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Get started by:  Creating an online store →  |  Getting a domain → Most people won’t buy what they can’t see.  The challenge is, in eCommerce , you have fewer ways to get your products in front of the right people—let alone prove the value of your wares. This is why having high-quality, intentionally shot product photos is vital to your online store’s success. With a growing number of sellers competing for buyers’ attention, you need to nail first impressions, right from the first product photo. Showcasing products in high quality on your site's homepage is considered an eCommerce merchandising strategy  that can keep shoppers on your site longer and guide them toward a purchase. Fortunately, you don’t need to be a professional photographer to capture appealing images. In this guide, we’ll run through the basics of eCommerce photography and give you practical tips for capturing your products in the best light possible.  Ready to start selling? Test drive Wix’s online store builder .  The importance of eCommerce photography for your online store: key benefits  Think about the last few times you shopped online. You can likely remember a situation when you stumbled across a new brand and made a split-second decision about whether or not it was worth your time. How many of those decisions were based on the product photos?  The truth of the matter is, photos are probably the most attention-grabbing elements of any product page or ad that your eCommerce business  creates. (One study reports that a whopping 75% of online shoppers  rely on product photos to make purchasing decisions.) The quality of your images conveys the professionalism and credibility behind your brand while setting the right expectations around the fit, size, material, quality and/or ease of use of your product. Ultimately, strong product photography can serve to:  Increase sales Lower return rates or bracketing Improve brand image Cultivate trust and loyalty  8 types of eCommerce photography Your shot list could include many different shots (not all of which are listed here). However, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with eight of the most popular types of product photos among online sellers.  01. Packaging shots  Packaging shots (a.k.a. “packshots”) focus on the “outer garments” of your product. It may showcase the box that your product gets shipped in and/or the labels covering the product itself. Packshots can assure customers that your products will arrive to them safely.  Or, in the case of Muted Luxe , packaging shots can elevate the perceived value of your brand; they can demonstrate the care that your brand puts into every detail, from the packaging to the product itself.  Source: Muted Luxe Similarly, packshots can teach buyers how to identify authentic products from fake ones. Best for: Premium or fragile products to demonstrate the quality and protectiveness of your branded packaging.  02. 360-degree photography A 360-photo photo mimics the in-store shopping experience by allowing customers to view a product from every angle. They provide an extra layer of confidence, especially when it comes to high-end products (such as bags, jewelry and watches). 360 photos are large files, so make sure they aren’t dragging down your page speed.  Best for: High-end or customizable products that require a high degree of confidence or persuasion before purchasing.  03. Close-up shots Close-up shots (a.k.a. “detail” or “macro” shots) zoom into the finer details of your product. They highlight features that may be easily missed in a normal-sized photo. For instance, Jērome Studio  magnifies the careful stitching of its leather card holder, drawing attention to the craftsmanship. Source: Jērome Studio In another instance, close-up shots can set realistic expectations (e.g., if you sell second-hand goods and need to point out any blemishes).  Best for: Any type of product to show texture, quality and special features.  04. Scale shots Scale shots are meant to provide a frame of reference for size by placing your product next to another item. This type of eCommerce photography is often used when the size of an item is a deciding factor in its sale. For example, AliceBlue Florist  uses scale shots to illustrate the actual size of a “petite” bouquet in relation to the other sizes of bouquets it offers. Within the same shot, the store captures a human model for extra reference.  Source: AliceBlue Florist Best for: Products where size is often a deciding factor or easily confused without seeing in person.  05. Individual shots  As the name suggests, individual shots focus on just one product at a time. This is probably the most common way to photograph items that are sold online, as it leaves no room for confusion; the product that’s featured in the photo is the item that’s available for purchase. Many eCommerce sites will post individual shots of every variation of their product, i.e., if you sell a shirt in various patterns and colors, each variation will have its own shot. You can also create a sense of abundance and choice by displaying these separately on your category pages, as opposed to taking one photo of the full collection.  Best for: Any product, especially when shooting cover photos or banner images for your site.  06. Group shots Group shots are useful for showing multiple variations of a product in one frame. They can lead to larger purchases by promoting products as sets or demonstrating how multiple items can be used together. This type of eCommerce photography can be especially useful when capturing photos for hero images, social media or ads.  As an example, Lee Cooper  uses a group shot to showcase its denim collection in all of its glory, right at the top of its homepage.  Best for: Products that are sold as kits or collections.  07. Process shots Process shots give you a behind-the-scenes look at how you started your business  or how products are made. While they’re usually reserved for handmade items, process shots can foster a deeper connection with customers for any business type  by spotlighting the humans behind your brand or the care you put into products.   Take a page out of Danny D’s Mudshop ’s book. The site features multiple process shots to show exactly how this Los Angeles-based potter turns “mud into REALLY NICE ceramics.”  Source: Danny D Mudshot Best for: Handmade or luxury products.  08. Lifestyle shots Lifestyle images show your products in action and suggest how they can be used in real life. It helps customers visualize themselves using the product, or see the impact items can make on their lives. Vivi et Margot  does an exceptionally good job at using lifestyle shots to draw viewers in. In some instances, Vivi’s photos demonstrate how to use products, like in the example below. Other times, they pull buyers into warm kitchen scenes, where a home chef might be donning one of Vivi’s aprons while cooking up a meal.   Source: Vivi et Margot Best for: Products that are used daily or require demonstration.  Traditional photography vs. computer-generated imagery in eCommerce: which should you use? Aside from the types of shots you could take, there are two popular ways to generate images:  Traditional photography: The good ol’ point-and-shoot method, requiring physical equipment, lights and human models. Computer-generated imagery (CGI): The “new age” method of using specialized tech to create photorealistic content, such as 3D models.  The two aren’t mutually exclusive. In fact, it’s very common to take a photograph and use computer graphics (a la tools like AI image editors) to add white backgrounds, swap out models and showcase every possible combination of products without exhausting human resources.  In general, CGI allows for greater creativity and consistency across product images. It’s an approach that IKEA has used for years  (chances are, you may have been one of many who were fooled by its coiffed catalog images, 75% of which were discovered to be “fake” 3D renderings). Today, the company continues to work with CGI and virtual influencers to pump out marketing materials quickly for its global audience.  But while CGI is on the rise (thanks to the proliferation of AI tools and virtual models), for most, relying entirely on CGI could pose risks as it relates to the accurate portrayal of your products.  Reserve CGI for things like: Lifestyle or creative shots , e.g., promotional photoshoots that would ordinarily require a hefty budget to hire human staff and travel. CGI lets you create any background or environment to match your brand aesthetic.   Complex or customizable products like furniture, tech or apparel with lots of variations. CGI allows you to create multiple photorealistic images featuring different variations without needing physical samples for each option. Pre-order or soon-to-come products , where CGI can help build anticipation before the real things hit the shelves. Just make sure that it’s clear that your product is still in production. Difficult-to-photograph items like fragile or intricate items with features that might be better highlighted digitally. 360-degree photos. CGI can generate these views quickly and efficiently. Factors that impact the cost of eCommerce photography  Before you get down to business, take some time to evaluate your budget and calculate how to get the best bang for your buck. The price of a photo shoot can vary widely depending on several factors, including: Your photographer's experience : If you choose to hire a professional, a seasoned professional will typically charge more than beginners. This may also be true if they specialize in a particular product photography niche. The number of products:  Generally, the more items that need photographing, the higher the cost in terms of resources, props and other required equipment. Complexity of shoots : Some products may require intricate setups or additional props, while others can be shot with minimal equipment and props.  Post-production editing:  Retouching and editing photos to perfection takes time and skill. You may need to afford specific software and/or hire a professional. Studio rental:  If you don't have an in-house studio, renting a space can be a significant expense. Equipment: You may want to invest in high-quality cameras, lenses and lighting equipment, which you can either purchase or rent. If you’re on a budget, a smartphone could suffice. Models:  If your products require human models, their fees will add to the shoot's cost. Location:  Shooting on location might involve travel expenses and location fees. Usage rights:  This comes into play if you plan to supplement your product photos with any stock images or graphics. You may need to pay a licensing fee to use these images for commercial purposes.  How to take eCommerce photos on your own   Ready to roll your sleeves up and get started? Below are six steps to creating an in-house studio, where you can comfortably snap shots of your products without draining your wallet. Note: this guide focuses on simple studio photography, and does not include instructions for photoshoots requiring models, new locations or additional props.  Find the right space and equipment for your studio Set up your shooting area Prepare your product Prepare your camera Take your shot (and heed eCommerce photography best practices) Touch up your photos   Add your product photos to your site 01. Find the right space and equipment for your studio First things first, you need to make sure that your space is set up properly. Between finding the right location to staging your products well, here are several things to bear in mind. Background  Find a space in your home or workspace that gets good natural light and is large enough to accommodate your products and any equipment you need while giving you extra space to work. Make sure the area has enough outlets where you can plug in any necessary equipment.  Lighting  Lighting is key to clear, high-quality photos. If natural light is limited, invest in proper lighting to ensure consistent photo quality. (Also, consider how natural lighting can shift during a session and whether extra lighting could still help.) At a minimum, you’ll want to outfit your studio with: One reliable light source (either natural or studio lighting) A diffuser (this can be as simple as a white bed sheet or white sheet of paper that you use to cover your windows to soften the light)  A white bounce board (e.g., white poster board or foam board for placing on the opposite side of your light source to bounce light back onto your product for even lighting)  A more complex studio setup may involve other equipment like light stands, lightboxes, light cones (which are especially useful for shooting highly reflective objects), speedlights or strobe lights.       Camera  Your camera setup can be as simple or as advanced as you need. The simplest, most budget-friendly way is to use a smartphone with a high-resolution camera. In addition to your phone, you’ll likely want to carry a tripod with a mobile grip that keeps your phone steady.  Alternatively, you could invest in a DSLR camera. These can be paired with various lenses, such as a macro lens for close-ups, that give you greater control over your image.  Backdrop As a general rule of thumb, use a pure white backdrop when shooting your product photos. A white backdrop will reflect light more evenly across your products, plus allow you to more easily adjust the background from your editing software. White-background images are also one of the most universally accepted types of product photos and are required by marketplaces like Amazon.  You can order a white sweep online or use white craft paper. If you’re in a pinch, you can shoot your product against a white wall or white flat sheet.  Table (small objects) When photographing small items, you’ll likely want to set up a table that can provide a stable shooting surface. Alternatively, you can use a chair or stool.  Backdrop stands (large objects) If you’re planning to photograph large items, like furniture, you may want to purchase stands that can hold your white backdrop in place. Alternatively, you can tape your backdrop to a wall.  02. Set up your shooting area  For small objects Arrange your table close to your window or other light source. It also helps to put your table against a wall or another sturdy surface that can hold your paper backdrop in place (alternatively, you can use white foam boards that can be propped up).  If you’re using a window, place your table at a 90-degree angle, so the light is hitting the side of your table for a softer effect. You can always adjust this placement later if you want to achieve a different look, such as a more dramatic effect created by harsh light.  Affix your white bed sheet (or other diffuse) to your window (or other light source). The goal here is to get as much light on your shooting surface while softening the light so there isn’t any glare or shadow. For this reason, you want to avoid direct sunlight on your table.  Lastly, arrange your white paper backdrop so that it covers the bottom and backside of your shooting area. Try to avoid any wrinkles or creases, and instead allow the paper to curve as it transitions from wall to tabletop. This will serve as the “stage” for your product, providing a seamless backdrop for your photos. For large objects Set up your stand-mounted sweep or tape your backdrop to a wall that’s adjacent to your main light source. Similar to above, you’ll want to soften your lighting and do what you can to avoid harsh shadows. Some photographers may choose to use overhead lighting instead of angled lighting for a more evenly distributed light. Or, you may find yourself needing at least two sources of light.  03. Prepare your product Once you’ve got your shooting area set up, get your products ready for their big debut. Start by collecting all the products you want to shoot, including samples of every variation you offer. Check for any blemishes, smudges or creases that need to be addressed before shooting. Pro tip: At this point, it’s helpful to create a shot list cataloging all the products you plan on photographing during your session. This can help you work more efficiently—giving you a clear list of products and photo arrangements to check off as you work.  As it regards placing your product in your shooting area, you may need extra time and a few test shots to position it exactly the way you want. For example, delicate items like jewelry may need to be displayed on a bust. Or, products with prominent labels and packaging may need to be facing a specific way. Similarly, if you’re selling bundled products or pairs of shoes, you may want to explore various ways to arrange your items.  04. Prepare your camera  It’s almost time to start clicking away. Before you do, take a moment to look at your camera’s settings.  If you’re using a smartphone, turn off the flash. Set your phone on a tripod to avoid any camera shake. Note that as you take photos, you’ll want to avoid using the zoom function—which will compromise photo quality—and instead move your phone physically closer to your item as needed.  If you’re using a professional camera, set your camera to a slow shutter speed and a high f-stop (like f/16) to get a greater depth of field (which, in turn, will keep most of the background in focus). Use as low of an ISO as possible (100 to 200) to avoid graininess, and set your camera to the highest image quality option (preferably RAW).  Play around with white balance on your camera. A preset balance may work just fine, or you may choose to set it manually.  05. Take your shot (and heed eCommerce photography best practices) There are numerous ways to compose your shot, and your technique will vary depending on your particular equipment, product and other factors.  Regardless of how you plan to arrange your shot, make sure to keep your lighting as consistent as possible throughout your shoot, using diffusers and white bounce boards as needed. As noted earlier, a diffuser will help to soften light while bounce boards will reflect light back onto your set to fill shadows. Another important note: turn off all other lights in your room, excluding your studio lights, to avoid discoloring.   Now, when you’re taking your photos, pay attention to these product photography tips :  Photograph your items from all angles. While you might start with the classic front shot of your item, you’ll want to test various angles to give your customer a 360-degree view of your product. Test profile shots, high-level angles, low angles and more that help your customers see all the details of your item. Think about how customers might pick up and examine your object in real life, and use this to guide your shots. Think about commonly asked questions. Consider the questions customers tend to have before purchasing a product like yours. Do they often ask about the texture of your item? If so, take a close-up of the fabric. Do they want to see the inside of your item? Devote several photos to just capturing the inner details.  Apply the rule of odds. The rule of odds taps into the idea that by displaying an odd number of objects in a photo, you can create a more interesting viewing experience. It’s theorized that an odd number creates tension in viewers’ minds, as opposed to an even number, which can feel predictable and easy to organize. An odd number of objects can simultaneously create more balance by drawing the eye to the item in the middle. Test your aperture. Though we advise starting with a large aperture and a greater depth of field, you may, in actuality, prefer a lower aperture. A low aperture and less depth of field means that the object closest to the camera will be in focus; the background objects will be blurrier. This may be good for lifestyle shots, where products are intentionally shot against a more dynamic background. Obey the rule of thirds. This time-tested technique describes a type of off-center composition. It starts with dividing your shot into a 3x3 grid, then placing your primary subject or points of interest along the lines and intersections. For example, Woodpecker Instruments  uses this approach in its hero image, where one of its handmade guitars is positioned along a vertical line. Background image source: Woodpecker Instruments 06. Touch up your photos  After snapping your shots, make sure they’re publish-ready.  If you use a website builder like Wix for your online store, you already have some built-in photo-editing tools that can help. From the Wix Photo Studio, you can crop photos, swap out backgrounds and make other adjustments—or access AI eCommerce  tools for erasing objects, enhancing your photos and more.  Create a Wix account  for free today.  Outside of Wix, you can use web tools like Canva. There are also mobile apps like Apple Photos or VSCO. Or, you can use more advanced software, such as Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom.  As you finetune your photos, remember these post-production tips: Avoid distorting your photos. Remember that, unlike the photos you might be posting to Instagram, your product photos are first and foremost meant to portray your products accurately. Make subtle adjustments rather than applying filters or other changes that distort the image. Correct any discoloring. If you notice that your lighting looks a little off in your images, try to balance out the colors at the editing stage so that they appear truer to reality. Be consistent. Think about where your photos will be displayed. Prioritize consistency in how you crop or retouch photos, especially among feature and thumbnail images. While promotional photos (e.g., photos for social media or ads) allow for more spunk and creativity, any photos for your product pages should focus on providing a smooth shopping experience.  Optimize your photos for faster loading. Raw image files tend to be large and bulky. It’s best to resize and export photos as smaller (yet crisp) files so you don’t end up weighing down your website performance . The good thing is, the best eCommerce platforms  like Wix will automatically resize your images for optimal quality and loading times so you don’t have to compress images by hand. Learn more: Ecommerce tools 07. Add your product photos to your site   Take your final photos and add them to your online store. As you do so, make sure to pay attention to these best practices:  Create a uniform look,  particularly on your category and product pages. Make sure your pages are easy on the eyes by committing to a certain style of photos. For example, you’ll notice that many eCommerce sites will use white-background photos as feature images to provide a clean, distraction-free experience. Provide multiple images . Each product page should include multiple shots of your product to help buyers make decisions with greater confidence. Think about the assortment of photos that help to address common questions that people have about your product. For instance, scale shots may clear up questions about sizing, while lifestyle shots may demonstrate the practicality of your product.   Enable photo zoom.  Allow customers to zoom in on images to see finer details. On Wix, you can enable visitors to open full-screen images in a pop-up window and/or zoom into photos using a magnifying glass. Alt text. Make sure to include alt text for every image, which is crucial for SEO and accessibility. Your alt text should be descriptive without being too lengthy. Explore these photography website templates and eCommerce templates to get started on your website. How to hire professional services Sometimes, a DIY approach to taking photos for your eCommerce site might be impractical, especially if you're dealing with a large volume of products or need images that require specialized photography skills.  This is when you should consider hiring a professional photographer. Professional photographers bring expertise and high-end equipment that can elevate your product images. They can also offer creative direction for lifestyle shots or provide models if needed. To find a professional service, start by searching for "eCommerce photography near me" or visit online platforms that connect businesses with freelance photographers. You can search channels like the Wix Marketplace , Thumbtack and ProductPhotography.com.  When working with professionals, communicate your brand vision clearly, provide examples of what you're looking for and discuss the project scope in detail.

Let's cut to the chase. Web design is important because it creates the first impression of your brand and contributes to the overall success of your website. A well-designed website can attract visitors and keep them engaged while improving the accessibility of your site and driving your visitors towards the right actions. With this in mind, we're going to explore how high-quality web design can transform your business. Keep reading for expert tips and additional reasons why web design is so important. Learn more: How to design a website 4 reasons why web design is so important to your business User experience and engagement Conversion and call-to-action Trust and credibility Search Engine Optimization (SEO) 01. User experience and engagement Good website design invites users to explore your content, products or services. With an intuitive layout and visually appealing elements, visitors are more likely to stay longer and interact with your site. This increased engagement is a critical step towards building a relationship with potential customers. Here's how you can achieve that when deciding how to make your website: Intuitive navigation: You want your visitors to find what they're looking for with ease. A clear menu structure and logical page hierarchy guide users through your site minus the frustration. Mobile-friendly design: With the majority of internet traffic coming from mobile devices (currently around 58.21% ), checking that your website looks great and functions well on mobile is non-negotiable. Learn more about how to build a responsive website with Wix Studio. Visual appeal: Attractive color schemes, high-quality images and thoughtful typography can make your website stand out in a sea of competitors. 02. Conversion and calls-to-action The ultimate goal of any business website is to convert visitors into customers or clients. Quality web design plays an important role in guiding users through your conversion process. Incorporate into your web design best practices : Effective CTA's (call-to-actions): Strategic placement of CTAs can lead visitors towards taking desired actions, such as making a purchase or signing up for a newsletter. Elements that build trust: Testimonials, case studies and professional certifications displayed on your site can help establish credibility and encourage conversions. Good loading speed: A fast-loading website reduces bounce rates. If your site loads quickly, users are more likely to stay and convert. 03. Trust and credibility Your website should as the digital ambassador for your brand. Through its web design, you can convey your brand values and messaging in a way that resonates best with your audience. According to Yara Aaronsohn, head of Brand Maker for Wix.com: Each combination of design elements holds the potential to evoke specific emotions, convey subtle messages and leave a lasting impression on viewers. From the choice of font to the selection of colors and the incorporation of graphic elements - every detail plays a crucial role in shaping the overall identity of a brand. Here's how to use your web design to build trust with your potential customers: Use consistent branding:  This includes your logos, colors and fonts should be identical across all pages to reinforce your brand identity. Align your content strategy:  The content on your site should match your brand voice and messaging goals. Embrace visual storytelling:  Use graphics and imagery to support your narrative and connect with visitors emotionally. It's important to create a style guide when prepping your web design. 04. SEO Web design plays a crucial role in the SEO (search engine optimization) of a website. A well-structured and organized website means that search engine crawlers can easily navigate and index the content. Some web design elements to focus on when designing a site well for SEO include: A logical site architecture: Including proper use of header tags (H1, H2) throughout all of the site's content to help search engines understand the hierarchy and relevance of different sections of the site. Great user experience: A well-designed website that is easy to navigate, visually appealing, and provides valuable content keeps visitors engaged and encourages longer visits. Lower bounce rates and higher engagement signal to search engines that the site is valuable and relevant, further boosting its SEO performance. Looking to create a website? Get started with these professionally designed website templates which give the foundation of great web design for your site. What defines good web design? Creating a business website that is both visually stunning and highly functional is the hallmark of good web design. This balance is crucial because it guarantees that your site not only catches the eye of visitors but also provides them with an intuitive and satisfying experience. Learn more: What is web design? Striking the right balance requires careful consideration of both form and function. You should regularly test your site with real users who can provide insights into how well your design serves its intended purpose. At the same time implementing mechanisms for user feedback helps identify areas for improvement. You should also analyze data on bounce and conversion rates to make sure your web design is working in sync with your conversion rate optimization and sales efforts. Be inspired by our roundup of web design quotes . The main principles of web design To create that crucial balance between aesthetics and usability, web designers adhere to certain principles in their work. According to, Nir Horesh, Wix Accessibility lead for Wix.com: We should “design websites with accessibility” at the start of a business. With Wix, users can create a website with accessibility settings built right into the Editor, ensuring your content and design comply with the global standards. Wix’s Accessibility Wizard then scans the website for accessibility issues and suggests fixes. The main web design principles are: Simplicity:  A clean, uncluttered design helps users focus on what's important without being overwhelming. Consistency:  Uniform web design elements across pages create a cohesive experience and reinforce brand identity. Navigation:  Easy-to-understand navigation enables users to find information quickly and effortlessly. Readability:  Legible text with adequate contrast against its background makes content accessible to everyone. Your website should be navigable and understandable by all users, regardless of their abilities or browsing technology. Learn more from these web design accessibility best practices. Load time:  Efficient design contributes to faster page loading, which is critical for keeping users engaged. Form follows function: This concept dictates that the structure and design of a website should primarily relate to its intended function or purpose. Every element on your website should serve a clear purpose. Whether it's to inform, entertain or call to action, the design must align with this intent. Learn more: Web design tips for a small business Visual elements and user-friendly features While the visual appeal and design of your website can attract visitors, it's the user-friendly features that keep them there. Here's how the two can work together in your web design in order to meet the business goals of your site: Color scheme:  Colors can evoke emotions and actions, so choosing the right color palette can influence how users perceive your brand. Different colors can also involve different emotions and set the tone for your site. Typography :  The right font choices enhance readability and create a visual hierarchy, guiding users through your content. Imagery:  High-quality images and graphics can communicate complex ideas quickly and effectively. Get started with a web design checklist and a color palette generator tool . The ROI of web design and how to calculate it The return on investment (ROI) of great website design can be substantial, significantly impacting your bottom line and business success. A well-designed website attracts and retains visitors, converts leads and enhances user experience, which can directly translate to increased revenue and brand loyalty. Measuring the ROI (Return on Investment) of web design involves assessing various quantitative and qualitative factors that indicate how well the website contributes to business goals. Here are some of the potential ways to calculate it: Increased revenue Track your sales figures before and after creating a new website or a website redesign . Look for direct increases in revenue. You should monitor conversion rates, such as the percentage of visitors who complete a purchase, sign up for a newsletter or fill out a contact form. If these improve it may indicate effective design changes. Traffic and engagement metrics Use analytics tools, like Wix Analytics , to compare website traffic before and after your redesign. Increases in organic, referral and direct traffic can signal better SEO and user experience. At the same time, a lower bounce rate post-redesign suggests that the new design is keeping visitors engaged longer. Monitor any changes in the average time users spend on your site. Longer sessions typically indicate more engaging and user-friendly content and design. Pro tip:  Learn how to engage your visitors effectively with techniques like   website animations and website gamification . User experience and feedback Collect user feedback through surveys, polls, or direct comments to gauge user satisfaction with your website design. They may notice or react to elements in a way that aligns with how your potential customers are likely to respond. You can also consider using heatmap and click tracking tools, like Crazy Egg, to observe user behavior on the site. This can help you see how they interact with specific web design elements. Explore old-school website design in nostalgic web design  and Y2K website design for more inspiration.

If you’ve ever needed to produce quality designs to design a website , then you’ll understand why having the right graphic design tools on hand is so important for achieving the professional finish you need, on a timeline that works for you. Sometimes these graphics are the centerpiece of your project. Other times, they might be on a smaller scale - an Instagram post, the banner for an email - yet that doesn’t diminish their importance. Learn more: How to make a website In fact, research studies have shown that our brains are wired to retain information better when it’s presented in visual form. When done well, web visitors and followers will pause and commit what they’re seeing to memory. Those images then become the touchstones consumers recall when they’re feeling ready to buy or book. With the right kind of production assistance, you can take charge of your website's visuals and ensure they have that ‘wow’ impact. Whether you’re launching a full-scale web design project, or need to create a small graphic in a pinch, here are the 9 graphic design tools all website creators and marketing professionals should keep close by when making a website . 1. InVision 2. Pixlr 3. ColorFavs 4. Flare 5. Storrito 6. MyFonts 7. Wix Blog’s ultimate social media size guide 8. Pablo 9. Piktochart 01. InVision This product’s mission is to make the entire design process run smoothly on-screen. From the initial inspiration-gathering stages to wireframes, and from feedback collection to animating elements, it can all be done on this platform. Moving between various modes - like freehand, a visualization board, and a prototype - make that range of activity possible. Use it for: When you need to complete an original design from start to finish. It’s particularly handy while working with a team due to comment opportunities, shared libraries for storing standardized elements, and a freehand draw option to ‘mark up’ colleagues’ proposals. Pricing: The package with one prototype is available for free, while priced packaging Includes more prototypes. Available as a mobile app? Yes. 02. Pixlr Pixlr brings photo editing capabilities into your web browser, eliminating the need to download any software. Create an image from scratch, or import one from your computer or a URL, and then get to work applying filters, effects, overlays, and more to achieve the end result you want. Use it for: Quick photo creation and touch-ups. Pricing: Both free and paid versions, depending on the editing functionality you need. Available as a mobile app? Yes. Use it for: Quick photo creation and touch-ups. Pricing: Both free and paid versions, depending on the editing functionality you need. Available as a mobile app? Yes. 03. ColorFavs The site gives you multiple ways to search for the perfect color harmonies and shades you desire. The feature we want to talk about, though, is their straightforward color palette generator . Just upload an image, and the site will suggest complementary colors. Use it for: Selecting the right colors to complement any promotional materials centered around an image. Pricing: Free. Available as a mobile app? No. 04. Flare Enhance the set of visuals you’re working on by adding animation elements. The company’s support for the Open Design Movement means all files designers and developers create through the platform are publicly-available (in view-only form) to other site users. It’s all meant to encourage greater collaboration and learning from each other’s processes. Use it for: Sophisticated animation features. Fine-tuning your own skills by browsing the gallery and inspecting the design process behind animation elements you like. Pricing: Free. Monthly or yearly paid plans are available if you wish to keep your piles private from the community. Available as a mobile app? No. 05. Storrito Intended exclusively for developing Instagram stories, Storrito’s web editor lets you perfect the selected images and introduce interactive components to create content that resonates strongly with your client’s target audience. The scheduling tool is relief for web professionals looking to automate more functions and maximize their efficiency on client projects. Use it for: Creating engaging Instagram stories to promote your client’s brand, and scheduling posts in advance. Pricing: Free and paid packages are available, depending on the number of posts you plan to make each month. Available as a mobile app? No. 06. MyFonts It should come as no surprise that this website is all about fonts. Boasting a collection of over 130,000 fonts, this is the site to visit when you’re in search of the right style to convey a client’s brand identity. Once you’ve finalized your selection, upload it to your client’s website and put it to use on all other promotional materials to create a consistent visual narrative across print and online sources. Use it for: Font searching and downloading, as well as identifying unknown fonts you see online via their tool, WhatTheFont . Pricing: Fonts are available for free and for purchase. Available as a mobile app? Yes (WhatTheFont). 07. Wix Blog’s ultimate social media size guide This one is not so much a conventional tool as it is a lifesaver for every web professional. It’s the guide you need to image sizing on seven of the most popular social media networks. Use it for: Editing social media image sizes for social correctly to achieve maximum clarity, giving your client’s channels a top-quality finish. Pricing: Free. Available as a mobile app? No. 08. Pablo Pablo is solely focused on social media. An easy-to-navigate web editor comes complete with a searchable gallery of over 600,000 images, templates, and even optimized image presets for Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram to make your job easier. Use it for: Crafting professional-grade social media images for clients. Pricing: Free. Available as a mobile app? No. 09. Piktochart Over 600 templates are divided into five categories, each offering a different way to visualize a client’s data or narrative: infographics, presentations, reports, flyers, and posters. A drag-and-drop editor lets you customize to adjust for your professional opinion and your client’s feedback. Piktochart for Teams builds a feedback mechanism into the platform for easier collaboration, and gives you space to store project or brand assets. Use it for: Compiling data in visually-appealing ways. Also, professional and straightforward composition of non-exclusively online materials, like reports and flyers. Pricing: Monthly and yearly paid plans are available for both PRO and PRO Team funnels. Available as a mobile app? No. When have you found these tools helpful in your own marketing work? Is there another one you would add to the list?

You’re probably no stranger to Google Ads. With Google controlling nearly 82%  of the global desktop search market today, Google Ads remains an indispensable type of marketing  for every modern business.  But, creating an effective Google ad campaign is no small feat. There’s a learning curve—and when it comes to advertising on Google, creating ad content that appeals to your audience and  Google’s algorithms can be time-intensive and difficult.  Enter Wix's newest AI tool for Google Ads. Wix now allows you to quickly create compelling and highly targeted Smart campaigns with the help of AI. This innovative tool removes a lot of the guesswork behind creating a successful Google Ads campaign, which you can also manage directly from your Wix Dashboard. Learn more about the benefits of using AI when advertising on Google , and get step-by-step instructions for how to use Wix’s AI for Google Ads.  Get started with Wix’s AI for Google Ads— create a website  with Wix today.  What can you do with Wix’s AI tools for Google Ads?  Create catchy copy  Writing ad copy that generates a worthwhile cost-per-click is something of an art. Coming up with enticing copy that gets your message across with a limited character count can be hard, especially when you’re running multiple campaigns at once.   AI acts as your creative brain. In the case of Google Ads with Wix , the AI text creator produces several high-quality options of titles and descriptions for you, adhering to character counts and reflecting the intent of your consumers.  “Creating effective online ad campaigns can be time-consuming and challenging. You need compelling ad copy that will convince potential customers to click on your ads and take action. Wix has integrated artificial intelligence technology into its platform to help users easily create engaging ad content.” - Ivan Terechin, Wix product manager Identify the right keyword themes  When it comes to advertising  on Google, identifying the right keywords is crucial and something no one understands better than, well…Google. With Google Ads with Wix, you can easily lean on Google’s expertise. The AI will suggest keyword themes based on your ad settings, landing page and the location of your audience (among other factors).  Inform your campaign goals  One of the great benefits of AI is its ability to access and interpret large amounts of data that can inform your marketing strategies  and, subsequently, the goal of your Google Ads campaigns. Wix’s suite of AI tools includes a Benchmarks tool, which uses AI to analyze how your website's performance stacks up against other websites in your industry. As an example, if you see that you have a low rate of returning visitors compared to similar sites, then you may want to focus on launching a campaign that retargets old site visitors.  (Bonus) Clean up your product photos Certain ad types, like Google Performance Max campaigns (which you can also manage in Wix), rely on having strong visuals. AI can help you quickly produce high-quality visual content, even if you have little-to-no photo editing experience.  Wix’s AI-powered tools, for example, can help you get more utility out of your existing product photos; the auto- background remover allows you to easily remove or place your products against new backgrounds, so you can create several product images from one photo. The Wix AI image auto-enhancer, on the other hand, can improve your images by polishing the color, contrast and sharpness of your photos with just one click.  How to use Wix’s AI for Google Ads  Eager to get started? Follow these steps to create a Google Smart campaign in Wix with the help of AI.  Note: Before you create a Google Ads campaign, your site needs to be published, supported by a Wix Premium plan and connected to a custom domain. To check if your business is ready to advertise, go to Google Ads  in your site's dashboard and complete the setup steps.  Open Google Ads from your Wix account Input your ad settings and select keyword themes Use AI to create content Select and refine your AI-generated copy Set your budget and launch your campaign 01. Open Google Ads from your Wix account From your Wix Dashboard, under the “Marketing” menu, select “Google Ads” and click “Start Advertising.”  Note : If you don’t have Wix Stores installed on your site, you can skip ahead from here to Step 2.  If you do  have Wix Stores installed on your site, and you’ve connected your store to Google merchant solution on Wix, you’ll be given the option to create one of two types of campaigns:  Google Performance Max campaign : A type of ad campaign geared towards promoting products Google Smart campaign : A type of ad campaign geared towards driving traffic to your site AI ad creation currently only supports Smart campaigns, so you’ll want to select the Google Smart campaign option to get started. 02. Input your ad settings and select keyword themes Complete the Ad Setting fields, filling in details like: Your landing page The language of your campaign The locations that you’re targeting The time(s) when you want your ads to appear When you’ve finished this step, you’ll receive auto-generated suggestions from Google concerning keyword themes.  A keyword theme represents groups of words or phrases that you want your ad to show up for. For instance, selecting the keyword theme "landscaping" makes your ad eligible to show when people search for "landscape design," "yard landscaping" and "residential landscapers." You can select from the presented options or write in your own keyword themes. A campaign can include up to 10 keyword themes. When you’re finished, hit “next.”’  03. Use AI to create content From the “Ad Content” screen, select “Create AI Content,” and the AI content creator window will pop up. In the text field, describe what your campaign is advertising.  For the best results, emphasize the values and benefits of the service, product or brand that you’re advertising. For example, let’s say that you own a landscaping company that’s looking to drive more traffic to your site. An example of a strong prompt for AI could be:  “A service offering personalized landscape designs for residential and commercial gardens in the greater Denver area. We help clients design beautiful outdoor spaces that reflect their taste, personality and aesthetics. First-time clients get 10% off.”  When you are happy with your prompt, select “Generate.” 04. Select and refine your AI-generated copy In just seconds, you’ll see several AI-generated suggestions for your headlines and descriptions. If you’d like to tweak the suggestions that you received, select “Fine-tune Suggestions,” and tell the AI what you’d like to change (i.e., “shorter” or “make this sound more professional”). When you’re happy with the result, copy and paste the options into the “Ad content” fields of your screen.  05. Set your budget and launch your campaign Decide how much budget you’d like to spend on your campaign each day. You can choose from preset budget options, which suggest how much money you should set aside each month for optimal results. The total suggested amounts will appear as “monthly subscription” prices, i.e., how much you’ll be charged by Wix for your ad credits. Packages range from $150 to $1,500 a month. Keep in mind that campaigns with higher budgets are shown more on Google.  When you’ve set your budget, hit “Launch” and your campaign will go live.  5 tips for running a successful AI-powered Google Ads campaign Define clear objectives for your ad campaign Before launching any ad campaign, it’s important to define your goals. Let’s say you’re promoting a new product; you’ll want to be clear about the value of the product you’re promoting, who you’re targeting and the definition of success.  Having well-defined campaign objectives provides direction for the AI when creating content for your ads, and can help you understand whether your campaign is performing as it should.  Tip:  Not sure where to start? Wix Analytics  can help you identify opportunities by providing information about your site traffic, best- and worst-performing products, most-visited pages and more.  Balance AI with human insight Let’s be clear: there’s no replacement for the human eye. While AI can help you understand the quirks of various ad platforms and quickly create new ad content, it still requires some level of human decision-making and monitoring.  Be aware of the limitations of your AI tools. AI may not be able to immediately capture the right tone or the nuances of your brand. Make sure to carefully review the options that AI gives you and avoid blindly accepting its suggestions. Combine AI’s creativity with your expertise.  Test and optimize with AI  Keep in mind that AI can be helpful at various stages of your campaign. Consider testing multiple ad variations and/or multiple campaigns generated with AI. Then, monitor which ones have a higher click-through-rate  to guide any future optimizations. For example, if you notice that ads featuring casual, humorous copy perform better—use AI to create more variations that apply your learnings. Test, optimize and repeat.  Pay attention to your landing page Effective online ads will drive traffic to your page, but ultimately, getting visitors to your site is only half the battle. Once potential customers arrive at your site, you must be able to offer a seamless, compelling experience to convert them into customers.  Make sure your landing page is easy to navigate and offers a simple path to purchase. Tight alignment between your ad copy and landing page is also crucial; avoid sending all of your campaigns to the same generic landing page. In the case of Google Ads, Google may be less likely to display your ad if your landing page is not relevant enough to your ad copy or audience.  Pro tip: Wix's suite of AI-powered features can help you quickly build landing pages that turn your hard-won ad traffic into conversions. Use Wix’s AI website builder to create landing pages in minutes. Or, use the AI image creator and AI text generator to strengthen pages with content that’s tailored to your various ad audiences. Wix’s AI-powered product recommender can further increase your order average order value by helping you upsell and cross-sell products on your pages.  Focus on the full customer experience Think beyond the ad and landing page. Check that potential customers have all the information they need to comfortably make a purchase.  As an example, include an FAQ page on your site that clearly states your shipping policy, return policy and any other important information. Provide your contact information, and use chatbots thoughtfully on your site to help customers find answers to their questions.  Remember, great customer service doesn’t stop after the purchase has been made. Use email marketing tools, such as Wix’s AI email builder, to send a post-purchase follow-up asking your customers if they’re happy with their purchase. Think of ways to retain customers once they’ve discovered your brand through your ads.  Try Wix’s AI for Google Ads today Unleash the power of AI with Google Ads by Wix today. Sign up for Wix  for free.

The launch of Chat GPT and other AI models has sparked a global sensation. Today, AI is permeating nearly every industry and taking the world by storm.   But along with the surge of excitement about AI, there's a palpable sense of apprehension. This isn’t surprising when you look at the way AI technologies are often portrayed by the media — as almost magical, omnipotent systems that surpass human capabilities in every domain. Given all this hype and mythology, it’s natural to feel uncertain. However, it’s important to note that while the widespread access to AI is novel, the technology itself isn't new. AI-powered tools have been among us for years, integrating themselves into various aspects of technology. And, once you peel back the layers of how AI operates, you'll find that many of the fears and myths surrounding it can be debunked.  In this blog, we’ll dive into seven prevalent AI myths and shed light on the truth behind them. We’ll also touch on some ways you can utilize AI to bolster your business.  Ready to explore Wix’s AI tools? Create your business website  with the help of built-in AI features today. Top 7 AI myths AI is going to steal my job All AI technologies are the same Only companies with big budgets can use AI AI is just a fad Generative AI will let me scale overnight AI is too hard to use People hate AI-generated content 01. Myth: AI is going to steal my job  Like every disruptive technology, AI will inevitably reshape the workforce. While it may eventually automate menial tasks, history suggests that the AI revolution will not replace humans entirely.  Instead, it will transform the nature of work, just as the agricultural, industrial and digital revolutions did in the past. As AI takes over repetitive and routine tasks, humans will likely shift their focus to jobs that require uniquely human skills, such as creativity, emotional intelligence and critical thinking. When asked where we are in the AI revolution , Wix’s marketing trend analyst, Shachaf Rodberg, uses a visit to the doctor's office as an example of how AI can enhance the human workforce. The time your doctor spends updating records and documentation could be automated, Rodberg explains, allowing your doctor more time and bandwidth to interface with you, the patient.  “AI technology will be best used when it makes more time for human beings to be human [...] But AI is teaching us that humans don’t have to do everything. If you view AI as an assistant and not as a replacement, you’ll benefit the most” - Shachaf Rodberg, Wix marketing trend analyst  02. Myth: All AI technologies are the same  This myth can be debunked on several levels. You can think of AI as having three main parts: the base model, the training data and the application. The base is like a baby's brain—it has the potential to learn but doesn't have much knowledge yet. What it learns depends on the information it's given. Just like how a child who reads a lot of science books will have different knowledge than one who spends time on social media, an AI's "knowledge" is shaped by the data it's trained on. The application layer is where you can really experience the incredible diversity in AI—this is how you actually use and interact with AI in your daily life and business. A wide array of AI tools for business  now exist, from ones that can create images and videos, to those that help you analyze data, provide customer support or even build websites.  With the large quantity of AI tools now available, there also comes a range in quality. Take AI website builders  as an example; many of these builders use AI to create simple, unoriginal landing pages, whereas more established website-building solutions like Wix use AI to create bespoke, high-quality sites.   As you evaluate AI tools, make sure you’re getting the full functionality that you’re looking for. The right AI applications can help you break down the barriers to starting a business  and tackle small business challenges more effectively. 03. Myth: Only companies with big budgets can use AI  The notion that AI is exclusively for large corporations with deep pockets is outdated. In the past, developing and operating AI systems did require substantial computing power and a team of highly skilled experts. This made AI inaccessible to most small businesses. This is no longer the case.  Today, you have access to many affordable AI tools that can streamline your operations, automate repetitive tasks and deliver valuable business insights.  Many AI tools like Chat GPT, Claude and Otter.AI offer a version of their product free of charge. Other AI tools offer subscriptions or pay-as-you-go options.  AI features may now be included as a part of the services you already pay for, too. All of Wix’s plans, for example, include access to an AI content creator, AI image generator and a suite of other intelligent tools. Learn more about the best custom GPTs to help your small business be more effective. 05. Myth: AI is just a fad  Dismissing AI as a passing trend underestimates the influence it has already had on the global economy, with a market size projected to reach $184 billion in 2024.   The fact is, AI is transforming business  and taking a permanent foothold in how many major sectors operate.  In eCommerce, this technology is being used to predict trends, analyze performance and assist with inventory management. Banks and credit card companies are also becoming increasingly reliant on AI-driven fraud detection and risk assessment systems.  And, the AI revolution hasn't left small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) behind. Small business trends  show that AI has become integral to business owners of all sizes. A staggering 75% of small businesses reported using AI tools to help run their businesses and support business growth , according to the 2023 Small Business AI Adoption Survey  conducted by the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council.  “With AI, we can achieve significantly more with the same workforce, enhancing efficiency without causing mass redundancies. It’s about pushing the boundaries of our capabilities in a world that constantly seeks growth. “ - Gilad Barkan, head of Data Science Guild at Wix 05. Myth: Generative AI will let me scale overnight For a small business owner, the need for fresh content is nearly constant and is one of many common small business challenges . Generative AI now allows business owners to create original content—such as text, images, music and videos—more efficiently. However, generative AI is not an overnight solution for scaling your small business. It requires supervision. AI-generated content must be reviewed to ensure it has a natural flow, aligns with your brand voice and captures your desired messaging correctly. In written content, you’ll want to watch out for repetitive words or repetitive sentence structures that feel inorganic to the reader. You’ll want to check for accuracy as well; instances of AI hallucinations , where AI produces nonsensical or incorrect answers to a prompt, sometimes still occur.  Ultimately, you are the subject matter expert about your business. Your human touch is required for content to feel genuine, human-first and consistent with your brand. 06. Myth: AI is too hard to use  Early AI systems were complex and required an understanding of advanced mathematics, computer science and programming to develop and operate. Today, while the underlying models are still complex, the release of powerful pre-trained language models and user-friendly interfaces has made it easy for non-experts to experiment with AI. Natural language processing (NLP) based tools have made AI more accessible by allowing you to interact with these systems using plain language. Take Wix’s AI image creator, as an example. The image creator produces high-quality, unique images, all through written prompts. From improving your business website with AI-driven optimizations to simplifying data analysis for business development,  AI tools can be surprisingly straightforward to use. 07. Myth: People hate AI-generated content You might be surprised to know that this isn’t necessarily the case. What people hate is spam: unoriginal content that doesn’t offer real value. All of us have grown tired of junky content that’s created solely to generate clicks. And while AI makes it easier to create bad content at scale, it also makes it easier to produce high-quality, creative content more quickly. In fact, content generated by AI or generated by AI, then ‘augmented’ by humans, was even perceived as higher quality than content produced by human experts, according to a 2023 study by MIT .  Opinions only shifted when the source was revealed, but even this could be attributed to bias rather than a reflection of quality.  According to the study:  “...revealing the source of content production reduces – but does not reverse – the perceived quality gap between human- and AI-generated content. This bias in evaluation is predominantly driven by human favoritism rather than AI aversion: knowing the same content is created by a human expert increases its (reported) perceived quality, but knowing that AI is involved in the creation process does not affect its perceived quality.” As you edit AI-generated content, use Google’s EEAT (experience, expertise, authoritativeness and trustworthiness) guidelines as a framework.  This approach combines the efficiency of AI with human expertise, resulting in content that can rise above the noise, engage your readers and satisfy search engine requirements. “Small business owners should use their experience to inform and distinguish their content. This is how SMBs can hold their own against a wave of automatically generated content.” - George Nguyen, director of SEO editorial at Wix

Images are a core element of any website, they shape first impressions, improve your storytelling and influence how users engage with your content. As a  website builder , Wix provides an intuitive platform not just for uploading and managing images but also for optimizing them for speed, quality and SEO. In this guide, we’ll explore what Wix images are, how Wix image optimization works and share actionable tips to make the most out of your visual assets when understanding how to build a website .  Learn more: Why use Wix? What are Wix images? Wix images refer to all image content used within the Wix platform, including: Uploaded media like JPEGs, PNGs, SVGs, and WebP files Stock photos available via Wix’s free media library Gallery and background images Images used in product pages, blog posts or social media feeds Wix has a media manager  that acts like a central hub for all your media assets. From here, you can upload, organize, rename and reuse images across different pages and projects. Wix images supported file types Wix allows you to upload the following image formats: JPEG / JPG / JPE / JFIF : Ideal for photographs and images with gradients. PNG : Supports transparency; suitable for logos and graphics. GIF : Supports simple animations and transparency. BMP : Standard bitmap image format. HEIC / HEIF : High-efficiency formats commonly used by Apple devices. TIFF / TIF : High-quality images, often used in printing. WEBP : Modern format offering superior compression. AVIF : Advanced format with excellent compression and quality. RAW : Includes various camera-specific formats like .arw, .cr2, .nef, etc. JPEG 2000 : Advanced JPEG format with improved compression. Note: Animated WEBP images are currently not supported and will be converted to static images upon upload. What is Wix image optimization? Wix Image Optimization refers to the automated process by which Wix enhances the performance of your images across devices and browsers. The goal? Reduce load time, improve user experience and boost SEO visibility, without compromising on image quality. Here’s how Wix goes about optimizing your website images: 01. Automatic compression When you upload an image, Wix compresses it intelligently. This means: Large file sizes are reduced But visual quality is preserved Your site loads faster—especially on mobile This compression happens automatically in the background and doesn’t require any user intervention. 02. Responsive image scaling Wix dynamically serves different versions of an image based on: Device (desktop, tablet, mobile) Screen resolution (Retina displays) Browser support This ensures that a visitor with a smartphone won’t have to load a 2000px desktop image. Instead, they’ll get a smaller, faster-loading version. 3. Format conversion to WebP Where supported, Wix converts images to WebP, a modern image format that offers: 25–35% smaller file sizes Similar or better quality compared to JPEG or PNG WebP support enhances site speed and SEO scores on platforms like Google Lighthouse. 4. Lazy loading By default, Wix implements lazy loading , meaning that images load only when they’re about to enter the viewport. This significantly improves page load speed and performance for users. Why Wix image optimization matters Faster site performance Slow-loading websites frustrate users and increase bounce rates. Optimized images reduce page weight, leading to faster load times and higher engagement. Quick-loading images lead to smoother interactions, reducing friction for users who may be on slow mobile networks or older devices. Better visual quality across devices Optimized images ensure sharp visuals on Retina and high-DPI screens without bloating your site. This is especially important for eCommerce stores and photography portfolios. Image SEO on Wix Wix doesn’t just optimize your image files—it also helps with Image SEO, an important but often overlooked part of search visibility. Here’s how: Custom file names : When uploading, you can rename files with descriptive, keyword-rich names. Alt text:  You can (and should) add alt text to every image, helping search engines understand the image’s content. Structured data:  You can add schema markup to relevant images, especially in blog posts or product galleries, increasing the likelihood of appearing in Google Images. Wix image optimization: pro tips 01. Start with high-quality, properly sized images Upload images to your website or portfolio website that are: Already cropped to the appropriate dimensions Less than 5 MB in size (preferably below 1 MB) In the correct format (JPEG for photos, PNG for graphics, SVG for logos) Avoid uploading massive 4000px-wide images if they’ll only be displayed at 800px on your site. 02. Use Wix’s built-in image editor Before publishing, you can crop, resize, and apply filters using the Wix image editor. This ensures consistent visuals and reduces the need for external tools. 03. Add alt text to every image Use descriptive, specific phrases. Instead of “image1.jpg,” try “handmade ceramic bowl with blue glaze.” This helps with accessibility and improves SEO. 04. Name files strategically Search engines crawl file names, so include target keywords in them. For example: Instead of: IMG_2345.jpg Use: eco-friendly-tote-bag.jpg 05. Use galleries wisely Wix provides different gallery types: slider, grid, masonry and more. Choose layouts that: Enhance your user flow Prevent unnecessary loading of high-res images all at once 06. Consider image background effects Wix allows you to add scroll effects, fixed backgrounds, and parallax transitions. These are engaging, but be careful—they can also slow down your site if overused with large images. 07. Enable lightbox effects Use lightbox effects to allow users to see images in full size without navigating away from the page. 08. Use SVGs for icons and logos SVG files scale infinitely without losing resolution and are typically smaller in size than JPEG or PNG logos. Tip for image management If you need to replace an image, Wix allows you to: Swap an image without breaking its link or layout Retain SEO attributes like alt text and captions Automatically apply the same image settings to the replacement This feature is especially useful for seasonal content updates or product catalog changes. Wix image optimization tips for eCommerce For eCommerce businesses, images are more than decorative—they’re the online equivalent of a product on a shelf. The quality and load speed of your product images can directly affect conversion rates. When it comes to your ecommerce website , your product images should be high-resolution but optimized to load quickly on both desktop and mobile. Use multiple image views: front, side, detail shots, and context-of-use images to build buyer confidence. Wix’s auto-optimization is especially useful when you have a large product catalog, as it minimizes the need for manual resizing. Remember to name your files with product-related keywords (e.g., leather-crossbody-bag.jpg ) and use consistent alt text like “Black leather crossbody handbag with silver buckle – women's fashion.” This enhances your visibility on image search engines like Google Shopping. Additionally, use zoom-in functionality or a lightbox feature to allow closer inspection without slowing down the page. For categories or homepage carousels, stick with compressed hero images. Wix’s lazy loading and WebP format mean faster page loads which is critical during high-traffic sales events. Wix image optimization for photographers For photographers, your website is your portfolio—it must be visually stunning, fast and easy to navigate. By supporting high-resolution images Wix lets you showcase your work using customizable galleries such as masonry, grid, full-width or slideshow formats. With Wix you can organize your images into genre-specific folders like weddings, landscapes, portraits, etc. Use SVG logos for branding and opt for WebP or JPEG images under 1 MB each to ensure faster load times without compromising on your quality. Wix’s automatic scaling ensures your images look perfect across all devices but you can also take control with manual cropping, hover effects and gallery captions. Each image should include alt text, not just for SEO but to improve accessibility, a detail that makes your site accessible for everyone. You can even enable client-proofing galleries using password-protected pages to privately share sessions. Add watermarks to protect your work and use Wix’s integrations for print services or digital downloads.  Wix image optimization for bloggers As a blogger you probably rely heavily on images to break up text, support storytelling and boost their SEO. Whether you write about travel, lifestyle, food or business, well-optimized images enhance readability and help illustrate your key points. Wix makes it easy to add images to your blog posts using its drag-and-drop editor or by embedding visuals through the rich text editor. Start each blog post with a feature image that's eye-catching and relevant. Resize it before upload to about 1200x630 pixels for optimal loading and social sharing. Always add alt text that reflects the content or emotion of the image. For example, “Sunset at Cinque Terre coastline” is better than “travel1.jpg.” Wix’s automatic WebP conversion and lazy loading features ensure that even image-heavy blog posts load efficiently. Use visual storytelling by creating image grids, pull quotes, and infographics—just make sure they’re mobile-optimized. You can also link images to related blog posts or landing pages to keep readers engaged longer. Top 9 tools to create images for every purpose with Wixel Images play a vital role in creating impactful content across all platforms. They not only enhance visual appeal but also help communicate your message more effectively. Whether you're crafting a how-to guide, sharing a personal story, or promoting a product or service, the right image can elevate and strengthen your message. However, not all images are equally effective. When creating or choosing visuals, it's essential to consider their purpose and how they align with your brand and messaging strategy. This approach ensures your visuals resonate with your audience and support your overall goals. With the   Wixel  suite of tools, you can easily create images for a variety of purposes. Here are some of the features and how you can use them to enhance your creative projects. 01.  AI image generator Turn your idea into a visual in seconds. Just describe what you’re imagining, pick a style, and let the AI do its thing. Whether it’s digital art or photorealistic images, you’ll get something tailored to your needs. 02.  Photo editor Easily fine-tune your photos. Adjust colors, tweak details, swap out backgrounds, or add new elements with AI tools. Whether you’re going for small touch-ups or bold edits, this makes it simple.  03.  Photo filters Give your pictures some personality with filters. Choose from moody, retro, vibrant and more to get the vibe you’re after. Play around until you find the look that fits your story.  04.  AI image enhancer Fix blurry photos, sharpen details, and brighten colors in a few clicks. It’s like giving your images a quick refresh with a little AI magic.  05.  AI image extender Add more background or space around your image effortlessly with this tool—ideal for extending skies in landscapes or creating room for text. 06.  Image resizer Resize your images without them getting blurry. Whether it’s for social media, websites, or something else, this tool makes sure your visuals fit perfectly.  07.  Image converter Change your image file format in no time. Convert to JPG, PNG, WebP, and more without losing quality. Plus, you can process multiple files at once to save time.  08.  Image cropper Crop your photos exactly how you want. Use presets like square or widescreen, or go freestyle to focus on what matters most. You can even edit several images at once to stay consistent.  09.  Social media templates Design content that stands out on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn. These templates are easy to customize—just tweak the colors, fonts, and images to make them your own. Perfect for posts, stories, and banners.

At its core, a business is only as strong as the relationships it builds with its customers. This is especially true if you’re starting a service business and want to set yourself up for success. First and foremost, you’ll need to prioritize your audience’s wants or needs. Once you nail this, you can begin shaping the essential components of your venture, from the types of services you’ll offer to your business website . To make an impactful entrepreneurial debut, take a look at this comprehensive guide on how to start a service business (and check out some service business examples ). From refining your business idea to registering your business and learning how to make money online , these eight steps will help you build a strong foundation for your company. Build your service business website with Wix . What is a service business and why should you start one? A service business is a type of business that provides services to customers over physical goods. These services cover a wide range of industries and activities, from professional services like consulting and legal advice to more personal services such as catering, cleaning and hairdressing. Starting a service business is a popular choice for many small business owners because they generally require less startup capital and investment than other types of businesses. Depending on the service, they're often in high demand and provide services people always need—like haircuts or car servicing. They also can be started small and then scaled to meet demand and your business capabilities. How to start a service business in 8 steps Refine your business idea Create a service website Write a business plan Organize your finances Register your business Develop a pricing plan Level up your skills Promote your business 01. Refine your business idea With so many service business ideas to choose from (as well as types of businesses to choose from), you’ll want to settle on one that offers something people are actually looking for. This requires you to do your homework and ask around to see if there is a demand for your service idea in the marketplace. Survey relatives, friends or community members who fit your ideal client’s persona, and use this information to determine what your audience wants. Let’s say you’re interested in becoming a professional organizer. Start by defining the different areas of your industry. You can do everything from simple closet and pantry organization to specialized services, like working with seniors. Whichever niche you choose, customize your offerings to better meet your target audience's needs. You could even consider packaging your services into productized services tailored to different audience segments. During this market research phase, checking out your competitors is important. Find out their strengths and weaknesses by performing a SWOT analysis, and consider how you might offer better services. Brainstorm different ways you can further capitalize on your skill sets to find new opportunities that’ll help you stand out from competitors. Going back to the example of a professional organizer, compare what is already known about your target audience and how others are currently servicing them. Ask yourself, “Are people hiring professional organizers also looking for someone who can advise them over time and prevent clutter?” In that case, you might want to consider adding consultation services to fortify your list of offerings. Or, if you decide you want these sessions to serve as the core of your business, learn how to start a consulting business here. Looking for more service business ideas and how to get about starting them? Check out: How to start a gym business How to start a babysitting business How to start a plumbing business How to start a coaching business 02. Create a service website Starting a business means that you are the product. Unlike an item on a shelf, that’s not always easy for others to conceptualize. Rather, the best way to highlight the value of your skills is to create a service website that explains what you offer and also helps establish your credibility. Whether you are creating a hotel website , a health and wellness website or a salon website , you must have an online presence. First, you’ll need to choose a website builder that offers many ways to customize your site and handle all your business needs. Among the options out there, Wix offers an array of inspiring and highly effective business website templates . For sites like this list of best hotel websites , advanced web tools like online scheduling software are ideal for accepting bookings, payments and invoices directly from your site (see best scheduling software to learn more). Second, you’ll need to get a hosting plan to make your site live and a domain name , also known as your online address. Wix’s free website hosting is secure and provides large storage space that keeps your site up and running. For your domain name, you can use your business name, which falls in line with best practices to better branding. Something else you can do to position yourself well in your field is to make sure you have a logo that represents your brand and attracts new customers. Use an industry-specific logo maker to inspire and help you create your own. For example, if you're a cleaning service, try using a Cleaning Logo Maker . Pro tip: Great businesses are built on great conversations, but you can’t always be online to start them. Wix AI Site Chat  bridges that gap by answering questions, handling bookings and keeping visitors engaged. It provides a smooth, reliable first touchpoint for potential clients while giving you more time to focus on running your business. You can also check out the Wix AI Site Chat overview  for a deeper look at how it works. 03. Write a business plan To plan or not to plan? Apparently, that’s no longer the right question to ask. According to an academic study, entrepreneurs who formulate a plan are more likely to achieve “venture viability” than those who don’t. That’s because planning helps you focus on the important aspects of starting a business. It can transform your vision into a series of actionable steps toward organization, innovation and growth. Bottom line: “It pays to plan.” Make your ideas as precise as possible by creating a written business plan. This is a document that lays out the purpose, operation, finances, management and future revenue projections of your venture. To facilitate this process, begin by downloading our business plan template . Then, follow the steps outlined in the document, and remember that you can always revise your plan later. The important thing is to have something to work with now. By the end of the exercise, you should be more confident about the professional direction you’re taking. 04. Organize your finances The main reason that people decide to start a service business is the relatively low overhead costs of running one. That said, you’ll need to have a clear understanding of how much it costs to start a business and get your business off the ground. In turn, this information will help you determine whether you’ll want to apply for a loan, find an investor or set up using your savings alone. Depending on the service, you might need to buy special equipment. For example, if you’re providing cleaning services, there is a wide spectrum of tools, from rubber gloves and cleaning supplies to vacuum cleaners, that you must own before you start taking jobs. These are examples of sunk costs , which means the money spent will not be regained. Create a price list of all necessary items so that you can track every anticipated expense along the way. This will also help you determine how to price your services. Think of it this way: You want your business to operate on a cash flow, not have to survive on one. Otherwise, those startup funds will dry up before you generate revenue. 05. Register your business By making your service business official, you become entitled to personal liability protection, legal and trademark protection and tax benefits. You can open a business bank account, which is a great way to separate your personal activities from your professional ones. The advantages are multifold. Registering your business also qualifies you for business credit cards and small business loans. Lenders and investors must see proof that your business is properly registered to approve you for a loan. In the U.S., all registered businesses must have an Employer Identifying Number (EIN) with the Internal Revenue Service. This establishes that your business is paying taxes and legitimizes it as a legal operation. You’ll also need that tax ID number to hire employees once you scale your venture. If your business is located outside of the U.S., you must read about the different rules and regulations for registering a business in that country. Check in with the relevant government agency websites for additional information. 06. Develop a pricing plan Setting prices for your business can be hard, whether you need to determine your restaurant menu pricing or cleaning service costs. They can’t be too high or too low. In either case, you could miss out on important sales or revenue. Yet, with the right strategy, you’ll be able to design a pricing plan that can maximize profits for your business while considering consumer demand. Here are some types of pricing strategies you can use for your service business: Hourly rate: This is one of the most widely used forms of pricing. Take the example of Acupuncture with Fabi , which offers different treatments, all priced by the hour. It also creates an inclusive atmosphere for every budget out there. Package pricing: Likened to charging a flat fee, this option lets you bundle two or more complementary services. It’s a great way to introduce your clients to a few of your offerings at once. Value-based pricing: This pricing model is based on the customers’ perceived value of the service and how much they are willing to pay for it. The advantage of this strategy is that you can command higher price points depending on whether your service is viewed as specialized or prestigious, such as a certified fitness trainer or professional consultant. Not sure how to price your services when starting out? Start by researching competitor prices and industry standards. Consider your costs, desired profit margin and target market's willingness to pay. Initially, you might offer introductory rates to attract clients but then as you gain experience and reputation, gradually increase prices. Always communicate your value proposition clearly to justify your pricing. 07. Level up your business skills You might have guessed that it’s never been easier to start a service business. This is great news for you, but it also means that there’s a lot of competition within the service industry. One way to stand out from the crowd is by educating yourself about business management and strategy. There are several skills you’ll need to acquire to stay competitive and relevant, whether you have a tourism website or a healthcare website . For example, you will need to become financially literate, act like a leader, master community building and learn how to hire and train others, most of which comes with work experience over time. That said, you can pick up some essential business skills now by enrolling in an online course on Udemy or Coursera . In particular, service providers are investing in excellent customer service more than ever before. This is because consumers also play an integral role in the production of your business. You’ve got to actively listen to your customers and ask them how you can better serve them. Master the art of communication. Concerned about how to balance personalized service with scalability as your service business grows? Be ahead of your growth curve by implementing efficient processes and systems early on. This might include using customer relationship management (CRM) software to maintain personalized business interactions at scale —use technology to automate where you can, with booking appointments for example, but don't neglect your human touch. 08. Promote your business Prospective customers need to resonate with you for you to reel them in and become repeat customers. To gain new customers and build deeper relationships with your audience, find ways to engage them on your website and social media pages. Here are some ways to promote your business and get people to buy: Email marketing: From your website, you can access professional email marketing tools that help you build and maintain awareness of your brand. For example, a new restaurant may want to take advantage of restaurant email marketing to promote itself. You’ll be able to create customizable email marketing campaigns and newsletters, which in turn can drive traffic to your site. You’ll also be able to grow an email list as you collect more potential clients via compelling calls-to-action and email signups on your website. Social media marketing: On social networks, like Facebook, LinkedIn or Instagram, you’ll want to craft shareable content that will market your service . For instance, if you’re targeting parents for your home organizing business, you can reveal valuable information that appeals to them, such as some of your best tips for storing Legos. If you're opening a restaurant, be sure to invest in restaurant social media marketing, particularly Instagram, which is an incredibly useful tool for restaurant promotion. In fact, almost 50% of diners claim they visit a new restaurant after seeing it pop up on their feed. Another way you can encourage people to share your content is by inspiring them. Here’s your chance to tell your unique story, like how serving others in your community has left a positive impact on their lives and yours. What are some innovative ways to showcase my service quality when I don't have a physical product to display? One way to do this is to create detailed case studies or success stories highlighting client outcomes that you can add to your website and share on social media — use video testimonials from satisfied clients, for example. Consider offering free consultations or trial periods to demonstrate your expertise alongside workshops or webinars to share and show your knowledge. Starting a service business in the US checklist Task Completed Define your service and target market 2. Conduct market research 3. Write a business plan 4. Choose a business structure (LLC, Corp.) 5. Register your business name 6. Obtain an EIN 7. Register for state and local taxes 8. Apply for necessary licenses and permits 9. Obtain business insurance 10. Create pricing strategy Types of service businesses to start Professional services Legal services Accounting and financial consulting Management consulting Marketing agencies IT support and software development Personal services Hair salons and barbershops Fitness training and coaching Childcare services Elderly care services Pet care and grooming Home and maintenance services Cleaning services Landscaping and gardening Handyman services Plumbing and electrical services Creative services Photography and videography Graphic design Writing and editing Event planning

With the growth of e-commerce , selling toys online has become a viable and profitable business opportunity. Whether you're a parent looking to declutter or an entrepreneur aiming to tap into this playful industry, starting a business selling toys is an accessible and potentially low cost business idea. How to sell toys online in 8 steps Choose your toy niche Register, license and name your toy business Select the right ecommerce platform Consider selling via online marketplaces Source your toys to sell Establish your pricing and sales strategies Become a toy reseller Market your online toy store 01. Choose your toy niche Choosing a toy niche to sell online requires careful consideration of market trends, competition and your own personal interests. Some popular toy niches that are also easy to sell online are: Educational toys : STEM kits, coding toys, language learning games Collectibles: Action figures, mini figurines, limited edition items Eco-friendly toys: Sustainable materials, plastic-free options Sensory toys: Fidget toys, stress relief items, tactile toys Classic toys : Board games, puzzles, building blocks Tech toys : Robotics kits, AR/VR toys, interactive pets Outdoor toys : Sports equipment, playground accessories Arts and crafts supplies: DIY kits, art sets Baby and toddler toys: Developmental toys, teething items Licensed products : Popular TV/movie character toys To choose your own niche you'll need to research market trends, using tools such as Google trends. This research can also help you identify niches with a steady or growing demand. Take a look at your competition in the toy selling space, including what they sell and how. Consider also the long term viability of your business, selling trending toys might be a quick way to start a business and make money fast, make sure it also leads to a sustainable business that you can scale and grow. Before choosing a niche to tell, think about your target audience — their age, location and interests could all impact which toys will sell the best. You can also factor in your own interests, as it's often easier to sell something you also love and value. Don't forget to factor in profit margins for the toys you want to sell, as a successful business is always a profitable one. Consider also factors such as seasonality, which can massively impact toy sales especially holiday seasons. A well-crafted business plan is your roadmap to success in the toy industry. It should outline your vision, strategies, and the actionable steps you'll take to turn your toy business ideas into a profitable reality. This plan is not just a document for securing funding it's a detailed guide that will help you navigate through the complexities of starting and running your toy business. Your toy business plan should include: An executive summary that captures the essence of your business A market analysis that identifies your target customers and competitors A marketing and sales strategy that outlines how you will attract and retain customers Financial projections that provide an estimate of your startup costs, operating expenses, and revenue In a market filled with countless toys and brands, having a unique selling proposition (USP) is crucial. Your USP sets you apart from competitors and gives customers a compelling reason to choose your products. Whether it's an innovative design, educational value or eco-friendly materials, ensure that your USP resonates with your target audience and is highlighted throughout your business plan. 02. Register, license and name your toy business When starting a toy business, it's crucial to navigate all legal and financial regulations with care. These considerations form the backbone of your business operations and ensure that you're compliant with regulations while managing your finances effectively. To legally operate your business, you'll need to obtain the necessary registrations and permits. This may include a business license, resale permit and possibly a safety testing certification for your toys, depending on local laws. It's important to research the specific requirements in your area or consult with a legal expert to ensure you're fully compliant. For example if you plan to sell toys in Arizona you'll need: • A business license from your city/county • Arizona Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) license • Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) • Comply with Consumer Product Safety Commission regulations • Adhere to Arizona's consumer protection laws • Follow federal toy safety standards (CPSIA) • Obtain resale certificate for wholesale purchases • Register your business name with Arizona Secretary of State • Buy liability insurance • Comply with labeling requirements for toys You'll also need to set up dedicated business accounts to keep personal and business finances separate. This simplifies accounting processes and provides clarity for tax purposes. Speaking of taxes, understanding your tax obligations is essential. You may be subject to sales tax, income tax and other levies that impact your bottom line. The structure or business entity you choose for your toy business can have significant implications for liability, taxes and day-to-day operations. Whether you opt for a sole proprietorship , partnership , limited liability company (LLC) or corporation will depend on factors like the size of your operation, risk level, and financial goals. Learn more: How to register a business 03. Select the right eCommerce platform When it comes to selling toys online, not all platforms are created equal. Your success can hinge on selecting a platform that aligns with your business goals and target audience. Whether you're looking to sell toys online for cash quickly or want to establish a long-term presence in the market, there's an eCommerce platform that fits your needs. With numerous options available, it's important to weigh the pros and cons of each to find the best fit for your business model. Wix, for an example, is one good choice for selling toys online due to its user-friendly interface and robust eCommerce features and here's why: Easy setup: No coding required, drag-and-drop editor . Mobile-friendly designs and templates : Crucial for modern shoppers. eCommerce website templates : Customizable for your own toy business. Secure payment options : Multiple gateways, including PayPal and Stripe. SEO tools : Help improve visibility in search results. Marketing tools: Run email marketing campaigns, social media integration. Inventory management : Track stock levels efficiently. Customizable product pages: Showcase toys effectively. Abandoned cart recovery: Boost sales conversion. Shipping options: Flexible rates and methods. Wix Analytics: Track sales and customer behavior. App market: Extend functionality as needed. Customer support: 24/7 assistance available. Enterprise-grade website security features : Including 24/7 monitoring, bug bounty program. Reliable web hosting : free, robust infrastructure with every site. Pro tip: Shoppers today expect convenience at every step, and a quick answer can often be the difference between a sale and an abandoned cart. With Wix AI Site Chat , you can meet that need instantly. It helps customers move confidently from browsing to checkout, giving them the reassurance they need to complete their purchase. You can also check out the Wix AI Site Chat overview  for a deeper look at how it works. 04. Consider selling via online marketplaces There are a number of well-known online marketplaces you could choose to sell toys from. The most popular and largest being Amazon. As one of the world's largest marketplaces Amazon offers vast customer reach and a trusted platform. However, competition can be fierce, and their fees may impact your profit margins. Learn more: How to sell on Amazon Amazon seller fees Another option is eBay which is great for selling both new and used toys, with its auction-style and fixed-price listings. It's known for its diverse buyer base but keep in mind the listing fees and competitive pricing. Learn more: How to sell on eBay Cost to sell on eBay You can also try Mercari, which is a user-friendly app that's gaining in popularity for selling toys online. It has lower fees than some competitors but it's a smaller marketplace, which might mean less traffic. Social media platforms like Facebook Groups have also become hotspots for selling toys. They allow you to connect directly with interested buyers in your community or specialized groups. Other apps like Instagram or dedicated toy-selling apps can also provide a direct line to consumers without the need for traditional marketplace structures. Learn more: How to sell on Facebook How to sell on Instagram 05. Source your toys to sell There are a number of ways to source toys to sell online. Some of the most used are: Wholesale suppliers: Connect with established toy wholesalers or distributors. Websites like Alibaba, Global Sources, or ToyDirectory can help find suppliers. Trade shows : Attend toy fairs like the New York Toy Fair or Nuremberg Toy Fair to meet manufacturers and discover new products. Dropshipping: Partner with suppliers who ship directly to customers, reducing inventory costs. Local manufacturers : Support local businesses and potentially secure unique products. Liquidation sales : Purchase overstock or discontinued items at discounted prices. Handmade items: Create your own toys or partner with artisans for unique offerings. Private label: Work with manufacturers to create your own branded toys. Thrift stores/garage sales: Find vintage or collectible toys to resell. Online marketplaces : Use platforms like AliExpress or DHgate for smaller quantity orders. Remember to verify product safety standards, obtain necessary certifications, and thoroughly vet suppliers before committing to larger orders. Start with small orders to test the quality and market demand before scaling up. 06. Establish your pricing and sales strategies To sell toys online successfully, it's not just about where you sell but also how you sell. Here are some strategies to help you move your inventory quickly if you need to. It starts with pricing your toys competitively and you can do this by looking at similar or even the same toys on other sites or marketplaces to understand the going rate. You can also consider using bundling of toys together to sell at a higher price point, allowing you to move more stock, faster. Another sales tactic is to run seasonal clearance sales to move older inventory and make room for new items. The way you present your toys online can make a significant difference in how fast they sell. Use high-quality, clear images show buyers exactly what they're getting. Accompany these with detailed and accurate descriptions help buyers make informed decisions and reduce questions. Some other tried and tested selling strategies include: Discounts : Offer attractive discounts for bulk purchases to entice buyers looking for a deal. Lot listings : Create listings for toy lots, grouping similar items together to appeal to niche collectors or resellers. Shipping options : Provide reasonable shipping options for bulk orders, as this can be a deciding factor for buyers. 07. Become a toy reseller Entering the toy reselling market can be an exciting and easy to start business idea. But it's important to understand what reselling toys entails. You'll need to do considerable research to understand toy trends and the value of vintage or antique toys. Some popular places to source used toys include garage sales, thrift stores, liquidations sales and local buyers. You can also check online, including sites like eBay, Facebook and specialized toy resale sites. One of the main challenges with reselling toys is ensuring safety and quality. You will need to make sure that the toys you sell meet the required safety requirements in your state and in some cases they may need certification to prove this. The same goes with staying up to date and compliant with consumer protection regulations which vary from state to state. 08. Market your online toy store Marketing is a crucial component of any successful online business. For your toy store, it's about creating a brand that resonates with customers and using the right marketing strategies to reach them. As part of this its crucial to create a strong brand and vision for your toy store. This includes designing a memorable logo, color scheme and overall aesthetic that reflects the spirit of your toy store. Consistent branding across all platforms and marketing materials is also important. Some effective online marketing strategies for selling toys online include: Search Engine Optimization (SEO) : Optimize your website and listings with relevant keywords to improve visibility in search engine results. Social media marketing : Engage with customers on platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook to build a community around your brand. Email marketing : Use email campaigns to keep customers informed about new arrivals, sales, and special events. On top of your marketing efforts it's important to connect with your audience in other ways to build trust. This means providing excellent and consistent customer service, perhaps starting a blog to connect with customers via content marketing and encouraging positive reviews from customers on your website and social media sites. Toy store businesses built on Wix ZonJot ZonJot sells fun and educational toys for children through their online store. They're inspired by sourcing and selling toys that help children create and develop. Well Made Toy Manufacturing Corp. Well Made Toy's offers toys that inspire and encourage the imagination. They can design and manufacture toys for vendors and businesses to sell online. They also manufacture and supply toys to major retailers, such as Walmart. Happen's Toy Lab This toy lab offers a unique approach to the making and selling of toys. They allow guests to create their own toys from donated old and broken toys given from the community. Playahoy Playahoy sells educational toys that help develop key skills, such as fine motor skills and bath toys. They offer a small, carefully curated selection of toys in their online store. How to sell toys online FAQ What's the best platform to sell toys online? The best platform depends on your specific business needs and goals. Amazon and eBay are great for reaching a large audience, while niche sites cater to collectors and enthusiasts. Social media platforms can also be effective for connecting with buyers directly. Ir's also a plus to create your own online store with an ecommerce website.

Got a passion for fashion? Express your style and your flair by starting an online boutique that’ll let you make money doing what you love. While boutiques typically sell clothing and accessories, you can also get creative and sell artisanal soaps, designer home goods and other luxury items in your store.   The benefits of setting up your boutique online are clear. In an era dominated by online shopping, creating an online store  for your business has become a necessity. Not only does it allow for contactless purchases, selling online  let’s you target a much larger audience with only a fraction of the costs involved. And on top of that, eCommerce platforms  offer powerful tools for branding and marketing, which is so crucial when you’re trying to make a name for yourself in the field of boutique eCommerce .   So how do you start a business , like an online boutique and make a recurring revenue? Plan your boutique business Before jumping in, spend a few hours researching the field you’re entering. If you haven’t already done this, get to know the market, the competition, and the brands you love. Look at stores with different business models and get a feel for which one will work for you. Gain inspiration from different styles and looks and write down what you love and don’t love about the businesses already on the market. Do a competitor analysis  to see what different online boutiques are selling and how much they’re charging for their products. Once you get a sense of the field and what’s out there, use a business plan template  to nail down your business blueprints (and check out how to create a clothing line business plan ). This plan may have to be modified as you move forward, but try your best to make it thorough, organized and focused. Then, create a mission statement  that expresses exactly what you are setting out to do in a couple of sentences. What will set your boutique apart? After that, it’s time to get started. We compiled a step-by-step guide on how to start a boutique to help you fulfill your potential as a fashion guru and business owner. With these tips and best practices you’ll have everything you need to know about how to open an online boutique. How to start a successful online boutique Connect with an eCommerce platform Choose the right online store template Name your business Source or create products to sell Create a consistent brand Streamline the checkout process Design detailed product galleries Optimize your mobile store Boost traffic through social media Combine SEO and brand-driven content Offer incentives to your shoppers 01. Connect with an eCommerce platform   To get started, pick an eCommerce platform that’ll host your online boutique and help you accomplish all your business goals. It's a good idea to choose a platform that offers plenty of professional eCommerce features  so that you can ensure your online boutique will be able to grow and succeed. Here are some things to consider when choosing an eCommerce platform: Will I be able to scale up?  While you may not want to spend too much money on your platform plan from the start, you’ll want to make sure you’ll be able to grow your capabilities as your needs expand. Is a domain name included?  Some platforms, like Wix eCommerce, offer a free domain name  when you acquire a premium plan. Does it automate sales tax ? If you plan to sell your products online to different regions and states, you’ll need to make sure you’re charging the correct amount of sales tax. Choose a platform that gives you the chance to automate this so your store stays compliant. Can I create a unique design for my site?  You’ll want your website to look professional and match your specific style. Make sure your platform offers varying eCommerce templates to use to get started, but also lets you easily customize them so that it looks unique. Also double check that you’ll be able to customize your checkout experience to optimize for sales. Are there options to integrate dropshipping ? When you’re creating your product list, it can be extremely helpful to boost your inventory with a dropshipping supply. Pick a platform that’ll make it easy to add products to your store from a dropshipping supplier. Can I sell on multiple channels? Integrate your store with eBay , Amazon , and social media  to expand the opportunities to reach your customers. Learn more: How to make a website   02. Choose the right online store template   The simplest and most productive method for setting up your store is by using an online store website template . Building your store with an already-made template will allow you to create an entirely unique-looking site that includes all the fundamental elements your store needs.     When choosing your template, check that it includes the basics of what you’ll need for your store: A gorgeous product gallery Clean product pages An intuitive check-out flow The next requirement depends more on your own stylistic choices and on your branding vision. Templates are often designed with a particular niche or genre in mind. Choosing one that reflects your brand identity and the audience you’re hoping to reach will save you a lot of work when you personalize the template. Remember that you’re looking for a template that includes the features you want. But if you decide later on that you want to add more tools or remove others, you can easily do that from the site editor. You can also rearrange and restructure your website to match your needs as you grow. 03. Name your boutique Now that you’ve got your creative juices flowing a bit, it’s time to come up with a name for your boutique. There are a few ways you can go about naming your business : Create a word bank.  Build a list of words and add to it from time to time with terms you love or feel capture your vision. Then compile them into your business name. Use a business name generator . Or, more specifically, you can use a boutique name generator . Add a word you want to include or the types of items you plan to sell in your boutique and let the generator steer you toward your business name. You can also consider these boutique business name ideas  for further inspiration. Build off of what already exists. Discover what’s already out here and get ideas of the styles of names people are using. Are they one word? Do they include two nouns with an “and” in the middle, like Coal and Canary ? Once you come up with a name, check Google and social media to make sure it’s not already being used by a different business. While you want to get a little creative with the name, you’ll also want to choose a name that’s memorable, easy to spell and not too weird. You’ll have to live with this name and proudly tell it to customers, clients, investors and partners, so make sure you feel completely comfortable with it. Once you’ve committed to the name, it’s time to buy a domain name. Your website’s domain name should match your store’s name exactly so customers can easily find your business online. 04. Source or create products to sell Now it’s time to figure out what you’re going to sell and then stock your inventory. There are a few methods you can use to go about choosing products: Make the products yourself Do you have the skills to create the products for your boutique on your own? Then pull out your sewing machine or your tool chest and start working. Here are some things to consider: You’ll need to spend a significant amount of time creating products. It’ll be difficult to scale a business like this. Make sure to charge enough that it’s worth your labor. Design your own products and have them made Create a design, perhaps with the help of a designer. Then, find manufacturers  who can create your ideal products and supply you with your inventory. Here are some things to consider: Start off small until you learn which products your customers like. Create a break-even analysis and determine how many products you’ll need to sell at how high a cost so that you’ll still make a profit. You’ll need to find a place to store and manage your inventory . Showcase designers you love Do some research to find some boutique clothing or accessory designers and brands who you love. Then showcase them on your site. Ecru Emissary’s stock is filled with clothing from various designers, but lets you shop by designer, if you want. Here are some things to consider: You may have to charge more for your products. Take account of the competition. Find out who else is selling these brands and do a competitor analysis. You’ll need to work with the designers to create a plan for managing your inventory. Partner with a dropshipper Avoid the hassle of fulfilling orders, managing inventory or storing your products. Use a dropshipping supplier  to provide your business with products and fulfill your orders. All you need to do is market the products and choose a price. Here are some things to consider: You are reliant on the stock available by the dropshipping company, so your options are limited. Make sure to buy every product you plan on selling so you can verify that it’s high quality and that you’re comfortable including it in your store. Dropshipped orders will be fulfilled by the third party, so you have less control over shipping speeds and packaging. 05. Create a consistent brand   Whether your boutique specializes in vintage clothes or toddler chic, whether you sell minimalist designs or an eclectic beautiful chaos, your store embodies a defined style. Creating a harmony between that style and your store’s design, logo and promotions will strengthen your eCommerce branding  and make your target audience feel at home when they visit your online store.   Start off by using a logo maker  (or more specifically in this case, a Boutique Logo Maker ) to design the perfect boutique logo for your new venture. Consider the color palette, fonts and design that’ll capture the essence of your style. Once you choose these, you’ll want to use them throughout your site and marketing materials.   Let’s look at Stolen Goods online boutique, for example. One of the key characteristics of their designs is their use of bright, poppy colors, which they cleverly translate into the color palette of their website. The result is this beautiful and colorful dialog between the products and the platform where they are put on display. Remember, visuals are everything In order to sell clothing items online, you must first stimulate your shoppers’ visual appetite. The images on your online boutique should be so beautiful that shoppers will be immediately tempted to imagine themselves walking around, dressed in your amazing merchandise. Quality  product photography  is of the essence here, so it may be worthwhile to invest in professional photoshoots as well as take the time to edit your photos with a tool like the  Wix Photo Studio . You can take it one step further and add videos  of your products to your site as well to give customers all the information they need to feel confident buying your product.   An additional perk of quality images is that it helps alleviate returns. When customers can see exactly what they’re buying, they’re less likely to want to return it later.   06. Streamline the checkout process   Online shopping should be a simple and straightforward activity. The last thing you want is to have your shoppers struggle with the payment process. If they do, many of them will choose not to complete their purchase, and all of the hard work you’ve put into your online boutique will go down the drain.   If you built your store with Wix, connect with Wix Payments in order to make sure your store accepts online transactions . Then consider giving your customers a few options to pay online . Depending on your location, choose payment methods like: Credit/debit cards Digital wallets (like PayPal ) Bank transfers In-person payment Buy now, pay later solutions Then, optimize the check out process by following these two key processes: Minimize the necessary steps required to complete the purchase. Try to keep it down to a few simple clicks. Regularly make sure everything is functioning properly. Test different scenarios – adding items to the shopping cart, removing items, choosing colors or sizes, changing amounts and editing shipping details. Check also that your store management options are working smoothly.   House of Sunny’s  shopping cart also displays an overview of the check out steps on the top of the page and indicates where you are along the process. This helps customers understand what they need to do next and lets them feel secure in the check out procedure. Small businesses thrive on connections, and Wix AI Site Chat  makes those first interactions effortless. From handling bookings to answering questions instantly, it keeps visitors engaged and guides them toward becoming loyal customers, all while giving you more time to focus on what you do best: running your business. You can also check out the Wix AI Site Chat overview  for a deeper look at how it works. 07. Design detailed product galleries Shoppers enjoy knowing that they have options, especially when it comes to fashion, accessories and clothing. They want to be able to make an informed choice about what they buy and to pick items that really match their style and their needs. You can easily assist them by making your product galleries comprehensive and precise.   Here are some tips to keep your catalog organized and optimized for sales: Add product options  to your product pages. Categorize your products into product galleries . Add filter options  to your catalog so shoppers can find products based on collection, price, size and colors. Include a quick view option  so shoppers can view product details without leaving your catalog. Give customers the option to add items to their cart directly from the catalog page.   Check out how CeliaB’s  product galleries are neat, include large colorful images and the option to get a quick view of the product without leaving the page. 08. Optimize your mobile store   In this day and age, you must take into account that many shoppers will visit your online boutique using a mobile device. To guarantee that your store looks absolutely fabulous on all screen sizes, optimize the mobile view and test it from multiple devices.   Mobile shopping experiences are not quite the same as shopping on a regular computer. Mobile users prefer long scrolling to clicking, so your mobile store needs to be designed vertically even if your full store uses the full width of the screen.   Images and texts should be large enough and spaced out so that they are easy to see and click. Organize your product collections and options in an intuitive and simple way, allowing shoppers to locate their preferences quickly.   The  Wix app  is a great tool for optimizing websites for mobile users. You can easily activate and customize it, and you’ll have yourself a professional online boutique that can be reached anywhere, anytime. Check out VB Fashion's  mobile store. The product pages let you easily filter products by collection, size and color. Popups on the bottom of the screen notify you about what other customers are buying , adding a level of urgency and giving you ideas of other products to buy.   09. Boost traffic through social media   In a perfect world, visitors would find their own way to your store. In reality, however, you need to actively promote your store on their favorite online platforms. In other words, you need to be social-media-savvy. Social marketing on platforms with a strong visual element are especially important for boutiques and online stores, so focus your efforts on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.   Establishing a powerful social media presence does not happen in one day. But if you keep an active and frequent stream of content and attune yourself to your audience’s habits and lingo, you will no doubt see great progress and an increase in traffic.   Talliah Rose  built up its Instagram following to 144,000 followers by providing consistent quality content.   Integrate your store with Facebook and Instagram. Create a Facebook shop  to allow your customers to buy from your business on social media. Connect your Instagram to your store to give customers the chance to access your product pages straight from your photos.   You can also run Facebook Ads  to show your products directly to your customers while they scroll through Facebook. If you created your online boutique with Wix, with just a few clicks and information about your target audience, you can create ads that are optimized for your ideal customers. You can also track it all straight from your Wix dashboard.     10. Combine SEO and brand-driven content Search engine optimization (SEO)  is absolutely foundational for any website. A significant portion of online traffic is directed through search engine results, and it’s therefore vital that you integrate content that is optimized to show up on Google results.   But as important as search engines are for your traffic, you don’t want your site’s content to be totally dictated by SEO. Your content should be genuine and authentic, not something that looks like a bunch of random keywords. Find the right balance that combines SEO and branding effectively. Greet your visitors with a human voice that is not too “salesy”.   You can find an excellent example of this fine balance on  Bowtie Behavior’s  online boutique. With a friendly and personal   About section  and a  cute blog , this brand is succeeding through online content.   11. Offer incentives to your shoppers Buying clothes, accessories or decor items online can be a bit intimidating. There’s always the risk that the material might not be just what you wanted or that sizes won’t fit quite right. You can do a lot to reduce these risks by offering incentives that make the experience much more pleasant and appealing.   For instance, you can offer free shipping and free returns and provide your customers a safety net. You can also add a detailed size chart to give more specific information about measurements. And of course, sales, and coupon codes are always a great motivation for any shopper. Who doesn’t love a good deal?   Use social media, email marketing , and lightboxes  to let your customers know about your promotions. Then, watch the sales come rolling in.   Ready to start your online boutique? Create your free eCommerce website  and start selling today.

These days, it’s not enough to be selling on one channel as an eCommerce business . As buyers hop from channel to channel, it’s nearly a prerequisite for your brand — and online store — to adopt a multichannel retail strategy to stay competitive. After all, think about the last time you shopped. Chances are you didn’t simply waltz into a store and pick up the first t-shirt that you saw. No, you probably sifted through multiple racks. Then went home and fired up your computer to see what other deals were available online. Or perhaps you were scrolling through Instagram, only to be stopped in your tracks by an ad for a stylish brand that you’ve never even heard of before. Your customers today are inundated by ads and products everywhere they turn. Your brand must meet them where they shop, while remaining strategic about where you sell online . What is multichannel selling? Multichannel selling is when you list your products on more than one sales channel at a time. A multichannel selling approach lets you tap into the existing customer bases of other platforms and online selling sites , growing your reach and sales. A strong multichannel strategy doesn’t simply rely on a spray-and-pray approach. Rather, it leverages a select mix of channels, based on who’s shopping on each channel, customer expectations or assumptions and the overall competitive landscape. For this reason, multichannel retailing requires a deep understanding of your target buyers and thorough investigation into the channels you’re looking to test. Where should you sell? With all that in mind, here are several main types of sales channels worth considering. Your online store An eCommerce website  legitimizes your brand by offering real estate that’s entirely controlled by you. Your site should be mobile-friendly, fast-loading and carefully branded. It should act as a space where customers can learn all about your brand, browse your latest products and complete a purchase with ease. Read Also: How to start an online store It's also a hub that lets you collect customer contact information, promote special events or deals, and build loyalty—several things that are much more difficult to do on a third-party platform. Read Also: How to start a business   Online marketplaces Online marketplaces  include many of the sites that we’re all familiar with. They’re often one of the first places people look when researching products or are looking for alternatives to higher-end (read: pricey) brands. Selling on these channels gives you instant access to a large audience of shoppers, so long as you abide by each channel’s regulations and are able to differentiate your products from the competition. Here are several of today’s most popular marketplaces, though the list goes far beyond these. Amazon : With roughly 310 million customers worldwide —nearly a third of whom are loyal Prime members—Amazon remains the largest online retailer in the U.S. This also means that it’s one of the most competitive channels to sell on, so it’s important to learn the ins and outs of selling on Amazon  before jumping in. ( Read also: Amazon seller fees  you need to know about.) Walmart Marketplace : The  retail  behemoth allows third-party sellers to list their items alongside Walmart-exclusive merchandise, just like you would on Amazon or eBay. Walmart.com currently flaunts 120 million monthly visitors , and manages a relatively strict application process for new sellers. eBay : eBay boasts over 138 million  active buyers worldwide and more than 18 million active sellers, including big names like Adidas and Bose. Selling on eBay  is a particularly good option if you offer niche products like vintage items or collectibles, and it helps that the cost to sell on eBay is not as steep as others. Google : Google is not just a search engine; it's also a key player in your multichannel sales approach. Google Shopping accounts for 36% of product discovery online , with 1.2 billion monthly searches on the platform. You can get started by learning more about how to sell on Google . Etsy : Etsy currently has more than 95 million active buyers  and 7.7 million active sellers. Now a household name, Etsy continues to be a go-to sales channel for merchants who excel in the DIY space (read: how to sell on Etsy ). However, there are other Etsy alternatives  worth entertaining, especially if Etsy fees  start to rack up. Wish : Wish’s mobile-first marketplaces boast more than 100 million monthly active users across more than 60 countries. Wish is also a discovery-based platform where over 70% of transactions take place without a search, VP of Product Mauricio Monico told Wix . Not to mention, the platform has a special appeal to small- and mid-sized sellers who are looking to reach value-conscious shoppers. Social media Platforms like Instagram, Facebook (see our guide on how to sell on Facebook Marketplace ), and TikTok are growing in popularity—not only as social platforms, but also as sales channels in their own right. Think: Instagram Shopping, which enables customers to purchase products without ever leaving the app (see our guide on how to sell on Instagram ). These social commerce  features are a powerful complement to existing selling capabilities, such as being able tag products in your Instagram posts and drive people to your site. The beauty of social media is that you’re engaging customers on the channels they visit every day. While some users may not be looking to make a purchase right away, participating on these channels can keep your brand top of mind. Search engines Search engines offer a plethora of organic and paid opportunities—such as Bing Shopping , Google Shopping , and Google Ads —to draw attention to your products. Unlike traditional SEO strategies, the latter two are managed through the Google Merchant Center , where you can upload your product feeds and select which Google properties (including selling on YouTube , Gmail and Google-owned apps) to feature your products on. If you're a Wix user, you can create a GMC account directly from your site’s dashboard, then use the built-in Google Merchant Solutions connector  to sync listings with the products in your online store. Participating in these programs will allow you to showcase your products more prominently as shoppable posts. Search engines will then drive users to your site to complete a purchase, supporting each stage of the buyer journey. Physical (aka brick-and-mortar) stores Physical retail is far from dead. More accurately, it’s changing. Nowadays, many DTC brands are adopting clicks-to-bricks  approaches, using physical stores as showrooms if not fully stocked stores. As you list your products to multiple online channels, it’s worth considering how to better integrate any store locations with online experiences, moving towards a true omnichannel retail  experience. Rather than treating each channel as separate avenues, think about how they all play together, and how your customers are likely moving fluidly from one to the other. Top benefits of a multichannel retail strategy While increased sales opportunities is the most obvious benefit of multichannel retail, it's not the only one. Other benefits include: New customers Every shopper is different. Some prefer to go straight to the source, while others may search for the best price across multiple channels. Adding more ways for people to buy from you only makes sense to reach the maximum amount of potential customers. A competitive advantage f you’re not on a sales channel that your competitor is on, you obviously lose out on a sale, but worst of all, you run the risk of the competition completely dominating the mind share of your target audience. This means, you automatically lose out on even the potential of a sale in the future, as customers will never think of buying from you when in product-search mode. ‘Free’ marketing Joining an online marketplace gives you the advantage of that marketplace’s marketing efforts and technology. For example, the attention driven by Amazon’s Prime Day gets your brand in front of millions of potential buyers who may buy from you that day and even in the future through your own website. Increased brand recognition The more places you are, the more people come to recognize your brand. This in turn builds trust and increases the likelihood of a future sale. Reduced risk Many eCommerce businesses tend to over-rely on one particular sales channel, especially if they’ve seen pronounced results from it. But the eCommerce industry is dogged by many carpet-pulls, leaving merchants in the lurch when a channel changes drastically due to internal or external forces. A multichannel approach helps mitigate channel risk. Top challenges of multichannel selling But for all of its advantages, multichannel selling still comes with its own challenges. Those include:   Deciding where to sell It ’s all too easy to stretch yourself thin across too many channels at once. To avoid becoming overwhelmed or wasting your time on channels that don’t attract the right audience, you’ll need to be intentional about where you sell. Maintaining consistency The more channels you add, the more complicated it gets to keep your product details (e.g., prices, titles, descriptions, pictures, branding) in order. You must establish one source of truth for your product data and a system for implementing any changes across every channel. Remaining compliant Each third-party marketplace has its own way of doing things. Be it the way it categorizes its products or how it evaluates seller performance, each has its own requirements for merchants on its platform. You need to familiarize yourself with marketplace regulations, alongside any policy changes (no matter how suddenly they crop up) to retain your selling privileges. Multichannel fulfillment Beyond catering to various shipping expectations, you’ll need to consider which fulfillment method makes most sense in terms of speed, cost, and competitiveness. For example, nearly 90% of Amazon sellers use Amazon FBA —at least in part— for fulfillment because it gives them a competitive edge (read: the coveted “Prime” status). Inventory management Poor inventory management can lead to out-of-stock items or overselling—two things that can damage customer trust in your brand. To avoid inaccuracies, especially as orders stream in for the same product on multiple channels, you’ll need to develop an inventory management  system that’s able to keep up with orders and inventory movement 24/7. 6 survival tips for multichannel sellers In short, multichannel retailing is a proven way to boost sales, but it takes the right strategy to avoid inefficiencies and costly errors. The below tips can help you to get started the right way. 01. Evaluate your channels carefully Avoid falling victim to “shiny object” syndrome and blindly selling on channels just because they’re popular. This spray-and-pray approach often leads to massive disappointment and causes many sellers to prematurely rule out channels as failed platforms. Instead, do your research and focus on the channels that make the most sense for your business. Look at important factors, such as: Target buyers Top-selling products Average price points Seller services and/or features Reviews from other sellers Fees and commissions Taxonomies Ranking algorithms Listing policies Pricing policies Payment options Customer service policies Returns policies While there will always be a learning curve, it’s well worth it to take the time upfront in researching and learning how each platform operates. 02. Automate repetitive tasks When you’ve got products listed in multiple places, it quickly becomes impractical to manage each channel by hand. From creating your listings to updating available quantities—there are many tedious tasks that can be done faster and more accurately with automation. Wix’s multichannel features , for instance, include listing, inventory, pricing and order management tools. You can save yourself from hours of manual data entry by importing your Wix catalog to new channels. Or, you can manage shipping policies and promotions on a channel-by-channel basis. Moreover, as sales start coming in, you can rest assured that channels will be updated with the right inventory counts automatically. Great businesses are built on great conversations, but you can’t always be online to start them. Wix AI Site Chat  bridges that gap by answering questions, handling bookings and keeping visitors engaged. It provides a smooth, reliable first touchpoint for potential clients while giving you more time to focus on running your business. You can also check out the Wix AI Site Chat overview  for a deeper look at how it works. Save your energy for more strategic tasks; leave the redundant ones for Wix to manage. 03. Optimize for mobile shoppers Mobile commerce (aka mCommerce) is projected to account for nearly 42%  of all eCommerce traffic by 2024. But this reality is already palpable on channels like social media or Wish, where most users are entering from their mobile devices. For this reason, it benefits you to audit the mobile experience of your eCommerce site, ensuring that any mobile visitors can seamlessly navigate your store. From Wix, simply go to your Editor and toggle the icon in the upper-left corner to see (and customize) your mobile storefront. All in all, you’ll want to make sure that the mobile experience: Is fast-loading Includes text, images, and buttons sized appropriately for small screens Has a clean, easy-to-use navigation menu Offers mobile payment options like Apple Pay and PayPal Is free of clutter on every page 04. Make sure that your product details are consistent Inconsistent pricing, outdated information or pictures, and expired offers can sideline a sale—or worse, turn customers away from your brand completely. To prevent this, establish a central database for storing and updating your product data. For example, you can use Wix to create your product listings. From there, you can choose to sync your listings to other sales channels, and customize certain details by platform. You’ll want to ensure that everyone on your team knows to check this database for the most up-to-date product information. Your database should also be synced with your in-store POS systems so that everyone from your eCommerce team to your in-person sales team is kept up to speed. 05. Practice price parity As a general rule of thumb, you’ll want to make sure that your pricing is consistent across channels. It’s not uncommon for marketplaces to “ding” your account if it finds that your product can be bought at a much lower price elsewhere on the internet. That said, you can always reserve certain products for certain channels, and tailor your pricing that way. In other words, you could sell your latest or premium products via your online store, while reserving overstock items or last year’s models for marketplaces like eBay. This gives you more flexibility in terms of pricing. 06. Protect your brand identity When you sell on a third-party platform, you inherently lose some control over how you brand and display your products. However, there are still steps you can take to drive brand awareness while playing by each channel’s rules. For starters, create detailed product descriptions that demonstrate your brand’s personality, quality standards, values, and other differentiators. Avoid copying and pasting the same description to each channel, and tailor your copy to each unique audience. Another idea: provide strong, memorable product images. Make sure any product labels are easy to read. Take photos of your product at every angle, as well as lifestyle photos that illustrate the intended use and mood you’re looking to create. Perhaps most importantly, you’ll want to provide the best customer experience possible. Often the best way to build connections on any channel is by showing that you care and will follow through on your promises (e.g., ship times, product quality, etc.). So, you’ll want to be extra mindful of responding to user queries quickly and thoroughly, no matter which channel they come in from. Handle complaints and/or return requests sensitively too, understanding that even negative first impressions can be turned into positive experiences. Embrace multichannel retail with Wix A successful multichannel retailing strategy can bear lots of fruit for your business. Just make sure to do your research, choose your channels wisely, and automate what you can. Wix Store owners can seamlessly manage multiple channels from their Wix dashboard including selling on Amazon, eBay, Facebook, and more. Simplify and streamline the process so that all you need to worry about is making more sales. Get started with Wix for eCommerce  today.

No, we’re not talking about ordering lunch. In website jargon, a hamburger menu refers to a three lined icon typically placed on the top right- or left-hand corner of a website. A simplified, graphic take on the quintessential barbecue dish, the hamburger button opens up to display your website’s navigation menu—a.k.a. its meat and fillings—enabling a clean, clutter-free design and a convenient user experience. Since its emergence over 30 years ago, the hamburger menu has been equally adored and despised - its advantages and disadvantages debated heavily in the web world. But in reality, the hamburger menu is an option that can be extremely useful for website owners and users alike. When creating your own website , you might consider using this element. To help you along, this article will cover what exactly a hamburger menu is, its pros and cons and examples of websites that have perfected their hamburger menu practices. What is a hamburger menu? Since its creation in the 1980s by designer Norm Cox, the hamburger menu has not ceased evolving in the world of UX design . The original four-lined icon symbolized to users of the Xerox machine that if they pressed it, it would open up a list of actionable items. Flashforward to the 2020s, the hamburger menu is more popular than ever. While it goes without saying that the original icon has been tweaked throughout the years, its function is now so widely recognized that many website owners take creative liberties to modernize and implement the image in different ways. Its popularity can likely be attributed, but not limited, to the emergence of the mobile website , where the screen real estate is much smaller, and content design needs to be reformatted or condensed. Using a hamburger menu can also be an asset to the desktop version of your website, for example if you want to bring the focus to impressive full-screen visual elements, and tighten website navigation . Pros and cons of the hamburger menu Despite its advantages, the hamburger menu is not accepted by all as a winning feature. Let’s go over some of the pros and cons commonly discussed over the years to see if this is the right type of website menu for you. Hamburger menu pros Everyone recognizes it Very few UI symbols have received as widespread adoption as the hamburger icon. The ubiquitous hamburger menu button is almost always understood, and its form and function are consistent, avoiding confusion by users. Squeaky clean design Sometimes, less is more. Using a hamburger menu will allow you to have a squeaky-clean website. By collapsing items behind the menu, you can avoid overloading or distracting users with too many options. Hello, screen real estate It goes without saying that you’ll have more room on your screen if you hide some items behind the hamburger menu icon. This is especially useful for mobile navigation design. Plus, if there are certain features of your site that you know are less relevant than others, you can still keep them there without giving away prime screen real estate. Direct access There’s no question about it—once users click on a hamburger menu, they will have direct access to the menu items without having to go through extra steps to find the information they need. Some might argue that just clicking on a hamburger menu is an extra step, but when it streamlines the process of collecting information, it can only benefit the user experience. Hamburger menu cons Out of sight, out of mind Many UX designers believe that the hamburger menu creates an “out of sight, out of mind” mentality for visitors, opting for noticeable solutions like breadcrumbs or status bars . When it comes to website navigation, hiding items behind the hamburger menu might signify to users that these features are not as important. Harder to reach = lower click through rates While the hamburger menu is generally well recognized, there are some who find that—especially on mobile devices—discoverability is low. Some users have a hard time when items are hidden, which will result in less engagement. Creates extra steps for the user Hiding information that you’d prefer the user to see right away is inefficient because they’ll have to go through more steps to get there. The case is different for each individual, and you might find that the benefits outweigh this disadvantage when implementing a hamburger menu into your site. Pro tip: If you're looking for something different, explore hamburger menu alternatives . 10 hamburger menu examples Bhroovi Gupta: UX Designer Overport: Branding Agency Yang's Place: Restaurant Pei Jung Creative: Graphic Designer 8590 Group: Creative Media Agency JR Taylor: Choreographer Ducknology: Jewelry Shop Miranda Sofroniou: Illustrator The Wild Collective | Art Collective Daniel Aristizábal | Artistic Director 01. Bhroovi Gupta | UX Designer Talk about personality! Bhroovi ’s groovy website has a lot of it. Her clean-cut hamburger menu icon is perfectly aligned within her website’s header, preventing distraction from the energetic work displayed on her homepage . Once opened, the menu presents a full page of navigation options. Maintaining a uniform design, Bhroovi’s hamburger menu uses a font style and size that’s consistent with the rest of her site. 02. Overport | Branding Agency Overport is an Australian branding agency that specializes in managing their client’s social media accounts. They’ve used the space on their homepage to display a slideshow of photographs that exemplify their work. In contrast, their full-page hamburger menu opens up into a clean, distraction-free design, providing a designated spot where visitors can find important information easily. 03. Yang’s Place | Restaurant Yang’s Place ’s hamburger menu offers good value to their user experience. Yang’s Place’s homepage is full of delicious images and staggered navigation items that might seem overwhelming—until users click on the hamburger icon at the top of the page. Once it unfolds, the hamburger menu provides site visitors with the same information, but in a more organized and streamlined fashion. 04. Pei Jung Creative | Graphic Designer Pei Jung Ho’s design portfolio stands out for so many reasons: eye-popping animation, the clever use of parallax scrolling features and of course, her tongue-in-cheek approach to the hamburger menu. The animated emoji is something that users will not miss, and fits well with her “appetite for design” slogan. Best of all, Pei Jung’s hamburger menu shows off her creative skills. 05. 8590 Group | Creative Media Agency The 8590 Group website portfolio is a starting point for visitors who want to connect with the variety of projects led by the creative agency. Their homepage is a space that gives visitors an instant taste of 8590’s world, but the list of projects on the hamburger menu allows users to follow through to get more detail and really understand what they do. 06. JR Taylor | Choreographer JR Taylor is a talented choreographer who has moves like you’ve never seen. JR boasts his work by adding a video montage with cool video effects to his homepage, and there’s no reason why he should sidetrack his viewers with a standard navigation bar. Instead, JR’s site has a perfectly visible hamburger menu for when visitors are ready to see more. 07. Ducknology | Jewelry Shop Ducknology treats the homepage on their online store like a display window, placing images of their jewelry products and prices in the forefront. A classic hamburger menu icon is placed on the upper left corner of their site. The strategic placement almost guarantees that users will click to see what’s behind it, but because the visual focus is put immediately on their products, visitors are likely to spend time browsing and shopping before they click for more. 08. Miranda Sofroniou | Illustrator Miranda ’s illustrations are placed front and center on her homepage, presented in an engaging, full-screen gallery layout. She’s perfectly placed a tiny hamburger menu icon into the frame of her homepage, ensuring that it doesn’t take the attention away from her works. Take note of the matching hues she’s chosen for her images’ hover effect and her menu’s background. Complementing the color scheme of your site with that of your hamburger menu will provide users with a pleasant—and sometimes more interesting—visual experience. 09. The Wild Collective | Art Collective Wild Collective is all about bold visual and written statements, and the large elements on their site really emphasize this aspect of their work. The hamburger menu icon is a bit different than the standard, in the sense that it uses lines of varying lengths, but it's clear that its function is the same. The icon hides information such as press opportunities and the collective’s full manifesto. Because it is pinned on the homepage, visitors can browse through the rest of the site, while having continuous access to navigation. 10. Daniel Aristizábal | Artistic Director Daniel’s minimalistic hamburger menu is the perfect way to balance out the outstanding graphics on his site. While many UX designers worry about small hamburger menus like this being overlooked—it’s pinned to the homepage, so users can scroll through the page and be totally immersed in Daniel’s work, without missing the hamburger icon. 10 tips for the best hamburger menu design When it comes to designing a hamburger menu for your website, it's worth keeping some of these design best practices in mind: 01. Visibility and placement Top left or top right? This is the first question to ask yourself. Place your menu icon in the top left or top right corner of the screen, where users typically expect it. At the same time make sure your hamburger menu is in the same position across all of your webpages - aim for consistency in placement as this is essential for a smooth user experience. 2. Icon design Make sure you use the standard three horizontal lines (☰) to represent the hamburger menu. It's widely recognized and understood by users. Any icon you choose to use should be simple, clear and large enough to be easily found and tapped on mobile. 03. Animation and feedback Consider adding a subtle animation to the icon when it's clicked to provide visual feedback. This can really improve the user experience. Then think about having your menu icon change to an 'X' or another symbol when the menu is open to show that it can be closed. 04. Menu design When designing your hamburger menu, organize menu items logically, grouping related items together. Be aware of keeping the menu items to a minimum to avoid overwhelming users. Then choose legible fonts, with enough contrast between the text and the background. 05. Mobile-friendly design Make sure your hamburger menu works and is accessible on mobile as well as on desktop. This also means menu items should be large enough to be easily tapped on mobile or touchscreens. 06. Accessibility When designing your hamburger menu there are a few key accessibility principles to keep in mind. One is to make sure that your menu can be navigated using the keyboard. Consider using ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) attributes to make the menu accessible to screen readers. 07. Smooth transitions You should use smooth transitions for the menu opening and closing to enhance the user experience. Alongside this you need to make sure that your menu transitions are quick enough not to delay users but slow enough to be noticeable. 08. Content optimization When planning your hamburger menu always make sure to position the most important items at the top of the menu. You can also think about using icons next to menu items to make them more recognizable and improve navigation speed. 09. Background overlay Good hamburger menu design can often mean dimming the rest of the screen, when the menu is open. This is designed to draw attention to the menu and focus a user on it. Another good design option is 'click to close', where menu users can click on any part of the screen outside of the menu to close it. 10. Testing and feedback Always get real users to try and test your hamburger menu before implementing it. If you need to you can make design adjustments based on this feedback.

The 2021 edition of Pride Month marks 51 years since the first Pride march was held in New York City, marking a pivotal moment in the Gay Liberation Movement, the Stonewall demonstrations. It’s a time each year when LGBTQ+ communities celebrate who they are, and advocate their desire to be free from persecution and discrimination. Here at Wix, we believe inclusivity on the web is an essential part of website design —not only during Pride Month, but every day. By planning how to make a website that’s LGBTQ+ friendly, you can make browsing experiences more inclusive and welcoming for different communities. To help you get started, here are some tips on how to make an LGBTQ+ friendly site that will embrace the diversity of the Pride community and that will elevate your online presence. Create the perfect site for you with Wix's website builder . Notes from Wix Rainbow: Why does designing an LGBTQ+ friendly website matter? An LGBTQ+ friendly website is one that is designed to create an authentic and inclusive experience for members of this diverse community. Before we get into the basics of how to make your site LGBTQ+ friendly, we sat down with Alejandro de la Torre, head of Wix Rainbow USA, to get a better understanding of why it matters. (Wix Rainbow is an internal and grassroots initiative that empowers, inspires, supports, and encourages our employees to be inclusive, and advocate for, and support their local LGBTQ+ communities). Create an inclusive user experience for LGBTQ+ visitors When asked why a business or individual should pay attention to making their website LGBTQ+ friendly, de la Torre says that many people don’t recognize that there are unconscious biases in design and language. “The LGBTQ+ community is constantly experiencing microaggressions in everyday conversations or online visits that shouldn't be part of the speech to begin with,” he says. Making your site inclusive starts with user experience. When you learn how to design a website , you’ll start to consider the visual elements that make your site look good, and the functional elements that will ensure a positive browsing experience for users. But there are some properties of web design that go beyond form and function; the images, language, and data you use can also impact your site visitors emotionally. For businesses online, emotional engagement with a brand’s digital content is a powerful marketing tool that nurtures customer loyalty. When it comes to LGBTQ+ websites , designers should be cognizant of how their website ideas and content might make groups feel excluded and even discriminated against. “The online platform, in general, should be more people-friendly and inclusive,” says de la Torre. We should stop assuming, become less concerned about what our society thinks is right or wrong and instead focus on creating a better, more beautiful world for all.” Learn more: What is web design? An LGBTQ+ friendly site is good for business Making your website LGBTQ+ friendly is also smart for business, de la Torre points out. “Everything should be about inclusion. Businesses who pay attention to this are not only going to be inclusive and celebrate diversity, but also they will experience growth,” he says. Running an inclusive business and website will help carve out space for your brand within the LGBTQ+ world—and with 5.6 percent of adults in the United States alone identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender , it’s safe to say that market is significant. Most importantly, providing a safe space for LGBTQ+ customers to browse, shop and interact online will improve your brand image and foster a sense of loyalty. Pro tip : Start with easy-to-use free web templates to build a site that looks great and helps you earn online. Design tips for an LGBTQ+ friendly website Whether you're creating a website for a business, a blog , or an online portfolio , or any type of website , one of your goals should be to design a site for the wide range of people who will interact with it, including the LGBTQ+ community. Small steps can lead to big changes, and here are seven ways to make your website more LGBTQ+ friendly: How to create an LGBTQ+ friendly website Use diverse images of LGBTQ+ individuals Incorporate gender neutral terms into your site’s copy Implement LGBTQ+ friendly security practices Optimize for LGBTQ+ searches Protect LGBTQ+ users from harassment Support LGBTQ+ products Don’t just talk about inclusivity, show it 01. Use diverse images of LGBTQ+ individuals Visuals can be used throughout your website’s design to help visitors understand your business’s community, products or services. These visuals are not only representative, they also set the tone for your brand’s style and voice, shaping the public’s perception of what you stand for. When it comes to choosing the imagery for your site, you’ll want to prove that your brand is inclusive of all people. You can include the LGBTQ+ community by using images of gay and lesbian couples, transgender people, and other groups. This will allow your brand to tell a more diverse story, while showing the LGBTQ+ community they are represented. Before you start your image search, keep in mind that many free stock photo sites are still concentrated with cliches. When seeking more diverse options, we recommend checking out Shutterstock , Unsplash , and Vice’s The Gender Spectrum Collection , each offering hundreds of free high-quality images and curated diversity collections. When you design a site with Wix, you can add images to your site from the Wix Media Manager, where you’ll find many options for Pride photographs and vector art. 02. Incorporate gender neutral terms into your site’s copy Written content plays a big role in your website’s perception and performance, whether it’s how you describe yourself in an About Us page , product details on your online store, or the copy used in contact forms . When writing your web content, you’ll need to be mindful that not everyone within the LGBTQ+ community puts themselves in a “male” or “female” box. For many individuals, coming out with their sexual orientation is just the first step toward understanding or defining their gender identification. It’s not uncommon for a transgender individual to experience frustrations when, for example, they are asked to confirm their gender online but aren’t provided with an option that’s relevant for them. “Businesses should remove questions about gender from the conversation,” says de la Torre. “Questions like ‘what's your gender?’ make everyone transitioning or identifying themselves with a gender outside the gender roles that our society built feel discriminated against and alienated.” You can use more inclusive language online by applying gender neutral syntax throughout your site’s text. For instance, you may opt for gender neutral occupations (e.g. using “server” instead of “waitress” and “waiter”) or using “they” instead of “he” or “she” when relevant. As de la Torre emphasizes, you’ll want to be especially cognizant when requesting information from users on your site. One place to consider is your email signup form. “We should be using a more neutral language that supports and enforces inclusion, and online businesses should embrace the change,” he says. “Instead of pre-populating answers for gender-related questions, why not leave a blank space for users to share whatever they want?” If there is a form on your website that requests visitors to check off a box for “male” or “female,” you should also have an option for “other.” Alternatively, you may choose to skip this step altogether. 03. Implement LGBTQ+ friendly security practices Imagine this: A user decides to pay for password protected content on your website. They take out their credit card, start filling in personal details, choose a username and finally, a password. Next, they get to the security questions, a common—and even comforting—practice users come across when interacting with an extra secure website. The first question they’re asked is “What is your mother’s maiden name?” However, what if the user doesn’t have a mother, but two fathers? Microinteractions like this may seem trivial, but they create a barrier between you and the customer. Your site can easily facilitate a less discouraging experience for LGBTQ+ visitors by omitting instances where they might be stumped by a sense of cyber-alienation. 04. Optimize for LGBTQ+ searches Metadata are short bits of text used throughout your website that let search engines know how you should appear in search results. These include meta (or SEO) descriptions, alt text, and tags. Strategic incorporation of metadata can boost your site’s traffic and let you reach the right audiences, including the LGBTQ+ community. This isn’t simply a hack to perform better on search results. When members of the LGBTQ+ community seek a product or service online, it’s likely that they’re specifying their search further to find the brands that welcome them. For example, if you’re running a fitness website, including “LGBTQ friendly” in the meta description of a group class will grab the attention of LGBTQ+ customers looking for a safe and inclusive space to workout. When it’s relevant, you might want to include phrases like “LGBTQ+ friendly” within your website’s metadata. This will allow your site to be more easily found, used, and embraced by the LGBTQ+ community. It will also undoubtedly increase traffic to your website. 05. Protect the LGBTQ+ users from harassment A website has the power to build a community around your personal brand or business. But that relationship isn’t a one-way street. As a business, it’s your responsibility to protect your community of customers when they’re in your space. This is especially true of the language used in the comments sections, online forums, and blogs; LGBTQ+ users might experience harassment and discrimintation due to insensitive or hateful remarks in any of these forums. To protect the LGBTQ+ community on your site, you can monitor comments and posts on your website, help a user if they tell you they’re uncomfortable, and investigate or resolve other problems. 06. Support LGBTQ+ products The booming eCommerce industry provides us with manifold opportunities for supporting the LGBTQ+ community. Many companies will show solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community during Pride by creating special collections of products and merchandise, often donating a percentage of sales to mark the occasion. That said when you make a website LGBTQ+ friendly, try to think beyond rainbow merch and the month of June alone. One way is to consider adding a non-gendered section to your product page. This provides potential shoppers with a break from fashion gender norms and will likely inspire them to share this with their community. 07. Don’t just talk about inclusivity, show it It’s easy to talk about your love for the LGTBQ+ community online, but proving your business is friendly to the community requires action. Even brands that back Pride Month in big ways by investing in sponsorships, merch, or social media campaigns still overlook the issues LGBTQ+ users regularly experience on the web. De la Torre points out that some brands “create Pride collections and then force you to select either male or female to see the items.” So although they are ostensibly showing support for the LGBTQ+ community, they’re not doing it in a thoughtful, deliberate, and inclusive way. While there’s nothing wrong with gestures big and small playing a positive role in normalizing LGBTQ+ culture, as individuals we can make an impact by concentrating on the people we interact with on a daily basis. As owners of business websites, blogs, online stores, and more, this must include making an LGBTQ+ friendly website. We hope you’ve learned how to apply these important, inclusive changes to the different parts of your site . We also recommend reviewing resources about LGBTQ+ awareness, talking to members of the community, and—if the opportunity presents itself—ask a friend, family member or colleague from the LGBTQ+ community to review your website, and listen to their suggestions.