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Get  free website hosting  from Wix today → The two most popular hosting types are cloud hosting and shared hosting. But what’s the difference between the two, and which one is right for you when making your website? If you’re exploring options like free website hosting , understanding how these hosting types work can help you make the right call. Shared hosting places multiple websites on a single server, which keeps costs low but can lead to slower performance when traffic spikes. Cloud hosting runs your site across a network of servers, giving you better speed, reliability and the ability to scale as your site grows. That’s why the type of hosting you choose is so important when you create a website . Learn more: How to open 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: cloud hosting vs. shared hosting This guide walks you through how cloud hosting compares to shared hosting and when each option makes sense as your site grows. Shared hosting is a cost-effective setup where multiple websites share one server, making it a practical choice for personal sites or low-traffic projects. Cloud hosting runs your site across multiple servers, delivering faster performance, stronger security and higher reliability as demand increases. Hosting type Pros Cons Shared hosting Affordable and easy to get started with, beginner-friendly, hosting maintenance is managed Performance can slow during traffic spikes, limited scalability, higher security risk due to shared resources Cloud hosting Scales easily as traffic grows, strong uptime and reliability, better security, handles traffic spikes smoothly Typically costs more than shared hosting, may feel more complex to manage Learn more: Does Wix host websites?  and How to make a Wix website What is web hosting? Web hosting refers to the storage and delivery of all the things that make your website unique, including your text, images and videos. Just like every house needs a foundation, every website needs to live on a server. When you click on a link or type in a URL, your web browser sends a request to that server, which then retrieves the website and sends it to your device. There are about 200 million active websites worldwide , and each one of them relies on some type of hosted services . So, it’s no surprise that the global market size for web hosting is expected to grow to a whopping $395.84 billion by 2030 . Within that market are several options, including cloud hosting and shared hosting. Learn more: does Wix provide email hosting? What is cloud hosting? Cloud hosting leverages all of the on-demand benefits of cloud computing. In this model, your website’s resources are hosted on a network of multiple virtual servers that run from the cloud. If one server goes down, the other servers pick up the slack without missing a beat. This reduces the chance of website failure and allows users to access your website from anywhere in the world. Because it’s a dependable model of web hosting, cloud hosting is the fastest-growing approach, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 18% per year . What’s more, many top providers have raised the game by entering into multi-cloud hosting agreements, allowing them to host websites across multiple large cloud networks. Wix, for example, provides multi-cloud hosting through a combination of Amazon Web Services , Google Cloud and its own servers. What is shared hosting? With shared hosting, your website’s resources are hosted on a single physical server. It’s called “shared” because multiple websites borrow bandwidth, CPU, RAM and storage from that same server. The primary reason people choose shared hosting is because it’s often cheaper than cloud hosting. However, it’s also less reliable and may create performance issues. 7 ways to compare cloud hosting vs. shared hosting What’s the difference between cloud hosting and shared hosting? The best way to compare the two is to examine their pros and cons across each of these categories: Scalability Resources Performance Security Customization and flexibility Reliability and uptime Cost 01. Scalability Let’s say you launch a travel website. You know that you’ll experience web traffic surges during holiday seasons. So, you want to be sure that your server can handle the extra load. Shared hosting is limited in its ability to meet these types of high traffic demands. Because multiple websites share bandwidth on the same physical server, there’s only so much to go around. When it runs low—or runs out—it can result in a slow-loading website or even cause a website crash. By contrast, cloud hosting pools the resources of multiple servers, which means you can scale up to meet high traffic demands or scale down as traffic decreases. This also gives you the ability to easily grow your online business. If you’re an eCommerce merchant, for example, and one of your products goes viral, your website can manage the boost in traffic so you can drive more sales and maximize your profits. 02. Resources Both cloud hosting and shared hosting are designed to keep your website up and running. But the way they handle resources like CPU, RAM, storage and bandwidth can make a big difference—especially as your site grows or sees more traffic. With shared hosting, your website runs on the same physical server as many others. You’re sharing essential resources like CPU power, RAM, storage and bandwidth. The downside? If another site on the server gets a traffic spike or uses too many resources, your site can slow down—or even go offline. Also, shared hosting often comes with lower limits on storage and bandwidth, which can hold your site back as it scales. Cloud hosting works differently. Instead of relying on a single server, it pulls resources from a network of servers. This setup gives your website access to more CPU, RAM and bandwidth as needed. So when traffic surges, your site keeps running smoothly. You also get more room to grow, with scalable storage and better uptime. And with most cloud hosting providers, including Wix, you benefit from built-in support and advanced tools that make it easier to manage your site. 03. Performance According to recent research, 53% of website visits are abandoned when a mobile site takes three seconds or longer to load. That’s why it’s so important to ensure optimum website performance , especially if your online presence is your business. With shared hosting, your compute power and bandwidth are limited by how many other websites are using your physical server at the same time. If other sites are consuming too many of those resources, your site’s load time will lag. However, cloud hosting is designed specifically to help accelerate website load page times. Because your site’s resources can live on multiple servers in different geographies, cloud hosting lets a user connect with a server located in the same region as they are. This creates faster speed and a better user experience. If you have a website now and want to know how to measure its current performance, use this bandwidth calculator to find the answer. 04. Security Website security is one of the most crucial factors when comparing cloud hosting vs. shared hosting. While no hosting company can promise total protection for your website, any vendor you choose should offer you a robust set of cybersecurity tools. Things like firewalls, login security and SSL certificates are table stakes for any hosting provider, cloud or shared. Ask vendors about their protection against Distributed Denial of Service ( DDoS ) attacks. If you plan to accept payments on your site, choose Payment Card Industry (PCI)-compliant vendors to keep your customers’ credit card and financial information secure. If you choose shared hosting, know that any security vulnerabilities are also shared. So, if one website on your server gets attacked, it can lead to attacks against every site that uses the same server, including yours. And once a bad actor has access to that server, they’ll have it for as long as it takes for your hosting company to find the root cause of the breach. That’s why it’s so important to ask the right questions about cybersecurity before choosing a web hosting provider. By contrast, when you choose cloud hosting from a provider like Wix, you benefit from enterprise-grade security, including around-the-clock monitoring and rapid response. Wix also meets all PCI Data Security standards. 05. Customization and flexibility When you learning how to make a website for the first time, you may be okay with the package your hosting vendor offers. But as you grow your business and expand your technical skills, you may choose to customize your experience to your unique needs. Consider all of the best web hosting options before committing. With shared hosting, this can be difficult. You’ll likely have a control panel where you can choose different settings. But if you want to make larger changes, such as switching to a different content management system or adding storage capacity, you will be limited to the tools your vendor allows you to use. Cloud hosting offers far more flexibility and customization. You can easily change control panel options, upgrade your RAM or even swap out operating systems. This will enhance your ability to create a one-of-a-kind website that wows your audience. 06. Reliability and uptime Both cloud hosting and shared hosting claim to offer exceptional levels of uptime. But is that the reality? Shared hosting providers may struggle to deliver on this promise for one simple reason: if the physical server that hosts your website goes down, your site will fail, and your users will receive that dreaded 404 error. In addition, if other websites on the same server experience high traffic and/or utilize excessive resources, it can impact the performance of your site. This is rarely a concern with cloud hosting. Because your website is supported by multiple servers, there is no single point of failure. That means your site will stay live even if one or two servers fail simultaneously. For these reasons, cloud hosting providers like Wix can guarantee 99.99% uptime, the highest available. And for this reason, cloud hosting is a more reliable option. 07. Cost One of the biggest benefits of shared hosting is its relatively inexpensive web hosting costs . Most shared hosting providers offer monthly plans. One estimate shows that entry-level tiers start around $2.51 per month, with mid-tier options averaging $4.62 per month. With cloud hosting, you only pay for the resources you use. And while it has traditionally been considered more expensive than shared hosting, cloud hosting is starting to become more affordable. Wix, for example, offers free cloud hosting for every website you create, including 500MB of free cloud storage. If you go beyond the storage requirements, you can upgrade to a premium plan and add as much as 50GB of cloud storage depending on your needs. Feature Shared hosting Cloud hosting Scalability Limited—scaling requires moving to a new plan or host. Highly scalable—resources adjust automatically based on demand. Resources Shares CPU, RAM, storage and bandwidth with other websites on the same server. Draws on CPU, RAM, storage and bandwidth from a network of servers. Performance Can slow down if other sites on the server use too many resources. Consistent performance, even during traffic spikes. Security Basic security features, but risks increase if another site on the server is compromised. Enhanced security with isolated resources, advanced protocols and redundancy. Customization and flexibility Limited — server settings and software options are restricted by the host. Greater control over server configurations, software stacks and resources. Reliability and uptime Dependent on a single server — if it goes down, so does your site. High uptime and redundancy — if one server fails, another takes over instantly. Cost Typically lower upfront costs, good for smaller budgets. Generally higher cost, but reflects better reliability and flexibility. Suitable for Personal sites, portfolios or early-stage projects with low traffic. Business websites, online stores or sites with growing or unpredictable traffic. How do you know whether you need shared hosting vs. cloud hosting? Now that you know how much your website’s overall success depends upon choosing the right hosting provider, it’s time to analyze which one will work best for you. Below are four steps to help you make the right choice. Analyze your website’s needs Consider how much traffic you expect your website to generate, both at startup and into the future. If you’re building an online business in an area of interest that experiences natural surges in traffic, such as eCommerce or travel, then cloud hosting may be best for you. The same is true if you expect to grow your website’s audience over the long haul. Also, if you want your website to reach an international audience, cloud hosting is a smart choice. If you’re planning a personal website (such as a blog) and expect only limited traffic, shared hosting might be a wise option. Consider your budget Set the amount you want to spend on hosting, and then search for the best hosting solution that fits your budget. While shared hosting is traditionally less expensive, you may find that cloud hosting is more economical over the long haul. Look for the best provider Don’t simply pick the first hosting provider who you find online. Do your research. Check software comparison sites and read the user comments. Watch for any reviews that mention problems you’d want to avoid, such as downtime or other performance issues. Take a demo Most hosting services will let you try before you buy, which is the best way to know if a provider’s services will work for you. With Wix, you can sign up and create a website for free. You only need to pay if you choose to upgrade to a premium plan. If you walk through these four steps and still have questions about website hosting, this four-step guide will show you how to host a website . The bottom line You can build a beautiful website in just a few hours, but you’ll also want to make sure that the site you build will last for the long haul. Choosing the right website hosting provider will give you the reliability, scalability and flexibility you’ll need so launch your website and grow it with confidence.

Get  free website hosting  from Wix today → The best website hosting providers give your site the speed, security and reliability it needs to run smoothly. And with a platform like Wix, you get free web hosting  when you create your website using the  website builder  or AI website builder . Finding the right website hosting provider can feel overwhelming, with so many options available for different budgets and needs. This guide will walk you through what to look for in a hosting provider, highlight some of the best website hosting providers and share tips on how to build a website from scratch . 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: best website hosting providers This guide will walk you through what to look for in the best website hosting providers, from uptime and loading speed to security, support and pricing. It explains how different hosting features impact performance, reliability and scalability as your site grows. You’ll also learn how to choose a hosting solution that fits your goals, technical comfort level and budget so you can launch and manage your website with confidence. The table below provides a quick website hosting comparison for the providers we’ll cover in the next section. Provider Free plan Starting price (per month) Key features Wix Yes Free plan available; paid plans starting at $17/month. Free hosting, free global CDN, built-in HTTPS and SSL, eCommerce hosting SiteGround No $2.99/month Free SSL, daily backups, site builder, 24/7 monitoring Hostinger No $12.99/month CDN with some plans, LiteSpeed Cache, 24/7 live chat support DreamHost No $2.89/month SSD storage, automated backups InMotion Hosting No $4.99/month NVMe SSD storage available, DDoS protection, 24/7 live support Editor's note: The information presented in this article is true as of January 14th, 2026, unless mentioned otherwise. Learn more: Does Wix host websites? Best website hosting providers Wix SiteGround Hostinger DreamHost InMotion Hosting 01. Wix Wix easily earns o ur top spot as one of the best website hosting providers. When you create a website with Wix, you get scalable multi-cloud web hosting with an uptime of 99.99% and global CDN infrastructure. That means your site stays live even during traffic spikes and your web content gets delivered fast to visitors accessing your website from anywhere.  On the security side, Wix offers built-in protections like HTTPS, automatic SSL, anti-DDoS measures, caching and round-the-clock monitoring. If you experience any challenges, a dedicated on-call incident response team is ready to jump in and help. On top of free website hosting, Wix also offers: Site History for automatic backups Drag-and-drop website builder Integrated Wix analytics eCommerce hosting  capabilities Website templates  tailored for different niches Pricing:  Free plan available. Paid plans start at $17/month. Learn more: How to host a website for free 02. SiteGround SiteGround is a reliable web hosting provider that helps you build a strong online presence. It offers different hosting options, such as WordPress, eCommerce, cloud and reseller hosting, as well as professional templates.  The web host has an uptime of 99.99%, which allows your website to remain accessible. Built-in caching, SSD storage and a free CDN also keep load times fast. Security is a top priority for SiteGround. It provides free SSL certificates, daily backups, DDoS protection and 24/7 monitoring to protect against cyber threats. Pricing:  No free plan. Paid plans start at $2.99/month. 03. Hostinger Hostinger is an affordable website hosting provider whose options include web, WordPress, cloud and eCommerce plans. The web host offers a 99.9 % uptime guarantee, a site builder, pre-built templates and LiteSpeed Cache for quick load times. Higher-tier plans also get free CDN and NVMe storage. Security features include free SSL certificates, standard DDoS protection and daily and weekly backups to protect your data. You also get access to 24/7 expert support through live chat and email. Pricing:  No free plan. Paid plans start at $12.99/month. 04. DreamHost DreamHost is a reliable web hosting service that offers various hosting options, including managed WordPress, VPS, shared and online store plans.  The provider offers an uptime guarantee of 100%, with SSD storage and optimized servers for quick load times. On the security front, you get free SSL certificates, constant monitoring and automated backups. You can quickly put your site together with the AI website builder and templates. Plus, the customer support team is available 24/7 through live chat and email.   Pricing:  No free plan. Paid plans start at $2.89/month. 05. InMotion Hosting InMotion Hosting offers 99.99% uptime and multiple data centers. You can pick from various web hosting plans, such as VPS hosting, shared hosting and dedicated servers.  Security features include free SSL, automatic backups and protection against hacking, malware and DDoS. Customer support is also available 24/7 through live chat. Some plans also feature advanced caching for quick load times, NVMe SSD storage and phone support. No matter which plans you choose, you get access to the BoldGrid website builder and customizable templates. Pricing:  No free plan. Paid plans start at $4.99/month. Editor's note: The information presented in this article is true as of January 14th, 2026, unless mentioned otherwise. What to look for in a hosting provider Some of the key features to look for in a web hosting provider include: Uptime :  a hosting provider's uptime percentage reflects how often your website is accessible to users. The closer it is to 100%, the better. That way, you won't lose potential customers or sales because of preventable downtime. Loading speed:  a slow-loading site can frustrate visitors and increase bounce rates, which can hurt your search engine optimization (SEO) performance. A good hosting service will offer features like optimized servers,  lazy loading  and a content delivery network (CDN) to keep your site quick and responsive. Learn more:  What is CDN ? Helpful customer service:  when something goes wrong, you want a support team that will help you solve the issue quickly. The best hosting providers offer 24/7 support through chat, email or phone. Website security :  look for hosting plans that include  SSL  certificates, regular backups and malware scanning to protect your data and keep your website safe from cyber-attacks.  Check out our article on the  best SSL certificate providers to buy from . Pricing:  the cheapest plans may lack critical elements like robust security or responsive support, which migh t compromise your website. Look for plans that balance affordability with quality. Flexible pricing tiers can help you start small and upgrade as your site grows. Types of hosting solutions SaaS  solutions like Wix offer many types of hosting. Some of the most common are: Shared hosting Shared hosting is the most common and most affordable web hosting option. In this setup, your website shares server space and resources, like storage, bandwidth and processing power, with other websites. T his makes it perfect for personal blogs and small websites. Learn more:   What is web hosting ? How to host a website VPS hosting Virtual private server (VPS) hosting divides a server into multiple virtual servers. That way, you get dedicated resources while still sharing the physical server with other websites. VPS hosting is ideal for growing businesses that need more performance and scalability  than what shared hosting can offer but aren’t ready for a dedicated server. Dedicated hosting With a dedicated hosting plan, you get an entire physical server exclusively for your website. As a result, it's ideal for large-scale websites or applications that handle high traffic or require top-tier security and customization. While it’s the most expensive option, the benefits in terms of website performance  and site reliability  can be well worth the investment. Cloud hosting Cloud hosting  services work the same way as other web hosting options that house your site on a physical server. The only difference is that your website is hosted on a virtual server. Learn more:   Cloud hosting vs shared hosting Best cloud storage Managed hosting Managed hosting  simply m eans the hosting provider handles server maintenance, updates, security and backups, so you can focus on running your website. "What often gets forgotten when talking about choosing a website builder is the capabilities of the infrastructure that’s promised to you—the reliability of the hosting, the level of security in place to protect your visitors’ data and, of course, your site's speed. Even if infrastructure is not the first thought that comes to mind when creating a website, if it’s not robust enough, it can cause major headaches for website owners when trying to scale a website later on." - Esin D. Habif, product marketing lead (outbound) at Wix How to choose the best website hosting provider for your needs Follow these steps to choose the best website hosting provider for your business or personal site: Identify the type of website  you want to host:  a simple blog might thrive on shared hosting, but an online store may require VPS or dedicated hosting for better performance and security. Determine your budget:   web hosting costs  can vary widely. Look for an affordable plan that offers solid uptime, responsive customer support and essential tools. Check for scalability options:  as your website grows, so will its demands. Look for hosting providers that can help you upgrade your storage and bandwidth—or even switch to a more robust hosting type. Assess if your website needs additional features:  for example, if your website handles sensitive data or requires secure remote access, a virtual private network ( VPN ) might be worth considering. Learn more: does Wix provide email hosting? How to launch your website Here’s a brief website launch checklist  you can use to get your site up and running in no time: 01. Find the perfect domain name Your domain name  is your website’s online address. It should match your brand and be easy to remember. You can use a domain name generator  to get creative suggestions and perform a domain name search  to make sure the name you like is available. After that, pick a web hosting service. Learn more:   What is a domain name ? Domain hosting vs web hosting IP address 02. Create a mobile-friendly website According to a 2024 study by DataReportal, 93.7% of people  age 16 and older use smartphones to browse the internet. So, choose a responsive design that automatically adjusts your web pages  to different screen sizes. Also, make sure your site is accessible to everyone. That means clear menus, alt text for images and proper color contrast to improve the user experience. Learn more: How to make a website mobile-friendly How to make a website accessible 03. Monitor your website performance Once your website is live, the work isn’t over. Monitor its performance regularly with tools like GTmetrix or Pingdom to identify and resolve issues before they impact visitors.  Best website hosting providers FAQ What is the best company to host your website? Wix is a top choice for hosting websites, offering reliable hosting and intuitive website building tools in one package. Hosting is included automatically when you create your site, so there’s no need for third-party services or extra costs. What are uptime guarantees and why do they matter? Uptime guarantees indicate the percentage of time a web hosting provider promises your website will be accessible online. Higher uptime, ideally 99.9% or more, means fewer interruptions, keeping your site available to visitors, protecting revenue and maintaining trust in your business.

Get  free website hosting  from Wix today → The best website hosting services help your site run smoothly, load quickly and stay secure, giving you a solid foundation for growth. Choosing the right provider means finding the features, performance and support that match your website’s needs. This guide will walk you through the best website hosting services, highlighting their key features, reliability and what makes each one a strong choice for your website. Create a website with Wix. 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: best website hosting services Choosing the right website hosting service comes down to matching your needs, features and budget. This guide compares popular web hosting platforms, highlighting what each does best, from fully managed, all-in-one solutions to flexible, developer-focused hosts. You’ll also learn what web hosting is, how it works, the different types of hosting available and which features matter most for small businesses, like reliability, scalability, ease of use and support. The goal: help you pick a hosting solution that can support your site now and grow with you over time. Factor What to look for Performance Fast server response times, quick load speeds and high uptime (99.9% or higher). Support Responsive, knowledgeable customer service, especially important if you’re not very technical. Scalability Flexible plans that allow you to upgrade resources as your website grows. Ease of use Intuitive dashboards or built-in website builders that make site management simple. Security Essential protections such as SSL certificates, regular backups and malware scanning. Learn more: What is web hosting? Does Wix provide email hosting? How to host a website How to host a website for free Best website hosting services Here’s our list of web hosting platforms for your website both now and as it scales: Wix.com BlueHost HostGator GoDaddy Kinsta InMotion Hosting Hostinger Interserver DreamHost Hosting.com SiteGround 01. Wix.com Wix offers multi-cloud web hosting when you create a site. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking into how to start a website for your small business, professional agency or enterprise, Wix has both the website builder and the reliable hosting to get any site up and running. With multi-cloud hosting utilizing AWS, Google Cloud—complete with Wix’s private data centers—and a network of Fastly CDN’s, Wix hosting is reliable and hassle-free. With this in mind, let’s take a closer look at what makes it’s infrastructure and its hosted services really stand out. Reliability: There’s no 100% guarantee when it comes to this, but 99.99% uptime comes pretty close. With its international infrastructure, including over 200 CDN nodes located around the world, Wix’s hosting delivers global coverage. The reliable hosting service you'll get with your Wix site delivers the type of infrastructure that leaves you free to focus on learning how to start a business , and then managing it, rather than your hosting. High resilience : Outages happen, servers go down, but what makes the difference is how fast and effectively your web hosting platform responds. Wix’s War Room, yes we love that name too, works 24/7 handling outages or attacks. This means they preempt issues before they can even impact your site. In the event something should happen, they deploy swiftly to get your site back up again. Hassle-free : With Wix features , free web hosting is hands off from your side. From security monitoring, to preventing web server downtime, to connecting your SSL certificate—Wix takes care of it all, so you don’t have to expend valuable time and resources. Since you already know your Wix website is securely hosted, you can focus on your business needs. For example, connect your own custom registered domain name and personalized business email address to streamline communication and day-to-day operations, or create a simple RSS feed for your blog. It's a complete managed hosting solution. Highlight:  With secure and reliable multi-cloud web hosting an integral part of its website builder, Wix is one of the best all-round web platforms for business out there. Price : Free plans available; paid plans start at $17/month. Bandwidth : Unlimited Storage : 2 GB to unlimited Learn more: Does Wix host websites? Check out this list of best business websites  to get you started with your inspiration. 02. Bluehost Bluehost is a website hosting platform that offers an assortment of plans for a range of needs. Its plans are broken down into web, cloud, VPS (virtual private server) and dedicated hosting plans. While a majority of small business websites will fall into the web hosting option, Bluehost offers flexibility for larger-scale websites. From a simple site to an advanced, demanding corporate website, there’s a plan for everyone. This is a host that also integrates with WordPress, so you can choose from dedicated plans for that platform as well. However, with such a range of plans available, it can make it an overwhelming choice, especially if you’re new to the world of hosting. Highlight : The flexibility of Bluehost’s hosting plans makes them a trusted web hosting platform for small business. Price : Starts at $4.99/month. Bandwidth : Unmetered for shared hosting Storage : 10 GB to 100 GB 03. HostGator HostGator is a name that’s been in the website hosting game for a very long time. Not only does it offer web, VPS and dedicated hosting similar to Bluehost above, but it also has hosting plans for eCommerce, reseller and WordPress hosting. One benefit that you’ll get with HostGator is that even the basic plans offer unmetered storage and bandwidth—which makes the future scalability of your site one less thing to worry about. Highlight : HostGator is a good option for someone who wants a user-friendly web hosting for small business solution, with generous storage and bandwidth. Price : Starts at $17.59/month. Bandwidth : Unmetered Storage : 10 GB to 50 GB 04. GoDaddy GoDaddy has been around since the late ‘90s, when it entered the market with its domain purchasing plans. Known for its user-friendly approach, GoDaddy offers a wide range of services, from domain registration to web hosting and website building. It's a good option for beginners, thanks to its intuitive interface and 24/7 customer support. Plus, with competitive pricing and frequent promotions, GoDaddy makes it easy to get started with a smaller budget. Highlight : People flock to GoDaddy because of the variety of features and services it offers. This makes it a good option if you don’t know what you need in terms of your web hosting for your small business. Price : Starts at $5.99/month. Bandwidth : Unmetered Storage : 10 GB to unlimited 05. Kinsta Kinsta has been around for over 10 years, providing managed hosting for WordPress sites. It is a reputable company among WordPress users known for its infrastructure built on Google Cloud’s Premium Tier network, isolated container technology and advanced security features. Kinsta emphasizes offering a feature-rich platform with numerous built-in tools and optimizations. All users can access un-tiered support, free website migrations and a custom dashboard with site analytics and various site management tools. Hosting plans at Kinsta are based on the allocated resources, such as monthly visits, disk space or WordPress installations. Highlight: Kinsta offers scalable hosting plans and a wide range of website management features. However, one of its most praised features is its 24/7 Tech Support Team of experts, which offers support in 10 languages. Price: Free trial for a month, starts at $35/month after that. Bandwidth: Unmetered Storage: 10 GB to 100+ GB 06. InMotion Hosting InMotion Hosting gets high marks across the board, due to its wide variety of basic and professional hosting plans. InMotion Hosting caters to a wide range of users, from small businesses to larger enterprises. It offers features like fast and secure web hosting, free website migrations and scalable plans designed to grow with your needs. Its variety of plans, price options and enhanced security make it a solid web host choice. If you need a website, it offers a free drag-and-drop WordPress website builder, as well as web design services. Highlight: While there isn’t one particular thing that makes InMotion Hosting a dramatic standout among the others, it’s still a great option for small businesses that earns some points for its variety of hosting options. Price : Starts at $4.99/month. Bandwidth : Unmetered Storage : 100 GB to unlimited 07. Hostinger If paying a low price is your number one priority, look to Hostinger. While its prices are generally standard, you can sometimes find some impressive discounted basic shared hosting plans for under $1/month. Like many other web hosts, Hostinger also offers standalone email hosting, allowing you to connect the different parts of your business. It boasts improved performance with LiteSpeed web servers and optimized caching, delivering faster page load speeds for better user experience. It additionally offers an AI-powered website builder with 150+ responsive, designer-made templates. Highlight : Hostinger’s sales are something to look out for, but even without them, it’s still a good, middle-of-the-road web host for small businesses. Price : Starts at $12.99/month. Bandwidth : Unlimited Storage : 25 GB to 100 GB 08. InterServer InterServer is another well-rounded web host that offers a lot of value with its basic plans. More advanced plans are also available for larger scale websites. One of its standout features is its price-lock guarantee, ensuring that your rates don’t increase upon renewal. Additionally, InterServer offers robust security tools, free website migration and 24/7 customer support. This makes it a great choice for individuals and businesses seeking flexibility and transparency without compromising on quality. In addition, InterServer flaunts a website builder, SitePad. However, their WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) editor is only free when you purchase one of their standard plans, so there’s no way to create and maintain a website completely for free. This differs from other site builders, such as Wix, where you can create and run a free site. Highlight : InterServer is a decent web host for small businesses with some solid pricing options for basic websites. Price : Starts at $2.50/month. Bandwidth : Unmetered Storage : Unlimited 09. DreamHost DreamHost is an affordable, robust web host. Shared hosting, WordPress, VPS, cloud and dedicated hosting are all available, each with their own respective plans, making DreamHost one of the best website hosting for small business options. DreamHost sets itself apart with a generous 97-day money-back guarantee on shared hosting and a strong commitment to sustainability through carbon-neutral data centers. With 24/7 expert support and an intuitive control panel, it makes website management easy for both beginners and developers. Highlight : With cheap basic plans and a good money-back guarantee, DreamHost is a good option for those who aren’t sure how their business web hosting needs might change over time. Price: Starts at $2.89/month. Bandwidth : Unmetered Storage : 50 GB to unlimited 10. Hosting.com Hosting.com (formerly known as A2 Hosting) is a particularly good choice for small businesses just starting out, as the shared hosting plans are affordable and have some great features for newcomers. Even the most basic plans have something going for them. The “Starter” plan includes five free email addresses, a free SSL Certificate and a free domain name. Hosting.com offers competitive discounts, 24/7 expert customer support and a user-friendly control panel. It additionally has a WordPress plug-in called Extendify, which walks you through every step of building your WordPress site from scratch. That said, Extendify packages come with their own add-on pricing. Highlight: This host is feature-rich and affordable, a good choice for small businesses. Price: Starts at $1.99/month. Bandwidth : Unmetered Storage : 15 GB to unlimited 11. SiteGround Last but not least is SiteGround, a simple and straightforward web host. Affordable plans are available regardless of your site needs, though their pricing plans start slightly above average compared to some other options on this list. For WordPress users, SiteGround offers an intuitive site builder and managed WordPress hosting features like one-click staging, Git integration and expert support from WordPress specialists. Their custom caching system and use of the latest PHP versions deliver consistently fast page loads. SiteGround also prioritizes sustainability, running energy-efficient data centers with a strong commitment to reducing its carbon footprint. Combined with 24/7 live chat support and a user-friendly dashboard, SiteGround is a top pick for small businesses. Highlight : SiteGround isn’t bursting at the seams with extras and must-have features often found with other competitors, but it’s a solid option for those looking for a no-frills web host. Price : Starts at $2.99/month. Bandwidth : Unmetered Storage : 10 GB to unlimited Editor's note: All pricing information is current as of January 14th, 2026. What is web hosting? Web hosting is a service that provides storage and access to websites. When you sign up for a web hosting service, you're essentially renting space on a server where you can store all the files and data necessary for your website to function properly. Web hosting is an essential part of creating and maintaining a website. By choosing the right web hosting provider and plan, you can ensure that your website is fast, reliable and secure. Build your site quickly with a ready-made website template  or get a polished, custom look with a website designer . How does web hosting work? Web hosting works by providing space on a server for your website's files and data. Servers are powerful computers that are connected to the internet 24/7. When someone visits your website, their computer sends a request to the server where your website is hosted. The server then sends the files and data necessary to load your website on their computer. Web hosting providers typically maintain large networks of servers in different locations around the world. This ensures that your website is always accessible to visitors, no matter where they're located. Here's a simplified explanation of how web hosting works: You sign up for a web hosting plan from a web hosting provider. The web hosting provider provides you with space on a server to store your website's files and data. You upload your website's files and data to the server using a file transfer protocol (FTP) client. When someone visits your website, their computer sends a request to the server where your website is hosted. The server then sends the files and data necessary to load your website on their computer. How to choose the best web hosting service When choosing a web hosting provider, you should consider the following factors: Price Web hosting prices vary depending on the type of hosting plan you choose and the features you need. It's important to compare prices from different providers before you make a decision. Features Some web hosting providers offer more features than others, such as free domain name registration, email hosting and website builders. Consider which features are important to you when choosing a provider. Compare prices and features from different providers before you make a decision. This will help you to find the best deal for your needs. Customer support It's important to choose a web hosting provider with good customer support. This is especially important if you are new to web hosting or if you have any questions or problems. Read reviews of different web hosting providers from other customers. This can give you a good idea of the quality of service and customer support that you can expect. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask the web hosting provider. They should be happy to answer any questions that you have. Once you have chosen a web hosting service, you can sign up for a hosting plan and create your website. Most web hosting providers offer easy-to-use tools and tutorials to help you get started. Reliability Reliability is a crucial factor when selecting a web hosting provider. Look for services that offer high uptime guarantees—ideally 99.9% or higher—to ensure your website stays accessible to visitors. Consistent performance means your website won't experience slow load times, even during peak traffic hours. Reliable hosting providers often invest in infrastructure that minimizes downtime and maximizes site availability. Ease of use Ease of use can make a significant difference, especially if you're not a technical expert. Look for hosting providers with user-friendly control panels. Choose drag-and-drop website builders that make it simple to create and update your site without the need for coding knowledge. User-friendly tools save time and allow you to focus on growing your business, not troubleshooting your hosting account. Scalability Your business needs may grow over time, and your hosting service should be able to grow with you. Scalability is key—choose a provider that offers flexible hosting plans or allows for easy upgrades without downtime. Whether you anticipate a surge in traffic or require additional resources like storage or bandwidth, a scalable solution ensures your website can handle increased demand without interruption. Types of web hosting Web hosting providers offer a variety of hosting plans to suit different needs and budgets. Some of the most common types of web hosting include: Shared hosting This is the most affordable type of web hosting, where your website shares space on a server with other websites. Shared hosting is a good option for small websites and personal blogs. VPS hosting This type of web hosting gives you more control over your server environment than shared hosting. VPS hosting is a good option for medium-sized websites and businesses that need more performance and scalability. Dedicated hosting This type of web hosting gives you exclusive use of a server. Dedicated hosting is the most expensive type of web hosting, but it's also the most powerful and reliable. Managed hosting This type of web hosting takes care of the technical aspects for you, such as server maintenance, updates and security. Managed hosting is a great choice for businesses that want to focus on their website without worrying about backend management. Learn more: How to make a small business website What web hosting features do you need for a small business? Web hosting is an essential service for any website or online app. It provides the storage space and computing resources that your website or application needs to be accessible to visitors from around the world. There are a number of different web hosting providers to choose from, and each one offers a variety of features and pricing plans. It can be difficult to decide which features are most important for your website or application, and which ones you can do without. Here are some of the most important web hosting features to consider: Disk space: Disk space is the amount of storage space that is allocated to your website or application. This space is used to store your website's files, such as your HTML, CSS, JavaScript, images and videos. Bandwidth: Bandwidth is the amount of data that can be transferred between your website or application and your visitors' web browsers. This is important for websites that have a lot of visitors or that have large files, such as videos or images. Uptime: Uptime is the percentage of time that your website or application is available to visitors. A high uptime is important for websites that are critical to your business or that you want to be available to visitors at all times. Email hosting: Email hosting allows you to create email addresses for your website or application. This can be useful for sending and receiving business emails. Backups: Backups are copies of your website's files and data. They are important for protecting your website from data loss, such as if your website is hacked or if your web server crashes. Best web hosting services FAQ What is the best hosting provider for a small business? The answer to this will depend on your own specific needs. In order to choose the best hosting solution for your business as you scale, we'd recommend a multi cloud hosting solution with high uptime and in-built website security. What is the best hosting provider for beginners? If you're new to website hosting, you'll need an easy to manage hosting solution from your provider. For this reason we recommend choosing a website builder which incorporates hosting as standard. This way you'll face no extra charges, and can trust that your hosting is fully managed and secured by Wix. You'll not have to do anything to maintain it, but just get on with starting your business. What is the cheapest best hosting provider for a business? Prices for hosting providers change frequently. If cost is an issue, choose a hosting provider where hosting is provided for free when you create a site. This also means you won't be surprised by any hidden or changing costs. What is the difference between managed and unmanaged hosting? Managed hosting handles server maintenance, updates, security, and backups for you, offering convenience at a higher cost. Unmanaged hosting gives you full control but requires you to manage all technical tasks. It’s ideal for those with technical expertise, while managed hosting suits users seeking a hands-off experience. What is email hosting? Email hosting is a service that provides users with email accounts and related features, typically associated with a domain name. Unlike free email services like Gmail or Yahoo, email hosting allows users to create personalized email addresses using their own domain name (e.g., name@example.com ). Email hosting services often include features such as spam filtering, virus protection, webmail access and email forwarding. It enables businesses and individuals to have professional-looking email addresses and reliable email communication tailored to their specific needs. What is the best hosting provider for a service business? The best hosting provider for a service business depends on your specific needs but generally, you'll need a provider with great customer support and reliability. You need to make sure your customers can rely on your site being live to make bookings and to find you. Choose a provider like Wix with an uptime score of 99.98%. What is the best website hosting for an eCommerce site or online store? When choosing eCommerce website hosting , you'll need a very reliable and secure option. Your site, including your information and your customers' information must be protected from online threats and cyber attacks at all time, for example. Wix, for example includes 24/7 security monitoring as just one of the ways in which it delivers this secure hosting.

Get  free website hosting  from Wix today → Web hosting  is the service that makes your website accessible on the internet by storing its files on a server. Before you start making a website , it's a good idea to understand what web hosting is all about. When someone types your domain name into their browser, the server sends your website's content to their device, allowing them to view your pages. Think of it like renting a space for your business. Just as a physical store needs a location to hold its products and welcome customers, your website needs a digital space to store its text, images and code so visitors can find you online. 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 does web hosting work? Short on time? Here’s what you’ll find in this article: Web hosting involves storing your website's data on a special computer called a server. This server runs continuously to ensure your site is always available. Different types of hosting suit different needs, from shared options for personal blogs to dedicated servers for large enterprises. Concept Explanation Server A powerful computer that stores your website files. Domain The address (like www.yoursite.com) that points to your server. Browser The tool (like Chrome or Safari) that retrieves files from the server. DNS The system that connects your domain name to the server's IP address. What is web hosting? Web hosting is the service that makes your website viewable to others on the internet. While a domain name is your address, web hosting is the actual house where your furniture (files, images and HTML code) lives. You can't really have one without the other if you want a functional site. Think of the internet as a massive city. To open a shop, you need a piece of land to build on. A web hosting provider leases you that land (server space) and ensures the roads (internet connection) leading to your shop are clear. This service is crucial because typical personal computers don't have the power or security to serve website files to thousands of people at once. Discover more: what is web hosting? What does a web host do? A web host does the heavy lifting of managing the hardware so you can focus on building your brand. They maintain the servers, keeping them cool, powered and connected to the internet 24/7. This involves constant monitoring to ensure that if a piece of hardware fails, there are backups in place to keep your site running. Beyond just keeping the lights on, a web host handles the security of the server itself. They implement firewalls and security protocols to stop cyberattacks before they reach your specific website. They also manage software updates on the server side, ensuring that the technology powering your site is current and compatible with modern web standards. Learn more about website security . How does web hosting work? Web hosting works by storing your website’s files, such as text, images and code, on a powerful server that’s connected to the internet 24/7. When someone enters your domain name into their browser, the browser sends a request to the server where your site is hosted. The server then delivers the necessary files back to the visitor’s device, allowing the webpage to load and display correctly. Behind the scenes, hosting infrastructure ensures your site remains fast, secure and accessible at all times, handling traffic. Learn more: what is a web server? Benefits of web hosting Choosing the right web hosting plan gives you more than just a place to store files. Quality hosting ensures your site performs well, stays secure and can grow with your business. "A good web hosting should offer: A free SSL certificate, automated and outsourced backups, 24/7 server monitoring, responsive technical support and an infrastructure that's resilient to traffic spikes and attacks. This is the foundation on which everything rests. Never neglect this choice." - Allan Kinic, cybersecurity expert and founder of Prevention-internet.fr Reliability is key. Good hosting services offer high uptime guarantees, meaning your site is rarely offline. This builds trust with your visitors and ensures you don't miss out on potential opportunities. Speed is another major factor. Servers optimized for performance can deliver your content faster, which improves user experience and can even help with your search engine rankings. According to a recent study, 47% of consumers expected a website to load in 2 seconds or less and 40% would abandon a website that takes more than 3 seconds to load. Common challenges of web hosting While hosting is essential, it comes with potential hurdles. Understanding these challenges can help you choose a web host provider that minimizes headaches down the road. Security vulnerabilities are a constant concern. If your host doesn't have robust security measures, your site could be exposed to malware or hackers. It's vital to check for features like SSL certificates and regular backups. Downtime is another issue. Even a few minutes of your site being offline can frustrate visitors. Unexpected traffic spikes can also crash shared servers if resources aren't managed correctly, so reliable hosting really matters. Slow or unstable servers can cause outages and high-impact downtime now costs businesses approximately $2 million per hour , highlighting the financial risk of poor hosting performance. Learn more: What is an SSL certificate? How much does an SSL certificate cost? Examples of web hosting types Different websites have different needs, so hosting isn't one-size-fits-all. Here are the most common types you'll encounter. Shared hosting:  Several websites reside on a single server connected to the internet. This is generally the most economical option for hosting, as the overall cost of server maintenance is amortized over many customers. VPS hosting:  Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting mimics a dedicated server environment within a shared server. It's technically still shared hosting, but you get a dedicated chunk of the resources. Dedicated hosting:  You rent an entire physical server for your business. This gives you complete control over the server's configuration and resources, but it comes with a higher price tag and requires technical knowledge. Cloud hosting:  Your site is hosted on a network of connected virtual and physical cloud servers. This offers greater flexibility and scalability, as you can easily increase resources during traffic spikes. Learn more: What is cloud hosting? Cloud hosting vs shared hosting How does web hosting work with Wix website builder? Reliable hosting ensures your visitors have a great experience every time they click. When you create a website with the Wix website builder, web hosting is included automatically, so there’s no need to connect third-party services or manage technical setup. Wix offers secure web hosting that’s fully managed, meaning updates, maintenance and performance optimization are handled for you behind the scenes. With secure, scalable web hosting built in from the start, your site can grow seamlessly as traffic increases. Wix also provides resilient web hosting with 99.99% uptime, helping ensure your website stays online and performs reliably, even during unexpected traffic spikes. You may also be interested in: Domain name and website hosting Web hosting vs domain hosting Does Wix provide email hosting? How to choose web hosting Best web hosting for small business How does web hosting work FAQ Do I need web hosting to have a website? Yes, you do. Without a place to store your website's files (images, code, text), there is nothing for a browser to load. Every website you visit on the internet is hosted on a server somewhere. While you can technically set up your own computer as a server, using a professional hosting provider is far more reliable, secure and easier to manage. Can I host my own website on my personal computer? Technically, yes, you can turn your PC into a server. However, it requires significant technical skill to configure the software correctly. Your computer would need to be on 24/7, have a super-fast and stable internet connection and robust security to prevent hacking. For most people, the cost of electricity and hardware maintenance makes professional hosting a much better and cheaper choice. What is the difference between a domain name and web hosting? Think of your website as a house. The web hosting is the land underneath the house where the physical structure sits. The domain name is the street address (like 123 Maple Street) that tells people where to find that house. You need both to have a functioning website; the hosting holds your content and the domain name directs visitors to it. Learn more: domain hosting vs web hosting .

Get your professional business email address → What is a business email ? A business email isn't just a communication tool; it's a digital handshake. It's a branded email address that tells your customers that you're established, credible and ready to work. Just as choosing the right domain name  shapes your online identity, your email address plays a powerful role in how professional your business appears. When you're making a website and building a brand, every detail counts, from your logo design to your website layout. So if you're still using a generic provider for your client communications, it's time for an upgrade. In this guide, we'll break down exactly what a business email is, why it's a non-negotiable for serious entrepreneurs and how you can set one up in minutes. Get your business email up and running fast. Wix provides built-in security, plenty of storage and real-time tools to help you stay on top of your work. Everything’s backed by 24/7 support so you can focus on growing your business. TL;DR: what is a business email? Short on time? Here’s the lowdown on why ditching the generic email address and using a business email address is the best move for your brand. A business email is a custom email address that uses your company's domain name (e.g., info@mybrand.com) rather than a generic service provider domain (e.g., mybrand@gmail.com). Feature Personal email Business email Structure name@gmail.com name@yourbusiness.com Perception Casual, personal, hobbyist Professional, established, trustworthy Branding Promotes the email provider Promotes your brand with every send Control Limited administrative control Full control over accounts and data Scalability Hard to manage as teams grow Easy to add employees (e.g., sales@...) Learn more: How to create a business email . What is a business email address? At its core, a business email address is a professional email address that matches your business's domain name. Instead of relying on free providers like Gmail, Yahoo or Outlook, which tack their name onto yours, a business email puts your brand front and center. Think of it like this: if you walked into a high-end law firm, you wouldn't expect the lawyer to hand you a card that says lawyer123@yahoo.com. You'd expect name@lawfirm.com. That custom domain signals that the business owns its digital real estate. With Wix, you can create a business email to match your domain, allowing you to create a cohesive brand identity across all channels. It’s the difference between looking like a temporary project and a permanent business. Why a business email is worth it: benefits explained Switching to a custom domain email does more than just look good on a business card. It has tangible benefits for your operations and your reputation. Instant credibility When customers see a custom domain, they instantly trust you more. It shows you've invested in your business. 60% of consumers say they prefer to be contacted by brands through email , underscoring why using a professional, domain-based business email can be a strategic advantage for credibility and customer interaction. You may also be interested in custom domains . Brand consistency Every time you send an invoice, a newsletter or a reply, you are reinforcing your brand name. Wix offers business email addresses with Google Workspace integration, meaning you get the branding power of a custom domain with the reliability of Gmail's interface. Learn more: Is Wix good for business email? Better deliverability Generic email addresses used for business mass-mailing often get flagged as spam. Business emails, authenticated properly, have a much higher chance of landing in the primary inbox. Team organization As you grow, you can create aliases for different departments (like ' support@' or 'billing@' ) without creating entirely new accounts. This keeps your communication organized and professional. Learn more: How much does a business email cost? How to set up a business email A professional business email starts with the right foundation, and Wix makes it seamless from the very first step. Wix offers custom business email addresses tailored to your brand, giving you a business email that perfectly matches your domain and strengthens your credibility. Plus, Wix offers business email addresses with Google Workspace integration, so you can enjoy powerful tools like Gmail, Calendar and Drive, all working together under your business identity. Here’s how to set it up your new business email with Wix: Get your domain Choose your business email plan Create your email addresses Create and verify automatically 01. Get your domain Start by securing a domain name for your business. When you build your website with Wix, you can search, register and manage your domain directly from your account for a smooth, all-in-one experience. Check out Wix's domain name search tool and domain name generator . 02. Choose your business email plan Through Wix’s partnership with Google Workspace, you can easily purchase a custom business email address that uses your domain (like info@yourbusiness.com). This gives you enterprise-level email, storage, security and collaboration tools. 03. Create your email addresses Set up the addresses you need, whether that’s personal inboxes (yourname@), department emails (support@) or role-based accounts (sales@). You can add as many as your business requires. Learn more: Business email address examples Business email name ideas 04. Connect and verify automatically When you set up your business email through Wix, the technical configuration is handled for you. Wix automatically manages DNS records and verification, so you don’t have to deal with complex setup steps. Just follow the guided wizard and you’re ready to start sending professional emails. You may also be interested in: Is your domain costing you business? Domain name mistakes What is a professional email address? Business email vs personal email : key differences When it comes to communicating with clients, partners or prospects, not all emails are created equal. Understanding the difference between a business email and a personal email can make a huge impact on how your brand is perceived. Personal email address These are the free, generic accounts most people use for everyday communication, like Gmail, Yahoo or Hotmail. While convenient for personal use, personal emails can make a business appear amateurish or untrustworthy when used for client communications. Emails like yourname@gmail.com don’t signal professionalism, and recipients may question the legitimacy of your business. Business email address A business email is tied to your domain name, such as info@yourcompany.com. It immediately signals credibility, professionalism and brand authority. Beyond appearances, business emails come with tools and features designed to help you manage communication efficiently, including shared calendars, cloud storage and advanced security options, especially when integrated through services like Google Workspace. Discover more about domain name management . C ommon challenges when using a business email While the pros heavily outweigh the cons, there are a few hurdles you might face when setting this up. Here is how to handle them: Cost Unlike a free personal account, a business email usually comes with a small monthly fee. However, the return on investment in terms of trust and branding makes it worth every penny. Tech setup Connecting a domain to an email server can sound intimidating if you aren't technical. Pro tip:  Platforms like Wix streamline this process. If you already have a domain, connecting a Google Workspace email is usually just a few clicks. Learn more: I have a domain name, now what? Managing multiple inboxes If you have a personal email and a business email, checking both can be annoying. Pro tip:  Most mobile apps allow you to toggle between accounts easily, or you can set up forwarding rules so you never miss a message. You may also be interested in: How to register a domain name How to trademark a domain name Types of domains What is a business email? Examples of business email formats Not sure how to structure your new address? Here are a few popular formats used by successful brands: First name only:  sarah@yourdomain.com (friendly and approachable). First and last names:  sarah.jones@yourdomain.com (professional and clear). Department-based:  hello@yourdomain.com or press@yourdomain.com (great for general inquiries). Role-based:  editor@yourdomain.com (good for specific job functions) Learn more: How to create an email with your domain . How to set up a business email What is a business email FAQ Can I use a free email for my business? Technically yes, but it is not recommended. Using a free email like @ gmail.com  can make your business look like a hobby or a scam. It also lacks the administrative controls and branding benefits of a custom domain. How much does a business email cost? Costs vary depending on the provider, but it typically ranges from $6 to $12 per user per month. This usually includes storage, support and business tools like video conferencing and shared calendars. Can I keep my emails if I switch website hosts? Yes. Your email is tied to your domain, not necessarily your website host. However, you will need to update your DNS settings (specifically MX records) to ensure your email service continues working if you move your domain management. Learn more about free website hosting .

Your name idea deserves a home. Secure your domain now → In the fast-paced world of eCommerce , your business name is your first impression, your brand's vibe and a big part of standing out from the crowd. Picking the perfect name is a big deal if you’re starting a business  or building an ecommerce site . Why does it matter? Your business name is often the first thing people notice when they check out your products or services. A great name can highlight what your brand is all about, make it feel more relatable, stick in people’s minds and help you make money online . Naming your eCommerce business just got a whole lot easier. The Wix Business Name Generator gives you custom, on-brand ideas fast—along with the tools to bring your idea to life. eCommerce business name ideas to brainstorm Discover a curated selection of eCommerce business names designed to inspire you. Whether you're in need of a professional, unique, or distinctive name, these suggestions can assist you in finding the perfect fit for starting your eCommerce venture . Unique eCommerce business name ideas Catchy eCommerce business name ideas Funny eCommerce business name ideas Professional eCommerce business name ideas Inspirational eCommerce business name ideas Location-based eCommerce business name ideas Timeless eCommerce business name ideas Clever eCommerce business name ideas Modern eCommerce business name ideas Classic eCommerce business name ideas Minimalist eCommerce business name ideas Unique eCommerce business names ShopFusion ClickCart Connect TrendTrove ByteBoutique QuikCyber Mall PixelPulse Emporium SkylineShopper ZenCartopia GigaGoods Galore VirtuVend Ventures EcomGrove ShopNest Quest WebWhimsy World NovaNet Niche QuantumQuik Shop Found the perfect name for your business? Lock in your domain  before someone else does. Catchy eCommerce business names ShopSizzle ClickCharm SwiftCart TrendEra Emporium BuzzBuy Boutique FlashFusion Finds SparkleCart ChicCraze Creations PopCart Pulse GlimmerGroove SnapShop Selections TrendyTraverse BlissCart Bazaar GlamourGaze Goods VogueVenture Create your online store without inventory or upfront risk. Start dropshipping now   → Funny eCommerce business names ClickKaleidoscope ShipShop BlinkBasket WinkWares GrinGroceries SnapSack ZipZapZone SpinSplurge WhizWonders QuirkQuick ZingZest JoltJunction BoingBuy TickTrove WhirlWheel Professional eCommerce business names EliteCommerce Solutions ProVenture Marketplace PremierWeb Retail EminentEshop Hub AscendCart Ventures PinnacleOnline Emporium SuperiorSelect Store PrimeWeb Merchants OptiMarket Empowerment LuxeCommerce Network SummitShop Central NobleWeb Retailers PrestigeCart Exchange ApexOnline Emporium ExecutiveeCommerce Mall Inspirational eCommerce business names InspireCart Creations RiseAbove Retail DreamPulse Emporium VisionaryVista Ventures AchieveAllMart SuccessSail Store EmpowerEshop Hub ThriveTrove Exchange ElevationEmporium DriveDream Marketplace SparkSpirit Shop AspireFusion Finds PeakPower Products UnleashUtopia Mall EvolveeCommerce World Location-based eCommerce business names [City] Cart Creations [State] Shopper's Hub [Region] Retail Emporium CoastalConnections [City] Explore [State] Store [City] Marketplace Masters [Region] Finds & More [Country] Treasures Online [State] Savings Central [City] Corner Shop [Region] eCommerce Emporium [Country] Cart Collectibles [State] Style Selections [City] Elegance Emporium [Region] Wonders Online Starting a business in Washington ? Take a look at these creative name ideas: Evergreen Wonderland Wares Cascade Mountain Treasures Puget Sound Delights Depot Space Needle Souvenirs Showcase Rainforest Retreat Finds Timeless eCommerce business names Trademark Treasures ClassicCommerce Co. Timeless Trends Marketplace Vintage Value Ventures Eternal Elegance Emporium Heritage Haven Hub Everlasting Essentials Shop Perennial Picks Online Enduring eCommerce Exchange Time-Tested Tidbits Ageless Allure Finds Relic Retailers Network Iconic Items Emporium Endless Charm Collectibles Timepiece Treasures Store Clever eCommerce business names ShopIQ ClickWit Creations ByteBrilliance Boutique PunnyCart Emporium EurekaEshop SmartyPants Shopping BrainyBuys Central ThinkTank Treasures WitWhimsy World SavvySpree Store CraftyCart Collectibles CogniCommerce Co. SharpShopper's Showcase WittyWares Depot IdeaFusion Finds Modern eCommerce business names TechTrendy Mall DigitEase Emporium EcomWave Creations CyberCart Central InnovateShop Solutions WebWorld Wonders ModernMarketplace Hub ByteBoutique Network FutureFinds Store UrbanClick Co. EcomTech Innovations DigitalDwellings Depot InstaShop Pro NeoNet Retailers iCommerce Connect Subscribe to the Wix blog  for a weekly dose of business tips and industry trends. Classic eCommerce business names Heritage Elegance Emporium Timeless Traditions Treasures Royal Retailers Online Vintage Vogue Ventures ClassicCart Creations LegacyLuxury Mall Prestige Picks Shop Noble Niche Network Opulent Options Co. Traditional Treasures Depot GracefulGoods Gallery Regal Finds Showcase ElegantEmporium Central GrandMarketplace Hub Time-Honored Tidbits Store Minimalist eCommerce business names PureCart ZenMarket SimpleGoods CleanClicks ChicCommerce BasicBoutique ModCart NeatNiche Streamlined Store EffortlessEmporium SleekSelects UnclutteredGoods SubtleShop MinimalMall ClarityCart Get started with  making a website  using Wix, or follow our guide on  how to build a website . eCommerce business real name examples Pelch Pelch Music captures the heart and soul of Canadian singer-songwriter Pelch. From breakout hits to new EPs and an upcoming album, fans can explore his journey, check tour dates, watch music videos and grab exclusive merch. This musician has included a store as part of building his eCommerce website . The name "Pelch" reflects his intimate, authentic style—distinctive, memorable and full of individuality. Galactic Soccer Kits Galactic Soccer Kits brings you the best in new and classic soccer jerseys, handpicked for fans who love the game’s history and passion. From iconic kits worn by legendary players to vintage treasures and rare releases, every piece tells a story. The name Galactic Soccer Kits captures the magic and global love for soccer, reminding us why it’s the beautiful game. Batmoon Batmoon shop is where bold meets edgy, offering unique fashion staples like oversized hoodies and compression wear, all crafted with a dark gothic twist. The name says it all—mysterious, rebellious and inspired by the night. Famous eCommerce business names Many of the largest eCommerce brands in the world are known for their super simple, yet impactful names. These include: Amazon: cleverly involves the size, scale and fame of the world's largest rainforest eBay : this famous eCommerce platform was originally intended to be named Echo Bay before its founder discovered that name was already taken Etsy : this now super famous name was specifically chosen because it's nonsensical, the founder wanted to create a brand from scratch and so it was important the name had no context or other meaning Learn more: Online store names How to choose the right eCommerce business name Deciding how to name your business is a crucial step in establishing your online store, as well as your brand identity and attracting customers. Follow these six steps to come up with the perfect business name for your online store: Define your brand identity Brainstorm topics and names Narrow down and refine Check domain availability Test and feedback Perform a legal check 01. Define your brand identity Begin by thoroughly understanding your eCommerce business, its mission, values and the products or services you offer. Identify your target audience and what sets you apart from competitors within your niche. This clarity will guide your naming process. 02. Brainstorm topics and names Make a list of relevant keywords, phrases and concepts associated with your eCommerce business. Consider your product categories, unique selling points and any industry-specific terminology. In order to have as many names as possible to choose from, use a business name generator or a list of store names to combine keywords and concepts in order to get access to options that you might not have thought of. 03. Narrow down and refine Review the list of generated names and select the ones that resonate the most with your brand's identity and target audience. Keep in mind that your business name should be easy to spell, pronounce and remember. Eliminate any options that are too long or complicated. 04. Check domain availability In the eCommerce world, having a matching domain name is crucial. Verify the availability of domain names for the business name ideas you've shortlisted with a domain name search . It's important to have a consistent online presence, so choose a name for which the corresponding domain name is available when making a website. Make sure to check social media channels as well to ensure you can secure the relevant handles. Expert tip from Karen Friedlander , Product Marketing Manager at Wix, “There are three WIN Pillars for choosing a great domain name: Words - Keep it short and easy to spell. Identity - Make sure it’s relevant to your business. Name - Ensure it’s unique and distinguishable. Avoid numbers and hyphens as they can complicate the domain”. 05. Test and feedback Share the top name choices with friends, family and potential customers to gather feedback. Make sure the name is easy to pronounce, spell and remember. Feedback can help you refine your options and choose the most suitable name. 06. Perform a legal check Ensure that the business name you choose is not already trademarked or in use by another business, especially in your industry. Conduct a trademark search to avoid legal issues down the road and then register your business name to protect it and make it official. Learn more: Ecommerce tools , eCommerce website builder Benefits of choosing a great eCommerce business name A great eCommerce business name is key to your success. It shapes how customers see your brand and helps build visibility, trust and loyalty. Here's why choosing the right name matters: Boosts brand recognition : A memorable name makes it easy for customers to remember you and come back. Builds trust : A name that reflects your values and professionalism reassures customers about your store's reliability. Improves searchability : A clear, relevant name enhances SEO, helping potential customers find you online. Strengthens marketing : Consistent, effective branding amplifies your ads, social media and email campaigns. Sets you apart : A unique name highlights what makes your business special, standing out in a crowded market. Attracts your audience : A name that hints at your products or services aligns with your customers’ needs. Fosters loyalty : Over time, a strong name becomes linked to quality and satisfaction, encouraging repeat customers. Grows with your business : A smart name adapts seamlessly as your eCommerce store expands. Looking for a business name for another business idea? Trucking business names Consulting business names Real estate business names Food truck business names Marketing business names Construction business name ideas Photography business names Craft business name ideas Found your perfect business name?  Claim your domain with Wix in minutes, set up a custom website and business email and enjoy secure hosting, full privacy and 24/7 support—all in one place. eCommerce business name ideas FAQ Why is choosing the right eCommerce business name so important? Your online shop name is the first impression customers have of your brand. It can influence their perception of your business, make your brand more memorable and impact your overall success. A well-chosen name can help establish trust and attract customers. How do I choose a good online name? Choose a name that’s short, easy to remember, and reflects your personality or niche. Make sure it’s unique by checking domain availability and social media handles to keep things consistent across platforms. Bonus tip: avoid hard-to-spell words so people can find you easily. Should my business name reflect my eCommerce niche? While it's not mandatory, having a business name that reflects your product or niche can be beneficial. It helps customers understand what you offer at a glance. However, creative and unique names can also work well if they align with your brand's identity and messaging. What are some key things to consider when coming up with an eCommerce business name? A memorable business name is typically short, easy to spell and easy to pronounce. It should convey a sense of your brand's identity, values, or unique selling points. Avoid using complicated or obscure words, as clarity and simplicity often make for a more memorable name. How do I know if my business name is legally available? Search the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) database to see if the name is already registered. Check your state’s business name registry too to avoid conflicts with local companies. Can I trademark my eCommerce business name? If your name is unique and not too generic or descriptive, you can apply for a trademark through the USPTO. This gives your brand legal protection and stops others in your industry from using a similar name. Should my eCommerce business name and domain be the same? Ideally, yes. Matching your business name to your domain makes your website easier for customers to find and remember. It strengthens brand consistency essentially. If an exact match isn't available, try adding a relevant keyword (like "shop" or "store") or a location to keep it intuitive.

Ready to share your ideas with the world? Start your blog → Learning how to write a blog post is one of the best ways to share your ideas and expertise. I remember starting out feeling excited and unsure, wondering if anyone would read what I wrote. I quickly learned that strong blog posts need more than inspiration. With the right tools, like a reliable website builder , and a clear plan, it becomes much easier to turn ideas into engaging content. If you’re learning how to start a blog that connects with readers, you’re in the right place. For this guide, I spoke with Sharon Hafuta, SEO blog editor at Wix and an expert in creating blog posts that perform. She shared practical advice on what makes a blog post effective. This step-by-step guide will show you how to write a blog post with confidence, from choosing a topic to publishing. Learn more: How to start a blog Starting a blog should feel exciting and effortless. With the Wix Blog Maker, you get everything you need to create, design and grow your blog from scratch. Explore how you can use Wix’s intuitive tools to share your ideas with the world. TL;DR: How to write a blog post Starting a blog is a bold move—and a smart one. It gives you a platform to share your voice, build credibility and grow your brand. This guide walks you through every step of writing a strong blog post, from developing your idea to hitting “publish.” Along the way, you’ll get expert tips from Wix’s own SEO blog editor to help you write content that truly connects and performs. Whether you're writing your first post or refining your process, this is your blueprint for creating blog content with confidence. Feature of a great blog post Why it matters Strong purpose and idea Keeps your content focused and aligned with what your readers care about Engaging headline Grabs attention and encourages clicks Organized structure Guides readers through your message in a way that’s easy to follow Valuable, original insights Builds authority and keeps your audience coming back Optimized for SEO Increases visibility and drives consistent traffic to your site Learn how to open a website . What is a blog post? What is a blog?  A blog post is like a conversation starter between you and your audience. It’s your chance to share ideas, tell stories or offer helpful tips that spark curiosity and build connections. Whether you’re writing about travel adventures, business know-how or that amazing mac and cheese recipe, every blog post works as a piece of your bigger story. When I first started blogging, I thought a blog post was just words on a page. But over time (and with some trial and error), I learned that it’s so much more. It’s about crafting something that resonates with your readers and keeps them coming back for more.  Sharon Hafuta, the SEO blog editor I mentioned earlier, explained it perfectly when she said, “A blog post isn’t just an article; it’s an entryway into your world, wrapped in value, inspiration and authenticity.” That perspective changed everything for me. A good blog post doesn’t have to be long or overly complicated. It should feel approachable, deliver value and have that personal touch that shows readers there’s a real person behind it. Trust me, once you get the hang of shaping your thoughts into a blog post, you’ll wonder why you didn’t start sooner. This is where your blogging adventure takes off, one post at a time. Dive into our guide on blogging for beginners  to start creating content that resonates today.  Ready to get blogging? Get started with Wix  today. How to write a blog post in 13 steps Writing a great blog post can feel overwhelming at first, but breaking it into smaller steps makes it totally doable. Thankfully, Sharon has outlined her go-to process that simplifies the whole thing. Here’s how you can create a blog post that feels impactful and reader friendly: Brainstorm blog topics Refine your topic with keyword research Define your audience Create an outline Write engaging content Craft a headline that gets clicks Choose a blog template Select a blog domain name Use images to level up your post Implement calls-to-action Optimize for SEO Edit and polish Hit publish and share your work 01. Brainstorm blog topics When writing a blog post, whether you're  guest posting  for someone else or writing for your own blog, you’ll want to cover topics that bring value to your readers and fall in line with their interests, as well as your own. Start by jotting down topics that excite you or align with your goals. “Think about the questions your audience might be asking or blog niche ideas ,” says Sharon. For example, if you’re writing a food blog, take note of seasonal recipes or cooking techniques people are searching for. This step is all about unleashing your creativity without judgment. The more ideas, the better. There are several places you can look to spark new topic ideas: Browse other blogs within your niche with competitor analysis . If you’re starting a food blog , for example, simply Google “food blog” to see what your competitors are writing about. Use AI,  like an AI website builder  or AI writing tools , at your disposal to generate topic ideas. Use Google Trends to find out which topics are trending. Look for current events and recent news stories related to your field. Find out what people enjoy learning about by browsing online courses on Udemy , Skillshare and LinkedIn Learning . Once you find some interesting ideas online, think about the unique ways you can approach those topics. Consider the various ways you can play around with topic ideas to come up with something that isn’t only trendy and relevant, but that’s also original and fresh. You'll also need to consider making sure your blog post is up to date and this will mean including relevant data and statistics related to the topic. Let’s say, for instance, that you want to write about chocolate chip cookies. There are a few different angles you might consider taking here based on your target audience and potential for website traffic : A how-to post that instructs readers how to do something with clearly ordered steps (e.g., “How to Bake Chocolate Chip Cookies from Scratch”). A curated list that offers a set of recommendations for your readers (e.g., “The Top Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipes”). A tips and advice post that provides expert guidance and resources. (e.g., “Tips for Making Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies Extra Gooey”). A definition-based blog post that helps explain the meaning of a term or topic (e.g., “What Are No-Bake Chocolate Chip Cookies?”). A top trends article that highlights what’s currently popular (e.g., “The Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipes From This Year”). A personal or business update that lets you unveil something fresh or recently unknown (e.g., “My New Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe Revealed”). Sharon also recommends keeping a running list of potential blog topics in a place you can easily access, like a notebook or a digital note app. “When inspiration strikes, capture it!” she emphasizes. This habit will come in handy when you’re ready to write your next post and need a spark to get started. Get brainstorming with these best  blog ideas . 02. Refine your topic with keyword research Part of writing a blog post involves keyword research. This crucial SEO practice is used as a marker to see which terms you can potentially rank high for in certain online searches. Once you’ve chosen a direction for your blog post, and before you get started with the writing process, you’ll need to figure out the chances of its success on search engine result pages—which ultimately means getting more eyes on your content. In order to succeed, conduct keyword research to find the most relevant queries for your topic. You can find keywords for your own articles by using various keyword research tools. If you’re new to blogging, you’ll probably want to start with free tools such as Ubersuggest and Google Keyword Planner . Afterwards, you may want to upgrade to more advanced tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs . While conducting keyword research, keep in mind that the more specific the phrase, the more closely it will match your audience’s intent. On the other hand, broader keywords tend to have higher search volumes—meaning more people are searching for them each month. Think about the benefits of opting for a broader phrase, like “chocolate chip cookies,” over a more precise phrase, like “how to make chocolate chip cookies.” Choosing the right keywords means striking a balance between high search volume and high intent. Once you’ve selected your keywords, you can use them to shape the structure of your content. Google those phrases to find out which articles have successfully targeted those same keywords, and spend some time browsing their content. This will give you inspiration for your own article in terms of what to include and how to structure it. Don't forget to also tap into your own experience as an entrepreneur or writer, when choosing what to write about. “Keyword research sets the foundation for your blog post,” says Sharon. “It’s like a treasure map that leads you to what your audience is searching for. The more intentional you are with this step, the better your chance of connecting with readers and driving meaningful engagement.” 03. Define your audience Now that you know what you’ll be writing about , you need to find out who you’re writing for . Anticipating the kinds of people who will be reading your posts will help you create content that is interesting, engaging, full of relevance and shareable. “Tailoring your content to a specific group makes it more personal and engaging,” Sharon advises. She adds, “Think about their challenges or goals and how your blog post can offer value.” Once you know who you’re talking to, you’ll naturally know the tone, examples and even the right format to use. Of course, your audience largely depends on your type of blog . If you run a baking blog, your website content  will probably be geared towards an audience of people who love baking and are seeking recipe inspiration. Even more specifically, if you run a healthy baking blog, you’ll be writing for people who similarly love baking but who want to make their culinary creations healthier. It’s important to keep these nuances in mind when crafting your content, since your goal is to write articles that resonate strongly with readers. So, how do you figure out your audience in the first place? Start by taking another look at the other blogs in your field. Consider who they seem to be writing for, and the kinds of assumptions they’re making about their readers’ interests and lifestyles. For example, you might find that most of the blogs address a particular gender or age group. Pro tip: Create a reader persona to really hone in on your audience. Think about their age, lifestyle, challenges and goals. Are they busy parents looking for quick recipes? Or maybe they’re health-conscious professionals experimenting in the kitchen. The more specific you get, the easier it is to write content that feels like you’re speaking directly to them. You can also use online forums to find the main questions asked by your audience, or visit Facebook groups to read what topics they like or talk about. This will help you create content that piques their interest, sparks their curiosity and answers their questions. Whether you're  starting a health blog , a fashion blog , travel blog  or something else—defining your audience should come first. 04. Create an organized outline Think of an outline as the backbone of your blog format . It helps you organize your thoughts and ensures a structured flow that’s easy for readers to follow. Break your post into clear sections like an introduction, main points and conclusion. Pro tip: Jot down bullet points under each section to focus your ideas before you start writing. It saves time and keeps you from veering off track. Having a roadmap not only makes writing easier but also results in a more polished post. If it’s a step-by-step guide or a list of tips, start building your outline by listing out all the main points clearly, as in the example below: Outline: How to Bake Chocolate Chip Cookies from Scratch 1. Gather your ingredients 2. Mix and knead the dough 3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper 4. Scoop mounds of dough onto baking sheet 5. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit Add bulleted notes within your introduction and under each of your subheadings. This will help you formulate your main points. If you find yourself getting stuck, use one of these blog post templates to guide you through the outline process. Dive into our guide on blogging for beginners  to start creating content that resonates today.  05. Write engaging content Turning something you love and know a lot about into blog posts is a great strategy to attract readers: they’ll come for the knowledge, but they’ll stay for your authentic outlook and first-hand experiences. Be yourself,” Sharon encourages. “Authenticity is what turns a good post into a great one.” Now that you’ve outlined your blog post, you can start writing (or, use AI to write your blog posts ). Keep in mind that blog posts, like many other types of writing, typically include three main elements: an introduction, the body text and a conclusion. So, how long should a blog post be?  "Well, it’s not about the exact word count," Sharon says. "The key is creating content that holds your readers’ attention. Start with a strong opening sentence to hook them, and then keep them engaged by weaving in stories, relatable examples or even a bit of humor." She adds, "Don’t stress about sounding perfect. Your readers want your authentic voice, not something robotic. The more genuine you are, the more your readers will connect with you, and the polish will follow naturally." Pro tip:  Keep your paragraphs short, and use headings or bullet points to break up the content. This not only makes it easier to read but also keeps your audience coming back for more. Let’s break down the elements of a great blog post: Start with the introduction. In the first few sentences of your article, you should already grab your readers’ attention. Begin with a relevant quote or statistic, tell a short story or share an interesting fact. Then, set the tone for the article by sharing a brief summary of what you’re going to talk about in the body text. This gives your readers a reason to keep going. Next, fill in the body text. In your outline, these are the bullet points below each subheading. This is the meat of your blog post, so it should be clear and compelling. Avoid fluff and repetition, and instead offer deep value by sharing your knowledge, research and insights. A concluding section isn’t always necessary—in fact, our blog rarely uses one—but it can be useful in the case of storytelling or when wrapping up a very extensive article. You can tie your main points together using a short bulleted list, or by sharing some closing thoughts in a few sentences. No matter the case, you’ll want to end on an engaging note. At this stage you'll also want to consider your writing style, this is usually determined by your blog audience. If you're targeting a professional business crowd, you might want to consider adopting a more formal writing style. If your target audience is home bakers, something more light and fun might be the best style. Within this consider your tone too, blogs, even formal business ones, are meant to open up communication and inspire conversation. Make sure your tone is relevant to your writing style and audience, but also use welcoming and inspiring language where possible. Sharon suggests these important concepts to consider in your content creation process: Viscosity : Essentially the ease with which a reader can understand and flow through a piece of text. It is akin to the "fluidity" of the writing and how smoothly the ideas and information are conveyed to the reader. High viscosity in writing implies that the text is dense, complicated and difficult to read, while low viscosity indicates that the writing is clear, concise and easy to comprehend. Rhythm: The pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables, sentence structures and the flow of words that create a musical or harmonious quality in the text. It's the cadence and beat that give the writing a sense of movement and can make the language more engaging and memorable. Creativity : The ability to express oneself imaginatively and inventively through the written word. It involves using one's unique perspective, original ideas, emotion, pathos and artistic flair to craft compelling stories, poems, essays or any form of written content. Creative writing allows writers to explore their thoughts, emotions and observations in an innovative and expressive manner. Storytelling is a huge part of writing a blog post and shouldn't be neglected. Sentence and clause structure: Fundamental elements of grammar that govern how sentences are constructed in the English language. They determine the arrangement of words (verbs, adjectives), phrases and clauses to convey meaning and ensure clarity in communication. Understanding sentence and clause structure is crucial for effective writing and communication. Learn more: Microblogging Blogosphere What is blog cadence?  06. Craft a headline that gets clicks Your headline is the first impression of your blog post, so make it compelling. Sharon explains, “A strong headline should be specific, pique curiosity and set the right expectations for your content.” For example, instead of “Healthy Snacks,” try “10 Quick and Healthy Snacks You Can Make in Under 5 Minutes.” If you’re unsure about your headline, write a few versions and choose the one that feels the most dynamic. A little effort here goes a long way in drawing in readers. The best blog titles  often balance creativity with clarity, helping readers know exactly what they’ll gain by clicking. Writing a good headline also depends on how well you put yourself in the shoes of your audience. Use the title to promise readers that your blog post will provide valuable insight that will benefit them in some way, whether by satisfying their intellectual curiosity, teaching them something new or helping them solve a problem. This will increase the chances that they’ll click on your article and read it. Just don't go overboard and remember to avoid clickbait, which is writing a hyperbole headline just to get clicks through to an article. Here are some examples of headlines that we are quite proud of, to give you a general idea for your own content: Create a Powerful Free Landing Page in Under an Hour 20 Best Time Management Apps to Organize Your Life How to Design an A+ School Website (With Examples) Make a Change: Using Photography as a Tool to Raise Awareness If you're looking for inspiration to get started, try out this blog post title generator . 07. Choose a blog template The design of your blog is just as important as the content itself. “Your blog’s template should be clean and easy to navigate,” Shar on emphasizes. Whether you’re highlighting gorgeous photography or crafting detailed guides, your blog design  should support—not distract from—your message. Sharon also suggests using a website builder that offers customizable and free blog website templates . “Pick something that fits your style but keeps user experience in mind,” she says. A seamless design can make your content shine. If you’re wondering how much does it cost to start a blog?  Good news, many of the best blogging platforms (like Wix) offer free or low-cost solutions to get you started. Many of these platforms come with a large selection of the  best blog templates  that are professionally designed, allowing you to effortlessly bring your vision to life. For inspiration, check out these  blog examples  to see how others have transformed these templates into beautiful, content-rich powerhouses. 08. Select a blog domain name Your  domain name  is your blog’s address on the web, so choose something memorable and reflective of your brand or topic. “Keep it short and simple,” Sharon advises. “Names that are easy to spell and pronounce stick with readers.” When it comes to  naming your blog , you can gather ideas from a  blog name generator  and see if the domain name is available. Spend time thinking about how your blog and domain name fit in with the blog post topics you will cover. Make sure that your name reflects your blog’s persona, topic and niche. Pro tip: It’s also a good idea to check if your domain name matches your branding, including your blog logo . Consistency across your blog name, design and logo makes your brand unforgettable. If you're working on a tight budget, look for services that include free website hosting when you purchase a domain name. Many platforms bundle hosting and domain registration together at an affordable price, saving you from juggling multiple providers. Stuck on  how to choose a domain name ? Use a domain name search  tool to see if the exact name you want is available, and if not, try a domain name generator to find the perfect blog domain name.  Learn more: What is a domain? How to register a domain How much does a domain name cost? 09. Use images to level up your post Visuals bring your blog post to life and make it more engaging. Sharon emphasizes that “the right images can help illustrate your points and keep readers scrolling.” Use high-quality photos, graphs or even custom artwork to enhance what you’ve written. Don’t just add visuals for the sake of it, though. Choose ones that feel meaningful and connected to the content. Tools like stock image websites or creating your own graphics can be game-changers in this department. With Wix, you can add a professional photo gallery to individual posts and embed your own pictures within your articles. You can also choose from an array of media content from Wix, Shutterstock and Unsplash directly within your site’s editor. 10. Implement calls-to-action In the same way a blog is meant to inform people about specific topics, it can also be used as an important tool that motivates readers to take a certain action. This includes everything from subscribing to your blog to making a purchase. This element is referred to as CTA, or call-to-action, and is presented as an embedded link or button that states your objective in an alluring manner. Some of the most common call-to-action examples for blogs include “Subscribe,” “Download our e-book” or “Sign up.” Using CTAs can help you transform your website traffic into engagement and, eventually, profit. While your immediate goal is to get more readers, you may eventually want to monetize your blog further down the road. 11. Optimize for SEO Here’s where strategy comes into play. When it comes to SEO for bloggers , a strong blog SEO plan involves optimizing your content both before and after writing the blog post. Not only does this include doing keyword research prior to the outline phase, but it also includes using those keywords to polish your final piece. Optimizing your post for search engines helps it reach a wider audience. Sharon suggests starting with simple steps like incorporating your chosen keywords naturally into the content, headings and meta descriptions. “ Website SEO doesn’t have to be complicated,” she reminds us. “Think of it as making your content easy to find.” This begins with sprinkling relevant keywords throughout your article. Let’s say you’ve chosen to target the keyword “business strategies.” Use this exact phrase in your headline, throughout the body text and one to two subheadings if it’s a natural fit. You’ll also want to add the keywords to the URL of your article, as well as in the alt text of your blog post’s images. Use these SEO features to give your blog an overall performance boost. 12. Edit and polish With so many common blogging mistakes out there, you’ll need to thoroughly check your article for grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, repetition and any other unprofessional content. Take the time to edit your post for clarity and accuracy. Proofreading might feel tedious, but it makes a world of difference. Sharon recommends stepping away from your draft for a bit before reviewing it again with fresh eyes. “You’ll spot things you missed the first time around,” she says. Furthermore, make sure your ideas flow coherently throughout each section, signaling a clear and purposeful message to readers. You can read about other essential aspects of blogging in this comprehensive blog post checklist . We recommend even asking a friend or colleague to give your blog article a glance before it goes live. Direct them to look for any discrepancies or ambiguity. It’s also important to emphasize quality over quantity in order to keep your readers interested and to establish your credibility. Then, once you’re happy with your written work, it’s time to hit publish. Pro tip:   Reading your post out loud is another great editing trick. It helps you catch awkward phrasing and ensures your tone sounds natural. 13. Hit publish and share your work This is the moment you’ve been working toward. Once your post is live, don’t forget to share it. “Promotion is key to growing your audience,” Sharon says. “Don’t be shy about telling people what you’ve created.” Every piece of content you share adds to your blogging experience and confidence. Celebrate this step, and get ready to create your  content calendar .  Two of the most effective ways to promote your blog post and get readers are email marketing and social media marketing. Email remains one of the most reliable platforms for marketing, as it allows for a direct communication channel between you and your audience. This highly effective digital marketing strategy involves sending out customized emails to prospective users with the aim of converting them into loyal fans. If you’re interested in getting started, this powerful email marketing service can help you send custom newsletters for your blog. Beyond emails, sharing your article on social media can also go a long way. For example, if you want to accrue a wide audience, promote your blog on Facebook or Instagram, which have one of the largest and most diverse user bases. Whichever channels you choose, make sure to actively engage with followers on a day-to-day basis. This will ensure that you not only write a great blog post, but that you get people reading your article, too. Learn more: Increasing blog traffic Social media marketing Newsletter examples Looking to really get your blog off the ground? Take a look at our Build Your Own Blog online course to get you started. How to structure a blog post checklist Crafting a blog post is part art, part strategy. With this checklist, you’ll have all the tools to create a post that connects with readers and keeps them coming back for more. Here's how we break down blogs here at Wix: Headline: Make it crisp, catchy and totally relevant. Your headline is your blog’s first impression, so don’t shy away from adding keywords to boost SEO while staying clear and compelling. Introduction: This is your chance to hook your readers. Sharon says, “Answer their search intent by outlining your blog’s purpose and spotlighting its main idea right away. Set the tone early, and they’ll stick with you.” Subheadings: Think of these as signposts guiding your readers through your blog. Arrange your content with easy-to-read sections and use subheadings that follow a logical flow. Body: Here’s where you deliver the goods. Writing in a conversational tone, share valuable information backed by examples, stats or credible evidence.  Visuals: A blog post isn’t all words and no color. Add images, infographics or videos that complement your content. Sharon notes, “Well-chosen visuals keep your readers scrolling and learning.” Engagement: Invite your audience to interact. Whether it’s comments, shares or answering a question you pose, interaction keeps the conversation alive. Editing: Before anything goes live, it has to go through a thorough check. “Don’t skip this step,” Sharon advises. Fix grammar, smooth out the style and double-check facts. SEO: Sprinkle relevant keywords naturally throughout the post and make sure you’re still answering what your readers are searching for. It’s a balance between smart optimization and authentic writing. Readability: Stick to clean, consistent formatting with short sentences that are easy on the eyes. Links: A good post shares the love. Include internal links to guide readers to your other posts and external links to boost credibility and expand on your topic. Social sharing: Make it easy for readers to spread the word. Add social sharing buttons and craft shareable snippets of content they'll want to repost. Review: Read through your post once before hitting publish, and again after it’s live to catch anything you may have missed. Using AI tools for blogging AI features are totally changing the game for bloggers, taking some of the weight off your shoulders and speeding up the content creation process. From brainstorming topics to pulling research and creating outlines, these features can save you hours when you’re just getting started.  But here’s the deal, blogging is about so much more than getting it done quickly. Readers don’t just come to you for answers; they’re here for your personality, humor, and insights. Sharon points out, “Your audience con nects with your voice, not a robot’s. AI is amazing for tweaks and suggestions, but only you can bring that human touch to the table.” Think of AI as your trusty sidekick. Sure, it can help polish your text, offer SEO tips or tweak your structure—but the main role? That’s all you. Your stories, perspective, and wit are what keep people coming back. Sharon says, “Blend the efficiency of AI with your unique style, and you’ve got magic.” When you use these tools wisely, they complement your creativity rather than replace it. The result? Posts that are well-researched, optimized and still totally, authentically you. Isn’t that the perfect balance? Get started with the Wix AI website creator . Firsthand insights from a construction business founder with a blog Gita Jacobson, founder of In the Deets , used her website to share her expertise. She created a blog offering tips for anyone considering a renovation and used SEO features to drive traffic to her site. She believes that too many construction sites are stuffed with irrelevant, space-filling text. Every word on the In the Deets website has purpose, whether that’s outlining the company’s construction process or sharing the human story behind the business. Gita also emphasizes that a blog should grow over time. “I'm always looking for ideas and inspiration as I browse the web,” she says. “A website should be an ever-evolving content machine. It's not a one-and-done thing.” For her, creating a blog post isn’t just about writing. It’s about combining clear, helpful content, compelling visuals and regular updates to keep readers engaged. Why trust Wix’s experts? This article was created by Wix’s in-house blogging experts, with years of experience helping people build and grow successful blogs. The tips, templates and examples shared here come directly from real Wix projects, so you can be confident they’ll help you create a blog that looks professional, functions smoothly and supports your long-term goals. At Wix, we’ve guided millions of bloggers, entrepreneurs and creators in sharing their ideas online. Our team keeps up with the latest in content strategy, SEO and design, making sure the advice you get is both practical and backed by proven results. Think of this blog as your trusted resource for every stage of blogging, from publishing your very first post to building a thriving, long-term blog. How to write a blog post FAQ How to write my first blog post? Writing your first blog post can be an exciting but daunting task. To make it easier follow these basic steps - choose a compelling topic, plan out your post, hook readers with a killer introduction, provide meaningful content, hone your conversational style and include visuals where you can. What are 5 easy steps to writing a blog post? 1. Choose a topic. 2. Outline your post. 3. Write your introduction. 4. Expand on each of your points. 5. Summarize and conclude. How to write a blog post with AI? AI can be a valuable asset throughout the content production process, from generating topic ideas to serving as a proofreader. AI tools like ChatGPT and Bard can help brainstorm blog topics, provide research insights, construct outlines and even write drafts. However, it's crucial to review and refine AI-generated content to ensure accuracy, relevance and adherence to your brand voice. Additionally, grammar checkers like Grammarly and ProWritingAid can assist in proofreading, but their suggestions should be considered carefully to avoid altering creative writing styles. How to write a blog post as a beginner? Start with a compelling headline to grab attention. Introduce your topic in the opening paragraph, addressing the reader's pain point or curiosity. Organize your thoughts into clear sections with subheadings. Use concise, engaging language. Include visuals for impact. Conclude with a strong call-to-action or thought-provoking ending. Edit for clarity and brevity. What is a blog post example? A blog post is a piece of content published on a blog that typically provides information, insights, opinions or entertainment on a particular topic. An example of a blog post could be a "How-to Guide" on cooking a specific recipe, a "Listicle" highlighting the top 10 travel destinations or a "Product Review" discussing the pros and cons of a new gadget. What is the format of blog writing? The format of blog writing typically includes the following components: Title Introduction Body Subheadings Images or multimedia Conclusion Author bio What are some tools that can help with writer's block when planning blog posts? There are a number of AI-powered tools that can help with this. You can choose an AI blog assistant, like the one within the Wix editor; or use a tool like ChatGPT for inspiration. You can also use SEO research tools, like Ahrefs to come up with new ideas, or look through community forums and discussions in your niche for new blog post ideas. How do I make sure my blog post resonates with my audience? To make your blog post resonate with your audience, research their interests and pain points. Then format and organize it, so its to easy to read with clear headings and visuals. Using a conversational tone will help.

Ready to showcase your best work? Start building your portfolio →  To help you build a high-impact portfolio website , we've put together these stunning marketing portfolio examples, including a guide on how to make a website . These examples effectively show off marketing skills, from content strategy and social media management to branding and data analysis. To give you the best portfolio website inspiration , we've gathered a mix of creative, professional and minimalist designs along with the portfolio website templates  used. You’ll see how top marketers present their work, tell their stories and attract clients. Explore all of Wix's free website templates → 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: marketing portfolio examples This post breaks down how to make a portfolio  with stunning examples built with Wix. You'll find examples that are creative, professional, modern and minimal, along with their website templates  and key features that make them stand out.  Feature Why it matters Striking visuals Captures attention quickly and leaves a strong impression. Easy navigation Makes it simple to browse projects and find details. Unique personality Shows your distinct style and creative identity. Strong case studies Demonstrates your process, skills and the results you deliver. Strong branding Builds trust and makes your portfolio memorable. Clear CTAs Encourages visitors to get in touch or explore more. Mobile-friendly design Ensures your portfolio looks great on all devices. Detailed project pages Helps visitors understand your process and skills. Social links Makes it easy for clients to connect with you. Contact options Makes reaching out straightforward and inviting. What is a marketing portfolio? A marketing portfolio is a curated collection of your best work. It shows your skills, experience and achievements in the marketing field. It serves as both a visual online resume  and a powerful tool that demonstrates your abilities. In fact, 48% of freelancers with portfolios report  finding clients through their  portfolio websites , making it a lot more than just a nice to have.   "Portfolios are ideal for professionals, individuals or businesses who want to showcase their work in a visually engaging manner to attract clients or enhance their online presence." - Hani Safe, product lead at Wix. See more: How to make a UGC portfolio How to make a copywriting portfolio How to make a PR portfolio Marketing portfolio examples Ready for some inspiration? Here are some marketing portfolio examples that nail it. Each one has a unique way of presenting work and personality. Tim Butler Tim Sommerfeld Kyle McMahan Morse Code PR TJ Rudy Ali Bartlett Brandon Dexter Uinification Jason Farrell Paul Cam Demour Breen Goldy Productions K Kloss Lauren Price Seth Mollerup Tommy Burns Mark Zhu Horse Copywriter Taralyn Wallace Shawn Yaney Michele Pew Christian Carrillo 01. Tim Butler Tim Butler 's portfolio uses a clean, modern design with a strong visual hierarchy. This makes it easy for visitors to see his skills and experience at a glance. Key feature: His software proficiency is displayed with clear percentage bars. This gives a quick, visual summary of his technical abilities. Why it works: The portfolio layout  is scannable and professional. It immediately establishes his expertise and directs users to his resume and work samples. Like what you see? Create your own marketing portfolio with this same template. Template name: UX designer website template 02. Tim Sommerfeld Tim Sommerfeld’s  portfolio is a great example of a visually-driven site. It uses a grid of high-quality images to create an engaging and artistic feel. Key feature: A full-bleed image gallery fills the screen. This immersive experience puts the focus entirely on his photography skill. Why it works: The minimalist design lets the images speak for themselves. This is perfect for a photographer or visual marketer whose work is their strongest asset. Like what you see? Create your own marketing portfolio with this same template. Template name: Graphic designer website template 03. Kyle McMahan Kyle McMahan’s  portfolio is clean and project-focused. It uses a simple grid layout to present case studies in a clear, organized manner. Key feature: Each project is a clickable card with a representative image. This makes the portfolio easy to navigate and visually appealing. Why it works: The design is straightforward and user-friendly. It allows potential clients to quickly browse through his work and dive into the projects that interest them most. Like what you see? Create your own marketing portfolio with this same template. Template name: Graphic designer website template 04. Morse Code PR Morse Code PR’s  website is a masterclass in professional branding. It communicates the agency's mission and expertise with concise, powerful text. Key feature: The tagline "connecting the dots to advance clients' business objectives" is clear and compelling. It perfectly summarizes their value proposition. Why it works: The design is clean, sophisticated and all about the message. It establishes credibility and positions the agency as a strategic partner. Like what you see? Create your own marketing portfolio with this same template. Template name: Strip header website template 05. TJ Rudy TJ Rudy's  portfolio is simple, clean and direct. It’s a one-page site that gets straight to the point, showing his work and how to get in touch. Key feature: The minimalist layout with plenty of white space makes the content easy to digest. It feels calm and organized. Why it works: This portfolio is efficient and no-fuss. It’s perfect for a professional who wants to let their work do the talking without any distractions. Like what you see? Create your own marketing portfolio with this same template. Template name: Fashion blog website template 06. Ali Bartlett Ali Bartlett's  portfolio is bright, colorful and full of personality. The playful design and friendly tone make it feel welcoming and creative. Key feature: Fun illustrations and a vibrant color palette give the site a unique and memorable look. It feels fresh and modern. Why it works: The portfolio reflects Ali’s creative energy. It’s a great example of how to inject personality into a professional portfolio . Like what you see? Create your own marketing portfolio with this same template. Template name : Art director website template 07. Brandon Dexter Brandon Dexter’s portfolio is sleek and professional. It uses a dark theme and clean typography to create a sophisticated look. Key feature: The case studies are presented with a clear structure, detailing the challenge, solution and results. This shows his strategic thinking. Why it works: The portfolio effectively demonstrates his expertise through well-documented projects. It builds trust and shows his value. Like what you see? Create your own marketing portfolio with this same template. Template name: Photographer website template 08. Uinification Uinification 's portfolio gives off a futuristic and techy vibe. It uses animation and interactive elements to create an engaging user experience. Key feature: Animated graphics and a dynamic layout make the site feel alive and modern. It’s a great way to show off digital marketing skills. Why it works: The interactive design captures attention and keeps visitors engaged. It positions the agency as innovative and forward-thinking. Like what you see? Create your own marketing portfolio with this same template. Template name: Creative agency website template 09. Jason Farrell Jason Farrell’s  portfolio is a great example of personal branding. His photo is front and center, creating an immediate connection with the visitor. Key feature: The "About Me" section is prominent and well-written. It tells his story and explains his marketing philosophy. Why it works: The portfolio feels personal and authentic. It builds trust by showing the person behind the work. Like what you see? Create your own marketing portfolio with this same template. Template name: Vintage car garage website template 10.  Taylor Engle Anderson This portfolio website from Taylor Engle Anderson  is a strong example of a writer-led personal brand. The homepage clearly introduces who she is and what she does, setting a confident and professional tone from the start. Key feature: The site is organized into focused sections, including work samples, client testimonials, PR offerings and a blog with insights on writing and marketing. Why it works: The portfolio feels clear and credible. It builds trust by combining real client results with thoughtful content that reflects her approach to brand storytelling and public relations. Like what you see? Create your own marketing portfolio with this same template. Template name: Coming soon landing page website template 11. Demour Breen Demour Breen's  portfolio is clean, organized and easy to navigate. It uses a simple layout to present her work in a professional manner. Key feature: The portfolio is divided into clear sections like "Writing," "Social Media," and "Strategy." This makes it easy for visitors to find what they're looking for. Why it works: The clear structure highlights her diverse skill set. It’s a practical and effective way to showcase her expertise. Like what you see? Create your own marketing portfolio with this same template. Template name: Filmmaker website template 12. Goldy Productions Goldy Productions’  portfolio has a fun and retro feel. It uses a nostalgic design to stand out and create a memorable brand. Key feature: The vintage-inspired graphics and color scheme give the site a unique personality. It’s playful and creative. Why it works: The distinctive design makes the brand instantly recognizable. It’s a great way to attract clients looking for a creative and unconventional approach. Like what you see? Create your own marketing portfolio with this same template. Template name: Videographer website template 13. Kristine Kloss Kristine Kloss'  portfolio is minimalist and elegant. It uses a simple color palette and clean typography to create a sophisticated look. Key feature: The use of ample white space gives the design a breathable and uncluttered feel. It puts the focus on the content. Why it works: The minimalist design is timeless and professional. It conveys a sense of confidence and refinement. Like what you see? Create your own marketing portfolio with this same template. Template name: Graphic designer website template 14. Lauren Price Lauren Price's  portfolio is warm and inviting. The friendly tone and personal photos make it feel approachable and authentic. Key feature: Testimonials from happy clients are prominently displayed. This builds social proof and credibility. Why it works: The portfolio focuses on building trust and relationships. It’s a great strategy for a freelance marketer. Like what you see? Create your own marketing portfolio with this same template. Template name: Start from scratch website template 15. Seth Mollerup Seth Mollerup's  portfolio is a great example of a clean, one-page design. It’s easy to scroll through and get a quick overview of his work. Wix simplifies your portfolio website  setup, so you can focus on showing your talent. Key feature: The long-scrolling format tells a cohesive story. It guides visitors through his experience, projects and skills in a logical flow. Why it works: The one-page design is simple and effective. It provides all the necessary information without overwhelming the visitor. Like what you see? Create your own marketing portfolio with this same template. Template name:   Minimal layout website template 16. Tommy Burns Tommy Burns’  portfolio is all about results. He uses data and metrics to show the impact of his work. Key feature: Case studies feature specific numbers and KPIs, like "increased engagement by 300%." This provides concrete proof of his success. Why it works: The data-driven approach is powerful and persuasive. It demonstrates his value in a clear and measurable way. Like what you see? Create your own marketing portfolio with this same template. Template name:   Classic layout website template 17. Mark Zhu Mark Zhu's  portfolio is modern and interactive. It uses animation and hover effects to create a dynamic user experience. Key feature: The interactive elements make the site fun to explore. It keeps visitors engaged and encourages them to learn more. Why it works: The dynamic design shows his technical skills and creativity. It’s a great way to stand out in the digital marketing space. Like what you see? Create your own marketing portfolio with this same template. Template name: Marketing agency website template 18. Brett La Frombois, Horse Copywriter Brett La Frombois’  portfolio has a unique and memorable brand. The "Horse Copywriter" name and a consistent Western theme make it stand out. Key feature: The strong, consistent branding creates a distinct identity. It's quirky and unforgettable. Why it works: The niche branding attracts a specific type of client. It’s a bold choice that pays off by creating a strong connection with the right audience. Like what you see? Create your own marketing portfolio with this same template. Template name: Start from scratch website template 19. Taralyn Wallace Taralyn Wallace’s  portfolio is professional and polished. It clearly outlines her services and expertise. Key feature: The "Services" section is detailed and well-organized. It explains exactly what she offers and how she can help clients. Why it works: The clear service offerings make it easy for potential clients to understand her value. It positions her as a capable and reliable professional. Like what you see? Create your own marketing portfolio with this same template. Template name: Creative CV website template 20. Shawn Yaney Shawn Yaney’s portfolio combines design and marketing. It shows his ability to create visually appealing and effective campaigns. Key feature: The portfolio features a mix of graphic design, web design and marketing projects. This shows his versatility. Why it works: The blend of skills makes him a valuable asset. It shows he can handle both the creative and strategic sides of marketing. Like what you see? Create your own marketing portfolio with this same template. Template name: Start from scratch website template 21. Michele Pew Michele Pew's  portfolio is clean and content-focused. It uses a blog-style format to share her writing and marketing insights. Key feature: The portfolio doubles as a blog. This allows her to continuously add fresh content and demonstrate her expertise. Why it works: The content-driven approach establishes her as a thought leader. It attracts visitors through valuable information and keeps them coming back. Like what you see? Create your own marketing portfolio with this same template. Template name: Art gallery website template 22. Christian Carrillo Christian Carrillo’s  portfolio is bold and energetic. The vibrant colors and dynamic layout create a sense of movement and excitement. Key feature: The use of bright, contrasting colors makes the design pop. It’s eye-catching and full of energy. Why it works: The energetic design reflects a passion for marketing. It’s a great way to convey enthusiasm and creativity. Like what you see? Create your own marketing portfolio with this same template. Template name: Graphic designer website template How to create a marketing portfolio Knowing how to create a marketing portfolio  is more straightforward than you might think. Start by gathering your best work and thinking about the story you want to tell. Choose your best projects: pick a variety of work that shows your skills and the results you've achieved. Write compelling case studies: for each project, explain the challenge, your solution and the outcome. Use data to back up your claims. Pick the right platform: choosing the  best website builder for portfolio  websites can make the process much simpler. For instance, Wix provides an easy-to-use website builder  that lets you bring your ideas to life. You can also start with professional portfolio templates to get a head start. Show your personality: use your portfolio to express your unique style and voice. This helps you connect with potential clients on a personal level. Make it easy to contact you: include a clear call-to-action and a simple contact form. Wix makes portfolio website creation easy. With its intuitive portfolio maker  and drag and drop website builder , you can design a beautiful site without knowing a single line of code. Wix also offers reliable and free website hosting , with the option to buy a domain name  along with a matching business email  and create online forms .  “A portfolio isn’t just a collection of projects, it’s your opportunity to demonstrate how you approach a problem, analyze the data and transform it into something meaningful. That’s what sets you apart as a true analyst.” - Doreen Weissfelner, head of Wix analytics and home  Related posts:  Should I make a website for my portfolio? What should a portfolio website include?  How to create a graphic design portfolio Portfolio name ideas Marketing portfolio examples FAQ What should a marketing portfolio include? Your marketing portfolio should include your best work, such as case studies from campaigns, content you've created, social media results and any data that shows your impact. Also, include your resume, an "About Me" section and a clear way for people to contact you. How do I make a marketing portfolio with no experience? If you don't have professional experience, create your own projects. You could create a blog , manage social media for a local club or create a mock campaign for a brand you admire. These projects show your skills and initiative. How many projects should be in a marketing portfolio? Aim for 3-5 of your strongest projects. It’s better to have a few high-quality examples with detailed case studies than a lot of weaker ones. Focus on showing a range of skills and impressive results. Do I need a website for my marketing portfolio? Yes, a website is the most professional way to present your portfolio. It allows you to control the design, tell your story and make it easy for potential employers to see your work. Wix offers a free  AI website builder that can create a unique, business-ready site for you in no time. How do I get my marketing portfolio noticed? Share your portfolio on LinkedIn, include the link in your email signature and mention it on your resume. You can also optimize your portfolio for search engines with relevant keywords so that people searching for marketers can find you.

Turn your ideas into sales and start selling with Wix eCommerce →   You think of a brilliant idea for an online store. Or perhaps you read about another successful entrepreneur and got inspired. You muster up the confidence to pursue your idea—only to wind up wondering “Where do I begin?” To make your life easier, we’ve put together this guide with step-by-step instructions on how to build an online store . Whether you’re starting a business from scratch or taking your brick-and-mortar business online, we’ll help you get started on the right foot. Ready to start your eCommerce journey? Now’s the perfect time to bring your vision to life. With Wix eCommerce, you have the tools to build a professional online store and create a website that captivates your audience, drives traffic and boosts sales. Take the first step and explore Wix eCommerce today. Make your mark online and turn your ideas into success. TL;DR: How to start an online store Kicking off an online store means making some big decisions for your brand, your business and your sales. First up: pick a niche and really get to know your audience. Next, build a strong brand with a memorable name, a clear look and a consistent feel. Set up your business and register it correctly. After that, choose a platform that fits your needs, keeps your site safe and can grow with you. Plan for costs early—platforms hosting domains getting your products and extra tools all add up and affect how smoothly your store runs. Design your store to make shopping easy and fun, with clear buttons great images and lots of payment options. Get people to visit with smart marketing, track what's working with analytics and give amazing customer service so buyers keep coming back. Along the way, focus on strategies that help you make money online while your store grows. How to start an online store in 10 steps Choose a niche and determine your target audience Create a strong branding strategy Decide on your business structure and register your business Pick an eCommerce platform Name your store and get a domain Design your online store for sales Connect a payment provider Optimize your online store Start your marketing campaigns Create a customer service plan 01. Choose a niche and determine your target audience Choosing which products to sell online  will require careful consideration. Beyond thinking about what your target audience likes, you’ll need to do a bit of competitive recon and ask yourself some key questions. For starters: which brands are already popular online? What unique pain points can you help to solve? How do you plan on sourcing your products? Learn more: How to sell on Wix Generate and refine product ideas To get the ideas flowing, here are a few things to try. Optimize a popular product: Take what you know works and make it better. This is something big retailers do with their  private label products . They’ll check to see what’s popular in stores or online, then create their own versions. Try this out for yourself by using tools like Jungle Scout  or checking sites like Amazon’s Best Sellers list . Scour reviews on leading brands to discover what their products are missing. Look out for an untapped market: Have you ever searched for a product online and realized that nothing really wows you? Did your brother mention something that would be cool to own over dinner? There’s no replacement for an original idea. This is how Wix user DIVINIA Water developed its international business. Founder Steven Sedlmayr realized that there was a gap in the market for drinkable water—particularly pure water with functional benefits. Follow the trends: Whether born out of necessity or a viral topic, there’s always a plethora of trending products  to choose from. The key here is to have a system for understanding what’s driving a product’s success. How long will the trend last? What marketing do you need to do to keep the momentum going? Be careful not to commit to a product that will lose interest as quickly as it gained it. Once you’ve brainstormed a few good ideas, take some time to make sure that it’s a realistic item to sell. Ask yourself if your item is easy to ship, where you can sell it and whether you can turn a profit. To start an online clothing store , define your niche—like sustainable streetwear or custom pieces—and know your customers’ style and sizing needs. Build a brand with a fitting name, logo, colors and visual style. Use high-quality images, detailed fabric and fit descriptions and plan inventory by size and season. Streamline shipping and returns and promote through social media, influencers and trend-driven campaigns while tracking sales and feedback. Target the right audience for your online store Beyond that, you need to identify your target audience. The closer you are to your product (or audience), the greater your chances of building a successful business. If you already have a product idea, use that to determine your ideal customer. If not, consider an audience that you’re most familiar with. What products do you use on a regular basis? What do you value the most about your favorite brands? Or, who in your life are you looking to serve with your products? As with any business, it helps to find a purpose that will keep you motivated in the long run. Ecommerce, after all, isn’t just sunshine and butterflies (see our guide on what is eCommerce ). There are numerous logistical and financial questions you’ll have to address. By reminding yourself why you’re running your business and for whom, you can better stay on track. To that end, take the time to establish buyer personas. Personas help you get into the mind of your buyer and, in turn, make decisions regarding messaging, your eCommerce website  design, marketing strategies and more. Learn more: What's the best way to start an online store? 02. Create a strong branding strategy Branding is a big part of your online success. At a time when an increasing number of shoppers are open to buying from brands they’ve never heard of, it’s critical for you to have a strong eCommerce branding strategy that leaves a strong impression. Branding includes everything from your business’ name, logo, favicon, typography, color palette and tone of voice. Your business’ brand should strongly relate to the type of company you are and the mood you want to create. Build your online store visual identity Start off by creating your brand palette. You could use blues and greens to match your environmentally friendly water bottles. Or you may use brighter colors to emanate a cheery, energetic mood. Whichever direction you go, make sure you have a reason for why you chose your brand colors rather than arbitrarily selecting them. Save three to four hex color codes to reference moving forward. Next, create a logo for your business with the help of a designer or logo maker . Needless to say that it should be strong, memorable, and uniquely yours. A classic example is the Nike swoosh. (Would you be surprised to learn that Nike co-founder Phil Knight initially reacted to the logo saying “I don’t love it, but maybe it’ll grow on me”?) The success of the logo surely has something to do with the fact that it represents motion and speed, two values of the athletes that Nike sells to. Note: you’re not trying to find a logo that simply speaks to your tastes. You’re trying to find one that speaks to your audience—don’t forget that. Set tone of voice and ensure brand consistency Another important aspect to your brand is your tone of voice. This should be taken into account when writing your product descriptions, social media posts, and other communications. Should your tone be playful? Serious? How would you speak to your target buyers if you were talking with them face to face? All of these branding factors will be important when your building content for your brand, including: Your website Emails Invoices Product packaging Shipping materials Marketing campaigns To start an online supplement store , focus on a clear niche like protein powders, vitamins or nootropics. Source products from certified manufacturers with lab-tested quality and consider private-label options to stand out. Build a health-focused brand with clear labels, dosage info and benefits highlighted. Use a platform that supports subscriptions, detailed product pages and multiple payment options. Promote through fitness influencers, educational content and customer reviews to grow trust and sales. 03. Decide on your business structure and register your business By this point, you’re probably bouncing in your seat, ready to get started. However, there are a few legal things you’ll have to take care of in order to make your business official. This includes an official filing that ensures that your business is recognized by the government. It additionally includes decisions that will affect your eligibility for business funding, tax obligations, personal protections, and more. First and foremost, you need to decide how your business will be structured. Here are some of the most common types of business : Sole proprietorship : This means you and your business are legally and financially linked together. This is the simplest form of business to start. That said, you cannot operate as an employer. Rather, you operate and run the business as an individual. Limited Liability Company (LLC) : This option lets you keep your personal and business assets separate, lowering the risk of starting a business. LLCs are relatively quick to set up and offer various business tax benefits. Partnership: If you’re starting your business with two or more business partners, you’ll need to sign a partner agreement, which determines how you’ll split duties and profits. This agreement will track each partner's roles, responsibilities, investments, and rights. Corporation : A corporation usually refers to an established business that includes shareholders and employees. There are various types of corporations you can create. Corporations can be initiated by an individual or group of people. If you’re setting up your business as a sole proprietorship, you can avoid any formal action in order to create your business. Nonetheless, you’ll still need to apply for any relevant license and permits that are relevant to your business and location. Check with the  US Small Business Administration  to determine what you’ll need. Register your business and manage taxes Moving forward, you’ll need to pay estimated taxes  each quarter as well, according to IRS standards, and potentially collect and remit online sales tax. If you’re looking to set up an LLC, partnership or corporation, we suggest you consult a business lawyer. Deciding to register your business is a crucial step that legally establishes your company and protects your brand name. It not only grants you legal rights but also enhances credibility with customers and potential partners. On top of that, having official business status allows you to open a business bank account, apply for necessary permits and access funding opportunities. Learn more: How to register a business How to license a business  (for your US based business) How does eCommerce work? To start an online toy store , focus on sourcing safe, age-appropriate and engaging toys. Identify popular licenses or unique items that stand out. Set up product pages with clear images and descriptions, highlight educational or fun features and plan marketing around playful storytelling, demos and seasonal trends. 04. Pick an eCommerce platform If you’ve figured out what products to sell and how to source them, then you’re halfway to the finish line. The next step is to build a site where you’ll list your products. Your site is the face of your brand. It’s where you’ll have the most control over your branding and the overall buyer journey. It’s also where you’ll be accepting payments and handling essential tasks. It can also be an all in one solution that allows you to handle your selling, marketing, payments, logistics  and procurement . Learn more about what is Wix Payments. So, it’s important to find the best eCommerce platform  to host your site. At this stage, don’t let the bells and whistles of a platform woo you. Make sure to look under the hood and ask all the necessary questions. Factors to consider when choosing an eCommerce platform Features: No two platforms are the same. Some platforms—like WooCommerce—are like blank canvases but require a developer’s help to set up and maintain. Others—like Wix eCommerce—don’t require former coding experience. Instead, you can pick from existing templates, blocks, and apps to build an online store without fuss. (You can additionally connect your favorite payment solution, track inventory, automate sales tax, and more. Learn how to set up your online store with Wix.) Specialty businesses: Do you plan on  selling CBD  or do you have another niche business idea? Check that your platform has the capabilities to support your line of business. Mobile view: Does your website builder optimize for mobile? Will shoppers be able to comfortably browse your store on their phones? Can you accept mobile payments? Considering how mobile commerce has taken the world by storm, it’s especially important for your site to be mobile responsive. Scalability: Replatforming can be a pain later on, so you’ll want to find a system that can support your business both now and later. To that end, consider if you’ll be able to upgrade your plan easily to access more professional tools, like ads, pre-orders and discount campaigns. Make sure you’re not being taxed for your success (e.g., having to pay large commission fees as you make more sales). Web security and reliability: This is too often an afterthought or something that sellers think of only after they’ve fallen victim to a disaster. In reality, security and reliability should always be top of mind. How will you avoid a site crash if sales suddenly spike? How will you defend your online store from hackers, fraudulent transactions, and potential chargebacks? Make sure your eCommerce platform provides public key certification - either SSL or TLS. This will give your site https at the start of its domain and will help build credibility between you and your potential customers. You'll also need to make sure your platform has reliable and secure web hosting , that can respond to sudden traffic influxes and provide as high uptime as possible. SEO: You want your site to rank on Google. In order to do so, you need a strong technical SEO foundation to start with, then tools to optimize your site the way you want to. Wix, for instance, offers the ability to customize your meta tags, URLs, structured data markup, and more. Check to see which SEO capabilities your platform has to offer. AI capabilities: Online stores never close, and your customer support shouldn’t either. Wix AI Site Chat  delivers real-time support that keeps customers engaged and ready to buy. Easy to set up and always on, it smooths the path to checkout so your store keeps moving, even when you’re off the clock. You can also check out the Wix AI Site Chat overview  for a deeper look at how it works. Choose a website builder that allows you to make fast pivots with your business needs. If one day to the next, you need to add events or an online store, make sure your website builder makes that possible for you. - Esin D. Habif, Product Marketing Lead Outbound at Wix.com Pro tip: Your free eCommerce hosting on Wix is automatically set up when you publish your site—no installation needed—and supports successful online stores of every size. 05. Name your store and get a domain Finally. It’s time to get working on your brand. Start by thinking of a memorable name for your business. A great name can help give you a competitive advantage in your target market Brainstorm words associated with your product, industry, values, or unique selling point. Or, use a  store name generator  to gain some inspiration. To guide your name choice, consider SEO. Identify terms that shoppers are using to find either physical or digital products  like yours. You can use Google Trends or keyword research tools, like Semrush, for help in this area. Plus, you can check out our SEO guide  for additional tips. It may not be a bad idea to mention your product category or product type directly in the name. This will let shoppers know what you offer right away. For example, if you’re selling hats, you can include the word “accessories,” “fedoras” or “caps” within your name. Check for uniqueness and simplicity But above all, make sure your business name stands out and is not already being used. You can do this in one of several ways: Research your direct competitors Search your name ideas on Google and social media Check your local business registration service Simplicity is key. Choosing a name with an easy spelling and pronunciation, secures quick recognition and recall. A great business name captures attention, evokes emotion, and sticks in the mind. It should be unique yet memorable, reflecting your brand's essence and values. Daniele Pitkowski, Product Marketing Manager - Alternative Flows at Wix.com Register and connect your domain After you’ve decided on a business name,  choose the best domain name  for your site from a domain name registrar. Try to match your store name exactly. This will help your customers find and remember your brand online. Note that for any domain name, you’ll likely pay around $10-$15 per year. With Wix eCommerce, you can register and connect a domain name directly from your site. In fact, once you’ve set up your store, you’ll have the option to get your domain name  for free for one year. 06. Design your online store for sales This is the fun part. Here is where your creativity can shine. The trick here is to design a store that’s both well-branded and optimized for conversions. Your customers should not only be impressed by the look-and-feel of your store, but should also be able to easily find your products and confidently make a purchase. Learn more: What is an online store? , Website vs online store Pointers for designing your site Use an eCommerce template: There’s no need to reinvent the wheel. Wix offers plenty of  online store templates  that can be adjusted and customized to make sure your store looks entirely unique. At the same time, these templates will include all the key features your store will need so you won’t have to create it all from scratch. Carefully think through your site’s structure: Observe how other major brands and retailers use navigation menus, filters, breadcrumbs and shopping carts to create a smooth user experience. Avoid cluttering up any nav bar or page, and hone in on the search behaviors and terminology that resonate with your target audience. Follow the three-click rule: As a general rule of thumb, your products should be accessible within three or less clicks. Meaning, it should be easy for your customers to get from your homepage (or any other landing page) to their desired product page. They shouldn’t have to dig through many layers of your site to find what they’re looking for. Don’t forget about key links—like your shipping information, returns policy, and contact info—which could be included in your footer. Be clear about what you sell: Your visitors should know what you sell immediately upon arrival. While your off-site advertising and marketing efforts should help with this, you’ll want to reaffirm your area of expertise via clear page headings, clear search menus, and powerful imagery. Pro tip:  Update your site’s metadata to include the type of store you are. For example, if you’re a t-shirt business called PlopTee, your site’s meta title should read “PlopTee | T-Shirt Store.” Write clear calls-to-action (CTAs): At every stage throughout the buying process, your customers should know what they should do next. Create button text and other prompts that are intuitive and compelling. The customer should know exactly where each click will lead (e.g., “Add to cart” or “Explore more products like this”). Learn from these 14 high-converting product page examples . Don’t skimp on your product descriptions: It’s easy to get lazy with your descriptions, especially if your manufacturers already provide copy for you to use. But failing to write original descriptions is a big missed opportunity . Between their impact on SEO and on brand trust, your product descriptions can influence your return rates, visibility, and more. See tips for writing strong product descriptions. Be intentional with your images: You don’t need us to tell you that   product photography is an extremely important aspect to selling online. Customers often sift through images first and sometimes rely heavily on your photos to make their purchase decision. Use professional photos and videos to showcase the product’s looks, feel, size, dimensions, proper use, and more. View more eCommerce product photography tips . 07. Connect a payment provider In order to earn your first dollar from eCommerce, you need to decide how you’ll get paid. It’s always a good idea to offer multiple payment methods. Just think about the last time you walked into a store or restaurant. You likely expected them to accept credit cards, or even Apple Pay. However, on occasion you may walk into a store that only accepts cash—in which case, you’re either in or out of luck. The same logic applies online, where you can offer payment options like: Credit/debit cards Digital wallets (like PayPal) Bank transfers In-person payment (if you have a brick-and-mortar store) Buy now, pay later solutions NFT Choose the right payment gateway There are also various payment gateways (aka payment processors or providers) to choose from. Payment gateways are what ensure a safe, successful transfer of funds. Some gateways may be better than others, depending on your location and business type. Whichever you choose, your provider will need to verify your bank account before you can take home the money that you earn. Before deciding on a payment gateway, make sure you're aware of any associated costs. These can include: Domain registration fees Hosting plans Transaction fees Integrated payment solutions with Wix For U.S.-based businesses, Wix Payments is a popular website payment solution  for accepting credit, debit, Pay Now by Klarna, and other methods at checkout. It’s free and easy to set up on your Wix account. You ultimately benefit from having one, integrated dashboard to personalize your payout cycles and more. Another option is to select from third-party plugins, which include 50+ payment gateways  worldwide. Wix doesn’t charge additional transaction fees and can immediately be integrated with your gateway-of-choice. 08. Optimize your site Once your online store is up and running, you need to optimize it so people can find it on Google and other search engines. This helps you attract and retain customers, as well as improve your overall sales performance. Top tips to optimize your site: Improve site speed:  Ensure your website loads quickly by compressing images and leveraging browser caching. A faster site enhances user experience and can improve search engine rankings. Enhance mobile responsiveness:  With an increasing number of customers shopping on mobile devices, make sure your site is fully responsive. Test your site's performance on various devices, ensuring a seamless experience across all platforms. Use SEO best practices:  Optimize your product pages with relevant keywords, descriptive meta tags and high-quality content. This will help increase your site's visibility in search engine results, driving more organic traffic. Streamline navigation:  Make it easy for visitors to find what they’re looking for by organizing your site navigation logically. Use clear headings, categories and search functionalities to guide users effortlessly through the shopping process. Improve checkout process:  Simplify the checkout process by reducing the number of steps required to complete a purchase. Offer guest checkout options, multiple payment methods and clear calls-to-action to enhance user satisfaction and reduce cart abandonment rates. Learn more about adding an online shopping cart to your store. 09. Start your marketing campaigns Your store is now ready to take on sales. It’s time to start shouting it from the rooftops. Drive customers to your online store using a variety of marketing strategies. Organic marketing tools Social media marketing: Create a business page for yourself on social platforms like Facebook and Instagram, choose the social platform where your target market is most likely to be found. Update your business information and leverage your channels as both a sales and customer service vehicle. Channels like Instagram and TikTok support checkout directly from their platforms. Learn more about your social commerce options.  Consider using influencer marketing to really make impact with your business and drive brand loyalty. You might also want to consider using social proof as a trust signal on your online store website. Email marketing : Emails are far from dead. In fact, emails grant you direct access to customers who have opted into your communications via your content marketing campaigns. To get started, create a business email address. Then develop an email list by adding a lightbox to your site that encourages sign up, adding signup as an option at checkout, or including a link in your footer. You can additionally offer a special discount or other incentive, like gift cards, if a customer joins your email list. Plan on sending regular newsletters, promotions, business updates, product recommendations and other types of eCommerce emails. Remember to adhere to privacy regulations and laws in your country of business before sending email marketing materials. SEO: Use this digital marketing strategy to   ptimize your site to rank high on Google’s search results and generate more traffic to your store long with long term brand awareness. Optimize your meta titles and descriptions for each site page, and follow other eCommerce SEO  best practices. Moreover, take advantage of other free tools like Google Shopping and Google Business Profile (formerly known as Google My Business). Each of these help with local search, in addition to overall visibility on Google. Loyalty program: A loyalty program can help to secure repeat customers and increase your customer lifetime value rates. While they require thoughts and careful planning, Wix loyalty program plugins can help to streamline the process. Offer rewards for each order placed, or special actions like sharing your product on social media. Drive more attention while taking good care of your existing customers. Paid marketing tools Facebook and Instagram ads: Facebook and Instagram offer various ad placements, which help you to target certain demographics or interest groups on their respective platforms. Wix lets you create  Facebook and Instagram Ads  directly from your site dashboard and uses AI to optimize your ads around the clock. Google Shopping ads: Google Shopping ads are pay-per-click (PPC) ads that help you to skip to the top of relevant search results. When a customer clicks the ads, they’re either sent directly to your website or a Google checkout page, depending on your settings. Discover more about Google Shopping and other types of Google ads. Analytics Analyzing data from your marketing campaigns is key to understanding their impact and improving your store's performance. With tools like   Wix Analytics  you can track site traffic, product sales and customer behavior to uncover valuable insights.  See how visitors find your store and which pages grab their attention most. Identify your best-selling products and discover which items might need more promotion or tweaks. By studying customer behavior—like their journey to making a purchase—you can better anticipate their needs and refine your strategies.  Regularly reviewing your analytics keeps you connected to your audience and helps you make informed data-driven decisions. Stay ahead and ensure your store continues to grow and succeed. 10. Create a customer service plan Developing a comprehensive customer service plan is vital for the success and reputation of your online store. A well-thought-out plan ensures that you meet your customer's needs and foster loyalty. Begin by outlining the channels through which customers can reach you, such as email, phone, live chat or social media. Establish clear response times to inquiries and set protocols for resolving different types of issues efficiently. Training your team to handle customer interactions with empathy and professionalism is key to providing exceptional service. It's also good to have a feedback mechanism for continuous improvement, as listening to your customers helps identify areas for enhancement and development. A solid customer service plan not only satisfies your current customer base but also attracts new customers through positive reviews and word-of-mouth referrals. How much does it cost to start an online store? When starting your online store, every choice you make is a building block for your business and a misstep can be costly. Slow hosting, clunky navigation or unreliable suppliers can hurt your sales, waste your time and cause major headaches. Imagine your site crashing during a huge sale or a customer returning an item because it wasn't what they expected—no one wants that. The secret is to plan ahead, avoid common traps and focus on what directly impacts your customers and daily workflow. Think of each decision as an investment in your store’s future not just another expense. Making smart choices now will make your business easier to run and help it grow faster. Here’s a realistic look at what to expect. Ecommerce platform Your platform is the engine of your online store. It powers everything from product pages to checkout, inventory tracking, and marketing tools. A basic plan might let you list products and accept payments, but it often lacks features that save time and prevent problems as you grow. Spending a bit more upfront can prevent headaches, missed sales, and costly platform migrations down the line. For example, without abandoned cart recovery, you could lose customers who were ready to buy but got distracted. Paid plans often include features like real-time shipping rate calculations, which prevent overselling and surprise shipping costs—something that keeps both you and your customers happy. Higher-tier plans usually also include analytics to see which products sell best, mobile optimization for shoppers on their phones, and integrations with marketing apps. Here’s what you can expect to pay for different plans and what you’ll get for your money (prices may vary by provider): Free: $0/month Great for testing ideas or listing a few products. Comes with limited features, manual processes and basic checkout options. You might outgrow the platform quickly or miss out on tools that help boost sales. Basic: $10–$39/month Covers standard product listings, checkout and payments. You’ll likely get some automation and basic reporting. A good fit for small stores but might lack the advanced tools you need to grow faster. Advanced: $40/month and up Adds powerful automation and optimization tools like marketing support, inventory management and checkout enhancements. Usually includes detailed analytics, reporting and mobile optimization. Helps you avoid headaches, lost sales and pricey platform migrations as your business gets bigger. Domain and hosting Your domain is your store’s address, and hosting is the foundation it runs on. Both are important for making your brand look professional and keeping your store running well. A domain name that’s easy to remember builds trust instantly and helps customers find you again. Spending $10–$15 a year on a clean domain is a simple move that makes a big difference. Hosting is a bit more complex. Cheap hosting for around $5 a month might seem like a bargain, but it often leads to slow loading times or crashes when you get a lot of visitors. If your pages take too long to load, customers will probably just buy from a competitor. More reliable hosting, which usually runs from $10–$30 a month, will give you faster speeds, better security and the power to grow without losing sales. Branding and design Your store’s vibe really changes how many sales you make. A great logo, matching colors and a clean look build trust and make shopping simple. Putting a bit more into branding and design now means fewer problems (and costly fixes) later. It also helps customers trust you more and makes your marketing work harder. Even small tweaks, like better product photos or clearer navigation, can quickly boost your sales online. How much you spend depends on who does the work: DIY / template-based ($0–$50) : Use free or cheap templates and DIY logo tools. It keeps costs super low, perfect for trying out ideas. Just know it might not look as unique or polished. Freelancer / mid-tier design ($100–$500) : Get a freelancer for your logo, colors or custom layout. This brings a professional touch and can really push those sales. For instance, putting a strong color scheme and a clear call-to-action can bump up "Add to cart" clicks. Agency / premium design ($1,000+) : A full-service agency gives you a unique store that's ready to win. This means custom design just for your users, pro photos and everything you need for marketing. Product sourcing and inventory How you get your products impacts your costs, control and customer perception. Dropshipping means low upfront costs (just a few dollars to list), but smaller profit margins and less control over shipping speed or quality. If a custom mug arrives late or broken, it reflects poorly on your store, even if it's out of your hands. Buying inventory requires more cash upfront, but gives you full control over quality, packaging and shipping speed. For example, buying 50 handmade candles lets you brand the packaging and set delivery times, helping you charge more and build customer trust. Always order samples to check quality. This avoids costly returns and keeps customers happy. Payment processing Payment gateways usually charge 2–3% per transaction plus occasional monthly fees ($0–$30). Offering multiple options—credit/debit cards, digital wallets or installment plans—makes buying easier and can boost sales. For instance, a shopper might abandon their cart if your store only accepts cards but they prefer a digital wallet. Integrated systems, like those included in higher-tier eCommerce plans, prevent failed transactions, reduce manual reconciliations and ensure you don’t lose revenue due to technical issues. Marketing and promotion The best store won’t sell itself—you need people to find it. Organic marketing, like SEO, social media posts, and email newsletters, brings in traffic without costing a dime for clicks. You might spend a little ($0–$100/month) on tools like scheduling apps or email services. Or, if you're strapped for time, you could hire a pro to handle this for you, which would be an added service cost. Paid marketing is a great way to spread the word. You can start small, like $50–$200 a month for ads on search engines or social media. Then, as you see results, you can do more. A $100 Instagram ad targeting your ideal customers can quickly show you which products are a hit and help you make sales. This helps you invest smarter. Analytics tools, either free or up to $50 a month for more in-depth tracking, help you understand what’s working, where your visitors are coming from, and how to improve your campaigns. Without good tracking, you might just be throwing money at ads that don't bring in new people. Optional tools and apps Apps for inventory management, loyalty programs or advanced analytics can make running your store easier but aren’t necessary when you first start. Costs usually range from $0–$50/month per app. For example an inventory app can prevent overselling popular items while a loyalty program encourages repeat customers. Start lean and only add tools once you see a clear need. Overloading your store with apps too early can complicate things and add unnecessary costs. Open an online store with a dropshipper (optional) If you want to start selling quickly, you could always give dropshipping  a whirl. A dropshipping business includes some key perks, like minimal upfront costs and easy management. When you own a dropshipping business , you work with a supplier who handles manufacturing, warehousing, and shipping—all on your behalf. Here’s a play-by-play of how it works: You choose the products you want to dropship from your supplier’s catalog You list those products on your dropshipping website  and set your own prices A shopper purchases the products and pays for it on your site You forward the customer’s order (plus pay) your supplier Your supplier ships the product directly to your customer’s address Wix eCommerce offers direct integrations into popular dropshipping services like Modalyst  and Spocket . By using our integrated solution, you can manage and list products from your suppliers without leaving Wix. Any customer orders will also be automatically routed to your software and suppliers, allowing you to easily manage all of your back-office and customer-facing tasks in one place. Why eCommerce is important Ecommerce is crucial in today’s business landscape for reaching a broad, global audience and breaking down geographical barriers that traditional stores face. It enables businesses of all sizes to access new markets and customer bases that were otherwise unreachable. Economically, eCommerce reshapes industries by reducing operational costs, as online stores require less overhead than physical stores. It also fosters competition, driving innovation and product improvement. Common mistakes to avoid when starting an online store One common mistake new online store owners make is not clearly communicating what makes their business unique. Decent products and discounts aren’t enough to stand out. You need to answer this key question: “Why should customers choose you?” Highlight the problems your product solves, the benefits it offers and what sets you apart from competitors. Build a compelling story around your brand and make it the heart of your marketing strategy. A strong value proposition helps establish trust and creates an emotional connection with your audience. Another challenge is underestimating the power of branding and marketing. Branding isn’t just about a catchy name or logo—it’s about tapping into what your audience values. Combine this with a smart marketing plan and allocate at least 30% of your revenue to marketing efforts. Paid ads, like Facebook or Google Ads, can generate traffic, but professional, creative campaigns are essential. Avoid relying solely on discounts or generic products. Instead, focus on a unique brand identity and high-quality items that resonate with your niche. Finally, rushing your launch or skipping key planning steps can hurt your store’s long-term growth. Take the time to research your niche, understand your products and deeply know your audience. Avoid shortcuts like copying others—what works for them might not work for you. Quick success is rare, and the challenges can be overwhelming without proper preparation. By planning carefully and staying flexible, you’ll set yourself up for lasting success and build a business that stands out. Using Wix eCommerce to open an online store But your online store could be launched within a matter of days. Wix eCommerce provides all the tools for getting set up quickly, including tools for inventory  management, payments, website analytics and more. Your main job is to brew up a solid business plan. Once that’s in place, you can create your online store  with us and start selling right away. Selling online with Wix means: Use built-in AI features and exceptional no-code creation to turn your online store vision into reality even faster 100s of fully customizable and free eCommerce website templates Sell anything easily, including physical and digital products, subscriptions, dropshipping and print on demand AI image editor for better product photos AI product descriptions AI product recommendations Wix retail POS for selling in-person Reach shoppers on Google, eBay, Etsy, Amazon, Facebook Instagram, TikTok and Wish and manage it all from your Wix dashboard Sell internationally with Wix multilingual, currency converter and 80+ trusted global payment providers Customizable data reports and real-time analytics to help you sell better Native shipping solutions Robust website infrastructure for maximum reliability and security Watch our free video courses to learn more about eCommerce  today. How to start an online store FAQ What is the best platform to sell online for beginners? The best eCommerce platform for beginners is easy to use, secure and flexible. It should handle payments smoothly, offer customizable templates, support mobile shopping and scale as your business grows. It should also include basic marketing tools, analytics and inventory management to help you run your store efficiently. Wix eCommerce lets you set up a professional online store without coding, manage payments and inventory in one place and access tools for marketing and analytics to grow your business over time. How much does it cost to open an online shop? The cost to open an online shop can vary widely based on factors such as the eCommerce platform you choose, the complexity of your website design and your marketing strategies. On average, initial costs can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on your specific needs and scale. Can I open an online store without an LLC? Yes, you can open an online store without forming an LLC. However, operating as a sole proprietor means you are personally liable for the business's debts and obligations. Forming an LLC can offer personal liability protection and potential tax benefits. It's advisable to consult with a legal professional to understand the implications and benefits of choosing the right business structure for your online store. Where can I get products for my online store? You can source products for your online store through various channels, including wholesaler suppliers, manufacturers and dropshipping partners. Consider attending trade shows or using online marketplaces to find potential suppliers. You can also explore white-label or private-label options to offer unique products under your brand. How do I start an online store with no money? Starting an online store with no money requires leveraging free resources and platforms. Consider using a free eCommerce platform or a trial version to set up your store. Try dropshipping to avoid upfront inventory costs. Use free marketing strategies such as social media and content marketing to promote your store. Look for opportunities to barter or collaborate with others for services you need. Can you sell online without a business license?  Yes, in some regions you can start as a sole proprietor without a license. However, having a license adds legal protection, credibility and makes it easier to open a business bank account and manage taxes properly. How do I secure my online store and customer data? Use a secure eCommerce platform with SSL certificates to encrypt customer data during checkout. Keep software and plugins updated enable strong passwords and consider two-factor authentication for accounts. Regularly back up your store and monitor for suspicious activity to prevent breaches. Should I keep inventory or use dropshipping? Keeping inventory gives you full control over quality packaging and shipping speed. This can boost customer experience and allow higher profit margins. Dropshipping cuts upfront costs and storage needs but often means lower margins and less control over fulfillment. Pick what works best for your budget storage capacity and how much control you want. What are the most important sections that my online store should have? Essential sections for your online store include: Homepage : An engaging introduction to your store and brand. Product pages : Detailed information and images for each product. Shopping cart and checkout : A seamless and secure purchasing process. About us : Information about your brand’s story and values. Contact page : Easy ways for customers to reach you. FAQs : Answers to common customer questions. Return policy : Clear information on returns and exchanges. How do I price my products for profit? Factor in all costs including production, shipping, platform fees, marketing and taxes, then add a margin that reflects your value and market positioning. Research competitor pricing to make sure your prices are competitive while staying profitable. Adjust prices over time based on sales trends, demand and customer feedback. How do I know which products will sell best? Research market trends, customer reviews and best-seller lists in your niche. Test products with small batches, social media ads or pre-orders to gauge interest before investing heavily. Track performance using analytics to see which products drive the most engagement and sales. Do I need to collect sales tax for online sales? Sales tax rules vary depending on your location and your customers' locations. Many regions require online sellers to collect tax if you have a physical presence or meet certain sales thresholds. Use your eCommerce platform's tools or consult a tax professional to ensure compliance. How do I handle returns and refunds? You need a clear, easy-to-find return policy. It should explain the conditions, timelines and procedures for returns. Offer simple, hassle-free refunds to build trust. But protect yourself with restocking fees or specific conditions for high-value items if needed. Process returns quickly and communicate clearly with customers to maintain satisfaction. Is it profitable to open an online store? Yes, opening an online store can be profitable, but success depends on several factors. Key elements include conducting thorough market research, identifying a profitable niche and effective marketing. Profitability is influenced by product demand, competition, pricing strategy and your ability to manage operating costs. What legal considerations should I be aware of when selling online? First, make sure your business is properly registered and follows all local business laws, including getting the right licenses and permits. You also need to protect intellectual property, respect privacy laws and create clear terms of service for your site. Stay aware of advertising, tax and consumer protection regulations to avoid fines or legal issues.

Ready to let your work shine? Build your portfolio →   A great marketing portfolio is one of the most effective tools for advancing your career, and creating one is easier than you think. Forget about attaching files to emails or sending clunky PDFs. Building a portfolio website gives you a professional way to present your work and skills all in one place. Portfolios aren't just for designers or artists. For marketers, they offer a powerful way to show how you think and what you can achieve. This guide will walk you through what to include in your marketing portfolio and provide inspiring examples to help you create a site that gets you noticed. Learn more: How to make a portfolio Showcasing your talent should be easy. With Wix’s portfolio builder, you can create a professional, eye-catching portfolio that shows your best work in just a few clicks. Wix’s customizable templates and easy-to-use tools let you present your skills with confidence–leaving a lasting impression on anyone who visits your site. TL;DR: how to create a marketing portfolio A marketing portfolio is a collection of work samples that showcase a marketer's skills, experience and accomplishments. It can be used to apply for new jobs, attract new clients or simply demonstrate one's expertise in the field. Include a short bio, resume, contact info and a few strong work samples with explanations, data and testimonials. Even if you’re just starting, mock projects, volunteer work or freelance gigs can help you build a solid foundation. Use a portfolio builder like Wix to create a clean, professional site fast. You’ll get customizable templates, mobile-friendly layouts and AI tools to help organize your work. What should a marketing portfolio look like? Portfolio basics How to do it Pro tip Short bio Write 2–3 sentences about your background, interests and what drives your work Add a mission statement that reflects your values and focus Resume Include a clear, updated resume with key roles, skills and achievements Highlight results using numbers and outcomes Contact info Add a contact page, email address, social links and a simple contact form Make it easy to find—also include it on your About page and footer Work samples Pick 3–5 of your best projects with strong visuals and real results Prioritize work with measurable impact or creative solutions Process explanations For each project, explain the goals, your role, the strategy and the results Use bullet points or short paragraphs to keep it scannable Testimonials Ask past clients or team members for 1–2 sentence quotes about working with you Place next to relevant work to build trust Awards and recognition List any industry awards, press mentions or certifications Use logos or badges to make it visual Printable version Create a simplified PDF with a cover page, resume and top work samples Keep it short and brand it with your logo or personal style Learn more: Best portfolio website builders Marketing portfolio examples Portfolio websites   Web portfolios   How to create a marketing portfolio Here’s how to build a marketing portfolio—the type of website that presents your work in the best light and captures the attention of your audience: Choose an online platform Create a compelling homepage Design a strong About page Showcase your best samples Explain your work process Make yourself easy to contact Regularly update your marketing portfolio 01. Choose an online platform Pick an online platform that lets your marketing portfolio look sharp and professional without extra hassle. Choose one with customizable free website themes designed for marketers, so you can easily showcase projects, results and skills in a clear, organized layout. Make sure it loads fast and works smoothly on phones, tablets and desktops, so visitors get a great experience every time. A convenient way to get started with your online portfolio is to create a website for free using Wix. The entire process of learning how to build a website , from inception to publication, is completely free, and there’s a wide selection of portfolio templates that you can customize according to your needs. You've also got AI-powered portfolio tools, including an AI website builder and tools for auto-arranging your photos into projects. Test drive the AI website builder. Building a portfolio with Wix includes a domain name , secure web hosting and robust security infrastructure . 02. Create a compelling homepage As you build your portfolio website, remember your homepage sets the tone. It’s the first impression people get of your work, so it needs to communicate who you are and what you do in just a sentence or two. Think of it like a professional model portfolio —immediate impact, no fluff. Check out these web design portfolio examples to get a feel for how others introduce themselves clearly and confidently. Keep the layout clean. Avoid walls of text, jarring color combinations or too many visuals competing for attention. Your homepage isn’t where you show everything—it’s where you point people in the right direction. Make sure it links clearly to your portfolio page and work samples. You’ll also want to guide visitors with simple calls-to-action near the top of the page. A button like “Contact me” or “See my work” helps turn curiosity into connection. A good homepage doesn’t beg for attention—it channels it. 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 03. Design a strong About page Don’t forget to include an About page as well. This is where you can place your professional bio , resume and links to your LinkedIn page and other relevant social media profiles. This page should summarize your professional experience and highlight your achievements in a way that sets you apart from others in the field. Ideally, it will explain how you got to where you are today and the purpose behind your work. You can also include a handful of customer testimonials to add credibility to your claims and for "proof points". 04. Showcase your best samples Here comes the meat of your marketing portfolio: your work samples. Begin by creating a separate page titled Portfolio or Work. This will be the canvas for presenting your most successful projects. Most likely, you’ll have several projects to choose from. Rather than attempt to showcase all of them, carefully select the ones that best represent what you’re capable of. Remember, quality is better than quantity here. First, site visitors won’t want to sift through dozens of samples in search of your best work. Second, an in-depth analysis of 5 projects is far more compelling than a minimal commentary on 50. If you’re stuck on which samples to include, consider the following: Prioritize examples with great results: As you scan past projects, start with the ones that delivered the strongest outcomes. Look for measurable data and impressive metrics, anything that shows impact. For example, “increased organic traffic by 60%” or “grew membership by 25%.” Include specific numbers wherever possible to highlight measurable results. Showcase your most innovative ideas: Perhaps you helped orchestrate a project launch, managed a successful rebrand or introduced a new marketing channel to a client. Providing such an example in your portfolio can emphasize your creativity, outside-the-box thinking and project management skills. Highlight an integrated marketing campaign: If you’ve successfully pulled off a complex digital marketing project—for instance, a campaign that integrated website content, social media content, email marketing and more—you should absolutely highlight that in your marketing portfolio. This will show that you are a strategic thinker and know how to target different audiences across a wide range of channels. Add case studies for each project To give each sample depth, create a short case study using the STAR format (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Explain the project’s goals, your specific role and responsibilities, the challenges you faced and the final results. Concrete numbers and insights help readers understand how you work and the value you add. Include the client or industry and the tools you used in each case study. Add visuals Strengthen each sample with visuals like images, videos, screenshots or infographics. These make your work more engaging and easier to understand—especially when displaying complex campaigns or creative assets. 05. Explain your work process Selecting your work samples might be the trickiest part of creating your marketing portfolio, but it’s not the final step. To do justice to your experience, you’ll need to explain the context behind each project. You can place these explanations side-by-side examples of your work, or share case studies and other insights on your website’s blog. As you explain your work process, be sure to include the following elements: The goals behind each project Your role and responsibilities The challenges you faced and how you overcame them An overview of the process from start to finish The final outputs and results 06. Make yourself easy to contact Finally, encourage visitors to reach out by placing your contact details in various places across the site. Anticipate where people might look for your contact details, and place the information there. This includes the website’s footer and the About page, as well as a dedicated Contact page. It’s also important to include a contact form on your site. This way, visitors won’t need to copy and paste your email address on a separate tab, but can instead send a message directly through your website.   Make sure to share your portfolio link widely and include it on resumes, professional profiles and email signatures. 07. Regularly update your marketing portfolio Your marketing portfolio should grow with your career. As you take on new projects and build your expertise, make it a habit to update your portfolio regularly. This keeps your work relevant and highlights your current skills. Every time you complete a project or hit a major milestone, add it to your portfolio. On the flip side, if older projects no longer reflect your abilities, remove or refresh them. Regular updates keep your portfolio relevant and ready to impress potential clients or employers whenever opportunity knocks. Updating your portfolio at least once or twice a year ensures it reflects your most recent accomplishments and skills. By consistently refining and improving your portfolio, you'll ensure it remains a true representation of who you are as a marketing professional and what you can achieve. Why you need a marketing portfolio As Hani Safe, product lead (Showcase) at Wix puts it: "Portfolios are ideal for professionals, individuals or businesses who want to showcase their work in a visually engaging manner to attract clients or enhance their online presence." A marketing portfolio is a powerful tool for any marketer wanting to highlight skills and achievements. Paired with a strong resume , it can give your career a serious boost. A resume tells what you do, but a portfolio shows how you do it. That makes your experience more convincing to recruiters and clients. People are more interested when you back up your claims with real results. Whether your focus is SEO, advertising, social media or any other marketing area, your portfolio is where you prove your expertise. Putting your professional portfolio  online shows you mean business and builds trust in your skills. Beyond showcasing your work, a marketing portfolio inspires potential clients or employers. When they see clear, compelling examples, they can picture the impact you’ll bring to their projects. What to include in a marketing portfolio As you start to piece together your marketing portfolio, here’s a quick checklist of the elements you should include: Short bio Your bio is often the first real impression people get, so keep it sharp and personal. Write a short paragraph that explains what kind of marketing you do, who you do it for and why it matters to you. This is your chance to position yourself—not just as someone with experience but as someone with a clear point of view. If you specialize in branding for wellness startups or drive paid growth for eCommerce brands, say it. Add a mission statement if it fits your style. For example, “I help purpose-driven brands turn values into results through clear messaging and targeted campaigns.” A strong bio works like the intro on a professional model portfolio: it sets the tone and helps people understand who they’re dealing with. Resume Instead of linking to a static PDF, turn your resume into an interactive section of your site. Highlight roles that connect directly to your best work and explain the value you brought to each one. Include your job titles, the companies or clients you worked with and 1–2 outcome-based bullets for each. For instance, “Launched paid media campaigns for a boutique fashion brand, increasing clickthrough rates by 47%.” Mention tools you’re comfortable with (like Google Ads, Klaviyo or Webflow) and certifications that help validate your skills. A downloadable PDF is still a good backup—especially for recruiters—but let the live version do the talking first. Contact details Make it easy for people to reach you no matter where they are on your site. A contact page is a must—it should include your name, email, a short message form and links to relevant platforms like LinkedIn or Instagram. If your work is visual or campaign-focused, an Instagram feed can be just as compelling as a project gallery. You can also add a simple contact bar or sticky footer to every page with a “Let’s talk” button. Samples of your best work This section is where your portfolio earns its keep. Create a dedicated Work or Projects page with 3 to 5 strong samples. Each project should include visuals, a short intro and a breakdown of the challenge, strategy and results. For example, one marketer might show how they led a rebrand for a local gym chain, developing new messaging and a social media rollout that grew membership by 25% in two months. Another might highlight a lead-generation funnel that turned a cold email sequence into a 10% conversion rate. Use performance data wherever possible and keep each story focused. Visitors should be able to understand what you did and why it worked—fast. Testimonials Social proof is one of the strongest assets on a portfolio site. Include short, specific quotes from clients, collaborators or past managers. A testimonial like “They helped us pivot our digital strategy mid-campaign and still hit our KPIs” is far more powerful than generic praise. Place testimonials alongside the projects they relate to or give them their own section with names, roles and photos if you can. If you’ve done work for recognizable brands say so. It builds trust fast and adds weight to your story. Awards and recognition Awards, certifications and press mentions reinforce your authority without you having to say much. If you’ve earned a HubSpot certificate, completed Meta Blueprint or been featured in a marketing roundup, include those here. Visuals like badges or logos make this section easier to scan and remember. You can also add quick blurbs like, “Named Top Freelancer on Upwork in 2023” or “Featured in DesignRush’s top 10 portfolio websites.” Just like in a professional model portfolio, where brands or editorials add instant credibility, these elements do the same for marketers. Cover page and table of contents For interviews, proposals or client meetings, a downloadable version of your portfolio can still be useful. Create a clean cover page with your business name , role, website and optional logo . Then include a simple, clickable table of contents linking to each section or project. This works well for people who prefer PDFs or need something they can review offline. It also shows that you’ve thought about how your work gets presented—not just online but across different formats. In short, it says you’re organized, professional and ready to pitch. Marketing portfolio examples Once you've selected the elements to include in your marketing portfolio, take a look at these examples to jumpstart your inspiration: 01. Steve Wolf Designs This graphic design and branding studio  builds meaningful brands through design. To generate immediate interest in their work, they place images of their projects front and center on the homepage. Using their online marketing portfolio, they’re able to increase the visibility of their brand and capture the attention of their clients. Looking to start a marketing business ? Our guide has you covered. 02. Taylor Engle Anderson This portfolio site  from Taylor Engle Anderson showcases her work as a writer, editor and marketing and PR specialist. The homepage introduces her professional identity and invites visitors to explore her storytelling, while the site is organized into sections like “Work,” client testimonials, PR offerings, a blog with insights on writing and marketing and opportunities to collaborate or shop. Visitors can view her services, read her blog posts and learn more about her approach to brand storytelling and public relations. Creating a marketing portfolio without experience If you don't have any experience in marketing, you can still build a marketing portfolio. Here are a few tips: Start with personal projects. If you don't have any experience working with clients, you can start by creating marketing materials for yourself or your friends and family. This could include designing a website, creating social media content or writing blog posts. Looking for inspiration? Think about exploring these gestalt principles to get started. Create mock projects : Mock projects are hypothetical campaigns or strategies designed to showcase your skills and creativity. For example, create a branding campaign for a known company or a content strategy for a fictional business. Label them as mock projects to stay transparent while highlighting your abilities. Volunteer your services. Many nonprofits and small businesses are looking for volunteers to help with their marketing efforts, which helps you gain experience and build your portfolio. Take on freelance projects. Once you have some experience, you can start to take on freelance marketing projects. This gives you the opportunity to work with different clients and build a more diverse portfolio. Contribute to open-source projects. There are many open-source marketing projects that you can contribute to. This is a great way to gain experience working on real-world projects and to collaborate with other marketers. Participate in marketing competitions. There are many marketing competitions that you can participate in, helping you test your skills and get feedback from other marketers. Learn how to make a PR portfolio   that wins over clients. Marketing portfolio best practices Here are some best practices for creating a marketing portfolio: Tailor your portfolio to your target audience: What skills and experience are they looking for? What types of work samples would they find most impressive? Choose high-quality work samples: Your portfolio should only include your best work. Take the time to edit and polish your work samples before you add them to your portfolio. Tell a story with your portfolio: Each work sample should tell the story of a successful marketing campaign or project. Be sure to explain the goals of the project, the strategies you used and the results you achieved. Use visuals: Use visuals to make your portfolio more engaging and easy to skim. Add images, videos, infographics and intentional color combinations to bring your work to life and show your creative range. Tip: Include images in WebP file format for better website performance. Make it easy to navigate: Your portfolio should be easy to navigate and use. Visitors should be able to quickly and easily find the information they are looking for. Keep it up-to-date: Be sure to update your portfolio regularly with new work samples and accomplishments. Make it mobile-friendly: Design your portfolio with mobile users in mind. With so many people browsing on their smartphones, a responsive, mobile-friendly layout is essential for accessibility and a smooth user experience. Types of marketing portfolios Building your marketing portfolio is all about finding the best way to share what you bring to the table. The format you choose can make a big impact. This chart breaks down different types of marketing portfolios, what they include and who they're great for. Use it to craft a portfolio that truly reflects your skills and gets you noticed: Portfolio type What it includes Perfect for Personal marketing Brings personal achievements to life with case studies, testimonials, certifications or individual projects Freelancers and independent marketers Agency Showcases a range of client campaigns featuring results, client feedback and industry highlights Marketing or creative agencies Creative Features standout visuals and written work like ad designs, videos and social media content Graphic designers, content creators or ad specialists Social media Spotlights posts, campaigns, performance insights and audience engagement across platforms Social media managers or strategists Content marketing Highlights articles, blogs, SEO performance and project calendars for a content-rich portfolio Writers, bloggers and content strategists Product marketing Includes product details, launch strategies and connections with target audiences Product marketers Event marketing Shares event imagery, participant numbers, collaborations and media coverage Event marketers Performance-driven Breaks down numbers with metrics, growth statistics and ROI from analytics, paid ads or SEO efforts Marketers who focus on analytics or performance strategy How to create a marketing portfolio FAQ Is a marketing portfolio really necessary? In most cases, a marketing portfolio is crucial. It showcases your skills, accomplishments and creativity to potential employers or clients. A well-designed and planned portfolio demonstrates practical application of marketing strategies , campaigns and results, giving credibility to your capabilities. It's a powerful tool for highlighting your unique marketing approach and making a memorable impression in a competitive job landscape. How to create a content marketing portfolio? To create a compelling content marketing portfolio, build up a diverse range of writing projects to fully showcase your writing, strategy and results. Include case studies with measurable outcomes, highlight your ability to engage audiences and emphasize your understanding of various platforms such as social media. Use clear visuals, concise descriptions and provide context for each project. Check your portfolio reflects your storytelling ability and capacity to drive meaningful marketing results through strategic content creation. How to make a digital marketing portfolio? Build a standout digital marketing portfolio by featuring diverse campaigns and results that you've had a had in. Showcase your expertise in SEO, social media, email and analytics. Include case studies with measurable metrics and highlight skills in campaign planning, execution and optimization. Use a visually appealing format, incorporate visuals and data and demonstrate a deep understanding of digital platforms for marketing. Provide clear project descriptions and outcomes to illustrate your impact in the dynamic digital marketing landscape. How to make a marketing portfolio for beginners? Start with a portfolio builder, like Wix . Select the right portfolio template and get creating. Portfolio builders take care of all of your hosting and domain needs, as well as site security and reliability. How many pages should a marketing portfolio have? There's no one-size-fits-all answer to how many pages a marketing portfolio should have. The optimal length depends on several factors: Experience level: if you're an entry-level marketer, 1-3 concise pages of your best work should be enough. If you're at a mid-management level, consider 3-5 pages to demonstrate your experience. For a director or senior executive, 5-7 pages should be able to represent the impact you can make. Position type : if you're a specialist with a focus marketing niche, you'll want a few pages to really show off your skills. As a general market, you'll generally need a page per marketing discipline you have experience in. For example, one page to demonstrating your social media experience, another to show your SEO work. Prioritize focusing on the quality and impact of your work rather than sheer number of pages in your marketing portfolio. Each page should tell a compelling story and showcase your value contribution to past projects or campaigns regardless of how may you include. How much does it cost to create a marketing portfolio? You can create a portfolio for free, with a portfolio builder like Wix. Or opt for a paid plan, starting from $17 a month including domain name registration. If you choose to build a portfolio with a web developer or designer it can cost from several hundred dollars to several thousands not including hosting and domain name registration.

Claim your free website hosting  now and get online today →   Building trust online starts the moment you create a website and choose a domain name . In this article, Prof. Dr. Dennis-Kenji Kipker, an expert in cybersecurity and digital resilience, explains what an SSL certificate is and why it matters for keeping your site and visitors safe.  If you’re learning how to open a website , understanding SSL is one of the first steps to protecting both your site and your audience. As the scientific director of the cyberintelligence.institute in Frankfurt, board member of CERTAVO AG and visiting professor at the Riga Graduate School of Law, Prof. Kipker breaks down how SSL encryption works, what threats it prevents and how to protect your website from the ground up. Try a free website builder  that takes care of your website security and domain protection from day one. Wix hosting keeps your website running smoothly and securely from day one. With reliable website performance , strong security and built-in tools SEO features , web analytics  and marketing, your site is ready to grow without limits. Plus 24/7 support means help is always just a click away. What is an SSL certificate? SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer. That might sound complicated, but at its core, it simply means a secure connection is established between your browser and a website. An SSL certificate is like a digital ID card for websites. It confirms that a website is authentic and encrypts the data exchanged between you and the site. You can recognize a valid SSL certificate by the small padlock icon in your browser’s address bar and the “https://” at the beginning of the URL . Clicking on the padlock allows you to see details like the website’s name, the certificate issuer and the expiration date. These details should match the website to ensure the certificate is genuine. A valid certificate is always issued by a trusted certification authority, such as Let’s Encrypt or DigiCert. Technically, SSL has been replaced by Transport Layer Security (TLS). Even though the term “SSL” is still widely used, we are actually talking about TLS certificates today. Keep your site secure and trustworthy. Explore the best SSL certificate providers available today. What does an SSL certificate do? An SSL certificate keeps your website safe by locking the information visitors share, like passwords or payment details, so no one else can read it. It also proves your site is real and trustworthy. An SSL certificate ensures that the connection between your device, like a smartphone or computer, and the website is encrypted. Encryption converts data into a code that only the intended recipient can decode. Think of it like a sealed envelope: without encryption, anyone could read or alter the contents without detection. With SSL, the “envelope” is securely closed. Websites without an SSL certificate often display a “Not Secure” warning, which can discourage users. When you visit a site with “https://,” a process called the SSL/TLS handshake begins: your browser requests a certificate from the website’s server containing information such as the site’s name and public key. Your browser verifies that the certificate is valid and matches the website. If everything checks out, the browser and server create a unique encryption key used only for that session. From that moment on, all data exchanged between your device and the website is encrypted. Even if someone intercepts it, they wouldn’t be able to read or understand it without the key. Build trust from the first click, explore how to host a website with Wix and enjoy free website hosting . Why are SSL certificates important? SSL certificates are essential for multiple reasons, for both users and website owners. "Cybersecurity is not just a technical matter: it is above all a posture, a way of thinking about the management of one's site, one's tools, one's teams." - Allan Kinic, cybersecurity expert and founder of Prevention-internet.fr Privacy (GDPR) Search engine optimization Verification (authentication security) Data integrity Customer trust 01. Privacy (GDPR) The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union requires that personal data be protected during transmission. This includes names, addresses, email addresses and payment information. SSL certificates provide this protection through encryption. So, is SSL mandatory? Indirectly, yes. GDPR requires appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect personal data (Art. 32 GDPR). Without SSL encryption, secure transmission can’t be guaranteed, which could constitute a GDPR violation with potential fines. “The GDPR has a clear objective: to create a space of trust where users can decide who, how, and for what purposes their personal data is used.” - Marina Brocca, regulatory compliance consultant specializing in GDPR and LOPDGDD Learn how to make a GDPR compliant website with Wix. 02. Search engine optimization Search engines like Google and Bing favor websites with SSL certificates. A secure connection can improve your search ranking, which is especially important if you want to attract new customers or readers. 03. Verification (authentication security) An SSL certificate confirms that a website is legitimate and not a potentially harmful copy. This protects users from phishing and fraud, making it clear that the site they’re visiting is authentic and trustworthy. Explore these website security tips to keep your site protected. 04. Data integrity SSL not only protects against eavesdropping but also against tampering. You can be confident that information arrives exactly as sent, without unwanted or unnoticed alterations by third parties. 05. Customer trust SSL also boosts visitors’ confidence in your site. When users see the padlock icon in the browser bar, it signals security and professionalism. A lack of SSL can deter people, as no one wants to use an “unsafe” site. Types of SSL certificates There are different types of SSL certificates depending on your needs. Here’s a breakdown of the main options: Single domain certificate (SSL/TLS) A single-domain certificate protects one domain, for example, “ www.wix.com .” It’s ideal for websites or blogs with only one URL and is probably the most common type of SSL certificate. Many hosting providers automatically provide a free single-domain certificate for every domain created, making it especially convenient for beginners or smaller projects. With just a few clicks, your website is encrypted without requiring technical knowledge. Recommended reading:  How much does a domain cost?   Multi-domain certificate (SAN/UC) SAN stands for Subject Alternative Name and UC means Unified Communications. These certificates protect multiple domains simultaneously, e.g., “www.your-site.com,” “shop.your-site.com” and “portfolio.your-site.com.” For smaller companies or projects, individual single-domain certificates for each domain are often easier to manage. Wildcard certificate A wildcard certificate covers a main domain and all its subdomains. For example, “www.your-site.com,” “blog.your-site.com” and “shop.your-site.com” can all be protected with a single certificate. Learn more: how much does an SSL certificate cost? Final thoughts about SSL certificates Today, an SSL certificate is no longer optional, it’s essential. It protects personal data, increases visitor trust, and is even legally required when processing personal data. Which certificate is right for you depends on how you use your website. Single-domain certificates are sufficient for small sites, while multi-domain and wildcard certificates make sense for larger projects. If you’re not a technical expert, make sure to choose a hosting provider that makes generating and installing an SSL certificate easy. This ensures your site meets legal requirements and builds trust with your users. Meet the expert Prof. Dr. Dennis-Kenji Kipker is a leading expert in cybersecurity and digital resilience. He is the scientific director of the cyberintelligence.institute in Frankfurt, a member of the board of CERTAVO AG and a visiting professor at the Riga Graduate School of Law, where he specializes in global IT law and cyber strategy. What is an SSL certificate FAQ Do I need an SSL certificate if I already have web hosting? Yes. While most web hosting  providers include SSL by default, not all do. SSL encrypts the connection between your site and visitors, protecting sensitive data like logins or payments. If your web hosting plan doesn’t include one, you can add it manually. When comparing providers, look for those offering eCommerce hosting  with free SSL, like Wix, where it’s automatically included. How does SSL affect my website's SEO and domain name search visibility? Search engines prioritize secure sites, so having an SSL certificate can help your site rank higher in domain name search  results. It signals trustworthiness and data protection, which Google values. When you register your domain, whether through a domain name generator  or manually, make sure SSL is activated to give your website a competitive SEO advantage. What's the connection between SSL certificates and cloud hosting vs shared hosting? Cloud hosting vs shared hosting  can support SSL, but the setup and performance differ. In shared hosting, resources are shared between multiple sites, which can impact speed and reliability. Cloud hosting , on the other hand, offers scalability, faster performance and enhanced security, ideal for sites handling sensitive data. SSL complements both by securing connections, but it pairs especially well with the stability of cloud environments. How much does it cost to get an SSL certificate with my web hosting plan? The web hosting cost  varies, but with Wix, SSL is included on every plan. Some hosts charge extra for advanced certificates, yet for most websites, especially personal or business sites, the included SSL is all you need. When comparing hosting costs, factor in whether SSL, domain registration and best online storage solutions  are bundled together for better value. What's the best way to secure an eCommerce site with SSL and reliable hosting? For online stores, SSL is a must to protect checkout data and customer information. Look for eCommerce hosting  that includes built-in SSL, automatic renewals and cloud hosting reliability. Platforms like Wix offer all-in-one security. so you can set up your store, connect your domain via a domain name generator and enjoy encrypted transactions without extra setup.

The perfect domain is just a click away:  claim your domain   →  Nothing frustrates visitors faster than a “Not Secure” warning when they visit your site. An SSL certificate fixes that by keeping your website safe, protecting sensitive data and showing users they can trust you. In this guide, we’ll show you how to get an SSL certificate quickly and correctly so your website security is handled without the headache. TL;DR: How to get an SSL certificate Getting an SSL certificate is an essential part of website security . It involves choosing a trusted method to get the certificate, connecting it to your domain and verifying it’s active so your site shows HTTPS and the padlock icon. When you build a website with Wix your SSL certificate is set up automatically and comes free with your site. You don’t have to worry about the techy stuff so you can focus on growing your business while your site stays secure. 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 how to: Understand what an SSL certificate is and why it matters Get an SSL certificate and connect it to your domain Verify that SSL is active with HTTPS and the padlock icon Handle common setup issues and domain-related settings See how SSL boosts website security, trust and SEO What is an SSL certificate? An SSL certificate (Secure Sockets Layer) is a digital security certificate that encrypts the data transferred between a website and its visitors. When a site has an SSL certificate, it uses HTTPS  instead of HTTP, and a padlock icon appears in the browser bar. This encryption protects sensitive information such as login details, credit card numbers and personal data from being intercepted by hackers. In simple terms, an SSL certificate makes sure that any information your visitors share with your website stays private and secure. Read more: What is an SSL certificate Best SSL certificate providers “An SSL certificate confirms that a website is genuine and not a potentially dangerous imitation.” - Prof. Dr. Dennis-Kenji Kipker, scientific director of the cyberintelligence.institute in Frankfurt am Main How SSL works technically SSL keeps the information between your website and your visitors private and secure. When someone visits your site, their browser and your server create a secure connection through a process called an “SSL handshake.” During this handshake, your server shares its SSL certificate which has a public key. The browser then checks the certificate and uses that key to create a unique session key for the visit. This session key encrypts all data sent back and forth like passwords, payment info or personal details so no one else can read it. SSL also makes sure the data isn’t changed while it’s being sent and confirms that visitors are really connecting to your site, not a fake one. You may also be interested in: How to secure your domain Domain hijacking Domain spoofing How to get an SSL certificate Securing your site is a fundamental part of establishing a trustworthy business. An SSL certificate not only protects sensitive data but also signals to visitors that your site is professional and safe. Let’s break down how simple this process can be. Choose a website or hosting provider Select your domain Generate or request the SSL certificate Verify ownership of your domain Install the SSL certificate Check that it’s active 01. Choose a website or hosting provider Before getting an SSL certificate, you need a platform that supports it. Many website builders and website hosting providers include SSL certificates in their plans, either free or paid. Picking a provider that handles SSL for you saves time and ensures everything is set up correctly, which is key for your website’s security and trustworthiness. When choosing a provider, consider their SSL support, reliability, customer support, and extra features. If you still need a domain, combine this step with your domain registration  to get your site’s address and SSL at the same time. This ensures your website and security certificate are a perfect match from the start. For those managing multiple domains or planning to grow, look for a provider with easy management tools to simplify activating and renewing SSL certificates in the future. 02. Select your domain An SSL certificate is linked to a specific domain so you need to choose the right one before you continue. Use a domain name search  tool to see if your preferred domain is available and explore other options if it isn't. If you already have a domain registered, check that you have access to its DNS settings or control panel. You'll need this to verify ownership during the SSL setup. Making sure your domain is ready for verification will save you from delays and headaches later. For businesses, think about securing extra variations of your domain like different extensions, new TLDs or common misspellings. These can also be protected with SSL to keep your entire brand safe from security risks or people trying to impersonate you. 03. Generate or request the SSL certificate Depending on your provider, getting an SSL certificate can be automatic or involve a few manual steps. Many modern website builders issue the certificate as soon as your domain is connected and active. Create a CSR and secure your SSL certificate If you’re getting an SSL certificate on your own, start by generating a Certificate Signing Request (CSR) from your hosting control panel. A CSR is a block of encrypted text that contains your website’s information such as its domain name, organization and location. The Certificate Authority (CA) uses this info to create your SSL certificate. Generating a CSR also creates a private key that stays on your server and pairs with your SSL certificate. Keep it safe because if you lose it or someone gets a hold of it you might need a new certificate. After you send the CSR to the CA they’ll check that you own the domain. Once that's done the certificate is issued and you can install it on your server to create a secure HTTPS connection. Make sure you choose the right certificate type for your needs: single domain, multi-domain or wildcard SSL for subdomains. The right SSL ensures full coverage and protection for your entire website. You may also be interested in: Website security tips How to check domain authority 04. Verify ownership of your domain To get your certificate, you'll need to prove you own your domain. You can usually do this by responding to an email, adding a DNS record or uploading a special file to your site. If your provider combines domain registration with SSL setup, this step can be much simpler because all your DNS records and domain details are already in one place. Getting this done quickly means you can secure your site without delay. For those of you managing several domains, it's a good idea to keep track of the verification process for each one. This helps make sure no domain is left unsecured and no certificates expire unexpectedly. 05. Install the SSL certificate After your certificate is issued, it’s time to install it on your site. Some website builders do this for you automatically. If you're using a hosting provider you might need to upload the certificate and set up your server yourself. Getting the installation right is a big deal. An incorrect installation can lead to errors or stop your site from showing up as secure. If your site has more than one domain or subdomain, make sure your certificate covers them all and that every page uses HTTPS. If you bought your domain and SSL certificate from the same provider, they might give you one control panel to manage everything. This makes it much easier to handle your security settings, renew certificates and check on your site's health. 06. Check that it’s active Once it’s installed, check that your SSL certificate is working. Look for the padlock icon in your browser’s address bar and make sure the URL starts with “https://”. You can test your website on multiple browsers and devices to make sure everyone sees a secure connection. Regularly monitoring your SSL certificate is a good idea since they can expire or DNS changes might temporarily mess with the secure connection. You can use SSL tracking tools to make sure your site stays secure without any interruptions. Types of SSL certificates Not all SSL certificates are created equal—they come with different levels of coverage validation and security. Picking the right one for your site will keep it secure build visitor trust and meet all your technical needs. Some certificates protect one domain while others can cover multiple domains or subdomains. They also vary from simple domain verification to more in-depth organization validation. Single domain SSL : Secures one specific domain like www.example.com. It’s the simplest option, perfect for small websites, personal blogs or portfolios. Installation is easy, renewal is predictable and it’s usually the most affordable type of SSL. Wildcard SSL : Covers a domain and all its subdomains e.g. example.com, shop.example.com, blog.example.com. Perfect for businesses with multiple sections under the same domain. It saves money and effort since you don’t need separate certificates for each subdomain. Multi-domain SSL (SAN) : Lets a single certificate secure multiple domains like example.com, example.net and example.org. Great for companies managing several websites as it simplifies renewal and administration while keeping costs lower than buying individual certificates. Domain Validation (DV) : Confirms the registrant owns the domain. The verification process is quick—usually a few minutes to a few hours. DV SSLs are budget-friendly and ideal for informational or personal websites where basic encryption works. Organization Validation (OV) : Verifies your domain ownership and your organization's legitimacy. This helps visitors trust that your website belongs to a real business. OV SSLs are a great option for businesses, non-profits and service providers looking for a balance of security and credibility. Extended Validation (EV) : Offers the highest level of trust by thoroughly checking your company’s legal identity. EV SSLs add visual cues to browsers, like your company name in the address bar, showing visitors your site is extra secure. These are a good idea for an eCommerce site , financial services or any website that handles sensitive customer information. How much does an SSL certificate cost The price of an SSL certificate depends on the type, validation level and provider. Basic Domain Validation (DV) certificates can be free with many website builders or cost around $10–$20 per year. For Organization Validation (OV) and Extended Validation (EV) certificates which check your business identity, you can expect to pay anywhere from $50 to several hundred dollars per year. Other factors can affect the price. Multi-domain or wildcard certificates that cover multiple domains or subdomains generally cost more than single-domain certificates. Some providers include extras like malware scanning, a warranty or higher encryption levels which can increase the price. Renewal fees may also differ from initial purchase costs so it’s important to check the long-term cost before committing. For most small businesses and personal websites, free or low-cost SSL options provide strong encryption and are fully sufficient for protecting visitors and building trust. For larger sites handling sensitive data or multiple subdomains, investing in higher-level certificates can boost security and credibility. Explore more: how much does an SSL certificate cost? Troubleshooting SSL issues SSL problems can disrupt your site’s security and trust. Here’s what causes common issues and how to fix them fast. Mixed content Mixed content happens when a page served over HTTPS loads resources like images, scripts or stylesheets over HTTP. This breaks the secure connection and triggers browser warnings. To fix it, update all internal links, embedded content and third-party scripts to HTTPS. If a third-party resource doesn’t support HTTPS, consider hosting it yourself or finding a secure alternative. Tools like browser developer consoles can help identify these insecure elements. Expired certificates SSL certificates have a set validity period, usually one year, and must be renewed before they expire. If your certificate expires, browsers will block secure connections and show “Not Secure” warnings to visitors. You can prevent this by tracking your expiration dates and automating renewal if your provider allows it. After renewing, double check with the Certificate Authority to make sure everything went through smoothly. DNS or server misconfigurations SSL needs your domain to point to the server where the certificate is installed. If DNS records are wrong or the server isn’t set up for HTTPS, SSL won’t activate. Check A, CNAME and AAAA records, make sure the server has the certificate installed correctly, and confirm port 443 is open. If you’re using a CDN or reverse proxy, SSL must be enabled and consistent across all services. Browser caching or outdated devices Sometimes browsers hold onto old certificate or HTTP information, causing errors even when SSL is active. To fix this, you can clear browser caches, test your site in multiple browsers and make sure your devices are running recent software. It’s also a good idea to update older operating systems or browsers, as they may not recognize modern SSL certificates. Regular monitoring Continuous SSL monitoring helps you catch security gaps before they go unnoticed. Use online tools to check certificate validity, configuration and mixed content issues. Monitoring also alerts you to revocation, expiration or server changes so visitors always experience a secure connection. Why do I need an SSL certificate? An SSL certificate is essential for building trust, improving security and supporting your website’s performance in search engines. As of 2025,  over 88% of websites  now use HTTPS, showing how essential web security has become. First, an SSL certificate protects user data by encrypting all information sent between the browser and the server. This is particularly important for websites that collect passwords, payment details or personal information. Second, it builds trust with your visitors. The “https” prefix and padlock icon signal that your website is safe to use, which increases credibility and reduces the chances of users abandoning your site. Third, SSL certificates support SEO. Search engines like Google consider HTTPS a ranking factor, meaning secure websites are more likely to rank higher in search results than unsecured ones. Finally, many modern browsers now flag non-HTTPS websites as “Not Secure,” which can negatively impact your brand reputation and user experience if you don’t have an SSL certificate installed. How to get an SSL certificate for your Wix site Wix simplifies domain registration for your business, making it easy to secure your online presence from the very beginning. As part of the setup process, Wix ensures secure domain registration with SSL certification, helping protect your website and visitors’ data automatically. With quick domain registration, Wix allows you to launch your site faster while giving you the confidence that your connection is encrypted, trusted and ready for growth. Wix automatically provides a free SSL certificate for all Wix sites, including those with custom domains connected to your site. To enable this, connect a custom domain to your Wix site and upgrade with a premium plan if required. The SSL certificate is generated automatically once your domain is connected. Ensure your domain's DNS records are properly set to allow SSL activation. Check your DNS settings in your Wix account under "Domains" > "Manage DNS Records". Wait up to 48 hours for domain propagation after making DNS changes. Note:  Wix does not support third-party SSL certificates or SSL for domains connected to external (non-Wix) websites. Your site will show as secure with "https" and a lock icon in browsers supporting SSL. For older devices or browsers not recognizing SSL, updating to the latest operating system or browser version is recommended. Learn more: What are custom domains Build a secure site Having an SSL certificate is no longer optional—it's a standard for any website. It protects your visitors, boosts your credibility and can even improve your search engine rankings. Ready to build a website that's secure from the start? Choose a website template and get a free, automatically installed SSL certificate today. How to get an SSL certificate FAQ What happens if I don't have an SSL certificate? If your website doesn't have an SSL certificate, web browsers like Chrome and Firefox will mark it as "Not Secure." This warning can deter visitors and damage your brand's credibility. It also means any data exchanged between your site and its users, like login details or contact information, is unencrypted and vulnerable to interception. How much does an SSL certificate cost? The cost of an SSL certificate can vary. While you can purchase them from Certificate Authorities for an annual fee, many website builders, including Wix, provide a free SSL certificate with their plans. This is often the most cost-effective and convenient option for small businesses and new website owners. How long does it take to get an SSL certificate? The time it takes to get an SSL certificate depends on the method you choose. If you use a website builder like Wix, the SSL certificate is often provisioned and activated automatically within minutes of connecting your domain. If you purchase one manually, the verification process can take anywhere from a few hours to several days, depending on the type of certificate. How to generate an SSL certificate To generate an SSL certificate you’ll start by creating a Certificate Signing Request (CSR) in your hosting control panel. The CSR has your domain and organization details that a Certificate Authority (CA) uses to issue the certificate. After it’s issued you can install it on your server to enable HTTPS. Who provides an SSL certificate SSL certificates are issued by Certificate Authorities (CAs), trusted organizations that verify your domain ownership and identity. Many hosting providers and website builders also take care of SSL provisioning for you. How to get an SSL certificate for free You can get a free SSL certificate through website builders like Wix or with a hosting provider that includes them. Where to find an SSL certificate on a server SSL certificates are typically stored in your web server’s control panel or hosting account. Common locations include the “Security” or “SSL/TLS” section of cPanel, Plesk or your hosting dashboard. You might also find the certificate files directly on the server in directories specified by your server configuration. Do SSL certificates expire Yes, SSL certificates have a validity period typically ranging from 90 days for free certificates to 1–2 years for paid ones. You need to renew them before they expire to keep a secure HTTPS connection. Expired certificates trigger browser warnings and hurt trust in your site. Is it mandatory to have an SSL certificate Technically you can run a website without SSL but it’s strongly recommended. Modern browsers flag non-HTTPS sites as “Not Secure” and search engines favor HTTPS in rankings. SSL is essential for protecting visitor data and building trust.