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- How to host a website in 5 steps
Get free website hosting from Wix today → To host a website, you need a web hosting service that stores your site’s files and makes them accessible online. You can either use a website builder with free web hosting included or choose a separate hosting provider and connect your site manually. The right hosting depends on factors like expected traffic, storage needs, setup complexity and security. These choices affect your site’s speed, reliability and ability to grow. Even the best-designed free website won’t work without reliable hosting. In this guide, we’ll explain how to host a website and help you decide the right fit for your goals. Learn more: How to start a website Wix hosting keeps your website running smoothly and securely from day one. With reliable performance, strong security and built-in tools for SEO, analytics and marketing, your site is ready to grow without limits. Plus 24/7 support means help is always just a click away. TL;DR: how to host a website To host a website, you need a web hosting service that stores your site’s files on a server and makes them accessible online. Start by choosing a hosting type (like shared, cloud or managed hosting), then pick a reliable provider based on your traffic, security and budget needs. Register a domain name , build your website using a website builder or custom setup and launch. For the easiest option, use a website builder like Wix, where hosting, security and maintenance are included. What to do Why it matters Select a type of web hosting Determines your site’s performance, scalability and level of control Consider your website hosting needs Helps you choose the right resources for traffic, storage and security Choose a web hosting provider Ensures reliable uptime, support and long-term flexibility Register a domain name Gives your website a professional, easy-to-find web address Create your website Brings your site to life with content, design and functionality Learn more: Does Wix host websites? What is web hosting? Web hosting is what makes your website live and accessible online by storing its files on a server and delivering them to visitors when they enter your domain name. Most hosting providers handle server maintenance, updates and security for you, keeping your site running smoothly without technical setup. While self-hosting offers more control, it requires advanced knowledge and hands-on management. Choosing a reliable hosting provider is essential, as it directly affects your site’s speed, security and overall user experience. Learn more: What is web hosting? How to host a website in 5 steps Select a type of web hosting Consider your website hosting needs Choose a web hosting provider Register a domain name Create your website 01. Select a type of web hosting There are six main types of web hosting and based on the type of website you plan to create, you need to decide which is best for you. Shared hosting allows website owners to share a server with others to minimize operational costs. You can think of shared hosting as an apartment building where all tenants share a single structure–each user can easily manage their site through their own separate account, but cannot access advanced controls. The main benefit of shared hosting is the low cost but multiple users can create issues with performance and site reliability especially for high traffic sites. Dedicated hosting provides a single user an entire server. In real estate terms, dedicated hosting is like a house where the owner controls every aspect of the space. Large companies often choose this web hosting type because it allows for maximum customization, flexibility, and security. It is also the most complex and expensive type of web hosting. VPS (virtual private server) hosting divides a server into independently functioning virtual compartments. Each website is stored in one of these compartments, providing owners with a middle-ground between shared and dedicated hosting in terms of pricing and management capabilities. If shared hosting is an apartment building, VPS hosting is a townhouse with spaces divided into separate, functional units. Colocation provides a business its own dedicated server to support its website and stores it in a data center among other businesses’ servers. Large enterprises primarily use this hosting type. This allows them more control over the management and security of their hosting. Cloud hosting provides your website its own dedicated resources on a network of multiple servers, rather than on a single one. This fast-growing type of hosting makes it possible to access all your website data from anywhere. Cloud hosting offers website owners improved performance and security at an accessible price point. With approximately 200+ million active websites online, cloud hosting has become increasingly advantageous for its scalability, security, speed and accessibility. Multi-cloud hosting simultaneously hosts websites on multiple networks. If a network goes down, it will automatically redirect all of the websites it hosts to another hosting network. This greatly reduces the chance of a website being down due to network issues because a backup host is always in place. Home servers , hosting a website from your own home server can be an ideal option for people who need more control over how their websites are managed. Using a home server allows you to customize how your site is hosted, what software and hardware it uses, how secure the hosting environment is, and how reliable the uptime is. This can be a complicated option if you're not sure exactly how it works, or how to handle troubleshooting. Managed hosting is a service where the hosting provider handles all the technical aspects of your server, including updates, backups, monitoring and security. It’s like having a property manager for your website, so you can focus on your business instead of server maintenance. This option is great for those who want the benefits of dedicated or VPS hosting without needing technical expertise. While it’s typically more expensive, the convenience and reliability make it a smart choice for growing websites that need consistent performance and support. Tip: Wix uses two of the biggest networks on the planet, Google Cloud Hosting and Amazon Web Services (AWS) , to protect user sites via multi-cloud hosting. In case these networks ever go down, Wix also uses its own disaster servers to ensure that all sites continue functioning even if network interruptions occur. For a more in-depth look at cloud hosting vs. shared hosting , check out our guide. 02. Consider your website hosting needs If you already worked out how to make a website, your website needs and function is a huge determining factor when it comes to choose the type of hosting you need, and your hosting provider. Consider how much traffic your site will receive in a given time period, will there be times when you might expect sudden increases in traffic. This is of specific concern for eCommerce hosting websites who handle large amounts of seasonal and holiday traffic. You will also need to take into account your need for reliability. Not just during times of traffic surges, but if servers go down - does your hosting option and provider, step in with backup options? Will you accept payments on your site, and if you will - how will you ensure your hosting choice protects your customers sensitive details. There's also the issue of your budget. It use to be that the safest hosting options, cloud hosting for example, were expensive and inaccessible. This is no longer the case and everyone can have access to reliable and safe hosting, often for free. When hosting a website, it is also important to consider how your web host will handle issues such as backup and recovery of data, user authentication and authorization, website performance optimization and how user data such as passwords is stored and secured. Uptime is the amount of time a web hosting service is available to users over a given period, or how long the websites stored on a server or network are up and running. Bandwidth is the amount of data your website can transfer to visitors over time. You can calculate your website’s bandwidth needs based on your expected traffic volume and your average page size. Security is how hard it is to harm your site. Websites can be attached through their servers, some of the more popular include DOS and phishing attacks. These can lead your site vulnerable to data breaches and theft which can put your business, and your online customers at risk. Without diving into technical details, here are a few specs you should take into account before you decide on a web hosting provider: Software: Apache, Nginx, IIS Hardware: CPU, RAM, storage capacity Cybersecurity: firewall protection, encryption Server configuration: database settings, software version Uptime reliability Customer care availability Since web host service providers provide quite similar technical specifications, you can use these additional features as a tie-breaker: Free website. Take advantage of a web host provider that also provides a complete website building platform. Custom email addresses. Align your branding strategy with a custom email address featuring your business name. Online scheduling software . Allow your clients to book appointments or services with you and manage your own calendar, all in one place. Advanced SEO features . Use professional SEO tips and protocol to boost your website’s Google ranking. Customer support. Whether through an online help center, phone calls, or social media responses, reach your hosting service quickly in case of emergency. SSL certificate and HTTPS . Both are essential security measures taken by your hosting provider to ensure the security of your site. HTTPs allows your site to communicate securely with your server and also shows your site visitors they can trust your site with their personal and payment details. 03. Choose a web hosting provider Your web hosting provider allows you to store all of your website data and deliver it to your visitors. So how do you choose the best web hosting provider ? Once you’ve identified your website needs, look for a host that meets them. For example, if you own an eCommerce photography website, you’ll need a host that guarantees enough storage to upload all your image files. Tip: Wix automatically provides users with 500MB of free cloud storage, but you can always upgrade to a premium plan and purchase as much as 50GB as your online storage needs grow. Security is obviously another paramount feature for eCommerce sites, as they need to protect private customer data. Cyber attacks are on the rise , and you want to choose an experienced hosting provider that adheres to international standards with a comprehensive understanding of cybersecurity basics , like Wix. Lastly, choose a provider that offers flexible plans that you can upgrade or cancel at any time. This gives you the freedom to make adjustments as you see fit. 04. Register a domain name A custom domain name conveys professionalism as well as makes your site more distinctive, easy-to-find and search engine optimized. Most website hosting platforms offer domain registrars so you can easily create your domain name and purchase a host in the same place. Tip: With Wix, users get a free domain for the first year, meaning you won’t need to worry about domain name costs up front. To select a URL, consider simple keywords or phrases that best describe your site. If creating a business website, simply use your business name as your domain. If someone has already claimed that domain name, add your business city or state to differentiate it. Take a look at this step-by-step guide on how to choose a domain name that represents professionalism, searchability and brand value. Learn more about what a domain name is. 05. Create your website Once you've chosen your web hosting provider and purchased a domain name, it's time to create your website. Start by choosing a website builder, like Wix that fits your technical skills and website requirements. For an easy and user-friendly experience, Wix offers intuitive design options and hundreds of website templates. Design your site by selecting a template that reflects your brand’s style and has mobile compatibility for wider reach. Then create engaging content to clearly convey your message and captivate your audience. Add essential features like contact forms, galleries or eCommerce capabilities based on your goals. Test your website thoroughly before launching to ensure all features work smoothly and provide a seamless user experience from the start. Why do you need web hosting? You need web hosting because it's the space on a server where your website's files are stored. When someone visits your website, their computer sends a request to the server where your website is hosted. The server then sends the website's files back to the computer, and the website is displayed. Without web hosting, your website would not be accessible on the internet. Here are some of the benefits of using web hosting: Reliability : Web hosting providers typically have high-uptime servers, which means that your website will be up and running most of the time. Security: Web hosts usually offer security measures to protect your website from hackers and other threats. Performance: Web hosting providers often optimize their servers for website performance, which means that your website will load quickly for visitors. Support: Web hosts typically offer support to help you with any problems you have with your website or web hosting account. What you need to host a website To host your website, you'll need a few essential things: Domain name This is your website's address on the internet. Choose something memorable, relevant to your website's purpose and ideally, easy to spell and type. "The main thing to consider when choosing a domain is finding one that aligns with your brand and is easy for your customers to remember. It's important to have a domain that reflects your business and makes it easy for people to find you online." Einat Shafir, Product Manager Domains at Wix.com Web hosting A web hosting service provides the storage space and computing power to run your website and make it accessible to everyone on the internet. Choose a reliable host with good uptime and customer support. Website content Craft engaging web content that resonates with your target audience and keeps them coming back for more. It could be informative blog posts, eye-catching product pages or a portfolio of your stunning artwork. Website design Choose a website design that aligns with your brand and content, prioritizing user-friendliness and intuitive navigation. Tips for choosing a web host In addition to technical factors like uptime, speed, security and support, there are other considerations when choosing a web host. Here are a few tips to help you: Consider your website needs What kind of website do you have? How much traffic do you expect? What features do you need? For example, if you have a simple blog, you may not need a lot of storage space or bandwidth. But if you have a large eCommerce site, you'll need a web host that can handle a lot of traffic and transactions. Compare prices Web hosting prices vary depending on the features and resources that you need. Be sure to compare prices from different providers before you choose a plan. With a Wix website hosting is always included for free. Read customer reviews Read reviews of different web hosting providers to see what other customers have to say about their service. This can help you identify potential problems with different providers. From these reviews, choose a web host that has a good reputation for customer service and support. This is important because you may need help from your web host from time to time. Evaluate customer support When hosting a website, having reliable customer support can make a substantial difference in your overall experience. Check if the hosting provider offers 24/7 support through various channels like live chat, email or phone. Quick and effective help is essential, especially during technical difficulties that could affect your website's performance or accessibility. Check for scalability options As your website grows, your hosting needs may change. Opt for a provider that offers scalable solutions, allowing you to upgrade your hosting plan seamlessly as your site’s traffic and storage demands increase. This flexibility ensures your website can handle growth without experiencing downtime or performance issues. Or choose from the start web hosting, like with Wix that can handle your website and its traffic, as it scales. Focus on security measures Security is an essential aspect of web hosting. Protect your site and its visitors by choosing a provider that offers robust security features, such as SSL certificates, firewalls and malware scanning. Regular updates and security patches are vital to guard against vulnerabilities. By prioritizing security, you can safeguard sensitive information and maintain the trust of your users. Prioritize reliability A reliable hosting provider is essential to keep your website online when it matters most. Consider uptime guarantees and the provider’s track record for maintaining consistent service. With reliability in place, your visitors can always access your site when they need it. Look for ease of use Managing your website hosting shouldn’t feel like rocket science. Look for a platform that offers a user-friendly interface and intuitive tools, allowing you to make changes easily. Wix makes this process simple with its all-in-one dashboard and streamlined hosting setup, so you can focus on your website rather than the technical details. How to host a website FAQ Can I host a website myself? Yes, but it’s not recommended for beginners. Self-hosting requires technical knowledge, including setting up a server, installing software and managing a domain and hosting plan. If you’re inexperienced, using a web hosting service like Wix is a simpler, safer option. How do I transfer a domain name? To transfer a domain name, you will need to contact the current registrar of the domain name and request a transfer. The registrar will then send you a transfer authorization code (TAC). You will need to provide this TAC to the new registrar when you sign up for a hosting plan. The transfer process can take up to 5 days to complete. Once the transfer is complete, your domain name will be pointed to your new hosting provider. What's the easiest way to host a website? The easiest way to host a website is to choose a website builder, like Wix, where hosting is included when you commit to a premium package. Can I host a website for free? With a website builder like Wix you can host a website for free as part of one of its free or paid plans. Do I need managed or unmanaged hosting? The choice depends on your technical skills, time, budget and how much control you want over your website. Managed hosting is ideal for most users, as it handles updates, backups, security and performance for you. Wix offers managed hosting that covers all these needs, making it easier to focus on your website rather than server maintenance. Unmanaged hosting is only recommended if you have the experience and time to manage your own server. How does hosting affect website speed? Website speed is heavily influenced by your hosting setup, including server response time, hardware quality, location and bandwidth. Features like caching, CDNs, server-side optimizations and SSD storage can further improve performance. Shared hosting may slow your site during peak traffic while managed performance-optimized hosting ensures faster more reliable load times. Choosing secure high-quality hosting is key to keeping your website responsive and efficient.
- The 7 best website builders for photographers
Looking for the best way to build your website? Get started with Wix → When starting a photography business, capturing the perfect shot is just the beginning. Showing your artistry to the world in the best light requires a digital platform that complements your work. Knowing how to make a website and find the best platform to improve your brand, sell your designs and just share your art with others is very important if you want to stand out. But with the vast array of website builders available today, how do you choose the one that best suits your needs? Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, this guide explores the top website builders for photographers to help you find the perfect platform for starting your business . When choosing a website builder, you want one that’s flexible, powerful and easy-to-use. Wix is the go-to platform for millions of users looking to create a stunning website effortlessly. See what makes Wix stand out from the crowd and why it’s the right fit for you. TL;DR: Best website builders for photographers As a photographer, your website isn’t just a portfolio—it’s your storefront, pitch deck and personal brand all in one. Here we break down the best website builders for photographers, each offering the right mix of design flexibility, visual impact and business tools to help you show your work and grow your client base. You’ll find a side-by-side look at each platform’s strengths, plus tips to help you choose the one that matches your goals, style and workflow. Criteria we considered Why it matters Image presentation tools Supports high-res photo galleries and visual storytelling Customization and design options Gives you full creative control over the look and feel of your portfolio Ease of use Helps you get online quickly, even with no coding or design experience Client tools Includes features like bookings, contact forms and file delivery SEO and marketing capabilities Helps your work get discovered and brings in new business 7 of the best website builders for photographers Wix Webflow Zenfolio Pixpa Webnode Carbonmade Adobe Portfolio 01. Wix If you want to build a photography website that actually holds your audience’s attention, it needs to serve as a one-stop shop for your entire online presence. Whereas there are plenty of website builders that can provide the templates you need to build an attractive website, few have as rich of an array of website features and website apps as Wix does. With its intuitive drag-and-drop editor and hundreds of highly customizable templates, learning how to use Wix is a breeze. Photographers will find the content manager exceptionally handy, as it allows you to upload batches of photos that automatically populate in the gallery layout of your choice. Want to change the order of your photos? You can do that with ease, highlighting Wix's commitment to customizability. If all that weren’t enough, Wix features and AI tools add another layer of simplicity to the design process. If the available photography website templates don’t quite capture your vision, Wix offers one of the best AI website builder on the market. For photographers who think in images rather than words, the AI text creator will help you craft compelling copy to accompany your visuals. Learn more about how Wix is good for photographers. Wix goes beyond being just a website builder—it's a complete toolkit for running your photography business. Thanks to the built-in scheduling software , potential clients can easily schedule appointments with you directly through your website. For those eyeing additional revenue streams, Wix's print-on-demand feature lets you sell directly from your online store without ever needing to handle the physical products yourself. And when it comes to drawing traffic to your site, Wix has you covered with SEO features , an email marketing manager, an ad manager, a blog maker and more to enhance your online presence. Why we picked it: Advanced eCommerce functionality Built-in scheduling software Print-on-demand opportunities AI website generation capabilities Ideal for: Full-service studios. Be inspired by these photography website examples , all built on Wix. Pricing: $0-$159/month. Premium plans available. Free plan ($0): Limited features and ads. Light ($17/month): Basic plan for simple sites. Core ($29/month): Basic eCommerce features and marketing suite. Business $39/month): Geared towards growing your brand. Business Elite ($159/month): Unlocks unlimited storage & scaling capabilities. Enterprise: Custom plan for large corporations. Launch your photography portfolio website with Wix today. Learn more: Best freelance website builders , best website builders for designers 02. Webflow Webflow earns itself a place on this list of the best website builders for photographers by offering a robust platform that marries visual design freedom with the precision of coding. It's a step up from the usual drag-and-drop interfaces, catering to photographers who possess a bit of tech savvy and want to carve out a unique space online. Webflow distinguishes itself by generating clean, semantic code as you design visually. This is particularly helpful because it bridges the gap between design and development. For photographers who value both aesthetics and functionality, Webflow's platform means that as you drag, drop and design your site, it automatically translates your design choices into professional, standards-compliant HTML and CSS code. This auto-coding capability ensures that the technical side of your site is sound, which helps to make a website accessible , SEO-friendly and fast. Essentially, it's like having a coder translating your creative vision into web language in real time, ensuring that your website not only looks good but is built solidly from the ground up. This feature is useful for those who may not be experts in coding but still want a website that ranks well on search engines and delivers a quality user experience. While Webflow's learning curve is steeper compared to other website builders and requires at least a basic understanding of web design and coding, the investment in learning can pay off in terms of the quality and uniqueness of the website created. Why we picked it: Full design control Clean, semantic code generator Built-in interaction and animation tools Ideal for: Tech-savvy photographers. Pricing: Free plans available; paid plans start at $14 per month. 03. Zenfolio Zenfolio is a platform designed primarily for photographers to showcase, share and sell their work online. This would not only allow you to display your work but also to sell your work in the form of prints and photo books. The platform streamlines the sales process with integrated payments and customizable price lists, enabling photographers to manage their art and business in one easy-to-use space. Zenfolio's photo-proofing tools offer an added layer of professionalism to the experience. Photographers can share private galleries with clients, facilitating the feedback and selection processes. This collaboration tool ensures efficient workflows and boosts client relationships. Zenfolio's automated workflow feature is like having a digital assistant by your side that helps you simplify your routine and keep your audience engaged. It automatically nudges customers to revisit abandoned carts, reminds them of upcoming bookings and dispatches shipping confirmations. And when it comes to engaging potential buyers, personalized email campaigns can be crafted and dispatched with ease, drawing them back to your online gallery. But it's not just about reminders and emails. Zenfolio assists with order fulfillment, ensuring that products are delivered without a hitch and even offers smart pricing recommendations, helping you set competitive rates for your work. The PhotoRefine Photo Culling tool stands out in the sea of website builder features, offering a unique time-saving solution. You take the reins by setting the criteria and parameters, which allows the tool to sort through your images, pinpoint duplicates and adjust AI settings to your preference. PhotoRefine then groups like photos and rates them according to your specifications, assesses image quality and employs facial recognition to identify individuals, streamlining the process of sorting and grouping shots by subject. Why we picked it: Automated workflow features Photo-proofing tools Photo-culling tools Ideal for: Time-strapped photographers. Pricing: Plans start at $7 per month. 04. Pixpa Pixpa stands out in the sea of website builders for its focus on helping creatives like photographers sell their work online. At its core, Pixpa acknowledges that today’s photographers are not just artists but also entrepreneurs, necessitating a platform that caters to both facets of their profession. Whether it's selling prints, licensing images or offering photography courses or workshops, Pixpa’s integrated eCommerce tools simplify the commercial side of photography. Like other platforms, this one supports customizable price lists, inventory management, discount codes and more, all while ensuring a secure and seamless payment gateway integration. In addition, Pixpa does not charge any setup fees, listing fees or transaction fees on the products or orders of your Pixpa Store. Pixpa may not boast the same level of flexibility or as many templates as Wix, yet it stands out with specialized features for photographers. Its eCommerce-enabled galleries allow your portfolio to serve a dual purpose, letting admirers purchase their favorite images directly. Plus, the fully responsive design ensures your site and images display beautifully across all devices. Client interaction is pivotal in the photography business. Pixpa's client galleries offer a collaborative space where photographers can share, proof and sell their images. Clients can review, select or purchase images directly from these galleries, streamlining the workflow and enhancing the overall client experience. Adding to the user experience, you can use the Mobile Gallery App to offer clients a personalized and engaging way to interact with their photos through a dedicated platform. In addition to championing visual display, Pixpa realizes the growing significance of eCommerce in the world of photography. Whether it's selling prints, licensing images or offering online courses or workshops, Pixpa’s integrated eCommerce tools simplify the commercial side of photography. With all its benefits, you won’t find many third-party integrations to use with Pixpa. Why we picked it: Ecommerce-enabled galleries Client interaction facilitation Simplified designer Ideal for: Entrepreneurial photographers. Pricing: Plans start at $5.40 per month. Related reading: Wix vs. Shopify 05. Webnode Webnode's commitment to simplifying the process of setting up a digital footprint makes it a good choice for photographers looking for a hassle-free website-building experience. For photographers, this translates to an array of elegantly designed templates that cater to the needs of visual portfolios. These templates are not only aesthetically pleasing but also adaptive, ensuring that photographs are rendered beautifully across all device types and on all screens. Although the drag-and-drop editor is more rigid compared to other website builders, this limitation becomes an asset for novices, making it almost effortless to assemble a sleek, professional website without getting bogged down by complexity. Like others, Webnode offers multilingual support, an essential feature for photographers who aim to connect with an international audience. This aspect of the platform underscores Webnode's dedication to broadening the reach of its users, ensuring that language is no barrier to the appreciation of visual art. Why we picked it: User-friendly interface Responsive design templates Multilingual support Ideal for: Web-design novices. Pricing: Plans start at $4.50 per month. 06. Carbonmade Carbonmade has made a mark in the world of online portfolios, distinguishing itself through its interesting design approach and focus on personal branding. Created out of a desire to provide creatives with a unique space to showcase their work, Carbonmade emphasizes both individuality and simplicity in its platform. What sets Carbonmade apart is its dynamic visual looks. Carbonmade has moved away from using traditional templates, embracing a more flexible approach where users can customize almost every aspect of their portfolios, so everyone starts from a blank canvas. Their new web builder has unlimited layout options, allowing you to change colors, fonts, styling and more without the need for coding. In the competitive world of photography, personal branding is of high importance, and this is where Carbonmade shines brightly. The platform offers integrated branding tools, allowing photographers to craft a distinct online persona. From custom domains to uniquely styled about pages and CV integrations, Carbonmade makes a photographer's portfolio an extension of their brand, resonating with their style and message. Another advantage is Carbonmade's user-friendly interface. The platform is intuitive, ensuring that even those new to the world of digital portfolios can easily navigate its features. The drag-and-drop system, coupled with real-time previews, lets photographers experiment with layouts, designs and branding elements until they find the perfect fit. Carbonmade is not just another portfolio builder: it's a branding platform for photographers. It understands that in the digital age, a photographer's work and their brand are one. By offering tools that prioritize personal branding among a sea of generic portfolios, Carbonmade not only allows you to showcase your work but also to leave an indelible imprint on your audience. Why we picked it: Integrated blogging Video support Unique editor Ideal for: Photographers who need branding help. Pricing: Plans start at $9.99 per month. 07. Adobe Portfolio Adobe Portfolio is included in Creative Cloud subscriptions so, if you’re already using Photoshop or Lightroom, it’s worth giving it a go before you explore any of the other website builders we’ve discussed. As part of the well-known Adobe family, this photography website builder draws on decades of design and software excellence. It offers an array of clean, responsive templates, meticulously crafted to highlight your photographs. Plus, you get access to the thousands of Adobe fonts, which ensures that the presentation of your work is as professional as the art itself. Integration is another of Adobe Portfolio's strong suits. For example you will find that the Adobe-owned Behance is available to integrate and showcase your creative work. Photographers can effortlessly pull images from Lightroom or Photoshop directly into their portfolios. This seamless connection between applications simplifies the workflow, reducing the hassle of exporting, uploading or constantly updating the portfolio as everything is a part of a larger ecosystem. Beyond mere portfolio creation, Adobe Portfolio allows you to connect a personalized domain and supports Google Analytics integrations. That said, its lack of eCommerce functionality will be a drawback for photographers who hope to sell their work directly through their site. Why we picked it: Free for Adobe Creative Cloud users Seamless integration with Adobe toolkit Customizable themes Ideal for: Adobe Creative Cloud users. Pricing: Included with Adobe Creative Cloud subscription. Plans start at $9.99 per month. Editor’s note: all prices are current as of December 21st, 2025. Looking for affordable options to build your website? Check out this guide to the best and cheapest website builders for expert recommendations and cost-saving tips. Best website builders for photographers review Editor’s note: all prices are current as of December 21st, 2025. How to find the best photography website builder for you When it's time to select a website builder, the choice becomes a critical decision that directly impacts your online presence, brand, eCommerce store and professional image. Here's what to look for when choosing a website builder tailored for photography: 01. Image quality and gallery options As a photographer, you understand that image quality is paramount. It's essential to pick a website builder that maintains your images' high resolution and offers a range of gallery styles to display your work at its best. Seek out platforms that deliver a variety of presentation options, such as slideshows, lightbox functionality and masonry grids, while ensuring fast load times and consistent display across different devices. It's critical to assess the load times since some builders may struggle with the weight of high-resolution images, leading to slower speeds that can affect user experience. 02. Ease of use and management For photographers who'd rather be capturing moments than clicking through menus, an intuitive website builder is crucial. Look for one with drag-and-drop capabilities, easy uploading and no-fuss organization that streamline your administrative tasks. The right builder should save you time, freeing you up to focus on your photography, not on managing a website. 03. Customization Your photography is as unique as your fingerprint, and your website should echo that singularity. Seek out a website builder that serves up a generous array of customization options, empowering you to adjust design elements like fonts, colors and layouts to mirror your brand and artistic voice. Think of your website as an extension of your digital identity—a place where a compelling user experience harmonizes with your unique artistic style. Look for a website builder that offers a variety of professionally designed portfolio templates tailored specifically for photographers as well as per industry (for example, if you wish to showcase your photos in a fashion portfolio to attract potential clients). 04. Mobile optimization Photographers need a website builder that ensures their portfolio is as stunning on a phone as it is on a desktop, just like Wix does. A mobile-responsive design is non-negotiable—it guarantees your work is showcased beautifully and is easily accessible to the swathes of users scrolling on their mobile devices. You certainly don’t want to overlook the potential of the constantly connected mobile audience. 05. SEO tools for visual content For photography websites, where visuals take center stage, SEO demands a focus on image-related features. It’s essential to use SEO tools that enhance image visibility. This means incorporating alt text that guides search engines through the content behind your images, customizing file names for clarity and applying accurate tagging to bolster discoverability and improve your rankings in search results. You should also make sure your platform supports general optimization features that help your website rank better overall in search engine results. 06. Affordability and future growth When it comes to choosing a photography website builder, you need to know how much a website costs against the provided features. Free versions of some builders might not meet the professional standards required for a burgeoning photography business. It’s crucial to select a platform that not only fits your current budget but also scales with your portfolio and audience growth. Evaluate the pricing structure and plans offered by the website builder, considering factors such as subscription costs, transaction fees (if applicable), storage limits and features included in each plan. Choose a plan that fits your budget and offers the features you need to showcase your photography effectively. 07. Integrated selling and client services Photographers who market their art or provide bespoke services need a website builder with robust eCommerce features and dedicated client proofing spaces. The ideal builder should seamlessly incorporate the ability to sell prints, offer digital downloads, connect with third-party applications and facilitate smooth client interactions, making the process of showcasing and selling work as efficient as possible. Prioritize tools like client galleries, proofing capabilities and easy sharing options to simplify collaboration with clients while maintaining a professional workflow. 08. Offers important features Make sure the website builder you choose as a photographer offers these crucial features: Image protection: Protect your images from unauthorized downloading or usage using watermarks, image encryption or password-protected galleries, to safeguard your work and intellectual property rights. eCommerce functionality: If you plan to sell prints or digital downloads of your photos, consider a website builder that offers eCommerce functionality, including options for setting up online galleries, accepting payments securely and managing orders and fulfillment. Customer support: Reliable customer support is crucial. Opt for a website builder that provides various support channels like email, live chat or phone support, to assist you with any technical issues or questions you may encounter while building and managing your photography website. Support system: Make sure it's backed by a strong support system, complete with detailed help guides and a vibrant user community. This kind of support network can be invaluable, making the process of building and maintaining your site much smoother. Learn more: How does an AI website builder work Is Wix good for photographers? Wix is often a top choice for photographers. It offers numerous visually impressive templates specifically designed to showcase high-quality images which are perfect for photography websites and businesses. Its gallery features are robust, allowing for beautiful presentations including masonry grids or full-screen sliders. It's perfect for building a stunning online portfolio quickly and easily, which is often just the thing photographers need to start a business or showcase their work. How to optimize your photography website Know your audience Analytics tools reveal critical information about your visitors, from age to geographic location and even the devices they use to browse. This knowledge is invaluable for tailoring your content and marketing efforts to resonate with your audience more effectively. Assess content impact Through your analytics data, identify which images or blog entries capture the most interest. This feedback is crucial for future content creation, steering you towards what your audience prefers. Improve engagement Focus on metrics like page views and bounce rates, which highlight how visitors interact with your site. If engagement is low, it might be a cue to revamp your site's design, improve content placement or enhance load times. Refine your marketing strategies Analytics tools can show which marketing strategies channels are the most effective in driving traffic and conversions. This insight allows for smarter budget allocation and more targeted marketing approaches. Set and track goals Define what success looks like—be it sales, sign-ups or inquiries—and use analytics to monitor these goals. This ongoing review process helps pinpoint successful tactics and areas needing improvement. Best website builders for photographers FAQ Which photography website builders are best for beginners with no coding experience? Website builders like Wix are user-friendly options for those with no coding experience. They offer intuitive drag-and-drop interfaces that make the process straightforward. Can I switch to a different website builder later on? Yes, you can switch, but migrating content might require some effort, especially if the new platform has a different structure. It's advisable to choose a builder that aligns with long-term goals to minimize migration hassles. Wix, for example, is versatile enough to accommodate photography hobbyists and enterprise-level studios alike. Are free website builder plans sufficient for my photographer business needs? While free plans can be a great starting point, they often come with limitations, such as branded advertisements or limited storage. For a more professional look and added features, it's worth considering a paid plan. How secure are photography website builders? Reputable builders prioritize website security and often include features like SSL certificates, secure payment gateways and regular system updates to protect against vulnerabilities. Can I use my domain name with any photography website builder? Most photography website builders allow you to purchase or connect a custom domain name to give your site a professional touch. Do photographers need a website? Yes, a website is essential for photographers as it serves as a central hub to showcase your portfolio, connect with clients and build credibility. Unlike social media, a website lets you present your work exactly how you want, with high-quality galleries, personalized branding and professional details about your services. What should a photography website include? A photography website should feature a portfolio gallery to showcase your work, an about page to share your story and style and clear contact information to make it easy for clients to reach you. Including client testimonials adds credibility, while a mobile-friendly design ensures your site looks great on any device. Optional elements like a blog or updates can keep your content dynamic and engage your audience further. What is the most important rule of photography? The top rule of photography is that there are no absolute rules, only guidelines. Techniques like the rule of thirds, lighting principles and composition frameworks are meant to help, not limit you. Once you understand them, the best photos often come from knowing when to break them intentionally. Sign up for Wix to start building your photography website today.
- What is a top-level domain? TLD definition and examples
The perfect domain is just a click away: claim your domain → A top-level domain is the extension at the end of your domain name like .com, .net or .shop. It plays a quiet but important role in how your site is perceived, how professional it feels and how clearly it communicates what you do. Understanding how TLDs work helps you avoid common mistakes and choose an extension that supports your goals instead of working against them. TL;DR: What is a top-level domain? A top-level domain—often called a domain extension—helps browsers connect your site name to an IP address. It also acts as a signal for your purpose, location and credibility. From generic and sponsored extensions to country codes and infrastructure options, there are plenty of types to choose from. Your domain name won't directly impact your search rankings but your TLD influences how much people trust your brand and click your links. Choosing the right domain extension helps your site seem more professional and recognizable from the get-go. Secure your perfect domain in just a few clicks with Wix. Get everything you need in one place: business email, reliable hosting, SSL protection and full privacy. With 24/7 support and no hidden fees, getting your site live is simple and worry-free. You’ll learn: What a TLD and domain extension are The main types of top-level domains with examples How TLDs work within the DNS How TLDs affect trust, branding and SEO Which TLDs are most popular and why How to choose the right extension for your website Found your ideal name? Register your domain and get started with a free website builder . What is a TLD? A top-level domain (TLD) is the part of a domain name that comes after the last dot, like ".com" in "wix.com." Also called domain extensions or suffixes, TLDs help identify a website’s purpose, owner, or geographic area, and they play a key role in the Domain Name System by directing browsers to the correct IP address. TLDs include generic options like .com or .org, country codes like .uk or .de, and sponsored domains like .edu or .gov. Each TLD has its own registry managed under the guidance of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), and the choice of TLD can also influence trust and credibility for visitors. TLDs were first created by ARPANET in the 1960s to make it easier to remember IP addresses . By the early 1980s, the first TLDs were developed along with the organized categories you see today when you register a domain name. Learn more: What is a domain name Our guide to domain extensions How to register a domain name How do TLDs work? TLDs are a crucial part of the Domain Name System (DNS), helping to simplify the process of turning domain names into IP addresses. When you enter a web address like “google.com,” the TLD server plays a key role in directing your request to the right destination. Here’s how it happens step by step: Step 1: Your browser first contacts a root nameserver, the top of the DNS hierarchy. Step 2: The root server points your browser to the nameserver responsible for the specific TLD you requested. Step 3: The TLD nameserver directs your browser to the authoritative nameserver for that domain. Step 4: The authoritative server provides the correct IP address, and your browser connects to the website. What is the purpose of the different TLDs? Early on, top-level domains were limited and had a very specific purpose. Over time, however, the top-level domain list has surpassed three digits and most restrictions have long been abandoned in favor of creativity and branding. TLDs help classify domain names, communicate their purpose and make them easier to remember. While you’ll still need to meet certain principles if you're planning to register your site with a sTLD or ccTLD, choosing a gTLD will most likely come down to the domain name cost and your personal preference. See how the different options pair with your brand name and whether there are any that can particularly strengthen your message. Learn more: What is a parked domain? I have a domain name, now what? Domain name trends How much does a domain name cost? Different types of top-level domains The ICANN classifies top-level domains into different categories depending on the site’s purpose, owner and geographic location. There are 5 official types of TLDs: Generic Top-level Domains (gTLD) Sponsored Top-level Domains (sTLD) Country Code Top-level Domains (ccTLD) Infrastructure Top-Level Domain (ARPA) Test Top-Level Domains (tTLD) Additionally, there are a number of unofficial TLDs organized by individual companies that are not managed by ICANN. Different types of TLDs Type What it means Examples gTLD (generic) Classic extensions used around the world, now with new options .com, .net, .org, .app, .blog ccTLD (country-code) Two-letter domains for countries or territories, some open for everyone .uk, .de, .jp, .io, .co sTLD (sponsored) Reserved for specific groups or industries .gov, .edu, .mil, .museum Infrastructure Used for technical internet functions like reverse DNS .arpa Reserved/test Set aside for testing, not used in public web addresses .test, .example, .localhost 01. Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLD) Generic top-level domains , commonly known as gTLD, are the most popular and familiar types of domain extensions. They are open for registration by anyone and, while the maximum length of top-level domains is 63 characters, most of them are composed of 2-3 letters. The origin of their categorization title dates back to the 1980s, when TLDs were simply differentiated between those related to the geographical location of a site and those that weren't—hence, generic. Over time, the use of certain generic top-level domains became more strictly controlled to ensure they met certain standards, leading to the creation of a new category known as sponsored top-level domains. Of the initial seven available gTLDs only three can still be registered without restriction: .org, .com. and .net . In recent years, ICANN has allowed companies to register TLDs that are restricted to trademark owners . These are often referred to as brand TLDs and include examples like .versace and .nescafe. These domains are exclusively managed by the respective trademark owners, offering a unique branding opportunity and a secure online presence for their customers. Discover the best .com alternatives according to 33 business owners . In mid-2011, ICANN approved a change to the domain name system that expanded the original gTLDs from 22 to over 1,200. These innovative options, aptly named New gTLDs, saw the incorporation of official domain extensions such as .berlin , .contact and .wow . You can see the complete top-level domain list on IANA’s database (Internet Assigned Numbers Authority, a subdivision of ICANN). 02. Sponsored Top-Level Domains (sTLD) As the name suggests, sponsored top-level domains are those proposed and supervised by private organizations. These entities can be businesses, government agencies or other types of organized groups, and they have the final word on whether an applicant is eligible to use a specific top-level domain based on predefined community theme concepts. Unlike with gTLDs, the sponsored top-level domain list only includes a small, limited number of options. Some date back to the original 1980s domain extensions (including .edu , .gov and .mil ), whereas others have been created in recent years. Among them, some of the most popular sTLDs are: .edu - for higher educational institutions .gov - for United States governmental agencies .cat - for Catalan linguistic and cultural community .museum - for museum organizations .travel - for travel industry businesses 03. ccTLD – Country Code Top-Level Domains (ccTLD) There are 312 country code top-level domains established for specific countries and territories, identifying them with a two-letter string. These domain extensions have dedicated managers who ensure each ccTLD is operated according to local policies and meets the cultural, linguistic and legal standards of the region. Besides local businesses and individuals, ccTLDs are widely used by large corporations with regional sites that operate independently. In these cases, domain extensions serve the same purpose as a subdomain . If you plan on using a country code top-level domain on your site, make sure to take this into account when searching for the best domain registrar , as not all platforms offer ccTLD registration. In 2012, the ICANN announced the addition of the first ccTLDs using non-latin characters to the domain name system root zone. These domain extensions, known as internationalized country code top-level domains (IDN ccTLD) include languages such as Arabic, Chinese, Hebrew and Cyrillic. Some of the most well-known ccTLD include: .us - for the United States .es - for Spain .fr - for France .it - for Italy com.br - for Brazil .de - for Germany .ca - for Canada .nl - for the Netherlands .ch - for Switzerland .mx - for Mexico .co.uk - for the United Kingdom .be - for Belgium .in - for India 04. Infrastructure top-level domain (ARPA) This special category contains only one TLD: the Address and Routing Parameter Area (ARPA). The .arpa domain extension is managed directly by the IANA for the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) under the guidance of the Internet Architecture Board (IAB) and is only used for technical web infrastructure purposes. 05. Test top-level domains (tTLD) Test top-level domains are reserved for documentation purposes and local testing, and cannot be installed into the root zone of the domain name system. According to the IETF, the reason for reserving these specific domain extensions is to reduce the possibility of conflict and confusion. There are four TLDs: .example - for place holding .invalid - for invalid domain names .localhost - for usage in local networks .test - for testing purposes 06. Unofficial top-level domains Unofficial top-level domains are those which are not regulated or managed by the ICANN. This type of TLDs are sold and administered by private companies, and as such they aren’t in the domain name system and can only be used within a certain network or using a private DNS. One of the most well-known examples of unofficial TLDs nowadays is .eth, which serves as a user accessible address to the Ethereum ecosystem. Other popular cases include .metaverse, .moon, .token and .chain. The rising popularity of these not-quite-domains is heavily due to the evolution of Web3 and blockchain technology, and the general search for a decentralized network. How do top-level domains affect SEO? While top-level domains have no direct impact on your site’s SEO performance, unusual or complex domain extensions can lead to fewer inbound links and direct traffic. Top-level domains (TLDs) may not directly impact your search rankings, but they do influence how people perceive and interact with your site. Well-known TLDs like .com or .org build trust and credibility, making users more likely to click on your link in search results. On the other hand, less familiar TLDs can feel unconventional, which might discourage clicks and affect your organic traffic. To avoid this, while planning how to build a website , make sure to pay attention to how easy your TLD is to pronounce and remember when it’s combined with your domain name. Furthermore, keep in mind that when browsing on mobile, most smartphones display a button dedicated to domain extensions whose default option is set to .com. Read also: Is your domain costing you business? 6 signs that it's time for a change What are the most popular top-level domains? Here is a list of the top 10 most popular top-level domains (TLDs) in the world: .com .net .org .cn .de .uk .in .jp .fr .ru These TLDs are popular for a variety of reasons. .com is the oldest and most well-known TLD, and it's often used for commercial websites. When it comes to what .net is , it's often used for technical websites and .org is often used for non-profit websites. The other TLDs on the list are country code TLDs (ccTLDs), which are used for websites that are targeted to a specific country. Why are TLDs important? Top-level domains are important for a website's branding and user perception. Here are some reasons why TLDs matter. Brand recognition TLDs contribute to a website's branding and recognition. A well-chosen TLD can enhance brand identity, make the website more memorable and convey the website's purpose or target audience. For example, a tech company might choose .tech or .app to immediately communicate its focus. User perception and credibility TLDs can influence how users perceive a website. Familiar TLDs like .com and .org instill a sense of trust and credibility, while newer TLDs may require more effort to establish recognition. Certain restricted TLDs, like .edu and .gov, are highly trusted because only specific organizations can use them, signaling authority and professionalism. SEO relevance and targeting TLDs can signal relevance to search engines, particularly for country-code TLDs (ccTLDs). For instance, a website with a .de TLD is likely to be more relevant for German users and may rank better in German search results. Trustworthiness Certain TLDs, such as .com and .org, are generally perceived as more trustworthy and established, which can indirectly influence SEO. These TLDs can be a good choice when creating a fundraising website for particular types of sites that involve users submitting their financial information, since they require a greater degree of trust and security. However, this perception is evolving as newer TLDs gain recognition. Memorability A memorable TLD, like the widely recognized ".com" used by many commercial entities, can enhance brand recognition and help users easily remember your web address, especially if your website name is unique or less common. Website discoverability Choosing the right TLD, a crucial part of the domain name system (DNS) that helps users locate websites online, makes it easier for people to find and remember your site. A domain that aligns with your industry, purpose or audience creates a strong connection and enhances the user experience, giving visitors a clear idea of your site's focus right from the start. Website organization TLDs play a key role in organizing and categorizing websites. They help group sites based on purpose or type, such as ".edu" for educational institutions or ".gov" for government organizations. This organizational function makes browsing and navigating the web more intuitive for users. Essential to DNS TLDs are foundational to the domain name system (DNS), which is the infrastructure that allows users to find and interact with websites. Without TLDs, the system that connects domain names to their respective IP addresses couldn't function properly. Purpose alignment The right TLD can immediately communicate a site’s purpose to users, reinforcing what the website is about and helping attract the intended audience from the start. How do you choose the best TLD for your website? When choosing a top-level domain for your website, there are a few things you should keep in mind: Your target audience: Who are you trying to reach with your website? If you're targeting a global audience, you may want to choose a generic TLD such as .com or .net, especially because people already know what .com is . If you're targeting a specific country, you may want to choose a ccTLD for that country. The purpose of your website: What kind of website are you creating? If you're creating a commercial website, you may want to choose a TLD such as .com or .store. If you're creating a non-profit website, you may want to choose a TLD such as .org. Your brand: What is your brand identity? If you have a well-established brand, you may want to choose a TLD that matches your brand name. For example, if your brand name is [Brand Name], you may want to choose the TLD [Brand Name].com. Your budget: Some TLDs are more expensive than others. For example, .com domains are typically more expensive than .net domains. You also need to make sure your domain name is available, so do a domain name search . If your first choice isn’t available, pop it into a domain name generator , which can help you find a similar domain name. Industry-specific TLD examples Industry TLD options Example domain Tech startup .tech , .ai , .digital , .cloud innovativestartup.tech eCommerce .com , .shop , .store , .online trendystore.com Business / corporate .company , .agency , .group , .llc , .solutions strategygroup.llc Photographer / creative .photography , .studio , .design , .art , .photos , .pictures jane.photography Health & wellness .fit , .fitness , .live , .yoga , .club mindful.health Education / learning .org , .training , .expert , .guru , .tips , .center , .info learnfast.training Travel / tourism .holiday , .world , .tokyo , .london , .blog explore.travel Finance / fintech .finance , .biz smartinvest.finance Fashion / retail .shop , .design , .gifts chicstyle.fashion Real estate .land , .center dreamhomes.estate Entertainment / media .media , .tv , .fun , .party , .today streamnow.tv Legal / consulting .expert , .coach yourlaw.law Protecting your brand with multiple TLDs Registering different TLDs for your brand name is a smart way to stay protected. By grabbing common alternatives like .com, .net and .org, you make sure competitors or opportunists can’t snag similar domains that might confuse your visitors. Even if you only use one main TLD for your site, owning the others keeps your identity consistent. This is a big win for your email addresses and marketing campaigns, since most people naturally default to a familiar TLD like .com. Plus, securing multiple extensions makes growing your business much easier. If you decide to go global, having region-specific TLDs like .co.uk or .de ready to go keeps your brand unified and credible as you reach new goals. Considering new and niche gTLDs New generic top-level domains (gTLDs) like .tech, .photography and .store are fantastic ways to tell people exactly what you do the moment they see your URL. Unlike traditional extensions that feel a bit generic, these niche options give you a unique way to introduce your site to your audience. While they’re great for branding, keep in mind that these newer extensions might need a little extra love to build trust. Since some visitors might not be familiar with them yet, you can easily bridge the gap with a professional design and clear messaging. For example, if you use .photography, back it up with a beautiful portfolio and social proof to show you’re the real deal. You can even pair a niche gTLD with a traditional one to get the best of both brand personality and familiarity. It’s all about making your site memorable and easy to find as you smash your goals. As Michael Yerardi, the Property Specialist of Turning Point Home Buyers, shares: "Also consider purchasing different variations of your chosen domain name (such as .com, .net, .org) to protect your brand and prevent others from using similar names for their own websites. Researching keywords related to your website's topic can also help in choosing a domain name that is SEO-friendly and easy to remember." Read also: Should you choose a niche-focused domain? Who's responsible for managing TLDs? The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers ( ICANN ) is responsible for managing top-level domains (TLDs) at the global level. ICANN is a non-profit organization that oversees the coordination of the Domain Name System (DNS), the internet's naming system that translates domain names into IP addresses. ICANN delegates the responsibility for managing specific TLDs to registrars, which are organizations that sell domain names to individuals and businesses. For example: Verisign manages .com and .net Public Interest Registry (PIR) manages .org Country-code TLDs like .uk, .de or .jp are managed by designated local registries When you register a domain through a provider like Wix, Wix acts as the registrar. This means they handle the registration process on your behalf under ICANN rules. ICANN also establishes policies for the domain management of TLDs, such as the rules for creating new TLDs and the procedures for resolving disputes between registrants. ICANN's key responsibilities: Creating new TLDs: Evaluates and approves applications for new TLDs, ensuring they’re safe and reliable. Delegating TLDs to registries: Assigns each TLD to a trusted organization to manage consistently. Resolving disputes: Helps settle conflicts over domain names to protect owners’ rights. Protecting the internet: Suspends or revokes TLDs that pose risks to security or stability. What this means for you? TLDs aren’t owned permanently—you lease them. Renewal is required to keep your domain active. Is Wix a domain registrar ? Learn more. What are top-level domains? FAQ How much do different TLDs cost? TLD costs vary on Wix, as an example: .com: $9.90/year .org, .net: $14.95/year .info: $11.95/year Country-specific (e.g., .co.uk): $15.95/year Newer TLDs (e.g., .online, .store): $19.95-$39.95/year Prices may change during promotions or renewals. Some premium domains cost more. Always check current pricing on Wix's domain registration page. Can I change my TLD after registering a domain? You can't directly change a domain's TLD after registration. However, you can: 1. Register a new domain with your desired TLD 2. Set up 301 redirects from the old to new domain 3. Update website and email configurations 4. Inform users and update all your marketing materials This process effectively "changes" your TLD but it requires registering a new domain. Are there industry-specific TLDs? Yes, there are industry-specific TLDs, often called "new gTLDs". Examples include: .tech for technology .law for legal services .photography for photographers .health for healthcare .travel for tourism .finance for financial services .education for educational institutions .fashion for the fashion industry How often are new TLDs introduced? New TLDs are introduced periodically but not on any fixed schedule. ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) oversees this process. Major expansions occurred in 2012 and 2016. New TLDs are proposed, evaluated and approved in batches and the process can take several years from proposal to launch. Is .io TLD getting removed? The .io top-level domain (TLD) remains a viable option for now, but it faces potential removal within the next five years. This uncertainty stems from geopolitical factors, notably the UK's decision to relinquish control of the Chagos Islands. Despite these concerns, the .io TLD continues to be favored by tech startups for its modern and tech-oriented appeal. While immediate changes aren't on the horizon, those using or considering .io should stay informed about its status. What is a TLD in the military? In the military context, a TLD like .mil is utilized specifically for United States Department of Defense entities. It ensures that all websites and email addresses under this domain are linked exclusively to U.S. military operations. This TLD is subject to strict registration criteria, reflecting its specialized and secure nature. What is the difference between a top-level domain and a subdomain? A top-level domain (TLD) is the last part of a domain name, such as ".com" or ".org" that defines its category or geographical origin. A subdomain is a prefix added before the main domain to organize content, like " blog.example.com ." While TLDs are part of the domain's core structure, subdomains act as extensions of a domain to create separate sections or functions for a website. Together, they work to structure and organize how websites are accessed and presented online.
- How to make a dance portfolio that really represents your talent
Ready to showcase your best work? Start building your portfolio → A dance portfolio is the place to showcase your artistry, technical skill and growth as a performer. Whether you’re a student, choreographer or professional dancer, your online portfolio is the key to landing auditions, collaborating with other artists and building your reputation in the dance world. In this in-depth guide, you’ll learn how to make a dance portfolio that highlights your individuality and versatility. You’ll discover what to include, how to structure it and how to design it for maximum impact. With a well put together portfolio, you’ll be ready to impress directors, casting agents, and choreographers with your story and style. TL;DR: How to make a dance portfolio Short on time? Here’s what you’ll find in this guide: Step Summary Gather your best dance materials Collect headshots, dance videos, resumes, and performance photos. Write a compelling dancer bio Summarize your dance journey, training, and artistic vision. Design your online portfolio Use an elegant, motion-focused layout Add achievements and choreography credits Include performances, awards, and press mentions. Keep it updated Regularly refresh content with new videos, shows, and collaborations. How to make a dance portfolio in 5 steps Your dance portfolio is a living expression of your art form. It tells your story visually, physically and emotionally. Follow these five steps to learn how to create a portfolio that fully represents your skills, style and artistic identity as a dancer. Gather your best dance materials Write a compelling dance bio Create and design your dance portfolio Add your dance achievements and choreography credits Keep your portfolio updated 01. Gather your best dance materials Creating a dance portfolio? Your first step is to collect the materials that best showcase your talent and versatility. A strong dance portfolio typically includes the following: Professional headshots: Clear, high-quality photos that reflect your personality and dance style. Choose neutral backgrounds and outfits that let your expression and posture come through. Performance photos: Action shots from recitals, productions or rehearsals as these capture both the emotion and technique of your performance. Dance videos or reels: This is the heart of your portfolio. Include short clips (1–3 minutes each) highlighting different dance styles and choreography. Film in good lighting and use clean backgrounds to focus on the movement. Resume: List your training, companies, productions, collaborations, awards and workshops. Be specific about teachers, choreographers or programs you’ve studied under. If you’re a choreographer, include original works with a short description of your creative process. If you’re still training, add class videos or improvisation clips that show your growth and passion through your professional portfolio. 02. Write a compelling dancer bio Your dancer bio introduces who you are — not just as a performer, but as an artist. This section helps viewers connect to your story. Start with your dance background: where you’ve trained, what genres you specialize in and who you’ve worked with. Then express your artistic philosophy — what drives you, what themes you explore, and how you interpret movement. For example: “I’m a contemporary dancer based in New York with a background in ballet and jazz. My work explores emotion through dynamic movement, blending classical precision with modern storytelling.” Keep it professional yet personal. Your goal is to help casting directors or collaborators see your individuality, discipline and creativity as a dancer. 03. Create and design your dance portfolio Start by choosing a portfolio builder. The best portfolio builders include: Portfolio templates , including dance website templates for you to customize Drag and drop design tools that allow you to add videos, photos and bios easily Mobile-friendly layouts, so your dance portfolio is readable everywhere In-built secure web hosting , a domain name and website security Learn more about how to build a dance studio website. Include these sections: Home page: A captivating hero image or video loop showcasing your dance in motion. About me: Your biography and artistic statement. Gallery: High-resolution photos from rehearsals, performances, or behind-the-scenes moments. Videos: Embedded dance reels, class recordings, and choreographed pieces. Resume: A downloadable and interactive version of your professional credentials. Contact: Easy access for inquiries, collaborations, or casting opportunities. When it comes to the design of your dance portfolio you'll want to think about which color palette to use. Because you want your portfolio to focus on your dance work and not the design, opt for minimal tones like black, white or soft pastels. Be inspired by these best portfolio websites. You want to avoid overly complex page layouts that could distract from your dance content. If you’re a dance student, consider adding a section for Training to feature schools, intensives, or notable instructors. Professional dancers may prefer a Press or Performances page to list major appearances or reviews. 04. Add your dance achievements and choreography credits Including your dance accomplishments in your portfolio help establish your credibility and growth. Include important highlights such as: Awards, scholarships or recognitions from dance competitions. Roles in performances, festivals, or tours. Choreographic works you’ve created or contributed to. Collaborations with other dancers, musicians, or filmmakers. If you’ve been featured in articles, reviews, or interviews, link or quote them in a dedicated “Press” section. Include snippets like “praised for her fluid storytelling and dynamic energy” to give your portfolio an authoritative voice. You can also embed clips of original choreography or projects you’ve led — this showcases not only your performance ability but also your creative vision. Finally, include testimonials or short quotes from teachers, choreographers, or fellow performers. These endorsements build trust and emphasize your professionalism. Being able to showcase your achievements is one of the most important reasons why you need a portfolio. 05. Keep your portfolio updated Your career in dance evolves with every performance and class you take. Regularly updating your portfolio means it always reflects your current skill level and artistry. Set a reminder to refresh your portfolio every few months with: New performance footage or class videos. Updated training or certifications. Recently completed workshops, residencies, or collaborations. Upcoming shows or festivals. If you maintain a dance blog or updates page, use it to share performance dates, reflections on training or behind-the-scenes content. This keeps your audience — and potential employers — engaged and connected to your journey. Learn more: How to make a UGC portfolio How to make an interview portfolio How to make a communications portfolio How to make an engineering portfolio Dance portfolio example (built on Wix) Studio B Dance Company Studio B is a dance company open to everyone, from beginners to advanced levels. They also have both recreational and competitive classes. Their goal is to foster a love for dance in all of their students. Considering creating other types of portfolios? How to build a makeup artist portfolio Marketing portfolio examples How to make a dance portfolio FAQ How long should my dance reels be? A professional dance reel should be 1–3 minutes long. Begin with your strongest clip and include multiple styles or performances to demonstrate range. Ensure high-quality sound, lighting, and framing so your movement is clear and dynamic. Should I include group performances or only solo ones? You can include both. Just make sure to indicate where you appear in group videos or photos. Use captions or timestamps so viewers can easily identify your role within the ensemble.
- How to create a UGC portfolio that lands clients (+ examples)
Ready to let your work shine? Build your portfolio → If you’re learning how to create a UGC portfolio, a professional website is essential for landing paid brand deals and turning content creation into a career. A strong portfolio website acts as a central place where brands can view your best work, understand your niche and contact you directly for collaborations. This guide walks you through every stage of how to make a portfolio for UGC, from gathering content to hitting publish. By the end, you will have a clear roadmap to building a website that books clients. With Wix’s portfolio builder, you can create a professional, eye-catching portfolio in just a few clicks. Customizable templates and intuitive tools make it easy to showcase your work with confidence, leaving a lasting impression on every visitor. TL;DR: how to create a UGC portfolio A UGC portfolio is your proof of value. It shows brands what you can create, how you think and how you drive results. The strongest portfolios are simple, visual and built to convert interest into inquiries. To create one, showcase your best UGC (client work or spec content), use a custom domain name and organize your site with a clear bio, work samples, social proof and contact details. Add brief context to each piece with goals, outcomes and strong CTAs, optimize for SEO and keep your portfolio updated as your skills grow. Features of a great UGC portfolio Feature Why it matters High-quality UGC examples Shows brands your creative skill, production quality and ability to deliver platform-ready content Clear niche and positioning Helps brands quickly see if you’re the right creator for their audience and goals Social proof or results Builds trust through testimonials, engagement metrics or past performance Strong calls to action Guides brands toward the next step, like emailing you, booking a call or starting a collaboration Easy contact options Makes it simple for brands to reach out and increases the chance of turning interest into paid work Learn more: How to create a marketing portfolio How to create a modeling portfolio How to create a photography portfolio How to make a business portfolio How to make an interview portfolio How to create a UGC portfolio in 10 steps Building a portfolio doesn't have to be complicated. Follow these steps to get your work online and start pitching to brands: Gather your content Pick a domain and website host Choose a website builder and template Structure your portfolio Add key details Make yourself easy to contact Stay social Get personal with a blog (optional) Optimize for SEO Get feedback and keep your UGC portfolio updated 01. Gather your content Start by collecting the videos and photos that best represent your style. Brands look for variety, so try to include different types of UGC, such as unboxing videos, testimonials, voiceovers and aesthetic product shots. If you have previous client work that performed well, put that at the top of your list. If you're new to the industry and don't have client work yet, create spec content. This is practice content made for brands you love, used to demonstrate what you can do. Film a review of your favorite skincare product or an unboxing of a recent purchase. Treat these videos with the same level of effort you would for a paid job. Organize these files by category (e.g., beauty, tech and lifestyle) to make the next steps easier. Pro tip: If you're stuck on where to start, exploring the best portfolio websites can provide loads of inspiration. 02. Pick a domain and website host Your domain name is your address on the internet. It should be simple, professional and easy to remember. Most creators use their own name (e.g., janesmithugc.com ) or their social handle. Using a custom domain adds a layer of professionalism that sets you apart from creators sending Google Drive links. Use a domain name search tool to check availability, or try a domain name generator for creative ideas if your first choice isn’t available. Once you have a name in mind, you need a website host. This is the service that keeps your website online. Some platforms even offer free website hosting options, making it easier to get started. Check availability for your desired name early, as popular names get snapped up quickly. Explore these portfolio name ideas . 03. Choose a website builder and template You don't need to be a tech expert to learn how to develop a website . Wix makes portfolio website creation easy with drag-and-drop tools and pre-designed layouts. Look for a template that is clean and puts the focus on your videos and images. When browsing website design templates , choose one designed for creative portfolios. These often come with built-in galleries and video players. Remember, the goal is to let your content do the talking, so avoid cluttered designs that might distract potential clients. Check out Wix's templates: Portfolio website templates Personal website templates Photography website templates Discover the best portfolio website builders to get started on your journey. 04. Structure your portfolio Good website management means ensuring easy navigation so brands can easily find what they’re looking for. Include these essential sections: About me Write a short intro about who you are. Mention your niche (e.g., fitness, pet care and home decor), your experience level and what inspires you. Explain your approach to content. Do you specialize in fast turnaround times, humorous storytelling or educational clips? This helps brands see if you are a culture fit. Content gallery This is the heart of your portfolio. Display your high-quality video galleries prominently. If possible, use device mockups (frames that look like iPhones) to show how the content will look on social media. Include a section for photography if you offer that service. Testimonials Social proof builds trust. If you have worked with brands before, ask for a short review and post it here. If you are new, you can include engagement results from your personal channels, like "Video reached 10k views organically." Contact info Make it impossible to miss your contact details. Put your email address and links to your social media profiles in the header or footer of every page. Brands shouldn't have to hunt for a way to pay you. Expert tip from Hani Safe, product lead (Showcase) at Wix: "An outstanding portfolio is all about storytelling. It’s not just a showcase of work but a narrative that weaves together a professional’s skills, creativity and personality." 05. Add key details Once the structure is in place, fill in the details that sell your services. Don't just dump videos on a page; give them context. Video descriptions Add a one-liner under each video explaining its goal. Was it an unboxing intended to build hype? A tutorial designed to educate? If you have data, mention it here (e.g., "Generated 200 clicks to website"). Calls to action (CTAs) Brands hire UGC creators to drive action. Demonstrate your ability to write engaging text by adding strong captions and CTAs on your portfolio. Phrases like "Let's create something together" or "Book a discovery call" guide the visitor on what to do next. 06. Make yourself easy to contact A contact form is standard, but you should offer multiple ways to get in touch. Some brands prefer email, while others might want to DM you on Instagram. Include a direct email link (mailto:) so it opens their email app automatically. If you use scheduling software for calls, embed that link directly on your contact page. The fewer clicks it takes to reach you, the higher the chance of landing a deal. 07. Stay social Your portfolio is your home base, but your social channels are where you build community. Link your TikTok, Instagram and LinkedIn profiles clearly. Ensure your social profiles match the branding on your portfolio. Use the same profile picture and bio keywords. This creates a consistent experience for brands moving between your social media and your website. When you pitch to brands via email or DM, include your portfolio link. It looks much more professional than attaching large video files that clog up inboxes. Use the link in pitches to small brands in your niche to show you're serious about your craft. 08. Get personal with a blog (optional) Starting a blog can help you connect with brands on a deeper level. You can write about your creative process, behind-the-scenes of a shoot or trends you are seeing in the industry. If you’re unsure how to start a blog , you can use a blog maker to make the process smooth. This positions you as an expert in the field. It also gives you more web content to share on LinkedIn, which is a massive platform for finding brand deals. Expert tip from George Nguyen, editor of the Wix SEO Hub: "Blogging is still one of the best ways to build out your online presence. For smaller websites, creating topical blog posts enables you to create keyword-rich content that tells potential site visitors and search engines what your brand is all about—this can be a crucial advantage for local business websites, portfolio websites, etc. where you may not have as many opportunities to convey (in text) your expertise or how your business is unique." 09. Optimize for SEO Search engine optimization and marketing strategies help brands find your web address on Google. Use keywords that brands might search for, such as "UGC creator for beauty brands" or "Gen Z content creator." Place these keywords naturally in your page titles, headings and the "About Me" section. Rename your image and video files with descriptive names before uploading them, rather than leaving them as "IMG_5943.jpg." Make sure your website is mobile-friendly too, as most users browse on their phones. A good website builder with built-in SEO features can handle much of this for you, while also improving your website performance to keep visitors engaged. 10. Get feedback and keep your UGC portfolio updated Before you start sending your link to dream clients, ask a friend or mentor to review it. Have them check for broken links, typos or videos that don't load. Your portfolio is never truly finished. As you create better content and work with bigger brands, update your site. Remove older, lower-quality videos and replace them with your latest wins. Keeping it fresh shows that you are active and improving. Why you need a UGC portfolio A UGC portfolio is your best tool for landing brand deals. It shows your creativity, style and results in one place, making it easy for brands to see your work, understand your niche and decide to hire you. Every UGC creator benefits from having a portfolio that showcases their value. What to include in a UGC portfolio Your portfolio is where you prove you’ve got the goods. To grab a brand’s attention and show off what you can do, make sure to include these essentials: A catchy intro : Start with a short bio that introduces who you are, your niche and what makes your style unique. Keep it friendly and to the point. Your top-tier work : Feature your best videos, photos and social media posts. Pick content that really demonstrates your creativity. The proof is in the pudding : If you have them, share stats or testimonials that show how your content performs, like engagement rates or growth. A menu of your services : Clearly list what you offer, whether it’s video creation, product photography or scriptwriting. Make it easy for brands to see how you can help. A way to get in touch : Wrap it up with a clear call to action. Add a clickable email address, a booking form or links to your social profiles. Keep things organized and visually clean so it’s easy for potential partners to say "yes" to working with you. Learn more: How much does a portfolio website cost? UGC portfolio examples built on Wix Explore how these standout UGC portfolios showcase creators’ skills and make a strong impression on potential brand partners. Each of these web design portfolio examples uses Wix to highlight authentic content, clear personal branding and engaging layouts that are tailored to the creator’s niche and style. 01. Wilhelmina Rose Wilhelmina Rose’s portfolio showcases her expertise as a social media and marketing strategist. The homepage features a vibrant grid of eye-catching case studies, some with video previews, designed to immediately capture attention. Each case study highlights her approach and results. Like what you see? Create your own UGC portfolio with this same template. Template name: Graphic design portfolio website template 02. Lauren Nicole Miller Lauren Nicole Miller ’s portfolio puts her personality and voice front and center, giving her full control over her narrative. She uses typography and layout to make her text-heavy site visually inviting, balancing flair with professionalism. Her detailed resume is easy to navigate with an anchor menu and a downloadable one-page version. Like what you see? Create your own UGC portfolio with this same template. Template name: Journalist website template 03. Brandon Dexter Brandon Dexter’s portfolio is sleek and professional, with a dark theme and clean typography that create a sophisticated feel. His case studies are clearly structured, outlining the challenge, solution and results, which highlight his strategic thinking. Like what you see? Create your own UGC portfolio with this same template. Template name: Photographer website template 04. Lauren Price Lauren Price's portfolio feels warm and approachable, giving visitors an authentic glimpse of who she is. Personal photos and a friendly tone make it easy to connect with her. Client testimonials are front and center, building trust and showing the real impact of her work. By focusing on relationships and credibility, Lauren’s portfolio clearly demonstrates why she’s a freelancer clients can rely on. Like what you see? Create your own UGC portfolio with this same template. Template name: Start from scratch website template How to create a UGC portfolio FAQ How do I create a portfolio without any UGC experience? You don't need paid clients to start. Create "spec ads" (speculative advertisements) for brands you already own and love. Film yourself using the product, edit it to look like a real ad and upload it to your site. This shows brands the quality of work you can deliver. What should a UGC portfolio look like? It should be clean, mobile-friendly and easy to navigate. The focus should be on short-form vertical videos (9:16 aspect ratio). It needs an introduction, a gallery of work, a list of services or rates and clear contact information. Do I need an UGC portfolio? Yes. While some deals happen in DMs, a portfolio allows you to command higher rates and pitch to professional agencies. It separates hobbyists from professional creators and gives you a dedicated space to control your personal brand.
- How to start an eCommerce business in 10 steps
Get started by: Creating an online store → | Getting a domain → Learning how to start an eCommerce business can be a complex endeavor. To put your business on the path to success, you need more than an idea; you need a plan. This post provides a step-by-step guide to the process of starting a business , from initial inspiration to the first online sale and beyond. Ready to start selling? Build your eCommerce website with Wix. How to start an eCommerce business effectively Step to start an eCommerce business What it means Identify your online niche What you’ll sell or offer Market check Make sure there’s demand Select the right product and source it Which products and from who Write your business plan Careful planning Secure a name + register your business Legal and yours Choose an eCommerce platform Scale, flexibility, security Create your eCommerce website/online store Sales and branding base As with any entrepreneurial venture, careful planning and preparation are essential to your success. Here are the steps to follow to get started with your own eCommerce business: Identify your online business niche Do market research Select the right product mix Secure product sources Write a strong business plan Set your business name and legal structure Choose an eCommerce platform Create your online store Manage your eCommerce business finances Market your eCommerce business 01. Identify your online business niche While it may seem counterintuitive, your chances of making it big in eCommerce are better when you start by thinking small—that is, when you start by defining a niche for your online business. While it’s helpful to study the general trends, broad categories can be crowded with competitors. As one example, health and personal care is slated for growth to over 13% of the eCommerce market through 2027 but trying to compete with major drug chains or beauty retailers can prove difficult (if not impossible) for new players. Instead of targeting a large, general market, target a niche market. For instance, you could start an eCommerce business that focuses on organic skin care for teens, with a selection of cleansers, moisturizers and sunscreen for acne-prone skin. Finding a product to sell is perhaps the most crucial part of starting an ecommerce business, so make sure to do your research. It helps to have expertise in your chosen niche. You’ll spend a lot of time researching the right products or services to provide. You’ll dive into every detail of the business. And, at least at first, you’ll likely manage day-to-day operations, so you should be passionate about what your ecommerce business idea . Looking to to start a dropshipping business? Get started now 02. Do market research Once you’ve pinpointed an ecommerce business niche or idea, it’s time to research and evaluate your potential market. Not only will you learn more about your audience but you’ll also gather the quantifiable data you need to make revenue projections and calculate costs. To understand the market, consider these strategies: Identify your audience type : Are you catering to corporate professionals or individual consumers? The audience you have in mind will help determine the type of business you intend to operate. While many eCommerce businesses serve exclusively B2B or B2C customers, some sellers serve both. For example, a gourmet food seller that typically sells to individual consumers may offer corporate gifting services for the holidays. Or, an apparel retailer may provide customization options for bulk orders, enabling companies to print custom uniforms that include their logos. Get familiar with the main ecommerce KPIs before getting started. Size your market : Build a profile of your ideal customer based on their demographics, geographic location, interests, spending habits and any other salient details. Then use that profile to guide your research into census and market data to arrive at realistic numbers. Your goal is to understand your potential customers better as you gauge the ultimate potential for growth for your eCommerce business. These benchmarks will also help you forecast revenue and demand as accurately as possible until you begin generating sales and have an earnings history to use as a guide. Immerse yourself in the trade : Follow trade media and individual thought leaders in your chosen category and read up on overall eCommerce trends via publications. Study the competition : Dive deep into competitor websites, sign up for their email updates and track news coverage on your competitors. Pay attention to how they market themselves, both online and offline. If you can dig up financial reports or earnings, that information can guide your own forecasts and projections. Ask your audience directly : Use surveys and polls to gather information from your potential customers. Hang out in relevant social media groups and forums and attend in-person events where potential customers congregate. 03. Select the right product mix Your niche and your target market will guide decisions about which products to sell or services to offer. Consider, for example, whether your audience would be receptive to curated kits or gift sets, and whether seasonality is a factor. Price and profit margin are essential to consider, as they determine the potential for your business to scale. A break-even analysis will help you figure out how much of each product you need to sell to recoup your initial costs and begin making a profit. When selecting products to sell, you’ll want to consider factors like: Product life : Know your expected product life cycle. This will help you create a multi-year plan for your eCommerce business. Some big-ticket items are built to last decades; buyers who ordered a sofa may not return to your site immediately, unless you offer complementary items. On the other end of the spectrum, replenishable goods like pet food or beauty supplies may inherently attract repeat purchases. For these, you may want to offer bulk discounts or start a subscription box business to further encourage repeat business. Price expectations : While offering a variety of price points can broaden your appeal with buyers, if your audience is used to purchasing luxury goods, then you may want to limit your selection to top-of-the-line offerings. If you’re a B2B seller, consider whether your corporate clients expect you to offer items in bulk at wholesale prices. Cost of goods sold (COGS) : As you select products, consider overhead costs and logistics , such as whether items require fancy packaging or “white-glove” delivery and installation. Digital products, by contrast, have no shipping or physical procurement requirements. You can calculate COGS with the following formula: beginning inventory + purchased inventory − ending inventory. Once you have guidelines in place, dive into the specifics. If you need inspiration and want to see what’s trending, turn to competitor websites or search best-selling items on marketplaces like Amazon. Ecommerce tools like Google Trends and Algopix can also help identify hot products. Or, use your favorite SEO or keyword research tool, like Semrush, to find frequently searched products, validate a product concept and/or discover which brands are most frequently searched in your market. 04. Secure product sources and suppliers Once you have specific items in mind, you’ll need to determine the right product sourcing method. Perhaps you create all of your products by hand and want to keep it that way. Or, maybe you’re interested in dropshipping with a platform like Modalyst , Wix’s native dropshipping solution. Depending on your budget, resources and preferences, you have a few options to choose from when it comes to sourcing products: Make goods by hand yourself : Quality is fully within your control, but it can be tricky to scale your business or keep up with high order volumes. Hire a manufacturer : You source products from a third-party manufacturer but sell them under your brand name. Items are made to your specifications, and you retain control over production, pricing and branding. You can make goods efficiently in large quantities, but good communication with your production partner is essential to ensure quality is up to snuff. Partner with name-brand manufacturers : If you seek products from specific manufacturers or designers, you can contract as an official reseller or dealer and offer those products through your eCommerce site. While your brand will get a boost from the affiliation, you’ll need to price items low enough to compete with other sellers, and some brands may have policies around a product’s minimum advertised price (MAP). Both can cut into margins. Retailers can also create their own branded merchandise via private label lines in partnership with manufacturers, straddling the manufacturer/retailer divide. Costco’s Kirkland line or Amazon’s AmazonBasics are just two examples of this strategy. Source from wholesalers : Wholesale suppliers offer catalogs of goods, often from multiple manufacturers. You can find inexpensive products to buy wholesale, which gives you leeway in pricing. On the flip side, products sourced overseas may bring additional delivery costs and tariffs as well as the expense of inventory and warehousing. Work with dropship suppliers : Dropshipping shifts traditional retailer responsibilities to suppliers, enabling you to launch an eCommerce business with minimal upfront investment. You handle the marketing and choose your products, but incoming orders are routed directly to your suppliers, who are responsible for shipping items directly to your customers. You never have to buy and hold inventory, run a warehouse or ship items yourself. On the flip side, you have less control over product quality and delivery, putting your brand in a vulnerable position if suppliers slip up. Ghost commerce takes it a step further, where the supplier ships items, yet you maintain your brand’s image and handle customer relations. It’s important to weigh your options when choosing a product sourcing method, and truly evaluate all of them carefully. Before you make a definitive decision, ask yourself the following questions: Do you want to customize or brand your products? Because wholesale suppliers produce in bulk, it may be hard to tweak selections to match your criteria. As an intermediate option, some suppliers offer white labeling, which allows you to sell ready-made products with your logo and branding. And if you want to personalize products further, explore print on demand. This is a subset of dropshipping that allows you to offer custom designs on a selection of products created to your specifications as orders come in. Creating and selling custom products has never been easier. With Wix’s on demand printing , powered by Printful, you can design and launch personalized apparel, accessories, home goods and more—made to suit any style, niche or need. No extra tools, no complex setup. Just pick a product, upload your design and start selling—all from your Wix dashboard. With seamless Printful integration, you get a streamlined way to build, brand and sell—without ever leaving Wix. How much capital do you have to invest in inventory ? If you’re working with limited startup funds, dropshipping can be a more economical route for launching your brand. How complex are your warehousing and fulfillment needs? If you offer recurring subscription shipments, corporate gifting services or bulk order capabilities, you may need to manage logistics yourself to ensure deliveries are accurate and on time. How do your competitors source their products? While you don’t want to outright copy your competitors, research as much as you can about their processes to identify any potential differentiating advantages they have. Do they have exclusive dealer rights to brand-name merchandise you want to stock? Do they offer products sourced exclusively from sustainable suppliers? What is your backup plan if one of your suppliers has issues? Nearly four in 10 shoppers have abandoned online purchases due to items being out of stock, so take proactive steps to avoid disappointing buyers. Find backup sources of widely available wholesale products, and cover contingencies in your contracts with suppliers. How will you scale your business? Manufacturing or making your own products gives you the greatest amount of control, but they also make it difficult to meet rising demand. You may need to contract with a new factory altogether, hire staff or find other expensive solutions. For a more flexible option, you may want to consider dropshipping or wholesaling. What are your audience’s expectations? Buyers are prioritizing sustainability more and more. In fact, U.S. consumers are reportedly willing to pay an 11% premium for products with reduced environmental impact. If your customers expect ethically sourced products, include those factors in your sourcing criteria. 05. Write a strong business plan to validate your idea Document all the research and planning you’ve done up to this point with a formal eCommerce business plan . Not only does a business plan capture your work in a comprehensive and detailed format, but it also provides a touchstone for keeping your day-to-day operations focused on your mission. The strongest business plans keep teams aligned during launch and lay the foundation for attracting the right business partners and investors. While the individual components of a business plan can be tailored to your unique priorities, you should include the following elements to be sure the document is relevant and useful: Mission, description and unique selling proposition (USP) : Your business plan should outline the reason your company exists, summarize at a high level what it does and identify what sets your brand apart from others. This information helps you stake your claim in the marketplace and guides future decisions about priorities. In particular, it’s critical to flesh out your unique selling proposition . Your USP guides your product positioning , helps you to stand out from the competition and identifies partners and consumers who share your values. For example, “plastic-negative” water company and Wix merchant Mananalu differentiates its products by supporting a larger cause. Mananalu water is packaged in refillable aluminum bottles, which are easier to recycle than plastic. In addition, each time a consumer buys a Mananalu water, the company pledges to remove a plastic bottle from the ocean waste stream. Shoppers can even buy further “plastic offsets” to support the company’s cause. Climate Neutral certification and “1% for the Planet” membership provide third-party credentials attesting to the company’s commitment to sustainability. Market and SWOT analysis : Summarize your market research and describe your company’s position relative to the competition. Provide an analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) to pinpoint your areas of greatest potential growth. A realistic analysis will help maintain focus not only as you launch, but as you scale and add new offerings. Your offering : Use your previous research and planning to create a detailed description of your products and/or services, product sourcing and pricing strategy. Describe how this offering aligns with your audience’s needs. In addition, describe your plans for customer service and order fulfillment as crucial components of the brand experience. Marketing plans : Describe how you plan to introduce your eCommerce business to your target audience, including which digital channels you’ll prioritize and which technologies you’ll rely on to execute marketing tactics. Financial forecasts : Using your previous research, build a model forecasting expenses, revenues and growth. To ground your projections in reality, use real-life results from competitors or other businesses in your field. Consult trade publications and category experts for growth benchmarks and formulas to incorporate. Funding sources : Describe how you’ll secure the startup resources you need, whether through your own savings, private equity, crowdfunding or investors. If you’re presenting your plan to potential funding sources, customize the information to explain the rationale behind your request and describe the benefits of funding your business. 06. Set your business name and legal structure After you put your business plan together, you’ll need to set up the actual legal framework to support your business. Start by picking a business name that reflects your brand identity and USP. If you need some inspiration, try researching popular search keywords, brainstorming names related to your niche or playing with different spelling variations. Wix’s free business name generator can provide more ideas. As you narrow the list, check that the names are: Easy to read, say, spell and remember Search-friendly Available as a website domain Not being used by another business (in the U.S., individual states maintain registries of businesses you can check) Once you have your business name figured out, you’ll need a logo. You can create one yourself, work with a graphic designer or try out the Wix logo maker for free. Next, you’ll want to choose the right legal structure for your eCommerce company—a key step in starting a business of any type. Your overarching business structure will define your liabilities, tax status and more. Consult with legal professionals and accountants to determine whether a sole proprietorship , partnership , limited liability company (LLC) or corporation is right for you. In the U.S., you’ll also need to register your business and apply for a federal employer identification number (EIN) in order to pay taxes, open a business bank account or obtain financing. You can do this through the IRS’s website for free. 07. Choose an eCommerce platform At this point, you’re ready to bring your brand to life through building your own ecommerce website . The first step is to choose the best eCommerce platform for your needs. There are dozens of website builders on the market, so evaluate your options carefully. To ensure your eCommerce website development goes smoothly, look for a platform that provides: Professional aesthetics : Wix offers hundreds of specialized online store templates you can customize to reflect your brand. A domain name : You’ll need a domain name of your own to match your business name. Enterprise-grade security : Wix offers a secure infrastructure with 24/7 security monitoring to protect against data breaches. Top performance : It’s critical to have web hosting with the capacity to support a speedy, high-performance site on both mobile and desktop devices, even during peak sales periods. Built-in analytics : Wix’s analytics dashboard helps you track key ecommerce metrics , such as website traffic and generate historical performance reports. Customizable shopping cart pages : A customizable shopping cart page will ensure your branding and messaging are consistent throughout the purchase process. Variety of checkout options : Flexible eCommerce checkout options should support whichever payment method your customers prefer. Wix Payments is an integrated payment gateway system that can connect to in-store point-of-sale (POS) registers, too and allows you to accept payments on a website. A content management system : A content management system (CMS) should ideally support robust product information and brand-building features such as blogs, how-to articles and buying guides. Back-office functionality : Look for integrated tools that help automate back-office functions, like bookkeeping and order fulfillment. Wix offers ecommerce tools for tasks like inventory management, invoice creation and more. A reasonable pricing model : Your platform’s pricing model should make sense financially for your business, both now and in the future. As you research, pay close attention to recurring fees and special surcharges so you understand the total cost. With Wix, you can build a website with eCommerce functionality for as little as $27 per month. Get ready for launch. Sign up for Wix today. 08. Create your online store Regardless of which eCommerce platform you choose, it’s important to research the best practices for designing an eCommerce store . Knowing how to make a website includes the following best practices: Be clear about what you sell : Make it easy for customers to understand your business and products by using consistent design elements and language throughout the site. Avoid jargon-heavy or overly cutesy names for product categories and individual items; use accurate language that matches the search terms your audience enters. Once shoppers are ready to buy, don’t beat around the bush; use clear calls-to-action like “Shop Now” or “Buy Now.” Invest in high-quality imagery : A picture is worth a thousand words, and that’s especially true in eCommerce. Buyers can’t physically touch and try products, so photos and videos help convince them to have faith and click “Buy.” High-quality photos that clearly show details and features are essential, while videos demonstrate products in action and can be repurposed for social platforms like TikTok. Showcase user-generated content (UGC) : Buyers trust others like them to communicate authentically about products and services, so find ways to spotlight customer reviews, user-submitted photos and social media comments. The same holds true in the B2B world; 86% of businesses consider verified reviews a critical factor in purchase decisions when deciding vendors. Embrace mobile : Transactions on mobile devices already account for four in 10 online sales , and an even higher share of product research occurs on smartphones thanks to their “anywhere, anytime” availability. Your eCommerce site shouldn’t just be mobile-compatible. You should assume the majority of interactions with your brand will occur on the go. Make sure that pages load quickly even when wi-fi isn’t available, and that images render clearly on small screens. Optimize your online store with AI tools: Shoppers today expect convenience at every step, and a quick answer can often be the difference between a sale and an abandoned cart. With Wix AI Site Chat , you can meet that need instantly. It helps customers move confidently from browsing to checkout, giving them the reassurance they need to complete their purchase. You can also check out the Wix AI Site Chat overview for a deeper look at how it works. Learn more: eCommerce vs retail How to grow your ecommerce business 09. Manage your eCommerce business finances Once you’ve launched your eCommerce business, you need the tools to track sales, profit and growth. Three things in particular are worth monitoring closely: Plan for seasonality : Holidays, annual weather patterns and other cyclical influences can cause your income to spike and dive. For example, in the U.S., the final quarter of the year can account for more than 30% of annual sales for some categories of retailers. Other cycles might be particular to your industry: if you offer bookkeeping or accounting services online, for example, your peak season might end on April 15, the filing deadline for personal income taxes. Accurate forecasting can help predict when sales will pour in so you can manage cash flow to cover leaner months. Get a handle on fulfillment costs : If your eCommerce business involves delivering physical goods, be prepared to spend 15% to 20% of net sales on fulfillment costs . Of course, if you provide a virtual service or a downloadable app or software product, you can avoid these costs altogether. If you use dropshippers to fulfill orders instead, you won’t carry those overhead costs yourself, but the suppliers will likely pass them on to you as part of your fees. Guard against costly chargebacks and returns : It’s estimated that 17.6% of all online sales are returned . Add in the cost of reverse logistics—where goods are returned to stock for resale or simply discarded—and you’ll want to prevent returns in the first place. Try to create detailed product pages that include fit and sizing guides, compatibility information and materials. In addition, bolster your customer service content to address common questions before purchase; communicate shipping timeframes so consumers don’t cancel orders in transit if they don’t arrive in time. Finally, set a return policy you can actually afford. Read more: SMB online commerce for acquiring banks and merchant acquirers. 10. Market your eCommerce business Launching your online store is an achievement, but by no means can you “set it and forget it.” With so many eCommerce websites available, you need to promote your brand to attract new buyers and create incentives that keep customers coming back. As you allocate your marketing budget to sell more products online, focus on the digital channels you know your audience uses. Follow these strategies: Personalize the shopping experience : Seven in 10 consumers now expect personalized interactions with companies, and businesses meeting that expectation can boost their marketing return on investment (ROI) anywhere from 10-30%. Seek out tools that enable you to automate eCommerce personalization in email campaigns, product recommendations and post-purchase promotions. For example, with Wix, you can add a “Best Sellers” or “Related Products” gallery to your product pages. Boost word-of-mouth buzz : Encouraging customers to create and share reviews is just the start when it comes to building word-of-mouth advocacy for your brand. Create promotions that reward customers for referring friends and family, and post share-worthy takes and exclusive offers on the social media networks that your customers use most. To further boost visibility on social media, consider working with micro-influencers. These personalities may not have millions of followers, but they have devoted audiences whose interests can align closely with your brand offering. Prioritize SEO : More than half of consumers rely on search engines as their top tool for shopping research, so stay up-to-date on best practices for search engine optimization to give your brand the best possible chance at visibility. Develop rich content, optimize for mobile devices, maximize site speed and earn inbound links to improve your rankings. Build loyalty : While it’s natural to devote attention to finding new customers during launch, you also need a plan for keeping the customers you already have. It’s less expensive to build a loyal following than to continually churn through one-time purchasers, and repeat customers tend to outspend new buyers . Consider creating a loyalty program that rewards buyers with perks and exclusive offers based on how much they spend. Drive more sales with Wix eCommerce marketing . Start an eCommerce business checklist Task Completed Define your niche and products to sell 2. Conduct full market research 3. Create a business plan 4. Choose a business structure (LLC) and register it 5. Obtain all necessary licenses and permits 6. Set up business banking and accounting 7. Source products and suppliers 8. Choose an eCommerce platform — Wix 9. Build and publish your online store 10. Set up payment solutions and shipping 11. Develop a marketing strategy 12. Plan your customer service processes What is an eCommerce business? An eCommerce business is a company that sells products or services online. With an online store, you can serve customers around the world, and buyers can browse and make purchases at any time of the day. Ecommerce sales have increased faster than other retail businesses in recent years. In the third quarter of 2023, for example, the U.S. Department of Commerce reports that retail eCommerce sales grew 7.6% year over year to $1.8 billion, compared with 2.3% growth in the overall retail sector. Given this growth, it’s no wonder that merchants of all types now view eCommerce as an essential part of their business. It’s worth noting that while some eCommerce sellers operate exclusively online, others use their websites to enhance and complement offerings at physical store locations, manufacturing plants or offices. Business-to-consumer (B2C) eCommerce serves individual retail shoppers, while business-to-business (B2B) sellers offer products or services to other companies. Learn more: What is an eCommerce website? Types of eCommerce Ecommerce advantages and disadvantages How much does it cost to start an eCommerce business? The cost of starting an eCommerce business depends on many factors, from the type of products you sell to the features you need to power your online store. But when all is said and done, you could spend anywhere from $5,000 to $50,000 . That range may seem high—in fact, you may wonder if you could drop a zero from the lower end of the scale. Dropshipping can eliminate upfront inventory and fulfillment costs, and platforms such as Wix offer inexpensive eCommerce site hosting plans and design services. But even with this minimalist approach, you still may need to factor in costs for things like marketing, technology and software, legal and administrative fees, and more. No matter how much startup capital you have at your disposal, it's important to do your research and plan carefully before starting an eCommerce business. This will help you avoid costly mistakes and increase your chances of success. The potential costs to consider include: Business formation and licensure : Setting up your business structure and governance, securing any required licenses and filing registration and tax paperwork can add up to several billable hours from legal and accounting professionals. Ecommerce platform : The technology behind your eCommerce website is all-important and should support integrated shipping, payments and marketing from one unified dashboard. Depending on the platform, each module may be priced separately, or you may be charged a single annual fee for all-in-one service. Products : The upfront cost of your products will vary depending on what you're selling online and which sourcing method you choose. If you hold inventory, add the overhead expense of storage or warehousing space. Design, eCommerce photography and copywriting : As you set up your online store, you may wish to enlist professional help with the website design, product photos and written content. If you’re launching in more than one country, you may need to find translation services to ensure product copy is localized accurately. Customer service : Responsive service is a must for building your brand’s reputation. Make a plan to personally handle incoming questions and requests or hire staff to ensure adequate coverage. Logistics : If you want to handle order and ecommerce management yourself versus outsourcing to a dropshipper, you need to invest in packaging, staff to pick and pack orders, and contracts with freight carriers or third-party logistics providers to handle deliveries. Marketing : Even if you don’t allocate budget to paid advertising, you’ll still need to invest hours into setting up social media accounts and optimizing your website for search engines. Why start an eCommerce business in 2026? The global eCommerce market is expected to reach a value of approximately $7 trillion by 2025 , so there’s no time like the present to get started. Here are just a few reasons to start an eCommerce business this year: The barriers to entry are (relatively) low : While launching an eCommerce business successfully does take some initial investment, it’s far less expensive to build a brand online. In the past, shopping technology was prohibitively expensive and required a professional IT staff to manage. You can earn a profit (relatively) quickly : While you won’t generate millions overnight, the relatively low startup costs and efficiencies of scale you can access via dropshipping means that you may be operating in the black within a year to 18 months. While the size of your profits depends in large part on your category and your wholesale product costs, relevant, high-quality products and superior service can help justify the higher prices that lead to bigger margins. You can access rapidly-growing global markets : As much as the U.S. represents a huge eCommerce market, other parts of the world are seeing even more exponential growth—and you can sell to these nascent markets without needing a physical presence or local staff. While China is dominant in terms of eCommerce market size and penetration, countries that are potentially more accessible, such as Canada, Mexico and the U.K., are all top global targets to consider . You can run your business your way : As the world discovered during the COVID-19 pandemic, digital businesses can be managed remotely. You can route orders to dropshippers and respond to customer service queries on your own time, anywhere—a stark contrast with traditional retail, which tethers you to a store location and requires staff to serve customers during set hours. Learn more: How to sell books online How profitable is an eCommerce business? The profitability of an ecommerce business is dependent on many factors, including the type of industry and niche you choose. When trying to determine how profitable this business type might be, or how long it might take to reach profitability with an ecommerce business you'll need to consider the following: Industry and niche Different industries and niches have varying profit margins. For example, businesses selling high-value products or unique items with low competition, such as luxury or handmade goods, may have higher profit margins than those selling low-priced commodity items such as stationary, for example. Business model The business model you choose, such as dropshipping, wholesale or manufacturing, directly impacts profitability. Dropshipping, for example, means lower overhead costs especially at the start but may mean lower profit margins. Manufacturing products requires more upfront investment but can also mean higher profit margins, especially long term. Operating costs Keeping your operating costs low, including website fees, marketing expenses and shipping costs, is crucial for maximizing profitability with an ecommerce business. Marketing and sales strategies Effective marketing and sales strategies that drive traffic and conversions are essential for generating revenue from your online store. This also means controlling your customer acquisition cost (CAC)—the cost of acquiring new customers should be lower than the lifetime value of a customer to ensure profitability. At the same time, increasing your average order value by offering product bundles, upselling or cross-selling can boost the profitability of your business. This also means focusing on customer retention and building strong customer relationships for repeat customers. How to start an eCommerce business FAQ How much does it cost to start an eCommerce business? Starting an eCommerce business can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several thousand, depending on your goals and needs. Basic expenses include purchasing a domain name, setting up a website or eCommerce platform, inventory (if selling physical products) and marketing. Additional costs may arise if you invest in professional web design, advanced software or specialized tools. To keep expenses manageable, start with a clear budget and prioritize the essentials needed to launch and grow your business effectively. Do I need an LLC for an eCommerce business? An LLC (Limited Liability Company) is not strictly required for starting an eCommerce business, but it offers valuable benefits. It protects your personal assets by separating them from your business liabilities, which can be crucial if your business faces legal or financial challenges. Some entrepreneurs start as sole proprietors to minimize costs, but forming an LLC can provide added credibility and legal safeguards. Consider your business’s scale, risks and growth plans before choosing the right structure. What are the 4 types of eCommerce businesses? B2B (Business-to-Business): Transactions occur between businesses, such as wholesalers selling to retailers. B2C (Business-to-Consumer): Businesses sell directly to individual customers, like online stores or subscription services. C2C (Consumer-to-Consumer): Individuals sell products or services to each other, often through online marketplaces. C2B (Consumer-to-Business): Individuals offer products or services to businesses, such as freelancers providing services or influencers creating sponsored content. Is eCommerce a profitable online business? Ecommerce can be a highly profitable online business with the right strategy and execution. Profitability depends on factors like choosing the right products, effective marketing, controlling costs and creating a strong customer experience. However, competition and rising costs for advertising or shipping can present challenges. By staying adaptable and focused on adding value for your customers, you can build a sustainable and profitable eCommerce business. Is it hard to start your own eCommerce business? Starting your own eCommerce business comes with challenges, but it’s more accessible than ever thanks to modern tools and resources. Initial hurdles often include learning technical skills like setting up a website, navigating competition and managing logistics such as inventory and shipping. However, platforms, templates and guides can simplify the setup process significantly, even for beginners. With a clear plan and the right support, launching an eCommerce business becomes a manageable and rewarding endeavor.
- How to become a freelance writer
If you’ve ever wanted to shape a brand’s social media voice or get published in your favorite magazine, freelance writing can make it happen. As a freelance writer, you can take on all kinds of assignments, depending on your ability to write and communicate well within specific guidelines. Some use freelancing to earn extra cash while others turn it into a full-time career. You might go from being a writer at a company to working on a project-by-project basis. There are also plenty of freelance writing niches that cater to different types of businesses . There’s so much to learn about becoming a freelance writer and how to make money as a freelance writer . To get started, set up your work, create a website to highlight your skills, pick a niche, set your rates and start landing clients. Read Also: How to start a business 6 Steps to becoming a freelance writer Master your freelance workflow Create a freelancer website Choose your specialty Land your freelance writing gig Set your rate Stay communicative 01. Master your freelance workflow With the right tools, you’ll spend less time scrambling and more time writing. Freelance life can get messy, but a solid system makes all the difference. From pitching ideas to managing assignments and tracking payments, staying organized helps everything run smoother. Here’s how to streamline your workflow: Track your pitches : Use tools like Airtable or Notion to log sent pitches, follow-up dates and responses all in one place. Stay on top of deadlines : Break projects into tasks with apps like Asana or ClickUp so you can hit word counts and deadlines with less stress. Monitor your earnings : Track rates and invoices using QuickBooks or a simple Google Sheet to make sure you get paid on time. Centralize everything : Manage emails, assignments and notes in one dashboard with tools like Trello or Notion to avoid tool overload. Try a book name generator for your next project 02. Create a freelancer website Creating a freelance website is a great way to highlight your work and skills while letting potential clients see what you can do. Your website can take different forms, but two are especially useful if you’re pursuing freelance writing. If you’re just starting out and don’t have writing samples published yet, set up your website as a blog to demonstrate your writing style. If you already have work, include your portfolio or links to published pieces to let visitors see the types of writing you’ve done and the topics you know best. For those who write books or creative content, an author website can help build your personal brand and promote your published or upcoming works. Tip: Try out this sleek and stylish content writer website template , which caters to writers of all types. If you want something more personalized, consider hiring a Wix designer . Whichever camp you fall into, it’s good to have links to your social media accounts so potential employers can see your voice on social. This is particularly vital for those that want to get into social media writing. Generally, your website’s domain name will incorporate your name or business name. And of course, have a contact form or email listed on your website easily accessible in case someone would like to reach out for a freelance writing opportunity. Be inspired: Freelance website examples See this curated list of the best website builders for writers . 03. Choose your specialty While being a generalist might work later, focusing on a niche early helps you build a strong portfolio and stand out. Ask yourself: "What do I enjoy writing about?" Passion fuels better work and attracts clients. Your niche might be the type of writing—blog posts, copywriting, technical docs—or specific topics like tech, health, fashion or finance. It’s not about chasing trends or just what's profitable. Think about where your skills and interests meet market demand. Love in-depth topics? Consider tech or finance. Prefer creative work? Lifestyle or fashion might be for you. The more specific your focus, the easier it is to get noticed. As you refine your niche it becomes your brand. Clients will seek you out, saving you the hustle of constantly pitching. Take time to experiment and narrow your focus—it’ll pay off in the long run. 04. Land your freelance writing gig Breaking into freelance writing might feel overwhelming but it’s absolutely doable with the right approach. Start by figuring out the kind of writing you want to focus on and plan your strategy around that niche. Here's how: Editorial freelancing: pitch like a pro If you’re targeting editorial writing (magazines, blogs or news platforms), pitching is your go-to skill. Research the publication to understand their tone, audience and the stories they publish. Find the right editor through the staff page or LinkedIn. Write a pitch that’s concise, tailored to the publication and explains why your story idea matters and why you’re the best person to write it. Follow up with a polite email after a week or two if you don’t hear back—editors are busy and a reminder can make a difference. Copywriting, technical writing and specialized freelance jobs For gigs like copywriting, technical writing or content marketing, you’ll usually need to submit an application. Build a portfolio with your best work using platforms like Contently, Journo Portfolio or a simple website. Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills, past projects and results like boosting website traffic or engagement. Use job boards beyond LinkedIn and Indeed, checking out niche platforms like ProBlogger Job Board, Freelance Writing Jobs, ContentGrow or BloggingPro. Networking: your secret weapon Networking opens doors to gigs you won’t find on job boards. Join writing groups on Facebook, Slack or subreddits. Get active on LinkedIn by sharing insights, engaging with industry posts and connecting with editors, marketers or other freelancers. When you work with a client, ask for referrals. Word-of-mouth is a game changer. Tools to stay organized and productive Freelancing means juggling pitches, clients and deadlines. Use tools like Trello or Asana to track pitches and projects. Grammarly or ProWritingAid help keep your work polished while PayPal or Wise make invoicing and payments simple. From your first gig to growing your business Once you land your first assignment, focus on delivering great work and building strong relationships. Always hit deadlines—being reliable is everything. Ask happy clients for testimonials to attract more work. Upsell your services by offering extras like social media content, email campaigns or SEO optimization to existing clients. 05. Setting your rate as a freelance writer Setting your rate as a freelance writer is about understanding your value and the market. Start by looking at your experience. If you’re just starting out, you might charge on the lower end to build your portfolio. But don’t undersell yourself—good work deserves fair pay even if you’re new. As you grow your experience, get client testimonials and build a strong reputation, you can raise your rates. Different writing gigs pay differently. Content writing often earns more than editorial work and niches like technical writing or SEO can bring in higher rates. The type of client matters too—larger companies or well-funded startups usually have bigger budgets. Remember, you’re not just charging for the words. Your rate covers brainstorming, research, edits and the value you add to the project. Always stand up for fair pay and don’t be afraid to say no to rates that don’t match your worth. Confidence in your value is what helps you succeed as a freelancer. 06. Stay communicative In freelancing, good communication is just as important as technical skills. Being responsive isn’t just about replying to emails quickly—it’s about building trust, showing professionalism and proving you care about the collaboration. When a client emails with questions, think of it as more than just a task. Take the time to give clear, thoughtful answers. Anticipate possible follow-ups and address them upfront. It saves time and shows you’re detail-oriented and engaged. Being communicative means staying proactive. Don’t wait until the deadline to flag problems or send updates. If you’re running behind, let your client know early, explain the situation and suggest solutions like adjusting the timeline or delivering the project in parts. Handling feedback is an area where good communication really matters. If an editor asks for revisions, clear up any uncertainties. Talk to them about their expectations to make sure your edits match what they’re looking for. Communication is a two-way street. Ask clients for feedback, clarify details when needed and keep the conversation flowing. This back-and-forth builds stronger relationships and often brings in repeat work or referrals. Types of freelance writing There are many different categories under the umbrella of freelance writing. Of course, there are certain qualities that many of these categories share. The most important one is that all types of freelance writing require a solid grasp of baseline skills and mechanics such as spelling, grammar and punctuation. But considering the wide spectrum of freelance writing assignments available to writers, there’s surely something for everyone. Keep in mind that along with the various formats freelance writing can take, there are any number of topics that can be covered. For example, let’s say you’re a writer interested in health. You might write a reported piece about funding for mental health resources for a newspaper or magazine as one assignment and then write copy for a startup that created an app monitoring healthy sleeping habits as another. Regardless of what subjects you are most capable of writing about, there are many different types of freelance writing. Editorial writing This is arguably the most long-established form of freelance writing. Writing for a magazine, newspaper or news website falls under editorial writing. With this type of writing, you’ll be held to journalistic standards and ethics. In most cases, you’ll have a story assignment and execute it. Some articles will require you to report, meaning pulling together research from various credible sources and interviewing people to use their quotes in the story. Publications will often hire a freelance writer because they know that writer is well-versed in a specific subject or has access to certain reporting. There are also opinion pieces or “ hot takes ,” which are less about being objective and presenting the facts and more about pulling together various evidence points, analyzing and making an argument. Learn more: How to sell books online Copywriting Copywriting is another large subcategory of freelance writing. It’s pretty much everywhere without you even realizing it. As the American Writers and Artists Institute describes the craft, “copywriting is the process of writing persuasive marketing and promotional materials that motivate people to take some form of action.” These actions include donating to a cause, signing up for a newsletter, making a purchase, clicking on a profile and much more. Unlike editorial writing, you usually won’t be pitching copywriting ideas. In most cases, you’ll have to apply for copywriting jobs. If you have experience with copywriting, it’s a great idea to have that listed on your professional CV website or have a portfolio of your copywriting work available to view. That way if a business is looking for a copywriter, they can use your website as a resource to see if you might be a potential freelance writer they want to work with. Content writing Content writing is a bit between editorial and copywriting. Instead of telling a story through the lens of journalism, content writing is for marketing purposes. Content writers are still storytellers, but the usual goal is to develop brand awareness and engage readers rather than to persuade someone to specifically buy something. Overall, content writing will be longer form content such as blogs and articles. The people over UX Planet have some pretty digestive infographics breaking down the difference between copywriters and content writers. Social media writing Blending together aspects of editorial, copy and content, social media writing is specifically creating copy that will be shared on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and more. If it’s for a publication, it often will reflect the journalistic standards and ethics that the publisher holds itself to. But social media writing for a company will likely be more focused on simply helping build brand recognition on social media that will eventually also hopefully convert to more sales. Social media writing often taps into trending topics to stay relevant in social buzz. That might mean partaking in the latest meme or news cycle. However, a lot of social media writing is evergreen. Technical writing At its core, technical writing is a type of writing used to explain complicated, specialized and technical information to the reader. The most common types of technical writing you have likely interacted with are instructional materials from a new gadget or software manuals. TechWhirl goes into the nitty gritty of what technical writing is. Business writing Business writing is all about creating clear, professional communication for the workplace. It helps share ideas, convey information and achieve goals both inside and outside an organization. From persuasive sales pitches and detailed policy proposals to straightforward internal memos, strong business writing keeps things running smoothly and fosters collaboration. As the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Writing Center explains , it covers everything from policy recommendations and press releases to application letters, emails and memos. Sometimes, businesses bring in freelance writers for specialized documents like white papers—official reports that outline a company’s mission while offering valuable insights to potential customers to build trust and credibility. Ghostwriting Ghostwriting powers many bestsellers, viral tweets and standout blog posts. It’s when the words you read are credited to someone other than the actual writer. From celebrities and politicians to industry leaders, ghostwriters shape autobiographies, speeches and even social media content while perfectly capturing the client’s voice. In a world where personal branding matters, ghostwriters stay behind the scenes, helping craft stories that resonate. Learn more: How to make a book cover Benefits of freelance writing Freelance writing can be a bit intimidating at first, but once you become comfortable you’ll find that there are a number of benefits that come with the job. Set your own schedule The only time restrictions you’ll have as a freelance writer are deadlines. Otherwise, you’ll be able to work whenever you want. This is great for people who don’t enjoy the typical 9 to 5 work day. Meanwhile, other people who like a structured work day can still embrace that mentality. But because you’re setting your own schedule, you can sleep in whenever you want, run errands during the middle of the day and many more things that come with the flexibility of being a freelance writer. Work wherever you want Because you aren’t tied to an office building or even a specific place, you can practically work wherever you want as long as you have the equipment needed to complete assignments. Becoming a digital nomad will allow you to see the world while still making money online . Manage your own workload Depending on what your financial situation is, you can work as little or as much as you’d like. If life is fairly hectic and you have other things going on, you can choose to only take on a few assignments. Meanwhile, if you are looking to keep yourself extremely busy, you can hustle to get as many assignments as possible. Decide what you want write As a freelance writer, you can be selective with what you want to write about (see our guide on how to start a service business ). You may only want to take on stories about a certain subject matter. Or, if you want to learn more about other genres and topics, you can try expanding your horizons and pitch things that are out of your typical wheelhouse. How I became a freelance writer The path to become a freelance writer is different for everybody. Every writer takes a different path to becoming a freelancer, but you may find the story of Gabe B., an editorial writer with 10 years of freelancing experience, helpful: “I originally studied journalism in college, where I learned the foundations of writing for newspapers, magazines, news websites, broadcast news and more. There was also light instruction on freelance writing, but most familiarity with the practice came from actually doing it. During college, I freelance wrote a couple of articles for smaller publications, which was a great experience in terms of refining story ideas and working with editors. After graduating, I accepted a fellowship at a news startup. Once that ended, I had to figure out my next steps. While I was hoping to land a full-time job, that did not immediately happen. Instead, I started freelance writing for another news startup. They could only offer me 20 hours a week, but I took it. During those 20 hours a week, I wrote a couple of news blogs and one bigger feature story. Eventually, I was offered a full-time position with the publication because they were now familiar with my work and there was a job opening. Since that first job, I’ve had a number of other full-time positions at various publishers. While almost all my time and work went toward these jobs, I did freelance writing for other places every so often. The policy on freelance writing with a full-time job differs from place to place, but usually the rule is that you can take on a freelance assignment as long as it is work that wouldn’t typically fit under what you cover at your full-time commitment. For example, if you write about beauty, you will likely be able to take on a freelance assignment about food. A few years ago, I split ways from my last full-time editorial job. Since then, I have found freelance writing jobs through a variety of methods. My primary one is pitching editors at different publications story ideas. This is probably one of the most traditional aspects of freelance writing in the journalism world. Pitching requires a lot of work, flexibility and especially a thick skin because many of your story pitches are likely to be passed on. But once you find a home for a story idea you crafted, it’s a very fulfilling experience. Every so often, I am also fortunate enough to be contacted by potential employers for freelance assignments. I have either worked with these editors in the past or are familiar with my previous work and ability to execute. Being asked to take on freelance writing may happen if you have a website touting your abilities and showcasing your past work. This gives a possible employer or editor an idea of how likely you are a fit for a certain assignment and the means to contact you to gauge interest and availability. Since departing from my full-time job, I have taken on many different freelance writing opportunities. My first experiences were with editorial writing, but I have now taken on copywriting, social media writing and more. They have also been about a wide range of subjects and niches.” Learn more: Blogging vs freelance writing
- 19 profitable eCommerce business ideas
Your business ideas deserve a website, secure your domain to begin → We've put together this list of 19 profitable eCommerce business ideas with high profit potential. Learn why each category is trending and draw inspiration from some real-world examples of companies that are doing it right. Every online store starts with one decision: what will you sell and who’s it for? That’s the first step in starting an eCommerce business . If you already have a niche or industry in mind, awesome, you’re ahead of the game. If not, don’t stress. There are plenty of things to sell to make money , from physical products to digital goods. Explore different business ideas , test what excites you and pay attention to what people actually want to buy. The right idea often starts with curiosity and a little experimentation. Got a business idea? Lock down your brand’s domain before someone else does. Wix makes it easy to get your domain, email, hosting and SSL all in one place. Plus you'll get 24/7 support every step of the way. 19 profitable eCommerce business ideas Fashion products Sustainability-focused products Car parts Furniture and home decor Groceries and foods Shoes Jewelry CBD products Beauty products Subscription boxes Crafts and handmade products Plants and garden products Electronics and IoT devices Mental health and wellbeing products Wedding products and services Pet foods and products Women’s health products Educational materials and courses Baby and children's products 01. Fashion products The opportunity: Global market value for the online fashion business is expected to hit $1 trillion by 2025. That translates to an annual growth rate of 7.2%, according to data from Statista . The possibilities: Fashion is a hyper-competitive industry but with so many niches and personal styles out there, there are still plenty of ways to start your own clothing line or start a t-shirt business . Alternatively, you could start an online boutique featuring handmade items and/or items curated from brands and designers that you love. A dropshipping or print on demand company can help you get started quickly. Under this model, you can outsource manufacturing and fulfillment to a trusted partner, and focus your energy on designing a diverse range of products. If you have a flair for creativity, an eye for fashion, or even just a geeky love for funny slogan t-shirts, a fashion business could be the way to go. Fashion ecommerce businesses to learn from: Celia B - Sells high-quality garments with colorful textiles and patterns inspired by cultures around the world Owl Kitty - Sells t-shirts and merch featuring their Insta-famous black cat Learn more: eCommerce photography Creating and selling custom products has never been easier. With Wix’s on demand printing , powered by Printful, you can design and launch personalized apparel, accessories, home goods and more—made to suit any style, niche or need. No extra tools, no complex setup. Just pick a product, upload your design and start selling—all from your Wix dashboard. With seamless Printful integration, you get a streamlined way to build, brand and sell—without ever leaving Wix. Find the best look for your clothing business with these fashion website templates . 02. Sustainability focused products The opportunity: The demand for sustainable eCommerce practices continues to rise. Nearly half (49%) of consumers paid a premium—an average of 59% or more—for sustainable goods, IBM research shows. Fashion resale in particular is expected to grow three times faster than the global apparel market overall, according to ThredUP . The possibilities: Sustainability isn’t a product as much as it is a classification of business. It includes reusable, biodegradable, and sustainable products. Incorporating a sustainable ethos into your branding and operations can help consumers reduce their eco-footprint. If you’re looking to create an eco-friendly brand, consider selling garments sourced exclusively from fairtrade manufacturers or dipping your toe into fashion resale. You could sell vintage clothing online , sourcing clothes from thrift stores, wholesalers, flea markets and elsewhere. Just like any other fashion boutique, your vintage store could appeal to a specific audience—bet it people who are searching for fits from a specific decade, occasion wear, or rentable designer clothes. Sustainable ecommerce businesses to learn from: By the Moon Vintage - Sells premium romantic vintage fashions Mananalu - Aims to “unplastic our planet” by selling water in recyclable aluminum bottles Shampoo with a Purpose - Aims to reduce plastic waste by selling shampoo and conditioners in solid bars 03. Car parts The opportunity: The average car has roughly 30,000 parts including all the nuts and bolts that keep it in one piece. And across both B2C and B2B segments, finding car parts online is becoming increasingly popular. The possibilities: To differentiate your business, consider selling car parts from specific categories, such as service parts, electrical parts, and interior or exterior parts. You could sell more complex components to mechanics, or sell hydraulic lift kits, neon light kits, and other accessories for DIY auto-enthusiasts. ecommerce car part businesses to learn from: I-5 Autohaus - Offers aftermarket Mustang, Explorer, and Camaro parts CarbonTastic - Sells bespoke custom carbon fiber steering wheels Smyth Performance - Sells kits that can turn a VW beetle into a pickup truck 04. Furniture and home decor The opportunity: You don’t have to binge home shows on Discovery+ to cash in on the surging furniture market. Home decor sales are expected to grow to $805.75 billion by 2026, according to ResearchandMarkets data . The possibilities: Whether you’re a carpenter, interior designer, or reseller, turn your passion into a profitable business idea by learning how to sell furniture online . You could design, source, and manufacture your own products. Or, partner with a dropshipper to sell an array of ceramics, linens, and other home decor from around the world—without having to take care of storage of shipping yourself. Artists, photographers, and graphic designers can tap into this segment too. Partner with a print on demand company to reproduce your work into stylish home goods. Get inspired: Ready-to-launch business initiatives 05. Groceries and food The opportunity: Grocery delivery eCommerce in the US is on track to surpass $455 billion by 2029 . With around 138 million shoppers already using online grocery services, this growing customer base makes up a big slice of the population. And the best part? It’s only going to keep expanding in the years ahead. The possibilities: Convenience largely drives online grocery shopping. Be it to find a greater variety of foods, or to avoid hopping in a car to pick up groceries, consumers are increasingly turning to online stores to restock their pantries. When you choose to start a food business , it’s important to define a specific niche to reach out to. Offer vegetarian or vegan products, locally harvested, or organic foods. Or, sell foods that tailor to specific dietary needs (sugar-free, gluten-free, soy-free, etc.). Another option: sell gourmet items—like handcrafted chocolates, unique jams,or infused oils—that consumers can’t find in their local stores. You might decide to make your own food products from scratch, but that can be tricky if you’re not familiar with how to develop, brand and get the right approvals for selling consumables. If you're exploring how to make money online , dropshipping is a great alternative. Just note that shipping may take longer when working with overseas suppliers. Businesses to learn from: The Spice Suite - Sells gourmet spice boxes for home cooks La Tapatia Tortilleria - Offers a range of non-GMO tortillas I Love Caviar - Provides a touch of gourmet at affordable prices 06. Shoes The opportunity: The global footwear market is stepping up, with users expected to reach 2.3 billion by 2029 . An annual growth rate of 7.06% from 2025 to 2029 is set to push the market to an impressive $190.32 billion by 2029. The possibilities: Shoes are a staple of everyone’s wardrobe, and while particular styles may rise or wane in popularity depending on trends or the time of year, footwear is always in demand. That’s why choosing to sell shoes online can be a lucrative endeavor. If you’re thinking about jumping into this industry, consider starting off by selling shoes geared towards a specific buyer segment, e.g., women’s shoes, men’s shoes, sneakerheads, or children’s shoes. Alternatively, you could offer specialty footwear designed for ballroom dancers, ballerinas, or construction workers. Shoe eCommerce business ideas to learn from: Evolve clothing gallery - Features a thoughtfully curated collection of men’s footwear to complement their apparel collection b.c.e. Shoes - Offers bespoke athletic, boardroom, and casual shoes targeted at colleges and greek organizations 07. Jewelry The opportunity: The jewelry industry is worth $229.3 billion in the U.S., according to Capital Counselor , and the online jewelry industry makes up a solid portion of that. Statista additionally reports that the global jewelry market is expected to reach $307 billion by 2026. The possibilities: If you have the skills to create your own standout jewelry, or have a great eye for spotting trendy pieces, an eCommerce jewelry business may be right for you. There are plenty of niches to pursue when starting a jewelry business , whether you decide to target a high-value or low-value market. You could handcraft niche products like diamond engagement rings or striking costume pieces that help consumers refine their look. Or, source fashion jewelry that mimics what’s on the catwalk, and dropship pieces from international suppliers or wholesalers. Jewelry ecommerce businesses to learn from: Darby Pritchards - Sells a wide range of jewelry, fit for various occasions, at affordable prices 08. CBD products The opportunity: Driven by expanding regulatory approvals, the CBD products market is expected to grow and reach $12.64 billion by 2026, according to ResearchAndMarkets data . The possibilities: CBD has been making waves in the health and wellness industry over the past few years. CBD can be found in everything from skincare products to pet treats—and it’s not uncommon to find CBD products in grocery stores across the country. Popular CBD products today include teas, lotions, salves, and drops. If you want to sell CBD online, you’ll need to do plenty of research before you source, create, or dropship any products. You’ll need to comply with federal, state, and local laws, and FDA guidelines in the U.S., along with strict marketing and copywriting restrictions. Furthermore, you’ll need to identify a payment provider that works with CBD merchants. For more information, check out the FDA’s guidelines or consult a lawyer. CBD ecommerce businesses to learn from: Physicians' Preferred - Sells U.S.-grown CBD products that are non-GMO, vegan, and gluten-free Go Green Hemp - Offers a wide range of CBD products online, plus uses their website to educate shoppers about CBD and share lab test results that show the purity and potency of their products 09. Beauty products The opportunity: Beauty sales are on the rise, reflecting the steady growth of the beauty and personal care market. In the U.S., this market is set to grow by $16.1 billion (15.37%) between 2025 and 2030, hitting a record $120.81 billion. With ten years of consistent growth, the industry shows no signs of slowing down. The possibilities: The beauty industry keeps undergoing its own makeover, with niche markets finally getting the attention and support they’ve long deserved. Products for people of different ethnicities, organic beauty products for users with sensitive skin, and sustainable beauty products are among the top sub-markets. If you’re ready to start a makeup line in a space dominated by major players, you’ll need to focus on creating distinctive products. Stand out by offering high-quality products and white-glove customer service. Focus on what customers want: easy application, long-lasting and vibrant colors, and/or eco-friendly ingredients. Learn more: How to start a beauty business Beauty ecommerce businesses to learn from: House of Suppliez - Sells monthly nail and lash beauty box subscriptions at affordable prices 10. Subscription boxes The opportunity: The subscription eCommerce market is set to soar, with growth projected at 68% during the forecast period. By 2030, it’s expected to reach around $6.4 trillion , showing just how much this industry is reshaping the way we shop. The possibilities: If you have great products that are ideal for repeat purchases, then subscription boxes may be a good core offering or extension of your existing business. Selling subscriptions is lucrative and unlimited. For example, you could start a subscription box for just about anything: clothes, socks, pet toys, chocolate, coffee, children’s educational toys, luxury goods, makeup, home decor, meals, produce, and even puzzles. The great thing about a subscription business is that it offers you regular recurring revenue. A helpful hint: consider targeting younger generations. More than one-third of millennials (34%) and one-fifth of Gen Z shoppers (22%) are currently trying and are likely to continue to use subscription services, according to GFK . Subscription businesses and ideas to learn from: Napa Wild - Offers weekly shipments of fresh produce boxes Beacon Book Box - Offers monthly subscriptions for fans of young adult fiction 11. Crafts and handmade products The opportunity: Sales in arts and crafting sales are on track to reaching $9.9 billion by 2028, says Vantage Market Research . The possibilities: Turn a personal hobby into a business by selling crafts online . There are many things to make and sell like custom art or handmade jewelry. Or sell custom metalwork, pottery, and hand-knitted mittens. You could even learn to start a candle business , which offers low startup costs and high profits. Whatever it may be, make sure you choose a craft that’s sustainable and scalable. There are multiple places where you can cash in on your crafts, including marketplaces like Etsy, an online store, or niche alternatives to Etsy. It’s recommended that you don’t solely rely on marketplaces where you lack control of the user experience and branding. Instead, create an online store that serves as the flagship destination for your brand, and expand to marketplaces for additional exposure. Craft ecommerce businesses to learn from: Coal & Canary Candle Company - Offers cheeky candles for playful personalities. Sena Runa - Sells delicate paper art products Handlebend - Offers custom copper works and mugs Learn more: Hobbies that make money 12. Plants and garden products The opportunity: By 2027 the online plant market is expected to reach US$18100 million, meaning it would have doubled in value since 2021. The possibilities: Turn your green thumb into profits by selling plants online. You could sell a variety of houseplants, tropicals, or succulents—three categories that have shown significant growth in garden center sales. Boost your business with garden essentials like stylish pots and practical gardening tools. These popular items attract everyone from beginners to experienced gardeners by combining function with style. Self-watering planters are a big trend, making plant care easier and encouraging healthier plants. If you’re targeting plant sales to specific age groups, don’t leave out millennials. Seven in 10 millennials reportedly call themselves “plant parents,” and 40% of them say they’re looking to buy new houseplants (or should we say “plant babies”), Plant focused ecommerce businesses to learn from: Robert Plante Greenhouses - This Ottawa-based garden center made a spectacular pivot from brick-and-mortar sales to eCommerce during the pandemic, and their online store remains strong today Learn more: How to start a flower business , How to start a landscaping business, How to start a lawn care business 13. Electronics and IoT devices The opportunity: By 2030, the U.S. consumer electronics market is set to hit $261.9 billion . Growing at 4.6% annually, this industry keeps powering forward as tech transforms how we live. The possibilities: Smart devices and advanced electronics add convenience to our on-the-go lives. That makes selling IoT products a top eCommerce business opportunity. Sell doorbell cameras, Wi-Fi controlled thermostats or other popular smart home devices. Alternatively, sell drones and drone accessories to real estate agents, wedding photographers, videographers, and Instagram influencers who now use them regularly. If you’re technically savvy, you can design and manufacture your own IoT device. But if you’re not a techie, you can hire people to bring your idea to life or choose a dropshipper who will supply a range of low-cost electronics that you can sell. IoT ecommerce businesses to learn from: Beagle Drones - Offers drones and drone accessories, using its online store to feature impressive footage shot with its products 14. Mental health and wellbeing products The opportunity: The global mental health and wellness market is set to grow 8.3% annually, reaching $282.45 billion by 2030 . Technology is leading the charge with teletherapy, mental health apps, AI, VR and wearables transforming how care is delivered. These tools are making support more accessible, personal and effective than ever. The possibilities: Between weighted blankets, calming teas, and natural oil diffusers, there’s a large variety of products that you can consider selling in the wellness category. Products like acupressure mats, light therapy lamps, and meditation apps are growing in popularity as younger generations look to enhance their mental health and wellbeing. If you choose to enter this field, be sure to emphasize any credentials or professional endorsements that can build trust. Thoroughly explain how your products work and how they benefit the body in your product descriptions, and back up all claims with scientific evidence. Mental health ecommerce businesses to learn from: Sootheze - Sells an array of microwave-safe weighted and aromatherapy products (including stuffed teddy bears, blankets and wraps) that reduce anxiety 15. Wedding products and services The opportunity: When brides-to-be and grooms-to-be brainstorm their perfect weddings, a growing number of them are jumping online for inspiration. According to Applied Analytics , the global wedding industry is expected to grow by 4.8% and reach $414.2 billion by 2030. The possibilities: As more couples take their wedding registries online and search ideal locations for their destination weddings, the opportunity is ripe for eCommerce sellers. Consider offering custom wedding signage or accessories, like centerpieces and guest books. Other product ideas: artificial flowers, handmade wedding gowns, bow ties, wedding guest favors, custom cake toppers, and more. If you’re a super-organized person who works well under pressure, you could even offer wedding planning services virtually, in addition to selling products. Some eCommerce businesses cater to the entire wedding journey, from engagement to the honeymoon, in an effort to tap into a wider market. Wedding ecommerce businesses to learn from: Box and Bow - Sells gift boxes for bridesmaids, alongside bespoke hand-carved proposal boxes 16. Pet foods and products The opportunity: In the U.S., 70% of households own a pet, according to American Pet Products Association data . The global pet industry market is also expected to reach $350 billion by 2027, reports Statista . The possibilities: Finding a pet care niche to break into and curating related products could bring you plenty of bacon. Some online pet care brands have practically become household names, showing how much people love pampering their pets with carefully selected treats, toys, and cushy beds. You might choose to take a practical path, sourcing durable toys for tough chewers, supportive beds, and joint supplements for dogs with hip dysplasia. Or, you might choose a more fun and playful route like beautiful pet kennels, decorative jackets, or training hoops. You could design and manufacture new products to meet pet owners’ pain points or exercise your culinary skills by making delicious pet treats. Think about what niche is underserved and target that. Pet ecommerce businesses to learn from: Instachew - Sells a complete line of smart, practical, and innovative pet products, including their signature Instachew Smart Pet Feeder 17. Women’s health products The opportunity: Increasing interest in healthy living is driving growth in the global health and beauty supplements market, which is expected to reach $84.8 billion by 2030, according to Report Linker data. The possibilities: New women’s brands are popping up in every conceivable category, including vitamins and supplements, hair care tools, hair accessories, and size- and color-exclusive shapewear. Electronic gadgets for facial skincare are also among the top-trending women’s products. Think, what could be your USP? What pain point do you want to solve and how can you do it better than the products already out there? If you’re new to the women’s health space, note how women’s products have always had a “ pink tax ” associated with them, but quality hasn’t always measured up to the price. So, your brand could benefit from focusing on quality, as well as products made from eco-friendly, nontoxic materials. Womens health ecommerce businesses to learn from: NuolaWigs - Offers natural looking wigs for women with complete or partial hair loss Fertilix - Specializes in prenatal dietary supplements that support optimal reproductive health 18. Educational materials and courses The opportunity: The global elearning market is forecast to hit $325 billion by 2025, nearly doubling in a decade, says Techjury . The possibilities: Whether you’re targeting parents looking for homeschooling aids or educators looking for schooling resources in science, math, and literacy, there are many sectors to tap into. It pays to get creative and think outside the box, too. Kits teaching kids about cooking, astronomy, or a foreign language can take off just as quickly as a classic math kit. Note that digital education isn’t limited to kids. Since the pandemic, adults across the world have had added time to take up new languages, hobbies, and interests. Digital products and courses are top-or-the-class in this market. Users want the freedom to learn through any device, whenever—and wherever—it suits. Education based ecommerce businesses to learn from: Hanson’s Anatomy - Sells bright and colorful study guides Learn more: How to sell books online How to start a tutoring business 19. Baby products The opportunity: Oh, baby. The market for infant toys, baby gear, and baby apparel alone is expected to grow to $13.61 billion by 2026, according to data from Technavio . The possibilities: Many parents will spend a pretty penny on their little ones, which is why selling children’s toys, clothing, or accessories can be a profitable venture. Some ways that you can differentiate your business: offer lower-cost products that cater to budget-minded parents. Or, sell sustainably made or heirloom-quality products that appeal to parents who are willing to pay extra for higher-end items. In this market, word of mouth is powerful, so sharing customer reviews and providing social proof across your digital channels will help you grow your business. Wix stores that add third-party review apps see an average 10% increase in both overall sales and average order value within the first 60 days. Baby focused ecommerce businesses to learn from: Bonsie - Sells baby wear that promotes skin-to-skin contact between infants and mothers Cotton Balloon - Offers curated wooden educational toys and children’s bedroom decor Learn more: How does eCommerce work? What are some unique eCommerce business ideas to start this year? Visible mending kits: Instead of selling new clothes, sell premium repair kits. Package high-end Japanese fabrics, sashimi threads and instructional guides designed to repair denim or knitwear artistically. This targets the booming sustainability, circular economy and slow fashion movements. AI-generated acoustic panels: Remote work is permanent but home offices can be noisy. Build an online store where customers use AI to generate unique art patterns (or upload brand colors), which you print on-demand onto high-density sound-dampening acoustic panels. Function meets personalization. The analog desk: This ecommerce business idea involves selling non-electric productivity tools. Think high-end hourglass timers (instead of phone alarms), luxury paper planners and mechanical keyboards. These ideas move beyond dropshipping junk by offering genuinely useful products while tapping into deep consumer lifestyle shifts. What are some great eCommerce business ideas to start from home? If you're planning on selling from home its important to opt for low inventory ideas. Digital blueprints: Instead of generic planners, sell high-end Notion or Excel systems for specific careers (e.g., "Client Portal for Interior Designers" or "Inventory Tracker for Airbnb Hosts"). You build it once and sell it infinitely with 100% profit margins. The impossible part shop: Use a home 3D printer to manufacture replacement parts for vintage appliances, toys or discontinued IKEA furniture. You solve a desperate problem for buyers, and your only inventory is spools of plastic filament. Local closing gift bundles. Real estate agents constantly need premium gifts for clients. Put together non-perishable items from your city’s best artisans (local honey, coffee, candles) into luxury boxes. You assemble them on your kitchen table and sell them B2B. How to choose an eCommerce business idea With so many options for your business, how do you select which niche is best for you? Start by asking yourself these questions. What am I interested in and what do I know? If you love fine jewelry but don’t know how to tell a diamond apart from a CZ, you’ll face a steeper learning curve and will need to recruit an expert before getting started. However, if you know everything there is to know about animation, then you can consider making money as an animator . So, think about what you’re passionate about, what you already know, and see where you have an upper hand. What do I have the startup funds for? Print on demand businesses carry smaller startup costs when compared to eCommerce businesses that choose to manufacture their own prices. While you can always bootstrap your business, think about how you can start on solid financial ground. What problems can my products help solve? For example, do you personally struggle to find pet-safe, weed-killing products for landscaping? There’s likely other people who do too. Explore if this is something you can find a solution for and can effectively market to people who face a similar problem. What’s trending in my market? Is there an abundance of competition in the industry that you’re considering? Is someone already doing what you want to do? Competition is an important factor when deciding on the right line of business. Heavy competition may mean it will take your business longer to reap profits but if you have a great eCommerce business idea, you can make it stand out with outstanding marketing, customer service and a beautiful website. Once you have your business idea sorted, move on to building an ecommerce website to start selling. Learn more: AI business ideas eCommerce business ideas FAQ What's the most profitable eCommerce business idea? There's no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the most profitable online stores vary depending on the products they sell and the market they target. However, some of the most profitable online stores sell: Handmade goods: Handmade goods often have high profit margins because they are unique and can be sold at a premium. High-ticket items: High-ticket items, such as electronics or furniture, can also be very profitable because they sell for a lot of money. Niche products: Niche products, such as those that target a specific audience or interest, can also be very profitable because they don't have a lot of competition. Which type of eCommerce business is best to start? There are many different types of ecommerce businesses, so it's important to choose one that's right for you. Some popular options include: Dropshipping: This is a business model where you don't need to hold inventory. When a customer makes a purchase, you simply order the product from a supplier and have it shipped directly to the customer. This is a great option for beginners because it's relatively low-risk. Wholesale: This is a business model where you purchase products in bulk from a supplier and then sell them at a profit. This can be a profitable business model, but it requires more upfront investment than dropshipping. Retail: This is a business model where you sell products directly to consumers from your own website or store. This can be a very profitable business model, but it requires a significant investment in time and money. What are some good eCommerce business ideas for beginners? Dropshipping because of its low entry costs and no need to hold inventory. Print on demand, for many of the same reasons as dropshipping, it's also low risk in terms of initial investments. Online courses, or digital products can be quick and easy to create, and all you need to sell them is a website. What are some super unique eCommerce business ideas? Customized products always make for unique ecommerce business ideas. Think customized pet collars or bowls, for example. Niche subscription boxes can also be a unique idea, depending on what you choose to sell. Is it difficult to start an eCommerce business? Starting an eCommerce business is relatively accessible thanks to tools like website builders and online marketplaces, but it comes with challenges. You’ll need to decide on a niche, set up a professional site and develop marketing strategies to stand out in a crowded market. While there’s a learning curve, careful planning and persistence make these hurdles manageable. How long after starting an eCommerce business will I be profitable? Profitability depends on factors like your niche, pricing and marketing efforts, but it typically takes several months to a year. Early stages involve upfront investments in your website, operations and marketing, which may delay profits. With efficient cost management and consistent customer growth, you can expedite this timeline.
- The story behind the world’s most photographed bookstore
Start generating business ideas with the Wix Business Launcher → Josh Spencer looked at the world and saw chaos. Lots of it. As a former Hawaiian resident living in LA, the constant noise and commotion of the city was overwhelming. So, when the opportunity came to build a brick-and-mortar bookstore, Josh was determined to make it a place of refuge for book lovers looking to escape the city’s madness. That’s when, in 2009, he opened The Last Bookstore . “I really wanted to create a place that was out of time and that was all times, too,” says Josh. “That's what books represent to me. They span thousands of years of people telling stories. I wanted to create a place people could step into—a portal into another dimension that was safe, secure and restful that had all this knowledge.” Today, the 22,000-square-foot store in downtown LA is California's largest new and used book and record store. The story of how Josh and his wife Jenna built it is the stuff of bestsellers. Ready to get your own business idea off the ground? Create your business website with Wix. A life-changing event Josh was an active and outdoorsy kid growing up in Hawaii. But his world was turned upside down at 21, when a road accident left him paralyzed from the waist down. After several years navigating life in a wheelchair and struggling to find a job, he moved to LA. There, he began trading books online, sparked by his grandmother's idea to sell her old cookbooks. “I sold them on Amazon, made good money and was like, ‘I could do this,’” recalls Josh. “I started going to thrift stores and garage sales, finding books that I could sell and repurpose—and I was off to the races.” Through his new hustle, Josh rediscovered his love for books and found creative ways to buy and sell them. He made a living from it for almost a decade until a “man about town” named Brady Westwater approached him about opening a bookstore. “He was like, ‘We need a bookstore downtown and I hear you’re the book guy,’” says Josh. Brady had a knack for bringing the coolest traders into downtown LA and could see the potential in having an independent bookstore there. “So he convinced me,” adds Josh, noting how Brady drew him out of his shell. “I was shy and introverted.” Before long, Josh was sizing up a historic bank building. Its landlord had initially planned to lease it to Urban Outfitters, but once he heard Josh’s vision for a used bookstore, he changed his mind. The Last Bookstore had its first home. Capturing LA’s imagination Before setting up the store, Josh took some time to sit in the empty space and visualize how it all might look. As a long-time wheelchair user, he was hyper-aware of the physical space around him, so he had a distinct vision for its layout. “There are so many great bookstores I can't go to in a wheelchair because they're too crammed,” says Josh. “I love that visual aspect, but it's not something I can engage with. So, I wanted to make it wide enough and spacious enough for anyone to feel free to roam.” Josh also thought most bookstores were cookie-cutter. Instead of straight, predictable aisles, he envisioned a place where people could wander, get lost and discover the unexpected. Drawing on his love of the steampunk genre, he infused the store with an otherworldly feel, pulling inspiration from films as varied as Hellboy , V for Vendetta , Indiana Jones and Alexander the Great . The finished space resembled an art museum more than a bookstore, with its high-soaring ceilings, mosaic floors, antique vaults and marble pillars juxtaposed with playful designs like book sculpture installations, a book tunnel and themed rooms. It captured the imagination of people in downtown LA. “[People] came in, and for them, there was an immediate lowering of temperature compared with the commotion outside,” says Josh. “There were so many smiles and wide eyes. I still love sitting there and just watching people’s faces when they come in. That's when the wandering starts.” Throughout the years, The Last Bookstore has become so much more than a retailer; it’s an institution where people congregate, browse, read, relax, attend events and explore. It has even inspired spin-off sister stores in two other locations across California, and one in Hawaii. Some Saturdays, there can be as many as 1,000 customers in the store. It has gained international recognition too, becoming the world’s most Instagrammed bookstore . “There's definitely a sense of belonging with a lot of customers,” says Josh. “Some people I’ve seen regularly for 15 years. Some are now elderly and have long since retired. Then there are younger people who tell me they’ve been coming with their parents for years and love it. So, it's part of people's stories. Our story is their story. It's amazing to have that.” Read also: How this founder created ‘the first hanger worthy of Vogue’ Jenna and Josh Spencer (image source: The Last Bookstore ) Going back to where it started—online Josh’s bold move from online to physical retail made The Last Bookstore a massive hit, but it meant its digital side got less attention. That’s where Josh’s wife Jenna came in. “At the time, Jenna was looking for a change, and so, she wanted to join me in the Last Bookstore and see how we could elevate it beyond what I was able to do,” says Josh. “With her creative eye and experience, she's very good at making things beautiful.” They’d long planned to grow online, but a single Instagram post promoting their book bundles pushed them into action. "It ignited a viral chain reaction, leading to thousands of orders,” recalls Jenna. “We needed an online store—fast—and Wix gave us the agility to adapt.” The post not only prompted the couple to start selling these book collections online, but also to give the website a full makeover. They had a strong vision for their new site: modern-looking, easy to navigate and built for growth, with a nostalgic feel that captured the large-scale indie spirit of the physical store. “Most bookstore sites are very standard and boring to me,” says Josh. “There's no imagination. I didn’t want our website to be just a brochure—I wanted it to be art.” Learn more: How to sell books online A virtual love letter to literature Starting with a mood board, Josh and Jenna drafted the general look and layout of their site. They worked for weeks to ensure the user experience was clean and intuitive and that its look and feel were on-brand, drawing inspiration from unique websites, retro poster design and classic art. After a few iterations, the couple launched a website that goes far beyond basic functionality. It immerses visitors in the world of The Last Bookstore—promoting events, selling gift cards, merchandise and curated book bundles, while also expanding the store’s reach and deepening its connection with customers. Stylistically, the couple nailed the bookstore’s distinctive character, too. Sweeping drone shots and quick-cut videos draw visitors in immediately, while high-res imagery keeps things visually rich. For the color palette, black and white dominate the pages as golden-mustard accents highlight interactive elements. Bold sans-serif fonts make a statement, particularly in the hero section header, declaring: “WE ARE THE LAST BOOKSTORE.” Then there’s the dark, scratched background that adds a worn-in, indie vibe across much of the site—a subtle nod to second-hand culture. Quirky, interactive stickers represent different product categories with a playful, retro touch. Finally, the About page shares the Last Bookstore’s unique story and links to press features from different media, while sharp, concise content is broken up by standout headers like “A LIVING LOVE LETTER TO LITERATURE.” “With Wix, we have total creative control,” says Josh. “You know, I layered photography, put drone footage and interactive elements so that even on-screen, you can feel our steampunk fantasy spirit.” “Our website goes beyond just functionality,” adds Jenna. “It’s a virtual extension of The Last Bookstore, where visitors can experience the warmth of our community.” Read also: The story behind Fork n' Film’s unique cinematic experience that’s going global A punk-rock DIY attitude to the future When you’re operating in a traditional market that competes with retailing behemoths, you can never stand still. Josh and Jenna are always exploring novel (pun intended) ways to make sure The Last Bookstore doesn’t fulfil the prophecy of its name. The store already hosts literary events, live music and even photography shoots, but the couple plans to bring more creative dimensions to the business—like podcasting, making documentaries on the bookstore industry and spotlighting authors and artists in-store. And all these can be managed or hosted from their website. “We want to create things that tell the story of books and bookstores, authors and writers in new and different ways,” says Josh. After all, Josh considers himself much more of a creator than a businessperson. “I'm able to tap into the business side,” he says. “I have to, but it's not what I want to be thinking about. And it's not the motivation for me. I'm not in this to make tons of money. I'm in it to make something that will change people's lives and allow them to be inspired to also be creative.” “We could easily switch our model and go all-in on new books, but that's not interesting to us,” adds Jenna. “I think people want to support us and hopefully help us continue to do what we're doing.” Whatever they do next, Josh won’t be deterred by a fear of failure. As he notes, he’s lost things in life that are much more traumatic than losing a business. He’s also kept that punk attitude, telling him anything is possible. “I come from a punk rock sort of background," he says. “So I'm very much DIY, do it yourself, figure it out yourself. And so, in my mind, I can do whatever I want to do.” Get inspired: Who let the dogs out? The story behind America's first pug cafe, CuppaPug 7 business lessons from Josh and Jenna If you’re thinking about how to start a business or diving into entrepreneurship , Josh and Jenna’s story is packed with lessons on creativity, resilience and building a business that truly inspires. 01. Storytelling fuels growth The Last Bookstore gained notoriety through word-of-mouth, travel guides, media and social sharing. Josh: “We’re on all the most beautiful bookstores in the world lists… lots of people have seen us in all different kinds of places.” Lesson: A compelling brand story and organic PR can drive global recognition. 02. Build a community, not just customers Regular customers treat the store as a part of their lives, even across generations. Josh: “Some of these people are now elderly… Some say, ‘I’ve been coming here since I was five.’ Our story is their story.” Lesson: Strong communities ensure longevity and loyalty beyond transactions. 03. Embrace imperfection and authenticity Unlike most large book retailers, The Last Bookstore doesn’t have a store map, making discovery harder. But that has become part of its charm. Josh: “Even though it might not be good business sense necessarily, people have really responded to it.” Lesson: Differentiation sometimes means breaking conventional best practices. 04. Keep a consistent vibe across physical and digital Josh consciously designed the physical space with cinematic, neo-Victorian, labyrinth-like aesthetics—a feeling he also wanted to shine through on the website. Josh: “I wanted the store to feel expansive… almost a book temple, from some other time. Likewise, I wanted our site to be cinematic, have a photographic element to it and to feel big.” Lesson: The physical environment of a brick-and-mortar business should seamlessly carry through to its digital presence. 05. Adapt quickly to change During the pandemic, the store launched curated book bundles overnight, which exploded in popularity. Jenna: “The same day that our door shut, that idea just happened to take off through a comment on Instagram.” Lesson: Stay flexible—listen to customers and pivot when the environment shifts. 06. Diversify beyond core operations The Last Bookstore is expanding into podcasts, live events, streaming and media content. Josh: “We want to create things that tell the story of books and bookstores, authors and writers in new and different ways.” Lesson: Explore new formats to keep the brand fresh and relevant—don’t stay locked into one business model. 07. Choose a business name that captures a cultural moment The Last Bookstore name tapped into fears about the “death of bookstores” in 2009. Josh: “Everyone thought bookstores were going to disappear… I wanted to be here at the end.” Lesson: A brand name with symbolism and storytelling power can carry the business far. Get business name ideas for your next venture with Wix’s Business Name Generator and then claim your perfect domain name .
- How to start a book blog in 10 steps
Ready to share your ideas with the world? Start your blog → In the last decade, the book industry has reinvented itself. Books have become much more accessible to a broader public, especially in their newer digital formats. This shift is also visible in how traditional book clubs have naturally evolved into book blogs. If you’re an avid reader, creating a blog will give you the perfect platform to apply your passion for literature by writing book reviews, sharing novel recommendations, and most importantly, connecting with the online bookish community. We know you’re pretty booked , which is why we’ve broken down how to start a book blog into just 10 easy steps. From how to make a website , choosing a website template and blog name to learning which types of book blog posts to write, here’s what you need to do to be ready to publish . Starting a blog should feel exciting, not overwhelming, right? With the Wix Blog Maker, you get everything you need to create, design and grow your blog from scratch–without needing a tech degree. Use Wix’s intuitive tools to share your ideas with the world. Ready to start a book blog? Do it with Wix . TL;DR: how to start a book blog Starting a book blog is a creative way to share your passion for reading, connect with other book lovers and potentially earn income. You’ll need to pick a platform, name your blog, design it with a template and decide what kind of content you want to write. Add essential pages like About Me and Review Policy, stock up on books and plan your posts with a rating system and calendar. To grow your blog, use SEO, share on social, build a newsletter and join book clubs or blog communities. You can also earn money online through affiliate links, ads, sponsored posts or even selling your own stuff. Blogger type Content focus Useful tools Monetization ideas The reviewer Detailed reviews, personal ratings, book summaries, pros and cons, spoiler-free thoughts Rating system, reading log, review templates Affiliate links to book retailers, sponsored book reviews The list-maker “Best of” lists, themed book recommendations, seasonal picks, TBRs and wrap-ups List builder, calendar planner, search-friendly formatting Curated reading guides for sale, newsletter sponsorships The genre expert Deep dives into specific genres, hidden gems, trope analysis, author features, series guides Tagging system, genre-focused outlines, reading challenge tracker Author collaborations, guest posts on niche platforms The community builder Reading challenges, book tags, memes, book swaps, interactive discussions Comment system, group forums, poll creators Paid memberships, printable challenge trackers, digital reading logs The aspiring author Writing updates, book vs. manuscript comparisons, writing tips, character analysis Blog series scheduler, excerpt planner, newsletter tool Sell your own books or guides, offer writing workshops The literary critic Essays, literary analysis, book vs. film commentary, thematic breakdowns Research notes, citation organizer, longform editor Write for magazines, paid opinion pieces, literary consulting The casual reader Personal favorites, casual reviews, reading diaries, lifestyle mixed with books Quick post editor, mobile-friendly layout, image galleries Display ads, affiliate links, light sponsored posts What is a book blog? A book blog is a website or online journal where someone writes about books. This can include anything from book reviews and recommendations to author interviews, book-related news and discussions about literature. Book blogs can be written by anyone, from professional book reviewers and literary critics to bookworms who are simply passionate about reading and want to share their thoughts and opinions with others. Book blogs are a great way to discover new books, get recommendations from other readers and learn more about literature. They can also be a lot of fun to read, as book bloggers often have a unique voice and style. How to start a book blog in 10 steps Select a blogging platform Pick a blog name and secure your domain Design your book blog Choose your type of book blog Get books Brainstorm ideas and write your first blog posts Optimize your book blog for SEO Promote your blog Make money blogging Immerse into the book blog community 01. Select a blogging platform The first step in starting a blog , or any type of website , is choosing where you want to host and publish your content. There are several blogging platforms to choose from depending on your blogging goals and needs. Some important factors to consider when making this choice are storage space, page security, uptime and customer support. In addition to top-level service in the above areas, Wix’s blogging platform offers professional web design features, opportunities to monetize your blog, rich website analytics and many built-in marketing tools to help you reach more readers. You can get access to all these tools at no cost and upgrade your free plan whenever you’d want. Reliable, scalable and free web hosting means you can rest assured your book blog is always live and accessible - allowing you to focus on what really matters, growing your site. With Wix this means 99.9% uptime, enterprise-grade reliability and automatic setup. It's there when you build your blog and as you scale. Website security is also important to consider when choosing a blogging platform. Keep your content and your users information safe from cyber security threats. With a Wix site your blog is protected by around the clock monitoring and built-in security features. Don't forget to consider website performance when choosing where to build your book blog. How fast your content loads can have a direct impact on your user's experience on your blog. Poor page and load speeds, might cause readers to bounce. Keep them on the page instead with a platform that prioritizes performance. 02. Pick a blog name and secure your domain Just like we often judge a book by its cover, visitors might be quick to judge your blog by its name. This is why you should be intentional when choosing the name for your book blog. To help you choose the best one, we’ve come up with these efficient strategies to come up with blog name ideas . If you plan to mainly cover one book genre or stick to a single author, you can include related words in your blog name. Use a blog name generator Experiment with blog naming formulas Adapt a popular saying or come up with puns Try an alliteration Use your own name or nickname Simplify with abbreviations If you’d like some inspiration before you start brainstorming here are some creative book blog name ideas: Treat Yo’ Shelf Been There Read That Check Your Shelf I Like Big Books and I Cannot Lie Reading is a Novel Idea Where My Prose At? Do It by the Book After you’ve finalized your choice, go ahead and secure your blog’s domain name . This should be similar to the name of your blog so users can easily find you and recognize you online. You might also want to consider using .blog domain extension , to make sure your blog stands out. 03. Design your book blog Now that we’ve chosen your blogging platform and domain name, the next step in starting a book blog is designing your site. The easiest way to begin is with one of our professionally designed blog website templates . They all come with built-in capabilities and are fully customizable. Still not sure which one to pick? Take a look at these blog examples for further inspiration. When you’re customizing your template, consider creating a logo to elevate and personalize your site. Having a blog logo can make you more memorable, edgy and easily recognizable. Just remember to match your logo to the design and overall tone of the blog. Be inspired by these book cover ideas . Next, choose which pages to include. On top of your blogging section, we recommend you include the following pages: About Me Let readers get to know you and your taste in books. This section is a good place to mention your genre of expertise, your favorite books of all time and let your personality show with some interesting facts and information about yourself. Review Policy State what your policy is about reviewing books. You might have opportunities to review advanced reading copies (ARCs), so it would be helpful for publishers and book reviewing professionals to know the following: Are you currently accepting new review copies? Which genres do you cover and which platform do you typically use to promote books and showcase your reviews? What types of posts will you write? What book formats do you accept? Just physical ones or also PDFs and digital copies? What do you do if you do not like the book? Will you decline a review? Do you have a book rating system? If so, how does it work? What is the best way to contact you and which information should be provided? Contact Page Help authors, publishers and readers easily contact you with inquiries, questions or collaboration opportunities by adding a contact page to your blog. Using a free form builder , you can effortlessly create a contact form to make sure people are sending all the necessary information. 04. Choose your type of book blog Before you start collecting books and writing your first blog post, first consider which type of book blog you wish to run. Your book blog can specialize in either a niche or genre or even be known for specific types of content. At the end of the day, you should think about what your goals are for blogging and which kind of audience you’d like to reach. If you’re passionate about a specific genre that you think has a strong fan base community, you can tailor your blog around it. Of course, you can keep your blog more general, but in case you were interested, here are types of book blogs on the web: Book reviews Book recommendations How to write a book Book critiques Book discussion blogs General book blog On the other hand, if you want to write for a more specific audience, you can choose a literary genre to focus on and break into that niche reading community: Fiction Romance Action and adventure Fantasy Horror Classics Suspense and thrillers Science Fiction (Sci-Fi) Nonfiction Biography and autobiography Religion and spirituality History Memoir Poetry blog Self-help 05. Get books Writing a book blog without books would be like cooking without food. So how can you feed your shelf ? When you first start a book blog, you can utilize the books you’ve read in the past or currently own. Over time, you’ll want to scale your book reading efforts - so make yourself rich with book resources, get free ARCs and consider joining book networks. We’ve done some in-depth research for you and recommend these outlets and platforms for getting your hands on as many books as possible, whether it’s free copies or through book networks. Public libraries NetGalley (See their ARC book review program) Little Free Library BookishFirst Penguin Teen Edelweiss by Above the Treeline HMH Teen Fierce Reads Penguin Random House Harper Collins Virtual reading subscription platforms such as Scribd , Audible , Kindle Unlimited , BookBub , Bookmate , Manybooks . BookCrossing Nook by Barnes and Nobles Freecycle Craigslist Bibliomania Paperback Swap Book stores and thrift shops Garage sales Swap books with friends and family 06. Brainstorm ideas and write your first blog posts One of the most important parts of starting a successful book review blog is creating quality content. Think of your blog posts as the central part of your blog, the factor that will draw readers in and keep them coming back. The simplest way to begin producing blog posts is by following these 4 steps: Select your book blog content Come up with a book rating and review system Write your first few blog posts Create an editorial calendar Select your book blog content Your blog posts' topics can be as creative and unique as you’d like. But sometimes, it’s easier to start where others have seen success and follow some of the blog posts' formats that are popular on book blogs. Here are some engaging blog ideas to write about: Book reviews: Write a review or critique of a book you just finished. Share your opinion on what you liked about it or didn’t. Themed “top X” lists and rankings: Create a list of top 10 or top 20 books that fall into a genre or category. This can also be in the form of book suggestions to readers. Discussion posts: Spur up a discussion about a book that you’d like to analyze with your bookish community. This can even be discussing a controversial novel or a specific scene in a book. Interviews with authors: Interview authors of a book you just finished. You can ask them about their inspiration for the book or even about character development. Book tags: Answer questions about your favorite books, authors and characters and then tag other people to write blog posts and answer those questions as well. You can also look up other book tags and respond to them. Guest posts: Feature other book bloggers or writers on your blog. It can be nice for readers to hear new voices from time to time. You can even use this type of blog post to allow young writers to showcase their work. Monthly wrap-ups: Summarize and rate all the books you read that month. Roundups of new publications and TBR lists: TBR stands for “to be read.” Make a list of the books that just came out and are now on your must read list. Essays, guides and opinion pieces: Share your opinion in the form of an essay. You can compare two books, analyze a book vs. the movie or even write an author review. Another approach you can take is providing reading tips, how to pick which books to read or even teaching people how to write books if that is something you’ve done (see how to start a teacher blog ). Genre and industry news: Keep your readers updated on the latest literature news and gossip. Did a book just get announced it will be made into a movie? Is an author writing a new sequel to their first successful book? Let your readers know. Personal reading challenges: Participate in book challenges that are happening in your community. You can add memes as well and get others to take on the same challenge. This is a great way to build community. Character roundups: A roundup post consists of a collection of characters, authors or even quotes. Your posts list several of the characters that ultimately can contribute something to your readers. For example, you can do a roundup of the strongest female book characters. Come up with a book rating and review system To be a trustworthy book reviewer that shows authority, it’s important that you have a clear method and system in place for how you rate books. There are several ways and scales to use and you have the freedom to create your own, just make sure to show consistency and transparency. Some things to consider when rating a book are writing style, plot, world building and characters. All of these can be factors to your end review and be aware not to leak any spoilers. If you’re working with a book review platform such as NetGalley, they have a rating system of their own, so make sure to always check rating guidelines with the platform you’re working with. Write your first few blog posts Now comes the fun part, learning how to write a blog post . This crafting process can be broken down into three main steps: Do keyword research: If you want your blog post to rank in search engines, try to target certain phrases in your article, ideally keywords that are often being searched for. You can use sites like Google Keyword Planner , Answer The Public or Ahrefs for help to find highly searched keywords. Come up with a blog post title: Write blog titles that will hook your readers. Small word choices can make a difference on whether someone clicks in your post. Write valuable clear content: Try to have an introduction and use headers and subheaders to break up the body of the post. You can even start with an outline to make it easier to map out your ideas. Keep in mind that there are best practices to follow regarding how long a blog post should be . Lastly, don’t forget to add images with alt text, write your SEO titles, edit and then hit publish. Before you start promoting your blog to a large audience, we recommend already having at least 3-5 blog posts published and living on your website. This will create a better reader experience and best show your expertise. Create an editorial calendar To ensure your writing process is enjoyable and you never feel pressed on time to publish articles, plan out the rest of your month’s posting schedule with an editorial calendar. In section number 6, we brainstormed dozens of blog topics. Now you just plan out when you’d like to publish each type of article in a spreadsheet. You can even add your TBR books to your schedule. The bookish community has certain days dedicated to specific articles and memes. For instance, there is “Top Ten Tuesday,” “Waiting on Wednesday,” and “Thrifty Thursday.” These types of themes can help you post the most relevant articles on their matching days. See this detailed book blog meme directory for more subjects for each day of the week. Lastly, keep in mind that Tuesday is the day most books are published which can be a neat day to post reviews on your blog. 07. Optimize your blog for SEO In order to attract heavy traffic to your book blog, you should aim to show up on search engines through search engine optimization (SEO). Besides writing keyword optimized blog posts, there are a few more SEO tips for bloggers to know about. Wix SEO has several built-in features and an SEO Guide to ensure your blog ranks. But, in a nutshell, aim to follow these best practices: Optimize your website content and metadata descriptions with relevant keywords in strategic placements—including the page title, description and URL. Write-SEO friendly alt text on all the images on your blog and within blog posts. Use internal and external linking from other related articles. Get backlinks to your blog from other trustworthy sources. This will show authority to search engines and likely improve your ranking. 08. Promote your blog A good author wouldn't publish a book and not tell anyone and neither should you. You’ve crafted a masterpiece website and now it's time to promote your blog. Here are the best ways to do so: Share on social media When literature lovers are not reading a book or consuming book blog content, they are likely engaging with the literature community on social media. This is why you should open a social media account under the same blog name and join book groups. We also ecommend you have an Instagram marketing strategy, as the book fans have a large community on the platform with accounts known as “Bookstagrams.” There you can share your blog content and book reviews. Make sure to add your website's URL on your Instagram bio and feel free to mention which book you're currently reading using the abbreviation CR, followed by the book title. Here are some Wix user’s beautiful Bookstagram’s to look at as examples: Eva’s Book Corner Somer Reads Create a blog newsletter Make an effort to get subscribers and use an email marketing tool to send out newsletters, promotions and distribute your content. This will invite readers to come back to your blog for more and sustain a loyal fan base. According to Dor Cohen ,Content Distribution Specialist at Wix.com , "When designing newsletter layouts, prioritize mobile-responsiveness, accessibility standards and a clean, visually appealing format that drives engagement. Balance text and visuals effectively, use proper headings and white space for scannability and ensure your calls-to-action are aligned with your messaging." Join book clubs Whether they are virtual or in-person book clubs, meeting and engaging with other book lovers can help grow your network. Over time, people in your book club will get to know that you're a blogger and likely show interest in coming to your website, reading your content and recommending your blog to others. Write for other blogs Collaborate with other lit bloggers and offer to write a guest blog post that will be published on their site. In your signature, include your name and add a backlink to your blog so people can come to follow you. Overall, writing on other blogs will get you in front of new relevant audiences. Invest in paid ads Dabble with paid marketing and advertising to reach people who do not currently follow your social channels or blog. You can try social media advertising, banner ads, search ads or even YouTube video promos. Participate in book tags and discussion sites An excellent way to reach new people is to go to them instead of waiting for them to come to you. Therefore you should read other book blogs, respond to their book tags and engage with the fans and readers on those blogs. If you can show how insightful you are with your comments and engagement, people might be curious to come to your blog and learn more about you. Host a book blogging event Have you ever been to a book reading aloud that took place in a bookstore or library? You too can host a unique event that will bring book lovers together. There, you can mention your blog and encourage event registration to sign up for your blog newsletter and later send them emails. 09. Make money blogging and monetize your blog When we wrote the title “How to Start a Book Blog,” we added “and Earn Money” for a reason. We’ve seen many users monetize their blog which we believe has made their blogging process even more rewarding at times. If you’re looking to turn your passion project into an additional source of income, consider trying one of these ways to make money blogging : Join an affiliate marketing program. Amazon Associates can be a great place to start since there are a lot of books sold there. Advertise within your blog with a Google AdSense integration. Offer paid subscriptions. Write sponsored content. Sell books, e-books and merchandise on your online store. Provide consulting services. Sell an online course and use Wix Video to produce your content. Consider teaching others how to start a book blog, since by then you’ll be an expert. Write freelance book content for publishers and magazines. Start a podcast . 10. Immerse into the book blogging community It takes a village to raise a child and a lit community to bring book blogs to life. This is why to make the most of your book blog, you should highly engage with bibliophiles. After you start your book blog, attempt to make a weekly effort to read other book blogs, not just to get inspiration but also to show support and connect with other like minded writers. Lastly, follow publishers and authors on social media and join their mailing lists so you stay in the know about upcoming releases and hot industry news. Remember that ultimately, blogging is a beautiful journey, so try to take as many readers on that journey with you. Why should you start a book blog? Here are some reasons why you should start a book blog: To share your love of reading with others. If you're a passionate reader, starting a book blog is a great way to share your love of books with others. You can write about your favorite books, authors and genres and share your thoughts and opinions on what you're reading. To connect with other book lovers. Starting a book blog is a great way to connect with other book lovers from all over the world. You can comment on other blogs, participate in online book clubs and make new friends who share your passion for reading. To improve your writing skills. Blogging is a great way to improve your writing skills. You'll learn how to write concisely and clearly, and you'll also learn how to express your thoughts and ideas in a way that is engaging and interesting to read. To promote authors and books. If you're a fan of a particular author or book, you can use your blog to promote them. You can write reviews, interview authors and share news about upcoming releases. To make money. While most book bloggers don't make a lot of money, there are a few ways to monetize a book blog. You can sell advertising space, partner with authors and publishers on sponsored posts or write and sell eBooks. Of course, the most important reason to start a book blog is because you enjoy it. If you're passionate about reading and writing, then starting a book blog is a great way to share your love of books with others and make new friends. Learn more: How to sell books online Examples of successful book blogs Elle Katherine White Author Elle Katherine White uses her book blog to showcase and sell her self written books - The Heartstone Saga collection. Literature Lust Literature Lust is a thoughtful book blog by Melissa Gouty for readers who crave meaningful stories. Blending personal reflections with deeper themes like friendship, war and memory, it covers everything from historical fiction to hidden gems. Eater of Stories Eater of Stories is a book blog dedicated to reviews, release calendars, book news and commentary—with a focus on both popular reads and hidden gems. With the tagline “The Importance of Being Bookish,” it also covers subscription boxes and bookish products, making it a go-to for readers who love staying in the know. What should a book blog include? Your book blog should include a variety of content that is relevant to your target audience. Some of the things you may want to include are: Book reviews: Write reviews of the books that you have read. Be honest and share your thoughts and opinions on the books. Book recommendations: Recommend books to your readers based on their interests. Author interviews: Interview authors and share the interviews on your blog. Book-related news: Share news and updates about the book world, such as upcoming book releases, literary awards and author events. Book club discussion guides: Create and share discussion guides for popular books. Book-related DIYs: Share DIY projects and crafts related to books, such as how to make a book cover or how to decorate a bookshelf. Book-themed humor: Share book-themed memes, cartoons and other humorous content. In addition to these core topics, you may also want to include other content on your book blog, such as: Personal stories and essays: This is where you share your own personal stories and essays related to books. This is a great way to connect with your readers on a personal level and to share your passion for books. Book-related photography: This is where you share your own book-related photography. This is a great way to visually engage your readers and to share your love of books in a creative way. Bookish lifestyle content: This is where you share content about your bookish lifestyle, such as what you're currently reading, your favorite bookish accessories and your bookish travel experiences. This is a great way to give your readers a glimpse into your life as a book lover. It’s always a good idea to create a blog post checklist to make sure you’ve covered everything before publishing. You can also explore blogging for beginners to jumpstart your blog. Other types of blogs to consider starting How to start a finance blog How to start a real estate blog How to start a gaming blog How to start a health blog How to start a teaching blog How to start a music blog How to start a tech blog How to start a mom blog How to start a sports blog How to start a beauty blog How to start a lifestyle blog How to start a book blog FAQ Is it worth starting a book blog? Whether or not it's worth starting a book blog depends on your goals. If you're looking to make a lot of money quickly, then a book blog may not be the best option for you. However, if you're passionate about reading and you're willing to put in the time and effort to build a successful blog, then it can be a great way to share your love of books with others and even make a living. Is it better to start a blog or write a book? If you're looking to share your thoughts and ideas with a wider audience and build a community around your writing, then starting a blog may be a good option for you. Blogs are also a great way to test out different writing styles and topics. If you're looking to write a longer-form work of fiction or non-fiction, then writing a book may be a better option for you. Books are a great way to create a lasting legacy, establish yourself as an expert in your field and communicate a story or a message. They can also be a source of good income. How often should you post on a book blog? Most book bloggers recommend posting at least once a week, and preferably more often. If you can post two or three times a week, that's even better. Posting regularly will help you to keep your audience engaged and coming back for more. It will also help you to improve your search engine ranking, which will make it easier for new people to find your blog. However, it's better to publish one high-quality blog post per week than to publish three low-quality blog posts per week. Do book bloggers get free books? Yes, book bloggers often get free books from publishers and authors. This is a common way for publishers and authors to promote their books to a wider audience. To get free books, book bloggers can sign up for book review programs offered by publishers and authors. They can also contact publishers and authors directly and ask for review copies of their books. Publishers and authors are more likely to send free books to book bloggers who have a large and engaged audience. Book bloggers who are new or who have a small audience may have to work harder to get free books.
- 12 reselling business ideas to make profits without manufacturing
Your business ideas deserve a website, secure your domain to begin → Reseller businesses offer a dynamic and flexible path to starting a business . Whether you're looking to dip your toes into the world of eCommerce , have a passion for hunting down vintage treasures, or are ready to explore unique niches, reselling could be your ticket to a profitable business venture. It becomes even more powerful when paired with website creation , allowing you to showcase products, reach more customers and build trust online. The reseller business world is vast and diverse, with opportunities ranging from electronics and fashion to collectibles and antiques. But how do you sift through the options and select the reselling business idea that aligns with your interests, skills and profit goals? Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur looking to expand your portfolio or a budding reseller ready to take your first steps, this list of reseller business ideas will provide valuable insights to set you on the path to choosing the right business idea for entrepreneurial success. Got a business idea? Lock down your brand’s domain before someone else does. Wix makes it easy to get your domain, email, hosting and SSL all in one place. Plus you'll get 24/7 support every step of the way. 12 reselling business ideas Explore various profitable reselling business ideas that can help you make money as a reseller. From electronic gadgets to unique vintage items, discover seven smart strategies for building lucrative businesses through reselling without the need for manufacturing. Electronics reselling Wholesale clothing reselling Dropshipping Print on demand Antiques reselling Toy reselling Sports memorabilia reselling Vintage boutique Used books Designer handbags Jewelry reseller Pet supplies 01. Electronics reselling Electronics reselling involves buying electronic devices such as smartphones, laptops and gaming consoles at a lower price. Then refurbishing them and selling them at a profit. Electronics are in consistent demand and consumers frequently upgrade their devices, meaning there’s a lot of second-hand inventory available. Reselling electronics can be a profitable business idea due to the potential for high margins based on their high prices, especially if you can source good condition products at competitive prices. Primarily you’ll need to research reliable suppliers or wholesalers for electronic products to resell. Begin by making a website or listing products on established platforms like eBay or Amazon. Focus on customer trust and satisfaction by offering warranty options and transparent product descriptions. 02. Wholesale clothing reselling Wholesale clothing reselling involves purchasing clothing items in bulk at wholesale prices and reselling them to consumers or retailers at a markup. By buying in bulk, you can take advantage of lower per-unit costs and offer a variety of clothing items to a wide customer base. You’ll need to start by finding clothing wholesalers or suppliers that offer a wide range of products to choose from. Start an online store in order to list and sell your inventory. Learn more: How to start a clothing business , Clothing business ideas 03. Dropshipping Dropshipping involves partnering with suppliers who handle inventory and order fulfillment. You list their products in your online store and they ship items directly to customers when orders are placed. Dropshipping is a low-risk, low-cost way to start an eCommerce business . You don't need to invest in inventory and you can offer a wide range of products without storage costs. You’ll need to choose niche products to focus on selling, research reliable dropshipping suppliers, like Modalyst and then set up a website. Learn more: How to start a dropshipping business , Dropshipping business ideas 04. Print on demand Print on demand involves selling custom-designed products, such as t-shirts , mugs, or posters. When a customer orders, the product is printed and shipped on demand with the design of their choice. Learn more: How to start a print-on-demand business Print-on-demand is a low-risk business model with minimal upfront costs. It allows for creative expression, as you can offer a wide range of custom-designed products to cater to various tastes. To get started you’ll need to set up an online store or choose how to make an eCommerce site with a print-on-demand platform like Printful or Printify . You can then create or buy designs for customers to choose from. You’ll need to decide how to promote and market your print-on-demand business too. 05. Antique reselling Antique and vintage reselling involves sourcing and selling collectible items such as furniture , jewelry , artwork, clothes and decor from past eras. Collectors and enthusiasts are always on the lookout for unique, vintage items. Thrifted items are also considered to be eco-friendly products which can be an added benefit to turning your passion for antiques into a profitable venture. Be inspired: Old Warehouse Antiques has a physical location for his antique reselling business. Or I can tell by the moon sells antique clothing online. In order to get started you’ll need to research antiques and vintage markets, attend auctions, estate sales and thrift stores to source products. Create a business website in order to showcase and sell your antiques. Learn more: How to sell vintage clothing 06. Toy reselling Toy reselling involves buying and reselling collectible toys, action figures and vintage toys. This business caters to collectors, hobbyists and parents looking for rare or discontinued toys. Collectible toys often appreciate value, making them attractive to enthusiasts and investors. It's a niche with a dedicated customer base. How to get started with this reselling business idea? Learn about popular toy brands, attend toy conventions and source products from different channels. You’ll need to create a website in order to display your inventory, promote it and sell your toys online . 07. Sports memorabilia reselling This type of business involves buying and selling items related to sports, including autographed memorabilia, vintage sports cards and collectible sports equipment. Learn more: How to start a sports card business Sports memorabilia has a dedicated fan base and collectors are willing to invest in rare and valuable items meaning this niche can yield significant profits. In order to start this reselling business idea you’ll need to familiarize yourself with sports memorabilia and the authentication process - making sure you’re buying genuine memorabilia. Attend sports events, auctions and connect with collectors. Create an online store or list items on specialized sports memorabilia platforms. 08. Vintage Boutique Hunt for timeless fashion pieces at thrift stores, estate sales and online marketplaces, then resell them to fashion lovers who want unique styles. Y2K, 90s streetwear and designer vintage are always popular, and with a good eye, thrift finds can turn into great sales. Style your pieces, snap great photos and sell them on your website to build a brand fashion lovers trust. Authenticity matters so it’s important to spot real designer labels and quality craftsmanship. A little TLC like fixing loose buttons or upcycling a faded jacket can add value. Bundle similar items, create themed collections and share styling tips to keep customers coming back. 09. Used Books Books never go out of style and demand for them is always strong. Hit up library sales, garage sales and secondhand shops to find hidden gems like first editions, signed copies, rare out-of-print books or even textbooks that can sell for big bucks online. List them on platforms like eBay, Amazon or your own site and watch book lovers snatch them up. A little effort in presentation can turn a simple book sale into a storytelling experience. Clean up dusty covers, peel off price stickers and organize books into themes like "Classic Mystery Sets" or "Essential Business Reads." Looking to scale? Source books in bulk, use fulfillment services or even turn rare finds into digital eBooks for extra income. Learn more: How to sell books online 10. Designer Handbags Turn selling designer bags into a storytelling experience. Share the journey of each piece—from high-end brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Gucci discovered at consignment stores, estate sales or closet cleanouts. Highlight the thrill of authenticating details like stitching, hardware and serial numbers, bringing each bag’s story to life. Take time to present them beautifully—polish, photograph and emphasize their unique features. Offering payment plans can make these luxury items more accessible, helping customers achieve their dream bag while boosting your sales. 11. Jewelry Reseller People love unique jewelry with a story, and estate sales, online auctions and flea markets are perfect spots to find hidden gems you can clean up and sell for a profit. Always share details about materials, brand names and gemstone quality. Offering certifications for valuable pieces builds trust and credibility. Take clear high-quality photos—customers want to see every sparkle and detail before they buy. Create themed collections, share styling tips and offer services like resizing or cleaning to keep customers coming back. 12. Pet Supplies Pet lovers love to spoil their furry friends, making this a great reselling niche. Think stylish pet outfits, cozy beds, organic treats and durable toys—these are all top sellers. Source wholesale, flip barely-used high-end items or collaborate with pet influencers to drive sales. Quality and safety are key so stick to trusted brands and well-made products. Help pet parents by providing detailed size guides, care tips and cute product photos. Want to stand out? Try offering bundles like matching collar and leash sets or a pet bed and toy combo and watch them fly off the shelves. Where to source your products Finding the right products is key to a successful reselling business. Consider options like wholesale suppliers, clearance sales, thrift stores and online marketplaces and even local garage sales. Each source offers unique advantages depending on your niche, whether it’s electronics, vintage fashion or collectibles. Where to sell your products Leverage both online and offline channels to reach customers. Platforms like eBay, Etsy, Amazon and social media marketplaces make it easy to reach a broad audience, while your own website creation can boost brand credibility and give you full control over your store. For in-person sales, local markets, pop-up shops and specialty fairs are excellent ways to connect directly with customers. Combining multiple selling channels can maximize profits and help your reselling business stand out. Expert tip from Idan Cohen SEO Growth Specialist at Wix "A strong online presence is essential for small businesses. It enables reaching diverse audiences beyond geographical boundaries, enhancing brand recognition and opening up new revenue streams. Embracing digital platforms levels the playing field, allowing small businesses to compete more effectively in a competitive marketplace." Reselling business ideas FAQ What are some of the advantages of a reseller business? Reselling businesses offers several advantages, including lower startup costs, flexibility and the potential for high-profit margins. Is it necessary to have a physical store for my reselling business idea? You can choose to operate online, through a physical store, or a combination of both, depending on your business model and target audience. Many reselling businesses today thrive exclusively through eCommerce platforms . Learn more about how to make a website to sell online. What are some key factors to consider when determining pricing for my reseller business? Factors to consider include your acquisition cost, market demand, competitors' prices and the perceived value of the product amongst potential buyers. It's crucial to set a price that allows for a profit while still remaining competitive. Getting this right is what makes a successful reseller business. How do I differentiate my reselling business idea from competitors? How can you distinguish your reselling business from competitors? To distinguish your reselling business, focus on unique products, exceptional customer service, a strong brand identity and staying updated with market trends. These strategies will set you apart from competitors and attract customers to your business. Is a reselling business profitable? Yes, a reselling business can be profitable because it allows you to sell existing products without the costs and risks of manufacturing. By sourcing in-demand items at low prices and reselling them through online marketplaces, social media or your own website, you can achieve solid profit margins with minimal upfront investment. Success depends on choosing the right niche, managing sourcing and pricing carefully and using effective sales channels, making reselling a scalable and beginner-friendly business model.
- Is Wix a CMS? Everything you need to know before building a website
Turn your ideas into a website you love with Wix → Yes, Wix is a CMS, but it’s more than th at. If you’re creating a website or just starting to explore the digital world, you’ve probably come across this question. It’s a fair one, especially with the term “CMS” used so broadly online. You might already be familiar with other content management systems , and now you’re wondering whether Wix offers what you need. Wix goes beyond simply helping you manage website content. It gives creators of all skill levels intuitive tools, flexible design options and dynamic functionality, while removing much of the complexity that traditionally comes with content management. If you’re learning how to start a website , Wix m akes the process feel accessible rather than overwhelming. Below, we’ll break down what a CMS is, how Wix qualifies and why its approach to content management could be the right fit for your site. Building a website for your business, passion project or side hustle should be easy and exciting. With Wix, you can design, customize and launch a professional website in minutes. Everything about Wix is built to simplify the process so you can focus on what really matters: bringing your ideas to life. Ready to make it happen? Start creating the website you’ve always envisioned today. What is a CMS? At its core, a content management system ( CMS ) is a platform that allows you to store, organize and display large amounts of content on your website without needing to write tons of custom code. This means you can centralize your text, images, videos or other assets in one place, commonly in a database, and dynamically pull that content into different parts of your site. A CMS eliminates direct interaction with back-end systems like databases. By connecting structured content to custom web page designs , users can create dynamic pages or populate website sections automatically, saving time and effort. For many creators, a CMS is also a tool for scalability. If you’re building an online blog , managing eCommerce inventory or building a portfolio with hundreds of entries, a CMS helps ensure everything stays organized and easy to update. Wix supports up to 10 million CMS items on top-tier premium plans, making it suitable for high-growth websites and content-heavy, database-driven web applications. How does Wix fit as a CMS? While Wix is widely recognized as an all-in-one website builder, it also incorporates a robust CMS, making it a strong contender in the website builder vs CMS debate. With Wix, you get more than drag-and-drop design, you gain a system designed to manage your site’s content efficiently and dynamically. Here’s how Wix stands out in the CMS game: Dynamic pages for limitless content CMS collections for content management Seamless integration with design elements Empowers visitors to submit content A focus on SEO for dynamic pages AI assistance and preset collections 01. Dynamic pages for limitless content One of the features that clearly positions Wix as a top-tier CMS is its dynamic pages. You can create a single layout for a page type, such as a product listing or blog post, and populate it with unique content from a CMS collection (Wix’s term for a database or structured content source). For example, imagine running a real estate website. Instead of manually crafting hundreds of listing pages, Wix allows you to create a “template” dynamic page that automatically pulls the dynamic content , like location, price and photos, from your CMS collection. This not only saves time, but also ensures that all your pages maintain a cohesive, professional design. Dynamic pages also extend your site’s functionality far beyond the limit of Wix’s standard 100 static pages. When comparing a static vs dynamic website , dynamic pages powered by a CMS have virtually no cap on the number of items or pages you can manage. 02. CMS collections for content management At the heart of Wix’s CMS is the concept of collections. Think of these as mini-databases where you store text, images, videos or other structured data. These collections allow you to manage content separate from the design of your website. Whether you’re starting a business , running a bakery and listing all your cakes or creating an online gallery of artist portfolios, collections in Wix simplify the process of managing and updating content. You can even import and export entire collections in CSV format to transition between tools or platforms effortlessly. From improved collaboration via folder organization to fine-tuned user permissions that determine who can edit these collections, Wix collections are built to streamline content workflows for individuals or teams. 03. Seamless integration with design elements A major selling point of Wix as a CMS is its integration between content and web design . Through its intuitive interface, you can connect elements like tables, photo galleries or repeaters directly to CMS collections. This functionality ensures that when you update content in your database, it reflects across your entire site without breaking individual pages. Even better, Wix allows advanced filtering and sorting options. You decide what information is displayed, the order it appears in and any visual adjustments. This level of control means your site remains polished and relevant, without extra design work every time something changes. Learn more: What is CMS in web design What is web design? 04. Empowers visitors to submit content Wix’s CMS takes interactivity up a notch by letting you collect and store user-generated content. Whether it’s site visitors filling in custom forms to provide feedback, upload files or sign up for events, their input is stored in collections. You’ll maintain control with options like setting permissions to determine who can view, add or edit content within collections. Additionally, interactive features, think filters, custom navigation or clickable buttons linked to datasets, boost engagement and streamline website navigation for your audience. 05. A focus on SEO for dynamic pages Search engine optimization (SEO) is often a critical concern for CMS users, and Wix doesn’t leave this aspect to chance. Wix allows you to customize SEO settings for dynamic pages with ease. Each entry in a CMS collection can generate its own unique URL structure, meta title, description and more. For example, if you run an online store , you can ensure every product gets its own individualized SEO settings, so search engines like Google recognize them as separate entities to be indexed. This visibility can significantly drive traffic to your site. 06. AI assistance and preset collections Not sure where to start? Wix offers preset collections and AI-based tools to speed up the creation process. Presets provide templates for common use cases, such as blogs, online portfolios or product galleries. With just a few clicks, you’ll have a pre-configured dynamic page setup, complete with sample data, to get the ball rolling. You can also use AI to create a CMS collection from scratch, just specify its name and type, and the system builds it for you. What makes Wix unique as a CMS Wix’s true strength as a CMS lies in its accessibility. While traditional CMS platforms often require technical know-how, or dedicated IT support, Wix democratizes content management. Its visual-first approach, user-friendly tools and built-in scalability allow creators to focus on crafting experiences rather than managing complex backends. And it’s not just for beginners; creators with advanced needs won’t feel limited either. Between permissions, robust integrations with Wix apps and advanced features like live/sandbox testing environments, Wix bridges the gap between simplicity and power. Is Wix a CMS FAQ How does Wix's CMS work? Wix uses collections to store content like text, images and videos. These collections can then be connected to website elements, such as galleries or tables, creating dynamic pages that automatically update from the stored data. This setup makes managing large amounts of content much more streamlined. Can Wix handle dynamic pages? Yes. Wix lets you create dynamic pages that share a common layout and pull unique information from collections. For instance, you can easily manage an online store with hundreds of product pages without designing each individually. How do I manage content in Wix CMS collections? Wix collections organize your content in a database-like structure. You can edit the content directly, sort and filter fields, import or export CSV files and set permissions to control who can access or edit your collections. Does Wix limit the number of pages I can create with its CMS? While Wix limits static pages to 100, you can create unlimited dynamic pages using its CMS. Dynamic pages pull data from collections, so they allow for much greater scalability. Does Wix support SEO for CMS content? Absolutely. Wix allows you to customize SEO settings for dynamic pages, including individual meta titles, descriptions and URLs based on collection data. This ensures your pages are optimized for search engines and can drive more traffic to your site. Who is Wix CMS suitable for? Wix CMS is built for everyone—from beginners to experienced website managers. It’s flexible enough for small projects like portfolios or blogs and powerful enough for more complex setups like online directories, event listings or real estate websites. Can I collect user input with Wix CMS? Yes, you can collect user input like form submissions or file uploads and store it directly in your CMS collections. This makes it ideal for gathering data like customer feedback, event signups or product inquiries. Is Wix CMS beginner-friendly? Definitely. Wix CMS simplifies content management with intuitive tools, drag-and-drop functionality and presets to help beginners get started quickly. Even advanced features like dynamic pages or integrations are accessible without a steep learning curve. What advanced features does Wix CMS offer for larger projects? Wix CMS includes features like advanced user permissions, sandbox testing environments and CSV import/export for efficient content management. It also integrates seamlessly with other Wix apps, expanding your website’s capabilities. Can I try Wix CMS before committing to a plan? Yes, Wix allows you to explore its CMS features within its free plan, though certain capabilities, like connecting a custom domain, may require an upgrade.
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