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https://www.wix.com/studio/blog/microcopy-boost-conversion-ux-writing When you watch a movie you expect it to take you on a journey; one filled with laughter, emotion, gratitude, or even inspiration. One of the main goals for movie producers is to get viewers to enjoy what they see and watch it until the end. When you think about it, this bears a striking resemblance to what you do when you create your own website . You want to provide a memorable and easy experience.   A good website is measured by a few important elements, one of them being the length of each visit. The longer they stay, the more they will learn about your business and engage with what you offer. That brings us to our main topic; UX design . UX stands for user experience, which means that in order to have a successful website you must ensure it’s accessible, usable, efficient and easy on the eyes. All of these elements together will help you create a joyful journey for your visitors and maintain an exceptional UX design for your website. There are a few methods and bits of UX design examples that will help you master the art behind building websites that generate great engagement and user experience, and we’ve broken down the most important ones: Design for the users Browse UX research websites to help you identify who your user's persona is, and keep them in mind when creating every aspect of your website in order to meet their needs. This also means that you should listen to your users and change the structure of your site according to their feedback. Pro tip : Start with easy-to-use website design templates to create a site that looks great and works smoothly. Less is more Researchers have identified that today, online users only have an 8-second attention span . That means you’ve got to lure them in quickly with an excellent user interface , UX content strategy and microcopy . Your homepage should only include the most important details, like what your biz is all about. Since you’ll have a ton of great content to share, it’s best to link to inner pages or add anchors leading to different points on your page, where more information can be found. Flow The flesh of your website is built on the framework you create. You need to establish structure and provide the necessary points a user needs. One of the best ways to do this is by working with wireframes . Create a flow that makes sense, is easy to follow and approachable to your target audience. Visuals “A picture is worth a thousand words.” Who knew that this phrase from the early 20th century would be so relevant to our online world? One photo can help you keep your visitors interested and focused. Catch their eyes with a high-quality image that will lead them to useful information in just a click. Text Text is crucial to use for any piece of information (including this blog, right?) But take caution; there are some strict rules regarding how to include written content correctly throughout your site: check it’s readable (size and font type), don’t use more than three types of fonts and use graphical bullet points if there are instructions of some sort. Navigation bar Website navigation is the control point that links the user to sections within your website (see our guide on mobile navigation ). Think of your horizontal and vertical menus as your GPS for those who are visiting. Make things clear, visible and easy to explore. Your website menu design is your home base, so when a visitor clicks on it, they should be brought back to where their journey began; your homepage. White space Often referred to as negative space, white space is the portion of a page left unmarked or blank. So if you’re a hoarder, make sure to clean out the trash when it comes to your online home! You must organize accordingly so that all different kinds of content (text, images, icons, etc.) have enough space to give your viewers a breather. That space between each element is super important for the flow and the processing of your website. Above the fold News Flash! Back in the day when newspapers were the main form of media, editors would ensure to include the important pieces of information on the first page, “above the fold.” This refers to the way people would hold the paper in their hands; placing the most important text in the most visible space. The printed journalism industry has almost disappeared, but the idea of keeping what’s hot on top is still a necessity when it comes to your homepage. Links These are like the tour guides of your website. Use them to direct your visitors where you wish them to “travel” next. Important fact: if the link is leading to content within your site, don’t let it open in a new tab. If it’s an outside source, then direct it to open a new window. CTA These three letters stand for Call to Action. These are the buttons that tell your viewers exactly what you want them to do. Place them in strategic locations, add 2-3 words of action and choose a color that will pop! For example: Go to the Next Point>> but seriously now, please move to the next bullet point :) Contact details A success story usually ends when your visitors are interested in getting in touch with you! Your contact info needs to be located in an easy-to-reach place, and don’t forget to add all the necessary means of communication (email, phone, address). Social media links Does your small biz have a presence on social media (it really should by now!)? If so, then our point above relates to this as well. Think of these links as the sequel to your movie (aka website) you’ve just let your visitors go through. Placing your social links in a visible place will encourage your users to keep navigating along the journey of your business. Music As much as we probably would love dancing to your tunes, we don’t recommend adding music that starts to play automatically. If you are a musician and this is part of your business, don’t let it play on loop Forever, forever, ever, forever, ever . Mobile compatibility In a world where even your dog has its own Instagram account, you must take into consideration that most of your website’s visitors will surf via their mobile. There are so many different types of screens available, and your goal is to show that good things come in small packages :) Use our Wix mobile Editor to create a site that would be suitable to use from any device. Footer You care about what shoes you wear each day, right? Then you should be treating your footer the same way. The bottom of your site needs to be as informative and visual as the rest of your homepage. Place links to the following pages:  About Us, Contact Us, Terms of Service, Privacy Policy and a Site Map (the list of all the pages you have included in your site), to really hammer home a smooth user journey . Seems like a lot to do for your website, huh? Well, it’ll be worth all the time you put into it when your visitors have the best possible user experience. Don’t forget: If you follow these tips, they will come!

Fashion lovers all over the world are excited about the New York Fashion Week which is kicking off tomorrow. It’s one of the most anticipated events of the industry, with tons of catwalks, shows, displays, workshops, performances, parties and other hyped and exciting things that are going on in the Big Apple. Believe it or not, Wix has a thing for all things couture. In fact, we consider ourselves the fashionistas of website builders. That’s why we want to greet the New York Fashion Week in two wonderful ways: The Catwalk//Sidewalk exhibition at the Wix Lounge From the Catwalk//Sidewalk exhibition at the Wix Lounge NY Fashion photographers Liam Alexander and Galo Delgado are exhibiting their fascinating work in the Wix Lounge New York until March 1st, 2013. This exhibition aims to juxtapose images from urban scenery with inside photos from the fashion industry. They explore the boundaries between the catwalk and the sidewalk—where does one start and the other end? If you’re in New York sometime this month, be sure to visit the lounge and check it out! Website showcase: beautiful fashion sites Fashion websites are by far one the most creative groups of sites we see on Wix. We have a large variety of fashion templates and logo options in our Clothing Logo Maker , and we constantly come across inspiring websites that were created with them. Just like in real life, when you see fashion designs that really catch your eye and just don’t let go, great fashion websites have a way of popping out of the screen and leave a truly stunning impression. They are daring and unique, and we love them for it! So in honor of the New York Fashion Week, here are 18 examples of fashion websites that are totally en vogue. Spring Onion Hilde Heim Carlottina Lab Culturata Child of the Indigo After 10 Shoes 2nd Avenue Saints Drop Fabego Magazine Fruit Bijoux Singlespeed Gregory Wendell Ja Runway La Piccola Tshirteria Moosh83 Parallux Persy

Turn your ideas into sales and start selling with Wix eCommerce →   The success of your online store doesn’t just boil down to the products you offer; your eCommerce site’s  user experience (UX) also matters.  From the moment a customer lands on your homepage to when they complete a purchase, every part of the shopping journey is shaped by UX design. Good eCommerce UX considers your customer’s needs, preferences and shopping habits. It goes beyond the aesthetics of your site and involves guiding shoppers down the right path, helping them find what they need as easily as they would when shopping in a physical store.  Keep reading to learn what eCommerce UX is and how to implement it throughout your site.  Ready to start your eCommerce journey? Now’s the perfect time to bring your vision to life. With Wix eCommerce, you have the tools to build a free online store and create a website that captivates your audience, drives traffic and boosts sales. Take the first step and explore Wix eCommerce today. Make your mark online and turn your ideas into success. The importance of UI and UX in eCommerce Two main elements define a shopper’s experience on your eCommerce site: the user interface (UI) and the user experience (UX). While these terms are often used interchangeably, they refer to different aspects of web design . UI  is about the actual elements that you interact with on the site. Think: buttons, images, text and other visual items. It's akin to the layout and decor of a physical store; it needs to be visually appealing and functional. UX  is more holistic. It encompasses all aspects of a person’s end-to-end interaction with an eCommerce site. It's not just about how things look but how they work. Good UX results in an intuitive, efficient and satisfying shopping experience. UI and UX work together to create a seamless shopping experience. A beautiful UI can attract customers. However, without a solid UX to back it up, customers may leave your site out of frustration or confusion. Conversely, great eCommerce UX can keep customers engaged even if the UI isn't cutting-edge. Ready to start selling? Use an eCommerce platform  like Wix. 10 essential steps for improving eCommerce UX When it comes to improving the UX of an existing site, it can be hard to know where to start. However, a structured approach can help. Consider these 10 steps for getting started.  Related reading: 6 lessons from my 6 years in UX that can be applied to your site 01. Research your audience Knowing your audience inside and out is key to standing out. It's like throwing a party—you want to make sure you've got the right music, food and vibe for the people you're inviting onto your property.  By digging into who your customers are, what they like and what frustrates them, you can design a site that feels just right for them. This means chatting with them through surveys, diving into your site's analytics and maybe even doing a few user interviews. The insights you get from this research can help you identify areas of your site that need adjusting or map out new ways to engage shoppers.  02. Analyze your current eCommerce UX Take a close look at your existing eCommerce site. Use analytics, like Wix Analytics , to see where users drop off or spend the most time. Tools like heatmaps can show you exactly where people are clicking and scrolling, revealing hot spots and dead zones.  Don't forget to ask for feedback directly from your users; sometimes, their insights can be the most revealing. Conduct usability tests where real users complete tasks on your site and watch where they struggle or succeed.  03. Set clear objectives for your eCommerce UX plan Define what you want to achieve with your UX redesign. Are you aiming to reduce cart abandonment, speed up the checkout process or simply make the site more visually appealing?  Be specific with your goals. For example, "Increase the checkout completion rate by 20% in the next six months" is much clearer than saying "Improve the checkout process." Having these clear objectives can keep your team focused and aligned.  It will also make it easier for you to measure your progress and see if your changes are making a difference. Regularly check in on your goals and be ready to tweak them if needed.  04. Create user personas User personas can help you visualize your customers as real people with specific needs, behaviors and goals—then help you tailor your site accordingly.  Start by gathering data from your audience research, such as demographics, purchasing habits and feedback. Then, build personas that represent different segments of your user base.  For instance, you might create "Budget-Conscious Brenda," a thrifty shopper always on the lookout for deals, or "Tech-Savvy Tom," who loves the latest gadgets and smooth, fast online experiences.  These personas help to keep your users at the forefront when designing and refining your site. Every decision, from layout tweaks to new feature rollouts, can be guided by asking, "How would this improve Brenda's or Tom's experience?" This personalized approach will ensure that your UX enhancements are relevant and impactful, making your site more user-friendly and enjoyable for everyone. 05. Map the user journey on your eCommerce site Outline the path customers take from landing on your site to completing a purchase. Doing so will help you chart out every stop your customers make, including key touchpoints and potential friction points.  Pay attention to different paths that users might take. Use tools like journey maps to visualize these steps, highlighting the emotional highs and lows your shoppers experience along the way. Are people prone to get distracted while navigating through your site? Do they get overwhelmed by too many choices? Are you using eCommerce merchandising strategies that can keep shoppers on your site longer and guide them toward a purchase? Conversely, do you notice higher purchase rates on pages where product reviews are prominent and positive? Keep an eye out for key motivators at each stage.  06. Design with empathy Put yourself in your customers' shoes and design for their convenience and comfort. Make navigation intuitive and information easily accessible. Think about accessibility, too. In other words, design for users of all abilities. When you approach UX with empathy, you're not just making changes for the sake of it; you're considering your customers’ emotional journey and creating an experience that feels personal and caring. This thoughtful approach leads to a more intuitive site, happier customers—and ultimately, better business results. Learn more: What is web design? 07. Implement a mobile-friendly design Design your site with a mobile-first mindset, i.e., declutter your pages and make sure your layout is easy to navigate on smaller screens. If you use a website builder  like Wix, you should be able to easily customize the mobile version of your site. Hide non-essential elements from view and make sure buttons, plus navigational menus, are easy to click with a thumb.  Test your site on various devices and screen sizes to catch any issues as you build out your design.  08. Conduct user testing Before finalizing any changes, test them with real users to gather feedback and make necessary adjustments. Recruit a diverse group of real users who match your customer personas. Then, ask them to complete key tasks, like finding a product, adding it to the cart and checking out.  Observe where users struggle, what confuses them and where they sail through with ease. Encourage them to think out loud so you can get insights into their thought process.  Use a mix of methods, like in-person sessions, remote testing and A/B testing, to gather a broad range of feedback. Afterward, you should be able to analyze results and identify common pain points.  09. Iterate based on feedback Use the insights from user testing to refine your UX design continuously. Start with the most critical issues that are causing frustration and/or hurting sales, and make those adjustments first.  Then, roll out these changes and keep a close eye on how users respond. Continue using your analytics, heatmaps and follow-up user tests to see if the tweaks are hitting the mark. Don’t be afraid to go through multiple iterations; each round of feedback brings you closer to a smoother, more intuitive site. Remember, this is an ongoing process. As user needs and behaviors evolve, continue to gather feedback and make adjustments 10. Stay updated with training The world of UX is always evolving, with new trends, tools and best practices emerging all the time. To stay ahead, regularly invest in training and professional development.  Take online courses and attend webinars. Follow industry blogs or join UX communities to learn from experts and peers. Experiment with new techniques to see how they can enhance your site. Top eCommerce UX best practices If you want your eCommerce site to truly shine, it's important to follow some proven design tips. Here are some key suggestions to help you out: Create intuitive product pages: Make sure your product pages are beefed up with all the essential information—such as high-quality product photos, commonly requested product information and shipping information (among others). Avoid using fluffy language on these pages and instead, seek to inform. Did you know? When designing a product page on Wix, you can enlist the help of AI-powered writing tools that take UX best practices into consideration. Simplify the checkout process: Reduce cart abandonment by streamlining the checkout process. Minimize the number of steps and ask only for essential information, plus accept multiple payment methods via solutions like Wix Payments .  Use clear call-to-action (CTA) buttons:  Place your CTAs where users are most likely to see them and take action. This often means placing them above the fold, near product descriptions or at key points in the user journey .  Keep them simple, using direct language that tells users exactly what you want them to do. Offer easy navigation:  Ensure that your site's navigation is straightforward and logical. Use clear categories and filters to help users find products quickly. Additionally, incorporate breadcrumbs that show users their current location within the site hierarchy and allow them to easily backtrack. This is especially useful for sites with a lot of categories. Provide accessible customer support:  Make it easy for customers to get help when they need it by offering accessible customer support options like live chat or a comprehensive FAQ section. Examples of websites with strong UX Sometimes the best way to learn is by mimicking the experts. Below are three iconic examples of websites with strong eCommerce UX.  Amazon  Amazon sets a high standard for intuitive design with its simple navigation, personalized recommendations and one-click purchasing option—all of which contribute to a seamless shopping experience. Zappos  Zappos excels in customer service with its easy returns policy and helpful product reviews, making the online shoe-buying process as user-friendly as possible. ASOS  ASOS provides an excellent case study in eCommerce UX with its use of high-quality imagery, detailed product information and a mobile app that mirrors the functionality of its website. Challenges in eCommerce UX to be aware of Creating a top-notch eCommerce user experience comes with its own set of challenges. From navigation issues to mobile optimization, here are some common obstacles you may face and tips on how to overcome them, when building an eCommerce site : Dealing with a diverse user base: Your customers will have varying levels of tech-savviness and preferences. To cater to this diversity, use clear navigation, simple language and helpful tooltips to guide users of all experience levels through your site. Balancing aesthetics with functionality:  While a visually stunning website can attract users, functionality should never be compromised. When learning how to build a website , make sure that its design helps with usability rather than detracting from it. Optimizing for speed:  Slow loading times can frustrate users and lead to higher bounce rates. Some ways to combat this: optimize images (Wix automatically compresses images to Webp), work with a reliable website builder and minimize the use of heavy scripts. Ensuring consistency across platforms:  Users expect a consistent experience, whether they're shopping on a desktop, tablet or smartphone. Maintain uniformity in design and functionality across all platforms. Securing user data: With increasing concerns about data privacy, it’s wise to study the website security  behind your site. Check that any user data is protected against breaches, especially when you’re collecting online payments.  Gathering actionable user feedback: Collecting feedback is one thing; translating it into meaningful improvements is another. Use surveys, user testing sessions and analytics to gather actionable insights. The future of eCommerce UX The UX landscape is always changing. In eCommerce specifically, there are several trends that you should keep your eye on.  Artificial intelligence and machine learning AI and machine learning are becoming integral to personalizing the shopping experience. They can predict user preferences, provide tailored recommendations and automate customer service through chatbots.  “The AI breakthroughs we’ve witnessed over the last year are just beginning,” says Oren Inditzky, Wix’s VP & GM of Online Stores. “Right now we’re seeing generative AI dominate headlines and become mainstream.” “Pretty soon, though, we’ll see the democratization of advanced machine learning (ML) algorithms. Capabilities that were once limited to eCommerce giants will be accessible to any and every online seller.”- Oren Inditzky, Wix VP & GM of Online Stores Augmented reality (AR) AR technology allows users to visualize products in their own environment before buying. Brands like IKEA and Warby Parker have already paved the way in this realm. But as technology advances and becomes more accessible, AR is expected to become a standard feature on eCommerce sites. Voice commerce As voice-activated devices gain popularity, voice commerce is set to become a significant channel for online shopping.  “We still have a ways to go, but soon, voice search will be far more prevalent than it is today,” says Giorgia Foscarini, team lead of international blogs at Wix. “We already see people using virtual assistants every day, whether through their phones, smart TVs or smart watches.” “Optimize your content for voice search by addressing conversational queries,” she advises. “Think about how people would actually speak into their devices, and tailor your writing accordingly.”  Sustainability and ethical practices Nearly 90% of global consumers have changed their shopping habits to be more eco-friendly, according to Capital One Shopping , and 80% of these consumers are willing to pay more for eco-friendly products.  Think of ways to incorporate sustainable practices into your operations. However, avoid “greenwashing” (that is, making misleading claims about the environmental benefits of your product, service or company practices to appear more eco-friendly than they actually are).   Wix’s eCommerce UX design capabilities Looking for a website platform that points you down the right path? Wix offers several advantages to help with eCommerce UX: Drag-and-drop, AI-powered builder:  Wix's intuitive drag-and-drop interface allows you to design your online store without needing to code. Wix even offers an AI website creator , making the process accessible to everyone. Customizable templates: With a wide selection of eCommerce-specific templates , Wix allows you to choose a design that aligns with your brand and customize it to fit your unique needs. Mobile optimization: All Wix websites are automatically optimized for mobile devices but you can tweak the mobile site however you want through the Editor. App market: Extend the functionality of your online store with apps from the Wix App Market, including tools for marketing, analytics, shipping and more. SEO tools: Wix provides built-in SEO tools  to help improve your online store's visibility and attract more traffic. Secure payment solutions: Offer customers secure payment options with Wix Payments, which supports a variety of popular payment methods. If you're ready to take your eCommerce UX to the next level, explore Wix's eCommerce solutions  and discover how you can enhance your online presence.

Turn your ideas into a website you love with Wix →   When learning how to make a website , many people tend to overlook a little finishing touch that can actually make a big difference: the favicon. This tiny addition to your web design leaves an impression that’s much bigger than its actual size—so don’t underestimate its importance. What is a favicon and what makes it such a powerful element in website design ? In this article, we’ll shed some light on its importance, and teach you everything you need to know about how to create one. Building a website for your business, passion project or side hustle should be easy and exciting. With Wix, you can customize and launch a professional website in minutes, no coding needed. We’re all about simplifying the process so you can focus on what matters most–bringing your ideas to life. So why wait? Let’s get started on creating the website you’ve always wanted. What is a favicon image? Favicon history Favicon standardization Why favicons are important Favicons and SEO Favicon challenges How to create a favicon for your website Tips for designing a favicon How to add a favicon in HTML How to add a favicon to your Wix site Testing your favicon What is a favicon image? A favicon is a small, 16x16 pixel icon used on web browsers to represent a website or a web page. Short for “favorite icon,”’ favicons are commonly displayed on tabs at the top of a web browser, but they’re also found on your browser’s bookmark bar, history and in search results, alongside the page url. In some instances, such as on Google Chrome, favicons will even make an appearance on your browser’s homepage. In other words, when you create a favicon, it serves as your website’s icon, or a visual identifier for users to spot your website around the web. A favicon may also be referred to as a shortcut icon, tab icon, URL icon or bookmark icon. Favicon history The first version of the favicon was introduced by Microsoft in Internet Explorer 5, released in 1999. It was a 16x16 pixel icon in the ICO format, which could be added to the root directory of a website and automatically displayed in the browser. The idea of using a small icon to represent a website dates back even further than 199 however. In the early days of the web, before graphical browsers were commonly used, text-based browsers like Lynx would display a small symbol next to the website name to indicate whether the site was secure or not. The concept of the favicon was later adopted by other browsers, including Firefox and Chrome. At the same time the format evolved to support larger sizes and multiple image formats. Today, the favicon is an integral part of all of our web experience's. As custom-designed icons they are used to enhance the brand identity of companies big and small. Favicon standardization Over time favicons have been standardized in terms of their format, size and location on a website. This standardization has developed from a need for favicons to be implemented consistently across different browsers and devices. This process of standardization began in 2005 when the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) published a recommendation for favicons, which said that the file should be named "favicon.ico" and placed in the root directory of the website. Their recommendation also outlinked size and format requirements for the icon. The W3C then updated their own recommendations again in 2011, when they added additional image formats and sizes for favicons. They also included support guidelines for multiple icons across various devices. Favicon standardization has had several benefits. The primary one being that it means they are displayed properly across a variety of browsers and devices. Before standardization, they may have shown clearly on one browser, but not on another, affecting the user experience. It's also simplified the favicon creation process for web designers and developers, as they no longer have to design or format them specifically for different browsers and devices. One design and format should work. This also improves and standardizes the web experience for all web users. Learn more: What is web design? Favicon on a web browser Favicon on the bookmark bar Favicon on your browser’s history Favicon in search results Why favicons are important Despite their miniscule size, favicons are of great importance to the overall effect of your website's imagery , improving its user experience, branding and professionalism. User experience: Favicons act as memorable visual cues to your website, enhancing user experience. Since they help users easily locate your website’s tab on their browser and across different applications, such as the bookmark bar, a favicon makes it easier for users to revisit your site over and over again. Favicons can also have a positive impact on the user experience when it comes to mobile. Web design on mobile is all about making an impact, and many times, nothing does that more powerfully, or easily, than a great favicon. Branding: For a truly cohesive brand, even the tiniest of details matter. Despite their small size, favicons contribute to the branding and visibility of your website by extending your brand’s language outside of your site and stamping it onto the web browser. Favicons also add to the legitimacy and professionalism of your website, making it look complete. Credibility : While favicons have no impact on how secure your site is, anecdotally, users seem to trust sites with a favicon. That’s because they signal to users that they’re clearly on your site,—regardless of whether they found you through a branded or non-branded search. Return users : Favicons are a powerful brand identifier, making it easy for your site to stand out, either in search result pages or a user's browser history. Because of this, a recognizable favicon helps users return to your site more frequently. Additionally, when users bookmark your site, a favicon will make it easier to find amongst their collection of other saved ones. Favicons and SEO Favicons don’t have a direct impact on a site's SEO. However, since they make it easier for browsers to identify and improve overall user experience—a favicon’s qualities can organically improve how well your site ranks in search results in a few ways: Favicons can help Google and other search engines identify your website. When Google crawls your website, it looks for the favicon file. If it finds it, it uses the favicon to identify your website in its search results. Favicons can help users remember your website. When users see your favicon in their browser tabs, bookmarks or search results, it can help them remember your website. This can lead to more clicks on your website in search results. Favicons can help improve the user experience. A well-designed favicon can make your website look more professional and polished, leading to a better user experience. Favicon challenges While a powerful brand identifier, designing favicons is not without its challenges. We've put together some of the main ones below, - Limited design space: Turning your brand's logo into a favicon friendly size can be a challenge, especially if you expect it to be able to convey the true messaging of your brand. - Security: Favicons can be used in a number of potential cyber security attacks including malicious code injection, malware, spoofing attacks and phishing threats. - Website load time and speed: As with all web images, favicons must be optimized for website performance, or they can negatively impact a site's load speed. - Accessibility: As a small image, favicons can be hard for accessibility purposes. They can be too small to include explanatory text or other cues. - Compatibility issues: Even with the standardization of files and formats for favicons, there can still be issues with how they display across different browsers and devices, which can impact how they are seen on the web. How to create a favicon for your website First and foremost, a favicon should usually be a simplified adaptation of your brand’s logo. Because it’s an extension of your branding efforts, and it should strengthen the brand identity you’ve already built, rather than distract users from it. To do this, you might consider hiring a professional designer . But you can also make one yourself using a design program of your choice, or several online tools. One such recommended tool is the Wix Logo Maker , which allows you to create a professional and personalized favicon to best reflect your style and needs. You could also use the free Wix icons or Vector Art vector illustration tool found in your Editor. We’ll go over some favicon design tips in the section below, but for now here are important guidelines to keep in mind: S izes The optimal size for creating a favicon is 16x16 pixels, which is the size in which they are most commonly displayed. However, they can appear in larger dimensions too (such as 32x32 pixels). If you need help getting the right size for your favicon , try using Wixel's Image Resizer tool. Here are some standard favicon sizes, and guidelines for when you need to use each: 16x16: Browser favicon 32x32: Taskbar shortcut favicon 96x96: Desktop shortcut favicon 180x180: Apple touch favicon Learn more: what is a pixel Subscribe to the Wix blog  for a weekly dose of fresh web design tips and trends. Files The original favicon format was the ICO. Today, the preferred image file type or vector art for a favicon is PNG or JPEG . SVG is an increasingly popular choice, since more and more browsers are starting to support it. Browsers are also able to display favicons created as a GIF, small size makes GIF favicons harder to see. ICO: Developed by Microsoft, this was the original file format for favicons. It is supported by all browsers and can include several sized images within one file. This allows you to size and scale your image, without relying on the browser. In many instances, and where a favicon is saved as an ICO and one other file type, the browser will still choose to display the ICO version. PNG: This is a popular file format for favicons since it’s one website creators are very familiar with. It’s an easy format to create, and generally delivers high quality images and favicons. PNG files also have the added bonus of being lightweight, meaning they load quickly. SVG: These files are known for being lightweight. The biggest benefit of this type of file format for favicons is its ability to deliver high quality images that don’t slow down page speed or site performance. In the past, SVG use for favicons has been limited due to a lack of browser compatibility, but this is changing. Transparency : In case your design has a transparent background, be sure to save your file as a PNG with its transparency setting turned on using a PNG maker . Tips for designing a favicon Designing something so tiny may seem like a walk in the park. However, the fact that website icons are so small means that you have to be extra accurate. Here are a few tips on creating a favicon that best suits your brand and website: Simplicity The small size of favicons requires your design to be precise. Refrain from going into too much detail by avoiding elements like small lines, textures or shading. Instead, aim for a bold, clear and simple icon that’s instantly recognizable. Jewelry designer and Wix user Ilaria Bonard i ’s favicon is a great example of a simple favicon design, made up of three simple dots. We also love the quirky fun of Ducknology’s simple favicon — the duck is adapted from their logo, and represents everything that makes this site and brand so unique. Brand identity A favicon should encapsulate the spirit of your website and brand, retaining the same visual language and color scheme as the rest of your website. For graphic designer Bhroovi’s Wix website, the rainbow colored favicon is a continuation of the same colorful visual language as their website. eBay’s favicon merges the brand’s colors with a little shopping bag icon, perfectly capturing the site’s spirit with an abridged version of their logo design. Little to no text If you want to include text in your favicon, limit yourself to between one and three characters. Initials or abbreviations are often good solutions for shortening texts, like your brand name. The Wix website for the non-profit organization Arte, uses the A initial from their logo as a favicon, with an added neon green background to draw attention. Alternatively, the favicon adorning Brooklyn-based Red Fern ’s Wix website has no text at all. Instead, it only extracts the leaf icon from their logo, to create impact while strengthening their brand. Logo use While some logos can look their best even in favicon size, most are hardly legible when shrunken down. If you want to use your logo as a favicon, you’ll probably need to make a few adjustments. Omitting the tag line, or using only one initial, are some of the ways to make logos work in favicon sizes. Notice how Google’s favicon is slightly different from its logo, while embodying the same design values. The favicon shows only the familiar G initial, while seamlessly incorporating all four of the brand colors into that single letter. A different approach was taken by illustrator and Wix user Charlotte Me i , who uses the initials from her hand-drawn logo as her favicon. Color Keep in mind that your site’s favicon will be displayed on different colored backgrounds, depending on the context and browser used. Therefore, make sure to test your favicon on gray, white and black backgrounds before finalizing the design. How to add a favicon in HTML If you have made your site with a website builder, adding your favicon in HTML is not necessary. This step only applies to sites built by a developer. Below is how your favicon image would need to be inserted into the header of the code in order for it to show on your website. Creating your site with Wix? Next, we’ll show you how to easily customize and add your favicon to a site. How to add a favicon to your Wix site Wix sites automatically include a standard default favicon, but you can customize it by upgrading to a Premium Plan and connecting your site to a domain . You can easily change your favicon on your Wix site: In your site’s dashboard, go to Settings. Click ‘Manage’ next to ‘Favicon’. Click ‘Upload Image’, and select an existing image or click on ‘Upload Media’ to upload an image from your computer. Click ‘Add to Page’. You’ll now see a preview of what your favicon would look like on your browser tab. Click ‘Save’, and ta-da! Your website now has a favicon. It will appear on your website’s tab once you hit publish. Testing your favicon Once you’ve inserted your favicon, it’s a good idea to check how it looks in all the places where it will be displayed. When you do this we recommend switching to incognito mode, to avoid caching issues. Now check for your favicon in all the places a user to your site would view it — the browser, the bookmark tab, the browser history, and if possible, in search results too. Not ranking for any organic keywords yet? If your site is indexed, you should be able to find it in search by searching for your company or brand name. Once you spot your favicon, you know it’s implemented properly. This is also a good time to think about how your favicon looks. Does its final visual design manage to capture the essence of your brand? If so, your favicon is ready to share with the world. If you're looking to learn more about Wix image optimization , check out our guide. Favicon FAQ What is a favicon used for? A favicon, short for "favorite icon," is a small icon that represents a website. It's displayed in the browser tab, bookmark list and address bar when a website is open. Favicons are used to help users identify websites quickly and easily, and they can also help to improve brand recognition. Is a favicon the same as a logo? A favicon is not the same as a logo. A logo is a larger, more detailed icon that represents a brand as a whole. A favicon is a smaller, simpler version of a logo that is specifically designed to be displayed in a browser tab. How do I create a favicon? There are many ways to create a favicon. You can use an online favicon generator or you can create one yourself using an image editing program. O ne such recommended tool is the Wix  Logo Maker , which allows you to create a professional and personalized favicon to best reflect your style and needs.

Research is the first step in every UX project. Here are our top website picks for coming up with interesting insights, sharp conclusions and fresh ideas. Reading the brief for your new project can be an enticing experience, pumping you up with newly found energy and promising ideas. At other times, the brief seems to drain all inspiration out of you, making even that sink full of dishes seem like a more enjoyable activity. Whichever the case, the first stage in UX design is some serious, in-depth research. There are, of course, the Muses – those major online goddesses of design inspiration that we all know and love. Behance , Dribbble and Muzli are some of the big names that are especially close to our UX hearts. But there are also smaller, more targeted resources, that can make for extra-productive research. We’ve compiled a list of seven websites that provide the best tools, galleries and tips for your upcoming UX design projects. Take a look – your wireframes (see wireframe examples ), buttons and prototypes will not regret it. 1.  Pttrns : Spot repeating design trends When something recurs over and over again, it’s probably for good reason. And if you know what that reason is, you can start bending the rules in your favor. That’s what makes the self-proclaimed ‘mother of all design resources’, Pttrns, into such a useful tool. Edited by Robin Raszka, this website showcases screenshots of thousands of user interfaces from different apps. Divided into categories, the screenshots present different answers to the same problem, allowing you as a designer to note similarities and differences, and analyze UX design trends . These repeating elements can then be interpreted as common denominators – making them design patterns, hence the name. A quick browse through the ‘Empty States’ category, for example, can bring some interesting points to mind, such as the dominant use of white and light gray in displaying empty pages (carts, lists or other pages without any added items). It’s equally relevant to note how some apps spitefully break the rules, opting for very bright or very dark colors. With this sort of insight at hand, Pttrns offers a simple and intuitive way to research for the common thread and spot patterns in current design trends. Pttrns.com is available in free and Premium options. Premium members enjoy an ad-free version of the website, and an unlimited access to the screenshots. 2.  UX Archive : How things are done on mobile UX Archive shares a similar logic of observing existing design patterns. Only this time, the website is focused on user flows in mobile apps. Meaning, the chain of events required for performing a specific task on mobile. UX Archive collects screenshots of actions performed on some of the bigger apps, and displays them in order of performance. By breaking down a specific action performed on an app (such as searching or booking) and displaying a screenshot of each step, you can get a better understanding of the process and see how each stage is communicated. This leads to some interesting, analytical questions. When reading a news article (categorized under ‘Consuming’), for example – what happens when we want to watch a video embedded in the article? And once we’re done watching it, how do we get back to the text? How do we know when we’ve reached the end of the article? The owners of the site, Arthur Bodolec, Chris Polk and Nathan Barraille, stress the importance of downloading the apps yourself, and really playing around with them on top of comparing static user flows. “It will help you visualize all the flows and steps,” they write. 3.  Media Queries : Responsive web design in all its forms Named after the CSS3 feature that enables responsive web design, Media Queries is a collection of responsive websites curated by Eivind Uggedal. Responsive web design is, simply put, design that can flex and adapt when viewed on different devices, from the large desktop screen to the much smaller smartphone – and any tablet in between. Media Queries displays each website in a row of four screenshots that gradually grow in size. Seeing the different versions of the same design side-by-side, allows for a thorough probe into the main adaptations required for successful responsive design. What happens to the logo, for example, or how the layout is rearranged, and what design elements don’t make the cut into the mobile version. Mediaqueri.es allows browsing the collection chronologically (by posting date), or by popularity. Users can submit more responsive sites, or vote for their favorite designs via Twitter. Want more? There is also a convenient list of all sites showcased in the collection. 4.  UserOnboard : The good, the bad and the ugly in user onboarding You only get one chance to make a great first impression. On UserOnboard, that crucial first encounter is picked apart and critiqued with elaborate slideshows. The website, run by Samuel Hulick, is dedicated to how design and textual copy can improve the user’s success when meeting a new app or website. With elaborate teardowns, UserOnboard walks visitors through screenshots of each screen in the onboarding process of different websites and apps. With accompanying text bubbles and meme-like images that point at important aspects in the design, the teardowns detail why these websites work well, and what can be improved. These critical observations are on-point, and their fun and light tone makes UserOnboard a great way to freshen up on what to keep in mind when designing your next onboarding experience. One such useful advice can be found on the site’s PayPal teardown: “Pro tip: remove all the words from your app and evaluate what remains – does it still provide guidance? Can people still learn from it?” 5.  CollectUI : Ideas are everywhere There’s something special about participating in web design challenges. With no client to supervise your every move and no brand guidelines to follow, it’s all about quick, stress-free briefs that pop up in your feed or inbox, awaiting to set your imagination free. The end result, often refreshing and original, is then shared with the design community for feedback and mutual inspiration – only to be quickly forgotten in the abyss of Internet oblivion. This is where CollectUI comes in, handpicking the best Dribbble shots from the Daily UI Design Challenge , and curating them for future reference and an inclusive design research . “The challenges chosen are so good that you they serve as a great source of inspiration,” writes Ahmet Sülek, who runs the website. And we tend to agree. The site, which can be viewed either by chronological order or by category, showcases the best UX design solutions for almost any website feature. It goes from simple ones, such as a search bar or an on/off switch, to more large-scale designs, like sign up pages, or user profiles. Some of the submissions are wild creations that can only exist as an exercise, while others seem so sharp that they could  easily make their way into a new app. Browsing through all of this together is bound to get your wheels turning with new ideas. CollectUI.com also offers a Chrome Extension so that you can easily browse for similar designs and submit your own Dribbble shots. 6.  Sketch App Sources : Winning us over with high-quality freebies Sketch App Sources offers free design resources to be used on Sketch App, created by designers around the world who share a love for Sketch and UX design. The website fosters a feeling of a growing design community, with members learning and helping each other by sharing tools, knowledge and tips – and giving credit where credit is due. Among the many design resources available for download are UI kits, wireframe kits, templates, icons and more. These useful tools can come in handy as assets for your own projects, and you can also download them to take a look into the layers and thought process behind other designers’ work. The website, active since 2012, also features tutorials, plugins, articles and much more. 7.  Medium : Sophisticated reads for your inspiration Not all design inspiration comes in visual form. As a platform based on the written word, Medium is all about the quality of the content, and not the big names behind it. Readers can promote their favorite texts, so that the best articles come up first. You can also follow and subscribe to writers and publications you appreciate, or search according to tags. Some of our favorite writers for you to check out are Saadia Minhas and Ariel Verber from Muzli, as well as the excellent UX Collective publication. Medium houses many other great reads in all fields of design (and pretty much any topic you can think of, from tech trends to cultural phenomenon). You can also publish content of your own, as Medium is an open platform, and share some of your UX thoughts, or other musings, with the world. Medium is also available for Android and iOS .

Bring your inspiration to life with a Wix website →   Do you have extensive knowledge in a specific field and a strong desire to help others? If so, then starting a service business might offer you the ideal path to entrepreneurship. Need a hand launching your business online? Create a business website with Wix. Unlike manufacturing or eCommerce businesses, where you have to make your own products or buy inventory, service businesses carry small startup costs. Instead of selling products, you “sell” your expertise, skills and assistance to meet your customer’s needs. Service businesses drive today’s economy forward. They employ more than 50% of people worldwide , and in the U.S., they account for almost 78% of the total gross domestic product . Get inspired by these 24 lucrative service business examples across eight different categories. Need inspiration for your website? With Wix, building a standout site is easier than ever. Choose from hundreds of customizable templates and use Wix’s easy drag-and-drop website builder  tools to make your vision come to life. Turn your ideas into reality and see just how simple it is to create a unique, professional website. 24 inspiring service business examples Legal and consulting services Accounting and financial services Marketing and advertising services Fitness and health services Pet care services Beauty and wellness services Graphic design and branding services Web development and digital marketing services Content creation services Cleaning and organization services Lawn care and landscaping services Handyman and home repair services IT consulting and support services Software development and programming services Technical SEO services Tutoring and academic services Language learning and translation services Professional development and training services Community outreach and support services Environmental and sustainability services Nonprofit and charitable organizations Wedding photography Wedding and corporate event planning Event catering Professional services In a professional service business, you use specialized knowledge to help clients solve complex problems. Because you’re selling your expertise, most professional service businesses require formal education, such as college degrees, certifications and/or licenses. Some of the most popular types of service businesses are outlined below. 01. Legal and consulting services If you’re a lawyer or legal professional, you can create a service website that explains the types of representation and assistance you provide. For example, Stephany Cabrera, Esq., uses her website to promote Florida Legal Service , a Miami-area firm that offers family law, immigration law, estate planning and civil litigation services. If you have specific business expertise, you can open a consulting business and offer companies guidance on topics like human resource management, change management or business planning. Shipra Seefeldt established Strategic Solutions Consulting, LLC to guide family businesses with things like wealth transfer, executive team building and conflict resolution. Her consulting website includes descriptions of her services and client reviews, and her team includes professionals with advanced degrees and licenses. 02. Accounting and financial services Every business needs talented people who can keep an eye on their finances, balance the books and guide it to profitability. That’s where accounting and financial services come into play. These experts have specialized knowledge in everything from bookkeeping to retirement planning and tax management. To enter this field, you’ll need a thorough understanding of accounting principles and tax regulations, along with related education and certifications, such as a certified public accountant (CPA) designation. To look at some real-life examples, David McCallister, owner of 3CM Capital Management in Ohio, is a registered investment advisor. He provides numerous services, from wealth management and financial evaluation all the way up to being your personal chief financial officer (CFO). Learn more about how to start a virtual assistant business or how to go about starting a bookkeeping business . 03. Marketing and advertising services Businesses can’t grow unless they’re constantly raising awareness about their brand and the products or services they offer. Marketing and advertising agencies partner with these companies to generate buzz, reach their target audience and attract new customers. To offer marketing services, you may need a college degree and/or certifications, though real-world experience can speak for itself. Within the marketing services industry, you have plenty of room to carve your own niche. BLUstrategy bills itself as an agency that helps “fearless brands seeking limitless growth” with marketing plans and pay-per-click advertising strategies. Meanwhile, Pitschy Media , a full-service media, digital marketing and branding agency, sets itself apart by creating a customer experience it likens to “having your own creative marketing team in-house.” Learn more about how to start a marketing business. Personal services While professional service companies advise businesses, personal service companies help individuals improve their personal lives, well-being and confidence. Some personal service businesses require licenses or degrees. With others, all you need is a specific skill and a little bit of business knowledge to begin. Let’s dive into a few popular service business examples in this space. 04. Fitness and health services By obtaining the proper education, license or certification, you can help people achieve their fitness goals, relieve their stress and live a healthier lifestyle. There are a myriad of business options in the space, as evidenced by these health and wellness website examples. For example, athletic trainers teach clients the proper techniques for lifting weights and working out, while massage therapists use their skills to provide relaxation and a little bit of pampering to their customers. Yoga instructors, another popular profession, help people improve their balance, strength and flexibility. Learn more about how to start a gym business or how to start a fitness business . 05. Pet care services Pet ownership has skyrocketed over the past few decades, with 66% of U.S. households now identifying as pet owners. This creates a pressing need—and an amazing business opportunity—for all types of pet services. From dog grooming and pet sitting to dog walking, you can turn your love of animals into a full-time gig. In some states, you may need a license to operate a pet grooming facility, but anyone can be a pet sitter, dog walker or mobile dog groomer. Learn more about how to start a dog-walking business . 06. Beauty and wellness services If you like helping people enhance their physical appearance, then beauty and wellness is for you. You can start a beauty business that offers salon or spa services, manicures, pedicures, skincare consulting and more. Follow the lead of Brianna Rehm. When the pandemic hit, she realized her dream by opening her own hair salon, Luxe Salon and Beauty Bar . Today, her salon website promotes her many offerings—everything from a simple haircut to full highlights. Some other great beauty service business examples: El Beauty Station in Colorado offers a wealth of beauty enhancement services, including eyelash extensions, permanent makeup and microblading. And Prestige Salon and Spa in Las Vegas offers what it calls a “full beauty experience,” including facials and hair styling. Learn more about how to start a nail business. Creative services Looking good isn’t only reserved for individuals. Businesses also need professionals who can help them create a beautiful and unique brand identity. When you start a business focused on creative services, you can put your talents to use for companies of all sizes. Professionals in these fields often have a college degree in design or a related field, along with extensive experience. Related reading: Why's everyone so obsessed with productized services ? 07. Graphic design and branding services If you’re an artist at heart, graphic design can help you express yourself and make money. You can design logos, brochures, advertisements and web pages. You can follow a company’s specific brand standards, or you can help a business develop its own brand rules. For some real-life examples, Courtney Hatcher uses her decade-plus of experience as a graphic designer and illustrator to help companies with design, branding and strategy services. Meanwhile, James Cummings and his team at Exchange Theory bring cohesive and creative visual design to businesses, government and nonprofit agencies. And Belm Designs specializes in 3D drawings and engineering design for tech clients. 08. Web development and digital marketing services Websites are the online front door for every company, which is why web developers are in high demand. The best ones today don’t just create websites that look appealing—they also understand the ins and outs of the user experience and apply this specialized knowledge in combining beauty with functionality. In addition, web developers understand how to optimize the front and back ends of websites, and are skilled in optimizing the content management systems that help to bring sites to life. 09. Content creation services Companies, business owners and individuals rely on content creators to enhance their websites, connect with their audiences and document special moments. As a writer, for example, you can author blog posts, case studies or social media posts that promote a business’s products or services. As a photographer, you can shoot stunning product images or breathtaking architectural photos for a company, or document someone’s special moment with portrait or event photography. Similarly, as a videographer, you can use your craft to tell a business's or individual’s story in an engaging and effective way. Home services If you’re looking for a service business idea with a low barrier to entry, then a home service business may fit the bill. These companies help homeowners finish their to-do lists, offering things like professional repairs, routine maintenance and cleaning. While you will need a license to perform some home services, others (such as being a professional organizer) require no license or formal education. 10. Cleaning and organization services The average American attempts to declutter their house four times a year , but they often don’t finish the job. That’s where house cleaners and professional organizers come into play. You can clean houses on a regular basis (weekly, biweekly, etc.) or offer deep cleaning services to individuals and families who are moving in and out of their homes. Other ideas include specialty cleaning services (such as pressure washing , carpets, windows or upholstery), decluttering and helping people clean out their closets, garages or basements. Learn more about how to start a cleaning business . 11. Lawn care and landscaping services While the cleanliness inside a house matters, so too does its curb appeal. That’s where lawn care and landscaping businesses come into play. Today’s top performers go far beyond lawn cutting. They also offer irrigation, gardening and even landscape design. It’s a smart business choice if you enjoy the outdoors, have a green thumb and enjoy transforming an ordinary backyard into a personal paradise. Learn more about how to start a lawn care business . 12. Handyman and home repair services When do-it-yourself goes off the rails, homeowners call a licensed and bonded repair person who can help them get back on track. So, if you can fix it, odds are that you can turn your skills into a profitable business. You can offer a variety of services, comprising everything from plumbing and HVAC to electrical repairs, painting and carpentry. Learn more about how to start a handyman business . Technology services The Wall Street Journal and others have proclaimed that every company is now a tech company . And while that may (or may not) be true, the fact is that all businesses need some sort of technical assistance. Technology service businesses fill in the gap. While many people in this service business sector have bachelor’s degrees, others develop their skills through online learning and hands-on experience. 13. IT consulting and support services Your IT consulting business can include a multitude of services. You can help businesses assess their technology infrastructure, find improvement opportunities and recommend upgrades. Or, you can focus on integrating new hardware into a company’s existing IT architecture. Cybersecurity, processing help desk tickets and implementing Agile project management frameworks are other potential IT consulting areas. Yet another angle is to help businesses seize the next great tech opportunity. That’s the focus of Apache Technology Company. It guides companies’ digital transformations by offering services such as cloud analytics modernization, application and platform engineering, and data visualization. Learn more: How to start a consulting business 14. Software development and programming services While IT consultants focus on hardware, app developers and programmers carve their niche by providing software-related technology services. You can offer mobile app development, web app development or software integration services. Then, you can level up your business by giving your clients ongoing software-related support. HB3 Data develops custom business intelligence software applications so companies can access and analyze data quickly and make better decisions. The company also offers mobile app development, internal corporate app support and data center support services. 15. Technical SEO services Search engine optimization enhances a company’s ability to get its web content ranking higher on Google and other search platforms. While many people are familiar with on-page SEO (embedding keywords into a webpage to increase its search engine ranking), fewer know the technical side of SEO. This includes making changes to improve website speed, creating an SEO-friendly site structure and repairing duplicate content issues. By offering these kinds of technical SEO services, you can give companies—and their website strategies—a boost in this key area. Education and training services The online learning market is valued at $399 billion and is expected to grow by a 14% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the next decade. That’s why education and training services offer a prime opportunity as a service business. If you have expert knowledge and enjoy sharing it with others, you can build a company with tremendous upside potential. 16. Tutoring and academic services Learning happens inside and outside of the classroom. A tutoring and academic service business offers homework help, test prep and academic support. You can deliver these services in person or online. To begin, you will need a teacher certification, prior teaching experience and/or a degree. To look at a real example, Mindsprout carves its niche by offering services that cater to homeschooled students. It additionally offers free educational assessments and provides its services both in the U.S. and overseas. Learn how to start a tutoring business. 17. Language learning and translation services Parlez-vous français? Language learning and translation services enable people to overcome language barriers in many walks of life. You can help a budding world traveler learn a new language for an upcoming trip, or help a company’s sales team master the dialect they’ll need to use in an emerging market. Alternatively, translate documents into multiple languages for individual, educational or business use. 18. Professional development and training services When workers want to stay up to date with the latest industry trends or obtain new skills, they seek professional development and training services. These can take the form of workshops and seminars, online courses or technical training. You can start your business by offering a few classes or building an online course on your very own website. With a Wix site, you can take advantage of Wix Bookings to create, customize, schedule and price your online courses. Social and nonprofit services Sometimes the best service business ideas have nothing to do with making a profit. Social and nonprofit service businesses exist for the greater good, such as addressing important social issues or enhancing the well-being of specific populations. All you need to get started is a strong mission and a giving heart—but you must file the appropriate paperwork if you choose to operate as a nonprofit, such as filing for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. 19. Community outreach and support services When you identify an unmet need within your town or region, you can start an organization that fills in the gap. You could, for instance, start a community food bank for people struggling with food insecurity, or you could create an organization that offers STEM education to underrepresented groups. For example, Kode with Klossy creates learning experiences in tech fields for young women and gender-expansive youth. 20. Environmental and sustainability services If you want to raise awareness about important environmental issues or help people practice sustainability, you’ve found a unique service business opportunity. Environmental and sustainability services can include restoring natural habitats, protecting endangered species or advocating for conservation efforts. The Clean Power Initiative, for example, promotes and advances the widespread adoption of solar power as an alternative energy source. It helps individuals and companies analyze their energy use, perform a cost-benefit analysis and maximize alternative energy credits. 21. Nonprofit and charitable organizations These organizations exist to make a difference in the world. They’re often started by individuals who believe strongly in a certain cause and dedicate themselves to giving back. Kristina Filler founded Hold Your Fire after her father, a Hoboken-area teacher, was killed in a school shooting more than two decades ago. The organization dedicates itself to raising awareness and funds to prevent gun violence. Event services From graduations and weddings to parties and corporate events, celebrations bring plenty of business opportunities for budding entrepreneurs. An event service business might be right for you if you’re highly organized, have connections in the industry and know how to throw a party that will be remembered for years to come. You don’t need a formal education to start. 22. Wedding photography A happy couple will always look back fondly on their wedding day. That’s why wedding photography remains in high demand. This job will keep you busy—you’ll need to work on weekends, evenings and holidays (times when weddings happen most frequently). Once you get your business started, be sure to post samples of your photography and testimonials on a photography website and share them on your social media channels. 23. Wedding and corporate event planning Weddings and corporate events take months of advanced planning, and it’s overwhelming for most couples and companies. As an event planner, you can guide your clients by assisting them with everything from choosing a venue and sending invitations to planning the menu and hiring a band. For a real-life example, Anne Katherine Whitehead founded Whitehead Weddings and Events to turn people’s wedding dreams into reality. She packages her service offerings, which include wedding day and rehearsal dinner assistance, bridal luncheons and bridal or couples’ showers. Learn how to start a party planning business . 24. Event catering Food is a part of almost every kind of event. With a catering business , you can prepare delectable dishes that will satisfy guests and drive repeat business. You can focus on full-course meals with hors d’oeuvres and formal dinners, or you can specialize in scrumptious desserts, such as spectacular cakes for weddings or festive cupcakes for gender reveal parties. Learn how to start a food business Learn how to start a baking business Learn how to start a party planning business Learn how to start a food truck business 5 quick tips for running a successful service business No matter which type of service business you choose to launch, you’ll need to dedicate yourself to continuous improvement so you can succeed long-term. Five quick tips: Define your value proposition: Determine which elements will make your business stand out from the competition, then communicate them clearly in your marketing. This could be things like competitive pricing, excellent customer service or unique branding. Understand your target market: Research trends to learn where the current needs for your business exist, and determine the types of individuals or companies who are more likely to rely on your service. Put your customers first: It’s a service business, after all, so customer service must be your top priority and number one goal. Ask your customers for feedback and respond quickly to any concerns. Promote your business: Use your website, social media, email marketing and online advertising to spread the word about your services. Stay flexible: Today’s business needs change rapidly. Keep an eye on trends so you can grow with your clients and pivot your services as needed. This way, your business stays relevant.

“When we handle things, we do not usually look at them; we look through them. It is when they break that they become visible.” —Martin Heidegger, 1927 The invisible bridge There’s a moment after a new strategic partnership is announced–after the high-fives, the press releases and the logo swaps–when the product team goes unusually quiet. That’s the moment when the real work begins. Because behind all the slides and forecasts, there’s a real user. A person who just wants to get something done: in our case, a small business owner . They want to make a business website  and open a new sales channel with eCommerce . Or, they’re navigating from our website builder  over to our strategic partner company’s services. And now, they’re about to guide us in the design of an invisible bridge between two platforms trying to work together. As head of product for Wix Channels (Wix’s B2B strategic partnerships ), I work with our partner companies like Intuit , VistaPrint  and Name.com  in grasping the invisible moments of the user journey. We take the time to really “see” things as they should be, not just when they break or unravel.  The goal is to weave a new path together, through the user’s eyes, to create an experience that truly feels seamless and complete. Servicing SMBs? Show your customers how to start a business  online. Strategy is a promise. Product is the proof. On paper, the partnership  makes perfect sense. The value props align. The market need is clear. Our strategic partner is ready to offer our AI website builder  and AI tools  to their customers so they can discover how to make a business website  and grow their brand online. Everyone’s excited. But here’s what I’ve learned again and again: A partnership isn’t real until it’s productized. Until a partnership is designed, built, tested, shipped and refined, it’s just a strong idea backed by a firm handshake. Productizing a partnership isn’t about building new features. It’s about designing a shared experience via tailored B2B solutions . And that’s when things get real. Two companies. One user. Infinite UX decisions. You're not just solving for what a user wants to do. You're solving for how they expect it to feel, while honoring two different ecosystems. The user says, not in words but in behavior: “This is what I want to do next. Can you make it seamless?” We then face a decision: Do we bring the value closer, embedding Partner B’s capabilities into Platform A? Or do we guide them into Partner B’s world, where more power lives, but the experience may feel unfamiliar? There’s no universal answer, only tradeoffs. What matters is why you make the choices you do. A real example (and the infinite space between) In one of our strategic partnerships, users on Platform A needed to complete a meaningful task, but the capability itself lived within Platform B. At a glance, it might seem like a binary choice: Redirect users to Platform B’s environment, or Recreate the entire experience natively within Platform A But in reality, this binary almost never holds. Our actual work lives in the infinite space between those two ends. Together with our partner, we had to explore and define where on that spectrum we should position the experience, for the sake of the user. That meant asking: When is the ideal moment for the handoff? How much context or value should we expose upfront, before introducing a second platform? What does a seamless handshake actually feel like, in this particular journey, for this particular user? And it gets even more nuanced when you factor in: Cross-platform development complexity Real-time data exchange and system readiness The need to balance time-to-value with creating an experience that’s truly valuable and sticky Ultimately, we shaped a hybrid journey: a native entry point in Platform A to anchor the user in clarity and progress, paired with a thoughtfully timed transition into Platform B, where the deeper functionality lives. It was more than a product decision. It was a shared design, engineering and user experience decision, while grounded in observed behavior patterns, informed by intent mapping, shaped by technical tradeoffs and aligned through joint prioritization. I’ve come to appreciate that “space between” in the user journey. The quiet transitions. The micro-moments. The invisible decisions that either carry momentum, or interrupt it. These moments don’t belong to any one team. They live between systems, brands and expectations. And they ask product teams to do something we rarely talk about: let go of ownership, and optimize for coherence. When “seams” start to show: red flags of the partnership user journey Most cross-platform experiences don’t break loudly. They unravel quietly: in drop-offs, misunderstandings and mismatched expectations. Here are the signs we’ve learned to look out for: You see intent building… then a sudden stall. Often, it happens right before a user crosses into the partner platform. Why? Because the value isn’t clear, the next step feels different, or the mental model breaks. You’re over-explaining what should feel intuitive. If you need multiple tooltips, modals or help text to guide users through a flow, then something’s off. It likely means your design is working against user instincts, not with them. Your teams measure different things as “success.” If Platform A is tracking activation and Platform B is tracking completion, and both believe their job is done halfway through the process, then your users are stuck in the middle, with no value. One team calls it a “handoff,” another says “integration,” someone else insists it’s a “seamless sync,” and Product throws in “cross-platform orchestration.” The language shifts with the speaker, which usually means the mental models do too. This disconnect doesn’t just slow things down, it quietly breaks the experience. Because without a shared vocabulary, there’s no shared ownership. And without shared ownership, the user journey becomes disjointed. You’re optimizing individual touch points, not the full journey. Each step looks great in isolation, but the overall full path feels disjointed. That’s a sign no one owns the end-to-end journey. The seams are showing. Recognizing what “seamless” feels like So we know the signs of unraveling. But how do we spot a true seamless experience? A great productized partnership doesn’t just feel smooth and remove friction. It actually generates momentum. And not just for users, but for the teams building the experience. It creates a sense of inevitability  in the journey. As if the user was always meant to move from one platform to the next. Not because we forced it, but because it simply makes sense. And behind that seamlessness? Two companies working as if they were one. Product, design, engineering and go-to-market teams–separated by org charts, roadmaps and cultures–are centered and aligned around one shared user journey. You know it’s working when: The user’s mental model holds steady across systems because the experience was designed together, not patched together. Early touchpoints feel purposeful, not transactional, because both platforms are sequenced with intent. Internal language starts to blur: “We” no longer means just one company. It means the team building this, regardless of which logo is on their slides. Teams debate what’s best for the user , not whose system owns what . Barriers of process, platform and ego start to soften. Not out of obligation, but because there’s momentum, and no one wants to break it. And maybe the most telling sign? The experience doesn’t even feel like collaboration. It feels like coherence. The partnership doesn’t just deliver on strategy, it delivers on trust.  And when it’s done right, users don’t even notice the bridge. They just arrive where they were always trying to go. Why this work resonates, with us and the user When this work is done well, no one notices. When it’s not, everyone feels it. And when it clicks? A user starts on one platform, and finds value in another. They don’t pause. They don’t think about the handoff. They just see progress. And that’s what great product work looks like. When the complexity disappears, and all that’s left is clarity. As we build strategic partnerships and shared product journeys, let’s remember: true success lies in identifying the user’s invisible moments between platforms. How do we “see” this journey before it breaks? How do we come together to design strong, seamless experiences? Learn more about providing a seamless website creation journey for small businesses through a tailored channel partnership .

Launching your business website is just the beginning of starting your own venture. Depending on what type of business you run and where, you may need to get a business license. While the processes vary by site, state or country, you should begin your journey with understanding what a business license is and why it’s important. In this article, we’ll answer those questions, plus go over the available types and how to get one in a few key states. Ready to start your business website today? Get started with Wix. What is a business license? A business license is a legal document issued by a government agency that grants businesses permission to operate in their respective geography. The term can refer to many different business licenses and permits. To obtain a business license, you may need to register your business and comply with local government codes and industry regulations. Why do I need a business license? While the business license application process depends on your industry and location, the benefits are universal: Licensing your business provides accountability and transparency, letting customers, employees and stakeholders know they can trust you. Business-owners will need the right license or permit to operate for the following reasons: Service-based businesses: Ranging from lawyers and medical consultants to restaurants and hair salons, many service businesses require state or federally regulated professional licenses. Brick-and-mortar businesses: If you need to renovate or rebuild your business, you might need to apply for fire department, zoning and land use permits. Retail businesses: Whether you sell online or off, you’ll need a sales tax license to collect the required fees on your transactions. Furthermore, certain businesses involved in government-supervised activities must register for the proper license or permit, including: Selling, importing or manufacturing alcohol: You must apply for a federal permit from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau , as well as obtain a local liquor permit from your state. For example, New York has its own liquor authority for businesses dealing with selling and distributing alcohol. There are also special state permits for one-day alcoholic catering and marketing events. Importing and transporting agriculture: Whether it’s the commercial sale or adoption of an imported live pet, you will need to apply for a permit with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service . The same goes with animal products, including prepared foods from countries with livestock diseases. The federal agency also grants plants and plant product permits, such as those for fruits, vegetables, timber, cotton, seeds and cut flowers. Investment advising: As an investment advisor, you must act in your clients’ best interest and provide them with sound counsel. You must also register with the Securities and Exchange Commission, adopt the agency’s policies and procedures, prepare required reports and file an annual update of your registration form. Food preparation: The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates food and food ingredients for commercial sale, including home-based food businesses to food processing and manufacturing facilities. (States and local governments regulate food establishments like grocery stores, food trucks and restaurants). If you’re starting a food business, then you’ll need to understand how you’re subject to FDA rules . Types of business licenses Licenses and permits related to business operations vary on a local, state and federal level. In fact, not all businesses will need to register at all three regulatory levels. In some cases, you can get a state business license and forgo the federal business license. To file for any business license, you might need to register your business first with your Department of Commerce. You may register your business as a DBA , corporation or limited liability company (LLC). Applicants will also need a taxpayer identification number . So, familiarize yourself with how to obtain a business license on each level: Local (city, county, town): A local license gives you legal authority to conduct business in a specific area. Depending on your profession (consultant, instructor, medical and legal advisors), you might also need a certificate to operate your business in your home city. Local authorities also manage zoning regulations, so you will need to file for a permit with the relevant agency. For instance, the city of New York hosts a database for licenses and building permits needed to start, run or grow a business in any of the boroughs. State: States with sales tax require a license or permit from any business that sells products or services in the state. Research your own state on the US Small Business Administration page and find out which license or permit is required for your industry. Federal: Federal agencies regulate certain business activities, like agriculture, firearms and alcoholic beverages. Check your industry against the Small Business Administration checklist for federal licenses and permits. More business license types Professional or occupational licenses: Some states require licenses for certain occupations (hairdressers, real estate brokers and mechanics) and professions (doctors, lawyers and accountants). For example, all US states require a lawyer license , while the same number of states require a license to work as a barber, according to the Institute for Justice . Sales tax licenses: In coordination with state tax agencies, businesses may be required to collect and remit sales tax on sold items. To avoid hefty fines and legal woes, register for a sales tax license. Currently, there are 5 states without sales tax—Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon, as reported by CNBC. Home occupation permits: A home occupation permit is required when a business operates in a residence in a residential district and ensures that the business will not negatively impact the community. You can register your home business with your local or state agency. How much does a business license cost? Since business licenses vary by government agency and type, business license costs can range dramatically. For example, a business license in Minneapolis can range from $15 to over $10,000. How to get a business license Form a business entity Apply for an Employer Identification Number Choose your business license type Apply for a business license While there is not one standard business license, do the appropriate research to determine the steps you need to take to get a license for your business. Here, a breakdown on how to get a business license, with examples of some of the most entrepreneurial states : 01. Form a business entity Before you get a business license, you need to have a business name and know what type of business you are. Some common small business types include: Sole proprietorship: While sole proprietors are not obligated to register a business, they may need to apply for a business license or permit depending on their industry and regional government jurisdiction. General and limited partnerships: When two or more people start a business , they can form a general partnership. In this business type, stakeholders share liabilities and authority within the business and split profits and losses equally. A limited partnership implies that one partners takes on more responsibility than the other, with the limited partner sometimes referred to as a “silent partner.” Corporation: Incorporating a business allows the company to operate as its own entity and protects the owner's personal assets from business losses. Limited liability company (LLC): An LLC combines aspects of corporations, sole proprietorships and partnerships. LLC owners have limited liability, meaning they absorb profits and losses for tax reasons, but their personal assets are not liable. 02. Apply for an Employer Identification Number You may need to show your Employer Identification Number (EIN) on your business license application. This Internal Revenue Service uses this number to identify your business entity. Applying for an EIN is free and can be done online . Check your state government website for what details you’ll need when filing your EIN, such as state number or charter. 03. Choose your business license type Before applying for a license, you'll need to identify which type you need. Research your options according to your needs (e.g. whether you plan on operating in more than one state, what products or services you offer, your legal business structure, etc.) Inquire at relevant local, state and federal agency to learn what will be required from your business (e.g. notarization or document duplications.) 04. Apply for a business license Prepare all required documents before applying for a business license. Be aware that you may need to file by email, online, fax or even in person. How to get a business license in New York Go to the New York State Business Wizard page to figure out which license or permit you need for a service-based, home-based, retail or online business. Complete the application for a sales tax permit. Pay the business license fees (~$50-$150). How to get a business license in California Go to the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development and get initial information on permitting and regulatory requirements. California requires that you: Register your business structure and file with the California Secretary of State . File state income tax with the Franchise Tax Board (FTB). Get a seller’s permit , if applicable. Pay the license and permit fees (~$50-$100). How to get a business license in Texas Register for a Texas sales tax permit . This is mandatory for all businesses. Check the Texas Business Permits and License Guide about additional statewide professional licenses based on industry. Also check your city about unique licenses. In the City of San Antonio, for instance, there’s a peddler’s license for anyone who wants to sell goods in the city’s streets. Pay the license and permit fees (~$15-$100+, depending on the specialized license or operating permit.) How to get a business license in Florida Apply for the primary Florida business license, also known as a business tax receipt, via your municipal website. And check you won’t need to apply to other local licenses using OpenMyFloridaBusiness . Visit the Florida Department of Revenue to register for a seller’s permit (Annual Resale Certificate for Sales Tax in Florida). This is filed for free. Final business license costs in Florida come up to $50 and $100, excluding the seller’s permit.

These days, everybody and their mother seems to be fighting for attention online—and for good reason. It’s estimated that there are 4.3 billion people using Google around the world, and more than half of them are using Google to find or discover new brands. Needless to say, Google is teeming with opportunities for your business. The biggest question is, how will you get seen? What can you do to get seen right away? The answer: Google Ads. Google Ads offers a fast way to top Google’s search results pages and to get in front of shoppers the moment they’re searching for brands like yours. That said, Google Ads can be challenging to manage, adding yet another platform to monitor. To help take some of the weight off your shoulders, we’ve teamed up with Google to create Google Ads with Wix . With Wix’s Google Ads integration, you can create and manage your ads directly from your site dashboard. Looking for a website builder where you can centrally manage your advertising and marketing campaigns? Create a website with Wix. Why should you use Google Ads with Wix? Two words: time and money. As a business owner or aspiring entrepreneur, you’ve got zero time or money to waste. That’s why we created Google Ads with Wix: to ensure that your ads work for you and your marketing strategy . More specifically, with our Google Ads integration, you can: Manage everything in one place: Manage your advertising activities in the same workspace as your business instead of hopping between platforms. From Wix, you can manage everything from your site and business operations to your marketing emails and Google Ads. Launch your ads faster: Automatically sync your Wix data with your Google Ads rather than keying in your product data by hand. You can additionally use Wix’s AI for Google Ads to find keyword themes and generate ad content even faster. Receive Google Ads credit: If you’re a first-time advertiser, you'll be eligible for up to $500 in Google Ads credit after spending $500 in the first 60 days (terms and conditions apply). Tap into Wix analytics: Automatically install dynamic tracking on your Wix website and get accurate conversion tracking. In other words, use real-time, first-party data to understand behaviors once someone clicks onto your site from a Google ad—and find ways to spend your money more efficiently. Get hands-on support: Wix provides 24/7 support for all its users. Ask a Wix specialist for help optimizing your Google Ads campaigns and diagnosing any issues. What kind of campaigns can you run with Wix Google Ads? Wix currently supports two types of Google Ads campaigns: Smart campaign: Uses machine learning to automatically define your targeting, ad content and bids. Smart campaigns are great for service-based businesses, looking to attract new customers to their site with their ads. Performance Max campaign: Available for Wix Stores subscribers, Performance Max campaigns * use Google’s AI technology to do your targeting and bidding for you. Performance Max ads will appear at the top of Google search results, in addition to the entire Google Network (think: YouTube, Display, Maps, etc.). Pro tip: “You can use both types of campaigns simultaneously,” notes Wix Product Manager Ivan Terechin. “For example, if you sell baby products online, you can advertise your products with a PMax campaign, but advertise your shop itself with a Smart campaign.” How do I use Google Ads with Wix? Google Ads with Wix is available to all Wix users with a Premium plan. You must also have a published site with a custom domain. From there, getting started is as simple as a few clicks. Follow the below steps to run your first Google Ads campaign in Wix: 01. Open Google Ads From your Wix site dashboard, go to the “Marketing & SEO” dropdown on the left-hand menu. Click “Google Ads,” then “Start Advertising.” 02. (For Wix Stores users) choose your advertising goal Choose between creating a Google Smart campaign, geared towards driving more site traffic, or a Google Performance Max campaign, aimed at increasing product purchases. If you don’t have a Wix Store, you will automatically be sent to the next step. 03. Set up your campaign The steps to creating your ads will vary slightly depending on your advertising goal. For example, if you’re a store owner looking to connect your inventory to your ads, you’ll have to connect your ads to your Google Merchant Solutions account ( view Merchant Center terms of service ). Alternatively, if you’re just looking to drive traffic to your site, then you can get started with creating your first Google ad right away. At this stage, you’ll need to decide on your campaign settings, which may include picking your target locations, keyword themes and landing page. 04. Create your ads If you’re a store owner running product ads, then your ads will be auto-generated from your inventory. Otherwise, you’ll need to take a few moments to write out a few headline and description options for Google to use. Wix also has built-in AI text tools, which can lend a hand with your ad headlines or descriptions. 05. Set your budget and launch As the final step, you’ll need to decide how much money you’re willing to spend per day on your ads. Keep in mind that Google may spend above or below your daily budget on any given day, but it will never go above your monthly max (that is, your daily budget times the average number of days in a month). Once you’ve set up your payment details, you can launch your ads. 06. Follow your campaign's progress Google will need to review your ads before they can officially go live; this process can take anywhere from one to seven days. However, you can easily follow its progress from your Wix dashboard. Once your ads are live, you can even track which products or keywords yield the best results and make tweaks to your campaign from Wix. Tips for getting the most out of Google Ads with Wix Getting set up is a cinch and most of the heavy lifting will be done for you. Still, it doesn’t hurt to follow a few best practices to ensure that your campaign performs the best that it can. Keep your Wix catalog up to date. If you’re planning to advertise your products, make sure that your catalog is up to date with the latest details (note: any changes in Wix will automatically update your Google merchant feed). Don’t gloss over details such as your product specs, product variations, descriptions and images. Google will draw from this information to build your ads—so you’ll want to make sure that you’re putting your best foot forward and offer as many details as possible. Make sure that your landing pages are highly relevant. In a similar vein, you’ll want to check that any linked landing pages are relevant to your ad content. Don’t drop visitors into a random or broad page on your site. Rather, send them to a page that speaks to their particular interest. You’ll often find that a dedicated landing page—free of distractions—will perform better than your homepage. For example, if your ads are targeting the keyword “online cooking courses,” then you’d benefit from sending visitors to a page that lists out your available cooking classes, not a page that lists any type of online course available. Pick keywords themes with high intent. By “high intent” we mean keyword themes that are relevant to your target consumer and precede a desired action. In other words, just because someone Googles the word “yoga” doesn’t mean they’re looking to buy a yoga mat. Perhaps they’re trying to sign up for a yoga class or watch a free class on YouTube. Or, perhaps they’re simply looking to understand the benefits of yoga. A better, high-intent keyword for a store selling yoga gear is “buy yoga mat” or “best yoga mats.” Be mindful of your headlines. When it comes to creating your Smart campaigns, your headlines play a big role in enticing a click. “Make sure to speak directly to your prospect’s desired outcome,” advises Terechin. “For example, if you’re advertising a fitness class, consider something like ‘Get Fit Fast’—which immediately speaks to your customers’ goals.” At the same time, you don’t want to overpromise and be specific about what you offer, says Terechin. Avoid meaningless fillers like “world-class” that aren’t backed by research, and replace them with stats or trigger words like “free.” Use your Wix Analytics reports to your advantage. Wix offers a slew of reports that can strengthen your understanding of your site visitors. For example, using the Behavior Overview report, you can see which pages people click to from other pages on your site, and see where they drop off. Or, using the Marketing Overview sites, you can see how your Google Ads campaign stacks up against your other marketing efforts. Test and refine continuously. “Don’t settle for your first attempt at your ads,” says Terechin. “Create multiple variations of your ads and run A/B tests to determine which creative performs best and why. Regularly analyze your ads based on click-through rates and user engagement.” Learn more about how to advertise on Google , or check out more step-by-step guides on using Google Ads with Wix. * In the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom or Switzerland, Performance Max campaigns can be used with any Comparison Shopping Service (CSS). The ads will show on general search results pages and on any other surfaces the CSS has opted in to.

Turn your ideas into sales and start selling with Wix eCommerce→  In the dynamic world of eCommerce , embracing the latest technologies is key to staying ahead. Artificial intelligence (AI) is a game-changer, offering unparalleled tools for merchants to enhance their eCommerce businesses .  Having spent over a decade in the eCommerce space with some of the world’s largest online merchants (including Amazon, Dell and Expedia), I've had the opportunity of seeing this evolution up close. Now, as I run a leading eCommerce platform at Wix, which powers more than 700,000 active online stores worldwide, I can confidently say that we are at a pivotal juncture.  Create an eCommerce website  with Wix today. The once-exclusive AI capabilities—previously reserved for giant enterprises—are being democratized, making this the ideal time to experiment with AI and use it to stay ahead in eCommerce. This article delves into several practical use cases for AI in eCommerce, with a focus on the two main types of AI that have revolutionized the way we do business online today: generative AI and machine learning.  As you prepare for high-traffic shopping moments like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, these strategies become even more valuable for keeping your store fast, reliable and ready to convert visitors into customers. 16 examples of AI in eCommerce Brand development Online store design Website copy Product descriptions at scale Site images Refined product images Enhanced SEO Blog content Email and social media content Personalized marketing support Personalized customer support FAQ content Personalized shopping experience Hyper-relevant product recommendations Predictive analytics for inventory management Dynamic pricing Generative AI use cases in eCommerce  Generative AI is a trending technology that automatically creates new original content for you. It analyzes existing data and produces materials tailored to your business's needs. Within eCommerce, this type of AI significantly cuts down the time and effort needed to maintain an appealing online store and optimizes your content for better search engine performance,  customer experience and conversion. Here are a few examples of how you can use generative AI to your advantage.  01. Brand development  When you’re starting a business , AI tools can help you solidify a business idea, then suggest suitable business names, logos and domain addresses. The synergy between a solid business idea, a memorable name and strong brand visuals is what helps you stand out and earn credibility. Aside from sparking creativity, these tools analyze market patterns to spot the biggest opportunities. They also factor in your personal objectives when recommending the best business and brand concept for you.  Take Wix’s Business Launcher  or  AI logo maker  for a spin. 02. Online store design  Today, AI can already create your online store from top to bottom. The quality, of course, will depend on the platform you use. The best AI website builders don’t simply match you with a pretty template, but design your site with you, shaping every detail to fit your vision. The result: a fully functional website that’s optimized for conversions, complete with all the content, apps and functionality that you need to run your store. Try Wix's free AI website builder  today. 03. Website copy  AI content creation tools can be used for any type of website content for any type of business . They can produce all the text that your site requires, from the tagline on your homepage to the titles on your product pages. By simply answering a number of simple questions, these advanced tools are engineered to generate the best results for the specific website content that you’re looking for. Learn more about Wix's AI text creator . 04. Product descriptions at scale  When you have a large catalog, writing product descriptions can quickly become tedious. AI makes it possible to auto-generate hundreds of professional, engaging and SEO-friendly product descriptions—without leaving out important details. By analyzing specific product specialties and market trends, these descriptions are optimized for customer engagement. Case in point: Founder of Z Jewelers , Zamar, notes that “Before, I would put the most generic descriptions like ‘gold,’ ‘ring,’ ‘buy it now.’ But with [Wix’s] AI, it's helped me come up with more detailed descriptions of every product…and I noticed that after using AI, I've had an increase in sales as well.” 05. Site images In the dynamic world of online commerce, first impressions matter more than ever. Your site imagery plays a key role in leaving a positive impression by not only making your site more memorable but by reflecting your brand’s values and personality.  Using an AI image creator, you can create banner images and other site visuals that deliver an immersive shopping experience. Simply describe your desired image, and let AI create it.  You can also avoid expensive production days with apps like AI Packshots , which let you upload a photo you took with your phone and turn it into a polished, professional-looking packshot within seconds.  Discover more about Wix’s built-image creator or try Wixel , an AI-powered design platform, for free.  06. Refined product images You can give your product photography  an extra boost with the help of auto background removal and image enhancement tools. This ensures that your product images are aligned with your store’s aesthetic, enhancing the overall visual appeal of your site and boosting trust amongst your visitors. 07. Enhanced SEO These days, attracting a new customer can be pricey.  With customer acquisition costs skyrocketing by 222%  within the last decade, it’s more important than ever to invest in cost-effective marketing strategies like search engine optimization (SEO)—or, as of more recently, generative engine optimization (GEO). The latter refers to the art of optimizing your site so that it appears on AI-driven search results, like Google’s AI Overview section.  Fortunately, AI makes both SEO and GEO more accessible and scalable. Enhance your SEO with AI  eCommerce tools  that automatically write your title tags and meta descriptions by analyzing your site content. These optimized elements improve your visibility online and user engagement, which, in turn, attract more visitors to your store.  On the GEO front, you can use AI to automatically track mentions of your brand on various AI platforms, like ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude. You can use these insights to understand which AI searches and sources are attracting people to your product pages, then make sure your site answers their burning questions.  Learn more about Wix’s AI meta tag creator  or AI Visibility Overview . 08. Blog content It’s no secret that a blog can help you get in front of potential customers; in fact, organic search is the top traffic source  for all websites, according to a recent HubSpot report. With a blog, you can address search queries like “best running shoes for flat feet” or “how to pick the best running shoes” (as examples) that online shoppers may have before making a purchase.  That said, managing a blog is a lot of work. Generative AI tools make it significantly more manageable by producing blog articles that aren’t only engaging, but also optimized for SEO. You can equip the AI with specific prompts and your keyword. While you’ll want to double-check everything that AI creates, you could potentially publish more articles regularly without investing extra resources into it.  09. Email and social media content  Generative AI enables you to create eye-catching content for social media and emails. It can automatically create images, text and videos that show off your products, plus identify optimal posting times.  Perhaps most importantly, AI can help you tailor content to multiple customer segments. For example, in Wix, you can use AI to design a unique email based on various factors—including the intent, tone of voice and messaging that’s specific to your audience. The same can be applied to social media captions created with Wix.  10. Personalized marketing support  Aside from handing off the boring stuff on your to-do list to AI, you can use tools like Wix’s AI Marketing Agent  to anticipate what needs to get done. Tools like this can stay on top of any email campaigns, ads or other assets attached to your brand. They can then surface the most important things that require your attention and roll out any changes. For example, an agent might remind you about an upcoming shopping season and suggest sending your top users a coupon. Just approve the content it generates, and your agent will take care of the rest. In this way, you can capitalize on real-time marketing opportunities that you’d likely pass up when you’re swamped.  Bonus: Similar to having an AI marketing assistant, an AI business assistant  can help simplify day-to-day tasks. It can monitor your business more holistically, tracking site performance, billing and more—while creating content for your online course, blog and other properties. 11. Personalized customer support  AI-powered chatbots  have the power to improve your retention rates by providing instant, personalized eCommerce customer service as shoppers are browsing your site. It can mimic the interactions between in-store associates and shoppers, offering additional product details or answering questions about your return policies (as examples).  In the case of the Wix AI Site Chat , you’ve got the option to feed the chatbot additional details about your products via PDF to improve its accuracy. The chatbot will learn from these custom docs and your site content, becoming an expert on your products before answering customer questions or recommending products in real time.  12. FAQ content  By analyzing customer interactions and feedback, AI can help you stay ahead of customer queries and continuously update any FAQ pages on your site. FAQ generators can take a topic (like “return policy”) and suggest a list of related questions that your target customer may have, plus answers, to include within your FAQ page.  This proactive approach ensures that your customers find relevant, up-to-date information easily, enriching their experience.  Machine learning use cases in eCommerce  While generative AI has made most of the headlines lately regarding how well it creates new, original content, machine learning has tremendous power in providing predictive insights that can automatically improve any aspect of your business.  Machine learning in eCommerce harnesses a data loop process: it captures customer data, analyzes it and applies insights to make store adjustments. This cycle helps to continually refine the shopping experience. Essentially, it uses customer feedback to enhance future visits, constantly evolving to meet and anticipate shopper needs. This continuous optimization ensures a more personalized, efficient shopping journey, which is crucial for customer satisfaction and business performance. Below are a few practical and highly effective examples of machine learning capabilities in eCommerce.  13. Personalized shopping experience  Machine learning apps such as Twik  offer a groundbreaking approach to eCommerce, allowing you to tailor product galleries and shop pages to individual customer preferences. Twik, which is available on the Wix App Market , leverages AI and machine learning to understand shopper behaviors and intentions. It leverages these insights to offer the right products in the right order to the right user, in real time. Furthermore, it constantly optimizes your storefront based on real-world outcomes to attract more sales. By personalizing site menus and product catalogs, Twik Store Personalization helps to improve add-to-cart ratios and reduces cart abandonment rates. It operates autonomously, requiring no setup or maintenance, and is designed to adapt its strategies as it learns more about user preferences.  The end result is a highly customized shopping experience that meets the specific needs of each customer, reducing friction in the shopping process and significantly boosting conversion rates.  14. Hyper-relevant product recommendations  Smart Product Recommendations  are a pivotal tool for any online store looking to maximize its sales potential. By utilizing advanced algorithms, these systems analyze customer behavior, purchase history and browsing patterns to display similar or complementary products alongside a viewed item.  You don’t have to set any custom triggers by hand; AI will automatically surface the right product recommendations. This method of intelligent product placement allows you to subtly encourage customers to explore additional products that they might find appealing or necessary. As a result, customers are more likely to add more items to their cart, thereby increasing the overall order value.  15. Predictive analytics for inventory management Machine learning can revolutionize inventory management in eCommerce by leveraging predictive analytics. This technology analyzes past sales data, seasonal trends and consumer behavior to forecast future product demand. You can avoid number-crunching by hand and optimize your inventory levels to prevent overstocking or stockouts.  Aside from ensuring that popular items are always available, this solution can reduce the costs associated with excess inventory. Predictive analytics can also help in identifying potential supply chain disruptions and adjust inventory strategies accordingly, thereby maintaining a smooth operation and consistent customer experience. Note: this capability is primarily accessible to the largest merchants, but I predict that it will soon become accessible to the masses.  16. Dynamic pricing  Machine learning algorithms can dynamically adjust product prices based on various factors, such as demand, competition, market trends, customer behavior and inventory levels. It addresses the age-old problem of setting competitive prices that attract customers while maximizing your profit margins.  Dynamic pricing can be particularly useful when you’re facing high-demand periods, sales promotions or a volatile pricing landscape. By automatically adjusting prices in real time, you can stay competitive and responsive to market changes.  Note: This too, in all its glory, is mostly reserved for the eCommerce titans of the world. However, I anticipate it will become much more accessible soon.    How will the future of eCommerce be shaped by AI? The future of eCommerce stands at the cusp of a revolution, fueled by rapid advancements in AI. This transformation goes beyond the realms of generative AI and machine learning, extending into natural language processing, computer vision and robotics. When these AI advancements converge with ongoing improvements in logistics, mixed reality and cloud computing, we’ll be looking at a dramatically altered eCommerce landscape. In the coming years, AI will allow you to offer hyper-personalized and zero-friction shopping experiences like never before. Imagine entire storefronts, catalogs, promotions and products that look completely different for every customer. Such hyper-personalization will not only elevate the likelihood of purchases but also significantly boost customer satisfaction and retention rates. Furthermore, AI will bridge the gap between various stakeholders in the eCommerce ecosystem, including content publishers, eCommerce platforms , device manufacturers, retailers and logistics companies. Just imagine walking down the street and seeing someone with a stylish outfit through your AR glasses. In that instant, your glasses offer you the chance to virtually try on and/or purchase the entire look—clothing, accessories and all.  Or, let’s say you’re watching a sports game on your TV, and your favorite player is dominating. AI may suggest fan gear in your exact size and color preferences. All you have to do is say “Buy it now” to your smart speaker, and AI will instantly send your order to the right retailer and have your purchase at your doorstep within hours.  In many instances, the shopping journey will start even before you realize you want to make the purchase. That’s  the power of predictive AI.  The Wix commitment AI's role in eCommerce is transformative, progressing from today's generative AI and machine learning tools to a future of interconnected, sophisticated AI systems. This evolution promises immense growth and innovation opportunities in eCommerce. At Wix, we are dedicated to providing you with the best AI tools to grow your businesses today while equipping you for the thrilling advancements of tomorrow.

Websites, like fashion, make personal statements. Choosing dark shades for a website design is a powerful statement about the purpose and the mood of the site. Contrary to popular associations, dark doesn’t mean gloomy or scary. Dark colors can create a mysterious atmosphere, a classy look or a minimalist cut that draws attention to the product or service. These beautiful HTML5 websites demonstrate that well. Have a look and see how these dark shades positively accentuate the topic and web design of the website. With nothing against bright website color schemes – dark can be beautiful on its own right. Learn more: What is web design? Old Barber Shop Blake Allen Design La Bubbly Black Negative Josh Sullivan Blissfully Aware Moresoda Moresoda Under The Psycamore Granny and Smith STUDIOBEMA East Village Eatery Untitled Design Made in Germany Visualquimia WEARESIGNALS Vertu Blacktie MOA Beer Leah Haggar BlackRabbit Designs Learn more about how to make a website with our extensive guide.

The way your brand or business looks online is more important than ever. And while your website needs to keep up appearances with quality visual content, 31% of consumers also believe an engaging user experience should be a priority. When you create a website on your own, crafting an impactful user experience often depends on paying attention to unseen details like your website structure. Although a good website structure may go unrecognized by the visitor’s eye, an inadequate one will undoubtedly stand out and leave a poor impression. In this article, we’ll define a website structure, explain how to build it through the lens of UX design and discuss the most popular models used in website design and website templates today. Learn more: What is website design? What is a website structure? A website structure refers to the hierarchy, order and organization of your site’s pages, mapped out by a desired user experience. It connects all your web pages with a navigational system of menus, internal linking and content. Along with your site’s information architecture , website structure is an important UX design factor that impacts a visitor’s user journey. But it’s also a way for you as the creator to plan your site's layout and content and determine where each element should sit. Especially when designing a website with multiple pages, the more attention you pay to your site’s structure at the start, the less surprises you’ll have later on. What elements are in a website structure? Defining a website structure ensures that visitors follow a logical user journey when discovering information on your website. The structure must include all of the web pages on your site, a system of categories for organizing these and a means for visitors to navigate from one element to another. Your site’s structure should make sure the most important information is discoverable first, while inviting visitors to continue exploring the following elements: Categories and sub-categories Navigation Linking system Categories and subcategories Categories set the foundation for organizing your website structure, grouping pages of your site that have similar content, and making it easier for visitors to find what they need. In addition, bigger sites that have a large number of categories should further divide their content into sub-categories. If you’re a clothing retailer, your eCommerce website homepage would start with links to main shopping categories, such as “shoes,” “outerwear,” “pants” or “accessories.” Eventually, these pages will direct visitors to various sub-categories; “sandals,” for example, would sit under “shoes” while a sub-category like “fleeces” would sit under “outerwear.” Navigation Your website’s navigation lays out its structure for visitors, acting as a map of directions to the content they need. In most cases, this starts with a website menu—which may be a classic header menu across the top or a more minimalistic hamburger menu. Since the purpose of navigation is to guide visitors, your homepage should clearly display the pages and categories they’re looking for on your site. From there, sub-categories should also be discoverable, whether by using a drop-down menu or using another way to display links to sub-category pages. Additionally, you’ll want to be sure your site’s navigation drives visitors to other important web pages relating to your brand, such as an “About Us” page or a “Contact” page. Linking system Implementing a well-thought-out linking system ensures that your user moves through your site properly. Depending on the type of website structure you use, when learning how to make your website , there will be varying degrees to which the visitor relies on your linking system. In addition to links from your website’s menu, a structure can utilize the following kinds of links to elevate the user experience: CTAs , or calls-to-action, are strategically placed links that take visitors to a direct goal, encouraging them to make a move. Whether it's a link to “sign up” or “purchase,” CTAs are extremely helpful to visitors who have that specific goal on your site. Display them using bold text, enticing microcopy or a button design. Internal links refer to those links within a website that connect to other pages of the same site. Every site naturally has internal linking between its web pages, whether it's organized in the most optimal way for visitors is entirely up to you. Sometimes, businesses will group their pages into category “clusters,” using this as a guide. Having a system of internal linking also happens to be a strong SEO best practice. Since it is reflected in your sitemap, Google bots see the effort being made to provide visitors with the most relevant information in the right order. Contextual links bring the visitor to related content outside of your own site’s web pages, such as product pages from other businesses, blog posts, sources or news. Different types of website structures Take a look at the different types of website structures and examples below. What patterns do you notice? What are the characteristics of each? What type of user will benefit best from each of these structures? Having a grasp of the four most basic structures and how they’re used will help give you a better understanding of how to build your own design or which website template to use: Hierarchical model Sequential (aka Linear) model Matrix model Database model Hierarchical model The most popular type of website structure is the hierarchical model, where a homepage acts as the starting point, branching off into various categories and pages according to importance. Because it’s so versatile, this structure suits a variety of types of websites—from personal service websites to online portfolios. First, order your content according to importance. Most times, this means ensuring the user reaches general information first before discovering more detail. To draft and test out your hierarchy, use wireframes and card-sorting exercises. Then, once you have your pages created and mapped out, use an interlinking system and navigation menu to implement this hierarchy on your website. In the example below, we see a perfect representation of a hierarchical website structure in Steven Popovich ’s online portfolio. Ultimately, it facilitates a journey for users through different levels of information and actions on the site—from larger categories like “Beauty” and “Advertising” on the homepage, visitors get more detailed in the search for specific projects and brands. Steven Papovich 's online portfolio uses a hierarchical web structure Sequential (aka Linear) model A sequential web structure takes users through a step-by-step journey to achieve their goal, whether it’s narrowing down categories, guiding their search process or helping them find a sign up form. This basic, low-maintenance structure fits sites with minimal content and pages, such as a small business website or online portfolio . A sequential website structure starts at your homepage or landing page that lists a number of pages or categories. Visitors follow a linear flow that guides them through a journey of parent pages, ultimately landing them on their desired content. In the example below, Aly Gray designed her fitness website to take users through a sequential journey. By displaying four types of training packages on her homepage, visitors can choose which one initially sounds best, and page-by-page, start the process of signing up. Aly Gray 's fitness website uses a sequential website structure Matrix model While the matrix is one of the oldest website structure models, it still remains popular today. Geared towards letting visitors enjoy browsing without strict categories, a website structure following the matrix model does not have a rigid user journey in mind. This might sound chaotic, but for visitors, it means complete freedom and many points of entry to all of your website’s content. While categories, sub-categories and individual pages should still exist in the matrix model, you don’t have to curate their order of appearance for the user. Instead, the website’s robust interlinking and increased importance on navigation features, like a website menu or search bar, serve the user experience. Some of the best examples of matrix website structures are online newspapers, online resources or large eCommerce websites with a variety of content connected to one another. Below, Tach Clothing uses a matrix model, using the addition of breadcrumbs (and breadcrumb navigation) and a dropdown of suggested “trending products” in the search bar to take visitors outside of their current journey—albeit towards relevant distractions. Tach clothing uses a matrix website structure for their online store Database model Website structures that follow a database model often create dynamic and personalized experiences. A visitor to a site following this model will generally need to input their own personal details, queries or preferences. From there, the website will present them with relevant content stored like personal details or product pages in the webpage’s database. To do this on your own, you’ll need to work with a website software that allows you to create an internal database or integrate with external ones. Use a bottom-down approach to organize your content and outline the most dynamic design for displaying it to visitors. Using Velo , the business website for Code Zero Yachts (shown below) has integrated a sophisticated system of data for helping visitors find yachts available at specific times, price ranges and locations. Tip: If on the scale of low code to no code, you’re on the no code side, try out this simple way to display content from database collections on your Wix site . Code Zero 's business site uses a database style website structure How to approach your website structure Once you’re ready to design a website, decide whether you’ll use a top-down or bottom-up website structure to organize your content. While a top-down approach starts with outlining a hierarchy of categories based on your site’s general topics, a bottom-up approach starts with the least important sub-categories, working up to the more general categories and content. If you’re starting with a template, you likely don’t need to think much about creating a website structure—just be on the lookout for one that suits your content. If you’re making a site from scratch, using UX tools for stages like wireframing and drafting your design’s architecture can be extremely helpful for kick-starting this process. Why is it important to pay attention to your website structure? For a visitor to achieve a goal on your site, they must hit elements in a specific order. According to GoodFirms , 34.6% of online visitors will leave a site with a poor content structure. Whether you’re starting off with a website template or diving into your web design from scratch, it’s on you to make sure your visitors can find exactly what they need on your site, ensuring a solid website structure to support their user experience. But all this talk about how your structure will benefit users, what about you as its creator? A solid website structure is worth the effort from a business standpoint, too. Having a site that’s easy to use will undoubtedly leave customers pleased. With the right strategy, your structure will support your business by helping customers purchase and speeding out the checkout or contact processes.