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Social media marketing allows you to build an organic presence and communicate with your audience differently than traditional online advertising. While ads can sometimes turn off a consumer from a brand, organic social allows meaningful interaction through relevant conversations, thought leadership and educational content. Global internet users spend an average of two hours and 27 minutes per day on social media. This number is growing as new social channels such as TikTok increase in popularity. And as more consumers spend time online consuming content, brands and businesses can increase their reach and interactions to get in front of those users. Additionally, you can use social media marketing as a free way to drive traffic after you create a website and further nurture leads. Let’s dive into how to develop a strong social media marketing strategy that elevates your brand and drives growth can become an integral part of your digital marketing efforts. Social media marketing In this guide we will cover the following: What is social media marketing? Benefits of social media marketing Social media marketing platforms How to create a social media marketing strategy Analyzing and measuring results Social media marketing resources Start building your online presence with Wix . What is social media marketing? Social media marketing is a type of marketing that uses social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter for branding and promoting products or services. Social media marketing can help achieve different objectives and target specific audiences, depending on the social platform. Benefits of social media marketing 77% of U.S. small businesses use social media for sales, marketing and customer service. The benefits of this marketing strategy are vast, from branding and lead generation, to customer support and sales. Social media marketing should be a core content outlet for any business. Today, users expect companies to be present on social media and even offer customer service on those channels, reports McKinsey. “Poor service is no longer resolved in private through traditional call centers and email channels but laid bare on social media with far-reaching reputational consequences—and opportunities—for companies,” explains Avinash Chandra Das, an associate partner at McKinsey. Here are other benefits of social media marketing to consider as you begin implementing your strategy. Increase trustworthiness Today, having a web presence produces trust for both businesses and individuals. You should use social media in conjunction with your business website to establish a credible online presence. Rafael Tercarolli, principal at Hootsuite, explains , “The content you put out on your handles says a lot about your brand and sets the tone for further interaction.” By posting anything from user-generated content (UGC) to behind-the-scenes footage of your company, your audience will better understand what you stand for. It is much easier to achieve social proof with a strong following and quality content. If you get a verified blue badge on your accounts, you can build trust even more quickly. Boost brand awareness Building trust, fostering relationships and proving authority all lead to elevating your brand in the social media world. If you have an excellent social media marketing strategy in place, your brand will likely be better perceived and even known or discovered by new audiences. In fact, 83% of people surveyed say Instagram helps them discover new products or services. To continually work on your social media branding, you should also aim to post content that goes beyond self-promotion. While you can announce the occasional sale or product launch, the majority of your content should focus on sharing industry news, giving shout-outs to customers and unique tips and tricks. Learn more: Small business marketing , What is Brat? Drive leads and conversions With social commerce’s rise, many small business owners now sell products through social media, either directly or indirectly. According to the LinkedIn Social Selling Index, "78% of social sellers make more sales than their counterparts who aren't using social media." Looking ahead, social selling is predicted to increase as web3 and the Metaverse change how brands drive new business. Tips on how to drive more sales on social: Drive traffic to your website by adding a link in your bio ( Hopp by Wix is a great tool that helps create fast-loading bio pages with ease. It is highly customizable, its unique search feature ensures that your followers can access your links quickly.) Host live videos, such as YouTube Live Run contests Open an Instagram Shop with shoppable posts (if you sell a physical product). This is one of the most common ways to make money on Instagram . Use user-generated content Work with influencers - look into influencer marketing as a tactic in its own right Regularly perform a social media audit to make sure your strategy is on-point Social media marketing drawbacks As a digital marketing strategy, social media marketing is incredibly impactful. However as with any marketing strategy, it can have its limitations and drawbacks. Some of the main ones include: Potential limited organic reach , something that is controlled by the platform, and often means users have to use paid promotion to really see impact. Algorithm changes, which on some platforms can happen quite regularly and without warning. One of these changes can mean what worked before no longer does, and you entire social media marketing strategy needs to be pivoted. Saturation, of both ads and contents. Everyone is trying to stand out on social media, everyone is creating realms of content - standing out amongst all of this, is not easy. Time and resources it takes to manage social media accounts. For social media to work for a business the account needs to be well managed, and the data tracked. Content needs to be created, schedule and published regularly. Comments, shares and engagements need to be tracked. Negative exposure can be a huge issue on social media. As public platforms, users can leave comments about a brand that may not always be positive. These need to be handled quickly in order to prevent negative connotations around a business. You'll need to get on top of your buzz monitoring , social listening and online reputation management to tackle any negative engagement and comments. Privacy issues are a real concern, as social media platforms and businesses are able to collect a large amount of user data, all of which can be at risk during a security breach. Learn more: Website vs social media Social media marketing platforms Below are the most popular channels to consider building your social media presence , ranked by number of users. Guided by audience insights and real Wix user examples, you can best decide which platforms to focus on first. Facebook Users: 2.91 billion Audience demographic: Millennials aged 35-44 . This audience might not be as tech-savvy as those on newer platforms, which is important to keep in mind when writing the content for the posts. On Facebook, it's good to focus on top-of-funnel professional and educational content. Business example: Through Jimmy's Eyes celebrates Pride by tagging products from their shop to show support and display the artist’s craft. Tip: Use Facebook Ads by Wix to generate leads and traffic to your site and have a look at our roundup of the best Facebook ad examples for inspiration. YouTube Users : 2.56 billion Audience demographic: Males aged 25-34 are YouTube's biggest advertising audience. This video based platform allows you to create video playlists and upload videos about your business. You can livestream events and upload customer testimonials and tutorials to help users learn to use your product better. Business example: Ste Bradbury Design takes the educational route on YouTube and creates helpful design tutorials that create authority and trust from his audience. A fan even commented on the video below, “What I like most about this tutorial: 1: Fast explaining. 2: Effective Steps. 3: straight to the point. Keep it up man.” This is a strong sign of social media engagement, something any business should strive for. Here's more on how to start a successful YouTube channel for your business Instagram Users: 1.48 billion Audience demographic: 71% of IG users are below 35 years old. Visuals play a major role on the platform, so keep this in mind when you choose to post. You should pay attention to your feed and how images look on the grid. The platform has tools such as Reels, Stories, photo posts, live-streaming and more. Note that you can use a link shortener to add a link to a story that directs to your landing page or website, as regular posts do not have a clickable link option. Business example: Zelie for She , who is revolutionizing the plus size fashion industry, created an engaging Instagram marketing Reel showing her clothing line to a trending tune. This is also a good strategy because other people can see it when searching for the tune, similar to a hashtag. Also, because she is wearing the product herself (instead of hiring famous models) and uses a DIY-feeling production, it comes across as more relatable and that she is "showing" and not "selling.” TikTok Users: 1 billion Audience demographic: Roughly 43% of TikTok's global audience is between 18 and 24 years old , which is great for targeting Gen Z consumers. This platform uses short format videos and is great for reposting UGC, behind-the-scenes footage, and educational content. Entertainment is the most popular category on TikTok by hashtag views, so feel free to also show your business's humorous side on the platform. The primary audience consuming content on the platform finds it very important to show your brand values and build trust, so create videos to help achieve that. Business example: Wix uses TikTok for business content to engage with its audiences by sharing tips and insights about topics related to its products. To help users to understand logo color psychology, Wix created this educational and playful TikTok that also introduces the Logo Maker tool while defining the meaning of popular colors. LinkedIn Users : 830 million Audience demographic: The overall audience on LinkedIn is a professional one and is geared towards business owners. It is most popular with users 46-55 years old , as many people later in their careers with more experience use the platform. As a social media marketing channel, it is very good for B2B marketing . LinkedIn is still more text-based than other platforms, so posting things like company news, quotes and engaging debates can be an excellent way to start. Thought leadership content is also a great fit for this channel. Business example: Wix's dropshipping partner, Printful , showed its brand authenticity on LinkedIn by sharing employee photos with an anecdote about the importance of working from abroad. This strategy effectively puts a face behind the business and shows its company values. Snapchat Users: 557 million Audience demographic: 39% of Snapchat's advertising audience is between the ages of 18 and 24 . This platform is the precursor to Instagram Stories. While commonly used for connecting with friends, Snapchat designed a way to let users engage with brands using the Discover section. Like TikTok, this platform is about being authentic and not picture-perfect. Unlike TikTok that is video-based only, Snapchat is also a photo and video messaging app. Business example: E.l.f. Cosmetics reached millennials and Gen Z Snapchat users by producing an eye level campaign that speaks to its audience, “be extra without paying extra.” Pinterest Users: 444 million Audience demographic: According to Statista, 38% of Pinterest users are between the ages of 50 and 64. Although the platform is historically popular among Millennials, the demographics of Pinterest are shifting towards an older audience. Great for visuals and inspiration, Pinterest marketing can help you reach many DIY creators, and B2C (business to consumer) users looking for fashion, decor and other forms of guidance and tips. Business example: Culinary nutrition consultant Mikaela Reuben pins many of her recipes to Pinterest, such as this post on how to shred kale . By showing her expertise in an engaging manner, it's likely more people will repin, leading more people to discover her nutrition services. Twitter Users: 436 million Audience demographic: Pew Research Center explains a minority of Twitter users produce the vast majority of tweets. Among U.S. adults who use Twitter, the top 25% of users by tweet volume produce 97% of all tweets, while the bottom 75% of users produce just 3%, according to an analysis conducted over a three-month period in 2021. The general voice is casual, eye-level, not condescending, yet sophisticated, professional, and sharp. Content is mainly around SMB, marketing, blogging, branding, and entrepreneurship. Tweets are 280 characters long, so you must stay short and to the point. Here are more tips on how to use Twitter . Twitter marketing is centered around relevancy, so trendjacking (using trending topics, events or memes to connect with your audience) can be a very useful strategy on the platform. Business example: Izzy Wheels tweeted about a new partnership with Disney, incorporating a high-quality image (learn more about social media image sizes ) that shows the collaboration of their brands. They even pinned the tweet to the top, helping make it visible to everyone landing on their feed in the hopes of gaining more traction. How do social media algorithms work The way in which social media algorithms work is complicated, and something the platforms keep a well guarded secret. There are also differences between how algorithms work on different platforms—Instagram and LinkedIn's algorithm follow similar principles but would also have key differences in how they collect and process information to run. In the world of social media algorithms there are two main types: passive and aggressive. The aim of each is to influence which content a user see. Passive algorithms work based on a user's past activity and engagement history on a specific social platform. They determine which content to show a user based on the types of content they have engaged with in the past, the accounts they choose to follow, and the amount of time they spend on the platform and when. Active algorithms however rely on user input to decide which content to show them. If a user likes a post, or shares it, this indicates that they liked the content and should be shown more like this. Most social media platforms use a combination of both types of algorithms to display content to users and to refine what they see. How to create a social media marketing strategy Now that we’ve covered the value of using social media for your business and an overview of the most popular channels, now it’s time to strategize how to use them most effectively. Here are the 5 ways to create a social media strategy: Research and understand your audience Choose which social platforms you’ll focus on Determine your KPIs Create relevant, original, engaging content Use a social media content calendar and scheduler 01. Research and understand your audience You can have the perfect social media campaign, but if it's not getting in front of the correct audience, it will simply get no social media engagement. One of the first steps to a good social media strategy is understanding where your audience spends time on social media and which content they enjoy consuming. This ensures your message will best resonate and your post will succeed. You need to align your content, voice and strategy to both the platform and your audience on that platform. By seeing what your audience truly needs and cares about, your brand and product offerings will be much more enticing. Marketing guru Seth Godin says , “Don’t find customers for your product. Find products for your customers.” Use this advice when aligning your services with different social audiences. How to research your audience on social media: Create personas to identify unique segments Check relevant hashtags and see who is using them Look at competitor accounts, followers and tags See which other accounts or interests your target audience follows Research trending sounds and topics in your niche 02. Choose which social platforms you’ll focus on Refer to the social media platforms we examined earlier and identify where your audience is most active. To start building your social media presence, experiment with several channels and then double down on the ones that work best for you. Also, remember to use different channels to reach different audiences with unique content. For example, when Wix promotes its blog posts on social media, it chooses some articles for LinkedIn and others for Instagram to meet the audience’s interests and goals. An article about business growth makes a strong fit for LinkedIn, where users constantly are looking for ways to improve in the business world. When posting on Instagram, where many of Wix’s followers and designers, Wix shares articles such as web design trends to keep its audience informed and up to date. 03. Determine your KPIs "We don't have a choice on whether we do social media, the question is how well we do it?" says Erik Qualman, marketing author. So how do we know if we do social media well? The answer is metrics and KPIs (key performance indicators). Without defining what success is and which key performance metrics you'll measure, it will be hard for you to benchmark your growth and impact. Every good social media marketing strategy should keep in mind the commonly-used metrics to measure the effectiveness of social: Clicks : How many people clicked on the post Reach/Impressions: How many people saw the content Engagement : What percent of people who saw the post interacted with it Comments : How many people left a comment. How many comments were quality comments? Saves : How many saved the post to review it again later Shares/reposts : How many felt inclined to share or retweet Followers: How many people followed your account (see how to grow social media followers ) Video views: How many watched your video Profile visits : How any people visited your profile after seeing your content in their feed Mentions/tags: How many people mention or tag you in their posts Choose which of these are most important to you and your goals. If your primary goal is to get traffic to your website, then link clicks can be your main KPI. If you hope to elevate your brand perception on social, then quality comments and shares can be a better metric to measure success. 04. Create relevant, original, engaging content Good content is king on social media. Try to create content that is tailored to your audience's needs, questions and desires—while staying aligned with your brand identity and values. One promising approach is to focus on a post to educate, entertain or inspire. If it can do one or all of these three, chances are that your content can be valuable to your audience. Wix user Carmen Christine made a TikTok video that explains to people what her business does (creates unique headbands). She uses her own point of view and then layers on user-generated content of satisfied customers. This is a simple way to showcase your product but add an inspirational element to the story. Use these social media marketing content ideas for inspiration (mentioned in full with examples in the linked article): Share your blog posts and other great content Develop how-tos, tutorials, and tips Announce big company news Publish industry headlines Show off data with infographics Create engaging videos (check out Video Maker tools to help you) Take advantage of trending topics Leverage user-generated content Show your personality with memes and GIFs Post an interesting quote Conduct an interview Let your audience meet your employees Put a spotlight on your customers Give your customers a look behind the scenes Create previews of upcoming offerings Do an unboxing video for your product Run contests and giveaways Host and promote your live events Team up with another brand Share influencer content 05. Use a social media content calendar and scheduler To help keep your posting on track and organized, use a calendar to plan out your content for the month. The Wix Social Media Graphics Tool has a scheduler built-in or you can sign up for external companies that help make this process easy. Learn more: How to design social media graphics . According to Marissa Nicole Brower , social media manager at Wix: "The frequency of posting on social media can vary based on platform and your audience's preferences, but it's essential to maintain a regular posting schedule to keep your audience engaged without overwhelming them." Analyzing and measuring results We highly recommend you regularly review your social media performance to look for meaningful shifts, trends and audience insights. Revisit the KPIs determined in step 3 of your strategy and see how you're stacking up against your ideal goals. You can use a combination of your website analytics and social media analytics for results. If you feel you are not at the performance level you’re hoping for, try testing different types of content and re-visiting competitor sites. Another idea is to do a focus group to ask people in your target audience what they enjoy consuming on social media. The future of social media marketing Social media platforms and how they are used both by users and for marketing purposes change fast. An effective social media marketing strategy understands this and is able to adapt to these changes as they happen. While no one can predict the exact future of social media marketing, here are a few potential developments to keep your eye on: The use of AI for all aspects of social media marketing - content creation, scheduling, and understanding how users consume and search for content. Increased emphasis on transparency around how users data is collected and used, and potential new curbs on this. More and more video content, specifically short form. The continued growth of social commerce, and greater integrations between social media and eCommerce platforms to sell. The potential rise of new social media platforms to target users on. Social media marketing resources Social media is changing every day. New formats, trends and tools surface regularly and to be a true social strategy expert, it’s good to continue learning and staying up to date. Here are some ways and resources to do that: YouTube: Simply search for social media marketing tutorials or webinar Earn a digital marketing certificate: See examples below Digital Marketing Nanodegree with Udacity Hootsuite Academy Marketing Leadership with Twitter Flight School Social Media Marketing on LinkedIn Learning Social Media Certification with Boot Camp Digital Blueprint Certification with Facebook Social media marketing books: See examples below The New Rules of Marketing & PR: How to Use Content Marketing, Podcasting, Social Media, AI, Live Video, and Newsjacking to Reach Buyers Directly by David Meerman Scott Crushing It: How Great Entrepreneurs Build Their Business and Influence – And How You Can, To o by Gary Vaynerchuk Social Media Strategy: Marketing, Advertising, and Public Relations in the Consumer Revolution by Keith Quesenberry Social media marketing podcasts: See examples below The GaryVee Audio Experience Social Pros Podcast Savvy Social Podcast

Get your professional business email address → Starting with a free business email is often the easiest way to look professional without adding extra costs. You can quickly create an address that matches your domain name , communicate with customers more confidently and keep your business messages separate from your personal inbox. In this guide, you’ll learn how to set up a business email at no cost, what features you can expect and where free plans may fall short as your needs grow. We’ll also walk you through when upgrading makes sense so you can choose the option that fits your business now and in the future. Get your business email up and running fast. Wix provides built-in security, plenty of storage and real-time tools to help you stay on top of your work. Everything’s backed by 24/7 support so you can focus on growing your business. What is a business email A business email is an address that uses your domain name instead of a generic provider. Instead of something like yourbrand@gmail.com it looks like you@yourdomain.com. That small change makes a big difference because it signals professionalism and shows you’re running something established. It also keeps your communications organized and separate from personal messages. As your business grows this becomes super helpful for managing inquiries support requests and partnerships without things getting lost in a personal inbox. A branded address also builds trust since customers immediately know they’re speaking with the right company. Learn more: What is a business email? How to create a business email Does wix have business email? Can you get a business email for free Yes, you can get a business email without paying upfront but it usually comes with limitations. Free options often rely on trials forwarding setups or basic inbox tools that cover simple needs but don’t offer the full experience of a dedicated email service. A free email works best when you’re just starting out testing an idea or not sending many emails yet. It gives you a way to look professional early on while you figure out your workflow. Just remember that “free” typically means fewer features less storage and limited support. Free ways to get a business email If you’re looking to get started without paying right away, there are a few ways to send emails from your domain without a full paid inbox. Each option has its own setup style and level of control so you can choose the one that fits your needs and workflow. Using a free provider with your domain Free email with a website plan or trial Email forwarding from your domain 01. Using a free provider with your domain One option is to connect your domain to a free inbox provider like Gmail using forwarding or SMTP settings. You can keep the familiar interface while sending emails from your branded address. This approach is comfortable and flexible but usually lacks admin controls, shared inboxes and advanced security. It works well if you’re on your own but can feel limiting once email becomes a main business tool. 02. Free email with a website plan or trial When you create a website , some platforms will throw in a mailbox trial or a limited free period. This gives you the chance to test out a professional business inbox with your domain and see how it fits into your workflow before committing. It's a straightforward path because the setup is guided and everything is in one place. If you’re already building your site, this is often the quickest way to start sending branded emails without needing extra tools. 03. Email forwarding from your domain Email forwarding lets you create a professional address like hello@yourdomain.com that sends messages straight to your personal inbox. There’s no new mailbox to manage so it’s the fastest way to get set up. Forwarding works great for simple contact needs or early-stage projects. But remember replies will come from your personal email address unless you change some extra settings. This can make your brand feel less polished. How to set up a free business email First, register or connect your domain since your email address will be built on it. Next, choose your method: a trial mailbox, a provider connection or forwarding. Once you create the address you’ll update your DNS records so emails route correctly. After you’re set up, send a few test messages to confirm everything is working. Check both sending and receiving and make sure messages don’t land in spam. This quick test helps you catch any issues early before you start sharing your new address with the world. What free business email typically includes Free setups usually cover the basics: an inbox, limited storage and simple spam filtering. You can send and receive messages normally, which works for early communication and basic customer contact. What you won’t get are advanced tools like shared inboxes, detailed admin controls or strong compliance features. Free email is designed for light usage, so it’s best seen as a starting point rather than a long-term solution. The downsides of free business email Free email can work in the short term, but it has trade-offs that become more obvious as your business grows. Limited storage : Your inbox space fills up fast, so you’ll have to delete or archive messages a lot. Sending limits : Daily caps can get in the way of your outreach or customer replies. Basic security : You’ll get fewer protections like advanced spam filtering or admin controls. Minimal collaboration tools : There are no shared inboxes, permissions or team management features. Lower reliability : You’re not a priority for support if something breaks. Harder to scale : Switching later on can lead to migration and downtime. Why paid business email makes more sense long term A paid setup gives you stability. You get consistent deliverability, stronger security and tools designed for teams like shared inboxes and admin controls. That means fewer technical headaches and more confidence that important emails actually reach customers. It also grows with you. As your team expands, you can add accounts, manage permissions and keep everything organized in one place. Instead of patching together workarounds, you get a system built for daily business communication. Learn more: How much does a business email cost When to switch from free to paid Free business email options are great when you’re just starting out testing ideas or for small projects. But when email becomes a central part of your business operations their limits can really hold you back. If you send newsletters handle support requests or work with a team things like storage caps attachment size restrictions and a lack of teamwork tools can slow your business down. Security is another big reason to switch. Free emails give you the basics but paid options add stronger spam filters, encryption and backup solutions. If you’re handling sensitive client info, contracts or financial details a free email service just isn't worth the risk. Making the move to a paid plan now will save you a ton of stress later and keep your business looking professional and feeling secure. Paid email also comes with great features you won't find in free tools. Think custom domain addresses, shared calendars, contact management and integration with other business apps. These tools make teamwork a breeze, boost your professional image and give you more control over your brand. Getting started with a professional setup early on helps you build good habits and processes from the get-go. Daily operations need : Free email works for casual use but struggles when it’s your main way to communicate. Security and reliability : Paid options protect sensitive information and reduce downtime or missed emails. Professional growth : Custom domains, collaboration tools and integrations make your business look and operate more efficiently. Learn more: What is a professional email address? Business email address examples What is email security? Tips for choosing a professional email address Keep it simple  – Use short, easy-to-type names like hello@, info@ or support@. Simple addresses are easier for customers to remember and reduce mistakes when typing. Avoid confusing characters  – Skip numbers, special characters or unusual spellings. They increase typos and make your email look less professional. Plan for growth  – Think beyond yourself. A structure like firstname@yourdomain.com or role-based addresses (sales@, marketing@) makes onboarding new team members seamless. Match your brand  – Make sure the name aligns with your business identity. Consistent branding across your website, social media and emails builds trust and recognition. Separate roles if needed  – Consider having different emails for different purposes: support@ for customer questions, billing@ for payments and hello@ for general contact. This keeps communication organized and professional. You may also be interested in business email name ideas How to get a business email in 3 steps with Wix While Wix doesn’t include a free business email, you can buy a personalized Google Workspace email and manage your domain and inbox all from one dashboard, even without a Wix website. Setting up a business email with Wix is straightforward. It integrates directly with Google Workspace, giving you the power of Gmail with your own professional branding. Here is how to make it happen: Choose a domain Connect your email Manage your inbox and aliases 01. Choose a domain First things first: you need a home on the web. A business email address relies on a custom domain name (the part after the "@"). If you don't have a domain yet, this is where you start. When you build a site with Wix, you can search for and purchase a custom domain directly through the platform. Try to keep your domain name short, memorable and as close to your business name as possible. This makes it easier for customers to find you and remember your email address.  Use the domain name search  or domain name generator  tools to help you find your perfect domain name. "There are three WIN Pillars for choosing a great domain name. 1) Words: Keep it short and easy to spell, 2) Identity: Make sure it’s relevant to your business and 3) Name: Ensure it’s unique and distinguishable. Avoid numbers and hyphens as they can complicate the domain." - Keren Friedlander, Product Manager at Wix Learn more: How to check if a domain name is available How to choose a domain registrar 02. Connect your email Once you have your site and domain, you’ll need to set up the actual email service. To set this up, go to your Wix dashboard. You’ll see an option to purchase a personalized business email. You can choose how many distinct email inboxes you need (for example, one for you, one for your partner or one specifically for support queries). Wix partners with Google Workspace to provide business email. This means you get the familiar Gmail interface, plus all the professional tools like Calendar, Drive and Docs, but branded with your company name. Learn more: Does Wix provide email hosting? 03. Manage your inbox and aliases After purchasing your mailbox, you can set it up instantly. But here is a pro tip: you don't necessarily need to pay for ten different inboxes if you are a solopreneur. You can use email aliases to look bigger than you are. An alias is an alternate address that forwards to your main inbox. For example, you could have bill@yourbusiness.com  as your main paid account, but also create info@, sales@ and press@ as aliases. Messages sent to any of these will land in your main inbox, helping you organize your communication without the extra cost. Discover more about how to create an email with your domain  and how does email work on Wix . How to get a business email for free FAQ Can I get a business email completely for free? You can get a business email for free but it usually comes with limits. Free plans often only work in a web browser, lack POP/IMAP access and don’t include advanced features or admin tools. They’re fine for testing or simple projects but you’ll need a paid plan for a fully functional domain-based email. Do I need a domain to have a business email? A professional business email usually needs a domain so your address matches your brand, like hello@yourbusiness.com. Without a domain, you’re stuck with generic addresses like Gmail or Outlook that look less professional. Owning a domain also gives you control over future email addresses and branding. Is it okay to use Gmail or Outlook for my business email? Using a personal Gmail or Outlook address can work in a pinch but may feel less professional to clients or partners. You can send and receive messages easily, but your branding won’t show in your email address. For long-term credibility, a custom domain email is usually better. What free services offer business email with a custom domain? Many website builders and email providers offer free trials or limited plans so you can connect a custom domain. These options usually have basic inbox features but may limit storage or the number of users. They’re a great way to test your workflow or get started on a project. Can I set up free business email for multiple users? Free plans rarely support multiple users so each address might need a separate setup or domain forwarding. Teams that need shared inboxes, calendars or admin controls usually have to upgrade to a paid plan. Free options are best for solo entrepreneurs or small-scale testing.

Ready to share your ideas with the world? Start your blog → If you’re starting a gaming business , starting a gaming blog can help you level up your online presence and connect with a passionate gaming community. It's your opportunity to tap into the booming gaming industry, share insights and even promote your products or services. Whether you're in game development, gaming accessories or anything related, a gaming blog allows you to establish your brand as an authority in the gaming world. Plus, it's a fun way to engage with gamers, get feedback and stay updated on industry trends. So, if you're a business owner looking to power-up your online strategy, starting a blog might just be your winning move when it comes to making money in gaming . Starting a blog should feel exciting, not overwhelming, right? With the Wix Blog Maker, you get everything you need to create, design and grow your blog from scratch–without needing a tech degree. Use Wix’s intuitive tools to share your ideas with the world.  Why start a gaming blog? Starting a blog is a strategic step for anyone looking to establish a presence in the gaming industry. By blogging for business , you can attract a dedicated audience that’s eager to learn from you—and potentially purchase from you in the future. Among the many benefits that a blog can introduce, here are some of the best benefits to look forward to. Brand awareness: A well-structured blog can introduce your gaming business to a broader audience. Through informative and engaging content, you can establish your brand's identity and values, helping potential customers connect with your vision. Audience engagement and research: Your blog can serve as a live testing ground for new ideas, products or features. By interacting with your readers through comments and discussions on your blog, you can better step into your customers’ shoes, and tailor your gaming products or services accordingly. Authority building: Consistently sharing insightful content can position you as an authority in the gaming industry. This credibility can be instrumental in attracting partnerships, collaborations and media coverage. Online visibility:  Regularly updating your blog with relevant content can improve your gaming website's search engine ranking, making it easier for potential customers to discover your gaming business online. Expert tip from Ophyr Hanan Blog Growth and SEO specialist  at Wix.com , “You can use your blog for more than just elevating your brand. By fostering relationships and collaborating on content, it can help build the foundation for thought leadership and authority building both for you and within your industry” Learn more:  Blog vs vlog  and which to choose How to start a gaming blog in 6 steps Ready to embark on your gaming blog adventure? Here's a quick six-step guide to get you started. Choose your gaming blog niche Find a blog maker Select a blog name and domain Plan, write and publish your blog content Promote your gaming blog Monetize your gaming blog 01. Choose your gaming blog niche Selecting the right blog niche is a crucial step in creating a successful gaming blog for your business. A well-defined niche helps you target a specific audience and establish your expertise in a particular area of the gaming industry. To that end, you’ll want to: Choose a niche that aligns with your passion and expertise within the gaming industry. Research the interests and needs of your target audience and check that there's enough demand around your niche. Evaluate the competition in your chosen niche to identify opportunities and gaps. Opt for a niche that allows for sustainable content creation and growth over time. Ultimately, your chosen blog niche should align with your gaming business's goals and target audience. If you’re not sure where to start, here are several blog examples , all targeting a specific niche. Esports and competitive gaming: Dive into the world of competitive gaming, covering major tournaments, player profiles, team strategies and analysis of esports trends. Game reviews: Provide in-depth reviews of video games, offering insights into gameplay mechanics, graphics, storyline and overall experience. Recommend games based on different genres and platforms. Gaming tech and hardware: Focus on gaming gear, hardware reviews, setup guides and performance optimization. Cover topics like gaming laptops, consoles, graphics cards and accessories. Gaming culture and community: Explore the cultural aspects of gaming, discussing fan art, memes, gaming events and the impact of gaming on society. Foster a sense of community among gamers. 02. Find a blog maker Once you've identified your gaming blog niche, the next step is to choose a blog maker to bring your vision to life. When selecting a platform, consider one that offers integrated hosting and enterprise-grade security that promises a smooth blogging experience. Opting for a free website builder that includes hosting and a strong website infrastructure simplifies the setup process. You won't need to separately purchase hosting services, saving you time and effort. Remember that security is paramount for any website, especially one dealing with user engagement and data. A platform with 24/7 security measures protects your blog from potential threats and vulnerabilities, providing visitors with a safe browsing experience. Your blog's design also plays a crucial role in user experience and engagement. Choose a layout and blog templates that complement your content and enhance readability. Incorporate your chosen branding elements consistently throughout your blog's design to create a cohesive and visually appealing experience for your visitors. Your blog's design—including elements like colors, fonts and a distinct blog logo and gaming slogan —will help you stand out in the crowded gaming blogosphere . Some builders, like Wix, will offer a free logo maker that lets you design a professional blog logo in seconds. Learn more: How to make a gaming logo , How to make a Discord logo 03. Select a blog name and domain Selecting a suitable blog name and domain for your gaming blog is a critical step in establishing brand awareness and building trust. Your blog's name is often the first point of contact between you and your readers. It sets the tone for your content and serves as the foundation of your brand identity. A well-chosen blog name can make your blog memorable, while reflecting your business's values and focus. To come up with creative blog name ideas, consider using a blog name generator . These tools offer a range of suggestions based on keywords and themes related to your gaming niche. They can spark inspiration and help you discover unique and catchy names. Expert tip from Daniele Pitkowski , Product Marketing Manager  at Wix.com , "Blog Name Generator brings to users inspiration to find a clear, unique, memorable name, enabling them to start creating their brand fast and easily. By generating a wide array of creative and catchy name suggestions, based on user input, and industry selection, it streamlines the naming process, saving users time and effort." Your domain name, in turn, is your online address. Your domain name should align with your blog's name and theme. It should give visitors an idea of what to expect while being easy to spell, pronounce and remember. Avoid using complex words or excessive hyphens. Check for trademarks related to your chosen domain name to prevent legal conflicts. Once you've settled on a domain name, check its availability. If your preferred name isn't available with the common .com extension, consider using other domain extensions like .net. Some examples of good potential gaming blogs and domain names: GameQuestHQ.com PixelPulseBlog.com GamerInsightHub.com NerdLegendsGaming.com You might also want to consider using a .blog domain extension , to make sure your blog stands out. 04. Plan, write and publish your blog content Creating a successful gaming blog hinges on effective content planning and creation. As you plan your content, you’ll want to: Organize your blog topics with a content calendar, balancing evergreen topics with trending subjects. Understand your audience's preferences and challenges, addressing their needs with informative, up-to-date content that reflects gaming trends and developments. Craft how-to guides for games and techniques suitable for beginners and experts. Share your insights through opinion pieces on industry trends and culture, adding a personal touch to your blog. Incorporate high-quality visuals like screenshots, concept art and infographics to enhance the reader experience. Embed video content such as game trailers, gameplay footage or tutorials for added depth and appeal. When it comes to the actual writing of blog posts it's best to create a structured blog format that includes an introduction, main body and conclusion if relevant. Break up content into digestible sections with subheadings. While the ideal length for a blog post varies, aim for around 1,000 to 2,000 words for comprehensive blog posts. Longer posts can provide in-depth analysis but still be readable. Top it all off with attention-grabbing blog titles that convey the main topic and intrigue readers; a compelling title can significantly impact click-through rates to your gaming blog. Before publishing, make sure to check that your posts are error-free by proofreading for grammar, spelling and punctuation. Also, verify the accuracy of any facts or statistics you include. It’s worth putting together a blog post checklist to make sure this is done every time you publish. Some blog post examples to inspire you: 10 Must-Play Indie Games of the Year - A listicle showcasing standout indie games across different genres. Mastering Combat Mechanics: A Guide to Effective FPS Strategies - An in-depth guide on improving first-person shooter gameplay. The Evolution of Open-World RPGs: A Journey Through Gaming History - An exploration of the evolution of open-world role-playing games. Gaming Accessories that Elevate Your Experience: A Comprehensive Guide - A review and recommendation of gaming accessories and peripherals. The Rise of Mobile Gaming: Exploring the Impact on the Gaming Industry - An analysis of the growing influence of mobile gaming on the overall gaming landscape. 05. Promote your gaming blog Promoting your gaming blog effectively is crucial for attracting a wider audience and increasing readership. Here are some popular strategies that you can test to promote your blog . Search engine optimization (SEO): Optimize your blog posts for relevant keywords and phrases to improve their visibility on search engines like Google. This can drive organic traffic to your blog. Use blogging tools like Ahrefs and Semrush to research keywords to target. Social media marketing: Share your blog posts on social media platforms like Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram to reach a larger audience. Utilize gaming-related groups and forums, such as Reddit, to engage with communities interested in your content. Email marketing: Build an email list and send out newsletters featuring your latest blog posts. This keeps your subscribers engaged and informed. Collaborations and guest blogging: Collaborate with other gaming bloggers or invite guest writers to contribute to your blog. This can introduce your blog to new and wider audiences. Promotional events: Borrow from popular social media strategies and run gaming-related contests, giveaways or challenges on your blog or social media platforms to encourage participation and engagement. As part of your blog promotion efforts, it's important to use tracking tools, such as Google Analytics or Wix Analytics , to monitor your traffic, engagement and other important metrics. Don’t just lean on gut instinct to guide your marketing—use the data that’s available to you. 06. Monetize your blog Monetizing your gaming blog is an exciting way to turn your passion into a profitable endeavor. You can make money through your blog through a variety of tactics: Affiliate marketing : Partner with gaming-related companies and promote their products or services through affiliate links. You earn a commission for each sale or action generated through your referral link. For instance, you could review gaming gear and provide affiliate links to purchase them. Run ads: Integrate display ads from platforms like Google AdSense into your blog. You earn revenue whenever visitors click on these ads. It's essential to strike a balance between ads and content to maintain a positive user experience. Subscription gaming content: Offer premium subscription content or online gaming courses for a fee. Gamers who want to improve their skills are likely to subscribe to such content. Some examples include writing advanced guides for specific games that provide insider tips and strategies not available in free content. Or, create exclusive step-by-step walkthroughs for popular games, providing subscribers with an edge in completing challenging levels or quests. Another idea is to host live streaming sessions where subscribers can interact with you in real time, ask questions and watch you play games. Remember that monetizing a blog takes time and consistent effort. Continuously engage with your readers and respond to their needs to develop offerings that genuinely add value to their gaming experience. Gaming blog example: GamerG.one GamerG.one covers game reviews across multiple reviews and covers aspects—such as the history of the game, their characters and strategies. This gaming blog also keeps readers up to date on the latest gaming and console news and trends. Looking for inspiration? Check out these gaming website examples  to level up your game. Other blog types to think about starting How to start a finance blog How to start a real estate blog How to start a health blog How to start a teaching blog How to start a music blog How to start a tech blog How to start a mom blog How to start a sports blog How to start a beauty blog How to start a lifestyle blog How to start a travel blog How to start a food blog How to start a fashion blog How to start a consulting blog How to start a crafts blog How to start a fitness blog Gaming blog FAQ Do I need to be a professional gamer to run a gaming blog? No, you don't need to be a professional gamer. Enthusiasm and a deep passion for gaming are often more important. Your blog can cater to a wide range of gamers, from casual to hardcore and your unique perspective and insights can be valuable. How to make my gaming blog stand out in a competitive arena? To stand out, focus on producing high-quality and unique content. Develop your own voice and style, engage with your audience and stay updated on the latest gaming trends - then share your own opinion or predictions on them. Consistency and a true passion for gaming can also set your blog apart. Do I need technical skills to start a gaming blog? No, using a website builder like Wix to start a gaming blog requires no technical know-how. Can I get free games in exchange for reviews on my gaming blog? It's possible to receive review copies of games from game developers or publishers once your blog gains some recognition and a steady readership. You can reach out to them or join platforms that connect bloggers with game review opportunities. Learn more about how to create a review website .

Ready to share your ideas with the world? Start your blog → Writing in today’s world means that you have more ways to connect with other like-minded individuals than ever before. Creating a blog with a blog maker will allow you to hone your skills as a storyteller as you create personal content driven by your life experiences and perspectives. We invite you to get deeply acquainted with our step-by-step guide on to how to make a blog , from choosing your template when planning how to make your website , to building an email list. Afterwards, learn by example with some talented folks who’ve built their own successful personal blogs in all shapes and sizes. Starting a blog should feel exciting, not overwhelming, right? With the Wix Blog Maker, you get everything you need to create, design and grow your blog from scratch–without needing a tech degree. Use Wix’s intuitive tools to share your ideas with the world.  What is a personal blog? A personal blog is a website or online journal where you can share your thoughts, experiences and interests. Personal blogs can be about anything, from your daily life to your hobbies and passions. They are typically written in a first-person perspective and can be a great way to connect with others who share your interests. Ready to create your personal blog? Start with Wix  today. How to start a personal blog Pick a personal blog template Develop your brand Choose a hosting plan and domain name Create a content calendar Optimize your content for SEO Build an email list Get the word out 01. Pick a personal blog template Ready-made and professionally-designed templates are a great way to ensure effective content and expressive design, and can also be a source of inspiration for this type of website . This is a result of carefully tailored templates created for a specific purpose or topic in mind. Using a fully customizable personal blog template gives you the foundation from which you’ll be able to create a strong online presence and meet your audience’s needs and interests. You’ll want to consider the following when choosing a template of your own. Define your blog’s goal and niche: Giving your site a purpose will help you take the necessary steps to ensure that you find the right template for you and your target audience. For example, if your personal blog focuses on food, think about adding a culinary vibe to your site, like a background resembling a dining cloth. Your readers will resonate with it. The same goes for starting a travel blog , think about the best travel scene to inspire your readers. Define your audience: Consider who you're writing for and what they might be interested in. Start by researching your audience to gain insights into their demographics, interests and online behavior. Identify their needs, preferences and the topics that resonate with them. Pay attention to trends and discussions in your industry that might captivate their attention. With this information, you can tailor your content effectively. Decide on a layout: Your layout has influence on the presentation of your blog. You can choose a template with a layout that will prioritize certain blog content over others. For example, using a magazine-style layout lets you draw attention to featured stories or images and can be suitable for someone creating lots of diverse content. Not sure what type of personal blog to start? We've put together these examples and guides to help you decide: How to start a finance blog How to start a real estate blog How to start a gaming blog How to start a health blog How to start a teaching blog How to start a music blog How to start a tech blog How to start a mom blog How to start a sports blog How to start a beauty blog How to start a lifestyle blog How to start a wedding blog How to start a multilingual blog How to start a graphic design blog 02. Develop your brand To make your personal blog truly your own, you’ll want to design it in a way that represents you, your values or goals. This is especially important if you're trying to build your own brand and eventually make money blogging. Customizing your personal web space will give you an edge over other blogs, making it easier for you to stand out. Design also has a role in supporting the message of your content seen in the hierarchy or order of the ideas presented to your readers. There are several elements of your blog to take into account when it comes to branding your blog. Here are the most important ones: Logo: Create your own logo to be the face of your brand and make your blog recognizable. This graphic mark should reflect and embody your blog. Your blog logo can be featured in your social media channels, site’s favicon and other branding assets to increase your brand recognition and strengthen your online presence. Header: This is the space above the fold of the homepage and a strategic part of your personal blog that people see in the first seconds of loading your page. Your header should be inviting, provide basic information and tell users exactly what is being offered. It includes essential web elements, such as a logo, call-to-action button, headline, navigation menu and any relevant text or image. Website color scheme: Colors can inspire certain moods or bring up important associations for viewers. Spend time choosing the perfect color scheme for the type of topics you’ll be writing about and think about what tone you want to convey. For example, if you want to be bold and daring, you can use brighter tones like yellow and orange. Alternatively, if you want to be subtle, you can go for shades of beige. Mobile design: Though not a branding element, mobile design plays a major role in how your brand is perceived. With the number of smartphone users worldwide reaching 3 billion - a figure that forces to be reckoned with - your blog needs to be mobile-friendly in order to stay relevant. To provide the best user experience, you’ll need to include shorter paragraphs, scrollable content and images fit for a small screen, which readers can consume on their mobile. 03. Choose a hosting plan and domain name A website without a hosting plan is all dressed up and nowhere to go. You’ll need to choose a reliable web hosting plan to make your personal blog visible to others online. Wix’s free website hosting offers an excellent 99.9% uptime that ensures your site will always be up and running on a stable network. It’s also protected with 24/7 security monitoring to keep your visitors safe and provides enough storage space for your pages, images and videos so that they can be seamlessly streamed and be downloaded by visitors. After you’ve picked a web hosting plan, it’s time to choose a domain name , also known as your online address. When it comes to finding a domain name for your personal blog, you’ll need to come up with one that’s reflective of your content and style. So, here are a few things to keep in mind: Be unique in order to set yourself apart from other bloggers who are writing about similar topics. Take the idea of parenting blogs; there are multiple existing domains adjoining words “mom” and “blog.” Instead, you can add another description that’s unique to your site and lets audiences know what they will get out of reading it. Make it simple to say, type and spell so that your blog name will be shareable and memorable by all types of people. Use your name to position yourself as a thought leader in your niche. If your goal is to establish yourself as a brand, you can choose your own name as your domain name. Check availability by doing a quick domain name search before setting your heart on one that’s taken. Finally, you’ll need to connect your domain name to a web hosting provider so visitors can find your blog on the internet. Take a look at this curated list of best personal website builders . 04. Create a content calendar At the core of every successful personal blog is original content. This is why personal blogs are also vessels of quality writing. After all, you are the expert of telling your own story. To maximize these efforts, you’ll want to create an editorial calendar that will better manage all your content and help you measure your blog’s performance. An editorial calendar is a document that keeps all your blog posting information, such as topic ideas and publishing dates, organized and accessible in a centralized format. Having a blogging schedule will help you find the best times to post, keep a record of all your content and let you track the progress of each post, from the moment it goes live to marketing it. Additionally, implementing this kind of content strategy can also help you determine your objectives, whether that’s increasing traffic or gaining new subscribers. Pro tip: Make sure your blog offers something fresh and unique to captivate your audience. By providing new insights or perspectives, you engage readers and distinguish your blog from the rest, making it a go-to source of information and inspiration. 05. Optimize your content for SEO All bloggers share a common goal: to increase the exposure of their writing. In order to drive traffic to your personal blog, you’ll need to think about search engine optimization, or SEO. This is the process of optimizing your web pages to boost your site’s position on search engines through organic searches. The better your site ranks within certain queries, the more likely you are to get visitors and widen your reach. There are several ways to improve your SEO ranking. One of your priorities will be to conduct keyword research to find the most relevant words to implement on your blog. These keywords will help you understand how people are searching for things related to your niche or blog topic, as well as the type of content they expect to find. In turn, this will let you determine relevant topics for your audience and identify the best keywords to use in your writing. Then you can think about naturally fitting a keyword to the title of your blog post and other forms of content. Other key practices of SEO for blogging include writing SEO-friendly alt text for images, creating an optimized meta description using your keywords, and ensuring that your site is mobile friendly. 06. Build an email list In our everyday life, we use email to check in with colleagues, friends and even spouses. For bloggers, emailing has become one of the most powerful tools for communicating with readers. Furthermore, the right email strategy can help you gain more followers thus lead to lucrative opportunities when monetizing a blog. To explore these email marketing opportunities further, you’ll need to first build a mailing list. In general, you can amass a list of email addresses from blog subscribers and people who have agreed to be updated via their inbox. It’s important to find inviting ways to draw people toward opting-in or subscribing to your mailing list. You can create a strong CTA button, such as “Subscribe Today” and place it strategically on your homepage, so others will see. You can also give an incentive to get people to sign up. Typically, this kind of offer comes in the form of a free ebook or downloadable content. An email list can be used as an instrument for building a strong community around your blog. You’ll know that your subscribers want to hear from you because they’ve already given you permission to do so - signaling the notion of loyalty and trust. Subscribers are also more likely to share your content because they are interested in what you have to say. Down the line, you can segment your email list based on specific factors, such as location and demographics, and send out personalized emails that will result in higher click-through rates. 07. Get the word out and promote your blog If no one reads your personal blog, how could it be said to exist? To draw more attention to it, you’ll need to think about how to promote your blog and improve your online presence. You can combine marketing strategies or just stick to one that meets all your needs. The two most common types of promoting methods are social media and email marketing. Let’s dive deeper into the differences between them: Email marketing is the act of sending emails with the aim to build loyalty, trust or brand awareness. Using the email list you’ve built in the previous step, you can run an array of effective email marketing campaigns targeting your audience, from welcome emails to follow-ups. Social media marketing lets you gain access to diverse crowds by reaching out via new channels. Whether it's YouTube, Facebook or Instagram, you can use these platforms to further promote your content, better engage with audiences and create new forms of content, like stories and live streaming. Best personal blog examples Scarf Aid After decades of world travel, Hazell Jacobs , 86, embarked on a different journey by starting a personal blog. Thus Scarf Aid was formed to serve the purpose of bringing that joy to others. At first glance, Jacobs informs her readers in humorous text that “A Scarf A Week Keeps Coronavirus Away,” as is prominently featured across the header. This proceeds to set the tone for an informal yet complete personal experience. As you navigate between her different blog post entries, you’ll always be able to find your way back to the homepage through its clickable title. You can scroll down to the subscription form at the bottom of the page and join a multitude of readers who’ve opted to receive email updates about Jacobs’s one-of-a-kind entries. In fact, she’s always straightforward with her audience as seen in her sign-up box. “Receive an email when there is a new blog, every Sunday at 8 am,” she promises. Kimmy Pang With a heavy focus on lifestyle and travel, Kimmy Pang’s personal blog also happens to be down to earth. Posting photos taken from her smartphone gives visitors access to her everyday life in a way that’s relatable and friendly. She shows herself drinking coffee and going out running, making her audience feel like they not only know her but can also be like her. In the blog’s footer, Pang’s pink and playful vector art of branches pairs nicely with photos of her alongside an arrangement of roses. Here she also bids us farewell in what looks like a postcard: “Made by Kimmy With Love,” in Dancing Script font, is elegant and timeless. Katy Jones Katy Jones wants her audience to feel as if we are going home with her. She is our remote guide to Charleston, South Carolina, and can show us the way locals dine. Check out the site’s menu bar tailored to her niches, “In the Kitchen” and “Recommendations.” The clickable pictures featured on her list of top eateries send you to their websites, rectifying her blog an invaluable online resource . Her About page also charms readers with her personalized writing style. Jones continually sends off good vibes using a great author photo on the page, as well as providing a very intimate and detailed bio stating who she is and what she’s all about. Gloria Soverini Photography is everything on Soverini’s site and based on the amount of blog content, it seems that there’s a lot of activity behind the scenes as well. Yet, with the integration of a clickable blog archive, visitors can easily navigate across the different posts, easing any fear of missing out. There’s also a news feed on the right side of the page, which evolves to show the Soverini’s most recent posts. Additionally, every post has an accompanying CTA button, “Read More,” to ensure visitors get on it. Tea Cup Bee While illustrator Melissa Pagluica built a personal blog in the footsteps of her graphic novels, the layout of her blog post entries actually resembles cards laid out on a table. Pick one, any one. At the end of each post are suggested recent posts to keep readers browsing. Meanwhile, the integration of social media icons in the header and footer remind visitors on both ends of the page to further check out Pagluica on social media. Life As We Explore Travel lovers and hobbyist photographers can get their kicks exploring this comprehensive personal blog, which has a fixed navigation bar across all web pages so no one ever gets astray from returning homeward bound. We already know that visual content can play a major role in engaging with visitors. Adding an image gallery page can also be the perfect way for a blogger to effectively show visitors examples of their own photo work, as seen in a web portfolio . In this case, the blogger has done just that by integrating an image gallery on their site. Learn more: How to start a travel blog The Herb Somm Jamie Evans founded The Herb Somm, a culinary-meets-cannabis blog and lifestyle brand, which houses both rich and fine recipes. In order to unlock her free kitchen secrets, she wants you to consider joining her newsletter (for adults 21+ only) first. By implementing a lightbox to draw attention to this vital first step, she is also able to build a strong email list along the process. Evans’s Press page is dedicated to all the media mentions and screenshots of news articles that have been written about her flourishing CBD line. The choice of Masonry layout displayed on this page - based on columns without having fixed height rows - also allows for the optimization of space usage by reducing any gaps. The layout is as tough as the bricks it emulates. Learn more: How to start a food blog Jessica Farrington Get some quality reading done by checking out this personal blog dedicated to short stories. There’s always a handpicked featured story on the home page to get you started as a first-time visitor. If you’re a returnee, then head straight to the Short Stories section, located on the menu bar, where there are countless others. Each piece conveniently has an estimated reading time and is made completely shareable with the click of a share icon. And if you’re looking to get in touch with the writer, you can fill out a simple contact form on the Contact page. It even has a space to include a private message. Learn more: How to start a writers blog Spanglish Y'all The parallax scrolling in this expat blog immediately draws you in. This effect lets on a three-dimensional feel and allows for a more immersive browsing experience. The embedded Instagram feed below the fold also allows the blogger to share moments in real time with her audience. Then check out the comments section after each blog post, which provides a two-way communication between blogger and audience. Blog comments also work as a form of social proof that endorses your site is trustworthy. Learn more: Personal website examples How to make money with a personal blog? Affiliate marketing : Promote products and earn commissions for sales through unique affiliate links placed within your blog posts. Sponsored content: Partner with brands for sponsored blog posts or reviews. Ad revenue: Use ad networks like Google AdSense to display ads on your blog and earn revenue based on clicks or impressions. Digital products: Create and sell e-books, online courses or other digital products related to your blog niche. Membership or subscription model: Offer premium content or a membership area for exclusive access in exchange for a fee. Freelance services: Showcase your expertise and offer freelance services or consulting. Donations or crowdfunding: Allow readers to support your blog through donations or crowdfunding platforms. Read also: How to create a review website Why write a personal blog? There are many reasons why you might want to write a personal blog. Here are a few: To share your thoughts and ideas: A personal blog is a great way to share your thoughts and ideas with the world. You can write about anything you want, from your personal experiences to your thoughts on current events. To connect with others: When you write about things that are important to you, you're likely to attract readers who are interested in the same things. Connect with other people who share your interests. To learn and grow: When you take the time to reflect on your thoughts and experiences, you can gain a deeper understanding of yourself and the world around you. To build a personal brand: A personal blog can help you build a personal brand. When you consistently publish high-quality content, you can establish yourself as an expert in your field and attract opportunities that you might not otherwise have. Are personal blogs still relevant today? "Is blogging still relevant? Yes. It's crucial to build your brand's voice and community, and allow you to expand your reach to relevant audiences who might otherwise don't know you exist." - Judit Ruiz Ricart, team lead of blog growth at Wix Personal blogs are still relevant, even in an age of massive social media engagement. Personal blogs provide a space for in-depth content, creative expression and long-form storytelling, all of which are still popular. They allow bloggers to share unique perspectives, experiences and expertise, fostering a sense of authenticity and connection, while fostering a community. Blogs also help with personal branding, a benefit for professionals, creatives and entrepreneurs who often start a personal blog that morphs into a business venture of its own. Search engines value regularly updated, quality content, making personal blogs a valuable tool for ranking in search engine results. Is blogging still worth it ? Read more with our take on blogging's current and future relevance. Personal blog FAQ What are five things a great personal blog gets right? There are a number of things great personal blogs get right. But if we had to prioritize five we'd probably focus on—your blog platform and infrastructure (it should be easy to create, with reliable hosting and top notch security); finding your own personal niche for content and sharing experiences; building a stellar and consistent content calendar and publishing schedule; distribute your content as much as you can, through SEO optimization, social media shares; constantly look for ways for your blog to evolve and grow, whether in terms of its style, niche or community. What makes a personal blog successful? Probably the number one factor in the success of a personal blog is finding the right niche to write about, and making sure it's one that resonates with your own experiences. Write what you know, is always the recipe for success. But beyond this, generating traffic to a personal blog takes work and trying different distribution strategies. Great content is not always enough, you need to bring readers to it and your content to readers. If I want to make a personal blog, where should I start? Start with a website builder or blog maker as this will include all the essential website infrastructure you need - hosting, domains and security. The best way to start is with a blog template. From there you can choose your own colors and other site elements. Once you have your blog design done, you can plan and write your first blog posts. Who do I envision as my ideal reader and how will my content serve them? First you'll need to think about who you do envision as your idea reader. For example, something like this: "My ideal reader is curious, passionate and eager to learn or connect. They seek inspiration, practical insights or relatable stories that enrich their lives. My content will serve them by offering valuable, authentic and engaging material tailored to their needs, fostering a sense of community and sparking meaningful conversations." How will I measure the success of my blog beyond traffic metrics? You can measure it through the thoughtful comments, shared stories or collaborations sparked by your blog. Success will also be reflected in your own personal growth, the impact your posts have your readers' lives and the connections you build within a community that resonates with your vision. How can I foster a sense of community among my readers? Engage readers with interactive content like polls, Q&A sessions and forums. Its important to encourage the sharing of personal stories or feedback from your readers as this is how you truly build a community. Highlight reader contributions celebrate milestones, and host virtual or in-person events to build connections.You can also create a newsletter or group to keep them connected regularly.

Turn your ideas into a website you love with Wix →   A gaming website is more than just a hobby site , it's a space to showcase your passion, skills and community. With the online gaming market projected to reach $281.5 billion by 2033, growing at an 11.6% CAGR , now is the perfect time to stake your claim online. But how do you go about learning how to make a website ? In this article, we'll walk you through the step-by-step process of building your own gaming website, from selecting the right website builder and domain name to customizing your site and engaging your audience. Building a website for your business, passion project or side hustle should be easy and exciting. With Wix, you can customize and launch a professional website in minutes, no coding needed. We’re all about simplifying the process so you can focus on what matters most–bringing your ideas to life. So why wait? Let’s get started on creating the website you’ve always wanted. TL;DR: How to make a gaming website Creating a gaming website lets you build a community, share content and even monetize your passion. With the right planning, tools and hosting, you can launch a professional site that attracts players and keeps them engaged. Focus on engaging content, SEO and promotion to grow your audience and establish a strong online presence. Step Summary 01. Plan your gaming website Define your site’s purpose, target audience and type 02. Choose a domain & host Pick a memorable domain name and reliable hosting plan 03. Select a website builder Choose a platform to design and manage your site without coding 04. Customize template & pages Personalize your site with visuals, colors, typography and essential pages 05. Start a blog & forum Create engaging content and community spaces to attract users 06. Monetize your website Turn your site into a revenue source 07. Optimize for SEO Improve search rankings to drive traffic 08. Create a gaming server Host your own server for community gaming or tournaments 09. Promote your website Grow your audience through marketing and collaborations How to make a gaming website in 9 steps Plan your gaming website Choose a domain name and website host Select a website builder Customize a template and pages Start a blog and online community forum Monetize your website Optimize for search engines Create a gaming server (optional) Promote your gaming website 01. Plan your gaming website When creating your own site, start with a clear vision. Think about what you want to achieve with your site and who your target audience is. This first step will help you determine the features, content, and what is web design —the layout, visuals, and structure—that will best suit your website's purpose. Just like the games, gaming websites come in many forms. Here are a few examples: Gaming blog: A blog is a powerful way to drive traffic to your website, opening up several monetization opportunities like affiliate marketing , subscription-only content and ad revenue. Your gaming blog can cover a wide range of topics – from industry news and game studio updates to new releases of games and hardware. Game review site: If you love to share your thoughts and opinions on the latest games, a review site might be the perfect fit. You can create in-depth reviews, rate games and even embed trailers or gameplay footage on your site. Website dedicated to professional gaming: For those who want to take their gaming passion to the next level, you can create a website focused on esports and competitive gaming. You can share news, updates and tournament schedules for different games and even feature interviews with professional gamers. Game server host site: Hosting a private server for your favorite game can be a potentially profitable hobby. By setting up your own web server , you sidestep common issues of public servers like overcrowding, performance bottlenecks and disruptive behavior. Clan website :  If you're part of a clan or guild, having your own website can help you connect and organize your members. You can use it as a platform to communicate and plan events, share strategies and showcase your achievements. Website for games developer or publisher :  If you develop or publish games, having a website can help you establish your brand and connect with your audience. You can use it to showcase your portfolio, share news and updates about upcoming releases and even sell digital copies of your games. Expert tip from Anna Suntsov, blog and social design team lead at Wix "The most important thing before building a website is good research. Know what you want to do and collect good inspirations that will contribute to your design." Ready to level up your gaming community? Create a free website with AI  today.  02. Choose a domain name and website host Once you have a clear idea of what type of gaming website you want to create, it's time to choose a domain name  and website host to get your site online. A domain name is your website's address  on the internet (e.g., www.mygamingwebsite.com), while a website host is where all your site's files and data will be stored. When selecting a domain name, you can get creative, just keep it short, memorable and relevant to your niche. You can use a domain name generator  to help you come up with ideas that are available. If you already have names in mind, check them with a domain name search . Learn more about what is a domain and what is a .com domain Picking the right website host is key to your gaming website's success, ensuring it performs well and stays accessible to your audience. Whether you're running a general gaming site or focusing on a blog, most hosting plans should fit the bill. However, if you're planning to host a game server, you'll need something more robust than the usual shared hosting plan. Consider dedicated hosting or a virtual private server (VPS) for more power and site reliability . These options give you sole usage of the server, physical or virtual, offering more control to optimize for gaming traffic and potentially boosting performance.  There are several factors to consider when selecting a hosting website : Performance and Reliability:  Look for a hosting provider that offers high uptime  guarantees (99.9% or higher) to ensure your website is nearly always accessible. Additionally, check for features such as SSD storage and Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) that can help enhance your site's loading speed and overall performance. Bandwidth and Storage:  Depending on the type of content you plan to host (e.g., high-resolution images, videos, large game files), you will need adequate bandwidth and storage space. Make sure your chosen hosting plan can accommodate your needs and offers options for scalability  as your website grows. Security:  Protecting your site from cyber threats is essential. Opt for hosts that provide robust website security  features like SSL certificates, daily backups, malware scanning and DDoS protection. This will help keep your site and user data safe. Customer Support:  Reliable customer service is indispensable, especially if you're not very tech-savvy. Seek out providers that offer 24/7 support through various channels, such as phone, email and live chat. Pricing:   Web hosting costs vary widely. While it's important to choose a plan that fits your budget, don't compromise on essential features for the sake of lower cost. Look for hosting providers that offer a good balance of affordability and quality and be aware of any potential hidden fees. 03. Select a website builder Once you have your domain name and hosting sorted, it's time to choose a website builder  to help you create and manage your gaming website. Wix is a drag-and-drop website builder  that enables you to design and customize your site without any coding knowledge. Consider the features, pricing and learning curve when making your decision. Make sure it aligns with your goals and caters to your target audience. Consider factors such as website design  templates, e-commerce functionality, SEO capabilities and integration with third-party tools. Expert tip from Yarin Singolda, PMM at Wix “Wix lets you focus on your vision, not the tech. Drag, drop and customize your site while knowing it’s backed by a platform that scales as your business grows.” Learn more: Wix vs Squarespace , best AI website builders . 04. Customize a template and pages Now comes the fun part – designing and developing your gaming website. Choose a visually appealing and functional website template  for your gaming website ( Learn more: What is a template ) . A template serves as the foundation of your site and provides a structure for your content. Look for a gaming website template that are specifically designed for gaming websites or ones that can be easily customized to fit your niche. After selecting a template, customize the website color scheme , typography , images and website layout  to personalize your gaming website. Next, create essential web pages  such as a home page, about page, contact page and terms of service page. These pages will help users understand your website and business, provide a way to contact you and detail any legal information they should be aware of. If you’re not sure where to begin, here are some quick ideas: About us :  Create a page to introduce yourself, your clan or your guild. This is valuable for new users and potential business partners or game developers. Include details about your activities, consoles, favorite games and equipment. Explain how you got into gaming or streaming and highlight influential games. Mention your current gaming and streaming gear. This offers exciting content for sponsors and helpful tips for fans and other players. Keep it concise, helpful and inspiring. Use an approachable tone and clear language to make your introduction engaging and informative. Contact information :  Show accurate and detailed contact information to build trust and attract business partnerships. For a more professional touch, create your own business email . Instructions for your gaming server :  If you have a dedicated gaming server, it's essential to provide clear and detailed instructions on how to access and use it. This will help users understand your server rules, settings and any necessary software or hardware requirements. Terms of service : As with any website, it's important to have terms of service in place to protect yourself and your users. Consult with a lawyer or use online terms of service generators to create appropriate policies for your site. Expert tip from Dafna Rabin, Wix Templates design team lead "Once you pick the right layout or template for you, it's really important to take the time to customize all the content. Many people overlook this step. Make sure you remove any unrelated images or paragraphs, and focus on creating a clear flow for the content that tells the story you want to share with your audience." 05. Start a blog and online community forum Your gaming website needs consistent and engaging content to attract and retain users. Consider what type of content marketing will best serve your target audience and make sure to regularly update it to keep users coming back for more. Learn more: How to build an online community Gaming blog Starting a blog  is an excellent way to attract your audience and share your thoughts, opinions and expertise on gaming-related topics. You can also use this space to showcase game reviews, interviews with developers or highlight upcoming events. Engage with your audience by responding to comments and providing valuable content that they will want to share with others. Here are some ideas on what type of content you can create for your gaming website: Game reviews : Write in-depth reviews of popular games or new releases to help users make informed purchasing decisions. Tutorials : Create video or written tutorials on how to play specific games or use particular features within a game. Live streaming/video content : Host live streams or create pre-recorded videos of gameplay, tournaments or interviews with fellow gamers. Community forums :  Create a forum  for users to discuss all things gaming related. This can help foster a sense of community and encourage engagement. Giveaways/contests : Host giveaways or contests to generate buzz and attract new users to your website. Game news and updates:  Keep your readers informed about upcoming game releases, patches and events. Interviews with gamers or industry professionals:  Give insight into the lives of gamers or share knowledge from experts in the gaming industry. Learn more about how to create a review website . Community forum A community forum is another great addition to a gaming website. It offers a platform for players and fans to discuss games, share tips and tricks and connect with other gamers. It's also an opportunity for you to interact with your audience, gather feedback and create a sense of community around your website. Make sure to regularly moderate the forum to ensure a positive and welcoming environment for all users. Membership area Another way to generate more interaction on your gaming or clan page is to create an exclusive platform for your fans. You can create a membership site  to which only registered users have access. This way you increase the motivation of users to visit your site regularly. You can also offer exclusive content, such as sneak peeks or early access to game reviews, for members only. This will encourage users to become members and increase their loyalty to your website. Learn more: What is a membership website Wix App Marketplace  offers a range of plugins to enhance your site’s features and engagement. Add features like social media integration, forums and chat rooms to boost user engagement. The plugins you choose will depend on the type of gaming site you’re building. With your planning in place, you’ll know exactly what functionality and content you need. For instance, if it’s a game or hardware review site, a dedicated review plugin might be ideal. 06. Monetize your website If you're looking to monetize your gaming website, there are several options available. Whichever monetization method you choose, make sure it aligns with your brand and improves website user experience . Be transparent about any sponsored content or affiliate links to maintain trust with your audience. Some popular methods include: Affiliate marketing : Partnering with companies that sell gaming-related products and promoting their products on your website. You earn a commission for every sale made through your referral link. Sponsorships : Collaborating with companies to promote their products or services in exchange for compensation. Ads : Displaying ads on your website can generate revenue through pay-per-click or impressions. Premium membership : Offering exclusive content, access to special features or ad-free browsing for a fee can also generate income. Merchandise sales : If you have a gaming slogan or logo associated with your gaming website, consider building an eCommerce website  to sell merchandise such as t-shirts, hats or stickers to your audience. Learn more: How to monetize a website 07. Optimize for search engines Search engine optimization (SEO) is crucial for driving website traffic to your gaming website. By using SEO features  to optimize your site's content and structure, you can increase your chances of appearing higher in search engine results pages (SERPs). Here are some tips for optimizing your website for SEO: Keyword research : Identify relevant keywords and phrases related to your gaming website and incorporate them into your content. Title tags and meta descriptions : Use unique title tags and meta descriptions for each page of your website that accurately describe the content on that page. Quality backlinks : Build links from reputable websites within the gaming industry to increase your site's authority. This can happen in forums, blogs, on social media or in journalistic articles. The more high-quality and relevant your content and your videos, the more often sites or journalists will report about you and link to your page. Mobile-friendly design : Make sure your website is optimized for mobile devices as a large portion of internet users access websites through their smartphones. Look into Guides and information on how to make a website mobile-friendly. Fast loading speed : Optimize your website's images, videos and other media to ensure fast load times. Site speed is an important factor in SEO rankings. Regularly updated content : Keep your website updated with fresh and relevant content to improve your search engine rankings and keep users engaged. 08. Create a gaming server (optional) If you're looking to take your gaming website to the next level, consider creating a dedicated gaming server. This can be used for hosting tournaments, community game nights or even as a platform for players to connect and play together. You can also use the server to promote your website and engage with your audience. The exact process varies depending on the game and your specific goals for the server. The process can  be a bit involved, so it’s important to follow the instructions from the game developer carefully. Many games also have dedicated communities where you can find additional help if you need it To create a gaming server, you will need: Quality hardware : A powerful computer or server specifically designed for hosting games. Reliable internet connection : A fast and stable internet connection is essential for running a gaming server. Gaming software : Choose a game server software that is compatible with the games you want to host. Necessary licensing : Make sure you have all necessary permissions and licenses in place before launching your gaming server. Learn more: How to host your own website 09. Promote your gaming website Lastly, it's important to actively promote your gaming website to reach a wider audience. Here are some ways you can promote your site: Social media : Use social media marketing  on platforms like Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to share updates about your website and engage with your audience. This means, for example, that fans on your site will be aware that you are active on Twitter as well as Instagram. Conversely, you can, for example, draw the attention of your YouTube community to your homepage  in the video description. In the best case, the number of your followers grows through these links on all channels. Paid advertising : Consider investing in paid advertisements on popular gaming websites or search engines. Email marketing : Build an email list of subscribers who are interested in your website and send them regular updates, promotions or exclusive content using email marketing tools . Collaborate with other websites or influencers : Reach out to other gaming websites or influential gamers in the industry for collaborations or cross-promotion opportunities. Connect to Discord : Join relevant communities and share your website with them to reach potential new users. Learn more:  How to make a Discord logo What is a gaming website? A gaming website is a type of website  that focuses on video games, their culture and the community surrounding them. It can include blogs, forums, reviews, news updates and more. The purpose of a gaming website is to provide a centralized hub for gamers to connect, share information and experiences about their favorite games. Why create a gaming website? As the number of gamers continues to grow, it is even more important to stand out from other gamers. A good website is an important tool for making the leap to professional  player or streamer and building a die-hard fan base. But websites also offer many functions for clans and guilds.  There are many benefits to creating your own gaming website including: Building a community : Having a dedicated space for your clan or guild can help strengthen bonds between members and attract new players. If you offer your community interesting content as well as a meeting point on your site, you will strengthen the feeling of appreciation and thus consolidate a community that will always support you. Showcasing your skills : Whether you're an experienced gamer looking to showcase your expertise or a beginner sharing your journey, a gaming website allows you to display your achievements and progress. Monetizing your passion : With the growing popularity of gaming, a website can be a great way to monetize your passion. You can include advertisements, affiliate marketing  or even sell merchandise. Sharing information : A gaming website is an excellent platform to share news, reviews and tips with other gamers in the community. It allows you to contribute to the gaming world and be part of a larger conversation. Impress potential partners and sponsors :  As your website grows in popularity, it can attract the attention of potential partners and sponsors looking to collaborate or advertise on your site. Your own homepage offers an ideal opportunity to present all relevant information about you and your content in a bundled form. Learn more: How to make money from a website Read more: How to start a gaming blog How to start a gaming business in 7 steps 80+ top gaming business name ideas How to make money gaming: A guide to profitable ventures 9 gaming marketing ideas to start play How to make a gaming logo from scratch Gaming website examples Still not sure where to start with your gaming website? Here are a few inspiring examples of gaming  website ideas  to help guide your own website development, all build on Wix. NRK Anarky Gaming NRK Anarky Gaming  is committed to creating a vibrant and inclusive space for gamers. The platform not only brings players together through exciting tournaments and news updates but also features a dedicated online store website , allowing fans to showcase their allegiance with exclusive NRK-branded gear. As a woman-owned community, they emphasize inclusivity, inviting gamers to connect with them and each other via various contact options and social media.  Gamers Delight Gamers Delight  is a vibrant online community designed to unite gaming enthusiasts with its engaging platform. This website features a dedicated forum where gamers can dive into lively discussions, share gameplay tips and connect with fellow players across various genres and platforms. In addition to the forum, Gamers Delight offers up-to-date news, insightful blog posts and highlights streamers. The platform’s welcoming environment echoes its motto, "For Gamers. By Gamers," making it an ideal digital haven for those passionate about video games. Looking for inspiration? Check out these gaming website examples  to level up your game. Other types of websites to create How to make an art portfolio 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 dog breeder 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 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 a psychic website How to make a gaming website FAQ How much does it cost to create a gaming website? The cost of creating a gaming website can vary depending on your specific needs and preferences. Some website building platforms, like Wix, offer affordable options for hosting and domain registration. However, if you want to purchase high-quality hardware or invest in paid advertising, the cost may be higher. Learn more: Is Wix free? Can I create a gaming website if I'm not a professional gamer? Yes, anyone can create a gaming website regardless of their skill level. Whether you're an aspiring professional gamer or simply enjoy playing casually, a gaming website can still offer many benefits and opportunities for connection within the gaming community. Does it make sense to make a website for my game? Yes. A website for your game is highly beneficial. It serves as a central hub for information, builds hype, connects with players and helps you build a community. You can showcase gameplay, share updates, gather feedback and even sell merchandise via your site. A well-designed website can be a powerful tool for promoting your game and building player engagement. Can I create a gaming website with AI? You can. You just need to use an AI website builder to get started and you can create a website for your game or gaming venture in just a few minutes. Should I use a template for my gaming website? You can and using a gaming website template is an easy and quick way to get a website up and running. When you use a template from Wix, it's not only professionally designed but easily customizable too.

Turn your ideas into a website you love with Wix → If you want to grow your coaching business , the first step is creating a website . Your site is where clients discover your services, book sessions and learn more about your expertise. It also gives you the tools to manage payments, streamline scheduling and save time on daily tasks. In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to build a website from scratch so you can attract clients, share your passion and run your business more efficiently. Build a coaching website today and start connecting with clients online. Building a website for your business, passion project or side hustle should be easy and exciting. With Wix, you can customize and launch a professional website in minutes, no coding needed. We’re all about simplifying the process so you can focus on what matters most–bringing your ideas to life. So why wait? Let’s get started on creating the website you’ve always wanted. TL;DR: How to create a coaching website This guide will cover everything you need to know to create a coaching website. You’ll learn how to choose the right website builder, plan your site, secure a domain, customize a professional template and add the essential pages and features your clients expect. We’ll also cover mobile optimization, SEO, accessibility, publishing your site and promoting your coaching business to reach new clients. Step What to do Choose a website builder Pick a platform that’s easy to use and fits your coaching business needs. Make a plan for your coaching website Outline your goals, target audience, pages and features before you start building. Secure a domain name Choose a memorable domain that reflects your brand and coaching services. Customize a professional template Select a template that looks polished and aligns with your brand then make it your own. Add website pages Include key pages like about, services, testimonials, blog and contact. Include strategic features Add tools like booking forms, email sign-ups, payment options and social links. Make sure your website is mobile friendly Ensure your site works seamlessly on phones and tablets. Optimize your site for SEO Use keywords, meta descriptions and alt text to help clients find you online. Check your site for web accessibility Make your website usable for all visitors including those with disabilities. Publish your coaching website Launch your site and make it live for clients to find. Promote your business Share your website on social media, email newsletters and other channels to attract clients. What is a coaching website? A coaching website is a type of website  especially designed to promote your small business services. It is a platform to showcase your coaching services and professional skills, acting as an online marketing asset. By integrating business tools such as online bookings and payment systems, your site can also serve as a way to convert leads into clients, streamlining the customer journey .  Since professional coaching businesses can take on a variety of forms and disciplines—from life and career coaching to fitness and wellness—having a business website  can act as a powerful tool for highlighting your own expertise. As you dive into the process of building an online presence, a website will allow you to attract new clients over time, ultimately boosting your sales and customer base.  How to make a coaching website in 11 steps Choose a website builder  Make a plan for your coaching website  Secure a domain name   Customize a professional template  Add website pages  Include strategic and relevant features  Make sure your website is mobile friendly  Optimize your site for SEO  Check your site for web accessibility  Publish your coaching website Promote your business  01. Choose a website builder  For small business owners, one of the most essential steps in how to create a professional website  is choosing a dependable website builder. Platforms like Wix incorporate drag-and-drop technology, allowing users to incorporate advanced design features and functional tools without needing a background in website development.   Look out for a platform whose design capabilities stand out and proves to have a solid reputation when it comes to website infrastructure. This includes qualities reliable hosting, security, speed and more:   Cost efficient As a small business owner, you’ll have to consider how much a website costs  and ensure the tools you use are within your budget. Before you choose a website building platform, evaluate the various costs and find a plan that aligns with your business's requirements. Many website building platforms, such as Wix, provide free trials before committing to premium features. Reliable hosting Website hosting is what will deliver your content safely from your platform’s software database  and securely onto the internet. If you're building a website from scratch, use a platform with secure web hosting  that can be relied on for safe content delivery with a fast uptime.   Read also:  Web hosting costs High performance According to Think With Google , your website’s bounce rate can increase by 32% as page load time increases from one to three seconds. That’s why a platform with high website performance  is a vital element when choosing your website builder. To guarantee high-quality performance and user experience, it should prioritize Core Web Vitals, ensuring efficient content delivery, improved media and constant backend optimization. Dependable site security Robust website security  and vigilant monitoring is important for protecting your website from malicious online threats and attacks. This includes having software that operates using secure development practices, such as: data encryption, establishing secure payment systems, deploying anti-fraud measures, and managing third-party risks effectively. These measures are equally important for safeguarding the personal data and privacy of your users.  Professional templates  Professional website templates  are a cost effective way to make a coaching website. Not only that, but when considering how long it takes to build a website , customizable templates will reduce the time you need to invest in the design process. When choosing a website builder, make sure it offers pre-designed templates with the right design and business features your coaching site needs.  Learn more about some of the best AI website builders . 02. Make a plan for your coaching website  Before you dive into the creation process, take the time to strategize a blueprint for your online goals and learn how to plan your website  in order to achieve them. Nailing down the following details will help you set a solid foundation for a site that is user-friendly and meets your business objectives:    Define your purpose Whether it's generating leads, acquiring new customers or establishing authority in your field, effective website creation requires well-defined goals .  For instance, if lead generation is vital for future revenue, focus on capturing contact details to optimize conversion goals. Understand your audience For impactful website planning, take the time to understand your audience by researching key demographics and developing user personas. Whether you're targeting a broad consumer base or a specialized niche market, identify your audience’s:  Age Gender Location Profession Purchase intention  Preferred browsing device  Define the customer’s journey A customer journey is the process of turning a website visitor into a customer. Once you’ve defined your audience, think about what will motivate them to sign up on your website. Here, you should consider how to effectively showcase your services and anticipate the user’s purchase decision-making process.  Develop your website branding From choosing a color scheme to designing your own logo , branding is an important part of how to start a business  online. By integrating these elements effectively into your coaching website, your site has a better chance of standing out from the competition while providing a lasting brand impression on visitors. Map out your coaching website design  At this stage, start crafting a rough outline, framework or sitemap of your coaching website. This process involves listing the necessary pages and web content , and defining a website layout and hierarchy that will optimize the user experience. 03. Secure a domain name  Buy and secure a domain name  for your website that fits your brand, describes your business and will give you a professional online presence. Some of the best domain names for coaching websites include the brand or business owner’s name, for example: www.yournamecoaching.com .  You should also consider what top-level domain name (TLD) to use. A TLD is the end of a web address, for example .com  in Wix.com. Popular TLDs for coaching businesses include .com, .org, .biz, .co, .me, .coach or .expert.  Pro tip: Tools like domain name generator  and domain name search  are incredibly useful for finding a unique name that personalizes your website and will help promote your business.   04. Customize a professional template  A professional template is a great starting point when creating your coaching website. There are several coaching website templates  available online, providing essential design and business elements to the groundwork.  Once you've selected a template that suits your needs, you can customize it to reflect your unique style and brand:  Add your own coaching business logo  A logo is an essential element for building an online brand. Your logo should be prominently displayed on your website to emphasize your brand’s personality and foster a familiarity with customers. If you don’t already have one, you can use a logo maker  fueled by AI technology to deliver you a unique design within minutes.  Change the template’s color palette Each color has the possibility to evoke distinct emotions, and can influence how visitors interact with your website. By using a consistent color scheme that represents your brand, your site will reinforce your brand identity and give visitors a cohesive visual experience.  Pick fonts for your website There are a range of web-safe fonts available these days for your website. Choose a font that is attractive and readable, it's important that the styles and typography you use on your coaching website design will be accessible for audiences.  Upload high-quality images and videos The visual narrative of your website hinges on the imagery it conveys to visitors. To engage with potential clients and leave a lasting impression, upload high-quality images that highlight your services or brand. Make sure images are properly formatted and load quickly to prevent visitors from losing patience (you can use an image resizer tool  if necessary).  05. Add website pages Now that you’ve started customizing your coaching website, it’s time to build its web pages . These should include, but are not limited to, the following:  A compelling homepage A homepage  is the first stop on your coaching website, and a chance to make a positive impression on potential customers. It should be strategically designed to communicate who you are, your services, and engage new visitors with your web content.  To do this, your homepage should prominently feature your logo, coaching slogan or brand name at top, while incorporating imagery that reflects your services. To maximize its impact, include relevant call-to-actions (CTAs) that will lead visitors to take action or find new information quickly.    An About Us page A well-designed About Us page can provide visitors with a deeper understanding of your services and passion for coaching. This page is an excellent opportunity to include a professional bio, a headshot, and additional information that showcases your dedication and expertise. If you collaborate with a team, you can feature a list of your staff members, further establishing the credibility and strength of your organization. Services page A services page is a great way to showcase your coaching business and attract customers to your various offerings. Here, you can include details about the services you offer and provide information on how to book an appointment. Contact page A dedicated contact page is one of the best ways to ensure visitors can easily reach out through your coaching website. Include information like your email address, phone number, mailing address and location. You can also utilize an online form builder  tool to create a user-friendly interface for visitors to submit inquiries.   06.  Include strategic features and content   Now that you’ve started to build your website's structure and pages, it’s time to focus on how it functions for users. Beyond quality design and content, certain website features  play a vital role in improving the experience for visitors:   Intuitive website menu A website menu is a standard feature, linking items together so visitors can navigate to different content and pages of your site. Whether you opt for a traditional horizontal layout or a compact pop-up menu, careful organization and clear website copy are essential to help users identify what they need.  Pro tip: Check out these website navigation tips  for more guidance on menu development and intuitive navigation.   Testimonials With a coaching website for your small business, you can display the positive reviews from previous to encourage new and interested customers. Request testimonials to showcase by contacting returning customers or previous clients on social media or email and gathering quotes from them.   Subscription form If you plan on starting a marketing newsletter, having a subscription form on your website is a great way to build a dedicated following, gain leads and convert visitors into new customers. By opting in through the subscription form, visitors grant you the permission to deliver marketing emails to their inbox. Live chat Live chat is a great way to grab leads by offering direct communication with potential customers. AI chat setup gives you the chance to answer questions immediately, adding a personal touch by engaging visitors while they browse your coaching website.   Scheduling software  There’s no better way to land new coaching clients than by having a booking system already in place and accessible online. Using scheduling software  simplifies the appointment booking process for potential clients by displaying your availability, schedule, and crucial business details such as accepted currency and time zone. It also streamlines the transaction by accepting and processing secure payments. Payments Integrate secure payment options to accept upfront payments for coaching sessions or packages. With Wix Payments , you can securely accept Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal and more, making it easier for clients to pay and book confidently. Photo and video galleries Whether aesthetic or informative, adding media content in the form of still photos, GIPHs, illustration or video to your coaching website can enhance the visual experience. Additionally, you can leverage video capabilities to conduct online coaching sessions, train clients remotely, or share recorded videos to your social media platforms. These days, it doesn’t cost a lot to develop quality media assets for your coaching website. A smart phone may be all you need to produce custom photographs and videos, and most website builders include robust collections of stock photos, videos and backgrounds that are ready-to-use. Editing tools like a video maker  allow you to adjust your media, customizing elements like color and special effects to fit your brand.  ​ Fun fact: Your site is 53 times more likely to rank  on the first page of Google if it includes video.  07. Make sure your website is mobile friendly  With nearly 7.5 billion users on mobile devices worldwide, and 61% of mobile traffic coming from mobile devices , it’s no surprise that the success of your coaching website relies on mobile optimization. A mobile-friendly website can boost purchases by streamlining the path from browsing to buying on-the-go.  Designing your website for mobile makes it possible to cater for devices of all types, screen sizes and screen resolutions. Website builders like Wix provide mobile-optimized templates and user-friendly tools, enabling you to create an effective mobile website without extensive technical expertise. Expert tip from Amanda Weiner, CRO specialist at Wix.com: " In today's world, we use our phones for everything. And we are increasingly seeing commerce happen on them as well. " With Wix Studio you can create a responsive website if it fits your needs. 08. Optimize your site for SEO    Search Engine Optimization (SEO) involves enhancing your website's content to improve its ranking on search engines like Google. By optimizing your website, you can attract more potential clients through organic search results. Some SEO best practices to check off your list include: Meta descriptions: Adding meta descriptions throughout your site will inform Google how each page should appear on search result pages.  Optimize page speed: Fast page speed is essential for both SEO and user experience. Alt text for images: Adding alt text to images makes your website more accessible and helps search engines better understand your site’s content.    Keyword research and implementation: Conducting keyword research and strategically incorporating relevant keywords throughout written content and alt text of your site is a great way to improve visibility on search engines.    With a website design  platform like Wix, you’ll have built-in SEO tools  to ensure you check off the most important steps for optimizing on-page SEO.  09. Check your site for web accessibility  Web accessibility  is the process of ensuring individuals with disabilities, including visual, motor, hearing, cognitive, or situational challenges, can view the content of your website and interact with it. One in four adults in the U.S. have a disability, making it more important than ever to ensure your website is accessible for all.  To make a site that’s inclusive and user-friendly, some of the best web accessibility practices involve:  Using high contrasting colors  Selecting readable fonts and font sizes  Adding alt text to your images  Preparing your site for screen readers  Translating your site into a multilingual website for users who speak different languages  Including a web accessibility statement on your site  Pro tip: The Accessibility Wizard  is a tool that can help by running an accessibility audit of your site to pinpoint accessibility issues and guiding you on how to improve them.  Expert tip from Nir Horesh, head of SEO and accessibility at Wix : " People with disabilities make up about 17% of the population. Making websites accessible increases traffic and potential engagement, which ultimately benefits businesses by allowing more people to visit their sites." 10. Publish your coaching website  Once your design is ready, your content is uploaded, and your site’s features are functioning and in place—it’s time to launch your new website like a pro .  Before you share your coaching website with the world, we recommend you take the following steps: Review your site: Run through a website launch checklist  to ensure all of the elements you need are there.  Expert tip from Dafna Rabin, templates design team lead at Wix: " It’s important to check your website after you finish editing it. Publish it and check how it looks in the browser. Scroll through the site, check it on mobile devices and test it on different screen resolutions to ensure everything looks good and works properly." Get feedback: Send a preview of your website to trusted friends, family and colleagues. Ask them to offer feedback on the user experience and content. This is a great time to pinpoint any glitches in website functionality, fix grammatical errors or catch issues with your site’s design.  Check on website performance: Before more visitors interact with your site, it’s a good idea to double check that it’s up to speed. If you’re using Wix, the website speed dashboard  is a great tool for measuring your site’s upload time on a variety of devices.  Pro tip: After publishing, be sure to check in on your site and perform website maintenance on a regular basis.   11. Promote your business  Now that your website is live, you can use it to promote your coaching business, build a following and increase sign-ups. To do that, you’ll need to implement marketing strategies that capture the interest of your ideal customers.  Today, there are a number of strategic marketing methods you can use to increase website traffic  and build awareness surrounding your business:    Social media marketing:  From Instagram and Facebook, to YouTube and TikTok—your social media pages can utilize different media to promote your coaching website and business. Marketing on these can be paid or free, and should focus on creative content to promote your services, website and more. Pro tip: Tools like Hopp  allow you to get a customizable Link in Bio solution to help drive traffic from social media.  Paid advertising: While it can take months to build an audience organically, paid advertising has a better chance of providing your business with instant results. Ads promoting your website or services can run on a variety of channels and formats, including: PPC ads, website advertising or sponsored social media posts.  Email marketing:  With well-crafted email campaigns, you can stay connected with your audience, offer exclusive deals and convert visitors into customers. Tools like Wix’s email marketing features  help business owners build a mailing list, customize email templates, automate campaigns and track results.   Learn more: How to make money from a website Why is creating a coaching website important for your business?  Having a website is essential for businesses of all sizes and industries. For small businesses, a website that showcases your unique offerings and coaching style is an especially powerful way to build and market your brand.  These days, much of your business can be managed online, too. For example, if you’re using Wix, the App  is an incredible tool for promoting services, sending invoices and accepting bookings on-the-go using your smartphone. These capabilities also equip your already existing clients with valuable tools to enhance their customer service experience.   Should I add a blog to my coaching website?   Starting a blog  is a great way to showcase your expertise, build credibility and form an online community. A blog usually includes written and visual elements published in an article format—these articles will include topics that interest potential customers and provide more information about your coaching services.  Blogging provides the opportunity to engage with your audience, answer their questions and provide valuable insights. Over time, consistently publishing blog posts will help you establish yourself as a thought leader in your field and connect with customers in a meaningful way.   Examples of coaching websites  One of the best ways to inspire your own web design is to learn from coaching website examples. Check out these Wix websites below:  01. Aly Gray Fitness  Aly Gray  runs her fitness coaching business successfully using a coaching website and mobile app. On her homepage, Aly includes a personalized description of her services and how she developed a passion for fitness. She also includes testimonials from past clients, building trust with visitors from the get-go. Aly’s social media pages are linked directly to her website, giving potential clients the chance to connect with live classes and insight’s from her own fitness journey.   02. Cohesion Life Coaching Tish Rendon is the owner of Cohesion Life Coaching , a service that helps guide individuals from “thinking about the life you want to living it.” Tish offers new visitors an opportunity to sign-up for a free 30 minutes intro session, which is a great way to sell her services and gain clients. Customers can easily sign up for the life coaching sessions they want using the website's online booking page.  03. Phase 20 ​​ Nicole Michler used a negative experience in the corporate world as inspiration to start her own career coaching business. Focused on helping women in their 20s and 30s, Phase 20 works with clients across 1:1 sessions to fast track their senior title through strategy and clarity. The Phase 20 website places Nicole’s personal story front and center and tells visitors exactly what its mission is in a matter of seconds. Customer testimonials and detailed service offerings help to build trust, while a free resources section offers actionable content and captures leads . Learn more: What is web design? Firsthand insights from a successful career coach Nicole Michler, founder of Phase 20 , turned her corporate tech experience into a career coaching business helping women advance in their careers. What began as mentoring colleagues became the foundation of her work. Standing out wasn’t easy, but niching down made the difference. “The way to stand out is to really niche down and get specific on the problem you solve,” she says. By focusing on women in their 20s and 30s ready for career growth, she attracted clients who connected with her story. Her website plays a key role. “Everything happens on my website and it gives me that instant credibility because of the way I can present myself,” Nicole says. With Wix, she shares her mission, client testimonials and free resources, using features like custom forms and automations to scale as a solopreneur. Why trust Wix’s experts? This article was written by Wix’s in-house experts, who have years of experience helping people create and grow successful websites. Every tip, template suggestion and example comes from real Wix projects, designed to help you launch a website that looks professional, runs smoothly and supports your long-term goals. At Wix, we’ve helped millions of creators, business owners and entrepreneurs bring their ideas online. Our team stays at the forefront of website design, user experience and SEO trends, ensuring the guidance we provide is practical, actionable and rooted in real-world results. You can trust this blog as a go-to resource for every stage of your website journey, from setting up your first page to scaling your site into a lasting online presence. How to make a coaching website FAQ What should a coaching website include? A coaching website should feature a clear description of your services, showcasing what you offer and who you help. Include testimonials or success stories to build trust and credibility. Add a blog or resources section to share valuable insights with your audience, and provide easy ways for visitors to contact you, such as a form or an email address. Integrating a booking system helps clients schedule sessions seamlessly, enhancing the user experience. How do I create a coaching network? Building a coaching network involves connecting with fellow coaches and industry professionals through social media, conferences or networking groups. Create opportunities for collaboration, such as webinars or co-hosted events, to share expertise and reach new audiences. Maintain a strong online presence and engage with your community regularly to foster connections and make your network grow. Should my coaching website be my name? Using your name for your coaching website can create a personal and approachable brand, especially if you're building a reputation as an individual coach. If your services have a broader focus or you plan to expand into a team or larger organization, consider using a business name that reflects your coaching philosophy or niche. Both approaches can work—choose what aligns best with your long-term goals. Other types of websites to create How to make a winery website How to make an art portfolio 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 construction website How to make a consulting website How to make a dog breeder 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 a dance studio website How to make a therapist website How to create a review website

Turn your ideas into a website you love with Wix →   Want to create a membership site? It’s one of the best ways to turn casual visitors into engaged members and loyal customers. A membership website lets you share exclusive content, services or products with registered users while building community and creating a steady income from your expertise. Whether you’ve just learned how to make a website or are ready to create a website , this guide will show you what a membership site is, why it can benefit your business and how to create one step by step. Building a website for your business, passion project or side hustle should be easy and exciting. With Wix, you can customize and launch a professional website in minutes, no coding needed. We’re all about simplifying the process so you can focus on what matters most–bringing your ideas to life. So why wait? Let’s get started on creating the website you’ve always wanted. TL;DR: How to create a membership site A successful membership site is more than gated content - it’s a space where your audience feels connected and valued. To create one, start by choosing a niche and membership model, securing a domain and website builder, designing an easy-to-use site and preparing engaging content. Then set up payment processing, promote your site, focus on a positive member experience and maintain it over time. The goal is to understand your audience, deliver value and build a system that encourages engagement and loyalty. Top features of a great membership site Feature Why it matters User registration Lets members create accounts and manage their profiles, giving them a sense of ownership. Exclusive content Offers members-only articles, videos or resources to make membership worthwhile. Community forums Encourages interaction and builds connection among members. Member profiles Personalization helps members feel recognized and engaged. Payment integration Secure, seamless transactions make joining simple and trustworthy. Content access control Lets you offer tiered memberships and deliver the right content to the right audience. Responsive design Makes your site easy to use on any device. Analytics tools Gives insights into what members engage with so you can improve the experience. Email newsletters Keeps members informed, engaged and coming back for more. What is a membership website? In essence, a membership website is a specific format that allows you as the owner to add exclusive goods onto a protected gate of your website. These “goods” - whether they come in the form of educational content, online services, downloadable products, physical products or forums - are guarded for special audiences (a.k.a. members). While there are a variety of membership site models to choose from, the common goal is to turn audiences into customers by getting them to pay a membership fee (one-time, monthly or yearly). In exchange, your members will gain special access to the valuable material you have to offer. These offerings live on a password protected page of your site, kind of like a virtual VIP lounge for your members. You can also use a membership site as a business owner. For example, build a winery website and build a membership around your wines. A membership site is also important for community building on both business and nonprofit sites, like on a school website for example. Start building your membership website with our  free AI website builder  today. How to create a membership site If so far, you think it’d be beneficial to create a membership site, take the following steps to make one that will be a stunning success: Choose a membership model and define your niche Select a domain and host Pick a website builder and template Design your membership website Prepare your content library Set up payment processing Market and promote your membership website Create a positive member experience Maintain your membership website 01. Choose a membership model and define your niche Before building your membership site, start by developing your concept. Identify a profitable niche where you have expertise and can consistently provide valuable content. Narrow down your ideal audience and research their needs, pain points and what they would pay for. Next, clarify your unique value. Decide what exclusive benefit your membership will provide, whether that’s specialized content, a supportive community or coaching. This will help you create a membership that attracts the right members and keeps them engaged over time. Before you create a membership site, ask yourself these key questions: What type of content am I offering? How do I want this content to be delivered? What kind of access do I want to give members? How will potential members find my site? How much will membership cost? What are some of the main benefits in return for this cost? The membership models listed below take these important queries into consideration. While there’s no uniform way to build your membership website (different models work for different people), use these for inspiration and choose the one that best meets your needs. In fact, it’s become increasingly popular to use a hybrid of these models, too. Drip feed membership With a drip feed model, you’ll give registered members content on a time released basis over the course of their membership. Material might be delivered to them daily, weekly or monthly. Drip feeding benefits members by giving them time to consume your content slowly and stick to a dedicated schedule. You’ll benefit by retaining users - drip feed campaigns are proven to keep users excited about the upcoming material and engaged with your product. All-in membership The all-in membership model gives users access to content all at once. Material should be available to them as soon as they sign up to your membership site. It’s a favorable model for users who appreciate flexibility and prefer to do things on their own schedule. Compared to the drip feed model, an all-in membership will create a less hands-on approach for you as the owner, since you don’t have to think about scheduling the release of content. Fixed term membership With a fixed term membership, audiences pay for access that expires. The ticking clock on their membership might end after three month, six months, or a year - the time frame really depends on what services they receive. This is an especially good approach for members who want to achieve time-based goals - like learning a skill under a certain amount of time, or losing weight. Online course Online courses give members access to in-depth information about a specific topic. One of the great things about hosting one is the potential for user engagement. Many times, an online course will go hand-in-hand with interactive quizzes, exams, homework and even discussion forums between students and teachers. Members who want to seriously upgrade their skills or are interested in extracurricular learning will love this interactive and convenient format. It’s also a great way to show off your knowledge and establish yourself as an authority in your field. Online forum If you are looking for a popular way to get people from all over the world to discuss different topics and form a sense of solidarity, create a forum . Quality forums are so widely appreciated, it’s completely normal to turn one into an exclusive members-only space. This model can be created by adding a private forum on to your website and making it password protected. It’s a good opportunity to foster a strong connection with your audience and will develop a tight-knit community around your business or blog. You can also use this member list to send out dedicated emails, or organize occasional group events. Product model A membership site is a great way to sell and deliver products. Perhaps you have a product that can be downloaded online, such as a book. Instead of simply delivering the product to your audience, urge them to become a member for access. This can be a way for them to gain exclusive offers in the future, or be the first to know about new products. The same goes for online stores that deliver physical products. A membership option is a good way to keep customers satisfied and engaged by giving them access to special sales and offers. Subscription boxes  are another great example of how a product model can be incorporated into a membership site. These curated boxes often come with surprise items, making the experience similar to receiving a gift every month. Ready to create a steady cash flow and spark a loyal customer base? Start your own business and  sell subscriptions  with Wix today. Service model If your business revolves around a service, such as tutoring or therapy, a membership website is a fantastic way to make your services available to a range of customers from any location. The membership area of your site is where you can upload things like virtual notebooks, reading materials, checklists and more. This helps members by giving them a way to stay on top of their progress. By breaking away from the standard freelance model, it will allow you to implement a more professional way of directing your services. Consider creating tiered membership levels, such as free, premium or VIP, to cater to different audience needs and budgets. Each tier can offer varying levels of access to content, feature, or perks, giving members the flexibility to choose what works best for them. 02. Select a domain and host A domain is the name of your website (e.g., www.yoursite.com), while a host is where all the files for your website are stored. Using a domain name generator  can help you find the perfect name. This step is essential, as it affects your brand identity and website performance. When choosing a domain name : Keep it simple : Choose a name that's easy to remember and type. Avoid using hyphens, numbers or special characters. Make it relevant : Your domain should reflect your brand or niche. It should give visitors an idea of what to expect when they visit your site. Consider SEO : Including relevant keywords in your domain can improve search engine rankings. Check availability : Use a domain name search  to make sure that the domain you want isn't already taken by another website. New to domains? Discover the basics of  what is a domain  and how it shapes your membership website look. A hosting website  refers to the service of providing storage space and access for websites or applications on the internet. It involves making a website or application accessible to users via the web. Hosting services manage the servers that store the data and files necessary for the website to function, ensuring that it is available and secure for visitors. Consider the following when researching website hosts: Choose a reputable provider : Research different hosting providers and read reviews to find one that best fits your needs. Consider the costs : Some providers offer affordable shared hosting plans, while others may have higher-priced options with more features. Look for features : Consider factors like storage space, bandwidth limits and customer support when choosing a host. Tip : Build your website with Wix and enjoy  free website hosting . 03. Pick a website builder and template Once you’ve decided on what model you’ll use, it’s time to choose a platform that can host your membership website. If you already have a website, it's easy to add a new membership section using your website builder’s feature, or by using a plugin. There are plenty of website builders out there that allow you to implement a membership area to your site, plus a list of plugins that specialize in this. For example, Wix users can create a members area , where they can create special accounts for their members to access gated material. Learn more about how to build a website with AI . When choosing a website builder you'll want to consider the following: How robust is your site's infrastructure going to be? Does your website builder offer enterprise grade web security ? How reliable is your website builder in terms of uptime and performance Will your website builder be able to manage subscriptions and memberships efficiently? Learn how to make a website for free  and start reaching your audience with engaging content and exclusive offers.  Selecting the right website template  for your subscription website is crucial for creating a professional and functional design. A template sets the overall layout and aesthetic of your site, affecting not only its appearance but also how users interact with your content. Learn more: What is a template Here are key considerations when selecting a template: Relevance to your niche : Pick a template that aligns with the nature of your content. For instance, if you're launching a photography subscription site, opt for a template with a robust gallery feature. Customization options : Ensure the template allows for a high degree of customization, enabling you to adjust colors and fonts to fit your brand's identity. Mobile-friendly : Your template should be mobile-friendly, ensuring a seamless experience for users on all devices. Built-in subscription features : Look for templates that support subscription functionalities, such as login areas for members, subscription tier displays and account management tools. User experience design : Choose a template with a clean and intuitive website layout  that makes it easy for subscribers to navigate and access content. Expert tip from Adi Huri, head of product and creative director of Wow! at Wix.com : " Just as us humans, every website has its own needs. Try to define what those are and what goals you’d like to achieve in order to create a successful website that is truly original. " 04. Design your membership website Once you have chosen your website builder and template, it's time to start customizing for your business. Bring your brand to life by adding your logo, website color scheme  and other visuals to the web design. Here are essential website design  elements to consider: Brand identity : Use consistent branding  throughout your site, including colors, typography  and logos. This helps create a professional and cohesive look for your brand. Simple site navigation : Make it easy for subscribers to find what they're looking for by organizing content into logical categories and providing search options. Clear call-to-action buttons : Use clear and visible buttons that encourage users to take action, such as subscribing or upgrading their membership. High-quality visuals : Utilize engaging images and videos to highlight the value of your subscription offering. Easy-to-read content : Use clear and concise language, break up text with headings and bullet points and ensure your font is easy to read. Learn more: What is web design? 05. Prepare your content library Start by creating premium, exclusive website content that members can’t find anywhere else. This could include online courses, articles, videos or downloadable resources that help members achieve a specific goal. Focus on value over production - content should be practical and useful, not just polished. If you already have popular posts, videos or webinars, consider repurposing them into member-only content to maximize your effort. Next, plan how your content will be delivered and how members will access it. For a drip feed model, schedule releases and explore automation tools to simplify the process. Decide on membership tiers or plans and test pricing to ensure accessibility and profitability. You might initially offer several different plans in order to test demand and then alter pricing accordingly. This can help you make sure you're not over pricing fees or under pricing. Both of these can impact the popularity and profit potential of your membership site. In addition, decide how you want your users to register. Will they sign up through email? Will you add an online form to your website? Will you create a landing page dedicated to membership signup? Make sure you set up this registration system before you start marketing and test it out a few times to ensure everything works properly. Your positive reputation will start with users experiencing a seamless signup process. Expert tip from Judit Ruiz Ricart, blog strategy expert at Wix.com : " With AI-generated content taking the internet by storm, readers and search engines alike crave genuine narratives and unique firsthand experiences. Sharing personal experiences and insights not only humanizes your content, but also adds a unique value that cannot be found elsewhere. " 06. Set up payment processing and pricing strategy To accept payments  for subscriptions on your website, you'll need to set up a payment processor. This involves linking your website to a secure payment gateway that facilitates transactions between your customers' banks and your business bank account. Make sure to choose a secure and reliable payment processor with reasonable transaction fees. With Wix, you can connect to a variety of payment methods including: Stripe : A widely used and secure option that offers flexible payment options, such as one-time or recurring payments. PayPal : An established platform that enables users to make purchases using their PayPal account or credit/debit card.  Square : A popular option for small businesses, offering a range of features like online invoicing and recurring payments. Tip : See the full list of available payment providers in your country  here . Next, determine your pricing strategy. Choose a price point that offers value to members while maximizing revenue, and consider offering free trials to attract new users. Create membership tiers - such as Basic, Premium or VIP - each with its own pricing and exclusive benefits. Finally, restrict access to members-only content using your platform’s settings so that only paying members can view certain pages, posts or media. This combination ensures a seamless payment experience while protecting the value of your membership. 07. Market and promote your membership website Dedicate a good chunk of time and energy to digital marketing in order to get the ball rolling with your website promotion . The goal of these efforts is to reap member signups, but the benefits of doing this work reaches far beyond this. Even audiences who don’t sign up will become more conscious of your brand, thanks to the build up surrounding your membership site launch. Of course, you can always use the classic method and pay for advertising, but here are some other strategic ways to master online marketing for your membership site: Give potential members a free taste Free samples deliver when the content tastes good (and we’re sure yours does). Initiate excitement around your membership site by offering audiences a free taste of what they’ll receive. This can be something along the lines of a free one-on-one session, a sneak peek at content, or the chance to try out your membership for one month free. If your audiences are impressed by what they see, chances are they’ll pay for the full experience. You might also fashion this as a welcome event, either online or in person where members can get to know you and each other, before deciding to signup. Create a buzz on social media Social media marketing has power to entice your followers to become members. Share photos, videos, written content and testimonials relating to your services, and speak to your audience about the benefits of becoming a member. Use Instagram or Facebook stories to speak directly to your followers - customers love transparency and react to seeing the face behind the product. Don’t forget to include instructions for registration or contact information - this type of marketing works best when there are clear calls-to-action that users can’t resist. “ Most people find us through social media or word of mouth. Being able to link our website to these social media platforms just makes our job easier and it makes the shopping experience for our customers much simpler. " - Mai Dinh, Founder of  House of Suppliez Use affiliate marketers and influencers An effective outreach strategy can help you promote on the platforms of other professionals connected to your field, and use them as your ambassadors. Affiliate marketers and influencers generally have large followings, and will advertise your membership site in exchange for free access to your content or commission. Affiliate marketing and influencer marketing are effective ways to advertise professionally without a big upfront cost. Not only that, but the word of these experts is usually trusted among their followers. If they are members - and they recommend your membership to their audiences - it’s very likely their fans will listen. Tap into your existing audience If you already have customers and followers, update them about your new membership model. Since you already have their loyalty, you can entice them further by offering a VIP discount or giving them the chance to try out your membership before other users. 08. Create a positive member experience Once you’ve kicked off your membership website, you’ll want to keep your members happy and make sure they say good things. Word of mouth marketing will go a long way in the long run. Ensure their experience is positive by showing your investment in their satisfaction and growth: Interact with members Take the time to interact with members. Send them an email every once in a while with updates, or check in to see what they think about your product. At some point during their membership, give them a user survey to understand what they like, what they don’t like, and what they would change. Customers love being heard, and you can always learn from the feedback. Strengthen your community Celebrate the community built around your membership service. If it’s relevant to your model, set up chat groups or forums for your members to interact with one another. Another way to do this is to organize events that only members can join. Some membership sites, those build around church websites for example, will have community at their core and so making that the focus of your site is crucial. Emphasize strong customer service This can’t be said enough: be available for members when they need you. If they are dissatisfied with something, listen to them and attempt to gain back their enthusiasm. If they have technical or scheduling issues, make sure yourself or a representative are available to solve it. Smiling customers are the best form of advertising. 09. Maintain your membership website Building your membership site is just the beginning. To keep it thriving, you’ll need to give it ongoing care and attention. Start by monitoring how members interact with your site. Look at metrics like login frequency, content engagement and subscription renewal rates. These insights will help you understand what’s working and where you can improve. Tweaking features based on real-time data ensures your site stays relevant and valuable to your audience. Regular updates are another must. Whether it’s refreshing content, adding new features or improving the design, consistent updates show your members that you’re invested in giving them the best experience. For example, you might add a new category of resources, enhance your community tools or redesign your homepage to make navigation easier. These small but meaningful changes keep your offering fresh and exciting, giving members a reason to stick around. Finally, stay connected to your members by encouraging feedback. Send out surveys, engage in forums or host Q&A sessions to find out what your members love and what they’d like to see next. Listening to their input not only helps you improve your site but also builds trust and loyalty. Think of it as an ongoing dialogue between you and your community, ensuring your membership site grows right along with their expectations. What’s the difference between membership sites vs. subscription sites? Membership sites and subscription sites have distinct models for delivering content or services. Membership sites primarily focus on providing users with exclusive access to premium content, specialized resources or a community. Users may pay for this access through either one-time payments or recurring subscriptions, with different membership tiers offering varying levels of benefits. These sites often emphasize creating a sense of community and delivering unique value to their members. On the other hand, subscription sites center around providing ongoing access to a service or product. Subscribers make regular, typically monthly payments to maintain continuous access, and the model is characterized by its recurring nature. Subscription sites prioritize continuous value delivery, such as access to a library of content, regular software updates or ongoing support services. While both models involve recurring payments, membership sites lean towards exclusive content and community engagement, while subscription sites emphasize continuous access and ongoing value delivery. Businesses may choose a model based on the nature of their offerings and the preferences of their target audience, and some may incorporate elements of both approaches. “ A lot of our growth has to do with our subscriptions. We have 7,000 subscribers and every month people, all across the world, are getting our products. Our customers are the best—over 70% are returning customers. " - Mai Dinh, Founder of  House of Suppliez Benefits of a membership website A membership site can bring big benefits for your business and your members. For your business, it helps you earn more by monetizing premium content, products or services. It also builds your customer base, grows your audience and boosts engagement and retention, creating reliable recurring revenue. On top of that, a membership site shows your authority and builds trust - if people are willing to pay for your content, they respect your expertise. For your members, a membership site gives exclusive access to valuable resources that help them grow personally or professionally. It’s convenient, letting them access content anytime, anywhere without attending in-person events or workshops. Memberships also create a supportive community where members can network, engage and build lasting relationships. Are membership websites profitable? Membership websites can be profitable if executed effectively and if there's demand for the content, community or services you offer. The profitability of a membership website depends on varying factors, some of which include: Compelling value proposition A compelling value proposition is the foundation of a profitable membership website. Clearly define what sets your website apart and why users should become paying members. Offer exclusive content, expert insights, unique services or an engaged, interactive community to provide tangible value. Audience demand Assess the demand for your chosen niche or industry. Identify a target audience that is willing to pay for the content, services or community you provide. Choosing a niche with a passionate and engaged audience increases the likelihood of building a profitable membership base. Quality content Consistently deliver high-quality content or services to your members. Whether it's premium articles, courses, webinars or access to specialized tools, the quality of what you offer directly impacts member satisfaction and retention. Regularly update and refresh your offerings to maintain interest. Effective pricing strategy Develop a strategic pricing model based on the perceived value of your membership. Consider factors such as the features included in each membership tier, competitor pricing and the financial capacity of your target audience. Test different pricing structures to find the optimal balance between value and affordability. Engagement Foster a sense of community among your members. An engaged and supportive community adds significant value and encourages member retention. Implement features like discussion forums, member events or exclusive networking opportunities. Actively participate in the community to enhance the overall experience. Membership website examples Discover inspiration for your site by exploring subscription websites built on Wix. Check out successful examples to gain insights into effective  website ideas , design, user experiences and content that resonate with your audience. House of Suppliez House of Suppliez  exemplifies a blend of convenience and education as a subscription website, specifically designed for nail and lash artists. The platform's dual offerings of subscription boxes and subscription courses, provide professionals with the latest beauty supplies and comprehensive learning resources delivered regularly. This ensures that artists remain at the cutting edge of their craft without the stress of sourcing materials or education independently. Through these multifaceted offerings, House of Suppliez not only enhances the professional development of its community but also establishes itself as a go-to resource for beauty enthusiasts seeking both products and knowledge. Perigee Perigee Software  is a SaaS subscription platform for high-performance integration software toolkits designed for serious developers. The company's commitment to empowering developers is evident through its user-friendly website, which is easy to navigate and provides an enriching experience. A comprehensive blog offers insights and updates, while detailed documentation ensures subscribers have all the support they need to create efficient integration applications. Time Thief Labs Time Thief Labs  provides cutting-edge AI solutions that streamline business operations and empower users to reclaim their time. The platform's engaging homepage sets the stage for an intuitive user experience, complemented by strategically placed calls-to-action (CTAs) that guide visitors towards exploring its innovative offerings. With a well-structured categorization of services, Time Thief Labs offers tailored solutions in content creation, social media management and course creation, ensuring businesses can effortlessly enhance their efficiency. The availability of a free trial invites potential subscribers to experience firsthand the transformative impact of AI on their daily tasks. Learn more: Types of websites   Startup website   Consulting website Why trust Wix’s experts? This article was written by Wix’s in-house experts, who have years of experience helping people create and grow successful websites. Every tip, template suggestion and example comes from real Wix projects, designed to help you launch a website that looks professional, runs smoothly and supports your long-term goals. At Wix, we’ve helped millions of creators, business owners and entrepreneurs bring their ideas online. Our team stays at the forefront of website design, user experience and SEO trends, ensuring the guidance we provide is practical, actionable and rooted in real-world results. You can trust this blog as a go-to resource for every stage of your website journey, from setting up your first page to scaling your site. How to create a membership website FAQ How do I choose the right model for my website? Choose a model that aligns with your business goals and the type of content or services you offer. Research similar businesses in your niche and analyze their models to find what works best for your site. Consider pricing, content update frequency and the engagement level members will need. What legal considerations should I be aware of when running a subscription or membership website? When running a subscription website, it's essential to comply with relevant laws and regulations, such as consumer protection laws, privacy laws and subscription billing laws. It's also crucial to have clear terms and conditions for subscribers, including details about cancellation policies and refunds. Consider consulting a legal professional to ensure your website is compliant with all necessary regulations. Do membership sites make money? Yes, membership sites can be quite profitable if executed effectively. They generate revenue by offering exclusive content, services or community access in exchange for a recurring fee. The key to profitability lies in providing compelling value, such as high-quality content or unique services, and maintaining strong member engagement. How much does it cost to create a membership website? The cost of creating a membership website can vary widely depending on several factors, including the platform you choose, the complexity of the site and any additional features you want to include. Basic costs might include domain registration (around $10-$20 per year) and hosting (ranging from $5 to $30 per month). Additional costs could include payment processing fees, custom design work and marketing expenses, which can add up depending on your specific needs and goals. Other types of websites to create How to make an art portfolio 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 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 taxi service website How to make a trucking website How to make a vacation rental website How to make a website for bookkeeping How to create a review website

Get started by: Creating a website →  | Getting a domain → The exciting news is that establishing an Instagram shop and selling online with Instagram is straightforward. You can leverage Instagram's shopping features, showcase your products, tag prices and seamlessly guide customers to your website. Using a free website builder  makes it easy to set up your site and start selling. With a well-crafted strategy, you can turn followers into customers and grow your business through Instagram. With over 1 billion monthly active users, Instagram has become an essential platform for businesses to reach and engage with their target audience. In fact, 90% of Instagram users  follow at least one business account, making it a powerful marketing strategy  and one of the best online selling sites  and channel for brands and anyone starting a business . Learn more:  eCommerce vs marketplaces , eCommerce vs social commerce What is Instagram Shopping? Instagram Shopping transforms your Instagram profile into a visual shop, offering a seamless shopping experience for users. It allows you to: Tag your products:  Tag products in posts, stories, reels and live broadcasts, making it easy for users to be introduced to your products and then purchase them. Build a product catalog:  Showcase a catalog of products on your Instagram profile. Create a Shop tab:  Setup a dedicated Shop tab where users can browse your products and collections. This allows potential customers to browser your products and buy directly from your shop, without having to be re-routed somewhere else which can lead to drop-off. Shopping Analytics : Direct access to which products sell the best, allowing you to tweak your targeting and products to sell more. How to sell on Instagram (with Instagram Shopping) in 5 steps Now we understand more about what it is. Let’s talk about how to set up your Instagram Shop. It’s fairly straightforward, and you can get started making money on Instagram in just five steps: Create an Instagram business account   Create content to showcase your products or services   Build an engaged following   Promote or sell your products directly on Instagram   Measure results   01. Create an Instagram business account If you don’t already have an Instagram business account , you’ll need to create a personal one first. Once you’ve got one set up, you can then convert it into a business account by clicking on your profile, heading to Settings and privacy , then scrolling down to Account type  and tools under the For professionals  tab. Tap Switch to a professional account . Follow the on-screen instructions, such as: Choosing what category your business is Setting up Instagram Shopping Connecting to your Facebook business page Adding products to your catalog Showcasing your brand While some of the steps are optional, completing them all may streamline the process. Once you have set up your account, make sure to optimize your bio and contact information by including relevant details, such as your business address and contact phone number. 02. Create content to showcase your products or services Creating relevant content can be an effective strategy in promoting your products, similar to utilizing multiple online marketplaces . Since Instagram is all about beautiful imagery, it’s crucial to create compelling content that inspires users to engage with and share the content that showcases your offerings. The simplest way to start is by featuring high-quality photos of each product from different angles and in various settings to give customers a clear idea of what you have to offer. Flat-lay photography can be an effective way to feature multiple products at once or share behind-the-scenes stories that show the effort put into creating each item. However, remember to create content that puts your audience and potential customers at the center. Like copywriting, it’s tempting to put your brand at the forefront. Think of ways to show how your products can be used and the benefits it’ll bring to the customers if they buy them. Take Highline Wigs , who could have just featured their products on mannequins. Instead, owner Sharon shares with her audience just how excited she is that her product is part of a customer’s special day. You can get even more creative with your content. Experiment with different posts such as Reels or Stories to showcase new arrivals or limited-time promotions. You can repurpose testimonials from other sales channels to increase social proof, which can be done with just text and minimal graphics or photography. Other Instagram marketing ideas  you could try include: Tutorials that show customers how to use your products Incorporating user-generated content Writing engaging captions that tell a story and connect with your audience 03. Build an engaged following Posting content alone won’t get you more sales on Instagram. To truly succeed on the platform, you need to build an engaged following. When you start your Instagram account, it can take a while before you start seeing some ROI on your efforts. However, remember that your total follower count is only one metric, and a vanity one at that. On average, only 1% to 5% of a follower base  actively engage with a brand’s content. Instead of growing a large list of followers, focus on building an audience of engaged users. When you post content, it’s important to respond to any comments within the first few hours of posting. You can also drive post engagement by leaving a comment or two of your own that act as additional captions. To increase the reach of your content, include hashtags so it’s part of relevant conversations and topics. Using hashtags increases the chances that your content will appear in relevant search results, appearing in front of users who wouldn’t normally know of your brand or follow your account. Tools such as Hashtagify or RiteTag can help you find the best hashtags for certain posts, and if you have your Instagram Shop connected to your Wix website, you can automatically add tags to your posts (and sync products to your Shop). It’s worth noting, however, that even the best hashtags do not guarantee views. Instagram has its own unique algorithm for choosing what’s shown on the results or Explore page. Still, you’ll want to give yourself the best shot by taking advantage of trending or popular tags. As you build your network over time, you can collaborate with other accounts to cross-share posts for extra exposure to new audiences. 04. Promote or sell your products directly on Instagram Shoppable posts can be influential, as they share what your products look like during specific use. And you can use shoppable posts in different content formats, like product stickers in Stories and the Shop tab on your profile, to showcase your products and encourage purchases. Keep in mind that you need to publish nine shoppable posts before the Shop feature appears in your profile. When users click on the product tags in your posts, they’ll be directed to the product listing of your choice. If you’re based in the U.S., you can use the checkout function that allows customers to buy directly from the app. Learn more: Can I see products on Wix? You can also run Instagram ads to launch targeted campaigns that expand your reach and drive more traffic to your products. These ads are an excellent way to enhance your shoppable posts, increase visibility and maximize your impact. If you prefer that users buy from your eCommerce site , you can easily connect your Instagram store with Wix for a seamless multichannel selling  approach. (Note that Wix users must connect their site to Facebook in order to list products on Instagram. Learn how to sell on Facebook Marketplace .) From your website dashboard, you can also automate adding tags to Instagram posts and syncing products to your Instagram Shop, driving customers to check out your website for more information. For a real-life example, Izzy Wheels  utilizes an Instagram Shop to guide potential clients to their eCommerce site, where visitors can learn more about the products or make a purchase. The sister-owned, Dublin-based brand creates fun, vibrant and innovative wheel covers for wheelchairs. 05. Measure your results You can access Insights from your account settings, where there’s a wealth of information to monitor engagement and help you decide on how to tweak your content strategy. If you link back to your site, you can see how many visitors come from Instagram. Insights can also help you with your scheduling. When you click on Total Followers , you can see when your followers are most active. You’ll also be able to see demographics, such as: Locations (split from town/cities and countries) Age range Gender With the data, you’ll have a better idea of what type of content resonates with your audience based on impressions, reach and engagement. You can also use Wix Analytics  for your eCommerce website to narrow down your key performance indicators (KPIs) by traffic source. For example, if your Instagram Shop is driving a certain percentage of traffic or sales for certain products, you’ll be able to see this info at a glance. Why sell on Instagram? There are a multitude of reasons why selling on Instagram can be a powerful and rewarding move for your business: Reach and engagement With over 2 billion monthly active users, Instagram offers a huge potential customer base, increasing your brand exposure and reach significantly. But it's not just about numbers; laser-focused targeting options let you pinpoint your ideal audience and landing your message right in their laps.  Instagram's visual nature fosters greater engagement than other platforms, with users actively liking, commenting, and sharing content. This translates to potentially higher conversion rates and brand loyalty. Visual storytelling and branding On Instagram, your brand isn't just static; it's a captivating story unfolding through stunning visuals. Photos, videos, and stories become your stage, where you can showcase your products or services in a way that highlights features, entices customers, and leaves a lasting impression. But it's not just about the product – it's about the perception. Instagram grants you the perfect canvas to curate a consistent, aesthetically pleasing brand identity that helps you build a loyal community. This community isn't just a passive audience; they're active participants in your story, engaging through comments, direct messages, and live videos. This direct connection fosters genuine relationships, turning followers into brand advocates and propelling your success. eCommerce functionality Shoppable posts and product tags, coupled with seamless integration with eCommerce platforms like Wix , let customers purchase in a few taps, never leaving the app. On top of that, you can use the power of promotion through targeted Instagram ads, strategic influencer partnerships, and branded hashtags that help ignite brand awareness and send sales soaring. The best part is that powerful analytics tools unveil the secrets of user behavior, campaign performance, and product engagement. This treasure trove of data lets you continuously refine your approach, ensuring every click transforms into a win. On Instagram, you don't just sell products; you optimize the entire journey, from initial interest to purchase, ensuring every step is as smooth and satisfying as a scroll through your perfectly curated feed. Tips for succeeding on Instagram Creating your Instagram business profile is just the first step. Now, let's dive a bit deeper into how to make the most of this platform as a social commerce channel. Unlike traditional eCommerce  where you have multiple touch points to convince a customer to make a purchase, social commerce brings the entire shopper journey onto social media platforms. Considering that 82% of survey respondents  have purchased a product they discovered on social media, learning how to drive traffic to your content and promote products could significantly increase your bottom line. Place product stickers in Instagram Stories Instagram Stories are effective at driving sales because of their ability to deliver snackable content. Businesses report a 20% boost in reach  by regularly posting Stories. Here are five ways to use product stickers in IG Stories: Highlight new or featured products with a “new arrival” or “featured item” sticker Use the swipe-up feature to link directly to the product page for easy purchasing Share customer reviews or testimonials with a “happy customers” sticker Create themed story highlights showcasing different categories of products with corresponding stickers Use creative animations and designs for the stickers to make them eye-catching and visually appealing Product stickers simplify selling without being pushy, and encourage users to engage with your brand and explore what you have to offer. Curate your collections Curate product collections on your Instagram Shop to tell your brand's story and showcase products in an editorial way. By grouping products based on themes or styles, you create a more cohesive shopping experience. Collections help customers find what they're looking for and highlights your brand's uniqueness. For example, you could create a collection featuring complementary color schemes or designs for handmade ceramics. Product collections also showcase new arrivals or seasonal products. Remember to update collections regularly to attract users to your profile. Automate customer support Maintaining excellent customer service is crucial for running any eCommerce store. Good customer support plays a significant role in influencing customers' purchasing decisions, with 83% of customers  stating they feel more loyal to a brand that addresses their complaints. There is an effective way to handle customer queries promptly: automating customer support through chatbots. Chatbots can efficiently manage incoming messages to your eCommerce website and provide personalized responses by recognizing common keywords or questions. By automating responses, they save valuable time and energy while ensuring customers receive timely assistance. Chatbots can also set up follow-up messages based on previous conversations, enhancing the feeling of being heard and understood by customers. If you have a Wix website, the Wix Chat  feature instantly connects you with your site visitors in real time, opening a direct line of communication with potential customers. You can set chat hours that work best for your business, reach out to customers directly as they browse and even send messages to visitors via WhatsApp. Leverage Instagram Guides One of the newer features on the platform, Instagram Guides  allows small business owners to curate and showcase their products, places or posts in an easy-to-digest format. They’re like mini blog posts, except you feature previously-published content from your account. With the ability to add commentary alongside links to the original posts, you can weave a new story by reusing older content. There are three types of guides: post, product and place. Post guides: Users can curate their own posts and posts from other accounts around themes and events, making it useful for sharing content, introducing brand personalities and providing resources like how-to guides and curated lists. Product guides: These guides feature eCommerce products previously shared on an account, serving as an effective way to raise awareness and drive consistent traffic during specific time periods. Place guides:  You can highlight specific locations important to a community, allowing users to search for locations or choose from past tagged or saved locations in feed posts. Although Guides don't appear in Reels or Explore, sharing them on your Insta Stories can give them more visibility. Remix content By enabling the Remix feature on Instagram, you're giving your customers the chance to put their own spin on your content. This not only encourages engagement, but also provides an opportunity for potential customers to see how others are using and enjoying your products. Remixing content doesn't have to be complicated or time-consuming. It's as simple as allowing others to edit or add their own photos or videos onto yours. For example, if you sell clothing items, encourage customers to show off how they've styled your pieces by remixing one of your posts. If you sell food products, ask customers to share their recipe ideas by adding them onto one of your recipe posts. Not only does this provide valuable user-generated content for your brand, but it also creates a sense of community among your followers who are able to connect through shared experiences with your product. Get featured on the Explore page Being featured on the Explore page introduces your brand to new audiences and potential followers. To maximize your chances of gaining organic traffic through this coveted feature, follow these guidelines: Engage with users regularly by responding to comments, sharing other users' posts or reposting relevant and high-quality content Experiment with new formats to stand out Use relevant hashtags and craft engaging captions to improve visibility Optimize your post timing by using Instagram Insights to identify peak activity times of your users Keep in mind newer posts won't appear in Explore but your goal is to drive engagement and impressions to your content. The Explore algorithm focuses on showing users new content based on their preferences and followed accounts. Therefore, strive to produce content worth checking out. While the Explore page may not immediately drive sales, being featured can organically increase your followers. Over time, these followers can become engaged users and potential customers as a result of your content strategy. Collaborate with influencers Look for influencers who share your brand values and appeal to your target audience. For instance, if you’re promoting a fitness product, collaborate with a fitness influencer to showcase a workout featuring your product. Keep communication open and set clear goals to ensure a successful mutually beneficial partnership. Encourage the influencers to share honest reviews, behind-the-scenes content or host giveaways that resonate with their followers. This builds trust, sparks interest and drives engagement with your brand. Are you qualified to sell on Instagram? If you’re considering selling on Instagram, there are several Instagram rules you need to meet to set up your store and continue running. Let’s look at the five criteria  as listed by Instagram. Comply with Instagram’s policies: Complying with Instagram's terms and community guidelines is crucial for running a successful Instagram store. Avoid copyright infringement and illegal content, refrain from using fake followers or likes, and maintain transparency and honesty to build trust with your audience. Represent your business and your domain:  You need to set up an Instagram business profile that reflects the store or website linked to your domain. This builds brand recognition and authenticity. Verify domain ownership by linking it to your Facebook page or Instagram professional account before creating an Instagram Shop. Be located in a supported market: To set up an Instagram Shop, your business needs to be in a supported marketplace (think selling on eBay ). Instagram Checkout is only available for U.S.-based businesses, but you can still use Instagram Shopping to tag products for purchase from your website. Demonstrate trustworthiness: To increase your brand's reputation on Instagram, focus on building a significant follower base with engagement, interact with followers through comments and messages, be transparent about business practices and respond promptly and professionally to customer inquiries and complaints. Provide accurate information and follow best practices:  When selling products online, it's crucial to provide accurate information to build trust with your audience and avoid account suspension. Be transparent about your brand, values, pricing and offerings. After setting up your Instagram Shop, your account will be reviewed, so it's important to adhere to guidelines consistently. Do you need a business license to sell on Instagram? Whether you need a business license to sell on Instagram depends on a few factors, mainly your location and the nature of your business.  Instagram itself doesn't require a business license.  However, the laws and regulations of your local area take precedence. You might need a license to operate your business even if you sell primarily online via Instagram according to the laws in your state. You'll need to consider the following: Location:  Check with your local government or Small Business Administration (SBA) to understand the specific licenses and permits required for your type of business in your area. Business type:  Some businesses, like selling food or products with age restrictions, may have additional licensing requirements. Tax registration:  You may need to register for sales tax, even if you only sell online. How to sell on Instagram FAQ Can I sell directly on Instagram? Yes, you can sell directly on Instagram through features like Instagram Shops and Instagram Checkout. These tools enable businesses to showcase products, provide details, and facilitate purchases within the Instagram app. How much does it cost to sell on Instagram? Setting up a basic shop on Instagram is free. However, if you choose to use Instagram Checkout, there may be associated selling fees, typically a percentage of the transaction amount. It's advisable to check Instagram's official business resources for the most current information on fees. Can I sell on Instagram for free? Yes, you can sell on Instagram for free by using the basic features such as setting up a shop, showcasing products and directing customers to your website for transactions. Keep in mind that if you choose to use Instagram Checkout, there may be associated selling fees. How to cross-promote my Instagram sale? Cross-promoting your Instagram sale involves leveraging other platforms: Share teasers on Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook to direct users to your Instagram profile. Utilize email marketing to notify subscribers about your Instagram sale. Create visually appealing pins on Pinterest or share posts on Tumblr linking back to your Instagram. Collaborate with influencers on different platforms to promote your Instagram sale. Share professional insights or announcements on LinkedIn to tap into a different audience. What's the easiest way to sell on Instagram? The easiest way to start selling is by converting your profile to a business account, connecting your product catalog, and using product tags in your posts and stories. This allows users to tap on your products and buy them directly or learn more about them. How can I make my Instagram posts more shoppable? To make Instagram posts more shoppable: 1. Use product tags 2. Create clear, attractive product photos 3. Write compelling captions 4. Use relevant hashtags 5. Showcase products in use 6. Create carousel posts with multiple products 7. Add prices in descriptions 8. Use call-to-action phrases What's the difference between Instagram Shop and Facebook Shop? Instagram Shop is mobile-focused, Facebook Shop works on both mobile and desktop. Instagram Shop integrates seamlessly with Instagram's interface, Facebook Shop offers more customization options. Instagram Shop leverages visual content more effectively. Checkout processes differ slightly between the two. How do I create effective product catalogs for Instagram? To create effective product catalogs for Instagram: 1. Use high-quality, visually appealing images 2. Ensure consistent image sizes and styles 3. Write clear, concise product descriptions 4. Include accurate pricing information 5. Organize products into logical categories 6. Use relevant tags and keywords 7. Keep inventory updated regularly 8. Include multiple photos per product 9. Highlight bestsellers and new arrivals 10. Ensure mobile optimization 11. Use lifestyle images to showcase products in use 12. Include size and color variations 13. Sync catalog with your website inventory How can I use Instagram Reels for selling products? To use Instagram Reels for selling products showcase your product features and demonstrate its use with before and after videos. Share customer testimonial videos, as well as quick tutorials highlight the products benefits. Don't forget to include clear -call-to-actions. How do I handle customer service on Instagram? To handle customer service on Instagram: 1. Respond promptly to comments and DMs 2. Use Instagram's 'Quick Replies' feature 3. Create a FAQ highlight 4. Offer personalized solutions 5. Use a friendly tone 6. Follow up on resolved issues 7. Monitor mentions and tags What are Instagram's requirements for becoming an approved seller? Instagram's requirements for approved sellers are that you must comply with their commerce policies. You must have an authentic, real presence on the platform. You need to be located in a supported market, sell physical goods and have a connected Facebook Page.

Get started by: Creating a website →  | Getting a domain → Want to grow your business online? A website builder  gets you started, but adding a social media platform  like Instagram to the mix helps you reach your market  and boost engagement . Switching to an Instagram business account makes it easy to connect with your audience and even sell on Instagram . It’s packed with tools to grow your brand, improve visibility and build trust with your followers. This guide will walk you through setting up an Instagram business account and show how it can transform how you connect with your audience. Read Also: How to make money on Instagram How to create an Instagram business account Setting up a business account on Instagram is a quick and easy way to access tools that help your brand grow. Retailers, service providers or local businesses can benefit from features like insights, contact options and ad tools. Before you start, you’ll need to either create a new Instagram account or use an existing one. Keep in mind that you can have up to 5 Instagram accounts without needing to log in and out each time. How to create an Instagram business account from scratch Tap your profile picture in the bottom right to open your profile Tap "Edit Profile" Tap "Switch to Professional Account" then tap "Next" Pick a category for your business and tap "Switch to Professional Account" Select "Business" and hit "Next" Add your contact info or tap "Don’t use my contact info" to skip Want to connect Instagram to your Facebook Business Page? Tap "Login to Facebook" (optional) Finish setup or tap the "X" in the top right to go back to your profile To edit how your business info looks, go to "Edit Profile," tap "Profile Display" under "Public Business Information," and adjust your category label or contact info display. How to switch to a business account Head to your "profile" and tap "Edit Profile". Select "Switch to Professional Account" and tap "Next". Pick a "category" that best matches your business and tap "Switch to Professional Account". Choose "Business" and hit "Next". Add your "contact info" (or skip if you’re not ready). (Optional) Connect to a "Facebook Page" to unlock extra features. Finish the setup or tap "X" to go back to your profile. To adjust how your business info appears, open "Edit Profile" > "Profile Display" and toggle your category or contact info on or off. That’s it—your business account is good to go. How to switch your Instagram creator account to a business account Creator accounts work well for influencers, artists and content creators building a personal brand. They offer tools to manage interactions, check insights and organize your profile for better audience connections. Ready to switch to a business account? Here’s how: Open your "profile" by tapping your profile picture in the bottom right. Tap "More options" (three horizontal lines) in the top right. Select "Creator tools and controls". Tap "Switch account type". Choose "Switch to business account" and confirm with "Switch". To update your business info, head to your profile, tap "Edit profile" and adjust your "Public business information" settings. When you’re done, tap "Done". Pro tip:  With the help of a link in bio tool  such as Hopp by Wix businesses can use their Instagram bio to help drive traffic towards all of their online assets from a designated URL. Learn more about what Hopp is . 10 benefits of using an Instagram business account The switch from a personal to a business account is quick and easy, but the benefits that come along with it are a lot more long-lasting and will have a noticeable effect on your Instagram marketing strategy. What you’re able to do with your account, the Instagram features you have access to, how you interact with your followers and how you collect data will change for the better with a business account. Here are 10 noticeable benefits of using an Instagram business account: Get taken more seriously Help customers find you Access rich insights Run Instagram Ads Add clickable link stickers in Instagram Stories Implement Instagram Shopping Partner through branded content Save time with the Quick Replies Stay organized with inbox management Schedule posts ahead of time 01. Get taken more seriously As a brand, it’s important to come across as professional online, and that’s easier to do with a personal Instagram account. For instance, new features in your Instagram bio can elevate your professionalism with different fields you otherwise wouldn't have. You can add a clickable address that opens to Google Maps so clients can find you easily. You can also use contact buttons so clients can call or email you directly from your Instagram profile. Your profile page will also display your industry’s category right under your name, so users navigating to your profile can instantly tell it’s a business and what it is you do. When deciding whether to create a business or personal Instagram account, there are several elements to consider. If you’re creating an account for a business or brand, it’s important to design your page in a professional manner that is consistent with the branding of your business. This includes selecting a custom profile picture and cover photo that accurately reflects your company or product. Additionally, you should create a profile bio that speaks to your target audience, as well as include relevant hashtags and keywords in your posts. When choosing a name for your Instagram business account, it's important to consider several factors. Firstly, the name should be easy to remember and spell. It should also be specific enough to differentiate your account from other businesses in your industry. Additionally, it should be reflective of the product or service you offer while remaining unique and creative – making sure to avoid any potential copyright infringement. 02. Help customers find you By adding your industry and business category to your profile, you can become searchable on Instagram and search engines such as Google. If you’re looking for the keyword “photographer” and that is what you listed your business as, potential customers can arrive to your account. Once they arrive at your page, make sure you have a link to your professional website in the bio to help you get more bookings and leads. Another discoverability tip is to add a keyword related to your product or service in your Instagram name. This will even further boost your SEO. An example is John Smith Photography, adding the keyword “photography” at the end is the key. With an Instagram business account, you can also add contact buttons to your profile, which allows users to call, email or get directions to your business directly from your profile. 03. Access rich insights With a business account, you get access to analytics in order to see how your page and posts are performing. This data is a great way to keep track of your growth and gain information on your audience and the success of your content. You can access the analytics of a post by clicking on the ‘insights’ button on any post on your profile. Here, you’ll see information such as your reach, profile visits, replies and how your post was discovered. If you want to view more general analytics of your entire account, head to the menu from your profile in the right-hand corner and click on the ‘insights’ tab. In this section, the data is broken down into how many interactions you get, accounts reached, number of new followers and more. You can see information on how your posts and stories are performing, as well as broken down data on metrics like button taps, interactions, follower demographics and active times and more. 04. Run Instagram Ads One of the biggest selling points of switching over to an Instagram business account is that you'll be able to run ads that people outside your follower's list see. Instagram Ads is definitely one of the Instagram tools you want to utilize if you plan to promote a product or an event or simply want to create more brand awareness. Furthermore, using promoted posts is a great way to reach new audiences, increase engagement and get more followers who are interested in your brand. To start advertising, you can click on any of your existing posts, tap the ‘promote’ button and go through the steps of creating your promoted post. You can set where you want people to go when they click on your post, define your audience and set your budget and the length of your promotion. You can also create Instagram ads on your Facebook Ad Manager account. The process and metrics are similar, but Facebook has some more options to target your ads. Additionally, if you also run ads on Facebook, you can make sure they’re in sync on both platforms and get an overview of all your campaigns in one place. 05. Add clickable link stickers in Instagram Stories You’ve probably seen influencers or brands on Instagram add clickable link stickers to their Instagram stories . Whether it’s to link to an article or webpage of a product, clickable links are another great way to improve engagement and also increase traffic to your free eCommerce website . The clickable link is so important because normally, Instagram only gives you one opportunity to display a link that is in your bio. Links in stories provide additional opportunities to directly take your followers on Instagram to where you want them to go, such as your website. For example, you can display a product in your stories and then add a link for followers to shop for the item. One more important detail to keep in mind is that in order to use links in your stories, you need to have at least 10,000 followers. 06. Implement Instagram Shopping When you switch to a business account, you can make your posts shoppable so that users can browse and purchase directly from a post. This feature is great for eCommerce businesses who sell tangible products, like jewelry, accessories or clothes. With the shopping feature, you can tag products in a post to display a price and link directly to the page where a user can order it on your website. You can tag multiple items in a post as well, and when users navigate to a product's page, they can checkout and complete a purchase without ever exiting the Instagram app. 07. Partner through branded content Aside from an Instagram business account helping you out with your own posts, it also allows others to tag you as a partner in their posts. If you begin working with influencers and they upload posts with your products or promoting your brand, they’ll be able to tag you and mention the post is partnered with or sponsored by your brand. If you don’t want just anyone to have the power to do this, you can restrict who tags you in branded content posts, so you’re assured only your approved partners have this exclusive tagging ability. 08. Save time with the Quick Replies As your account starts to grow, you'll likely get more and more messages from customers with questions. This increase in contact can be tough to manage if you're a small team and you don't want any clients falling through the cracks. With an Instagram business account, you can set up a quick replies feature to make it easier to answer all your direct messages and also save you time. You can set up the quick replies feature in your settings and create shortcodes, which can be just a word, that are linked to template answers to your most common questions. For example, each time someone sends you a DM on Instagram asking about your services, all you’d need to do is type in your shortcode, then click the quick reply icon that pops up, and your entire saved message will be sent so that you don’t need to type out your answer from scratch every time. 09. Stay organized with inbox management Another excellent tool for managing your inbox when your account gets constant and regular DMs is the inbox management feature. With an Instagram business account, instead of just having one inbox for all your messages, your inbox is divided into three sections: primary, general and requests. Primary messages are usually messages Instagram thinks you’ll want to see first. They’re either from people you follow or accounts you interact with frequently. General messages are usually from accounts you don’t follow or don’t interact with as often. You can easily move messages between these two inboxes in order to organize your inbox. Maybe you want to keep certain messages in your primary inbox and move them over to general once they’re dealt with, or leave one inbox for client inquiries and move everything else to the second inbox. 10. Schedule posts ahead of time Once you have an Instagram business account, you can connect it with your Wix website to schedule posts to your Instagram feed. The built-in Wix Social Posts tool allows you to create posts and schedule them for a set time to go live. This will help save time and will enable you to publish at the best times and days, even when you can't be on your device to hit publish. By planning posts ahead, you're able to make your entire social media teams' lives easier and help you stay on top of your social media content calendar. According to Marissa Nicole Brower, social media manager at Wix.com : “A few elements I would recommend to those with the desire to grow their Instagram account, would be to include high-quality visual content, a consistent aesthetic, engaging and witty captions, strategic use of hashtags, regular posting schedule, interacting with followers and comments, and a strong use of features like Reels and Stories to diversify your content and reach a wider audience.” How much does an Instagram business account cost When setting up your Instagram business account, you will be asked to choose from several different plans. For those just starting out, the ‘Starter’ plan is a great option as it provides basic analytics and one profile link along with one call-to-action button. However, if you are looking for more advanced features and want to be able to promote your posts, the ‘Business’ plan is recommended. This plan includes more features such as detailed analytics, advanced scheduling capabilities and Instagram ads. When creating an Instagram business account, there are several different price points to consider. For those just getting started, the ‘Starter’ plan is available for free and includes features such as basic analytics, one profile link and one call-to-action button. However, if you are looking for more advanced features and want to be able to promote your posts, the ‘Business’ plan is recommended. This plan includes advanced analytics and up to 10 profile links for $10 per month. Business vs personal Instagram There are several key differences between an Instagram business and personal account. Personal accounts are used by individuals to share content with their friends, family and other followers. This is different from a business account, which is used primarily by companies and businesses to promote products or services and make sales in some cases, while building relationships with their customers. The accounts also have different features. Business accounts have Instagram business analytics, they can also be used to create and promote ads on the platform, and they can add to their content contact buttons. The analytics data can be very significant for your influencer marketing strategy and advertising efforts, and how to improve them on Instagram. You can convert a personal account to a business account, as we laid out above. But you cannot convert from a business to a personal account. Choosing an Instagram business account name When it comes to finding the right name for your Instagram business account, it's important to follow many of the same guidelines that influence choosing a business name or a domain name. The main thing to remember is that the character limit on your Instagram handle is 30, so you may have to choose or adjust your name accordingly. Lead with your brand, something that accurately reflects your company, what you do and what you stand for. Many organizations use their company or business name as their Instagram handle. Instagram is a great place to be creative, so you can always opt for a unique name that reflects the content you plan to post. Make sure to check your name for misspellings, because once chosen for an Instagram business account it can't be changed. Linking an Instagram business account to Facebook Your Instagram business account can be linked to a Facebook page. Linking the two accounts allows you to manage your Instagram business presence directly from your company Facebook page. This means you'll have the ability to post, respond to comments and view analytics. By linking the two accounts, you'll be able to run Instagram ads through Facebook's ad manager, which provides additional targeting options and insights. To link the two accounts, businesses go to your Facebook page settings, select Instagram and then enter their Instagram account information. Once the accounts are linked, you'll be able to easily switch between them by selecting the account you want to manage in the top right corner of the Facebook page. Instagram for business and the limitations For many businesses, large and small, Instagram is a great way to connect with clients, raise brand awareness and sell products. However, there are some limitations to the platform that businesses planning to use it should be aware of. Instagram business accounts are a great way to share unique, branded content. However, the account itself has limited options for personalization and ways to make it stand out. The algorithm. Instagram's algorithm changes and updates fairly regularly, so what once worked to reach a target audience may not after an algorithm update. You'll have to keep testing and pivoting your Instagram business strategy and the content you create to stay on top. The cost of ads can be high for small businesses especially. Set a budget, and your KPIs or ROI for your ad spend and stick to it. At the same time, as the platform increases in size, organic reach becomes more competitive - meaning you'll need ads to compete with bigger Instagram players, at least at first. Instagram analytics is improving all the time but doesn't necessarily compare to SEO or website analytics tools you may have been using. This makes it harder to pull insights on what's working for you on the platform or not. Combined with limited customer service, even for business users, navigating Instagram for business can be tricky. Create a custom Instagram strategy Switching to an Instagram business account is just one way to optimize your social media. Still, you'll also need a solid social media marketing strategy and clear, consistent content creation process to make the most of its digital distribution influence. Your Instagram approach should be customized to your brand, your audience and your goals. Here are a few things to keep in mind when crafting an Instagram strategy: Define your target audience: Do some market research to understand who your audience is so you can understand what they like and create content that appeals to them, specifically. Are you targeting a shopping audience or one looking for an education? Check out the competition: Take a look at what your competitors are doing on their Instagram business accounts. This doesn’t mean you should copy their strategy. Rather, you can look for gaps in their content so that you know where to focus your efforts or ensure that you stand out enough against your competitors. Create quality content: Your content should be thought-out and high-quality, whether it’s professional videos , images or meaningful captions, make sure each post has a purpose and enhance communication with platform users. Build up your style : Many feeds have a certain aesthetic. Create your own by using similar filters on each photo, using Instagram templates with similar color palettes and generally staying true to your brand’s overall identity. Set a consistent schedule: Post your content regularly and consistently as with any media management plan. The frequency you upload posts and stories is up to you, but whatever amount you decide on, map out a schedule and stick to it. Track your performance: Determine your goal with each post, ad or story and then track how you’re doing over time using the insights tool or a more robust Instagram analytics tool. Your performance will depend on what goal you’ve set, such as increasing your follower count, getting more traffic to your website or converting Instagram followers to paying customers. Remember Instagram often acts like a word-of-mouth marketing tool, and tapping into user-generated content and influencers can really help your brand make an impact on the platform. Instagram business account FAQ Is an Instagram business account free? Yes, an Instagram business account is free. You don’t need to pay to set one up or use its basic features. Instagram does offer paid ads if you want to boost posts or reach more people, but those are totally optional. What is a professional account on Instagram A professional account on Instagram is either a business or creator account, giving you tools to boost engagement and track performance. With features like insights, contact options, and the ability to link to a Facebook page, it helps you manage and grow your audience. Should my Instagram account be personal or business? If you're using Instagram to promote your business or brand, switching to a business account is the way to go. You'll get access to tools like Instagram Insights, ad options, and features like a contact button to make connecting with customers simple. Personal accounts are better for sharing content with friends or family. What does a business account on Instagram do? A business account on Instagram gives you access to a number of features that can help you grow your business, including: Insights: Insights give you data about your followers, their engagement with your content and how people find your account. This data can help you understand your audience and make better decisions about your content strategy. Call to action buttons: You can add call to action buttons to your posts, such as "Book Now" or "Shop Now." This can help you drive traffic to your website or online store. Product tags: You can tag products in your posts, which will allow people to shop directly from your Instagram account. Location tagging: You can tag your posts with locations, which can help people find your business if they are looking for businesses in your area. What are the disadvantages of using Instagram for business? Here are some of the disadvantages of using Instagram for business: Time commitment: Instagram can be a time-consuming platform to manage. You need to post regularly, engage with your followers and keep your content fresh. If you don't have the time to commit to Instagram, it may not be the right platform for your business. Competition: There is a lot of competition on Instagram. There are millions of businesses using the platform, so it can be difficult to stand out from the crowd. Algorithm: Instagram's algorithm can be difficult to understand. It determines which posts your followers see, and it can change frequently. This can make it difficult to get your content seen by your target audience. Cost: If you want to run ads on Instagram, it can be expensive. You need to set a budget and track your results carefully to make sure you are getting a return on your investment. Safety: Instagram can be a dangerous platform for businesses. There have been reports of businesses being hacked and their accounts being used to scam people. You need to take steps to protect your account, such as using strong passwords and two-factor authentication. Despite these disadvantages, Instagram can be a powerful tool for businesses. If you are willing to put in the time and effort, you can use Instagram to reach a large audience, build relationships with your customers and grow your business. What are the rules for a business account on Instagram? The rules for a business account on Instagram are the same as the rules for a personal account. However, there are a few additional things that businesses should keep in mind, such as: Your profile should be complete and informative. This includes having a clear profile picture, a well-written bio and a link to your website. Your content should be high-quality and engaging. This means posting interesting and visually appealing photos and videos that are relevant to your target audience. You should use relevant hashtags to reach a wider audience. Do some research to find hashtags that are popular in your industry and that are relevant to your content. You should interact with your followers. This means responding to comments and questions, and engaging with other businesses in your industry. You should be mindful of Instagram's advertising policies. This means not making false or misleading claims, and not promoting illegal or harmful products or services. How do I know if my Instagram is a business account? To see if your Instagram is a business account, head to your profile and tap the three lines in the top-right corner. Next, tap "Settings" and find the "Account" section. If you see "Switch to personal account" or "Switch to creator account," you’re using a business account. What are the features of an Instagram business account? Instagram business accounts offer tools to help you grow. With Instagram Insights, you can track engagement and performance. Run ads directly from the app, add a contact button to make communication easier, and sell products right from your posts with the shopping feature. You can also promote posts and link your Instagram to a Facebook business page for easier management. How to add your business location on Instagram   Adding your business location is simple. Go to your profile, tap "Edit Profile," and then tap "Business Information." Add your address, and your location will show up on your profile and posts, making it easier for customers to find you.

Turn your ideas into a website you love with Wix → Learning how to create a review website lets you turn your expertise into a trusted resource people rely on before making decisions. In this guide, you’ll learn how to create a review website  step by step, from choosing a niche to publishing credible reviews and monetizing your content. Whether you plan to review local businesses, products or services, you’ll learn  how to start a website  designed to earn trust and keep visitors coming back. Get started with Wix's  AI website builder . Building a website for your business, passion project or side hustle should feel simple and exciting. Wix generates a personalized starting point with AI. You can customize every detail with intuitive drag-and-drop tools, while Wix handles the tricky parts to make building your site simple. That way, you can focus on what matters most: bringing your ideas to life. Ready to get started? Create your website today. TL;DR: how to create a review website Building a review site is all about finding your niche, picking a great platform and creating content that helps your readers make the right choice. Your success depends on building trust through honest, unbiased info and clear criteria. Once the visitors start rolling in, you can start making money through affiliate links, ads or sponsored posts. Getting the site up and running is the easy part. Modern builders let you  drag and drop  your way to a professional look, set up rating systems and organize your posts with ease. The real fun begins when you start sharing your expertise and creating high-quality reviews that your audience loves. Feature Description Star rating system Visual representation of the score (e.g., 5-star scale). Comparison tables Side-by-side feature lists for easy decision-making. User comments Space for community feedback and social proof. Search and filters Tools to help users find specific products quickly. Affiliate links Integrated links for monetization. Learn more: How to create a professional website How much does a website cost How long to build a website How to create a review website in 10 steps Here is the step-by-step guide to get your review website up and running: Define your review niche and business model Select a domain name and web host Pick a website builder and review-friendly template Design your review website for trust and usability Set up rating systems and comparison features Create structured, high-quality review content Add user reviews and social proof Monetize your review website Start a review blog (optional) Optimize for SEO and promote your review website 01. Define your review niche and business model Trying to review everything is the fastest way to fail. The most successful review sites focus on specific corners of the market where they can become the go-to expert. This could be anything from eco-friendly camping gear and SaaS tools for small businesses to local coffee shops in a specific city. Once you have a niche, decide how you plan to operate. Will you write all the reviews yourself based on hands-on testing? Or will you build a directory where users submit their own ratings (like Yelp or TripAdvisor)? Your choice here dictates the design and features you will need later on. 02. Select a domain name and web host Your  domain name  needs to be memorable and relevant. Ideally, it should hint at what you review without being too limiting. Avoid long, complicated names that are hard to spell. If your preferred  .com  is taken, consider other extensions that might fit your brand personality better. Pro tip:  To choose a domain name, try out a  domain name generator  or  domain name search  for inspiration.  Web hosting  is where your site lives on the internet. You need a host that ensures fast load times, as speed is a ranking factor for search engines. Many website builders include hosting in their packages, simplifying this step so you don't have to manage servers separately. Learn more about hosting: What is web hosting How to host a website 03. Pick a website builder and review-friendly template Picking the right platform is a big deal. You want a system that makes managing and customizing your  web content  a breeze. With a powerful website builder like Wix, you can easily arrange your layouts specifically for reviews, all on your own terms. Think of your website as your brand’s home base. You want it to look sharp and function perfectly so you can focus on what you do best: sharing your expert opinions. Look for templates designed for content-heavy sites. You want layouts that prioritize readability and have built-in structures for images and ratings. Wix offers hundreds of customizable  website templates  to help you create a site that feels just like you. Explore Wix's templates: Author website templates Personal website templates Gaming reviews templates 04. Design your review website for trust and usability First impressions matter immensely. If your site looks cluttered or outdated, visitors won't trust your recommendations. Stick to a clean, professional  website design  with plenty of white space. Use high-quality images and ensure your  typography  is easy to read on both desktop and mobile devices. Navigation should be intuitive. Create clear categories so users can find exactly what they are looking for in seconds. If a visitor is looking for "best running shoes," they shouldn't have to dig through five pages of hiking boot reviews to find them. Learn more:  What is web design? 05. Set up rating systems and comparison features The core of your site is the review functionality. You need a consistent way to score products. This usually involves a star rating, a numerical score (e.g., 8.5/10) or a simple "Buy/Don't Buy" verdict. Consistency is key here, so make sure to use the same criteria for every product in a category. Comparison tables are incredibly high-value features. They allow readers to see specs, prices and ratings side-by-side. This visual aid often helps users make a final decision faster than reading three separate long-form articles. 06. Create structured, high-quality review content Solid reviews follow a predictable flow. Start with a quick summary, weigh the pros and cons, dive into the features and wrap it all up with a final verdict. This formula lets your readers scan for the details they need most. Always be upfront about any flaws. If you only have good things to say, it might look like a paid ad. Authentic photos and videos also go a long way. Showing the product in action proves you’ve actually put it to the test, which builds the trust you need to get those clicks. No matter what   type of websites  you create, real-life visuals make your content pop and keep your audience coming back for more. 07. Add user reviews and social proof Inviting user feedback is a great way to build a community around your expertise. It keeps visitors engaged and offers different perspectives. What works for you might not work for everyone, and user comments help reveal those important details. Adding this type of  social proof  also shows search engines that people value your content. Just remember to moderate your comments to keep the conversation helpful, respectful and spam-free. 08. Monetize your review website Affiliate marketing is the most common way to  monetize a website . It's simple: you join programs (like Amazon Associates or specific software affiliate programs), get unique tracking links and earn a commission when a reader buys a product through your link. Display ads are another option once you have steady traffic. Networks like Google AdSense can place ads on your pages. You can also offer sponsored reviews, but remember to clearly disclose these to maintain trust with your audience. 09. Start a review blog (optional) While product reviews are your focus, learning  how to start a blog  can support your site's growth. With a  blog maker , you can create "best of" lists, how-to guides and industry news. For example, if you review cameras, a blog post on "How to take better portraits" attracts the right audience who might then read your camera reviews. Blog content is often easier to rank for, acting as a funnel that brings in traffic you can direct toward your money-making review pages. 10. Optimize for SEO and promote your review website Search engine optimization (SEO) is how people find you. Use tools to find keywords that people actually search for, like "best budget laptop 2024." Place these keywords naturally in your titles, headings and throughout the text. Use built-in  SEO features  to fine-tune elements like metadata, page titles and alt text for images.  Don't just wait for Google. Share your reviews on social media, in relevant forums and through an email newsletter. Building an active following diversifies your traffic sources so you aren't 100% dependent on search algorithms. Pair these efforts with thoughtful  marketing strategies  to drive  website traffic  and make your portfolio discoverable to the right people. Pro tip: Create a  website launch checklist  to make sure you're covering all your bases. Expert tip from Rebecca Tomasis, blog SEO team lead at Wix: "Don't be afraid to start small with your SEO content strategy. Start by focusing on basic on-page optimizations and best practices, such as including keywords in headings. Once you're confident your blog audience can be found through organic search, you can start planning a more advanced content strategy, which involves clustering and implementing advanced SEO techniques." Review website examples built on Wix Looking for  website ideas ? These review website examples built on Wix show how creators turn opinions into trusted destinations. 01. SuperGoode  Visitors to SuperGoode see a clean, modern layout that puts the latest product reviews front and center. The homepage features top-rated items and categories, while intuitive search and filter options help users find detailed insights. You can explore their website to see how reviews combine pros and cons, star ratings and visuals to guide readers toward confident decisions.  Like what you see? Build your own review website using this same template. Template name:  UX designer website template 02. Self Help Bookshelves  Self Help Bookshelves makes browsing books easy, organizing reviews by topic and popularity so readers can quickly spot highly rated titles. Detailed write-ups, user comments and comparison features help users decide which books fit their personal growth goals, as shown on their website.  Like what you see? Build your own review website using this same template. Template name:  Traveler blog website template 03. Unfortified Castle  Unfortified Castle focuses on music reviews, with each article breaking down albums, tracks and artist performance. Users can explore ratings, pros and cons and curated playlists on their website, making it simple to discover new music.  Like what you see? Build your own review website using this same template. Template name:  Book blog website template 04. BzzAgent Reviews  BzzAgent focuses on transparency and usability, presenting honest product evaluations with ratings, pros and cons and real-life testing notes. Its search and filter tools make finding specific products easy, demonstrated clearly on their website.  Like what you see? Build your own review website using this same template. Template name: Beauty school website template 05. Rated Books  Rated Books is a hub for book lovers, featuring curated lists, in-depth reviews and star ratings. Thoughtful summaries, comparison tables and reader comments help users make informed choices, as showcased on their website.  Like what you see? Build your own review website using this same template. Template name: Start from scratch website template Benefits of a review website Starting a review site allows you to build an asset that grows in value over time. Unlike trading time for money, a review site works for you 24/7. It establishes you as an authority in your field and opens doors to partnerships with brands you love. Owning your platform is crucial. As Chaya Arbiv, SEO specialist at Wix, says: "A website puts you in control of your brand, your content and your growth." How to create a review website FAQ What is a review website? A review website is a platform dedicated to evaluating products, services or businesses. Its primary goal is to provide unbiased information, comparisons and ratings to help consumers make informed purchasing decisions. These sites can focus on anything from tech gadgets and movies to travel destinations and software. How do review websites make money? Most review sites generate revenue through affiliate marketing, earning a commission when a user clicks a link and makes a purchase. Other common monetization methods include display advertising, sponsored content from brands and selling premium memberships or access to exclusive data. What is the most popular review website? The popularity of review sites varies by industry. For general business and local services, Yelp and TripAdvisor are massive. For tech and consumer goods, sites like CNET and Wirecutter (owned by The New York Times) are industry leaders. Amazon is also technically one of the world's largest repositories of user reviews. Is review boosting illegal? Review boosting, or the practice of posting fake positive reviews or suppressing negative ones, is considered deceptive and illegal in many jurisdictions. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the United States actively penalizes businesses that engage in review fraud. Authenticity is legally required and essential for long-term success.

Want a portfolio that builds itself? Try Wix’s AI Website Builder → These leading creatives have shared many of their iconic works with the world, as well as a few words of wisdom. We've collected their thoughts on the creative process, beauty and all things design. When it comes to design inspiration, there’s hardly ever a right or wrong answer. Creativity can have completely different meanings for different people. At times it can get so elusive that what got you sparking with ideas one day, loses its charm the next. In this life of endless wandering, there is no eternal spring of inspiration to rely on. Yet like a lighthouse beaming in the dark, we are sometimes able to find direction in the aura of powerful thinkers in the arts. We’ve collected 10 intriguing and thought-provoking quotes to add to your mood board and design blogs from notable individuals we look up to, from David Lynch to Issey Miyake. Not entirely straightforward, not exactly motivational – we hope these words strike a cord in your designer heart. 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. Whether you're starting out on your journey to becoming a freelance graphic designer , or looking for inspiration for your graphic design portfolio or website, we've got you covered. Make sure your online presence is polished and branded, from your designer's Instagram account to your portfolio website . Spike Jonze Saul Bass Francis Bacon Charles Bukowski Stefan Sagmeister David Lynch Hayao Miyazaki Tove Jansson Issey Miyake Paul Rand 01. Spike Jonze I think the way kids create is so inspiring. They're drawing a picture? They love the picture they drew; they're not tortured about it. Spike Jonze About the author: Spike Jonze (born 1969) is an Oscar-winning filmmaker and director. Many of his works discuss the self-loathing and inner turbulence that follow the creative process. Being John Malkovich and Adaptation are two iconic examples of such metafilms. 02. Saul Bass I want to make beautiful things, even if nobody cares, as opposed to ugly things,. That's my intent. Saul Bass About the author: Influential freelance graphic designer Saul Bass (1920-1996) created many memorable title sequences for Hollywood films, revolutionizing movie credits from a plain and informative introduction to an inherent part of the film’s storytelling. He is also the designer of many logos, among them the AT&T, United Airlines and Kleenex logos. 03. Francis Bacon I believe in deeply ordered chaos. Francis Bacon About the author: British artist Francis Bacon (1909-1992) is known for his grotesque and bleak style. His powerful and emotional works capture the post-war anxiety of his time in portraits of distorted characters that seem tortured and hurt, many times with their mouths wide open, mid-scream. The abstract depiction of his subjects is contrasted against flat, geometric backgrounds. Most of his works are organized into series, repeating similar subject matter in diptych or triptych formats. 04. Charles Bukowski To do a dull thing with style now that's what I call art. Charles Bukowski About the author: The poems and short stories of German-American writer Charles Bukowski (1920-1994) mainly depict his hometown, Los Angeles. Bukowski describes alcohol-filled, crude and anti-social human interactions of his city’s poor lowlife, and centers his plots around the mundane events of the everyday. 05. Stefan Sagmeister I had discovered that I'm much less special than I thought I am. So whatever I find true for myself, other people might also relate to. Stefan Sagmeister About the author: Born in Austria (in 1962) and based in New York, acclaimed graphic designer Stefan Sagmeister is well-known for his innovative use of typography – creating type with materials ranging from bananas to his own skin. Sagmeister has also designed album covers for prominent musicians including the Rolling Stones and Jay-Z, and initiated an exhibition and a film about happiness – The Happy Show  and The Happy Film . 06. David Lynch I discovered that if one looks a little closer at this beautiful world, there are always red ants underneath. David Lynch About the author: Filmmaker David Lynch (born 1946) is known for the surreal and enigmatic atmosphere he achieves on film, with its distinct aesthetics. From films Blue Velvet and Mulholland Drive to television series Twin Peaks , Lynch’s creations tap into the collective subconscious with an eerie, dreamlike beauty. 07. Hayao Miyazaki Do everything by hand, even when using the computer. Hayao Miyazaki About the author: Japanese animator and film director Hayao Miyazaki (born 1941) is co-founder of Studio Ghibli and director of many beloved anime films such as My Neighbor Totoro , Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away . His imaginative, often epic films stress the importance of our relationship with nature and warn against the possible harms of technology. 08. Tove Jansson Lose your invaluable curiosity and you let yourself die. It's as simple as that. Tove Jansson About the author: Finnish artist Tove Jansson (1914-2001) is the author and illustrator behind the Moomin book series and comic strips. The Moomin series, spanning over nine novels and three picture books, offers an idyllic and peaceful portrayal of family ties, friendships and life with nature, that is only interrupted by the Moomins’ adventurous journeys in the Nordic wilderness. 09. Issey Miyake Work for money, design for love. Issey Miyake About the author: Japanese fashion designer Issey Miyake (born 1938), founder of the Tokyo-based Miyake Design Studio, is known for his cutting-edge mix of new techniques with traditional materials and fabrics, creating garment construction that is almost seamless. He is also responsible for a collection of perfumes under his name and has proclaimed in the past that proceeds from his perfumes go to charity. 10. Paul Rand Ideas do not need to be esoteric to be original or exciting. Paul Rand About the author: American art director and graphic designer Paul Rand (1914-1996) is the creative mind behind timeless logos such as those for IBM, ABC, and Westinghouse. Rand helped pave the way for a well-rounded approach to corporate identities, regarding design as an essential part of businesses. Rand’s Modernist style was based on simple geometric shapes and bold color palettes. Learn more about how to make a website with our complete guide.

Ready to let your work shine? Build your portfolio →   There’s more to Pinterest than beautiful mood boards and inspiration. Here’s how to make the most out of the platform and use it to promote your work. A never-ending fountain of inspiration, Pinterest is a platform that’s all about visual creativity and discovery. This strictly professional environment is free of FOMO-inducing selfies of friends, freeing you to fully submerge yourself in your tasks of picking out color palettes or researching mid-century type. On Pinterest, probably the least social of all social media channels, ideas and great visuals and mood boards are valued more than followers or likes. Engagement between users is kept to a minimum, to the extent that the platform went as far as removing its own ‘Like’ button earlier last year. This makes using Pinterest a whole other art to designing for social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Since its launch back in 2010, Pinterest has become an integral part of most of our work processes, and it’s a favorite go-to place for finding inspiration. Yet, there’s an added perk to the platform that’s overlooked by many designers, as Pinterest marketing offers a great opportunity for promoting your own work. We’ve pinned down a few tips to help boost your Pinterest account, from optimal image sizes to the best board titles. As for the creative ideas, however, we leave those to you – and to the pins you’ll encounter. 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. 1. Pin your own work Liking your own photos is a pretty awkward move on most social media channels. But on Pinterest, it’s what the cool kids do. Or more precisely, they pin them, as pinning your own work could get your designs circulating around the platform. Since the Pinterest algorithm suggests related images based on users’ personal preferences and searches, there’s no knowing where each pin could end up. In other words, your art can reach the feeds of people who weren’t previously familiar with your work, but were searching for something just like it. Create a board or two that showcase your own creations. But don’t overdo it and go too promotional, as the majority of your boards should be dedicated to your inspiration and ideas. – All pins should lead to your website: The pins that you create will hopefully sprout wings and fly, straying far from your own boards and into new and exciting realms. For that reason, each pin you create should be able to find its way back home. And when we talk about the Web, what is home if not your online design portfolio . Linking your pins to your website, design blog, or online store means that people who come across your art in your graphic design portfolio , can immediately be redirected to its original web source – your portfolio – to find out more. Looking to learn how to make a website ? Check out our full guide. Illustrator and Wix user Levi Jacobs has created a Pinterest board to showcase his own creations, titled ‘Levi Jacobs Illustration’. – Add pin descriptions: While Pinterest is a visual platform, the right use of text can make a big difference. Adding short written descriptions for each of your pins can help maximize engagement. Explain what the pin is about in a few brief sentences, around 100-500 characters long. Pinterest is basically a search engine, not unlike Google, which means that keywords are an important factor in the way it evaluates search results. Therefore, your textual descriptions should include a few keywords, just like you would do for your portfolio’s SEO - this is a great graphic design portfolio tip . In order to pick out the best keywords for your needs, ask yourself what people would type into Pinterest if they were looking to find images similar to yours, and include those words in your text. For example, notice how illustrator and Wix user Naomi Wilkinson captioned her illustrated feline print as ‘Leopard print A2’. She didn’t neglect to mention her own name as the creator of the image, so that it would remain there for future repins. Another way to perfect your keywords is by typing your own text into Pinterest’s search bar, and see what suggestions show up right below it. Those are related words that people usually search for alongside your keywords, and therefore could help make your own caption more specific. You might want to consider something along the lines of ‘Leopard print illustration’,  ‘Leopard print art’, or  ‘Leopard print poster’, depending on what works best for your content. Illustrator and Wix user Naomi Wilkinson‘s pin, Leopard Print, links to her online store. – Keep pins coming with new content: Whenever you add new content to your online portfolio, don’t forget to add it to your Pinterest boards as well. Updating your social media with fresh content is always a good practice, and the same holds true for your Pinterest account. – Pinterest pin dimensions: Since Pinterest displays pins vertically, tall pins perform better than wide ones. The recommended dimensions for a Pinterest pin are 600 px wide by 900 px high, but those can vary. More important is to retain an aspect ratio of 2:3, or similar. 2. Get your work pinned by others Pinterest has a Chrome extension that enables users to easily convert any image they see online to a pin. But for those visitors browsing your site that don’t have the extension at hand – prep your portfolio so that it’s ready to be shared in an instant by adding social buttons to all images, including the Pinterest Save button. And since sharing the love should go both ways, link your personal website back to your Pinterest account, together with all of your other active social platforms. 3. Beautify your account and claim your website Your Pinterest account should be as polished and branded as the rest of your online presence, from your designer's Instagram account to your portfolio website. Edit your settings to add a logo , icon or photo as your profile pic (165 x 165 pixels is the optimal size). Fill in your location and add a brief introductory sentence in the ‘about’ section. Now enter the most important stage of all – it’s time to claim your website. This step is crucial, as it will make both your URL show up in your bio, as well as allow you to see what people are pinning from your portfolio. It will even automatically add your logo to all future pins. Lastly, confirming a website makes your account more reliable to Pinterest, hence giving your pins a boost in search results. As part of your effort to create one of the best portfolio websites out there, this is also a great way to get people to discover your work. 4. Share what you want to, hide the rest Maintaining a beautiful Pinterest feed is fun. After all, you get to collect your favorite eye-candy and organize it into categories – what’s not to like? Your boards can be about anything, from striking lettering to quirky objects or your favorite logo designs. But looking at Pinterest from a professional standpoint, creating great boards is also an opportunity for you to provide your fans with a better understanding of your interests and sources of inspiration. Pinterest, as mentioned above, is a search engine that makes use of keywords. It is therefore recommended to include keywords in the titles that you give your boards, whenever possible. If you create a board for unique textile designs, for example, naming it something like ‘Fabric frenzie’ would make it less visible than a more straightforward ‘Textile prints and patterns’. Illustrator and Wix user Naomi Wilkinson‘s Pinterest boards, such as ‘Beautiful Objects’, can provide insight into some of her sources of inspiration. On top of the beautiful boards that are meant to be shared with the world, some designers prefer to brainstorm and research more privately. For those occasions, Pinterest offers the option of creating secret boards, that only you and the people you work with can see. There, you can pile up all of your disorganized thoughts until finding that very specific dream decor for your new living room, while at the same time keeping your feed curated and professional. Designer and Wix user Simon Walker uses Pinterest to collect beautiful type, book covers, and other sources of inspiration.