you through a series of pre-set questions and steps. When it comes to AI features, Squarespace's products revolve around text generation (think: video descriptions, product descriptions and website copy). Bottom line: Wix has built-in AI tools for text and image generation, marketing, analytics and much more, enabling you to create a functional website in minutes and run your businesses more efficiently. Squarespace's AI website generator is more like putting a puzzle together as opposed to top-to-bottom website creation, and its AI tools are primarily focused on text generation. Templates Both Wix and Squarespace offer impressive template libraries to kickstart your website design journey. Wix has website templates that cover a wide range of industries and styles. Once you’ve chosen a template, you can customize it however you see fit in the Editor. Squarespace offers fewer templates with 180+ in their bank compared to Wix’s 2,000+, but curates its templates to ensure a high level of quality. Bottom line: While Wix offers far more templates than Squarespace, the ones that Squarespace offers are carefully curated.  Security and reliability Security and site reliability are paramount when it comes to web hosting. Hackers and error messages should be the least of your concerns when you’re managing a business online.  Wix prioritizes these aspects, offering advanced protection measures and boasting an impressive uptime rate of 99.99%. Squarespace also places a strong emphasis on security, with a 99.9% uptime rate, built-in SSL encryption and reliable website infrastructure .  Learn more about website security on Wix. Bottom line:  Both Wix and Squarespace ensure a high degree of security, so you can put your focus where it’s needed—your business.   Blog Both Wix and Squarespace have sound blogging capabilities, so you can create and manage engaging content in the same place as your website.  Wix includes blog templates  to help you design a stylish blog. Beyond this, enjoy various tools to manage and drive traffic to your blog, including AI-powered tools for SEO, email marketing, analytics and more. These AI tools can even help you brainstorm topic ideas, outline pieces and write blogs from top to bottom, which you can then supplement with images designed by AI. The community and monetization capabilities in Wix give it another edge. Readers can sign up as members, create profiles, like and comment on posts and follow each other's activity. You can also play with the contributor permissions, so multiple authors can manage your articles without compromising security. Regarding monetization, you can manage content subscriptions, members area, online courses and/or eCommerce offerings within Wix.  Squarespace provides flexible layout options and design customization tools for building a blog. Its monetization capabilities include content subscriptions, membership areas and online courses. Like Wix, Squarespace offers essential features like AI writing assistance, content scheduling, contributor permissions, SEO optimization, social integrations, email marketing and analytics.  The main limitation with Squarespace’s blogging capabilities is that it doesn’t have an autosave or revision history feature, so if your computer crashes mid-sentence, the rest is history. Bottom line:  If you’re a blogger, both Wix and Squarespace offer fantastic blogging capabilities, but Wix’s added features ( like its autosave function and advanced AI blogging features ) mean it comes out a smidge on top.   Learn how to make a blog with Wix. Ecommerce Wix offers a robust backend system for managing your online store. It connects your eCommerce website design to any in-person sales through Wix's POS solutions, creating a cohesive experience for your business. Wix further allows you to sell a whopping 50,000 physical and digital products, with advanced features like abandoned cart recovery, free shipping configuration, local delivery options and inventory management. Wix also supports a number of multichannel selling options, so you can easily list your products across major sales channels like Amazon, eBay and Facebook. You can even take advantage of built-in dropshipping features to expand your product catalog without holding any physical inventory. While Squarespace is no slouch for eCommerce , providing unlimited storage and product uploads across most plans, it has fewer sales features and multichannel integrations than Wix. For instance, tools like appointment scheduling require paid add-ons, and Wix lets its users take orders and accept offline payments upon delivery, a feature not yet offered by Squarespace. When it comes to making online payments, Wix supports more payment processors and methods. Wix Payments lets you accept payments from major credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, BNPL, iDeal and Pay Now by Klarna. Alternatively, you can choose from 100+ other third-party payment processors worldwide. By contrast, Squarespace Payments supports major credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Afterpay/Clearpay and Klarna. Or, you can connect your account to several third-party processors: Stripe, PayPal or Square. Explore these eCommerce website examples for inspiration. Bottom line:  Both platforms allow you to create a professional online storefront. However, if scalability and omnichannel selling are top priorities, Wix provides a more expansive eCommerce solution . Its built-in features, third-party integrations and payment options make it better equipped to support ambitious eCommerce businesses. Create an online store with Wix today. Marketing  Wix and Squarespace both offer a suite of marketing and SEO tools to optimize your website for search engines and attract more visitors. However, their strengths in these areas differ. When it comes to email marketing tools , both platforms offer built-in features and third-party integrations like Mailchimp. Easily grow subscriber lists, send newsletters and set up automated emails.  Wix offers an additional advantage with its AI email generator. While Squarespace offers an AI tool to help craft email content, it doesn't match the full capabilities of Wix's email generator. Wix takes it a step further crafting full-fledged emails based on your business type and campaign objectives. Its email generator not only creates the written copy, but also produces a complete email layout specifically designed for your campaign objectives. The tool incorporates relevant images to complement the email content, allowing you to quickly produce polished and engaging campaigns. For social media marketing, Squarespace allows you to connect your social accounts to your site and publish posts directly from your site, plus offers social selling for Facebook and Instagram. However, Wix takes it one step further by offering unified publishing and scheduling across Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) and more. It also offers native integrations to embed feeds, run ads from your dashboard, create campaigns with AI and sell on more channels like YouTube Shopping. Bottom line: Wix’s marketing tools outnumber that of Squarespace’s, but both have helpful integrations and self-service features. The “best” solution will depend on the types of channels you plan to engage on, and the types of automation you desire. SEO When it comes to SEO, Wix takes the crown. While both website builders include standard free SEO features like mobile optimization, 301 redirects and an SEO checklist, Wix takes it a step further. It directly integrates with Semrush so you can research and analyze keywords for optimized content within your Wix dashboard. Its new AI meta tag creator leverages AI to automatically generate optimized title tags and meta descriptions. Meanwhile, its AI Visibility Overview  tool lets you see how your site is performing across major AI platforms, so you can account for all modern traffic sources. Diving deeper into some of the SEO-specific features:  Meta titles and descriptions:  With both Wix and Squarespace you can customize the meta to specific pages, while Wix also allows you to use AI to create optimized content for you. URL structures:  Both let you get creative with custom URLs for pages. Heading tags : With Wix, you can utilize heading tags from H1 to H6 on standard pages, and H1 and H2 on blog posts. Squarespace, on the other hand, limits heading tag usage to H1 through H4 across all pages. Image alt text:  Both Wix and Squarespace let you set alternative text for images, a crucial accessibility and SEO feature. AI visibility: Wix offers AI Visibility Overview, a tool that tracks how your website is mentioned across AI platforms like ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity and Claude. Squarespace doesn't currently have this capability. SSL encryption:  Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption, which is essential for protecting user data and improving SEO rankings, is available on all plans for both platforms. Sitemaps:  Both website builders automatically update your sitemap whenever you make changes to your site and allow you to download it if you want. Google Search Console integration:  Both Wix and Squarespace enable you to connect your website to Google Search Console for monitoring and managing search performance. Bottom line:  When it comes to having native SEO functionality, Wix provides a more advanced toolset compared to Squarespace's solid but slightly more basic capabilities. Customer support Responsive customer support is crucial when building and maintaining a website and while both Wix and Squarespace offer great support options there are a few key differences. Here’s how they stack up against each other. Wix customer support offers: Callback support (24/7 for English speakers) Live chat (EN live chat available Monday through Friday, 2 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET; also available in other languages) Ticket submission Help center (FAQ and forum) Knowledge base articles with video tutorials  Squarespace customer support offers: Email (24/7) Live chat (available Monday through Friday, 4:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET; other languages available, and hours may differ for Australia and New Zealand) X (24/7) Help center (FAQ, knowledge base articles, videos, webinars, forum)  Bottom line: Both platforms have thorough support systems in place, but Wix's 24/7 callback phone line and support for additional languages give it an edge. Pricing In terms of pricing, Wix and Squarespace offer tiered plans to cater to a range of budgets and needs. Wix's pricing plans are structured to provide flexibility and scalability. It has options for individuals, businesses, eCommerce and agencies. Squarespace offers a similar range of plans with additional features tailored to creative professionals and online merchants. Wix’s annual pricing plans: Free plan ($0): Limited features and ads. (Learn more: Is Wix truly free ? ) Light ($17/month):  Basic plan for simple sites. Core ($29/month): Basic eCommerce features and marketing suite. Business ($39/month): Geared towards growing your brand.  Business Elite ($159/month): Unlocks unlimited storage and scaling capabilities. Enterprise: Custom plan for large corporations.   With each plan, you’ll get a free domain for one year. The amount of storage space increases with each plan along with how advanced the eCommerce and marketing features are. When it comes to payments, you’ll be able to take online payments with the Core plan and above. You can use Wix’s free plan for as long as you like. This is a great way to get familiar with it without spending a dime, but we do recommend upgrading your plan to remove the Wix ad banner. An upgraded plan will also allow you to use your domain and unlock more marketing, eCommerce and analytics features with larger storage space.  Learn more about how to build a free website with Wix, or you can try any of Wix’s paid plans for 14 days, and if you’re not 100% satisfied, you can get your money back. Wix pricing plans Plan Price (monthly) Best for Free $0 Trying Wix Light $17 Simple websites Core $29 Small online stores Business $39 Growing brands Business Elite $159 Scaling businesses Enterprise Custom Large organizations Squarespace’s annual pricing plans: Basic ($16/month): Basic website and selling features. Core ($23/month): Full access to business features. Plus ($39/month): Lower payment processing fees for growing businesses. Advanced ($99/month): Low payment processing fees and our most advanced commerce tools. Enterprise: Custom plans for larger teams. With each Squarespace plan, you’ll get free domain registration, a mobile-optimized site and the ability to send invoices for free. Regarding eCommerce, you can sell products and services starting with the Basic plan, though you’ll have to pay a transaction fee unless you upgrade to a Core plan. Core plans and above come with more merchandising features, shipping labels, eCommerce analytics and more. Squarespace plans include a 14-day free trial and essential features like support and mobile optimization.  Squarespace pricing plans Plan Price (monthly) Best for Basic $16 Simple websites Core $23 Small businesses Plus $39 Growing businesses Advanced $99 High-volume sellers Enterprise Custom Large teams Bottom line: Wix and Squarespace both offer cost-effective plans, though Wix offers a free forever plan. At the end of the day, you get what you pay for and in both cases, the better the plan, the more you get.  Related reading: Wix vs. GoDaddy or Wix vs. Shopify So who will it be—Wix or Squarespace? Deciding between Wix and Squarespace ultimately depends on your specific business and preferences. Overall, Wix emerges as a top contender, with a long list of integrated tools for sales, marketing and customer management that guarantee that your site is ‘business-ready’ from the get-go. Squarespace emerges as a good option for someone looking to design a straightforward and attractive website but isn’t seeking the level of advanced business tools that Wix has to offer.  Start a free account with Wix . Editor's note: The information presented in this article is true as of December 22nd, 2025, unless mentioned otherwise.

Web design has come a long way since the first site was published in 1991. With over one billion live websites on the internet today, it’s no surprise that this industry is here to stay. Wix is home to thousands of website design professionals, enthusiasts, and designers who are empowering the industry to reach new heights. So, if you’re here to learn more about the world of web design, you’ve come to the right place. As a preliminary to learning how to design a website , this article will hone in on the role of web design and go over helpful tips by defining critical terms and ideas, and looking at examples that will give you further insight. Ready to put your website design skills to action? Start designing your site now. Here’s what we’ll cover: What is web design Web design vs. website development Web design tools Principles of design applied to websites Website layouts Functional components of web design Visual elements of web design Website maintenance Web design inspiration Accessibility in web design 01. What is web design? Web design is the art of planning and arranging content on a website so that it can be shared and accessed online with the world. A combination of aesthetic and functional elements, web design is a type of digital design that determines the look of a website—such as its colors, fonts, graphics and user interface (see our guide on website design best practices ). Today, creating a website is one of the pillars of having an online presence. Because of this, the world of web design is as dynamic as ever. It is constantly evolving, including mobile apps and user interface design, to meet the growing needs of website owners and visitors alike. Web design is often a collaborative process that combines knowledge and tools from related industries, ranging from web design statistics to SEO optimization and UX. Web designers will often bring together professionals from these areas who can optimize performance and focus on the larger process and outcome. Learn more: The science of first impressions in web design Why is web design important? Web design quotes 02. Web design vs. website development The first step in our web design journey is to clarify the difference between web design and website development, since the two are closely related and often (mistakenly) used interchangeably: Web design refers to the visual design and experiential aspects of a particular website. We’re going to dive into more detail about web design throughout the rest of this article. Website development refers to the building and maintenance of a website’s structure, and involves intricate coding systems that ensure the website functions properly. The following are some basic markup languages most commonly used by web developers to build a website: HTML or HyperText Markup Language, is a coding language used to create the front end of websites. It is written to include the structure of a web page and carried out by web browsers into the websites that we see online. CSS or Cascading Style Sheets is a programming design language that includes all relevant information relating to a webpage’s display. CSS works with HTML to design the style and formatting of a website or page, including the layout, fonts, padding, and more. However, if you use a CMS (a computer software application that manages the digital content of a website) you can learn how to make a website and make updates without the knowledge of using code. Wix is an example of a CMS, which functions as a user-friendly system for website content development. Wix even offers you a way to design a website with AI , as well as an advanced solution for web designers called Wix Studio. Continue reading: Wix vs. Wix Studio 03. Web design tools Web designers require their own unique set of tools to create and design. There are a few key elements that will determine which types you’ll use, and at which stage you’ll need them. Here are a few questions to consider: How big is your team? What kind of budget do you have? What kind of technical requirements will your site need? What is the overall aesthetic you wish to achieve? Will you create an adaptive or responsive design? What is the purpose of your website? The answers to these questions will also help you understand​​ which kind of website builder you want to work with, or other design software tools. Website builders like Wix are great since they don’t require code, and come equipped with a range of ready-made templates suitable to every industry. For novice web designers, website builders are a great foundational tool that can easily be customized both in terms of visual elements and functionality. For more experienced web designers, Wix Studio is the ideal platform with more advanced features for layouts, interactions, effects and designed assets. Design software tools such as Figma , Photoshop and Sketch can be used to create wireframes, custom features and design elements. However, the major difference with these tools is that all elements must be converted to code. While these tools offer creative flexibility and collaborative integrations like hand-off features to web developers, they can require more time, knowledge and resources. As you gain more experience with a range of web design tools, you’ll know which are best suited to you and your business needs. 04. Principles of design applied to websites One of the first parts of understanding what web design is knowing what good web design is—and how to achieve it. We can have a look at the principles of design for reference, a theory practiced by artists and designers which outline the visual qualities any composition should aim for. Applying these principles to web design can help beginner and advanced web designers alike achieve a site with a harmonious look and feel. Of course, these are not strict rules to follow, but rather guidelines to learn how we can apply the various elements of a website’s design. Take it from Picasso, “learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.” Once you understand the goals of web design and become more comfortable with each website element, you can tweak the approach with a more creative touch. Let’s explore the following principles: Balance Contrast Emphasis Movement Rhythm Hierarchy White Space Unity Read also: 10 high-end website design tips  (feat. advice from an art director) Balance Visual balance means ensuring that none of the elements in a single composition are too overpowering. This can be applied to web design by drawing an imaginary line down the center of a webpage and arranging elements so that the visual weight is equal on both sides. There are two main ways to achieve balance on a website: Symmetrical balance is when the visual weight on both sides of that line are equal and arranged like a mirror image. When applied to your web design, this can evoke feelings of balance, beauty and consistency. Asymmetrical balance is when the visual weight is equal on both sides, but the composition and order of elements will vary (i.e., not a mirror image). A balanced asymmetrical design is considered a modern website design approach and will create a more dynamic experience for the viewer, while maintaining a harmonious composition. Contrast Contrast refers to arranging juxtaposing elements in a way that highlights their differences: dark and light, smooth and rough, large and small. When contrast is in the picture, it’s dramatic and exciting qualities can captivate visitors as they scroll through your site. Emphasis The principle of emphasis reminds us that not all website elements are equal. Whether it’s your logo , a CTA, or an image; if there’s something on your webpage that visitors should notice first, applying the principle of emphasis with the use of bright color, animation or size will ensure it's the dominant aspect of your composition. Movement When applied to web design, movement is what guides visitors from one element to the next. By controlling the size, direction and order of elements on an individual web page’s composition, you can direct the movement of the viewer's eye throughout your site. This is especially noticeable with techniques like website gamification . Rhythm Rhythm refers to the repetition of elements in order to create consistency, cohesiveness, or to amplify a certain message. Repeating characteristics such as your logo, brand colors, including complementary colors , and using the same typeface, will also strengthen your brand identity and presence on the web. Hierarchy Placing your business name at the bottom of your homepage is simply poor web design practice. Can you guess why? First-time visitors would have to scroll all the way down your site to know who you are. This is something we understand from the principle of hierarchy, which teaches us that the most important content should be placed in a prominent spot where visitors immediately see and interact with it. White space In art and design, any area of a composition that’s void of visual elements is referred to as white space (psst: even when it’s not actually white). This might not seem like a critical thing to pay attention to, but the conscious arrangement of white space in web design will give the visual elements of a webpage room to breathe. It can also help achieve other goals in your composition, such as hierarchy, balance, emphasis, and more. Unity Unity is the culminating effect of all the individual elements you’ve added to your site, ideally resulting in one harmonious composition. The goal of unity in web design is to ensure that visitors will not get overwhelmed, confused, or turn away from your site. It might take a few tries to get it right, but once you achieve a unified web design, you can ensure that each aspect of your site plays a valuable role in its function and performance. This also means paying attention to what elements you include, where and how you position them, and if they are truly serving a purpose. 05. Website layouts Planning your website layout is like setting its foundation, since it will determine the arrangement and sequence of visual elements on each page of your website. This critical step in web design plays a role in a site’s visual appearance, level of usability, and amplifying its message. The best layout for your website can 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. While there’s no “one-size-fits-all” solution, there are two major directions you can take: Layouts to accommodate your content: The layout you choose should be fitting for the type of content. For example, if you want a layout that will showcase products you might go for one that leaves ample space for highlighting images. A blog layout, on the other hand, will need to convey new information in an organized way. Common layouts: There are plenty of tried-and-tested website layouts out there. These tend to feel familiar to users, as they build on their existing expectations or past experiences of other websites. Since they may result in a more intuitive, easy-to-use interface, they can be great for beginners. When designing a website of your own, you can use website templates in a wide range of categories to provide a solid infrastructure for your site’s layout. If you want to design a layout from scratch, we recommend using wireframes to start. This process will allow you to draft out the layout of your website before the implementation process. Pro tip: Explore old-school types of layouts in nostalgic web design and Y2K website design . 06. Functional components of web design Website functionality essentially refers to how your website works; everything from its speed and ease of use, to what specific actions can be performed on it. At the risk of dating myself, when I think about how speedy and efficient websites function today—compared to the ‘90s (I can hear AOL’s dial up signal in the background), I’m reminded that we’ve come a long way. Given the advancements across the industry of web design, it’s in our best interest to utilize the modern tools available to guarantee our websites perform well, and are easy to use. Let’s go over the components of web design that will affect how your site functions: Navigation Speed SEO UX Adaptive design vs. responsive design Navigation A single web design can consist of multiple pages and items to be viewed or used by the visitor. Website navigation is what lets visitors find the webpages they need after they arrive at your site. Adding a navigation menu to your design is the best way to provide smooth navigation for visitors. A website’s menu links to multiple items on your site and serves the user by helping them navigate between different pages and sections. Depending on your site’s design, you might choose between the following types of menus: Classic navigation menu: This popular menu type is placed in the website’s header, presented as a horizontal list. Sticky menu: Also known as a fixed or floating menu, this menu stays put as visitors scroll down the site. Hamburger menu: A hamburger menu is an icon made up of three horizontal stripes that opens to a full menu once it’s clicked. Dropdown menu: A menu in which a list of additional items opens up once visitors click on—or hover over—one of its items. Sidebar menu: A list of menu items located on the left or right side of a webpage. Speed Speed measures how quickly your site fully loads after a visitor enters it. No one, especially in our fast-paced generation, likes a slow website. It’s got to be performing at high speed. In fact, studies show a 38% rise in bounce rates when a webpage’s loading time surpasses 3 seconds . No matter how pretty the web design is, you can’t compete unless you’re providing visitors with the smoothest browsing experience. Many factors can affect the loading time of a page; some are related to a visitor’s own device or internet connection, while others might be specific to the website they’re attempting to browse. Today, there are proven practices and tools checking for auditing your site’s performance and improving the loading speed of its pages . You can also learn more about Wix Performance here . SEO SEO, or search engine optimization, is the process of optimizing a website so that it ranks well on search engines. Since it plays a big part of your website’s success, we think it deserves to be included here with the functional elements. The more people who are able to find you on Google means the more visitors you’ll have using your website. Although SEO is an ongoing task, there are steps you can take to integrate website design with SEO from the get-go. For example with Wix’s SEO solutions, your site’s built-in infrastructure will already support positive performance. There are a number of common SEO practices you can take before hitting publish, too: include headings in your content, add alt text to images, use meta descriptions on relevant pages, and choose a domain name that represents your brand or business. UX Since the explosion of computer usage in the 1980s, the tech industry has constantly been exploring how human beings can better interact with technology. This is the practice of UX design —or user experience—and when applied properly to web design, it can have a great impact on the user’s journey. The term UX is often used interchangeably with “user interface” design or “usability,”, which are really , in reality, a part of the larger UX vision. While UX designers are concerned with these aspects of a product, they are also involved in looking at the big picture, finding ways to perfect and develop the products, branding, design, usability, and function. The process of is meant to ensure that a website encompasses high-quality interactions, content, products and services, by improving these seven factors: Useful Usable Findable Credible Desirable Accessible Valuable Adaptive design vs. responsive design Today, mobile devices account for over half of online traffic , making it critical to adapt our websites to the small screen. There are two types of styles that make it possible to shift a web design from its desktop version to mobile: adaptive design and responsive design. Knowing the difference between the two will come in handy, especially when choosing the website builder that’s best for you as most platforms will support one of the two: Adaptive design involves creating different versions of the same website, where each can adapt to a different size screen, or browser width. For example, with Wix, our users can arrange the layout for their site’s desktop version, and will be provided with a mobile website adaptation that is customizable. Responsive design i nvolves creating websites with a flexible grid. This creates a dynamic appearance, depending on the screen size and orientation of the device used to view it. 07. Visual elements of web design A website’s visual elements are just as important as the functional qualities, and work together to shape its overall look and feel. From color schemes to fonts and video, these details play a role in user experience and the shaping of your brand. In the age of skim reading, it is especially important to make sure every element pops. In this section we’ll go over the visual elements of web design, along with some tips for making aesthetic decisions of your own: Website header Website footer Color scheme Typography Website background Imagery Animation Website header A website header refers to the very top section of a website page, and is the first thing visitors see when they arrive at a site. In such a strategic location, a header is generally used to display a navigation menu, business name, a logo or contact information. Website footer A website footer is located on the bottom of the page and is fixated every page of your site. Since it’s the last thing visitors will see, it’s a good place to add and repeat important information they may have missed, without taking up too much visual real estate. A footer is also a common place to include contact details, a map, an email sign up bar, or social media buttons. Color scheme When it comes to web design, your website color scheme will set the tone for your site. Not only that, but splashing a branded color scheme strategically throughout can play a key role in strengthening your online branding. When determining a site’s color scheme, decide which hues will represent your primary color (the one that’s most dominant on your site), secondary color (used consistently, albeit more sparingly than your primary color), and the accent colors (used in clever ways to highlight certain details of your site). Typography Typography refers to the visual aspects of type, such as the choice of font and arrangement of text. A crucial part of web design, typography can be used to complement a website’s aesthetic style, or to strengthen the written messaging throughout a site. When choosing the best fonts for your website, consider the fact that typography can be as important as the words themselves. You’ll want to choose fonts that are readable, suit the stylistic theme of your site, and above all—on brand. Similar to a color scheme, you can pick primary, secondary and accent fonts to direct the way a visitor experiences your written content. Website background Setting the tone for your page, the website background plays an important role in web design. Whether it’s static or animated, solid or textured—the background is what follows visitors consistently as they scroll. You can upload any image or video to become your website background, use a brand color, go for a trendy gradient background or opt for a minimalist theme and leave it white. Whichever you decide, make sure it fits into the overall visual theme of your site and grabs visitors attention without being too distracting. One way to add more excitement to a background is by implementing scrolling effects, such as parallax scrolling —a trendy favorite of both professional web designers and beginners. Imagery In just a few seconds, your website imagery can strengthen the message you send to visitors. This might mean displaying your business’s products or location, uploading photos from an event, including a branded favicon , or using an icon maker to add a bit of flair to your site’s design. Wix provides a rich library of free visual content—from AI image tools to collections of innovative designs, like the transparent videos we purchase from some of our talented users. When working on a web design, our users also have the ability to upload their own images, stock photos from sources like Unsplash , custom website animations or vector art. Read also: 7 things you can do in 30 seconds using Wix’s AI image tools Animation One of the goals of web design is to set your site apart from others. Adding animation to a website is a great way to do that, and can help direct your users’ experience and action. You can include animation throughout your site to create a more dynamic experience for viewers, or to trigger certain reactions. For example, try adding a touch of animation to: A CTA button to encourage visitors to click Elements like arrows to provide direction for users Loading bars to make their (hopefully short) waiting time more exciting Things that you want users to pay attention to, such as a lightbox for email signups 08. Website maintenance The web design industry is one that’s constantly introducing new features, tools and solutions. The down side of this quickly evolving world is that it requires you - and your website - to stay constantly up-to-date and implement a website maintenance plan. After you’ve completed your first design, you'll eventually have to update your website to ensure the content is relevant, and the design is not obsolete. While seemingly futile, any outdated elements on your website can negatively impact your visitors’ interactions, resulting in decreasing overall performance and sales. Check in on your website at least once a month to make sure there are no bugs, everything works properly and that your information is current. When considering a redesign , think about the changes you can make to keep your web design relevant, improve it’s ease of use, or amplify its performance. This might mean adding fresh visual content, an extra page, working on SEO or performing an accessibility audit . 09. Web design inspiration Now that we’ve covered the basics of web design, it’s time to seek creative examples. Web design inspiration is everywhere, and we recommend you regularly browse through sites like Behance , Awwwards , and Pinterest to find new ideas. Here at Wix, we’ve got our finger on the pulse of web design trends , and are constantly on the lookout for the best websites made by users. We love seeing what these proud website owners do with our product - from artists to small business owners, and everyone in between. Check out the following “best of” websites for inspiration of your own: Website ideas Outstanding Wix Websites 21 Best About Us Pages Homepage Design Examples Effective FAQ page examples Beautiful Contact Pages Best Graphic Design Websites Beautiful One Page Websites Is your site irresistible? Looking to start a web design business? Read our guide. 10. Accessibility in web design Accessibility in web design ensures that your website can be used by everyone, including individuals with disabilities. It’s not just a moral or legal obligation—it's an essential part of creating a user-friendly, inclusive digital space that benefits all visitors. By implementing accessible practices, you open up your website to a wider audience while enhancing the experience for every user. Here are the key practices in accessible web design: Ensure sufficient color contrast: Use contrasting colors to make text readable for users with visual impairments. Provide descriptive alt text: Add meaningful alt text to images so screen reader users can understand visual content. Ensure keyboard navigability: Make all website functions accessible via keyboard for users who cannot use a mouse. Use clear and consistent navigation: Design intuitive navigation to enhance usability and minimize confusion. Provide text alternatives for multimedia: Include transcripts for audio and captions for video to make multimedia accessible. Avoid reliance on color alone: Use labels or symbols in addition to color to convey information clearly. Enable scalable text: Allow users to adjust font sizes to improve readability based on their preferences. Use semantic HTML: Structure content using proper HTML tags to enhance compatibility with assistive technologies. Design accessible interactive elements: Make buttons and clickable areas large and easy to identify, especially on mobile. Conduct regular accessibility testing: Use tools and user feedback to identify and resolve any barriers to accessibility. Beyond improving usability, accessibility can also boost your website’s performance. Search engines often favor accessible websites, resulting in better SEO rankings. Additionally, compliance with standards like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) helps you avoid legal risks while showcasing your brand’s commitment to inclusivity. Web design FAQ What does a web designer do? A web designer is responsible for the visual appearance and layout of a website. They work closely with clients to understand their needs and goals, and then they create a design that is both aesthetically pleasing and user-friendly. Web designers use a variety of software tools to create their designs. What are the 3 types of web design? There are three main types of web design: User interface (UI) design: UI design focuses on the visual elements of a website, such as the layout, typography and color scheme. UI designers strive to create websites that are easy to use and navigate. User experience (UX) design: UX design focuses on the overall experience of using a website. UX designers consider factors such as user behavior, usability and accessibility. Visual design: Visual design focuses on the overall look and feel of a website. Visual designers use their creativity to create websites that are both visually appealing and memorable. Can you teach yourself web design? Yes, it's possible to teach yourself web design. There are many resources available online, such as tutorials, articles and courses, that can teach you the basics of web design. You can also practice your skills by designing your own websites or by volunteering to design websites for local businesses or nonprofits. What qualifications do you need to be a web designer? There is no formal education requirement to become a web designer. However, most employers prefer to hire web designers who have a portfolio of their work and who are proficient in a variety of software tools. A degree in graphic design, web design or a related field can also be helpful. Is web design hard? It depends. If you're looking to become a professional web designer, so there can be a lot to learn. These include technical skills, like HMTL and CSS to being able to code responsive designs. You'll need some degree of software proficiency in tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Sketch and Figma. Web design as a career means understanding fundamental design principles, such as color theory and typography. You also can't master web design without understanding user experience, the importance of site navigation for example. However if you're interested in web design simply to make your own website, it isn't hard. When you use a website builder, for example, you can choose from hundreds of customizable templates that make web design a lot simpler. Do I need coding skills for web design? If you plan to get into web design professionally, yes. You'll need to understand, HTML/CSS and Javascript as a basic. However if you're just looking to understand web design better in order to create a website, no. Using a website builder means needing zero coding experience or knowledge.

Your name idea deserves a home. Secure your domain now → As a new business owner, choosing your online store name is a huge first step toward building a brand and starting to make money online . Finding the perfect one can be tricky since there’s a lot to consider, including who else might be using the name you like and if a related domain is available. With a little creativity—and some helpful tools—it’s worth taking some extra time weighing your options when you're starting an online store .  Pairing the right name with the best free website builder for small business  can give you a strong foundation to grow your brand online. Keep reading for tips on how to make the right choice and browse a list of store name ideas to get the creative juices flowing. Naming your online store just got a whole lot easier . The Wix Business Name Generator gives you custom, on-brand ideas fast—along with the tools to bring your idea to life. 600+ online store name ideas Now, to really get your creativity flowing, here are some online store name ideas across popular retail categories: Soap business Online seed store Phone accessories store Candle shop Dog bakery treats Makeup and skincare T-shirt store Candy and sweets Cards and stationery Fashion Home and living Accessories Technology Gifts and toys Pet supplies Sports and outdoors Food and drink Consumer electronics Book store Movie store Music store Game store Personal care and beauty Handmade soap 01. Soap business name ideas CraftedLather Co. CustomScent Soaps BespokeBubble Boutique PerfumeCraft Soaps ArtisanAvenue Soaps PurityPetal Soaps HandmadeHeirloom Soaps SignatureSoap Studio LuxeLather Creations VelvetVista Soaps OrganicOasis Soaps Enchantique Suds SilkenSuds Studio Aromatica Atelier CustomCraze Soaps HarmonyHues Soaps NobleNectar Soaps EmbellishEssence Soaps PureArtisan Soaps VelvetVista Soaps ScentedSculpture Soaps BespokeBath Elegance TimelessTinge Soaps NatureNurtured Soaps OpulentOasis Soaps EtherealEssence Soaps BespokeBlend Soaps RadiantRoots Soaps HarmonyHeritage Soaps VelvetValley Soaps Found the perfect name for your business? Lock in your domain  before someone else does. Naming an online bookstore is about giving your shop a vibe that sticks. Try playful or story-inspired names like “Plot Twist” “Shelfie” or “Chapter & Verse.” Highlight your niche with names like “Mystery Lane” for thrillers or “Little Pages” for kids’ books. 02. Online seed store Trendy Seeds Seed Spot Sunset Seeds Seed Story The Seed Nook SeedSafari GreenThumb Express EcoSprout Marketplace SeedSync BloomBasket GrowWonders SeedSphere NatureNest Seeds SmartSeed Select SeedSculpt EcoHarvest Hub Grower'sGallery SeedVista TerraBloom Seeds SowSerene SeedSense BloomBounty FreshHarvest Seeds SeedlingStreet GreenGrove Seeds PurePlant Picks SeedCraftsmen EvergreenEmporium UrbanHarbor Seeds SeedHaven OrganicOrigins Seeds EcoEden Seeds SeedSense Market PurePlantings BloomBase Seeds 03. Phone accessories store names Action Cases The Case Spot Infinite Cases Hyperaccessories Cases Zone GadgetGrove TechTrove Hub SleekShield Store MobileMingle PhoneChic Boutique CaseCraze Outlet AccessoryAvenue TrendyTech Trims CellularCharm Haven GuardGlamour iStyle Sanctuary MobileMarvel Emporium UrbanGadget Gear CaseCraft Creations TechTreasure Trove PocketPizzazz PhoneFiesta Accessorize Alive ModishMobile Mall EliteEdge Emporium TrendTech Trinkets MobileMosaic GadgetGlam Gallery StellarShield Shop PhoneFinesse Finds ChicCircuit Corner AccessorEase Emporium StylishShield Showcase MobileMarvel Marketplace TechTrend Trims PhoneFiesta Finds AccessoryAlchemy UrbanGadget Galleria ChicCircuit Collection TechTrove Trends GuardGlamour Gallery CaseCraft Corner MobileMingle Market TrendyTech Trims SleekShield Showcase PhoneChic Collection ModishMobile Mall AccessoryAvenue CaseCraze Outlet GadgetGrove Gallery Your online clothing store's name is like the first outfit your brand wears. It should hint at your style audience and vibe—edgy chic or cozy. Names like "Thread Theory" for modern pieces "Velvet & Vine" for luxury or "Street Loom" for streetwear instantly give shoppers a feel for what to expect. 04. Candle shop names Candela Always Candles Evergreen Candles Top Candles The Candle Dude LuminaLuxe WickWonders EnchantCandle PureGlow Haven CandleCrafters Hub RadianceRealm VelvetVista Candles EtherealEssence MysticMelt Candles GlowGrace Studio SereneScent Candles FlameFantasia TranquilTincture VelvetVerve Lights CandleCanvas Co. ArtisanAroma Candles DivineDrip Studio AetherWick Designs ScentedSculpture CelestialCraze EmberEnchant BespokeGlow MoonlitMingle Candles LuminiqueLights LuxeFlame Crafts VelvetVista Lights IlluminateInStyle ScentedSymphony EtherealElegance RadiantRoots Candles SerenitySculpt ArtistryAblaze VelvetVerve Illuminations FlameFables TranquilTide Candles PureCrafted Lights CelestialCraft Candles MystiqueMelt LuxeLumina DivineDrip Lights ScentedSculpture Co. Aromatica Atelier BespokeBreeze VelvetVista Illuminations MoonlitMingle Lights LuminiqueLuxe IlluminateInnovations CelestialCraft Studio FlameFantasy RadiantRoots Illuminations 05. Dog bakery treats Mystical Dog Treats Treat Corner Treatsy Awesome Dog Treat Zone Barkery Delights Pawsitively Delicious Woof n' Whisk Bakery Canine Confections Tail Waggin' Treats Doggy Delish Bites Puppy Pastries Paradise Biscuit Bliss Bakery Snoutful Sweets Chew-Chew Treats K9 Cookie Co. Bark Bites Bakery Wagging Tails Treats Pawfection Bakery Fetch & Feast Bakery Sniff & Savor Sweets Four-Legged Flavors Furry Friends Fancies The Barkery Boutique BowWow Baked Goods Pupcake Palace Snack Shack for Dogs Canine Cookie Cottage Biscuit Buffet Tail-ored Treats Ruff Rolls Bakery Pooch's Patisserie Snackin' Snouts Bakery Happy Howl Bakery Doggone Goodies Wholesome Woof Bakery Chewy Chewbacca Treats The Doggy Doughnut Den Treats 'n Tails Bakery Barking Bagels Bakeshop Snoutful Surprises Bakery Paws and Pastries Cookie Crunch Canine Tasty Tail Twists Droolworthy Delights The Snout Snackery BowWow Biscuit Bar Bites and Barks Bakery Chewy Charm Confections Barkside Bites Tail-End Tidbits SnickerPaws Bakery Yummy Woof Wafers The Canine Crumb Co. Tails & Treats Emporium Your pet store’s name should make tails wag and hearts melt. Aim for something playful, memorable or heartwarming that connects with pet owners. Names like “Pawfect Picks” hint at curated products, “Furry Friends Co.” feels friendly and approachable or “Whisker & Wag” adds a fun whimsical touch. 06. Makeup and skincare New Age Makeup Happily Madeup Fresh Makeup Neobeauty Mosaic Face Glam Glow Haven Velvet Vanity Radiance Realm Flawless Faces Boutique Luminous Luxe Lounge Silk & Satin Skincare Purity Posh Emporium Enchanté Beauty Bazaar Opulent Origins Velvet Veil Vanity Opal Oasis Cosmetics Crystal Clear Complexions Silk Spectrum Beauty Lumière Loft Radiant Revival Boutique Gilded Glamour Gallery Ethereal Elegance Emporium Celestial Skin Sanctuary Infinite Glow Boutique Rose Petal Radiance Harmony Haven Skincare Blissful Beauty Bar Diva Dazzle Cosmetics Moonlit Mystique Makeup Blossom Bliss Boutique Glamour Garden The Pearl Palette Stellar Skin Studio Velvet Vignettes Vanity Chic Cheek Charm Crystal Clear Canvas Opulence Oasis Radiant Roses Skincare Ivory Isle Impressions Luxe Layers Beauty Starry Glow Gallery Ethereal Essence Emporium Blush Bouquet Boutique Velvety Vision Vanity Pure Radiance Revue Satin Serenity Skincare Mystique Makeup Manor Golden Gleam Gallery Celestial Complexions Velvet Veil Vanity Radiant Reflections Lush Luster Lounge Silk Sensations Skincare Glamour Grove Gallery Posh Prism Boutique 07. T-shirt store Snappy Ts Tee Party Shirt Shack Shirtee HyperT TeeTime Treasures ThreadCraft Emporium Cotton Canvas Co. Graphic Grove Stitched Style Studio Tee Trend Junction Thread Symphony Print Parade Cotton Couture Corner T-Shirt Terrace FreshFabric Finds Stitches & Statements Cotton Chronicles Urban Threads Collective Casual Canvas Closet ThreadTrove TeeVogue Vault Stitched Streetwear Hub Cotton Culture Cove BoldBlend Boutique ThreadCrafted Treasures T-Shirt Tapestry Print Perfection Palace TeeTexture Trunk CottonCanvas Curios Wearable Wonders Workshop Threaded Trends Tryst T-Shirt Tapestry Fabric Fusion Finds Stitch & Style Studio Print Palette Pavilion CottonCraft Cartel BoldBlend Bazaar Stitched Statements Studio ThreadTalk Togs TeeTwist Trends CottonCanvas Collective UrbanWeave Wardrobe ThreadTreasure Trove T-Shirt Trends Terrace CottonCanvas Corner Stitch & Snag Shop Print Paradise Pavilion ThreadedTradition Trunk TeeTexture Trendhouse FreshFabric Fables BoldBlend Boutique ThreadTrove Traditions CottonCraft Cove Wearable Wonders Warehouse Naming an electronic store should reflect energy, innovation and trust. Consider what you sell and your target audience—sleek names like “Axis Supply” or “Quantum Nest” offer a modern edge, while playful options like “Zapster” or “Plugjoy” feel more approachable. Incorporate power words like volt or spark, design cues like lab or hub, or futuristic tones like ion or pixel to create a standout name. 08. Candy and sweets Sweeten The Candy Dish Real Candy The Truffle Canyon Candies Sugar Bliss Emporium Candy Cloud Haven Sweet Symphony Shop Lollipop Lane Sugar Rush Retreat Confectionery Cove Heavenly Treats Boutique Divine Delights Depot Caramel Kingdom Jellybean Junction Gummy Gala Fudge Fantasy Factory Taffy Trails Emporium Candy Carousel Corner Sweet Serenity Sweets Marshmallow Meadows Sugary Spells Store Honeyed Haven BonBon Boulevard Candy Castle Corner Sweet Whimsy Wonderland Delightful Drops Depot Cupcake Corner Toffee Temptations Peppermint Palace Chocolate Charm Chateau Sprinkle Spectacle Store Gumdrop Grove Sugarplum Paradise Frosted Fantasia Fare Nougat Nook Sweet Swirls Sanctuary Candyland Confections Tasty Truffle Treasury Rainbow Ribbon Sweets Luscious Licorice Lane Zestful Zephyr Zweets Sugarcube Symphony Frosty Fancies Fountain Fruity Fusion Fables Caramel Cozy Cabin Popcorn Palace Mocha Morsels Manor Sweets 'n Swirls Shack Candy Carnival Cove Marshmallow Mirage Market Glistening Glaze Grove Tantalizing Toffee Trail Sweetheart Snacks Studio Blissful Bites Boutique 09. Cards and stationery Imprinted Card Hub Supersationery Kara’s Kards Insightful Cards CardCraft Creations Stationary Serenity Elegant Expressions Emporium The Paper Posh Parlor Greetings Gallery Whimsical Writeaways Dapper Designs Depot Stationary Sanctuary Thoughtful Tokens Creative Card Co. Quill Quest Papyrus Palace Signature Station Pen and Paper Pavilion Crafty Correspondence Greeting Grove Elegant Envelopes Emporium The Write Touch Classic Card Corner Paper Passion Pit Stationary Symphony The Artful Note Card Captivation Quirk & Quill Quarters Enchanting Edges Emporium Sentimental Station The Gilded Greeting Scribble & Scribe Studio Stationary Stitches Whimsy Words Workshop The Inkwell Card Couture Corner Elegant Edges Emporium Thoughtful Treasures The Papyrus Place Letter Lagoon Creative Canvas Cards Quill & Quirk Quarters The Card Canvas Inked Impressions Emporium Serene Scrolls Studio The Elegant Epistle Paper Palette Pavilion Timeless Tokens Greeting Gems Gallery Stationary Stitchery Posh Paper Pavilion Signature Scrolls Studio The Crafty Card Cartel The Penning Palace Charming Correspondence Gilded Greetings Gallery Crafty Canvas Cards The Thoughtful Token Letter Luxe Lounge Creative Cardistry Quill & Quirk Quotient The Greeting Grove Elegant Edges Emporium 10. Fashion Fashion Addict Style Maven Chic Boutique Trendy Threads Fashionista Styled By Me The Closet Haute Couture Clothes To Go Wardrobe Essentials Dressed To Impress The Style Lab The Wardrobe Whisperer The Closet Curator The Fashionista's Haven The Dress Doctor The Shoe Salon The Hat Box The Jewelry Boutique The Sunglasses Shop The Watch Gallery The Beauty Bar Chic Charm Boutique Vogue Haven Trendy Threads Trunk Urban Elegance Emporium Style Spectrum Studio Couture Corner Glamour Grotto Modish Manifest Runway Reverie Dapper Diva Depot Sartorial Splendor Fashion Forward Finds Haute Heritage House Style Savvy Showcase Trend Trailblazers Couturier's Closet Urban Vogue Vault Thread Trends Tryst Chic Couture Collection Fashion Fiesta Luxe Legacy Lounge Runway Radiance Style Symphony Studio Glam Gala Garb Posh Panache Pavilion Mod Mirage Mall Chic Cynosure Collection Vogue Vista The Trend Trove Svelte Style Studio Found your perfect business name?  Claim your domain with Wix in minutes, set up a custom website and business email and enjoy secure hosting, full privacy and 24/7 support—all in one place. 11. Home and living Home Sweet Home The Home Decor Shop Furniture Finds Home Goods Galore Kitchen Essentials Bath & Body Boutique Linen Lovers Home Decor Haven Living Room Bliss Bedroom Paradise Nursery Nook The Home Decorista The Furniture Finder The Kitchen Connoisseur The Living Room Bliss The Bedroom Paradise Outdoor Oasis The Patio Party 12. Accessories The Jewelry Box The Watch Shop The Sunglasses Spot The Hat Bar The Bag Boutique Shoe Heaven Jewelry For All Belts & Buckles Emporium The Jewelry Maven The Sunglasses Queen The Hat Aficionado 13. Technology Gadget Guru Tech Toys Tablets & More Headphone Heaven Speakers Galore The Tech Store The Computer Nerd 14. Gifts and toys The Gift Shop Toys For All Birthday Wishes Holiday Gifts Baby Shower Essentials Wedding Favors Boutique Gift Baskets Galore 15. Pet supplies The Pet Shop The Dog Supplies Store The Cat Supplies Shop The Bird Supplies Emporium The Fish Supplies Shop Small Animal Supplies Store Reptile & Amphibian Supplies The Horse Supplies Store The Farm Animal Supplies The Wildlife Supplies Store The Pet Food Store 16. Sports and outdoors The Sports Shop Camping Gear Hiking Supplies Golf Equipment Tennis Gear Yoga Accessories Running Shoes Swimsuits & Gear Bikes & Accessories Camping Stoves & Grills The Fishing Tackle Store Learn more: What's the best way to start an online store? 17. Food and drinks The Coffee Shop The Tea Shop The Candy Store The Ice Cream Parlor The Wine Shop The Beer Store The Liquor Store The Deli The Grocery Store The Farmers Market The Food Delivery Service 18. Consumer electronics Gadgets Galore Tech Finds Electronic Essentials Digital Delights Audiophile Heaven Home Theater Nirvana Camera Crazy Gadget Guru Phone Cases Galore Laptop Chargers Computer Accessories 19. Bookstore names The Book Nook The Reading Room Bookworm Paradise Literary Haven Page Turners First Edition Finds Rare Books Textbooks Galore Graphic Novels Children's Books Young Adult Fiction 20. Movie store names The Movie Store The Video Shop Streaming Essentials Cult Classics 21. Music store names The Record Store The Music Shop Vinyl Heaven Digital Downloads Live Music Tickets Musical Instruments DJ Gear Headphones Galore Speakers Galore 22. Game store names The Game Store Board Games Galore Video Games Trading Cards Collectibles Puzzles Outdoor Games Party Games Toys & Games Sports Games Casino Games 23. Personal care and beauty store The Beauty Shop Skincare Essentials Hair Care Heaven Makeup Maven Nail Polish Galore Perfume Paradise 24. Handmade soap shop Cheekily Handmade Soap Nook Soap Connection Silkroad Handmade Soap Handmade Soapful ArtisanAlchemy Soaps PureCrafted Suds VelvetVista Soaps HandmadeHaven NatureNurture Soaps CraftersCove Soaps ScentedSculpture OrganicOasis Soaps HeavenlyHandmade Soaps ArtistryAblaze SilkenSuds Sanctuary HarmonyHeritage Soaps RusticRoots Soaps TranquilTincture Soaps MoonlitMingle Soaps VintageVerve Soaps EssenceElegance LavishLather Co. SerenitySculpt Soaps VelvetVerve Creations HandcraftedHarbor AromaticArtisan Soaps Nature'sNectar Soaps Bloom&Bubble RadiantRoots Soaps CraftedEssence ScentedSymphony GentleGlow Soaps WholesomeHarbor Soaps LavenderLoom Soaps VelvetVista Artisan Soaps PurityPetal TranquilTide Soaps EnchantedEmbrace Soaps HeritageHues Soaps EtherealEssence HandmadeHarbor PureCraftsmanship Soaps VintageVista Soaps Nature'sNook Soaps Real-life store name ideas and examples For more inspiration, check out these eCommerce website examples —all built with Wix —that features some wicked store names. Nurturing Nature Cards Nurture Nature Cards  takes a literal, yet endearing approach to its store name. Its name reflects the nature of its signature products: 100% plantable gift cards that bloom into Swan River Daisies. Cordina Hair A popular, yet timeless formula for naming a business: using your own name to reflect that your business is an extension of yourself. Cordina Hair  is aptly named after its founder, Yanika Cordina, who invented a new, heatless way to curl hair while on a personal mission to keep her own hair healthy. Altered States Altered States's name reflects the mission of its brand: to encapsulate the essence of urban culture and blend sophistication with high-end fashion. Altered States aims to alter the face of fashion with high-quality hoodies featuring one-of-a-kind designs. Get inspired by eCommerce website design ideas. Tips for creating a store name There’s a lot to consider when building an eCommerce website , choosing eCommerce templates  and figuring out what exactly is an online store . Selecting the right name for your business is paramount. It's the first impression you make on your audience. A well-chosen name communicates your brand identity, values, and purpose. It's the pillar of your brand's foundation, influencing customer perception, market positioning, and ultimately, your success in the competitive landscape Daniele Pitkowski, Product Marketing Manager - Alternative Flows at Wix.com Learning how to name a business  is one of the first things you’ll need to tackle when starting your business . Here are some things to keep in mind when brainstorming names. 01. Reflect your brand and keep it personal Your business name may reflect what you're selling, or it may not. Either way, it should clearly communicate your brand identity . The name you pick can describe the types of products you intend to sell or be connected to something meaningful to your brand. Ideally, it will do both. A great example of this is Wix merchant Izzy Wheels . The store, founded by sisters and artists Ailbhe and Izzy Keane, offers stylish and colorful wheel covers for wheelchairs. The brand is named after Izzy, who initially sought a creative solution for personalizing her own wheelchair. To create a personal online store name, start by considering words that reflect your brand's essence and values. Consider using a nickname, pet name or your own name. Combine elements like your product type or a unique feature. Incorporating personal touches or storytelling elements can make the name more engaging and relatable to customers. 02. Be creative Choosing a creative name for your online store can set you apart from competitors and attract more customers. Think outside the box for product offerings, marketing strategies and customer engagement. Consider running interactive social media campaigns or introducing customizable products. Implement creative storytelling techniques in your brand communication to build a deeper connection with your customer base, making your business memorable and unique. Creativity in naming is a skill that can be cultivated with practice and experimentation. 03. Make it memorable Some of the best (and most memorable) online store names are short: Amazon, WayFair, Zappos, and Chewy, to name a few. Long names can be hard to remember and may get cut off in some online spaces like social media and search result headlines. The above business names share another common trait: they don't list a specific product or product type. Jeff Bezos, Amazon's founder, specifically chose the name Amazon—paying homage to the large river in South America—because he wanted his product line to be just as limitless and expansive as the river. Similarly, you should consider names that are broad enough to grow with your business, particularly if you plan to expand beyond your initial product offering. 04. Keep your online store name simple Don't forget to say the name you’re considering out loud. Is it easy to pronounce? Does it sound professional and pleasant? Fun fact: Bezos originally wanted to call his company Cadabara, a play on the word “abracadabra.” But not long after, he changed it to Amazon after hearing someone accidentally call it "Cadaver." Simplicity is key. Choosing a name with an easy spelling and pronunciation, secures quick recognition and recall. A great business name captures attention, evokes emotion, and sticks in the mind. It should be unique yet memorable, reflecting your brand's essence and values. Daniele Pitkowski, Product Marketing Manager - Alternative Flows at Wix.com 05. Make sure your domain name is available You should always check to see if your business name is available as a domain name when you're learning how to make a website from scratch . You can use Wix’s free Domain Name Search  to check availability and see if there are any potential conflicts with other businesses. Searching for domain names can additionally reveal alternatives and name variations. For example, let's say you sell video games and want the name gamestore.com. That domain isn't currently available but "gamesuperstore.net" and "gamestores.biz" are both free (as of the date of this post). Also, worth nothing: Wix users get a free domain name for a year with select Wix Premium plans . 06. Check legal restrictions In the U.S., each state has its own set of rules and regulations for business names, so it pays to do your research before landing on a name you love. For example, most states have rules around using business entity identifiers like Inc. and LLC. In other cases, your name can't be misleading or too similar to another existing business; you need to acknowledge the significance of intellectual property. It can't imply that your company is part of the federal government. Certain words, like FBI or CIA, are off-limits (for obvious reasons). The US Patent and Trademark Office  database can further help you determine if your name has been trademarked. Top online store name generators We've touched on a few different ways to start researching online store names above, but here are a few helpful tools worth using. It can be helpful (and fun) to mix and match the results from multiple tools. Wix Store Name Generator  - Wix’s free tool lets you search by keyword and industry type, then produces dozens of creative suggestions in seconds. You can get suggestions specifically tailored to your main business, as well as any podcasts, apps, or other properties that you manage. Namelix  - Namelix creates business names based on name style (e.g., names involving real words or alternate spelling), the level of randomness you’re seeking, and brand info. Looka  - Looka accepts keywords or abstract ideas (like “premium” and “ambitious”) to generate store names. It additionally lets you specify the desired length of your name. NameSnack  - NameSnack generates more than 100 short, brandable business names and immediately tells you whether the name is also available as a domain. Behind the Name – This one’s not specifically a business name generator, but it’s a great brainstorming tool. It’s a searchable database of over 25,000 names from different cultures, periods, and mythologies. Search by first name, surname, or find names by searching for criteria like usage, meaning, or origin. Online store names FAQ How can I create a catchy business name? To create a catchy business name, consider using wordplay and alliteration to make it memorable. Incorporate creative techniques like puns or rhymes, and keep the name short and snappy. Ensure it resonates with your target audience and reflects the personality of your brand. What are the legal considerations when selecting a store name? Before finalizing your store name, conduct a trademark search to ensure it’s not already in use. Register your business name with the appropriate governmental authority and secure domain names to protect your brand online. How do I choose a business name for Google Merchant Center? When selecting a business name for Google Merchant Center, make sure it accurately represents your brand and aligns with your website and promotional materials. Keep it short and avoid suffixes like "Inc.," "Co.," or "GmbH." Refrain from using promotional text such as phone numbers or sale announcements, and don't include offensive or inappropriate language to comply with Google's guidelines. What are some branding tips for creating shop names? Your shop name should reflect your brand’s identity and values. Use descriptive words that convey the essence of your business, and consider how the name will appear on marketing materials and digital platforms. Looking for a business name for another business idea? Trucking business names Consulting business names Real estate business names Food truck business names Marketing business names Construction business name ideas Photography business names Craft business name ideas

Ready to let your work shine? Build your portfolio →   Feel like your art deserves more than a cluttered Instagram grid or a forgotten folder on your laptop? A strong portfolio turns your work into a story people can see, feel and remember. It’s how the right audience discovers your talent and how you show them you’re serious about your craft. Here’s how to build an art portfolio that highlights your best pieces, reflects your unique style and gets your creativity noticed. TL;DR: how to make an art portfolio This guide shows you how to create a website  for your art portfolio that attracts clients, galleries or schools. It covers every step: defining your purpose, selecting your best pieces, choosing a website builder like Wix, customizing a template, designing your homepage and organizing your artwork. You’ll also learn how to add contact info, start an online shop, get feedback and keep your portfolio updated. Plus, we'll feature inspiring artist portfolios to spark your ideas and help you shape your creative vision. Showcasing your talent should be easy. With Wix’s portfolio builder, you can create a professional, eye-catching portfolio that shows your best work in just a few clicks. Wix’s customizable templates and easy-to-use tools let you present your skills with confidence–leaving a lasting impression on anyone who visits your site. The basic setup is free and lets you put your art online easily. Paid options give you extra tools to make your work stand out, sell more and get noticed. Wix's portfolio features How artists can use Wix portfolios Gallery showcase • Display high-res paintings, drawings or photos with zoom & hover effects • Organize by series, theme or medium • Add sketches, process shots or behind-the-scenes videos Art sales & merch • Sell originals, prints or art merchandise • Run limited editions or print-on-demand • Manage secure payments and shipping details Marketing for artists • Collect fan and collector emails • Send updates about new artworks, exhibitions or sales • Chat live with visitors to take commissions Interactive art media • Embed timelapse videos, studio tours or 360° views • Add interactive galleries or hover animations • Image optimization for faster loading and enhanced visuals Insights & analytics • See which artworks or galleries get the most attention • Understand who’s visiting your site • Track clicks on shop items to optimize sales Social integration • Display your Instagram or other social feeds • Show testimonials from galleries, clients or students • Share new work directly to social media Search & discoverability • Optimize artwork pages for Google and image search • Use AI-assisted SEO suggestions to improve visibility • Use structured data to help your art get found online Exclusive access & memberships • Offer members-only galleries or content for collectors and fans • Share exclusive prints, tutorials or behind-the-scenes material Events & art commissions • Promote exhibitions, workshops or pop-up shows • Accept bookings for commissions or art classes Professional art branding • Use custom fonts, color palettes and layouts to match your artistic style • Ensure mobile-friendly fast-loading galleries What is an art portfolio? An art portfolio is a collection of your best and most representative artwork, curated and presented in a cohesive and professional manner. It serves as a visual representation of your skills, style and creative voice. Traditionally, an art portfolio would consist of physical copies of your work, such as paintings, drawings or photographs, carefully arranged in a folder or binder. With the rise of technology and digital media, many artists are now choosing to showcase their portfolios online. Online platforms have become increasingly popular, with 31% of young buyers and 37% of new art buyers  purchasing their first-ever artwork online. This indicates a growing trend of art enthusiasts embracing the digital realm to discover and purchase artwork that resonates with them. Ready to build an online portfolio ? Start designing yours today. How to make an art portfolio online Define your purpose   Select your best pieces Choose an online platform Customize a template Design a compelling homepage  Showcase your artwork Add a contact page Start an online shop (optional) Get feedback from others Edit over time 01. Define your purpose The first step to creating a captivating art portfolio is to define your purpose and audience. Ask yourself why are you making a portfolio and who is it for? Your portfolio should have a clear goal, whether it's selling your work, applying for a grant, or showcasing your talent. Consider what they're looking for, what they value and what they expect from an art portfolio. Your portfolio should speak directly to them and highlight the unique aspects of your art. Identify your audience Your audience can vary depending on your goals. Knowing your target audience will help you customize your portfolio so that it resonates with the intended crowd. For example, if you primarily illustrate for children's books, you may want to showcase these pieces prominently in your portfolio. You can focus your portfolio towards: Gallery curators : If you are looking to exhibit in galleries or museums, highlight pieces that display a sense of your overall aesthetic. Potential buyers : Present high-quality images of your pieces and include details on pricing and availability. You may also want to think about including an online store directly on your portfolio site for easy transactions. Art schools : For students looking to apply to art schools, focus on highlighting your artistic range, techniques and development over time. 02. Select your best art pieces When choosing the specific pieces to incorporate in your art portfolio, think about quality over quantity. Pick a range of work that highlights the scope of your distinct approach and abilities. This will give your viewers an idea of what you are capable of as an artist. Keep these concepts in mind when curating your collection: Create a cohesive portfolio Your art portfolio should have a sense of unity and flow. Select pieces with a similar style, color palette or subject matter to make a cohesive collection. Also consider the specific materials and medium of your work and think about the entire story the pieces tell collectively.  Learn more: What to include in a portfolio Common portfolio mistakes Highlight your artistic strengths Use your art portfolio to display what sets you apart from other artists. Be sure to include pieces that demonstrate your technical skills, creativity and notable perspective. This will help others see what makes you stand out in the art world. Look at other portfolios for inspiration Exploring different portfolio website ideas  and art blogs can help you gain insights into what works and what doesn't when it comes to showcasing your own pieces. Seeing other artists' portfolios can help spark new ideas and concepts to incorporate into your own site. Websites like Behance, Dribble, Carbonmade and Coroflot are full of excellent examples of how to present your work in the best possible light and provide another platform to showcase your work. Get started with an AI generated website  today. How to layout an art portfolio : Organize your work by medium, theme or series to take viewers on a visual journey through your creativity. Use clean grids and thoughtful spacing so each piece has room to shine and the eye moves effortlessly across your portfolio. Include sketches, studies or behind-the-scenes shots to reveal your creative process and spotlight 3–5 standout pieces with quick notes on concept, inspiration or approach to give your work personality and make it unforgettable. Learn more about how to build a portfolio for college. 03. Choose a website builder for artists Now that you have curated your artwork, it’s time to pick a website builder  that best suits your goal of displaying your pieces. When it comes to showcasing your art portfolio, drag and drop website building platforms like Wix offer portfolio templates and tools that cater to the needs of an artist's portfolio. Take a look at some of the best website builders for artists  , some of the best portfolio builders and consider the following factors when creating an online art portfolio of your own: User-friendly interface Since you’ve likely spent hours refining your artistic practice and honing in on your overall aesthetic, you want a platform that is easy to use and regularly update content. A user-friendly interface will streamline the process of creating your art portfolio and updating it as needed.  Customization options Having a variety of customization options, like different templates, color schemes and font choices, offers plenty of creative freedom as you carve out your online presence. This allows you to build a distinct portfolio that reflects your personal approach. 04. Customize a template Find a website template  that best suits your style and purpose. When determining your options, go for best portfolio layouts over a personal web page , that will provide you with the website layout you need to share your collection. Your art portfolio should be easy to navigate and engaging. Avoid cluttered layouts or too many distractions that may take away from the main focus–your artwork. 05. Design a compelling homepage Your homepage is often the first impression viewers will receive of your portfolio. It's frequently the most visited by new and returning users, playing a major role in your website experience. The objectives for your homepage should be to engage new visitors quickly and channel them to the right content. To achieve these objectives, include the following elements: An eye-catching banner or slideshow Craft a striking banner or slideshow that will immediately draw visitors in. Slideshows provide a way to add motion to your website, displaying rich content. Introduction and artist statement Include a brief introduction, offering readers a sense of who you are as an artist. You can also write an artist statement to add more context and meaning to your portfolio. Navigation menu Make it easy for viewers to navigate through your portfolio by including a clear and organized navigation menu. This will help them find specific pieces or sections easily. 06. Showcase your artwork The main purpose of an art portfolio is to exhibit your collection, so be sure to display it in the best possible way. Keep the following tips in mind when determining your website design : Organize effectively Create distinct categories highlighting different art techniques, such as abstract, landscapes, portraits, comics, etc. This enables visitors to filter through your art pieces and narrow in on their preferences.  Use high quality images Make sure to use high-resolution images that accurately represent the colors and details of your pieces. To photograph your art, use natural lighting and avoid shadows or reflections. You can use this image resizer  tool to make sure each photo is sized for optimal viewing.  Include relevant details Along with each image, display the title, medium, size and other background information about the piece. Tell engaging visual stories as it helps convey the essence and narrative behind the artwork. You may want to share details about your artistic process and any backstory to the specific piece. This will give viewers a better understanding of your artistic identity and workflow. Consider additional features Depending on your chosen platform, you may have the option to integrate elements such as videos, 360-degree views or zoom capabilities. These can add an extra layer of interactivity and engagement for visitors. 07. Add a contact page Don't forget to build a contact page in your portfolio. This simple addition will make it easier for individuals to get in touch with you. Investing in a business email  and  business phone number  is an easy way to elevate your professional presence. Be sure to have the following: Contact form Email address Phone number Links to your social media accounts Art business name ideas 08. Start an online shop (optional) If you are interested in  selling art online , consider adding an online store  to your portfolio. Having an online store provides the convenience and accessibility that modern buyers seek, allowing them to browse and purchase your artwork from the comfort of their own homes. When creating your shop, make sure to: Write product descriptions For each piece, include a thorough description with the title, medium, size and any other relevant details. You can also write background knowledge or stories behind the creation of each piece. Set up secure payment options Select a platform that offers secure ways to accept payments online . This will ensure the safety of both you and your customers' data.  Offer shipping and handling information Be transparent about your shipping and handling process, including estimated delivery times and any additional fees or policies. This will help manage customer expectations and avoid any misunderstandings.  Tip : You can also start a print-on-demand business to help you make money as an artist . If you’re new to eCommerce websites , check our guide on what is eCommerce  to get started. 09. Get feedback from others Ask someone with experience in creating or evaluating art portfolios, such as an art teacher or a professional artist, to review your work. Outside advice and objective feedback can provide fresh perspectives and help you identify areas for improvement that you may have overlooked. Constructive criticism from knowledgeable sources can be invaluable for refining and enhancing your portfolio. Additionally, they might offer tips on how to present your work in a more compelling way or suggest pieces to include that better highlight your skills. Don’t hesitate to ask questions during the review process to fully understand their feedback and make the most out of the experience. Remember, every critique is an opportunity to learn and grow as an artist. 10. Edit your art portfolio over time Your portfolio should adapt as your artistic style evolves and grows. Regularly updating your portfolio with new pieces can keep your website fresh and engaging for both regular visitors and potential clients. It's important to have external eyes review your site and be open to feedback, as it can provide valuable insights for improvement. Utilize analytics tools like Google Analytics to track popular pages and user engagement, allowing you to focus on the most impactful content. Don't be afraid to experiment and make changes over time. Learn more: How to create a marketing portfolio How to create a modeling portfolio How to make an engineering portfolio How to make a tattoo portfolio To make an art portfolio , curate your work like a story that draws viewers in from the first glance. Arrange pieces by medium, theme or series so each section flows naturally into the next and use clean layouts with enough space for every piece to breathe. Sprinkle in sketches, studies or behind-the-scenes shots to reveal how your ideas take shape and add short notes on concept, inspiration or approach to give personality to your work. Learn more: How to make a portfolio Why is it important to have an art portfolio An online art portfolio is a digital collection of your art, typically built on a website hosting  platform. It serves as a central hub for your oeuvre, making it easily accessible to anyone with an internet connection. Here are some key reasons why you need an online portfolio: Gives you artistic freedom An online art portfolio grants you control over how your work is presented. You can curate and organize your web content in a way that best represents your style. This allows you to feature the diversity of your talent, making it easier for visitors to see the full range of your abilities. Maintains an up-to-date presence Your portfolio can be accessed anytime, anywhere—meaning anyone who wants to see your talent can view it at their own convenience. Be sure to regularly update your site with new and improved content, keeping it fresh and relevant. Attracts potential buyers An online art portfolio is an effective way to persuade potential buyers to invest in your art. By showcasing high-quality images of your artwork and including information about pricing and availability, you can entice clients to purchase, or even hire you for a commissioned piece. It facilitates easier communication and transactions between you and potential buyers. Demonstrates your identity as an artist Your online portfolio is a representation of you as an artist. It not only showcases your work but also provides insight into your creative process, inspirations and overall artistic identity. By displaying your art and accompanying it with meaningful descriptions or stories, you can connect with viewers on a deeper level. This helps build your personal brand and establishes yourself as a professional in the art world.  Art school admission requirement  If you're an aspiring artist looking to apply to art schools, having a well-designed online portfolio is a prerequisite  of the admission process. Art schools want to see not only your technical skills, but also your creativity and ability to effectively present your work. An online portfolio is an excellent way to showcase all these elements in one place, making it easier for admissions officers to evaluate your potential as an artist.   Online art portfolio examples Looking for guidance on creating an art portfolio that will make waves in the art community? Check out these Wix-made  portfolio websites . They're chosen to inspire and empower you to showcase your talent. LIŔONA Liron Eldar-Ashkenazi has simplified the menu options to make it easier for website users to navigate the entire site. Each gallery image contains titles that, when clicked, open to a unique page with a detailed project description. Zaria Forman Zaria Forman’s homepage opens with a captivating fullscreen photo of her engrossed in her painting. The image serves to highlight the immense size of Zaria's canvas and offers a glimpse into her inspiring vision. Jessie Maxwell Bearden With an Instagram feed on her site, Jessica Maxwell Bearden can showcase more images of her work, grow her followers and ensure that her site is always up-to-date. Timothy Goodman The combination of a cheerful yellow background with black and white text creates a lively contrast, making important aspects of Timothy Goodman's site stand out. Timothy takes the color scheme a step further on his About page, using color blocks to highlight distinct sections that showcase his bio, press images, client list and press. The sample portfolio website result is a visually appealing design that captures attention and guides visitors through the site. What common mistakes do people often make when creating a portfolio, that I should avoid? Creating a portfolio for the first time can be a little daunting and it’s easy to make mistakes that might prevent your portfolio from accurately reflecting your skills, talents and expertise. One of the most common mistakes is including everything you’ve ever worked on, rather than choosing your best pieces. A cluttered portfolio makes it hard for people to see your strengths. This also means carefully choosing work that reflects the range of skills or experience that you have. Focus on quality over quantity—choose pieces that showcase your skills and align with the type of opportunities you want. Another mistake is not tailoring your portfolio to your audience. If you’re applying for different roles or projects, tweak your portfolio to highlight relevant skills and projects. Very general portfolios can feel impersonal and fail to make an impact. Avoid neglecting the narrative. Your portfolio isn’t just a collection of work; it’s your story. Explain the context behind each piece—what problem you solved, your thought process and the outcome. This makes your work and you much more relatable. Lastly, don’t forget to focus on building a professional presentation — both in terms of how it looks and works. Broken links, typos or clunky navigation can ruin a great portfolio. Test it thoroughly and seek feedback from others. Remember, your portfolio represents you—make it authentic. Let your personality shine through. Other types of websites to create How to make an auto repair website How to make a bakery website How to make a booking website How to make a car dealership website How to make a car rental website How to make a car wash website How to make a carpenter website How to make a church website How to make a coaching website How to make a construction website How to make a consulting website How to make a donation website How to make an electrician website How to make a fashion website How to make a finance website How to make a florist website How to make a furniture website How to make a gaming website How to make a handyman website How to make an interior design website How to make a landscaping website How to make a laundromat website How to make a locksmith website How to make a medical website How to make a pet business website How to make a plumbing website How to make a real estate website How to make a sports website How to make a subscription website How to make a taxi service website How to make a toy website How to make a trucking website How to make a vacation rental website How to make a veterinary website How to make a website for bookkeeping How to make an art portfolio FAQ What should I include in my art portfolio? Your art portfolio should have a variety of your best work, along with relevant facts such as titles, mediums and sizes. You can also write an artist statement and any other additional features that highlight your artistic strengths. How many pieces should I include in my art portfolio? The number of pieces you decide to incorporate will vary depending on your chosen platform and the length of your body of work. Generally, it is recommended to have at least 10-15 pieces to give viewers a well-rounded sense of your style and abilities. Can I use my social media as an art portfolio? While some artists may decide to display their work solely on social media platforms, having a dedicated art portfolio website allows for more customization and a more professional presentation of your art. Additionally, having an online portfolio can make it easier to reach potential clients or employers who may not be active on social media. How do I create an online art portfolio for free? You'll want to choose a user-friendly portfolio website builder, like Wix, which can help you take your portfolio from start to finish with templates and customization options to best display your work. What should I avoid adding to my art portfolio? Avoid adding art to your portfolio that doesn't represent your best work or is unfinished. Also, steer clear of including art that's too similar to other pieces you have in your portfolio. Remember, quality over quantity is key. What should I focus on when creating an art portfolio for College? For a college art portfolio, focus on showcasing your best and most recent work, demonstrating your artistic growth and skills. Include pieces that display your understanding of different mediums, techniques and concepts. Highlight your unique style and potential for growth in a way that aligns with what you've learn from your program. How do I keep improving my art portfolio while making sure it's updated? Keep your portfolio fresh by regularly adding new pieces that showcase your latest skills and growth. Create a schedule for updates, such as adding three new art pieces every month. Continuously experiment with new mediums, techniques and styles to showcase your versatility. It's worth also keeping up with new styles and trends.

Ready to showcase your best work? Start building your portfolio →  A professional portfolio is a collection of work samples and other documents that provide an overview of your abilities and qualifications. By putting your portfolio online, you can proudly display your work to the world and establish yourself as an expert. “Professional is not a label you give yourself, it’s a description you hope others will apply to you,” says Harvard business professor, David Maister. But what actually makes someone a professional? For starters, it involves a certain level of knowledge in your field. You also need authority, experience and credibility in order for others to see you in this light. And what better way to achieve this than to create a portfolio website  that highlights your expertise? But what goes into building a professional portfolio and what other advantages does it provide? Here’s everything you need to know to learn how to build your website. With Wix’s portfolio builder, you can create a professional, eye-catching portfolio in just a few clicks. Customizable templates and intuitive tools make it easy to showcase your work with confidence, leaving a lasting impression on every visitor. What is a professional portfolio? A professional portfolio is your personal highlight reel. It showcases your projects, achievements and skills in a clear and engaging way. Unlike a resume, which provides a quick snapshot of your career, a portfolio goes deeper. It visually demonstrates your expertise and the impact you've made, helping potential employers or clients see your talents in action. An effective portfolio is adaptable. It should reflect your industry and the roles you’re aiming for. For example, if you’re a graphic designer, focus on creative concepts and completed designs. If you’re a writer, include your strongest pieces. Tailoring your portfolio ensures it’s relevant and resonates with your audience. More than anything, a portfolio gives you an edge. It proves your value through thoughtfully curated work and leaves a lasting impression that words alone can’t achieve. How to make a professional portfolio in 9 steps At this point, you may be wondering how to make a portfolio that looks professional. Now that you understand the importance of having one, let’s jump in and discuss the process for creating one online. Choose a domain Pick a template—or use AI Feature work that tells your story Organize your portfolio Build your portfolio structure Design your professional portfolio Write effective content Review your site Maintain your portfolio 01. Choose a domain Your domain name is how people are going to find your portfolio, so you’ll want it to be memorable and professional. Having a dedicated domain name also gives you credibility and authority. Ideally, it should reflect who you are and what you do by including the title of your website, your name or your professional field. If you’re feeling stuck and want some assistance, try this domain name generator to get the ideas rolling. 02. Pick a template—or use AI If you compare creating a portfolio to building a house, your template is like the foundation for the rest of the structure. Your professional portfolio is not only a way to consolidate your best work, but it also helps to establish the identity of your personal brand. When choosing your portfolio template , consider how you envision the visitor experience and the look and feel you want to convey. This includes all aspects of your site such as colors, fonts and the overall layout and design. Alternatively, if you're using a platform like Wix, you can use AI to your advantage. Wix's AI website builder creates a bespoke website for you in minutes—with a simple chat. The builder will construct a website based on your goals and even bring your portfolio to life with images and text. Using Wix's AI tools for portfolios, you can also skip the next several steps. Simply upload the images you want to include in your portfolio. The AI will then organize your images by project, plus suggest appealing titles and descriptions. 03. Feature work that tells your story Every piece you include in your professional portfolio should have a purpose. Instead of piling on everything you’ve done, think about what story your selection tells. Start by asking yourself:   What kind of opportunities do I want to attract?   Which projects best represent my current direction?   What skills or qualities do I want people to remember after they visit my site? Choose pieces that speak to those answers. A strong portfolio isn’t just impressive—it’s intentional. For example, if you’re a designer hoping to work in branding, emphasize identity systems and visual storytelling. If you’re a writer aiming for tech clients, show case studies or blog content that demonstrate clarity and expertise in that space. Balance range and focus. Show enough variety to highlight your adaptability, but maintain a clear through-line in tone, style or problem-solving approach. You’re not just displaying work—you’re shaping how others understand your capabilities. How many projects to include Finding the right number of projects for your portfolio is key. Too few might make it look like you lack experience, but too many can just overwhelm people and bury your best stuff. Generally, 10 to 20 carefully selected projects is a good target, though the perfect number depends on your industry and where you are in your career. Think about why each project is there. Does it highlight a specific skill, solve a problem or show off your unique creative approach? Every piece should tell a clear part of your story. For instance, a UX designer could feature 12 projects showing wireframes user research and final designs to highlight both their process and the outcome. Meanwhile, a writer might include 15 polished works, from articles to blog posts and copywriting campaigns. Prioritize relevant and recent work Relevance and recency are key. Highlight projects that demonstrate the skills, tools and expertise most valuable to your target audience. This helps viewers immediately see why you’re a strong candidate for their needs. Older work can sometimes show growth or evolution, but only include it if it adds a unique insight or illustrates a skill you still use. Think strategically: if you’re moving into a new specialization, selectively include older projects that clearly support your transition. Always ask yourself whether each piece strengthens your story and aligns with the professional opportunities you’re pursuing. Learn more about how to create a copywriting portfolio , for example. 04. Organize your portfolio How you organize your portfolio can make it easier for visitors to understand your expertise and find what interests them. Start by creating categories based on the type of work you do. For example: By project type:  Web design, branding, illustration, copywriting or photography. This helps viewers quickly identify the work you specialize in. By industry or client:  Organize projects by sector, such as healthcare, tech or education. This is useful if you want to show experience in specific markets. By skill or technique:  Showcase expertise in areas like UX research, motion graphics or product photography. This highlights your versatility while keeping each section focused. By process stage:  Consider grouping projects by concept, draft or final output, particularly if your process is a selling point (common in design, architecture or writing). Inside each category, think about the story you want to tell. Start with projects that are visually striking or show your strongest achievements. Then, add complementary pieces that demonstrate your depth or problem-solving skills. Your categories should tell a story about your expertise, growth and adaptability without overwhelming visitors. Learn how to make a florist portfolio.   Guide visitors through your work Good navigation is crucial. Use menus, tabs or filters so viewers can move between categories easily. Clear labels, short introductions and consistent formatting within each category make it simple to scan and understand. Finally, think about how categories connect. For example a UX project could appear under both “Web Design” and “User Research” if it shows multiple skills. Cross-linking relevant projects reinforces your range without cluttering individual sections. 05. Build your portfolio structure Once you’ve built the framework of your professional portfolio, you’ll need to decide what to include. While this is certainly not an exhaustive list, here are the sections you should be sure to have: Homepage: Your homepage is like the front door to your site - it leads you to anywhere else you might want to go. Because it’s the first impression visitors will have of you and your work, make sure it’s a powerful representation of your knowledge and experience. Include an introduction as well as high quality imagery that grabs visitors’ attention and conveys your expertise. Work samples: This is the heart of your portfolio. It’s the section that’s going to get the most attention, so be selective with which pieces you include. Make sure to only choose your best projects that show off your talent and skills. And don’t forget to add new ones as you go so that your portfolio is always up-to-date. About section: Whether you include this directly on your homepage or on a separate page, your About section should include a brief bio and a description of who you are. Describe your background, education and how you got to where you are today. Resume: Keep an updated version of your resume somewhere in your online portfolio, whether as a downloadable PDF file or on its own page. That way, if a potential employer or client comes across your site, they’ll be able to see your education and work experience right away. Contact information: Include all professional contact details so people can get in touch with you easily. This may include your email address, phone number and social media handles. 06. Design your professional portfolio Now comes the fun part. Using your creativity, as well as these web design tips and free tools , you can make your portfolio as unique as you. Consider if you want to keep your portfolio on the simple side or incorporate trendy design features, such as parallax scrolling and animation (especially if you are making an animation portfolio ). Will you create a one-page website or will you include a menu bar that leads to multiple pages? Whatever website type you choose, opt for high-quality images throughout that are in keeping with the tone of your brand. If you don’t have your own, you can use free Wix images or download photos for free from stock photo sites, such as Unsplash and Pexels . The possibilities are truly endless. Another good practice is to do some keyword research and incorporate written content into your professional portfolio to increase your SEO . For example, you may want to add a blog to your site in which you delve deeper into certain topics and highlight your knowledge in the field. This will help your Google ranking and increase traffic to your site, enhancing your visibility and online presence. Using your professional portfolio as a personal marketing portfolio is never a bad idea. Ready to create an online portfolio? Start designing yours today .   07. Write effective content The text in your portfolio is just as important as the visuals. Great content gives context, highlights your expertise and guides viewers through your story. Every project should include clear descriptions that explain the project, your role and the outcome—but don’t stop there. Use content to show strategic thinking, problem-solving and results so visitors understand not just what you did but why it mattered. Make your portfolio readable and engaging Pay attention to tone and voice. Keep your language professional yet approachable to reflect your personal brand. Avoid jargon unless it’s expected in your industry and write with active, confident language that shows ownership of your work. Think about adding category introductions or short summaries to frame each section of your portfolio. They act as a roadmap for viewers, highlight your strengths and weave your projects into a compelling story. For longer content, like blog posts or case studies, really focus on impact and storytelling. Always include challenges, your approach, what you learned and any measurable results whenever possible. Make sure it's easy to read. Use headings, bullet points and short paragraphs to make your content super scannable. Pair high-quality visuals with clear, concise text. 08. Review your site Before your professional portfolio goes live, have a friend, coworker or colleague review your site before you start sharing it with others. Having a second (or third) pair of eyes check your work before you share it with the rest of the world is always a good idea. Ask for honest feedback about the style, design and content and make any necessary changes. Once you’ve completed this step, the only thing left to do is hit Publish. After you've published and shared your portfolio, it's important to keep it updated. It should always represent your most recent work samples and achievements. It should grow with your career. 09. Maintain your portfolio Regular updates show professionalism, dedication and growth—qualities that stick with people long after they visit your site. Keep your portfolio relevant, highlight your latest work and accurately represent your capabilities. Schedule periodic reviews every 3–6 months to remove outdated projects and add new highlights that show your evolving expertise. Stay on top of industry trends. If new tools, techniques or styles become standard, update your portfolio with projects that show you’re adaptable. Refresh your design, layout and content to keep a modern, professional look that meets current expectations. Make sure your text, bios and contact info are always accurate. Outdated details or broken links can hurt your credibility, no matter how great your work is. What should I include in my professional portfolio? The components of your portfolio will vary depending on your field, but they should provide a complete picture of your work history and skillset. The primary element is going to be your work samples. But you’ll also want to include your resume, as well as any other documents that display your credibility and performance. These may include project plans, recommendations, awards or reports. You should also consider adding the following elements to make your portfolio even more compelling: Skills and abilities : Showcase your technical expertise, soft skills and any certifications or licenses. This helps potential employers or clients understand your strengths at a glance. Personal statement or bio : Share a brief overview of your career journey, goals and what makes you unique. This adds personality and sets the tone for your portfolio. References and testimonials : Include positive feedback from past employers, clients or colleagues. It builds credibility and highlights your professional relationships. Contact information : Help potential employers or clients connect with you easily. Add your email, phone number and links to your LinkedIn or professional social media profiles. Visual appeal : Keep your portfolio clean, organized and easy to navigate. A visually polished design creates a strong first impression. If you’re looking for some inspiration, check out these portfolio examples to get started. These include social media portfolios , industrial design portfolios , model portfolio examples , architecture portfolio examples and more to help get your creative juices flowing and spark ideas for your own professional portfolio. It's also a good idea to edit your portfolio depending on the job you're applying for. Customizing a portfolio for different career opportunities is a part of the process. Learn more: What to include in a portfolio , Sample portfolio websites What are some common mistakes to avoid? Overloading with content, both text and images:  Only include relevant, high-quality work. Exclude anything from years ago, unless it really highlights a special skill or level of expertise. Lack of focus:  Ensure it aligns with your career goals — including a specific role or project you're submitting the portfolio for. The beauty of an online portfolio is that it can be easily edited to suit the specific role you need it for Typos or errors:  Proofread thoroughly and ask someone else to check it too. Unclear navigation:  Make it easy for viewers to browse via your site hierarchy, website header and internal linking between pages. Missing updates:  Keep it current and relevant. Learn more: What is web design? Who needs a professional portfolio and why? A portfolio can be particularly beneficial for those working in creative fields, such as writing, photography, design and architecture. But anyone in a professional role can benefit from having one. And in today’s digital world (see digital portfolio examples ), the most efficient way to do this is to create one online. Building a portfolio is more than just showcasing your work—it’s your chance to highlight your strengths and stand out. For publicists, for example, knowing how to make a PR portfolio  can help highlight client wins and media achievements in the same way. Tailor your portfolio to match specific job opportunities and show employers why you’re the right fit. Think of it as telling your story, aligning your skills and experience with what they need. These types of websites are easily accessible and make it simple for others to see your work, including potential employers. They also provide flexibility when it comes to updating your content. With the click of a button, you can switch out one piece of work for another or easily add to your growing repertoire of expertise. You won’t have to carry around a physical copy with a stack of documents, but instead, can send people directly to your website. We all know how competitive job hunting can be, so it’s important that you stand out as a prime candidate. Employers are used to hearing why people are the best fit, but what if you actually showed them? Providing visual proof of your work with an online portfolio can make a much stronger impression and show that you’re as talented as you say. A portfolio also opens doors to opportunities you might not have considered. Potential clients or employers can come across your work and reach out to you, even when you’re not actively looking for a role. This kind of visibility can spark connections that lead to exciting projects or career growth. Additionally, an online presence is crucial for building your credibility and reputation. Imagine this: someone Googles you, and the first search result is your professional portfolio. How’s that for impressive? So whether it's a professional model portfolio , a photography portfolio , an illustration portfolio , UX portfolio example , fashion portfolio or something else, here's how to learn more about getting started with your own. How and when to submit your professional portfolio This depends on who you’re presenting it to and why. When applying for a job, submitting your portfolio early on with your resume and cover letter is a great way to highlight your achievements. You can include the link directly on your resume so potential employers have the opportunity to view your work even before your interview. In addition to sharing your work with them online, be sure to bring a few physical copies of your best pieces to the interview itself so you can reference them in real time. This is also good practice if you’re headed into a meeting with your current employer to discuss your work performance. Arming yourself with your best work instills confidence in your abilities and can help you feel prepared. It makes it easier to vouch for yourself when you can point directly to your achievements that reiterate why you deserve a raise or that promotion you applied for. To understand the value and impact a great professional portfolio can have, read about digital artist Nedavius and his journey to success. Looking to make another type of portfolio? How to make a nursing portfolio Professional portfolio FAQ How long should a professional portfolio be? A professional portfolio should include enough work to showcase your skills effectively, but it’s better to focus on quality over quantity. Aim for 10-20 carefully selected pieces that are relevant to your industry and the roles you’re pursuing. This ensures the portfolio remains impactful and easy to review without overwhelming your audience. Is a CV a professional portfolio? No, a CV (Curriculum Vitae) and a professional portfolio serve distinct purposes. A CV is a formal document listing education, work experience and skills. A professional portfolio, on the other hand, is a comprehensive collection of work samples, projects and achievements, offering a more dynamic and visual representation of an individual's capabilities. Is a professional portfolio a career portfolio? Yes, a professional portfolio and a career portfolio are often used interchangeably. Both refer to a collection of work samples, achievements, and credentials, showcasing an individual's skills and experience. This dynamic compilation serves as a tangible representation of one's professional journey and is commonly used for job applications and career development. Can I make a professional portfolio as a student? As a student you can create a professional portfolio showcasing coursework, projects and any relevant experiences. Include examples of your skills, such as writing, research or creative projects. A student portfolio demonstrates your capabilities and can be a valuable tool for internships, job applications or further education pursuits. How can I work my personal branding into my professional portfolio? To incorporate personal branding into your portfolio, consistently use a unique color scheme, logo and typography that reflect your style. Also include a personal statement or design philosophy to highlight your values as a designer. Check that your portfolio layout and tone align with the image you want to project as a designer. How do I balance showcasing past projects with presenting my future design aspirations? You can do this by presenting a mix of completed work and conceptual designs. Include a few standout projects to demonstrate your skills, then showcase future aspirations through mood boards, sketches or speculative designs. This approach highlights both your experience and vision for growth within the industry.

Bring your inspiration to life with a Wix website →   When you  create a website from scratch, it’s a lot like perfecting your favorite recipe. You’ve got to nail the right ingredients, methods and processes to result in a mouth-watering baked good.  Luckily, there are already plenty of recipes out there to follow and give bakers the foundations for creative inspiration. And with the U.S. bakery market expected to reach nearly $149 billion by 2032 , having a standout website is more important than ever. But what about bakery website designs— how do you plan a website  that will represent your business perfectly online?   As a baker who’s ready to learn how to make a bakery website , you can find inspiration from our compilation of the best bakery websites below. We’ll also dive into what a website is , what to include and why bakery websites are beneficial for business, alongside tips you can implement on your own.  Need inspiration for your website? With Wix, building a standout site is easier than ever. Choose from hundreds of customizable templates and use Wix’s easy drag-and-drop website builder  tools to make your vision come to life. Turn your ideas into reality and see just how simple it is to create a unique, professional website. TL;DR: best bakery website examples Your bakery’s website is the perfect way to showcase what makes your treats special and invite customers to experience your brand online. This guide features standout bakery websites that strike the right balance between mouthwatering visuals, clear information and easy-to-use features that help drive orders and visits. It's all about finding the best website designs  for bakeries. By exploring these examples, you’ll discover how bakeries are using design, storytelling and smart functionality to create an inviting online presence. Whether you’re launching a new bakery or refreshing your current site, these ideas offer practical inspiration to help your business stand out. How we selected the bakery website examples Selection criteria Why it matters Appetizing visuals High-quality photos that make products irresistible Clear menu presentation Easy-to-find and understand offerings that help customers decide quickly User-friendly ordering Seamless options for online orders or reservations Mobile responsiveness A smooth browsing experience on any device Brand personality Design and content that reflect the bakery’s unique style and story Simple navigation Makes it easy for visitors to explore the site without hassle Calls to action Clear prompts that guide customers toward ordering, booking or contacting "One of the things that helped me grow the most was creating my own website, where I can show everyone how I can help them." - Elena Blanco, child educator specializing in learning difficulties 15 best bakery website examples We’ve compiled a list of the best bakery websites built on Wix for your inspiration. Each of these bakeries artfully combines design elements, functional features and content variety to create a compelling website. While exploring these bakery website examples, you can gain insights into the types of elements you want to incorporate when building your bakery's site in the future. A Spoon Fulla Sugar  Eclair Bakery  Little Pearl Breads  Amoroso's Bakery Lima Cakes  Get Whisked  Southworth Sourdough Forma bakery Yori’s Bakery Vander Ploeg Bakery Shaz Confections Zserbó Bakery Blonde Bakery  The Beach Cottage Bakery  Sweetcie Pie 01. A Spoon Fulla Sugar    A Spoon Fulla Sugar  has a bakery website that perfectly reflects the essence of this artisan cake shop. Using a visually captivating design, the site’s pink and green color scheme strikes a balance between sophistication and modern vibes, utilizing light pink for a touch of elegance and cool mint green to add a sense of freshness and depth. Be inspired by other colorful website examples, including these : Purple websites Green websites Blue websites Pink websites We love how their website menu is meticulously organized and structured, ensuring that visitors can easily navigate through the bakery’s various offerings. Because the bakery website features a diverse range of content—from wedding cake details and custom goods, to scheduling a dessert bar—the site’s navigation highlights the most important items for customers, facilitating an easy user journey with clear hierarchy and concise copy.   Like what you see? Build your own bakery website using this same template. Template name:   Cake shop website template 02. Eclair Bakery  Eclair Bakery  is a New York City-based artisan bakery, offering a full menu of Parisian inspired creations by Chef Stéphane. Whether visitors are seeking catering for a big event, or want to enjoy an individual meal, Eclair’s bakery website allows them to view an extensive online ordering menu for pick-up or delivery. The website's engaging video backgrounds and high-quality images bring Eclair's sweet and savory pastries to life, stirring bakery enthusiasts' taste buds even before placing an order. Like what you see? Build your own bakery website using this same template. Template name:   Chocolate shop website template 03. Little Pearl Breads  For the owner of Little Pearl Breads , Macey Merlak, baking healthy bread is a lifelong passion that she wants to share with her customers. This passion is shown throughout her bakery website, where an inviting and cohesive design entices visitors to explore her organic products before making a purchase. Adding a blog is an excellent way for Macey to showcase her expertise even further, by sharing a repertoire of her favorite recipes. This not only emphasizes her dedication to baking but also enhances the website's SEO by utilizing relevant keywords and trending topics. Like what you see? Build your own bakery website using this same template. Template name:   Cake shop website template 04. Amoroso's Bakery Amoroso's Bakery  welcomes you with a heartwarming story rooted in from-scratch baking. The site’s design uses family photos and simple navigation to build trust and make the browsing experience feel like you’re visiting a beloved neighborhood spot. What sets this bakery website apart is its built-in eCommerce feature, with an easy-to-use shop offering nationwide shipping. From classic cakes to special wedding designs, you can order online for any occasion. The dedicated wedding cake section and inviting product galleries make it simple for customers to buy or plan a celebration, showing just how approachable and functional a bakery website can be. Like what you see? Build your own bakery website using this same template. Template name:   Bakehouse (rustic) website template 05. Lima Cakes  Lima Cakes  elevates baking and bakery websites into a true art form. The homepage is adorned with a black and white color scheme and trendy gradient background, giving their stunning cakes the spotlight.  An image of the bakery’s gorgeous cakes is followed by a captivating video of one of the cakes in the process of being made. Both pieces of media content are high quality, offering a tempting glimpse into the artistry behind each creation. As we scroll further, we meet the founder of Lima Cakes, Sona, who introduces herself in a warm and informative manner. She shares her unique, artistic approach to cake making, highlighting her passion and skill. Sona also proudly displays the numerous wedding cake awards she has won and the publications she has been featured in, instantly establishing her credibility and reputation for new visitors. Like what you see? Build your own bakery website using this same template. Template name:   Pie shop (cozy) website template 06. Get Whisked  Get Whisked  greets visitors with an engaging splash page, which acts as an introduction to their business before visitors click through to the bakery website. The splash page presents an enticing image of pastries in the making, accompanied by their custom logo, business name, and the slogan "Love at First Bite." The same captivating choice of imagery is used throughout Get Whisked's website, using a mix of quality GIFs, photographs, videos and vector art to represent their passion and products.  Once customers arrive at the homepage, they’re greeted with the story of how Get Whisked started, along with images of the young baker at work. Scrolling further, a section titled "The Process" explains how each baked good is lovingly crafted using natural ingredients. Following this, a compelling call-to-action invites visitors to visit the shop, where they can order a range of Get Whisked products, from homemade pies to cakes and cookies. Like what you see? Build your own bakery website using this same template. Template name:   Cooking school website template 07. Southworth Sourdough Southworth Sourdough  is a fantastic model for turning a passion into an educational hub. This website design is clean modern and focused entirely on teaching the art of sourdough. Instead of selling bread it sells knowledge through beautifully presented ebooks and online classes. The layout is simple and direct making it easy for aspiring bakers to find guides on everything from starting a sourdough culture to mastering artisan loaves. What makes this site so effective is its clear mission to empower home bakers. By offering a mix of free and paid resources like downloadable recipes and comprehensive guides it caters to all skill levels. This approach is a powerful way to build a brand centered on expertise and community. It proves that a bakery website can be much more than a menu, it can be a classroom. Like what you see? Build your own bakery website using this same template. Template name:   Tea shop website template 08. Forma bakery Forma Bakery  is a strong example of how thoughtful design choices can help a bakery website stand out in a crowded space. Each section of the website is carefully organized, guiding visitors to what matters most—irresistible product photos, a convenient menu and easy ways to connect on social media. The clean layout gives plenty of breathing room so images of pastries and breads take center stage, while an artistic, custom font gives the brand a unique and memorable personality. This font is both stylish and easy to read, setting the mood for a modern bakery that values creativity as much as quality. Navigation on Forma Bakery’s site is straightforward, using clear links and icons for pages like their menu, location and Instagram. The design balances eye-catching visuals with practical structure, making it simple for visitors to explore what the bakery offers or find out how to visit in person. By combining minimalism with bold accents and a standout font, Forma Bakery gives readers plenty of inspiration for bakery website examples that are both inviting and distinct. Like what you see? Build your own bakery website using this same template. Template name:   Cafe website template 09. Yori’s Bakery   Yori's Bakery  brings a friendly, hometown vibe to its website with a full-width welcome photo and a focus on from-scratch baking. The clean, classic layout with a simple navigation bar makes it easy for visitors to browse pastries, custom cakes and holiday treats, creating a site that feels both familiar and reliable. The site does a great job organizing its wide range of baked goods without overwhelming users. Clear categories, dedicated photo galleries and menu links make the journey straightforward and enjoyable. Sections for custom cake orders and holiday specialties help customers find what they need for any occasion, showing that thoughtful structure and inviting design go hand in hand. Like what you see? Build your own bakery website using this same template. Template name:   Coworking company website template Editor’s note: Don’t worry about the template’s original niche. Wix templates are fully customizable, so choose a design that feels right and adapt it to your brand. 10. Vander Ploeg Bakery Vander Ploeg Bakery  also known as Pella Bakery is a wonderful example of how to build a website around a unique specialty. The site immediately introduces its Dutch heritage and famous "Dutch Letters" giving visitors a clear sense of its brand. By featuring images of its historic storefront and sweet treats, the design creates a feeling of tradition and quality. The warm "Welkom" message adds a personal touch that makes you feel like you are stepping into their shop. This bakery website design shows how to blend local charm with modern convenience. In addition to celebrating its from-scratch baking traditions, the site features a contact form with an integrated map helping customers find the bakery with ease. A clear call-to-action for the online store makes its products accessible to customers everywhere. This is a smart approach for any bakery with a signature item, providing a great model for turning a local favorite into a nationally recognized treat. Like what you see? Build your own bakery website using this same template. Template name:   Bakery website template 11. Shaz Confections Shaz Confections  makes the “best crepe in Hong Kong,” a reputation which they’re sure to display at the very top of their homepage. The rest of the website's delicate design mirrors the finesse of their cakes and pastries. Warm, neutral colors and a combination of modern sans serif and cursive fonts in a modern style are used to build style and maintain visual interest.  Recognizing Hong Kong's international character, Shaz Confections has prudently translated their website's content into Chinese and English, making it multilingual and accessible to a broader audience. Like what you see? Build your own bakery website using this same template. Template name:   Cookie shop website template 12. Zserbó Bakery Zserbó Bakery  serves up a slice of European charm with a website design that is both elegant and personal. The site does a fantastic job of telling a story, immediately introducing the history behind its signature Zserbó pastry. The warm welcome message and backstory of the owner create an immediate connection making the brand feel authentic and inviting. Its clean layout and beautiful imagery let the baked goods speak for themselves. This bakery website is packed with features that build a strong community around the brand. A mailing list subscription invites visitors to stay connected while a dedicated blog offers a deeper look into the bakery's world. Sprinkling in customer testimonials throughout the site provides social proof and builds trust with potential new customers. These elements show how you can use a website not just to sell products but to create a loyal following. Like what you see? Build your own bakery website using this same template. Template name:   Ecommerce chocolate Boutique (retro) website template 13. Blonde Bakery  Blonde Bakery 's site is seriously sweet, thanks to its vibrant pink theme that pulls you right in. With "cake is life" front and center, Blonde Bakery keeps things fresh and fun. Their homepage gallery is a smart way to let visitors feast their eyes on their latest and greatest creations. Plus, clear descriptions and fun illustrations make the whole site a treat to browse. Blonde Bakery really lays out what they offer, from custom cakes for any party to treats for big events and even deliveries to your besties. They keep their site buzzing with fresh content by linking up their Instagram, so you're always in the loop on their newest goodies and deals. Like what you see? Build your own bakery website using this same template. Template name:   Wedding bakery (whimsical) website template 14. The Beach Cottage Bakery  When visitors arrive at The Beach Cottage Bakery ’s website, they are met with a full-screen image of freshly baked bread that makes the product almost tangible. The inviting visual draws visitors in to learn more about the bakery’s homemade sourdough loaves. From here, visitors can easily find the bakery’s About Us page , FAQ page  or order form to complete their journey whether that’s making an order or joining a bread-making workshop. A smart feature of the website is its "breaducation" section. Here, you’ll find answers to questions like "What is Sourdough?" and "Benefits of Sourdough Fermentation." By offering this content, the bakery builds trust in its products and shows its expertise, making it a go-to local business for all things sourdough. Like what you see? Build your own bakery website using this same template. Template name:   Food photographer website template 15. Sweetcie Pie Sweetcie Pie  uses a clever, scarcity-driven model that makes its website feel both exclusive and inviting. The design is simple and image-forward, with a rotating banner of delicious-looking pies that immediately grabs your attention. It clearly communicates that its pies and sourdough are available only at specific times, creating a sense of anticipation and encouraging visitors to plan ahead. This is a smart way to manage production for a home-based bakery while making each bake feel like a special event. The site excels at building a dedicated customer base through smart features. It prominently features a newsletter signup so fans never miss an announcement about the next bake, a great tool for direct marketing. Additionally, its "Bread Share" program is an innovative subscription model that guarantees recurring business and fosters a sense of community among sourdough lovers. This is a powerful bakery website example of how to build a business around scheduled offerings and keep customers coming back for more. Like what you see? Build your own bakery website using this same template. Template name:   Toy store website template The benefits of a having bakery website for your business  These days, especially when you start a baking business  from scratch, having a website to display your own creations   is a must-have. With the emergence of innovative baking trends—ranging from intricate cakes to gluten-free specialties and customized goods—it's essential   to claim an online presence that captivates new audiences and showcases your unique offerings.  When you start a business  of your own in the baking industry, the many benefits of a website include the ability to... Increase your bakery’s visibility online Many customers search for local bakeries and delivery services online. A website allows you to harness the power of SEO , to become more discoverable in search results, making your delectable creations accessible to a broader audience and eventually increasing web traffic .  Engage more with new audiences  Part of your bakery business plan  is likely to find ways to grow and diversify your audience.  Combined with social media platforms for your bakery, a website provides a platform for sharing updates, promotions and events to keep customers engaged. A professional and visually appealing site that showcases your baked goods will also enhance your bakery’s brand image and credibility.  Enhanced customer service and loyalty Providing the convenience of online shopping and payment wins customers' favor, especially with the increasing popularity of delivery and pre-orders. Additionally, you can keep them informed about business changes and improvements, fostering a sense of loyalty. Better business management  A business website  gives you tools to centralize communication with customers, create marketing campaigns, increase sales and streamline tasks, allowing you to manage your business effectively from a single platform. You’ll also have access to reports and analytics that offer insights into your business’s growth.  Increased sales potential  Allowing online purchases for pre-orders and delivery can significantly boost sales and revenue. With secure payment processes and invoicing tools, using this type of website  to manage sales makes it easy for customers to pay, and simple to track your own income, too.  What should a good bakery website include? 5 tips for making the best bakery website The best bakery websites look great while providing visitors with details about your products and tools such as online purchasing. Before you set off to create a bakery website of your own, you’ll want to make sure to include the right parts of a website , content and features. Let’s make sure you have the right vision and tools to get there. As you plan a website for your bakery business, keep in mind the following critical steps and components. 01. Use the right website building software  Establishing a professional website begins with choosing a user-friendly bakery website builder that gives you flexible website design  and business management tools, too. Your website builder should include a content management system (CMS) that allows you to effortlessly add, remove, and update web content  without compromising design quality or functionality. There are many advantages to using website-building software. Most importantly for small business owners, it helps save time and money. When considering how long it takes to build a website  using code, drag-and-drop technology accelerates the design process. Creating a baking site on your own, rather than hiring a professional, will also substantially reduce how much it costs to make a website . This can be especially helpful for a small business budget with limited in-house resources.  Learn more about some of the best AI website builders . 02. Register a domain name A domain name refers to your website’s URL, or, the web address people will type in to arrive at your site. Your domain name should be short and on-brand in order to make it memorable for customers, while setting your site apart from the competition.  Not sure how to choose a domain name? Here are a couple rules of thumb:   First, choose a domain that includes your name or business name or a relevant keyword, such as “bread” or “best bakery.” Next, include a top-level domain (TLD) that’s both professional and easy to remember. For example, .com  is a standard TLD for professional websites, but a newer TLD that’s industry or location specific may suit your bakery website. For example, .bakery, .cafe, or .food, or using a localized TLD for your country such as .us, .uk or .fr.  Pro tip: If your baking business doesn’t have a name yet, try a tool like a business name generator or use a bakery name generator  to gather ideas and inspiration before making this decision.  03. Find a bakery website template A professionally designed template is how some of the best bakery websites are made. Find a bakery template  that already includes some of the foundations you need to start. This will streamline the design process while allowing for customization so that it perfectly reflects your bakery’s own branding.  When searching for the best template for your business, be sure to look out for a solid website user interface  and website features  you need to be successful—such as image galleries, a blog, contact forms and online ordering with payment options.  04. Add the right webpages  Most websites (unless it's a one-page site) include the bulk of their website content dispersed throughout separate web pages. Each web page  has its own specific purpose and features, and is generally composed of a title, body text, imagery, video and links. Absolute must-have on your baking website include: A homepage, contact page, an About us page and a product pages with a descriptive menu or your baked goods. If relevant, you should include pages for an online store or delivery form for customers who want to place purchases conveniently online.  05. Use high quality images From your bakery logo  to supportive   photos, illustration and videos—imagery is one of the most powerful elements to tell your story. Whether you’re building visitors’ appetites with photos of your products or uploading video recipe content—make sure your images and video are always optimized and formatted for the web. This way, they won’t slow down your site and will appear of the highest quality to really make an impact on visitors.   As you build your bakery website, it's good practice to include alt text in your images. This short and descriptive text is important for web accessibility , on top of helping your site’s SEO performance.  Learn more: AI website examples Bakery website design: important questions to ask before getting started When designing a website for a bakery, your planning and design questions should focus on its aesthetics, functionality and user experience. Design How can the website best showcase high-quality images of my baked goods? Does its design convey my bakery’s theme (e.g., rustic, modern, artisanal)? Are there templates specifically for food-related businesses or bakeries? Logo and branding Does my incorporate my bakery’s branding elements, such as logos, color schemes and fonts? How will my bakery design highlight my unique selling points (e.g., handmade, organic, gluten-free)? Menu and product display How should my site display my bakery’s menu or product catalog? Should I include detailed descriptions of items, like ingredients or allergen information? Are there options for categorizing products (e.g., cakes, pastries, bread)? At its core, your bakery website's design should tell the story of your bakery. It should reflect the why behind how you got started, it should be representative of your branding and vibe. Get that right and the rest should follow. Discover inspiring winery websites and see how to create your own. Best bakery websites FAQ What's the best website builder for bakeries? The best platform for making a bakery website is one that is user friendly and includes robust features to support functionality, scalability, high performance and security. Since you’ll likely sell baked goods on your site, it’s a good idea to choose a platform like Wix’s eCommerce  solutions, which provides tools for managing online sales, shipping and accepting secure payments.  As a beginner with website design, be sure to find a website platform that supports professional templates. These are easy to set up and customizable, while saving time in the process. Of course, you’ll also want to consider your small business budget and find a platform that is affordable or offers a free trial before using premium features. What should a bakery website look like? A bakery website should include an attractive design that represents your brand. This means including relevant web pages, on top of branded website elements such as your logo, bakery colors and fonts. On top of that, having functional elements such as contact forms, ordering forms, and an online store will benefit visitors and give them a good customer experience.  These days, it's especially important that your website looks just as good on mobile devices as it does on desktop. Before you publish your site, it’s a great idea to run through a website launch checklist  to ensure it looks great and functions well. What is the most profitable bakery item? The most profitable bakery items are often those with high demand and low production costs, such as cupcakes, cookies and artisanal bread. These items appeal to a broad audience, are easy to scale and can be sold in large quantities. Specialty items like wedding cakes or custom-decorated desserts may also be highly profitable due to their higher pricing and the added value of personalization. Adding trendy flavors or unique twists can further boost sales and set your bakery apart. Does a bakery need a website? Yes, a bakery needs a website to effectively reach and serve its customers. A website allows customers to discover your offerings, check your menu and even place orders online. It boosts your visibility, especially when people search for local bakeries, and builds trust with potential customers. Additionally, it enables you to showcase your brand, highlight specialties and stay connected through updates, events or promotions.

Your name idea deserves a home. Secure your domain now → Finding the best portfolio website name can be tricky. You want something that sticks, shows your style, and makes your professional portfolio easy to find and remember. A good name can help you stand out and get noticed by the right people. TL;DR: creative portfolio names The right portfolio name sets the tone before anyone even clicks. This guide shares creative portfolio name ideas and tips to pick one that shows your style. Find inspiration for artists, designers, writers and other creatives, for a personal site, client-facing portfolio examples and more and choose a name that’s original, memorable and true to your vision. Naming your portfolio just got a whole lot easier . The Wix Business Name Generator gives you custom, on-brand ideas fast—along with the tools to bring your idea to life. Top features of a great creative portfolio name Why it matters Authentic to you Reflects your personality, creative style or professional identity Easy to remember Makes it simple for clients or collaborators to recall and revisit Search-friendly Helps people find you online more easily Flexible for growth Leaves room to evolve as your work or business expands Distinct from others Avoids confusion and helps you stand out in a crowded creative space Aligned with your brand Supports your tone, niche and the kind of work you want to be known for 80+ portfolio name ideas to get you started Unique portfolio names Catchy portfolio names Professional portfolio names Location-based portfolio names Modern portfolio name ideas Timeless portfolio names Clever portfolio names Funny portfolio name ideas Unique portfolio names 1. Creative Odyssey 2. Artful Trends 3. Visionary Escapes 4. Design Delights 5. Aesthetic Adventures 6. Imaginative Soirées 7. Visual Fusion 8. Creative Chronicle 9. Art Gala 10. Inspiring Affairs Learn how to make a portfolio , be inspired by sample portfolio websites Catchy portfolio names 1. PortfolioJoy 2. Vision Bliss Designs 3. Image Fables 4. Design Carousel 5. Savvy Creations 6. Showcase Bonanza 7. Eye-Catching Portraits 8. Visual Nectar 9. Creative Gaiety 10. Epic Art Events Many of these would work great for a writing portfolio , for example. Professional portfolio names 1. Elite Designs Portfolio 2. Creative Craftsmen Studio 3. Visionary Excellence 4. Artistic Gurus 5. Precision Portfolios 6. Design Guild 7. Creative Connoisseur Studio 8. Professional Creations 9. Visual Creators 10. Executive Artworks Find out: Does a portfolio have to be a website? Location-based portfolio names 1. [City/Neighborhood] Art Curation 2. [City/Region] Elegance Portfolios 3. [City] Visual Gatherings 4. [City/State] Designs & Traditions 5. [City/Neighborhood] Showcase Bites 6. [City] Visual Canvas 7. [City/Region] Artful Feasts 8. [City/State] Imaginative Engagements 9. [City/Neighborhood] Vision Pleasures 10. [City] Art Connections Modern portfolio name ideas 1. Urban Art Experience 2. Creative Chic Studio 3. TechArt Designs 4. Trendy Visual Treats 5. Digital Imaging Delights 6. Edgy Art Events 7. Modern Creative Co. 8. Art Innovation Hub 9. CyberVisions Studio 10. Trendy Designs Gatherings Timeless portfolio names 1. Classic Artistry 2. Time-Honored Designs 3. Heritage Visuals 4. Art Classics Collective 5. Vintage Venue Creations 6. Nostalgic Art 7. Traditional Design Treats 8. Art Legacy Studio 9. Evergreen Creations 10. Ageless Expressions Clever portfolio names 1. Artful Finesse 2. Creative Charades 3. Portfolio Brainwaves 4. Visionary Enigma 5. Savvy Design Solutions 6. Witty Art Networks 7. Crafty Creations 8. Design Twist Studio 9. Portfolio Brainstorms 10. Artistic Enchantment Funny portfolio name ideas 1. ArtComedy 2. Laughable Designs 3. Visual Belly Chuckles 4. Chuckle Creations 5. Giggles Gatherings 6. Funny Art Fables 7. Laugh Lines Studio 8. Whimsical Visuals 9. Grin and Graphics 10. Chuckle Creations Create your portfolio based on your industry: Video portfolio website Photography portfolio website Music portfolio website Model portfolio website Interior design portfolio website Illustration portfolio website Art portfolio website Architecture portfolio website Examples of great portfolio names The Paper Bakery This eye-catching portfolio portrays a business that specializes in customized design branding and paper goods. The portfolio name brings a fun and unique twist of wording to its brand, making it clear to the public that they are a creative and approachable brand to work with. Chipie Design This design studio focuses on helping small businesses grow their brand. The portfolio name gives off a jolly feeling to clients and focuses on creating a friendly, professional brand image. Run Wild  This design portfolio uses its adventurous and exciting name to showcase their high level of creative expertise, depicting that anything clients demand, is possible to create. Looking to land your next role? Learn how to make a portfolio for a job  that gets noticed. How to choose the right portfolio name Choosing the name of your portfolio involves thoughtful consideration. Follow these tips to make an informative but professional decision that will better help portray your portfolio and brand. 01. Consider your target audience Understand your target clientele and tailor your name to appeal to their tastes and preferences. For example, if you’re targeting a corporate audience, you might choose a more professional-sounding design portfolio name than if you’re targeting a younger, more creative crowd. All of this should be taken into account when creating an online design portfolio . For a professional portfolio, consider using your own name. Options include: First and last name (e.g., firstnamelastname.com) for a simple, professional choice that also helps with SEO Initial and last name (e.g., jsmith.com) if your full name is long or difficult to spell Name with a specialty (e.g., jsmithdesign.com) to make it clear what you do 02. Consider your brand identity Showcase your desired brand image in your portfolio name, whether it's high-end, casual, or a unique niche. If your portfolio specializes in a specific industry or style, like if you have a fashion portfolio or a portfolio that caters towards food and restaurants, you should consider incorporating it into your portfolio name as it could be a smart choice for branding purposes. Learn more: What to include in a portfolio 03. Be creative Embrace creativity to make your portfolio name stand out and be memorable. This might mean a lot of brainstorming, combining words and working with a website name generator  for further inspiration when choosing a name for your online portfolio website . Consider these creative techniques: Use descriptive words that reflect your creativity and the type of work you do Play with puns, alliteration or rhymes to make the name more memorable Highlight your specialty or niche in the name (e.g., “Creative Chronicle” for a writer or “Aesthetic Integrations” for a designer) Learn more: How to make an architecture portfolio 04. Test your name ideas Gather feedback from friends, family and potential clients to refine and select the best name for your portfolio. Consider what appeals to them, and what doesn’t, and use that information to make an informed decision when coming up with a name for your portfolio website.  For more inspiration, check out these portfolio website examples made on Wix. Remember these additional tips: Avoid generic names. Keep the name easy to pronounce and remember. Check name availability for trademarks and domain registration Stick to a name you won’t get tired of. Using your name as a brand can help focus your efforts. Consider a nickname for certain projects while keeping your professional name for others. Once you've chosen your portfolio name, you'll want to choose the best portfolio website builder to create your site. Explore these Wix portfolio templates to get started. Looking for a creative name for another business idea? Trucking business names Consulting business names   Real estate business names   Food truck business names   Marketing business names   Construction business name ideas   Boutique business name ideas   Photography business names   Craft business name ideas Creating a portfolio has never been this easy. With Wix’s AI Website Builder, you can have a fully personalized website up and running in minutes. Just share a few details about your vision, and let Wix’s AI take care of the design, customization and launch. It’s quick, smart and tailored to showcase your work beautifully. Don’t wait–let AI do the heavy lifting while you focus on creating and sharing your best work. Portfolio names FAQ Why is choosing the right name so important for my portfolio? Choosing the right name for your portfolio is crucial because it serves as the first impression for potential clients. A well-crafted name sets the tone for your brand, aids in marketing efforts and significantly influences how customers perceive the services reflected in your portfolio. A memorable and relevant name can contribute to the success and growth of your portfolio. Should I think about scale when choosing my business portfolio name? Yes, it's advisable to consider future expansion and scalability when choosing your portfolio name. Select a name that can accommodate potential growth and diversification of services. Avoid overly restrictive or niche-specific names that may limit your business's adaptability as it evolves. Can I change my portfolio name in the future? While it's possible to change your portfolio name in the future, it's generally better to choose a name you can commit to for the long term. Changing a portfolio name can be logistically challenging and may result in confusion among clients. If a name change is necessary, plan it carefully, communicate it effectively and update all relevant materials and platforms. Can I use my own name for my portfolio? Using your own name for your portfolio is a personal choice. Some creatives opt for a personal touch, especially if their reputation is a significant selling point. However, consider the scalability and branding implications of using your name. If you plan to grow beyond a personal brand, a more versatile and descriptive name may be beneficial. What are the most common ways to build a portfolio name? The professional:  [First Name] [Last Name] (e.g., Jane Doe ) The specialist:  [Last Name] [Discipline] (e.g., Doe Design , Doe Copywriting ) The bbstract:  [Metaphor or Concept] (e.g., Paper Plane Studio , Midnight Labs )

Get started by: Creating a website →  | Getting a domain → Never judge a book by its cover—but as far as we’re concerned, judging by the author’s website is just fine. Of course, we’re kidding, but deciding to create a website for your readership is an important professional step as an author, even in a world traditionally dominated by print. Whether you’ve already been published or you're in the middle of working on your masterpiece, this article will guide you in creating an author website of your own (if you're not sure if you need one, check out does my business need a website ). We’ll briefly go over what purpose author websites serve and what should be included in one. Hint: You'll need a professional bio , and some testimonials and an RSS feed of your most recent posts can't hurt either. Plus, we’ll show you 10 examples of author websites to inspire your own website design. Read also: How to make a business website TL;DR: best author websites Explore author website examples that showcase how writers can effectively present their work and connect with readers. You’ll find inspiration from sites that balance storytelling, professional branding and easy navigation. These examples reveal how a well-designed author website can boost your visibility and build a loyal audience. We also outline the top features that make an author website stand out, offering practical tips to help you create a site that reflects your unique voice while making it simple for readers and publishers to explore your work. What makes a great author website? Key feature Why it matters Clear author bio Builds a personal connection with readers Showcase of books Highlights your published work and encourages sales Easy navigation Helps visitors find info like events, blog and contact Engaging blog or news Keeps your audience updated and coming back Newsletter signup Grows your reader community and keeps them engaged Professional design Reflects your brand and professionalism Social media links Connects readers to your wider online presence 10 examples of author websites Before you design your own site, explore this collection of the best websites for authors created by Wix users. These best website examples showcase strong branding, engaging layouts and all the key features that make a site stand out. Romi Neustadt BB Writer Shannon Redmon Taylor Tyng John Clarkson Trevor Cosson Alan Allinger Evan Nicholls Crawford Content Vi Khi Nao 01. Romi Neustadt: Author website with clear branding Romi Neustadt is an entrepreneur who shares her professional wisdom with the world. Her latest book You Can Have It All is an encouraging piece, guiding readers to live an authentic and fulfilled life. Romi’s author website certainly has it all. It communicates her mission as an author immediately, using impeccable personal branding and key elements that lead her to show off her mission and accomplishments. Take a look, for instance, at the strong first impression she creates. A customized slideshow on the homepage features two powerful images. Romi’s headshot is confident and warm, embodying the vision of an author you’d like advice from. This is followed by a quality image of her latest book, which is accompanied by a short description and a strategic call-to-action button that states “Order Now”—making it easy for visitors to purchase a copy. 02. BB Writer: Minimalist author website with a personal touch BB is a fiction and non-fiction writer from Boston with a sincere message and a visually pleasing website. The minimalist design and color scheme gives her website a clean feel, while the addition of images and an inspiring quote about writing enlivens the site and strengthens the writing theme. Scrolling down BB’s author website , you’ll come upon a short “About Me” section, which allows visitors more insight into BB’s background as a writer and provides a space for her to write about what she’s currently working on. You’ll also see that she’s added a customized logo to the site. Creating your own logo is a good idea as a writer, since it strengthens your personal brand. Be inspired: Book cover ideas 03. Shannon Redmon: Book website for suspense lovers Authors who want to showcase a specific book should turn to Shannon Redmon 's website as an example. Shannon strategically highlights her latest novel on the first fold of her site, pairing a high-quality image of her book cover with a photo of herself, helping visitors put a face to the name. Meanwhile, her other books remain easy to find. Upon scroll, visitors can explore her other book titles. They can even find a library of video previews promoting her latest work. You can also find recordings of online discussions she's had with other novelists, dubbed the Suspense Squad. Learn more: How to make a book cover 04. Taylor Tyng: Creative author website with a playful design Anything from typical, Taylor Tyng ’s website makes for a fun, engaging browsing experience. Visitors are greeted by an animated image of the author seemingly floating in the clouds. From the get-go, readers can see that Taylor specializes in "fantastical fiction." Taylor uses fun graphics, playful typography and animation to give readers a sense of his personality. Another clever element is Taylor’s incorporation of a lightbox —the pop-up window grabs users’ attention and encourages them to sign up to the mailing list. 05. John Clarkson: Thrilling author website with bold design The thrilling nature of John Clarkson ’s novels is made palpable by his website’s visual theme. Its cohesive design theme includes a bold color scheme and the cover art taken from his book covers. As users scroll down the homepage, parallax scrolling gives the site a sense of depth and sophistication. John’s homepage’s content is impressive while a clear navigation menu links users to even more information. Here, we have a spotlight on his latest book, reviews from critics and readers, a short bio and strategic calls-to-action placed through the page. Clearly visible links to his Good Reads and Amazon accounts encourages site visitors to purchase his work. 06. Trevor Cosson: Sleek website for a writer Trevor Cosson ’s site design is minimalistic, using lots of negative space to bring the user’s attention to the text featured throughout. As viewers navigate the site, they’ll be brought to different samples of his work, including his blog and examples of both creative writing and copy. With such a strong focus on text, you should choose a font that reflects your personality and is consistent with the rest of your website’s visual style. In this case, Trevor’s use of a simple serif font enhances the site’s classic feel. Trevor’s website header also includes links to his various social media accounts. This is a strategic way to build your following as an author, helping increase your visibility and consistently engage with your readership. 07. Alan Allinger: Dynamic author site with video flair Alan Allinger uses one of Wix’s templates to create a customized author website. The video box featured in this template perfectly embodies the goals of this crafty design element, which allows you to add overlays to your own video and frame it with customized shapes. In this case, a moving image of clouds inside of a quotation mark alludes to both the inspirational and practical aspects of writing. Overall, the dynamic template showcases Alan’s work and experience quite well. Plus, the addition of a blog gives him the opportunity to share even more great content with his online community. 08. Evan Nicholls: Artistic poet website with collage elements Evan Nicholls is a poet whose work has been featured in various literary magazines and publications throughout the years. Evan uses his website to show off the full breadth of his work, including Holy Smokes , a chapbook of poems and collages that he authored. His website makes a powerful statement. It gives the most real estate to intriguing collage-like graphics that, when clicked, reveal handpicked samples of his work. Evan incorporates subtle branding elements throughout his website. The repeated use of colorful triangles and scrapbook-like graphics draw visitors in and reflect Evan's passion in poetry and collage art. 09. Crawford Content: Clean one-page website for authors Here’s another example of a Wix website template that’s just perfect for showcasing your work as an author. In this case, the Crawford sisters work as a team, customizing this elegant design by including their own logo, images and text. Their sophisticated style is further emphasized by the use of light colors and traditional fonts. Their one-page website makes it easy to scroll through their site, and is a web design trend that's sure to impress. Vi Khi Nao: Colorful and unique author website Author and poet Vi Khi Nao 's website is anything but conventional. Featuring loud, colorful images of fruit in the background, Vi's website is impossible to ignore and hard to tear your eyes away from. Visitors may find themselves clicking through the site, just to see what's behind these curious images. It doesn't take long to realize that Vi's artistic choices are a reflection of her mission as a writer: to work across multiple genres, languages and art forms to tackle meaningful, sometimes uncomfortable, topics. How to build an author website Building an author website is a smart way to connect with readers, promote your work and grow your audience. Follow these steps to get started: Establish goals for your author website: Before exploring how to create a website , take a moment to decide what you want your website to accomplish. Are you looking to sell books, share updates, grow your mailing list or attract speaking engagements? Clear goals will help you shape your site to meet your needs. Choose a website builder: Opt for a platform that’s easy to use and offers creative tools to help you share your story. With the ability to create a website with AI  and a drag and drop website builder , you can design your site effortlessly while keeping full control over customization. Wix is a great option for authors with its user-friendly templates and features. Pick a template: Select a website template that matches your writing style and personal brand. Clean and professional layouts work well to highlight your books and create a welcoming space for readers. Register a domain name: Secure a custom domain name that reflects who you are as an author. A name like yournameauthor.com keeps it professional and easy to remember. If you need ideas, domain name generators can help you find something unique and on-brand in seconds. Set up your website pages: Your author website should include a homepage to welcome readers, an About page to share your story, a Books page to showcase your work with descriptions and purchase links, a Blog page for updates or writing insights and a Contact page for easy communication. Showcase your books: Upload quality images of your book covers and organize them thoughtfully. Provide descriptions, purchase links and excerpts to give visitors a deeper understanding of your work. Make your site mobile-friendly: Ensure your site works smoothly and looks good on mobile devices. A polished mobile experience creates a strong impression for readers browsing on phones or tablets. Review and publish: Check every page for typos, broken links or areas that need refining. Once your site is ready, hit publish and share it with your audience. Maintain your author website: Keep your website up to date by adding new releases, sharing blog posts or announcing events. Regular updates show that you are active and engaged, giving visitors a reason to return. What's the purpose of author websites? As hard as it is for bibliophiles to admit, every author needs an online presence. An author website gives visitors easy access to information about you and your work, including published books and accomplishments. This boosts your visibility and strengthens your professional reputation. Author websites also help generate interest in your work and build a loyal reader base. While word of mouth is always valuable, an online presence puts you on the map and makes it easier to promote upcoming books or events. Finally, an author website can streamline book sales. Adding an online store  lets you sell books directly to readers, or you can link to platforms like Amazon or Kindle. By combining strong online marketing with steady website traffic , you might even reach the bestseller list. Learn more: AI website examples What should an author website include? Your website should reflect your unique style, so its design and content will vary depending on your preferences. Start by selecting a web hosting platform  and a template  with the features you need. You can always customize the template to match the tone of your work. Once your site is set up, make sure to include these key elements: A professional domain name:  Pick a domain name that's professional and easy to remember. Keep it short and on-brand by including your name and possibly “books” or “author.” Pro tip: Use your author name instead of a book title, so your domain remains relevant as you create new work. This also helps establish your brand identity as an author. An About page:  Your About page is where you can introduce yourself, share your achievements and discuss your inspiration as a writer. Include a headshot, notable awards and a professional bio . Keep it concise—many visitors will form their first impression of you here. Your books:  Create a section dedicated to your books. Include high-quality images of the covers, brief descriptions and even excerpts to entice readers. Consider setting up an online store to sell your books directly from your site. Add clear call-to-action buttons like “Buy Now” for a smooth shopping experience. If you’re working on a new book, include it too. A preview or title can generate excitement for its release. Positive reviews:  Showcase positive feedback from readers, publications or other writers. Adding reviews and testimonials helps potential readers get a sense of your book’s appeal and increases the likelihood of them picking it up. Add a contact form:  Keep fans updated on your career, book releases or events by capturing their contact information. Add a simple contact form  to your website and use email marketing  to engage with your audience. Read also: How to start a business , Company website design , Wix business website Best author websites FAQ What design elements are important for an author website? Professional layout : Clean, intuitive navigation. Brand consistency : Fonts, colors, and imagery that match your genre or personal style. Mobile-friendly design : Ensures usability on all devices. Fast loading times : To prevent visitors from leaving if the user experience on your site doesn't match their expectations. High-quality images : Clear, attractive visuals for book covers and headshots. Readable typography : Avoid overly decorative fonts for body text. Do I need a blog on my author website? Pros : Blogging can help with SEO, keep your site active and engage readers to engage with you better. Cons : It requires consistent effort and content creation which can take time and resources. How much will it cost to create an author website? Domain name : $10–$20/year. (Free with a Wix premium plan). Hosting : $5–$25/month (Free with all Wix sites). Platform costs : With Wix you can create a free site, or take a paid plan starting at $17 a month. Optional designer fees : $500–$5,000 for professional services. (Not needed if using a website builder). Learn more: Best domain name generators How do I maintain my author website? Regular updates : Keep your content fresh with news, events or new releases. Monitor your analytics : Use tools like Google Analytics to track visitor behavior. Test your site functionality : Check that links, forms and purchase buttons work as intended. What are the benefits of having an author website? The main benefits of a website are that it makes it simple for readers to find you and connect. It showcases your work—books, articles or creative projects—and gives you a space to share your story and updates. It’s also a powerful marketing tool, helping you build an email list, promote new projects and share events like book signings or launches. Beyond that, it strengthens your professional image and helps you create a deeper, more meaningful connection with your audience.