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When creating a website, it’s always great to have options. With a flexible set of tools from the Wix website builder at your disposal, deciding on the site structure and functionality will be a piece of cake! The real fun begins at the design stage. Adding visual media can create a great first impression and convey a message so your site visitors know what you’re all about right out of the gate.  Even if you have your own images and videos, you may be in the market for more when you start to think about how to make a website . There are several different places to acquire stock photos and videos, many of which can cost a pretty penny. They don’t have to, though! There are also several places you can get stock images for free to go with your new web design , and we’re going to lay out some of our favorites below! Let’s just say the following sites are well “stocked.” Learn more: What is web design? First, let’s talk licenses Stock photos and videos always have a license attached to them. You may have seen terms like Public Domain, Creative Commons, among others – and that’s exactly what these are. Licenses. Some licenses are completely free to use, while others either require accreditation or restrict you from using the media for commercial use. A majority of the resources you find here will offer you completely free media to use as you see fit, but it is good practice to always check the license before you download it. Free Wix Photos If you haven’t dived into the Wix Free photos available to you right inside the Editor, then you’re missing out. With hundreds of images to choose from, you can use as many as you wish on your website without a worry! With easy navigation and a search option to hone in on what you’re looking for, the Wix free images should be your very first stop! You’ll also have access to our video and cinemagraph collections. All of them can be displayed at full quality at any size, whether you want to use them as a small page icon or as your website background. Learn more about how to edit photos: How to edit AI generated images How to edit stock photography How to edit images for social media Pexels Pexels is easily one of the best sites for you to find free stock images. With a nice design and an incredibly large selection to choose from, this is a resource that shouldn’t be ignored. Navigating through the site is simple and to the point. You can browse photos by popularity, popular searches, leaderboards, and even color. The latter of which can be incredibly helpful if you’re looking for a specific color scheme. While discovering images on Pexels is easy, it could stand to more category options when it comes to browsing. That said, it’s really hard to find anything bad about what Pexels has to offer, given the treasure trove of photos available to you. Unsplash While Pexels falls slightly short when it comes to category choices, Unsplash gets high marks with its vast collections. In fact, outside of searching for a photo, digging through said collections is going to be your primary method for photo discovery. Slightly tucked away, Unsplash also offers a “most popular searches” section, which lists around 50 different popular searches. Due to the lack of genuine categories, it may be a bit difficult to find exactly what you’re looking for. Some of the collections are simply called “collection,” accompanied by a number, making what it contains a bit of a mystery. That shouldn’t stop you though, as it’s easy to get lost in all of the nice photos. Death to Stock Death to Stock may not offer a massive catalog for free users like the aforementioned sites above, but it’s definitely something to have bookmarked. This resource offers something you don’t often see amongst other stock photo libraries; Photo Packs. They contain a set of images, most, if not all, from the same shoot. Viewing one of the photo packs is a unique experience, as they tell a story. While not all images from the pack itself are displayed on the preview page, what is presented will easily give you the general vibe of the rest. The photos that are shown sprawl across the page, broken up by short lines of text, giving breath to a few of the 1,000 words the photos are worth. Fine print: Death to Stock requires a premium subscription to access all of its stock media. Without it, you’ll only have access to their latest photo packs (at the time of this writing, there were only 4 available.) Still, you can download all available packs every time they’re updated. Pexels Video Unsurprisingly, Pexels isn’t just a one-trick photo pony, as it offers an equally impressive collection of free stock video for the taking. Since it’s essentially the same website as it’s photo counterpart, Pexels Videos looks, feels, and operates the same exact way. When selecting a video, you’re given all of the information you need to know about it, including resolution and license type. Coverr.co Coverr.co makes all other site designs on this list look a little flat, except for maybe Pexels, making it a joy to use. Not only does the site look nice, it’s easy to navigate and has a wealth of beautiful videos to back it up. Functionally, Coverr.co is lacking a bit. You only have a handful of broad-stroked categories to choose from, and then you’ll need to scroll until you find (or don’t find) a suitable video. You’ll also find the site void of a search function. Nonetheless, Coverr.co exceeds in both content and design, and that’s enough for it to make it on this list. Mazwai When it comes to discovering videos, Mazwai very much offers a “what you see is what you get” approach. No categories. No search. Each video displays the creator’s name and that’s it. However, things get a little more interesting when you’re ready to download the video. Setting itself apart from every other site on this list, Mazwai allows you to choose how much of the video you want to download. Say you’re only interested in 8 seconds of the middle portion of a clip. You can set the beginning and end points, and you’ll only download that portion, saving you from having to throw the file into video editing software afterward. We see you, Mazwai. Other great resources Morguefile – Another great selection of free photos. (Not where they go to die) Pixabay – Offers up free images, videos, illustrations, and more. (There be no pirates here) Free Range – Free photos with a long list of categories. (Better than any free range egg) Stock Photos 4 Free – Thousands of free images to download! (About as literal as it gets)

The Necessity of a Style Guide A style guide is a document that prescribes the ‘style’ or standard format for you as you create a website . It lays down common guidelines for formatting texts and images, use of color and fonts, logo variations that can be used, etc. The general idea here is to: Create consistency across your website Outline guidelines that can serve future partners taking over from you In big (and some small) design companies, a website cannot be created without a style guide to back it up. It’s a communication document that levels out the expectations of all those involved in the project. It’s also a way of making sure there are no surprises in the end. Even if you’re not working in a team, a style guide can make your life easier. It is a crucial step towards creating a successful professional website. It’s the touchstone in the process that will keep you focused and help you achieve a more cohesive design. The Wix editor offers endless possibilities - like image slideshows as just one example, making for an exciting and refreshing design process. But watch out! This wealth of design possibilities can just as well throw you off track. A style guide will always help you steer back into the right direction thus saving you a lot of time. By creating a style guide you are effectively establishing rules that will make the design process more efficient and help the final website achieve its purpose. Learn more: Web design tips What is web design? How to Prepare a Style Guide Before approaching the editor grab a pencil and paper and construct your guidelines. Web guidelines keep everything consistent, from website header design to navigation structure. You can also take a look at current web design trends to find some inspiration before you get started. Points to Consider When Preparing a Style Guide Prepare a color sheet- what are the tones you would like to use in your design, and what is the color scheme of your website? A black and white concept with brightly colored text? Solid black background with neon colored elements? Lay out the colors together, when stuck or lost. It can be very handy to refer to your pre-planned guide. What fonts will you be using? Usually no more than three are needed. Find combinations of fonts that work for you. Decide what font you’ll be using for titles, sub-titles, headings and main text. Will you be using Bold or Italics for titles? Think about the grid and layout of the website. This determines where elements will be placed. Prepare some generic templates that you can use when designing. A good grid is the key to a good website and will ensure consistency. Have a look at your navigation structure and organization of relevant materials. Map out the information you want to display on your website – this is where you name the menu options. Menu options may include headings such as home, about, contact, gallery, portfolio (perhaps with sub categories), links, comments. Will you be using an intro page? Or use more than one language? This is the map of your website, it will ensure that your web design has an appropriate structure and will help you lay out all the materials you need to prepare. Prepare the text you’ll be using. Think of keywords you need to highlight. Gathering all the text at this stage including contact info and picture captions will be a huge time saver when you get to building your website. What images will be displayed? Are they ready to upload or are compression and editing needed? Decide which image goes under what tab and if captions are needed. How are the images going to be displayed? Perhaps with a consistent frame around them? If you have a gallery of some sort, plan out the image categories. Consider your use of graphic elements. This is where you decide whether and where to incorporate them, and how and where your logo will be integrated. You may find it helpful to have the editor open and play around with different options. Make sure to transfer your decisions to the style guide, so you will always be able to refer to it once you start. This is the best practice when deciding how to design a website in the most effective way. The best thing about a style guide is that it’s transferable- it can be applied to all your publications. The effort you put into the style guide will definitely pay off when you’ll see you can apply it to any other form of communication you use: email marketing, blogs, business cards – your company now has a strong unified style. Remember the document you produce is not set in stone, you can always make changes and update it. Learn more about how to make a website with our extensive guide.

Turn your ideas into a website you love with Wix →   When patients need a new dentist, most turn to the internet first. We've all been there —whether we're overdue for a cleaning or had a recent insurance change. When looking for a new dental practice, one of the first things people check is the website. If your practice doesn't have a strong online presence, you're likely missing out on a significant number of potential patients. We know running or managing a dental practice keeps you busy, but now is the perfect time to get started with a free website builder . While making a website from scratch might seem overwhelming, we've got the tools to make the process simple —and leave you smiling. Regardless of if you're new to web design or want to give your dentist website a makeover, keep reading for expert tips and step-by-step guidance. 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. Why dental websites can be a benefit to any practice  Your potential patients aren't just looking for any dentist —they're searching for a dentist who's professional, trustworthy and meets their practical needs, like convenient locations, office hours and accepted insurances. Having a website makes your services more discoverable to those in need of a new provider. It serves as a virtual representation of your practice, offering visitors a nice introduction that reassures them they're in good hands. A well-designed dental website can answer potential clients' questions upfront and build trust by highlighting the qualities and expertise that set your dental practice apart. Another one of the benefits of a website is that it can make life easier for you and your patients. Features like online scheduling, digital patient forms and payment options add a layer of convenience that leaves a lasting impression. For many patients, your website becomes a touchpoint for quality customer service that extends beyond the office walls. What is a website?  Learn how a website can help you connect with patients today. Features of effective dental web design Before we jump into the process of how to create a professional website , let's think about which elements will serve you and your web visitors. Effective web design results in great functionality, ease-of-use and the right aesthetic—and there are more specific criteria dental websites need to achieve this balance.  So, what makes a good website for a dental practice? Keep the following features in mind throughout your process: Learn more: What is web design? A clean and professional web design In comparison to trendy e-Commerce stores or artistic portfolio websites , a dentist website is a type of website  that doesn’t need to hone in on design trends to make an impact on visitors. Since your dental website will be used by a diverse audience from all sorts of backgrounds and demographics, it’s more important to use a design that’s intuitive and inclusive.  A healthcare website  like yours should focus on a clean aesthetic that presents your practice’s information without overwhelming visitors. That doesn’t mean beauty isn’t a factor—a simple yet modern website can be incredibly attractive, making a positive impression that’s balanced with user-friendliness.   Provides user-friendly tools A well-crafted dental website goes beyond looking good—it provides a smooth and frustration-free user experience. By prioritizing user-friendliness, your website becomes more than a marketing tool. Whether it’s a potential client or a current one, every visitor to your dentist site should find useful content and practical tools to help them achieve their goals.  And these days, there are so many supportive website features  available, there’s no excuse not to spoil visitors. As you build your website, take advantage of AI and business tools that can make your site extra user-friendly. For example, an AI chat box that responds to your visitors' questions immediately. Or, to simplify bookings and payments, integrate online forms, scheduling software and online payment options that work on any device. These tools don’t just help patients—they reflect your practice’s commitment to accessibility and convenience. Prioritizes web accessibility Web accessibility is an important step to make sure people with disabilities can engage with your site’s content and features. Rather than treating this as an afterthought, it’s important to build your site with accessibility in mind. 1 in 4 people in the US suffer from a disability —whether it's visual, audial, cognitive or other—making it likely that some of the customers your dental practice serves will require accessible elements.   "The way to make a site accessible is to build it the right way. To meet the needs of these users, and to ensure your site covers WCAG guidelines, you should incorporate elements like alt-text for images, sufficient color contrast, readable fonts and other accessibility features as you go." Nir Horesh, Head of Accessibility at Wix It’s good to know that tools like Wix are designed with accessibility in mind , and tools like the Accessibility Wizard exist to guide you with an AI-powered accessibility scan. Still, these tools don’t cover it all. Learning how to make a website accessible  and ensuring your site is accessible will benefit your customers and make sure those with disabilities aren’t alienated. Facilitates intuitive website navigation  Every website has a navigation system in place—but the best website navigation feels instinctive, guiding visitors effortlessly. For a dental website, good navigation is the key to helping patients find what they need conveniently, whether that’s office hours, your appointment booking page, or learning more about your team. This means building a navigation menu and using internal links to group your site’s pages together, which we’ll show you how to do in the step-by-step guide below.  How great dental websites are made in 9 easy steps Now that you’ve got the gist of how a dental website will affect your practice, let’s review the steps of how to create one. Here, we’ll mention important parts of the process and show you how to launch a new website like a pro  using a website builder to support your project.  Plan your dental practice website design   Choose a website builder Pick a domain name  Start quickly with a website template Include relevant pages and content Set up user friendly website navigation Implement local SEO practices  Make sure your site is mobile friendly Do one final review and publish 01. Plan your dental practice website design  Before getting into the hands-on creation process, your first step should be to draft a strategic plan for your dental website. This is a process that combines research with creative brainstorming.  Similar to mapping out a business plan for a private company , planning your website will be important to create a vision, maintain direction and stay focused throughout the project.   Here’s how to flesh out your intentions at this stage:  Do competitor research: Take a peek at other dental websites that inspire you and take note of their design and content decisions. While you don’t want to completely copy their site, this is a helpful way to learn more about dental website design and gain useful ideas. Write down clear goals : What do you aim to achieve with your website? Whether it’s getting the attention of more clients or setting up online booking procedures—setting goals at this stage will prioritize and highlight solutions. Define your audience: Knowing who will use your website provides an anchor for many decisions, from how to approach your website's copy, to branding and design elements, too.  Develop a timeline:  This can be helpful for breaking up the tasks and staying on track of website management before, during and after you publish your site.  Learn more about website mapping . 02. Choose a website builder   Many first-time dental practice owners may not have the time or the money to hire a professional website designer. That’s where a tool like Wix comes in. Today, there are plenty of website building software available that can put website development  in your hands, providing an affordable and easy way to design a website on your own.   When you review the options to pick the right website builder for your project, consider the following:   User-friendly interface: Most website builders feature drag-and-drop  and AI website building  technology to provide customers like yourselves with the tools to design autonomously.  Solid website infrastructure: A website builder that prioritizes high performing website infrastructure  is one you can rely on to keep your site up and running properly at all times. This refers to the hardware, software, network and server components that work together to deliver your online content.  Dependable web hosting: Curious about what is web hosting ? Web hosting is exactly what it sounds like—that is, the technology where all of your site’s files are stored to be accessed by visitors. Most website builders include hosting, but you should find one that’s known for its quality, since this will affect your site’s speed, reliability and security.  Diverse pricing plans: Website builders present a great opportunity for cutting down how much a website costs  these days. It’s easy to find a platform with pricing plans that accommodate your current budget, but it’s just as important to seek one that offers you potential to grow.  For example, Wix provides a free version upfront, with the option to upgrade Wix Premium Plans at any time —this ensures that you'll have access to more advanced design, business and marketing tools when your website needs it. Marketing and business elements: Even if you don’t use them right away, a dental website will benefit from a platform that supports small businesses. Look for a software that prioritizes marketing and business tools—whether it’s tools for brand building, eCommerce solutions for selling products or booking integrations to help customers.  03. Pick a domain name  As your site’s web address, a domain name  is an important element to decide on. This name not only serves the functional purpose of getting visitors to your homepage, it’s part of the brand identity your patients link to your online presence.  Your only goal when picking a domain name should be to keep it simple and on-brand. Include 1-3 related terms, such as the name of your practice, your location, or dentistry-specific keywords like “dentist,” “clinic,” or “oral surgery.” A domain name also includes a TLD (top level domain)—which is the last, but certainly not least important part (that’s the .com in Wix.com ). Some popular TLDs compatible with dental websites include: .com, .dental, .dentist, .clinic, .org or .net.  If you have a domain name in mind and want to see if it’s available, a handy tool like a domain name search  engine can tell you what’s yours for the taking, while offering alternative ideas.  04. Start quickly with a website template  Perhaps not as useful as dental floss, but website templates can help any dental practice get their online presence shining and ready in no time. Most website builders include template collections, which feature pre-made designs and layouts with varying levels of customization.  When thinking about how to choose a website template for your dental practice, focus on three things: your business goals, the layout, and the features you need to get started. The right template will have the essentials for a great dentist website while allowing you to tweak it to reflect your practice’s branding. Simple website templates are great for a clean and professional look, while industry-specific health and wellness templates can be a smart choice to explore, too. These templates may already include useful tools like appointment scheduling or design elements that resonate with dental patients. Remember, the right template combined with your personal touch will create a website that effectively represents your practice online. Once you find the perfect template, you can quickly start customizing elements like fonts and color scheme.  Explore these fonts for more design inspiration: Calligraphy fonts  for elegant and artistic designs Cool fonts  to add personality to your creations Cursive fonts  for timeless designs Cute fonts  to bring charm to your designs Free fonts : a curated selection Fun fonts  for playful and lively projects Futuristic fonts  for cutting-edge and modern designs Graffiti fonts  to infuse urban energy into your designs Handwriting fonts  to add a personal, authentic touch Number fonts  for creative numerical typography Poster fonts  to make your designs bold and eye-catching Pretty fonts  to enhance delicate designs Professional fonts  for polished and formal designs Psychedelic fonts  to inspire striking and retro visuals Resume fonts  to help your skills stand out with style Retro fonts  for a nostalgic twist in your visuals Scary fonts  to give your designs a chilling edge Script fonts  for a touch of sophistication Tattoo fonts  to inspire edgy and unique designs 05. Include relevant pages and content It’s time to start drilling web content  into your site. Like every patient’s smile, each dentist website is different—but here are some foundational parts of a website  and user-friendly elements we recommend you include:  Homepage: Since this is the first web page  visitors will interact with on your site, it’s important to use this space to introduce your practice. A homepage should include your dental practice’s name, strong imagery, and important details such as office locations, hours and contact info.   Your own logo:  A distinctive logo and branding is important for your practice’s success. A logo design can include traits that immediately communicate to your clients who you are and what your practice stands for, and like most branding elements, acts as a tool for differentiating your dental business from others. Your logo should be placed on your website, usually found in the website header—this strategic location will ensure no visitors miss it.  About Us page: Use your About Us page to build trust with new visitors and potential patients. Here, it’s typical to give more details about your dentistry, elaborating on the practice’s mission and specialties. Your dental website’s About page is also the perfect page for a “Meet the Team” section, and can feature photos of your employees, alongside their professional bios.  Contact page: A contact page is a standard way to give visitors informative details like your business’s office locations, phone number and emails for getting in touch. To add more user-friendliness for visitors, we recommend including a Google map for seamless navigation to your office, as well as using a contact form builder to streamline their communication process.  Scheduling apps: Bookings tools  display available appointment slots to customers so they can schedule their appointment directly on your website. This speeds up processes for busy patients, and it’ll also provide you with convenience on the website management  side of things. Your team can keep an eye on scheduling, send reminders and get notified of new bookings or cancellations—providing a more efficient way of running the office.   High quality images: You should include high-quality imagery and videos throughout your site that capture the essence of your dental practice. We’re talking about patients showing off their bright smiles, and friendly images that reflect high quality customer service. Whether you set up a custom photoshoot or take images from your website builder’s collection of stock images, be sure they’re dental related and inspire your audience with high quality. Also, a “Before and After” gallery is priceless—if you get permission from clients to showcase their dental journey, that’s a great way to show off your practice’s dentistry (and customer service) skills.  Pro tip: Want guidance on how to create a logo of your own? Check out our guide on how to create a medical logo  for inspiration and tips on how to nail your branding in the healthcare industry. 06. Set up user friendly website navigation  Your website's navigation acts as a digital roadmap, helping visitors discover different pages and sections of your dental practice’s website. Your site’s menu should guide visitors to find exactly what they’re looking for, whether that’s booking an appointment or learning more about your services.  In general, website navigation can vary in complexity. For example, a multi page website vs single page website  will change the size of a menu, and a bigger site may require more sophisticated navigation tools like pagination . But for a dental website like yours, it’s really important to keep it simple, clear and intuitive—especially because patients are often searching with specific details in mind. Make sure your menu is well organized, with the most important pages front and center. Key sections might include Services, About Us, and Bookings. Submenus can add clarity too, for example, under About Us, you could list a category like Meet the Team. When you consider your patient’s journey, you should also add internal links or call-to-action buttons throughout your site, making it easy to book appointments or access information from any page.  07. Implement local SEO practices  Search engine optimization (SEO) is the practice of optimizing your content to improve your website’s ranking on search engines like Google. While SEO is a marketing strategy of its own, including basic elements will set you off with a strong foundation. This can be implemented by using relevant keywords in your site’s written content, and especially within your site’s headings, alt texts and metatags.  To start, focus on local SEO, including keywords that encourage Google to display your site when people search local dentistry-related queries, like “dentists near me.” You should also focus on industry terms such as “dentist” and “dental practice,” along with those related to your location and specialties. For example, aiming for specific keywords like “teeth cleaning in Miami,” “family dentist in Miami” or “porcelain veneers” can eventually draw relevant traffic to your site.  Pro tip: Register your website for Google My Business, a Google directory that will amplify local SEO to bring more traffic to your website.  08. Make sure your site is mobile friendly  Put yourself in your clients’ shoes—most of them will want to access your website from a mobile device. If it’s too difficult to use on smaller screens, they’re likely to lose interest before they even think about making an appointment. It’s important to make sure your site is as mobile-friendly as it gets, so visitors on their smartphones have a great user experience. Most website builders include responsive design features that automatically adapt your site for mobile, which is one of the most important tools you can have today. While this technology does the heavy lifting of mobile design, it’s important to have control over these elements if you can. For example, with Wix, the Mobile Editor allows small changes to your content and layout, so you can make sure your dental website meets your standards across all screen sizes. 09. Do one final review and publish Before you hit “publish,” you want to feel confident in how your dentist website looks and functions. That's why it's important to take time to review your design and make sure it's in tip-top shape. Use our website launch checklist  to make sure no important tasks are ignored, and send a preview of your site to honest family, friends and colleagues, too.  Having a second and third pair of eyes review your website can help highlight any glitches in functionality, design and content. From pointing out spelling errors, to gaining feedback on the user experience—hearing what other users think is a valuable way to gain constructive feedback, especially since they might observe things you don’t.  How great dental websites generate leads and convert  Once your website is published, it should do more than just showcase your practice—it should actively work to grow it. Your dental website can become a marketing powerhouse, attracting new patients searching for a dentist, and turning curious visitors into loyal clients.  Online healthcare marketing  is the key to making this happen. By combining creative strategies and psychology tricks to improve your website, you can generate leads with new traffic and guide your visitors to take action. From encouraging content to effortless booking tools, here are some ways to get marketing leverage on your website:  Add testimonials and stats to build trust: Including reviews of satisfied patients is a great way to show new visitors they can trust your practice. You can also include statistics, like how many patients you’ve served, to reflect your experience. Both kinds of content can encourage potential to book an appointment with you. Start a dentistry blog: There’s so much expertise you can share to build a relationship with dental clients—that’s where learning how to build a blog comes in. Whether you write tips for dental procedures, or provide in-depth guides related to your practice (like, “what is a wisdom tooth and why do they get removed?”)—these expert topics are valuable resources in their own right, and may convince a new visitor to use your services.  A blog maker is an excellent way to improve your site’s SEO, too. With SEO implementation, your website may become available in search results when people ask Google or Gen AI tools about these topics.  Include CTAs: Strategic calls-to-action (CTAs) help visitors engage with important content—whether it’s your About Us page, bookings page or more. CTAs are effective because they come in the form of customized buttons, which you can design using unique shapes, colors and font styles to attract attention. Use concise copy, such as “learn more” or “book now,” and place CTAs in visible locations that encourage visitors to click through.   Include a QAB : For mobile users, a quick action bar (QAB) offers instant contact. Include actions like email and phone calls, or create custom links for direct access to key information. This ensures your visitors can easily get in touch or find what they need. Online forms:  Your site can assist incoming or current patients by providing the tools to get them ready for their upcoming appointment. Consider including documents like intake forms or patient agreements that your customers can fill out online in advance. This will make their in-person intake easier, and enhance their customer experience by providing a sort of portal online. That being said, a dental website, like a medical website, is subject to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which sets national standards in the US for protecting sensitive and personal health information. For dental websites, HIPAA compliance can be necessary, especially if you collect, store, or transmit personal information through features like forms, patient portals or online payment processing.  Dos and don'ts of dental website design  There’s a lot to take away from this guide on how to make a dentist website, but here are some outstanding best practices you should always keep in mind as you go:  Dos of dental website design:  Do prioritize user friendliness.  Do feature scheduling software. Do optimize your site’s content for speed and performance.  Do make contact info easy to find.  Do showcase trust factors. Don’ts of dental website design:  Don’t overload your site with too much text.  Don’t ignore SEO and accessibility.  Don’t use generic content.  Don’t overcomplicate the design.  Don’t skip mobile optimization . Great dental websites: examples  I couldn’t let you walk away without visual inspiration. Before you dive into your own design process, check out these health and wellness websites  and best medical website  examples.  These can give you ideas for creative ways to use Wix  and provide inspiration for how to engage an audience in the health industry.  Let's take a look at some of the best dental websites built on Wix to inspire your dental website journey: 01. North Park Dental North Park Dental ’s website combines a clean design with vibrant images, creating a welcoming feel. Notable features are an integrated appointment scheduler and a service breakdown that highlights their focus on family care. This easy-to-use layout guarantees patients find what they need quickly. 02. New York Prosthodontics New York Prosthodontics ’ website exudes sophistication and professionalism, ideal for a high-end dental practice. With a sleek layout and clear navigation, visitors can easily access essential information and meet the team. The homepage emphasizes expertise with patient testimonials and detailed treatment options. 03. Calimesa Dental Calimesa Dental  showcases the power of simplicity. Their minimalistic design focuses on clean visuals and straightforward navigation, making it easy for visitors to find essential information like services, contact details and office hours. This site prioritized functionality for their users, offering a smooth experience while maintaining a professional and welcoming feel. This approach is known to build trust and show the dental practice’s dedication to patient care. 04. Family Precision Dental Family Precision Dental ’s site focuses on creating a connection with potential patients through vibrant imagery and approachable content. Features like patient resources and detailed service descriptions help visitors make informed decisions about their dental care. 05. We Care Dental  We Care Dental keeps it personal with a warm and welcoming design that emphasizes patient-centric care. It includes a strong CTA for scheduling appointments and highlights their commitment to affordable dental care.  Final thoughts on creating great dental websites for your practice  With the right tools and guidelines, you can master the process of how to make a website for your dental practice. We hope this guide provides you with ideas and knowledge to assist you in this process. If you’re interested in learning more about our tools, check out our guides on what is Wix and how to make a Wix website . Since it's within the same industry, this blog post on how to create a medical website  may provide you with more inspiration, too.  Dental websites FAQ How much does a dental website design cost? Depending on your specific needs and the tools you use to design your dental website, the costs can vary. In general, using a website builder can be free of cost between $10-$50/month. While using a freelance web designer or agency can cost up to $10,000 or more for a single project. There are also ongoing costs like domain names, hosting and maintenance to consider.  Do dentists need a website? Dentists need to attract new patients since most people search online when looking for a new dentist. It’s also a way of building credibility, since you can use your site to showcase customer reviews and highlight your experience. A website is also a convenient tool for patients, since it can feature tools like intake forms and online booking.  What is a dental website? A dental website is an online platform for representing an individual dental practice. It provides visitors online with information about the practice’s services, office hours, location and more, and is often equipped with tools like online bookings. It is meant to enhance convenience for both dentists and their patients, and help to establish the practice’s credibility.  How do I advertise myself as a dentist? Promoting yourself as a dentist requires you to build a strong professional presence and use tools to reach your target audience and turn them into customers. A dental website is a great way to do this in today’s digitally heavy ecosystem. This can give you a way to showcase your services, and can help your practice become more visible in search engines by leveraging SEO. You can also engage new customers with social media, paid advertising and by offering promotions for your services.  How does a dentist go about creating a website? There are a few ways a dentist can go about creating a website for their practice. One, is to hire a freelance web designer. The designer you choose should prove to have skills needed to produce a professional online presence in your industry, so try to find someone who has experience in the health and medical website design niche. You can also go to a design agency, which gives you the added benefit of having a team of dedicated experts that will build and maintain your website before and after publishing.  Another way to create a website of your own is by using a website builder like Wix. These tools give you the capability to design your site independently, using tools like AI, drag-and-drop technology and website templates to speed up the process and make it easier. Using a website builder is often the more affordable option, which can be a big pro when you’re just starting your own dental practice.  How to build a dental website from scratch? This process involves careful planning, the right tools and attention to detail. Here are some steps towards building a dental website from scratch: Define your goals Choose a website building platform Secure a domain name  Pick a website Design the layout and visuals  Create essential pages and upload your content  Set up intuitive navigation  Include user-friendly features  Implement local SEO  Test, publish and promote your website

Visual content is a highly important element in making a great website. Even if you’re not an artist or a photographer, you need to carefully consider the images you use. Once you've decided to create a website , the image options for your webpage design may seem overwhelming. You might be wondering what types of images generate the biggest impact. Here are a few things to help you learn how to make a website with visuals that will stand out from the crowd! Learn more: What is web design? Pixster Photobooth  use funny, eye-catching images on the home page of their Wix website Inform Your homepage image is typically the first thing visitors see when they come to your website. What does it say about you or about your business? It’s a good idea to use large, eye-catching images on your homepage, as long as they first and foremost tell your visitors what you are all about. *Tip: Using Wix, you can add a beautiful animated gallery that tells a whole story without taking too much space. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you with that. Spotlight 3d  set this eye popping picture as the background for their site   Engage The images you use need to move website visitors in some way, including your website background. Parris Whittingham, founder of Parris Whittingham Studio , describes his favorite pictures as those that “Give”: the ones that invoke a state of emotion. That is the true value of a great image. *Tip: Think of the action you want website visitors to perform on your site – donate, subscribe, share, register, purchase, bookmark, etc. –  and try to envision a picture that motivates to this very act. Keys Of Change  use beautiful and moving images to promote their charity  Energize! Choose active over passive images – ones that have the power to make your product, message, or individuality crackle with energy and inspire your site visitors. Active photos are typically sharp rather than blurry and have a vital and vibrant color scheme. Using active images throughout your site will grab your visitors’ attention and make them want to see more. You can even find some great free stock photos on sites like Pexels and Pixabay . *Tip: If you want to add a slideshow to a website , avoid using all the images at your disposal. Filter them for those that are active. Beach Chic Photography showcase their inspiring work Faces vs. objects Humans are social creatures, and you can instantaneously connect with site visitors using an image of the human face. Nevertheless, don’t be afraid to crop or use detail to emphasize what’s important. Objects can send powerful messages and keep your pages visually interesting. Of course, when you promote products or designs on your website, presenting objects in an appealing way is one of the most important tasks in your website design process. That doesn’t mean you don’t need to use images of humans at all. A facial expression can help you in those places on your site where you wish to convey emotions or values. *Tip: If you have an eCommerce website and want to display your products nicely, try using more than one image. You can show the product from different angles or add a photo of the product in use. Jermaine Mcneal in an unforgettable photo for an unforgettable website Customize You may have found the perfect photo to add to your website and become disappointed if it doesn’t fit as well as you imagined. No worries! You can use the Image Editor on the Wix website builder to edit and customize all images, whether they are Wix images or your own. Cropping, enhancing, mirroring, brightening and many other options allow you to optimize your images and match them to the exact look and feel of your website. Enrique Morales Catering  display of mouthwatering Mexican food Most importantly: Don’t be afraid to be felt and heard! Resist the urge to choose generic, ‘safe’ images. No matter what type of site you have, let your personality shine through! For text-heavy pages, use images to break up text. Visitors will appreciate the visual pauses. Keep your website’s content fresh and lively by adding new images to your website every once in awhile. (Thanks to Elizabeth Lapp, Curator at Shutterstock , Kate Lord, photo editor at the Wall Street Journal, and Parris Whittingham, founder of Parris Whittingham Studio , for your expert guidance!)

Start dropshipping now In order for your online business to survive its first precarious years—and to thrive beyond them—you need a solid ecommerce business plan. Most eCommerce websites  are built on a dream, a passion or a noble goal of fixing something that lacks a proper solution. But unfortunately, many businesses don’t last more than a few months.   After all, some of the most common reasons why businesses fail include lack of capital, inadequate management, and a faulty business model. Much of this is a symptom of poor planning. Here’s how you can better plan for your brand’s future and create a strong eCommerce business  plan in order to bring your eCommerce business ideas  to life. What is an eCommerce business plan? A business plan  is a roadmap for how to structure, operate, and manage your business. It includes the important elements that define your company—such as your name, description, capital needs, product categories, target market characteristics, and business goals. A thoughtful ecommerce business plan can prepare your store for a successful launch and/or help it to scale in the right ways. In the latter case, an annual business plan review and revision can help you adapt to industry changes and anticipate new trends or consumer behaviors.   In a nutshell, an ecommerce business plan helps you to: Secure funding: By having a business plan that details the who, what, where, when, and hows of your business—you’ll enjoy an easier time building trust with investors and piquing their interest. Filter distractions: New trends and distractions crop up all the time in eCommerce, making it especially important to have a plan that holds your business accountable to (read: focused on) particular goals. Do your due diligence: When you’re first figuring out how to start a business , it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and act on gut feelings. But building a business plan requires you to slow down and perform more thorough research on your target market, product(s), financial plan, and more. Plan for the long term: Your business plan will help you to better gauge where your business should be in both the short and long terms. It can also act as a compass, estimating the steps you need to take to get from where you are today to where you want to go.    Grow your team: An ecommerce business plan not only gives you a sense of who to hire and when, but serves as the glue binding your team to one, clearly defined vision. Grow your operations: Between your tech stack, staff, supply chain, website, and more—there’s a lot that needs to be put into motion before your eCommerce business can take off. Your business plan should outline all of these moving parts, helping you strategically build out your operations. How to create an eCommerce business plan An eCommerce business plan is structured similarly to a traditional business plan. However, it will detail things like your website builder, eCommerce merchandising methods , sales channels, fulfillment process, ecommerce metrics and goals that are distinct to building an online store  and running it successfully. Here’s a breakdown of what you should include in your plan and how to create it: Write your executive summary   Include your company name, description, and domain   Perform eCommerce market analysis   List the products you’re selling and why   Plot your operations plan   Set out your marketing and advertising plan   Lay out your financial plan   01. Write your executive summary Though this is published at the beginning of your business plan, your executive summary should be written last. This summary is exactly as it sounds. It connects and introduces all the components of your document for readers who want a brief overview of what your business is all about. It’s similar to a hook or an elevator pitch that compels readers to continue scrolling. Keep this summary short. Do not exceed one page, and include a brief description of your product or service, growth opportunities, and why your business is set up for success. What do investors or teammates need to know right off the bat? 02. Include your company name and description In this section, you’ll want to outline the who, what and why of your business. Rather than going into details about the products you plan to sell (this comes later), talk about your vision for the company. Share your motivations, values and problems that you plan to solve. Your description can include things like: Brand name: Selecting a meaningful name is particularly important for eCommerce businesses since your website domain will be closely associated with your brand. Jeff Bezos famously named Amazon after the world’s largest river because his goal was to create the world’s largest bookstore, but also didn’t want to be tied to books. Similarly, you’ll want to pick a name that you won’t outgrow. If you need some inspiration, give Wix’s store name generator  a whirl or check out this guide to eCommerce business names . Domain name : At this point, you’ll want to have registered a domain name. Use Wix’s domain name search  to check if your preferred domain is available. If the domain is taken, you can take one of several steps: contact the site owner directly, tweak your domain (e.g., add a verb like “get” to the front of your name), use a different TLD than .com, or use an abbreviated form of your name. Background: Your description is a great place to share why you started your ecommerce business in the first place. What inspired you to create your brand? Who do you plan to serve? What do you plan to accomplish? While you want to avoid waxing poetic here, it’s worth giving your readers an inside look into the history of your company. Vision: Your vision statement  should capture the ideal state of your business. In other words, what is the future that you’re building towards—not just now, but five or 10 years from now? Mission: Your mission statement , on the other hand, should express what you’re striving and able to achieve now. While your vision statement provides the 30,000 foot view of your company, your mission statement acts as a compass for your team and keeps them motivated to do their best. Business structure: Be clear about whether your company is a sole proprietorship, an LLC , s-corporation, c-corporation or partnership . If you’re not sure which applies to you or which one to pursue, consult a lawyer or accountant. Key personnel: Name key team members like your cofounders, CEO, partners, and upper management. There should be no question about who owns the company and who is responsible for managing what. This is not something just meant for appearances—your team should be well-structured to ensure efficiency and growth. Core values: Your values should represent how you plan to run your ecommerce business. Investors and employees will want to know that they’re backing the right horse, not just from a financial perspective but from a human perspective. Your values will naturally make an appearance in your vision, mission, and background, but make sure that your values are clearly stated for readers to refer back to. 03. Perform eCommerce market analysis Your ecommerce business plan should include extensive information about your industry and the people you plan to serve. The last thing you want to do is enter the ring blindly or operate based on assumptions alone. This section should describe everything from the barriers to entry, to how your business fits into the existing landscape, to how much opportunity exists. Remember that you’re the expert here. Not everyone who gets their hands on this doc will have as much insight into the industry—nor the time to research it on their own—so you’ll want to provide all the essential information up front. Target market: Estimate the number of consumers who need your product (based on real independent research) and how often they may make a purchase. Revisit your buyer personas and describe who you’re planning to target. Is the need for your product growing, based on the climate of your industry? What consumer behaviors have you observed? Are there any doubts or questions that you should address? Competitive analysis: Identify your top competitors and perform a deep dive into their strengths, weaknesses, top products, pricing strategies, and more. You should know how your business stacks up against these players. For example, many companies manufacture and sell hair and body care products but Lush built its reputation by taking a stand against animal testing, over packaging and harsh synthetic ingredients. The company has a clear niche of eco-friendly products within the cosmetics and bath products industry. They create unique, memorable products that are easy to differentiate from competitors (and fuel brand loyalty). The most important thing at this stage is to be honest in your assessment. Don’t turn a blind eye to areas where your company needs to improve or any risks that you run. At the same time, zero in on any product gaps or niches that your company can effectively target to get ahead of competitors. Special considerations: As an eCommerce business, you may not simply sell D2C from your branded site. You may also choose to sell on third-party marketplaces like Amazon, sell wholesale, or open brick-and-mortar locations. Each of these may involve a different set of competitors and buyers. Take the time to look into each of these channels separately. Understand how you plan to compete on all of these different fronts (or perhaps now is a good time to define which is most important to start off with). 04. List the products you’re selling and why you’re selling them By now, you’ve likely mentioned your product several times within your ecommerce business plan. Still, you’ll want to have a section that clearly lists out your products. In this section, describe your pricing, product positioning , margins, product life cycle, and key differentiators. You can include pictures and product reviews if you’ve already tested your items in the market. Or, if you’re still in the research and development phase, describe your timeline and progress in detail. It should be clear whether your products are private label  or sourced elsewhere. If you only sell a few items, provide a more detailed description of each. Alternatively, if your catalog is too large to list out, give a more general overview of each product type, plus the strategy behind them.   05. Plot your operations plan If your ecommerce business plan is meant to serve as an internal doc for your team to use (or even if you want investors to see where your capital is going), include a section that describes how you plan on tackling logistics and operations. There are tons of things to keep track of on this front, from the suppliers you’ll need to work with to the storage space you’ll require. Here’s a breakdown of information you can include. Suppliers: List out your suppliers for raw and/or finished goods. Where are they located? How do you plan on connecting with and managing them? Production: Are you dropshipping , manufacturing, hand-crafting, or buying your products wholesale? Include details like lead time, contingency plans (for when demand spikes), and other essential details about your supply chain. Equipment: What hardware and software will you need to conduct business? Include your website builder and other subscription-based tools that you’ll need. Warehousing: Explain where you plan on storing your products—whether that be your own warehouse or a third-party logistics (3PL) provider. Facilities: Do you plan on opening a brick-and-mortar location or will you have a designated office space? Include where your team members will be operating out of and how that might change as you grow. Personnel: You’ll want to be clear about the chain of command and which roles are filled or need to be filled. Don’t forget to think about any legal or accounting needs, in addition to board members, consultants, and employees. Inventory: How do you plan on handling inventory management ? This is an area where lots of ecommerce businesses stumble, so you’ll want to have a clear strategy (and the necessary technology) to keep this in check across all of your sales channels. Shipping and fulfillment: Do you plan on fulfilling orders on your own or will you outsource this responsibility? Moreover, how will you handle international shipping if your brand plans on selling overseas? 06. Set out your marketing and advertising plan It’s no secret that you need a good marketing and advertising plan to grow your eCommerce business . That’s why you don’t want to haphazardly build your eCommerce marketing strategy . Think of—and document—the various components of your strategy: PPC ads Social media ads Content marketing/SEO Organic social media Email marketing Influencer marketing Promos/discounts Affiliate marketing Loyalty programs Events/pop-ups/ flash sales /trade shows Radio or TV Brand partnerships A strong marketing plan  doesn’t necessarily require a big advertising budget. But you’ll want to name your top channels upfront and specify whether these things will be handled in-house or with an agency’s help. 07. Lay out your financial plan So you’ve got big plans for your eCommerce business. How will you fund them? This is where you reassure readers that your head isn’t just in the clouds. While this is probably the least fun to write, the viability of your online business (and your reader’s confidence in you) relies on having a firm grasp of the numbers. If you plan to seek financing, then investors and lenders will want a sales forecast along with your list of expenses (this includes both fixed costs and variable costs) to ultimately ensure that they’re making a sound investment. Or, if you don’t plan on seeking third-party funding, a financial plan still tells you how much money you’ll need to run your business and helps to protect you from unwelcome surprises. The last thing you want is to run out of money before you can establish yourself—which is one of the top five reasons that eCommerce startups failed in the same survey mentioned above. Consider including these elements within your ecommerce financial plan: Startup cost Income and expenses Balance sheet Cash flow statement Break even point Customer acquisition cost Key assumptions Financial projects for next five years Whether you’ve just dipped your foot in eCommerce or have been in business for years now, you’ll need an up-to-date business plan to run a tight ship. Download our free business plan template  today and build a solid foundation for your brand. Ecommerce business plan FAQ Why do I need an eCommerce business plan? Having an eCommerce business plan is essential for several reasons. It serves as a roadmap that outlines your business goals, strategies, and tactics, helping you navigate the complexities of starting and running an online store. What are the main steps included in an eCommerce business plan? The main seven steps in creating an eCommerce business plan include: Writing an executive summary Giving your company name and description Performing eCommerce market analysis Describing the products you plan to sell Planning your operations Establishing a marketing and advertising plan Laying out your financial plan

Breakthroughs occur when we combine different forms of knowledge. Among these are the things we know and the things we feel. While they seem contrary in nature, data and intuition can combine to forge new insights and innovations. Yet, in the course of designing products and services, it’s important to ask, When should we rely on fact? When should we follow our instincts? There are so many digital products today that allow us to instantly measure the impact of a different button color, or of a change in wording. When data is so readily available, it can become a driving force in shaping products, services and web design . This raises the question of whether we should approach design as more of a science or an art. Perhaps it’s through the integration of both data and intuition, that designers are able to make the most informed decisions. What is intuition? Intuition, also called instinct or gut feeling, is linked to subconscious decision-making. According to psychologist Daniel Kahneman in his book Thinking, Fast and Slow , intuition is the ability to spot patterns and to integrate insights from past experiences. Intuition is automatic, effortless, and subconscious. We cultivate intuition by observing the world around us. As we process bits of information from our surroundings, we develop an instinct that tells us when something feels right or wrong. When we notice patterns, our bodies release neurotransmitters to the brain and gut, which, in turn, communicates a sense of understanding faster than conscious thought. When it comes to intuition, we often can’t exactly explain why or how it is that we know something. Intuition is mostly useful, but often biased. For one, it may be limited to a person’s past experience. For example, if you talk to different web design experts, they’ll each have a different instinct about color and layout, depending on their prior experiences. With variances in intuition, and increasingly complex design problems, we more often than not turn to the power of data. Not only is design steering away from instinct and taste, it is also increasingly about solving problems and crafting useful and functional solutions. What is data? Data are bits of collected information about the world. It can be quantitative, such as product metrics, or qualitative, like customer reviews. In general, quantitative data tells us the what , and qualitative data tells us the why . A mixed approach combining both quantitative and qualitative data is most common for product development, as it brings together the best of both worlds. By synthesizing insights from randomized controlled studies, big data sets, and the lived experiences of customers or potential customers, we can look for patterns that might be too subtle or too complex for us to identify without the systematic collection and analysis of data. Data has this marvelous effect of seeming scientific and objective. However, we have to understand that data, too, can be biased. At each step—when deciding what to measure, how to measure, and how to present the findings—we have the potential to shape the data according to our personal biases. In the words of statistician and artist Edward Tufte in his book The Visual Display of Quantitative Information , we should strive to present data as clearly and as honestly as possible. Maintaining graphical integrity means to present the data in an accurate and precise way, similar to the use of scales that are properly proportioned. Our findings should not be oversimplified or obscured, but rather layed out to allow audiences to reach their own conclusions. Despite the potential for possible biases, designers can turn to data to help them make more informed design decisions when designing a website or product. However ingenious an idea may seem, innovation rarely appears out of thin air, free of predecessors or origins. It’s by observing problems in the world around us, and exploring possible solutions, that we come up with truly innovative ideas. Balancing data and intuition in design Design may be shifting towards more logical decision-making, using well-defined processes and frameworks. Not only is design steering away from instinct and taste, it is also increasingly about solving problems and crafting useful and functional solutions. Yet, if we let go of our gut feelings altogether, we’ll be missing out. It’s in fact the synthesis of data and intuition can help designers make better calls. These decisions might include anything from what products or features to make (and when to say no to a feature), to what experiences to create, to what interfaces to design. Let’s look at some common scenarios to explore the role of data and intuition in design decision-making: 1. Creating a novel product of feature 2. Creating a product or feature that has marketplace precedents 3. Exploring customer behavior 4. Testing design assumptions 5. Choosing between a small set of options 6. Evaluating the relevance of data 7. Presenting design decisions to stakeholders 8. Considering overall impact 01. Creating a novel product or feature In order to create something brand new, that has few marketplace precedents, we need to rely on intuition. Without the benefit of data gathered through comparison, it falls upon the individual or small groups of people to build something from the ground up. This can involve recognizing patterns or subtle hints in the marketplace before others do. Simultaneous invention often happens this way. Independent groups of people in different parts of the world, come up with the same idea or invention at around the same time. In his book Black Box Thinking , journalist Matthew Syed explains this phenomenon. According to him, intuition—particularly the recognition of subtle patterns in the world—enables people to converge upon similar breakthroughs. For example, general relativity was famously conceived by Albert Einstein, while three other researchers reached the same conclusion all at the beginning of the 20th century in response to Newton’s laws. However ingenious an idea may seem, innovation rarely appears out of thin air, free of predecessors or origins. It’s by observing problems in the world around us, and exploring possible solutions, that we come up with truly innovative ideas. To cultivate intuition, designers can begin by observing the world around them. By noticing how designs can be improved, such as door handles that indicate push , when they actually need to be pulled, is one widely acknowledged example. Another might be observing how a set of light switches might be better designed to communicate their controls. By diving into these design problems, and exploring potential solutions, designers can cultivate pattern recognition and intuition. Learn more: What is web design? 02. Creating a product or feature that has marketplace precedents When creating products or features that have marketplace precedents, it helps to begin with data. Existing products can be evaluated via benchmarking , and these insights may be used to make more informed design decisions. By comparing competitor products or existing features, designers can save time and money by learning from the successes and mistakes of others. When designing a new vehicle feature, for example, we look at market research to examine how competitors have implemented the same feature. By referencing market data, we can explore the impact of different designs, and the result of their implementations. Studying what’s already out there can help us tap into a readily-accessible body of knowledge, without having to invest the time and resources into building the design out from scratch. Data can also inspire innovation by revealing gaps in experience. It might show where customer pain points are, such as by looking at where they leave a site, and why these pain points exist, like detailed customer reviews. These data points can offer both the problem and solution, which helps drive the product forward. Intuition is essential in data collection because it can be extremely easy to collect the wrong type of data. This can mean data that doesn’t apply to the design proble m, or data that’s no longer relevant at the current stage of design. 03. Exploring customer behavior To understand customer behavior, the right kind of data can be essential. Qualitative findings help us understand why people do the things they do. User interviews and observations are rich sources of information for understanding the how and the why behind customer behaviors. Let’s say we’re curious about customer behavior during a typical commute. Go-alongs can be a great source of insight, as they combine both observational data and interview responses. Mixing different methods of data collection is particularly beneficial. Observational techniques can reveal much more than just conducting interviews alone. This is simply because we don’t always know what we do or why we do the things we do. 04. Testing design assumptions Assumptions are generally accepted as fact, but need to be verified with data when in question. Designers typically design with a variety of assumptions about customer behavior, which are usually derived from intuition and past experiences. To test these assumptions—particularly ones that will have major customer impact—we can look to data. When designing the interface for a vehicle, we might assume that customers will read the instruction manual. A design based on this premise might include a more simplified interface, that communicates less information. As a result, this assumption might greatly impact the overall experience of driving and owning the vehicle, so we would need to gather data in order to either verify or reject it, before allowing it to instruct our UX design processes. While some assumptions will be accurate, others may be completely mistaken. One key part of this is understanding when we are making an assumption in the first place. By noticing our assumptions, or pausing to write them down, we can become more aware of the beliefs that we take for granted as being true, which in turn drive our decision making. 05. Choosing between a small set of options When choosing between a small set of options, data can help us distinguish between designs that work, versus ones that don’t. A/B tests are a great way to differentiate between a small set of options, tied to a measurable outcome. For example, say we need to choose a color for our call-to-action button. By running an A/B test, which can be set up as a randomized controlled study, we can measure which button color results in the most clicks. By setting up quick tests—such as randomly assigning site visitors to different site layouts—we can collect data to subsequently optimize any solution. 06. Evaluating the relevance of data During the process of data collection, analysis, and presentation, it’s important to gut-check the data at each stage. This means ensuring the right type of data is collected (and in an appropriate way), the right type of analysis is performed, and the findings presented are relevant to the design problem at hand. Intuition is essential in data collection because it can be extremely easy to collect the wrong type of data. This can mean data that doesn’t apply to the design problem, or data that’s no longer relevant at the current stage of design. Intuition is also important for choosing the right type of metrics to measure. For example, if we want to measure the success of an eCommerce site , intuition might tell us that purchases, sign-ups, and user retention are relevant metrics, while the number of clicks is not a relevant metric to base decisions upon. Beyond that, intuition can help us understand when enough data is enough, and that additional data will not significantly impact our understanding of the question at hand. 07. Presenting design decisions to stakeholders When presenting design decisions for support or funding, it’s important to include data. Though a design may have started with intuition—or a feeling about what works—reinforcing the decision with appropriate data will give it a strong foundation. This might include evidence in the form of analytics or customer anecdotes, depending on the context and audience. A brief and informative summary of the design decision, followed by the most relevant data points, may be the most appropriate in presentations to relevant stakeholders. For presentations that are intended to persuade, it becomes less about the data, and more about the meaning of the data linked to the design. Not only do we have to present the data clearly and honestly (as discussed earlier), we also have to link the data to the design decisions, in a way that persuades the audience of the decisions that were made. This should be done without distorting the data or cluttering the presentation with irrelevant findings. 08. Considering overall impact When considering the overall quality or long-term impact of a design, intuition is necessary for a more holistic evaluation. One example is evaluating the trust component of a website . Intuition can help designers ensure a level of quality and impact that builds trust with customers over time. This might include designing the site with a certain level of professionalism, or providing upfront disclosures about pricing, return policies, and data collection practices. Intuition helps designers gauge when a site might be asking for too much information, too soon, which can erode any possibility for customer trust in the long-term. Decisions about intangible qualities, such as trustworthiness, are therefore best guided by intuition.

The world of marketing is beautifully complex - it’s flooded with choices about which channels to use and which customers to target. This wide range of options is responsible for much of the effectiveness of modern-day marketing. However, it’s also part of the challenge. Indeed, it’s easy to get lost in a tangle of different platforms and campaigns, making it hard to track our efforts and find out what really works. Marketing attribution is the answer to this problem. It involves untangling this complexity using mathematical models and concrete data. While this may sound daunting, it’s actually quite simple. In fact, many platforms - from dedicated attribution software to your very own website builder - automate the process for you (see AI marketing automation for inspiration). By providing you with the information about which marketing campaigns drive conversions, these tools give you valuable insights that you can translate into a marketing strategy. Here’s everything you need to know about marketing attribution for your business, including its benefits, the different types of attribution models and how to get started. What is marketing attribution? Marketing attribution is the method of identifying which marketing touch points lead a user to convert. By choosing from a variety of attribution models, you can evaluate which pathways - whether it’s a Facebook promotion, banner ad or email marketing campaign - successfully persuade customers to convert to leads or make a purchase. You can gain a better understanding of marketing attribution by becoming familiar with a few key terms: Touchpoint: Any interaction between your company and a potential customer. For example, this could be opening a marketing email or clicking on a Facebook ad. Conversion: Any action taken by a user that leads them through your marketing funnel . This ranges from capturing a lead - for example, by getting someone to sign up for a newsletter or free trial - to closing a sale. Credit: The value assigned to a particular touchpoint based on its role in generating the conversion. In some attribution models, all touchpoints that a customer encounters are assigned equal credit. In other models, touchpoints that are thought to play a greater role are given more credit. Together, these three elements form the basis of attribution marketing. Benefits of marketing attribution There are a few key reasons marketing attribution is critical for your business. Here’s how it can help bolster your marketing strategies: Strengthening your creatives: When you learn which campaigns can be attributed to user conversions, you’ll also understand which creatives work better than others. This way, you can adapt your creatives accordingly - whether it’s altering the messaging, adjusting the colors or changing your CTA . Optimizing your marketing spend: Relatedly, marketing attribution provides insights into which campaigns to spend your money on. Based on that data, you can allot more of your budget to the strategies that generate the most leads or sales. Improving the targeting strategy: Attribution models don’t just tell you which campaigns are high converting; they also give you insights into which users are affected by those campaigns. This information is invaluable when it comes to segmenting your market , understanding your behavioral analytics and creating highly targeted content that resonates with your audience. Adapting to consumer needs: Tracking top sources of traffic helps you adjust your offering to cater to the needs of prospective customers. For example, if there’s an ad campaign for a new product feature that lect. Increasing your ROI: By allowing you to optimize your creatives, appropriately allocate your marketing spend and strategically target your audience, marketing attribution ultimately leads to increased marketing ROI. What is a marketing attribution model? A marketing attribution model measures and provides attribution data. Different types of models use different metrics to supply data about which touchpoints are most responsible for generating leads. These include: First-touch attribution Last-touch attribution Lead conversion touch attribution Linear attribution Time-decay attribution U-shaped attribution W-shaped attribution Full path attribution Custom or algorithmic attribution Types of marketing attribution models An effective attribution model accurately pinpoints which messages a consumer encountered on what channel, and what touchpoint had the greatest influence over their decision to convert. That said, these models aren’t one-size-fits-all. Companies vary in their preferences for which models best suit their organization, since it depends on their industry, target market and business goals. Let’s dive into the differences between the various types: 01. First-touch attribution First-touch attribution is known as a single source attribution model. As its name implies, a single source attribution allocates all credit for a customer’s visit to just one source. The assumption here is that a user’s decision to convert can be traced back to a single touchpoint - say, one particular email or ad. In a first-touch attribution model, all credit gets assigned to the very first touchpoint. In other words, if a user gets a Facebook ad, then a YouTube ad, and then a marketing email - and afterwards decides to sign up for a free trial - their conversion will be entirely attributed to that initial Facebook ad. 02. Last-touch attribution Last-touch attribution is also a single source model. Like the previous model, it gives all credit for conversion to just one touchpoint - regardless of how many other touchpoints a user might encounter. Unlike first-touch attribution, though, this model assumes that the final touchpoint is entirely responsible for generating the conversion. In the example of the user who saw three consecutive campaigns - a Facebook ad, followed by a YouTube ad and then a marketing email - the latter would receive all the credit. Both the Facebook and YouTube ads that the user encountered would not be considered factors in persuading them to sign up. 03. Lead conversion touch attribution Another type of single source attribution model, lead conversion touch attribution gives all the credit to whichever campaign generated the lead. Let’s say our particular user made the decision to sign up by clicking on the marketing email, arriving at the website and then entering their contact details. By this model, the reason for their conversion would be 100% attributed to the marketing email, since that’s what brought them to the page on which they entered their details. Other marketing efforts - in this case, the Facebook and YouTube ads - would not be taken into consideration. This is one of the most popular types of attribution models - and intuitively, it makes sense. However, like other types of single source models, it doesn’t factor in the other elements of the sales cycle that may have brought the user to the point of conversion. 04. Linear attribution There are various types of attribution models that are more complex, taking into account multiple touchpoints. These are called multi-touch attribution models, or MTAs, and they factor in all touchpoints preceding a user’s decision to convert. Linear attribution, while more complex than a single source model, is the simplest type of MTA. This is because it gives equal credit to all the touchpoints. By this model, that Facebook ad, YouTube ad and email marketing campaign are presumed to be equally responsible for persuading that particular user to sign up. 05. Time-decay attribution Another type of MTA model, time-decay attribution gives the majority of the credit to the touchpoints that a user was most recently exposed to. The idea here is that touchpoints that occurred closer to a user’s conversion may have been more impactful in their decision than touchpoints that happened prior. In our example, the email marketing campaign would receive the most credit. The YouTube ad - let’s say it was viewed a week before the email marketing campaign - would receive a moderate amount of credit. Meanwhile, the Facebook ad, if viewed a month before that, would receive a very small amount of credit. For lengthy sales cycles, such as those of many B2B companies , the touchpoints will be more spread out. For a large and substantial sale, for instance, the sales cycle could fall around 6 to 9 months. In this case, all touchpoints within these 6 to 9 months would be taken into account - with the most recent ones being presumed more responsible for driving the conversion. 06. U-shaped attribution At this point, you may have noticed that the difference between MTA models lies in which touchpoints they choose to prioritize over others. Linear attribution models give equal credit to all touchpoints. Time-decay MTAs give credit to campaigns based on how recently consumers interacted with them. The U-shaped model, also known as a position-based model, gives credit to two key touchpoints - the first and the last. It gives a smaller amount of credit to any touchpoints in between. Specifically, the first touch and the final touch (aptly called the lead creation touch) each receive 40% of the credit for the user’s conversion - making up a total of 80%. The remaining 20% is distributed among the middle touchpoints, giving a small percentage of the credit to each one. 07. W-shaped attribution Similar in principle to a U-shaped model, a W-shaped model is another type of position-based MTA. Like a U-shaped model, this model gives a large share of the credit to the first and last touches. The difference is that it also gives a large share of the credit to a third touch in the middle, known as opportunity creation. In this case, all three touchpoints - the first touch, the opportunity creation touch, and the lead creation touch - each receive 30% of the credit. Together, they’re responsible for 90% of the user’s decision to convert. The final 10% is divided between any remaining middle touchpoints. 08. Full path attribution This type of MTA has much in common with U-shaped and W-shaped attribution, but it distributes the bulk of the credit between four - rather than two or three - touchpoints. The additional touchpoint is the interaction that triggered the purchase. In this way, the full path model doesn’t just map out the factors generating leads; it also details the factors leading to the purchase. In other words, it takes into account the customer’s complete journey through the marketing funnel. 09. Custom or algorithmic attribution If you find that none of the models perfectly capture your strategy, you can always create a custom model. This is a more advanced approach that allows you to assign your own attribution weights to the touchpoints of your choice. To do this, you’ll need to have a deep knowledge of your marketing channels and the behavioral patterns of your buyers as they move through the sales funnel. If you’re just getting started with marketing attribution, this isn’t an ideal option to launch into, as it can consume a great deal of time and resources. For many companies, attribution tools that make use of the existing models are highly effective in creating a targeted and optimized marketing strategy. How to choose the right marketing attribution tool for your business There’s a wide range of platforms that make use of these various marketing attribution models. Like with other marketing tools, there’s no black-and-white answer when it comes to finding the best option for your business. However, there are some important points to consider when making your choice: Immediate objectives: What is the primary purpose of your campaigns? For example, you might prioritize spreading brand awareness over driving sales. Analyze the goals of your campaign, and think about which types of attribution model helps you best achieve these goals. Remember, you can always change your goals - and attribution model - as your company evolves. Length of sales cycle: How long is your typical sales cycle? It’s important that your model doesn’t leave out crucial phases of the process - especially if your sales cycle is several months long. Online versus offline marketing: Are most of your marketing assets online, or are some of them take the form of print ads or in-person events? Be sure to take into account the effects of your offline marketing efforts when analyzing your attribution data. Lifetime customer value : The most valuable customers don’t just convert once - they’re repeat buyers. Because of this, your attribution model should not only measure first-time conversions; it should also help you track and optimize further conversions by the same customers. How to get started with marketing attribution A convenient solution for getting started is Wix’s marketing attribution tool for Facebook ads. This option is available to users of Wix Stores , and it’s fully integrated with your professional website. To use this tool, go to your Wix dashboard and open a Facebook ad campaign. Once your ad is up and running, check the Facebook Ads dashboard for valuable campaign stats and analytics. This information is broken down into sections so that you can easily see how your ads are performing and whom they’re impacting. Here are some of the marketing attribution insights to pay attention to: Top Stats : This section displays the most important campaign statistics in one place, including your total reach, site visits and ad revenue . Purchase Funnel: Take a look at this section for insights into your customer journey, from the moment someone first viewed your ad to their completion of a purchase. Audiences: See demographic data about the people viewing and clicking on your ads, including their gender, age and location. Ad Engagement over Time: Check how your ad is performing over a specified period of time, and get data about views, clicks and site visits from your audience. Together, these key insights will not only enable you to optimize your Facebook ads; they’ll also help you make informed, data driven decisions about your marketing strategy moving forward.

Ready to share your ideas with the world? Start your blog → After creating a blog and pouring your heart into it, seeing it receive only a trickle of clicks can be heartbreaking. Attracting readers to a blog isn’t easy when just about everyone and their mother has one—but don’t give up hope. As the creator of Be My Travel Muse , I’ve learned a lot about increasing blog traffic. These days, my blog has 3 million annual readers. I’m going to give you the secrets to my success so you can learn how to make your blog successful. Starting a blog should feel exciting, not overwhelming, right? With the Wix Blog Maker, you get everything you need to create, design and grow your blog from scratch–without needing a tech degree. Use Wix’s intuitive tools to share your ideas with the world.  What is the 80-20 rule in blogging? In the early 1900s, economist Vilfredo Pareto noticed that about 20% of a country’s population owned 80% of its land. People have observed the effects of the 80-20 rule (also known as the Pareto Principle ) in many different contexts. In terms of blogging, the 80-20 rule suggests that 80% of a blog’s traffic comes from 20% of a blogger’s work. Therefore, the key to increasing blog traffic is figuring out where that traffic comes from, then focusing on those traffic sources . 19 tips for increasing blog traffic Whether you’re a seasoned blogger or you are learning blogging for beginners , these tried-and-true tips will help you increase blog traffic. Do keyword research Find your niche Include good imagery Write quality headlines Regularly refresh content Get backlinking Link internally Start a newsletter Optimize for speed Make your blog mobile-friendly Optimize posts for readability Make videos Share blog posts in forums Reformat the content into Twitter threads Attract a following on Instagram Use Facebook Talk to your LinkedIn network Make TikTok videos Be so good they can’t ignore you 01. Do keyword research One of the biggest surprises to the bloggers I coach is that search engine optimization (SEO) is the best way to increase blog traffic. Blog SEO is a detailed science (we’ll discuss a few other SEO strategies later), but keyword research is a good place to start. Finding keywords that get good traffic and are relevant to your blog is not only useful for increasing blog traffic, but it’s also useful for figuring out what topics to write about. Ranking for high-volume keywords is nearly impossible for younger sites, so targeting long-tail keywords—which are longer and more focused—is a better strategy for a newly made website. Although an article that ranks for a popular search term will get loads of traffic, it’s much easier to get an article to rank for something much more specific and it can still get a good amount of attention. Whereas the keyword “Indonesia volcano” gets an average of 14,000 searches per month, “Kawah Ijen volcano” only had a few hundred when I wrote about it in 2013. Because it was one of the first posts of mine to rank well, it drove a decent amount of traffic to the rest of my blog. How does one find long-tail keywords? Tools such as SEMrush, WordStream, Long Tail Pro and Ahrefs are vital for keyword research and other SEO strategies. These tools take some getting used to, so start with free tools before committing to expensive subscriptions. Read Also: How to make a website , Best blogging tools 02. Find your niche Narrowing your focus is key for increasing blog traffic, especially in a saturated market. When I started Be My Travel Muse, I knew I wasn’t going to be able to compete with generalized travel publications like Afar, so I focused on solo travel for women as my website type . Focusing on this content niche not only helped me increase my blog traffic, but it also helped me connect to my readers on a deeper level. To find your niche, take a look at your existing blog posts and look for a commonality. If you haven’t started a blog yet, brainstorm a few dozen story ideas and find the common thread holding them together. Make sure the topic is broad enough that you can write about it for years to come. 03. Include good imagery One of the most important things I ever did for my travel blog was learn how to take great photography. They inspire people, make the blog more aesthetically pleasing and emphasize the writing. Don’t just take my word for it—plenty of research shows that imagery improves reading comprehension , increases reading retention and evokes emotions . Therefore, your posts are going to be much more impactful if you include images. Including imagery in blog posts is also useful for SEO. Many of the Be My Travel Muse photos rank for high-volume keywords. For example, this photo is on the first page of the “big island Hawaii” images search results page (SERP) which gets 45,000 monthly searches. If your image stands out, people might click on it and make their way to your website. You can even use infographics to earn backlinks from high-traffic sites. Free tools from Canva, Figma and Adobe Express are useful for people who are new to graphic design. 04. Write quality headlines The best blog titles are the ones you can’t help but click on. You’re going to draw the reader in by promising with your headline that your blog post is going to solve their problem, answer their question, or help them in some way. That’s why they’re searching in the first place. Before writing your headline, take a look at what else is out there and see how you can improve upon it. If someone else is offering five tips, can you offer 10? Take a look at who is ranking for number one and try to discern what about their headline is so attractive. My article Where to Travel Alone for the First Time: 19 of the Best Countries ranks on the first page for 115 keywords. Without a doubt, the title has something to do with its success. It not only stands out on the SERPs, but it also tells readers exactly what they can expect from the post. How do you know if your headlights are working? Google Search Console can tell you your click-through rate. Be sure to check regularly, and change up the headline if it’s not working. In addition to comparing your headlines to the top-ranked articles, a headline analyzer could give you a sense of what they’re missing. Social headlines are a whole different animal. Do you remember the days of listicles where number six would “blow your mind”? You saw it so much because it worked. Again, we want people to be so intrigued that they cannot help but click on it. Since your social headline might be appealing to people who are not already searching for that term, you might try something like, is this the best place to travel solo? Pique curiosity as much as possible, or post something that will get people talking. If you can get them to click, read and comment, you’ve won. Just keep in mind that whatever your headline is, the article better deliver. If someone clicks, make sure you fully answer their question so that they don’t need to leave and go elsewhere. Ideally, you’ll be able to keep them on your site with more interesting headlines and posts. Need some inspiration? Try Wix’s free title generator . 05. Regularly refresh content It’s important to make sure that what you write is up-to-date. If one of your most successful posts is about where to find the best street food in Thailand, you need to make sure those vendors are still open. Nothing would be more frustrating to a reader than realizing that the place you suggested no longer exists. This will mean regularly researching and updating your content. Nobody said blogging was a one-and-done job! 06. Get backlinks Getting strong backlinks from sites of authority can help grow your site. This is one of the top ways that search engines have to discern which sites have authority. When the Washington Post and Business Insider published interviews with me talking about my expertise on solo travel, the resulting articles sent a signal to search engines that I’m the real deal. How do you get backlinks from top sites like that? Generally, by being the authority and creating a brand that attracts media attention. That takes some time, so I did a lot of guest blogging in the early days of Be My Travel Muse. How do you get guest posting opportunities? Check sites in your niche for contribution opportunities and apply through those channels. If they don’t, interact with their socials and pitch them an idea that would fill a content gap on their site. The more fleshed out the idea, the more likely they are to say yes. 07. Link internally Just as links from external sites are important for SEO, internal links within your website are another important ranking factor. For example, if I’m talking about the best places in the world to travel alone, I’ll be sure to link to my best solo travel guides for each country I’ve visited within that post. Since I have individual posts about traveling in the Philippines, I make sure to link to them in longer listicles. It’s essential that you’re always going back to old content and updating it with links to your fresh content. We always want to make sure everything related is connected, both for the reader and for SEO. 08. Start a newsletter Email marketing is a great way to increase blog traffic because it gives readers who are already interested the opportunity to stay in your network. These are going to be your most dedicated readers, and you want to make sure that you have a direct line to them. When setting up an email marketing campaign, it’s important to prioritize quality over quantity. You don’t want to spam your subscribers to the point that they hit the unsubscribe button. 09. Optimize for speed Studies show that 47% of users expect a page to load in less than three seconds —and that they will leave if it doesn’t. Google knows that, so its algorithm factors speed into its rankings . If your blog isn’t lightning-quick, improving its load times could help to increase traffic. One of the easiest ways to optimize for speed is to host your blog on a platform such as Wix that has an infrastructure designed for optimal site performance . If you already have a Wix website, you can use the Site Speed dashboard to assess your blog’s performance. In addition to providing a breakdown of all the most important metrics, the dashboard also offers tips for how to optimize your site. 10. Make your blog mobile-friendly When I first started blogging 10 years ago, nearly 75% of my traffic came from desktop browsers. Now that has completely flipped: About 75% of readers were browsing from their phones in 2022. For that reason, my mobile site is even more important than the desktop version. If the mobile version of your blog isn’t easy to read, users will leave for one that offers a better experience. Plus, Google ranks search results for mobile users according to the most relevant mobile websites. So, if your blog isn’t mobile-friendly, it might not rank as well as it should. Wix makes it easy to design a mobile site that is just as attractive and user-friendly as the desktop site. With the Mobile Editor , you can make a website and add mobile-only elements, hide desktop elements and even give it a totally different layout. If you want to keep things simple, the Page Layout Optimizer will automatically reorganize the elements of a page to fit the mobile setting. 11. Optimize posts for readability Website accessibility isn’t only useful for increasing blog traffic, but it’s also often a legal requirement. About one in six people have disabilities ; many of those disabilities affect a person’s ability to browse online. To make your blog accessible to everyone, it must meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) . This international standard requires that every website is: Perceivable: All users—including those with visual, auditory, or cognitive disabilities—can perceive the content. Operable: All users (including those with physical or mobility impairments) can navigate and interact with the content. Understandable: The content is easy to understand, regardless of the user's cognitive ability or language proficiency. Robust: The website must be compatible with a wide range of assistive technologies and devices. A good starting point for identifying where your site falls short is to use Wix’s Accessibility Wizard . This AI feature identifies accessibility issues and explains how to resolve them. If you’re not a Wix user, you can try tools like accessiBe or hire an expert who is trained to identify and fix these issues. 12. Make videos Because videos can make blog posts more engaging and dynamic, they’re great for keeping readers interested. If you post your videos on YouTube or social media sites, they can also drive traffic to your site and even help you monetize your blog . I’ve found that making videos gives blog readers more insight into my day to day and, therefore, creates a greater sense of intimacy and loyalty. That said, video is a lot of work. A quality video maker can make things easier, but it’ll still take some time to get the hang of it. 13. Share blog posts in forums Reddit, Quora, Facebook Groups and other forums offer wonderful opportunities to increase blog traffic. By engaging with the forum community, sharing valuable content and establishing yourself as an authority, you can attract targeted visitors who are more likely to become regular readers of your blog. You can also generate referral traffic and get backlinks. Keep in mind that you should only share content when it’s relevant to the conversation and if it’s not against the forum rules to do so. You also want to make sure that you’re participating in the same way that others are. Instead of telling them to click a link to get the answer to their question, offer a brief summation of what they need to know, then encourage forum participants who want to learn more to read the relevant blog post. 14. Reformat the content into Twitter threads Because of its committed user base, Twitter is a great blog distribution platform. Twitter threads are perfect for telling a longer story, providing the analysis you performed, encouraging discussion or even debates, and sharing information. You don’t have to start from zero to do this—just repurpose one of your blog posts. As in change your blog format and repurpose it. If I spent all of February searching for the best snowshoeing trails in lake Tahoe, I can share information that I didn’t get to include in the piece, then share the different blog posts I wrote about the topic. I could even take a hard stance and try to lure people into a debate on the best places to hike in the area. 15. Attract a following on Instagram One of my favorite ways to increase blog traffic is to share tips in the caption of an Instagram post. I provide plenty of value here, but leave out a few key things so that people who are truly interested will have to click the link in my bio to learn more. Instagram Stories can be equally powerful for driving traffic. I find the best way to get clicks is to talk about the topic regularly in Instagram stories, then share the final blog post once people are already excited about and familiar with the topic. With our snowshoeing trails example, I can share Stories while I am exploring all the different trails so that they’re engaged and interested to learn more when I publish blog posts on the subject. I can also encourage them to provide suggestions. Doing so not only makes my job easier, but it also encourages engagement which is an effective strategy for gaining loyal followers. Instagram can also help you make money blogging . My Instagram account helps me seal the deal when I’m making partnership deals with travel brands and sponsors. That said, only 5% of my blog traffic comes from Instagram, so I probably wouldn’t do it if I didn’t have the support of my team. Remember the 80-20 rule: If you find that Instagram takes up a bunch of your time and you’re having more success increasing blog traffic elsewhere, consider deprioritizing it. Focus on the distribution platforms that’ll create the most growth for you. 16. Use Facebook With over 2.7 billion monthly active users, Facebook is one of the largest social media platforms. For that reason, learning how to promote your blog on Facebook can be a great way to reach a wider audience. Because older demographics are most comfortable on Facebook over other platforms, it’s useful for blogs with an older audience. Its targeting options allow you to reach specific demographics or interests relevant to your blog. When sharing, I always like to pull out a sentence or two from the post to give potential readers a flavor of what they will find if they click. I find the most successful posts are the ones that encourage discussion or are carousels with beautiful imagery. In any case, I’m always sure to feature a strong cover image for posts I intend to post on Facebook. In my experience, images that feature people perform best. Keep in mind that every social platform is designed to keep people on that platform, so posting link after link without a strategy isn’t likely to yield results. Choose posts that will encourage discussion and use it as an opportunity to get feedback from your closest circle. 17. Talk to your LinkedIn community LinkedIn is a professional networking platform that can be particularly effective for promoting blogs with a business or professional focus. It’s an especially useful starting point if you’ve already built a network that’s relevant to the blog. As with Facebook, you’ll want to be strategic about how and what you share. Is there a blogger you’re connected with who has a successful LinkedIn sharing strategy? Analyze what they’re doing and see if you can build your own strategy off of their great ideas. This goes for any tip already mentioned on this list. As they say, success leaves breadcrumbs. 18. Make TikTok videos TikTok can be a great platform for promoting visual content and engaging with a younger audience. If your blog's niche is related to fashion, beauty, food or DIY, TikTok may be a good fit for your blog. TikTok’s viral potential makes it great for brand development. Therefore, it might not drive as much direct traffic as it does encourage people who enjoy your videos to check out your blog. Similarly to Instagram, it’s also a good opportunity to attract partnerships and connect with potential sponsors. I find that the quickest way to grow on any platform is to show up where your target audience hangs out. Whichever you invest in, think of it as a standalone microblog where you publish original content that complements your blog. That doesn’t mean you have to rewrite the wheel for each post. If you have something that did well on Instagram, you can probably repurpose it for TikTok and vice versa. If you have a blog topic that is doing well, like “the top place to eat street food in Hanoi,” consider making that a TikTok video. 19. Be so good they can’t ignore you Finally, the most important tip in this whole list is to be so good they can’t ignore you. The people who are the most successful in this industry are the ones who commit to growing and think outside the box. The internet doesn’t need more posts regurgitating the same information over and over. It needs your individuality, skill and passion. Have a strong purpose, communicate it with every post you create and put your passion behind it. Keep improving, even when your taste outpaces your abilities. We all start somewhere.

Get started by: Creating a website →  | Getting a domain → Which three words would you use to describe yourself? Most of us have been asked this question and many of us have fumbled through it awkwardly. Coming up with a personal description can be daunting. But there are times when it’s essential - whether we’re updating our LinkedIn profiles, blogging for Medium or creating a business website of our own. In this post, we’ll go over how to write a bio, step by step. To help guide you, we’ve also included a handy template, along with some professional bio examples for your inspiration. With these resources, you’ll find that writing a bio, as part of learning how to make a website from scratch , is much easier than you might think. TL;DR: How to write a professional bio A strong professional bio tells your story—clearly, confidently and with purpose. Whether you’re building a personal brand, launching a business or updating your website, your bio is often the first impression people have of you. This guide breaks down how to write a bio that feels authentic and positions you as a trusted expert. You’ll learn how to write bios for different platforms, from websites to social media, and get access to fill-in-the-blank templates and real examples. No matter your industry or experience level, this step-by-step approach will help you put your best foot forward. Element of a great professional bio Why it matters Clear and concise summary Quickly communicates who you are and what you do Relevant achievements or experience Builds credibility and positions you as a subject matter expert Human, relatable tone Helps you connect with readers and show personality Tailored for the platform Ensures your bio is the right length and tone for where it appears Call to action or next step Encourages readers to reach out, follow or explore your work further What is a short bio? Before you learn how to write a bio, you should have a clear understanding of what it is and why you need it. In the world of literature, a personal biography can span the length of an entire novel, like Nelson Mandela’s Long Walk to Freedom or Malala Yousafzai’s I Am Malala . In the online world, however, a bio is a short paragraph in which you introduce yourself. Typically, some of the best business websites place bios on a designated About Us page in their website, as well as on their social media pages and other networking platforms. What to include in a short bio Depending on your audience and goals, your bio can highlight your personal interests, your professional achievements or a mix of both. Here are some of the elements a bio might include: Job title or workplace University degree and other qualifications Hometown or city of residence Personal or professional goals Mission statement and values Skills and expertise Interests and hobbies The goal of writing a bio is to provide people with a snapshot of who you are. This is important for a variety of reasons, whether it’s drawing people toward your personal website or promoting your blog, attracting clients and business partners to your brand, or highlighting your achievements for job interviews. How to write a short bio The most effective online bios are both professional and concise. Here’s how to write a short professional bio that suits your website or brand: Introduce yourself State your company or brand name Explain your professional role Include professional achievements Discuss your passions and values Mention your personal interests 01. Introduce yourself Begin your bio by stating your first and last name. If you’re writing in the third person, these should be the first two words of the paragraph. This makes your name easy for your audience to identify and remember. Your bio is a huge part of your personal branding efforts, and should start with a strong intro to make a positive impact. 02. State your company or brand name Think about whether you want your bio to represent yourself on a personal level, or whether you’d like it to come across as more professional. If you have a personal brand or business - for example, a blog, freelance business or eCommerce site - be sure to mention your brand name at the beginning of your bio. Don’t be afraid if the name sounds simple or redundant. It’s perfectly fine, for instance, to say Mary Smith is the founder and CEO of Smith Digital. Likewise, feel free to mention the name of another company or brand that you work for if you’d like to associate it with your professional accomplishments - e.g., Mary Smith is a consultant at Google and the founder and CEO of Smith Digital. 03. Explain your professional role Next, briefly explain your current position. This is relevant whether you’re the founder of a company, a high-level specialist or a beginner in your field, and it can be similar to the description you have on your resume. Your website visitors won’t necessarily know what your job involves, so elaborating on your primary responsibilities helps paint a picture of who you are and what you have to offer. This can also be used, if needed for employment and recruitment opportunities. If you're a freelancer a strong bio can make all the difference in how successful sourcing work can be. 04. Include professional achievements In addition to explaining what your job entails, highlight milestones that make you stand out. Even if you haven’t won an award or gained external recognition, you can discuss ways in which you’ve contributed to your professional role and touch on new ideas or approaches that you bring to the table. 05. Discuss your passions and values Once you describe what you do and how you contribute to your role, you’ll need to explain the why . This is one of the most important elements to focus on as you consider how to write a bio. Think about the values and passions underlying your work, as well as your professional philosophy. What gets you up in the morning? What’s the driving force behind what you do? You can also think of this part of your professional bio as a kind of mission statement. Perhaps your mission is to serve others, contribute to society, grow your expertise or learn new skills. Whatever your reasons, expanding upon these ideas can help your audience get a better understanding of what truly matters to you. Don't be afraid to deploy storytelling in this part of creating your bio. Explore your narrative and then convey it. 06. Mention your personal interests The most effective short bios will not only focus on your professional experience, but will also touch on what you like to do in your spare time. Consider mentioning: Your family Your hometown Your hobbies Side projects you’re working on Transitioning to a more casual discussion of who you are outside of work is a great way to conclude your bio. This will present you as a more well-rounded person while making you relatable for your audience. Professional bio template As you go through the steps on how to write a bio, this handy template will help you get started: Sentence 1: [Name] is a [job title] who [job description]. E.g., Lisa Green is an English teacher who teaches beginning to advanced literature courses for 10th and 11th grade students at Bloomfield High School. Sentence 2: [Name] believes that [why you do the work you do]. E.g., Lisa believes that written and analytical skills are not only a fundamental part of academic excellence, but are also the building blocks of critical thinking in high school and beyond. Sentence 3: [Name/pronoun] has [mention your achievements]. E.g., In addition to managing the English curriculum for the school, she runs an after school program where she works one-on-one with students. Sentence 4: [Name/pronoun] is a [mention any relevant awards, training or honors]. E.g., She has also been nominated Teacher of the Year for two consecutive years. Sentence 5: [Name/pronoun] holds a [insert degree] in [field of study] from [university]. E.g., Lisa holds a BA in Creative Writing and a Master’s Degree in Teaching from the University of Michigan. Once you’ve filled in this template, put it all together into a single paragraph to create an initial framework for your professional biography. Note that you can shorten or expand upon this bio according to your unique needs. One bio doesn’t fit all: Tailor it for every spot on your website Not all bios are created equal—and that’s a good thing. The bio on your homepage serves a different purpose than the one on your About page or next to a blog post. Each bio has a job to do and when crafted well, they come together to tell a strong, consistent story. Here’s how to make each one count. Professional bio (About page) This is the heart of your site—the version most people will read to understand who you are and what you do. Typically 1–3 paragraphs, it sits on your “About” page or something like “Meet [Your Name].” To make it stand out, skip the long list of achievements and focus on telling a story. Start with who you help and how. Then share a little background—how you got here, what makes you great at what you do and why it all matters. Wrap it up with a bit of personality: what drives you, what you care about or what makes your approach unique. Personal bio (creator or portfolio-style websites) A personal bio should still feel professional but it’s more casual and reflects your unique voice. It’s perfect for writers, artists or anyone building a connection around their story or creative work. Share your journey, what fuels your passion or the values that drive what you do. Let your personality shine through—write like you’d talk (with a little polish) and sprinkle in a fun detail or a memorable story. Short bio or summary (homepage, footer, blog) This is the quick version of your bio—just a sentence or two. Use it under your name, in a footer or next to your photo on blog posts. Think of it as your elevator pitch, simplified. Focus on your role and your niche: what you do and who it’s for. Add a dash of personality—like “Web designer for eco-friendly brands” or “Photographer capturing quiet moments as visual stories.” If your full bio is the story, this is the headline. Team or contributor bios (agency or multi-author websites) When writing bios for a group—like a creative studio, startup team or blog contributors—keeping a consistent style matters. Follow a similar format and tone for each bio while still highlighting what makes each person unique. Keep it short and sweet—2–4 sentences tops. Start with their role and what they do, then add a quick note about their experience or background. Wrap it up with a light personal touch like a hobby, fun fact or favorite project to keep things relatable and human. Social-style bio (for link-in-bio pages or landing pages) This is the micro-bio — a single line of text that often shows up on mobile-friendly landing pages or “link in bio” hubs. It’s usually paired with a photo, some links and maybe a call to action. Think of this as your tagline: fast, punchy and focused. Don’t cram everything in. Just say who you are and what you offer. For example: “Freelance copywriter helping founders simplify their message.” Or “Indie artist sharing songs and stories for quiet mornings.” Why writing a bio feels hard (and how to make it easier) Writing a bio is tough. You’re stuck in your own head trying to summarize a career full of detours, wins and tasks—big and small. It’s hard to know what matters, so you overthink, rewrite, delete and second-guess. Here’s a tip: step back. Pretend you’re writing about someone else—a colleague you admire. What stands out about them? What’s essential? When you shift perspective, you stop listing random details and start crafting a clear, focused narrative. It’s not about including everything—it’s about telling a story that connects. And once that clarity comes, the doubt fades. Stop trying to sound like someone else    Most bios feel stiff and forgettable because we try to fit into a “professional” mold—full of buzzwords and clichés that don’t mean much. The result? Safe, boring and uninspiring. But here’s the truth: your best bio sounds like you . Clearer, sharper and straight to the point. Be real about where you started, what drives you and what you’re great at. Skip the “results-driven professional with 10+ years of experience” if that’s not how you’d actually describe yourself. People connect with honesty, not jargon. They’re looking for someone human, someone they can trust. So ask yourself: what would make someone remember me or want to work with me after reading this? Keep it simple, relatable and uniquely yours. That’s what sticks. Afraid to take up space?    The fear of sounding arrogant is real—and it can hold you back. A bio is vulnerable; it’s your story, your value stripped down. What if it backfires or feels like bragging? That fear is normal—it shows you care. But a bio isn’t about proving yourself; it’s an invitation for the right people to see who you are. Try this: write a version that’s about 20% more honest than you’re comfortable with. Then tweak it until it feels like something you’d say to a close friend. Don’t aim for perfection—aim for connection. When your bio feels like a real conversation, it stops being so hard. Striking the right tone You want to sound accomplished but not full of yourself. Friendly but not too informal. Professional but not stiff. This balancing act often leads to over-editing. You write something bold, then water it down. Add something personal, then delete it because it feels “off.” The result? A bio that ends up feeling flat or forgettable — even when you’re anything but. Here’s the solution: stop aiming for balance and focus on clarity. What’s the purpose of your bio? Is it about building trust, showing credibility or helping others connect with you? Once you’re clear on its goal, you can lean into the points that matter most and skip the fluff. You don’t know who it’s really for One of the most common reasons bios fall flat is that they try to speak to everyone. You imagine potential clients, future employers, old coworkers, strangers on LinkedIn—and suddenly your bio becomes a bland mix of jargon, job titles and safe adjectives. But here’s the truth: the best bios aren’t written for a crowd. They’re written for one real person—someone who’s curious about who you are and whether they can trust you. When you write with that single reader in mind, everything sharpens. You start using words they actually understand. You explain what you do in plain terms. You show personality instead of hiding behind polish. It becomes a conversation, not a résumé. You don’t need to tell your whole story It’s easy to feel like you have to pack every job, pivot and milestone into a few lines. And if your journey has been anything but straightforward, trying to “make it make sense” can feel overwhelming. But here’s the truth: your bio isn’t your life story. It’s a snapshot—a quick glimpse of where you are right now  and why it matters. Instead of listing everything you’ve done, focus on the thread that ties it all together and shows who you are today. Think of it as a hook, not a history. Your goal isn’t to explain your entire path—it’s to invite the next step and leave them wanting to learn more. Professional bio examples Now that you know the basics of writing a professional bio, here are some short bio examples to inspire you. You can use these examples as additional templates for guidance as you craft your own personal biography. Like the creators of these examples, you can place your bio on your personal or professional website and, later, revise the structure for other online platforms. 01. Bristol Guitar Making School Of all the professional bio examples, Alex Bishop’s content exudes passion. Strategically placing the bio on the About page of his small business website , he highlights his skills and explains why he finds his work meaningful. In particular, we love his description of why he chose to pursue guitar making: “​My passion as a guitar maker comes from a life-long obsession with making things. From a young age I have always tried to manipulate objects and materials in order to create something entirely different. I find that working with wood is a way for me to connect with nature. The simple act of shaping wood to make something functional or beautiful brings me endless satisfaction.” He also lists his accomplishments and awards, adding credibility to his business and building trust among prospective clients. 02. Alexandra Zsigmond As someone who has served as art director for both The New York Times' opinion section and The New Yorker , it's no surprise that Alexandra Zsigmond's bio is thorough and detailed. Providing statistics or reflections on the things she achieved in her career is a clever way to demonstrate her value without saying so directly. As she explains: "She has collaborated with a roster of over 1000 artists worldwide and art directed over 4000 editorial illustrations. She is known for greatly expanding the range of visual contributors to the Times, drawing equally from the worlds of contemporary illustration, fine art, animation, and comics." 03. Amanda Shields Interiors Amanda Shields provides us with another effective bio example on her interior design website. Importantly, she spices up her bio by explaining how home decor aligns with her personal life and why it’s so close to her heart as a mother and entrepreneur: "After working as a product designer for numerous retailers over the years, and after I had my first child, I decided to take the plunge and start my own home staging business…. Coincidentally, a month later I discovered I was pregnant with my second child. I loved the new challenges I faced as a new entrepreneur and mom and it didn't take long for me to discover that this was my calling…. I felt the need to expand my business and launch Amanda Shields Interiors as its own entity to focus specifically on residential interiors and design." By placing this content on her website’s About page, she provides potential clients with insights into her expertise and professional experience. She expands upon the choices she made along her career path, strategically making note of her achievements and acquired skills along the way. Stay in the know - Subscribe to the Wix newsletter for more expert tips on building and growing online businesses. Tips for writing a bio As you write your bio using the professional template above, make sure to keep the following tips in mind: Keep it concise:  Your bio should be clear, informative and to the point. Aim for 1-2 sentences for each element, like your job description, mission statement  or hobbies. This keeps your bio engaging and easy to read while avoiding unnecessary details. Consider your audience:  Tailor your tone to match who you’re speaking to. Writing for recruiters? Keep it professional and focused. Creating an Instagram bio ? Use a casual, conversational tone that showcases your personality. Check the guidelines first : If you’re writing a bio for a specific platform or publication, start by reviewing their submission guidelines. This helps you tailor your bio and include only the most relevant details. Write in third person : Keeping your bio in third person creates a professional tone and aligns it with standard industry practices. Look at examples for inspiration : Explore bios from others in your field. Notice what works, then adapt it to highlight your own experience, voice and goals. This is a great way to frame your accomplishments effectively. Keep it short : Aim for under 300 words. Short bios are the norm for professional use, offering a clear, concise overview of who you are without losing focus. Focus on clarity over creativity : It’s fine to add a bit of personality, but keep your bio clear and professional. Creativity should enhance, not distract from your main message. Add humor when it fits:  A touch of humor can make your bio more relatable and memorable, especially if you’ve founded your own business or created your own website . It helps build your brand identity  and creates a stronger connection with your audience. Include a link to your website:  If you’re sharing your bio on social media, a company page or a guest post, always add a link to your website. It reinforces your professionalism and helps drive traffic to your site. Adapt for different platforms:  Adjust your bio’s length and tone based on where it’s being used. For example, write a more detailed bio for your website’s About page and a shorter impactful version for LinkedIn. Stick to the same core principles, emphasizing what matters most to your audience. How to write a bio in four sentences or less Really need to create a super short bio? We'd suggest following some of the tips above, just condensing them into less word for a short bio that still makes impact. But if we really had to choose we'd say focus on - you, your professional role and company. That condenses everything that matters for bio into three sentences. Humor, creativity and uniqueness still all matter - just use fewer words to convey them. Creating a bio for your website As we’ve noted in the examples above, one of the most strategic places to put your bio is on your website - so be sure to consider it within your web design plans. Whether the goal of your site is to start and promote your business , showcase your design portfolio or display your resume, including a bio gives your audience a glimpse into the person behind your content. It can also kickstart your professional growth. Show the world what you do, how you do it and why it matters, and people will be drawn to your passion and inspired by your experience. Bio for a website example: Hi, I'm Alex Johnson, a passionate web developer with over 10 years of experience in creating dynamic and user-friendly websites. I specialize in front-end development, bringing innovative designs to life with clean and efficient code. When I'm not coding, you can find me exploring hiking trails, experimenting with new recipes, or buried in a good book. Let's build something amazing together. Pro tip: You can add a bio to many different types of websites, so using templates can help you create yours faster. For example, if you're creating a portfolio website , explore portfolio website templates to help you get started. Creating a bio for social media Crafting a professional bio for social media is vital as it introduces you or your brand, and it builds credibility and trust. A well-written bio establishes your expertise, attracts the right audience, and fosters engagement. It helps maintain a consistent brand image, optimizes search and discovery, and opens doors to networking and career opportunities. A compelling bio delivers a concise, informative snapshot of who you are, what you do, and the value you bring, leaving a lasting impression on visitors and potential collaborators alike. Bio for social media example: 🌟 Tech Enthusiast | 📚 Avid Reader | 🎨 Amateur Artist | 🌍 Explorer Passionate about AI and its impact on our future. Sharing insights on tech trends, book recommendations, and my travel adventures. Lover of all things creative. Let's connect and inspire each other You may need to edit your bio depending on which social media platform you plan to use it on. Some of the most popular ones include Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Focus on getting your bio right on the platforms you plan to focus your personal or brand social media marketing efforts on. Writing a bio with AI If you're looking to write your bio fast while creating your website, consider using an AI text generator to build your draft. You'll still need to make sure it goes through. an intensive editing process, so that it really captures the essence of who you are and your professional skills. A bio is about much more than just basic information, so don't forget to include the storytelling too. Build a website with Wix and you can make use of the in-built AI text generator within its Editor . Why good bios are important for a professional In a world where first impressions matter, a well-crafted bio can make a significant impact in establishing trust and credibility with potential clients, employers or collaborators. It also offers insight into your personality and values, helping to forge authentic connections with your audience. It acts as a powerful tool for personal branding, allowing you to differentiate yourself in a competitive landscape and leave a memorable impression. A strong bio also serves as a gateway to opportunities, whether it's securing new clients, landing job interviews or establishing partnerships. It acts as a professional introduction, allowing you to showcase your expertise. A polished and impactful bio is essential for you to effectively communicate your professional identity and stand out in your field. Writing a bio without experience Writing a bio when you don't yet have experience can be challenging, but it's an opportunity to showcase your potential and aspirations. Begin by highlighting your educational background, skills and any relevant coursework or projects you've completed. Focus on your passions, interests and personal qualities that make you unique. Consider including volunteer work, internships or extracurricular activities that demonstrate your commitment and initiative. Emphasize your eagerness to learn and grow in your chosen field and express your future goals and aspirations. Don't be afraid to be honest about your current stage and your willingness to gain experience and develop professionally. If you don't know what to write in your bio, start by brainstorming your key experiences, achievements, skills and personal attributes. Consider what sets you apart and what you want others to know about you. Look for inspiration from other bios or profiles in your field, and consider seeking feedback from friends, mentors or colleagues. Don't hesitate to highlight your passions, interests and goals, as well as any unique experiences or perspectives you bring to the table. Remember to keep it concise and engaging, and don't be afraid to revise and refine your bio until it accurately represents you. How to write a bio FAQ How do you start your own bio? Begin your bio with a simple, clear introduction about who you are and what you do. Highlight key details like your profession, expertise or what drives your passion. Add a personal touch—maybe a fun fact or what keeps you inspired—to make it genuinely you. What is a short bio? A short bio, short for biography, is a concise summary of a your life or professional background. It provides a brief overview of your key achievements, qualifications, experiences, and relevant details. Typically written in the third person, a short bio is often used in various contexts, such as professional profiles, social media accounts, introductions for speaking engagements, author descriptions, and other situations where a brief introduction is required. The length of a short bio can vary, but it's generally kept to a few sentences or a short paragraph to provide a snapshot of the person's background and expertise. How do I balance professionalism with personality? A powerful professional bio blends credentials with character. Lead with your role and key achievement, then add a distinctive professional strength. Include one unique personal detail that enhances your work persona - like "turning coffee into code" for developers or "bringing boardroom ideas to life" for project managers. Keep your tone warm yet polished, like you're speaking at a business lunch rather than a formal presentation. How do I make my bio stand out? To make your bio stand out, infuse it with authenticity, highlighting your unique personality and strengths. Craft a compelling narrative that captivates readers, using engaging language while keeping it concise. Incorporate social proof, such as awards or testimonials, to validate your expertise. Add a personal touch by sharing interests or values and use visuals to enhance appeal. Regularly update your bio to reflect your evolving journey and optimize it with relevant keywords for increased visibility online. Should I write in first or third person? First person works best for LinkedIn, personal websites and social media as it feels more authentic and creates a direct connection with readers. Third person is better for company websites, press releases and formal speaker introductions as it adds credibility and professional distance. Choose based on your platform and audience. How much vulnerability is appropriate to show? You can show measured vulnerability that demonstrates growth and resilience, not personal struggles. Mention overcoming a professional challenge or a learning moment that shaped your expertise. But keep it brief and solution-focused - one sentence maximum. The goal is to be relatable while maintaining professional credibility, not sharing personal hardships. Should I include personal interests or hobbies? You can include 1-2 relevant interests that either complement your professional role or showcase transferable skills. For example, marathon runner suggests discipline, amateur photographer shows creativity. It's best to skip overly personal or controversial hobbies. Choose interests that spark conversation while maintaining professional boundaries and keep their mention short. Should I adjust my bio for different industries or audiences? You should. Tailor your bio to resonate with specific audiences while maintaining your authentic core message. For tech companies, emphasize innovation and technical expertise. For creative industries, highlight your artistic vision and unique perspectives. For corporate settings, focus on measurable achievements and leadership. Always research your target industry's language and values, then adjust your tone and highlight relevant experiences accordingly. Think of your bio as a chameleon - same essence, different colors.

To animate or not to animate? When you create a website , that’s always the question. Proponents of animation in web design will tell you that it injects a sense of motion, generating a dynamic and flowing user experience. On top of that, animation has been a major web design trend over the last years, which means that your visitors will somehow expect to see them on your pages. The opponents, on the other hand, will argue that animation is distracting and can seem unprofessional to many viewers. So who is right in this debate? Well, both sides are. The truth is that animations can be a wonderful addition to a website’s look and feel, but they have to be worked in the right way to fit your broader goals. Careless integration of animations into your web design scheme can be a real eyesore—and no one wants that! To help you see right from wrong, let’s walk together through the dos and don’ts of animation in web design when it comes to l earning how to make a website . Know the basics of animation First, remember that animations come in many shapes and forms. They can be as subtle as a slight motion of a button, or they can appear as spectacular as a fully animated background. Animation can be set up as interactive reactions to your visitors’ behavior (like objects being revealed when scrolling), or can be independent of visitors’ actions altogether. It can be applied to small elements, like an arrow, or to large ones like a video background that takes up the entire screen. Understanding the full spectrum of the capabilities of animation will help you use them in a more strategic way. At Wix, when our designers create web templates they divide animations into three different categories: Micro interactions: they are used to make small interactions (like clicking a button) quick and clear for the user. This can be achieved by using hover box effects. Transitions and page behavior: to ease the navigation from one point to another and switching between pages. Delights and decorative: this gives some pizazz to your layout like parallax scrolling. Want to read more? Using animation and illustration on web design What is web design? Moderation is a strength, not a weakness When it comes to animation, like all good things in life (including ice cream and watching Breaking Bad ), moderation is key. It is absolutely vital that you restrain yourself from blasting the screen with an overdose of animation. For one, you don’t want to make your site too heavy and overburden its performance. In addition, you don’t want to distract visitors with too much action. Keeping things light will make sure that your visitors are enjoying a smooth browsing experience and are following your website’s flow. One task and one task only Another terrific guideline for maintaining a healthy relationship with animation is to use it only when you can justify it with a defined purpose. In other words, animations needs to perform a task, for example: Guiding the site’s movement by showing visitors when to scroll and where to click. Supporting your storytelling by gradually revealing items. Visualizing your product’s or service’s impact Breaking the site’s static scroll with some motion. Creating a particular atmosphere on websites that are uniquely suited for animated content, for instance, an online store for children’s clothing. Can you justify the use of animation with one of these uses? Great! Then you’re all set! (just don’t forget about moderation). What should be animated (and what shouldn’t!) Some common website elements work particularly well with animations, while others really don’t. Focus your animation energy on the former group: Things that trigger a behavior (like navigation buttons, CTAs, or linked images) Elements that give directionality (arrows, background scrolling) Loading bars Elements that are meant to draw attention (new messages icon, lightboxes, complete order button). The cases in which you don’t want to use animations are the ones when the animated effect will somehow harm the element’s functionality. For instance, you shouldn’t add animation to text paragraphs because it will make reading them much harder. You also don’t want to add animations to fields where visitors enter their own content (like a contact form or comments), because it would distract them from completing the task. Content made simple One excellent strategy for integrating animation in web design is to use it as a tool for clarification or simplification of content. Let’s say you want to explain to your site visitors how your packing and moving company works. You could describe the full process in a couple of paragraphs, you can create a table with bullet points, or you can simplify it by using just a few visuals that animate the key steps. Conveying information through this form of animation is called onboarding. It’s a design technique that usually combines simple text with animated visuals, creating an intuitive and engaging method for walking your audience through your product’s flow. It’s both beautiful and useful, which is the magic combo for all designers. The audience matters It’s always important to be aware and sensitive to your target audience, and it’s especially significant when animation is involved. Take into account their aesthetic preferences, their reasons for visiting your website, as well as their technical savviness and available software. To exaggerate a bit (just a bit): If your target audience is really into monochromatic color schemes; or if visitors are interested in your site for legal advice; or if you suspect many of them will be accessing your site through an old browser version on an outdated operating system – then you can assume that animations are not the right choice in your case.

When you make a website design for your business, here’s something to think about: while symmetry might seem like a safe (and aesthetically pleasing) choice, it’s not always the best choice. In certain situations, an asymmetrical layout may be the out-of-box design element you prefer or even need. While imbalance can feel uncomfortable, asymmetry doesn’t necessarily mean out of balance. If you want to learn more about balance—an important web design principle—and understand how you can apply it to your website in interesting ways, keep reading. We’ll look at the differences between symmetrical and asymmetrical balance, and the effects it can have on your users. What is symmetrical balance? Balance is one of the most important principles of design , and it refers to an evenly weighted composition. By using an equal distribution of elements, designers create visual harmony. Rather than one or more elements overpowering the entire composition, each element contributes to the greater whole (for more information, see our guide on Gestalt theory ). Symmetrical balance refers to an object or composition that looks the same across or around its axis due to an even distribution of elements. As a result, the composition feels safe and stable. Types of symmetrical balance You can use these different types of symmetrical balance in web design: Reflection symmetry Most of us imagine this type when thinking of symmetry. A line goes across the center, effectively cutting the composition in half. We see a more or less identical image on both sides. Take the word “wow,” for example. A line cut through the word’s center leaves us with a mirror image on both sides: “Wow” also happens to maintain symmetry when cut vertically: Rotational symmetry This type of symmetrical balance occurs when identical elements rotate around a central axis. The elements don’t necessarily need to attach to the axis, nor do the elements need to be uniformly sized throughout the graphic. As the axis turns, the image looks the same due to the layout and element’s symmetry. The petals around a flower exemplify how this type of symmetry works. In addition to having rotational (radial) symmetry, this flower also has reflection symmetry. However, that’s not always the case. Translational symmetry This kind of symmetry pertains specifically to the objects within a larger composition. The individual objects don’t need to be symmetrical in design. However, the exact object must repeat across space to be translationally symmetrical. A honeycomb is the perfect example of translational symmetry. Even if it has jagged edges or missing pieces, the repeating cells within it are symmetrical in shape, size, and angle. A design has translational symmetry when you can place the elements on top one another and they perfectly match up. What is asymmetrical balance? Asymmetry—as opposed to asymmetrical balance—refers to an object or composition with unevenly distributed elements. Asymmetry’s lopsided nature can create unease and tension for the viewer. That is, unless the design brings balance. Here’s an example: Although the empty space in this visual is beautiful, the viewer feels an element is missing. But by applying asymmetrical balance, we can turn this into a complete composition: We don’t need to make an asymmetrical design symmetrical to bring stability. Asymmetrical balance is all about visual weight. By adding enough elements or depth to the composition’s other side, we reduce the dominant element’s power. In the example above, text weighs down the image on the left. Not only does it add visual balance, but it changes how the viewer perceives the photograph. You can balance an asymmetrical design in many ways. But is asymmetry the right choice when you create a website ? We’ll explore this next. Asymmetrical balance vs. symmetrical balance in web design Balance can help your visual content make a lasting impression on visitors and customers alike. But which kind of balance will best suit your website? Let’s look at the benefits and differences of each. Using symmetrical balance Most people find a symmetrically balanced design aesthetically pleasing. With nothing out of place or “fighting” for attention, the viewer can appreciate the composition as a whole. But symmetrical interfaces are not always a conducive choice in web design. For example, symmetrical balance harmonizes all elements within the interface. Without any friction, this can sometimes make symmetrical designs monotonous and boring—and if you want visitors to focus on what you’ve written, or to take action on your offer, you’ll need to pique their interest. What are the benefits of symmetrical balance? When you build a website, you want to provide a great user experience. Symmetrically balanced designs can help you deliver your content to visitors in a straightforward manner. Symmetrical design is also useful for discovery. Because symmetrical website layouts are ordered and predictable, they’re generally easy to understand and navigate. Visitors won’t have a hard time finding what they want. When should you use symmetrical design? Symmetrical balance is best used for more formal events and buttoned-up enterprises. It’s also good for companies centered around peace and wellness. That said, even if your brand isn’t known for its formality or elegance, symmetrical balance can come in handy when designing certain parts of your website. Take the features section on your home page, for instance. Unless you want to prioritize one feature over another, design each of the blocks symmetrically. This goes for the actual sizing of the blocks, the spaces between them as well as the content within them. Also, it may benefit you to use symmetrical balance in any section of your site that you want visitors to read, rather than scan. Using asymmetrical balance Because an asymmetrical design feels uneven, it can create tension or disorganization. That said, asymmetry tends to be more dynamic and can make visitors feel more excited and energized. To reap asymmetry’s positive effects, you need to maintain visual balance. A haphazard approach to asymmetry won’t benefit you or your visitors, so you must strategize your asymmetrical design choices. Perhaps asymmetry’s biggest drawback is that it can cause visitors to miss parts of your website. Because asymmetrical objects and layouts steal so much of a person’s attention, less visually interesting elements can fade into the background. What are the benefits of using asymmetrical design? Asymmetrical balance makes asymmetry an effective approach to web design. When done right, it can feel more modern, energetic and alive than its symmetrical counterpart. Because your users will find asymmetrically balanced objects and layouts more interesting, you have more control over which page elements they’ll focus on, allowing you to ensure they discover everything they need. Designers also find asymmetrical balance freeing and more fun to play with since you don’t have to make everything uniform. Again, though, there’s a tradeoff. With more freedom of expression comes more challenges. When should you use asymmetrical balance in your web design? To decide if asymmetrical balance fits your web design, first look at your brand identity and personality. If you use words like “modern”, “creative” and “independent” to describe your brand, then you may benefit from asymmetrical balance. Also, because of asymmetrical balance’s dynamic feeling, brands that deal with sports, movement and other activities should consider using it. Just keep balance in mind: Even if you have an edgy and unique brand, your entire website doesn’t need to look that way. Learn more: What is web design? Conceptual design Asymmetrical balance belongs in site areas with big, bold, yet brief statements like the hero image, the call-to-action banner and maybe even your online portfolio. If you can contain your asymmetrical element with tons of white space, that might be all the stability and balance it needs to look and feel good. Learn more about how to make a website with our extensive guide.

Investing in your brand story can make all the difference in your business. Brand is so powerful that even average products that are well-branded have a higher chance of being purchased  than excellent products with weak branding. Along with investing in brand comes the opportunity of co-branding with another business for added impact. B2B partnerships  are on an upward trend, and data shows that co-branding yields results. According to PartnerPath, more than two-thirds of consumers  have an easier time making buying decisions after seeing a co-branded campaign. But the stronger your own brand, the more success you’ll see in co-branding. I lead the marketing team for Channel Partnerships  at Wix, a company that knows the value of brand. With a reputation as the number one website builder overall  for small businesses, Wix knows how to build a connection with its customers. Just a glimpse of the Wix logo or a mention of its name evokes thoughts of beautiful digital design and online business success. Let’s talk about branding  and what we can learn from it. Servicing SMBs? Show them how to build a brand  around their business. Why invest in brand Back in college for my Marketing Communications degree, one of the first things we learned about was customer attachment to brands—and for good reason. Brands are associated with emotions and can influence actions. This is explored in The Science of Loyalty , a 2024 report by Intuit Mailchimp. The report shares that when brands and marketers build strong relationships with existing customers, those customers are much more likely to purchase from the brand again. The report identifies several levels of loyalty, starting with inert (convenience) loyalty, followed by habitual (routine) loyalty, then dedicated (emotional) loyalty and, finally—fandom, the pinnacle of loyalty. And loyalty means higher ROI for the brand. Customers spend 43% more money  at businesses to which they are loyal. Moreover, the first product you try is usually the brand you stick with—so that initial branding is key. For example, when I was a kid, Adidas' ads and brilliant storytelling made me think of it as the  brand for stylish athletes (though I was no athlete at all). I got my first pair of Adidas sneakers at age 14, and to this day, it's my go-to brand for fitness. Not to start a brand battle, but there has been talk of Nike reinvesting in “bigger, bolder brand storytelling”  following a dip in product sales. It’s said that, despite the quality of their products, Nike’s decision to focus less on branding has literally cost them. So, it’s time to go back to basics. Branding is about relationships. You’ve got to represent something the customer loves or wants to be in order to stand out and become recognizable. In this sense, the marketing strategy  is just as important as the product itself. More Wix resources for your SMB customers: How to increase brand awareness Brand awareness guide How to measure brand equity How Wix looks at brand Ease of use. Web design . Small business. These are terms that come to mind when thinking of the Wix brand. For nearly two decades, Wix has built strong relationships with 250M+ users around the world. Wix gives people the confidence to launch online and inspires them  to bring their dreams to life. Even the name of the company feels user-friendly, like a buddy rather than a brand or product. Wix also gained brand recognition  via campaigns like the Super Bowl ad  starring model Karlie Kloss. Ads like this allowed the “personality” of our brand shine through. Wix was originally founded to make it easier for people, especially SMBs, to create their own website. That dedication to user needs has remained central to the company’s mission and brand story. One of Wix’s original innovations was the drag-and-drop editor , which allows users to design their site without code. This disruptive tech changed the face of website building. More recently, Wix has addressed users’ need for stronger SEO solutions by offering a suite of built-in SEO tools. Wix is now ranked best SEO performer  among CMSes according to Web Almanac, exceeding brands like WordPress and Squarespace. So as the brand strengthens, the product does along with it, and vice versa. Wix built its brand while honing its product offering and technology, releasing new features, enhancements and breakthroughs in AI  on a consistent basis. As a platform, Wix is always evolving. But its brand values have never changed. Learn more: What is web design? Marketing considerations for a co-branded initiative Once you know your brand and the value you communicate to customers, you can consider magnifying that power through a strategic, co-branded partnership. In terms of the overall partnership, there are fundamental questions like: Is there a business case for added value to customers? Is there a product fit? But in terms of marketing , what should you consider before launching a co-branded initiative? How does the brand personality of the business partner match up with yours? Do the corporate values and mission of your two companies align? Does the business partner have the dedicated marketing resources in place to promote and drive traffic to this initiative? Brand fit and marketing efforts are an essential part of strategic partnerships . The co-branded initiative won’t be effective if the brand pairing doesn't make sense. Like a couple of friends (think Elphaba and Glinda in Wicked ), the two brands don't necessarily need to be very similar or a logical pair. Rather, they should share some of the same values and complement one another in a way that makes the pair stronger. For example, while Wix is a global SaaS website builder  platform and Moneris  is a Canadian fintech company and payment processor, they both aim to uplift and empower small merchants. They’re also both leaders in their respective markets. Matt Crawford, SVP Partnerships at Moneris, says of the partnership: “We're taking the strong Moneris brand and layering the strong Wix brand on top. It really does become ‘1+1=3’. The power of these two brands together brings something new and impactful to the table.” Once the partnership is launched and it’s time to promote it, you’ll want to be on the same page with your business partner. What are the expectations from each side? What is the key value proposition  (KVP) and messaging for this partnership and related campaigns? How do we drive traffic, and then optimize post-launch?  Is there potential to collaborate on co-branded content  for further promotion and added value to customers? Each company should have a marketing team ready to collaborate for the partnership. Each team knows their customer bases best and can contribute to developing the KVP and go-to market strategy  (GTM) as needed. Marketers with the right experience and resources will be able to optimize the launch and performance of the partnership. At Wix Channels, we offer marketing expertise as part of our full funnel partnership strategy.  We leverage our teams across marketing, solutions, success management and more to develop tailored platform integrations , and then analyze for continuous optimization. Conclusion Branding is worth the investment, and co-branding can open up new opportunities for both your company and your customers. There is so much power behind brand to cultivate a connection—and eventually, loyalty—with your audience. Each brand has its own truth and knows its audience. But a strategic co-branded initiative can be even more convincing to customers than a usual campaign or offer.  Once you match up with another company and find the key to your partnership—that’s when added value is created. Learn how a channel partnership  with Wix can drive growth for your business and your SMB customers.