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  • How much is my domain worth? Ways to check its value

    The perfect domain is just a click away: claim your domain →   Buying a domain can feel like grabbing a great piece of internet real estate but figuring out what it's actually worth is a lot less obvious. Prices can swing from a few dollars to six figures and automated estimates often don’t tell the full story. If you’re thinking about selling, negotiating or just curious about your domain name value, understanding how it all works will help you set realistic expectations and make smarter moves. Secure your perfect domain in just a few clicks with Wix. Get everything you need in one place—business email, reliable hosting, SSL protection and full privacy. With 24/7 support and no hidden fees, getting your site live is simple and worry-free. TL;DR: how much is my domain worth? A domain's value is a combination of real data and market trends. Looking at things like keywords, traffic, backlinks, brand strength and similar sales can help you find a good price range. Then you can decide what to do next—keep it, improve it or sell it. You’ll learn What a domain is and how pricing works The biggest factors that influence domain value How to evaluate your domain step by step Ways to increase your domain’s worth How to use valuations to guide your buying or selling decisions What is a domain? A domain is the unique name that represents a web address  on the internet. It’s what people type into their browser to visit a site, like yourname.com. Your domain reflects your brand and can shape how people see your business. If you’re building a website , pick a domain that’s relevant, easy to remember and simple to spell to help establish your brand online. Use a  domain name generator  if you need help coming up with an idea. Already have an idea? Check the availability with a  domain name search  tool. What is domain worth? Domain worth is the market value of a domain name based on its potential appeal to buyers or businesses. It’s essentially how much your domain could sell for or be valued at in today’s market. Factors like how short and memorable it is, whether it has popular keywords, the type of extension it uses and the traffic it gets all play a role. A domain that’s easy to spell and fits a business or niche well is typically more appealing and valuable than one that’s long or complicated. A domain’s value isn’t set in stone. Market trends, demand and the domain’s history can all affect its price. You can get a good sense of what it’s worth by looking at similar sales, traffic stats and the overall quality of the domain. But at the end of the day, a domain is worth what a buyer is willing to pay for it. That’s why it’s a good idea to check your domain’s value regularly if you’re planning to sell, buy or use it for your business. Learn more: What is a domain How to choose a domain name How to buy a domain How domain pricing works A domain’s price comes down to its market demand and potential business value. Appraisal tools can give you an estimate based on length, keywords, traffic and relevance. But a real buyer might pay more or less depending on things like timing, industry trends and their specific needs. Some domains sit idle for years even with high appraisals, while others sell fast because they meet a current demand. Understanding the difference between estimated value and market value helps you make smart decisions when buying, selling or holding onto a domain. Domains gain value from tangible factors like traffic and backlinks and intangible ones like memorability and brand potential. Looking at both helps keep your expectations realistic. 12 domain value factors Several factors contribute to the valuation of a domain name. It’s based on structured criteria that define its desirability and usefulness. Here are the key aspects professionals and tools evaluate when determining its worth. Domain age Length and memorability Brandability Keyword relevance Traffic Domain extensions Backlink profile and history Legal and trademark issues Monetization potential Comparable sales / market benchmarks Niche or industry relevance Reputation & previous usage 01. Domain age and its impact on domain value Domains that have been around longer generally hold more value. Search engines see older domains as more credible because they've had more time to establish authority. For example, a domain registered 10 years ago is often seen as more reliable than one created last month. However, age alone doesn’t guarantee high value—it often needs to work alongside the other factors below. 02. Domain length and memorability Short and simple domains are easier for people to remember and type, which makes them more valuable. A domain that sticks in a user’s mind can drive repeat visits, direct traffic and boost brand recognition. Long or complicated domains are harder to recall, prone to typos and often feel less professional, which can limit their appeal to buyers or businesses. Memorability ties directly to branding potential. Domains that are catchy, easy to pronounce or visually clean are more likely to be used across marketing materials, email addresses and social media. This mix of simplicity and recallability makes a domain easier to promote and gives it a competitive edge in the marketplace. When evaluating your domain, ask yourself: Can someone type it correctly after hearing it once? Is it short enough to fit naturally in conversation, ads or a logo? Domains that answer yes to these questions usually hold higher value and attract more interest from potential buyers. 03. Branding potential of a domain name Brandability is how well a domain can represent a business or idea and stick in people’s minds. A highly brandable domain is unique, creative and easy to associate with a product, service or identity. Domains that feel distinctive are easier to market, simpler to protect legally and more likely to build trust with customers. A strong brandable domain often avoids generic words. Instead it uses memorable combinations, invented terms or clear messaging that shows what the business is about. This makes it versatile for logos, campaigns and social media, giving the business a professional look from the start. When thinking about brandability, consider how the domain sounds, how it looks in writing and whether it could grow into a recognizable name. Domains that are flexible, memorable and market-ready usually have a higher value because they give buyers a head start in building a strong brand. 04. Keyword relevance and SEO value of a domain Keyword relevance is about how well a domain name matches search terms people are actively using. Domains with popular or commercially valuable keywords can attract organic traffic and make it easier for businesses to rank in search engines. This creates immediate value because buyers see a built-in advantage for marketing, SEO and audience targeting. The more specific and in-demand the keywords, the more desirable the domain becomes. For example, a domain with a term frequently searched in a niche can reduce the effort needed to drive traffic and convert visitors. Domains with strong keyword relevance are easier to monetize and more appealing to buyers. When evaluating keyword relevance, consider search volume, competition and commercial intent. Domains that naturally match what people are searching for—while staying easy to read and remember—tend to hold higher value and offer tangible advantages for businesses. 05. Website traffic and type-in traffic value The amount of website traffic a domain gets shows how much interest people already have in it, making it a concrete measure of its value. If a domain has consistent type-in traffic, meaning visitors type the URL directly into their browser, it proves the name is memorable and trusted. This kind of traffic is particularly valuable because it brings in visitors without any marketing spend. Search engine traffic also adds to a domain's value. When a domain ranks well for specific keywords and draws in organic visitors, it saves a potential buyer the work of building an audience from scratch. Even a small amount of traffic shows that the domain has some appeal, making it a better option for a business or for resale. When you look at traffic, consider both the amount and the quality. A steady stream of relevant visitors is worth more than a huge number of random clicks. A domain that already attracts the right crowd saves you time, money and marketing effort, which all adds up to a higher market value. 06. Domain extensions Domains with popular domain extensions  like .com  generally have higher worth due to their global recognition and trust factor. Other popular TLDs include .info , .org , . co , .net , .edu, .biz  .gov and .tv . Niche extensions like .tech can hold value, but their appeal usually depends on specific industries.  While search engines treat all TLDs equally, buyer perception, branding and memorability often make the extension a key factor in domain valuation. Learn more: What is a TLD ? 07. Backlink profile and domain authority A domain’s backlink profile shows which websites link to it and directly affects its value. High-quality backlinks from trusted relevant sites signal authority and credibility, which can boost search rankings and make the domain more appealing to buyers. A strong link profile means the domain already has a foundation of trust, reducing the effort needed to build visibility. Not all backlinks are created equal. Links from reputable publications, industry sites or established blogs are much more valuable than a large number of low-quality or unrelated links. Buyers often prioritize relevance, diversity and link consistency over time instead of just quantity. When reviewing a backlink profile, look for steady growth, links from authoritative sources and no signs of spammy link building. 08. Legal, trademark and domain ownership considerations Domains that infringe on existing trademarks or are linked to potential legal disputes are risky for buyers, which lowers demand and resale potential. Even if the domain is desirable, unresolved legal issues can prevent its use for branding, marketing or business operations. It’s crucial to check for existing trademarks, registered business names or previous claims on similar domains before buying, selling or investing. Conflict-free domains are more appealing because they can be used right away without the risk of legal challenges. Also, think about any past misuse or controversial ties. Domains associated with spam, scams or negative publicity may come with hidden risks. Learn more: How to trademark a domain name 09. Monetization potential A domain’s ability to generate revenue directly impacts its value. Buyers are willing to pay more for domains that can quickly produce leads, sales or advertising income. Even without a live website, a domain that fits a profitable niche, contains high-demand keywords or has existing traffic can be monetized easily. When evaluating monetization potential, think about how the domain could be used: a blog that earns affiliate income, a landing page for products or services or a lead-generation site for a business. Domains that naturally fit a revenue-generating model are more appealing because they make it easier to start earning. 10. Comparable domain sales and market benchmarks Checking out what similar domains have sold for is one of the most reliable ways to estimate value. When you compare domains by length, keywords, extension and niche, you get a clear picture of what buyers are willing to pay in today's market. This approach grounds your valuation in real-world demand instead of just automated estimates. When looking at comparable sales, make sure to focus on recent transactions. Market trends can change fast, so older sales might not reflect current buyer behavior. This research will help you set realistic expectations whether you’re buying, selling or holding a domain. 11. Niche or industry relevance Domains that align with a specific industry or niche can be more valuable than generic names. A domain that clearly signals its purpose immediately attracts businesses or individuals in that market. For example a domain tailored to a specific product service or audience is more marketable and easier to monetize. You can figure out relevance by considering industry trends audience demand and potential business applications. Domains that naturally fit a niche are easier to brand market and sell giving them a competitive edge over general or unrelated names. Learn more: The most common industry domains 12. Domain reputation, history and previous usage A domain's history and reputation can significantly impact its value. Domains previously used for spam, unethical practices or other negative purposes may carry penalties, reduced SEO authority or distrust from users. On the other hand, a domain with a clean history signals reliability and is ready for immediate business use. Use archive tools and domain history services to check past usage. Watch out for issues like blacklisting, spam reports or prior legal disputes. Domain valuation checklist Domain Factor Why it affects domain value Age Older domains are more credible and may rank higher in search engines Length & memorability Short, easy-to-type domains stick in users’ minds and are easier to brand Brandability Unique and creative names appeal more to businesses and marketers Keyword relevance Domains with high-value or commercial keywords attract buyers Traffic Both type-in and search engine traffic show real audience interest Domain extension (TLD) Common TLDs like .com, .net or .org are more trusted and sell better Backlinks & history Strong backlinks boost authority; a clean history avoids SEO penalties Legal & trademark status Domains free of disputes or trademark issues are safer to use or sell Monetization potential Domains that can generate revenue quickly are more desirable Comparable sales Sales of similar domains provide realistic pricing benchmarks How to check your domain name value The steps below show you how to evaluate your domain from different angles so you can build a clear picture of its strengths, risks and real market potential. Compare recent sales of similar domains Use automated domain appraisal tools Review your domain’s traffic data Analyze keyword search volume and commercial intent Audit the backlink profile and domain history Evaluate domain age, length and brandability Assess the domain extension’s market demand Check monetization potential Research niche or industry demand Consider current market trends and buyer interest Get a professional domain appraisal Estimate domain liquidity 01. Compare recent sales of similar domains Start by looking at domains with a similar length, keywords, niche and extension to yours. By checking out real sale prices, you'll see what buyers are willing to pay and get a solid starting point for your own valuation. Focus on recent sales since demand changes over time. If a few similar domains sold in the same price range, you’ll have a reliable benchmark to work with. 02. Use automated domain appraisal tools Appraisal tools can give you a quick price estimate by looking at your domain's keywords, traffic and link data. They're handy for getting a general idea of your domain’s value and seeing its strengths and weaknesses. Think of these numbers as a guide not a final price. Different tools can give you different estimates so it's a good idea to try a few. Look for patterns in the results instead of just going with one tool's opinion. 03. Review your domain’s traffic data Real interest is proven by traffic. See how many visitors your domain gets where they come from and if they type your domain in directly. If your traffic is consistent it’s more valuable because you won’t have to work as hard to get an audience. But don't just look at the numbers evaluate the quality of your traffic. Visitors that are steady and relevant are more important than quick spikes or unrelated traffic because they show real demand. 04. Analyze keyword search volume and commercial intent If your domain includes keywords, check how often people search for them and whether they signal buying intent. High search volume paired with strong commercial intent makes a domain more attractive to businesses. Think about how competitive the keyword space is. Domains tied to profitable niches or services tend to command higher prices because they can drive revenue faster. 05. Audit the backlink profile and domain history Backlinks from reputable sites signal trust and authority which boosts value. Review the number and quality of links to understand how strong the domain’s reputation is in search engines. Also, check historical usage to make sure the domain hasn’t been associated with spam, penalties or questionable activity. A clean history reduces risk for buyers. 06. Evaluate domain age, length and brandability Aged domains can look more credible while shorter names are easier to market and resell. This combo creates a great first impression for your domain. Think about how the name sounds and looks. If it’s easy to remember and fits your brand, it’ll be a winner. 07. Assess the domain extension’s market demand Some extensions are more trusted and widely recognized which can increase resale potential. Think about how common the extension is and how well it fits the domain’s purpose or audience. If the extension aligns with a specific industry or use case that relevance can add value even if it’s not the most common option. 08. Check monetization potential Ask how easily the domain could generate income. Could it support ads, leads, a product or a service? Domains that fit a clear revenue model are more appealing because they offer immediate business opportunities. Even without a live site, a domain tied to a profitable niche or strong keyword can signal future earning potential which increases demand. 09. Research niche or industry demand Domains that align with growing industries or active markets tend to be more valuable. Look at trends, new businesses and audience interest to gauge how relevant your domain is. If the domain clearly speaks to a specific audience or sector it becomes easier to position, market and sell. 10. Consider current market trends and buyer interest Domain value can change with new trends, tech or industries. Names related to popular topics often get more attention even if it's just for a little while. Knowing when to sell helps you decide whether to hold onto your domain or put it on the market. If your niche is becoming more popular your domain's price might go up. 11. Get a professional domain appraisal An expert appraisal gives a deeper perspective by blending market knowledge with technical analysis. Professionals can spot strengths, risks and opportunities that automated tools might overlook. This is especially helpful for high-value domains or when you're getting ready to sell as it helps set a realistic asking price. 12. Estimate domain liquidity Liquidity is how easily you can sell your domain. Some domains might be valuable but appeal to a smaller audience, making them harder to sell. Think about how broad the potential buyer pool is and how well the domain fits common business needs. Domains with wider appeal are usually easier to sell and offer more practical value. Why should you check your domain’s worth? Checking the worth of your domain is like taking stock of your online portfolio . By understanding its value, you can make informed decisions about whether to hold onto it, sell it or leverage it for other opportunities.  For business owners, a valuable domain can also justify higher advertising rates or partnerships. On the flip side, if you’re planning to sell your domain, knowing its worth ensures you don’t undersell an asset that could command a much higher price.  Even if you’re holding on to your domain, understanding its value can inform your business strategy. For instance, high-value domains often require additional security layers to avoid theft or misuse.   This is also important because your domain isn’t just for your website—it’s also key to learning how to create a business email address , such as info@yourname.com or contact@yourbusiness.com. Using your domain for email and exploring professional email name ideas adds credibility and trust to your communications, setting you apart from competitors who rely on generic email providers. How to increase your domain’s worth If you want to maximize your domain value, focus on strategies that enhance its relevance, strengthen its branding  and attract the right audience. By investing time and effort into these areas, you can significantly increase its worth over time. Establish quality backlinks Search engines love domains associated with credible, high-authority websites. Building backlinks improves your site’s visibility—and by extension, its perceived value. Improve SEO rankings Focus on enhancing your website’s SEO. Target relevant keywords, optimize your content and improve user experience. Higher rankings attract more traffic, which can significantly increase your domain's worth.  Secure a strong reputation Maintain a clean online presence. Ensure your domain isn’t associated with spam or shady activities and regularly monitor any external links impacting its credibility.  Focus on building trust through ethical and high-quality practices, ensuring no past penalties impact your domain. You’ve got your domain value. Now what? Once you’ve assessed your domain’s worth and worked on improving it (if necessary), it’s time to put that insight to use. If your domain’s value exceeds expectations, selling might be a smart move. Alternatively, if the value aligns with your goals, continue using it as part of your long-term strategy. For those planning to sell, connect with credible platforms and buyers to ensure a smooth transition. Whatever your plans, viewing your domain as an asset will help you make more informed decisions. Learn how to register a domain name  to get started.  Find the domain owner and registration details for a website with a  Whois domain lookup .  Learn more: How to create a website How to start a blog How to start a business How much is my domain worth FAQ How often should I check my domain’s worth? It is recommended to check your domain's worth periodically, especially if you are considering selling it. Valuations can fluctuate over time due to various factors such as market trends and changes in the industry. Checking your domain's worth every 6-12 months can give you a good understanding of its value and help inform any future decisions regarding your domain. How much does it cost to check a domain name’s value? The cost of checking a domain name’s value can vary depending on the method you choose. Some online tools offer free estimations, while professional appraisers may charge a fee for their services. It is important to do thorough research and consider the reputation and methodology of any tool or service before investing in an estimate. Can a domain be valuable even without traffic? Yes. A domain can still be attractive if it’s short, memorable or contains strong keywords tied to real demand. Buyers often care more about brand potential and clarity than past visitors. Does the domain extension affect price? It can. Extensions like .com usually sell for more because they’re widely trusted and recognized, while newer ones like .io or .ai may carry higher value in specific tech niches. How accurate are automated domain appraisal tools? They’re helpful for a rough range but not a final price. Algorithms rely on data like keywords and past sales, while real buyers may pay more or less based on brand fit and timing. How to improve a domain before selling it? Show its potential. You can add a simple landing page, highlight possible use cases or share any traffic or revenue data to make the opportunity clearer for buyers. Where can I see real examples of domains that recently sold? Public sales marketplaces and domain industry reports regularly publish verified sales lists. Browsing these helps you compare similar names and set realistic expectations. What’s the difference between a premium domain and a regular one? A premium domain is considered highly desirable due to factors like short length, strong keywords or brand appeal and is usually priced higher from the start. Regular domains don’t have that built-in demand and are typically sold at standard registration or lower resale prices.

  • 120 profitable blog niche ideas and how to pick the right one

    Ready to share your ideas with the world? Start your blog → So, you want to create a blog that will draw in tons of readers and eventually make you a profit. Good call. With people spending more time online than ever before, a high-quality blog that tackles an in-demand topic could be a very successful endeavor. That said, unless you’re breaking ground on a very new or different topic, there’s probably quite a bit of competition out there when it comes to this type of website . With this in mind, it’s really important that you consider which blogging niches will help you cut through the noise of everything already out the blogosphere . Let’s talk about why narrowing your focus is so important and then take a look at 120 most profitable blog niche ideas you can write about, and learn how to make a website around. 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.  TL;DR: profitable blog niche ideas Choosing the right blog niche is a key step for any new blogger or entrepreneur. Discover profitable niche ideas across many industries and interests, along with practical tips on how to find the one that fits your passion, skills and business goals. Whether you want to build authority, attract a loyal audience or monetize your blog, focusing on the right niche will help you stand out and grow. We also break down what makes a successful blog, from having a clear focus and understanding your audience to delivering consistent value and keeping your voice authentic. Use these insights to pick a niche that’s exciting for you and promising for your business. Feature Why it matters Clear focus Narrowing your topic helps attract a dedicated audience and boosts your blog’s authority. Passion and expertise Writing about what you know and love keeps your content authentic and sustainable long term. Audience needs Understanding who you’re writing for ensures your blog solves real problems and keeps readers engaged. Monetization potential Choosing niches with clear opportunities (ads, products, sponsorships) helps you build a profitable blog. Consistency Regular, valuable content builds trust and encourages visitors to return. What is a blog niche? A blog niche is a specialized topic area that you’ll be focusing on when writing content. Blogging niches allow you to narrow down your audience and craft content that is much more relevant for them. As a result, readers are more likely to become blog subscribers and you’ll be able to build authority and position yourself as a thought leader. Plus, you’ll be making it much easier for search engines to identify what your blog is about and increase your chances of ranking on high positions, which in turn will bring even more readers. There are many types of blogs you can choose to focus on, ranging from the highly technical to the more personal or creative. Some of the most common ways of brainstorming blog niche ideas include: Industry based , such as a cryptocurrency or art blog. Audience based , by targeting audiences like small business owners, SEO professionals or newlyweds. Subject based , like news content and movie reviews. To understand how popular some blogging niches are, we took a look at traffic to well-known blogs by niche. Bear in mind, not all blogs will reach these traffic levels, but the numbers give some idea of how popular a blog niche can be or get. For example, the fitness blog, Men's Health receives up to 42 million visitors a month . Looking at food blogging, this study from RankIQ , shows that food blogging is the most profitable niche and it generates the highest median income for this type of bloggers. Food blogs also make up most of the blogs with more than 50,000 average visitors a month, compared to other blog niches. The second highest earning blog niche is personal finance. The four highest traffic generating blog niches are food, lifestyle, travel, arts/crafts, and they, according to RankIQ, make up 74% of all high traffic blogs. How to find your blogging niche Ready to get blogging? Get started with Wix  today. As you learn how to make a blog , choosing the right niche is crucial for building a strong foundation. Before we deep-dive into the pool of blog niche ideas, let’s take a look at some questions you should be asking yourself as you consider the different options. What are you passionate about? What do you have the most experience and knowledge in? Is this something that people are interested in? You’re most likely starting from a place where you have already considered the first two points. After all, you want to find a blogging niche that doesn’t bore you and about which you have a lot of things to write about. The third one, however, will require a bit more external research. In order to determine the potential reach of a niche, you’ll need to do some keyword research to prove the viability of its topics. Doing so will allow you to determine whether there is enough interest in the content for you to build a successful blog about it. Additionally, you’ll be able to see whether you’ll be able to monetize your blog through ads, sponsored content or a paywall in the long run. Tools like HubSpot's blog ideas generator  can help spark topic ideas. If a blog niche idea can’t check off all these requirements, then explore a different one. Even though the passion and experience might be there, it’s very hard to stay devoted to something that doesn’t reach a significant number of people or make you money. 120 best blog niche ideas to write about As you set out to start a blog and embark on your content creation journey, take a look at the following blog niche ideas list to see how you can specialize your content on some of the most popular blog topics. We've organized the following 120 blog ideas into 20 main categories: Finance Business Marketing Sales Design and development Technology Education News Entertainment Travel Food and drink Beauty and fashion Health and fitness Relationships Gaming Science and medicine Home ownership Lifestyle and hobbies Pets Your own journey 01. Finance Money management is something everyone is concerned with, from the adolescent working to get their first credit card to the entrepreneur wanting to exponentially grow their personal savings (see how to start a finance blog ). But there are ways to niche down and focus on a particular type of expert content. Cryptocurrency Frugal living Budgeting Saving for retirement Investing Financial independence NFTs Personal finance 02. Business Whether your audience wants to learn how to run a business or simply advance in their career, they will always turn to specialized business blogs for advice. Building a startup Entrepreneurship Freelancing Business finance management Productivity hacks Hiring and outsourcing How to start a business Starting an eCommerce business 03. Marketing Although marketing is technically part of business, they’re certainly considered an entirely different breed of blogs. There are many well-established marketing blogs in the space, so make sure you have a unique perspective or insights to bring to the table. Content marketing Social media marketing Email marketing Search engine optimization Pay-per-click advertising Copywriting Digital marketing Affiliate marketing YouTube marketing Advertising strategies Learn more: How to start a marketing blog 04. Sales There are many professionals across many industries who’d be interested in learning how to level up their sales skills, such as sales managers, sales reps and small business owners. As a result, you’ll want to choose a suitable topic niche for your sales blog and target audience. B2B sales B2C sales Sales process and strategy Sales hacks and templates Sales software and apps Sales management 05. Design and development Having a website is essential in today’s world. With so many people looking to create a strong online presence, it’s no wonder that they’ll need equally powerful content to guide them on how to design their own compelling website. Web design UX design Web development App development eCommerce Website security Learn more: How to start a graphic design blog 06. Technology Technology is transforming every inch of our lives. As such, it’s an overarching topic that could just as well cater to a business audience as a consumer one. Software reviews Business automation Consumer electronics Artificial Intelligence Apple products Android products Learn more: How to start a tech blog 07. Education Education is a good topic to get into if you want a future-proof blog. Whether your blog serves as an academic resource or points your readers to relevant institutions and programs, there are numerous ways in which you can narrow down your focus. Study hacks SAT prep Online courses Language learning College-to-career prep K-12 blog for parents Homeschooling Learn more: How to start a teaching blog 08. News While there are huge news publications that are impossible to compete with as a blogger, there are also creative ways to win in this space so long as you carve out a unique blogging niche for yourself. Local Sports (see how to start a sports blog ) Pop culture Politics Silicon Valley Investigative articles 09. Entertainment Traditionally a section within larger news publications, entertainment-focused sites have been rapidly growing with the popularization of social media. Nowadays, this highly popular category has developed a long list of potential blog niches ideas to center your content on. Movie reviews Music reviews TV show guides Celebrity gossip Celebrity interviews Arts and culture Learn more: How to start a music blog 10. Travel Travel blogging is about knowing exactly what your audience’s wanderlust looks like. Keep in mind that photography also plays a huge role in starting a travel blog , so make sure to add visual content. Local travel tips Travel deals Travel hacks RV life Digital nomads Living abroad 11. Food and drink If you have a strong culinary background or a passion for baking, it makes sense that you want to start a food blog . Rather than trying to write about every single dish or drink you’ve ever tried, focus on a blogging niche and use your blog as an excuse to continuously try new things. Restaurant and bar reviews Homebrewing Baking and cooking tips Vegan recipes Dieting tips Healthy eating Baby and toddler food ideas Recipes 12. Beauty and fashion Trends come and go in the blink of an eye, so consumers are always in need of fresh content and inspiration. Plus, that means you’ll never have to break your brain in search of new topics for your beauty blog or fashion blog , no matter which blog niche you decide to focus on. Product reviews Makeup tutorials Healthy hair Skincare tips Fashion trends Affordable beauty DIY 13. Health and fitness As people become more mindful about their physical and mental well-being, they’re starving for content that teaches them a better way to live and manage their emotions. This need can be filled by starting a health blog . Self-care Men’s health Women’s health Mental health Sports Workout and exercise routines and tips Coaching tips Learn more: How to start a fitness blog 14. Relationships There are many kinds of relationships one will have to navigate over the course of their lives and it never gets easier. A relationship blog that’s relatable and empathetic is very likely to resonate with readers. Co-living tips Dating Wedding planning Pregnancy Parenting Navigating divorce Learn more: How to start a Mom blog 15. Gaming Games are a well-loved pastime that simply doesn’t get old. From board games to video games, most platforms and series tend to have strong fan bases, which means a very avid readership if you can nail the type of niche content they’re looking for. See our guide on how to start a gaming blog t o learn more. Game reviews Gaming tips, tutorials, and walkthroughs Playstation games XBOX games RPGs Board games 16. Science and medicine Whether it has grounding in our world or worlds beyond, people are fascinated by science, nature and medicine. Most content in these blogging niches requires a close attention to detail, lots of research, and statistical proof—so be prepared. Medical news and breakthroughs Medical condition-specific blogs Psychology Science stories and interviews Environmentalism Outer space 17. Home ownership Marie Kondo isn’t the only person who can get people excited about what they can do to make their homes look and feel better. And as people spend more time at home, they’re going to look for newer ways to spruce things up in. Interior design Tiny home trends and inspiration Organization hacks Home renovation Moving cross-country Feng shui DIY (do it yourself) Learn more: How to start a real estate blog 18. Lifestyle and hobbies This all comes down to what you’re personally interested in, how large of a community there is around it and the variety of content you can cover. It can be anything from book blogging to photography. Photography Writing DIY hacks Arts and crafts Knitting Books Gardening Learn more: How to start a lifestyle blog 19. Pets People are in love with their pets… and with other people’s furry companions. As such, animal-centric blogs can serve as valuable resources for pet owners, but can also be entertaining distractions for others. Dog parenting tips Dog training Inspiring pets Adopt-don’t-shop stories Cute animal pics and memes Pet health and wellness 20. Your own journey Have you survived an illness? Come back from a huge loss? Visited all 50 states in the U.S.? Starting a personal blog to tell your unique story can inspire others who want to hear and learn from you. Successful entrepreneurship Nomadic lifestyle Child-free life Gambling addiction recovery Nightmare client stories Dealing with depression How to start a niche blog Once you’ve chosen your blogging niche, build a home for all your written content by taking the following steps: Choose a blog website template that embodies your blog niche and matches your tone and style. Be inspired by a wide range of blog website examples. Register a domain name that is memorable and makes your blog easily identifiable. Learn how to write blog posts that build your authority and organically rank on search engines. Then, check out these blog post templates for inspiration. Maintain your blog with great website performance and strong website security that keep your content continuously accessible to readers. Find ways to promote your blog to reach a wider audience. Read also: How to create a niche website Which blogging niche is best for you? Blogging is a vital source of content that not only establishes your brand’s voice and identity, but adds value to existing and potential users by providing them with authoritative trustworthy information that will help them throughout their user journey and engagement with your products/services. - Opyhr Hanan, Blog Growth and SEO Outreach Specialist The best blogging niches for you are the ones that you're most passionate about and knowledgeable in. It's important to choose a niche that you will enjoy writing about and that provides value to your readers. You should also consider potential profitability, but this shouldn't be the only factor in your decision. Make sure you're an authority in your niche so you can establish yourself as a trustworthy figure in your field. If you're not sure which niche is right for you, try brainstorming a list of topics that you're interested in and where you think you have something unique to offer. You can also do some research to see what other bloggers are writing about and what topics are trending. Once you have a few niche ideas in mind, you can narrow it down by considering your target audience and your goals for your blog. Do you want to write for a general audience or a more specific one? Are you interested in sharing your personal experiences or providing expert advice? Do you want to make money from your blog through advertising, affiliate marketing or selling your own products and services? Once you have a good understanding of your niche, you can start developing your blog content and building your audience. Here are some additional tips for choosing a blogging niche: Choose a niche that is evergreen, meaning that it will be popular for years to come. Choose a niche that is broad enough so that you have plenty of content ideas, but narrow enough so that you can become an expert in your field. Choose a niche that is profitable. You can do this by researching which niches have high-paying advertising opportunities and affiliate programs. What are the best blog niches for beginners? Choosing the right blog niche is essential for beginners and newbies to build a successful and enjoyable blogging experience: Personal development: topics such as self-improvement, goal-setting and time management. Make sure you share your own personal experiences and growth journeys. Budget shopping tips: draw on your own experiences of managing a household budget to write tips for others, including how to find the best grocery deals, or which stores are best for which sale items. Home decor : blog about budget-friendly home decor ideas, DIY projects and organization tips. Healthy living and fitness for beginners: write about simple workouts, include healthy recipes and other tips for getting fit. If this is something you've done with success, so use your experiences as you blog. Freelancing and remote work: share insights into freelancing platforms, productivity tips and work-from-home strategies. Beyond picking from these popular topics, it’s important to make the right choice for yourself. Start with a niche you know well and genuinely enjoy. Blogging takes time and effort, and working on something you’re passionate about increases the likelihood of long-term success. Stay realistic about competition. High-demand, profitable niches often attract significant competition. Instead of looking for a “low-competition, high-demand” niche—which is rare—find sub-niches within broader categories. These often have a balance of demand and opportunity to stand out. For instance, rather than “fitness,” narrow down to “simple fitness routines for working parents.” You can also use tools like Google Trends or keyword planners to explore which topics are trending and identify areas where there’s consistent interest. This helps validate your niche idea and ensures there’s an audience for your content. What are the best blog niche ideas for teenagers? When choosing a blog niche as a teenager, it's important to pick a topic that resonates with your passions and interests while also offering value to your audience: Teen lifestyle and fashion : cover the latest fashion trends and beauty tips. Study tips : blog about tried and tested study techniques, time management tips and how to handle stress at exam time. Tech and gaming: blog about popular online games and gadgets. Creative art projects : blog about your own creative projects, include tips for getting started Teen entrepreneurship : write about how teens can start a business of their own, while juggling school work and family commitments How to stand out with a unique blog niche idea in a competitive blogging space? There are a lot of blogs out there. Chances are the niche you choose may already be packed with other blogs and bloggers trying to make their mark. Even a unique niche, might not be as easy to break into as you first think. Standing out might take more effort. But here's how you can take your blog idea or niche and turn it into something people read. What personal experiences can you transform into valuable lessons for others?  Your own struggles and triumphs might resonate deeply with readers. For instance, how did overcoming a specific challenge change your perspective and what advice can you offer to those facing similar situations? If you're starting with a personal blog idea, this is a great way to go. What hidden skills or passions can you share that people might not associate with you?  Blogs thrive on authenticity. If you’re a corporate professional who paints or a traveler who thrives on DIY, how can you blend these interests to create unique content and reach similar unique communities. What local culture, history, or traditions do you know that others might overlook?  Whether it’s the untold stories of your hometown or a unique festival, how can you use personal anecdotes to bring these to life through your blog niche. How can you reimagine popular blog topics through your unique lens?  For instance, instead of a general travel blog, could you share how you plan trips around your passion, such as architecture, literature or food? Take your niche to another niche; a niche within a niche as it where. What ongoing journey could you document in real time?  Whether it’s learning a new language, starting a fitness journey or transitioning careers, how can you involve readers by sharing your progress, struggles and breakthroughs? Why even start a blog ? These experts explain why. Blog niche ideas FAQ What are some good blog topics? Often the best blog topics are those you're the most passionate about and know the most about. It's always easiest to write what you know and to write for an audience you understand. Interested in a lot of things? Maybe focus on blog topics that have been proven to be popular with online readers. Can you start a blog as a side hustle? Yes, you can start a blog as a side hustle. In fact, blogging is a popular side hustle for many people, as it can be a relatively low-cost and low-time commitment way to make extra money. To start a blog as a side hustle, you will need to choose a niche, create a blog and start publishing content. Once you have a following, you can monetize your blog through a variety of methods, such as advertising, affiliate marketing and selling your own products or services. What are the most profitable blog niches? The most profitable blog niches are typically those that are in high demand and have a high affiliate commission rate. Some examples of profitable blog niches include: Personal finance Health and fitness Technology Business Travel How do I choose a profitable niche for my blog? When choosing a profitable blog niche, it's important to consider your own interests and expertise. You should also choose a niche that is in high demand and has a high affiliate commission rate. Here are some tips for choosing a profitable blog niche: Consider your own interests and expertise. What are you passionate about? What do you know a lot about? Choose a niche that you are interested in writing about and that you have some knowledge of. Research the competition. How many other blogs are there in your niche? Are they well-established and successful? If there's a lot of competition, you may need to choose a more specific sub-niche. Check the affiliate commission rates. How much money can you make by promoting other people's products or services in your niche? You can use an affiliate marketing network such as ClickBank or Amazon Associates to find affiliate products and services to promote. What kind of blog topics are popular? Examples of popular blog niches include: Self-improvement: This niche covers topics such as personal development, productivity and self-help. Lifestyle: This niche covers a wide range of topics, such as fashion, beauty, food and home decor. Entertainment: This niche covers topics such as movies, TV, music and video games. Education: This niche covers topics such as online learning, homeschooling and test preparation. Which blog niches are most relevant in 2026? In 2026, the most relevant blog niches are Tech and AI, Digital Marketing and Health and Fitness, reflecting key global trends and growing consumer needs. Tech and AI blogs explore innovations like Web3, blockchain and software reviews, while digital marketing blogs help businesses thrive in an evolving online landscape. Health and fitness remain timeless with topics like mental wellness, nutrition and exercise gaining steady momentum. Personal finance, sustainability and lifestyle blogs also continue to grow, offering broad appeal and strong potential for monetization. What's a low competition blog niche? The more niche your topic, the lower the competition is likely to be for readership. Enjoy a diverse hobby? Writing about this could make your blog one of a kind. The same goes for very local or regional blogs focused on very specific areas or topics related to those areas. What are some emerging blog niches? Sustainable living: Eco-friendly products, green practices, and reducing environmental impact. Micro-influencer marketing : Using smaller-scale influencers for targeted campaigns. Remote work and digital nomadism : Tips and advice for working remotely and traveling. Can I combine multiple interests in one blog niche? Of course. Combining interests can create a unique and engaging blog niche. For example, you could blend your passion for travel with your love of photography in a blog focused on travel photography tips and destinations. The key is to find a natural connection between your passions and create content that caters to a specific audience. How to check the potential profitability of a blog niche? You should research existing blogs in the niche to assess the competition and their monetization strategies. Analyze keyword search volume and competition to gauge potential traffic. How can I generate new blog post ideas consistently? To generate blog post ideas consistently: Follow industry news for ideas Use keyword research tools, like Ahrefs Answer common questions around your niche Analyze competitors and what they write about Repurpose existing content Use idea generators Should I focus on evergreen content or trending topics? You should balance both. Evergreen content provides long-term value and trending topics attract immediate interest. Mix the ratio depending on your niche and how trendy it is. What tools can help me find blog post ideas? Some useful tools for blog ideas are: 1. Google Trends 2. BuzzSumo 3. AnswerThePublic 4. Ubersuggest 5. Feedly 6. Quora 7. Reddit 8. HubSpot's Blog Topic Generator 9. Twitter/X trends 10. Google Keyword Planner

  • Blogging for beginners: 20+ tips to jumpstart your blog

    Ready to share your ideas with the world? Start your blog → There are more than 600 million blogs active globally, and for good reason. Whether it’s part of your hobby or profession, blogging comes with a variety of benefits. For businesses, creating a blog is a powerful marketing strategy. Not only does it strengthen your SEO, but it also establishes your authority in the field and helps build connections with your target audience. Blogging has similar advantages when used by hobby bloggers and professional writers, too. It’s an invaluable tool for expressing yourself online and exploring your passions. It’s also an effective way to become a leading voice in your niche, develop your personal brand, and even make money online. Whatever your reason for blogging, it’s become a crucial way to build your online presence, figure out how to make a website and share your insights with the world. Below, we’ve put together some ideas on blogging for beginners to help you get started with this type of website. 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.  Blogging tips for beginners Choose a blog niche Research your audience Draw inspiration online Learn what people are searching for Use keywords strategically Structure your blog by category Create an editorial calendar Start with an outline Use data and research Write powerful copy Incorporate different content types Use a variety of visuals Include clickable CTAs Develop a powerful linking strategy Prioritize long blog posts Keep your content up-to-date Create a blog newsletter Promote your blog on social media Expand your online presence Monitor your blog analytics Take advantage of monetization opportunities 01. Choose a blog niche When creating a blog as a beginner, you need to have a specific focus or niche in order to attract readers. Ideally, you’ll choose a single, broad topic that you’ll be able to explore in-depth. But how do you decide what to focus on? First, think about your goals. Do you want to promote your business? Share information or explore your passion? Make money from your content? Whether you’re aiming to write about your industry, dive deep into your personal interests, or monetize your site, contemplating your overall objectives can point you in the right direction. Read also: Why start a blog? Whichever blog niche you choose, it’s going to become the defining feature of your online presence. With that in mind, make sure to focus on an area you’re experienced in and genuinely excited about. Some of the most popular types of blogs are: Business blogs Finance blogs Tech blogs Marketing blogs Travel blogs Food blogs Lifestyle blogs Personal blogs Fashion blogs Health blogs Food blogs Craft blogs Teacher blogs Mom blogs Coaching blogs Photography blogs Sports blogs Based on your experience, you may want to niche down even further to cater to a specific audience. For instance, within the niches of European travel or cooking, you may opt to focus specifically on budget travel or vegan food. If you’re unsure of what niche to choose, browse these blog examples to help guide you. Then, choose a blog template to get started. Learn more: Blogging vs. freelance writing 02. Research your audience One of the biggest beginner blogging mistakes ? Not knowing your audience. In addition to determining what you’ll be writing about , you’ll need to identify who you’ll be writing for . Based on the kind of subject matter you expect to create, consider the types of people who will be reading your blog. Business professionals? Yoga enthusiasts? Expecting moms? Then, jot down some of their interests, pain points and needs. Based on what you know about their personalities, brainstorm what subjects will interest them or what issues they might be facing. Keep these ideas at the front of your mind when coming up with blog topics and while writing the content itself. For every article you create, you should have a clear understanding of why that particular piece of content will offer value to your readers. 03. Draw inspiration online As a beginning blogger, you’re also probably wondering how to come up with blog topic ideas . Brainstorming, of course, is a great strategy. But it’s also helpful to conduct research in order to find out which subjects are in-demand. Start by checking competing blogs in your industry. Keep an eye out for what topics they’re covering. You can use a competitor analysis tool like BuzzSumo to identify which of your competitors’ articles are performing best - that is, which ones get the most clicks or social media shares. It’s also a good idea to keep tabs of trending content. Here’s how: Browse online courses within your niche that people are paying for, like Udemy , SkillShare , and LinkedIn Learning . Stay on top of current events and trending news stories in your industry. Check out Q&A feeds from platforms like Quora . Research bestselling, top-rated or newly published books. Take a look at trending search topics using Google Trends . In the image below, for instance, you can see that vegan recipes are more in-demand than paleo recipes, but that both have a steady stream of interest. Based on your research of popular and high-performing topics, start building a list of topic ideas for your articles. 04. Learn what people are searching for As you build your list of topics, you’ll want to do a bit of keyword research. This is the practice of targeting specific words and phrases in your article based on what your audience is looking for on search engines. You don’t need to be a keyword research expert, but it is useful to know which terms people are searching for. Not only will this help you write content that better resonates with your audience, but it will also help you rank higher in search results - ensuring your content actually gets read. While keyword research might sound intimidating, it’s actually quite simple. There are several blogging tools available - some of them free - that will point you to the right keywords. These include: Answer the Public (free) Ubersuggest (free) Google Keyword Planner (free) SEMrush Ahrefs Once you’ve identified the main keyword you want to target for a particular topic, do a quick Google search of that keyword. Read through the top 10 articles to get an idea of what they’re talking about. There’s a reason they’re ranking in the top 10, so you’ll want to make sure your blog post covers similar subject matter. 05. Use keywords strategically In addition to doing keyword research to understand what your audience wants to read about, you should also incorporate those keywords into the text. First, it’s good practice to add keywords to both the title and body of your article. This helps Google get a clear understanding of what your article is about. When you upload your post, be sure to also include keywords in the following places: URL: For example, www.myblog.com/blog/ strategic-keyword . Meta title: This is the blue title you see in Google search results. Meta description: This is the short paragraph beneath the blue title in Google search results. Alt text: This is text you add to your images to make them “readable” for search engines (more on that in step 12.) It’s important to note that your keywords should fit naturally within the text. Repeated, indiscriminate use of keywords is called keyword-stuffing, and this is a spammy practice that can harm your SEO. 06. Structure your blog by category Just as you’d organize your closet by category, you’ll want to take a similar approach with your blog. If you’re just starting your blog, format it in a way that makes it easy for readers to find what they’re looking for. For instance, you may want to add overarching topic categories to the navigation menu. Google also appreciates this structure - in fact, its algorithms take website structure into account when determining which posts to rank among the top search results. So, having neatly organized blog categories is beneficial on all fronts. For example, Blogging: Build Your Own Blog 07. Create an editorial calendar When it comes to blogging for beginners, consistency is key. In order to build a successful blog, you’ll need to churn out content on a regular basis. Continuous publishing is a sign that your blog is a voice of authority in your field, and that your content is fresh and up-to-date. On top of that, Google’s algorithm rewards blogs that publish frequently. Ideally, you’ll be able to publish an article at least 2-3 times per week. If that’s unrealistic for you now, start with just one a week, and take it from there. The most important thing when getting started is to commit to a realistic, achievable publishing schedule. To hold yourself accountable, create an editorial calendar. Open up a file on Excel or Google Sheets, and add a few columns to help you keep track of your schedule. On our own editorial calendar, we like to include separate columns for the topic idea, publishing date, keyword, and progress status. In order to meet your deadlines, make sure to brainstorm topics and do all the research in advance. Be sure to allow time not only for writing the content, but also for selecting media and editing your posts. If you need more hands on deck, try opening up your blog to guest writers. Many writers, as part of building their own reputations online, look for opportunities to contribute articles to sites other than their own. 08. Start with an outline Once you have an idea for a topic and the approximate word count, you’ll want to plan out the structure of your articles. This is a crucial step for producing a strong piece of content. Your outline should contain three main elements: Introduction: This will be the opening paragraph of your article. In your outline, add a few bulleted notes with some ideas you’d like to include your intro. Body: This will be the meat of your article. Use your outline to organize all of your thoughts. Each main idea should have its own section within your article. Jot down the main points you’d like to include in each of these sections, as well as some examples to illustrate your points. Conclusion: This will be the final 1-2 paragraphs of your article. While not every article needs to have a concluding section, it is a nice way to tie together all your main points. Wrap up your outline with a concluding section, and add a few bullet points with the ideas you want to include. If you’re stuck on creating your outline, take a look at these blog post templates for inspiration. They include a variety of blog content formats, from how-to posts to beginner’s guides to case studies. You can also learn how to use AI to plan and write blog posts . 09. Use data and research Let’s talk a little more about the content of your blog posts. In addition to giving your article a tight structure, you’ll also need to back up your statements. This is ultimately what makes for a persuasive, powerful and credible piece. On top of that, having a data-rich piece maximizes the chances that people will link back to your article on the web. Anytime you get a backlink to your article, this improves the post’s search engine rank. As you piece together the ideas for your article, do some research to find statistics that support your claims. For instance, don’t just say “More and more people are browsing the internet through mobile.” Say “About half of web traffic worldwide comes from mobile.” It’s a good idea to build this data into your outline before you start writing. See how the statistic above is hyperlinked? That’s exactly what you’ll want to do in order to give proper credit to each external source. Once you get more comfortable with blogging, you may also want to branch out into doing original research (e.g., conducting online surveys of your audience) and interviews. This will help you craft original content that the online world will turn to for authority and expertise. 10. Write powerful copy After you build your outline, you’ll be fully equipped to create your first draft. As you write your blog post , use your outline as a guide, making sure to include the following elements in your piece: Headline: Write a catchy and intriguing headline to draw the reader in and encourage them to click on your article. If you’re stuck, try out this effective blog title formula: number + adjective + keyword + promise to the reader . You can also use this title generator to jumpstart your imagination. Introduction: Like your headline, this is another place to hook your readers. Begin your introduction with a general appeal to your readers, and then transition into the topic at hand. Body: Elaborate on your article’s main argument, using the notes from your outline as a guide. Here are some tips to craft a strong piece: Make each main point a different section, with its own heading or subheading to break up the text. Include bullet points and numbered lists to vary your formatting and add visual texture to your article. Use examples and statistics to illustrate your points. Offer clear and actionable takeaways for your readers. Keep paragraphs short to maximize whitespace and improve readability. Opt for a consistent voice and tone that accurately reflects your brand. Conclusion: Summarize your main points in 2-3 sentences to remind your readers what you discussed. If you’re looking for comments and engagement, wrap up by posing a question for your audience - e.g., What do you think of these ideas? Or Anything else you’d like me to share? Finally, review and edit your article before publishing. Share your post with family and friends, and ask them for their feedback. It always helps to get more eyes on your draft, and it’ll boost your confidence to know you’ve done your best. For more tips on how to write and format your blog post, take a look at this blog post checklist . 11. Incorporate different content types Images aren’t the only type of alternative content to add to your articles. In the world of blogging, mixed media posts outperform words-only posts. Once you’ve gotten the hang of writing articles, try enhancing them by embedding a podcast or video within the post. You can provide even more value to readers by adding a link to a webinar or downloadable e-book on the same topic. On top of that, try repurposing some of your articles altogether into different formats so you can share them on different platforms. For example, you may want to start a YouTube channel with videos inspired by your blog content. Similarly, you could create a podcast of your own based on your articles, or write an e-book to share with your audience. 12. Use a variety of visuals Your writing is the core of your blog posts, but it’s not the only element to include. It also helps to add visual elements to your articles. In fact, articles get shared twice as much when they have one image per every 75-100 words. With that in mind, break up large blocks of text by incorporating images and videos. This keeps your readers’ attention on the page for longer and prevents them from getting bored or intimidated by so much text. Be sure to use unique, high-quality images to create a polished and professional piece. If you’re not able to use photographs of your own, you can get free stock photos from sites like Unsplash and Pexels . Once you upload the images to your blog, add alt text to optimize them for SEO. Essentially, this just means adding a short description to each image - ideally using keywords - that explains to search engines and screen readers what it depicts. This is an easy process available on nearly every blogging platform. (Note that this is not the same as adding a caption, since it ultimately won’t be visible on the published post.) If you’re looking for an image-rich blog template, take a look at this article on the best blog templates . You can also browse additional blog templates here. 13. Include clickable CTAs Do you want your readers to ultimately become clients? This may be the case if you’re blogging for your business , or if you’re selling items or services related to your personal brand. If this is your goal, you can design blog posts in a way that points readers to your products. Sprinkle calls-to-action throughout your post, especially toward the beginning of your article where you know readers will see them. CTAs are short, actionable phrases that get readers to buy or move them closer toward making a purchase - for instance, “Start my free trial” or “Book a 15-minute call.” You’ll want to add a hyperlink to your CTAs that takes readers to a registration, sign-up, or product page. Even if you aren’t selling products, you can still use CTAs to build engagement among readers and encourage them to explore your blog. For example, you can add CTAs that link out to other blog posts, or that encourage readers to subscribe to your blog newsletter. 14. Develop a powerful linking strategy If you’re just learning how to start a blog , it’s crucial to understand the importance of links in your blogging strategy. In general, there are three main types of links you’ll need to pay attention to: Internal links: Links within your blog posts that connect to other pages on your website or articles on your blog. This type of linking improves the SEO of your articles, and compels readers to further explore relevant pages on your site. External links: Links within your blog posts that connect to third-party sites. These come in handy when you want to cite an important study or statistic from an external source. Backlinks: Links from third-party sites that connect to your website or blog. This is a core part of building your blog’s SEO . The more backlinks you get from high-authority websites, the more credible your own site is in the eyes of search engines. Each of these plays its own important role, so dedicate time to implement links throughout your blog post. 15. Prioritize long blog posts Research shows that longer blog posts - those between 1,500 and 2,000 words - perform better and get more shares on social media. On average, the most effective blog post length for SEO in 2020 was 1,890 words. Why are long posts so effective? First, they give the reader an opportunity to explore topics in-depth, providing them with deeper value. They also let you establish your expertise and build your authority in the field. Typically, longer posts will even perform better for SEO, since they give you space to address the most important keywords around a particular topic. That’s not to say that you should forego short blog posts altogether. In fact, short blog posts do work well if they sufficiently explain a topic and provide the reader with exactly what they’re looking for. For the most part, however, you’ll want to prioritize longer articles when building your content calendar. 16. Keep your content up-to-date Another crucial blogging tip for beginners is to keep your content up-to-date. To begin with, you’ll want to prioritize evergreen content - blog posts about a timeless topic that will be relevant for years to come. But even with the most evergreen pieces, you’ll want to continuously update your posts to keep them fresh. An update can range from a light refresh to a full-on content redo. You can determine the extent you’ll need to update a post by analyzing its performance (more on that later). To keep track of updates, it may be helpful to add a column to your editorial calendar with a reminder to check on the article 6 months after it’s published. 17. Create a blog newsletter Even after you’ve published a month’s worth of articles, there’s still going to be a looming question. How will you get people to actually read and follow your blog? First, you’ll want to consider how to draw in people who’ve already landed on your site. Ideally, these people will become returning visitors - and not just one-time readers. To do this, send out an email newsletter, and encourage sign-ups directly from your blog posts. Add a CTA to your content that urges readers to subscribe so that you can start collecting email addresses. This will enable you to communicate regularly and directly with your audience, helping you turn visitors into loyal fans. You can also try out more creative ways of obtaining your readers’ email addresses. One option is to offer them a free resource - such as a webinar, e-book, guide, or template - that they can download in exchange for their contact details. This type of content is known as gated content, and it’s an effective strategy for getting subscribers to your blog. 18. Promote your blog on social media Next, there’s the question of how to get new visitors - people who’ve never landed on your blog before. A simple (and free) way to promote your blog is by sharing your articles on social media. Whether you’re promoting your blog on Facebook , Twitter or Instagram, give it a profile of its own, using your blog logo as the profile picture. Then, publish and share every blog post on your pages. Give microblogging a try to capture your audience’s interest and get them to click. In addition to sharing these articles on your own, you can encourage others to do the same. Make your posts shareable by adding social media share buttons somewhere on the page. At the end of your post, leave a small note asking readers to share your content. 19. Expand your online presence Social media isn’t the only way to gain exposure. There are several other creative ways to establish your presence as a blogger and become known in your field. These include: Networking with other bloggers in your niche, either online or at in-person meetups, and inquiring about cross-promotion opportunities. Being active in online communities , such as a social media page or forum about your industry. Writing guest posts on external sites increasing blog traffic , gain backlinks, and expand your reach. Your readers are out there somewhere; you only need to find them. Reaching out to others within your field and posting on external sites relevant to your niche are effective ways to start learning how to grow your blog . 20. Monitor your blog analytics Luckily, you don’t have to be completely in the dark when it comes to understanding the success of your blog posts. There are lots of website analytics tools out there to help you analyze your performance. How many people read your articles each month? How many shares do they get on social media? Which topics seem to interest your readers the most? Evaluating this data is a fundamental part of starting a blog, since it teaches you where you need to improve and where to replicate your success. If you notice that a particular topic gets a lot of clicks or shares, create additional articles that relate to that theme or that use a similar style or format. Likewise, if an important article isn’t getting the attention you’d hoped, you may need to revisit it and consider updating or revising the content. 21. Take advantage of monetization opportunities Ready to start your blog today? Do it with Wix . As a beginner, you may not be thinking of monetizing your blog just yet. But we’ll leave you with one final tip that you can let marinate in your mind. After all, who wouldn’t want to earn some extra cash - not to mention a full-time income - through their blog? To make money blogging , you need to turn your traffic into revenue. Here are some suggestions for how you might go about it: Offer paid subscriptions with members-only access to exclusive content. Add affiliate links to a product (these let you earn a commission every time a reader clicks and buys). Sell merchandise related to your brand. Get paid by companies to write sponsored content. Provide consulting services to clients, using your blog as your resume. Add ads to your blog. This might sound like a lot right now, but let yourself dream big. Using these blogging tips, you may just be able to turn your blog into a powerful publication. Is blogging still worth it ? Read more with our take on blogging's current and future relevance. How to get blogging fast: getting started Once you have your niche chosen, starting a blog can be a very fast process. Choose a blog maker, including your unique domain name Select the right blog template Customize your templates — includes colors, fonts and layout of your blog and its posts Build a content schedule with ideas and timings, including posting frequency Get writing Publish Promote your blogs — either with SEO via social media or newsletters Repeat, repeat, repeat Blogging for beginners FAQ How can a beginner get started with a blog? Choose your blog niche, select a blog maker like Wix to build your blog on, design and create your site, then get writing blog posts and publishing. Can I start blogging with no experience? Yes, you can definitely start blogging with no experience. Many successful bloggers began with little to no prior experience and learned as they went along. Make sure to start with a niche you feel most passionate about or know very well. Do beginner bloggers make money? Yes, it's possible, but not guaranteed. It takes time, effort and dedication to build an audience and attract income. You can begin with advertising, content monetization and selling physical products. Is blogging still profitable? Yes. The blogging landscape has evolved, but there are more opportunities than ever to monetize your content. While quick riches aren't the norm, consistent work and smart strategies can lead to a profitable blog. How much does it cost to start a blog? Starting a blog is affordable. To get started, you'll need to pay for a domain name and web hosting, but these costs are typically very reasonable. For example, a domain name can cost around $10 per year, and web hosting can cost around $5 per month. You can also start a blog on a free platform. To learn more, see our guide on how much does it cost to start a blog  to estimate your expected costs.

  • How to create a content strategy for your business

    ​​ In an endless sea of information, standing out might seem impossible. But an effective content strategy can help you rise above the noise and reach the right people. Whether your business is just starting out or you want to revamp your existing content marketing efforts, you can find ways to make your strategy more efficient. In this article, we’ll define content strategy, then go over the basics of developing one. Whether you decide to create a blog or start a podcast, a website is key to every content strategy. Use Wix to create a website and connect all your content in one place. What is a content strategy? Content marketing is the practice of distributing valuable information to your target market. To optimize its performance, you need a content strategy. A content strategy is your plan for creating, monitoring and managing content. It should determine your goals, target market and priority formats, plus how your content will support your brand. A content strategy should also include promotional plans and set metrics to determine your content’s success. Learn how to build a smarter approach with an effective AI content strategy . How to create a content strategy Follow these steps to create an effective content strategy: Determine your target audience Define your goals Perform market research Choose your distribution channels Set your KPIs Decide what type of content to create Create a content calendar Analyze the data Reassess your strategy 01. Determine your target audience To tailor your content strategy plan, you need to first determine who you want your content to reach. For example, how old are they? What is important to them? What problems do they face in their day-to-day lives? Once you have a sense of their demographics and psychographics (which refers to more internal attributes such as interests and lifestyles), you can start figuring out what content they'll find valuable and interesting. Read also: How to create a marketing strategy with AI—and other marketing shortcuts you can master with Gemini for Google Workspace 02. Define your goals An effective content marketing strategy will include both actionable long-term and short-term goals that can translate into clear tasks with measurable outcomes. Brand awareness, for example, is a great goal for new businesses. Before you begin making sales, your customers need to find out about you. Business often achieve brand awareness on social platforms, so part of your marketing strategy could include creating a detailed social media calendar and creating content that will spark interest, foster engagement and improve your brand’s visibility. Once your content strategy plan has driven traffic to your website and social channels, you’ll next want to convert your leads into customers. You may want to include calls-to-action in your content or send out a newsletter to keep your leads engaged with your business. Consider these other content strategy goals as well: Elevate your brand Increase your revenue Retain your customers Attract talent Improve customer service Rebrand your company Ensure that each piece of content you release has a distinct purpose in your content strategy to move you closer to your goal. To do this, define SMART goals (goals that are “specific,” “measurable,” “attainable,” “relevant,” and “time-bound.”) 03. Perform market research You should also research what your competition does with their content. If your competition performs well on search engines, use tools like SimilarWeb, Ahrefs or Semrush to find out which keywords they rank for and get a sense of their strategy. In addition to finding out what your competition gets right with their content strategy, look for gaps in their content that you can fill. If they have a weaker social media presence compared to their organic search strategy, you might consider developing your strategy around social media. 04. Choose your distribution channels Develop one or two promising—and ideally complementary—channels. For example, a blog can work well with a Facebook or Instagram page, since you can build an audience and share your content on these platforms. According to Hubspot, 10% of marketers believe that a blog content strategy has the biggest return on investment of all marketing strategies. However, Wix’s Head of Blogs Growth Judit Ruiz Ricart warns blogs can take years of investment before seeing returns. She suggests focusing on your website’s SEO and acquisition, then using social media to build brand awareness and a newsletter to keep interested parties in your network. Tip: If you’ve picked Google as your main distribution channel, check out the Wix SEO Learning Hub and Wix’s SEO tools. We also love this guide to topic clusters , which is the cornerstone of many content marketing strategies. 05. Set your KPIs Once you set your goals, set key performance indicators (KPIs) that determine if your content and distribution methods work. How will you measure your content marketing efforts’ return on investment? If, for example, you want to increase brand awareness, you wouldn’t make your KPI conversions. Instead, you would monitor website traffic or social media engagement. KPIs set expectations and ensure that you efficiently work toward your goals and they can help inform things like which writers to work with or how to utilize AI content generators and AI writing tools to your advantage. You could use these KPIs to measure your content marketing performance: Traffic Conversion rate Engagement Number of ranking keywords Organic visibility percentage Qualified leads Revenue 06. Decide what type of content to create Content marketing includes more than blog posts, landing pages, guides and webinars . You could also try memes, surveys, data visualizations, company news and contests. Let’s talk about nine useful types of content marketing and why you should include them in your content strategy plan: Ebooks: Like blogs, e-books provide helpful tips or relevant insights from your business. In addition to the value they offer existing customers, ebooks can attract leads. By “gating” an ebook, you can incentivize your target market to share their contact information or subscribe to your newsletter in exchange for your content. Infographics: You can repurpose your data-heavy, long-form content into infographics. Provide the key takeaways in a concise visual representation to create eye-catching and shareable content. Case studies: When you tell potential customers about the positive experiences your existing customers had working with your business, you offer them a reason to trust you. You can produce case studies in various formats such as blog posts or videos. Free tools: Ross Simmonds, founder of Foundation Marketing, explained in an email to Wix’s content team that free tools are some of his favorite content marketing assets and that many marketers overlook them. Unlike a blog that requires consistent investment, tools like checklists, templates, calculators and generators (like Wix's business name generator , for example) are effective for years, often without much upkeep. Videos: According to Hubspot, marketers see videos as the most popular form of content marketing as they’re highly engaging and shareable. Marketers believe that short-form videos—such as TikToks and Instagram Reels—and live streaming have the highest ROI. Use the Wix video maker to simplify the production process. Wix predicts short form video content will continue to trend in 2023 Market reports: Show off your industry knowledge with market reports to generate leads. Podcasts: Ruiz Ricart recommends working podcasts into your content strategy plan because you can start them easily and they organically attract listeners. This is also a great way to lead with user first content ideas . White papers: White papers are extensive reports that share research and data. Testimonials: User-generated content is invaluable—especially when working on a budget. Share quotes from reviews, social media comments and heartfelt emails from overjoyed customers on your website or social media channels. Whatever type of content you create, make sure you aim for quality first. If you're creating content for search, be sure to keep up to date with all the content lessons from Google's updates. 07. Create a content calendar When it comes to actually creating and distributing content, many people will enthusiastically publish content they consider good quality without considering whether it stays true to their strategy. A content calendar can solve this issue. Creating an editorial calendar will help you plan out your content for important events like product launches and holiday content marketing . It also helps you stay consistent with your publishing and distribution cadence. Eventually, you’ll develop a rhythm that your audience will notice and they’ll begin to expect content from your business on regular intervals. Developing an editorial calendar in advance can also help you plan your resources and set tasks for your team. Creating content and posting on multiple channels every day can overwhelm a small team. With a content calendar, you can manage expectations and also anticipate any additional resources or marketing tools your team might need. 08. Analyze the data Data analysis helps you determine how well your content performs, identify strategic areas to improve and monitor your target audience. Platforms such as Google, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram have integrated analytics systems. Additionally, Wix Analytics can tell you where your website traffic comes from as well as how people move through your site. Aside from determining success via content analytics and metrics, you should also speak and listen to your customers. Pay attention to how they interact with your content on social media and listen to the feedback they communicate in reviews, comments or questions on your blog posts. Often, your customers will tell you exactly what they like and don’t like. 09. Reassess your strategy While your content strategy’s end goal remains the same, the implementation is a cyclic process. Ruiz Ricart says that you have to restart or build upon your methods every six months: You set a small goal, choose the metrics that’ll measure your performance and create content you think will help you achieve those goals. Then, you analyze the data and set new goals for how you can improve or expand your content. You measure the performance on the new content and keep building upon your goals and your strategy until you can comprehensively cover your entire customer journey. 4 best practices for creating meaningful content As you move through the content marketing strategy process, keep these important things in mind: Start small Don’t build upon your strategy until you have a steady foundation. Start with very small, clear goals and set the metrics to measure them. Then, use that data to improve and test something new. Be realistic You should define your strategy by the time, money and resources you can invest. You won’t achieve anything if you spread yourself too thin. Tailor your approach to have a substantial impact. “Know what your resources are, know what you want to achieve in the short-term, then see what’s the best platform to allow you to do that,” said Ruiz Ricart. Prioritize quality over quantity According to a survey of marketers, 83% believe it’s more effective to create fewer pieces of higher-quality content than lower-quality content more often. Be nimble A good content strategy plan is adaptable. If you focus on Instagram and find out the platform prioritizes Reels, you need to focus on Reels. If you notice that your Stories perform well, you pivot your strategy to invest more in Stories. You might even find that your goals change. For example, most new businesses want to generate brand awareness. After the business achieves the necessary level of market penetration, it can adapt its content strategy to get more leads, encourage more purchases or increase brand loyalty. 3 content strategy examples Looking for some inspiration? Learn from these content marketing examples : Wix Over the years, Wix has developed a content strategy that spans the entire customer journey, with teams focused on creating the content customers need to progress through the marketing funnel. “Every single stage needs a very specific strategy,” explained Ruiz Ricart. With traffic as the primary KPI, the Wix Blog uses SEO to increase domain strength and brand awareness. Wix’s social media accounts are dedicated to brand elevation, with engagement as its KPIs. Landing pages are the primary conversion content, so the KPI is the conversion rate. Ahrefs Ahref’s provides informative blog posts as part of their content strategy. The content team markets an SEO tool, and they effectively rank on many relevant search engine results pages. But their articles focus on educating readers about their product, indicating a KPI in conversion or customer retention. Additionally, the Ahrefs marketing team spreads out their investment across a series of webinars, a strong YouTube channel, an engaging newsletter and a landing page for a beginner’s guide to SEO. Animalz Animalz, a content strategy agency with a fantastic blog, relies exclusively on direct traffic—a rarity in content marketing. They aim to sell through their thought leadership, and exemplify what can happen when you allow your content strategy to evolve as it grows. “I’m sure they didn’t start like that,” said Ruiz Ricart. “There’s no way the Animalz owner woke up one day and said, ‘I’m gonna write this amazing piece, people are gonna love it and they’re gonna come to us directly.’” They merely did what they knew how to do: Create content. The lesson here is to rely on your skills. If you’re a real estate agent who knows how to read the market, write an accessible newsletter for the average person who doesn’t want to buy unless the price is right. If you’re witty, try meme marketing. If you’re a wedding photographer, make dreamy slideshows to share on social media.

  • How much does it cost to start a blog?

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

  • 24 eCommerce website examples: design and inspiration

    Turn your ideas into sales and start selling with Wix eCommerce →   Good eCommerce website design is the marriage of form and function that serves the ultimate goal of any online store: to sell. With global e-commerce sales expected to reach $8 trillion by 2027 , building a high-performing, eye-catching online store is more crucial than ever. While good eCommerce websites come in many different forms, what they all have in common is visual design that creates a strong brand experience, content that builds trust and a user experience that aids the customer in their buying journey. Learn more:  What is an eCommerce website? In this blog, we’ll take a look at the specific eCommerce website design elements and features that can help you up your design game, as well as the best eCommerce website examples for inspiration. Ready to start your eCommerce journey? Now’s the perfect time to bring your vision to life. With Wix eCommerce, you have the tools to build a professional online store and create a website that captivates your audience, drives traffic and boosts sales. Take the first step and explore Wix eCommerce today. Make your mark online and turn your ideas into success. TL;DR: eCommerce website design examples A great eCommerce site doesn’t just sell products—it builds trust, tells a story and makes shopping feel effortless. In this guide, we’ve rounded up online stores that do just that. Each one shows how smart design choices can bring your brand to life and create a better customer experience from the first click to checkout. You’ll get ideas for layout, branding, product pages and more, plus practical takeaways to use on your own site, whether you’re starting fresh or looking to level up what you’ve already built. How we chose these eCommerce website examples Criteria Why it matters Clarity and usability Sites that make it easy for visitors to navigate, browse and purchase Strong brand presence Designs that reflect the store’s unique voice and identity Mobile responsiveness Stores that look and work great across all devices Visual merchandising High-quality product images, smart layout choices and engaging copy Conversion-focused features Elements like clear CTAs, trust signals and streamlined checkouts 24 eCommerce website design examples and inspiration Now, let’s explore the 24 best eCommerce website examples that set the standard for exceptional design and functionality. These website ideas will inspire you with creative layouts, strong branding and user experiences that turn visitors into loyal customers. Copper & Brass Vivi et Margot Izzy Wheels Gay’s The Word Cherry and Mint The Spice Suite T. Patterson Surfboards Evolve Clothing Gallery Papier Patate Lauren Simpson Art The Boho Birdy Beck & Cap Hydrascape Handlebend Oak & Willow Fieldstone Tach Home & Patio Gallery Furry Necks Healthy Eating on the Go Sena Runa Brave Vision Love Her Lamarsa Coffee Machine Company 01. Copper & Brass Copper & Brass Paper Goods  launched in October 2018 with an important purpose: representation. Copper & Brass sells notebooks, stickers, sticky notes and other paper goods with beautiful illustrations of Black people and characters, such as their famous Black Santa wrapping paper.  The designs on their products shine through to their eCommerce store. This site serves as an example of how strong branding as part of your eCommerce website design can help relay a company’s values and create a compelling reason to buy. Pro tip : Looking to get started on your online store? Learn how to make a website  with Wix and choose from hundreds of professionally designed, fully customizable eCommerce website templates  today. Like what you see? Build your own eCommerce website using this same template. Template name : Stationery store website template 02. Vivi et Margot French homeware brand Vivi et Margot's  aesthetic is a shining example of the power of photography. The site is rich with lifestyle photos set in the French countryside depicting la vie en rose . Their impressive following on social media (more than 156,000 followers on Instagram alone) speaks to the persuasive power of photography in creating a strong brand experience. Be inspired: Luxury website examples Like what you see? Build your own eCommerce website using this same template. Template name : Home goods store website template 03. Izzy Wheels Izzy Wheels’  emphasis on inclusivity and bold self-expression is at the heart of their colorful online store. Irish sisters Ailbhe and Izzy Keane have collaborated with some of the world's biggest brands—including Barbie, Disney and Hello Kitty—in creating bright, beautiful wheel covers for wheelchairs.  Looking for more colorful website inspiration, check out these blue website examples. By highlighting these brand names and press mentions on their homepage, Izzy Wheels creates buzz and increases trust among potential shoppers. We love how Izzy Wheels' store name stands out, while clearly indicating what their brand offers.  Pro tip : If you're ready to start a business  of your own, you’ll need a catchy name. Try our store name generator  to craft an equally catchy title for your brand, or take some inspiration from these eCommerce business name ideas . Like what you see? Build your own eCommerce website using this same template. Template name : Sporting goods store website template 04. Gay’s The Word One of our favorite LGBTQIA+ websites , Gay’s The Word  has done an admirable job designing an online extension of their iconic London-based LGBTQ+ bookstore. Photos of its brick-and-mortar shop, coupled with vibrant pictures of its books, give shoppers the cozy feeling of being in a bookstore. The site includes "Community" and "Events" pages that keep online shoppers connected to the community that has surrounded this business since its inception. Learn more: How to sell books online Like what you see? Build your own eCommerce website using this same template. Template name : Bookstore website template 05. Cherry and Mint Bright and refreshing, Cherry and Mint ’s website has a fitting vibe consistent with the playful colors that track across their clothes, accessories and branding. Cherry and Mint makes their website fairly product-focused. You can shop directly from the homepage, starting with a call-out of the brand’s newest releases, and continue exploring various collections the brand has curated. One unique feature they employ is a "Last Chance" section, where shoppers can view items marked down to a final sale price. This is a great marketing strategy to instill a sense of urgency and irresistibility to buyers. Like what you see? Build your own eCommerce website using this same template. Template name : Kids clothing store website template 06. The Spice Suite Looking at The Spice Suite , one thing is immediately apparent: both the site and the store’s founder, Angel Gregorio, have flavor. The Spice Suite’s "Our Story" page outlines Angel's journey to "Spice Girlboss," culminating in a top-40 spot on season eight of MasterChef . The Spice Suite’s website also showcases Angel’s extraordinary commitment to her community, shouting out the 2,300+ Black-owned pop-up shops she has hosted from her store. Like what you see? Build your own eCommerce website using this same template. Template name : Bakery website template 07. T. Patterson Surfboards T. Patterson Surfboards  has made quite a mark on the surfing industry. Created in 1980, owner and second-generation surfboard builder Tim Patterson calls his work “a harmonious blend of artistry and technical expertise.”  The T. Patterson eCommerce website makes the brand’s expertise known through its mix of media (lifestyle photos and video) and impressive technical language. The "Board Builder" is a particularly unique tab where customers can fully outfit a custom surfboard, choosing from different shapes, dimensions, colors, fin plugs and more. Like what you see? Build your own eCommerce website using this same template. Template name : Eyewear store website template 08. Evolve Clothing Gallery Like the clothes that founder RanD carefully curates for his collection, Evolve’s  online storefront stands out. The site has a slick, sophisticated experience that feels as stylish as the Evolve brick-and-mortar store in New Jersey.  Visitors can use detailed dropdown menus to choose their own adventure in terms of what product categories they’d like to browse. Evolve’s sleek design, combined with the easy navigation and smooth checkout process, creates an experience that is both fluid and fashion-forward. Pro tip : Strong product descriptions are key to building a solid eCommerce website . If you have a large product catalog, give Wix’s AI text creator a try. Used by Wix merchants like Evolve, this generative AI tool can write hundreds of rich product descriptions for you in minutes, all from a few simple prompts. To get started, from your Wix editor, click "Add Elements" and then "Text." Click into the text box, select "Create AI Text" and choose the "Product description" option. Like what you see? Build your own eCommerce website using this same template. Template name : Shoe store website template 09. Papier Patate Belgian family business Papier Patate  offers an adorable assortment of customizable, kid-friendly cards and stickers—all made from recycled paper. With a focus on simplicity and sustainability, their eCommerce website design perfectly suits their initiative, featuring a simple yet refined pastel color palette, flat design, organic shapes and straightforward navigation. The brand even features a "Spotlight" page to showcase photos of customers using their stickers and other goodies. Like what you see? Build your own eCommerce website using this same template. Template name : Swimwear store website template 10. Lauren Simpson Art The best artist websites  serve a dual purpose: to display art and to sell it. Lauren Simpson Art  has both of these necessities down with an elegant, refined website showcasing the best of her Alaskan wilderness-inspired portfolio.  From Lauren’s shop, you can purchase original paintings as well as prints, stickers or cards featuring her original artwork. Her homepage features a side-scrolling gallery with beautiful pictures of her working in the studio, and a simple "About the Artist" blurb further down the page details a few sentences about her mission statement. Like what you see? Build your own eCommerce website using this same template. Template name : Ceramic store website template 11. The Boho Birdy The Boho Birdy  is a 100% Australian-owned and operated online boutique selling everything from housewares to loungewear to wedding attire. Their eCommerce website design is bold and organized, with easy-to-spot category pages, currency selector, "Contact Us" buttons and other website features  that make it easy for shoppers to navigate. A homepage carousel of the "Latest Arrivals" also shows customers the newest items available for purchase. Like what you see? Build your own eCommerce website using this same template. Template name : Clothing store website template 12. Beck & Cap Beck & Cap  is a custom furniture and signmaking outlet from northwestern Montana. Owners Tanner and Jana Roach have taken a less-is-more approach to their eCommerce website design, with a grid-style gallery on the homepage showcasing their creations in upscale, rustic living spaces.  Throughout the site, the use of a fine-weight sans serif font and crisp, airy photos gives the entire website a cohesive visual lightness that perfectly complements the couple’s handmade furniture. Like what you see? Build your own eCommerce website using this same template. Template name : Clothing store website template 13. Hydrascape Hailing from Bellingham, Washington, Hydracscape  is a sticker brand created by painter and mural artist Gretchen Leggitt . The rich tones and multidimensional elements of Leggitt’s artwork carry over into her site design for Hydrascape, instantly catching the consumer’s eye.  Scrolling through the homepage, you can see various examples of how Hydrascape’s stickers (and sew-on/iron-on patches) can be applied to various-sized water bottles, mugs and even cars. The top navigation additionally directs visitors to helpful links for instructions, inspiration and collab pages featuring other artists.  Like what you see? Build your own eCommerce website using this same template. Template name : Poster store website template 14. Handlebend Handlebend  is another example of cohesive branding, tying their eCommerce website design into the same warm tones and rustic textures of their product collection—handcrafted copper mugs and custom apparel. Site visitors are instantly greeted with striking photos of the collection, plus bolded-text callouts directing you where to click for corporate or custom gifting, directions to their O'Neill, Nebraska taproom and inspiring customer reviews. Like what you see? Build your own eCommerce website using this same template. Template name : Barbershop website template 15. Oak & Willow With a goal of making no-waste and eco-friendly cleaning products affordable, Oak & Willow ’s online store encourages customers to "make the switch" . The site’s flat design, floral details and chic brand colors are reminiscent of 1960s- and 70s-era "Flower Power" motifs.  Notably, Oak & Willow lays out its ethos front and center of the homepage, detailing their commitment to sustainable and human-first business practices. Considering that 78% of consumers  feel sustainability is important—and 75% of sustainable goods sell better online—this is a smart way to instantly connect with concerned customers. Like what you see? Build your own eCommerce website using this same template. Template name : Jewelry store website template 16. Fieldstone Fieldstone  is an apparel brand inspired by the Southern sportsman lifestyle. A first glance at their eCommerce site will transport you straight to the outdoors as you scroll through beautiful photos of their apparel in action.  On the homepage, beneath the header gallery, they make it instantly clear what they stand for in their business: unique designs that are made in the USA with quality craftsmanship. Before you dive in to shop, you can also browse a few galleries of featured and popular products, as well as the brand’s recent Instagram photos. Like what you see? Build your own eCommerce website using this same template. Template name : Camping equipment store website template 17. Tach Tach  notes that their clothing is "both simple and complex, with a strong timeless appeal." That echoes true for eCommerce website design, too. The site has a simple homepage featuring images (some still, some moving) of models wearing the brand’s vintage-inspired clothing. As a cool alternative to an About Us page , Tach presents a dreamy, film-like video detailing their history and sharing a little bit about the sisters behind the brand. Like what you see? Build your own eCommerce website using this same template. Template name : Clothing store website template 18. Home & Patio Gallery In addition to its three storefronts in Puerto Rico, Home & Patio Gallery  has a gone about building a robust eCommerce website where shoppers can browse an impressive assortment of home goods. The homepage offers a wealth of information, including current sales, featured products and information about financing.  The furniture retailer additionally makes excellent use of a top navigation bar with broad product categories—such as "Dining" and "Living"—that drop down into subsections, such as "Futons," "TV Units" and "Barstools." Like what you see? Build your own eCommerce website using this same template. Template name : Online wallpaper store (bold) website template 19. Furry Necks If dogs could shop online, they would love the Furry Necks  website. The good news is that humans love it, too. When consumers aren’t browsing the brand’s handmade dog collars (made from world-famous Harris Tweed), they may find themselves fawning over the "Gallery" page, which shows off dozens of doggies modeling Furry Necks’ products.  Notably, at the website’s footer, you’ll find emblems for the Harris Tweed Authority and Campaign for Wool, which speak to the brand’s authenticity and commitment to quality.  Like what you see? Build your own eCommerce website using this same template. Template name : Baby gift store website template 20. Healthy Eating on the Go Healthy Eating on the Go  proclaims that their snack bars will inspire "Love at first bite," and if you weren’t convinced, their eCommerce site makes a pretty compelling case. The homepage shines a spotlight on the bars’ best features—safe for everyone, gluten-free, high in protein and more—while also calling out fan-favorite flavors and reviews from satisfied customers. The site’s simple and clean layout reflects the simple and clean ingredients in their bars; no fluff, no filler. Like what you see? Build your own eCommerce website using this same template. Template name : Snack bar company website template 21. Sena Runa Paper artist Sena Runa  has crafted a one-page website that serves as both an online portfolio and online shop. Scrolling through her store, you’re immersed in a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors and clean, crisp photography that masterfully captures the essence of each piece of artwork. Sena also features a brief "About" section, links to several notable interviews and a "Projects & collaborations" gallery, where you can see work she’s done for brands like Sugar Bear Hair, Royal Caribbean, Essie and others. Like what you see? Build your own eCommerce website using this same template. Template name : Art store website template 22. Brave Vision Brave Vision ’ eCommerce website design is bold, rugged and stylish, just like its versatile, fashion-forward sunglasses. Product photography is a standout feature across all pages of the website, showing both the details of each pair of glasses and examples of how they look on various models.  Additionally, Brave has gorgeous product pages that are well-organized and full of key product information: "Materials," "Features," "Light transmission," "Duties" and "Returns," to name a few of the expandable list items. Like what you see? Build your own eCommerce website using this same template. Template name : Start from scratch website template 23. Love Her Athleisure retailer Love Her  uses their eCommerce homepage as prime real estate to show off product restocks, new releases and a featured "Item of the Month." The brand utilizes a blog as a smart way to add more content-rich pages to their website, along with an FAQ page.  In fact, if you’ve been looking for pointers on how to create an FAQ page , Love Her serves as a great example. There, the brand includes relevant details about sizing, returns, shopping, wash instructions and more, preemptively answering customers’ questions before they buy. Like what you see? Build your own eCommerce website using this same template. Template name : Sportswear store website template 24. Lamarsa Coffee Machine Company Lamarsa Coffee Machine Company  is a team of self-proclaimed coffee enthusiasts selling fine coffee equipment both online and from their Petaling Jaya showroom in Selangor, Malaysia. Their eCommerce website is an homage to the brands they stock, with a simple top-bar navigation that lets customers browse by brand, product type or current deals.  At the bottom of Lamarsa’s website, you’ll find a "Why Buy From Us" section that offers reassurance in what they offer to customers: authorized dealer warranties, bespoke customer service and fast, reliable deliveries. Like what you see? Build your own eCommerce website using this same template. Template name : Camera store website template The websites featured here were built with Wix and show what’s possible with real, DIY designs. They represent functional, effective and thoughtfully crafted options that help people run their businesses. Start designing your eCommerce website  today with Wix. What defines good eCommerce website design? A strong eCommerce website design is easy to navigate, visually appealing and effective in converting visitors into customers. Here are some of the key elements of good eCommerce website design: It’s easy to navigate It’s hard to overstate the importance of a good eCommerce UX  in website design. Put simply, it should be easy for shoppers to browse and filter through all of their options. Features like your header, navigation menu, breadcrumbs, filters, on-site search and footer can contribute to a good UI. As a general rule of thumb, optimize your eCommerce website  to that all of your products will be accessible within three or fewer clicks. It offers multiple payment options Offering multiple payment options creates a customer-centric checkout process, which in turn maximizes sales. By allowing customers to pay with their preferred method, which you can enable with an online payment processing system  like Wix Payments, you eliminate friction during the final, most important step of the buying process.  “Offering multiple payment methods is a decisive factor when buying online. If the website does not offer the consumer’s preferred payment option, it is very likely they will abandon the purchase.” – Letícia Fernandes, Head of institutional marketing at Pagar.me and Stone. Learn more about what is Wix Payments . See more : Ready for a deeper dive into learning all about designing a website? See our comprehensive guide: What is web design?   It’s visually appealing Just as lighting, music and decorations create ambiance in a brick-and-mortar store, every design element of your website influences how your brand is perceived. Shoppers will evaluate your store in seconds—making it especially important for your branding to be polished, professional and consistent. High-quality imagery serves as a cornerstone of a visually appealing website. It not only showcases your products but also evokes emotions that can influence purchasing decisions. Lifestyle images can immerse shoppers in an aspirational experience, while detailed product photos provide clarity and build trust. Incorporating visual hierarchy—such as bold headlines, strategically placed buttons and contrasting colors—guides users’ attention and encourages them to take desired actions. Using consistent fonts is also important. Stick to the same typefaces for headings, body text and buttons to create a seamless, cohesive design that keeps the focus on your content—not clashing styles. Fonts also set the tone for your brand. Rounded fonts feel warm and approachable, while sharp, geometric fonts communicate precision and innovation. Choose wisely to reflect the right message for your audience. It works well on mobile As of this writing, 63.64% of worldwide website traffic  comes from mobile devices. In the U.S., mobile commerce—or mCommerce—is booming, with retail mCommerce sales projected to grow to more than $850 billion by 2027 . If your eCommerce website does not look good or work well on mobile, you are leaving money on the table. It incorporates professional photography Each product should be accompanied by at least one minimalist photo that shows your item against a white or plain background. Include additional photos that show your product from various angles so that shoppers can see the finer details. Aside from product photos, remember that imagery plays a big role throughout your site—and it’s one of our key About Us page tips . Weave lifestyle photographs throughout your pages and focus on creating a visual story about your brand. It offers a variety of multimedia Video, 360° images, user-generated content (UGC) and size charts are just some of the ways that a variety of media can elevate the shopping experience on your site. Aside from offering an engaging experience, each of these elements can help your shoppers visualize various things about your product: size, use, texture, color, etc. It features strong copy Incorporating strong copy and engaging content into your eCommerce website design helps to build your brand voice, create trust and increase the professionalism of your business. Every piece of text your shoppers encounter in their buying journey is an opportunity for creating a personal connection, so you’ll want to be thoughtful with your copywriting. It showcases product reviews Social proof is critical in creating a high-converting product page. According to BrightLocal, 46% of consumers  consider online business reviews to be as trustworthy as personal recommendations from friends or family members. It’s your responsibility to make sure that customers can easily find those reviews on your website. Additionally, keep in mind that customer reviews can help with SEO by adding depth to your product pages and touching on long-tail keywords. It outlines a return policy Writing a clear return and exchange policy creates transparency. Customers want to know what to expect from you before they buy something. ShippyPro notes that 67% of consumers  want to consult a return policy before making a purchase, and 58% want their returns to be simple, without wasting time digging or reaching out for more information. These policies should be clear and easily accessible from your eCommerce site. It offers a clear path to purchase According to Dynamic Yield, 21% of abandoned shopping carts  are due to a site having a complicated or lengthy checkout process. Site design should never be why customers get frustrated and avoid making a purchase, and this includes your checkout page. Ensure that it’s optimized without being bogged down by extraneous buttons, banners or text fields that aren’t necessary.  Learn more: How does eCommerce work? Tips for designing an eCommerce store that sells Now that you have the basics down, here are a few simple tips to keep in mind when researching how to design a website  for eCommerce that sells: Choose the right eCommerce platform The best eCommerce site starts with choosing the best ecommerce website builder or best ecommerce platform . The right eCommerce platform is crucial for a successful online business. It should offer a user-friendly interface and a seamless shopping experience for customers. This means robust security features , including SSL certificates  and secure payment gateways, instill trust and protect your customers sensitive information. Learn more about ecommerce website security . Scalability also is vital to accommodate business growth. The platform should support a variety of product types and sizes as well as flexible product customization options. Integration capabilities with third-party tools, such as CRMs and web analytics , also help you create a successful ecommerce website. An efficient inventory management  system prevents overselling and helps in tracking stock levels. Shopping cart software is integral to an eCommerce website builder. It should offer secure checkout processes, diverse payment options and seamless integration with inventory management. You should also expect responsive customer support  from your platform provider ensures timely assistance during technical issues. "I built our website in less than a week. Prior to Strathcona Spirits, I worked in eCommerce and online communications, so I knew what I wanted. I didn’t want an eCommerce site that was clunky and difficult to update, where the smallest change required a developer. This was a lean startup so we wanted to have a website that we could easily update ourselves—or delegate to an employee to update—in a really simple and time-efficient way. So that's how I decided on Wix.“ - Andrea Shubert, co-founder of Strathcona Spirits Learn more:  Ecommerce tools Use eCommerce website templates Using templates to build an eCommerce site is an efficient way to create a user-friendly selling site. Templates provide a structured design and web page framework, streamlining the design process and giving a professional look. They allow you to establish an online presence quickly while benefiting from professionally designed templates with proven layouts and features. Here are some to get started with: Fashion and clothing ecommerce website templates Jewelry and accessories ecommerce website templates Arts and crafts ecommerce website templates Food and drink ecommerce website templates Beauty and wellness ecommerce website templates Sports and outdoors ecommerce website templates Pets and animals ecommerce website templates Kids and babies ecommerce website templates Integrate your social media channels Many eCommerce websites integrate media from their social feeds—such as Instagram photos—as a means to incorporate UGC into their site design, boosting social proof. "Recently, UGC (user-generated content), once spontaneous, has become more accessible to content creators who now sell their services to brands. In 2025, this trend is reasserting itself: UGC is becoming THE essential format for captivating audiences and boosting conversions through social media ads." - Jonathan Noble, Founder of Swello Establish customer trust Showcase any trust badges or security certifications on your website and/or checkout page, such as SSL certificates or payment security icons. A hassle-free return policy, customer reviews and clear contact information also help establish your brand as trustworthy. See our round-up of the best Contact Us pages  for inspiration here. Don't miss out on maximizing your seasonal sales: Check out the ultimate eCommerce holiday readiness checklist  and get your business holiday-ready today. eCommerce website examples FAQ How can I make sure my eCommerce site is secure for customers? To ensure your Wix ecommerce site is secure for customers: 1.Rely on Wix's built-in SSL certificate 2. Enable two-factor authentication 3. Regularly update your Wix account password 4. Use Wix Payments for secure transactions 5. Implement Wix's fraud prevention tools 6. Limit admin access to trusted individuals 7. Rely on Wix's regular, auto backup of your site data 8. Use Wix's GDPR-compliant features 9. Educate customers about secure practices 12. Rely on Wix's PCI DSS compliant eCommerce hosting What are the best ways to drive traffic to my eCommerce site? To drive traffic to your ecommerce site: 1. Optimize for search engines (SEO) 2. Use paid advertising (Google Ads, social media ads) 3. Leverage social media marketing 4. Create valuable content (blog, videos) 5. Email marketing campaigns 6. Influencer partnerships 7. Offer referral programs 8. Participate in online communities 9. Use retargeting ads 10. Optimize for mobile users 11. List products on comparison sites 12. Collaborate with complementary businesses 13. Use PR and press releases 14. Host online events or webinars 15. Implement affiliate marketing How can I improve the user experience on my eCommerce site? To improve user experience on your ecommerce site simplify your navigation, prioritize site speed, use high-quality product images with clear product descriptions. Make sure your site is mobile-friendly with a streamlined checkout process and clear shipping information. What are the legal requirements for running an eCommerce business? Legal requirements for running an ecommerce business typically include: 1. Business registration and licenses 2. Tax ID and sales tax collection 3. Privacy policy and terms of service 4. GDPR compliance (for EU customers) 5. PCI DSS compliance for payment processing 6. Trademark and copyright protection 7. Product safety standards 8. Age verification for restricted products 9. Shipping regulations 10. Consumer protection laws 11. ADA compliance for accessibility 12. Email marketing regulations (CAN-SPAM Act) 13. Accurate advertising and pricing 14. Proper handling of customer data 15. Compliance with industry-specific regulations How do I integrate social media with my eCommerce site? To integrate social media with your Wix ecommerce site: 1. Add social media buttons using Wix's Social Bar 2. Enable social sharing on product pages 3. Use Wix's Social Post feature to share products 4. Embed Instagram feed using Wix App Market 5. Connect Facebook Shop to your Wix store 6. Use Wix's Social Media Stream app 7. Add Pinterest "Save" buttons to products 8. Utilize Wix's Facebook Pixel integration 9. Create shoppable posts on Instagram via Wix 10. Implement Wix Chat for social-like interactions 11. Use Wix's Social Media Icons app 12. Showcase customer reviews from social platforms How much does it cost to build an eCommerce website? On Wix, you can build an ecommerce website for free. However, once you launch your site and want to start accepting payments from shoppers, you’ll have to choose a paid plan. Wix offers several annual eCommerce plans ranging from $27/month for basic eCommerce features to $159/month for more advanced capabilities. Is eCommerce profitable? Yes, eCommerce can be highly profitable, but success depends on factors like understanding market demand, executing effective marketing strategies and managing costs. Profitability often stems from providing unique products, competitive pricing and exceptional customer experiences. By keeping overhead costs low and utilizing scalable digital tools, businesses can optimize their margins and growth potential. However, stiff competition requires consistent innovation and efficient operations to maintain an edge. What are the best ways to find customers? To find customers for your eCommerce business, focus on a mix of strategies tailored to your audience: Leverage digital marketing channels : Use paid ads on platforms like Google and social media to target specific audiences and drive traffic quickly. Optimize for search engines (SEO) : Ensure your website ranks high in search results. Utilize social media : Engage users by sharing compelling visuals, stories and promotions on platforms like Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. Email marketing : Build email lists and nurture leads with personalized offers and updates to encourage repeat purchases. Understand customer needs : Analyze customer data and feedback to tailor your marketing approach, highlighting what resonates most with your audience. What is an eCommerce website? An eCommerce site is a website specifically created for the online buying and selling of goods or services. An eCommerce site is defined by the following features and functionality: Product catalog:  Offers a wide range of products or services with detailed information, including descriptions, specifications, pricing and availability. Shopping cart:  Allows customers to select products, view their online shopping cart and checkout securely. Payment processing:  Integrates secure payment gateways to process transactions using credit cards, debit cards, e-wallets and other online payment options. Order fulfillment:  Manages the process of receiving orders, processing payments, preparing shipments and managing shipping logistics. Customer management:  Includes features for customer account creation, login, order tracking, communication tools and managing returns or refunds. Search and navigation:  Provides intuitive search functionality and user-friendly navigation tools for customers to easily find the products they're looking for. What are some of the best eCommerce websites? Some of the best eCommerce website examples include Amazon, eBay and Etsy. Amazon is probably the most famous and poplar ecommerce website example and its known for its vast product selection and fast shipping times. Newer ecommerce website examples include Temu and Aliexpress, both based out of China and offering low price products. Other popular examples by location include OnBuy in the UK or Zalando in Germany.

  • How much does a POS system cost? A full breakdown for SMBs

    Starting your business  can be exciting and filled with many decisions, one of the most important being choosing a point of sale (POS) system.  A modern POS system  is indispensable for small business owners, especially those engaged in multichannel selling. It streamlines transactions and integrates various sales channels, providing a unified eCommerce platform to manage your operations.  However, figuring out POS system costs can be daunting. There are a lot of parts making up the total costs. From the initial hardware purchase to ongoing software subscriptions and transaction fees, there are many things to consider. In this guide, we’ll dive into the cost components of a POS system so that you know what to expect and how to choose the best solution for your ecommerce business . The cost components of a POS system Let’s break down the costs into manageable chunks to get a better view of how much a POS system costs. There are six factors that make up the total POS system cost.  01. Hardware: one-time fee paid upfront You can expect a full suite of POS hardware to cost anywhere from $750 to $1,700. A complete system usually includes: A touchscreen A credit card reader A barcode scanner A receipt printer A charging dock for each item A lockable cash drawer Some providers offer each of these pieces individually, but you usually get a better deal by purchasing an all-inclusive package. Keep in mind that the hardware you choose depends on your business needs and will impact the total cost. For instance, if you manage a brick-and-mortar retail store, you’ll benefit most from a complete package that includes all POS hardware components. Similarly, if you’re also selling online, knowing how to make a website that integrates with your POS system streamlines operations and reduces costs.   For Wix, the Complete POS Register  costs $1,699 . The setup includes: A terminal with customer display Wix POS software A cash drawer A barcode scanner  A receipt printer A mobile card reader A mobile card reader dock If you mostly sell on the and only need a mobile card reader and charging dock, Wix’s Mobile Card Reader  is available à la carte for a one-time fee of $69 . Alternatively, you can get the Mobile Card Reader + Dock bundle for $99. 02. Software: ongoing fixed subscription fee (or free) Most providers charge between $40 and $100 monthly to access their POS software. Others charge a one-time fee when you purchase the system. However, some, like Wix, offer cloud-based POS systems with integrated software. The pre-installed native software  allows Wix platform users to start selling offline right out of the box at no monthly charge. That said, when evaluating POS software options, find one with features that align with your business type. For example, retailers need software that syncs inventory data with your product catalog. Service providers need software that enables booking and managing appointments. And event hosts need software with features to sell and check tickets at the door. 03. Payment processing fees: variable usage cost The third part of POS processing system costs you need to be aware of is the processing fees for credit card payments. Every POS transaction on your system incurs these charges.  Fees are handled by either your POS provider’s internal payment processor, like Wix Payments , or a third-party processing company, like Square. The cost is usually a percentage of your payment plus a fixed amount and varies from provider to provider. Think of the fixed amount as a sort of minimum payment safeguard for the processor. For example, Wix Payments POS charges 2.6% of the transaction amount with no flat fees. Others, like Square, charge 2.6% of the transaction with an additional flat fee of $0.15 per in-person transaction. POS in-person transaction cost* Provider % per transaction Flat fee per transaction Software Wix 2.6% $0 Free Square 2.6% $0.15 Free Shopify (Retail) 2.6% $0.10 Free POS systems with native online payment solutions are often more cost-effective and provide smoother operations, support and maintenance because you can manage all your transactions in one place and deal with a single provider. 04. Registration POS fees The cost of setting up a new POS system will depend on your provider. Some offer it for free, while others might charge a registration fee. This fee covers the cost of creating your account, configuring the software to meet your needs and sometimes training your staff to use the system.  Normally, most POS providers waive registration fees entirely for smaller businesses or those opting for simpler setups. However, a Magestore study found the costs can be as high as $10,000 for big restaurants that need more complex setups, like multiple countertop POS registers with tablet stands and kitchen printers. If the provider includes registration charges, they might add the fees to the overall cost or charge them separately. Always ask about any additional fees during the evaluation process to avoid unexpected expenses. 05. Location-based POS fees  Location-based POS fees often apply if you want to install the POS software in more than one POS terminal or in multiple stores. These fees are a bit of a wildcard and significantly depend on the provider and the complexity of your setup.  Some POS solutions, charge per month for each additional location, while others charge per location and the number of registers. So, the more registers and store locations you have, the more you pay. Since location-based charges and how they're calculated vary widely, be sure to get details when evaluating POS system costs. Otherwise, surprise charges could torpedo your budget. 06. Fees for add-on features to POS Add-on features can significantly enhance your business operations with extra functionality, but they also impact your overall POS system costs.  The specific features you choose and your provider will influence costs. For example, some POS systems may charge a flat monthly fee for each additional feature, while others set up tiered pricing models based on how many users you need or groups of features. With Wix, upgrading to the POS plan  activates valuable add-on features like: Adding more staff members to your POS system as site collaborators Accepting additional payment types, including credit/debit cards and gift cards Allowing customers to exchange items Tracking staff member hours Loyalty point tracking for your online and brick-and-mortar stores How to choose a POS provider for your business Before settling on a provider, it's important to do your homework. Start by jotting down key features you need for your sales channels and ensure the software can handle it all. Next, take a close look at the pricing structure and available discounts, especially if you're dealing with high volumes. Check for any long-term commitments and extra costs for add-on services as well. Finally, weigh the pros and cons of each option. Look at how each one fits with your business strategy and budget. Ultimately, you'll want to choose the solution that most closely matches your needs and goals. Questions to ask when evaluating POS providers Asking questions is the best way to ensure a POS provider meets your business needs. Here are some questions to ask when evaluating POS providers: What features does the POS system offer?  Ensure the system includes every functionality you need, such as multichannel inventory management, live inventory status and automated sales tax. What are the costs involved?  Beyond the initial POS system cost to purchase, ask about ongoing costs such as software updates, transaction fees and any charges for add-on services. Is the system scalable?  As your business grows, your POS system must keep up. Ask whether the system can handle increased transaction volumes and if more locations or staff can be easily added later. Can it integrate with other channels? Your POS system should seamlessly connect with your other sales channels so that inventory can automatically sync whenever you sell a product. How is customer support?  Reliable support is a must. You can’t afford to be left without help if something goes wrong. Check that support is available during your business hours and how you can reach them. How secure is the system?  Security is a must for businesses dealing with sensitive customer data and payments. Ask about the security measures in place, such as end-to-end encryption and EMV-certified card readers. Four popular POS purchase options Now that you know what to look for when choosing a POS provider, let’s cover four popular options for buying a point-of-sale system. 01. Purchase from an all-in-one provider If you already have an online store, your best bet is to get your POS system from the same eCommerce platform where you built your website. Having everything from one provider helps simplify and streamline operations, allowing you to manage everything in one place.  Purchasing an all-in-one option can also be a way to save on POS system costs. Some providers offer all-inclusive bundles with their POS hardware and software, payment solutions and website-building tools, which is ideal if you're into omnichannel retail . This option often saves money on transaction fees compared to a third-party payment provider. Plus, you’ll avoid the hassle of building custom integrations connecting one system to another. 02. Use third-party hardware Another option is to keep things separate with a third-party POS provider. For this option, you’ll need a payment provider that already partners with your eCommerce platform. Otherwise, you’ll incur extra costs creating custom integrations that sync your online and in-store operations. For instance, if you're using Wix, you can choose from several integrated providers, like Square POS  in several global markets or SumUp  in Europe. The risk of a fragmented business view from juggling different systems is the biggest downside of using third-party hardware. Since your eCommerce platform will handle the online part and the POS provider will manage the offline side, you'll have to piece together your payment history and inventory count from different sources. Learn more:   Best online payment solutions   SMB online commerce 03. Install POS software on your tablet device Since consumer tablets and iPads are so powerful, some providers offer the option to install their POS software on your device instead of buying a stand-alone display. While it’s a great option if you’re selling on the go and need something more robust than a basic card reader, it’s not very scalable or a good long-term solution for a permanent store. Personal tablet firmware and processing power might limit your business with slow performance or glitches, causing extra troubleshooting headaches. Plus, your tablet doesn’t enhance the customer experience. In contrast, retail POS solutions with stand-alone customer-facing displays make checkout smoother and more engaging for customers.  Many providers, like Wix, avoid a software-only option because of concerns about poor performance. So, using a consumer tablet limits your provider options and often prevents managing your entire business from a unified system since you won’t have an all-in-one provider. 04. Lease a POS The last option is to lease a POS system so you can spread the cost of hardware over time. This can be an ideal solution for short-term events or pop-up shops. However, it falls flat as a long-term solution. Over time, the monthly lease payments add up to more than the original cost of the POS system. That said, some providers, like Wix, offer the option to split your POS hardware costs into interest-free payments at no additional cost to get the best of both worlds. When shopping for POS options, ask yourself, "How long will I use this system?" before considering a lease. Questions to ask when evaluating your purchase options As you analyze your POS options, here are some points to help you make the best decision: Are you running a brick-and-mortar store, or do you sell on the go—like at markets, pop-up shops or a food truck? Your business type dictates certain features you'll need and the type of POS system and purchase option you choose. How much are you willing to spend on a POS solution? Know your spending limits and set a budget that fits your financial plans. Does your website building platform offer a unified POS system? Combining your website maker and POS system provider makes managing online and offline sales easier. Are you looking for a POS solution that will serve you for the long haul, or do you need something just for a short-term event or seasonal sale? Knowing how long you need the system makes a difference when picking a POS system. You may need something flexible and low-cost or scalable and long-term. Want to learn more about Wix POS? Book a call  with a POS expert today. Your options at Wix Here are the POS options available to you as a Wix merchant: Wix POS System Complete POS Register Essential POS Register Mobile Card Reader + Dock Price $1,699.00 $1,199.00 $99.00 Hardware included Elo Terminal with Customer Display Mobile Bluetooth Card Reader Mobile Card Reader Dock Pre-loaded Wix POS Software Epson Thermal Receipt Printer (WiFi/Bluetooth/Ethernet) Zebra Wired Scanner DS2208 13' Cash Drawer (4 Bill / 5 Coin) or 16' Cash Drawer (5 Bill / 5 Coin) Elo Terminal with Customer Display Mobile Bluetooth Card Reader Mobile Card Reader Dock Pre-loaded Wix POS Software Mobile Bluetooth Card Reader Mobile Card Reader Dock In-house payment solution (Wix Payments) Yes Yes Yes Processing fees 2.6% + $0 2.6% + $0 2.6% + $0 Best for Wix Stores users with a permanent brick-and-mortar location(s) Wix Stores users looking for a lean solution or just getting a retail business off the ground or managing a seasonal business or running a temporary retail pop-up shop Wix Stores, Bookings, Fitness and Events users who sell on the go or outdoors (at pop-ups, farmers markets, events and more) Wix POS is available only in the U.S. and Canada. U.S. pricing  and Canada pricing  documents provide more details. POS system cost FAQ What is the average price of a POS system? POS system costs can vary widely, but generally, you can expect to spend anywhere from $750 to $1,700 for a full suite of POS hardware. This typically includes items like a touchscreen, credit card reader, barcode scanner, receipt printer, charging dock and cash register or drawer.  An all-in-one package might be a better deal as you typically get a discount compared to buying each component separately. For instance, if you purchase a complete retail POS package from Wix, you get a terminal with a customer display, card reader, cash drawer, barcode scanner and receipt printer. You also save on POS software costs as Wix bundles it with its hardware. How much does a POS transaction cost? POS transaction costs are payment and credit card processing fees. These fees are typically a percentage of each card transaction plus a small fixed amount. These costs can add up quickly if you have a high sales volume. What variables factor into POS cost? Several factors influence the cost of your POS system. They include: Type of business:  Different businesses have different needs. A small retailer might need a basic package with a single full set of hardware, whereas a pop-up produce stand might only need a card reader. Scalability and number of locations:  If your business is growing or you have multiple locations, you'll need a system that can scale with you. This might mean additional costs for extra terminals and hardware accessories. Add-on POS features:  Added functionalities like customer relationship management (CRM), advanced sales reports, employee management, online ordering and customer loyalty programs can add to the cost. How much does a self-checkout POS system cost? Self-checkout POS systems can have a wide price range based on features, capacity and the provider. Basic models, like a simple self-service kiosk, can cost anywhere from $1,500 to $10,000, according to Korona POS research. If your business needs something more advanced, with features like RFID scanning, costs can exceed $20,000. It's all about your specific needs and how much you're willing to invest to get the right system for your setup. Can I open a POS system for my small business without monthly fees? Yes, you can. Some providers, like Wix, offer cloud-based POS systems with no monthly costs. With Wix, you get a POS system with native software pre-installed, allowing you to start selling offline immediately without monthly subscriptions. This can be a great option if you’re just starting out and want to keep costs low. *Editor’s note: All pricing and information are current as of March 7, 2025.

  • How to become a web designer

    With so many brands launching websites for credibility, efficiency and immediate growth, there’s never been a better time to become a web designer. This high-demand job is projected to grow by 13%, between now and 2030, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics . If you’re mulling over a career in website design , you’re also wondering what you need to know to start. In our guide, we’ll break down what a web designer is, how to become a web designer and go over what you can expect to earn at different points of your career. Use this design name generator to name your new business. What does a web designer do? Web designers create and maintain websites. They are responsible for developing websites and testing them to make sure they are attractive, responsive and have intuitive user interfaces. That being said, a web designer’s days aren’t strictly filled with designing. If you work as a freelancer , your day may look like this: Morning: Create new client contracts. Morning until midday: Develop a sitemap and wireframe for a client as part of making a website . Afternoon: Run cross-platform tests on different clients’ websites. On the other hand, if you work at an agency or organization, your day will consist of web design-specific tasks. Whether you want to be 100% design-focused or enjoy dealing with the management side, you’ll want to choose which type of web designer—freelancer or full-time employee—you want to be. Learn more: What is web design? How to become a web designer in 9 steps The web design field has evolved over the past decades. In the mid-1990s web designers gave us the first chatrooms and the ability to order pizza online. By the 2000s and the birth of Web 2.0, web design became about content and search engine optimization. And today, UX design has become the most important aspect of building a functional website. In effect, web design is more refined. You’ll need to learn web design theory, understand how the web works today, and find the right design tools to become a successful web designer: Study design theory Get a basic understanding of how web works Hone more skills for becoming a freelance designer Create a design toolkit Carve out a specific career path Create your portfolio website Apply to web design jobs Network Create content 01. Study design theory A web designer uses design theory to make every one of their decisions. For example, designers use color psychology as a framework to create a mood, influence a user’s emotions or elicit certain actions. Today, you can master web design theory without leaving your home. You’ll find free courses on YouTube, for instance, doing a site search for “web design theory course” will bring you accessible, in-depth tutorials by well-known course creators and thought leaders. If you want a more comprehensive education, take a course at your local college. Top educational institutions also offer high-quality, self-paced online courses and issue certificates which you can use to bolster your web design portfolio and resume. You can also purchase books on web design theory. While the basics are evergreen, sites like Smashing Magazine and A List Apart ( A Book Apart ) regularly publish books by top designers on the latest topics and technologies. Many designers regularly publish blogs, too, on both evergreen and newsier topics. Tip: Subscribe to the Wix blog to stay up-to-date on everything related to web design trends , theory, principles, resources and more. 02. Get a basic understanding of how web works While you don’t need to be a skilled coder to build websites today, understanding the technical structure of the web will ensure your designs can be developed into functional web pages. There are three basic languages you should learn: HTML, which forms the structure of a web page CSS , which dictates the styling of the web page and all its components JavaScript, which manipulates HTML and CSS so you can bring a website to life with interactivity Tip: Get complete design freedom and advanced features like innovative transparent videos, custom animations and vector act without having to know code with Wix . Or make your site even more dynamic with custom interactions and functionality with Velo by Wix , our open dev platform. You’ll find plentiful resources on website coding on the same platforms that cover web design theory. There are also a number of platforms dedicated strictly to coding and often include playgrounds, projects and quizzes. 03. Hone more skills for becoming a web designer Generally, a web designer’s skill set falls into two types: hard skills and soft skills. Hard skills are the skills you learn to design websites. For example: Web design theory UX research Visual (UI) design Responsive design Wireframing Prototyping HTML & CSS A/B testing SEO website design Platform-specific tools, templates, plugins, etc. Soft skills are professional management skills you learn throughout your career. For example: Communication Negotiation Active listening Empathy Sales acumen Project and time management Client management Collaboration Accounting Which skills you need depends on the role you’re in. For instance, if you work as a freelance designer, you’ll need client management skills. However, if you work for an employer, you’ll benefit more from active listening and collaboration skills. You’ll also find that many of the resources you use to study web design also offer training on soft skills with exercises to apply them in your day-to-day work. You can also find web design tutorials here . 04. Create a design toolkit Adopt a toolkit that enables you to work as efficiently as possible while creating the best results. To find the right web design tools for you, you need to experiment with what’s available. Tip: Start creating with Wix Studio 's advanced design features to experience a seamless process from concept to production with responsive CSS powered by smooth drag & drop. In addition to filling your toolkit with web design tools, you’ll also want to add other tools that help you create websites. Consider your workflow and the tools that’ll streamline those tasks. For instance: UX research User personas Sitemaps Wireframing Prototyping Testing Start by trying out the 8 best UI and UX design software adding what you like into your day-to-day toolkit. Don’t forget about tools to enhance your soft skills. For example, business software can streamline both your administrative tasks and client interactions. 05. Carve out a specific career path While you don’t need to set anything in stone right away, it’s much easier to find clients and charge higher rates with a specialization. Here are four common web design career paths: Graphic designers focus on the branding and marketing side of web design, designing logos, creating marketing materials, and developing style guides or design systems with other design teams across an organization. UX designers use information gleaned from user research and testing to develop user persona profiles, map out user journeys, wireframe optimized layouts, design visual interfaces, and create working prototypes for websites and apps. Interaction designers research and learn how users engage with websites to create helpful and pleasing interactive experiences on a website. Hybrid front-end engineers tend to work on more complex website projects that require custom design and coding. They’re able to take a concept, translate it into a visual design—usually with design software—and then bring it to life through programming. The other way to specialize is by choosing a niche. For instance, you can narrow down by: Industry B2B vs. B2C Enterprise vs. small business Design platform Website type (e.g., business vs. eCommerce) This is something that will develop over time and it may even change, too. Usually, web designers find their niche at the crossroads between what they’re good at, what they enjoy, and where there’s a lot of demand. Learn how to start a web design business. 06. Create your portfolio website When you start applying to jobs, employers and clients want to see your demonstrated capabilities. Because you’re a web designer, your body of work shouldn’t consist of an e-mailed list of links or a third-party where you have to compete for attention. Create a portfolio website to easily allow potential employers to assess your skill level and gauge how well your style and approach aligns with their business needs. Your own portfolio website will help: Show off your work in the best light (i.e. not using a predetermined format from another platform.) Include a broad sampling of your website designs and organize them based on type, industry, etc. Give prospects an introduction to who you are, your design training and qualifications, as well as how you like to work. Impress visitors with the design of your own website and give them a preview of the kinds of features you can create for them. Optimize your site and portfolio for search engines so that people looking to hire a web designer can find you. Learn how to make a website  that highlights your unique skills and captivates potential clients today. 07. Apply to web design jobs Before you start applying, come up with a list of criteria you care about. This will help you choose the right platforms and to narrow down how many gigs or positions you apply to. For example: Remote or on site Local company or global Entry-level, mid-level, or senior role Contract or permanent employment Agency or in-house Part-time or full-time You may also want to narrow down your search based on the type of design software, work hours, job responsibilities, and so on. Tip : If you prefer to go the freelance route, try Wix Marketplace , a platform that allows you to show off your best work, set your rates and match with qualified leads looking for a professional designer just like you. 08. Network You never know what opportunities you’ll discover when you network. You might meet prospective clients to keep your skills razor-sharp, find creative partners to collaborate with, or simply a group of designers to commiserate with. Look within your local community for groups of designers or find and join web design groups online. Tip: Host a community meetup or workshop with Wix Partners and share your knowledge and expertise with others around the world. For instance, you might find a Facebook group dedicated to your favorite website design software. Discussions would focus around troubleshooting errors, improving your process, and learning new strategies. There are also web design industry groups focused on gathering to share stories, communicate about clients, and trade information about open gigs. If you want to hone your design skills while meeting others, a conference or webinar is another effective way to network. Look for in-person and online events to learn about new design trends, get more from your existing tools, and hone your skills. 09. Create content Last but not least, you’ll need to do some marketing. Aside from your website, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn also offer you a place to: Comment on the latest web design trends, practices, and news. Build an audience around your web design “brand” and establish yourself as an authority. Get in front of prospective clients or employers. Grow your following and expand your network. Just a few minutes every day sharing content and lightly engaging with others on social media will inevitably pay off. And you can link all your social media accounts on your website. The average web designer salary in 2022 Now that you know how to become a web designer, let’s briefly talk about earnings. Similar to how your responsibilities and career path differ depending on a number of factors, the same goes for your salary. Let’s start with the average annual salary for web designers in 2022 as reported to top job and salary sites: $52,296 ( PayScale ) $50,198 ( Indeed ) $58,644 ( Glassdoor ) $60,202 ( ZipRecruiter ) These are the average annual salaries expected for senior web designers: $72,757 ( PayScale ) $78,143 ( Indeed ) $85,265 ( Glassdoor ) $82,417 ( ZipRecruiter ) This is what UX designers are expected to earn, on average, this year: $75,373 ( PayScale ) $89,644 ( Indeed ) $101,768 ( Glassdoor ) $98,816 ( ZipRecruiter ) Keep in mind that these are not guarantees of earnings. These numbers are based on what existing designers have reported to these websites. That’s why there are such big differences in the salary ranges. Some of these designers could be building and managing enterprise websites for companies while others make their living off designing small business websites. Your level of expertise, niche, location, employment type will impact what you earn.

  • How to become an entrepreneur: 10 steps for success

    Your business ideas deserve a website,   secure your domain to begin →   Over the past couple of years, there’s been a surge in startups and entrepreneurship in the United States. Last year alone saw a record-breaking number of new businesses, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau , which recorded nearly 5.5 million new businesses. And on average, 4.7 million businesses are created each year. For today’s aspiring entrepreneurs looking to start new ventures, know that it takes a lot to compete in this landscape: becoming an entrepreneur requires planning, strategizing and even risk-taking. This step-by-step guide will show you what it takes to turn your business idea into action, from creating a business website to developing a brand to making money as an entrepreneur. Got a business idea? Lock down your brand’s domain before someone else does. Wix makes it easy to get your domain, email, hosting and SSL all in one place. Plus you'll get 24/7 support every step of the way. How to become an entrepreneur Use the following 10 steps as your personal checklist for success. Here’s how to become an entrepreneur: Find a business idea Get to know your target audience Test your idea Use a business plan template Create a website Hire great partner(s) Build your network Plan your finances Develop a strong brand Create value in your market 01. Find a business idea When trying to start a business, choose a business idea that will set you apart from others. For example, if you start a clothing line, mull over how you’ll niche down: What products will you sell? Will it be sustainable or ethnically made? Once you’ve narrowed it down, you can think about potential business names or use a business name generator to get your creative juices flowing. On top of finding your competitive edge, think about what you really love doing. What problems are you passionate about solving? Is it reducing waste from plastic straws? Your recipe for business success is sticking to what you love, know best and feel the world needs. Take a page from Kangaroo Hanger, which aims to reduce waste in a billion-dollar industry. The business started with a personal problem—founder and CEO Angus Willows couldn't get his clothes to stay on their plastic hangers. As Angus dug deeper into the hanger industry, he discovered two problems that needed solving: (1) most hangers had design flaws, and (2) it turns out that the hanger industry is horribly wasteful. Learn more about Kangaroo Hanger 's story. Photo source: Kangaroo 02. Get to know your target audience Although an idea can sound great, make sure that others will pay for it before you pat yourself on the back. A big reason why businesses fail is because there is no market need, according to CBInsights’ 2021 analysis of 100+ startup failure postmortems. This was something that Arkady Kovalev, founder and CEO of Heroes INN , witnessed firsthand. Now the go-to seller of trading cards and comic books in Mönchengladbach, Germany, Arkady saw many other comic stores shutter before he started Heroes INN. The problem? They didn't understand local preferences. Arkady launched Heroes INN after devoting an entire year to research. Today, the 'inn' is a hotspot for local city-dwellers in addition to travelers from all across the Eurozone. As you perform your own market research, list out the characteristics that define your target market. For example, what age range do they fall into? What are their hobbies? Where are they located? And so on. 03. Test your idea A trial period is important for gauging the interest around your product or service with your potential customers, getting first-hand experience understanding how you can best serve them, and seeing where you can make improvements. Treat this stage as the first step in selling your idea. The more you get your idea into the hands of consumers, the more feedback you’ll get and can use to build on your concept and create awareness. For example, you can send out samples, host focus groups or even work one-on-one. Your success depends on seriously taking in this feedback. Read also: How Forge to Table became Noah Rosen’s culinary calling 04. Use a business plan template Becoming a small business owner requires a lot of planning, from picking a type of entrepreneurship , building your concept and understanding it—to turning your idea into a reality. Start in an organized fashion with a business plan template that details your idea’s core components, from your mission statement to your marketing, operations plan and more. This document will help you visualize your goals and help you carry them out. It’s advised to also create an executive summary, or a high-level overview of your business. This report is essential when you need to communicate your business in brief, such as when looking for partners or requesting funding. 05. Create a website Whether you’re using it for online scheduling or eCommerce , or simply directing organic search visitors to your landing page , every business needs a website. In fact, entrepreneurs like Chef Tammy Maki attribute a lot of their long-term success to having an online presence. According to Tammy, her chocolate business, Raven Rising , was able to weather many obstacles and understand customer behaviors better from having an online shop. To create your own website, start by choosing a website template and customizing it to meet your needs. (Alternatively, you can create your site from a blank canvas or using a reliable AI website builder .) From the Homepage and About Us page to a contact form, consider what type of pages you’ll want for your professional website. After you’ve selected your template, you’ll need a free web hosting provider to take your website online—and keep it there. Finally, pick a domain name or online address, so people can find you online. Tip: Wix offers free business tools for your website and to build your brand, including a logo maker, pay stub generator, QR code generator, invoice generator, and form builder . 06. Hire great partner(s) Flying solo is great, but a supportive partner will help you see different challenges and opportunities you otherwise might have missed. When looking for a partner, think of the qualities you would like them to have and the people you know who possess them. Have a semi-planned business proposal when you reach out to your chosen potential partner, (your executive summary, for instance). Your first hire can set the mood for your company culture—the shared vision, norms and mores shared by your employees—even if you aren’t hiring a full team just yet. Such foresight can determine your business’s future success, as it ensures that everyone on your team will be in-sync. Read also: The story behind Fork n' Film’s unique cinematic experience that’s going global 07. Build your network Business is not a solitary journey, even if you choose not to have partners. Having knowledgeable and experienced mentors will help you understand your market better, take advantage of opportunities and avoid costly mistakes. To find this support system, attend relevant networking events, speaker series, fairs and expos. You can also host your own networking events or create an online community . 08. Plan your finances Planning your business finances might not be the most exciting step, but it is mandatory. Begin by getting a good grasp of the cost of starting a business . How much do you need? Run through the costs of materials and production, supplies, hiring employees, promotion, office space, etc. As a novice, it’s likely you’ll need to request help, so make sure to keep your expenses as low as possible to give yourself some financial room for external consulting. Once you have a good idea of how much funding you’ll need, check in with your financial situation. How much will you invest in yourself? If you’re looking for investors, having some of your own skin in the game will make them more willing to support you. Once you have the funds, open up a dedicated bank account to track your profits and expenses. It’ll streamline accounting and give you useful data to plan your business growth. 09. Develop a strong brand Like Spotify’s distinguishing vibrant green and black or Dove’s subtle “real beauty,” a consistent brand identity helps generate recognition and build trust amongst customers over time. Verbally, it’s composed of your core values, language, employees, and customers. Aesthetically, it involves your brand colors, font choices, logo and more. Editor-in-Chief of Entrepreneur Jason Feifer has a side business of his own. His website, podcast, newsletter and recently published book are all dedicated to teaching fellow entrepreneurs how to be more resilient to change. His podcast and book both have the same name: Build for Tomorrow. Similarly, he uses the same font and colors of his logo to decorate his website. Tip: Use a logo maker and business card maker to showcase your brand identity. 10. Create value in your market Now that you have a tested product or service, a strong network, and brand channels for promotion–it’s time to choose how you will go to market. Whether it’s through routinely publishing relevant thought leadership on social media or an elevator pitch that shows why your offering beats your competitors, a clear, defined go-to-market message will help your customers see the unique reason to choose your brand over another. Are you ready to become an entrepreneur? So, you may already know starting a business takes more than having a good business idea. According to the Kauffman Foundation , the survival rate for new businesses was 81.7% in 2021, indicating that not all entrepreneurs will see a second year. With entrepreneurship being a highly competitive and complex practice, you need to be prepared to deal with its ups and downs. While the work may be fulfilling, it can also be incredibly stressful. You’re building a life around your business, possibly putting a strain on your p. And not only that, you will need both emotional and financial support systems to keep you on the path. Here are some clear signs that show you’re ready to become an entrepreneur. Learn to handle rejection Twenty percent of new businesses fail in the first year of operations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics . As an entrepreneur, one of the first things you’ve got to learn is how to handle rejection. Whether you hear a “no” from a potential investor, client or publisher, having the right attitude about rejection can go a long way. Take the example of J.K. Rowling. The Harry Potter novelist has always been straightforward to fans about her own bumpy road to becoming a billionaire. In 2016, she tweeted two rejection letters she received, stating to her fans that they were an inspiration to keep going. Another good way to deal with rejection is to take a step back and focus on self-care, writes Dr. Leslie Becker-Phelps in Bouncing Back from Rejection: Build the Resilience You Need to Get Back Up When Life Knocks You Down . Practicing self-care, Becker-Phelps explains, can be anything from meditating, running or even listening to music. Think of rituals that calm you down, thereby bringing you back to a balanced place. Have a steady flow of funds One of the most common small business challenges is lack of capital and cash flow, reported a recent Guidant Financial survey. At the early stage, a steady source of funding could mean either personal or family savings. If you need to search beyond your immediate reach, you could also apply for a public or private small business loan, business credit cards or extend your line of credit at the bank. Aside from having a steady revenue stream, you’ll also need to ensure steady profits to grow a business once it’s launched. By doing extensive market research on your business idea, you’ll be able to say whether there’s an actual demand for your product or service and the size of your potential customer base. Have a mentor A poll by Kabbage , a global small business financial service platform, found that “92% of small business owners agree mentors have a direct impact on growth and survival of their businesses.” Not only are mentors essential to achieving small business success, some of the biggest entrepreneurs in history have said they would not be where they are without their own mentors. In 2014, Oprah Winfrey said , “I’ve been blessed to have [poet] Maya Angelou as my mentor, mother/sister, and friend since my 20s. She was there for me always, guiding me through some of the most important years of my life. The world knows her as a poet but at the heart of her, she was a teacher. ‘When you learn, teach. When you get, give’ is one of my best lessons from her.” Through proper mentorship, you will gain not only wisdom, guidance and perspective, but also all the necessary skills for professional growth, such as communication and self-awareness. Check out SCORE , SBDC s, and the Women’s Business Centers for mentorship opportunities online. Be passionate about your idea Some of the richest companies to date—Venmo, Instagram, Uber and WhatsApp — started in economic downturns, reported TechCrunch . Their founders were resilient in pursuit of innovation and creativity. Being passionate about what you’re doing can help you stay motivated, even when the stakes are high. Read more: Take inspiration from entrepreneur and Cuppapug founder, Aaron Carty who launched his unique pug cafe idea, following his passion for pugs. Be comfortable taking risks Risk-taking plays a major role in becoming an entrepreneur. Without it, business leaders may not have gotten as far as they did. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg famously said , “The biggest risk is not taking risks. In a world that’s changing really quickly, the only strategy that is guaranteed to fail is not taking risks.” Get ready to be comfortable with uncertainty and step out of your comfort zone. Some risks you might face include: Leaving a full-time job and a steady paycheck Sacrificing time you'd normally take to enjoy your weekends or see friends and family Using your personal finances with no guarantee you’ll see a return on investment Miscalculating whether your product or service idea will take off That said, if you’re not quite ready to follow through with your plan, take it slow. Instead, start with adjusting a tiny part of your career at a time with one of these successful habits .

  • How to design a website (step-by-step guide)

    Get started by: Creating a website →  | Getting a domain → Thanks to the evolution of website builders , you can no easily design a website and build an impressive online presence of your own. So, what is web design and how do you get started? From choosing your website builder and domain name, to understanding how to design each element of your site from your design concept, this complete guide will walk you through designing a website. TL;DR: How to design a website Designing a website is about more than just making it look good—it’s about creating an experience that engages your audience and supports your business goals. This guide walks you through each step, from defining your site’s purpose and structure to choosing a design, adding content and optimizing for performance. You’ll also learn how to make your website functional, mobile-friendly and ready to scale as your business grows. What you need to design a website Item Why it matters A domain name Your domain is your website’s address online (e.g., example.com) and helps people easily find your business. Web hosting Hosting stores your website’s files and makes sure your site is always accessible to visitors. A website builder or CMS Tools like Wix give you everything you need to design and manage your site, from customizable templates to built-in features. Design assets High-quality images, videos and fonts make your website look professional and engaging. How to design a website Set your goal Choose a website builder Define your layout Create wireframes Claim your domain name Gather your content Add the right pages Design your website elements Pick the professional tools you need Make it accessible to everyone Optimize for mobile Strengthen your SEO Engage with visitors Ask for feedback Publish and update Monitor and adjust 01. Set your goal Before you design a website, be crystal-clear about what you want to achieve. With so many types of websites out there, you should start by deciding which kind will help you meet your goals and meet your target audience and market where they are: An AI store builder or eCommerce website to sell your products Use a portfolio maker to showcase your art A business website to manage and grow your business A resume website to grab the attention of potential employers A blog to share your knowledge with the world An event website for weddings, parties and company events A photography portfolio website to display and sell prints A fitness website to book new clients A restaurant website to help with online orders, delivery and payment As part of this step you'll want to make sure you do plenty of research into how your site should be structured and designed, both for the type of site it is and your brand. eCommerce sites are designed differently to blog websites, for example — and mainly because of the user experience (UX) and user intent (UI) and how they differ on each unique site. Look first to your competitors to see how they've designed their sites, maybe there are must have pages, content or layout you should have. Once you decide which type you need, it’s time to start the exciting part - designing your site. As you set off on this journey, keep your overarching purpose in mind and think about how the design will help achieve your objectives. Get started with a web design checklist. As you move forward with designing a website, you’ll find that your choice of elements to include will vary depending on what you want to accomplish. For example, if you want to sell your photos online, try displaying your work in a portfolio format and including an online store where you can sell prints. Or, if you’re creating a website with the goal of landing a job, a simple and professional resume website sans embellishment might suit your needs perfectly. Be inspired: Design thinking If you need help envisioning a design that meets your goal, browse through these Wix website examples for inspiration. You should also tap in web design trends and galleries for further inspiration. Consider also creating a mood board, just to brainstorm colors, styles and anything else relevant to the early stages of designing your website. Starting a design business? Use this design name generator to name it. 02. Choose your website builder Now that you’ve identified your goal, your next step is to choose the right website builder to accomplish it. A website builder (also known as a CMS) is a platform on which you can design, personalize and publish a website without any knowledge of coding. There are dozens of platforms available on the market. Not sure which one to use? Wix.com is an HTML website builder that was ranked # 1 out of the best website builders in the world, and for good reason. Learn more about the advantages of Wix: Wix vs Squarespace Here are a few Wix advantages: Diverse pricing models : Creating, publishing and hosting your website is totally free , for as long as you wish. If you want to upgrade your online presence with some tailored features, Premium packages are also available. They include everything you need to succeed online, from professional templates and web design features, to a custom domain name . Learn more: How to vibe code a website Design customization: Whether you’re a seasoned web designer or are still learning how to design a website, you’ll find that Wix offers different creative routes for everyone. One option is the Wix Editor, whose drag-and-drop technology and WYSIWYG software gives you complete design freedom. Each element of your website’s design can be customized for the look you want, while plenty of tools and built-in features will heighten its professional presence. You don't need to know or understand markup languages ( HTML , CSS , Javascript ) to build a Wix website. Beginners might also enjoy using Wix’s AI website builder , a first-of-its-kind chat-based experience that taps into Wix's ADI (Artificial Design Intelligence) to help you design a website in record time. Simply chat with AI about the vision for your site, and you’ll get a complete website that you can customize as you wish. Learn more about some of the best AI website builders and how to find the right balance between AI vs. human creativity . At the same time, experienced creators can look into Velo by Wix , which lets you dive into your site’s engine and interface to build sophisticated apps, APIs and databases . You get to own your website development. This way, you’re sure to have a one-of-kind result that suits your brand perfectly, and looks like no other website in the world. Also look at Wix Studio , an advanced web creation platform build for agencies, who need more from their web creation platform. Professional solutions: Because your website is the hub of your online life, Wix puts all of the professional solutions you need in one place. Tools like email marketing, invoices, bookings, social media accounts and more can be integrated into your website’s design for the best experience of managing your site and business. On top of this, you’ll also be able to optimize your site with Wix SEO to increase your chances of getting found on Google. "As a creator or entrepreneur, you're often wearing multiple hats. You're designing the website, you're optimizing for SEO. This means you need a website builder that makes it easy and very learnable for you to do all of those things, on the same platform and still deliver as if working with experts in those fields." - Esin D. Habif, product marketing lead for outbound at Wix.com Unique design features: Wix’s design features are completely customizable, which means you can design your website exactly the way you want. From a suite of imagery and backgrounds to innovative features like transparent videos and scrolling effects, you’ll have plenty of options to start with, and you can always upload files of your own. Learn more about some of the best website builders for designers. Customer service: You’re not alone in your journey of learning how to design a website. If you need assistance, you’ll always have someone to talk to thanks to Wix’s 24/7 support team and social media pages. If you want to read up on web design tips , find web design tutorials , and get inspiration, you’ll find plenty of helpful material available online, too. To grow your knowledge in web design, online marketing, SEO and more— take a look at the Wix Blog (sincerely yours) and Help Center . Ready to design a website with the Wix Editor? Here’s how to get started: Go to Wix.com from your desktop or mobile. Enter your email address, pick a password—and voilà. You now have your account, from which you can create as many websites as you wish. Explore the vast collection of website templates, pick the one that’s most relevant for your needs, and start customizing it with the tools and features of your choice. If you’d rather build your website from scratch, you can start with a blank canvas and take it from there. 03. Define your layout Once you’re logged into your platform of choice, it’s time to conceptualize your website layout. If you want to start from scratch, you may want to plan map out your website’s design (and structure) on paper before you start to use the drag and drop website builder . However, another option is to use a template, which is a pre-designed layout created by a professional designer. Wix offers an extensive library of free website templates . You’ll find designs for every kind of website, whether you’re looking to create a business website, a blog or a personal website.Start by browsing through the hundreds of options until you find a layout that you love. Then, you can make it your own by fully customizing all its elements and removing, adding or changing details like text, images and color. Of these designs, you can pick between a multi-page template and a single-page one. If your website includes a hefty amount of content, you’ll probably opt for a multi-page site. However, with less content to display, you may want to look into one page website templates . This trendy option is a popular choice for landing pages, event websites and other short-form content sites. Pro tip: There’s no better way to get your web design juices flowing than by seeking creative inspiration. A good way to start is to look at website examples that got it right. Grab a pen and paper, and jot down ideas you like as you browse through some of the best website designs. There are plenty of social media platforms dedicated to design inspiration, such as Pinterest and Dribbble , so make sure to check those out too. You can also expand your design knowledge by exploring concepts such as the golden ratio and how it applies to effective website design, specifically the layout. "The most important thing before building a website is good research. Know what you want to do and collect good inspirations that will contribute to your design." - Anna Suntsov, blog and social design team lead at Wix.com 04. Create wireframes Wireframes are simple black-and-white sketches of your website that outline the basic structure of each page. Think of them as the blueprint for your site’s design, helping you map out where elements like text, images, buttons and menus will be placed. Creating wireframes gives you a clear vision of your layout and allows you to make adjustments before jumping into the actual design process. You can create wireframes using freehand sketches on paper or online drag-and-drop platforms. Start by sketching your homepage to decide what visitors will see first and how they’ll navigate through your site. Then, move on to other essential pages like your About, Blog or Contact sections, outlining how all the pieces will connect. Pro tip: Wireframes don’t need to be detailed or perfect. Keep them simple, focusing on functionality and layout rather than aesthetics. Once you're happy with the structure, you can move on to customize and fine-tune the design for a polished final look. 05. Claim your domain name To put it in simple terms, your domain name is your address on the internet. It’s what your visitors will see in the bar of their browser, right after the “www.” Registering your domain name is critical for online success. Websites with a customized domain are automatically perceived by internet users as more professional and trustworthy. When chosen wisely, a domain name also helps search engines (like Google and Bing) understand what your website is about. This is important because it helps bring in more traffic to your website. Now, how do you choose a domain name for your brand? To make it memorable, keep it: Short: The longer it is, the higher the chances of visitors misspelling it. Simple: Avoid symbols, special characters and numbers. Professional: Your domain name should incorporate your own name or your business name, to avoid confusion. Evocative: Hint about what you do into your domain name by incorporating words that are related to your business. You can find out if your dream domain name is available by using this domain registration tool . If your top choice is still up for grabs, don’t hesitate to acquire your piece of virtual property. If it’s not, don’t panic. Try out different variations of your original choice by playing around with the word order, or adding “the” at the start. Pro tip : Picking a domain name also means using the right domain extension. From .org to .com and .net , you can choose from 45 top-level domain extensions. It’s best practice to use one that suits your business type and geographic location. Choosing a domain also means selecting the right web hosting provider . With Wix, reliable and secure web hosting is standard with every site designed. 06. Gather your content Now that you’ve set the foundations for your digital design , it’s time to get practical and prepare the content that will be featured on your website. This includes all of your web content —images, text, logo, videos and more. Use your own material as much as possible to ensure you’re offering unique and branded content. If you’re not using original content, just make sure to acquire your resources legally. Wix comes with a wide selection of media features, including a library of over one million free photos from our partners at Unsplash, Vector illustrations and interactive videos that are exclusive to Wix. There’s also endless stock photo and image reservoirs you can check out. Or, Wix's AI image tool. Read also: 7 things you can do in 30 seconds using Wix’s AI image tools While having plenty of material on your website is great, remember to always put quality over quantity. In an era of decreasing attention spans, the best way to catch your visitors’ attention is to showcase only your best content. Finally, make sure your content is fully branded. Think of your website as an online persona—everything from the written content to the colors and fonts you use should reflect who you are or what your brand identity is. Pro tip: New to the marketing game, or feel like you could sharpen up your brand language? From creating a logo to defining your tone of voice, this guide explains everything you need to know about building a solid brand identity. 07. Add the right pages Every business is unique, and so is every website. Nevertheless, there are some traditional sections that your site visitors will expect to see. If you’re going for a multi-page website design, here are some must-have web pages: Homepage : You have one chance to make a good first impression, and your homepage is it. Since it’s likely to be the first thing visitors will see, aim for a homepage that’s clean, organized and eye-catching. It should clarify who you are and what you do and serve as a starting point for visitors to navigate through your site. Make sure it contains the most crucial information: your logo, the name of your business and a navigation menu inviting visitors to browse further. Once you’ve got these basics down, consider what sort of website background, imagery, written content and calls-to-action you can add here to engage with visitors. About Us page: Tell your story and share your values, methods and any other information that defines your brand with an About Us page. Welcome new visitors by using the first person (“I” or “We”), since it adds a friendly touch of friendliness and warmth. Also, don’t forget to include a picture of yourself or your team members, since clients always like to see the face behind a business. Contact page: When visitors want to reach out, they should be able to get hold of you easily. That’s where a contact page comes in. Make sure to include your phone number, postal address, business email address and social media accounts. You can also consider adding a live chat widget that gives visitors the chance to reach out and get an immediate response, or a contact form where they can write their message directly through your site. Extras (but highly recommended): Your product or service page : The product page (or service page, depending on your industry) is where your visitors discover what you have to offer, and if they’re convinced, take out their credit card and make a purchase. When you design a website with a product or service page in mind, here are some key recommendations: Add high quality product photography, write precise and engaging product or service descriptions, and be transparent about your conditions (such as shipping, return, or cancellation policies). A blog: Starting a blog with a blog creator boosts your reputation as an expert, helps you foster a loyal community, and is an effective way to drive traffic to your website. If you’re not a natural-born writer, don’t fret - you have much more to say than you think. You can write about your clients (success stories, case studies, interviews) or yourself (events you attend, new employees and more). But the most valuable blog ideas will come from your own expertise. Your readers will love to discover the tips, methods and hacks you use to solve the problems you meet and will definitely appreciate the added value. Testimonials: An honest testimonials page is a wonderfully effective addition to your website design. Studies show that 77% of satisfied customers will recommend your business or service to a friend after having a positive experience. If the purpose of your website is to bring in new customers, leverage the power of word-of-mouth and let your satisfied clients do the selling for you. You can also consider using social proof examples as part of this page as well. This can help lend credibility to both your site and business. Splash page: A splash page acts as a preview to your site, greeting visitors before they reach your homepage. This is a great way to engage with visitors using high quality visuals or interesting text, or to promote a special offer or event. FAQ page: An FAQ page is a dedicated page on your website that provides visitors with quick and simple answers to common questions in an organized and structured manner. It can save time by providing automated answers and provide a great experience for users. Privacy page: This may be necessary for legal compliance, so be sure to check in your own country. A privacy policy helps you establish yourself as a transparent brand, whom customers can trust. Also often using third-party services, such as web analytics platforms, or monetizing your website through ads, can mean you need a privacy policy page to work with these partners. Once you've decided which pages you need, your next priority should be to plan and structure them within your website. Establishing a hierarchy of pages is important for your site's navigation and to make sure people can move throughout the site with ease. This will also help you decided which pages and links to prioritize on your header and footer. 08. Design your website elements You’ve got your content ready, claimed your domain name and set up your website’s pages. It’s officially time to design the elements of your website. In this section, we’ll talk about all the details that will bring your website together and how to arrange them to form one cohesive design - whether that's inspired by minimalist, modernism, brutalism or something else completely. Ultimately, these decisions should be guided by your brand identity - the distinct appearance and voice you use to communicate your message to audiences. On top of this, keep usability in mind: your website should always facilitate easy navigation and strive to give visitors an engaging user experience. Here are some elements to work on when learning how to design a website: Website architecture : In order to provide the best website navigation experience for visitors, your pages need to be properly connected to one another. Make sure visitors can easily find the pages they need by adding a navigation menu and implementing internal links. Ultimately, follow the “two-click rule.” Your visitors shouldn’t have to click more than once to access any page of your site, wherever they are. "When it comes to making a website it's worth considering building a plan for all your website pages from the start of the process. This means creating a clear website plan that includes your planned and potential future pages. This allows you to then build a url structure for your site that is clean and consistent. This in turn can also mean you avoid having to make fixes to your url structure later, with redirects and manually having to update our change your internal linking." - Nitsan Eiges, team lead of technical SEO at Wix.com Menu: This central element of your design will display the different items featured on your website, ensuring that visitors can easily find and navigate from one page to another. Website menus range from the standard horizontal header menu, to the condensed hamburger menu. Whichever style you choose, it’s recommended to make it accessible on every page of your site and to keep the number of items to a minimum to avoid clustering the screen. Colors: Color psychology proves that different hues have different impacts on human behavior, which is what makes it such an important aspect of website design. The colors you choose may involve different emotions in your users and can impact your site's bounce rate . When choosing your website color scheme, a general rule is to limit yourself to three shades: one primary color (60% of the mix), one secondary color (30%) and one accent color (10%). Of course, if you’ve already solidified brand colors for yourself or your business, these should be included. Don't forget to think about your color palette and your use of the concepts of web colors and color space . Fonts: When you choose fonts for your website, pick typefaces that are legible (both on desktop and mobile) and consistent with your brand identity. While the world of web typography is vast, opt for a maximum of three fonts in order to avoid visual chaos and to ensure readability. Header and footer: Your website’s header and footer are found at the very top and bottom of your website, respectively. Both of these elements can be used in your website’s design to enhance usability and engagement. Both your header and footer contribute to the visual hierarchy of your site, which is important for users and search engines to understand what your site is about and who it's for. A website header is a great place to include features that you want visitors to discover immediately, such as your own logo or navigation menu. While a website footer won’t be seen right away, it can still be used to help your visitors in a number of ways. For example, it’s a great place for you to add your contact information, social media buttons, or an email sign up form. Motion: This refers to all of the non-static, multimedia elements of your website, which can be very handy when you’re trying to catch the eye of visitors. Motion can come in many shapes, sizes and locations across your website design: implementing hover effects to encourage interaction, using VideoBox to add stunning effects or even uploading a full video background. While website animations will definitely spruce up your site, use them in moderation. This guide explains all the dos and don’ts of adding animation to your website design. Scroll effects: As the name suggests, scroll effects appear when the visitors scroll up or down your site. Their sophistication has the potential to draw attention, but most importantly, they help create a smooth transition between the different layers of a website page. One such effect is parallax scrolling. This professional 3D effect can add a sense of depth to your page, resulting in a lively browsing experience. This, along with other scroll effects (such as reveal or zoom-in), can be achieved using the Wix Editor. Favicon: A favicon is a small icon that will be used in a website browser to “represent” your website. Take a second to look up at this tab in your browser, and you’ll see a tiny Wix logo in the left-hand corner—that’s a favicon. Despite its small size, a favicon is a great tool for helping users locate your website in those moments when one too many tabs are open. It will also contribute to your website’s branding by presenting your logo in an extra location, and its sharp appearance adds a measure of professionalism to your website design. Responsive design: Responsive design enables your visitors to have a seamless browsing experience, regardless of whether they are using a desktop computer, tablet or mobile device. With Wix Columns, your website automatically adjusts and stacks content vertically based on the screen size or device being used to view it. This ensures that your website maintains its functionality and visual appeal across various platforms. Whitespace: This is the area of your website that doesn’t include anything. Frightened by all this empty space? Don’t be. First of all, despite the name white space doesn't mean the absence of color, but rather negative space. Also, white space gives your visitors room to “breathe” between images or pieces of content, contributing to a much better user experience. It also supports Hick's law , that the more choices people are given, the harder it can be for them to make a decision. You want to avoid this on your site where the goal is to get users to interact and move around it. Visual hierarchy: Visual hierarchy is the strategic arrangement of elements on a webpage to guide users' attention to what matters most. By using techniques like larger fonts for headings, bold colors for call-to-action buttons and contrasting sections, you can create a clear and structured path for viewers. Spacing helps prevent clutter and maintains a balanced, inviting layout. A strong visual hierarchy enhances user experience while ensuring your key messages are noticeable and effectively communicated. Pro tip: What would artists like Leonardo da Vinci have to say about how to design a website? A lot, we imagine. Some of the same rules that governed art and design for centuries are also applicable to the internet. From balance to symmetry, discover how the principles of design can be applied to websites. Don't forget you can also test how your website looks with a mockup or website wireframe , that will help show you your design and structure before you press publish. Ready to put your website design skills to action? Start designing your site now. 09. Pick the professional tools you need The internet is becoming one of the most important marketplaces in the world. It’s estimated that in 2022, over 2.14 billion people worldwide will purchase goods and services online. For the creative and professionally minded alike, adding some of the following tools to your website can help facilitate efficient and secure transactions. It can also help ensure the scalability of your business through your website. To further help you design your site, Wix encompasses several bespoke solutions to help businesses across all sizes and industries interact with clients. Incorporating these features will elevate your website so that it not only looks good, but operates seamlessly and functions how you need it to: Scheduling software: If you run a service business, your website needs to be able to receive online reservations and payments, 24/7. Wix’s scheduling software does just that. It includes the most sophisticated options on the market, from letting clients book appointments online to the ability to manage your staff’s calendars. Online store: Want to sell your goods online and generate a continuous stream of revenue? An online store is the way to go. From tracking your orders to accepting payments online , to getting paid easily, you’ll be able to manage everything from one dedicated place. Social posts: Raise brand awareness and drive traffic to your site by creating eye-catching social media graphics and sharing your posts directly to Facebook and Instagram. Music: Wix Music is a cutting-edge platform for musicians who want to expand their audience while maintaining total creative freedom. It enables you to sell your music directly on your website and keep 100% of the profits. Simultaneously, it distributes your tunes to over 120 digital stores. Video Maker: Did you know videos can boost organic search traffic to your website by 157% ? With the Wixel Video maker you can enhance your website design with customized videos in order to engage with your audience and improve traffic. These can be used to promote your products or services, share exciting updates and more. Wix app: The Wix app conveniently allows you to run your site from anywhere, whether this means live chatting with visitors, or designing your website on-the-go. You’ll even have a mobile space where your regular followers and clients can join. Expert tip: The Wix App Market includes a large selection of apps to boost your website’s business potential. From chat to payment, pop-ups and advertising on Google, there’s a tool for every aspect of your business. 10. Make it accessible to everyone These days, a truly great website design should be accessible to everyone. Web accessibility ensures that all people, regardless of their abilities, can comfortably experience and interact with your website. This includes people with vision impairment, temporary injuries, hearing loss and more. With over one billion people living with some form of disability, catering to everyone’s needs is crucial. It also shows that you and your business value inclusivity and diversity. There are a number of ways to improve user experience on your website for everyone. Make sure to build your website layout hierarchically, using clear headers to define the different levels of information. In addition, ensure that your site is fully operable with a keypad, write alt text for your images, use heading tags and more. "An accessible website benefits not only people with disabilities, but all people. Websites with good contrast for example are not only more welcoming and usable for people with low vision ,but also Improves the experience of a user using the smartphone while walking outside on a sunny day." - Nir Horesh, head of Wix SEO & accessibility 11. Optimize for mobile Smaller screens do not equal smaller impact. With an increase in smartphone and tablet usage, it’s crucial that you ensure a seamless browsing experience across all devices by optimizing your mobile website design. When creating a site with Wix, a mobile version of your site is automatically generated with the Mobile Editor. This means that you won’t have to worry about building a new structure from scratch. However, it’s still up to you to make sure you’re optimizing your content to fit this smaller piece of real estate. Firstly, on your mobile website design, try to keep only the most important elements on the page, removing whatever isn’t absolutely necessary. Secondly, optimize the space above the fold by placing the most vital bits of information there, such as your menu or name. This is what your visitors will see first on a mobile browser, so keep it engaging and informative. 12. Strengthen your SEO After you design a website, nothing is more satisfying than watching the number of visitors grow. One way to increase traffic to your website is to build a website design with SEO best practices. SEO (search engine optimization) is the practice of optimizing your website’s content so that it ranks well in search results. SEO requires time, patience and persistence in order to get results, but you can start setting up your SEO as you design your website. Here are some SEO tips that you can apply to your content to improve your chances of ranking in the top results: Conduct keyword research : Keyword research will help you find the keywords that are most relevant for your site. Once you have them, pick one main keyword and a couple of secondary ones—but no more than that. Place your keywords in strategic locations across your site (SEO title and description, homepage, etc.), but don’t overdo it. Search engines penalize websites that “stuff” keywords unnaturally into their content. Include on-page SEO: This is about telling search engines what your pages include. On each page, your website builder will ask you to fill in the meta-data. This includes the URL, the SEO title (the blue link you see on Google’s results page) and the description. Although visitors may not notice these elements, they’re important when it comes to ranking. Add alt text: Alt text refers to the descriptions that you give to your pictures. These won’t be visible to your visitors, but they give a strong indication to Google as to what the media is about. Google may have a lot of knowledge, but it can’t “see” photos or GIFs (yet!). Alt text will help your visual content appear in Google results pages. Plus, writing SEO friendly alt text for your images is also an important practice in improving your website’s accessibility. Boost internal linking: This will ultimately make it easier for Google’s bots to navigate through and recognize your website. Adding links throughout your website design will also encourage visitors to discover more pages. Create a sitemap: This will make it easier for Google and other search engines to crawl your site and understand what it's about. This can be done automatically with a Wix premium plan. 13. Engage with visitors These days, visitors expect to engage with you on your site and beyond. Including some of the following features when you design a website will keep your audience connected and informed. Connecting with your followers across multiple channels is a powerful way to build relationships with them—and will ultimately bring more eyes to your site. Live chat: Adding a live chat widget to your site makes a big difference in your visitors’ ability to interact with you. Whether it’s to provide fast customer support or to help undecided visitors make their way to the cart, this small window at the bottom of your users’ screen is a friendly addition. Social media: Similar to your website, your social media channels are an important aspect of your online presence. As you design your website, add links to your social accounts to build your social following and provide another outlet for visitors to connect with you. These should be located somewhere visible, such as under the menu, on the right or left side of your page, or in the footer. Newsletter: Email marketing is a great way to maintain a connection with your audience. You can use email newsletters to update visitors about the latest sales on your online store, promote new blog articles, or celebrate your achievements with subscribers. Invite visitors to subscribe to your newsletter by placing a lightbox on your website. Forms: One powerful way to build long-lasting relationships with your customers is to ask for their feedback. Creating an online form for your website makes sure that visitors have a safe place to share their thoughts about your products, services, website or customer support. Pro tip: Learn how to engage your visitors effectively with techniques like website gamification . 14. Ask for feedback, test and edit At this point, you may know how to design a website successfully, but there’s still room for growth. Being impartial is especially difficult when it comes to your own creation, which is why designing a website involves asking for honest feedback from individuals you trust. Be receptive to their critique and remember that you may not always like what you hear. To ensure a flawless final result, ask a friend or colleague to double check the following elements: Is the text correct? Spelling mistakes can ruin the professional reputation that you’ve worked so hard to build. Are the pages easy to navigate? If it takes too long to find a strategic page of your site, it means that you may need to rethink your site architecture or improve the visibility of your menu. Is your web design optimized for mobile? Over 50% of internet users browse websites using a mobile device. You certainly don’t want to leave half of the world’s population frustrated. Are all the links working? Click on every link to make sure none of them return a 404 page (this indicates that the page doesn’t exist anymore). Check to make sure your call-to-actions (CTA's) are working with the correct links too. Are the SEO elements filled out correctly? From alt text to title tags, there are some items to verify so you can rank higher and grow your search engine visibility. Run manual, automated and user experience tests to ensure everything works as expected. UX testing helps identify design issues before launch, ensuring the website meets user needs. Usability testing with real users highlights pain points, while A/B testing compares design variations to determine what performs best. Heatmaps reveal how visitors interact with your site, guiding improvements. These insights allow you to fine-tune your design for a smoother and more engaging user experience. Test your website on different browsers and devices to make sure it works perfectly for everyone. Something that runs smoothly on one browser might not on another, and the same goes for desktops, tablets or smartphones. This step ensures a consistent experience for every visitor, no matter their setup. Fix any errors or usability issues before launch. Check for broken links, speed up page load times and smooth out navigation or design hiccups. A fully functional, user-friendly site helps you make a great first impression right from the start. 15. Publish and update Having a website is a necessity. But having a website that is up-to-date is what really makes the difference. A site that looks like it’s been lying dormant for too long is uninviting and unreliable. Make sure to be alert, stay in-the-know and update or redesign your website's content as often as you can. As you learn how to design a website that constantly grows and evolves, you’ll need to know how to update your site. There’s always room for improvement, and you want to make sure that you keep your website design fresh. Stay savvy by keeping up with web design trends and UX design trends —use that knowledge to update your site’s design overtime. Don’t forget to keep your content up-to-date, too. Make sure it’s always relevant and proves to visitors that you’re on top of the latest developments in your industry. 16. Monitor and adjust your website Once your website is live, consistently track its performance. This will help you gain insights into user behavior, page traffic and engagement metrics. Regularly check these analytics to understand what's working and what may need improvement. Pay attention to high bounce rates, exit pages and user flow to identify any areas where visitors might be having trouble. User feedback can also be invaluable—consider implementing surveys or feedback forms to glean insights directly from your audience. Track your website’s performance by monitoring traffic and user behavior with tools like Google Analytics. These tools help you understand key metrics such as visitor demographics, session length and page views. Connect your site to analytics to make smart, data-driven decisions effortlessly. Use these insights to improve your content and make necessary updates. For example, if you notice high bounce rates on certain pages, try simplifying navigation or enhancing the content to keep visitors engaged. Armed with this data, be prepared to make necessary adjustments to your content, design or functionality to enhance user experience and achieve your website goals. Remember, a website that evolves with user needs and technological advancements will remain relevant and successful. Pro tip:  You can regularly track the growth of your web traffic  and performance of your site by utilizing Wix’s marketing integrations and connecting your website to tracking tools, like Google Analytics  or Google Search Console . What you need to design a website To design a website, you'll need the following: A domain name: This is the address of your website on the internet, such as example.com. You can register a domain name through a domain registrar. Web hosting: This is the service that stores your website's files and makes them accessible to visitors. You can purchase web hosting from a web hosting provider. A website builder or content management system (CMS): This is a software tool that helps you to create and manage your website's content. Using Wix as a CMS for web design offers you a wide range of templates, ease of use and affordability. Design assets: This includes images, videos and fonts that you will use to design your website. You can find design assets for free or purchase them from stock photo websites and other online resources. What to keep in mind when you design a website When it comes to designing a website, it's worth keeping the following in mind: Who are you designing the website for? What are their needs and interests? What kind of information are they looking for? This is all part of setting your goals for your website. What do you want visitors to do on your website? Do you want them to learn about your company, buy your products or contact you? Learn more: Why is web design important? Decide what your brand values are and what kind of image you want to project when you are designing your website. What colors, fonts and images will represent your brand? This is what your audience will come to associate with you, so choose carefully. Deciding how your website will be structured involves answering important questions, from figuring out how many pages it will have to how visitors will navigate from one page to another. Your website should be mobile-friendly, meaning that it looks good and functions properly on all devices, including desktops, laptops, tablets and smartphones. Make sure your website is accessible to people with disabilities, too. This means using high-contrast colors, large fonts and clear navigation. UX (user experience) is the overall experience of using a website. A good UX makes it easy for visitors to find what they're looking for and complete their desired tasks. On top of that, it's important that the design of your website be eye-catching and easy to use. Use colors, fonts and images that complement your brand and make the website easy to navigate. Make sure that your website is secure from hackers and malware. This means using secure passwords, encrypting sensitive data and keeping your software up to date. Pro tip:  Explore old-school types of layouts in nostalgic web design  and Y2K website design . When to design a website yourself or hire a web designer Whether you should design a website yourself or hire a web designer depends on a number of factors, including the following. Budget Hiring a web designer can be expensive, so it's important to consider your budget before making a decision. If you're on a tight budget, you may want to consider designing your own website using a website builder or CMS platform. Time commitment Designing a website can be a time-consuming process, especially if you're not familiar with web design. If you don't have the time to commit to designing your own website, then hiring a web designer may be the best option. Skills and experience If you have no experience with web design, then it may be difficult to create a website that is both visually appealing and functional. If you're not confident in your ability to design a website, hiring a web designer could be the best option. However, website builders like Wix offers easy-to-use templates for beginners, so it's not a necessity. What does a web designer do? A web designer brings a website to life by focusing on how it looks and feels. They choose colors, fonts, images and layouts that reflect your brand and create a visually appealing experience. But design isn’t just about aesthetics—a good web designer also thinks about usability, making sure your site is easy to navigate and guides visitors toward the actions you want them to take. Web designers plan for every device, creating layouts that look great on desktops, tablets and smartphones. They add visual content like icons, images and videos to support your message and collaborate with developers to make sure your site functions exactly as intended. The goal is a website that’s both beautiful and practical, giving visitors a smooth, intuitive experience from start to finish. Beyond design and functionality, web designers help maintain consistency across your brand. They ensure your website aligns with your company’s style, messaging and values while also optimizing usability and accessibility so everyone can enjoy a seamless experience. How to design a website with AI When it comes to designing a website, AI can enhance various aspects of the design process, from user experience (UX) to visual design and even content creation. The simplest way to get started is by firing up a platform like Wix's AI maker. A solution like this can connect you with advanced AI tools that take care of the back-end and front-end development of your site, so you can focus on the vision for your brand and business. Meanwhile, AI will suggest the best layout and design for your site based on business goals. Platforms like Wix will go a step further and set you up with the right pages and business applications. For example, if you run a gym that hosts events and also sells its own apparel, Wix will automatically connect your site with its Bookings and Stores apps. This ensures that you not only have a professional-looking website, but also a fully functional workspace for managing all aspects of your business online. Sign up for Wix and test drive its AI website maker for free today. How to design a website FAQ How much does it cost to design a website? The cost of designing a website varies. You can start designing a website for free, with a website builder like Wix or choose from a premium plan. Using a designer or expert to design your website could cost from several hundred to thousands of dollars. Can I design a website by myself? Yes. With an easy to use website builder like Wix, you can create a website by yourself for your business or brand. Do businesses really need a website? In today's digital age, businesses need a website more than ever. A website is a great way to reach new customers, promote your products or services, and build your brand. If you don't have a website, you are missing out on a lot of potential opportunities. How do you design a website from scratch? Here are some tips for designing a website from scratch: Start with a clear plan: Before you start designing your website, it's important to have a clear plan of what you want your website to achieve. What do you want your website to do? Who is your target audience? What are your goals for your website? Do your research: Once you have a clear plan, it's important to do your research. This includes researching different website design trends, as well as researching your target audience. Choose the right tools: You can design a website for free using a website builder like Wix. If you want a more powerful website, you will need to upgrade to a paid plan. Start designing: Once you have chosen the right tools, you can start designing your website. This is where you will put all of your ideas together and create the look and feel of your website. Test and refine: Once you have designed your website, it's important to test it and make sure it works properly. You should also refine the design based on your feedback. What are the best platforms for designing a website without coding knowledge? Wix is a popular platform for users with no coding experience. They offer drag-and-drop interfaces, customizable templates and built-in features What are some common mistakes to avoid when designing a website? Common website design blunders include neglecting user experience, focusing solely on aesthetics over functionality, ignoring mobile friendly techniques, overusing visuals and animations, neglecting clear navigation and choosing a slow loading website. How to design a mobile friendly website? Wix's mobile editor, for example, allows you to preview and edit your site's mobile view. Ensure your content is easily readable and accessible on small screens. Use large buttons and clear navigation for easy interaction.

  • How to make a Wix website

    Turn your ideas into a website you love with Wix →   So, you want to create a website? Good news: making a website has never been easier. These days, there are a number of website builders that make designing a site as simple as following a recipe. A mature website builder like Wix can also make running your business online significantly easier.  Wix gives you a range of high-quality features—a drag-and-drop website editor, templates, AI, marketing tools and native business solutions—so you can start creating right away. Keep reading to learn how to make a Wix website by bringing all of your favorite elements together.  Learn more about how to use Wix  as a website builder and to manage your business. How to make a website with Wix Define your goals Pick your starting point Review and organize your pages Customize the design as desired Create your content Choose a domain name Get familiar with web hosting Promote and track your website 01. Define your goals Creating a website starts with considering the goal of your website. Do you want to monetize your website , or simply share your favorite recipes? Whatever your aim is, be clear about your definition of success. This will help you determine the best platform, design and timeline for your project. “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.”   - Adi Huri, product and creative director at Wow!, Wix If you're still unsure about the kind of website that suits you, take some time to explore the different types of websites  available or explore these website ideas  for inspiration. Your website could serve as: An online store where you sell custom merchandise, handmade items, branded products or even dropshipped items. (See our guides specifically on  how to start an online store  or how to make an eCommerce website .) A blog where you share your own insights, interview experts or engage a community of people who share a common interest. (Learn  how to start a blog .) An online portfolio , which exists as a type of  static website  that shows off your experience to potential employers or clients. (Learn  how to make an online portfolio .) Note: One website can serve multiple purposes. You can  create an online store  that also has a blog. Or, you can  create a blog  that sells merchandise.  Related reading: How long does it take to build a website? I built a Wix website for my mom: here's how it went What is a Wix website? Is Wix good for website building? 02. Pick your starting point When you start building a website on Wix, you have two main ways to get started: Use the AI website builder . Create a fully functional site by answering a few quick questions. The AI will automatically generate the layout, content structure and design elements, giving you a ready-to-use starting point. Start with a designer-made template. Choose from more than 2,000 website templates , which are tailored to different business types and industries. You can select a template that closely matches the style and layout you already envision, then customize it using the editor. Choosing a starting point depends on your workflow and priorities. The AI website builder is faster for immediate results, while templates provide a stronger visual starting point. Either way, you can customize and refine your site further from Wix's drag-and-drop editor. Both choices mean you'll avoid making some of the most common website building mistakes out there. See these  Wix websites  for inspiration. Learn more:   AI vs. template: Which should I use to create my website? How to vibe code a website How to create a professional website How my 14-year-old son built a website that 6x'd his sales Special note If you're an agency owner creating a website  for clients, or manage an enterprise with complex design needs, Wix also offers Wix Studio. Wix Studio offers a collaborative platform and unparalleled customization options. Enjoy precise control over your design and easily create highly responsive, intricate animations. Discover more about  Wix Studio . For more advanced website development  needs, the Wix Editor offers access to Velo  by Wix. Velo supports markup languages like  HTML ,  CSS  and  Javascript  for custom-coding elements of your site. For example, you can connect custom  databases  and build  dynamic content , or use JavaScript to add more interactive behaviors. As another option, you can use Velo APIs to install a  Wix website app  to an existing site. (Learn more about Wix  Wix Headless .)  03. Review and organize your pages Once you have a first draft of your website, either from the AI website builder or a template, it’s a good idea to step back and review the pages that are included. Make sure that all the essential web pages are covered, and check that each one clearly serves your visitors’ needs. Start with the basics— homepage , about page, and contact page—and then consider whether any additional pages would improve your site’s structure and usability. Here are some common page types to check for: Category pages: Category pages are helpful for organizing content, especially on an eCommerce site or blog. A category page can act as a navigational element, guiding visitors to the content that they’re looking for in a friendly, familiar way.    Product pages: Product pages should highlight key features and benefits of your product, giving enough space for images, videos and dynamic sections (such as “recommended products”). You may even want to include a reviews section, or an area showcasing user-submitted photos. Services page: Here you can list the services you offer. For example, if you’re a freelance writer, you can talk about the types of projects you take on or the types of packages you offer. Support page: A support page can include information on how to get in touch with your team, or how to handle situations like a return or issues with shipping. Checkout page: Whether you run an eCommerce or service-based business, a checkout page can simplify (and speed up) the sales process. Make sure to offer multiple ways of paying and keep your form clear and to the point.    FAQ: Address common questions and concerns upfront to build trust and set the right expectations. Regularly update this page as new questions arise. Testimonials/review page:  A review page can consist of video testimonials, star ratings and/or written reviews. Privacy policy page: A privacy policy page can demonstrate that you take your customers’ privacy seriously. It may also be a legal requirement if you do business in certain countries or states. Read also:  How to build a homepage   04. Customize the design as desired At this point, you’ve probably got all the bones of your website in order. Now, it’s time to refine any details you wish. Considering how 75% of website’s credibility is influenced by its design, you’ll want to be very intentional about each component of your site. Here’s how to fine-tune the main components. Colors Colors are one of the first things visitors notice and can influence how they feel about your site. Use a main brand color with a few complementary shades to keep your design consistent, and reserve bright or contrasting hues for buttons and calls to action. Your color choices set the tone—bright colors like yellow feel energetic, while muted tones like brown convey warmth and reliability. For example, Simply Ollie uses earth tones to create a cozy, nostalgic vibe that matches its products and brand values. You can adjust your site’s colors directly in the Wix Editor, or use the Theme Assistant if you need guidance. Menus Your site’s menu is the main way visitors navigate your pages, so check that it’s organized and clearly reflects your site goals. Make sure each page is easy to find and labeled in a way that makes sense for your audience. For example, a travel blog could group content by destination or type of trip (e.g., city- vs. nature-oriented trips) , while a service site might highlight key offerings. “Keep in mind that the menu is the map of your website. By adding the right pages to your menu, in the right order, it can be the heart of your website’s success.” - Adi Huri, product and creative director at Wow!, Wix Buttons Small but mighty, buttons guide your visitors to the next step, whether that’s completing a purchase, subscribing to your blog or signing up for your service. They can also help you track engagement. Simply put, if people are clicking your buttons, they’re interested in what you have to offer (or curious enough to stick around). But for buttons to work, they need to be clear and noticeable. Visitors should know exactly where a button leads, and never feel confused after clicking it. Take a moment to review your buttons and make sure they’re clearly labeled and placed where people naturally look. Remember, both text and graphics can help here. Most people instantly recognize icons like social media symbols or a “download” arrow. In the Wix Editor, you can even add hover effects to make your buttons pop more. Visual elements and effects While all of  web design  is visual, certain elements truly enhance the user experience of your site. Things like images, shapes and scrolling effects can catch users’ eyes. At the same time, you want to avoid overwhelming your visitors.  Prioritize simplicity by using a clean, straightforward layout and giving each element enough space to breathe. Balance visuals and content so that images, videos and effects highlight key information rather than distract from it. Always use high-quality media; select high-resolution images and videos that are relevant, plus add value to the page.  When you’re building a site on Wix, you can take advantage of stock content or the AI image creator to jazz up your site. You can experiment with different shapes, layouts, backgrounds, animations and scrolling effects. Or, use one of Wix’s branding tools—like the Wix logo maker —to develop your brand identity if you’re just starting a business.   Read up on more image optimization  techniques and about what web design is . Mobile web design A whopping 96% of the global digital population  now uses a mobile device to connect to the internet. It goes without saying that you’ll want to give some TLC to your site’s mobile experience and consider the case for making a  responsive vs. adaptive website . Because phone screens are smaller than desktops, layouts should be adjusted accordingly. Prioritize what appears first (above the fold), and move or remove less essential elements for a smoother mobile experience. Make navigation simple by placing key links at the top. Many mobile sites use a hamburger menu (three horizontal lines) to organize and condense links. Website performance and speed are just as important. Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or the Wix Site Speed Dashboard to check your scores and Core Web Vitals. Faster sites deliver a better user experience. If you’re using Wix, your site is already optimized with globally distributed servers, auto- caching and WebP image optimization. You can also preview and edit your mobile site in the Editor, or turn your website into an app with the AI-powered Branded App tool. Learn more: How to choose a website template on Wix 05. Create your content  Your site may already come with placeholder text and images, but this is your chance to make it truly yours. The words and visuals you choose will shape how visitors experience your brand—and whether they take the actions you want. Review each section and decide what you want to keep, revise or remove. Consider whether your message is best conveyed through text, visuals or a mix of both. For example, if you want visitors to take a specific action, make that clear in your copy. If you’re introducing a new product or service, a video or image may be more effective. As you update your content, keep SEO best practices in mind: Incorporate relevant keywords naturally into your copy Write unique meta descriptions and title tags for each page (you can use Wix’s AI meta tag creator for help) Use header tags (H1, H2, H3) to structure your content clearly Include links to other relevant pages on your website to guide users and boost engagement Create content that aligns with search intent and answers visitors’ questions Website builders like Wix combine their content management software  with their editors, helping you manage content effectively and experiment with static vs. dynamic website  content. You can additionally tap into built-in AI tools for generating unique text or images for your site. “There are over 2 billion websites out there and we all visit many of them daily. With visual and textual content you have the opportunity to make a statement and have your site stand out. This is the place to add your brand personality. If you are more traditional, no need to go wild. Often, unique copy or a cool visual is all you need for your site to be memorable.”  - Adi Huri, product and creative director at Wow!, Wix 06. Choose a domain name Your domain name is your site's title, which makes it easily identifiable and accessible. A custom domain name also adds a professional touch. For this reason, domain names often match their brand names, like Wix and wix.com. To understand better how to choose a domain name, start by understanding what a domain is . Then, pick an appropriate domain extension  (.com, .net, etc.) and consider relevant subdomains. Once you've decided,  purchase your domain name  through an official registrar like Wix. Note: If you publish your site under a free account, Wix provides a default domain name. However, you can always purchase a custom domain and choose what will become your top-level domain. Or, if you upgrade to any of Wix’s paid plans, you get a private domain free for the first year. (Learn more about how to build your website for free. ) Need help finding the perfect domain name? Try using a  website name generator  for inspiration or check out our list of website name ideas . Examples of available domain extensions:  .de domain .xyz domain .ch domain .store domain .info domain 07. Get familiar with web hosting At this point, you might be wondering how to make sure that your website actually goes live and can be found online. This is where web hosting comes into play. Web hosting is like a storage house for your website, ensuring it’s accessible on the internet. There are different types, like VPS, shared hosting, managed hosting  and cloud hosting . Read more: What is web hosting? With Wix, you automatically get free web hosting  when you publish your site, so you don’t need an external host or your own web server . The platform utilizes multiple  content delivery networks  around to maintain a 99.99% uptime.  Security is covered, too. Wix provides 24/7 monitoring, auto backups, enterprise-grade website security , TLS  and public key certification for every site. You can further secure your site with measures like multi-factor authentication .  Is my Wix website secure? Yes and we explain how. 08. Promote your website The work doesn’t end after you’ve published your site. Once your site is live, you’ll want to proactively draw visitors to your pages using strategies like the ones below.  Social media marketing Using social media to promote your new website involves a strategic blend of content creation, audience engagement and targeted advertising.  The most important tip here: avoid spreading yourself too thin and focus on the platform(s) where your target audience is most active. Utilize Wix’s social media schedule tools, in addition to the AI caption creator and social ads features to keep everything in one place.  Invite two-way conversation. Make sure you’re not simply talking at your followers and bombarding them with content they don’t care about. Pay attention to what they post. Respond to their comments.  Consider collaborating with influencers and industry leaders who can endorse your website and attract their followers to your platform. SEO and GEO SEO remains a key factor in your website’s success, but it’s more than just keywords. It’s about optimizing your content, structure and user experience to be discoverable by search engines and relevant to your audience. Fortunately, Wix’s SEO  features provide a solid infrastructure to meet search engine requirements. You’ve got AI-powered text writers, assistants and checklists to provide suggestions on how to improve your content for ranking. For advanced users, Wix offers tools like a robots.txt editor, dynamic XML sitemaps and customizable canonical tags to further optimize your site. In addition, Wix offers tools for GEO (short for "generative engine optimization") and LLM optimization. For instance, the AI Site Overview report helps you understand how people are finding your website through AI platforms like ChatGPT. This, in turn, can inform how you can improve the content and type of information your offer on your site. “GEO is SEO for the AI era, providing users an all‑new level of search visibility...Just as we’ve supported our users in optimizing for traditional search engines, we’re now equipping them to navigate and succeed in an AI-driven landscape. With the AI Visibility Overview, businesses can finally see how they’re being represented—and take steps to increase visibility, influence perception and drive real outcomes." - Doreen Weissfelner, head of analytics at Wix Google My Business A Google My Business (GMB) profile is especially handy if you have a physical storefront. For many business owners, GMB is important for local discoverability—it serves as a listing on Google Search and Google Maps.  You can set up a GMB profile directly inside Wix. Once it’s set up, your GMB profile will provide a snapshot of your business location, hours, contact info, reviews and website. Make sure to fill out your profile as fully as possible. Add helpful visuals. Explore GMB’s extended capabilities. And carefully choose your category (a generic category like “restaurant” will be swarming with competition, whereas a category like “Italian restaurant” will be less competitive). Web analytics Web analytics tools  are like your eyes and ears online. They show you how people interact with your site, helping you identify issues and improve your website management  in the long run.   Analytics like visitor counts, click paths, purchase rates and most engaged regions can guide how you tailor your content or offers. Most importantly, web analytics can help you dissect user behavior. For instance, if many users leave before reaching the checkout button, you may need to rethink your button placement or webpage design.  In a similar vein, data like this may point to the best ways to promote or monetize your site.  Use  Wix Analytics  to your advantage. Wix Analytics will provide you with essential data (e.g., the total number of site visitors, time spent on pages, number of sales and much more). You can additionally use the AI Site Overview tool (as mentioned earlier) to track the behaviors of people who find you through AI platforms and/or integrate Google Analytics for comprehensive insights.  How to make a website FAQ How much does it cost to make a website? A website can be built for free, with a website builder like Wix. Or you can opt for a premium plan where prices range from tens to hundreds of dollars, depending on the website builder you choose. If you hire a developer or technical designer to make a website it could cost in the thousands. How long does it take to build a website? The time it takes to build a website can vary significantly depending on various factors, including the complexity and functionality of the website, the design requirements, the size of the project team, and the availability of resources. A simple website could take a day, a more complex one several months. Do I need a technical designer to create a website? Not if you use a website builder, like Wix. The editor is easy to use and customize. Do I need a web developer to build a website? It will depend on the functionality on your site, but to build a website from scratch or even a professional website for your business, if you use a website builder, a developer isn't necessary. How do I create a business website? Choose a website builder that can help you create a business website that will scale with your business, and allow for added functionality - like an online store. How do I build a website from scratch? Start by choosing the right website builder for your needs, then plan out your webpages, design and content. Every website starts with a great idea or brand so lead with this. How do I make a professional website? First decide what type of professional website you want, including if you want your professional site to be a portfolio site or not. Then choose your website builder, plan out your pages and functionality, work on the design and then promote your website with SEO and other marketing strategies.

  • How to make money blogging: Guide & real examples

    Ready to share your ideas with the world? Start your blog → Want to learn how to make money blogging? It all starts when you create a blog  using a website builder . Publishing your first post is the essential first step—without it, you can’t start earning. From there, it’s about growing your audience, sharing valuable content and finding ways to turn traffic into income. If you’re wondering how to make a blog  that can generate revenue, this guide will walk you through the process: setting up your site, building steady traffic and taking practical steps to turn your blog into a profitable venture. Ready to learn  how to monetize a blog ? Get started on your blog with  Wix . TL;DR: how to make money blogging There’s no one way to make money online —bloggers can earn money in many ways, including affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, digital products and courses, ads, paid subscriptions, consulting or freelancing, physical products and guest blogging. By consistently creating valuable content and growing your audience, blogging can become a steady source of income and even a full-time business over time. How to make money What it means Affiliate marketing Share links and earn money when people buy Sponsored posts Get paid to write about a company’s product Sell digital products Sell things like eBooks or online courses Ads on your blog Put ads on your site and earn when people click Paid subscriptions Charge for special content or memberships Consulting or freelancing Offer your skills or advice to others Sell physical products Sell stuff like merchandise or tools Guest blogging Write for other blogs to get known and grow How much money can you make blogging? Before I started blogging, I used to wonder, how much money can someone actually make blogging as a beginner ?  But then I came across a finance blog called Millennial Money, and their stats blew my mind. They reported that after just two years of growing traffic and subscribers, bloggers can earn upwards of $100,000  annually. Within the first year, many new bloggers make anywhere from $500-$2,000 per month. Hearing about real-life bloggers making that kind of income from all  types of websites  was eye-opening, but what really stuck with me were the lessons behind those numbers. I started playing closer attention to how successful bloggers were turning their websites into actual income streams. How much money can you make blogging? - bloggerspassion.com As you can see, you can earn a wide income range as a blogger. But aside from the numbers, remember these important takeaways before you begin: You don’t need to be a professional writer to make it work.  I used to think that every blog post needed to sound like an experienced writer had written it. Turns out, readers care way more about someone who can speak to them honestly and provide value. Diversify your income streams.  Some of the most successful bloggers I know use a mix of affiliate links, sponsored posts and selling their own products. More strategies give you more chances to earn.  Follow tried-and-true strategies from successful bloggers. One thing I noticed early on is that blogging doesn’t reinvent the wheel. The same monetization methods work again and again if you know how to implement them. Starting a blog should feel exciting, not overwhelming, right? With the Wix Blog Maker, you get everything you need to create, design and grow your blog from scratch–without needing a tech degree. Use Wix’s intuitive tools to share your ideas with the world.  How to make money blogging in 11 steps If you’re ready to take your blog from a creative outlet to something that actually pays the bills, here’s the plan I’ve followed and refined over time: Choose a profitable niche Scale your blog content Build a reputation Promote and grow Go into affiliate marketing Write sponsored content and reviews Sell digital products (online courses, eBooks and more) Advertise within your blog Offer paid subscriptions Provide consulting or freelancing services Sell physical products Discover the top ways to make money blogging — from display ads and affiliate marketing to sponsored content, digital products and courses, memberships and subscriptions, freelance and consulting work, physical products and guest blogging. How to make money blogging: build your online presence Before you start making money, you’ll need to consider how to make a website , how to start a blog and how to grow your audience. Think of it this way: more traffic to your blog can equal more money. For that reason, earning money begins with choosing a strategic blogging niche and spreading the word about your blog. Here’s how to do it: 01. Choose a profitable niche If you’re just starting a blog, you're probably asking yourself— what should I write about? Take Cup of Jo  for example. A women’s lifestyle site that explores topics like parenting, relationships and culture. With over 4 million monthly page views and almost 1 million monthly unique visitors (according to the site), the blog shows that when you offer relatable content to a niche audience, you can build a loyal following.  Before you dive into writing, you’ll need to select a blog niche . To find my niche, I asked myself three questions, and you should too: What are my interests? You’ll be investing a lot of time here, so you’ve got to choose something you care about.  Who is my audience? Imagine your audience and what they’re searching the web for. Which topics are profitable? Passion is a must, but if you’re hoping to earn from it, look for niches that offer income opportunities. For example, a travel blog can feature affiliate links to travel booking websites. Learn more: How to start a travel blog How to make money as a travel blogger Travel blog name ideas What are my interests? You’ll want to write about a topic you’re passionate and knowledgeable about to sustain your blogging efforts for the long term. Consider your level of professional experience as well. If you have no prior connections to your blogging niche, you’ll find it harder to establish yourself as a credible source in that industry. On the other hand, if you have work experience, educational background or connections in a particular field, you can write blog posts about those subjects and build trust among your readership. Take a look at these blog ideas —they'll jumpstart your imagination. Learn more: blogging vs eCommerce , blogging vs freelance writing . Who is my blog audience? Readers will flock to blogs that provide in-demand information and insight. After you’ve decided on your niche, think about which readers you may attract, the problems they face and the solutions they seek. This way, you can create and monetize a blog that provides this group the answers they need. Which blog topics are profitable? While you can blog about nearly anything, some blog niches can earn more money than others. To anticipate whether you can make money blogging with a particular niche, consider the sales opportunities in that subject area. For instance, a cooking blog could promote affiliate links in an article about the top kitchen appliances or sell ad space to culinary brands. A digital marketing blog could sell ebooks or offer consulting services. Types of blogs that make money Several types of blogs can be profitable if you know how to manage them strategically but here are the most common: Business and marketing blogs Finance blog Health blogs Fashion blogs DIY and crafts blogs Nutrition and food blogs Lifestyle blogs Whichever niche you choose for your blog, think about how you’ll monetize it from the beginning and set income goals to build a strong foundation. If you’re still stuck on what niche to focus on, these blog examples can help provide guide you in the right direction. Travel and food blog templates 02. Scale your blog content Now that you’ve selected your blog niche, it’s time to start creating content. As you begin, keep in mind that the research and planning behind your articles can influence your blog’s financial success just as much as the writing itself. On top of that, you’ll want to upload new content consistently and frequently without compromising on quality. Here’s what you should know as you start creating and scaling your content: Choose the right blog topics Just as you selected a strategic blog niche, you’ll also want to choose strategic topics to write about. The best topics must accomplish two things: They address the needs of your target audience and offer them a thoughtful, actionable solution. They target keywords with high search volumes—a number that indicates how many people look up a given word or topic during a selected time frame (typically one month). The higher the keyword volume, the more historic interest in that topic. When your articles provide a thorough answer to people’s search queries, the more likely it will organically rank on search engines—which, in turn, will bring people to your site. Don’t overlook the importance of writing headlines, either. The catchier your blog titles , the more likely people will click to read the content. Tip: Use a handy title generator tool to craft effective headlines that grab readers’ attention. Expert tip from Sharon Hafuta, SEO blog editor at Wix.com : “When blogging, it’s easy to think, 'The more I blog, the more people will read it.' And that may be true in some circumstances. But it’s also about striking a balance between quality and quantity, as well as brevity and exploring your content in sufficient detail, to keep your audience engaged and coming back for more—a concept sometimes referred to as 'blog cadence.'" Post blog content consistently To get more site visitors, you’ll need to post fresh content frequently. Based on the size and needs of your blog, the frequency of posting may vary. HubSpot recommends one to four posts per week, but some larger companies may post an article daily, or in some cases multiple times a day. On top of that, you’ll want to stay consistent in your publishing cadence. Don’t release a huge batch of articles one week, only to publish nothing the following week. Instead, create an editorial calendar and plan a consistent publishing schedule ahead of time. Distribute the workload As you consider how to make money blogging, remember that while you’re building your online presence, you’re also sharpening your entrepreneurial skills. You’ll soon find it hard to create upwards of three posts per week while also managing your business. Still, don’t let that slow you down. Consider getting extra help as you launch your blog so that you can scale your content quickly. You can do this by: Outsourcing some content to freelancers Letting other bloggers publish articles on your site (a great free option for you that also gives publicity to the guest contributor). Whichever option you choose, structure your workload to focus on business strategy as well as writing. Expert tip from Miyuki Shimose, SEO and marketing blogger at Wix : "The most challenging aspect of blogging is staying consistent. My trick for maintaining a consistent blog is to systematize. For example, designate just one day a week for blog editing. On that day, create two articles and schedule them for automatic publication. By repeating this each week, you can publish up to eight articles per month. This leaves you with other days to focus on tasks like researching keywords, monitoring traffic and concentrating on other things you want to do. This helps you maintain a steady publishing and optimization cadence without burning out." 03. Build a reputation as a blogger Once you’ve created a large amount of strategic content, establish yourself as an authority in your field as the next step toward making money blogging. These tips will help guide you: Try guest blogging Start by expanding your online presence, particularly in the blogosphere . You can reach out to online publications in your niche and pitch ideas for guest posts. Remember to send a link to your blog alongside your pitch as evidence of your experience in the field. To find guest blogging opportunities, browse your favorite publications to see if they publish content by outside contributors. Here is a list of 101 guest posting publications and sites that might be worth reaching out to. Some include: Mashable Smashing Magazine CopyBlogger Entrepreneur.com New York Times Op-Ed Section Inc.com Business Insider Forbes Opinion Section Alternatively, if you follow any bloggers in your niche, you can search for their name online and see where they’re getting published. That will point you toward sites that accept guest content. From there, you can pitch an idea to a writer or editor over email or via LinkedIn. If you already have a relationship with them on Twitter, you can also pitch them ideas there. Professionals in the online publishing world commonly use these social media platforms. Don’t be discouraged if a publication doesn’t accept your pitch right away. Rejections are commonplace even for seasoned professionals in the publishing world. Your pitches will be accepted as you improve your outreach efforts. Besides, the more content you have published, the more you’ll build up your reputation—and the more likely a publication will want to publish you in the future. Fashion & beauty blog templates If you’re lucky, some publications may offer you payment for your contributed content—a great start to making money blogging. That said, even if guest posting doesn't compensate you financially, it’s still valuable. In return, you get to network with others in your field, grow your readership and establish your expertise and authority. With enough experience, you could eventually land your own guest column. Guest blogging also provides backlinks to your own blog—an important search engine optimization (SEO) signal. Read this article for more tips on SEO for bloggers . Expert tip from Sharon Greenfeld, outreach team lead at Wix : "When it comes to guest posting, it's in both parties' interests to attract visitors and readers to this new piece of content. As part of the agreement with the other party, make sure that you both agree to share the post link on your own social channels and platforms." - Collaborate with experts You can also work closely with other experts in your field to establish credibility, gain exposure and build an audience. Reach out to professionals within your blogging niche—for example, a successful guest writer you follow or the editor of your favorite publication. Ask if you can conduct an interview with them, either as a guest post or for publication on your own blog. While this may seem like a bold request, people in this position often happily give interviews since it also increases their exposure. Likewise, you can cross-promote other bloggers in your industry. Give their articles a shoutout on your social media posts and blog, and engage with them on Twitter. They’ll likely start reading your content to return the favor. 04. Promote and grow your blog The more people read your blog, the more easily you can earn an income from it. For that reason, growing your website traffic is an important stepping stone for making money from your blog. Before we dive into how to promote your blog , keep in mind that you must continually market your work. You should promote your site alongside all other steps, from the very moment you publish your blog. Even as your readership grows, marketing your site will be just as crucial to its success as the blogging process itself. Spread the word and build your popularity with the following tactics: 01. Optimize for SEO Using SEO features is critical for your website’s visibility on search engines like Google. If you want people to find your blog, create content that ranks on the first page of organic search results for relevant queries. For example, if you’re creating a baking blog, you’ll want to appear in the top results for queries such as “birthday cake recipes” and “carrot cake recipes.” To do this, you should not only strive to create the most informative blog posts on the web, but you should also focus on blog SEO to optimize these posts by using strategic long tail keywords—a specific type of keyword that targets your precise audience. While this might sound intimidating, beginner bloggers can easily learn how to find these keywords, especially with the help of certain keyword research tools. These types of blogging tools—which includes Google Keyword Planner , SEMrush , Ahrefs and more—point you directly to the terms you should include. If you’re completely new to SEO and keyword research, it’s worthwhile to set aside some time to take a quick online SEO course, many of which are available for free. Wix’s SEO Learning Hub is a great place to start. You can also take a look at this blog post checklist to make sure you’ve covered all the SEO basics, from keyword research to image optimization. 02. Create a blog newsletter Another way to increase blog traffic —and make money as a result—is by learning how to make a newsletter to promote your content. This will ensure that people who find your blog will come back to read future posts. But what is a newsletter ? It’s a way to connect with your audience regularly through email content that's valuable and engaging. It’s a direct line to your readers, giving you the chance to share updates, tips and offers, all while keeping them coming back for more. How do you get people to subscribe to your newsletter in the first place? Use these ideas: Create lead magnets: People will likely sign up if they receive something valuable in exchange. Commonly known as “freebies,” lead magnets are just incentives that you offer in exchange for a subscription. Your offers might include a free ebook or guide, a complementary slide deck or online course, or a coupon code for your online store. Use opt-in forms: Opt-in boxes typically take the form of pop-ups or slide-ins asking readers to subscribe. Because they’re hard to ignore, they tend to grab the attention of site visitors more so than static text. You might choose to create an opt-in form that directly tells visitors to subscribe to your emails. Another route is to make opt-in online forms that highlight your lead magnets and ask visitors to enter their email addresses in exchange for the free reward. Build an email list: A dedicated email list allows you to tap directly into readers’ inboxes and share your most relevant content. Once you’ve secured your list, nurture your relationship with your readers. Avoid spamming or over-sending. Instead, choose a dedicated day and time that you send out your newsletter, so readers can rely on it. Expert tip from Dor Cohen, distribution specialist at Wix: “A newsletter cultivates an engaged readership that goes beyond the casual blog visitor who arrives from SERPs. It allows you to build a community around your content and establish deeper connections with your audience, keeping subscribers eagerly anticipating your next email and fostering brand loyalty. It provides a direct channel to share your latest posts, showcase different voices and promote offerings—helping retain readers between blog visits. A newsletter turns casual visitors into an invested audience that keeps growing alongside your blog.” 03. Build a social media strategy Not promoting your blog articles on social media can be a major blogging mistake . Social media marketing, like SEO, is a great free way to gain exposure. Not only should you share a link to your blog on your personal channels, but you should also consider creating separate dedicated social media accounts for your blog. Try creating a Facebook business page so that you can promote your blog on Facebook , as well as dedicated business accounts on Instagram and YouTube. Once you do this, create content to accompany your articles to grow your audience. One option is to lead with microblogging . For example, make Instagram and Pinterest posts (see how to use Pinterest for blogging ) that feature images or infographics and then link back to your blog articles within the posts. Likewise, you can repurpose your blog content as YouTube videos or shorts, or TikTok or Instagram reels and then include a link to the relevant article beneath each video. Learn more about blogging vs instagram or blogging vs Youtube  in our guide. 04. Get creative: start a podcast or webinar Expand your reach even further with different types of creative content formats. Post informative how-to videos on your site and share your insights by starting a podcast or hosting a webinar. The more varieties of content you create to promote yourself as an expert in your field, the more likely people will discover your blog. While you should initially offer this content for free to build your audience and drive traffic to your blog, you can eventually start charging to create an additional source of revenue. Keep this in mind as you plan how to make money from your blog. How to make money blogging, part 2: Monetize your content To start making money with your blog, you’ll want to consider popular ways to monetize your blog beyond its content: Online courses and workshops Advertise within your blog Offer paid subscriptions, similar to a membership website Sell merchandise and physical products Add affiliate marketing links Write sponsored content and reviews Provide consulting services (learn how to start a consulting blog ) Books and ebooks (digital products) Webinars Speaking gigs Consulting services on how to grow a blog Freelance services for writing, content creation Sell digital downloads Now that you’ve set your blog up for success, here’s how to earn a profit using the methods above: 05. Go into affiliate marketing Remember when we looked at how much money bloggers actually earn? Their expense reports show us that nearly all top bloggers use affiliate marketing as part of their monetization strategy. And for good reason: affiliate marketing is a relatively easy source of passive income. Affiliate marketing essentially means that you make money blogging by promoting other people’s products. This involves adding affiliate links to various products or services within your posts, throughout your site or across your social media accounts. When your site visitors click on those links and make a purchase, you’ll earn a commission from the sale. To find brands to partner with as an affiliate, do your market research and browse the web for affiliate marketing programs that can connect you with different products or companies. Some of the most popular programs include: CJ Affiliate :  Connect with widely recognized brands and earn commissions by promoting their products. ShareASale :  Build profitable partnerships with brands across a variety of sectors. Amazon Associates :  Promote products sold on Amazon and earn up to 10% in associate commissions. Clickbank : Explore a range of ecommerce tools, a global affiliate marketplace and gain access to support and education. Affiliate marketing is an effective strategy for both professional and  personal blogs , so take the time to try out a few different platforms to find what works best for you. 06. Write sponsored content and reviews As your blog grows, companies may approach you with sponsorship opportunities. The company will compensate you for each post you create that advertises their products to your audience. Often, these gigs come with extra perks, like free products from the company for you to review. These posts tend to take the form of product reviews or other demonstrations of how you use a company’s products or services. A good practice is to recommend products you truly believe in so that you retain your readers’ trust. In addition, look for partnerships that enable you to create a series of sponsored posts across an extended period of time. This ensures a recurring source of revenue. To find these opportunities, you don’t need to wait around for companies to find you. Reach out to the top organizations in your field and inquire about sponsorship options. Be sure to explain why the brand would benefit from the collaboration. For instance, tell them about your number of monthly visitors and what they stand to gain from reaching your audience. 07. Sell digital products (online courses, ebooks and more) Creating and selling online courses can be profitable, especially when you tap into a niche area that isn't easily accessible online. By offering unique and specialized knowledge, you set yourself apart from the sea of information available with a quick Google search. This exclusivity not only attracts a dedicated audience eager to learn from you but also positions you as an expert in your field. Another revenue-creating option is selling products directly through your blog. To do this, you can open an online store and sell items related to your blog niche or personal brand. Here are some options to get brainstorming for the kinds of items you can sell: Ebooks Online courses/Vlog Webinars and virtual events or meet ups T-shirts, stickers and merchandise with your blog logo (use a free logo maker ) Handmade crafts and other goods Printables Workshops Digital downloads Website templates Downloadable guides If you started a fitness blog , for example, you might sell branded sports equipment. Take a look at Minimalist Baker , for example, a personal blog turned online shop and foodie haven for many. Founded in 2012 by Dana Shultz, the blog's foundation is based on the criteria of 10 ingredients or less, one bowl and 30 minutes (or less) to prepare. Shultz authored a successful book, Minimalist Baker’s Everyday Cooking, with a large online community, has over 2 million followers on Instagram and a full-scale merchandise line selling baking mixes, kitchen essentials, pantry items and even photography and lighting equipment. It’s an excellent example of a blog making money by providing value through merchandising, as well as online recipes and workshops. 08. Advertise within your blog One way to make money blogging is to  add Google AdSense ads to your blog posts —and generate income as a result. What, exactly, is  Google AdSense ? The program allows you to place ad spaces on your site. Google then fills those spaces with relevant advertisements for your blog and site visitors. You, in turn, earn money when users view or click those ads. According to Wordstream , if you take the average CPCs (cost per click) across all different types of businesses and keywords in the US, the overall average CPC in Google Ads is between $1 and $2. According to Emilio García, SEO podcaster and educator at Campamento Web: “To generate revenue with your niche website, you have two common options: displaying ads through Google AdSense or using affiliate programs that allow you to earn money for each sale you generate.” This popular and lucrative advertising  program allows bloggers to turn their website traffic into money. Through the advertising network you have the freedom to choose your preferred ad sizes, shapes and placement, allowing you to optimize for clicks while maintaining a non-intrusive browsing experience for visitors. If you decide to go this route, boost your earnings with the following tricks: Create high-quality content:  Even if you just want to make money with your blog, you should always prioritize your content quality. Strong content attracts traffic. And when you get traffic, your blog becomes a beneficial space for advertisers. Find lucrative keywords:  As you research keywords for your blog posts, keep an eye out for transactional terms that might interest advertisers. These include keywords that could potentially result in a sale, like “Best DSLR cameras” or “How to take professional photos.” Choose ad style and size:  Consider how ads will look or contrast with your blog’s color scheme or background. Tools like Social Stream are a great option for customizing your ads’ design. A/B test your ad placement:  When it comes to making money using ads, not all ad space is equal. The same ad can perform differently depending on its location—for instance, at the top, at the bottom, or on the side of a page. Conduct A/B tests to figure out which ad spaces get clicked on most and use the results to inform your ad placement moving forward. You can also  add an ads.txt file to your blog . While Google AdSense is the biggest provider, using ads.txt gives you the flexibility of connecting with ad providers other than Google. You can explore other blog monetization tools like Mediavine , Amazon Display Ads  or AdThrive  to name a few. 09. Offer paid subscriptions You can also get paid to blog through deciding to create and sell subscriptions online , allowing loyal readers to buy access to exclusive content via membership plans. Of course, some of your content should remain free—after all, readers will want to explore your blog before deciding whether to buy. But you can supplement the freebies with in-depth posts that offer exclusive insights subscribers would pay for. To pique your readers’ interest, give them a preview of each exclusive post and then ask them to subscribe to continue reading. A similar, but slightly different, approach is to offer paid memberships to your site. You can reward members with a variety of perks, including access to webinars, downloadable resources and free blog content. 10. Provide consulting or freelancing services Another way to make money blogging involves harnessing all the knowledge you’ve gained as a professional blogger. Using your blog as a portfolio , offer your own expertise as a service and promote yourself as a coach or consultant. Depending on your field, you can either work with individuals or act as a consultant (see how to start a consulting blog ) for companies. Many types of blogs, from marketing to nutrition and interior design , are a natural stepping stone to a full-fledged consulting business. For instance, you might build on your blogging experience to become a digital marketing consultant or a food coach. To start, offer services to individual clients and entice them with special packages and discounts. You can also branch out into group services, such as conferences and public speaking events, webinars and online courses. If people find that your blog offers genuinely valuable insights, they’ll likely pay for advice that’s tailored to their needs. Another option is to offer freelance services, which can be a great way to turn your skills into a steady income stream. Freelancing offers the flexibility to work on projects that excite you, such as writing or content creation, while diversifying your income. It's a win-win that lets you maintain your blogging passion while exploring new opportunities and building valuable connections in various industries. Sell physical products Another way to earn money from your blog is to sell products directly to your audience. This is a great option if your blog focuses on topics like crafting, fitness, home decor, beauty or food—areas that naturally connect to physical products. For example, a crafting blog could offer DIY kits, a fitness blog might sell workout gear or a home decor blog could feature unique design pieces. Get started by setting up an online store with Wix. Choose products that align with your readers’ interests and needs. Use clear, engaging descriptions and high-quality images to showcase your items. Make the checkout process smooth and secure and add reviews or testimonials to build trust and credibility. Selling through your blog can open up a meaningful new income stream while adding value for your audience. How bloggers make money: Real examples you can learn from Nomadic Matt: Travel blog Matt Kepnes built his site around budget travel advice and most of his revenue streams tie back to that niche. Affiliate partnerships with companies like Hostelworld and World Nomads insurance align with his readers’ needs so recommendations feel natural. His eBooks cover destinations and general travel planning, giving travelers affordable detailed guides they can buy before a trip. On the business side, he teaches others how to start and grow a blog through his travel blogging course, which positions him as both a traveler and an educator. His small-group tours are another income layer that brings his community offline, letting readers pay for curated travel experiences with him directly. Pinch of Yum: Food blog Lindsay and Bjork Ostrom turned a food blog into a full-scale business by diversifying revenue streams. Display ads on high-traffic recipe posts bring in steady income fueled by their strong search rankings. They use affiliate marketing to recommend cookware, appliances and specialty food products that readers are likely to buy after seeing them in a recipe. Their digital products include cookbooks and a food photography course, appealing to both home cooks and other bloggers. Food Blogger Pro, their membership community, offers resources, tutorials and a supportive forum for people looking to grow food-focused websites. Smart Passive Income: Business blog Pat Flynn has positioned SPI as a resource hub for online entrepreneurs and every income stream builds on that brand . Affiliate marketing is one of his main drivers with carefully chosen products like web hosting, podcast gear and email software that align with his audience’s business needs. He sells structured online courses covering podcasting, email marketing and passive income strategies, which give readers step-by-step systems to follow. Pat also earns royalties from his books which extend his reach to people outside his website. SPI monetizes its podcasts through sponsorships and more recently the brand expanded into paid community memberships and live events, giving entrepreneurs direct access to coaching, networking and accountability. The Blonde Abroad: Lifestyle & travel blog Kiersten Rich built her brand around solo female travel and that focus drives her income opportunities. Affiliate links to gear, accommodation and travel services are a strong fit since readers trust her recommendations for safe and stylish travel. She also earns from ads placed on her blog content which gets consistent traffic from travelers looking for guides and tips. On top of that, she sells digital products like photography guides and destination itineraries. One of her most unique revenue streams is curated group trips where followers can book travel experiences hosted by her brand. She also works with tourism boards and brands, partnering on campaigns that align with her audience and authority as a female travel expert. Wellness Mama: Health & wellness blog Katie Wells created Wellness Mama as a go-to resource for natural living and her monetization reflects that trust. Ads and affiliate links generate revenue from readers searching for healthy recipes, home remedies and wellness advice. Her product line, Wellnesse, sells natural personal care items like shampoo and toothpaste giving her audience a way to buy into her lifestyle recommendations. Katie also runs a membership community with access to courses, challenges and direct resources, which deepens engagement beyond blog reading. Her podcast brings in sponsorships and broadens her reach in the health and wellness space while her online courses provide additional education for families looking to make long-term lifestyle changes. How long does it take to make money blogging? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but most bloggers start seeing income within an average of 20 months . Some earn sooner, others take longer and a few may never monetize. The good news? Focusing on the right steps can help you speed up the process. What influences how quickly you earn: Your niche:  Some topics, like fashion, finance or travel, are highly competitive. Standing out requires exceptional content and promotion. Smaller or less crowded niches can make it easier to start earning sooner. Content quality:  The better your content, the more readers will stick around. Aim for posts that are engaging, useful and tailored to your audience. Marketing your blog:  Share your posts on social media, build an email list, guest post and optimize for search engines to get noticed. Monetization strategy:  Test methods like affiliate links, sponsored posts or digital products to see what resonates with your audience. Adapt as you learn what works best. Transparency:  Clearly disclose affiliate relationships or sponsored content. A trusted audience is more likely to support your recommendations and keep coming back. Can I earn a living by monetizing a blog? Writing a blog doesn't have to be just a hobby, it can also be a way to make money, generate a profit and live on your own terms. With the right approach you can turn your website traffic into cash in a variety of ways. Follow these tips to grow your audience, build your reputation and make your content profitable. With a combination of quality content, business smarts and monetization tools, you’ll be well on your way to earning revenue from your blog. To get started, use blog templates . Tip: Before you start creating your blog, see our guide on how much does it cost to start a blog  to estimate your expected expenses. Firsthand insights from a construction entrepreneur with a blog When Gita Jacobson’s home renovation started to spiral, she stepped in to coordinate between contractor and designer. “We had to scale back our work, and the contractor we ended up being able to afford just didn't know how to work with a designer,” she says. That experience inspired In the Deets , her construction and design business. “I chose Wix because it seemed easy to work with, and the website templates were very high-end looking,” Gita explains. Her Wix blog lets her share practical renovation tips, showcase projects and attract clients while using SEO to reach a wider audience. Posts like What it Costs to Remodel a Kitchen & Common Area and 5 Tips for Choosing Paint Colors  give readers real value and position her as an expert. Gita demonstrates how a blog can do more than inform—it can grow your business and help you make money from your expertise. Learn more: How to start a business Can you still make money from blogging in 2025? Blogging is far from over. It’s still a powerful way to reach an audience, share your expertise and turn your passion into income. The landscape has evolved, but with the right approach, your blog can thrive. To stand out, focus on a specific niche, create content that delivers real value and engage your readers consistently. Don’t rely only on search engines—use social media, email marketing and community building to grow your reach. Diversifying your income streams ensures your blog stays sustainable and profitable. Tips for making money from blogging in 2025: Choose your niche and own it:  Share your knowledge and insights to attract loyal readers. Prioritize quality content:  Informative, engaging posts build trust and keep your audience coming back. Use multiple monetization strategies:  Affiliate links, sponsored posts, digital products, services—find what works for you. Build your community:  Foster connection through comments, social media and email lists. Stay flexible and keep learning:  The online landscape changes fast, so adapt and grow with it. Why trust Wix’s experts? This article was created by Wix’s in-house team, who have years of experience helping people start and grow successful blogs. Every tip, template recommendation and example comes from real Wix projects, designed to help you launch a blog that looks professional, functions seamlessly and supports your long-term goals. At Wix, we’ve guided millions of creators, business owners and entrepreneurs in sharing their ideas through blogging. Our team stays ahead of the latest trends in content, SEO and design, ensuring the advice we provide is practical, actionable and based on real-world results. You can rely on this blog as a trusted resource for every stage of your blogging journey, from publishing your first post to scaling your content into a lasting blog. How to make money blogging FAQ How do beginner bloggers make money? Generally either through affiliate marketing or display advertising. Closely followed by sponsored posts. These are often considered the easiest and fastest ways to make money from a blog as a beginner. Do bloggers make much money? Income potential for bloggers can vary widely. Some bloggers earn a significant income, while others may struggle to generate substantial revenue, or it make take a long time to do so. Examples of high earning bloggers include Darren Rowse of ProBlogger and Pat Flynn of Smart Passive Income. How do bloggers get paid? Bloggers typically get paid in a variety of ways, depending on the method they are using to monetize their blog. For example, if a blogger is using advertising to make money, they will typically be paid by the number of times their ads are viewed or clicked on. If a blogger is using affiliate marketing, they will typically be paid a commission on each sale that they generate. And if a blogger is selling products or services directly from their blog, they will typically be paid when a customer makes a purchase. How do I choose a profitable niche for my blog? When choosing a profitable niche for your blog, there are a few things you should keep in mind: Choose a niche that you are passionate about: This will make it more enjoyable to write about and will help you to create high-quality content. Choose a niche that has a large audience: This will increase your chances of attracting readers and making money from your blog. Choose a niche that is not too competitive: If there are already a lot of blogs in your niche, it will be more difficult to stand out and make money. What is a blog? A blog (short for "weblog") is a website or section of a website where an individual or group regularly posts entries of text, multimedia, and other content. Blogs are typically updated frequently and are written in an informal or conversational style. Many blogs are interactive, allowing readers to leave comments and participate in discussions. How hard is it to make money as a blogger? The answer to this depends on several factors. Some blog niches are more competitive than others and so it may seem harder to attract a larger readership and monetization opportunities if you plan to focus on one of those. In general there are more blogs live today than ever before and as more blogs compete for the same pool of readers, blogging got more competitive and harder in that sense. Can I make money from a blog in just 6 months? Making money from a blog within six months is definitely possible in theory but it requires strategic planning, consistent effort and the implementation of effective monetization strategies. It would also mean creating a lot of content and getting it in front of healthy audeince numbers, fast in order for it to make money within 6 months. How do I live off of blogging? Living off of blogging requires dedication and a strategic approach to monetize your platform effectively. It often takes time to build a loyal audience who trusts your content, which is crucial for generating income. The journey can be challenging, as it involves consistent effort in content creation and audience engagement. Diversifying income streams, such as offering online courses or consulting, can help stabilize earnings.

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