Search results

Ecommerce management is the backbone of any successful online store or business. At its foundation is using a reliable website builder  to create an online store that sells. An effective ecommerce management solution also helps you manage inventory, process payments and handle customer service efficiently.  By exploring the best practices, common challenges and future trends in e-commerce management, you can learn how to start a business  that sells. What is eCommerce management? In simple terms, eCommerce management is the process of overseeing all the moving parts of your eCommerce platform  to make sure everything works as expected.  It involves running the various operations of your online store, including: Managing inventory Handling customer service Processing and accepting online payments Optimizing the digital storefront Learn more: Best eCommerce platforms How to start an eCommerce business Types of businesses How does eCommerce work? Ecommerce management best practices Let's look at some best practices to help you manage your e-commerce business and engage customers effectively. Create a user-friendly eCommerce website An optimized eCommerce website helps shoppers find products quickly and complete purchases without a hassle.  Build an eCommerce website  with a clean, uncluttered layout. Use straightforward navigation and clear categories so users can easily find what they're looking for. This improves the user experience (UX) and, ultimately, the success of your online store. Here’s a good eCommerce website example of a straightforward user experience: Other ways to boost your eCommerce website performance  include: Ensuring your website is mobile friendly on smartphones and tablets since so much of online shopping occurs on mobile devices. According to eMarketer, 44.9% of all U.S. retail eCommerce sales  in 2024 will occur through mobile devices. Minimizing your website load times. According to a 2022 analysis by Portent, an eCommerce website that loads in one second has a 2.5x better conversion rate  than a website that responds in five. Using clear, attractive product photos from multiple angles, along with different media types, such as videos and 360-degree views. This gives customers an excellent shopping experience even without physically touching the product. Making your website accessible to all users. This includes using readable fonts and offering screen reader compatibility. Learn more: What's the best way to start an online store? Optimize inventory management Optimized inventory management ensures you have the right products in the appropriate quantities, which reduces the risk of overstocking or stockouts. Use a platform like Wix Stores  to track your stock levels in real time. The system will automatically update the inventory amount when you make a sale. You can also manually assign the status from "In Stock" to "Out of Stock" when you run out of a product. Likewise, leverage data analytics to predict future product demands so you can adjust your inventory. With Wix Analytics , you gain actionable insights that help you make data-driven decisions. Also, consider a dropshipping model where the supplier ships your products directly to the customer. This can reduce your inventory holding costs and free up resources for other areas of your business. Enhance the customer experience According to a 2024 Consumer Trends Report  by Qualtrics, an excellent customer experience is among the biggest drivers of shoppers' buying decisions. With that in mind, here are some ways to boost customer satisfaction: Use customer data to personalize interactions. Show product recommendations based on browsing and purchase history to make shopping more engaging. Provide exceptional customer support by being responsive and proactive. Implement tools like chatbots  and customer relationship management software (CRM) software  to handle customer inquiries efficiently. Offer multiple shipping options, transparent pricing and real-time tracking to keep customers informed throughout the delivery process.  Seek feedback through surveys and customer reviews  to uncover opportunities to continuously improve your products or services. Offer flexible buying options, such as buy online, pick up in-store (BOPIS) or home delivery.  Implement efficient payment processes Efficient payment processes streamline transactions, which enhances the user experience and reduces cart abandonment. A 2023 Radial survey reveals that 58% of consumers  say the availability of various payment options is a crucial element when buying from an e-commerce business. Therefore, provide a variety of payment methods, including credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay and other mobile wallets. This flexibility allows customers to choose the payment method they're most comfortable with. In addition, incorporate innovative features, like Wix Stores' My Wallet and My Orders pages , that allow customers to save their payment details and easily track their transactions. This speeds up the checkout process without compromising security. Tip:   Wix provides various payment options , such as credit cards, payment gateways like PayPal and manual payments  (accepted outside your website).  Integrate omnichannel strategies to maximize reach and impact An omnichannel approach gives potential customers a consistent brand experience regardless of where they interact with your business. This can eventually boost metrics like customer retention.  According to a 2024 Omnichannel Report by Forrester, 46% of businesses  saw a rise in their customer lifetime value (CLV) due to omnichannel customer engagement. Use omnichannel to maximize the impact of your small business by: Mapping out the typical customer journey to identify all possible touchpoints. That way, you can understand how customers interact with your brand across different platforms and create a more cohesive experience. Ensuring consistent messaging across all channels. Whether a customer visits your physical store, website or social media pages, they should receive the same core message and branding. Ecommerce management challenges Managing an eCommerce business presents unique challenges that can test even the most seasoned entrepreneurs. Let's explore some of these hurdles and strategies to help you overcome them. Cybersecurity threats Cyberattacks can disrupt your e-commerce operations and even put them at a standstill. They can also result in the theft of sensitive customer information, like credit card numbers and personal identification details. This not only affects your immediate business transactions but can also lead to long-term trust issues with customers. A 2023 Radial survey reveals that eCommerce customers face various security risks . These include unauthorized credit card charges (41%), phishing scams (40%) and fake websites or retailers (40%). To counter these threats, implement website security features like Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificates and two-factor authentication (2FA) and comply with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard  (PCI-DSS) to safeguard customer data. You can also display security badges  on your payment page to reassure customers. Learn more: eCommerce website security checklist Supply chain volatility According to a study by Ernst & Young LLP, 72% of companies  reported that the 2020 pandemic had adverse effects on their supply chain. Businesses across the globe experienced unprecedented disruptions. These ranged from delays in raw material delivery to unexpected factory shutdowns and logistics issues.  And these disruptions continue to cause problems for companies. Ecommerce brands, in particular, can face supply chain issues when:  Managing inventory in different locations Handling rapid shifts in consumer demand  Navigating the complexities of international shipping To avoid these issues, diversify your suppliers to avoid depending on a single source. You can also integrate artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning for better predictive analytics. Tools like Wix Analytics can enhance demand forecasting and inventory management, which allows you to adapt more swiftly when market conditions change. According to a 2022 McKinsey & Company report, using AI-driven forecasting to manage the supply chain can reduce product unavailability and lost sales by up to 65% . Learn more: Ecommerce tools Competing in a saturated market The number of e-commerce stores grew from 9.2 million to 26.5 million  globally between 2019 and 2023. And this number increases daily. Competition among online retailers is intensifying, which can make it difficult to stand out and attract customers. It poses several other challenges, including: Marketing costs going up since you must vie for consumer attention across digital platforms A downward pressure on prices, which can erode profit margins Having to continuously innovate product offerings and customer experiences to remain relevant To stand out, offer niche products and exceptional customer service and leverage eco-friendly practices. Also, implement a robust digital marketing strategy that uses data analytics to target specific customer segments. This way, you can carve out your own space and build a dedicated customer base. Ecommerce management future trends and direction The AI market size is projected to reach $184 billion in 2024  and $826.7 billion by 2030. Given these projections, it's evident that the future of AI is incredibly bright. AI's many applications in eCommerce offer opportunities to streamline operations and enhance the customer experience.  For example, Wix’s AI Website Builder  makes creating an online store much more straightforward. The tool will build a customized, fully functional website in minutes. All you have to do is answer a few questions. Some of the best use cases for eCommerce AI include: Automation:  You can delegate repetitive tasks to AI, which saves time and reduces the probability of human error. For instance, AI can be trained to manage inventory, process orders and handle basic customer service inquiries through chatbots. This frees your employees to handle more complex issues. Data analytics:  Generative AI can process vast amounts of data and offer insights into your marketing campaigns and customer behaviors. It can help you make informed decisions, like tailoring your marketing efforts to specific customer segments. Content creation:  AI can give you ideas for engaging product descriptions, blog posts and even personalized marketing emails. It can help you create a consistent brand voice across various platforms and improve your search engine optimization (SEO) efforts. Don't miss out on maximizing your seasonal sales: Check out the ultimate eCommerce holiday readiness checklist  and get your business holiday-ready today.

Turn your ideas into sales and start selling with Wix eCommerce →   Thinking about starting an eCommerce business ? Before you commit time and effort to an online venture, consider if it’s the right business model for you. Whether you want to sell products, services or both, you’ll find that eCommerce has many advantages over brick-and-mortar selling. But even if you’re set on a physical store, you can still leverage eCommerce to reach new customers.  This article covers the many ways online selling  can benefit both you and your customers and some reasons that eCommerce might not be the right fit for you when starting a business .  Learn more: How to start an online store How to make a website to sell online How to start an online business Ready to start your eCommerce journey? Now’s the perfect time to bring your vision to life. With Wix eCommerce, you have the tools to build a professional online store and create a website that captivates your audience, drives traffic and boosts sales. From endless customization options and built-in SEO to powerful marketing tools, everything you need to grow your brand and reach more customers is right at your fingertips. Take the first step and explore Wix eCommerce today. Make your mark online and turn your ideas into success. What is eCommerce?  A combination of “electronic” and “commerce,” eCommerce is the buying and selling products or services online. This type of transaction lets customers purchase physical or digital products whenever they want from any device that can connect to the Internet (e.g., smartphones and laptops).     If you’ve dreamed of starting your own business, whether that means committing all your time and energy or pursuing a side hustle , eCommerce is a tempting option.  Learn more: eCommerce vs retail Why eCommerce?  Well, in 2023, global retail eCommerce sales reached US$5.8 trillion . By 2027, experts believe online retail sales will surpass US$8 trillion.   Learn more: How does eCommerce work? Types of eCommerce Get started with Dropshipping  today → Why do you need an eCommerce website? More and more customers are turning to digital channels to make purchases. According to the U.S. Quarterly Retail E-Commerce Sales Report, eCommerce sales accounted for 15.9% of total sales  in the first quarter of 2025.  But running an online business can have added some costs you should consider, especially if you use an eCommerce marketplace like Amazon or eBay instead of your own website . Transaction fees and other charges on eCommerce marketplaces can be sizable. For example, Amazon has “referral fees” as high as 15%–20%. If you want a bigger share of revenue, you should consider building your own eCommerce website . Using eCommerce website templates  can make the process faster and easier while still giving you full customization. On top of cost savings, you’ll get better customizability and more consumer insights.  Advantages of eCommerce If you’re an entrepreneur who already knows the massive value of the eCommerce market, you won’t need much convincing. But if you’re still weighing the advantages and disadvantages of e-commerce, take a look at these tempting benefits:   Save on initial expenses and upfront costs When you start your own eCommerce business, you don’t need a physical store to operate from or employees. In fact, if you start a dropshipping business , you won’t even need a place to store your products—just computer access. You can use the huge cash savings from a lack of rent and staffing costs to help you grow your business.   Generate web traffic to reach a broader audience Online sellers don’t need to rely on foot traffic, traditional media ads or word of mouth. For example, you can boost traffic to your eCommerce store if you start a blog  and use online marketing strategies , such as search engine optimization (SEO), social media marketing and email marketing.  Conduct sales 24/7 without a physical store With an eCommerce or online store , you can ditch traditional store opening hours and sell products while you sleep.   Instead of being stuck behind a point of sale (POS)  system at a physical location, you can handle payments online  while attending to other business matters, like expanding your product offerings or boosting your online presence.    Don't miss out on maximizing your seasonal sales: Check out the ultimate eCommerce holiday readiness checklist  and get your business holiday-ready today. Enhance scalability for business growth As long as you build a good website as a foundation, eCommerce stores are easy to scale up as your products increase in popularity or you expand your offerings. By contrast, increasing the size or number of physical stores requires a substantial investment.    Collect advanced customer data By tracking online shopping metrics, like conversions, cart abandonment rates and customer lifetime value (CLV), you’ll be able to measure customer satisfaction in a way that’s not possible with a brick-and-mortar business.  When you get this all-important data, use it to improve the customer experience. For example, if customers are ditching their digital carts because the checkout process is too long or the shipping costs are high, make changes so that you get a better conversion rate.     Disadvantages of eCommerce Online selling can be a perfect alternative to in-store sales as long as you can tackle the few disadvantages of eCommerce. Here’s what you’re up against:    Cyber security threats If your website isn’t secure, you can expose the data and money of your business and customers. If this happens, you could lose consumer trust and face legal challenges.  However, if you put website security  front and center, you can mitigate security risks like phishing and hacking. Wix takes a proactive approach to website security with features like strong data encryption and anti-fraud protection, so you can rest easy knowing that sensitive information, such as your customers’ credit card data, is safe.    Logistics with manufacturing and shipping When you run a busy online store, you need good organization skills and the help of external parties, like third-party logistics companies. If you build a Wix site, you can connect it to various supply chain solutions from the Wix App Market , helping you overcome the challenges of inventory management , shipping and more.     Technical issues If your eCommerce website experiences technical issues related to your web hosting server, you’ll lose out on online sales and send customers elsewhere. But traditional brick-and-mortar stores are not immune to disruptions, either (e.g., staffing issues, adverse weather events or power outages).  Remote customer service  While online customer interactions are quick and convenient, they don’t have the same touch as face-to-face customer service. That said, you can personalize your online interactions to increase eCommerce customer engagement and improve customer service. Wix has many tools and apps for customer engagement, such as Wix Members Area  and Wix Chat .  Benefits of eCommerce for consumers When you consider the advantages and disadvantages of using eCommerce for businesses, it’s easy to forget the experience of the end-users: your customers. Here’s what’s in it for them:   Convenient remote shopping experiences Customers love the convenience of buying products from their sofa. Instead of sitting in traffic or standing on crowded public transport to shop at physical stores, your potential customers can get quick deliveries to their doorsteps.   Wide selection of products Customers can choose from a seemingly endless variety of products at their fingertips. Since physical products are stored in huge warehouses in worldwide locations, they’ll have wider options than they would at physical stores.    Time savings When you build an eCommerce website that’s user-friendly, your customer base will remember how fast and simple online shopping can be. Consider allowing customers to save their profiles and log in with ease. They’ll appreciate the time and hassle you’ve saved them.   Easy to compare prices Consumers don’t have to physically travel from store to store to get the pricing information they need. Instead, they can open multiple browser tabs to compare product prices or even use a price comparison site.  If you can keep your prices competitive while generating positive customer reviews online, you’ll gain an edge over other eCommerce businesses in your niche.  Bottom line: Is eCommerce right for you? If you want to sell products without a substantial financial commitment, then eCommerce could be the right choice for you. With some good organizational skills and a well-built eCommerce site, you can overcome most of the disadvantages of eCommerce and give your customers the shopping experience they desire.   Ecommerce advantages and disadvantages FAQ What's the most secure ecommerce platform? If you use Wix to build your eCommerce store , you’ll benefit from enterprise-grade website security  featuring round-the-clock monitoring as well as access to a number of ecommerce tools . How do you choose the right ecommerce platform? While checking your eCommerce platform options, look at the ease of use, price, customizability, scalability and security. Thanks to website builders like Wix, eCommerce websites are within the reach of business owners with modest technical skills and a shoestring budget.    Which ecommerce platform is ideal for small businesses? With a low-cost and easy-to-use website builder that has all the eCommerce tools you need, Wix is the ideal choice for a small business website . Just take a look at the website of Beck & Cap , which produces handmade furniture from sustainably sourced wood. The website is easy to navigate, features high-res images and detailed product descriptions and even allows shoppers to pay in installments using PayPal.   What are the meain features of an ecommerce website? An eCommerce website must be fast and easy to use on any device. At the very least, the website should have clear product descriptions, search functionality and secure payment options.

Get started by:  Creating an online store →  |  Getting a domain → Ecommerce is the online exchange of goods and services over the internet. It involves online transactions between businesses (B2B), businesses and consumers (B2C) as well as between consumers and consumers (C2C). Ecommerce encompasses a wide range of activities, including electronic business, online shopping, online marketplaces, electronic payments, online banking and online auctions. Ecommerce is an integral part of the modern global economy. Over the past couple of decades, it has transformed both the way we shop and the way we do business. In fact, eCommerce is on track to take over traditional retail sales altogether. According to Nasdaq, by 2040, eCommerce could facilitate as much as 95% of all retail sales . By 2027 it's on track to account for around 23% of all retail sales. With Wix, it’s easier than ever to set up an eCommerce website . Using a free website builder , you can build your store that lets you sell products or services anywhere in the world, manage payments and customize your site to fit your brand. If you’re brand new to eCommerce, you’ve come to the right place. This article will answer all of your questions about the world of online retail when it comes to starting a business . What is eCommerce? Ecommerce (short for “electronic commerce”) is an umbrella term for any transaction done over the internet. Ecommerce can involve the sale of physical or digital products as well as services of all types, from scheduling a yoga class to booking a hotel. It's like a digital marketplace that's always open. In an increasingly digital world, eCommerce, as a type of business , is more prominent than ever. The U.S. Census Bureau reported that eCommerce sales totaled $277.6 billion  during the second quarter of 2023 alone. And according to Statista, global eCommerce sales are forecast to reach $8.1 trillion  by 2026. When did eCommerce start? Ecommerce traces its roots back to the late 1970s and early 1980s, when foundational technologies like Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) began to shape digital transactions. EDI allowed businesses to exchange documents like purchase orders and invoices digitally, replacing traditional paper forms and streamlining operations. Around the same time, teleshopping emerged as a precursor to online retail, enabling consumers to order products through television broadcasts and phone hotlines. The 1990s marked a turning point in eCommerce, driven by the widespread adoption of the internet and the emergence of pioneering platforms like Amazon and eBay. Founded in 1994 and 1995 respectively, these companies revolutionized online shopping by connecting buyers and sellers on a global scale. How does eCommerce work? Here is a simplified overview of how an eCommerce transaction works: A customer visits an eCommerce website, marketplace or app and browses the products or services offered. If the customer finds something they want to buy, they add it to their ecommerce shopping cart . The customer proceeds to checkout, where they enter their shipping and billing information and select a payment method. The eCommerce merchant processes the payment and ships the product or provides the service to the customer. Each of these steps could look a little different depending on the exact nature of your eCommerce business . For example, you could partner with a third-party logistics company to handle packaging and shipping for you. Or instead of selling retail  goods, you may choose to sell online services or courses that don’t require any physical inventory. At its core eCommerce includes: Supply chain ecommerce management Inventory management Data collection and security Electronic funds transfer Shipping services Ecommerce now comes in many shapes and sizes and often involves multiple players. It also involves a variety of touchpoints, including a well-built website. Learn more: How does eCommerce work? Ecommerce vs. retail What is an eCommerce website? If you want to succeed in your endeavor, it's crucial to know how to create a website  that's tailor-made for eCommerce. Simply put, an eCommerce website allows your business to sell products and services online. It's a digital storefront where your customers can browse, select and purchase items (see eCommerce website development). A typical eCommerce website includes features, such as: A desktop and mobile interface A product catalog with product descriptions and images A shopping cart software system for customers to keep track of the items that they want to purchase A checkout process  where customers can enter their shipping and billing information Secure website security features  to ensure the protection of your data and that of your customers High uptime and site reliability  to handle large numbers of traffic to an ecommerce site - Wix sites have 99.99% uptime, for example Secure payment processing Order tracking and customer support resources Types of eCommerce businesses The main types of ecommerce include the following: Business to consumer (B2C) Business to consumer  is one of the most common types of eCommerce models. B2C businesses sell goods and services directly to the end customer, and can include anything from physical products to online services. Think: Amazon, Nike or an online tutoring business. Looking for the best Squarespace alternatives ? Try Wix for free and see how it compares in this  Wix vs Squarespace  guide. Business to business (B2B) Business-to-business models are also very common, and refer to companies that provide goods or services for other businesses. B2B eCommerce covers a wide range of businesses, including wholesalers, raw material manufacturers and service providers. Consumer to consumer (C2C) Any transaction done between two people, rather than business entities, is considered consumer to consumer. This type of business  model includes transactions done on platforms such as eBay or Craigslist, or on social media marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace. Consumer to business (C2B) Consumer to business covers services provided by individuals, for businesses. This model is often used to include freelancers and other small service providers. A common form of C2B is when a business purchases stock images, videos or music created by individuals. Consumer to government (C2G) Consumer to government involves individuals using online platforms to interact with governmental services, such as paying taxes or fines. Examples include filing taxes through IRS e-file or paying parking tickets via municipal websites. Business to government (B2G) Business to government provides products and services for the federal or local government to purchase. These include a wide range of sectors like cyber security, waste management, urban planning, etc. Government to business (G2B) Government-to-business transactions reverse the B2G model. This model is often used to refer to information that companies can purchase access to, such as blueprints or legal files. Learn more: Best eCommerce platforms Examples of eCommerce business models There are several types of common eCommerce businesses that operate under the structures listed above. A useful way of breaking them down is by explaining the various types of products or services they offer. Dropshipping Dropshipping  is a business model in which you can sell products online without physically holding any inventory. Think of it as being the middle-person who connects the customer with the manufacturer or supplier. Get started dropshipping now. When a customer places an order for a product in your online store, the order details are forwarded to a trusted supplier, like Modalyst . (Alibaba, Taobao and Aliexpress are China based suppliers and wholesalers popular with global drop shippers). The supplier then ships the product directly to the customer. When you start a dropshipping business , you don't have to stress about logistics , manufacturing , inventory , warehousing or order fulfillment. You're also not limited by space—you can sell an unlimited array of products. Take Wix merchant The Boho Birdy , for example. The Australian e-tailer offers a wide array of clothing, including colorful boho, beach and bridal fashion, housewares and baby items to a global customer base. According to the store’s FAQ page, it partners with “suppliers and manufacturers to ship directly to … the customer.” Try our dropshipping website builder  to launch your eCommerce business  today. Print on demand (POD) The print-on-demand business model is a form of dropshipping. As a business owner, you’ll create designs and artwork, then select what products you want those designs printed on. A third-party supplier or print on demand company like Printful  handles the actual printing, fulfillment and shipping. When starting a print-on-demand business , you can choose from all kinds of products to offer, spanning T-shirts, hats, coffee mugs, phone cases, stickers and more. Plus, you have the freedom to experiment with designs until you hit your stride with one that takes off with your customer base. For example, Wix user LemonMade Apparel  operates a print-on-demand business model that partners with social media influencers. From LemonMade’s storefront, buyers can browse shirts, tote bags, ornaments, stickers and other merchandise for their favorite influencer. Both LemonMade and the influencers receive a portion of the sales. Start building your print-on-demand shop today with Wix . White labeling While labeling is another form of dropshipping where you can create your own brand without the need to develop products from scratch. With white labeling, you’ll sell products that are already successfully produced by another company under your brand name. Your company name, logo and designs will appear on the packaging. The white label provider handles product development, manufacturing and fulfillment. Private labeling Private labeling involves selling products under your own brand, but having them manufactured by a third-party. This is a common practice for eCommerce businesses that don’t have the capabilities, space or capital to handle their own manufacturing. Private labeling differs from white labeling in that the products are unique and exclusive to you and your business, while white labeled products are generic. Some providers will also handle fulfillment for you. This approach lets you build a unique brand identity without the headache and expense of product development or manufacturing. Ghost commerce Ghost commerce  also involves selling products under your own brand while keeping the source confidential. The foundation of a successful ghost commerce operation lies in establishing a website or online store, producing engaging content, and cultivating a strong social media presence. Characterized by low operational costs and straightforward setup, this model allows you to operate efficiently, relying on your marketing capabilities and customer service skills. Like dropshipping, you will want to find a reliable manufacturer to partner with. Subscription service Finally, another common eCommerce business model is subscriptions. Subscription box services  help you gain repeat orders and customer loyalty. For a set price, your company will create and/or curate a package of products or services delivered at set intervals—usually every month or every three months. You can offer incentives for long-term commitments at a reduced monthly cost (e.g., offering a 15% discount if a customer buys a three-month subscription rather than one month). Common examples of subscription services include meal prep delivery (like Hello Fresh or Blue Apron), fashion boxes (like Stitch Fix or Nuuly), streaming services (like Netflix or Hulu) and software as a service (like Adobe Creative Cloud or Ahrefs). Wix user House of Suppliez  utilizes this model in addition to their offering of supplies and classes for professional nail and lash technicians. Their monthly subscription box offers a curated collection of nail and lash products for professionals in the industry. Learn more: Shopify alternatives Wix vs Shopify WordPress alternatives Types of eCommerce products Physical products Businesses that sell their own physical products online are common, and are often what people refer to when they mention eCommerce.These online stores include both retailers and wholesalers that sell any sort of physical product; this could include clothes, books, groceries, gardening accessories, artwork, etc. Most businesses that sell physical goods online operate through their own store website, and/or as a merchant on an eCommerce marketplace like Amazon or Etsy. Artist and Wix user Lauren Simpson  is a great example. Lauren’s website and online shop features prints, cards and stickers depicting an incredible series of paintings inspired by the Alaskan wilderness. Services There is an endless variety of services you can purchase online, from hiring freelancers to streaming movies. As such, not all service-based eCommerce businesses operate similarly. Many business owners sell their services on their own website or on a dedicated platform for similar services. It’s also not uncommon for a business to ask first-time customers to contact them or fill out a form, rather than purchase the service upfront. This often depends on the type of business, as well as the clientele. Digital products There’s a type of eCommerce product that’s sort of in between physical products and services—digital products. This sector has gained popularity over the past couple decades with the growth of online retail. It includes software, music files, in-game purchases (in video games) and more. Digital products are the easiest to provide to the customer, as it’s just a matter of enabling a download. They also have the added benefit of being freely duplicatable, as opposed to a physical product, which requires manufacturing. See Sewn Ideas  for inspiration here. This Arizona-based online shop offers a complete line of PDF patterns for various shapes and styles of handbags, designed for everyone from beginners to advanced sewers. Once you pay for a pattern, you also unlock a password to access instructional videos. Pros and cons of eCommerce There are many reasons to start an online business. But before you start bouncing around eCommerce business ideas , it’s important to understand what advantages and challenges eCommerce holds. Benefits of an eCommerce business Low investment and operational costs : Compared to a physical brick-and-mortar storefront, eCommerce requires a much smaller initial investment. Instead of renting a location and remodeling it to create the perfect store, you simply need to create a website. Operational costs are also much lower, as you can avoid the rent and high utility bills associated with physical storefronts. Learn more: eCommerce vs. brick and mortar Stays open 24/7 : Online stores and online auctions, as opposed to physical businesses, aren’t limited to business hours. An eCommerce business can operate 24/7, always generating income, even when you sleep. Reaches more customers : By operating your business online, your clientele isn’t limited to a physical location. Your online store or mobile eCommerce app can cater to customers around the world, shipping internationally from day one. Ecommerce in emerging markets, such as China and India , is also on the rise in terms of both sellers and buyers. Fast and easy for customers : Letting your customers order their products online and receive them at home makes the purchasing process much faster and simpler than going out to the store. Online shopping also gives them the additional convenience and flexibility of payment options, such as one-click purchases via digital wallets such as PayPal or Apple Pay. This means customers are more likely to make impulse buys, as well as come back for more, given they’re happy with your products. Facilitates omnichannel retail  and selling : Thanks to platforms like Wix that let you manage multiple sales channels in one place, you can easily list one product on various online platforms—online store, mobile app, social media (Tik Tok for example), online marketplaces (Ebay, Etsy, etc.)—to increase your chances of making a sale. Easily scalable : Scaling up an eCommerce business is much easier than scaling up a physical one. Sure, you may need more storage and have to hire a few employees to deal with order fulfillment and other tasks, but you won’t have to find new locations or hire enough employees to run an entire store. Don't miss out on maximizing your seasonal sales: Check out the ultimate eCommerce holiday readiness checklist  and get your business holiday-ready today. Challenges of an eCommerce business Harder to interact with customers : Most of the disadvantages of eCommerce stem from the inability to physically communicate with your customers. This makes it harder to understand their needs and to make sure they’re happy with your business. To counteract this, it’s important to keep in touch with your customer base however you can, be it social media, emails, surveys, etc. Shoppers can’t try before they buy : In an online store, customers can’t physically try on clothes, test gadgets or even get a general feel from just holding an item in their hands. Many online stores offer a free return policy to ensure their customers don’t hesitate. Great product photos and videos can also help give your customers a better understanding. Learn more about ecommerce photography in our guide. Faulty tech can ruin sales : When your business is online, any error or bug can cost you. There are many unexpected hurdles that can pop up—transaction errors, glitchy page designs, server crashes and more. These can not only botch a sale, but also deter customers from coming back to your online store. Make sure to build your website and store using a platform with a history of site reliability . Wix, in particular, has a proven track record of minimizing these issues. Crowded and competitive : In many cases, eCommerce is more competitive than physical retail. Rather than compete with other businesses in your town or neighborhood, you’re competing with the entire world. Things can get ugly trying to compete on product and shipping prices, especially with bigger companies that can often undercut you on both. Good marketing is the key to success in eCommerce and standing out from the crowd. Where different types of eCommerce take place Ecommerce can take place in spaces all across the internet. Different types of eCommerce  can take the following forms: Online store : An online store  is the most straightforward and customizable option for eCommerce. A platform like Wix  allows businesses to create and manage their own online stores easily. Its success can be attributed to its user-friendly interface, scalability, affordability and wide range of features. Social commerce : This is the practice of selling products through social media platforms. Businesses can create online stores on these platforms or use them to promote their products and generate sales. These days, you can even conduct transactions directly through social platforms in most cases. Some popular social commerce platforms include Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. Mobile commerce (mCommerce) : This is the practice of buying and selling products through mobile devices. Mobile commerce is becoming increasingly popular as more people use their smartphones and tablets to shop online. Some popular mobile commerce platforms include apps from Amazon, eBay and Walmart. Online marketplace : These are websites that allow sellers to list their products for sale. Some popular marketplaces include Amazon, eBay and Etsy. Marketplaces offer a variety of benefits for sellers, including access to a large pool of customers, reduced marketing costs and simplified payment processing. Getting started with eCommerce If you’re looking to create an eCommerce business, starting an online store  is a great first step. These five steps will get you off on the right foot: How to start an eCommerce business in 5 steps Choose what to sell online   Build and design your online store   Find a manufacturer   Find shipping partners   Connect a payment provider   01. Choose what to sell online The first thing you’ll need to do before you learn how to sell online  is decide on what you actually want to sell. Start by identifying your interests and passions. It's much easier to dive into a project when you're enthusiastic about it. Then, do some market research, taking notes on what similar online stores are doing. Look at trends, including what's popular, what's unique and what’s profitable. Don't be afraid to fill a niche—it's often where the magic happens. Remember, your products should not only resonate with you, but should also resonate with your potential customers. 02. Build and design your ecommerce website To start your online store, you’ll need to make your own website to sell  using a platform that can facilitate eCommerce. That’s where Wix comes in. Wix is an all-encompassing, end-to-end solution for e-tailers of all sizes. Through Wix, you can sell goods through your online store, social media and sales channels, or in-person with Wix point of sale  software. You can additionally manage shipping, inventory, shopping cart software, marketing, analytics (track your ecommerce metrics ) and more, all from one unified dashboard. Once you build your website and create your store, it’s time to design it.  Ecommerce website design  is crucial in creating a positive shopping experience and can make or break an eCommerce business. Wix offers hundreds of designer-made online store templates  that you can customize to your own preferences. It’s time to design your dream store. Sign up  for Wix today. 03. Find a manufacturer After you’ve decided on a product, or line of products, you’ll need to figure out how to manufacture them. The type of manufacturer you need to find  depends entirely on what kind of products you’ll be offering, and how many. Alternatively, you may choose to dropship or only offer digital products and services, in which case you may not need a manufacturer at all. 04. Find shipping partners Shipping is a big part of any online store. You want every single customer to receive their products fast and in one piece. To pull that off, you’ll need a great eCommerce shipping  company. Look for a shipping company with a track record of reliability; remember, your own business reputation is at stake with each delivery. Speed is important, too, since fast delivery times can give you an edge in online shopping. Finally, consider excellent customer service. When things go wrong, you need a shipping partner who can address concerns quickly and efficiently. Again, for business models centered around services, digital goods or dropshipping, you may not need to worry about this step. But, for digital sales, you still need to make sure your products are distributed properly, meaning emails go out without errors and download links are always live. 05. Connect a payment provider No business is complete without getting paid. You'll need to connect your online store to a payment solution system or process, like Wix Payments in order to accept online payments . To ensure customers always have a comfortable way to pay, you may want to provide several payment options, including credit cards, Buy Now, Pay Later, mobile payments and digital wallets like PayPal. How to make eCommerce work: marketing strategies and tips to get started The importance of marketing in your eCommerce strategies can’t be understated. It’s a critical part of gaining new customers, as well as retaining your existing clientele. No eCommerce business is complete without it. Below are a few important ways to maximize your marketing efforts. Optimize your online store’s SEO One of the most important ways to drive traffic to your online store is by optimizing it to appear higher in search engine results. This is called SEO (search engine optimization). Boosting the SEO for your online store isn't difficult; it's about consistency and knowing your audience. Start by understanding what your target customers are searching for, and tailor your product descriptions to those keywords. Make sure you answer their search questions. Next, make sure your website is easy to navigate, loads quickly and is mobile-friendly. Good SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. Make use of content marketing Content marketing is a common practice in starting a business  of any type. In short, it means creating engaging blog posts, newsletters, social media posts and other content to attract visitors to your website. Using content marketing wisely, in conjunction with SEO, can have a huge impact on your store’s traffic. Utilize Facebook and Google Ads Facebook Ads and Google Ads are two of the most common paid advertising channels for eCommerce, and they can be very effective. Between Facebook, Instagram and Google, you can cover an enormous share of all internet users. With all that reach, you’ll need to be very precise when setting up your campaign, or you risk spending your marketing dollars on the wrong audiences. Wix can help you with built-in functionality to create, run and manage Facebook and Instagram Ads , as well as Google Ads . Stay in touch with your customers using email Marketing emails are a great way to stay in touch with your customers after you start an online business , letting them know about new products, sales or even to send a friendly holiday greeting. Email marketing is considered to have one of the best returns on investment (ROI) in eCommerce marketing; WebFX reports that this can be as high as 4,400% . Another great eCommerce marketing tool can be creating flash sales which you can promote via email. Improving eCommerce with data: the what and how Improving eCommerce with data involves using a number of techniques and best practices, among them—leveraging customer insights, purchase patterns and website analytics to optimize your online shopping experience and drive sales. By analyzing customer behavior data, you can personalize product recommendations, improve user engagement and increase your online store conversion rates. At the same time, tracking metrics such as cart abandonment rates, click-through rates and average order value helps identify areas for improvement in the sales funnel. Data can also can reveal trends and preferences, guiding inventory management and pricing strategies to align with demand. A/B testing different website elements, such as product descriptions, images or call-to-action buttons, can help you make data-driven decisions that improve user experience and boost sales. Customer feedback and reviews also provide valuable data for refining products and services. By integrating data analytics tools and continuously monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs),as an eCommerce business owner you can make informed decisions, reduce costs, improve customer satisfaction and ultimately drive profitability. Ecommerce regulations and global guidelines There are many regulations and laws governing the practice of eCommerce globally. In the US many of these can be found here . Examples include the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act which validates contracts with an electronic signature and is designed to protect consumers who must give consent to a purchase. The Federal Trade Commission Act (FTC Act) aims to protect consumers, including those buying online, from deceptive trade practices - it makes it mandatory for companies to publish a privacy policy, to put in place data security measures (to protect consumers private information and payment details) and puts the onus on businesses to refrain from false advertising in any form. Other countries have enacted similar legislation or bolstered it as eCommerce grows in popularity, for example: The Australian Consumer Law (ACL) Consumer Guarantees Act and the Fair Trading Act, New Zealand UK Consumer Rights Act Distance Selling Regulations, UK E-Commerce Law of China, enacted January 2019 Ecommerce trends, current and emerging: how has the industry evolved Ecommerce continues to grow both in terms of the number of online stores available and the growing numbers of consumers purchasing online. Over the last few years a few trends have emerged including: Omnichannel shopping Integrating physical and digital shopping experiences for a seamless customer journey. Let's say a consumer searches for shoes on her phone. She researched a specific brand. Later that day or week she receives a targeted email from the shoe brand she researched earlier. She then visits the brand's physical store to try on the shoes. Maybe she then uses the mobile app to pay and receives an SMS receipt. Or the shoes are not in stock in store in her size, so the sales assistant helps her order them online with delivery to her home. Mobile-first shopping Consumers shop on their phones, this has been a rising ecommerce trend for a while now. However an emerging trend is big ticket purchases from the mobile. Many consumers still prefer to make big purchases, such as airline tickets or furniture, from a computer. ecommerce retailers are trying to shift this focus to get more sales made from mobile due to its accessibility, buy from anywhere. Social commerce Selling online via social media has taken off in a big way, whether it's brands directly selling or via influencers. How long consumers enjoy being sold to from social media, remains to be seen with some pushback against sponsored content. In 2022 over US$992 billion was spent on goods bought via social platforms. Thailand and India are the two biggest markets for social commerce. It's anticipated to reach $8.3 trillion by 2030. Sustainability and ethical brands While fast fashion remains popular in the world of online selling, there is a growing shift away from it. Consumers are more aware than ever that often cheap online goods means an impact down the production line, either on the environment or in poor conditions for those involved in their manufacturing. eCommerce brands that that prioritize eco friendly products are gaining in popularity as a result. AI in eCommerce AI transforms eCommerce by creating smarter, more personalized shopping experiences. The AI in eCommerce  market in the U.S. is growing fast and is expected to reach  $17.83 billion by 2034 . It analyzes customer behavior like past purchases or browsing habits to recommend products they’ll love. AI-powered chatbots provide instant 24/7 support, answering questions and resolving issues effortlessly. With these tools, your store becomes more intuitive and engaging, building trust, increasing loyalty and driving sales. What is eCommerce FAQ How to make money with eCommerce? Making money with eCommerce involves creating a successful online business that generates revenue through the sale of products or services. It starts with choosing the right eCommerce model or type. From there you'll need to choose a specific product niche or category to sell. Then, do your market research, choose an online store builder such as Wix, source customers and market your site. What is the difference between eCommerce and eBusiness? Ecommerce is the buying and selling of goods and services over the internet. Ebusiness is a broader term that includes eCommerce but also encompasses other aspects of doing business online, such as customer relationship management (CRM), supply chain management (SCM) and marketing. Is eCommerce worth it? This can be a complicated question to answer. In general, profitability is often what defines ecommerce as worth it as a business model. To understand if ecommerce is worth it for you, it's a good idea to start small and low risk, with dropshipping or print on demand as some good beginner options. You'll also want to consider if the time invested in making your ecommerce business profitable is worth it, while factoring in the time it might take you t make it a success. Is eCommerce easy? E-commerce can be easy, especially when compared to other business models, or challenging, depending on your business idea, experience and capital to fund it. With intuitive ecommerce platforms like Wix, setting up an online store is easier than ever. However, successfully running an e-commerce business requires more than just a website. Other crucial focus areas include marketing, inventory management and customer service, all of which can demand significant time, effort and expertise in order to build a successful business. While the initial setup might seem easy, long-term success with ecommerce requireds dedication and strategic planning. What are the different eCommerce revenue models? Direct sales: Selling products directly to customers through your online store. Many large retailers do this - including Target. Marketplace model: Acting as a platform for other businesses to sell their products, earning commission on each sale. An example of this is Amazon or eBay. Amazon currently holds 37.6% of all ecommerce sales in the US. Subscription model: Customers pay recurring fees for access to products, services, or content. Dropshipping : Partnering with manufacturers who ship products directly to customers, eliminating inventory management. Affiliate marketing : Promoting other companies' products on your website and earning commissions on referrals. What's the future of eCommerce? One of the biggest predictions is the rise of hyper-personalization. It currently exists to an extent with highly targeted email and SMS marketing but it's expected to explode. The combination of data analysis and AI technology to create product recommendations for online shoppers is expected to take off in a big way. Whether consumers will respond positively to the personalization, or negatively due to data privacy concerns, is still unfolding. What's mobile vs traditional eCommerce? Mobile eCommerce is essentially online shopping conducted via smartphones and tablets, while traditional eCommerce includes online shopping across all devices, including desktops and laptops. Mobile commerce prioritizes user experience for smaller screens, focusing on an ease of navigation and a streamlined checkout. Traditional eCommerce often leverages desktop-optimized layouts and features. . How can small ecommerce businesses effectively manage inventory without overstocking or running out of popular items? While tricky, there are ways for even small ecommerce business can find ways to manage inventory more efficiently: Implementing a just-in-time inventory system Using inventory management software to track sales patterns Offering pre-orders for popular items to gauge demand Considering dropshipping for certain products to reduce risk Developing relationships with suppliers for faster restocking How can small ecommerce businesses compete with larger marketplaces without sacrificing profit margins? You can differentiate yourself, even as a smaller ecommerce business by: Offering personalized customer service and product recommendations Creating unique, niche products not found on large marketplaces Telling your brand story to build emotional connections with customers Providing expert knowledge and content related to your products Offering flexible, local or eco-friendly shipping options

Your YouTube name idea deserves a home. Secure your domain now → You’ve just come up with the perfect YouTube idea, and you’ve even started planning out your content. The only problem? You have yet to find the perfect YouTube channel name. Whether you’re starting a new brand or website , you might want a YouTube channel to accompany your professional growth. Determining your channel name can be daunting. To help you overcome this hurdle, we’ve created a compilation of name ideas, tips and tricks so that you can launch your channel, and go about making a website, with a successful foundation. Naming your YouTube channel just got a whole lot easier. The Wix YouTube Name Generator gives you custom, on-brand ideas fast—along with the tools to bring your idea to life. TL;DR: YouTube channel names Your YouTube channel name is one of the first things people notice—and one of the main reasons they’ll remember you. This guide walks you through how to come up with a strong, memorable name that fits your brand and appeals to your audience. You’ll get tips, a naming formula to try and over 120 real examples across niches to inspire your own. Whether you’re launching a business channel, a vlog or something in between, this post helps you find a name that’s creative, clear and built to last. Feature of a great channel name Why it matters Easy to remember Keeps your channel top of mind and encourages return visits Relevant to your content Gives viewers an idea of what you offer right from the start Simple to spell and say Reduces confusion and makes it easier for people to search for your channel Unique and distinct Helps you stand out from similar creators and avoid overlap Flexible for growth Leaves room to evolve your brand and expand your content in the future What is a YouTube channel name and why is it important? Many businesses focus on building a social media marketing strategy using platforms like Facebook and Instagram, overlooking the hyper-engaging tool that is YouTube. But since you're reading this as a YouTuber or potential one, you probably know that starting a YouTube channel is a unique and effective way to connect with users and reach new audiences—especially if you've got a knack for video content. It can also help with brand awareness and reaching your target audience quickly and with impact. A YouTube channel name is like the name of a TV or radio station. It shows up on your videos, channel page and in search results. If you’re an individual, go with your personal brand’s name. For businesses or those starting a business , picking the right name is important for a strong YouTube marketing  strategy. Your name should match your brand vision. There are lots of options for channel names: a business name, a person’s name, descriptive names that focus on a specific topic or creative names with wordplay. Whatever you pick, make sure it fits your brand and communicates your purpose clearly. Found the perfect name for your YouTube channe l ? Lock in your domain  before someone else does. To come up with a YouTube channel name , think about what makes your channel unique. Brainstorm words related to your theme and try out different combinations, puns, or catchy phrases. A good YouTube name is easy to remember and spell. Using relevant keywords can also help people find you, but keep it short and avoid names that are too generic. YouTube channel name ideas Use these naming ideas as guidance for your own brainstorm. Creative YouTube channel names: Channel Chatter Weird N Wacky Adventures of [Name] Hoops I Did It Again Don’t Peek The Grapes of Math Your Worst Nightmare Hell on Heels Miracle Makers Game of Cones Catchy YouTube channel names: Beachy Bird Forbidden Food Up Ball Night Captain Fun Gen Z Club EpicPlayz DameWhoGames The Chosen Ones Jamba Juicy Keep Your Twin Up A great cooking YouTube channel name tells viewers exactly what to expect. If you’re all about speed, think QuickBites or 30-Minute Meals. For baking, playful names like Whisk Takers or Sugar & Sprinkle work wonders. If gourmet is your game, go for elegant names like Plated Perfection. For home-style or casual cooking, approachable names like Tasty Table or Kitchen Corner are perfect. Don’t forget, keywords like “recipes” or “bakes” can help reel in your ideal audience. Unique YouTube channel names: The Procrastination Pro The Weird & Wonderful The Cat Whisperer The Science of Everything The World According to Me The Oddball Philosopher The Rambling Reviewer My Thoughts on Everything My Ramblings My Life in a Nutshell Cool YouTube channel names: Pillaging Pirates Making Waves Gladiator Riot Short Circuit Skater Baron Champion Flossy Chillwire Cool Swag Like a Boss Lively Limitless DIY YouTube channel names: Creative Trove Art Alert DIY Dude Creative Bazaar Creative Ark Designer DIY Craftsform Arttastic Contemporary Handmade Crafts Mosaic A strong vlogger YouTube channel name gives viewers a clear sense of your niche and the type of stories they’ll see. Travel channels can go for names like WanderPaths or GlobeTracks to signal adventure and exploration. Lifestyle channels might lean toward approachable names like Daily Dose or Life & Lens, and challenge or extreme content works well with bold names like ThrillSeeker or Quest Diaries. Tech YouTube channel names: Tech Arc Techly SkyTech Texcellence AccelerateTech Techdo LinkTech Healthy Tech Tech Connection Techist Business YouTube channel names: Vibrant Business Business Warrior Businessly My Business Business Experts Business Metric Business Council Business Disruptor Business Central Marketing YouTube channel names: Marketing Shack Marketing Legacy Marketing Pathfinder Future Marketing Marketing Quest Marketing and Co Marketing Days Marketing Hack Marketing Atlas Marketing Rank The right gaming channel name sets the tone for your content and reflects your style. Competitive or esports channels can go bold with names like Critical Hit, Frag Masters or Clutch Point. Casual or fun channels work well with playful names like Pixel Pals, GameSnack or Noob Quest. Channels focused on reviews, tutorials or walkthroughs benefit from descriptive names like Level Up Guides or Next Level Gaming. Food YouTube channel names: Healthy Food Vibrant Food Food News Foodist Food Library Creatively Food Westside Food Food Warrior Foodadora Contemporary Food Travel YouTube channel names: Travel and Tasty Travel Experts Atlantis Travel Enchanted Travel Budget Adrenaline Travel Days Trip Tiger Travel Splash SimplyTravel Travel and More Get started with Wix’s YouTube name generator  for creative new ideas and learn how to make a website  easily. Lifestyle YouTube channel names: Sunrise Lifestyle Lifestyle Coaching Lifestyle Soul Lifestyle In Color Creatively Personal Lifestyle Library Lifestyle Advantage Real Mom Lifestyle Paleo Family Lifestyle Lifestyle Bear Fashion YouTube channel names: Exotic Fashion Cutesy Clothes Progressive Fashion Fashion & I Carefree Clothes Fashion Registry Bohemian Bahamian Happily Ever Beachy Contemporary Urban Thrift’s Hangout Found your perfect YouTube channel name? Claim your custom URL with Wix in minutes, set up your channel branding, create a matching website and business email, and enjoy secure hosting, full privacy, and 24/7 support—all in one place. YouTube channel names You can also use these real-life YouTube channel names as inspiration. As you read through this list, think about what makes them catchy, creative and compelling. Do they use creative spelling? Wordplay or alliteration? Or do you like their informative and straight-to-the-point styling? The titles below have many elements that comprise a good YouTube channel name: 01. PewDiePie Swedish YouTuber Felix Arvid Ulf Kjellberg, better known as PewDiePie, has monetized his YouTube channel and become one of the platform’s biggest stars. His stage name is catchy, funny, and memorable–a winning combination for one of the most popular YouTube channels in the last decade. Kjellberg, a gamer and comedian beloved for his Let’s Play videos, noted that pew represents the sound of lasers and die refers to dying in a video game. Not only does the channel name rhyme, but it’s also quirky and relatable. 02. Epic Meal Time Epic Meal Time is a Canadian YouTube show famous for its meaty, indulgent meals. As the channel name suggests, the videos embrace excess–from the world’s largest lasagna to a 20-pound meat lover's sushi roll. The simultaneously straightforward and goofy name tells audiences exactly what content to expect while also clarifying the videos will stand out from the basic cooking shows. Plus the compelling use of the word epic hypes viewers up for the content—who would want to miss something epic? 03. 5-Minute Crafts 5-Minute Crafts fills their YouTube channel with fun DIY projects. This eye-catching and clear YouTube channel name proves that a straightforward title doesn’t equal a dry one. This clickable and compelling name promises short, easy projects that anyone can do. 04. Screen Junkies YouTube channel Screen Junkies offers creative takes on film and TV that include parody, thoughtful commentary, original series and more. The catchy, casual and fun name makes it clear what content the channel covers. The relatable title also appeals to their target audience of viewers and creators—a community that self-describes as “screen junkies.” 05. Marques Brownlee While creator Marques Brownlee started his YouTube channel under the name MKBHD, he pivoted to use his first and last name after gaining more than 15 million subscribers. His former name is just as striking because it’s a concatenation, or a stringing together of his initials (Marques Keith Brownlee) and the acronym HD (high definition video). Both full names and concatenated titles make strong choices for any YouTube channel name. Ready to grow your online business? Subscribe to Wix blog newsletter . How to name your YouTube channel: 15 effective tips Start with a YouTube name generator Choose a channel name category Describe your topic or subject matter Use name modeling Experiment with wordplay Make it memorable Keep it short and simple Consider global translations Avoid numbers Don’t forget to capitalize Check availability Reflect your personality Consider your niche Be ready to grow Think about SEO 01. Start with a YouTube name generator The first step in determining a channel name is to go to this YouTube name generator . The generator will point you toward creative YouTube channel names, and will help you discover interesting adjectives, suffixes, and other elements to build upon. Begin by typing a single word into the name generator–one closely aligned with your channel’s theme. From there, you can narrow your search by typing in your specific industry or field, whether you’re a photographer, a horse trainer, or a thrift clothing retailer. The result? Catchy, intriguing name combinations that you can adopt right away or use for inspiration. 02. Choose a channel name category While you play around with the YouTube channel name generator, don’t forget to choose an overarching name category. YouTube channel names fall into five main categories: Name: This includes channel names like Marie Kondo or Marques Brownlee , as in the example above. Brand: These tend to include business and company names, like Nintendo and Vanity Fair . Category: These names state your channel’s category or niche, such as 5-Minute Crafts and Top Hits Music . Descriptive: These names use adjectives and other descriptive words, such as Tasty and Epic Meal Time . Creative: Other names center around nonsense word combinations or wordplay, such as Cocomelon and Pewdiepie . Whether you opt to stick with the generator or come up with the name yourself, thinking categorically can help point you towards your desired name. 03. Describe your topic or subject matter Even the wackiest names should still indicate the channel’s content. That said, your channel name shouldn’t be dull and flat, either. You’ll want to strike a balance between the creative and the descriptive. To do this, list the first words that come to mind when considering the YouTube video ideas you’d like to include on your channel. These can either explicitly state or just hint at your channel’s topic. For example, a channel about indoor plants doesn’t necessarily require the word plants; it might instead include words like greenery, jungle or oasis. Next, take a similar approach with adjectives. What words best describe your channel’s style? A common choice is the slang word epic , indicating that the content is particularly impressive or larger-than-life. You should also consider the connotations of these words and the emotions you want to evoke. The word epic is far more striking than the word impressive. It’s casual and fun, exciting the viewer, building their anticipation, and getting them to click. As you brainstorm, get creative with your choices by coming up with synonyms for the words on your list. Tip: Once you’re done brainstorming, keep your list of words on hand, as they may help guide you to important keywords. Once you know how to upload videos to YouTube , you can use these keywords in the titles and descriptions. This will be important for building your YouTube SEO . 04. Use name modeling You can also find patterns in existing channel names that you enjoy. Think about the features of these names that make them stand out. These might be: A fusion of two words A pun Alliteration Concatenation An ending or suffix, like -ly or & Co- The name of an animal The inclusion of a first or last name A unique spelling The patterns you see will help you understand what kinds of names you like best. Use these as guidelines when creating your own YouTube channel name. 05. Experiment with wordplay Wordplay never fails to make for a striking YouTube channel name. Think of literary devices you could use, whether it’s a catchy alliterative phrase, a clever pun or memorable rhyme. If you need a jolt of creativity, this pun generator can help you get started. 06. Make it memorable If your YouTube channel name is generic or vague, it won’t capture your viewer’s attention. To create something catchy and clickable, you’ll need to add a unique, personal twist. Do you have a nickname you want to include? How about a favorite personality trait, hobby, animal or inside joke? Experiment naturally incorporating these elements into your channel name ideas. While you shouldn’t use these at the expense of relevance or clarity, combining them with more descriptive language can create a standout name. Expert tip from Daniele Pitkowski, Product Marketing Manager at Wix.com "Ensure your YouTube channel stands out, aligns with your content, and is available as a domain and on all social media platforms." 07. Keep it short and simple Part of creating a successful YouTube channel involves keeping the name relatively short, as viewers can easily forget longer names. While YouTube allows names of up to 60 characters, that’s far too long to be catchy and effective. Ideally, when it comes to the length of your YouTube name, you should aim for a maximum of 2-3 words and around 20 characters. Relatedly, you don’t want to overcomplicate your name’s spelling, as this will not only make it harder to search for your channel but also be confusing for people to pronounce. There are exceptions—the name Marshmello , for instance, is memorable precisely because of its unusual spelling. Feel free to play around with the spelling, but keep it simple and unconvoluted (Marshmelleau, for instance, would be too much of an eyeful). 08. Consider global translations YouTube viewers live all around the world, so you’ll want to make sure your channel name doesn’t include words that are inappropriate or off-putting in another language (see Wix's street interview in Germany for a cheeky reference). Whichever name you choose, do some quick research to make sure it won’t offend anyone on the opposite side of the globe. 09. Avoid numbers If your desired name is taken, you may be tempted to just add some numbers to the end and call it a day. This, however, isn’t a great strategy, since it makes your own brand less memorable and looks unprofessional. Instead, brainstorm some more and try to come up with synonyms to create a unique YouTube channel name. 10. Don’t forget to capitalize Proper title capitalization instantly makes your channel more eye-catching and professional. Consider the difference between the channel names spiderman versus SpiderMan, or creative kitchen versus Creative Kitchen. If you were browsing YouTube, which option would stand out more? Capitalization is also effective when merging words together. Think about the difference between the names Tech Growth, techgrowth, and TechGrowth. The latter looks snappier and more clickable. 11. Check availability Of course, you don’t want to accidentally copy an existing YouTube channel name. Do a quick Google search to see if a channel already uses your desired name. This will also point you toward names that are too similar, even if not exactly the same. Let’s say, for instance, that you want to use the channel name The Vegan Diet. Even if available, Vegan Diet may already exist–and that’s far too similar to make yours unique. Also check if existing brands, websites or social media channels use your chosen name. This will prove particularly useful if you expand beyond YouTube. 12. Reflect your personality Your channel name should show who you are and what you’re all about. It’s your chance to showcase your personality and purpose. If you’re funny and outgoing, go for something creative or witty that shows off your humor. If your channel focuses on practical advice or professional insights, a clear and descriptive name might be a better fit. 13. Consider your niche Pick a channel name that clearly reflects your niche and content. A strong, memorable name helps your audience instantly understand what your channel is about, attracting the right viewers from the start. For example, if your channel focuses on fitness tips and workouts, use words like "Fit," "Wellness" or "Strength" to highlight health and exercise. A tech channel might include words like "Tech" or "Innovate" to appeal to tech enthusiasts. Keep your name creative, yet directly tied to your content. This makes it easier for people to connect with your brand and feel motivated to click. 14. Be ready to grow While your YouTube name should be descriptive rather than vague, don’t limit yourself. If your name focuses on too specific a topic, that might inhibit you from expanding your types of content later on. For instance, if you enjoy reviewing comedy films, opt for an all-encompassing title like “Epic Film Reviews.” By staying away from a genre-specific channel name, you give your channel room for expansion. If you put in the work to be a successful YouTuber , expect your channel to grow in popularity. When coming up with the right name, consider the ways your content might evolve over time to make your channel scalable. Tip: As your YouTube channel grows and you create more videos , try using Wixel's free and unlimited video maker powered by Vimeo to help scale your content. Or Wix's youtube title generator for video titles that encourage users to click through. 15. Think about SEO Choose a channel name that incorporates keywords people are likely to search for when looking for your content - and that they’ll remember later. This can increase your visibility on YouTube and help your channel show up in relevant searches. For example, if your channel focuses on DIY projects, adding a keyword like "DIY" or "Craft" to your name can enhance searchability. Similarly, a travel-focused channel might include terms like "Travel," "Adventures" or even location-based keywords like "Wanderlust." Need inspiration for your website? With Wix, building a standout site is easier than ever. Choose from hundreds of customizable templates and use our easy drag-and-drop website builder tools to make your vision come to life. Turn your ideas into reality and see just how simple it is to create a unique, professional website. What is a good name for a YouTube channel? A good name should be short, easy to say, simple to spell and hint at your content without being too obvious. For a cooking channel, something like "Pan & Plan" works great for recipes or meal prep. A tech review channel? Go for "Pixel Prophet" or "Byte Size". The goal is to stand out and make it easy for people to find you. Think ahead. Maybe you’re starting with reaction videos but might shift to vlogs or tutorials later, so pick something flexible. Names like "Hey It’s Jordan" or "Studio Snaps" give you room to switch things up while staying relevant. Using your name or a nickname works too, especially for building a personal brand. Pay attention to how your name sounds and looks. Does it flow when you say it out loud? Is it catchy? Alliteration ("Crafty Casey"), rhymes ("Click & Trick") or unique made-up words ("Vlogzilla," "Trendify") can make it pop. Also, think about how it’ll look on thumbnails, banners or logos. Skip numbers or underscores—they're harder to remember and don’t look as professional. How to change your YouTube name Are you unhappy with your current channel name? Or maybe you thought of a better one? You can change your YouTube name relatively simply. According to Google , you must: Sign into YouTube Studio, Google’s creator dashboard Select “Customization” from the left margin menu Toggle to “Basic info” under the horizontal menu bar that appears Click the pencil symbol to open edit options Enter your new desired channel name in the “Name” field Click the “Publish” button on the right of the horizontal menu bar While the changes will take automatically, YouTube states that “it may take a few days” for the new name to be displayed across the platform. YouTube Channel names FAQ How to come up with a good YouTube channel name? To come up with a good YouTube channel name make sure your channel has a clear theme and direction. Don't be afraid to test different names amongst your target audience, or even just friends and family in the beginning. To make coming up with a name easier, use a name generator. What are some of the most popular YouTube names? Here are a few examples of some hugely popular YouTube accounts and their names. PewDiePie (gaming), Dude Perfect (sports), Smosh (comedy), MrBeast (entertainment). It takes more than just a great name to make your channel go viral, but it helps. And if these examples are anything to go by, the shorter and more unique, the better. What are the basic tips to remember when choosing a YouTube name? Uniqueness : it's important to stand out on YouTube, so go for a name that does just that. This means avoiding something generic or overused, something no one else is using or will use. It doesn't have to be controversial or shocking but creative and new. Memorability: in a sea of YouTube content and brands, you need to make sure your name is memorable and sticks in peoples minds. Again this isn't necessarily achieved by something way out there but it does have to be something that's easy to remember and pronounce. Length: short is better, always. Generally around 20 characters or less seems to work for both memorability and uniqueness. Keywords: YouTube SEO is alive and kicking, so don't forget it. Including keywords related to your niche, content and product in your name can help you get in front of more viewers. However don't sacrifice length, uniqueness and memorability to do this. Branding first, keywords second. Target audience: yes, your YouTube name represents your content and brand but it also must appeal to your audience. The two need to be balanced when choosing the right one.

Since its founding in 2006, Wix has been on a mission to help any creator or business build their dreams online. We’re proud to say that our platform is now home to 263 million users (and counting) worldwide and offers the richest, most abundant set of features that it has ever had.  Below, we’ll give you a glimpse at why people choose our platform. Keep reading to explore our latest and greatest Wix website features—or, check out our tools up close and sign up for Wix  for free today.  Learn more about website design  with Wix.  What is Wix?  Wix is a free website builder  that’s designed to be versatile and easy to use, no matter your familiarity with what web design is or coding. With Wix, anyone can create a state-of-the-art website.  More importantly, anyone can grow their business on Wix. The platform serves as one platform to manage and grow your business—whether you’re focused on eCommerce, fitness, hospitality or any other space.  Wix website features at a glance  While Wix has too many features to possibly list in one article, here are some of the key features worth checking out. For a full list, explore our Wix features  page.  AI-powered website builder Design features Business solutions Marketing tools SEO features Learn more: Why use Wix? Feature Details AI website builder Yes Drag-and-drop editor Yes Website templates 2,000+ Design features Mobile site editor Custom themes and fonts Custom interactions Scroll effects Photo Studio AI image generator AI text creator And more Marketing features AI email design and management AI social media management Loyalty programs Coupons and discounts Branding tools AI blogging tools Analytics And more Ecommerce features Inventory management AI product recommendations AI product descriptions POS Online payments Dropshipping Print on demand Multichannel integrations International commerce And more Other business solutions Online bookings Subscription plan management Custom forms Online courses Membership plan management Automated tax And more Monthly cost Free forever Monthly plans with advanced business solutions starting at $17/month Customer support 24/7 callback support (EN; other languages available) Live chat (EN): Monday through Friday, 2 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET (other languages available) Online ticket submission AI-powered website builder Wix’s bread and butter has always been in website building. While Wix debuted as a drag-and-drop builder and still proudly offers this advantage, our website builder has expanded far beyond basic web design capabilities.  Wix’s AI website builder , for one, simplifies how to create a website , making it as easy as having a conversation. The AI will ask about your business goals before designing a custom website right in front of your eyes. The true pièce de résistance: the builder will present a site, complete with all the content and business apps you need to hit the ground running.  “I think the biggest game-changer is the fact that you can easily create a stunning website [but] you don’t need to understand layout, design or anything to get a great working website right from the start.” - Wix’s Head of Product Yaara Asaf Alternatively, Wix offers more than 2,000 website templates , which you can customize in the Wix Editor. There’s also Wix Studio , a solution specifically designed for agencies and enterprises. Wix Studio shares the same foundation as Wix, but has additional web design, collaboration and coding capabilities for larger teams.  Design features  One of the greatest perks of Wix involves the flexibility of its easy-to-use web design tools; speed doesn’t come at the cost of versatility.  You’ve got a Media Manager, where you can explore stock photos or organize your own media. You’ve got a Photo Studio, where you can edit your images, apply filters or even use AI to generate bespoke images on the spot. You’ve got a Video Maker that can generate videos in a few seconds.  Beyond this, you can fiddle with the layout and various elements of your websites. Customize everything from your navigation menu to CTA buttons. Add interactive elements, photo galleries, custom forms, social feeds and more—all using Wix’s out-of-the-box features.  You can perfectly align the fonts and theme of your website with your usual branding. Not to mention, you can customize your mobile site via the Mobile Editor, ensuring that only the most essential elements are shown on smaller screens.  Read also: How to design a website with AI or 7 things you can do in 30 seconds using Wix’s AI image tools Business solutions  These days, a website is no longer just a visual representation of your business. A website is an extension of your business. It’s also a springboard for growth, enabling you to open up a new revenue stream or pursue other goals, both big and small.  To that end, Wix provides a slew of built-in capabilities spanning:  Ecommerce: Custom checkout experience, online payment processing , multichannel integrations, AI product descriptions, AI site-chat, loyalty programs, inventory management, print on demand, dropshipping, POS , Wix Owners app and more (learn about Wix’s eCommerce website builder )     Events: Registration forms, table charts/seating maps, ticket tiers, invitations, email confirmations, guest list management, event analytics and more Restaurants: Commission-free online ordering, table reservation, digital menu management, POS integration, loyalty programs, scheduled orders, restaurant analytics and more Service business: Online scheduling, calendar management, class bookings, video conferencing, booking reminders, custom booking forms, staff availability management, membership plays, automated invoices and more Blog: Monetization options, subscription plan management, comment management, multi-contributor management, SEO tools, AI blogging tools, blog analytics and more Portfolio: AI portfolio creator, custom contact forms, online scheduling, online payments and more Photography: Customizable gallery, Lightroom plugin, AI image editing tools, online scheduling, print on demand and more Fitness: Membership plans, online scheduling, custom booking forms, digital health wavers, Wix Fit app for clients, staff availability management, coupons, gift cards and more Hotel: Front desk management, centralized property management, unlimited reservations, external booking channels, advanced room pricing, custom tax rates, coupons, email confirmation, room types and more Programs and courses: Program customization, AI-powered content creation, participant rewards, quizzes, surveys, membership plans, participant management, program analytics and more  In addition to these built-in options, the Wix App Market  flaunts more than 800 pre-vetted apps that integrate with Wix.  “One of the reasons why I love Wix and chose Wix for my website: it’s a whole business tool. You can handle everything on there for your whole business—it’s crazy. The thing that I loved about it over all of the other platforms out there is that you’re able to customize everything on your website so that it’s really yours." - Angus Willows, founder of Kangaroo Marketing tools  Half the challenge of launching a new website or starting a new business is drumming up attention. Wix’s suite of marketing tools simplifies this process; you can manage both paid and organic campaigns in one place, avoiding the headache of switching back and forth between multiple platforms. This also allows you to sync your website analytics with your active campaigns. Wix’s marketing suite includes: AI-powered email marketing  AI-powered social media marketing   AI-powered Google Ads  AI-powered blogging tools Facebook and Instagram ads  Google My Business integration  Store coupons and discounts Loyalty programs  Logo maker  Analytics SEO features  SEO is both an art and a science. While AI is shaking things up, there are still fundamental SEO best practices worth following to make sure your website is seen by the 88% of consumers who still turn to search engines for answers to their questions (compared to 12% who use AI chatbots, and 31% who use social media, according to a study by HubSpot ).   Wix comes with beginner-friendly SEO features  that are built-in and semi-automated. You have control over basic, yet essential elements—such as your URL, meta tags, redirects and more.  Related reading: SEO website design guide But Wix also provides an SEO assistant, checklists, preset settings and AI-generated meta tags to make your life easier. All your images are instantly compressed and converted to WebP faster page load times. You can additionally connect your site to your Google Business Profile, plus your preferred tools (like Google Analytics, Semrush and others).  “Wix users can see their page in the search results immediately after they created it. There’s no waiting. There’s no wondering, ‘Am I on search or not?’ Within seconds, they’re on Google.” - Mariya Moeva, product manager at Google Who is Wix best for?  While Wix makes it possible to create nearly any type of website, the most successful users are actively looking to build, manage or grow a business. They come seeking a platform that can grow with their business and support them in other ways outside of just providing a good-looking site.  Top users include:  Entrepreneurs across industries Freelancers and consultants  Service-oriented businesses Ecommerce businesses  Bloggers and content creators  Educators  Event planners and producers Non-profit organizations Why choose Wix? Beyond having a large range of features, Wix offers the following advantages.  It’s user-friendly : You don’t need to be an experienced coder or web designer to get a fully functional website off the ground. Wix is designed to be a do-it-yourself platform; even the most advanced tools for customization and business management are easy to figure out on your own. It’s budget-friendly: You can enjoy Wix’s basic features for free for as long as you’d like. Its paid plans start at $17 per month and allow you to remove Wix branding from your site, plus take advantage of more advanced tools. You can opt for a monthly, yearly or multi-year plan.  It’s versatile :   Wix is highly customizable. Unlike other website builders with limited templates and controls, Wix is built to give you as much control over your website as possible, without overcomplicating the experience. Easily personalize your desktop and mobile sites to your brand. It’s robust:  Take advantage of a big range of built-in features for managing and marketing your business. Read: you don’t need to hunt for additional apps—with separate interfaces, costs and limitations—to get started. Create your website and your business control center all from one platform.  It’s scalable:  Enjoy enterprise-grade scalability. Our platform grows with your business, allowing you to expand your workspace at any time and only pay for what you need. It’s secure and reliable:  Rest assured that website reliability  is top-of-mind for Wix, which flaunts 99.98% uptime and two layers of DDoS protection. You don’t have to take care of maintenance yourself; the Wix infrastructure is monitored and fully managed 24/7. You’ve got a community: Learn from millions of other Wix users through Wix Groups, Wix partners and other online groups. Or, help yourself to the Wix Help Center  or Wix support channels if you have questions while using the platform. Get started with Wix today.  Wix FAQs  What are the free features of Wix? You can use Wix’s AI or classic website builder, entirely for free. Anyone can access our 2,000+ website templates, plus publish their site (though free sites will have Wix branding as well as a default domain name).  See also: our free branding tools   Should you choose to start selling through Wix or take advantage of other advanced features, paid plans start at $17 per month.  How much does Wix cost? Wix plans include: Free ($0/month) Light ($17/month) Core ($29/month) Business ($36/month) Business Elite ($159/month) These plans cater to different business types and sizes. See a full breakdown of features on our plans page . What services does Wix provide? Wix is primarily known as a website builder. However, its capabilities expand far beyond this to include support for managing your business. These capabilities include: Marketing (including tools for email, social media, blogging, etc.) Ecommerce (including payment processing, inventory management, etc.) Online bookings (for restaurants, service-based businesses, event-based businesses and others) Branding (including a logo maker, business name generator and more) Third-party integrations (with industry-leading apps)  Is Wix suitable for big websites? Yes, the Wix infrastructure is built to be scalable. Meaning, if your business takes off tomorrow and you see an influx of traffic, you can rest easy knowing that your website won’t crash. You can also capitalize on opportunities like this in an instant; Wix’s business solutions and plans are flexible. You’ve even got Wix Studio  (a solution specifically for agencies and enterprises) at your disposal.  Editor’s note: All pricing and other information are current as of May 15, 2025.

So, you’ve got your website up and running—now what? If you’re like most small business owners, the next big question is how to actually get people to find you and engage with your brand. That’s where Wix’s built-in marketing tools come in. Wix helps you handle the essentials—email campaigns, SEO, social media, ads and analytics—right from your website. No need to juggle a bunch of separate tools or stitch together a marketing strategy  from scratch.  In this post, we’ll show you some of the most powerful online marketing tools Wix offers and how you can use them to grow your business. Get online and create a website  with Wix today. 13 most powerful online marketing tools by Wix Email marketing Social media marketing Paid ads Google Business Profile integration Google Workspace integration SEO and GEO features CRM software Blogging platform Image creator Online store coupons Video maker Analytics AI Marketing Agent 01. Email marketing Wix’s email marketing  tool makes it easy to stay in touch with your customers. From ready-made templates to fully customizable options, you can decide how much effort and personal style you want to put into your messages. You can even use Wix’s built-in AI functionality to generate a completely custom layout and unique content based on the intent of your campaign and inputs about your business. On top of all of that, you can easily set up time-saving automations (such as automated “welcome” emails or reminders) and personalized sections, plus access advanced analytics to track your campaign’s performance. 02. Social media marketing When it comes to growing your brand, social media is non-negotiable. This  type of marketing  requires showing up regularly, posting content that your target audience actually cares about and staying consistent. Wix simplifies things by letting you manage all of your channels from one spot. From the “Social Media Marketing” tab in your dashboard, you can create, customize, publish and schedule posts across various social channels.  Need some help coming up with content? Wix’s AI tool can create three caption options for Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter), LinkedIn and YouTube based on your prompts. The tool can also add relevant hashtags and emojis, including the most popular trending hashtags for the subject. You can additionally ask AI for help creating custom graphics. Read also: Top marketing trends 03. Paid ads Advertising is a key way to grow your business—but managing it all can get messy. Thankfully, you can create, manage and customize ads right from your Wix dashboard. Wix even offers AI-powered tools for designing and targeting paid ads for Facebook, Instagram and Google. You can tap AI for help reaching the right audience and writing copy that resonates with them. Or, conduct ongoing A/B testing , track sales and more. Wix links your Google campaign to your website and shows how well your ads convert visitors into customers. 04. Google Business Profile integration When you start a business , a Google Business Profile helps ensure that you’re found through Google search and Google Maps. It’s a valuable way to bring in local traffic, present potential customers with all of your business info at a glance and ensure that people have an easy way to get in touch with you. You can create and manage  your Google Business Profile  from your Wix site dashboard. If you already have an account, you can link and verify an existing profile. From the “Google Business Profile” option under the “Marketing & SEO” tab in your site editor, you can either verify an existing Business Profile or create a new one. After that, you can manage the listing by editing your profile info, marking your business as permanently closed or deleting your business altogether. 05. Google Workspace integration Marketing your business isn’t just about having great ads or content. It’s about making every customer interaction smooth and professional. With Wix’s Google Workspace integration, you can sync a professional Google email with your Wix website and forms—plus ensure a consistent experience across any emails, docs or presentations you share.  To get started, purchase a Google Workspace business email  from your Wix dashboard. Google Workspace has its own pricing. However,  as a Wix user, you can access all of your subscriptions in one place and receive Wix-level support.   From Wix, design emails, forms, blogs and other content that represent your brand. Meanwhile, you can use your favorite Google Workspace tools to collaborate with clients or potential customers on the go. As noted by Meghan Kennedy, founder of lucid ladybug (sustainable styling and coordinating services), who attended a recent Wix x Google workshop:  "As a sustainable stylist, I work to individualize and customize every client experience and event. I trust Google Workspace to help streamline all communication and utilize email, Google Sheets, Google Docs—and now, Google Gemini and NotebookLM. Having a shared workspace allows me to run notes between clients, eliminating excess back-and-forth and relieving my bandwidth as a solopreneur." A Google Workspace email also gives you access to AI tools like Gemini and NotebookLM.  Get a smart assistant to help analyze your data, brainstorm ideas and organize your business. Or, as Meghan recommends, work with Gemini and NotebookLM to dream up the next stages of your business. 06. SEO and GEO features When you build a website , SEO (and these days, generative engine optimization—or "GEO") needs to be part of the plan. That means taking all the necessary measures to help people find you online via search engines like Google or AI platforms like ChatGPT. Wix takes some of the guesswork out of it with smart SEO and GEO tools. Wix’s SEO Setup Checklist , for example, gives actionable advice on how to verify your website with Google, get your site indexed quickly and improve your overall search rankings. SEO Assistant , on the other hand, will help you optimize your website content across multiple pages, including bookings page, product pages and blog posts. The tool will flag critical errors that could affect (or prevent) your site’s rankings in search. Both tools integrate with Semrush, a leading content research and SEO tool. On top of all this, you’ve got Wix's AI meta tag creator (which will help you write SEO-friendly title tags and meta descriptions for each of your web pages), custom site SEO settings  and SEO reports . On the GEO front, you've got the AI Visibility Overview , a report that shows you which prompts and questions people enter before landing on your site. Take some time to look through this data and understand where your visitors are coming from and what topics or problems are bringing them to your brand. 07. CRM software When you’re running a small business, every customer counts. Wix’s free CRM software  helps you stay on top of conversations and track important tasks. More specifically, it helps you to:  Capture leads : Use Wix’s form builder  to collect details, get feedback, take payments and follow up with customers. Pair this with Wix Chat , which allows you to connect with your customers in real time from the moment that they enter your website. Or, install AI Site Chat , which automatically provides answers based on your site data and helps site visitors find what they need.  Automate your marketing workflows : Spend less time on repetitive tasks and more time on strategic marketing initiatives. The CRM's  marketing automation  capabilities allow you to create personalized workflows that automatically trigger actions based on specific customer behaviors or milestones. From sending welcome emails to following up with abandoned carts, you can effortlessly nurture your leads and guide them through the customer journey. Collect and manage payments : Wix CRM makes it easier to get paid on time. With built-in price quote and  invoice tools , you can manage and track your transactions from one place. You can propose and negotiate prices, automatically convert approved quotes into invoices and keep tabs on the payment due date. 08. Blogging platform Blogging’s not just good for SEO—it’s a great way to share what you know and promote your website for free . The trouble is that blogging can be time-consuming. Fortunately, Wix's AI blogging tools can turn rough ideas into polished articles. You can ask the AI to outline, edit and write an entire blog according to your brand voice and goals. You can even generate custom images to jazz up your content. When it comes to your actual blog site, Wix offers a wide range of blog templates to choose from. Manage posts from your desktop editor—or if you’re on the go, create and upload posts through the  Wix App . After you’ve created your blog, you can start building up a community of followers. Through the  “Member’s Area”  (a feature that allows users to sign up to your site and receive access to exclusive offers), visitors can create public profile pages and interact with each other. There are multiple other features available too, such as social promotion capabilities, searchable hashtags, the ability to manage multiple writers, integration for email subscriptions, monetization options and more. Want to make your blog the center of your business? Give Wix’s blog maker  a try. 09. Image creator Marketing is as much a visual art as it is a written one. But in the past, you were limited by the size and skill of your design team. While there's no replacement for a skilled human artist, Wix's image editing and creation tools are a godsend for small teams with limited resources. Powered by AI, these tools can help you create custom images in seconds. Create images for your blogs, social media posts, website, emails and more. You can tell the AI to experiment with different formats (for example, you can ask it to create an illustration as opposed to a photorealistic image). If you already have photos or graphics that you want to use but simply need to tidy them up, you can enhance your photo, add filters and more from the Wix Photo Studio. 10. Online store coupons Here’s an obvious statement: everyone loves a good deal. If you want your business on the radar of bargain hunters, it’s a smart idea to turn to a coupon maker for assistance. On top of bringing shoppers to your website, a discount will keep them coming back for more. From your online store dashboard, you can set up sales and discounts  such as certain dollar amounts off, certain percentages off, free shipping, BOGO deals and more. You can also create your own coupon codes in bulk.  Ready to start selling? Try Wix’s online store builder  today.   11. Video maker Adding videos to your business website or online portfolio can be an engaging way to show off your work and stand out from the crowd. You might think that creating videos requires time, effort and specific skills. But actually, if you can spare a few minutes, it’s possible to upload the content you want to include into one nifty tool and let it take care of the entire creation process for you. That’s exactly what Wixel’s free video maker  tool is all about. The video maker can be used to create promotional videos, product demos, social posts and more. If you don’t have much in-house content to work with, utilize the free visuals, templates and sounds already obtainable within the product. In less than a minute or so, your video will be generated and ready to upload to your website, social platforms and YouTube or be saved for later. 12. Analytics You can’t improve what you don’t track, and that’s especially true when it comes to  marketing . Wix Analytics offers insight into your website performance, sales performance and more. There are multiple reports to choose from, including a Benchmarks report that lets you compare your site performance against other sites like yours. You've even got a Highlights report, which offers live stats and an AI assistant that helps retrieve the data you need. Just ask the AI assistant what you're looking to understand (e.g., "How much time do people spend on my website?"), and AI will crunch the numbers to get you an answer. "The analytics, the automations, the loyalty program…I’ve been using it all. These are amazing features.” - Jessie Knadler, founder of Speakeasy Pilates Apart from these built-in reports, Wix integrates with popular platforms and tools like Google Analytics  and Facebook Pixel , among many others. 13. AI Marketing Agent AI isn’t just about saving you from tedious work. With solutions like Wix’s AI Marketing Agent , you can use AI to anticipate what’s coming up and help you act on it. From email campaigns to ad copy, the agent keeps your brand’s marketing machine running smoothly while surfacing the most critical tasks for you to weigh in on. Say, for instance, you're running an online store and there’s a seasonal spike approaching. The agent might recommend offering a limited-time deal. It could even draft the message for you. All you do is give it the green light. This translate to more chances to engage your audience in real time, without the stress of scrambling at the last minute. Read also: 16 years of marketing mastery: lessons from Wix CMO Omer Shai

If you ask the person next to you, “What is Wix?”, they’ll probably tell you that they used it to make their first website. But that’s not the whole story. Yes, Wix is a free website builder that’s great for those learning how to make a Wix website as well as for web design professionals, but it’s so much more than that. In this article, we’ll give you the whole picture of what Wix is and how it might be useful to your business. You’ll learn: What is Wix? Wix’s web design options Making money with Wix Marketing with Wix How Wix compares to other website builders Start building your online presence today by creating a website with Wix . What is Wix? Wix is a powerful, no code website builder that comes equipped with business tools that can help you build something as simple as a personal blog to something as complex as an enterprise-grade hub for your online business. It has built-in features for eCommerce, marketing, scheduling, branding and more. An incumbent in the website space, Wix has long been a leader in web design and an early adopter of new technologies, like AI website creation. Get started with your website design with Wix today. Wix’s web design options Whatever your experience level with web design , Wix makes it easy to learn how to make a professional website  and build the functional, professional site you want. Today, Wix users can pick from a variety of web design options, including the ones listed below. AI Using an AI website maker is all the rage these days, but few come with the customizability and range of tools that Wix does. Once you answer several questions about the site you want to create, Wix will generate it in seconds, filling it with text and imagery that fits your answers. You can play with themes, layouts, colors, tone of voice, images and more until you get a result you’re happy with. Wix has been incorporating AI solutions into its products since 2016. "Our models are based on decades of deep knowledge and experimentation, which makes them a lot more reliable and a lot smarter,” says Yarden Geffen, product marketing manager at Wix. Here are just a few of the AI-powered solutions that Wix offers to its users: Website creation Text creation Logo design Trailer generation Auto background removal Chatbot Section generation Layout switcher Templates If you don’t have a clear vision for what you want your site to look like, starting with a template might be a better option for you. Wix has hundreds of website templates to choose from. You can browse templates by industry (such as health, restaurants or beauty) or by purpose (such as building a community or showcasing a portfolio). After you’ve selected the perfect template for your website, use the Wix Editor to make it your own. Wix Editor Whether you build your website from scratch —from a template and/or with the help of AI—you’ll be able to customize it however you’d like with Wix Editor . Write content and upload images, videos and other elements and put them in the perfect spot with drag-and-drop technology. Then, rotate, resize and recolor your content however you see fit. Wixel Video Maker Wixel Video Maker , powered by Vimeo, is a free online video editor designed to assist you in crafting videos for embedding on your website and incorporating into promotional materials. Simply input your business details and upload your intended content, then seamlessly integrate text and music to create a cohesive presentation. In just a matter of minutes, you'll have a polished, professional video at your disposal. With Video Maker, you can produce content for a variety of purposes, such as crafting social media posts, demonstrating products, recapping events, announcing sales and commemorating milestones. The versatility extends to where you can share your creations—whether on your Wix website, across your social media platforms, on YouTube or anywhere else you prefer. Wix Photo Studio With Wix Photo Studio , you can edit your images without leaving the platform. Think of it as built-in Photoshop. You can crop and resize photos, adjust brightness and contrast, apply filters, remove backgrounds, add text and more with this versatile tool. Wix Studio If you run a marketing or design agency, Wix Studio is for you. Wix Studio is a powerful Wix product designed to help agencies build powerful websites for their clients at scale. You can add custom CSS and code-free animations for bespoke projects. Multi-project management tools help you track all of your agency’s projects on desktop or on mobile. Internal and Studio-wide design libraries let you share templates and reusable assets with teammates. Collaboration capabilities and custom roles make it easy to work on the same website at the same time, while restricting who can do what. Wix Marketplace Looking to outsource the task of building or developing your website? Wix Marketplace can connect you with a freelancer or agency with the expertise you’re looking for. Beyond design, these professionals can help you improve your site’s SEO, write blog content, optimize your eCommerce shop, design your logo, set up integrations and much more. Velo by Wix Developers, Velo by Wix is for you. This full-stack development platform empowers you to construct, oversee and launch top-notch web applications. You can build an entire site using Wix’s native tools (including the drag-and-drop editor), then add your special touch with your own JavaScript code. Making money with Wix So, what is Wix besides a website design tool? It’s also a hub for your business. There are lots of ways to make money with Wix . Here’s how. Online store With Wix eCommerce, you can build an online store and sell your own creations or curate products from vendors. Customize the design of your store, upload products, add photos and descriptions, set prices and you’re off to the races. Accept all kinds of payments online with Wix Payments, including buy now, pay later solutions and online credit card processing . You can set up one-time payments for product purchases, or recurring payments for subscriptions and memberships. If you also sell in person in the U.S. or Canada, Wix Payments also seamlessly connects to Wix's point of sale (POS) system to help you better manage inventory and transaction data. Manage everything from order logistics to your social media campaigns all through your Wix dashboard. You can additionally launch your store on various third-party marketplaces—like Amazon, eBay and Google Shopping—directly through Wix. Wix POS Unify your online and in-person presence with Wix POS . This point-of-sale system lets you accept payments in-store and on-the-go with stationary and mobile hardware. By integrating Wix POS with Wix eCommerce, you can share in-store and online data. Furthermore, this integration helps you manage your catalog, transactions, analytics and payments with ease. Scheduling software Wix's scheduling software is a versatile and user-friendly tool that simplifies appointment booking and management for businesses and service providers. This powerful feature is an integral part of the Wix ecosystem, designed to enhance the functionality of your website and streamline your operations. With Wix scheduling, you can effortlessly create a custom booking system tailored to your specific needs. Whether you're running a small business, offering services, or organizing events, Wix allows you to set up and customize your availability, services offered, and pricing. This flexibility ensures that you can adapt the scheduling tool to match your unique requirements. The booking process is equally straightforward for your clients or customers. They can easily view your availability, select their preferred date and time and make reservations directly through your website. What sets Wix scheduling apart is its seamless integration with your website. You can embed booking forms, calendars, and even payment options directly into your web pages, creating a cohesive and professional online presence. Plus, the software offers synchronization with popular calendar apps, ensuring you stay organized and never miss an appointment. Staff members can even sync their personal calendars with the business one to help with meeting scheduling and keeping you in the loop. Wix's scheduling software empowers businesses of all sizes to manage their bookings efficiently, save time, and deliver a convenient and user-friendly experience to their clients. Whether you're a fitness trainer, therapist, consultant, or run any other appointment-based business, this tool can be a valuable addition to your Wix website. Dropshipping Looking for a passive income stream? With Wix’s dropshipping tool, you can sell products without ever handling your merchandise. To get started with dropshipping, connect your Wix eCommerce shop to the Modalyst marketplace and select from millions of products to sell online. When you make a sale, your suppliers receive your orders and ship products directly to your customers. You’ll earn a margin from each sale. Print on demand Like dropshipping, print on demand frees you from dealing with logistics and investing in inventory you can’t sell. Wix’s print-on-demand integration lets you design printed and embroidered products that Wix’s partners print and ship on your behalf. You can add your original designs or business branding to shoes, mugs, phone cases, food packaging and more. Marketing with Wix Beyond its website-building and money-making capabilities, Wix is also a full suite of online solutions designed to help you grow a business . “The great thing about the Wix marketing tools is that they help business owners with the short and long game,” said Josh Brentan, Content Lead at Wix. “Not only do we offer all the tools to run promotions and ads for short term benefit, but we also provide content tools for SEO, blogs, email marketing and even an app that lets entrepreneurs engage with their target audience at every stage of the customer journey.” Check out these marketing tools from Wix. Landing page builder Want to gauge interest for a new product or spread the word about your ebook? A landing page is the perfect place to do those things. Wix’s landing page builder helps you build a powerful, objectives-driven page that converts without code. Use the drag-and-drop editor to achieve the look you want. Add eCommerce options like discount codes and payments, signup forms and more. You can even create dynamic pages that change depending on who lands on your website. SEO Digital marketing lore claims that the best place to hide a dead body is the second page of Google search results. While this saying is sensational, research backs up that people only pay attention to the first few search results. In fact, data shows that the first three search results get 55% of clicks. Wix’s built-in search engine optimization (SEO) tools can help your website land at the top of search engine results pages. Jumpstart your success with an SEO setup checklist that’s personalized for your website. Customizable metadata, URLs and tags empower you to optimize each page, product and blog post. Then, let Wix’s optimized infrastructure and Google Search Console integration help you make the most of each keyword. What truly sets Wix apart is its AI-powered infrastructure, combined with seamless integration with Google Search Console. This dynamic duo empowers you to not only optimize your content but also leverage AI-driven insights to monitor your website's performance. By making data-driven decisions with AI at your side, you can continuously enhance your search engine rankings. Blogging Maximize your SEO efforts by creating a blog for free on your Wix site. By writing about content that’s relevant to your target keywords, you can attract new audiences and become a thought leader in your industry. New blog content also gives visitors a reason to keep coming back to your website. Wix lets you add a blog to your website and scale content creation with templates and an intuitive content management system (CMS). You can schedule blog post publication, collaborate on posts with multiple writers and manage content on the go with the Wix app. Email marketing Spread the word about your blog posts or business with email marketing from Wix. You can use templates or start from scratch with Wix’s user-friendly editor. Personalize emails with subscribers’ names to boost open rates and engagement. You’ll save time with automations that send email campaigns when you want them. A/B testing content helps you optimize performance, while real-time analytics help you create an even better campaign next time. App builder If you thought only enterprise businesses could build their own apps, think again. The app builder by Wix lets you create an app without coding. Use your app as an extension of your business and let visitors shop, book services, engage in forums and more. The app is completely white labeled, so you won’t see Wix’s name or logo in the app, App Store or Google Play. You have full creative freedom to design your app icon and layout however you’d like. The best part is, all app activity syncs to your Wix dashboard for a seamless backend experience. Social media Did you know you can handle your social media marketing without leaving Wix? The native social media manager tool allows you to design social media imagery and videos, and schedule posts to publish simultaneously on multiple platforms. Ads You can create and manage Facebook and Instagram ads without leaving Wix. Simply open Facebook Ads in your Wix dashboard to get started. Then, create your ad by uploading media and writing a caption. Set your target audience by choosing their demographics. Finally, determine your campaign budget and timeline, then publish your campaign. You’ll be able to track ad performance and see how they affect your sales and business goals. How does Wix compare to other website builders? Beyond its massive library of templates and apps, Wix is leading the way in performance, reliability, security, accessibility and analytics. Read more: Wix vs. Squarespace or Wix vs. Shopify Performance Performance is at the forefront of every Wix element, feature and component. That’s why Wix is always working to improve its Core Web Vitals (loading time, interactivity and visual stability) for its merchants. These efforts have paid off: as of September 2023, Google found that 70.4% of websites created with Wix had good Core Web Vitals . One of the major changes that have contributed to this improvement is the addition of the Site Speed Dashboard to the platform, which users can access to see how quickly their sites load and get personalized recommendations for optimizing speed. The dashboard uses actual user data as opposed to lab data, which only estimates potential visitor performance by simulating slow networks. "Wix always makes performance their priority and it definitely shows, both in monitoring tools and in their user's experience." —Yoav Weiss, Senior Software Engineer and Developer Advocate at Google Site reliability Due to Wix's exceptional site reliability , Wix websites consistently achieve an impressive 99.99% uptime. Wix employs a multi-cloud hosting approach, meaning it utilizes data centers worldwide to distribute workloads, enhance performance and serve as safeguards in case of localized disruptions. As a result, Wix sites load swiftly and efficiently, unaffected by potential regional outages. Wix monitors its infrastructure around the clock to anticipate issues before they occur, minimizing disruptions. Wix also monitors your website for unusual activity to keep your content, data and customers safe. Security Wix monitors website security 24/7 and constantly upgrades its practices to keep your site, data and customers safe. In addition to our multi-layered defense system for threat prevention, detection and response, we also have a team of people who actively monitor the system around the clock. Here are a few other ways Wix helps keep your website secure: Content management security: When you have multiple people contributing content to your website, you need a way to make sure that contributors only have access to the features that are relevant to them. Roles and permission settings let you determine who can manage what on your website’s backend. Payment security: A data breach can be the end of your business, which is why Wix pulls out all the stops to ensure sensitive information doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. Wix follows the highest payment data security standards to help you keep your customer data safe. It also uses machine learning and data analysis to monitor websites for malware and vulnerabilities. Wix account security: To help secure your account, Wix offers two-step verification via SMS, email or an authentication app. Accessibility Website accessibility is paramount for ensuring that everyone, regardless of their abilities or disabilities, can access and use online content effectively. In this context, Wix shines by adhering to the highest global standards for accessibility across all its features (including templates and Wix apps ). “What we offer is the ability to make accessible websites easily without taking creative freedom from the users,” says Nir Horesh, Wix’s Head of Accessibility. Moreover, Wix equips users with a range of website accessibility tools to make the process of making a website accessible as easy as possible. Here are a few examples of the tools you’ll have at your disposal: Accessibility Wizard: The Wix Accessibility Wizard searches your website for accessibility obstacles and offers personalized solutions for resolving them. Alt text: Alt text is a description of an image that is built into its code to ensure that site visitors who use screen readers won't miss important context. Wix Editor users can find an alt text form in their image settings that automatically inputs the description into the site code. Document Object Model (DOM): The DOM represents the hierarchical structure of a web page’s elements (headings, paragraphs, links, etc.), which is crucial for users that rely on assistive tech to navigate them. Wix automates the DOM to ensure that it is structured in an accessible and logical manner for all users. Keyboard functionality: For some people with motor control disabilities, navigating a website with a keyboard can be easier than using a mouse. Wix ensures that people who use keyboard inputs alone can navigate your site with ease. Accessible templates: Wix offers a number of templates that are designed to be accessible. These templates are built with accessibility in mind and include features like clear and concise language, high contrast colors and keyboard navigation. Check out Wix’s accessible website templates today. Analytics Wix Analytics is a powerful tool that can help you track the performance of your website and make informed decisions about your marketing efforts. It provides access to key data, including: Sales over time: See how your sales are performing now compared to previous time periods. Sales by order type: Identify which Wix apps (Bookings, Events, eCommerce, etc.) are generating the most revenue on your site. Average order value over time: Track how much the average customer spends on your site over time. New vs. returning visitors: Determine whether the bulk of your traffic is coming from new or returning visitors to guide your marketing focus toward acquisition or retention efforts. Page visits: Learn how each page of your site is performing. Button clicks over time: Find out what buttons or clickable images on your site are performing best and how it changes over time. Traffic sources: Discover where your traffic is coming from, such as search engines, social media, referrals, ads or direct traffic. Versatility Whether you're launching a blog, opening an online store, or building a portfolio, Wix flexes to fit your vision. It's packed with features and design options that cater to a broad spectrum of industries. (That's one of the many reasons Wix can simultaneously be the best website builder for photographers and the best restaurant website builder .) From the plethora of customizable templates to the drag-and-drop interface, Wix empowers you to craft a unique online presence without getting bogged down by code. And if you're ever aiming to expand your site's functionality, Wix's App Market steps in with a wide selection of apps and services that integrate seamlessly. See Wix up close True to its mission, Wix makes it easy for you to create your own professional website—exactly the way you want. From its user-friendly drag-and-drop editor to its diverse array of features, Wix offers the tools and flexibility needed to bring your vision to life. Still on the fence? Try the free plan to start, then switch to a premium plan to get access to all its features. Sign up for Wix today.

In order to run a successful business, it’s critical that your marketing efforts are up to speed with the latest trends. These days, business owners have learned that traditional marketing techniques like print ads and cold calls aren’t the best way to attract customers. Instead, you’re better off ensuring you create a website with useful, engaging content that your audience genuinely enjoys. The practice of building your marketing strategy around valuable content is known as inbound marketing, and it’s proven far more effective than traditional approaches in attracting and retaining customers. In this article, we’re going to walk you through everything you need to know about this technique, from the definition of inbound marketing to examples and strategies of inbound marketing done right. What is inbound marketing? Inbound marketing is a marketing methodology that involves creating engaging and relevant content pieces and experiences to attract customers to your brand. It includes building a professional website filled with great content, publishing compelling posts on your blog and social media channels, and boosting your website’s rank on Google (a practice known as SEO). The philosophy behind inbound marketing is that the more value you’re able to offer users in terms of useful website content, educational resources, and other helpful tools, the more they’ll gravitate towards your brand. Done well, this method will not only help you attract one-time buyers, but also build and retain a loyal customer base. Event marketing , for example, can be an incredibly efficient form of inbound marketing. By introducing potential customers to your brand in a fun, engaging way, they'll be more likely to show interest and possibly convert. Find out how to promote an event in 9 actionable steps. Inbound vs outbound marketing Inbound and outbound marketing are two distinct types of marketing that tend to be defined in contrast to one another. Outbound marketing, also known as interruption marketing or push marketing, is the use of old school sales practices such as print ads, cold calls, email blasts, and more. The aim of these tactics is to get the word out to as many people as possible with the hope that some of them will buy your products. Before inbound marketing gained traction, outbound marketing was the standard practice for businesses. The downside of this technique is that it isn’t targeted toward any specific set of customers who may be interested in your product. Because the message is broadcasted to a large general audience, it won’t be relevant or interesting to most consumers - and will usually be ignored. On top of that, outbound marketing is a one-way conversation. Rather than listening to consumers’ concerns and addressing their needs, push marketing methods simply talk about the product and the reasons to buy it. As a result, many consumers stay as far away from outbound marketing as they can. If you use an ad blocker on your web browser, send marketing emails straight to your spam box, fast forward through TV ads, or drive past billboards without a second glance, I’m sure you can relate. Inbound marketing, on the other hand, is like a magnet. Far from being loud, pushy, or aggressive, this type of marketing is more subtle but also more potent. By speaking to consumer needs, helping them solve a problem, and teaching them something new, effective inbound marketing builds trust and gently guides people toward a product. Inbound marketing methodology The key to successful inbound marketing is to engage with customers at every stage of the marketing funnel, from the first touchpoint through the final purchase. The goal of your promotional efforts should be to attract people to your brand, convert them into prospective customers, close sales, and delight them long after the purchase. For that reason, the inbound marketing methodology is divided into four phases: Attract, Convert, Close, and Delight: Attract: Generate leads by creating useful and engaging blog posts, social media posts, and other marketing materials. Sustainable marketing has also become a extremely popular inbound marketing method as the demand for environmentally-friendly products has grown. Aim to attract people who are already interested in your product or niche, as they have the highest potential to become customers. Convert: Once you’ve drawn in strong leads, continue to target them with content that convinces them to convert into loyal customers. Start by gathering their contact information and personal details. You can do this using landing pages and CTAs (calls-to-action), or by offering free downloadable content across your site. Close: After converting your leads into prospective customers, guide them even further down the funnel with compelling content that convinces them to make a purchase. Delight: Inbound marketing doesn’t stop after the first purchase. Continue to delight your customers by rewarding them with meaningful interactions and high quality, informative content. This is key to building stronger relationships with your audience, establishing trust in your brand, and boosting the reputation and credibility of your business. Inbound marketing examples Now that you have a broad understanding of what inbound marketing is, it’s time to look at some examples of different kinds of inbound marketing. These include: Blogs , such as our very own Wix Blog . Infographics , like this one about website user stats. Whitepapers and eBooks , like these pieces from the Content Marketing Institute’s white paper library . Case studies , like these case studies from Google . Videos , like those on the popular Nintendo YouTube channel . Webinars , such as these webinars by Wix Learn . Online courses , such as the digital marketing classes by HubSpot Academy . Email newsletters , as shown in these newsletter ideas. Podcasts , such as Slack’s Work in Progress podcast. Social media posts , as seen on the Wix Facebook page . Quizzes and entertainment , like these recipes by Nutella . SEO , as explained in these SEO tips. While there’s a wide range of options, you’ll notice that inbound marketing largely revolves around content marketing, social media marketing and SEO. Together, these digital marketing tactics serve to drive organic traffic towards a brand and move customers through the sales funnel. Inbound marketing strategies Once you’ve looked through the different inbound marketing examples, consider the kinds of content that would be most relevant to your audience and brand. Are you thinking about creating a blog? Should you be posting more on social media? What about making videos? As you develop your new inbound marketing plan, these marketing strategies can help you get started: Know your target market Shape the right brand identity Create a blog Start guest blogging Get creative with your content Optimize for SEO Post on social media Collaborate with influencers Interact with your audience Create powerful email campaigns Use digital tools Offer free value 01. Know your target market Remember that inbound marketing, unlike outbound marketing, doesn’t involve shouting out your message to as many people as possible. On the contrary, it’s about attracting high quality traffic - users who are actually interested in your particular niche and who have the potential to convert. That’s why the first step in mastering inbound marketing is conducting market research. Take the time to define and understand your target market - their interests, hobbies and professions, as well their demographic and geographic information. You can gather this data using website analytics and other marketing integrations. Then, use this information to create buyer personas, fictional representations of your customers that you can use as a reference throughout your marketing strategy. With an in-depth understanding of your potential customers, you’ll be closer to marketing to them in a way they’ll find interesting and enjoyable, rather than spammy or intrusive. 02. Shape the right brand identity Think about it: a business that markets to tech-savvy twenty-somethings will have a very different brand identity than a business that sells to retirees - even if they offer similar products. To attract and retain the attention of your target market, build a brand that resonates with your potential customers. Every aspect of your inbound marketing efforts - from your blog content to your email newsletters to your social media branding - should use language, images, and color palettes that are relevant and relatable for your audience. This will show your audience that your brand addresses their particular needs, and they’ll form a stronger connection with your business as a result. 03. Create a blog Content marketing forms the core of a powerful inbound marketing strategy. And while it encompasses a wide array of content types, blogging is its heart and soul. Creating a blog is one of the best ways to attract new visitors to your website. In order to get found by prospective customers, you’ll need to post informative content that speaks to their needs and answers their questions. A high-quality blog also establishes your brand’s credibility and expertise, building trust among your target audience. In other words, you can’t go wrong with a blog. Keep in mind that longer, in-depth, and actionable content produces stronger results than that which merely skims the surface. 04. Start guest blogging In addition to publishing great blog posts on your own site, try to publish guest posts on other popular blogs. Guest blogging is a powerful way to promote your website, as it helps you capture the attention of new members of your target audience who might otherwise never have heard of your business. Begin your guest posting efforts by reaching out to other blogs within your niche. Some of them provide special pages, usually entitled “Write for Us,” “Become a Contributor,” or “Editorial Guidelines,” that provide information for guest writers on how to proceed. If you don’t see these pages, email the company to ask about guest blogging opportunities and share some of your article ideas. You can also reach out to the writers directly over LinkedIn or Twitter. To maximize the effectiveness of this strategy, be sure to write guest posts on a consistent basis. You should also link to your website or blog in the author bio, as well as in the body of the post itself. This will create backlinks, which play an important role in boosting your website’s SEO. 05. Get creative with your content While blogging is a great practice, it isn’t the only content marketing method you’ll want to include in your inbound marketing strategy. You should also branch out into other forms of content, such as eBooks, podcasts, videos , webinars, and more. For inspiration, take a look at these guides for how to create a podcast, how to live stream, and how to start a YouTube Channel . 06. Optimize for SEO The ultimate goal of improving your search engine optimization (SEO) is to boost your content’s performance on search engines. You can think of SEO and content marketing as two sides of the same inbound marketing coin. While content marketing is about creating well-written, informative, and engaging content, SEO is about making sure that content actually gets found on Google. If your content ranks 1, 2, or 3 in the Google search results, it’s far more likely to be read than if it ranks 50 or 100. To improve your SEO, be sure to: Conduct keyword research to place high volume keywords within your content. Use long-tail keywords to target a relevant audience within your niche. Include internal links between your blog posts and website pages. Find opportunities to place backlinks on external web pages that lead to your own site. 07. Post on social media Social media platforms are also an essential inbound marketing tool for drawing organic traffic to your brand. Start by thinking about which platforms your audience is using. Are they perusing pictures on Pinterest, swiping through Instagram Stories, or sending out tweets? Focus your efforts on creating posts on the social media platforms where your audience is most active. Whichever platforms you choose, make sure to draw users to your brand by forming personal connections with potential customers. Post content relevant to their interests and needs, and engage with them in the comments section. 08. Collaborate with influencers Another inbound marketing strategy on social media is to take advantage of influencer marketing . Influencers are people who have built a strong reputation and following on social media, typically centered around a particular niche. If their niche aligns with your product or service, their followers are likely the same people you want to be targeting with your brand. To take advantage of the large following of these social media stars, build relationships with influencers relevant to your business goals. To get the ball rolling, reach out to them directly on social media platforms. Talk to them about how they can benefit from a collaboration - whether it’s free publicity, a complimentary gift, or another reward. This will help you expand your reach, add credibility to your brand, and stimulate interest in your product. Another type of collaborative tactic beyond influencer partnerships is to post content on third party websites via affiliate marketing . 09. Interact with your audience Inbound marketing means engaging with users as much as possible. In addition to responding to user comments on social media, you should find other opportunities for conversation. For example, you can implement a live chat on your website that you can use to answer customer questions or provide guidance, or ask for customer feedback via surveys and polls. Consistently interacting with customers will make your brand feel accessible, trustworthy, and personal. Furthermore, your audience will appreciate you for listening to their concerns and giving them the opportunity to share their thoughts. 10. Create powerful email campaigns With the help of email marketing tools, you can send out targeted emails that provide each customer with specific content tailored to their needs. The most effective email marketing offers genuine value, either in the form of expert information, actionable advice, or free content. In particular, email newsletters are an effective inbound marketing tool because they educate and inform while driving traffic to your website or blog. Other examples of quality email content include free eBook downloads and special offers like discounts or coupon codes. To send newsletters and other marketing emails to different segments of your target market, try Wix Email Marketing . 11. Use digital tools As you begin to attract more customers, the process of segmentation and targeting becomes increasingly complex. For that reason, it’s important to take advantage of marketing automation tools to gather and sort your customer data. 12. Offer free value A common theme in inbound marketing is that offering free value goes a long way. Between informative blog posts, downloadable eBooks and whitepapers, and free online courses and webinars, thorough and detailed content marketing attracts customers to your brand by promising value from the very beginning. You can take this idea a step further by offering a one-month free trial, as well as a free consultation to potential clients. Show your leads that you genuinely care about their well-being, not just that you’re trying to push a sale. They’ll be pleased to have connected with a trustworthy, likable brand.

A look back at the 1990s through the 2020s shows how website design imagery vibrantly transformed from static, pixelated, flat symbols, to fluid, high-quality, dimensional visuals. Now, today’s challenge for web designers is taking advantage of the advanced visual technologies to find a stylish visual language that enhances your site’s overall aesthetic, user experience and performance. In this article, I’ll review the role of imagery in web design, the manifold types and the game-changing tools available (like these free icon packs ). Then I’ll sit down with Adi Huri, creative product manager for WOW (Wix’s visual innovation team), to uncover five best practices for implementing visuals when it comes to how to make a website . What role does website imagery play in 2022? A picture speaks a thousand words, and I have to agree when it comes to your website’s visual impact in 2022. We live in a world overwhelmed with images: The average adult spends about 30 minutes a day browsing Instagram’s whopping 95 million daily-uploaded photos. On top of that, we encounter between 4,000 to 10,000 advertisements daily . That being said, when you design a website , you want visitors to look at something new. Choose imagery that doesn't just follow trends, but helps audiences remember your stand-out brand identity. Today, you can take advantage of advanced UX design tools to create a striking visual experience for your visitors that doesn’t sacrifice performance or security. Types of website imagery In this section, I’ll go over the image types you may use while creating your website. I’ll also include each type’s purpose with tips to help you optimize, plus some examples of each type in action. Photography We usually see product or event photographs as strictly marketing tools, but website photographs can do so much more than just sell merchandise and tickets. Website photography can visually draw people into your design, selling not just one product—but an entire vibe. You can also apply plenty of tools, like filters or cropping, to enhance your images’ visual identity. To start, consider using these two common photograph types on your website: Stock photographs Many websites requiring a high volume of imagery or limited resources opt to use high-quality stock photos on their website. Though not exclusive to your brand identity, they can portray more universal visual ideas (e.g. generic nouns: people, like "families"; places, like "beaches"; things, like "breakfast"; and ideas, like "partying.") Stock photos always have a license attached to them, too. Tip: Wix offers its users an entire library of exclusive stock photography for users to easily apply to their websites. An enthusiastic in-house team produces most images to reflect current trends, too. If you can’t find what you like, you can also integrate royalty-free images from popular collections like Shutterstock and Unsplash within the Wix Editor. Custom photographs On the other hand, websites need custom photography to visually represent their distinctive elements, whether through headshots for an About Us page, product photography, or proof of client work. While custom photography can be expensive, today's mobile devices can do a good job fulfilling many of your website's photography needs–just make sure the photos look professional and are high-resolution files. Example of custom photographs by Gatsby Bar Video If photographs deliver a vibe to website visitors, video does to an exponential degree. With wider angle ranges, lengthier messages, animation and more, videos can help website visitors effortlessly engage with more content. Because of this, designers constantly seek to integrate this powerful optic tool into websites, whether with traditional formats or more trendy, cutting-edge video tools: Traditional video player Whether embedding a stock video in your site’s design for decoration or uploading an original video to boost your marketing game, traditional video can act as an informative tool and engage both first-time visitors and loyal customers. Tip: Wix supports the most popular types of video files and allows you embed videos in your site with as little as one click. Additionally, you can stream video directly from Vimeo and YouTube onto your website with convenient Wix Editor integrations. The user-friendly Wixel Video Maker makes it easy to customize your media’s design and display. Transparent video Transparent videos are exclusive to Wix, using an invisible background to bypass the traditional mp4 streaming limits, resulting in animated images that jump right off any device screen. Designers can use this unique technology to complement and give character to a modern website. Plus users can view these high-quality micro animations from any browser or device. Tip: Wix collaborated with artists, designers and global users to create an exclusive transparent video collection. Can’t find anything you like? Upload and customize your own dynamic designs with our one-of-a-kind tool that lets you manipulate color, rotation, size and animation. VideoBox Wix’s VideoBox is not your traditional video player. The decorative web design tool allows users to take videos beyond the traditional format, employing unique effects to create super cool visuals for your site. From overlays to customized buttons and behaviors, and even adding shadows or borders—you can also apply a Video Mask to cut your media into unique shapes to create an impressive visual effect. Video Mask You can also apply a Video Mask to cut your video into a unique shape and create an impressive visual effect. You can choose from thousands of shapes and vector art or upload your own SVG file with a custom shape. Vector art Vector files, also known as SVG (scalable vector graphic) files, refer to illustrations built using mathematical formulas. These malleable files allow for customization of shape, size and color. While we may take these sophisticated graphics’ ubiquitous internet presence for granted, you may not realize vector files single-handedly changed the web design game. Tip: Wix WOW team’s exclusive Vector Art collection includes thousands of bespoke vector illustrations and icons commemorating important social dates, holidays, seasonal trends and unique causes (such as our latest collection supporting Ukraine). These visuals can expand to any size without pixelation—an essential quality for today’s designer that is ideal for performance. You can also upload your own SVG file and customize it with the Wix Editor: on top of playing around with color, opacity, size, shape and animation—try flipping and rotating these visuals for special effect. As text files, SVGs are especially vulnerable to malicious security attacks. But thanks to Wix’s sanitation engine, you can upload your own Vector Art with the piece of mind that it won’t breach website security. Backgrounds Composing your imagery includes choosing a website background to set the tone for your visitors as they arrive and scroll through your site. Basic backgrounds, such as solid colors or patterns, can serve as a strong foundation for your site’s content. For those who want a more expressive backdrop, choose from these impressive options: Image backgrounds You can use high-resolution graphics or photos to strengthen your site’s visual story. But you don’t have to limit your background to just one image—for example, you can add strips to break up the content or include multiple images. An image background can become even more interesting with other easy-to-apply modern hover effects, image layers and filters. Tip: When paired with Wix’s 13 scroll effects, you can combine your imagery with an even more engaging quality like parallax scrolling , a technique which slows down your website background’s pace, resulting in a 3D effect as visitors scroll your site. Or try freeze scrolling to hold your background image in place as visitors work their way through your site’s content. Website example by The Baked Product Video background We’ve already touched on how video impacts audiences today—so it’s no surprise that many website designers now choose video backgrounds over static images to engage users. Tip: The Wix editor includes three video overlay options to add even more depth to your background. Gradient background Website gradients are color transitions departing from one central color point and gradually blending into another. A hot web design trend in 2022, this strong aesthetic looks modern, advanced and adds depth to your design. Tip: While gradients are complex designs, Wix brings it down to earth. From radial and linear gradients, to our very own cutting-edge Fluid Gradient, you can implement the Wix Editor’s ready-to-use backgrounds without any custom coding. As you can see in the image below, gradients can also be combined with an image in your site's background. Learn more: What is web design? Expert website imagery design tips I sat down with Adi Huri, Creative Product Manager for WOW, to point out website imagery best practices. We also hand-picked a few of best websites from Wix users websites to visually inspire you: Website imagery tip 1: have fun with image tools Today’s built-in tool arsenal allows you to easily apply visual effects that were once only attainable with complex code or digital design programs. “We at Wix have created these visual tools to make your life easier and help your website stand out. We always have performance in mind,” says Adi. “These aren’t only for starters, but can save anyone with a vision time and money to create quality visuals”. Huri adds, “For example, tools like our Video Mask that allow users to crop their own videos into custom shapes, filters or overlays is something we once needed professionals and external software to create. Now, anyone can apply these effects in seconds” Website imagery tip 2: add a favicon to your website Your website imagery should uplift your design, amplify your branding efforts and feel organic for visitors. When choosing vector art, photos or backgrounds, aim for styles that form a cohesive aesthetic with your brand assets. Most importantly—include your logo for visitors to see in your site’s imagery. With this in mind, don’t forget one tiny element: your website’s favicon . This tiny icon is displayed on the tab at the top of your website browser, as well as your bookmark bar, history and in search results pages. “A favicon plays an important role in website navigation,” says Adi. “I don’t know about you, but I have about a hundred tabs open right now—and if a website doesn’t have one, I won’t be able to re-find it as I browse from one site to another.” OK Drugs ’s online CBD shop nails a cohesive presence—from the color scheme and type design, to product photography and, of course, the favicon. Website imagery tip 3: don’t forget social share images Huri emphasizes that website owners often overlook social share images—or the image displayed when a URL is shared on apps like Facebook and Whatsapp. Even if your shared webpage doesn’t include imagery, social share images can give audiences a good visual preview of your site. For each website page, choose a social share image that reflects its topic. Since every platform has its own criteria for social sharing images, titles and descriptions, make sure you preview before pressing publish. Website imagery tip 4: pay attention to quality We’ve moved past pixelation, blurriness and imbalance (unless, of course, your site hits on the nostalgic Y2K aesthetic trend.) However, those crystal clear visuals shouldn’t come at the cost of your loading speed. Get the best of both worlds with these rules of thumb: File formats With so many types available online, make sure you upload the best image file type for your illustrations, photographs, videos and more. Use high-resolution media On top of selecting authentic, relevant imagery for your design, make sure the files are also high resolution. “We understand how important performance is—and create tools that provide you with advanced features, doing everything on the backend to make sure it will be optimized for the web” says Adi. “We always have performance in mind, so this shouldn’t stop you from choosing high-quality media. We will optimize it to the exact dimension displayed on screen, without any loss of quality.” Website imagery tip 5: make your images accessible Web accessibility gives everyone the opportunity to interact with your website, regardless of ability. When it comes to your site's imagery, include alt-text to enhance the experience for visitors using screen readers. The HTML text accurately describes the content and function of your site’s images in a brief sentence or a few words. Write alt-text as concisely as possible. Without alt text, screen readers can only notify a user that the page contains an image. “Sometimes you will see alt text that is not descriptive enough. But our imagery is not meant to be just a technical description for visitors—it plays an important role in setting the vibe of your site,” Adi says. “We need to elaborate with more information to help people who can’t see properly discern what you want to communicate with your visuals.” Adding descriptive alt text touches on another aspect of your site’s performance: SEO. Search engines use alt text to decipher your website’s photos and graphics, making it an important practice for improving organic search performance. You can find a selection of web design tutorials here .

Bring your inspiration to life with a Wix website →   There’s nothing more exciting than coming up with an idea than building it into the next big thing. When you create a website , the possibilities are almost limitless. To help you decide the best site for you, we’ve put together a list of 53 website ideas that’ll put you on the road to success. To increase your chances of making a profit from your website, make sure you create high-quality content that people will be drawn to and promote it through social media, SEO and other channels. Use effective monetization strategies, from advertising and affiliate marketing  to selling products and services that will help you pivot from creating a website to starting a business.   Need inspiration for your website? With Wix, building a standout site is easier than ever. Choose from hundreds of customizable templates and use Wix’s easy drag-and-drop website builder  tools to make your vision come to life. Turn your ideas into reality and see just how simple it is to create a unique, professional website. TL;DR: great website ideas If you're ready to launch a website but aren’t sure where to start, this roundup is here to spark inspiration. We’ve pulled together website ideas across industries and interests, from online stores and service-based businesses to personal brands and passion projects. Each idea includes practical guidance to help you take the next step. You’ll walk away with clear examples of what’s working right now, plus tips to match your goals, audience and skills. No matter your niche, you’ll find a starting point that makes sense for you—and the tools to bring it to life. How we chose these website ideas Criteria Why it matters Market demand Ideas align with growing industries or user needs. Monetization potential Concepts support business growth or revenue opportunities. Ease of setup Each idea can be launched with accessible tools and skills. Creative flexibility Allows for unique branding and content expression. Long-term value Ideas are adaptable and relevant over time, not just short-term trends. 9 profitable website ideas Whether your aim is to establish a professional online presence, display your portfolio or share your interests, these website ideas can help to inspire you and make you money. (See also some of the best AI website examples .) Blog eLearning website eCommerce website Portfolio website Resume website Nonprofit website Event website Business website Personal website 01. Blog A blog can be a valuable feature within most types of websites, but starting a blog website can open up a wealth of opportunities. People use blogs to connect with others, showcase their writing chops or share their expertise. Eventually, some even figure out how to monetize a blog and make writing their full-time job. These blog templates are helpful plug-and-play options, but you can also use them to spark your own website design ideas. "Running a successful blog is a marathon, not a sprint. Take time to build a solid foundation for your content strategy through audience research and competitor analysis. Understanding your niche will allow you to craft content that is equally valuable to readers and search engines." Judit Ruiz Ricart, Blogs Strategy Expert at Wix The most common way to turn your blog into a money-making venture is to advertise. Work with ad networks to display ads on your site so that when a visitor clicks on an ad, you earn a commission. You can also earn money from referring visitors to other websites in a strategy called affiliate marketing. Learn more: How to make money from a website At the same time use keyword research to plan blog posts that can get you ranking on search engines, generate traffic and increase your visibility to readers. 02. eLearning website If you’re an expert in a particular area, consider creating an eLearning website so that you can teach others about it. This type of website can include a series of videos on any topic of your choice. Draw in viewers by offering some videos for free, then charge for access to longer, more in-depth content. Creating these tutorials can be an effective way to make money online. You can start your eLearning site with one of these professional online education website templates . The most common way to make money from an eLearning website is by selling courses, either by creating your own or selling courses created by others. You can also charge a monthly or annual fee to access premium content or features on your website. Want to build on this? Develop courses that people can enjoy on the go from a mobile app. Learn more: What is the purpose of a website? Check out this online language school template . 03. eCommerce website Whether you want to sell your handmade items or you want to give dropshipping a try, an eCommerce website would be the best website for you. Starting an online store and your own online marketplace can be a relatively painless process if you have the right tools at your disposal. Wix has hundreds of online store themes for building an eCommerce website , each of which has all the necessary features to get people shopping with you—such as secure payment processing and multichannel selling capabilities—built right in so that you don’t need to do any of your own coding. → Browse all  eCommerce website templates The most common way to make a profit on your eCommerce website is to sell products. You can either sell products you own or products that you dropship from other retailers, clothing is often a popular choice. Another popular electronic business idea is a subscription business - where customers sign up and pay to receive products on a monthly, or other time conditioned schedule. You can also earn a commission for referring visitors to other eCommerce websites. See Izzy Wheels for a great example of a profitable eCommerce website. 04. Portfolio website An online portfolio website is a great way to showcase your visual work, particularly if you’re an artist, photographer, writer, fashion model, photojournalist or interior designer . A beautiful online portfolio will help you gain professional opportunities ( architecture portfolios or fashion portfolios for example), and it can even help you develop a fan base. When you create an online portfolio, take inspiration from the best portfolio websites and consider linking from the site to your social media profiles and from your social media profiles to the site. The goal of a portfolio website is to offer your services, whether it’s in graphic design, photography or writing. You can also make money by offering relevant products on your website. If you are a photographer, you can feature mugs with your photos displayed on them, for example. Learn more: How to make an architecture portfolio Architecture portfolio examples How to make a cleaning website 05. Resume website A CV or resume website serves a similar function as a portfolio website, as it allows you to put your experience and expertise on display. You can think of a resume website as an in-depth business card that tells the public who you are, what you do, and why they should pay attention to you when it comes to new recruitment and employment opportunities. This type of website is valuable for professionals in every field, as it boosts your credibility among potential clients, business partners and employers. If you’re wondering how to make a resume website that embodies your personality and profession, check out these resumes and CVs website templates for some smart website design ideas. If you are a freelancer or consultant, you can use your resume website to sell your services. You can also use it to showcase your work and attract potential clients. Try this creative CV template on for size. 06. Nonprofit website A nonprofit website can help you raise awareness about a cause, attract volunteers, and gather donations. Creating a nonprofit website is doable for any organization in the field, even those that lack a professional web designer. Check out this list of the best nonprofit website templates for some website design ideas. When it comes to making money for your nonprofit, the most important way is to rely on donations. After that, you can sell merchandise with your nonprofit's logo or branding. This is a good way to raise awareness for your cause and generate revenue. Check out Housing Hope to see an inspiring example of a nonprofit website. 07. Event website From company meetups and music festivals to neighborhood block parties and retirement celebrations, a promotional event website will help you provide guests with all the information they need. With Wix Events , you’ll be able to manage your event calendar, update event details and sell tickets. Browse these designer-made event website templates and select one that you think will excite your guests the most. If you are hosting an event, you can sell tickets to visitors. This is the most common way to make money from an event website. You can also sell sponsorships to businesses that want to be associated with your event and display ads. Get creative with this music festival template . 08. Business website Every business needs a strong business website , regardless of its industry or niche. If you’re a business owner, create a website for business with an online presence that mirrors the look and feel of your brand with relevant content and a coordinated visual style. Take a look at these business website templates for some profitable website ideas. Consulting websites are also a great fit for professionals looking to extend their reach online. Monetizing your business website depends on what you are trying to promote. This can range from selling products and services to affiliate marketing and sponsorships. Scroll through ADME | Social Media Agency for a buzzworthy example among the business websites out there. 09. Personal website Out of all the website ideas, this one is truly for anyone. No matter our hobbies, professions or goals, all of us can benefit from a personal website. Use your site to tell your personal story, showcase your latest projects or simply build your presence on the web. If you want to make money from your personal website, it will depend on your skills and audience. You can offer services based on your talents through your personal website. You can also create and sell digital products, such as eBooks, online courses, or templates. If you have a large and engaged audience, you can leverage that audience to make money through promoting affiliate products, getting sponsorships or charging for access to premium content, such as exclusive articles, videos, or webinars. Browse Simply Tabitha for a lovely example of a personal website. 44 good website topics that’ll spark some ideas Once you know what type of website you want to make, you need to decide what the focus is going to be. Here are 44 website ideas to inspire you. 01. Fashion website If you’ve got a passion for fashion, consider building your blog around it. A model portfolio , as seen in these model portfolio examples can showcase your professional work and help garner clients. If you’re more of a hobbyist, fashion blogging might be more up your alley. You can use a fashion blog to highlight your personal style and help readers curate their own closet. These customizable fashion and style website templates can help you get started. Get to know Lissa Brandon to get some style points for a fashion website. Learn how to make a fashion website . 02. Beauty website If your friends are always asking you about your skincare routine or how you drew your siren eyeliner so perfectly, consider creating a beauty website. You can create tutorials using Wix’s video maker or upload videos you’ve already made. This selection of makeup and cosmetics website templates offers an array of stylish website design ideas to fuel your inspiration. You can also use your website as a review site for beauty products and techniques. Give your website a makeover with this beauty salon template . 03. Finance website When it comes to websites that make money, websites that teach budgeting techniques and economical lifestyle tips are hugely popular these days. If you’re a personal finance guru, create a content-rich website with blog posts, video tutorials and eBooks to teach followers your strategies. To share a fresh perspective and create a buzz in a crowded field, offer finance management advice to specific audiences, such as college students or entrepreneurs. Try out this financial coach template . 04. Fitness website If you’re a fitness professional, a fitness website can help you reach customers, grow your business and make money. The best fitness websites often include video tutorials, a blog that is chock-full of expert tips and an online booking system for classes or personal training. At the end of the day, effective business websites should help you manage your bookings and schedule, communicate with clients, handle payments and, of course, inspire your clients to be their best selves. Run through The Fighters Club , which sets a powerful example for other fitness websites and personal trainers. 05. Counseling website If you’re a counselor or therapist, you can create a website that both highlights your expertise and makes it easier for prospective clients to find you. Include a bookings feature to make it simple for clients to set up appointments online and easy for you to manage your schedule. Since counseling is a highly sensitive experience and prospective clients will approach it carefully, it’s also a good idea to include testimonials that establish your credibility. Sift through Neighbors Counseling to get ideas for a counseling website. 06. Self-help website Self-help websites can help people build confidence, nurture relationships, develop healthy coping skills or achieve their goals. A key feature of this type of website is a blog with recommendations and suggestions. If writing isn’t your forte, you can set up online bookings for personal consultations, create informative videos and point people to useful resources. See Kidz Can Cope , which is a great example of a self-help website. 07. Health website If you have a medical background, consider creating a health website. Your website can include a blog that provides evidence-based explainers, lifestyle tips, or nutritious recipes. For added value, you can even incorporate a podcast or vlog that guides your audience along their health journey. Check out City Dietitians for a helpful example of a health website. 08. Music website Creating a music portfolio website can help musicians promote their music, keep fans engaged and serve as a portfolio for those looking for gigs. There are plenty of music website templates available to get you started and provide you with website design ideas. To give people access to your songs, consider setting up Wix Music . Head to Pearland Band Club to see an exciting example of a music website. 09. Photography website When you’re just starting out as a photographer, it’s crucial that you create a photography portfolio website that best showcases your work. Your site will need to feature high-resolution images that load quickly and are fun to scroll through. Your work should be the star, so flashy graphic design isn’t necessary and might even be distracting. These photography portfolio templates will give you an idea of what works well. A photography site where you also offer images for sale, can be a great way to generate passive income from photos you've already taken. View facunruiz for a beautiful example of a photography website. 10. Wedding website The first thing people want to do when they get engaged is to tell their loved ones. A wedding website can help you share the exciting news and keep guests informed of your upcoming celebrations. It can serve as a useful platform for sending invites, managing your wedding calendar, sharing your gift registry, and collecting RSVPs. After the big day, the site can serve as an online photo album for your guests can enjoy. If you’re looking for website design ideas, check out these gorgeous wedding website examples and wedding website templates . Meet Emily and Ari for a stunning example of how to make a wedding website . 11. Artist website Portfolio websites are a great way to showcase your artwork. Feeling intimidated? These illustration portfolio websites show how simple it is to share art with the world. Experiment with website design to create one that resonates with your style. Gaze at Soupie Studios for a gorgeous example of an artist website. 12. Poetry website Artists who prefer the written word can use a website to attract readers and show off their favorite poems. Consider coupling your work with interesting illustrations or images to add visual appeal. Read Jimmy Santiago Baca for a solid example of a poetry website. 13. Law firm website A law firm website is essential for reaching clients and establishing the firm’s credibility. Using a law website template , any firm can create an impressively designed professional site within a relatively short amount of time. Like what you see? Try out this law firm template . 14. Restaurant website For a restaurateur, a restaurant website is just as essential as tasty food and a pleasant ambience. This type of website can help you attract customers by displaying your menu alongside mouthwatering food photography. Don’t forget to include your location and contact details so that customers can easily get in touch with you. Consider including the story of your business as well as reservation and online ordering systems. Browse Flatbush Counter for a delicious example of a restaurant website. 15. Food website Maybe you aren’t a restaurant owner or professional chef, but you love to cook at home. Or maybe you just love to eat and document your culinary excursions. Either way, you can create a website dedicated to food. Try creating a food blog to share recipes and delicious discoveries with your reader. Be sure to spice it up with gorgeous, mouthwatering food photography. Sample this chocolate shop template . 16. Meditation website Share your tips for achieving inner peace by creating a meditation website. This website could include a blog with important insights, advice and motivation. If you ‌garner a large following, you can even try offering your own meditation classes. Putter around Haven Inspired , a positive example of a meditation website. Subscribe to the Wix blog  for a weekly dose of fresh web design tips and trends. 17. Humor website While some website ideas are quite serious, others are just plain fun. Try creating a website dedicated to entertainment. You could compile a collection of funny GIFs, memes or tweets that you group by theme. Anyone who loves a good laugh can create this type of website, regardless of their area of expertise. 18. Quizzes website For a light, entertaining website, try putting together a quizzes website. Personality quizzes, in particular, are widely popular among young audiences. To build up your site’s content, you can encourage users to create and post quizzes of their own. 19. Statistics website Far from being monotonous, statistics websites can take advantage of a wide range of content formats. Focus on writing blog posts that contain infographics or charts. These websites can generate a high amount of traffic because the information is so valuable to writers and bloggers; just be sure to vet and cite your sources in order to maintain credibility. 20. Quotes website Create a website that compiles quotes from figures in history, literature, science and entertainment. A good website with quotes can be an excellent resource for bloggers, influencers and social media marketers. Try grouping your quotes by theme so that users can find those that are most relevant quickly and easily. 21. Freelancing website For those who work solo, a freelance website is essential for obtaining clients. Your site should include information about your services and a portfolio of your best work. Add a social bar to your website and share a link to your site on all your social media profiles. This works well regardless of the type of freelancing skills you offer, whether its as a virtual assistant, writer or babysitter or dog walker. Check out this UX designer site template . 22. Life hacks website Everyone loves to learn new ways of getting stuff done. Life hacks of all sorts—productivity hacks, cooking hacks, Instagram hacks, you name it—are popular and easily shareable on social media. Keep your content lighthearted and consider repurposing some of your blog content into videos. 23. Buying guide website These days, nearly every consumer researches and compares products online before buying. Create a buying guide website that provides recommendations with photographs of the products, their pros and cons and links to where you can buy them. 24. Design website Whether you specialize in branding, animation or another field within the realm of design, having a website serves as a valuable portfolio of your work and boosts your online presence. A website can also help you build brand awareness, particularly if you choose a web design that reflects the look and feel of your brand. If you’re not sure how to get started, browse these website design templates for inspiration. Pop over to Bilge Nur Saltik for an exciting example of a design website. 25. Film website Are you a filmmaker or TV producer? If so, this website idea is for you. Create a website centered on your film content, and place a favorite clip on your homepage to capture the attention of your site visitors. To improve your video content, check out Wixel’s online video maker and stay up-to-date with the latest video trends. View Matt Laroche for a glossy example of a film website. 26. Theater website If you manage a theater, you should definitely have a theater website. Not only is such a website important for attracting showgoers, but it also offers potential customers access to your calendar so that they know which shows are coming up. You can also use your website to take bookings and payments online, making it easier than ever for customers to purchase tickets. See this acting studio template up close. 27. Dance website Whether you manage a dance company or are a dancer yourself, consider creating a dance website. For dancers, this can act as a resume you can use to put your work on display and supplement your auditions. For dance companies, a website is a great place to display your performance calendar, sell tickets online and provide more details about your organization. Move through Studio 19 , an inspiring example of a dance website. 28. Memorial website Creating a memorial website can be a beautiful and meaningful way to honor someone’s memory. Such a website can serve as an online photo album where you can share pictures and touching anecdotes about your loved one. This will allow close friends and family members to pay their respects to your loved one from wherever they are in the world. 29. Community website For neighborhoods and small towns, having an online community website is a helpful way for residents to stay up-to-date with local happenings. Include features such as a forum where residents can post questions and comments. Add a blog and newsletter to share neighborhood stories and provide a more personal look at the community. Get started with a community website template that'll make everyone want to join. 30. Education website Whether it's a kindergarten, university, middle school or high school, having a school website is a good idea. It can play an important role in keeping students and their parents up-to-date with vacations, sports events, school dances, fundraisers and more. If you're an educator teaching online, consider creating a dedicated website for your class. Check out these education website templates for creative website design ideas. Test out this daycare site template . 31. Animals website Some website ideas are loved by everyone, irrespective of personality or age. A cute animals website is one such idea. Whether you opt for photos of dogs, cats, sloths or pandas, you’re sure to melt the hearts of users—and drive traffic to your website as a result. If you’d prefer to get a little more scientific, you can also create a wildlife website where you document and display photographs of local critters. Take a peek at this environmental NGO template . 32. Sports team website You don’t need to be in the NBA to have a website for your team. A sports website is an asset to any team, whether it’s a school team, a Little League team or a neighborhood sports club. Be sure to include a calendar with the time and location of your upcoming games. As a bonus, try incorporating some sports photography. 33. Tourism website If you’re a professional tour guide, you can’t go without a tourism website. This kind of website should include a calendar, bookings feature and a bit of information about your background as a guide. To draw in even more customers, sync your site with your Instagram feed to show users just how much fun people have on your tours. To start yours, check out these designer-made tourism website templates . Visit CharacTours for a playful example of a tourism website. 34. Travel website Turn your past vacations into a productive—and even profitable—endeavor by creating a travel website. Including travel photography and blog posts about your travels is a great way to document your favorite moments and share them with family and friends. If your travel website is successful, you can even become a digital nomad, harnessing your travel expertise to make money from your site. Get a closeup of this travel photographer template . 35. Real estate website For real estate agents, having a website is a must. To get started creating a real estate website , choose one of these real estate website templates and customize it according to your needs. Be sure to pair your listings with impactful photographs to attract new customers. Take a tour of this real estate firm template . 36. How-to website Create a website with detailed how-to posts that delve deeply into a specific subject area. Choose a theme that many readers will benefit from in order to increase the number of visitors to your site. Play around with different formats, such as how-to videos, infographics, eBooks and blog posts. This can be a creative way to make money, too. Read Dream Green , a lovely example of a how-to website. 37. Influencer website If you’re a social media influencer, your social media pages aren’t enough to solidify your online presence; you also need your own website. Your website can serve as the bridge between your various profiles, allowing users to navigate seamlessly between your Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Twitter. It should also be a one-stop shop for businesses and brands that want to hire you for some influencer marketing. Your media kit, contact information and a collection of your greatest hits should all be easy to access. Follow Dani DMC for a cool example of an influencer website.x 38. Reviews website Learn how to make a website dedicated to reviewing certain items or products. You can critique tech gadgets, movies, pet toys or anything else that interests you. You can monetize the site by implementing affiliate marketing. 39. Digital marketing website Digital marketing blogs are hugely popular these days, so why not create one yourself? They’re a great platform discussing things like SEO, content marketing and social media marketing to help your readers boost their online presence. For added value, try creating a podcast, vlog or weekly email newsletter. 40. Entrepreneurship website Whether you’re a business owner, consultant or something in between, you can create an entrepreneurship website with a blog as its main feature. Just like digital marketing blogs, this type of blog can be a rich source of knowledge for business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. You can write articles about how to become an entrepreneur, how to manage time and more. 41. Leadership website Entrepreneurship and leadership blogs are similar website ideas, but with one key difference. While the former caters specifically to business owners and entrepreneurs, leadership blogs speak to leaders in every field, from business to activism. If you’re creating a leadership blog, use an inspirational tone and provide clear, actionable advice. Potential blog topic ideas are team motivation tips and motivational podcasts. Get a good look at this motivational speaker template . 42. Startup website A startup website is essential for getting the word out about your new business. Use your homepage to represent your company’s forward thinking and make sure that you’re not overloading the site with too much copy. Explore V-labs , a clean example of startup websites. 43. Membership website If you’re ready to monetize your content, look into setting up a membership website . These types of websites host gated content so that only people who sign up can access it. Free memberships are useful for customer retention until they’re interested enough for a paid membership. Visit Word Tonic for a quintessential example of a community website. 44. LGBTQ website Create an LGBTQ website that serves as a valuable resource and a supportive platform for the queer community and their allies. Offer informative articles on topics like LGBTQ history, rights and activism, coming out stories and LGBTQ-friendly businesses and organizations. Maintain an inclusive and empowering tone, providing clear guidance and actionable advice. Additionally, consider featuring motivational podcasts and stories that highlight the experiences and achievements of LGBTQ individuals in different fields. By fostering a sense of community and offering valuable content, your LGBTQ website can become a go-to destination for individuals seeking information, support, and connection. Check out some of the best LGBTQ websites for inspiration. 45. DIY Crafts Website Websites that sell homemade goods open up a world of possibilities for those with a knack for creating handmade items. You can feature step-by-step tutorials, share innovative craft ideas, and offer unique DIY kits for purchase. With the growing interest in personalized and handmade products, a DIY crafts website can attract a wide audience of hobbyists, craft enthusiasts, and individuals seeking one-of-a-kind gifts or home decor items. By providing engaging content, inspiring projects, and offering quality craft supplies or kits through your website, you can monetize your passion for crafting and build a thriving online business. The DIY crafts niche offers various avenues for revenue generation. You can monetize your website through advertising partnerships with relevant brands or by participating in affiliate programs, earning a commission from sales made through your referral links. Another option is to sell your crafts online directly through your website, either as individual products or as part of craft kits. You can also explore collaborations with other crafters or artists, offering their creations on your platform and earning a percentage of the sales. By nurturing a community of craft enthusiasts through your website and actively engaging with your audience, you can establish yourself as an authority in the DIY crafts space and create a sustainable income stream while doing what you love. What kind of websites are in high demand? The demand for different types of websites varies depending on current market trends and user needs. However, some types of websites tend to be more popular and in demand than others. Here are some examples of website ideas that are currently in high demand: eCommerce websites ( between 2019 and 2013 the number of ecommerce sites in the world grew from 9.2 - 26.5 million. Dropshipping websites (out of an estimated 24 million live ecommerce sites globally, the vast majority are believed to be dropshipping websites) Print on demand websites (there are approx. 228,000 of these websites live in 2024) Business websites (around 71% of businesses have a website , making this type essential in most industries) Personal blogs (there are at least 600 million blogs live globally, out of 1.9 billion websites total) Portfolio websites Educational websites News websites (in the US in 2023 , up to 93% of adults got some news online, fueling huge demand for news sites) Health and wellness websites Social media websites (with around 5.16 billion active social media users globally in 2024 these are hugely popular sites) Gaming websites (these can take many forms - live streaming sites, gaming sites for playing or for selling game related merch) In addition to these specific types of websites, there is also a growing demand for websites that are: Mobile-friendly: Websites that are designed to look good and function properly on smartphones and other mobile devices are essential in today's mobile-first world. Accessible: Websites that are accessible to people with disabilities are becoming increasingly important as businesses and organizations strive to be more inclusive. "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," says Nir Horesh, Head of at SEO & Accessibility at Wix.com Secure: Websites that protect user data and privacy are essential in today's online world. What beginners need to know about starting a website idea Starting a website can be a huge endeavor but you’ll love the journey if the website concerns your passions. First, think about what you hope to achieve with your website. Whether it's starting a side hustle, sharing your story or indulging in a hobby, your goal will determine what type of website you should start. Next, consider your skills, interests and expertise to determine your website’s content. Once you’ve come up with a website idea, it’s time to figure out which website builder best suits your needs. The builder you choose should not only give you the freedom to design the website to fit your branding, but it should also have the tools you need to establish your online presence. For example, Wix has tools for SEO, email marketing, selling products, booking services, and social media marketing, among others. Relying on one software provider for all your digital business needs will streamline your work and reduce expenses. Once you’ve gathered ideas and inspiration, it’s time to create your own professional website. To help you get started, browse through these designer-made website templates. They’re ready for you to adapt and customize, no matter which type of website you’re creating. Using a template will allow you to pay attention to the important details, such as choosing your domain name , selecting an appropriate website color scheme and creating a logo for your brand. What to consider before deciding on a website idea? When choosing a website idea its worth thinking about the following in the context of your new website to be: Target audience :Who are you building the website for? Identify their demographics, interests and needs to ensure your site provides value. This will be the strongest deciding factor driving your website idea. Market demand :Is there a real need for your idea? Research trends, competitors and user pain points to validate demand. Unique value proposition (UVP) :What makes your site different or better than others? Highlight what sets you apart to attract and retain users. Setting yourself apart will start with the idea you choose to make sure it does. Technical feasibility :Do you have the resources and skills to build and maintain the site? Consider development, design and hosting requirements. Different website ideas might require different levels of website functionality and design. Monetization potential :How will the site sustain itself financially? Explore ads, subscriptions, e-commerce or donations as revenue models. Some website ideas are naturally easier to monetize than others, others might happen faster or take longer. Scalability :Can the website grow as user traffic and content increase? Plan for future expansion. Website ideas FAQ What are the best website ideas for beginners? As a beginner, it's advisable to start with a website that aligns with your interests, skills, and goals. This can end up being your most profitable business option. Consider the following options: eCommerce website: Set up an online store to sell products directly to customers. Blog: Share your thoughts, experiences, or expertise on a specific topic through regular blog posts. This allows you to build a loyal audience and potentially earn money through advertisements, sponsored content or affiliate marketing. Portfolio website: Showcase your work and skills as a photographer, designer, writer, or any other creative profession. This type of website helps you establish an online presence and attract clients or employers. Affiliate website: Create a website focused on a specific niche or industry and monetize it through affiliate marketing. You can promote products or services related to your niche and earn a commission for every referral or sale generated through your website. What are some good website ideas for students? Study buddy matching: A platform where students can find compatible study partners based on their courses, interests, and schedules. It could include features like chat rooms, study group creation and virtual study sessions. Education resources swap : A website for students to exchange textbooks, notes, and study materials. Users can list items they no longer need and browse for items they require, fostering a sustainable and cost-effective way to access educational resources. Skill share hub : An online marketplace for students to offer and seek tutoring services in various subjects. It could include profiles with ratings and reviews, scheduling tools and video conferencing capabilities for virtual tutoring sessions. Campus events central : A centralized platform for students to discover and RSVP to campus events, including club meetings, guest lectures, workshops and social gatherings. Users could customize their preferences and receive personalized event recommendations. Student discount directory : A comprehensive database of discounts and deals specifically curated for students, covering everything from textbooks and software to entertainment and dining options. Users could search by location and category to find the best deals near them. What's some fun website ideas? Random adventure generator : A website that generates spontaneous and fun activity ideas based on user preferences and location. It could suggest things like local hidden gems, quirky challenges or themed scavenger hunts to inspire unique experiences. Virtual escape room hub : An online platform offering a variety of virtual escape room experiences for individuals or groups to enjoy from the comfort of their own homes. Users could choose from different themes and difficulty levels and compete against friends or strangers. DIY Creativity corner : A website dedicated to DIY projects and crafts, providing step-by-step tutorials, inspiration and a community forum for users to share their creations and ideas. It could cover various categories like home decor, fashion and upcycling. Online karaoke lounge : A virtual space where users can sing their hearts out to their favorite songs, either solo or in duets/groups. The website could offer a vast library of karaoke tracks, customizable avatars and features like live chat and competitions. Fantasy Sports Simulation : A website that allows users to create and manage their own fantasy sports leagues but with a twist—it simulates games and seasons based on statistical algorithms rather than real-life events. Users can draft players, make trades, and compete against friends or AI opponents. What are some super unique website ideas? Looking for some unique website ideas that no one ever could even dream of? We've got some to pique your interest. Dream-to-art converter : Users describe their dreams, and AI generates surreal artwork based on their descriptions. Time capsule emails : Users send emails to themselves or others to be delivered years later. Reverse marketplace : Buyers post what they want, and sellers bid to fulfill it. AI doppelgänger : Users train an AI chatbot to mimic their personality for future conversations. Mystery box auctions : Users bid on surprise boxes with hidden themed items that they open online.

Marketing is constantly evolving, driven by new technologies and creative strategies. Today, businesses have more types of marketing than ever to promote their products or services. Whether you’re deciding to create a website of your own to building a social media following, there’s a marketing method suited to your needs. With that in mind, this list highlights all the different marketing types available to you. Here, you’ll read about 40 common promotional strategies and how they grow your business. As you scroll, note any methods you’d like to try. Then, think about the types you want to prioritize and develop a plan to integrate them into your existing marketing strategy. Start building your online presence with Wix . What is marketing? "Think audience-first. Not competitor-first. Not even brand-first. It’s not about you—it's about them." - Allison Ko, editor in chief at Wix Think of marketing as the heartbeat of any business – the engine that drives growth and connects products or services with the people who need them. At its core, marketing is all about understanding your customers – what they want, what they need and how your offering can make their lives better. It's about creating value, building relationships and telling your story in a way that resonates with your audience. But marketing isn't just about advertising or sales pitches. It's a holistic approach that encompasses everything from market research and product development to pricing strategies and branding. It's about making connections – connecting your brand with the right people, at the right time, in the right way. It's about sparking interest, driving engagement and turning prospects into loyal customers. Types of marketing Digital marketing Outbound marketing Inbound marketing Content marketing Social media marketing Search engine marketing Organic marketing Advertising Video marketing Influencer marketing Affiliate marketing Outreach marketing Email marketing Guerilla marketing Word of mouth marketing Referral marketing Acquisition marketing Retention marketing Brand marketing Behavioral marketing Nostalgia marketing Neuromarketing Emotional marketing Public relations Mobile marketing Relationship marketing Voice marketing Partnership marketing User-generated marketing Seasonal marketing Stealth marketing B2C marketing B2B marketing Telemarketing Cause marketing Event marketing Global marketing Conversational marketing Product marketing Account-based marketing Local marketing 01. Digital marketing Digital marketing doesn’t refer to any one internet marketing strategy—rather, it’s a broad term encompassing strategic marketing that uses digital technology. Though digital marketing is only as old as smartphones and the internet, today, nearly every business and marketing professional uses at least one digital mass marketing tactic to target customers in new and interesting ways. As you continue reading, you’ll notice that most marketing types covered in this article are digital. These include: Content marketing Social media marketing Search engine marketing Mobile marketing Email marketing Online advertising 02. Outbound marketing Outbound marketing is a type of marketing that involves chasing after customers rather than organically attracting them. This method was especially common before digital marketing became a common practice, as it involves primarily using cold calls, print ads and TV commercials to attract customers. Still, outbound marketing remains a common digital marketing practice today. For instance, email blasts, or mass email campaigns sent to a vast subscriber list continue to be a popular promotional tactic. Outbound marketing often faces criticism because it pushes your message to the general public, including people who may not be interested in your product or service. That said, outbound marketing can be used strategically if you carefully consider your company’s goals, target audience and KPIs. Related reading: Lessons from 16 years of marketing mastery (feat. Wix CMO Omer Shai) 03. Inbound marketing Inbound marketing is an umbrella term that encompasses nearly all marketing types. So, what makes a particular marketing strategy inbound? That’s determined less by the specific method and more by the overarching technique. As an inbound marketer, your job is to help consumers make informed decisions. Instead of running after customers, you’ll offer helpful resources and tips that ultimately reveal why your product solves their problems. You can provide valuable blog content, make yourself available via email and live chat, and continue to offer support even after making a sale. Inbound marketing employs a very different strategy from its outbound counterpart, as discussed above. Over the past few years, it’s become the more popular of the two among modern-day marketers, since its nuanced approach leaves consumers happy and builds lifetime loyalty. One of the most common inbound marketing methods is content marketing, which you’ll read more about below. 04. Content marketing You’ve probably noticed the increasing amount of company blogs as you browse the web. In fact, many Google search results actually come from business-run blogs. But why do so many companies create a blog ( with a blog maker ) for their business? For that matter, what does blogging even have to do with small business marketing ? Blogging is crucial for content marketing —one of the most effective marketing strategies out there. Arguably the most important inbound marketing type, content marketing is an essential part of any business’s toolkit. As a whole, content marketing involves creating and distributing content often through multi-channel marketing approaches. This not only includes writing blog posts, but also posting on social media, writing in-depth e-books, sharing data-rich infographics, creating video content and even starting a podcast . Whatever content you choose, the goal is to provide valuable information to your target audience that drives engagement, provides knowledge and support, and ultimately stimulates interest in your product or service. 05. Social media marketing Some experts argue that social media marketing is a branch of content marketing, while others maintain it’s a world of its own. Whichever category you place it in, social media marketing is one of the most crucial types of marketing. In fact, 50% of consumers are more interested in a brand when they see Instagram ads for it. This valuable marketing strategy involves promoting your brand via social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn or YouTube. Many companies use a combination of these different platforms as part of their social media marketing strategy. Your choice of platforms largely depends on where your target audience is most active and how you want to represent your business. For example, restaurant social media marketing is particularly effective on Instagram because the platform is based on visuals. Posting pictures and videos of tasty-looking food is an extremely effective way for restaurants to market their products. 06. Search engine marketing Search engine marketing , also known as SEM, includes all marketing that uses Google and other search engines as the primary tool for displaying promotional material. The goal of SEM your business pages to appear on search engine results pages (SERPs). When a page from your website—let’s say, a landing page or blog post—shows up in search engine results in response to a user’s search query, the user is exposed to your business. Ideally, they’ll click the result and navigate to your site. Search engine marketing can be divided into two main types: search engine optimization (SEO) and pay-per-click advertising (PPC). The main difference between the two is that SEO is organic (not paid), while PPC involves purchasing ads. To start doing SEO , you’ll need to learn about the different ingredients that make websites rank in search engines. This includes technical aspects, like the structure and page speed of your website, as well as the implementation of keywords. Content marketing and SEO are deeply intertwined, since the more keyword-rich your blog and website content, the better your chances of ranking on the SERP. The other type of search engine marketing, PPC, can be done in parallel with your SEO efforts. PPC ads are the sponsored content you see at the top of search results pages. If you’re interested in paying for sponsored results on Google, try Google Ads . This is one of the most popular, reliable choices for PPC marketers. 07. Organic marketing You’ve already seen this term mentioned in our discussion of search engine optimization. This, together with content and social media marketing, comprises a powerful type of marketing known as organic marketing. Organic marketing is any non-paid marketing that aims to naturally ( organically ) attract people to your business. It involves implementing the best practices to get search engines and social media platforms to display your posts in a prominent position. This contrasts from promoting your business “artificially” via paid links or boosted posts. This method is the cornerstone of inbound marketing since it’s based on the principle that creating engaging social media content and strong, SEO-driven website copy will bring exposure to your business and magnetically drive customers toward your brand. In general, audiences consider organic marketing less intrusive than advertising, since it focuses on nurturing prospective customers and drawing them to your business over time. 08. Advertising That brings us to the next type of promotional strategy: advertising. Advertising is a branch of marketing that uses ad campaigns to present your brand, product, service or idea to the world. There are many ways to advertise, including online methods, such as PPC ads and social media ads, as well as more traditional methods like TV, radio, billboard ads and QR codes . As with social media marketing, choosing the right advertising platforms means accounting for your target audience’s demographics and interests, as well as how to present your messaging. Instagram ads, for example, tend to reach younger users but will be largely unseen by older audiences who are less engaged with the platform. Facebook Ads by Wix allows you to run AI-driven campaigns directly from your website dashboard to reach the most likely-to-convert audiences. 09. Video marketing As you’ve seen, marketing content assumes a wide range of formats—from blog articles to social media posts to podcasts. Video is another popular content marketing format. Incorporating fun and engaging videos into your marketing assets can be a great way to creatively display your brand—and it gives you ample time and space to convey your message. You can use video marketing not only to promote your product, but also to provide potential customers with actionable tips and insights about your industry. Think of it as a watchable blog post that helps people trust and engage with your business. There are several places for displaying video content, including YouTube, Facebook and Instagram, as well as your website. Try out this video maker to get started. Discover the latest trends in video marketing with these video marketings statistics . 10. Influencer marketing The global influencer marketing market size has more than doubled since 2019. In 2021, the market was valued at a record $13.8 billion U.S. dollars. Influencer marketing involves using Instagram and other social platforms to partner with influencers—people who already have dedicated, engaged followers. These people are considered experts in their field, and their followers will take their recommendations to heart. That means that when an influencer backs your product, it gains instant credibility in their followers’ eyes. The result? More exposure for your brand and new customers. Typically, influencers require compensation in exchange for promoting your brand, since many rely on sponsored content for income. In this case, you’ll sponsor one of their social media posts. A very popular influencer (with 100,000+ followers) will be in higher demand and is likely to charge more than a micro-influencer (with 10,000 to 100,000 followers) or nano-influencer (with 100 to 10,000 followers). Often, nano-influencers accept free products and swag rather than payment, especially if they’re just starting. Do your research to find out which partnerships will align with your market and budget. 11. Affiliate marketing In addition to paying influencers for sponsored posts, you can pay them for sharing affiliate content. This is a practice known as affiliate marketing . Affiliate marketing involves two players: the merchant and the affiliate. The affiliate promotes the merchant’s product to their audience and earns a percentage of the sale in exchange. So, how does this work? As the merchant, you’ll connect with affiliates, either reaching out to them directly or using an affiliate network. Once they agree to partner with you, you’ll provide them with a unique link to your online store . Then, the affiliate will promote your link, perhaps including it in a blog post, Instagram Story or YouTube video. When a customer clicks on the link to make a purchase, the affiliate will earn a commission from the sale. Affiliate marketing can bring your business wider exposure. By partnering with affiliates who already have a large audience on their social media platforms or blog, you can reach new customers. 12. Outreach marketing What do affiliate marketing and influencer marketing have in common? They both involve partnering with people outside your business to promote your product or service. This is the guiding principle of outreach marketing. An effective outreach strategy involves using email outreach to build relationships with people who can influence consumer opinions about your brand. These include social media influencers, bloggers, journalists and even other businesses. The goal of connecting with these people is getting your brand mentioned on a well-known site or social media channel. This will strengthen your brand’s authority in your niche while building brand awareness and helping you gain exposure. It’s also a great way to network with influential people who may benefit your business down the line. Many companies also use outreach marketing to build backlinks or links from external websites to their own site. Having a high number of backlinks from credible, authoritative sources helps SEO and can ultimately bring more traffic to your website . That said, don’t start link-building without first doing careful research, as search engines can penalize you for malpractice. 13. Email marketing 81% of small business marketers rely on email as their primary acquisition channel, while 80% use it for customer retention. Email marketing involves sending emails to prospects and customers with the goal of making sales or driving them further down the marketing funnel. Because it reaches customers directly, it tends to generate high returns. For every $1 spent on email marketing, the average ROI is $36. Depending on your goals, you can send all sorts of emails to your audience, including informational newsletters , new product releases, sales announcements and abandoned shopping cart reminders. It's a great way to put personalized marketing to work. Just keep in mind that everyone you email must have subscribed to receive your messages for you to remain legally compliant. To start getting subscribers, add lead capture forms to your website with fields for visitors’ names and email addresses. Make sure your forms are eye-catching and include compelling copy that encourages people to join your mailing list. 14. Guerilla marketing As we mentioned earlier, most promotional techniques we discuss in this article constitute different forms of digital marketing. Guerilla marketing, however, is a rare type of modern marketing that involves taking your tactics offline. Guerilla marketing uses novel, unconventional methods to boost sales, build hype around your go-to-market strategy , and generate awareness around your brand. While sometimes aided by technology such as social media or mobile devices, it generally involves a small group of people using bold methods to promote a brand in a high-traffic physical location. This means anything from branding a public space with street art to creating immersive pop-up experiences in physical locations. Guerilla marketing can be achieved on a low budget, but it does require high energy and prompt, tightly-organized execution. If you’re up for the challenge, this fun and original method can generate buzz around your brand. Take a look at these guerilla marketing examples for ideas. 15. Word of mouth marketing Ever heard the phrase that happy customers are your biggest advocates? This is the main idea behind word-of-mouth marketing (WOMM), which gets satisfied customers to spread the word about your product or service. This is important for two reasons: First, a successful WOMM strategy means your brand has obtained loyal, committed customers. And since these people will recommend your product to their friends, it also means more potential buyers. After all, people place more weight on the recommendations of a trusted friend than those of a biased seller. There’s no tried-and-true approach to guaranteeing an effective WOMM strategy, but the most essential ingredient is consumer happiness. Offer top-notch customer service and do your best to genuinely address your customers’ needs, from the way you design your products to the values you practice as a brand. Enchant your customers and the recommendations will follow. 16. Referral marketing A referral marketing strategy takes advantage of word of mouth. This practice involves building a referral program, which incentivizes customers to recommend your products to others. Typically, these programs offer both the customer and their friend discounts when the customer convinces that friend to buy. For instance, the Airbnb Referral Program allows members to earn promotional coupon credits (“travel credits”) toward future homes/experiences bookings by referring friends to become new Airbnb users. 17. Acquisition marketing Acquisition marketing, as its name implies, is marketing with the sole purpose of acquiring new clients. This contrasts from retention marketing and brand marketing, which you’ll read more about below. Examples of acquisition marketing include SEO, top-of-the-funnel blog content, landing pages, and social media or Google ads. Anything that aims directly to obtain new customers or capture leads is considered acquisition marketing. The goal of acquisition marketers is to create assets that compel their target audience to click. Offering freemium products and free trials, optimizing your website’s conversion rate, and including strategic CTAs in your content are all powerful techniques for acquiring new customers. 18. Retention marketing A strong marketing strategy requires implementing both retention and acquisition tactics within the sales funnel. However, retention marketing practices have distinct goals and KPIs. While acquisition marketing focuses on acquiring new customers, retention marketing aims to bring back previous customers and hold on to existing ones. Studies have shown that this is a powerful practice with a high ROI. Acquiring new customers is between 5 and 25 times more expensive than retaining existing ones, and on top of that, increasing retention rates by just 5% can increase profits by up to 95%. An effective retention marketing strategy requires you to over-deliver on your promises to customers. Find ways to make your business exceed their expectations from the start, such as by thanking them with a handwritten note. Go above and beyond when engaging with them, whether by sending out customer feedback surveys or taking extra steps to address their pain points. 19. Brand marketing Unlike acquisition and retention marketing, brand marketing isn’t focused on making sales. Instead, its primary goal is to shape how the public perceives your brand. In other words, brand marketing promotes your identity, not your products. This involves creating a logo and coming up with a cohesive brand language, colors and website design. It also requires putting together a compelling brand story, as well as a mission statement that highlights your values as a business. For these efforts to be effective, your brand needs to deeply resonate with your target audiences’ interests, values and needs. Start by researching your audience, and then shape a brand that speaks to them directly. 20. Behavioral marketing Behavioral marketing uses consumer behavior to decide how to target an audience with relevant material. This involves finely segmenting audiences based on their behavior online. To get behavioral data, you can analyze the user flow on your site. This offers important insights about a particular user’s interests and readiness to purchase. Based on this information, marketers can create specific promotional campaigns tailored to different audiences. As you might expect, marketing automation plays a vital role here, with certain behaviors triggering specific campaigns. A particular action on your website, for instance, might show that user a relevant Facebook ad or send them an automated email recommending related products. 21. Nostalgia marketing Nostalgia marketing evokes the power of nostalgia to create warm, happy feelings around your brand. This involves infusing your promotional materials with familiar concepts that evoke fond memories, and it’s a great way to build trust in a new company. Think about the retro appeal of an 8-bit-era video game or a glass Coca-Cola bottle with its timeless red logo . These appeal to our love for nostalgia and our yearning for a pure and simple past. To tap into this strategy, try launching a nostalgia-driven social media campaign that incorporates old-school references and invokes childhood memories among your target audience. Just make sure your messaging stays consistent with your brand’s story, values and product. 22. Neuromarketing Another important type of marketing is neuromarketing . This field of marketing applies neuropsychology to market research. Neuromarketers analyze brain imaging and scanning to measure physiological and neural responses to marketing stimuli. They can tell, for instance, if a customer is genuinely happy with a particular product, even if they don’t verbally express it. Not only is this a fascinating way to learn more about human behavior; it also helps guide organizations in creating marketing materials that truly work. All types of marketing consider psychology, but neuromarketing is founded in real, hard science. Guided by neural research, marketing professionals can develop a more informed approach to crafting marketing assets, designing products and developing a brand. 23. Emotional marketing Emotional marketing encompasses any marketing effort that primarily uses emotion to get people to purchase or otherwise engage with a brand. To be effective, emotional marketing needs to concentrate on a single feeling, whether it’s happiness, sadness, anger, surprise, fear, disgust or something in between. Consider Dove’s Real Beauty campaign, which evokes optimism, acceptance and self-love to promote its products. Studies show that feeling plays a bigger role than thinking in consumer behavior. Why? Because most people prefer to follow their heart when making a decision. So, in your marketing campaigns, don’t just focus on the advantages of your product; focus instead on how you want people to feel when using it. 24. Public relations Also known as PR, public relations is a subset of marketing that involves managing the way the media represents your business. The process involves using press releases—official statements about a newsworthy item or event—to encourage the media to publish content about your business. For instance, you may urge the press to publish stories on your business’s launch, the latest funding round, a recent award, a groundbreaking new product, or a large charitable contribution. The goal is to shape the public’s perception of your brand and highlight your company as an industry leader. This, in turn, helps stimulate demand for your product or service. While it can be combined with other marketing efforts, PR is a full-time job. Many businesses have a dedicated PR team to help the company get good press. 25. Mobile marketing A core part of any digital strategy, mobile marketing has rapidly gained traction since the advent of the smartphone. This technique refers to any marketing or advertising activity that uses mobile devices as its main promotional platform. If you own a smartphone, there’s a good chance you’re already familiar with this strategy. Push notifications, ASO marketing , SMS messages (SMS marketing), in-app marketing and QR codes are all commonly used methods for promoting a product or brand. Read also: 12 common ASO mistakes Mobile marketing takes advantage of the fact that people carry their mobile devices everywhere. It also makes use of people’s tendency to casually browse the web through their mobile phones and uses this data to target potential customers with well-timed messages. For example, a phone’s location services enable businesses to target users based on their physical location. "With over 5M available apps in the app stores, you need to make sure your app will be easy to find. Optimizing your app’s textual assets in the app stores regularly will ensure you won’t miss out on new opportunities and increase your app’s visibility over time." - Roni Bass, ASO Expert at Wix 26. Relationship marketing Relationship marketing is a type of marketing that seeks to build long-term customer relationships rather than focus on short-term sales or transactions. The goal of relationship marketing is to foster a loyal, dependable customer base who advocates for your brand. This marketing practice prioritizes customer retention over acquisition. It involves providing high-quality customer service and responding to the questions and needs of your customers, whether that’s by engaging with them on social media or using live chat on your website. Importantly, building strong relationships with customers doesn’t just mean providing them with good service until they make a purchase. You must continue to delight customers long after they make their first purchase, such as by offering a loyalty program with special perks, complementary product recommendations or product care tips and guides. Thoughtful acts like these can cultivate a community around your brand and build a lifelong relationship with your fans. 27. Voice marketing Voice marketing is a relatively new type of marketing that applies SEO practices to voice search. This allows businesses to capture searches from people who are speaking, rather than typing. While voice search has been around for several years, it’s become increasingly common with the popularity of smart speakers like Amazon Alexa or Google Home, as well as smartphone assistants like Siri. There are numerous ways voice search differs from typed phrases; for instance, people searching with voice may use longer phrases or even full sentences. If someone browses on their computer and has a hankering for a burger, they may simply type “burger restaurant” into Google. On the other hand, if they’re busy driving, they might ask Siri, “Where can I get a burger?” Google accommodates this semantic variation by continuously improving the natural language processing (NLP) capabilities of its search engine. To stay on top of this ever-evolving world of SEO, familiarize yourself with voice marketing and adapt your site to voice search. One way to do so is to write blog post titles in the form of a question. 28. Partnership marketing Partnership marketing is when two or more businesses combine their promotional efforts for mutual benefit. By collaborating, you’ll expand your reach to another business’s audience, while they expand their reach to yours. This can generate brand awareness, get new customers, and help grow relationships with companies that share your values. To exemplify, Wix’s Partner program is built for agencies to support their clients and get rewarded for each site they build on Wix. To try this approach, start researching businesses with similar target audiences. Ideally, they should offer products that complement your own to encourage customers to purchase both. And of course, you’ll want to make sure they don’t directly or indirectly compete with your business. Partnership marketing options include hosting a joint webinar, conducting a research study together, or collaborating on a special product release. For instance, if you run a small business selling charcuterie boards, consider partnering with a local winery and marketing your products together. 29. User-generated marketing While partnership marketing harnesses the power of other businesses, user-generated marketing taps into your audience. Any strategy that allows consumers to participate in a marketing campaign is considered user-generated marketing. The most common user-generated marketing strategy is getting users to use your product and share the experience via social media. On Instagram, this typically involves using a branded hashtag to organize all posts in one place or tagging the brand in a TikTok, Story or Reel . The primary advantage of sharing user-generated content is to drive engagement and spread brand awareness. On top of that, content that shows real users enjoying your products helps persuade other consumers to try them out, too. 30. Seasonal marketing Seasonal marketing, also known as holiday marketing , is the promotion of products and services at certain times throughout the year. This might involve having one marketing campaign for Valentine’s Day, a different one for Christmas, and yet another for Pride month. While every business can benefit from this type of marketing, it’s especially crucial for seasonal businesses. A florist or jewelry business, for instance, will want to invest heavily in marketing for Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day. 31. Stealth marketing You’re probably already familiar with product placement, which involves subtly promoting a product by featuring it in a movie, TV show, or another form of media. This type of marketing is known as stealth marketing , also referred to as undercover marketing. As a whole, this marketing strategy involves promoting a product to consumers without them knowing they’re being marketed to. Aside from product placement, stealth marketing can happen in online forums where marketers talk about a product to generate buzz. The goal of stealth marketing isn’t to immediately generate sales, but rather to steadily build interest in a product or brand. This technique also makes audiences more responsive to direct advertising, as it primes them with a positive brand impression. 32. B2C Business-to-consumer ( B2C ) marketing targets an individual consumer’s buying power. Most businesses focus on B2C marketing—especially those selling consumer-packaged goods (CPG). That’s because B2C marketing provides a broad audience and short sales cycles which allow for quick purchasing decisions. Consumers often make the purchase for themselves, meaning they do not need approval from many stakeholders. However, consumer needs constantly shift, meaning this fast-paced market can change overnight. B2C businesses, then, must make an effort to stay up-to-date with marketing trends and consumer behavior insights. Common B2C marketing tactics include influencer marketing, social media contests and customer loyalty programs 33. B2B B2B marketing stands for business-to-business marketing. In this marketing type, one business sells services to another business. While B2B marketing still targets a singular person, it’s usually based on their role, company, or industry. B2B sales cycles are long, as businesses require more research and stakeholder approval before buying goods or services than consumers do. B2B marketing commonly starts with marketers getting marketing qualified leads (MQLs) into their sales funnel and using sales development to make calls and conduct product demos. Most B2B marketing is done digitally or through industry-specific conferences. Many B2B marketers use LinkedIn’s job title database to target a professional audience. Check out these other lead-generation strategies for ideas. 34. Telemarketing Telemarketing promotes a product or service over the telephone. Companies can call prospective or current customers and inform them of special deals or new product offerings. For example, a financial service company can use telemarketing to promote a new credit card. Telemarketing provides a more interactive and personal sales service, creates immediate rapport with customers, and allows the chance to clearly answer technical questions. While your company may use a call center, businesses more frequently use automated or "robocalls," for this tactic. Due to its intrusive, solicitous nature, many customers do not like telemarketing. If you choose to proceed with it, ensure that you only call those who have opted in to avoid brand damage. The same goes for direct mail marketing . 35. Cause marketing Cause marketing shows your business's corporate social responsibility to a non-profit or other world-bettering initiatives. Through cause marketing, you will build a better relationship with your community and those who support your values. This can translate to long-term business growth through increased brand loyalty and a defined competitive advantage. A popular initiative in this space is sustainable marketing , where companies exhibit their eco-friendly practices. To begin, pledge a fixed amount of sales to a cause or partner with a local organization to support an initiative. 36. Event marketing Businesses can use event marketing to build lasting relationships and create memorable experiences for their target audiences. Events can range from thought leadership-based conferences or online events to product-forward workshops. Find out how to promote an event in 9 actionable steps. Positive event experiences can lead to more new business through meaningful one-on-one customer engagement and education. 74% of consumers say that branded event experiences make them more likely to buy promoted products. Before launching the event, identify which memory you want attendees to walk away with. The most impactful results are the feelings you leave with people. Tip: Utilize a professional event website and Wix Events to collect RSVPs, plan seating and more. 37. Global marketing As online businesses attract increasingly global audiences, many turn to localization marketing, optimizing messages and products to fit cultural and geographic specificities. Global marketing shows you understand the different cultures within your target audience and allows you to tailor your message and product to fit their needs. One method is to localize wording and images or even create products better suited for certain cultures. To exemplify, Wix launched a marketing campaign wholly customized to its German-speaking audiences that uses humor and local context called "We know what you're thinking." To gain respect for your company and avoid tokenization, an excellent way to approach localization is to partner with members of the community or culture that you want to reach. 38. Conversational marketing Conversational marketing allows brands to more easily converse with their customers . Today, consumers expect to find the answers they need instantaneously. Conversational marketing solutions provide quick customer service methods. In fact, around 73% of customers find live chat the most acceptable form of communication with a company. Not only will visitors have their issues or questions resolved, but this inbound marketing method can turn these dialogues into leads that improve your sales funnel and bring back satisfied customers. Businesses can utilize conversational marketing by adding live chat to a website or by opening communication on their social media channel, WhatsApp and other messengers. Here’s more on why a business needs live chat on its website. 39. Product marketing Product marketing is not just beautiful pictures of your product—it drives the demand and usage of it. Product marketing ensures product-market fit and helps better understand customer problems. It uses market research, sales, and customer success data to inform messaging. This type of marketing helps you hone in on the perfect customer via segmentation, targeting, and personas. Product marketing can also allow you to understand better what competitors are doing and the alternatives that your audience is considering. With all these insights, your company can best tweak messaging and the product itself to improve sales. This marketing has clear key performance indicators ( KPIs ) that help measure the effectiveness of efforts across a company's entire product line. For example, software-as-a-service ( SaaS ) companies commonly set goals around the number of trial and demo signups, lead-to-consumer rate and revenue. 40. Account-based marketing Account-based marketing (ABM), also known as key account marketing, has marketing and sales creating personalized messages, campaigns, and buying experiences to target a specific account or company. Businesses often use ABM as an acquisition marketing method to generate new leads. ABM is popular among B2B businesses with a niche audience, like medical companies that want to target exact hospitals. There is typically a minimum number of accounts you must provide for ABM to succeed. Many advertising solutions let you upload a mass sheet with the targeted companies so that you only pay for ads served to them. 41. Local marketing Local marketing is most popular among brick-and-mortar business owners, but it has its place in just about any business model. Tailoring a business's branding and advertising to target consumers in a specific area is a great way of showing them that you are attuned to their identity, wants and needs. If your business is native to the area, local marketing will show consumers that you care about contributing to the local economy which can help build trust.

Whether you've just learned how to create a website using a website builder to start a business or want to promote an existing one, advertising can help you succeed. With countless opportunities through traditional and digital advertising, you can reach new audiences, drive sales and build brand awareness effectively. To help you sort through all the advertising methods that exist, we've broken down the most prominent types of advertising. Once you get the lay of the land, you'll be best equipped to choose the best type of advertising method and embark on your journey of growing your business. What is advertising today? Advertising is a marketing strategy that businesses use to promote their brand, products and/or services. Each type of advertising will have similar goals—whether turning potential buyers into actual customers, sharing information with new audiences, or building brand awareness—ultimately, advertising helps grow your business. Marketing vs. advertising While there are many similarities between marketing vs. advertising (and many use the term interchangeably), advertising is just one part of your marketing strategy . Marketing is a strategic part of building a business that includes all sorts of promotions, including organic and paid advertising, while advertising, no matter what type, means that you’re paying to get exposure to your brand. As your small business grows, you will need to develop different advertising campaigns to achieve specific business goals and landmarks within your marketing strategy. Advertising can be broken down into two main categories: traditional advertising and digital. Learn more: Small business marketing Traditional advertising Traditional advertising refers to types of advertisements typically done offline. Newspaper ads, billboards and radio advertising are all advertisement examples that represent traditional marketing methods. Businesses still use these traditional advertising platforms to sell products or attract people to their brands. Digital or new media advertising Technology’s evolution has changed the marketing world—and many businesses do most of their advertising online. From SMS text messages to social media campaigns, digital advertising refers to marketing across online platforms and digital communication channels. Digital marketing has become an ubiquitous part of online browsing, where almost every daily internet touchpoint offers an advertising opportunity. Small business owners find digital ads especially attractive, as they tend to be more cost effective and often use advanced analytics to measure results. One of the main types is SEM, or search engine marketing. Digital advertising, according to Statista was expected to reach over US$500 billion in 2021, increasing to an incredible expected US$876 billion by 2026. Proof of how companies the world over have embraced digital advertising as a large part of their advertising strategies. 10 Types of advertising Online search advertising Social media advertising Print Direct mail Broadcast, video and TV advertising Out-of-home (OOH) outdoor advertising Cell phone mobile advertising Product placement Consumer-generated Radio and podcast advertising 01. Online search advertising American adults spend an average of 3.5 hours of their day online. This high amount of internet usage helps explain why more and more businesses are turning to online advertising . After all, the goal of relevant advertising is to get in front of your audience where they spend most of their time. Additionally, marketers treasure the ability to track the immediate reach and results of their online campaigns. Since many tools and analytics are integrated into digital ads, you can know in real-time where your sales are coming from and make quick optimizations to boost performance. Due to the strength of this type of advertising, you can use many digital methods to promote yourself online: Pay-Per-Click (PPC) advertising Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising allows you to show up in front of your audience in a non-abrupt way while on search engines. In PPC campaigns, you select a series of keywords to bid on so that your ad will be at the top of the search results for words that describe your business or products. You can even bid on competitor brand names so you can give yourself a chance to be considered as another option. After all, 90% of searchers haven’t made their mind up about a brand before starting their search . These types of advertisements show up in text format, so make sure to write compelling ad copy since you can’t rely on images to draw users' attention. Moreover, many advertisers send their paid online traffic to landing pages exclusively dedicated to the promotion in order to increase customer conversion. Lastly, PPC ads are designed so that you only pay when someone clicks on your ad, so it's a great way to learn how to advertise on Google . You can choose how much you are willing to pay for that cost per click (CPC). Therefore, this is an excellent online advertising method for campaigns with defined sales goals, CPL and ROI benchmarks. Display banners Have you ever read an article online and noticed a square or rectangular image appear on the edges of the page or between paragraphs? This type of advertising is known as display banners and is usually composed of rich images or videos that showcase a promoted offering with layered text and a CTA. Banner ads are charged on a CPM (cost per a thousand impressions) or CPC, depending on the platform you’re running ads on. Since the click-through rate (CTR) isn’t as high on display banners as PPC ads, the former is often used to build brand awareness and help you stay top of mind with your audience. Native ads What differentiates native ads from other types of advertising methods is that, as their name suggests, we often don't notice they are ads. Native advertising campaigns are disguised by matching the format and style of the organic content on the page, making them nearly indistinguishable. Their camouflage ability has made this ad format quite popular. Native ads will account for a whopping 74% of total US display ad revenue by the end of 2021 . Marketers love them because they are a sneaky way to get in front of your target audience in a not-so-obvious way. For instance, if you look closely at a content piece that is at the bottom or between articles on sites that serve ads, you’ll notice a small font reading "sponsored stories" or "promoted by." Since native ads are often live on content publishing platforms or video-based channels like YouTube, they can be a great way to drive traffic to a blog post, a tutorial video or other types of longer-form educational content. 02. Social media advertising Social media marketing and advertising are unlike most promotion outlets because it allows you to engage with your audience in an authentic way. Not only can you personalize your ads to fit your target audience parameters but also interact with people who’ve engaged with the promotion, it's contextual advertising at its finest. Besides, the usage of social media is growing by the day. Now, there are several leading platforms to choose to advertise on, depending on your target audience and goals. By 2021 , global social media marketing spend topped US$180 billion. The majority of this was spent on mobile advertising. Total spend is expected. to increase to over US$ 350 billion by 2026. LinkedIn advertising Known for B2B advertising, LinkedIn lets you tap into their professional database of over 690 million users and reach your audience through Sponsored Content, Sponsored Messaging, text ads and dynamic ads. What is special about this channel is that people are already in a professional mindset, making them more likely to be open to interacting with new opportunities that can help grow their business. Be aware that LinkedIn’s CPCs are higher than other social media platforms. However, for B2B businesses that have a high-value price tag per sale, it can still pay off their ad spend with a positive ROI. Facebook advertising Facebook ads have a reach of 1.6 billion people and lets you customize your campaigns based on specific objectives and countless audiences. You can choose to advertise on Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, Audience Network or across them all. Most of their ads are on a PPC model with relatively low bids, and there is no minimum spend which can be beneficial for smaller businesses. Instagram advertising Instagram lets you easily turn existing posts into ads. You can show your promoted content in Stories, Reels, and your audience's feed. A tip to know when making content is that how-to tutorials are the most popular form of Instagram video content . Then choose where you want to send visitors to—whether it's to your online store , Instagram profile or elsewhere. Since Facebook owns Instagram, you can choose to run your ads from within the Instagram app or through the Facebook ads manager. Twitter advertising Twitter offers many ad formats, with the most popular ones being standard promoted posts that show up in your audience's newsfeed amongst organic tweets. Another common ad format is Follower Ads, which can help you to increase your visibility and promote your account. Follower Ads on Twitter can do so by showing your business’s Twitter account in the Who To Follow section as a recommendation. This will help you get noticed by new audiences who otherwise might not have heard of you. Pinterest advertising Pinterest advertising allows you to create Pins that will be served to your audience’s feed. The goal is that they will find them relevant, click on them and pin them again for later. Their ad format is very visual, which can be a great benefit for retail brands. The beauty of this type of advertising is that you often do not notice that the Pins are promoted, which creates a very favorable experience for the end-user. Additionally, 78% of Pinterest users find branded content useful , so feel confident in showing up to their searches. TikToK advertising TikTok is not just for fun dance videos, they also tailor to businesses with their short-form video ads. The latest social media platform shows high engagement rates, giving you access to passionate users. Furthermore, you can segment your target users into verticals to reach the most relevant audience. Remember, the key to TikTok ads is to tell your brand story in a unique way. Try to jump on trending songs and sounds to include in your video ad to fit the tone and style of this type of advertising. Subscribe to the Wix blog  for a weekly dose of fresh marketing tips and trends. 03. Print One of the first and longest-standing types of advertising methods is print . This promotion method allows you to advertise your brand in physical printed newspapers, magazines and brochures. Even though types of digital advertising are taking a fair share of the print market, there is still a desire for holding and reading physical content that consumers love. Newspaper and magazines Whether it's in the New York Times or Vogue fashion magazine, you can show promotions for your business on either a full dedicated page or place a smaller ad on a page with several other business promotions. In print, you pay per size of your advertisement and where it is located in the magazine or newspaper. For example, the back cover of a magazine will be more expensive and more effective since many more people will see it. Likewise, full-page ads will be significantly more costly than smaller formats. You should choose the types of magazines that your audience is most likely to read, as some publications are very clearly geared towards specific demographics. Brochures and flyers If you're looking to get into the hands of as many people, just as you might be with a business card , highlight your products and services benefits in the printed content you can easily hand out. Then go and distribute these advertising assets in stores, at events, or even outside on high foot traffic streets. 04. Direct mail We know snail mail has its shortcomings in terms of speed. Nevertheless, we never stop checking our mail and sometimes enjoy it too. In fact, 55% of people look forward to finding out what mail they received . In comparison to email marketing, 80% of traditional mail is opened while 80% of emails are disregarded . Marketers use direct mail to send customers coupons, promotions and news about their business. Many also include their business website so users can go online for more information about the offer. An easy way to get readers online is by generating a QR code that, when scanned, immediately leads the user to the destination of a promotion. Wondering where to begin? You can start finding addresses for direct mail advertising from your existing customer user base retrieved from your CRM . In addition, you can approach direct mail companies that sell this type of information. 05. Broadcast, video and TV advertising Lights, camera, action. Get your video script ready and start filming because video content is an extremely effective and engaging type of advertising. In fact, 61% of marketers plan to increase their video spending in 2021 as this type of advertising is where the future is heading. Videos can advertise your business via a broadcast, an infomercial, a television advertising commercial or via streaming platforms. On the one hand, TV advertising is ideal for reaching a larger, more general market area since it can reach thousands, if not millions, of people at once. On the other hand, it is hard to know the reach and direct ROI, and sales impact TV ads have, as tracking is not so straightforward as online advertising. Also, TV ads can be expensive as they are sold by the second length and can change by price depending on the time it airs, the program it airs on and even if it's a local or national TV channel. Regardless of where you choose to promote your video ads (Youtube is always a good place to start), make sure the quality of your video is high and that you provide details about the value or problem your product solves. It really has become simple to make online video campaigns with marketing tools such as a free online video maker . Once done, you can repurpose your created video for several different types of advertising, including social media. 06. Out-of-home (OOH) outdoor advertising Have you ever been to Times Square in New York City? There, you can get a 360-degree view of outdoor ads all around you in the format of flashing billboards, busses passing by with promotions for restaurants and Broadway plays and signs catching your eye wherever you look. But NYC is not the only place where outdoor advertising is such a success. Most cities and towns around the world utilize the outdoors as an advertising space, with 71% of consumers often looking at the messages on vehicles and roadside billboards . When it comes to costs, outdoor advertising can be quite expensive, especially in very popular high traffic areas. By 2023 spend on out of home advertising is expected to top US$39 billion, proving this traditional form of advertising is still an effective way to reach people. Billboards Billboards enable your campaign to show up on huge poster signs in places such as the side highways or sports stadiums. Ultimately, anywhere that has a lot of people passing by is an excellent place for this type of advertising. What makes these billboards so appealing is that they can be enormous and eye-catching, especially when integrating digital media into the outdoor spaces. Transportation Millions of people commute each day using different modes of transportation. Many advertisers take advantage of these commutes by showing OOH ads on buses, taxis, bicycles, airports and flight seats. Street advertising Street advertising is done on sidewalks, crosswalks or in places people walk or sit on. Guerrilla marketing is often incorporated into street advertising, in which natural elements of our street environment are used to promote a business. Take for example the ad where McDonald’s turned a stripped crosswalk into their world-known french fries. Other ideas could be painting benches with your brand colors or incorporating your product in the space in a creative way. As you can see, these ads are very imaginative, so try to be unique and out of the box with this type of advertising. 07. Cell phone mobile advertising Did you know Americans check their phones 96 times a day, which averages to once every 10 minutes ? This constant use helps explain why marketers like to use mobile advertising as one of their marketing outlets. Cell phone advertising allows you to push notification ads via SMS to your target customers. You can send a promotion or offer and typically includes a URL to a landing page or website to take action. This type of advertising is also popular because it comes at a low cost and has an extensive reach. The average open rate for text message marketing campaigns is 98% . 08. Product placement In case you have not noticed this before, most TV shows and movies have products strategically placed in them for promotion. This means you, as a business, can pay money to have a specific character drink your branded coffee or wear your t-shirt design. But it is not just physical products that fall under this type of advertising, you can also just have your business name or brand mentioned in the plot. Product placement advertising leads consumers to make an unconscious connection between the scene of a movie and a brand, like associating the powerful 007 James Bond with the luxury Aston Martin sports car he drives. It’s proven that 52% of North Americans trusted product placement ads and 49% took action after seeing such an ad . If you choose product placement advertising, be intentional with where and how you wish to place your products and ensure it matches your brand image. 09. Consumer-generated Consumer-generated advertising is one of the newest types of advertising that has taken the marketing world by storm. Ads based on user-generated content are very trusted by audiences and receive 4 times higher click-through rates than other types of advertisements. In this online marketing strategy, brands pay people to create content for them and promote the content on their behalf. The content users create can be anything from videos and blog entries to social posts, tutorials and more. You'll find opportunities to work with influencers, micro-influencers, affiliate marketers and brand ambassadors within this advertising world. Reaching the audience of the creator who produced the content is a big added perk, as it gives you automatic relevant reach. Saving time is also a benefit of consumer-generated ads, as businesses don’t need to spend time creating and promoting the assets. You should also know that payment methods for your consumer-generated content are not limited to money. Sometimes you can compensate creators with free products, experiences and discounts. 10. Radio and podcast advertising In today's fast-paced world, radio and podcast advertising has become a prevalent way to consume information on the go, especially through podcasts and the radio. With this in mind, you can take advantage of the many listeners out there that you can reach with ads, with high peaks of tuning in during commuting hours. When it comes to targeting, you can narrow in and advertise to a niche group of listeners that will find your promotion most interesting and relevant. To do this, focus on a specific radio channel or podcast type that aligns with your services. Users might find your sponsored message very helpful as 54% of podcast consumers say that they are more likely to consider the brands they hear advertised on podcasts . Lastly, you don't have to rely on large, existing radio stations or podcasts to cover you. You can start your own podcast for free with one of these podcast website templates . This medium will enable you to highlight your expertise and tell your unique brand story. Common advertising techniques to start with Once you've chosen the types of advertising you want to start with to promote your business, you'll need to think about which advertising techniques to deploy within your strategy. There are many techniques to choose from, each of which can influence how well your target audience responds to your advertising strategy and campaigns but we've put together a list of the most popular to get you started with your preferred type. Appealing to emotion : imagine a TV ad for a car. The car is filled with a family heading off an adventurous road trip, all of them laughing and excited for the fun ahead. This creates positive emotions towards the card and the brand. The bandwagon effect : this technique is all about creating demand and hype for a product, because someone else has it. Imagine a social media ad for a new phone, crowds of people all using the same device, to create that 'I must have' impulse in consumers. Typography : this technique works best for large brands, with easily recognizable font based logos. Cocoa Cola for example uses their well known typography and logo as center stage in a lot of their advertising. Color psychology: this is all about using colors to evoke emotions in your target audience that encourage them to take action. Red, for example, is known to trigger hunger when used in fast food commercials either online, or in print. Color psychology and appealing to a target audiences emotion are often used together in advertising. Testimonials: as a form of social proof testimonials can be powerful when used within all types of advertising. People respond well to positive reviews or accounts of users they can relate to, using a product or service and sharing their experiences with it. Types of advertising FAQ What are 5 types of online advertising? Social media marketing Native advertising Mobile advertising Search advertising (both paid and organic) Email marketing/advertising What type of advertising is most effective? It all depends on your product and service as well as your budget. But for small businesses some of the most effective are — word of mouth marketing (free advertising), online advertising (paid search, paid social media), traditional advertising (if you have a big budget and broad audience, includes TV and radio), email marketing/advertising. What types of advertising are most profitable? According to this 2023 study , they are: Display advertising Video advertising Native advertising Web interstitial advertising (the message users get before an expected page) Interactive advertising What are the 8 main ad types? Video ads Shopping ads App ads Bumper ads Discovery ads Dynamic ads Social ads Search ads What are the key differences between traditional and digital advertising? Tradtional and digital advertising couldn't be more different from each other in terms of style and execution. Traditional advertising relies on offline channels like TV, radio, newspapers and billboards —offering broad audience reach but limited ROI and other KPI tracking. Digital advertising uses online platforms like social media, search engines and websites for precise audience targeting, real-time analytics and often cost-effective campaigns. methods.