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Branding is crucial, no doubt. But when it's time to navigate the digital landscape, social media branding can elevate your game to a whole new level. Whether you're running an online startup or a well-established brick-and-mortar business, building your social brand is not just optional—it's essential. However, social media branding is not just about posting content or snagging likes. It's a multi-faceted endeavor that involves strategic planning, targeted engagement and a dash of creativity. In this guide, you'll find actionable strategies and tips for establishing your brand on key social platforms like Facebook, Instagram and X. Ready to supercharge your branding? Take Wix’s logo maker for a spin. What is social media branding? Social media branding is the practice of shaping your business identity on social platforms to create brand recognition and nurture relationships with your target audience. It's an extension of your overall brand strategy, just fine-tuned to take advantage of the unique features of social media. This can lead to better engagement and customer loyalty. In other words, social media branding is about building and maintaining a lasting relationship with your audience. It's distinct from social media marketing , which is more focused on achieving specific short-term goals. Both are crucial for business success, but they serve different purposes. Nail your social media branding strategy in 13 steps Dial in your target audience Choose the appropriate platforms Create business accounts to access advanced tools Craft your brand persona Set brand guidelines Create high-quality content Implement a content calendar Engage with your community Leverage user-generated content Work with influencers Use paid advertising wisely Keep tabs on your competitors Monitor and adapt 01. Dial in your target audience The first step to strong branding is understanding who’s actually in your audience. What are their demographics, psychographics and needs? What do they actually talk about online, and how can your brand add a unique perspective? Who, exactly, would benefit from knowing your brand? For example, let's say you're selling premium coffee subscriptions delivered to your customer's door. Your target audience might look something like the following: Age: 23-45 years Income: $40,000-$150,000 annually Education: college or higher Occupation: business professionals, freelancers and remote employees Location: urban and suburban areas in the U.S. Interests: enjoys quality coffee as a part of their daily routine but doesn't have the time or desire to visit a café daily Pain points: desires a consistent coffee experience without leaving home Communication channels: Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and YouTube You can glean information about your target audience by closely monitoring your competitors’ social channels, reading reviews and complaints, speaking with top buyers, conducting surveys and monitoring the analytics on your business website . Knowing what analytics tools are available to you is a key consideration in understanding how to make a website . For example, Wix Analytics can give you in-depth insight into exactly who your customers are, where they’re coming from and how to leverage that into sales. By creating this type of profile, you can better narrow down your social media branding and marketing strategies right down to the type of content you’ll produce, the tone you’ll adopt and the platforms you'll use. Want advanced insights at your fingertips? Create your Wix website today. 02. Choose the appropriate platforms When it comes to selecting which social media platforms to focus on, quality is more important than quantity. Spreading yourself too thin across multiple channels can dilute your focus and impact. Instead, concentrate on one to three key platforms where you can post high-quality content and engage effectively with your target audience. Every social channel comes with its own metrics, demographics, tools and quirks, which may help you determine which platforms are best for your business. According to a report by Social Media Examiner , most marketers agree that Instagram is the best channel for increasing brand awareness and exposure, followed closely by YouTube, TikTok and others. The breakdown is as follows: Instagram: 76% YouTube: 73% TikTok: 73% X: 71% Facebook: 69% LinkedIn: 67% The same report shows, however, that nearly all business-to-consumer (B2C) businesses place their primary focus on Facebook and Instagram. By contrast, most business-to-business (B2B) businesses focus on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram, respectively. YouTube, X and TikTok were a much lower priority for both B2B and B2C marketers. 03. Create business accounts to access advanced tools Some solopreneurs may choose to build their business brand off of their personal brand, opting to keep their personal social media handles. But for most businesses, it makes sense to create unique business accounts for each social media channel, even if you don’t have any social media content to share just yet. A business account gives you access to invaluable tools, such as the ability to promote posts and track engagement. In creating your business accounts, you’ll want to upload a business logo or professional profile picture, insert a branded link back to your business website and write a brief bio or description that encapsulates what your business is about. As you flesh out your business accounts, keep these elements in mind: Consistency: Check that your branding, like logos, social profile name and color schemes, are consistent across all platforms to help with brand recognition. Contact info: Make sure to include all relevant contact details. Many customers will seek this information through your social profiles. Pinned posts: Use pinned posts to highlight key messages or promotions. Pinned posts are the first thing visitors will see when visiting your profile. Platform-specific features: Take advantage of unique features on different platforms. For instance, you can thoughtfully organize themed boards on Pinterest or curate a series of Story Highlights on Instagram. Across platforms, use a link in bio tool like Hopp by Wix to direct followers back to your website. 04. Craft your brand persona A well-defined brand persona guides the tone, style and content you share with your audience. More importantly, a brand persona humanizes your business, making it more relatable and memorable. To create your brand persona, start by writing down adjectives that describe your brand. You can also scope out your competitors to see what has been resonating well with their social audiences. Key components of a brand persona include: Tone of voice: Decide whether your brand is formal, friendly, sarcastic or any other tone that aligns with your target audience. Visual style: Choose colors, fonts and types of imagery that represent your brand's personality. Core values: Identify two or three values that your brand stands for. Make sure your social media content reflects these values. Authenticity: Always keep it real. Respond to your followers in a way that ensures them that a genuine, caring and authentic human being is on the other end of the conversation. 05. Set your brand guidelines Brand guidelines are a set of rules and standards that define how your company presents itself to the world, ensuring a consistent identity across all channels. To set effective brand guidelines, you’ll want to first identify your target voice, tone and messaging to ensure that your brand's communication aligns with its personality. Then, set rules for all design components your brand should use to keep visual elements cohesive and professional. Be inspired by these gestalt principles  too. Create a comprehensive yet easy-to-follow document where all this information is accessible. Some key components to include are: Logo usage: Specify how and where the logo should appear, including size constraints (learn more about social media image sizes ), color variations and what background it can be placed on. Color palette: Define the primary and secondary colors that represent your brand. Provide the exact hex codes so there is no variation. Learn more: What is a color code . Typography: Choose fonts for headings, subheadings and body text, making sure they are readable and reflect your brand persona. Imagery: Establish rules for the types of images that can be used. This includes the style of photography, iconography and whether or not certain types of images are off-limits. Tone and voice: Describe the tone your brand should adopt. Are you authoritative, casual or inspiring? This will influence not just what you say but how you say it. Messaging: Set some key phrases, slogans or taglines that can be used universally across your branding on social media. Keep your value proposition in mind. Hashtags: Create a list of unique hashtags that represent your brand and incorporate a few popular hashtags that align with your business. Consistently used hashtags become a recognizable part of your brand and make your content more discoverable. Legal and compliance: Make sure to include any legal disclaimers or guidelines for usage to protect your brand. This is particularly important if you're in a regulated industry. See it in action: Wix user Revival Coffee is a prime example of mastering cohesive branding across online and social channels. Texas-based restaurateur Gabriela Bucio refers to her local coffee shop as “unapologetically pink,” and the eye-catching color is consistent across her website, Instagram page and TikTok account in abundance. Her iconic pink hue has even made its way onto her menu in the form of pink fried donuts and pink glitter conchas. Learn more: What are dopamine colors ? 06. Create high-quality content Branding on social media doesn't always have to be about your business. Instead, focus on offering value to your audience, whether it's informative, entertaining or resolves a particular problem they have. Quality content helps position your brand as an authority in your field. It can also drive engagement and sharing, expanding your reach and customer base. Most importantly, it reflects your brand's standards and values. Your content strategy should take the following points into consideration: Relevance: Cater to your target audience's interests, needs, questions or pain points. Originality: Offer fresh perspectives, data or insights. Well-researched: Cite reputable sources, use accurate data and make sure your content is factual. Good visuals: Use eye-catching images, videos or infographics to break up text and make your content more engaging. Read more about infographic colors . Search engine optimization (SEO): Use keywords naturally within your content to improve its visibility online, but don't keyword-stuff. Tone and style: Make sure your content aligns with your brand's voice and guidelines for consistency across all platforms. Learn more: How to design social media graphics . 07. Implement a content calendar A content calendar outlines the what, when and where of the content you'll post. It keeps you consistent, ensures you're hitting your target audience at the ideal times and saves you from last-minute scrambles. Below are a few tips for fleshing out your content calendar: Identify content types: Start by identifying different types of content that align with your brand and audience needs. Examples may include how-to guides, industry news, product announcements and user testimonials. Repurpose existing content: Maybe you had a viral Facebook post or a popular Instagram Story. You can take that content and spin it off into a blog post, YouTube video or TikTok to capitalize on an existing social media success. Plan for seasonal campaigns: Plan special campaigns around holidays, seasons or special events relevant to your business. This creates a sense of urgency and can boost engagement and sales for a limited period. Create content series: Brainstorm easily repeatable series you could share across your social channels. For example, a clothing boutique may post an “outfit of the day” on Instagram featuring items sold in their shop. Plan a month at a time: There are several free social media content calendars available online to help you visualize and schedule your content weeks at a time. For example, HubSpot offers a downloadable spreadsheet , or you can use AirTable's social media calendar template online. Manage asset creation: Write your content and build your graphics in weekly or monthly batches so that all the pieces are ready to go. If you need inspiration, try an AI content generator like ChatGPT to help you brainstorm post ideas based on the information you provide about your business and your goals. Schedule your posts: Social media management tools , like Wix’s built-in social post scheduler , make it easier to schedule posts to all of your social media accounts from one place. 08. Engage with your community Reply to comments, answer queries and even hop on trending topics if relevant to your business. Try posting activities like polls, quizzes or Q&A sessions to boost engagement. Keep in mind that posts with higher engagement boost your visibility and build a community around your brand. You don’t have to sit parked at a computer or on your smartphone replying to comments all day long, but responsiveness should be a priority to foster a better customer experience. “Most reasonable customers don’t expect a response within two minutes,” says Drew Balis, social media manager at Wix. “But if you can carve out an hour or two per day to ensure you’re getting back to customers within 24 or so hours, they’ll feel heard, acknowledged and appreciated.” You shouldn’t just stick to your own social channels, either. Balis notes that it’s important to keep tabs on what may be being said about your business in third-party circles. “In addition to responding to your notifications and mentions on platforms like [X], Instagram and LinkedIn, you can proactively search for any additional conversations taking place about your business and jump in appropriately,” Balis says. Remember that engagement is a two-way street. Irrelevant content or inconsistent posting will alienate your audience, no matter how much you try to engage. So, balance quality content with meaningful interactions, treating your social media branding efforts as an integral part of your business strategy. 09. Leverage user-generated content User-generated content (UGC) is a virtual goldmine for your business. Because consumers make the content, it's often more authentic and relatable. UGC boosts your brand's credibility through social proof and enriches your content without extra effort. “Oftentimes, the most powerful marketing comes from people and not brands,” Balis states. “If we take an extreme example, Coca-Cola could film a commercial for a new flavor telling you how great it is and tout elements like taste, [how refreshing it is], etc, but you’re much more likely to go try a new Coke flavor if your best friend—or an everyday person—recommends it.” The data confirms it. A recent study by Entribe reveals that 83% of customers are more likely to purchase from brands sharing real consumer content. Here are some ways to encourage social media engagement for UGC: Reviews and testimonials: Make it easy for satisfied customers to share their experiences and then feature their reviews on your social platforms, always giving credit and thanking them for their input. Hashtag campaigns: Ask customers to share their experience or how they use your product by posting and tagging with a unique, brand-specific hashtag. Contests: Who doesn't love free stuff? Organize a social media contest where users have to share your product or make a post related to your brand to enter the content. This generates buzz and a wealth of UGC. Customer spotlights: Reach out to customers with unique or compelling stories about your product and feature them on your social media channels. Repurposed content: When you find high-quality UGC related to your brand, ask permission to feature it in your marketing or website. 10. Work with influencers Working with social media influencers can boost your brand visibility in a way that feels more organic to potential clients. Influencers come equipped with their own positive brand and well-established audience, which your business can “inherit” as part of its own. The key to effective results is forming a natural partnership between your business, your community and the influencer. When you’re looking for collaborators, there are a few key steps you should take: Identify your goals: Decide if you're aiming for increased brand awareness, more sales, increased engagement, etc. Research and vet influencers: Look for influencers who align with your brand values and have a genuine audience (not bots) that overlaps your target market. Don't get swayed by popularity; even micro-influencers with smaller followings can make a significant impact if their niche resonates with your brand. Just make sure that they post consistent, high-quality content. Do outreach: Contact influencers through email or direct messages. Start by introducing your brand and explaining why you think a partnership would benefit both parties. Discuss the partnership: Once an influencer shows interest, take some time to get to know them on a more personal level and evaluate their fit with your brand. Some influencers may serve better as short-term arrangements, while others may become long-term partnerships as the relationship grows. You’ll want to discuss compensation, timeline and the content you expect for each partnership. Track your results: Use analytics tools to measure key performance indicators like engagement, reach and ROI to determine the campaign's success. According to Sarah Adam, Head of Marketing Partnerships and Influencer Marketing at Wix Studio , "Influencers know their followers best and content creation is at the heart of what they do. Brands want to work with them because of their unique voice and style, and that’s why it’s important to give them creative freedom." 11. Use paid advertising wisely Paid ads can amplify your reach if well-targeted. To be cost effective, you’ll want to ensure that your messaging and branding are actually driving a healthy click-through rate (CTR) and conversion rate, not just boosting vanity metrics. These rates can vary depending on the industry you're in, what social channel you're using and even the time of year. It’s helpful to go in with a plan of attack, like the following: Define your goals: Know what you aim for, such as brand awareness, increased engagement, etc. Choose a platform: Pick the social platform where your target audience is most active. Budget wisely: Use the platform's tools to set appropriate spending limits. Create targeted ads: Reach ideal customers using demographic targeting such as age, location, interests and behaviors. Craft quality content: Use compelling visuals and content aligned with your brand and voice, along with a clear call to action (CTA). A/B test: Run different versions to find what works best. Monitor and tweak: Regularly check the performance of your ad campaigns and tweak them as needed for better results. You can create, monitor and modify Facebook and Instagram ad campaigns directly through your Wix dashboard. Having all of these tools in one place ensures an organized and stress-free workflow, leaving you with one less thing to worry about. 12. Keep tabs on your competitors It’s important to monitor your competition to understand how you measure up, and to identify opportunities or weaknesses that you can capitalize on. For example, let's pretend you sell custom water bottles focusing on sustainability. You might find competitors that offer custom water bottles, but hardly mention sustainability. On the other hand, smaller eco-friendly shops might highlight their sustainability, but not offer customization. That's a gap you can squeeze into. Now, fine-tune your strategy by observing when your competitors post to social media and when their followers are most active. Look for high-engagement threads and use these posts to brainstorm similar but unique posts as part of your own social media optimization strategy. 13. Monitor and adapt Maintaining a well-oiled social media branding strategy is an ongoing task. Regularly check analytics and periodically perform a social media audit to ensure brand consistency and optimal performance, plus identify what's working and what needs adjustment. Balis notes that while insights are highly valuable, they usually don’t require complicated tools or studies. “You could set up simple A/B tests to measure content that your followers like and dislike,” he advises. A few examples: red backgrounds vs. blue background (or whatever your primary brand colors happen to be), posting in the morning vs. the afternoon, short copy vs. longer copy, etc. “From there, you can begin to optimize your content and double down on what you believe to be working best.” Some additional insights you can use to refine your strategies include: Engagement metrics: Look at likes, shares, comments and click-through rates to understand what content resonates with your audience. Audience demographics: Most social platforms have built-in analytics so you can monitor your audience's age, location and interests. Adapt your branding message accordingly. Posting times: Check when your audience is most active and adjust your social calendar to match those peak times. Return on investment (ROI): Track conversions or leads generated through social media to ensure your branding efforts translate into business outcomes. Keywords: Track which keywords related to your brand are trending, and use this to create or adapt content. Benefits of social media branding Nailing your social media branding strategy offers you many benefits, including: Long-term relationship building: By consistently engaging online, participating in meaningful conversations and keeping your brand top of mind, you can strike up more authentic relationships, which can lead to higher sales. Consistent brand identity: You can create a unified brand voice, aesthetic and message across all platforms. This consistency can make your brand instantly recognizable and trusted. Reputation management: Effective branding gives you more control over your business' public image. You can use social media platforms to communicate your values, mission and vision, which can help minimize misunderstandings or miscommunications if they occur. Customer engagement: Branding encourages more meaningful interactions with your audience. This engagement goes beyond likes and shares to creating dialogues that help you understand customer needs and preferences. Social media branding FAQ What is social media branding? Social media branding is the process of using social media platforms to build and promote your brand’s identity, voice and values. It’s about creating a consistent look, feel and message across all your social channels to make your brand recognizable and memorable, using color psychology practices to do so. This includes your logo, color palette, tone of voice and the type of content you share. Effective social media branding helps grow your audience, build trust and strengthen your brand’s reputation. What is the 50/30/20 rule for social media? The 50/30/20 rule is a simple content strategy to keep your social media balanced and engaging: 50% Value-driven content:  Share helpful, informative or entertaining content that adds value to your audience. 30% Personal or brand-building content:  Post content that shows your brand’s personality, values or behind-the-scenes moments to build stronger connections. 20% Promotional content:  Reserve a smaller portion of your posts for direct promotions, such as sales, product launches, etc. This rule helps you avoid being overly promotional while still growing your brand and engaging your audience. How do I brand myself on social media? Branding yourself on social media is all about consistency and authenticity. Here’s how to do it: Define Your brand identity:  Choose a clear niche, decide on your brand voice and pick consistent colors, fonts and visuals. Create consistent profiles:  Use the same profile picture, bio tone and cover images across all platforms for easy recognition. Post valuable content:  Share content that aligns with your brand’s message and connects with your target audience. Engage with your audience:  Respond to comments, participate in conversations and show your human side to build trust and loyalty. Stay consistent:  Post regularly and maintain a cohesive aesthetic and tone so your audience always knows what to expect from you. What is branded social media? Branded social media refers to social media profiles, posts and strategies that are intentionally designed to reflect a brand’s identity. This includes using consistent logos, colors, messaging and voice across all social platforms. Branded social media isn’t just about promoting products or services—it’s about creating a recognizable presence that tells your brand’s story, connects with your audience and strengthens brand loyalty.

A straightforward financial offering just doesn't cut it anymore in the small business banking and payments space. SMBs are increasingly looking toward financial institutions like acquiring banks and merchant acquirers to provide them with digital tools for online commerce and operations—everything from transactions, accounting, payroll and service scheduling to website design, marketing and analytics. According to a McKinsey survey  of 1,200+ small businesses in the US, less than 50% of SMBs get their commercial enablement tools through their primary bank, but the majority said they’d prefer to get these solutions from a single provider. Explore online commerce for SMBs with an eCommerce website builder . The future of financial offerings Many SMBs are choosing to launch and run their business with all-in-one fintech platforms in lieu of traditional acquiring banks and merchant acquirers, as they provide omnichannel commerce, operational tools and financial services in a combined offering. Not only does this streamline the business formation process but it centralizes the SMB’s operations to one platform, allowing them to focus on growing their business and driving revenue off the bat.  In response, forward-thinking acquiring banks and merchant acquirers are expanding their offerings to embrace online commerce. And it doesn’t just keep them afloat—it can bring a major lift in revenue as well. According to The Value of FI Merchant Services , an eReport by TSG, FIs generate an average of 94% more revenue from merchant services customers than non-merchant services customers. And research by Boston Consulting Group finds that eCommerce is predicted to capture 41% of global retail sales  by 2027, signifying a large opportunity for businesses that provide digital commerce services. Acquiring banks and merchant acquirers that want to succeed in the SMB space will need to think beyond the usual service offering and expand into an offering of complete online business solutions. Digital commerce solutions can include online selling, reviews, social promotions and more. Boosting small business with online commerce In the typical small business formation flow , merchants create their financial plan and look for the right financial institution to open an account with, followed by the right platform to build their online presence. Acquiring banks and merchant acquirers can seize this opportunity by bundling web creation and online commerce services with their current offering, capturing brick-and-mortar SMBs just before they open their doors online. This saves SMBs time researching and choosing eCommerce tools , and it keeps banks from missing out on prime patronage. It also differentiates the acquirer from others, which tend to stick to traditional financial offerings like accounts and credit cards. Most importantly, acquiring banks and merchant acquirers that provide small merchants with the technologies they need to create a complete professional online presence can contribute directly to their customers’ business growth. With the right combination of eCommerce, digital marketing and SEO tools, SMBs can increase sales and boost revenue. For example, Wix users with eCommerce business  websites saw a 24% increase  in monthly revenue across online and instore channels after using Wix’s Google Search Console integration . This can translate directly into an increase in GPV for the merchant services provider.  There are many online commerce solutions acquiring banks and merchant acquirers can consider offering to their SMB customers today, according to SMB industry needs. These range from:  Retail eCommerce for online stores Online bookings  Online scheduling   Events for service businesses Recurring online payment processing General invoicing with an invoice generator . One example of a fundamental capability with great potential impact on SMB revenue is to enable retail merchants to set up shop online. In addition to direct selling, merchants can also increase abandoned cart recovery  rate by sending automated popups, personalized emails and more. Offering scheduling capabilities can also result in a significant boost to business, allowing merchants’ customers to seamlessly take bookings for services like fitness classes, home improvement, consulting and any other professional services. Targeted popups can encourage abandoned cart recovery, boosting sales. Increasing your customer retention and adoption Offering embedded online commerce solutions can also help acquiring banks and merchant acquirers boost loyalty and even increase adoption of merchant services amongst existing SMB customers. Adding this crucial service to an offering shows an understanding of merchant needs. And once the merchant has launched their business presence online, they’re much more likely to continue the relationship with the institution. For the acquiring bank, the merchant is more likely to purchase or use additional products including merchant services. Even more so if the acquiring bank provides website management services. This creates an extra channel for acquiring banks to upsell on business management solutions, generating new revenue streams. Take for example Moneris, Canada’s largest merchant acquirer and online payment provider, backed by Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) and Bank of Montreal (BMO). Moneris was looking to provide a total business solution for their merchant customers that included both in store payment acceptance (POS)  and online payment acceptance. They partnered with Wix to give customers powerful eCommerce website development  abilities that are embedded directly into Moneris’s platform, dubbed “Moneris Online”. In only the first period, the company saw a 71% lift in net new web builder sales compared to the previous offering. As part of the tailored Wix partnership, Moneris customers receive a fully-enabled online shop with Moneris connected as the payment processor, fueling online transactions. Moneris is able to leverage both the complementary offering and the brand partnership with Wix to drive adoption, retain SMB customers and attract new ones. Moneris offers total online business solutions to their merchant customers. Working with a B2B partner to offer online commerce By partnering with the right web tech company, acquiring banks and merchant acquirers can add embedded online commerce directly into the SMB customer experience. Through Wix’s B2B channel partnerships , for example, acquiring banks and merchant acquirers can offer Wix’s web creation platform and online business solutions directly to merchants, providing them with omnichannel commerce. The Wix platform is custom-integrated into the acquiring bank/merchant acquirer’s marketing and product funnels by expert solution engineers to create a seamless customer journey and onboarding experience. Acquiring banks and merchant acquirers can promote and distribute Wix’s web creation platform and tools as a co-branded offering, while remaining the sole merchant services gateway. And with the option to provide Wix’s drag-and-drop website builder  directly to customers or to offer professional designer services, acquiring banks and merchant acquirers can choose the best model or combination of models for their needs. The right B2B partnership can enable acquiring banks and merchant acquirers to give customers access to a trusted cloud-based platform, without needing to develop and sell in-house solutions. Building solutions from the ground up is expensive and time-consuming, and keeping up maintenance and innovation can be equally as capital-intensive. Partnering can mean saving on major tech and HR spend, with peace of mind in the product’s capabilities. A B2B partner should have a powerful technical platform infrastructure with a strong reputation to match. Wix for example has been honing its 100s of digital solutions for small businesses for nearly 20 years, and currently serves hundreds of millions of users across the globe. Plus, Wix is engineered to enable websites to keep on scaling with business growth, providing all sites with built-in enterprise-grade security, top-notch reliability and comprehensive SEO tools. Learn more: B2B partnerships for online directories Channel partnerships at Wix involve seamless platform integration. Going forward, it's table stakes for acquiring banks and merchant acquirers to expand their SMB offering and begin providing the tools to drive omnichannel commerce and payment acceptance. Embedded online commerce is the next logical step. Not only does it support SMB customer growth, but it helps acquiring banks and merchant acquirers keep up in a competitive landscape with the potential to increase revenue, retention and adoption. Fortunately, web creation platforms like Wix offer trusted partnerships, allowing acquiring banks and merchant acquirers to directly provide ready-made solutions tailored for their SMB customers’ industries. Through channel partnerships, acquiring banks and merchant acquirers can find a win-win opportunity: supporting small business while driving overall revenue. Learn how a   channel partnership  with Wix can drive growth for your business and your SMB customers.

Start generating business ideas with the Wix Business Launcher →  Starting a business  in your town is a great way to stay close to your roots and give back to your community. Your journey towards being a successful entrepreneur starts with a significant step - choosing the right business idea .  Becoming an entrepreneur is a way to earn money, but it’s also an outlet to showcase your talents and engage with your community. So, be ready to factor in your interests, experience and values. In this article, explore a wide range of small-town business ideas  and learn the best way to pick a business idea that succeeds. Prepared to make your entrepreneurial dreams come true? Discover how to come up with a business idea that aligns with your interests and meets local market needs. Still not sure which business idea is best for you? Weigh your options with the Wix Business Launcher, which uses AI to match you with the right business idea based on your skills and goals. The Wix Business Launcher equips you with market research, earnings strategies and a launch kit for every idea, so you can get started with confidence.  41 small-town business ideas Coffee shop or cafe Bakery or baking business Farmer’s stand Grocery store Arts and crafts business Bookstore General store Technology repair service store Family restaurant Boutique clothing business Pet grooming and boarding Barbershop Lawn care, gardening and landscaping Fitness studio or gym Bed and breakfast Food truck Ice cream parlor Home cleaning Art gallery Laundromat and dry cleaning services Auto repair shop Hardware store Event planning Co-working space Tutoring and other educational services Kids' toys and games store Salon and spa services Antique and second-hand selling Homecare Liquor store or winery/brewery Flower shop Tattoo and piercing shop Daycare Music store Handyman services Gas station or car wash Drugstore or pharmacy Pet grooming and boarding Fitness studio or gym Real estate agency Veterinary office 01. Coffee shop or cafe A good cup of coffee is always in demand; roughly three out of four Americans  drink coffee every day. Plus, your shop can become a beloved social space, which makes a cafe a great small-town business idea. How to make a small-town coffee shop profitable? Start a drive-through cafe Host comedians, musicians and artists Obtain a liquor license and serve coffee-based liqueur Target several types of customers, such as commuters, remote workers and couples Here’s an inspiration for you: Yiayia's Coffee  started by selling gourmet coffee at a farmer’s market in Frisco, Texas.  Learn more: How to create a coffee shop business plan 02. Bakery or baking business Starting your own bakery or baking business  is an excellent small-town business idea to showcase unique recipes and local produce. Open a cozy space or run your baking business from home. Either way, a good donut, croissant or pretzel does more than satisfy hunger; it comforts people. How to make a small-town bakery successful?  Develop signature dishes unique to your bakery Serve vegan and gluten-free baked goods Cater to birthday parties, baby showers and local events If you’re looking for an exemplary small-town bakery business, check out Hanna Stone Pastry . Their portfolio website showcases beautiful baked goods.  Learn more: How to create a bakery business plan 03. Farmer’s stand If you aren’t ready to open a store, running a farmers’ stand at your local market is a great alternative. You don’t need to be a farmer to have a farmer’s stand; you could buy local produce, homemade jams and artisanal cheese, then resell them. Why is a farmer’s stand a great small-town business idea?  Your initial investment in capital will be low It supports local farmers and artisans Farmer’s markets often attract tourists and people passing through town  Learn more:  How to start a farming business 04. Grocery store A small town’s grocery store helps the community access fresh produce without having to travel. If your town already has a grocery store, make yours stand out by offering curated items for different cultures and lifestyles. Tips to make your small-town grocery store a success Rent a prominent, easily accessible store space Explore niche markets like ethnic cuisines and gluten-free staples Plan your inventory around items in high demand For a model grocery store, check out Fox & West , a successful small-town business in Totterdown, England. 05. Arts and crafts business Selling arts and crafts is a great small-town business idea to monetize your hobby. You can open a physical store or sell your crafts online . Either way, try selling original paintings, home decor, ceramic pots or jewelry. How to make money from your arts and crafts store? Start online stores in established eCommerce marketplaces Offer craft workshops and art exhibitions Commission local artists to create unique pieces  Learn more:  9 steps to start selling online , Hobbies that can make money from home   06. Bookstore You’re probably wondering whether it’s a good idea to start a bookstore, considering the rise of online books. Yes, people still find pleasure in browsing through the bookshelves. A bookstore can also become the town’s hub for readers and writers.  How to make money from a small-town bookstore?  Curate books to cater to a specific target audience Double as a venue for club meetings and book readings Run a small cafe alongside your bookstore Open an online bookstore by building an eCommerce website For inspiration, check out the charming Luminary  bookshop, which serves the small town of Gardnerville, Nevada.  07. General store Opening a general store in your town will help people buy impromptu essentials like milk, tampons, stationery and snacks. Even if your town has a supermarket and grocery store, a general store in a highly frequented area can become successful. Plus, you could start loyalty programs for your regular customers. 08. Technology repair service store 90% of Americans own a smartphone —but unlike in big cities, small towns may not have service shops owned by popular brands. In those cases, starting a repair and service store is an excellent small-town business idea.  How to run a successful repair and service store? Offer phone or computer services at the doorstep Handle software updates and installations Sell cyber security products like antivirus software 09. Family restaurant Food is a basic necessity, and providing new local options is sure to attract the curiosity of residents. Small towns often have charming restaurants that serve family recipes passed down through generations. Naturally, offering both dine-in and home delivery services will improve your profits.  To make a splash, you could start your food business  by bringing a foreign cuisine to your town.  Learn more:  How to create a restaurant business plan 10. Boutique clothing business If you’re a fashion designer—or just interested in clothes— starting a boutique clothing store  is a good idea, especially if your town lacks a wide variety of clothing stores and designer boutiques. How to make a clothing boutique profitable?  Sell clothing inspired by local designs, cultures and textiles Promote sustainable or preloved clothes and accessories Open an eCommerce store to supplement the physical store Offer styling services or sell matching jewelry and accessories Specialize based on demand, such as a kids' clothing store 11. Pet grooming and boarding If you love animals, pet grooming and boarding is a great small-town business idea. There’s little upfront cost and you can diversify your business in many ways: Start a pet salon. Open a pet toys and food store. Offer pet sitting and pet walking. Caring for animals is a fulfilling business, and you can even run it from home. For example, take Melba’s Pawsitive Pet Sitting  and its cage-free services.  12. Barbershop A barbershop is essential for every small town. People prefer their hair cut by a trusted barber, so if you can consistently deliver outstanding service, you’ll have a loyal customer base. Start small and expand your business. Here are a few services to add later: Coloring and texture changes Beard and moustache grooming Hair care product sales 13. Lawn care, gardening and landscaping Do you enjoy spending time in your garden? Your hobby is also a business opportunity. With their daily hustle, people often find it difficult to groom their lawns. Start a landscaping business  or open up a gardening service  to help people make their yards beautiful.  Later on, expand your gardening services. Design new gardens and obtain contracts to maintain them—or to build a nursery and sell plants. For inspiration, check out Wicked Green Lawn Consulting . 14. Fitness studio or gym Are you a fitness enthusiast? Do you often advise your friends on diets and exercises? Starting a fitness studio  could be the perfect business idea for you. Charge for gym subscriptions, cater to people who prioritize their health and inspire them to exercise.  Granted, starting a gym  requires a high initial investment for capital, including equipment. Alternatively, make money as a personal trainer .  Here’s a great example of a successful small-town fitness business. WellnessByBB —based in Nashville, Tennessee—offers online and offline fitness training and nutritional advice.  15. Bed and breakfast A bed and breakfast greatly helps passersby and vacationers in a small town. It could boost your town’s tourism by becoming a popular weekend getaway for people from nearby cities.  Either set up a separate property or set aside a few rooms in your home. It’s a good idea to market your bed and breakfast by listing it on Airbnb and creating a website. Check out Wix for stunning website templates for B&Bs .  16. Food truck If you are a chef or passionate about food, this is an ideal small-town business idea. A food truck isn’t limited to a specific area—go where the crowd is.  How to make a food truck profitable? Create a food truck route with multiple stops across town Serve specialty food featuring local produce Expand your business to nearby towns Take your food truck to festivals and events You can start a food truck business  with low capital and expand when business picks up. Check out West Virginia Food Trucks  for proof this is a lucrative business idea. Learn more: How to create a food truck business plan 17. Ice cream parlor Ice cream parlors are a favorite hang-out spot for kids and families. There are many ways to turn your ice cream shop into a success: Create signature ice cream flavors with fun visuals Offer some low-calorie and dairy-free ice creams Cater to local events and birthday parties Expand your business by adding cakes and pastries You could start a franchise  or focus on making your desserts groundbreaking. For a successful small-town ice cream parlor that stands out in creativity, see Ice Cream Roll Up  in Gardner, Kansas. 18. Home cleaning Officegoers, young parents and senior citizens typically need cleaning services. Why not help them out? Why is home cleaning a profitable business idea? Weekly or monthly cleaning services will bring you recurring income. You can expand into decluttering, cooking or house-sitting. In rural areas, it’s easier to get jobs through referrals. The cherry on top: You don’t need to rent a shop or buy industrial equipment to start a home cleaning business . Learn more: How to create a cleaning business plan 19. Art gallery If you are an artist or art enthusiast, opening a gallery is a unique opportunity to make money through your passion. In addition to displaying and selling art, your gallery could become the cultural center of your town. Tips to make money from an art gallery Conduct art workshops, themed exhibitions and sales Offer space for cultural gatherings Host open mic sessions to feature local artists 20. Laundromat and dry cleaning services People need clean clothes no matter what, so opening a laundromat  is a safe bet in any economy. Granted, you’ll need an initial investment to buy washing machines and dryers. You’ll also have significant operating costs, namely the electricity and water bill. However, if you have less competition and a long-term customer base, you’ll quickly outpace the expenses. As an example, check out this laundromat based in Albany, New York ; it’s a successful business offering both self-service and drop-off services. Learn more:  Making a laundromat business plan 21. Auto repair shop Imagine having a flat tire and waiting for a mechanic to arrive from two towns over. Establishing a repair shop in your small town is a great business idea that can earn you consistent income.  Here are a few add-ons that’ll bring your repair shop more revenue: Car washes Vehicle care products  Towing Routine vehicle servicing  Vehicles need maintenance all the time, which makes an auto repair shop a fairly recession-proof business idea .  To get inspired, check out S&M Auto Repairs , which provides collision repair, full-body car check-ups and more. 22. Hardware store Home improvement and maintenance are never-ending projects. That’s why a well-stocked hardware store is a great small-town business idea—you’d be the go-to for specialized tools and supplies.  A hardware shop has a high startup cost, namely renting a storefront and purchasing inventory. However, hardware supplies are always in demand, so you’ll make quick sales. Alternatively, you could offer handyperson services. 23. Event planning If you’re good at throwing a party, starting an event planning business  could be lucrative. In a small town, you’ll find many opportunities to offer your services, such as birthdays, baby showers, anniversaries and weddings.  As an event planner, partner with other local businesses to offer: Venues for rent Catering services Photography and videography  Return gifts  Here’s some inspiration: Pop Tier  is a local event planner in Pineville, North Carolina, offering party services. Learn more: Making a party planning business plan 24. Co-working space A co-working space offers freelancers and remote workers a place to tackle their to-do lists. The nationwide number of remote workers has increased since the pandemic, and many prefer working from a professional space. To set up a profitable coworking space, include comfortable seating, high-speed wifi and conference rooms. Try offering snacks and beverages at an additional cost.  25. Tutoring and other educational services Most students benefit from academic help outside their classrooms. If you’re a teacher or passionate about education, tutoring can bring money as well as satisfaction. You could conduct in-person classes or teach online. Plus, this small-town business idea requires almost zero upfront cost.  For example, see BTR Tutoring —they offer math lessons for kids from 5th to 7th grade. Alternatively, you could coach students for specific competitions like olympiads, spelling bees and standardized tests. Keep in mind that you don’t need to pick an academic discipline to start a tutoring service ; why not teach an art form, sport or craft? Learn more: How to create a tutoring business plan 26. Kids' toy and game store Toys and games play an essential role in a child’s development. Small towns often have some kids’ toys in supermarkets, but the selection is limited. Opening a dedicated toy and game store is an opportunity to improve people’s childhoods and make money doing it. How to make a toy store profitable? Curate toys for children of different age groups Offer a wide range of developmental and educational toys Host educational events and workshops for children Alternatively, start an online toy store. For instance, Cier's Learning Box  offers toys and games that teach English.  27. Salon and spa services There’s always a high demand for grooming services like salons and spas. If you’ve completed a beauty course, try starting a hair salon or nail spa in your town. Consider offering multiple services under one umbrella, such as: Hair and nails Spa and massage center Makeup and grooming Facials and body care treatments Learn more:   How to create a hair salon business plan How to start a nail business 28. Antique and second-hand selling Small towns often hold their heritage close to heart. Starting an antique shop showcasing objects from your town’s bygone era would definitely attract attention. An antique shop also attracts tourists and travelers, unlocking a wider audience.  Consider combining your antique shop with a thrift store to sell pre-loved items at an affordable price.  Regardless, you’ll need to rent physical store space, make an eCommerce website , set up a booth during fairs or all of the above. 29. Home care Caring for older people is a noble pursuit. If your town lacks the facilities for it, starting a home care service  is a great small-town business idea. To make it a successful business, lease a lovely property and hire professional nurses. 30. Liquor store, winery or brewery  Liquor is typically a lucrative business with high margins. If your town doesn’t allow grocery stores to sell liquor, opening a dedicated liquor store or brewery is a solid idea to make money. Alternatively, make wine or beer using local ingredients. A signature drink attracts people from far and wide. Getting a liquor license takes a bit, so look into that process before investing in your store. 31. Flower shop Your town will benefit from a flower shop that delivers affordable and unique bouquets. After all, flowers are an essential part of any special occasion. If you love gardening and enjoy arrangements, opening a flower shop will bring you both joy and cash. Starting a garden or partnering with a local nursery will get you fresh flowers at a lower cost. Later on, expand your business with chocolates and gifts. Or, sell bouquets online with quick delivery options. 32. Tattoo and piercing shop There’s a good chance your small town doesn’t have a tattoo and piercing shop, so you can capitalize on low competition. To make this small-town business idea work, cater to the aesthetic of the locals who are most likely to need tattoos and piercings. Notably, you’ll need an initial investment to purchase equipment, hire experienced professionals and obtain licenses. 33. Daycare If your community has many working parents, opening a daycare is a great small-town business idea. Parents would love to have their children meet other kids and be supervised by a pro. If you have qualifications in child development or a sixth sense for watching kids, you could turn a daycare into a lucrative business. 34. Music store There’s hardly any community without music enthusiasts. Yet, small towns often lack stores that sell musical instruments; you might enjoy zero competition for your music store.  Along with instruments and equipment, you could sell vintage music albums, conduct classes and bring your town’s audiophiles together. 35. Handyman services Some businesses may require physical presence, but you don’t necessarily need skills or qualifications for them. For instance, starting a handyman service is one of many business ideas that don’t require any expertise. Offering services like lawn care, snow removal, cleaning and repairs is a great way to make money in your small town. Spread the word through local advertising and social media to attract customers. You can also partner with other businesses in your community to offer bundled services for added convenience and value. 36. Gas station or car wash If your town is located along a major highway or sees significant traffic, opening a gas station or car wash can be a profitable business. With minimal overhead costs and steady demand, these businesses can generate steady income in small towns. Consider adding additional services such as a convenience store, mechanic shop, or auto detailing to expand your customer base and increase profits. 37. Drugstore or pharmacy Small towns often lack access to essential medical supplies and medications. Opening a drugstore or pharmacy in your community can fill this gap while also providing a valuable service. Consider offering home delivery services for those who are unable to visit your store, and partner with local healthcare providers to expand your reach and customer base. 38. Pet grooming and boarding With more people adopting pets, there is a growing demand for pet grooming and boarding services. If you have experience working with animals, consider opening a pet grooming and boarding business in your small town. Offer specialized services such as doggie daycare, overnight stays, training classes, or even a pet spa to stand out from competitors. Partnering with local veterinarians and pet stores can also help bring in more customers. 39. Fitness studio or gym With health and wellness becoming increasingly popular, opening a fitness studio or gym in your small town can be a profitable business venture. Offer a variety of fitness classes, personal training sessions and equipment for both beginners and advanced clients. Consider partnering with local businesses to offer corporate wellness programs or hosting community events to attract more customers. And don't forget to utilize social media and digital marketing to reach potential clients in your area. 40. Real estate agency Small towns often have a close-knit community, making it easier to build relationships and connections. If you have experience in real estate, consider starting a real estate agency in your small town. Market yourself as the go-to agent for local properties and utilize online platforms and social media to reach potential buyers outside of your town. You can also offer additional services such as property management or vacation rental bookings for added income potential. 41. Veterinary office If your small town has a large pet population, opening a veterinary office can be a profitable business. Partner with local animal shelters and rescue organizations to offer discounted services to their pets, and build relationships with pet owners in your community. Consider offering specialized services such as acupuncture or laser therapy for pets and utilize social media and online platforms to reach potential clients in neighboring towns. What makes a business idea good for a small town? As you plan to start a business in a small town, consider the community’s needs, your skills and the idea’s profitability. Here’s a list of specific ideals to aim for: Local demand:  Thoroughly understanding your community's lifestyle and needs is essential to choosing a small-town business idea, since your pick should be something the residents want. Originality: Unique businesses have less competition—or no competition—and thus a clearer shot at success.  Learn more:  25 unique business ideas to inspire you Engagement:  Businesses that help the community come together will be successful in small towns. Consider your idea’s potential to captivate the residents. Affordability: Your business idea should match the spending power of a small town. Consider your town’s economic condition, especially local prices.  Personalization: In small towns, businesses often succeed by word-of-mouth approval. Deeply connecting with each client will create a strong customer base for your business. Adaptability: Your business idea should be able to change with the seasons and economic conditions of the town. Be creative: Your lawn care business can switch to a snow removal business during winter. Partnerships:  Choose business ideas that work well if you team up with established businesses to leverage their operations and customer base.  Learn more: Tips for finding niche products to sell Best businesses to start with little money Low-cost business ideas on a budget How to find the right business idea for your small town Now that you have your eye on some ideas, let’s determine which are most likely to work. Choosing your business idea  will be influenced by your experience, your passion for the niche and local demand for the product. 01. Analyze your skills and interests A business demands your attention, passion and time. With that in mind, consider each of the following aspects to evaluate your compatibility with each idea. Your interests: Is there anything you can do for hours and not get bored? Once you pinpoint several things you love to do, think about the necessary skills to turn it into a business. Your skills: You need a basic grasp of customer service to start a cafe. Likewise, for any successful business, you must consistently deliver quality products and services. Are you experienced enough in your niche to understand its nuances? Your goals:  Every entrepreneur has expectations from their business—beyond making a profit. It could be about work-life balance, creating a community, helping others or something else. If your goal is to take nights off, don’t open a bar. If you want to support education for children, start a bookstore. 02. Study your small town  A small-town business idea only works if the owner’s vision matches the community’s needs. Look for a business idea that’s in high demand but has less competition. There are several ways to figure this out: Talk to residents to understand their pressing needs. Find out what they’re missing and what problems they want to solve.  Take a walk around your town to understand what profitable businesses already exist in your area. Search Google or Yelp for online businesses catering to your town. 03. Explore potential businesses Once you’ve learned the community’s needs and explored the existing businesses, it’s time to thoroughly flesh out each of your small-town business ideas.  Map demand and supply: Do the residents have to travel to fulfill their wants? Is there an existing business that can solve their problems? Making a list of the town’s needs might give you a great business idea.  Explore emerging trends:  Figure out if your town could capitalize on a trend or expand on it. For example, if your community just started using electric vehicles, a repair shop and charging point would help them embrace their eco-friendly commuting.  04. Test and refine your idea Before starting a business, test whether the idea has the potential to become a success. You can test-drive your business idea by: Asking a few potential customers, preferably people outside your friends and family. Getting neutral or critical feedback will push you to improve your idea. Creating a business plan that outlines your target audience, marketing strategy and financial projections.  Conducting a test run. You don’t need to execute your business idea at full capacity at first. Start from home with a limited product selection and a small group of customers. How to start a business in a small town in 5 steps Whichever small-town business idea you land on, you’ll need a step-by-step plan to kick-start your business. Here’s the overall path to get started. 01. Market research and idea validation Since your success depends on the demand for your products or services, do market research that further reveals what your target audience needs. Here are a few ways to conduct market research: Ask your friends and neighbor. Conduct a door-to-door survey Observe comments on local social media groups 02. Create a business plan It’s time to develop a business plan , as every small business owner should. Ideally, this document will: Define your unique value proposition Determine products and services to offer Identify your business goals List out potential risks Explore financing options 03. Register your business As an entrepreneur, you need to complete a few legal formalities to start a new business. Go through the basic steps to register a company in the U.S. : Choose a business name:  It should be unique and reflect your small-town business idea.  Choose a business model: Decide whether you want to open a physical store, an eCommerce store or both. Pinpoint which products and services will make most of your profits. Decide your business’s legal structure:  Will your company be a sole proprietorship  or a limited liability company  (LLC)? Before choosing a structure, consult a lawyer and accountant to explain the tax and legal implications.  Register your company: Depending on the nature of your business, you may need to register your company with local, state and federal authorities.  Apply for necessary licenses and permits: Get business licenses  based on your state and industry. 04. Secure financing Many small business owners must pay rent in advance, decorate the store, purchase inventory and hire employees. You can raise money for your business  in several ways: Personal savings ( bootstrapping ) Bank loans Investments from friends and family Grants from the government or other organizations Crowdfunding It’s a good idea to create a budget so you don’t go overboard with the expenses. Set aside funds for the startup, equipment, products, hiring, initial operating expenses, marketing and unforeseen costs. 05. Market your small-town business At this point, you’re all set to open your store. The next step is to spread the word about your new business. In a small town, it’s easy to start with face-to-face marketing. Here are a few tips for that: Ask family and friends to spread the word about your business Attend social events in town and talk about your business Volunteer for local events as a brand sponsor Word-of-mouth publicity is great, but you should also market your business online; creating a business website  will attract more customers. Next, try using social media ads or posts. Getting your business listed on Google Local Pack  can also attract leads. Are you looking to build an online showcase for your small business ? Wix’s website builder will help you create stunning pages in a few clicks.  Small town business ideas in action What unconventional business could capitalize on a small town's slow pace of life? A Digital Detox Retreat could offer stressed urbanites a chance to unplug in a peaceful small-town setting. You can provide accommodation with no Wi-Fi, offer mindfulness activities, nature walks and workshops on living simply. This is a great way to leverage your town's tranquility as a unique selling point. How could a small town's historical buildings be repurposed for modern business use? Transforming old buildings into Time Capsule Co-working Spaces is one possible idea. Renovate the interiors for modern office needs while preserving the beauty of its historical exteriors. You can offer themed rooms, 1950s diner, Victorian parlor for unique meeting spaces. This blends nostalgia with practical business use, attracting both locals and visiting professionals. You could also expand into hosting events, industry conferences and trade shows. What innovative business could connect small town seniors with local youth? Creating a Wisdom Exchange program where seniors teach traditional skills (knitting, woodworking, cooking) to children and teenagers in the community, while young people offer tech lessons to seniors is a creative and worthwhile small business idea. You can charge a small fee for classes, sell handmade goods and host intergenerational events to foster community connections and generate extra income. Small-town business ideas FAQ What are some profitable small-town business ideas? Profitable small-town business ideas include starting a coffee shop , bed and breakfast, grocery store, salon or barbershop. What types of businesses are most sustainable in a small town? Essential needs like food, clothing, healthcare and education are good foundations for a sustainable business. With that in mind, try starting a coffee shop, restaurant, shoe store, home care service or laundromat to enjoy long-term success with your small business. What are the most relevant business loans or sources of funding for a small-town business? Explore small business loans facilitated by the government. For example, in the U.S., the Small Business Association offers the 7(a) loan program . Alternatively, look out for small business grants, crowdfunding opportunities and partnerships  with other businesses. How can I engage with my local community when starting a small-town business? Town festivals and fairs are good ways to engage with the local community. Celebrations like weddings, anniversaries and birthdays are opportunities to meet people. You could also volunteer at social events or charities. What are the biggest challenges of opening a business in a small town? Starting a business in a small town can be challenging due to the small customer base, lack of specialized personnel, logistics issues, competition from nearby businesses and online stores delivering to the town. Do I need a business plan for a small town business idea? Yes, a business plan is essential for a small-town business. It gives you a clear target, plan and budget to start with. Starting a business without a business plan is like building a house without a blueprint. What are some small-town business ideas that give back to a community? Community-oriented small businesses like a bookstore, fitness studio, coffee shop, tutoring center, organic grocery store and eco-friendly clothing store would uplift and improve your community.

“Small business isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s for the brave, the patient, and the persistent. It’s for the overcomer.” This anonymous quote perfectly describes the character of a successful small business owner. It takes more work than most people realize and you have to be willing to plow through when the going gets tough. Whether you’re thinking about opening an ice cream shop or your own consulting firm, business owners need to be determined, open-minded thinkers willing to dive headfirst into the unknown. That said, owning a business also offers a unique career path that allows for creative flexibility and the ability to be your own boss. In order to venture out as a self-made entrepreneur, you need to develop a business plan, create a business website , and run it from the Wix mobile app . Think you have what it takes? Here’s what you need to know about becoming a small business owner. Who qualifies as a small business owner? First, let’s discuss exactly what a small business owner is. The lines between a small and medium-sized business are sometimes blurry, and the official definition can vary based on your country. In general, whether or not your company is considered a small business is based on different factors, including the average revenue of your company and the number of employees you hire, whether you work together in an office or manage remote employees . In the United States, businesses that earn less than $7 million in revenue or that have fewer than 500 employees fall into this category. In contrast, Europe defines a small business as having less than 250 employees and in Australia, it’s less than 15! But why are these definitions important? If you qualify as a small business owner in the US, you may be eligible to apply for government loans from the Small Business Administration (SBA). These loans come with other benefits, too, like guidance and counseling, lower interest payments, and flexible overhead. The SBA also offers funding for grants to philanthropic organizations as well as businesses in specific industries, such as exporting, science and research. Small business owner vs. entrepreneur There are many ways to define small business owners versus entrepreneurs, and there is huge overlap between the two business innovators. Generally small business owners start and manage established business ideas , with a small team and revenue. Entrepreneurs are often credited with taking a new product or service and using that to build a business. Small business owners and entrepreneurs both have profitability in mind but generally small business owners aim to do this through their small business, while entrepreneurs always have the goal of scaling their business to a medium sized or enterprise sized company. Small business owners can become entrepreneurs, if their business scales and grows enough. This means that entrepreneurship inherently includes greater levels of risk taking. How small business owners succeed: 10 key qualities and skills That leads us to the next point: small business owners require a unique combination of certain soft skills to keep their companies up and running. Being comfortable with taking risks, managing a budget, communicating effectively through business writing and dealing with internet trolls are skills that are essential for business management. With that in mind, here are 10 essential qualities of successful small business owners: Be personable and approachable Be prepared to evolve Take risks Be independent Be confident Know when to take a break Dedication and persistence Stick to the budget Prioritize Look at the big picture 01. Be personable and approachable Being kind to others may sound trite, but making connections with your employees, customers, vendors and even competitors can actually bring you more business. It’s a known fact that the more employees like and respect their employers, the stronger their sense of team motivation. Additionally, consumers don’t make purchasing decisions based on a product alone; they are also swayed by what a brand represents . If you’re friendly to those around you, your customers will associate your friendly demeanor with your product. Building relationships with customers and important partners is an essential part of any brands business development. In fact, experts point out that kindness in itself is a powerful leadership strategy . You are more likely to have repeat customers who will tell their friends and family to buy from you instead of the guy down the street. In turn, your bottom line will increase and people will get the product they need (and let’s face it--yours is the best out there anyway). 02. Be prepared to evolve Small business owners need to be prepared to roll with the punches. The market will inevitably shift over time, and business owners need to adapt to new small business trends and keep their product relevant. Refusing to change your approach to what consumers want or need will only hurt you in the long run. An excellent example is the way some restaurants adapted to the changes brought about by Covid-19. The Chicago-based, three Michelin star restaurant, Alinea, is known for its lavish, avant garde tableside presentations. But after the pandemic hit, Alinea shifted gears immediately and began offering fine dining meals to go. Its ability to quickly adapt allowed it to stay afloat and let the public enjoy its cuisine - a win-win. 03. Take Risks Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook, once noted that “the biggest risk is not taking any risk.” Starting a business always means taking a chance; there’s no way to know for certain whether it will work. While successful small business owners make educated decisions and use market research to drive their ideas forward, it’s impossible to know what the future holds. Investing your own time and money into a business is always a risk but goes hand in hand with being a business owner. Constantly update your business triage plan to stay ahead of the game. 04. Be independent The ability to think for yourself and make important decisions are both vital traits of entrepreneurship. Independence provides the drive to get where you want to go without the influence of others’ opinions or any outside noise. Perhaps you have a unique idea for a product or service that hasn’t been created before. Independence gives you the ability to put yourself out there and take the initiative to make it happen. 05. Be confident Confidence and independence often go hand-in-hand. Having confidence in your business and financial decisions is vital. Because your business lives and dies with you, you need to believe in yourself to move forward and weather the storm through difficult situations. On top of that, confidence instills respect and encourages others to see you as a leader. This can have a major impact on team management. Strong leaders are rewarded with increased productivity and creativity from their employees, making the business overall more efficient. 06. Know when to take a break While it’s true that small business owners work tirelessly, they also know when to take a break. Burnout is characterized by exhaustion, cynicism, and inefficacy, and can lead to feelings of overwhelm and decreased motivation. The best way to avoid it is by making sure to incorporate certain successful habits into your daily life, such as scheduling time away from your business. Even if all you get is thirty solid minutes to focus on yourself or spend time with loved ones, make sure to do it. And don’t let yourself look at financial reports or emails during this time. Successful business owners understand the value of having time away from their work, even if it’s only for a short time each day. 07. Dedication and persistence Ever hear the expression that success isn’t linear? This rings particularly true for business owners. It normally takes time for any business to be profitable and to work out all the kinks so things run smoothly. You may not get it right at the beginning. You’ll most likely have to make adjustments along the way, such as prices, your business model, or even your product itself. But not giving up and sticking to it is what’s going to get you through. 08. Stick to the budget Overspending can be the death of your business. In fact, according to a study conducted by US Bank , 82% of small businesses fail due to poor cash flow management. When creating your budget and business plan , a tip is to overestimate expenses and underestimate income. That way you’ll never be stretched too thin and always be prepared for unexpected costs. 09. Prioritize More often than not, the number of things you have to do is overwhelming. If you work alone and don’t have anyone to delegate tasks to, this trait is particularly important. As a business owner, you’ll need to hone your project management skills to determine which tasks have the most business value and which ones can fall lower on your priority list. A good way to start this process is by labeling your list of tasks as important or urgent. As a rule of thumb: Important tasks are those that are vital to the business’ long-term success but may not need to get done right away. Urgent ones are those that require immediate attention and are necessary to keep your business up and running. These should always be prioritized first. A handy tool to help determine which tasks to prioritize is Stephen Covey’s Time Management Matrix. This simple chart can help you easily break down your list of projects into four main categories: urgent/important, not urgent/important, urgent/not important and not urgent/not important. 10. Look at the big picture It can be easy to get caught up in the day-to-day. Any difficulties that arise may cause you to question why you started your business in the first place. But remind yourself of those reasons, and look at your overall success instead of minor pitfalls - that’s what will keep you moving forward in the long run. How to become a small business owner Thinking about starting your own small business? We've broken down the key steps to help you go from idea to launch, covering everything from planning and funding to building your brand and getting your first customers. Come up with a small business idea : Start by identifying a problem you can solve or a passion you can turn into profit. Research market trends, check out successful businesses, and test demand before committing. The best small business ideas align with your skills, interests and what customers need. Name your business : Your business name should be memorable, easy to spell and reflect your brand. Check domain name availability and trademarks to avoid legal issues. A strong name builds credibility and makes marketing easier. Create your small business plan : A good business plan outlines your goals, target audience, pricing and marketing strategy. It keeps you focused and helps attract investors or loans. Keep it flexible so you can adjust as your business grows. Secure funding for your business : Decide if you’ll use personal savings, small business loans, crowdfunding or investors. Look into grants or startup programs for your industry. Even with minimal funds, you can start lean and scale up over time. Register and license your business : Make it official by registering your business name, getting an EIN (Employer Identification Number) and applying for necessary permits or licenses. This step protects you legally and ensures smooth operations. Come up with your company vision : Your vision defines what your business stands for and where it’s headed. It helps guide decisions and keeps your team aligned. A clear vision also attracts customers who share your values. Build your team : Even if you’re starting solo, think about who you’ll need—freelancers, employees or advisors. Hire people with skills that complement yours and focus on creating a positive, goal-driven work culture. Launch your small business website : A well-designed website builds trust and helps customers find you. Create the best business website  to showcase your brand and attract more clients. Combine it with business software  to manage everything from accounting to customer relationships. Market and promote your business : Even the best business idea won’t succeed without visibility. Create a marketing strategy with social media, SEO, email marketing and networking. Focus on reaching your target audience and building strong customer relationships from the start. Tip: Need help finding a business name for your new venture? Use the help of a small business name generator for inspiration. Small business and the economy Research shows that small business owners are the backbone of America, are a major force in driving the economy forward and can even help solve societal issues, such as bridging the digital divide . According to the Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy, there are 30.2 million small businesses in the US, comprising 99.9% of all businesses in America. Small businesses are also responsible for creating 1.5 million jobs every year and account for 64% of new jobs created in the United States . They have also been a factor in empowering people who have historically faced challenges entering the business world, such as women and minorities. Between 2014-2016, minority-owned businesses increased by 11%. And in 2019, 9.9 million small business owners were women, compared to 7.8 million in 2007. These numbers are telling and are a testament to the progress being made in today’s business world. Pros and cons of being a small business owner It's a common small business myth  that owners have full control over their schedule. According to a survey conducted by the digital marketing firm Constant Contact , 56% of small business owners feel they can never be away from their businesses, and 84% say that if they could, they would start their businesses all over again. Clearly, being a business owner has its perks and its downsides. But most agree that the pros heavily outweigh the cons. Pros Why does someone decide to start a business  anyway? One of the main reasons is independence and the autonomy to do things your own way. In fact, small business owners report that there are two driving factors behind their motivation: the ability to pursue their passions and professional flexibility. There’s nothing like getting to be your own boss and creating your own product or service. It’s an even better feeling when customers are willing to spend their hard-earned money to buy it. Other benefits include getting to hire your own employees (and who wouldn’t want to choose their own coworkers?) and setting the tone for your business’ company culture. Will you create an environment in which people are expected to wear suits everyday? Or will you allow your employees to bring their dogs to work and wear t-shirts and jeans? It’s your call. It’s also worth mentioning that because most small business owners register as sole proprietors , partnerships , or limited liability companies (LLCs) , filing taxes and business registration is simpler than it is for some other types of businesses, such as corporations. Cons The downsides of being a small business owner are overshadowed by the advantages. Still, it’s no secret that business ownership is not for everyone. Small business owners work exceedingly hard, spending their own time and money to operate and market their businesses. Because of this, they may not make a profit for quite some time. They often have to say goodbye to 40-hour work weeks, at least at the beginning. Often, they work 50-70 hours a week and handle every operation down to their own bookkeeping , which can sometimes make work-life balance nearly impossible. And even after putting in the hours, 56% claim they don’t have enough time to get everything done. Wearing multiple hats at once can also cause extra stress, anxiety and fear of failure. There can also be stress over things beyond your control, such as wondering how inflation can affect small businesses , and how a changing macro business cycle  could impact your business operating expenses . But don’t let these factors sway you from creating your own small business. Perseverance and determination are the secret sauce for success. Famous small business owners Most one time small business owners grew into enterprise level business owners, and some of the most well known include: Walt Disney who began his business career as the small business owner of an animation studio. Richard Branson who started his corporate empire, Virgin from one small record store. Sara Blakely started the global underwear conglomerate Spanx with just US$5,000 of her own funds. Small business owners' income and net worth Incomes and net worths for small business owners can vary widely across owners, industries and states. According to some reports , the average US based small business owner's salary was US$63,650 a year as of August 2022. Salaries in general ranged from US$30,000 - US$146,000 per year. The net worth of small business owners is harder to pin down, depending on their own personal income or worth as well.

Start generating business ideas with the Wix Business Launcher → Ever dreamed of becoming an entrepreneur without leaving your day job? With the power of the internet, anyone can harness their passions and supplement their income with a side hustle. While you may intend your side hustle to be a flexible companion to your nine-to-five, don’t be surprised if it turns into a full-time job in a few successful years. The first step after deciding what side hustle you’ll take on is establishing yourself online. Make sure to create an eCommerce website and open social media accounts for your new business. Other than that, we’ll detail what else it takes to start a flourishing side hustle below. (Don’t worry: If you need help picking what to do, we’ll give you 16 great other business ideas , too.) Read Also: How to start a business and online business ideas Not sure which business idea is best for you? Weigh your options with the Wix Business Launcher, which uses AI to match you with the right business idea based on your skills and goals. The Wix Business Launcher equips you with market research, earnings strategies and a launch kit for every idea, so you can get started with confidence.  16 side hustle ideas you can start immediately The following 16 side hustle ideas allow you to be your own boss and bring in some extra income. Become an influencer Create a YouTube channel Start your own podcast Start a dropshipping business Write a blog Become a tutor Create an online course Make your own products Do freelance graphic design Be a freelance writer Manage social media Become a driver for a rideshare app Be a delivery driver Walk dogs Become a local tour guide Become a personal trainer 01. Become an influencer Marketers increasingly look to partner with new influencers for their campaigns, so if you already have a prolific social media following, you can most likely profit from promoting various products. You don’t even need a massive following, these days. Depending on your niche, you can be considered a micro-influencer with just a few thousand followers on Instagram or Twitter. This is one of the most popular digital nomad jobs nowadays. 02. Create a YouTube channel YouTube is one of the only platforms with built-in monetization opportunities that can earn you significant income. If you want to learn how you can earn your way to success on YouTube, check out our article on how to make money on YouTube. One of the great things about creating on this platform is that almost every content type—from funny cat videos and in-depth tutorials to current events and small business tips—has a built-in following. 03. Start your own podcast Podcasts have become more popular over this past decade and make for a great weekend side hustle . In fact, over 40% of Americans listen to podcasts at least once a month–a stat advertisers have not ignored. While you’ll need to rent or purchase some good equipment, such as a microphone, computer and pop filter, hosting a podcast gives you the freedom to discuss whatever topic you want. And with the right marketing skills, you could quickly rise to the top of your chosen niche. Learn more: Marketing side hustles 04. Start a dropshipping business Print-on-demand and dropshipping let you sell products online without dealing with inventory or shipping. You can create your own online store and sell custom-designed T-shirts, posters and housewares worldwide with minimal financial risk. 05. Write a blog If you’d rather not deal with recording video or audio, you can always start creating a blog with a blog maker to get your ideas out into the world, build a fanbase and create an online presence. (See also how to make money using AI ). Once you have an up-and-running blog with significant traffic, you can incorporate ads or promotions that can earn you money. 06. Become a tutor Teaching is always an in-demand side hustle—and while tutoring for kids or teenagers can rake in excellent money, people of all ages want to learn new skills; whether becoming business savvy or learning how to create a business website . Tip: How to start a tutoring business 07. Create an online course By creating an entire online course , you can teach remotely, generate passive income and impart knowledge to those genuinely interested in learning. Online courses require you to create a curriculum, record the lessons and answer student questions. People will pay for high-quality educational content, so the more effort and production value you put into your course, the more you can charge. With enough clients, you can sell subscriptions to your content and courses. 08. Make your own products If you enjoy making your own crafts like t-shirts, soap, or jewelry, consider turning your hobby into a side business. You can share your craftsmanship with the world by selling your products from your own eCommerce website . Promote yourself on social media or even with email marketing services to gain customers and start earning income. Learn more about starting your own small business with these specific guides: How to start a jewelry business How to start a clothing business How to start a T-shirt business How to start a candle business How to sell vintage clothing How to start a makeup line How to sell crafts online 09. Do freelance graphic design Work as a freelance graphic designer and use your creativity to help companies—from large enterprises to solo entrepreneurs—mold their brand image. You can make connections and promote yourself on social media, or turn to platforms like the Wix Marketplace to directly offer your services. 10. Be a freelance writer If you have a unique way with words, consider taking on freelance writing assignments. You could ghostwrite for blogs, write copy for brochures, or tailor personalized content for marketing campaigns. If you don’t have experience writing professionally and want to break into this field, you can create your own blog to attract potential customers and build up a portfolio. 11. Manage social media Social media plays a vital role in modern-day marketing. If you love spending time on social media and engaging with followers, monetize your skills and help brands grow their presence on platforms like Instagram and Facebook. If you’ve honed your skills and expertise, create an online portfolio to offer your professional services. Tip: Learn how to start a marketing business . 12. Become a driver for a rideshare app If you have a car, drive for rideshare apps to start earning a little extra money. Even with a demanding schedule, you can always squeeze in a few hours in the evening or on the weekends. Plus, when driving for a rideshare app, you don’t need to market your own mobile business . You simply need the company’s approval to start driving. Learn more: Best businesses to start with little money Low-cost business ideas 13. Be a delivery driver Deliveries provide another dynamic option for side hustlers with a hectic schedule. You can deliver products for local businesses as an employee or contractor, or you can work for app-based delivery services like Postmates or GrubHub . Both options offer flexible hours and often allow you to use your own car or bike. 14. Walk dogs No side business ideas list would be complete without one of the ultimate urban outdoor business ideas : walking dogs. If you live in a large city, you know that dogs need walking while their humans are off at work or doing their own side hustles. This work can be extremely lucrative for dog lovers. You can either start your own business or register as a dog walker in your city with apps like Wag! or Rover . You’ll only need to complete a brief orientation before you can choose your own hours and decide which owners and dogs you want to work with. Tip: How to start a dog-walking business 15. Become a local tour guide If you live in a cool city or trendy neighborhood that attracts tourists, consider showing it off as a local tour guide. You’ll invest some time in learning the history and little known facts, and then, with the right marketing, people will come to you to learn it all. You can also conduct food tours, giving visitors the unique opportunity to taste your city or region’s authentic dishes. Who doesn’t love to eat? Speak with owners from local restaurants, bakeries and butcher shops to see if they’ll create a food tour experience with you. All parties walk away with a win. 16. Become a personal trainer Some people may need an extra push or some coaching to achieve their fitness goals. So, if you understand how to work out effectively and safely, you can become a personal trainer. If you want to work in a gym, you’ll most likely need to become a registered trainer. But you can also lead classes outdoors or even in your home for friends, family and coworkers. This training requires limited equipment, which is great for your bottom line. Tip: Learn how to start a gym business What you’ll need to start your side hustle Side hustling is a way to independently earn money, but let’s be clear: Every new business requires an initial investment to get started. While some side hustles require more resources and planning to start than others, taking a measured approach in setting up your business will give you a leg up when you expand into a full-fledged business. While every side hustle needs different equipment, everyone should know these basics before starting. Supplies and software First, consider what you’ll need to work. For example, if your side hustle will be online, you may need a new laptop or smartphone dedicated to your business. Many side hustles also require software or online tools, especially those in graphic design, writing or eCommerce. Consider all your needed materials, such as office or shipping supplies, and keep a running equipment list so you can set yourself up for success. Marketing and branding tools Many businesses struggle to stand out from competitors and attract customers. That means you will need to appropriately market your side hustle. Your online presence has an enormous impact on if and how people find your business. But before you can establish your business online, you’ll need to create a brand identity . This refers to all your business’s assets, including brand colors, typography, tone and voice. Tip: Use a logo maker to design a brand-encapsulating logo for your website and social media channels. With Wix, you can even create social media graphics to help drive traffic from your social media profiles to your website. Another key online marketing aspect is search engine optimization (SEO), or the practice of optimizing your content to appear higher within search results. Tip: Optimize your SEO workflow with Wix. All sites are backed by a solid infrastructure that meets the needs of search engines, giving you a strong SEO foundation to compete in organic search. Accounting When you start your new side hustle, you may want to neglect the more mundane tasks, such as accounting. But don’t ignore this area: You need organized finances to understand your cash flow and your business’s overall health. Invest in accounting software to secure your financials, prepare taxes and create customized reports. If you need additional help, consider hiring an accountant. Estimate your costs and potential income Even the best side hustle ideas can end up in the red without a properly planned operating budget. To get a complete picture of your budget, you’ll need to break down your expenses. This not only includes the cost of materials and equipment but also your overhead costs, such as gas, phone bills and service subscriptions. Then gauge your potential revenue. To calculate this, simply multiply the price you’ll charge for a product or service and multiply it by your expected number of transactions. Of course, you won’t know exactly how much work you’ll have. So come up with a realistic estimate to use as a starting point, then adjust when you have actual data. Considerations before starting a side hustle So, you’ve broken down more of the concrete tasks of starting a side hustle (e.g. supplies and expenses), but, you must still clear a few logistical matters before you start your new side hustle. Make sure your employer allows it Having a side hustle implies you’ll keep your day job. While some employers allow their employees to work other jobs or start a new business on their own time, others won’t allow it. Always check with human resources or your direct manager before starting your own side hustle—you don’t want to jeopardize your primary income source, after all. Consider your schedule Running a successful side hustle requires time. You’ll need to understand exactly how many hours you can invest. While some side hustles are incompatible with a 9-to-5 job, you can complete others in the evenings or on weekends. Plan your taxes Just like accounting, you don’t want tax planning to fall to the wayside. Make sure you track your expenses and properly document all transactions. Keep all receipts throughout the year as some expenses may also be tax-deductible. If you earn more than $400 from your side hustle, you must pay self-employment taxes—and it’s likely you’ll need to file quarterly taxes in addition to yearly taxes. Income from self-employed individuals is not subject to withholding, so you must make payments throughout the year. For this reason, set aside a portion of your profits for tax purposes. Independent contractors are considered self-employed individuals, however, the specific form you’ll need to file will vary depending on your business type. But if you run your side hustle on your own in addition to your regular job, you’ll most likely file as a sole proprietor. Side hustle FAQ How do I start a side hustle? First, you'll need to choose your idea, like what things to make and sell or what service will you offer. Chances are you'll need a website to market and promote your idea. As with starting any business, it's worth writing a business plan to outline your idea, how you plan to get it off the ground, and when you expect it to be profitable. What are the most profitable side hustle ideas? How profitable a side hustle is depends on a lot of factors, some of which you can control, others you may not be able to influence as much. However popular ideas with the potential of generating income include freelance writing, graphic design, online tutoring, dropshipping and eCommerce business ideas . Explore more business ideas Part-time business ideas Craft business ideas Beauty business ideas Reselling business ideas DIY business ideas Clothing business ideas Small-town business ideas Dropshipping business ideas Business ideas for couples Rental business ideas Family business ideas B2B business ideas Scalable business ideas Business ideas for teachers Recession-proof business ideas

Choosing the right business name  for your service business  is a crucial step in establishing a strong presence in the service industry. The name serves as the initial point of contact for potential clients and can significantly influence their decision to choose your services amongst others. A successful service business name should possess several key qualities. It should be memorable, easy to pronounce and relevant to the type of services you offer. Additionally, a catchy and distinctive service business name  can help you stand out in a competitive market. 70+ service business name ideas to spark your creativity Unique service business names Catchy service business names Professional service business names Location-based service business names Modern service business name ideas Timeless service business names Clever service business names Funny service business name ideas Unique service business names 1. Solution Sprints 2. Service Synergy 3. Versatile Ventures 4. Task Triumph 5. Problem Solvers Co. 6. Seamless Solutions 7. Resourceful Rendezvous 8. Swift Support Services 9. Skillful Solutions 10. Infinite Innovations Catchy service business names 11. Service Spark 12. Task Tacklers 13. QuickQuest Services 14. Handy Helix Helpers 15. Action Aces Co. 16. Service Symphony 17. Task Tango 18. BuzzBoost Services 19. Jiffy Junction 20. SwiftSwipe Solutions Professional service business names 21. Elite Efficiency Services 22. Precision Process Professionals 23. Pinnacle Performance Partners 24. ProVision Ventures 25. Service Gurus Co. 26. Expertise Edge 27. Crafted Consultancy 28. Professional Performance Partners 29. Executive Excellence Services 30. Peak Precision Partners Location-based service business names 31. [City/Neighborhood] Service Hub 32. [City/Region] Task Team 33. [City] Solutions Center 34. [City/State] Service Studio 35. [City/Neighborhood] Task Terrace 36. [City] Efficient Endeavors 37. [City/Region] Metro Mission 38. [City/State] Solutions Spot 39. [City/Neighborhood] Service Sanctuary 40. [City] Task Tribe Modern service business name ideas 41. Digital Dynamics Services 42. FuturaForms Solutions 43. TechTrend Task Team 44. SmartService Studio 45. CyberCraft Co. 46. Modern Mastery Services 47. Service Innovation Inc. 48. ByteBlend Solutions 49. Urban Upsurge Services 50. TechnoTask Team Timeless service business names 51. Classic Consultancy 52. Time-Honored Task Team 53. Heritage Help Hub 54. Eternal Efficiency Services 55. Vintage Ventures Co. 56. Nostalgic Niche Solutions 57. Traditional Task Treats 58. Service Legacy 59. Evergreen Endeavors 60. Ageless Assistance Clever service business names 61. Task Tactics 62. Service Strategem 63. Brainy Business Boosters 64. Solutions Sleuths 65. Crafty Consultancy 66. Clever Collaboration Co. 67. Tactical Task Team 68. Skillful Strategy Services 69. Service Synchrony 70. Ingenious Initiatives Funny service business name ideas 71. Chuckle Change Co. 72. Laughable Assistance 73. Witty Work Wizards 74. Hilarious Help Hub 75. Guffaw Gurus 76. Funny Functionality 77. Chuckle Consultants 78. Whimsical Work Warriors 79. Grin & Get It Services 80. Jestful Job Jockeys Examples of service business names Cloud nails & spa This service business, specializing in beauty treatments, highlights its expertise simply and effectively, reflecting its unique offerings. Pink Dot Moving This catchy and memorable name for a moving service business focuses on tackling the hassle of moving, in a fun and stress-free manner. Buildup Finishers This construction service business incorporates positive and building-related terms to highlight its expertise in contemporary construction solutions. How to choose the right service business name Choosing the perfect name for your service business involves thoughtful consideration. Follow these tips to make an innovative but professional decision that reflects your brand and business. 01. Consider your target audience Understand your target clientele and tailor your name to appeal to their needs and preferences. For example, if your service provides personal fitness training, consider incorporating relevant keywords or elements into your service business name. All of this should be included in your business plan .  02. Consider your brand identity Reflect your desired brand image in your service business name, whether it's high-end, casual, or a unique niche. Your name should align with the identity you want to portray. For example, if your service business caters to teenagers, incorporating this or something associated with teenagers in your name, could be a smart choice for branding purposes.  03. Be creative Embrace creativity to make your service business name stand out and be memorable. This might mean a lot of brainstorming, combining words and working with a business name generator  for further inspiration for your small business name idea .  04. Test your name ideas Gather feedback from friends, family and potential clients to refine and select the best name for your service business. What appeals to them, what doesn’t and what does this leave you to work with in terms of coming up with your service business name when starting your business .  Remember these additional tips: Avoid generic names. Keep the name easy to pronounce and remember. Check name availability for trademarks and domain registration . Looking for a business name for another business idea? Trucking business names Consulting business names   Real estate business names   Food truck business names   Marketing business names   Construction business name ideas   Boutique business name ideas   Photography business names   Craft business name ideas Service business names FAQ Why is choosing the right name so important for my service business? Choosing the right name for your service business is crucial because it serves as the first impression for potential clients. A well-crafted name sets the tone for your brand, aids in marketing efforts and significantly influences how clients perceive your services. A memorable and relevant name can contribute to the success and growth of your service business. Should I think of further expansion and scale when choosing my business name? Yes, it's advisable to consider future expansion and scalability when choosing your service business name. Select a name that can accommodate potential growth and diversification of services. Avoid overly restrictive or niche-specific names that may limit your business's adaptability as it evolves. Can I change my service business name in the future? While it's possible to change your service business name in the future, it's generally better to choose a name you can commit to for the long term. Changing a business name can be logistically challenging and may result in confusion among clients. If a name change is necessary, plan it carefully, communicate it effectively and update all relevant materials and platforms. Can I use my name for my service business? Using your own name for your service business is a personal choice. Some service providers opt for a personal touch, especially if their name is associated with their brand. However, consider the scalability and branding implications of using your name. If you plan to grow beyond a personal brand, a more versatile and descriptive name may be beneficial.

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

Start generating business ideas with the Wix Business Launcher →  A scalable business is one that has the ability to grow and expand its operations while maintaining or even improving its efficiency and profitability. Scalability often refers to the ability to increase revenue and customer base without corresponding increases in costs or resources. Scalable business ideas are popular because they allow small business owners to start a business with limited outlay and then grow it into a successful business . Get started with  making a website  using Wix, or follow our guide on  how to build a website . Still not sure which business idea is best for you? Weigh your options with the Wix Business Launcher, which uses AI to match you with the right business idea based on your skills and goals. The Wix Business Launcher equips you with market research, earnings strategies and a launch kit for every idea, so you can get started with confidence.  9 scalable business ideas to start and grow Embarking on scalable business ideas can significantly expand your venture's potential. From podcast creation to food businesses, these ideas offer promising avenues for growth and development. Course creation Start a podcast Blogging Affiliate marketing Event planning Bookkeeping eCommerce and dropshipping Real estate and rental services Food and catering business 01. Course creation Course creation as a scalable business idea involves developing and selling educational content in the form of online courses. They can cover a wide range of subjects, from academic topics to professional skills, hobbies or personal development. Creating and selling online courses is an excellent scalable business idea for several reasons. Learn more: How to choose a business idea Some of the main advantages of starting this type of business include: Low initial investment : this type of scalable business idea typically requires minimal upfront investment, especially if you already have the expertise and resources needed to create the content. Generally, this low startup cost is the hallmark of a scalable business. Passive income generation: once you've created and launched your courses, they can generate passive income over time. You can continue to sell the same course to new students without incurring significant additional costs. This also makes it very scalable as you’re generating income and building a user base without having to spend more. Global reach : online courses can be accessed by people from all over the world, allowing you to reach a broad and diverse audience. This makes your potential audience limitless. Adaptability : online course creation can adapt to evolving market needs and trends. You can create new courses based on demand and emerging topics, then market it to your existing audience or use it to build a larger, more diverse one. Personal brand building: creating courses allows you to establish yourself as an authority in your field, which can lead to other opportunities, such as speaking engagements, consulting or book deals. This is another example of how scalable this business idea can be. While creating online courses can be a highly scalable business idea, it's important to invest time and effort in creating high-quality, valuable content that meets the needs of your target audience and can be distributed and sold over and over again. Learn more: How to create and sell an online course 02. Start a podcast Starting a podcast involves creating and distributing audio content on a specific topic or theme. Podcasts are an increasingly popular form of media that can be a scalable business idea for several reasons. Low startup costs : launching a podcast typically requires minimal upfront investment, especially if you already have recording equipment and internet access. Monetization : as you produce more podcast episodes and attract a larger audience, you can monetize your podcast through sponsorships, advertising, merchandise sales, or crowdfunding, increasing your revenue without a huge outlay. In addition to advertising and sponsorships, you can offer premium content or subscriptions to dedicated listeners, sell merchandise related to your podcast, or generate income through affiliate marketing. Passive income : once your podcast episodes are published, they can continue to generate passive income over time, even if you're not actively creating new content. You just need to make sure you’re consistently promoting and distributing them. Wide audience : Podcasting has no geographic constraints. You can create and distribute content from anywhere, reaching a global audience and ensuring scale. Community: successful podcasts often build a dedicated community of listeners who engage with your content, offer feedback and share your episodes for you. This allows you to focus on podcast creation further encouraging the scaling of your business. While starting a podcast can be a scalable business idea, it's important to invest time and effort in creating high-quality, valuable content that resonates with your target audience in order to make it work. Consistency in publishing and effective marketing are key components of success in the podcasting world. Additionally, staying up-to-date with podcasting trends, technology and audience preferences is crucial for long-term scale. 03. Blogging Blogging is the creation and publishing of content on a type of website known as a blog. Blogging can be a scalable business idea for several reasons. Cost-effective to start : starting a blog typically requires minimal upfront investment, particularly if you already have access to the internet and basic computer equipment. Blog monetization: as your blog grows in popularity and attracts more readers, you can monetize it through various means. The most popular include display advertising, affiliate marketing, sponsored content, product sales or premium content subscriptions. All of these methods can help increase your blog revenue without requiring huge effort or financial investment on your part. These blog monetization methods also allow you to generate passive income from your blog. Guest posting: blogging can lead to opportunities for guest posting on other blogs, collaborations with experts and interviews with influencers, all of which can help promote your blog and content and scale it too. Get started with the Wix Blog Maker . While blogging can be a scalable business idea, it's important to invest time and effort in creating high-quality, valuable content that resonates with your target audience. Consistency in publishing and effective blog promotion are key components of success in the blogging world. "Blogging is still one of the best ways to build out your online presence. For smaller websites, creating topical blog posts enables you to create keyword-rich content that tells potential site visitors and search engines what your brand is all about—this can be a crucial advantage for local business websites, portfolio websites, etc. where you may not have as many opportunities to convey (in text) your expertise or how your business is unique." George Nguyen, Editor, SEO Hub at Wix.com Be inspired: How to start a photography blog How to start a coaching blog How to start a marketing blog How to start a real estate blog How to start a health blog How to start a sports blog 04. Affiliate marketing Affiliate marketing is a performance-based marketing strategy in which individuals or businesses (affiliates) promote products or services of other companies (merchants) and earn a commission for each sale, click or action generated through their promotional efforts. Affiliates use unique tracking links or codes to identify the traffic or sales they generate. Affiliate marketing can prove to be a profitable and scalable business idea and here’s why. Low barrier to entry: starting an affiliate marketing business requires minimal upfront investment. You can begin promoting products or services through your existing website, or by making a website to use. Affiliates are compensated based on the results they generate. You earn a commission only when a specific action or sale is completed, minimizing financial risk. Growth: as you gain experience and grow your affiliate marketing efforts, you can increase the number of products or services you promote and expand your reach, resulting in higher commissions. This is the very definition of a scalable business. Passive income: successful affiliates can generate passive income over time, as their marketing efforts continue to drive sales and conversions even when they're not actively promoting products. Affiliate marketers can also promote a variety of products and services in various niches, diversifying their income streams. While affiliate marketing is in theory a scalable business idea, it's important to emphasize ethical and transparent marketing practices to build trust with your audience. Additionally, understanding your target audience, analyzing data and optimizing your marketing strategies are key to achieving success in affiliate marketing. 05. Event planning Event planning is the process of organizing and coordinating various aspects of an event, such as conferences, weddings, parties, corporate meetings and trade shows. Event planners work with their clients to ensure that their events run smoothly, meet their objectives, and create memorable experiences. This includes selecting venues, managing logistics, coordinating vendors, designing event themes, handling budgets and overseeing all the details necessary to execute a successful event. Learn more: How to start a party planning business Here are some of the main reasons why event planning can be a valuable scalable business idea to start. Diverse customer base : event planning can serve a wide range of events and industries. You can focus on specific niches or offer services for various types of events, such as corporate, social or non-profit gatherings. This diversity can help you expand your client base and reach. Repeat business opportunities: successful event planners often receive repeat business from satisfied clients. Building long-term relationships with clients can lead to a consistent stream of work and referrals. Scale your services: you can scale your business by offering a range of services, from small-scale events to large, elaborate affairs. This flexibility allows you to adapt to the changing needs of your clients. Partnerships: collaborating with other event-related businesses, such as catering services, photographers, florists and entertainment providers, can help you expand your offerings and reach a broader audience. It’s important to take into consideration that the event planning industry is highly competitive, and success depends on factors such as your expertise, reputation, and networking skills. Building a scalable event planning business will require careful planning, excellent organization, and a commitment to delivering outstanding results to your clients. Tip: How to create a party planning business plan 06. Bookkeeping ​​A bookkeeping business involves providing financial record-keeping and accounting services to small businesses, entrepreneurs and individuals. Bookkeepers are responsible for recording financial transactions, managing payroll, reconciling bank statements, maintaining ledgers and producing financial reports. Bookkeepers help their clients maintain accurate financial records, stay compliant with tax regulations and make informed financial decisions. A bookkeeping business is considered a scalable business idea for the following reasons. High demand : there’s a consistent and substantial demand for bookkeeping services across various industries. Every business, regardless of its size or industry, needs to maintain accurate financial records for tax compliance and informed decision-making. Recurring revenue: most bookkeeping services are provided on a monthly or quarterly basis, which can lead to recurring revenue streams. Clients often require ongoing bookkeeping support, providing a stable income source throughout the year and at regular, known intervals. Service expansion: as your bookkeeping business grows, you can offer additional services such as tax preparation, financial consulting or helping clients migrate to more advanced accounting software. Automation tools: the use of accounting software and automation tools can streamline bookkeeping processes, making it easier to handle multiple clients simultaneously as your business expands. Referral potential: satisfied clients often refer new clients to their bookkeepers, helping you grow your customer base organically. Bookkeeping business examples: Abacus Professional It's important to note that while a bookkeeping business can be scalable and profitable, it requires a strong understanding of accounting principles and expertise. Building a good reputation for accuracy and reliability is crucial for long-term success in this field. Additionally, staying current with tax laws and industry trends is essential in order to be able to offer high-quality services. Tip: How to create a bookkeeping business plan 07. eCommerce and dropshipping Dropshipping is a retail fulfillment method where the store owner doesn't keep the products it sells in stock. Instead, when a store sells a product, it purchases the item from a third party (usually a wholesaler or manufacturer) and it's then shipped directly to the customer. The merchant never sees or handles the product. Learn more: How to start a dropshipping business , Dropshipping business ideas Dropshipping is a well-known scalable business idea for a number of reasons: Low investment cost: one of the key advantages of dropshipping is that it requires a minimal upfront investment. You don't need to purchase inventory or a warehouse to store products, reducing initial costs. Operating costs are also typically lower than traditional retail businesses. You won't have expenses related to inventory storage, packing materials, or shipping supplies. Wide product potential: you can offer a wide variety of products in your online store since you don't need to physically stock them. This allows you to cater to different niches and customer preferences easily. Also since you don't pre-purchase inventory, you're not left with unsold products or the financial risk of holding obsolete stock. As your business grows, you can add more products or expand into different product categories without the constraints of inventory management. Flexibility: you can run a dropshipping business from anywhere with an internet connection, making it suitable for remote work or digital nomads. Learn more about how to sell online . Start dropshipping with Wix Dropshipping can face challenges like increased competition and maintaining quality service through suppliers. However, selecting trustworthy partners and staying informed about market trends and trending products can lead to profitable growth in this business model. 08. Real estate and rental services A real estate business involves the buying, selling, leasing or managing of property. This can include land or buildings. Real estate businesses can take various forms, including real estate agencies, property management companies, real estate investment firms, and real estate development companies. Real estate company examples: Private Elite Realty Real estate and property services can be scalable business ideas due to the following reasons. High-value transaction potential : real estate deals involve substantial financial transactions, such as buying and selling properties or managing rental properties. This can lead to substantial revenue and profit potential. Diverse revenue stream potential: real estate businesses can generate income from various sources, including property sales, property management fees, leasing commissions and real estate investment returns. These diverse revenue streams provide stability and business growth opportunities. Asset appreciation: real estate properties often appreciate over time, leading to potential long-term wealth accumulation. This appreciation can be leveraged for reinvestment or resale, contributing to scalability. Leverage potential: real estate investments often involve leverage through mortgages and loans, allowing you to control more assets with less of your own capital. This can amplify your scalability potential. Be inspired: Real estate business name ideas , Rental business ideas However, it's important to note that success in real estate as a scalable business idea often requires in-depth knowledge of the market, legal regulations and financial analysis. It can also involve substantial upfront investments and market conditions can be subject to fluctuations. Tip: How to create a rental property business plan 09. Food and catering business A catering business involves providing food and beverage services for various events and occasions, such as weddings, corporate meetings, parties and conferences. Caterers prepare and serve food on-site or deliver it to the event location. Catering services can range from small, casual gatherings to large, upscale events. Here's why a catering business can be a scalable business idea: Diverse target market: catering can serve a broad range of clients, including individuals, businesses, organizations and institutions. This diversity allows you to tap into various markets and niches. You can offer a wide variety of catering services, from small, intimate gatherings to large-scale events. As your business grows, you can expand your offerings to meet different client needs. Recurring business : catering businesses often receive repeat business from satisfied clients who use their services for multiple events or recommend them to others. Establishing strong and trusted relationships with businesses and institutions for regular catering needs can provide a consistent source of income. Building a strong reputation for excellent food and service can lead to word-of-mouth referrals and repeat business. Be inspired: Food business ideas , Food business name ideas Scalability in the catering industry often involves careful planning and the ability to handle more and more events while maintaining the quality of food and service. As you grow, you may need to hire additional staff, expand your kitchen facilities and invest in more catering equipment. Effective marketing strategies, including building a website and active social media presence, can help you reach a wider audience and attract new clients. Tip: How to create a catering business plan Other business ideas to consider Service business ideas Businesses to start with little money Unique business ideas Online business ideas Low-cost business ideas Side business ideas Outdoor business ideas Home-based businesses Mobile business ideas Family business ideas Recession-proof business ideas Business ideas for teens Business ideas for kids Business ideas for teachers Kidswear business ideas Clothing business ideas Beauty business ideas Rental business ideas Part-time business ideas Black Friday business ideas

An effective restaurant website is one that is easy to navigate, provides a wealth of efficiently communicated information and has a vibrant design that can improve your customer retention by leaving visitors craving more. Whether you’re just starting your restaurant website or are looking to take your existing one to the next level, these 15 effective restaurant websites will provide you with some insight and inspiration when it comes to deciding how to start a business. 9 inspiring restaurant websites: examples and inspiration Ready to start a restaurant website of your own? Your restaurant website should get visitors' mouth drooling by showcasing your location and giving them a sneak peek at the menu items. Don't forget to brand it with a distinct color scheme, restaurant logo and business name. The 15 restaurant websites below include all of this and more—so continue reading for inspiration. Tip: If you're just at the beginning stages of starting your food business , use the examples below alongside tools like a restaurant name generator to get ideas for the foundations of your venture. Red Bamboo Yantra Market on Front Yang’s Place Opa Schaller’s Stube FEZ Añejo MILK+T 01. Red Bamboo With a full-width photograph of enticing dishes surrounding an elegant logo , Red Bamboo’s homepage design is engaging and communicative. It features several call-to-action buttons throughout to prompt visitors to “Order Now” and “Order Pickup.” Red Bamboo utilizes restaurant social media marketing and embeds its Instagram feed, the vegan comfort food restaurant is able to strengthen its brand by sharing moments in real-time with site visitors and automatically uploading fresh content to the restaurant website. The restaurateurs behind Red Bamboo clearly recognize how much diners value customer reviews as they’ve spotlighted three great ones right on the homepage. Potential guests can find links to review listings in multiple areas of the site, so they can peruse more reviews and, once they’ve dined at the restaurant, share their own. Learn how to create a restaurant logo . 02. Yantra When guests open the Yantra homepage, they are greeted by an asymmetrical website layout that pulls visitors in with a large, high-quality photo of the restaurant’s interior design and , then draws their attention to the sliver of text on the right. With a brief introduction and a scrollable photo reel right underneath it, photography dominates the site. Besides that, Yantra gives you only as much information as you need to contact or visit the restaurant. As a whole, the website evokes the refined atmosphere that guests can expect from a visit to or a delivery from Yantra. The photography is crisp, the font choices are tasteful, the language is elevated, and the colors are understated. The online ordering page allows for a frictionless user experience, with photos and prices for each of the dishes. Once an item is clicked, a popup window appears, where customers can read more about their selection and make special requests. 03. Market on Front Market on Front is a restaurant, an artisanal grocery store, a coffee shop, and a deli all packed into one. With this kind of versatility, organization is key. There is no need to search any further than the top of the homepage to find everything Market on Front has to offer. From its social media accounts and contact information to its online ordering system and more, the structured header provides a portal to every piece of detail a customer may need. Grow and promote your restaurant online with one of our restaurant management courses. 04. Yang’s Place The family-owned Chinese restaurant Yang’s Place stands out with a geometrical website layout that interlays clickable text boxes with beautiful food photography. Choose the “About Yang’s” box, and a tidy page with nothing but two pictures and about 100 words gently fades in. Creating so much white space after providing so little on the main page locks the reader’s eye on the relevant details. If nothing else, this   restaurant website demonstrates that sometimes keeping things short and sweet is the best way to hold onto an audience. Discover a unique collection of vector art for your website 05. Opa Opa is a vegan fine dining restaurant. Opa welcomes guests with an engaging, widescreen video showcasing its unique farm-to-food philosophy and expertise. It is a great example of using quality videography on a site. The video is silent, so visitors are not disrupted by unwanted noise. Inspired to make your own site? Learn more about restaurant website costs  and how to create a restaurant website . 06. Schaller’s Stube Schaller’s Stube Sausage Bar is a combination of Berlin-style street food with a New York touch. It has a beautifully designed homepage that lets visitors save time by getting everything they need on a single page. It’s simple yet intuitive. The parallax scrolling effect is attention-grabbing and creates an immersive browsing experience. Learn more: With Wix Multilingual installed, guests can click their preferred language to translate the site. 07. FEZ Take one look at the FEZ restaurant website, and you’ll see just how impactful complementary color schemes are when they’re done right. Punchy orange and turquoise boxes stagger down the homepage, line the header and footer, and embolden text. The contrasting colors emit an energetic vibe and cleanly divide the different sections of the page without throwing it off balance. Color scheme aside, the FEZ website is effective because it offers a lot of information in an organized, engaging way. Pairing each chunk of text with an image makes it six times more likely that users will remember what they read. Plus, the brand’s voice is casual and spunky. “Our team focuses on providing the best of service while creating a comfortable environment to dine and drink,” reads the Our Team section next to a photo of an employee with burgundy hair holding a drink and sticking her tongue out. “No rushing. No corporate spiel. No cookie cutter service.” Although there is a lot of text, nothing gets lost. Every piece of content, from opening hours to a chef’s welcome, becomes part of a cohesive unit. 08. Añejo The stylish combination of aqua, white, and dark gray on this website is the first hint to visitors that Añejo is a chic, modern Mexican restaurant that appreciates great design as much as it loves great food. Animations, parallax scrolling, and dynamic shapes give the website movement and emphasize the sense of place provided by the many images of the restaurant’s indoor and outdoor seating spaces. An especially clever branding element is a giant tilde (the symbol that appears over the ‘n’ in Añejo) which provides a window into a collection of moving images. The icon also appears in the “What’s Your Añejo Mood” section, giving an already interesting layout some extra texture. Añejo also has their brand voice down pat with a heavy dose of Spanglish that seems to say, We’re proud of our roots but will work to make everyone feel comfortable here. 09. MILK+T Upon landing on this website, users are invited to join the “boba squad” and submit their email to get updates about MILK+T. This helps strengthen the boba bar’s email marketing services and helps loyal customers stay in the know. Those same customers can also find a wide range of boba-themed paraphernalia—from DIY kits and straws to pins and tees—on the online store . Fully equipped with clean, well-lit photography of each option, MILK+T’s boba menu is appealing in its uniformity that matches the large photo of Owners Beyah and Stacey clinking their signature MILK+T jars in front of the Las Vegas welcome sign. The quirky drink names emphasize the brand identity and is in keeping with the restaurant's clean interior and Instagrammable aesthetic. The websites featured here were built with Wix and show what’s possible with real, DIY designs. They represent functional, effective and thoughtfully crafted options that help people run their businesses. Best restaurant website: secret ingredients for a tasty design A restaurant website is your chance to set the mood and invite people into your space. Great design strikes a balance between style and function, helping visitors find what they need while reflecting the heart of your restaurant. Use bold visuals and thoughtful words to bring your vibe to life. Make your site feel like an extension of your space—cozy, lively, rustic or sleek. The goal is to spark curiosity and excitement, giving guests a taste of what to expect before they walk through the door. Here are some tips for creating a site that works best. Creative design hacks to make your restaurant website sizzle Tell your story with stunning visuals : High-quality photos and videos can make all the difference for a restaurant website. Use mouth-watering images of your dishes, drinks and ambiance to pull people in. Videos are a great way to bring your story to life—share behind-the-scenes moments in the kitchen or have your chef talk about their signature dish to create a personal connection. Add dynamic visual elements : Motion and interactivity pull visitors in and keep them engaged. Use video backgrounds or parallax scrolling to bring your food and vibe to life. Imagine a slow-motion shot of a sizzling steak, a cocktail being poured or a beautifully plated dish—these moments can make viewers feel like they're right there, savoring the experience. Keep it simple and stylish : A clean layout makes it easy for visitors to focus on what matters most — your food, your vibe and how to reach you. Use bold text, big eye-catching images and plenty of white space for a fresh, modern feel. This creates a smooth, enjoyable experience, especially on mobile where every inch counts. Smart, interactive menus : Add filters for dietary preferences like vegan or gluten-free, clickable photos of each dish and a simple search bar. These features make it easier—and more fun—for customers to find exactly what they’re craving. Dark mode for a fresh vibe:  Choosing website design templates that offer a dark mode option gives your site a sleek, modern edge and makes browsing easier on the eyes. It’s a simple yet powerful way to create a stylish experience users love, especially during evening visits. Mastering content to engage and connect Tell the story behind your food : Share what makes your dishes special—the inspiration behind them, the ingredients you use or the vision that brought your restaurant to life. People feel more connected to a place when they know its story. Use the About Us section to take customers on your journey, from your beginnings to the heart and soul of your menu. Start a recipe blog to share your expertise : Sharing recipes, cooking tips or techniques is a great way to connect with food lovers and keep them coming back. A blog filled with seasonal recipes or cooking advice using local ingredients can build trust, spark engagement and show your passion for all things food. Loyalty and rewards program : Adding a loyalty program to your site keeps customers engaged and coming back for more. Let users track their points, redeem rewards and enjoy perks like free appetizers or discounts on future meals. It’s a simple way to build stronger relationships and encourage repeat visits. User-generated content : Bring customer photos and reviews to your website, not just social media. Sharing real experiences on your menu or homepage lets people see how others are enjoying your food and restaurant. It’s a simple way to create a sense of community and authenticity. Real-time reviews and social proof : Bring your homepage to life with dynamic reviews and ratings. Instead of relying on static testimonials, connect real-time feedback from platforms like Google or Yelp. Fresh, authentic reviews help nudge hesitant customers to book a table or place an order. Share your commitment to sustainability and community : If your restaurant values sustainability, uses local ingredients or supports the community, make it part of your story. Highlight your green practices or partnerships with local farmers and artisans. Keep your event calendar fresh and personal : An updated event calendar with live music, wine tastings or chef’s special nights makes your website exciting and keeps customers in the know. Add a personal touch with stories from your chef or staff to make it even more inviting and memorable. How to make a restaurant website Making a website is an essential step in reaching more customers and enhancing your establishment's visibility. Here's a guide to get you started: Choose a template:  Select a template from restaurant website templates , often featuring image galleries, menu displays and reservation systems. Ensure it's mobile-friendly for accessibility on the go. Highlight your menu:  Design a dedicated menu page showcasing your offerings. Use mouth-watering images and detailed descriptions to entice potential diners. Showcase your story:  Include an "About Us" section to share your restaurant's history, vision and team, creating a personal connection with site visitors. Contact and location information:  Clearly display your contact details, address and operating hours. Embedding a map can help visitors find your restaurant with ease. What should be included on a restaurant website? A restaurant website should provide a comprehensive and inviting experience for visitors, showcasing your cuisine, ambiance, and services. Here's a list of essential elements web design elements to include on your restaurant website: Homepage Include a welcome message and a brief text introduction to your restaurant's concept, type of cuisine and vine. Always include high-quality images of your dishes, interior and exterior. Menu A restaurant website should always include a clear and well-organized menu sections for appetizers, entrees, desserts and beverages. Include dish names, descriptions, prices and allergen information. If you cater to special diets, say it here. At the same time highlight signature or special dishes. Online ordering and reservations Add a user-friendly booking system to your restaurant website, so guests can book a table in advance. You can also add an online ordering system if you offer takeout and delivery. If you accept payments  or reservations, ensure secure and reliable payment processing. About Us Consider including an About us page that includes the story behind your restaurant, including its history, founders and your own culinary philosophy. Share what makes your restaurant unique and the inspiration behind your cuisine. Contact information The basics to add here are - restaurant address, phone number, email address and a map for directions. You can also add links to your social media profiles. Hours of operation Customers need to see clear information about your opening hours, including any variations for different days or holidays. Specials and promotions Include and update regularly information about current promotions, daily specials, happy hour deals and upcoming events. Make sure to keep this information up to date. Reviews and testimonials Showcase positive reviews and testimonials from customers to build credibility. Blog or news section If you can start a blog and that way, share updates, stories, culinary insights and news related to your restaurant. Latest trends in restaurant website design — everything you need to know Considering the role of a restaurant website, trends related to their design tend to focus on creating visually attractive, user-friendly experiences that reflect the restaurant's identity. Here are a few trends, that never go out of fashion and some that have gained in popularity more recently. Mobile-first design:  With most users browsing on smartphones, responsive and mobile-first designs are essential, for seamless navigation and fast load times. People want to find their food and order it fast, your website needs to make that happen. High-quality visuals:  Restaurants increasingly use professional, high-resolution photos and videos to showcase their dishes, ambiance and behind-the-scenes processes. Video backgrounds and dynamic elements add a modern, immersive feel. The motive behind this trend is authenticity — showing your restaurant at work, helps potential diners connect better with you. Minimalistic layouts:  Clean, uncluttered interfaces with bold typography and strategic whitespace keep users focused on the essentials, such as menus, reservations and contact information. In a mobile word, consumers are impatient — make it easy for them to find what they need from you. Interactive menus:  Digital menus with interactive features, like filters for dietary preferences or clickable images, enhance the user experience. Online ordering and reservations:  Integrated ordering systems, reservation platforms and delivery options provide convenience, catering to changing consumer behaviors. Storytelling elements:  Unique storytelling through design, such as highlighting the chef's background, the restaurant’s history, or ingredient sourcing, creates an emotional connection with visitors. Your restaurant is more than just the food you prepare and diners today demand a more authentic experience. Dark mode options:  Many websites now offer dark mode, which adds a modern look while being easy on the eyes. Niche restaurant and food website examples Looking for more niche restaurant and food websites to inspire your own? We've put together some niche examples to do just that. Pizza website examples Looking to create a pizza website? Whether you're looking to sell pizza, or just profess your love for it, these examples have you covered inspiration wise. Dough Boys Pizzeria Tom's Pizza List Just like your pizza, your website shouldn't take itself so seriously. The main thing is that it shows the breadth of your menu, including images and makes it easy for customers to order online. Frozen food website examples When it comes to selling frozen food online, your site's design should reflect what you're selling. In these two examples, both sites sell frozen treats and both use colorful, playful colors, images, fonts and logos to achieve that. Lisa Marie's freeze dried treats Fancy Freeze Food prep website examples Your food prep website should showcase the food you make, so lots of clean, quality imagery is important. Remember to use your site to show what makes your food prep unique and make it easy for customers to contact you or order. Fresh preps Meal prep solutions Almighty meals All of these food website examples have food imgery at the center of their homepages and all include clear menus and ordering options. Coffee website examples Whether you own a coffee shop or roastery, your website design can make or break your branding and business. Beard and Bean Co. Cafe con Dan Don't be afraid to be unique with your website design, if that's your selling point so lean into it with your design. We love how these examples do just that. Restaurant websites FAQ What is a restaurant website? A restaurant website is an online platform that showcases a restaurant's menu, ambiance and services. It typically includes information such as location, hours of operation and contact details. Some restaurant websites also feature online reservation systems, reviews and promotions, providing an interactive and informative experience for potential customers looking to explore the restaurant's offerings. Can I create a simple restaurant website? Create a simple restaurant website by featuring key design and website elements such as menu, location and contact details. Use an easy-to-navigate layout, high-quality images of dishes and a clean design. Include an about section to share the restaurant's story. Website builders, such as Wix, make the process user-friendly so you can build a great restaurant website. Is a website a must-have for restaurants? Yes. A well-designed website enhances visibility and can significantly boost your restaurant's credibility and reach. With many diners researching online before choosing where to eat, having a strong online presence can differentiate you from competitors and attract more customers. How much does a restaurant website cost? The cost of building a restaurant website can vary widely, ranging from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on your needs and the complexity of the site. Don’t forget to factor in ongoing costs such as domain registration, hosting and maintenance. Why should a restaurant make a website? A website is one of the most effective tools for your restaurant to connect with customers and grow your business. Showcase your menu, share special offers and tell your unique story to stand out. A website makes it easier for people to find your restaurant when they’re searching for places to eat. You can also add features like online reservations, ordering or delivery services, offering convenience that keeps your customers coming back.

Start generating business ideas with the Wix Business Launcher → Starting a food business  can be an extremely lucrative career. In the United States alone, total restaurant sales generated over $351.5 billion in 2022 . But the restaurant industry isn’t just about feeding your customers, it's about becoming an integral part of the community. Choosing the right restaurant business idea is crucial, as it shapes your identity as an entrepreneur and influences public perception of your establishment.  Ready to build your website?  Sign up for Wix for free . What makes a successful restaurant business idea? A good restaurant business idea should resonate with the community, provide value and contribute positively to the local gastronomic scene. That being said, it’s not just about immediate success now. You want to make sure you have a recession-proof business idea  that can withstand changes in the market. Here are key factors that make a restaurant business idea well-suited for a small business owner: Local demand Your idea should address a genuine need or desire within the community. Understanding specific culinary preferences or gaps in dining options is crucial for success in a smaller community. A great example of this is Sweetgreen, which started in Washington D.C. in 2007. Here's a brief overview of how they did it so well, even from the start. They identified a gap: The founders noticed a lack of healthy, quick and affordable dining options for busy professionals and students in the area. Their restaurant business ideas to fill this gap. Met local needs: They created a concept focusing on fresh, locally-sourced salads and grain bowls, which appealed to health-conscious urban customers. Tech integration : They developed a user-friendly app for easy ordering and pickup, which was particularly appealing to tech-savvy locals. Community engagement Restaurants that involve and engage with the local community tend to thrive better. Consider ideas that foster a sense of belonging and connection through. Partnering with local producers, farmers or other businesses can enhance your restaurant's presence and contribute to a sustainable local food ecosystem. Sweetgreen also partnered with local farms and hosted community events, further strengthening their local ties. Uniqueness A restaurant business with an innovative culinary approach can stand out in a smaller market. Look for opportunities to offer something different or provide a unique twist on traditional dining concepts. Personalized service In the restaurant industry, personal relationships matter. A restaurant business idea that allows for thoughtful and friendly service can be a significant advantage. Sweetgreen did this by adding customization options to their offerings, catering to customers with various dietary preferences and restrictions common amongst diverse urban communities. At the same time their emphasis on eco-friendly practices and packaging resonated with environmentally conscious urban dwellers. Affordability Keep in mind the local economic conditions of your area and ensure that your restaurant's offerings are reasonably priced and accessible to a wide range of residents. Create a unique restaurant website  today using Wix. Find the best business idea for you with the Wix Business Launcher, which uses AI to match you with the right business idea based on your skills and goals. The Wix Business Launcher equips you with market research, earnings strategies and a launch kit for every idea, so you can get started with confidence.  33 Restaurant business ideas These 23 restaurant business ideas  provide a chance to follow your culinary passions and contribute to the local gastronomic scene: Café or coffee shop Outdoor dining experiences Personal chef services Culinary classes and workshops Farm-to-table restaurant Food truck or mobile kitchen Community dinner Pop-up restaurants Bar food venue Themed dining nights Jam selling business Ice cream parlor Healthy meal subscription service Pre-packaged snacks delivery Dessert or bakery shop Vegetarian or vegan restaurant Gluten free restaurant Food and wine pairing events Food tasting tours Cooking competitions Food delivery services Organic foods supplier Specialty grocery store Sauces boutique store Catering services and event planning Virtual cooking classes Gourmet food truck Baby food specialty store Restaurant merchandise Local food festivals Fine dining restaurant Restaurant consultation business Fast food chain 01. Café or coffee shop Establish a cozy café or coffee shop to meet the community's desire for a comfortable and inviting space where they can enjoy beverages and light meals. Yes, do it There's very high repeat customer potential as coffee is a popular daily staple for many — a must have of modern life. Regular customers often become the backbone of a café's business, providing consistent income and word-of-mouth marketing. A well-run café can become a community hub too. Think again The café and coffee shop market is highly saturated in many areas. You'll likely face intense competition from both large chains (like Starbucks) and other local independent cafés that have been around longer than you. This can make it challenging to differentiate your business and attract customers. 02. Outdoor dining experiences Take advantage of the local surroundings by offering outdoor dining experiences, such as picnic-style setups or al fresco dining. Yes, do it Outdoor dining experiences can offer a unique and special experience that's difficult to replicate indoors, whether it's a rooftop garden, beachfront setting or forest clearing. This uniqueness can become a strong selling point, attracting customers seeking special occasions or novel dining experiences, potentially allowing for premium pricing and creating a buzz-worthy destination. Think again Outdoor dining is heavily reliant on favorable weather conditions. Unexpected rain, extreme temperatures or strong winds can disrupt service, lead to cancellations, or require last-minute changes. This unpredictability can result in revenue fluctuations and challenges in staffing and inventory management. It may also necessitate investments in weather mitigation solutions (like heat lamps or covered areas), adding to operational costs and complexity. 03. Personal chef services Provide private chef services for individuals or small gatherings, offering customized menus based on their preferences. Yes, do it As a personal chef, you often have control over your schedule and client list. You can choose when and where you work, allowing for a better work-life balance compared to traditional restaurant jobs. This flexibility extends to menu planning and creativity, as you can tailor your offerings to each client's preferences and dietary needs, leading to a more varied and potentially fulfilling work experience. Think again Personal chef services can experience income instability. Your earnings may fluctuate based on the number of clients you have, their frequency of bookings and seasonal demands. Some months might be very busy, while others could be slow. This inconsistency can make financial planning challenging and may require you to constantly network and market your services to maintain a steady client base. 04. Culinary classes and workshops Organize culinary classes and workshops to teach locals cooking skills and share your passion for gastronomy. Yes, do it They're a great way to diversify your income if you have another type of food business already setup and running. You can charge for class fees, merchandise and potential cookbook sales. Think again You'll need to keep investing and resources into ongoing curriculum development and marketing to maintain student interest and to attract new ones. 05. Farm-to-table restaurant Support local farmers by starting a business  celebrating the farm-to-table concept that highlights fresh, seasonal ingredients from nearby farms. Yes, do it Farm-to-table restaurants cater to growing consumer demand for fresh, locally sourced and sustainable food options — they're popular. Demand is the cornerstone of any profitable business idea. Think again What makes this restaurant business idea such a unique and popular one, can also make it a challenge to maintain. Relying exclusively on local, seasonal ingredients can lead to supply chain difficulties and inclement weather, crop failures, or other issues affecting local farms can directly impact your menu offerings and ingredient costs. 06. Food truck or mobile kitchen Spread the love with a food truck business  or mobile kitchen, bringing your delicious creations directly to different neighborhoods. Yes, do it Compared to a traditional brick-and-mortar restaurant, a food truck requires significantly less initial investment. You can start with a smaller menu, less equipment and fewer staff members or just yourself. The mobility of a food truck also allows you to test different locations and events without committing to a permanent space, reducing the risk associated with a fixed location. Think again Food trucks often face complex and varying regulations depending on the city or area they operate in. These can include restrictions on where and when you can park, health department requirements and licensing issues. Some cities have strict limits on the number of food truck permits issued or specific zones where food trucks can operate. 07. Community dinners Host community dinners or supper clubs, creating a communal dining experience for residents to connect over good food. Yes, do it They provide a unique place for people to meet their neighbors, share experiences and build relationships. This can lead to a loyal and engaged customer base that feels invested in your success. The community-centric nature of these events can also generate positive word-of-mouth marketing and create a strong local brand presence, which can be valuable for building a profit business idea. Think again Community dinners often operate on a small scale and may have lower profit margins compared to traditional restaurant models. The focus on community engagement and affordability can limit the pricing you can charge for these events, dependent also on your area. Additionally, the nature of community dinners (typically held less frequently than regular restaurant service) may result in inconsistent revenue streams. Scaling this model to generate significant profits can be challenging without losing the intimate, community-focused atmosphere that makes these events special. 08. Pop-up restaurants Set up pop-up restaurants at various locations within the community, offering a dynamic and ever-changing dining experience. Yes do it, Pop-up restaurants offer a unique opportunity to test new culinary concepts, menu items or restaurant themes without the long-term commitment and high costs associated with opening a permanent restaurant. This means you can gauge market interest, refine their offerings based on immediate feedback and build a following before potentially investing in a full-scale restaurant. You can test your idea before committing to it long term. Think again Pop-up restaurants face significant logistical hurdles with each new location. These can include securing suitable venues, setting up temporary kitchens, managing inventory for short-term operations and ensuring consistent food and service quality across different settings. The temporary nature of pop-ups can also make it difficult to build a stable customer base or retain skilled staff. 09. Bar food venue Organize casual and inviting dining experiences in which you serve "tapas" or finger food alongside a variety of cocktails. Yes, do it Bar food venues can generate significant revenue from alcohol sales, which typically have higher profit margins compared to food items. This can lead to a more profitable business model overall. The combination of drinks and food can encourage customers to stay longer and spend more, increasing the average ticket size. Think again Operating a venue that serves alcohol comes with additional legal responsibilities and risks. You'll need to obtain and maintain proper liquor licenses, which can be expensive and subject to strict regulations. There's also increased liability associated with serving alcohol, including the risk of overserving patrons or serving to minors, which can result in legal issues and potential lawsuits. Staff will require specialized training in responsible alcohol service, and you may face higher insurance costs. Looking to grow your bar's online presence? Learn how to make a bar website  that attracts new customers and stand out from the competition. 10. Themed dining nights Plan themed dining nights, such as international cuisine nights or special menu events to attract diverse crowds and drum up excitement. Yes, do it Themed dining nights can create excitement and novelty, encouraging customers to return repeatedly to experience different themes. These events can transform a regular dining experience into a memorable, immersive occasion, potentially justifying premium pricing. Themes can range from cuisine-focused (e.g., Italian Night, Sushi Extravaganza) to more elaborate concepts (e.g., 1920s Speakeasy, Under the Sea). Think again Each theme may necessitate special decorations, menu items, costumes for staff, or even entertainment, all of which can increase costs. There's also the challenge of maintaining consistency in food quality and service while adapting to different themes. If not executed well, themed nights could disappoint customers who have high expectations based on the promised experience. Additionally, the extra effort and resources required might not always translate into proportionally higher profits, especially if the themes don't resonate with your target audience. 11. Jam selling business You can grow your own produce and use at-home jam jarring machines and sell your home-made jams as niche products to restaurants or local stores to add a level of personal charm to their product line. Yes, do it A jam selling business offers excellent scalability potential. You can start small, perhaps at local farmers' markets or craft fairs and gradually expand to larger markets. As your brand grows, you can explore multiple sales channels including online platforms (your own website or e-commerce marketplaces), wholesale to specialty stores or supermarkets, and even international exports. This flexibility allows you to grow at your own pace and diversify your revenue streams. Additionally, jams have a relatively long shelf life, which can help with inventory management and reducing waste. Think again The jam-making business is often heavily dependent on seasonal fruit availability. This can lead to fluctuations in production schedules and potentially inconsistent income throughout the year. During peak fruit seasons, you may need to work intensively to process large quantities of fresh produce, which can be labor-intensive and require significant storage capacity. Conversely, off-season periods might see reduced production or require you to rely on frozen or imported fruits, potentially affecting your product quality or brand image if you market yourself as using fresh, local ingredients. Sourcing high-quality fruits consistently can also be challenging, especially if you're committed to using organic or locally-sourced produce. 12. Ice cream parlor Ice cream is adored worldwide for its universal appeal. Offer a variety of flavors and toppings to attract a broad customer base. You can also create strategic marketing opportunities based on seasonality that ensure a steady flow of customers. Yes, do it Ice cream generally has a high profit margin, especially when made in-house. The cost of ingredients is relatively low compared to the selling price, allowing for healthy profits. Additionally, ice cream is a universally loved treat that appeals to all age groups, making it easier to build a loyal customer base. Think again Ice cream sales typically peak during warmer months and can drop significantly during colder seasons, leading to inconsistent revenue throughout the year. To counter this, you may need to diversify your menu with other items or develop creative marketing strategies for the off-season. Additionally, the initial investment for an ice cream parlor can be substantial due to the specialized equipment required, such as commercial-grade freezers, ice cream makers, and display cases. These machines are often expensive to purchase and maintain, and their energy consumption can lead to high utility costs. 13. Healthy meal subscription service Offer a healthy meal subscription service, providing nutritious and convenient meals for busy residents. This can be a great scalable business idea , as you can work with specific customers at first and expand toward organizations, schools, events, catering and more. 14. Pre-packaged snack delivery Snacks such as chips, nuts, pretzels, popcorn, granola bars or a mix can be a convenient buy for families or customers who enjoy keeping snacks handy while traveling. 15. Dessert or bakery shop Open a dessert or bakery shop specializing in sweet treats and baked goods for people to indulge in. Find the right menu and you’ll have a line around the block. 16. Vegetarian or vegan restaurant Cater to dietary preferences by starting a vegetarian or vegan restaurant, offering plant-based delights. Falafel Brothers , a vegan Falafel shop with multiple branches spread across Japan, is a great example of how successful this niche can be. 17. Gluten free restaurant Open a restaurant with a specialized menu to offer a variety of delicious options for those with dietary restrictions. Yes do it, A gluten-free restaurant caters to a specific and expanding market segment. With increasing awareness of celiac disease, gluten sensitivity, and gluten-free diets as a lifestyle choice, the demand for dedicated gluten-free dining options has grown significantly. This niche focus can help you build a loyal customer base of individuals who have limited safe dining options elsewhere. The specialized nature of your offering can justify premium pricing, potentially leading to higher profit margins compared to traditional restaurants. Think again Sourcing gluten-free ingredients often comes with higher costs, which can impact your overall profitability or require you to charge higher prices that some customers may find prohibitive. Gluten-free flours, bread, and pasta alternatives are typically more expensive than their wheat-based counterparts. Additionally, maintaining a strictly gluten-free kitchen requires meticulous attention to detail to prevent cross-contamination. This includes using separate preparation areas, utensils, and storage spaces for all ingredients and dishes. The consequences of accidental gluten exposure can be severe for some customers, so the stakes are high in terms of food safety and reputation management. This level of vigilance may necessitate additional staff training and quality control measures, further increasing operational costs. 18. Food and wine pairing events Organize food and wine pairing events, collaborating with local wineries or breweries for unique culinary experiences. Yes, do it Food and wine pairing events offer a premium, educational experience that can command higher ticket prices.They also present opportunities for partnerships with wineries or wine distributors, potentially leading to exclusive deals or sponsorships. The interactive and educational nature of these events can foster customer loyalty and encourage word-of-mouth marketing, potentially attracting new high-value customers to your regular dining services. Think again Organizing successful food and wine pairing events demands significant time, effort, and expertise. You'll need in-depth knowledge of both culinary arts and oenology to create harmonious and interesting pairings. This might require additional training for your staff or hiring specialized sommeliers. 19. Food tasting tours Conduct food tasting tours that explore the diverse culinary offerings within the community. Yes, do it Food tasting tours offer multiple avenues for revenue generation. Beyond ticket sales for the tours themselves, you can earn through partnerships with local restaurants, food artisans, and markets. These partnerships can include commissions on sales generated during the tour or flat fees for including establishments in your itinerary. Think again Coordinating food tasting tours involves complex logistics. You need to manage timing precisely to ensure all stops on the tour can accommodate your group without long waits or disruptions to their regular service. Weather can also be a factor, especially for tours that involve significant walking or outdoor components. Moreover, your business is heavily dependent on the quality and reliability of your partner establishments. 20. Cooking competitions Host cooking competitions for residents to showcase their culinary skills and creativity. Yes, do it Cooking competitions can generate significant buzz and excitement, attracting both participants and spectators. These events have the potential to draw media attention, especially if you involve local celebrities or well-known chefs as judges. This exposure can be excellent for marketing and brand building, not just for the event itself but also for sponsoring restaurants or culinary schools. Think again Organizing a cooking competition involves intricate planning and can be expensive to execute properly. You need to secure a suitable venue with multiple cooking stations, each equipped with the necessary appliances and utensils. Ensuring fair competition conditions, such as equal access to ingredients and equipment for all participants, can be challenging. There are also significant costs associated with ingredients, judges' fees, prizes, and potentially specialized equipment rentals. Safety and hygiene regulations must be strictly adhered to, which may require additional staff or inspections. 21. Food delivery services Provide food delivery services for those who are home-bound or residents who simply prefer to enjoy restaurant-quality meals in the comfort of their homes. 22. Organic foods supplier Distinguish yourself by offering a variety of organic foods, showcasing a commitment to quality produce and catering to health-conscious customers. 23. Specialty grocery store Open a specialty grocery store, offering unique and curated ingredients for home cooks and food enthusiasts. Yes, do it A specialty grocery store can be easily to differentiate itself from larger supermarkets by offering a curated selection of high-quality, hard-to-find or locally sourced products. This unique offering can attract a dedicated customer base who values specialty items, organic produce, artisanal goods or products catering to specific dietary needs or cultural cuisines. This expertise can lead to higher customer loyalty and potentially justify premium pricing. Additionally, specialty stores often become community hubs, hosting tastings, cooking demonstrations or educational events, further enhancing customer engagement and brand loyalty. Think again The specialized nature of the store can also be a limitation. By focusing on niche products, you may miss out on the broad appeal and foot traffic that comes with offering everyday essentials. This can result in a smaller customer base and potentially lower overall sales volume compared to general grocery stores. Specialty products often come with higher wholesale costs and may have shorter shelf lives, leading to potentially slimmer profit margins or the need for higher retail prices. There's also the challenge of inventory management – balancing the desire to offer a wide variety of unique products with the risk of unsold inventory. Additionally, competing with large supermarkets and online retailers on price and convenience can be difficult, requiring constant innovation in product selection and customer experience to maintain a competitive edge. 24. Sauces boutique store Provide unique and interesting flavors of sauces to attract food enthusiasts and restaurants that are eager to liven up their menu. Sauces are also easily packaged and shipped, making them an ideal product to dropship or sell online to restaurants. 25. Catering services and event planning Offer catering services for events and gatherings, providing delicious menus tailored to the occasion. 26. Virtual cooking classes Conduct virtual cooking classes for people all over the world who prefer learning new recipes from the comfort of their homes. 27. Gourmet food truck Elevate the traditional food truck experience by offering more elevated gourmet dishes and unique culinary creations on wheels. 28. Baby food specialty store Produce a line of high quality baby food that will establish trust, which will lead to a loyal customer base with repeat purchases. 29. Restaurant merchandise Create and sell restaurant merchandise, such as branded apparel or specialty food products. Yes, do it Selling restaurant merchandise, such as branded t-shirts, mugs, sauces or cookbooks, can provide a significant additional revenue stream with potentially high profit margins. These items often have lower production costs compared to prepared food, especially when ordered in bulk. Moreover, merchandise acts as a powerful marketing tool, extending your brand's reach beyond the restaurant walls. When customers wear or use your branded items, they essentially become walking advertisements for your restaurant, increasing brand visibility and potentially attracting new customers. Think again Introducing merchandise to your restaurant business comes with its own set of challenges, primarily related to inventory management and initial investment. You'll need to allocate resources to design, produce, and store the merchandise, which requires upfront capital that could otherwise be used for core restaurant operations. Predicting demand for merchandise can be difficult, especially when starting out, leading to potential issues with overstocking (tying up capital in unsold inventory) or under-stocking (missing out on sales opportunities). 30. Local food festivals Organize local food festivals that celebrate the diversity of culinary talents within your community. Yes, do it Local food festivals can significantly enhance community engagement and provide a substantial economic boost to the area. These events bring together local restaurants, food vendors, artisans, and farmers, creating a vibrant showcase of the region's culinary offerings. This not only supports local businesses by providing them with exposure and direct sales opportunities but also attracts visitors from surrounding areas, potentially boosting tourism. They can also serve as incubators for new food businesses, allowing aspiring entrepreneurs to test their products with a large audience. The economic impact often extends beyond the event itself, as visitors may explore other local attractions, stay in local accommodations or make return visits based on their festival experience. Think again Organizing a local food festival involves complex logistical challenges and significant financial risks. Coordinating multiple vendors, ensuring adequate facilities (like electricity, water, and waste management) and complying with health and safety regulations can be daunting tasks. There's also the challenge of marketing the event effectively to ensure good attendance. One of the biggest risks is weather dependency, especially for outdoor festivals. Unfavorable weather can drastically reduce attendance, potentially leading to financial losses for both organizers and participating vendors. Even with contingency plans, sudden changes in weather can disrupt the event. 31. Fine dining restaurant Establish a fine dining restaurant, offering an upscale dining experience for special occasions and celebrations. 32. Restaurant consultation business Offer lessons on proper food inventory preparation, business growth, financial operations and event planning to restaurant owners looking to improve. Yes, do it A restaurant consultation business offers the opportunity to work with a wide variety of clients, from new restaurateurs to established chains looking to improve their operations. The specialized nature of restaurant consulting often commands high fees, especially if you develop a strong reputation in the industry. Your expertise in areas such as menu development, kitchen efficiency, staff training, or financial management can be invaluable to restaurants struggling to succeed in a competitive market. As your reputation grows, you may have the opportunity to work on high-profile projects or with renowned chefs and restaurateurs, further enhancing your credibility and earning potential. Additionally, consulting allows for a flexible work schedule and the possibility of remote work for certain aspects of the job, providing a good work-life balance. Think again Restaurant consulting comes with significant pressure and responsibility as your clients are often investing substantial amounts of money based on your advice, and their livelihoods may depend on the success of your strategies. This can create high-stress situations, especially when dealing with struggling restaurants that need quick turnarounds. The restaurant industry is notoriously volatile and even well-conceived plans can fail due to factors outside your control, such as changing market conditions or unexpected events. This unpredictability can lead to potential damage to your reputation if projects don't succeed, even if the failure isn't directly your fault. 33. Fast food chain Fast food chains, or quick-service restaurants are a good option if you're looking to operate under a franchise model, since they usually specialize in preparing mass-produced take-out meals. Check out these best small website builders  to get started. How to start a restaurant business in 5 steps Starting a restaurant business can be daunting, but there are five key steps that will help ensure your success. Market research and idea validation Identify gaps in dining options and validate your restaurant business idea by engaging with locals and understanding their preferences. Create a restaurant business plan Develop a detailed restaurant business plan , outlining your concept, target market, competition, menu, marketing strategy, financial projections and funding needs. Use a food truck name generator or similar to come up with the right name for your food business. Register your restaurant business Register your business with local health departments, obtain necessary permits or licenses and comply with food safety regulations. In some cases, you might want to define a business type, such as a sole proprietorship ,  LLC  or corporation . Read more: How to start an LLC in 7 easy steps Secure financing Determine how you'll finance your restaurant business, considering personal savings, loans, grants or investments. Prepare a budget for setting things up and ongoing expenses. Learn more: How to raise money for a business Promote and market your restaurant business Establish a strong online presence by creating a website and learning how to build a website that effectively showcases your restaurant. Generate social media buzz by creating accounts on Instagram, Facebook, and more. You can also use local outreach and community engagement to promote your restaurant business and collaborate with local businesses. Create a restaurant website with Wix Restaurant business examples built on Wix to inspire Cooh This Australian-based restaurant is promoting sustainability in their community by sourcing ingredients from local suppliers and farmers while offering a relaxing, modern space. Chiles Grill Chiles Mexican Grill offers authentic Mexican food and beer in the heart of Tokyo. Feast your eyes on their stunning website and mouth-watering menu. Yangs   This family-owned Chinese restaurant offers traditional Chinese dishes in a vibrant and modern space.  Restaurant business ideas FAQ How can I attract customers to my restaurant? Effective marketing strategies are crucial for attracting customers to your restaurant. Create a business website , use a visually appealing menu, establish a strong online presence on social media platforms, offer promotions or discounts for new customers and get involved with local community events. Building a reputation for excellent food and service is essential. Consider partnering with local businesses, organizing food events and participating in community culinary initiatives to increase visibility and attract customers. What equipment do I need to start a restaurant business? The specific equipment you need will depend on the restaurant services you plan to offer. Generally, you may need kitchen equipment such as ovens, stoves and refrigerators. If you're offering a dine-in experience, consider furniture and decor. For virtual cooking classes, you'll need audiovisual equipment and a reliable internet connection. Additionally, having a well-equipped kitchen and a welcoming space is essential. How do I determine pricing for my restaurant services? Consider factors such as the type of restaurant service, the ingredients used and your operational costs. Research local market rates and competitors to ensure your pricing is competitive. You can choose pricing models such as à la carte pricing, prix fixe menus and more. Are restaurant businesses profitable? Restaurant businesses can be profitable but their success varies widely due to factors like location, concept and management. To achieve success, you should manage costs effectively, set strategic prices and deliver quality service amidst tough competition and operational challenges. Careful planning and adaptation are key to business growth in the competitive food industry. Other business ideas to consider Service business ideas Businesses to start with little money Unique business ideas Online business ideas Low-cost business ideas Side business ideas Outdoor business ideas Home-based businesses Mobile business ideas Consulting business ideas Freelance business ideas Reselling business ideas Business ideas for couples Rental business ideas Small town business ideas Travel business ideas Wedding business ideas Print on demand business ideas Music business ideas Finance business ideas Cleaning business ideas Marketing business ideas Art business ideas Tech business ideas Fitness business ideas Business ideas for teens

Bring your inspiration to life with a Wix website →   In this day and age, creating a responsive website that ensures that websites behave well on a variety of screen sizes and resolutions is pretty much table stakes. We’ve put together a collection of responsive websites from different industries to inspire you. Each example uses creative strategies like flexible grids, multiple columns and zigzag layouts to ensure their design works smoothly on any device. If you’re ready to make your own, a mobile website builder  can help you apply these strategies easily. Before jumping into the examples, let’s go over some common questions about responsive design and building a mobile-friendly website. Need inspiration for your website? With Wix, building a standout site is easier than ever. Choose from hundreds of customizable templates and use Wix’s easy drag-and-drop website builder  tools to make your vision come to life. Turn your ideas into reality and see just how simple it is to create a unique, professional website.  What is a responsive website page? A responsive website page is a page that adjusts its layout and content based on the size of a viewport. Learning how to make a website  ensures that your web page looks equally good on a small screen of a mobile device and on a large TV screen. 20 responsive website examples  01. Maya Lynne Adar 02. Ethical Essence 03. The Boathouse Agency 04. Kristina Horan Website Designs 05. La Bonne 06. VMV Studio 07. Velocity X 08. Moon Rabbit Acupuncture 09. Visual Identity Co. 10. Scopetheory 11. Esperia Advocacy 12. Product Hiring House 13. KlikArch 14. Strategy Folk 15. Change the Game Studio 16. Praagya 17. Aura Studios 18. The Forestta 19. The Benev 20. YNK 01. Maya Lynne Adar Maya Lynne Adar  is a multidisciplinary designer whose website uses unconventional typography that combines an italicized serif with a sans-serif font. The site additionally features cutout shapes that pop in and out of the screen and a dice-like mechanism (built with custom CSS) that allows visitors to toggle between various color palettes. Animations, website hover effects  and horizontal scroll further add an element of playfulness and surprise.  Maya Lynne Adar accounts for the fact that less is more on smaller screens, striving for elegance in simplicity. The minimalist layout presents the artist's work across several menus—a testament to the importance of having a strong information hierarchy when it comes to creating an intuitive UI. The mobile view, however, does away with the horizontal scrolling altogether in favor of a card-like format that presents the different tabs in Adar’s menu. The layout therefore offers a much lighter experience, not only because of the limitations of mobile interactions but because less heavy sites load quicker. 02. Ethical Essence Ethical Essence ’s eCommerce website stands out for its strong branded touches: earthy tones, high-definition videos, sans-serif typeface and well-lit product photography. The company emphasizes these nature-themed visuals, showcasing eco-friendly skincare products against a backdrop of sudsy beach waves and rocky terrain.  As a whole, the site is gorgeously responsive, with all the elements adjusting well with the breakpoints. That’s all to say, you won’t notice much of a difference on any screen size because the website is formatted to shrink and expand accordingly. One way Ethical Essence achieves this is by changing their product gallery to display just one product at a time on mobile (rather than the row of four products on computer screen sizes), intentionally keeping the product image front and center while displaying related products on a slider. The takeaway: give assets room to breathe, even if they can’t share the width of the mobile page. 03. The Boathouse Agency The Boathouse Agency 's website exudes coolness and creativity, with meticulous attention to detail. The website glides gracefully when scrolling. The combination of videos, animations and unique scroll behaviors creates a non-traditional experience—a perfect complement to a portfolio that showcases innovative design projects and celeb collaborations. Notice how the logo plays well on all sections because it changes based on what’s behind it, keeping the agency’s  branding neutral and letting their work do the talking. The mobile version of the site offers a more simplified experience. You’re likely not used to being greeted with a video on a handheld device, which immediately sets the brand apart. After that, you’re presented with a scrollable listview of different case studies. It’s all kept neat, tidy and professional on mobile view, with a look and feel that spotlights some of the incredible clients in The Boathouse Agency’s portfolio. Be inspired: Luxury website examples 04. Kristina Horan Website Designs   Kristina Horan Website Designs (KHWD)  site is bold from the jump, with sharp contrasting colors that add some pop to the daring grayscale image at the top of the site. The website has an eclectic look and feel as you scroll, using various scroll behaviors, buttons and blurred images that add flair. The website is arguably even more impactful on mobile, with the same scroll behaviors presented in a tighter area so that there’s something eye-catching at every portion of the scroll. In the header, KHWD tucks the menu behind a hamburger menu (likely to reduce cognitive load), which draws further attention to the striking image on the landing page. It’s all carefully crafted, so take note of how well the header image scales, the flow of information presented and the scroll-friendliness of the website. 05. La Bonne La Bonne  is an organizer of corporate events, experiential marketing campaigns and social gatherings with a website that matches the team’s “good vibes” approach. Upon entering the site, you’re greeted by a collage on each end of the screen. The collage fades on scroll to reveal additional design elements that explain what the company is all about.  The site is optimized for mobile screens, with reasonably sized, centered text.  The website features contrasting colors and a simple flow of information from top to bottom. The button to submit your contact information is illustrated as an envelope, adding an endearing touch that sets the tone for the relationship from the very beginning. 06. VMV Studio VMV Studio  is a self-described collective of designers, filmmakers and visionaries whose website reflects the studio's innovative approach to visual storytelling. Animations, bold graphis and videos breathe life into the web design, showcasing the studio's creativity and technical prowess. Meanwhile, subtle touches—like the frosted glass footer and text fill on scroll—add extra flair. The same holds true on phones; all the same assets make a comeback without slowing down the website’s load time. You’ll see the same scroll effects, the same high-quality videos and all of the same pages on mobile. It speaks to the fact that you don’t have to dumb down the mobile view of your website when you use Wix Studio. On mobile view, the item grid that features the VMV Studio’s portfolio of work shifts from a looser collection of one to two items per row, to a strict single item per row format that makes the website more scroll-friendly.  07. Velocity X Velocity X leverages mouse hover effects that move the objects in the background, combined with unexpected horizontal scrolling. Blurry shapes, glowing outlines and glass-morphic menus compliment their cutting-edge branding. The recurring use of purple, orange and turquoise hues offers visual cohesion through a branded color palette, and an FAQ menu at the bottom adds further context to the brand’s offering.  Velocity X maintains its look and feel on the mobile website, the major difference being the resizing of elements and the manual horizontal scroll (done intentionally to preserve the experience). Card menus no longer stack. They’re instead presented as a list view of cards, which is all to say that the mobile website does away with animations to simplify the experience, while still upholding the brand’s visual identity on smaller screens. 08. Moon Rabbit Acupuncture Moon Rabbit Acupuncture 's website features high-resolution images, a light color palette, hover effects and a thin typeface to draw attention to the main focus of their website: the benefits of acupuncture and holistic healing. Overlayed menus and product shots invite visitors to explore their various offerings, from booking a service, to shopping their products.  The first thing you’ll notice when viewing the site on mobile is how well images scale down to accommodate narrower screen sizes. Scroll on and you’ll notice that the various grids of assets change so fewer elements clutter the screen per row. 09. Visual Identity Co. Visual Identity 's website showcases a striking animated visual right as you enter the landing page. The animation toggles between a gold or purple color at the click of a button. Below, scroll effects like text fill and resizing elements give the website a sense of flow within the movement. The portfolio highlights a diverse range of projects, demonstrating the agency's ability to create impactful visual identities for clients. Not much changes on mobile, which is a sign of a highly responsive website. Whereas some mobile websites opt out of animated effects, Visual Identity preserves all of the same elements (including a clock that displays the current time in the agency’s hometown of India) that make its desktop version so effective.  10. Scopetheory Scopetheory  keeps their site simple above the fold, using a blank white canvas for a background, a custom typeface and a pared-down navigation menu. As you scroll, things start getting interesting: the brand’s client work is presented in a grid which starts to stack up as you travel further down the website.  On mobile, the approach is somewhat different; you no longer need to scroll down to be greeted with visuals. Rather, they appear above the fold. The stacking effect still stands though, as does the chat function. An interesting note: Scopetheory brought the "client impact" section up higher on mobile (perhaps to adjust to different expected behaviors between mobile and desktop, or else to emphasize the most important elements first). 11. Esperia Advocacy Esperia Advocacy  adds subtle design touches that set its site apart from other company sites in the space: architectural imagery, a mix of italicized and serif professional fonts , an eggshell background and an oversized, halfway-cut-off footer.  It all translates quite well on mobile. The company doesn’t remove anything from the mobile site, opting to maintain the same appearance on all devices. Here, the assets have a little more room to breathe, which makes for a more scrollable experience overall.  12. Product Hiring House Product Hiring House 's website combines multiple effects for a memorable experience. These effects include a sticky header, items that move on scroll (like the venn diagram that squeezes the two circles closer together), hover effects and sliding image galleries. When paired with a rich paper background, a glassmorphic effect and gorgeous landscape photography, you get a website loaded with texture and engaging functionality. The same holds true on mobile - though it’s all resized. The grid takes on a more vertical alignment here, though the animation effects are preserved. It makes for a seamlessly responsive website that feels similar across all touchpoints. 13. KlikArch KlikArch 's website greets you with a bold sans-serif font that tells you a little about what the brand does. However, it’s only when you scroll below the fold that you see their work in action. Their header disappears into the top of the screen as you scroll down, revealing product images and team headshots that decorate the screen instead. Transitioning the site to mobile affords more whitespace when you first land, though as you scroll you’ll find that the contents end up taking most of the space. It’s an interesting play on dimensionality when resizing the website. 14. Strategy Folk Strategy Folk 's website is clean and minimalistic on entry, with a little robot animation that runs across the screen. As you scroll, design assets like text boxes, buttons, cards and more robot animations spring on screen to add movement and excitement. You’ll notice a lot of whitespace on the website, which helps it scale down effectively on mobile, as well as an example of a custom cursor  that activates over one specific section. On mobile, the elements appear tighter together, indicating that you can scroll below the fold to see more. That said, everything behaves relatively the same as on the desktop site, providing a cohesive experience across all screen sizes. 15. Change the Game Studio Change the Game Studio 's hyper-colorful site is a perfect representation of their ethos: chaotic innovation. Oversized text, unique fonts and maximalist style help the brand go against the grain, and abstract shapes, graphics, patterns and typographies add an extra pop. The same look and feel is maintained on mobile, with a resized grid that’s more scroll-friendly. The menu is a bit tighter, but they’ve chosen not to use a burger menu in place of displaying the full list of options up front. It’s as visual as it is conceptual: see for yourself! 16. Praagya Praagya 's portfolio website leverages hover display effects against a tv static backdrop to achieve a bold and differentiated aesthetic. Sharp visual and conceptual design lays the groundwork for his portfolio, which merges print, image making and strong use of creative hover interactions. For static homepages like this one, you have to pay meticulous attention to detail and spotlight the work itself. Switch over to a mobile view of this website to see how brilliantly responsive this website truly is. All the hover displays run automatically, but the website is perfectly spaced to fit them all accordingly. It demonstrates the power of playing to your device’s interactions to shape the experience of the web design itself. Learn more about building a static website . 17. Aura Studios Aura Studios ' showcases simple grid layouts that lets the content do the talking: rich photographs of gorgeous travel destinations and epic getaways. It’s a creative agency that wields a strong sense of elegance in simplicity on its homepage. The brand exudes lavishness, from its rich earth-toned color palette, to aspirational imagery and snippets of punchy typography. The site responds well to narrower dimensions too, with a nearly identical mobile experience just with tighter shots of the same images used for desktop. While the text scales to two lines for more breathing room, the proportions of all other assets are kept the same. 18. The Forestta The Forestta 's features several scroll effects against a leafy green background, including parallax images, side scrolling text and cards that overlay on top of one another. It’s a fun design that showcases some of the delicious food you can expect to find there, with a color palette that perfectly complements the images the brand chose. On mobile the same site behaviors are maintained, with the grid shrinking down to single content per row. In all instances, the website prioritizes usability with clear CTAs to book a table, order online and check out the menu. 19. The Benev The first thing you’ll notice upon entering The Benev 's website is the custom ‘B’ shaped cursor, which appears as the rest of the website loads. From there, slightly washed-out videos and imagery give an ethereal touch to the website’s branding. All the content is laid out in a dynamic, non-modular grid that fills the page in an unexpected way. On your phone, the grid snaps into a modular shape, reducing the amount of visual stimulus that would otherwise be there if the grid were simply shrunken down instead. It's one of the best responsive website examples to demonstrates how blocks of content can scale well across various screen sizes. 20. YNK  Young Na Kim (YNK) combines text and image scroll effects to give a bold landing page some extra dynamism. The focus of the website is clear: to showcase the selected portfolio pieces in a section below the fold, incentivizing people to get in touch.  Resized on mobile, the website behaves exactly the same, now with a little more whitespace. Square images turn to circles as you scroll, and moving text also combines to give the experience an added sense of dimensionality. Why should websites use responsive design? Almost  60% of website traffic  in 2023 came from mobile devices, so it's essential to optimize your sites for small mobile screens in addition to standard desktop. Responsive design allows a single website to be optimized for all devices, rather than maintaining separate websites for desktop, tablets and mobile. Where can I find responsive website templates? Creating a responsive website from scratch can be challenging because you have to arrange site information for each device it might be viewed on. A website template can thereby be a real time-saver,  offering a ready-to-use solution that you can still fine-tune and customize. Wix Studio  offers an excellent collection of  responsive website templates  that feature unique visual attributes, such as crisp typography and well-crafted animated effects. Comparing Wix Studio: Wix vs. Wix Studio Wix Studio vs. Elementor So how do you make a great responsive website? The first thing that you need to do is to learn the principles of good website design, as creating a responsive website differs from building a website that isn't responsive. Those principles are universal and apply to any type of website . After that, you can dive into the specifics of responsive design and explore concepts like what is generative AI t o understand how advanced technologies are shaping web design. Maintaining a flexible website layout is critical for designing responsive websites because it allows you to edit your existing designs instead of recreating them from scratch. Use Wix Studio’s responsive AI  as a starting point to shave off hours spent on adjusting your layout and the corresponding elements by hand (you can always set custom breakpoints or make design adjustments afterward). From there, consider other web design standards to smooth out user experience across all screen sizes. This includes taking a mobile-first approach; designing for thumb, touchpad and mouse interactions; creating websites with a singular call to action to reduce friction; and using fluid layouts by default (including designing with percentages rather than pixels and using SVG images that scale well). As a generality, a minimalistic design enables your website to scale effectively without running into loading issues or interaction errors.  Learn more: How does AI work Types of AI What makes a website responsive vs. non-responsive? Responsive websites scale up and down automatically to respond to the size of your web browser . That means that whether you shrink the browser on your desktop by holding and dragging your mouse, or switching to view a website on a tablet or phone instead, you’ll get a similar experience retro-fitted to the device you’re on. Responsive websites features Faster page load speeds Increase your conversion rates Provide better user experiences Strengthen your SEO performance Keep mobile device users more engaged Decrease bounce rates because of faster load times Future-proof your website to stay ahead of the curve Reduce maintenance costs of having multiple sites with responsive design Making websites responsive is a best practice in web development if you're creating a professional website to ensure a seamless, unified experience across all breakpoints. If you don’t do this for client sites, your clients’ users will likely need to pinch and zoom to navigate the website because it will display a desktop-friendly design on mobile, or, more realistically, your visitors will bounce. Best practices for creating a responsive website Practice mobile-first design: Start your design process with the smallest screen size in mind. It will help you identify and prioritize the most important content for your web page. That’s different of course than when you actually build out your website on Wix Studio (since you should build from desktop screen size down), but the actual design process should start with mobile because most users visit sites online in their phones. Set media queries: CSS media queries define different screen sizes and make a web page adapt its layout to different screen sizes. Among media queries, a category of breakpoints defines the widths of devices. Commonly used breakpoints are mobile (480px), tablet (481px - 7689px), desktop (779px - 1024px) and TV screens (201px+). Optimize images: You need to make sure that the images you use are optimized for different devices, so they look great and load quickly no matter where a user comes across them. That’s where image optimization comes in—it’s the process of resizing images for different viewports. This helps to reduce page load time and improve the site's performance (especially on mobile devices). Wix automatically compresses images for performance, for example. Test your design on multiple devices: You have to test your website on various devices to ensure it looks good and functions properly on different screen sizes and resolutions. Contextualize the aesthetic to different screen sizes:  Your mobile view shouldn’t be a 1:1 clone of your desktop website. Rather, you should adjust the design accordingly.  Responsive website examples FAQ How can I convert my website to responsive? To convert your website to responsive, start by making sure that your design adapts to various screen sizes. You can use tools like Wix ADI  to create a responsive layout without having to dive into complex coding. If you’re using a more custom approach, incorporate Wix Code  to adjust your site’s elements dynamically. Also, make sure your site includes dynamic content  that adjusts to the user’s device. With no code low code  platforms, you can easily build responsive websites without extensive coding knowledge. This will allow you to maintain a seamless user experience across all devices. What does it mean if a site is responsive? A responsive website is one that automatically adjusts its layout, content and design based on the user’s device or screen size. Whether accessed from a smartphone, tablet or desktop, the website will provide a consistent and optimal user experience. This design approach includes features such as flexible images and text, ensuring the content scales correctly. Websites with dynamic content will adjust and reorganize according to the screen’s size, improving usability. What are the three basic things required for responsive web design? The three basic components for responsive web design are flexible grids, flexible images and media queries. First, flexible grids allow content to resize based on the screen’s width. Second, flexible images use CSS to ensure images adjust their size proportionally. Finally, media queries apply different styling rules depending on the device’s characteristics, such as its width. For advanced features, integrating API  and intranet  options can help enhance functionality. If you want to dive deeper into responsive design using simpler methods, Wix ADI is a great tool for beginners, while exploring what is open source  can provide insights into building responsive websites with community-driven solutions. Why is responsive design important? Responsive design makes sure a website looks and functions well on all screen sizes (desktop, tablet, mobile). It improves the user experience, increases engagement and potentially conversions by making online navigation easy across devices. It promises a website visitor a seamless experience regardless of the device they're on the website from. How does responsive design work? It uses a combination of fluid grids, flexible images and CSS media queries to adjust layout and elements based on the screen size. Instead of creating separate desktop and mobile sites, one design adapts dynamically to different devices.

Turn your ideas into a website you love with Wix →  Web design has changed a lot over the years. In the beginning, the primary goal of web design was to create a smooth browsing experience for desktop users—it was the only way people accessed the internet, after all. But since then, the mobile revolution has drastically changed the way we design for the web. When you design a website today, you need to make sure it looks great, functions well and communicates the right message across all sorts of browsers and devices. It’s pretty much guaranteed that website design clients will ask for a mobile version of their site. Responsive web design principles, tools and responsive website templates make it possible. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about responsive web design—from the history surrounding it, to the best practices and strong examples to learn from. 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. Wix is all about simplifying the process so you can focus on what matters most–bringing your ideas to life. So why wait? Let’s get started on creating the website you’ve always wanted. What we'll cover: What is responsive web design?   The evolution of responsive web design   Responsive web design methods   How to accommodate different viewports   Resizing images   Responsive use of typography   Mobile-first vs. responsive design   Responsive website examples   What is responsive web design? Responsive web design is an approach to how to build a website from scratch that makes it possible to render web pages on various screen sizes. This is an example of user interface plasticity—the capacity of an interface to be fluid and present itself in an ideal arrangement based on the available screen space. ( See lots of responsive website design examples  here. ) But responsive design is more than just a technical approach, it’s the backbone of good user experience. Instead of thinking about screen size and resolutions as design constraints, think of your content as fluid, giving users complete control of how they want to view it. Learn more: How to make a responsive website Responsive web design changes the layout of a site to best fit the viewport the user is viewing it through. Illustration by Anita Goldstein. Responsive design requires a combination of fluid grid, flexible images and media queries, which work together to reformat web pages according to the user preferences and provide the best possible web experience: Fluid grid A grid is a two-dimensional structure of intersecting lines that lets you arrange web content in columns and rows. In a fluid grid, each element of a grid is expressed as a proportion relative to its container, so it resizes depending on the size of the container it sits within. That means the exact number of columns in a grid can vary depending on the size of a user’s viewport (the visible area on the user’s device where content can be seen). For example, you can display a three-column layout on desktop and a one-column layout on mobile. Relative units Web page elements such as content blocks or buttons are sized in relative units like percentages. Relative units make it possible to size elements according to the size of a viewport. Media queries CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) media queries can change a page’s style based on the characteristics of the viewport, like its display resolution and the actual size of a browser window. The evolution of responsive design The proliferation of smartphones in the aughts prompted the web design community to think about how to display content on various display sizes and resolutions, without sacrificing usability or performance. Web designer Ethan Marcotte first introduced the term “responsive design” in his 2010 article, Responsive Web Design. Marcotte was inspired by responsive architectural design, whereby a space automatically adjusts to the number of people within it. As the name suggests, responsive designs respond to changes in browser width by adjusting the layout elements to fit within the available space. A second, more tailor-made approach emerged in addition to responsive design: adaptive design. With adaptive design, coined a year earlier in a book by web designer Aaron Gustafson, designers create a layout for each breakpoint (typically 320px, 480px, 760px, 960px, 1200px, and 1600px). The design adapts to different sizes of a viewport using media queries to define what properties will be changed for small and large screens. So each web page has multiple versions of fixed layouts fit for different screen sizes. When we compare responsive vs adaptive design, responsive is often a more effective approach for advanced designers. It takes less work to implement and maintain the design, since you don’t need to create multiple versions of layouts. With responsive design, the content of the page arranges itself optimally for each browser window. Responsive web design is also better for search engine optimization since it saves resources when Googlebot crawls your site.  A single Googlebot user agent only needs to crawl your page once, rather than crawling multiple times to retrieve multiple versions of your design. Learn more: Responsive website examples Static vs dynamic websites Responsive web design methods CSS media queries are the basic tool for making a responsive website. All modern web browsers natively parse CSS media queries, so you won’t face trouble adjusting your design to a particular platform. But just because they’re a basic tool doesn't mean you should start your CSS media queries from scratch. Insead, use a CSS framework like Bootstrap, Bulma, or Foundation CSS. The great thing about this approach is that the framework comes with a predefined set of breakpoints and visual styles for basic objects, such as body text, buttons, and input fields. Of course with advanced low code platform s like Wix Studio , you can craft dynamic websites seamlessly without all that code, using smooth drag and drop tools and advanced design features like flex and grid layouts and full breakpoint control. Another method that can be used for responsive design is JavaScript . JavaScript detects the size of a browser window and loads relevant style sheets, and can be applied to devices that don't support CSS media queries. CSS media queries and JavaScript aren’t competitive methods, they can work nicely together. Here is a code that can be used to calculate the current size of a window: $(window).height(); $(window).width(); The following JQuery code will be triggered every time the user changes their browser window and it will load relevant styles on the fly: Comparing Wix Studio: Wix vs. Wix Studio Wix Studio vs. Elementor How to accommodate different viewpoints with responsive web design From the giant TV screens to the tiny screens of smartwatches, there are manifold ways that people can access the web today. It's important to accommodate different viewports to create a comfortable browsing experience for users. Responsive design addresses this issue by allowing designers to target specific device classes and various screen sizes. To create a responsive design, web designers need to do two things: 1. Add “viewport” meta tag to all their HTML pages: This tag gives the browser instructions on how to render the web page, defining its dimensions and scaling. 2. Use media queries to tailor their layout to a particular viewport. For example: Increase the size of functional controls such as buttons or a relative distance between them on mobile. It will help to comply with Fitts’ Law  on touch devices and create more comfortable user interactions. Show or hide particular elements in a website layout. Change visual attributes of certain elements (such as font color) on a particular type of device. Defining media queries CSS media queries modify a website’s design according to a user’s specific browser and device preferences. The syntax of CSS media queries may seem complicated initially, but as soon as you familiarize yourself with the structure, it becomes easier to decode the message. Here’s a sample of a media query in the CSS file: @media screen and (max-width: 480px) and (orientation: portrait) { .footer { float: none; width: auto; } } The part after the @media and before the first open { bracket defines conditions. Let’s review the conditions of our example: Media type: A media type is a type of device where we want to apply CSS setting. It's possible to define four categories of devices:screen (desktop, mobile and tablet), print (printers), speech (for screen readers that read the page out loud for visually-impaired users), all (for all media types). If you don’t specify this property, CSS will apply the all property by default. Media feature:  The min-width sets a minimum browser or screen width that certain styles will apply to. If a browser or screen width is below this limit, the styles will be ignored. The max-width property does just the opposite, anything above the maximum browser or screen width would not apply to the respective media query. Orientation : Device orientation can be portrait (vertical orientation) or landscape (horizontal orientation). This property mostly applies to mobile devices and tablets. Inside the parenthesis, a style condition can be applied when all conditions are met. In our sample, we’re checking three conditions: Is the type of device desktop, mobile or tablet? Is our device in portrait orientation? Is our device screen resolution (max-width) equal to or less than 480px? If all conditions are met, it means that the user is likely viewing our work on a small-screen mobile device in portrait mode. In this case, the device will load the CSS instructions for the footer object—otherwise, the instructions in this section will be ignored. CSS media queries There are two common approaches for structuring CSS styles, either placing them in one file or using different files for different types of devices. Each approach has its pros and cons. For example, by placing media queries all in one CSS style sheet with the rest of the CSS styles for the website, you will minimize the number of systems required to render a web page . In addition, by distributing media queries between different files (i.e. desktop.css, mobile.css) will make it easier for developers to navigate in code, since all styles relevant to mobile viewport will be located in the same file. Breakpoints The resolution that we’ve defined in our media query example above acts as a breakpoint. Breakpoints are the building blocks of responsive web design in website development , as they help designers define categories of devices and adjust design for each group. “Which breakpoints should I use for my website?” is a typical question among web designers. There is no universal set of breakpoints since all projects are different and might require different resolutions. It’s possible to rely on screen resolution stats worldwide  to define a few common groups of screen resolutions: 360 x 640px (small mobile device screen): 10.10% 1366 x 768px (average laptop screen): 9.3% 1920 x 1080px (large desktop screen): 8.35% When using Wix Studio design features, you’ll have 3 default breakpoints to start with: 350 - 750px for mobile devices 751 - 1000px for tablets 1001px and larger for desktops But these breakpoints aren’t set in stone. If you want to adjust, you can easily edit them or add custom breakpoints to fit your project’s needs, without diving into code. Here are two essential rules to remember when selecting breakpoints for your project: Choose breakpoints based on the content you have.  The layout you use to showcase your content should dictate what breakpoints you want to use. Try to use the least possible number of breakpoints.  Remember that you will need to adjust content to match each breakpoint. Three or four breakpoints will give you enough flexibility to frame your content. Learn more about web design trends   and   web design statistics . Resizing images for responsive web design Images are an essential element of the modern web. The quality of images greatly affects the perception of a design—irrelevant imagery or pixelated assets are likely to create a bad impression on your visitors. It's not only important to handpick relevant images (ones that communicate the right messages to your audience) but also to ensure that images scale nicely to fit any browser size. There are two types of images, raster images (JPG, PNG, TIFF) and vector images (SVG). The first group represents most images on the web, and the key problem with this group is that they are not naturally fluid. Unlike vector images that can scale in size without losing quality, raster images have to be modified for different resolutions. Images need to be responsive, just like the rest of your layout. That means scaling in size—without sacrificing quality. Three ways of optimizing raster images for different resolutions Let’s learn more about image optimization and get practical tips on how to resize images.  You can optimize your images for different resolutions using CSS properties: 1. Resize images with image width attribute.  The width property defines the fixed width of the image. The following CSS rule will define the width to 500px: img { width:500px; } The downside of this approach is that it uses fixed width for your images, so it will be displayed at the exact same size across all devices. This approach is not very usable for responsive types of websites   because improperly sized images can easily break layouts. 2. Resize images with CSS width property set to 100%: img { width:100%; } The key difference with the previous method is that you don’t specify the precise width of the image in code, but instead let the browser resize the images as needed. With the width: 100%; property the image will scale up and down automatically. The downside of this approach is that the image can become pixelated when scaled up. 3. Receive with CSS max-width property: img { height: auto; max-width: 100%; } Max-width property allows the image to maintain its aspect ratio and proportions. When the max-width is set to 100% the image will fit to the full width of its container. As long as no other width-based image CSS styles override this rule or the viewing area is narrower than the image’s original width, this image will load in its original size. This approach can be very useful for responsive web design. Display size and visual assets It’s also important to consider how different types of devices render images. While it’s possible to use the same file on all types of devices, the process of image resizing for small screen devices requires extra computational power, so using large files in their original resolution might cause performance degradation. At the same time, high-resolution displays such as Apple “Retina” and Android “hDPI” might require you to provide visual assets at two or three times the normal resolution to achieve decent visual quality (@2x, and @3x). To solve both problems it's recommended to use a special tool such as Responsive Breakpoints that will allow you to prepare individual images for every breakpoint. If you use Wix Studio to build a responsive website, you don’t have to write CSS code to make your raster images display correctly in different viewports. The platform allows you to set an exact width or height, set a max width or height percentages, and set a max width or height in pixels. You can also set an image focal point, so the visual stays centered when viewed in different formats. Learn more: How does AI work Types of AI AI tools for business Responsive use of typography People visit websites for content, and written text represents the vast majority of this. That means that it’s essential for text to be legible at any viewport size. So when it comes to responsive type, there are a few things to keep in mind. (Before anything else, make sure you know the difference between typefaces and fonts .) When making type choices, consider the fact that your user may view a page on desktop, mobile, or tablet—and the text has to be legible in all of them. Responsive type is essential. Never put text within graphics By putting text within graphics, you immediately make it less responsive. Text cannot be enlarged without loss of quality, therefore you’d have to re-create visual assets for every breakpoint. Select fonts that scale The process of optimizing typography for responsive web design starts with selecting the right fonts. To do this, web designers need to ensure font size is large enough to be legible at a glance. This is especially important for mobile devices—users should never have to double-tap  or pinch-to-zoom  in order to be able to read the text. Choose fonts that scale clearly and are equally legible on a large TV screen and the tiny screen of a smartwatch. Generally, it's recommended to use web-safe fonts like Helvetica because they are optimized to look good at different resolutions. Size text properly Fonts can be sized in two different ways on the web: Absolute values  (pixels, points) Relative values  (percentages, em/rem, viewport width or height vw/vh) Let’s start with the most popular option—pixels. Pixels are absolute values. The font size defined in pixels will be based on the pixel size of the user’s screen. Modern browsers are capable of making your design look similar across different resolutions when you use px. Since most designers use pixels, this unit is very popular among product teams. However, pixels won’t enable users to adjust the text for their own needs and make your design less accessible. Another popular option is a relative value called em . When you use em, the actual size of an element’s em is computed relative to the font-size of its parent element. Em relative values provide two significant benefits: Benefits for designers : Relative values allow nesting font sizing. Em inherits its size from its parent, while rem inherits from the root styling. Benefits for users : When you use relative values, you give users an opportunity to change their preferred default font size and the website will adjust automatically to suit their needs. Now let's talk percentages. With a font-size of 100%, all the elements in one page are sized relative to the browser’s default type size: body { font: normal 100% Roboto, sans-serif; } Last but not least, when the font is defined in “vw” units, the text size will follow the size of the browser window: Hello World Another thing to consider is that font sizes need to be different across different devices. It should be larger on desktop and smaller on mobile. Again, the benefit of using relative values is that you can define not just the desired size of a particular element, but also the relationship of that size to the sizes of other elements, maintaining nice proportions in your layout. The following CSS will set a default font size for a h1 element to 3.5 rem for desktop and 2 rem for mobile: h1 { font-size: 3.5rem; } @media only screen and (max-width: 480px) { h1 { font-size: 2rem; } } While there are no exact rules for font sizing, it's recommended to apply the golden ratio  to find exact font sizes. For example, if the base-font text for desktop is 16px, the size of a header h1 will be calculated by multiplying base-font size to 1.618 (it will be approximately 26px). You can also set the text to scale between different ranges of maximum and minimum size for different breakpoints to make your website typography fully responsive. This will ensure your text will scale smoothly as you resize the screen. Line length and line spacing To achieve good readability, you need to limit the length of text lines. A good rule of thumb is to use 50 to 60 characters per line for desktop  and 30 to 40 characters per line for mobile devices. It's possible to limit the number of characters per line using a width property of the content container or using a “length value”of ch. Ch represents the width of the glyph "0" (zero, the Unicode character U+0030) in the element's font. p { overflow: hidden; max-width: 40ch; } Also, you shouldn't squeeze lines because line spacing that is too tight can cause eye strain. It’s optimal to use 120%-140% line spacing for good readability.  The line-height CSS property is commonly used to set the distance between lines of text. We can set this property in percentages to make it relative to the font size of the element itself. p { line-height: 34%; } Mobile-first vs. responsive design The role that mobile devices play in our daily lives has changed drastically in the last decade. In fact, 56% of all website traffic comes from smartphones . Optimization for mobile design is a crucial part of the web design process—because a website that’s not optimized for mobile devices is losing out on approximately half of its website traffic . Making a responsive website doesn’t imply it is mobile first, and there are several differences when it comes to mobile first vs. responsive design . Mobile-first design is an approach that suggests designers create a layout that works well at the smallest breakpoint, before adjusting it for larger viewports. Differences between mobile and desktop design: Size of display.  On mobile, you have less room for your content, and need to carefully prioritize what you want to display Interaction methods . Since users interact with content using their fingers on mobile devices, animation like hover effects won’t work well. Context of use.  People can interact with content on the go (e.g., while waiting for a train), so mobile sites should be designed for shorter user sessions and a smaller attention span. Benefits of using the mobile-first approach: Makes responsive design easier.  It will help you prioritize content and features, and remove everything that isn’t absolutely necessary. As a result, you will likely reduce the user's cognitive load on mobile and any other platforms you design for. Good for search engine optimization.  Google evaluates websites rankings mostly based  on the content of their mobile versions. Google might not judge a page as mobile-friendly if it requires extra interaction from mobile users, such as scaling content up to make it readable. You can take the Mobile-Friendly Test  from Google to check your site’s design. How to design a responsive website with a mobile first strategy: Practice arranging content-first The process of creating a responsive website should always start with planning a layout. Organize your content and functional elements in a way that offers the best possible experience for visitors. That doesn't mean that you need to create a final, pixel-perfect design right from the start. In fact, it's recommended to create a schematic representation of a future design to show where each block with content and functional elements will be located on the page. This way, you can evaluate different variations of the layout with your team and stakeholders, and select the one that you think will work best for your users. Use conditional loading When prioritizing content, you might want to hide some content on mobile devices. CSS property display: none;  allows you to do it. You can apply this property in CSS for specific elements that need to be hidden. For example, you might have two CSS styles,desktop.css for desktops and mobile.css for mobile devices: Desktop.css: #content { width: 100%; } Mobile.css: #content { display: none; } Note that display:none  sometimes confused with visibility: hidden . These are two different CSS instructions. Visibility: hidden  just hides the content, so it becomes invisible (not drawn) and cannot receive focus although it’s still on the page. Display: none  on the other hand gets rid of the content entirely. Design for comfortable interactions Users interact with the desktop website via clicks, but the mobile version via finger taps and swipes. People also use their mobile devices with only one hand, and it's important to optimize web layouts so that all key functional elements—such as call to action buttons—are located in a thumb-friendly zone (the user shouldn't have to stretch their thumb to reach for an important element). All tap targets should be sized appropriately. The size of functional elements such as call to action buttons should be at least 9mm, which is equal to the size of a user thumb. If you place two interactive controls side-by-side, you need to add enough whitespace between those interactive options. Thumb-friendly zone is colored in green. Screenshot: https://alistapart.com/article/how-we-hold-our-gadgets/ Use clear visual indicators Touchscreens have no capability to display hover effects, since there is no cursor. Clarity of UI plays an even more important role on mobile devices, and it's important to design every element in a way that maximizes the chances that users will understand its function. It's possible to achieve this goal by using a consistent visual style. For example, you can use a particular blue color for all interactive elements. Adapt navigation for mobile Most of the time, web designers rely on hamburger menus on mobile. However, it's possible to utilize a more beneficial pattern such as prioity+ navigation pattern . This pattern guarantees that the top-priority options will always be visible for the user while the remaining options will be hidden behind a “more” link. Minimize typing Responsive web design isn’t just about making content fit, it's also about creating more comfortable interactions for your users. In the case of mobile devices, typing is one of the most painful parts of the user journey. Small screens make typing hard and error-prone on mobile devices. Whenever possible, try to use pre-fill data in online forms. The great thing about mobile is that you can utilize some of its hardware capabilities. Here are a few tips to minimize typing on mobile: Use GEO-location data to pre-fill user city in shipping and billing information. You can use Google’s Places API  to offer accurate suggestions based on the user’s location. Use a device camera to allow users to take a photo of their credit card and fill-in credit card details automatically. Use Touch ID / Face ID instead of asking the user to type their credentials. Use voice input in search forms. Optimize responsive design for mobile device capabilities Slow loading time is a common reason why people abandon web sites. Jakob Nielsen defined three response-time limits : 0.1 seconds gives the feeling of instantaneous response. Ideally, your website should respond in 0.1 seconds. One second keeps the user's flow of thought seamless. 10 seconds is about the limit for keeping the user's attention. But according to Google research , as page load time goes from 1s to 3s, the probability of bounce increases 32%. Mobile devices are less powerful than desktop computers. That’s why when you design for mobile you need to avoid heavy visual content, fancy animated effects and complex visual transitions because they might have a negative impact on system performance. The correlation between loading time and bounce rate. Image: https://www.thinkwithgoogle.com/marketing-strategies/app-and-mobile/mobile-page-speed-new-industry-benchmarks/ Use these tips to optimize your design for mobile: Define key performance metrics. Focus on metrics that will tell you how fast content renders. The key metric is Time to Interactive  (TTI), which defines the state where your layout is stable:all fonts are visible, and the UI is ready to handle user input. You should also consider Speed Index (how quickly the page contents are visually populated) and CPU time spent (how often and how long the main thread of a central processor is blocked). Evaluate animated transition and motion effects.  Ask yourself “Is this visual effect worth the time it takes to load on mobile?” Optimize image delivery.  If your product serves a large number of images, it's worth considering what content could be served statically from a content delivery network (CDN). Cloudflare  and Cloud CDN are two popular options. Optimize animation and videos.  Avoid using animated GIFs because they consume significant hardware resources and start using looping HTML5 videos . Use lazy loading for images and video.  Most of the time, you don’t need to load all visual assets all at once. The content located below the fold can be loaded dynamically, as the user scrolls below the fold. This practice is called lazy loading. You can use LazyLoad  library for this purpose—this library is written in plain JavaScript and supports responsive images. In Chrome 76+, you can use the loading  attribute to defer the loading of offscreen images that can be reached by scrolling. Here's an example: Always measure your site performance.  Use tools like Google’s Speed Scorecard  and Dexecure  to track your current performance,such as the time required to load your site on mobile. Check Front-End Performance Checklist  to learn more about performance optimization. Test your design on real devices and in different browsers At the time when you finish working on your website, you should invest time in testing it on a real device. Create a list of common tasks that users are supposed to complete on your website and invite individuals that represent your target audience to a usability testing session. During the testing you can see how your website works on different platforms (Android, iOS), and it’s cross-browser compatibility (Chrome, Safari, Firefox). If you doubt that some CSS style instruction is supported by a particular browser, you can check it in Caniuse . The testing will show you where users face friction and what areas of your website require optimization. Pro tip:  If you're just starting, a web design tutorial  can help you apply these concepts to your website. 4 responsive web design examples Explaining how responsive web design works is one thing, seeing the practice in action is another. Check out the responsive website design examples below and change your browser size to see how each design responds to the change. 1. KT Estep  Award-winning multidisciplinary designer KT Estep has an outstanding example of a responsive web design. The full screen web layout is flexible with your browser’s width, aligning the content with the relevant size screen space. When you open the design on mobile, you’ll notice none of the content is removed, rather it is arranged into one column which provides a better viewing experience and easy scrolling on small screens. Screenshot: https://www.ktestep.com/ 2. Ja1da Official Ja1da is a producer and songwriter with one exciting responsive website. Using handwritten type, one-of-a-kind vector graphics, Video Boxes and scroll effects throughout the site are all ways in which the artist injects personality into his design. None of this is lost when we view the desktop version compared to mobile. On mobile, Ja1da rearranges the website imagery and changes its proportions in order to maintain the site’s theme and ensure visual balance. The responsive switch to a hamburger menu also provides more screen real estate on the small mobile device. 3. Melitas  The responsive web design for venture capital fund Melitas relies heavily on images to communicate its message. In this case, the mobile version adjusts the design to feature a cropped hero image, and rearranges the homepage’s galleries into a vertical format. The additional white space on the mobile site works well to frame and break up content for visitors viewing on a smaller scale. Screenshot: https://www.melitasventures.com/ 4. Domaine Alepin We see a similar approach with developer Domaine Alepin's website . The one page site utilizes a zig-zag layout on the homepage, but adjusts to a simplified symmetrical layout as the viewport size changes to mobile. As is the case in many responsive web designs, Domaine Alepin’s written content is adjusted for the smaller screen. One neat feature in particular is the way we interact with the business’s map on mobile vs. desktop version—when viewed from a smartphone, visitors can tap their fingers to zoom in on the image. Domaine Alepin uses a zigzag layout on its homepage, which converst to a one-column layout on mobile. This simplifies the viewing experience, while keeping the content. Explore these website design tips   and   web design best practices . Learn  why website design is important .