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Ready to share your ideas with the world? Start your blog → Starting a nonprofit blog is akin to establishing an online journal, chronicling your impactful journey within the world of charitable endeavors. It serves as a space where you can share your experiences, insights and occasional challenges with a supportive community of fellow advocates. Learning how to create a blog  not only facilitates connections with like-minded individuals who understand the intricacies of nonprofit work, but it also becomes a valuable platform to document significant moments and achievements toward making a difference. Beyond that, a nonprofit blog can serve as a creative outlet and a wellspring of inspiration for others passionate about social causes. If you have stories to share, advice to dispense, are starting a business  or a desire to celebrate the triumphs and hurdles of your nonprofit work—consider launching that blog. Here are steps to guide you in getting started. Ready to get started? Learn how to make a website with this easy guide. Starting a blog should feel exciting, not overwhelming, right? With the Wix Blog Maker, you get everything you need to create, design and grow your blog from scratch–without needing a tech degree. Use Wix’s intuitive tools to share your ideas with the world.  Why start a nonprofit blog? A nonprofit blog connects you with fellow advocates in an online community for support and camaraderie. Share your unique nonprofit experiences - challenges, victories and lessons learned - to inspire others. Offer practical advice and innovative approaches gained from your insights. Cover nonprofit topics like fundraising, engagement, measurement and growth. Share stories of overcoming obstacles and pursuing goals to empower others in the nonprofit realm. Learn more: What is Wix for nonprofits? How to start a nonprofit blog in 6 steps Ready to start making a website  and begin your nonprofit blog? Here's a simplified roadmap covering six important steps: Choose your blogging niche Select a blog maker Decide on your nonprofit blog’s name Plan, write and publish your blog content Promote your nonprofit blog Monetize your nonprofit blog 01. Choose your blogging niche  Select a specific blog niche  within the nonprofit sector to create focused and valuable content that resonates with your target audience. Align your chosen niche with your interests, expertise and the needs of your community. Focusing on a niche allows you to establish yourself as an authoritative and trusted source within the nonprofit blogging community. Here are five nonprofit-related blog niches and potential blog examples : Fundraising strategies and success stories Community engagement and impact measurement Nonprofit leadership and organizational growth Social justice and advocacy Volunteer management and appreciation Learn more: What is Wix Donations? 02. Select a blog maker Picking the best blogging platform  is crucial for your nonprofit blog. Opt for a versatile blog maker  such as Wix , which provides reliable hosting  and advanced security infrastructure.  Ensure that the design of your blog  complements your brand aesthetics and caters to your niche audience. Personalize the design, layout and color scheme to create a visually appealing and consistent look. Choose a platform with a diverse selection of professionally designed blog templates  tailored for all blog types . Establish a recognizable identity through branding elements such as colors, fonts and a blog logo . Use a logo maker  to craft a professional logo that embodies your nonprofit identity. Learn more : Best nonprofit website builders 03. Decide on your nonprofit blog’s name Choosing a compelling blog name  and domain name  is pivotal for building awareness, credibility and connecting with your audience. Your nonprofit blog's name is the first impression readers have of your content, reflecting your blog's identity and creating an initial perception of your focus and personality. Consider using a   blog name generator  or exploring blog name ideas if you're struggling to find the perfect name. When selecting a domain name, ensure it reflects your blog's focus, values and niche. Keep it simple, easy to spell and memorable, avoiding complex words or lengthy phrases. Some examples of possible nonprofit blog names you could use: HelpingOthers.com VisionaryVista.net ChangeBlende.com InsightfulPath.org 3 examples of architecture business and blog names we love: AmFund : With a mission of “empowering worthy nonprofits by providing much-needed unrestricted funds”, the American Fundraising Association’s nonprofit blog includes both news and blog content. With topics like, “Worst Dates to Hold a Fundraiser” and “The Hierarchy of Donor Needs to Maximize Your Fundraising Efforts”, AmFund covers a range of blog ideas tailored to their audience.  WalkNRollin with Spina Bifida :  An organization dedicated to improving the lives of those born with Spina Bifida and or affected by other life-altering ailments, this nonprofit organization has an inspiring blog sharing real-life stories and helpful tips.  I’m No Plastic Girl :  Created to inform the public of the negative impacts that plastics have on the environment, this insightful nonprofit blog covers a range of topics and includes ideas on how to reduce plastic waste. This website also includes job postings and volunteer opportunities, connecting the community in tangible ways.  04. Plan, write and publish your blog content Valuable and engaging content is at the core of a successful nonprofit blog. Develop a content calendar to organize blog topics, publication dates and themes, ensuring consistency and planning ahead. Include evergreen content that remains relevant over time, attracting readers long after publication. Consider your specific audience—other nonprofit professionals—and address common challenges, questions and needs. Authenticity resonates with readers, so share personal experiences, anecdotes and lessons learned in your journey. Create various types of content, including guides, techniques and projects that nonprofits can implement. You can read more on how to write your blog posts  to craft the perfect content. When crafting blog posts, consider: Blog format : Use short paragraphs, bullet points and subheadings for readability. Blog post checklist:  Review for grammar, clarity and accuracy. Ensure well-structured content that adds value. Ideal blog post length : Aim for a balance between comprehensive content and reader attention, typically ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 words.  Compelling blog titles:   Create attention-grabbing blog titles  that accurately reflect content and pique readers' curiosity. You might also want to think about using AI to write blog posts and how to use an ai content generator to do it. 05. Promote your nonprofit blog Effective promotion is crucial for reaching a wider audience and building a loyal readership for your nonprofit blog and the overall blogosphere . Utilize various distribution strategies for promoting a blog : Search Engine Optimization (SEO):  Optimize blog posts for search engines using relevant keywords, meta descriptions and proper formatting, such as headings, to increase visibility.  Blog SEO  strategies are a great way to build organic traffic to your blog. “Blogging is truly rewarding. Blog marketing goes beyond simply editing and publishing articles. It involves studying additional SEO strategies, experimenting with schema integration, delving into niche topics to enrich content in that specialized field and engaging in numerous trials and errors to enhance EEAT. And when, at last, your own article appears as the top result for the targeted keyword, there’s a sense of accomplishment like winning an award.” Miyuki Shimose, SEO and Marketing Blogger at   Wix Social media : Share blog posts on platforms like Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn to reach a broader audience. Engage with your followers and use relevant content to expand your reach. Learn more about blogging vs instagram  in our guide. Email marketing : Build an email list and send regular newsletters containing your latest blog posts. Email is a direct and personalized way to engage with readers. Guest blogging : Collaborate with other nonprofit blogs or websites by writing guest posts. This exposes your content to a new audience and builds valuable backlinks. Monitor key metrics like website traffic, page views and time spent on pages using tools like Google Analytics or Wix Analytics . Gain insights into reader behavior and preferences to refine your nonprofit marketing strategies . 06. Monetize your nonprofit blog Monetizing your blog  can turn your passion for nonprofit work into a source of income and help you make money blogging . Explore strategies aligned with your blog's focus: Affiliate marketing : Promote products or services relevant to your nonprofit niche, earning a commission on purchases made through your affiliate links. Display ads:  Integrate display ads from networks like Google AdSense, earning money based on impressions or clicks. Ensure ads are unobtrusive to maintain a positive user experience. Subscription content: Offer premium subscription content or online courses catering to your audience's needs. Subscribers gain access to exclusive articles, resources, video content and workshops. A nonprofit blog can become a powerful tool for advocacy and community building, providing a space for collaboration, inspiration and knowledge-sharing within the nonprofit sector. You can also create a fundraising website to gain another source of income for your nonprofit blog. A good example of a nonprofit blog Extinct is Forever:  Committed to the protection and preservation of endangered animals, this nonprofit website focuses on the threats facing wildlife and the endangered species they’re trying to protect. This thorough website includes how interested parties can get involved and help and uses a blog to share the latest environmental news. Other blog types to think about starting Finance blog Real estate blog Gaming blog Health blog Teaching blog Tech blog Mom blog Sports blog Fitness blog Beauty blog Lifestyle blog Poetry blog Craft blog Consulting blog Food blog Travel blog Writer blog Book blog Ideas for blog posts categorized by nonprofit topics: Community engagement and impact measurement Strategies for Building Strong Community Partnerships Measuring and Communicating Your Nonprofit's Impact Engaging Volunteers Effectively: Best Practices Success Stories: How Our Programs Made a Difference Navigating Challenges in Community-Led Initiatives Fundraising strategies and success stories Innovative Fundraising Ideas for Nonprofits How to Create a Successful Crowdfunding Campaign Impactful Grant Writing Tips for Nonprofit Organizations Spotlight on Donor Appreciation: Creative Ways to Thank Supporters Lessons Learned from Failed Fundraising Attempts Nonprofit leadership and organizational growth The Role of Leadership in Fostering a Positive Organizational Culture Strategies for Effective Nonprofit Board Governance Navigating Organizational Challenges: Lessons from Nonprofit Leaders Building a Sustainable Nonprofit: Tips for Long-Term Success Succession Planning in Nonprofit Leadership Social justice and advocacy Amplifying Voices: How Nonprofits Can Effectively Advocate for Change Addressing Inequality: Initiatives That Make a Real Impact Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion in Nonprofit Work The Role of Nonprofits in Promoting Social Justice How to Mobilize Supporters for Advocacy Campaigns Volunteer management and appreciation Recognizing and Celebrating Your Nonprofit's Volunteers Creating a Positive Volunteer Experience: Tips for Nonprofits Retaining Volunteers: Building Long-Term Commitment Balancing Volunteer Motivation and Burnout Prevention The Impact of Volunteers on Nonprofit Success These ideas provide a starting point, but the possibilities for nonprofit blog posts are vast. Tailor your content to address the unique challenges and interests of your nonprofit community. Pro tip: If you're a young learner or introducing web creation to a young learner, try Wix Tomorrow . This  offers meaningful learning and creating experiences at every stage of a young learner’s web creation journey, from creating a first website, to learning industry-standard skills, to making real-world impact with hands-on projects. Is blogging still worth it ? Read more with our take on blogging's current and future relevance. How to start a nonprofit blog FAQ Do I need technical skills to start a nonprofit blog? No, you don't need advanced technical or coding skills. User-friendly blogging platforms like Wix offer interfaces with drag-and-drop features, making blog creation and management accessible. How often should I publish new content on my nonprofit blog? The frequency of publishing new content depends on your capacity and goals. Consistency is key, so establish a realistic publishing schedule that aligns with your capacity and resonates with your audience. How much do nonprofit blogs make? The income potential of nonprofit blogs varies based on monetization strategies, audience size and engagement. Common revenue streams include affiliate marketing, display ads and subscription content. The focus should be on delivering value to your audience while exploring income opportunities. How do I become a nonprofit blogger? To become a nonprofit blogger, start by defining your niche within the nonprofit sector. Choose a blogging platform, create a blog name and develop a content strategy. Share your experiences, insights and advice to build a community around your blog. Engage with other nonprofit bloggers and organizations and explore monetization strategies aligned with your blog's focus. Should nonprofits have a blog? Yes, having a blog can be highly beneficial for nonprofits. A blog provides a platform for nonprofits to share their mission, stories, impact and initiatives with their audience. It helps nonprofits engage with supporters, donors, volunteers and the community at large, building relationships and fostering a sense of connection and involvement. How often should nonprofits post blogs? Nonprofits should aim to maintain a consistent posting schedule to keep their audience engaged and informed. Posting blogs regularly, such as once or twice a week, can help nonprofits stay visible and relevant to their audience. It's important to prioritize quality over quantity and focus on providing valuable and relevant content that resonates with your audience.

Turn your ideas into a website you love with Wix →   Nonprofit marketing is a unique type of marketing  that focuses on promoting nonprofit organizations . Its main goal is to drive awareness and support, which are essential for the success and sustainability of any nonprofit. Unlike traditional small business marketing , nonprofit marketing centers around creating a message that resonates with people's values and encourages them to contribute to a cause, rather than trying to sell them something.  Whether you're new to the nonprofit world or looking to enhance your current marketing strategies , this guide will provide valuable insights into making the most of your marketing efforts for your nonprofit. Learn more: How to make a nonprofit website , Best nonprofit website builders 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 are the main goals of nonprofit marketing? This type of marketing is unique both in its goals and executions. It’s main goals include:  Awareness: This is about making your cause known to a broader audience. It's the first step in drawing attention to your nonprofit's mission and the issues you address. Engagement:  Once people are aware of your nonprofit, the next step is to engage with them. This means creating opportunities for interaction, conversation and involvement with your cause. Fundraising:  The final pillar is fundraising. Effective marketing strategies will improve your fundraising efforts by compelling people to donate and support your organization financially. Learn more: What is Wix for nonprofits? 5 effective nonprofit marketing strategies Due to the unique nature of nonprofit marketing, there are several marketing strategies that work better than others. Generally a nonprofit will need cost effective strategies that can be analyzed and tested. Digital marketing , for example, has become an indispensable part of promoting nonprofit organizations. This is because it means reaching a vast audience at a relatively low cost, especially when compared to traditional marketing methods. By making the most of digital channels such as SEO, social media and email, you can connect with supporters and potential donors more effectively. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Social media marketing Content marketing Email marketing Event marketing 01. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Optimizing your nonprofit website  and nonprofit blog content for search engines can significantly increase your visibility online. First you'll to need to go about learning how to make a website . Then you'll need to focus on optimizing your site for SEO . As a type of marketing this can range from some simple best practices to make it easier for search engines to find and rank your site, to more advanced strategies that allow you to rank for many keywords across multiple website pages. Learn more: Wix SEO features 02. Social media marketing Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram offer powerful ways to engage with your community and share your nonprofit's stories. Social media marketing is all about encouraging engagement and building a community, both of which fit well with the vision and goals of most nonprofits. They offer a space for two-way communication where you can engage supporters and amplify your message. When it comes to social media marketing you’ll want to consider:  Consistent branding : Ensure that your social media profiles reflect your nonprofit's branding and messaging. Interactive content:  Post content that encourages interaction, such as polls, questions, or live videos. Influencer marketing :  Working with established online social media influencers can expand your reach and engagement. 03. Content marketing Content marketing  is all about storytelling and providing valuable information that aligns with your mission. It's a way to communicate the impact of your work and the importance of your cause. Nonprofit marketing and storytelling are often a good fit, as fundraising for a nonprofit involves invoking empathy and feeling in donors. Popular types of content marketing include: Blogging :  Share stories about the people you help or the progress of your projects to connect emotionally with readers. Consider starting a nonprofit blog so you can share your content consistently while building up a loyal readership.   Videos:  Visual content can be highly engaging and shareable, making it a great tool for spreading your message.  Infographics : Present data and statistics in an easily digestible format to highlight the need for support. 04. Email marketing Email marketing  remains one of the most direct and personal ways to communicate with your supporters. It allows you to keep them informed about your work, share success stories and appeal for donations. To get it right consider: Personalization : Use the recipient's name and tailor content based on their interests and past interactions with your organization. Segmentation:  Group your email subscribers by demographics or behavior to send more targeted and relevant messages. Regular updates:  Keep your supporters engaged with regular newsletters that highlight recent achievements and upcoming events. Learn more: What is Wix Donations? 05. Event marketing Event marketing for nonprofits involves using events to promote their cause, engage with their audience and raise funds or awareness. These events can range from fundraising galas and charity auctions to community service projects and awareness campaigns. Event marketing is beneficial for nonprofits for several reasons. Firstly, it provides a platform for direct interaction with supporters, volunteers and potential donors. This is particularly important for building a sense of community and involvement. Secondly, events can generate publicity and media coverage, helping to amplify your message and reach a wider audience. Events themselves can also be effective direct fundraising tools, enabling you to raise vital funds through ticket sales, sponsorships and donations. They can also open up networking with other organizations, businesses and community leaders, for valuable partnerships and collaborations. How to build a nonprofit marketing strategy If you're wondering how to dive into nonprofit marketing, we've put together the following steps to get your planning started: Set clear marketing goals Before you begin crafting your strategy, it's essential to define what you want to achieve. Your marketing goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound (SMART). Consider what success looks like for your organization—whether it's increasing donations, growing your volunteer base or raising awareness about a particular issue. Some specific nonprofit marketing goals might include: Increasing online donations:  Aim for a specific percentage increase in online giving within six months. Growing social media following:  Set a target number of new followers or level of engagement for your social media channels. Boosting event attendance : Work towards higher attendance numbers for your next fundraising event. Develop a marketing plan With clear goals in place, you can start drafting a comprehensive marketing plan. This document will guide your actions and help ensure that every marketing effort contributes to your overall objectives. You plan should include the following: Audience analysis : Understand who your supporters are and what motivates them to engage with your cause. Messaging:  Develop compelling messaging that resonates with your audience and clearly communicates the value of supporting your nonprofit. Marketing channel : Choose the right mix of marketing channels—such as email, social media or direct mail —to reach your audience effectively. Nonprofit marketing plan template example Executive summary: Summarize your organization's overall mission, the main objectives of the marketing plan and how it links to the organization's strategic goals. Situation analysis: Discuss your organization's internal and external environment. This may include the organization's strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Target audience: Describe your organization's main audience segments, including a profile of your ideal member, donor, or supporter. Marketing goals and objectives: Define what you're hoping to achieve with your marketing efforts. Strategies and tactics: Outlining the broad approaches (strategies) and more specific actions (tactics) your organization will take to achieve its marketing objectives. Marketing mix: Define the different types of marketing and outreach you'll use – this might include social media, email marketing, direct mail, events, content marketing, PR, SEO. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) : Clearly outline how you'll measure success. These should align with your goals. Implementation plan: Address all the logistical details of bringing your marketing plan to life including the resources and budget required, roles, and timeframes. Contingency plan: Identify potential barriers or challenges that might arise during the implementation of the plan and determine how they will be addressed. Review and revision: Specify when and how often the plan will be reviewed and potentially revised. This will help you stay on track and adjust your plan if necessary. Nonprofit marketing best practices When it comes to promoting a nonprofit, there are several best practices to elevate your marketing efforts. The main ones include:  Storytelling:  Share compelling stories that highlight the impact of your work. This can create an emotional connection with your audience and inspire them to take action. Testimonials: Showcase testimonials from those who have benefited from your services or who support your cause. Real-life examples add credibility and authenticity to your message. Community engagement:  Build relationships with your supporters through regular communication and by providing opportunities for them to get involved. Nonprofit marketing metrics and measuring success To ensure that your nonprofit marketing efforts are effective, it's essential to measure key metrics and make data-driven decisions based on these. Here are some methods to analyze your nonprofit marketing performance: Track campaign metrics : Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for each campaign, such as email open rates, social media engagement  and website traffic . Use analytics tools:  Utilize tools like Wix Analytics  to gain insights into user behavior on your website and the success of your marketing efforts. Evaluate fundraising results : Assess the outcomes of fundraising campaigns by analyzing donation amounts, donor retention rates and cost per acquisition. Nonprofit marketing jobs and careers Understanding the career landscape in nonprofit marketing is crucial for those looking to enter the field or advance their careers. The three pillars of nonprofit marketing—awareness, engagement, and fundraising—also represent areas where professionals can specialize and excel. Awareness : Jobs focusing on awareness might include roles like Public Relations Specialist or Brand Manager, where the primary goal is to increase the visibility of the nonprofit. Engagement : Engagement specialists, such as Community Managers or Social Media Coordinators, work to build and maintain relationships with supporters. Fundraising : Fundraising experts, like Development Officers or Grant Writers, are essential for securing the financial support that nonprofits need to operate. Skills required for success in nonprofit marketing To thrive in a nonprofit marketing job, certain skills are particularly valuable: Communication skills:  Clear and persuasive communication is essential for crafting messages that resonate with various audiences. Analytical abilities:  Understanding data and analytics enables marketers to measure the effectiveness of their campaigns and adjust strategies accordingly. Creativity:  Innovative thinking helps in developing engaging campaigns that stand out in a crowded nonprofit sector.

Looking for the best way to build your website? Get started with Wix  → A website can unlock so much potential for your nonprofit organization. However, figuring out how to create a nonprofit website  can feel overwhelming because of all the options. Your upcoming website must convey your mission, promote fundraising events, collect donations and rally volunteers. Unless you have a large specialized team with the bandwidth for a huge project, you’ll need a website builder that’s straightforward and easily facilitates your goals. That’s why we've scoured the options available and brought you the seven best website builders for nonprofits. These platforms will help you build one of the best nonprofit websites , equipped with everything you need. When choosing a website builder, you want one that’s flexible, powerful and easy-to-use. Wix is the go-to platform for millions of users looking to create a stunning website effortlessly. See what makes Wix stand out from the crowd and why it’s the right fit for you. Why create a website for nonprofits? Before we jump into the how, let’s look at three reasons why creating a nonprofit website makes sense. Exposure A website serves as a central hub where potential donors, volunteers and supporters can learn about your mission, values and ongoing projects. It helps you reach a broader audience beyond your immediate community. This way, you can extend your impact. Donation collections A dedicated donation page with clear buttons makes it easy for supporters to contribute to your cause, regardless of their location. You can integrate multiple payment options, such as PayPal and credit card, so that people can make their donations easily and safely. Learn more: What is Wix Donations? Harnessing support Make your website a home base to rally supporters, advocates and partners. You can feature volunteer sign-up forms, event calendars and newsletters—all of which make it easy for supporters to stay informed and engaged. Try showcasing ongoing projects and inviting your audience to actively participate in your efforts. Components of a nonprofit website A well-designed nonprofit website has several key components that effectively communicate your mission, engage your supporters and facilitate your goals. Let's look at each component: Home page:  Often the first impression visitors get of your organization. Ideally, it clearly states your mission, showcases impactful visuals and provides easy navigation to other website sections. About us:  Tell your story. Include your mission statement, history, team members and leaders. Also, explain how you distribute and manage funds; this builds accountability and promotes trust among your supporters. Programs and services:  Detail the specific programs and services you offer. Highlight the impact of each program by sharing stories, statistics and photos that show how you’re making a difference. Get involved:  Provide information on volunteering, donating and participating in events. To encourage your website visitors to take action, include sign-up forms, volunteer opportunities and ways to contribute financially. Donate page:  Create a dedicated donation page to make it easy for supporters to give to your cause. Include a clear call to action and multiple payment options. Events calendar:  Inform your audience about upcoming events, such as fundraisers, community gatherings and information sessions. Ensure that registering and buying tickets are simple processes. Contact us:  Provide multiple ways for visitors to reach you. Include a contact form, email address, phone number and physical address.  Testimonials and success stories:  Showcase the positive impact of your work by displaying stories from beneficiaries, volunteers and donors. It’s an effective way to grow your credibility and inspire others to support your cause. Learn more: The essential parts of a website How long does it take to build a website? What is Wix for nonprofits? Key considerations when choosing website builders for nonprofits Here are the most important things to consider as you select your ideal nonprofit website builder. Nonprofit website templates:  Some website builders, like Wix, offer website templates  specifically designed for nonprofits that help you highlight your mission. You’ll find pre-built pages for donations, events, volunteer sign-ups and more. SEO capabilities:  Opt for a builder with SEO tools to help your website rank higher in search engine results. Higher rankings drive more traffic to your website, which means more people become aware of your mission. Ease of use:  Select a drag and drop website builder with a straightforward interface and tools that feel easy to use. That way, even team members without technical expertise can manage and update the website. Donation integration:  The ideal nonprofit website builder supports a seamless donation process. Features like customizable donation forms, recurring donation options and multiple payment gateways can significantly enhance your fundraising efforts. Integration with business tools:  To streamline your operations, your website should integrate with your email marketing platform, bookkeeping software, customer relationship management systems and other business software you use. Features: Choose website builders that offer tools like contact forms and membership management. Contact forms allow easy communication with supporters and partners, while membership tools help organize and engage your community effectively. Learn more:   The best website layouts for your inspiration Website launch checklist Looking for affordable options to build your website? Check out this guide to the best and cheapest website builders  for expert recommendations and cost-saving tips. The best website builders for nonprofits 1. Wix 2. Site123 3. Morweb 4. Duda 5. SiteBuilder— Web.com 6. Wired Impact 7. Hostinger Now, let’s look at the seven best website builders for nonprofit organizations. 01. Wix Wix tops our list for a couple of reasons. First, it offers a variety of nonprofit website templates  designed specifically for NGOs, community centers, charity organizations and other types of nonprofits. These templates have pre-built pages for donations, events, volunteer sign-ups and more, making it easy to create your website from scratch —without starting from a blank page. With Wix Donations , you can create multiple donation campaigns tailored to your specific goals. Then, display donation forms anywhere on your website so visitors can easily contribute.  Plus, Wix offers a non-customizable free domain name , making it an affordable and convenient option for nonprofits starting out. Other options include apps such as Wix Donations which comes in handy when accepting contributions from people who want to support your cause. Adding this app to your website lets you track donations directly, even en route to your PayPal account.  Other standout features include: Event management tools Member login and registration AI-powered website builder Advanced SEO tools Intuitive web design  user interface Pricing:  Free with limited features. Paid plans start at $17 monthly (billed annually). Month-to-month plans are also available. 02. Site123 Next on our list is Site123, which offers simplicity. The platform's intuitive web editor helps you create a stunning website without any coding knowledge. The web design is responsive and mobile-friendly, so your supporters can engage with your content on any device. Site123 also provides SEO tools to help your website rank higher on Google. Other features include: Free domain registration Online store functionality Free web hosting Pricing:  Free with limited features. Premium plans start at $5.80 monthly. 03. Morweb Morweb is a content management system for nonprofits, schools and associations. Its straightforward Live-Editor makes crafting page layouts and content a breeze—just click and type, then drag and drop. The platform’s Fundraising Module makes and manages simple donation forms. Customize them further using the Form Builder. Other features include: Image optimization Events pages Social media integration Pricing:  No free plan. Service starts at $149 monthly. 04. Duda Duda is best used to create a professional website  based on your organization’s needs. Its powerful AI assistant generates content and optimizes pages for SEO so that your nonprofit gets more attention on Google. Thanks to its responsive web designs, you can position page elements exactly how you want them. Other cool features include: Customizable templates Hosting by Amazon Web Services Custom API automation Pricing:  14-day free trial. Service starts at $25 monthly. 05. SiteBuilder (Web.com) Web.com offers an AI-powered website builder and beautiful, industry-specific templates. Use it to create a responsive nonprofit website if you enjoy leveraging AI tools that write website copy and make your logo. Other key features include: Drag-and-drop interface SSL certificates included User-friendly marketing tools Pricing:  No free plan. Service starts at $19.99 monthly. 06. Wired Impact Wired Impact is a top-tier website builder for nonprofits due to its suite of tools tailored to the niche. You’ll enjoy a secure donation system that makes it simple for supporters to give directly on your website. You can build custom forms to collect visitor information smoothly. Other features include: AI-powered content writer Event registration system Flawless integration with most business tools Pricing:  60-day free trial. Service starts at $99 monthly. 07. Hostinger Although Hostinger is known for its web hosting services, it also has a website builder with AI capabilities that simplify the website creation process. The builder offers many customization options for color schemes and fonts. You can edit desktop and mobile versions of your website. Other features include: 150 fully customizable website templates Drag-and-drop editor SEO tools Smart grid Pricing:  No free plan. Service starts at $11.99 monthly. Looking for a nonprofit website builder? Some key questions to ask Cause representation Does the platform offer templates specifically designed for non-profits (e.g., advocacy, environmental, educational organizations)? Can I easily showcase impact stories, testimonials or case studies? How effectively does it support visual storytelling with images, videos or infographics? Donation integration Does it support recurring donation functionality? Are there integrations with popular fundraising platforms (e.g., GoFundMe, Give Lively)? Can donors leave personalized messages or dedicate donations? Volunteer and membership tools Are there features for managing volunteer sign-ups or event RSVPs? Can it create a member portal for supporters or recurring donors? Does it support volunteer hours tracking or recognition features? Community management Are there built-in tools for creating petitions or advocacy campaigns? Can the platform integrate with social media to amplify outreach? Does it allow interactive features like forums, community boards or Q&A sections? Email and marketing campaigns Does it include tools for email marketing tailored to donor segmentation? Can it send automated thank-you notes or follow-ups to donors and volunteers? Cost-efficiency Are there non-profit discounts or free plans? Does it offer free or low-cost integrations for essential tools? Can I scale the platform as my organization grows without incurring hidden costs? Nonprofit resources Does the builder provide resources or tutorials specifically for non-profits? Are there success stories or case studies of other non-profits using the platform? Mobile optimization How mobile-friendly are donation forms and event pages? Does it support mobile wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay for donations? AI and personalization Can it use AI to recommend website improvements based on visitor behavior? Does it allow personalized content for visitors based on their location or past engagement? Nonprofit website builder FAQs What makes a good nonprofit website? Nonprofit websites stand out when they include all of the following elements: Clear mission and vision Engaging and authentic storytelling Easy navigation Mobile-friendly design Social proof and community engagement Easy donation process Frequently updated content How much does it cost to create a website for a nonprofit? The cost of creating a website  can vary widely based on your needs and resources as a nonprofit. Some of the costs involved are purchasing a domain name (prices range from $0 to $1,000 yearly) and web hosting (prices range from $0 to $250 monthly). Your website builder and content creation can cost nothing if you’re willing to use free services and work for free. Can a nonprofit get a free website? Absolutely. Platforms like Wix have free versions, so you can plan and build a website  without breaking the bank. However, free plans often have limitations, such as platform-branded domains, which can seem less professional and be harder to remember. In contrast, a paid plan comes with a custom domain, robust features and add-ons that make your website more effective. Is Wix good for nonprofits? Yes, Wix is one of the best website builders for nonprofits. You’ll enjoy its donation capabilities, nonprofit website templates and the AI website builder. Plus, Wix provides voluntee r sign-up forms, event management tools and SEO marketing tools. Wix simplifies your online presence; the time and energy saved is huge for nonprofits with limited budgets and teams.

Turn your ideas into a website you love with Wix →   Building your own website is an important part of connecting with your organization’s supporters - it’s the foundation of your NGO’s online presence. A well-designed and professional website not only increases your fundraising potential and outreach efforts, but conveys trust and credibility, too. In this article, we provide a seven-step guide on how to design and how to make a website for nonprofits (whether that's a church, school website , a fundraising website or something else), as well as the primary elements to include. Learn more: How to make a church website Building a website for your business, passion project or side hustle should be easy and exciting. With Wix, you can customize and launch a professional website in minutes, no coding needed. We’re all about simplifying the process so you can focus on what matters most–bringing your ideas to life. So why wait? Let’s get started on creating the website you’ve always wanted. Primary elements of a nonprofit website Before you begin the process of learning how to create a nonprofit website, look at these examples to understand the necessary features for this type of website . By implementing these strategies and incorporating some or all of the elements listed, your website will easily match the intent of visitors, prompting them to spend more time exploring. Let's take a look at three examples: 01. Michigan Alliance for Justice in Climate This nonprofit website uses a three-page menu bar to anchor its page, allowing visitors to navigate through the site. In addition, bright, eye-catching colors, large font as well as an abundance of whitespace make the content visually appealing and easy to read. This website also features: Clear mission statement on the homepage “The Michigan Alliance for Justice in Climate (MAJIC) is a community of individuals and organizations centering racial equity, social justice, and systems change in climate activism.” Call-to-action (CTA) button prompting visitors to take initiative Take Action, Learn More, Join Us Contact information, including links to social media Reach Out form, plus Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter icons at the footer Explanation of their work, projects and services - as well as its importance to the community "The MAJIC family is built out of a network of groups and movements united by the shared vision of sustainable, cooperative, regenerative communities.” Learn more: What is Wix for nonprofits? 02. The Wood County Humane Society This nonprofit website illustrates the importance of creating a seamless user experience. They do this by providing multiple entry points to the same page. For example, their menu bar features an About section and their top fold features their mission statement followed by a Read More button that, when clicked, takes visitors to the same page. This is essentially like offering more than one door to the same room. Other helpful elements on this website include: Newsletter sign up form With the CTA “Join our pack” List of upcoming events Subpage under Get Involved takes the viewer to a calendar view Volunteer sign-up form Intuitively found under Get Involved Annual reports for the last seven years Organized under the About page 03. The Center for Clean Air Policy (CCAP) Another crucial component to a nonprofit website is a well-designed logo that matches the look and tone of your site. CCAP incorporates their logo colors throughout their website to unify their design. In addition, the imagery and sans serif font match perfectly with the political tone of this organization. They’ve also included: Blog to share news and relevant content A feed in the middle of the homepage shows the three most recent articles Short bio and pictures of key players within the organization Found under Our Team Easy-to-locate donation button The light blue Donate button matches CCAP’s logo color, helping it stand out on the top menu Learn more: What is Wix Donations? How to create a nonprofit website Choose a platform Define your objectives Design your layout Create a logo Incorporate the right content Establish a domain name Optimize for SEO Make your site mobile friendly Consider accessibility 01. Choose a platform As a nonprofit employee, you likely want to spend your time bettering your community— not necessarily sifting through the variety of website builders on the market. And given your rigid budget, you may be tasked with designing your organization's website yourself. For this common reason, website building platforms such as Wix offer customizable nonprofit website templates with user-friendly interfaces. Learn more: Wix vs Squarespace , Best nonprofit website builders You can create a unique and professional website that incorporates all the necessary features, such as secure donations, volunteer sign up forms and free, unlimited hosting . This spares you from having to spend additional money on external hosting and allows you to save your organization’s funds for directly servicing your community. Learn more:  Is Wix free? It also makes sense to opt for a platform that is build with the highest standards of website security in mind to ensure that your data and that of your site visitors is always protected. No matter how many visitors your site gets, you need to know that your site is always live - reliability and high uptime is crucial to the smooth functioning of your website at all times. Learn more: How much does a website cost , how to make a donation website This also includes a site that is optimized for performance - think fast page speed and load times. That way your website is always fully accessible for your cause and organization. Waste no time and create your site from start to finish with Wix's website builder . 02. Define your objectives Creating a successful nonprofit website starts with clear objectives. Before diving into design or content, ask yourself: What do you want the site to achieve? Whether it’s increasing donations, recruiting volunteers or boosting event participation, defining your goals will guide every page, feature and call-to-action. Think of this as the foundation for your entire site. A focused website not only serves its purpose better but also saves you time and effort. For example, if your goal is to grow donations, prioritize a prominent “Donate Now” button on the homepage. Include stories and images that show the impact of contributions to inspire action. If your aim is to recruit volunteers, make the volunteer sign-up form easy to find and include clear descriptions of available roles and opportunities. Aligning your site’s design and content with your objectives creates a seamless user experience that encourages visitors to take action. Your objectives also shape your content. Want to build community? Highlight success stories and testimonials. Need to educate your audience? Share blog posts or resources that showcase your mission and impact. When your goals are clear, creating a website that connects with your audience and drives results becomes straightforward. Empower your nonprofit with a site that truly reflects your mission and inspires action. 03. Design your layout This step involves choosing your color palette and planning how visitors will navigate your site. Your website should be visually appealing and easy to navigate, so consider the user experience when designing your layout. Use color and images to make your website aesthetically pleasing and engaging - a primary component of enticing people to continue exploring for longer. Before you begin, establish S.M.A.R.T. goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely) for your website. These goals will guide your design choices to ensure every element aligns with your nonprofit's objectives. For example, if your goal is to increase online donations by 20% in the next six months, you might prioritize adding clear, prominent donation buttons on the homepage and throughout your site. Gather all your website ideas and create a detailed sitemap to act as your guide. Ensure it reflects your S.M.A.R.T. goals by clearly organizing content to emphasize priority areas, such as programs, impact stories or upcoming events. This way, you won’t forget any of the essential components, including an easy-to-locate menu bar on each page. It’s important that visitors can easily jump back to the homepage from wherever they are on your website. A simple way to accomplish this is to include your logo on every header that acts as a button back to your homepage. Learn more: How to make a website with AI 04. Create a logo A logo is an essential visual component that captures the look and feel of your organization. If you don’t have one already, use a logo maker to help design an emblem that perfectly fits your NGO. The feeling, emotion and your overall cause should be conveyed when people see your logo, so choose your colors and image wisely. For example, many environmental conservation nonprofits incorporate shades of green, like Sierra Club . In this case, the same shade of green is also featured throughout Sierra Club’s website to match their overall tone and persona. Be sure that the colors on your website match your logo colors and are kept consistent throughout each page to ensure continuity and visual appeal. 05. Incorporate the right content User experience design, also known as UX design, is the process of designing an accessible and simple to navigate website. The layout should be logical and provide effortless flow. This means finding a balance between navigation, imagery and text— one shouldn’t overwhelm or take away from the other. Once you’ve built your website structure, you can start filling it in with content and imagery. All text should be written in an easily skimmable font and color, and use images to break up large paragraphs. In addition, don’t forget to incorporate white space — areas without any text or images at all. This helps balance the components on a page and keeps them from feeling overcrowded. Think about other features or pages to add to your site. Forums can be a great way to build a community - check out these forum builders for more information. 06. Establish a domain name Your website’s domain name should be unique and memorable and most likely will include the name of your organization. You’ll also need to decide which domain extension you want to follow your URL, such as .com or .org. While 54% of all websites worldwide use .com, NGOs primarily use .org to convey to the public that they are indeed a nonprofit organization. A personalized domain is essential because it will improve your website’s credibility to both the public and to search engines. People who are interested in donating their money or time to a cause they believe in want to know the organization is legitimate — and a strong domain name helps convey this. To show the difference between strong and weak domains, let’s use an imaginary organization called Association for Better Mental Health as an example. They’ve come up with the following domain name options: associationbmh.com associationforbettermentalhealth.org abmh.org Using one full word followed by the first letters of the remaining words can be confusing and appears a bit jumbled to potential visitors, like we see in the first example. Spelling out the entire name of the NGO makes the domain far too long, which can be seen in the second option. In general, NGOs with longer names are better off using an acronym in its domain to keep it short and easy to remember. In this example, the third domain name is the strongest because it follows this model and utilizes the .org domain extension. 07. Optimize for SEO Before you make your site live, set it up for success. A key component is ensuring search engines know the value of your website — and that means incorporating SEO strategies, AKA search engine optimization, throughout your content. Optimizing for SEO is a multifaceted process that requires incorporating the right keywords and valuable, up-to-date content throughout your site. That way, when people search for keywords related to your organization, your website will appear on the search engine results page (SERP). Keywords refer to words or phrases that people commonly search for on Google and, therefore, will be strategic to include in your website content. Choosing primary keywords using a free or paid SEO tool is a great place to start. For example, a nonprofit whose mission is feeding homeless people in Detroit, MI could consider some of the following keywords: Soup kitchens in Detroit Volunteer in Detroit soup kitchen Feeding the homeless near me Feeding the homeless Once you’ve gathered a list of relevant keywords, use an SEO tool to compare search volumes, which refers to how many people search for a keyword in a month. This will help determine which ones will be most strategic to include on your website. If you’re new to this process, you can get started by taking advantage of an SEO tool like Wix SEO to get a personalized plan for your website. This free solution guides you through each step and will help you get your website ranking on Google by: Helping you determining which keywords to use Providing tips on how to best structure your content Showing you how to best incorporate SEO titles and meta descriptions Integrating with Google Search Console However, depending on your website goals, it may be worth investing in an advanced SEO tool, such as Ahrefs or SEMRush . Both of these programs provide detailed analytics and capabilities to take your SEO to the next level, including: In-depth keyword analysis Comparison of keyword ranking on Google Backlink profiles of your competitors View your best performing pages Domain analysis Don’t forget about managing your off-page SEO, either, including social media and mentions in the form of backlinks from other websites. 08. Make your site mobile friendly As of April 2021, over 50% of all internet use comes from cell phones and tablets. This prompted Google to implement mobile-first indexing , a process in which website ranking is predominantly determined on how sites appear on mobile devices, not on desktop computers or laptops. Therefore, a user-friendly and readable mobile nonprofit website is just as crucial, if not more so, than your desktop version. It’s important to make sure that you invest in mobile website design to provide an easy-to-navigate experience for those viewing your site on smaller screens. Choose a website builder that includes a fully-optimized, built-in mobile version with every template option, like Wix. You can also take advantage of the following tips to help optimize your organization’s mobile web design: Use large, easy to read text and buttons Utilize a hamburger menu (the three horizontal lines indicating a sidebar menu) with limited page options Adjust images so they better fit a smaller screen Use suitable background colors or patterns that don’t overwhelm the screen Incorporate simple animation Include a Back to top button at the bottom of the page Pro tip: Wix Tomorrow offers meaningful learning and creating experiences at every stage of a young learner’s web creation journey, from creating a first website, to learning industry-standard skills, to making real-world impact with hands-on projects. 09. Consider accessibility Making your nonprofit website accessible ensures everyone, including people with disabilities, can connect with your content and services. It’s also a smart move—accessible websites rank better on search engines, attract more visitors and can boost support for your cause. Start by designing your site with accessibility in mind. Many website builders, like Wix, offer tools to help you meet accessibility standards with ease. Here are some practical steps to improve accessibility on your nonprofit website: Add descriptive alt text to all images and multimedia elements. Use captions and transcripts for videos to support users with hearing impairments. Choose colors with strong contrast to improve readability. Design for keyboard navigation to assist users who can’t use a mouse. Label form fields and error messages clearly for smoother interaction. Use ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) labels to improve screen reader compatibility. Structure your content with headings and subheadings for easier navigation. How to create a nonprofit website FAQ Does a nonprofit have to have a website? It is highly recommended for a nonprofit to have a website. A website is an essential tool for connecting with your community, raising awareness about your cause and attracting new donors. It can play a key role in your nonprofit marketing efforts . What should a nonprofit website include? A nonprofit website should include the following information: A mission statement that describes the purpose of your organization Information about your organization's history and work A list of your organization's programs and services A way for visitors to contact you A way for visitors to donate to your organization How much does it cost to make a nonprofit website? Start building with Wix and you can create one for free, or opt for a paid plan which start from $19 a month. If you choose to have your site professional developed and designed, you could pay anywhere from several hundred to several thousand dollars. What's the best website builder for nonprofits? Before deciding this it's worth considering all the features and functionality that make a good website builder for nonprofits. Customizable templates for a nonprofit are a big plus, as is payment systems and the ability to accept donations. You'll also want robust web infrastructure — advanced security, reliable hosting and strong website performance. What should a nonprofit website look like? A non-profit website should be clean and professional, reflecting the organization's mission. It should feature a clear call-to-action, like a "Donate" button, and include essential information like the organization's story, impact statistics and ways to get involved. Visually appealing design and testimonials can help build trust and connect emotionally with visitors.

Bring your inspiration to life with a Wix website →   Deciding to create a website for your nonprofit is an indispensable step towards success, allowing you to harness the power of online platforms to bring in donations, recruit new volunteers and raise awareness about your mission. It's crucial to approach the design of this type of website with careful consideration and strategic planning. In this article, we'll delve into the key elements that make 28 nonprofit website examples shine. Read on to learn how to make a website that stands out, and how to create a captivating and purpose-driven online presence for your organization. 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. TL;DR: Nonprofit website design examples A nonprofit website needs to do more than share a mission—it has to inspire action, build trust and make it easy for people to get involved. This guide features nonprofit websites that do just that, with thoughtful design choices, compelling storytelling and clear calls to support their causes. Along with visual inspiration, you’ll find practical tips on how to design a site that reflects your organization’s purpose and encourages donations, volunteer signups or community engagement. Whether you’re just getting started or refining your website, these examples offer a strong foundation to build on. How we selected the nonprofit website design examples Selection criteria Why it matters Mission clarity Clear, concise messaging that explains what the organization stands for Impact storytelling Real stories or stats that show how the work is making a difference Donation-ready design Built-in tools and prompts that make it easy to give Volunteer and contact access Clear pathways for people to get involved or reach out Brand consistency Cohesive visuals and tone that reflect the nonprofit’s identity Mobile and accessibility Ensures the site works well for all users, across all devices Engaging visuals Photos, videos or illustrations that create emotional connection Simple, intuitive layout Helps visitors quickly find what they’re looking for Best nonprofit website design examples Kode with Klossy HERoines Inc Know Your Rights Camp Literacy, Inc Gay and Sober Barco Sorriso Arte Justice The African Narrative Hold Your Fire Ascend CharacTours Travel With a Purpose Recovery Advocates in Livingston Waste Not The Hands for Nature Project Culture of Solidarity We Rise Production Lead Foundation Green Bird Foundation Paint the City Peaceful 01. Kode with Klossy Kode with Klossy isn’t just a fantastic nonprofit website—it’s a masterclass in nonprofit web design best practices. With sharp color contrasts, engaging scrolling effects and a highly dynamic layout, the site promises a stimulating experience if they participate in the coding program. We especially love that the site’s hamburger menu opens up a full-screen popup menu. With its funky shapes and interactive hover effects, it’s surely a crowd-pleaser. 02. HERoines Inc. Because HERoines Inc. works to provide women with a safe space to learn and grow, it’s important that their site design exudes softness and warmth. To that end, the nonprofit website utilizes a color palette with coral, bubble-gum pink and vivid blue. From dynamic scrolling effects to simple animations, this striking and inviting website utilizes a variety of techniques to maintain the attention of its visitors. Related reading: Best AI website examples 03. Know Your Rights Camp Colin Kaepernick founded the Know Your Rights Camp to empower Black and Brown communities with resources and education that’ll help them stay safe during interactions with law enforcement. This nonprofit website does a great job of prominently exhibiting its “Donate” calls to action (CTA). The bright red buttons look all the more vibrant against the black background, evoking a sense of urgency. Learn more: What is Wix for nonprofits? 04. Literacy, Inc . From its very first fold, Literacy Inc. is quick to deliver every detail site visitors need to know: the name of the organization, three words that describe what it does and a prominent CTA for donations. Combined with a fullscreen photo of children reading and badges that add credibility and reliability, this website’s homepage ticks all the right boxes. The rest of the website is just as enticing, with animated infographics, a split-screen website layout and parallax scrolling. Learn more: What is Wix Donations? 05. Gay and Sober The mission of Gay and Sober is clear: to provide a safe, fun and enriching experience to sober individuals across the United States and abroad. This LGBTQ website does a great job of making supportive resources accessible for their growing online community . By keeping the site updated with relevant events, including a “meeting finder” search section and a treatment center directory, Gay and Sober calls on visitors to participate in person. 06. Barco Sorriso This nonprofit organization, whose Portuguese name translates to “smile boat,” provides free dental care and health education to isolated coastal communities in Brazil. Barco Sorriso’s multilingual website uses illustration, optimistic language and a slideshow of smiling faces to inspire visitors to contribute to the cause. 07. Arte Justice Because Arte Justice’s mission is to educate young people about human rights and empower them to create meaningful change, the biggest challenge in designing this nonprofit website is to avoid information overload. With a crisp, minimalistic design, visitors can browse with ease. One of the many learning opportunities on this site is the user-friendly “Subscribe” form. The neon green and black CTA button prompts users to click and the simplicity of the form makes it easy for users to fill it out. 08. The African Narrative The African Narrative shows us how creating a nonprofit website with strong branding can make an impact. The gradient background of fiery orange and soft yellow-green match the organization’s logo, creating a cohesive aesthetic. The Work Sans Semi Bold font was a smart choice for the site as it is highly legible and exudes confidence. Dedicating a page to the board of directors further instills a sense of familiarity in viewers. Meanwhile, several pages that describe The Africa Narrative’s work help to engage and establish trust with visitors. 09. Hold Your Fire Horrified by the Parkland shooting that occurred 20 years after her own father became a victim of gun violence, Kristina Filler started selling apparel in her online store to raise money and awareness. As of May 2023, she has donated $11,000 from her shirt sales to a gun safety organization called Everytown . The website describes its cause using Fillers’ own words: “It aches to know that other people are going through what my family and I went through, especially when in both cases, the deaths were so preventable. Hopefully, this shirt can do a small part to help prevent more of them.” By selling products with the organization’s motto (“Hold Your Fire”), Filler is able to spread awareness about her mission (both online and offline), while raising money for a good cause. 10. Ascend Ascend uses a two-year mountaineering program to teach young women from marginalized groups leadership skills. In order to prevent the wealth of information that the site offers from becoming overwhelming, the designer employs a modular layout to break up the content into easily digestible sections. For example, potential volunteers can pick between various activities, locations and skills, all of which have individual pages with informative descriptions and real-life imagery. 11. CharacTours Andrew Davies and Jonathan Goldstein founded CharacTours to educate people about U.S. history through interactive, theatrical walking experiences. The antique aesthetic of the nonprofit website demonstrates the immersive experience visitors can expect from the tours. The header font Clarendon LT Std Bold was a great choice, as was the black-and-white color scheme. The full-page slideshow above the fold is especially clever. The vintage-filtered photos of the founders being goofy demonstrate the team’s commitment to making history accessible through humor and creativity. The tear-like border on the bottom of the slideshow is icing on the cake. 12. Travel With a Purpose By breaking up their website’s content with playful fonts, animated graphics and photos of the people they help, Travel With a Purpose does a great job at providing a vibrant and colorful non profit website design that represents the child-friendly nature of their mission. To ensure a seamless user experience on this content-rich nonprofit website, establishing a clear hierarchy and intuitive navigation are paramount. The presence of a hamburger menu helps to declutter the site and the back-to-top button enhances user-friendliness by allowing users to swiftly return to the top with a single click. 13. Recovery Advocates in Livingston Imagery plays a big role in how your organization tells its online story. Whether it’s customized illustration, photographs of events, videos or even stock imagery, visual imagery can be just as powerful as the words you use to connect with visitors. On the Recovery Advocates site, photos help with readability by breaking up the text and giving visitors a visual reference. The organization’s logo, which features a tree and is prominently displayed at the top of the site, adds an organic touch that bolsters the site’s sense of growth and community. Tip: Make sure your visuals are optimized by using the right sizes, formats and colors. If you’re making a website with Wix, the Editor will automatically compress files upon loading to reduce upload time. Non-Wix users can change the dimensions of their image in seconds with our free image resizer tool. 14. Waste Not One of the most important parts of designing a website is choosing the best typography. Waste Not’s well-thought-out font pairing of a handwritten script and a modern sans serif creates the perfect balance of text that’s full of personality. Stats and infographics, which are spread throughout the site’s homepage, create an interactive vibe that’s sure to engage visitors. Waste Not’s use of typography is incredibly impactful, so much so that they've used it as the primary visual aid across the first two folds of the nonprofit website. By doing this, they've effectively turned their messaging into an art form that captures and maintains the visitor's attention. 15. The Hands for Nature Project Hands for Nature Project is committed to using collective action to fight climate change, both by preserving our natural environments and by responding to the impact of natural disasters. Greeting visitors with a slideshow of vibrant landscapes and sea life, this nonprofit website immediately grabs the attention of nature lovers. The website’s color scheme is made up of earth-loving colors—a mix of greens, blues, turquoise and white emphasize the organization’s mission. We love how clearly the organization explains its three initiatives and the work that it has done for each. 16. Culture of Solidarity There’s plenty to rave about when it comes to the Culture of Solidarity site, but perhaps the best design choice was to feature a video above the fold that showcases the organization’s work. Without having to read a word about the nonprofit, a visitor knows that the organization’s volunteers work hard to feed members of their community who might otherwise go hungry. 17. We Rise Production The mission of We Rise Production is to empower artists who seek to promote critical thinking about oppressive systems and inspire action against them. The nonprofit's website serves as an effective platform to showcase the team’s impactful projects, with dedicated web pages highlighting their podcasts, videos and visual works. One notable feature is the CV page, which comprehensively lists the diverse range of projects the organization has been involved in. This thoughtful inclusion demonstrates the effectiveness and breadth of We Rise Production's work, serving as a testament to their commitment and success in fulfilling their mission. 18. Lead Foundation Although individual donations are critical to nonprofits, corporate sponsorships can make a particularly significant difference. The Lead Foundation, which is dedicated to the development of student-athletes, does a great job of using its website to spotlight corporate sponsors such as Adidas, DICK’S and the NFL. In doing so, the nonprofit demonstrates its credibility to people who are familiar with those brands and attracts the attention of other corporations that are working to improve their brand perception through association with nonprofits. 19. Green Bird Foundation The Green Bird Foundation's website exemplifies the dynamic combination of the "more-is-more" web design trend and the mission-driven focus of an environmental NGO. The organization excels in effectively engaging its audience through a captivating user experience that spans from the top of the homepage to the footer. Right from the start, the Green Bird Foundation impresses with its elegant logo and user-friendly navigation menu. The hero section of their website immerses visitors in a full-screen video trailer that showcases their compelling mission statement. Cool scrolling effects add a touch of sophistication and create a more interactive experience. 20. Paint the City Peaceful Paint the City Peaceful unites its artistic community to create impactful murals that embody themes of solidarity, equality and justice. From the vibrant color scheme to the electrifying photographic backgrounds, this website effectively captures the essence of the team’s mission. The combination of visually striking elements creates an immersive experience that reflects the passion and energy that drives those involved. By translating the spirit of their mission into their nonprofit website design, Paint the City Peaceful successfully communicates their commitment to promoting positive change through art. Learn more: How to make a church website 5 nonprofit website templates Now that you’ve gained inspiration from the remarkable nonprofit website examples above, it’s time to get to work on your own best nonprofit website design. Wix’s fully customizable nonprofit website templates make it easy to start building your organization’s online presence. Below, you’ll find some of our newest designs, which you can customize with your own branded elements and content. 01. Empowering Women NGO nonprofit website A compelling template for an inspiring cause, this is the best nonprofit website design for starting a nonprofit website that focuses on female empowerment. It features a bright color scheme and diverse stock photos of powerful women, but you can easily update it with your own brand colors and imagery. The template includes a mailing list sign-up form, which is incredibly useful for building relationships with donors, volunteers and other interested parties. 02. Community center nonprofit website When your mission is to create a safe and inclusive space for your community, it’s vital that you do so both online and off. With this template, you can create an inviting site that puts your center’s members front and center. We love that it features a gallery page so that you can showcase all of your past programs. This template also integrates seamlessly with Wix Events, which makes the process of managing and promoting your programs almost effortless. 03. Social NGO nonprofit website If your mission revolves around raising awareness, look no further than this attention-grabbing nonprofit template. The content is pared down to the essentials so that your message takes center stage. With customizable elements, such as the full-screen background, bold typography and prominent buttons, you have the power to tailor the template to your organization's unique content and story. 04. Environmental NGO website For environmental organizations, this clean, ocean-themed website template has all the essentials for a successful nonprofit website. Built with Pro Gallery and Blog features, it’s ready for you to share your mission and expertise with the world. The intuitive navigation makes it effortless to engage with, and allows visitors to take actions like donating or subscribing with ease. 05. Charity Organization NGO website A minimalistic and clean-cut design makes this template adaptable for almost any nonprofit website. It’s set up with great elements for representing your organization online, including a slideshow gallery, graphics and solid calls-to-action that will go a long way with customization. A section for project details is the perfect place to add your own mission statement, along with a page to describe and showcase current projects and goals. Check out more nonprofit website template options to find the one that’s right for your organization. How to design nonprofit websites for a cause: best web design practices Designing an effective nonprofit website involves careful planning, thoughtful content creation and user-centered design principles. Here's a step-by-step guide to some nonprofit website design tips: 01. Define your website objectives Clearly identify the goals you want your website to achieve, such as increasing donations, attracting volunteers or raising awareness. Set measurable objectives to track progress and evaluate the effectiveness of your website. 02. Understand your target audience Define your target audience, including their demographics, interests and motivations. Tailor your website's content, design and messaging to resonate with your target audience. 03. Choose a website platform Select a website builder that suits your needs, considering factors like ease of use, customization options and cost. Wix offers features that are relevant for nonprofits, such as event management, online donation forms, volunteer sign-up forms and newsletter integration. Learn more: Best nonprofit website builders 04. Create a clear website structure Develop a clear website structure with easy-to-navigate menus and a logical flow of information. Ensure that important pages, such as the mission statement, donation page and contact information are easily accessible. 05. Craft compelling content Write engaging and informative content that highlights your organization's mission, impact and stories. Use a variety of content formats, such as blog posts, videos, infographics and case studies. Learn more about how to start a blog . Keep content fresh and updated regularly. 06. Use impactful storytelling Showcase your organization's work through compelling stories, testimonials and case studies. Use visuals, videos and infographics to enhance storytelling and emotional connection. Highlight the impact of your organization's work on individuals and communities. 07. Optimize for mobile devices Ensure your website is optimized for mobile devices, providing a seamless experience on smartphones and tablets. Test the website on various mobile devices to ensure optimal performance. 08. Implement strong calls to action Clearly guide visitors towards desired actions, such as donating, volunteering or signing up for newsletters. Use prominent and visually appealing call-to-action buttons. Make the process of taking action simple and straightforward. 09. Integrate secure online donations Provide a secure and user-friendly donation platform for online contributions. Use a reputable online payment processing solution to ensure secure transactions. Make the donation process transparent and easy to understand. 10. Prioritize accessibility Ensure your website is accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. Use clear fonts, high contrast colors and alternative text for images. Follow accessibility guidelines and use tools to check for compliance. 11. Use analytics Implement analytics tools to track website traffic , user behavior and conversion rates. Analyze data to identify areas for improvement and optimize the website for better engagement. A/B test different design elements and content strategies to determine what works best. 12. Incorporate social media integrations Integrate social media buttons and feeds to encourage sharing and engagement. Actively manage social media presence to connect with supporters and promote the organization's work. Use social media to drive traffic to the website and increase visibility. 13. Perform regular updates Keep the website updated with fresh content, news and events. Regularly check for broken links and maintain the technical health of your website. Make sure the website is compatible with the latest browsers and devices. 14. Seek feedback before going live Gather feedback from users, volunteers and donors to identify areas for improvement. Continuously refine your website based on feedback and data analysis. Stay up-to-date with the latest trends in web design and user experience. Pro tip: If you're a younger learner or introducing web creation to younger students, try Wix Tomorrow . This offers meaningful learning and creating experiences at every stage of a young learner’s web creation journey, from creating a first website to learning industry-standard skills, to making real-world impact with hands-on projects. Create the perfect site for you with Wix's website builder . Is Wix good for building a nonprofit website? Yes, Wix can be a good platform for building a nonprofit website. Wix user-friendly tools and features that can help you create an engaging and effective nonprofit website to promote your nonprofit's mission and activities. Here are some reasons why: Wix provides a drag-and-drop website builder that is easy to use, even for individuals without extensive technical skills. This can be beneficial for nonprofit teams with limited web development experience. Wix offers a variety of professionally designed nonprofit templates that can be customized to match your nonprofit's branding and style. Some templates are specifically designed for nonprofit organizations. Wix offers features that are relevant for nonprofits, such as event management, online donation forms, volunteer sign-up forms and newsletter integration. You can also explore all types of websites, from a fundraising website to the best law websites or the best websites built on Wix. Explore other types of websites: Homepage design examples Conference website examples Catering website examples Best nonprofit websites FAQ What is a nonprofit website? A nonprofit website is a website that is owned and operated by a nonprofit organization. Nonprofit organizations are tax-exempt organizations that are dedicated to social, educational or religious causes. Nonprofit websites typically serve a variety of purposes, such as: Providing information about the organization and its mission Sharing news and events Fundraising Recruiting volunteers Advocating for the organization's cause Can a nonprofit get a free website? Yes, there are a number of ways for nonprofits to get a free website. Some options include: Using a website builder that offers a free plan for nonprofits. Applying for a grant from a foundation that provides funding for nonprofits to create websites. Partnering with a volunteer web developer who is willing to donate their time and expertise. Can a nonprofit have a .com website? Yes, nonprofits can have a .com website. In fact, a .com domain is a good option for nonprofits, as it's the most recognizable and trusted domain extension. However, nonprofits can also use other domain extensions, such as .org or .net . What should a nonprofit website look like? A nonprofit website should be visually appealing, easy to navigate and informative. It should also be reflective of the organization's mission and values. Choose a color palette that is consistent with your organization's brand, use a layout that is easy to read and scan and make sure your website is responsive so that it looks good on all devices. It's also important to use a clear and simple menu structure. Should I use .org for a nonprofit website? Using a .org domain for a nonprofit website is a common practice, as it shows clearly an organization's nonprofit status. While it's not mandatory, the .org extension can help establish credibility and trust among visitors. Check the domain is relevant to your nonprofit's name and mission. What are some examples of nonprofit website templates? Nonprofit website templates Charity organization website templates Communities website templates Environmental NGO template How can we effectively tell our organization's story on the website? To effectively tell your organization's story: Create a compelling "About Us" page Use visuals: photos, infographics and short videos to engage Share your founder's story and mission statement Highlight key milestones and achievements of your organization Include beneficiary testimonials Showcase impact with data and success stories How can we integrate donation capabilities into our website? To integrate donation capabilities with Wix: 1. Use Wix Payments or connect PayPal for secure transactions 2. Add a "Donate" button to your homepage and navigation 3. Create a dedicated donation page with multiple giving options 4. Implement Wix Forms for custom donation amounts 5. Set up recurring donation options 6. Use Wix Automations for thank-you emails 7. Display a donation progress bar 8. Integrate with CRM for donor management What's the importance of transparency on a nonprofit website? Transparency on a nonprofit website is crucial because it: Builds trust with donors and stakeholders Demonstrates accountability for funds and actions Increases credibility and legitimacy Encourages continued support and donations Meets legal and ethical requirements Differentiates from less transparent organizations Provides clarity on mission and impact Fosters long-term relationships with supporters Enhances overall reputation and public image What's the best way to showcase our team and board members? To effectively showcase your team and board members create a dedicated "Our Team" page, make sure to use professional headshots for consistency. Then include brief bios highlighting expertise and passion with links to individual LinkedIn profiles. You want to showcase the diversity and skills of your team and you can consider including quotes or personal statements. Just remember to update everything regularly so it's not outdated. What legal information should we include on our nonprofit website? Essential legal information for a nonprofit website includes: 501(c)(3) status and EIN number Privacy policy Terms of use Donation disclaimer (tax-deductible status) Annual reports and financial statements Board of directors list Conflict of interest policy Whistleblower policy Copyright notice Contact information for inquiries Charitable registration disclosures (state-specific) Non-discrimination statement What is the best domain for a nonprofit organization? The .org domain extension is widely recognized as the standard for non-profit organizations, as it conveys trust and credibility. It helps immediately signal to visitors that your website represents a mission-driven entity rather than a commercial business. To strengthen your branding, choose a domain name that's easy to remember, aligns with your organization’s name and reflects its mission. Additional options like .ngo may also be suitable for international non-profits seeking a more specific extension.

Wix makes it easy for nonprofits to create a website and run their organizations, all from one dashboard. Nonprofit's today operate in a world where having a strong website is essential. Whether it's attracting donors, recruiting volunteers, promoting events, or raising awareness about important causes, nonprofits need professional websites that can be designed within tight budgets. This is where website builder's like Wix come in and make it easy for nonprofits to build a website for free (or to choose from staggered pricing plans ). Wix for nonprofits: main features and benefits No code website building Wix's drag-and-drop website builder, which requires zero coding knowledge makes it a good choice for nonprofits looking to create a website. This user-friendly approach is particularly valuable for nonprofit teams who may not have dedicated IT staff or technical expertise. Wix's intuitive interface allows any staff members, volunteers or board members to create, update and maintain professional websites without needing to hire expensive web developers or spend months learning complex programming languages. An even easier and faster way to make a donation website , is to use Wix's AI website builder. This allows you to create a nonprofit website in seconds, from a simple chat. Answer a few questions about your site and Wix's AI website builder will create it for you. You can also customize and edit it yourself. Nonprofit website templates Wix offers a curated collection of professionally designed website templates specifically tailored for nonprofit organizations. These nonprofit website templates are designed with nonprofit needs in mind, featuring layouts optimized for storytelling, visual impact, donation collection and volunteer engagement. The templates cover various nonprofit sectors including environmental organizations, social services, healthcare initiatives, educational foundations, and community groups, meaning all organizations can find designs that align with their mission and brand identity. Be inspired by these: Community website templates Religion website templates Integrated fundraising and donation tools One of the most critical features for nonprofits is the ability to collect donations seamlessly through their website. Wix for Nonprofits includes the ability to collect donations and to create custom donation forms, set up recurring giving programs and manage fundraising campaigns directly through their website. It supports various payment methods and can handle both one-time donations and subscription-based giving, making it easier for supporters to contribute in ways that work best for them. Learn more: What is Wix Donations? Event management Many nonprofits rely heavily on events for fundraising, awareness-building and community engagement. Wix Events provides event management tools that make it possible for organizations to create dedicated event pages, manage ticket sales, handle registrations and promote events through integrated marketing features. Whether hosting galas, workshops, awareness walks or virtual events, nonprofits can manage the entire event lifecycle through their Wix website . Coordinating volunteers Recruiting and managing volunteers is often a significant operational challenge for nonprofits. Wix addresses this need with built-in volunteer sign-up forms, registration systems and coordination tools. Organizations can create volunteer opportunity listings, manage applications and maintain ongoing communication with their volunteer base, streamlining what is often a complex administrative process. Learn more: How to create an online form What is Wix Forms Mobile website optimization Understanding that nonprofit supporters access websites from various devices, Wix ensures that all websites are automatically optimized for mobile devices, tablets and desktop computers. This means that donation forms, event registrations and content display properly regardless of how visitors access the site, maximizing engagement. Accessibility compliance Wix for Nonprofits includes built-in accessibility features that help organizations comply with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act ) guidelines and other accessibility standards. This means that websites are usable by individuals with disabilities, reflecting nonprofits' commitment to inclusion while also meeting legal requirements in many jurisdictions. Marketing integrations Wix's nonprofit website builder includes comprehensive search engine optimization (SEO) tools and marketing features designed to help nonprofits increase their visibility and reach. Organizations can optimize their content for search engines, integrate with social media platforms and use built-in email marketing tools to maintain ongoing communication with supporters and expand their audience. Pricing program Wix partners with TechSoup , a global nonprofit network, to offer a substantial 70% discount on premium plans for eligible nonprofit organizations. This discount applies specifically to 2-year subscriptions for the Wix Unlimited Premium plan, making a professional website accessible at a fraction of the standard cost. To qualify for the nonprofit discount, organizations must be registered members of TechSoup and meet standard nonprofit eligibility criteria. The application process involves verification through TechSoup which confirm the nonprofit status and provide discount codes for redemption directly on the Wix platform. This verification process ensures that discounts reach legitimate charitable organizations while maintaining program integrity. The discounted Unlimited Premium plan includes unlimited bandwidth, increased storage capacity, free domain registration for the first year, access to Wix's complete suite of website design and functionality tools and customer support. Community and education initiatives Wix sponsors the annual Creators of Tomorrow Challenge , a global initiative that encourages young people and youth-focused nonprofits to create websites addressing social and environmental issues. This program provides mentorship opportunities, educational resources, and prizes for outstanding projects. Wix also provides nonprofits with educational resources, tutorials and best practices specifically tailored to nonprofit website management. These resources help organizations maximize their investment in the platform while building internal capacity for ongoing digital marketing and website maintenance. Nonprofit website examples built on Wix Barco Sorriso This nonprofit organization , whose Portuguese name translates to “smile boat,” provides free dental care and health education to isolated coastal communities in Brazil. Barco Sorriso’s multilingual website uses illustration, optimistic language and a slideshow of smiling faces to inspire visitors to contribute to the cause. Travel with a Purpose Travel With a Purpose does a great job at providing a vibrant and colorful non profit website design that represents the child-friendly nature of their mission. Be inspired by more nonprofit website examples built on Wix. How to make a nonprofit website with Wix Signup for an account at Wix.com Choose between the Wix AI website builder or a nonprofit website template Add and customize essential pages like About, Mission, Donate and Events. Add a donation button using Wix Payments Include social links, testimonials, and a blog Connect a custom domain Publish your site

Wix Donations is an online fundraising tool designed specifically for nonprofits, charities and community organizations looking to collect contributions online. It allows you to create customized donation campaigns, display them attractively on your nonprofit website and manage the entire donation process from one place. Whether you're raising funds for a single cause or multiple initiatives, Wix Donations provides the flexibility and functionality needed to maximize your fundraising potential. Learn more: How to make a nonprofit website How to get started with Wix Donations Before implementing Wix Donations, you need to: Make a Wix website and then upgrade it to a paid plan that supports payments Connect a payment provider to your Wix account (learn more about what is Wix Payments ) To accept recurring donations, check your payment method supports recurring payments Learn more: Best nonprofit website builders to create a donation website How to add Wix Donations to your website 1. Open your Wix Editor or Wix Studio Editor 2. Click on "Add Apps" in the left sidebar 3. Search for "Wix Donations" in the search bar 4. Click "Add to Site" Once installed, a blank donation form will automatically be added to your current page, and a Thank You page will be created for your site. These elements will form the foundation of your donation system. Learn more about Wix for nonprofits. How to create your donation campaigns with Wix Donations The impact of Wix Donations lies in its ability to support multiple fundraising initiatives through separate campaigns. For example, an environmental organization can create distinct campaigns for forest conservation, ocean cleanup and climate advocacy. To create a donation campaign: 1. Navigate to Wix Donations in your site's dashboard 2. Click "Create Campaign" 3. Enter a campaign name (this will appear on checkout pages and in donor confirmation emails) 4. Optionally add a campaign image to visually represent your cause 5. Configure your campaign settings: Donation frequency : Choose whether to offer one-time donations, recurring options (weekly, monthly, yearly) or both Donation amounts : Set suggested contribution levels or allow donors to enter custom amounts Campaign goal : Establish fundraising targets with optional deadlines to create urgency Notes from donors : Enable a field for donors to include personal messages with their contributions Each campaign can have unique settings, allowing you to tailor the donation experience to different fundraising initiatives you want to run. Display and customize your donation forms After creating your campaigns, you'll want to display them effectively on your website through customized donation forms. Connect your campaign to its forms: 1. Select the donation form in your editor 2. Click "Choose Campaign" 3. Select your desired campaign from the dropdown menu Customize your forms: Forms can be fully customized to match your branding and maximize conversion. Here's how: Edit title and description : Replace the default "Make a Donation" text with compelling messaging specific to your cause Adjust the layout and design : Modify padding, background colors, and overall design to match your website aesthetic Customize all form elements: Personalize buttons, fields, and other interactive elements Set your default options: Pre-select suggested donation amounts or frequency options to guide donor decisions Hide or show elements: Control which components of the form appear to donors How to manage multiple campaigns with Wix Donations If you run multiple fundraising initiatives, you can display dedicated forms for each campaign with Wix Donations: 1. Copy and paste an existing form to maintain consistent styling 2. Or add a new form from scratch via the "Add Elements" menu 3. Connect each form to its corresponding campaign 4. Place forms on relevant pages throughout your site This approach allows supporters to donate specifically to causes they're most passionate about. Wix Donations advanced features Customize your checkout page You can further customize the checkout experience for your donors by adding extra fields to collect additional information from then. This is managed through the Checkout Settings in your dashboard. Automated communication with donors Wix Donations automatically sends three types of emails to donors: Confirmation emails for every donation Recurring charge notifications for subscription donors Cancellation confirmations if recurring donations are stopped All of these emails can be customized through the Automations section of your dashboard. Need a nonprofit website? These nonprofit website templates make it easy to get started. Tracking and analytics of campaigns Monitor your fundraising progress through: Campaign goal tracking displays on donation forms Sales reports providing detailed donation analytics (these nonprofit marketing strategies can help you expand your sales reach) Subscription management for recurring donors Looking to expand your donation reach? Start a nonprofit blog with Wix to help expand your community.

Turn your ideas into sales and start selling with Wix eCommerce →   Good eCommerce website design is the marriage of form and function that serves the ultimate goal of any online store: to sell. While good eCommerce websites come in many different forms, what they all have in common is visual design that creates a strong brand experience, content that builds trust and a user experience that aids the customer in their buying journey. Learn more:  What is an eCommerce website? In this blog, we’ll take a look at the specific eCommerce website design elements and features that can help you up your design game, as well as the best eCommerce website examples for inspiration. Ready to start your eCommerce journey? Now’s the perfect time to bring your vision to life. With Wix eCommerce, you have the tools to build a professional online store and create a website that captivates your audience, drives traffic and boosts sales. Take the first step and explore Wix eCommerce today. Make your mark online and turn your ideas into success. TL;DR: eCommerce website design examples A great eCommerce site doesn’t just sell products—it builds trust, tells a story and makes shopping feel effortless. In this guide, we’ve rounded up online stores that do just that. Each one shows how smart design choices can bring your brand to life and create a better customer experience from the first click to checkout. You’ll get ideas for layout, branding, product pages and more, plus practical takeaways to use on your own site, whether you’re starting fresh or looking to level up what you’ve already built. How we chose these eCommerce website examples Criteria Why it matters Clarity and usability Sites that make it easy for visitors to navigate, browse and purchase Strong brand presence Designs that reflect the store’s unique voice and identity Mobile responsiveness Stores that look and work great across all devices Visual merchandising High-quality product images, smart layout choices and engaging copy Conversion-focused features Elements like clear CTAs, trust signals and streamlined checkouts 25 eCommerce website design examples and inspiration Copper & Brass Vivi et Margot Izzy Wheels Gay’s The Word Cherry and Mint The Spice Suite T. Patterson Surfboards Evolve Clothing Gallery Papier Patate Adamapple Lauren Simpson Art The Boho Birdy Beck & Cap Hydracscape Handlebend Oak & Willow Fieldstone Tach Home & Patio Gallery Furry Necks Healthy Eating on the Go Sena Runa Brave Sunglasses Love Her Lamarsa Coffee Machine Company 01. Copper & Brass Copper & Brass Paper Goods  launched in October 2018 with an important purpose: representation. Copper & Brass sells notebooks, stickers, sticky notes and other paper goods with beautiful illustrations of Black people and characters, such as their famous Black Santa wrapping paper.  The designs on their products shine through to their eCommerce store. This site serves as an example of how strong branding as part of your eCommerce website design can help relay a company’s values and create a compelling reason to buy. Pro tip : Looking to get started on your online store? Learn how to make a website  with Wix and choose from hundreds of professionally designed, fully customizable eCommerce website templates  today. 02. Vivi et Margot French homeware brand Vivi et Margot's  aesthetic is a shining example of the power of photography. The site is rich with lifestyle photos set in the French countryside depicting la vie en rose . Their impressive following on social media (more than 156,000 followers on Instagram alone) speaks to the persuasive power of photography in creating a strong brand experience. Be inspired: Luxury website examples 03. Izzy Wheels Izzy Wheels’  emphasis on inclusivity and bold self-expression is at the heart of their colorful online store. Irish sisters Ailbhe and Izzy Keane have collaborated with some of the world's biggest brands—including Barbie, Disney and Hello Kitty—in creating bright, beautiful wheel covers for wheelchairs.  By highlighting these brand names and press mentions on their homepage, Izzy Wheels creates buzz and increases trust among potential shoppers. We love how Izzy Wheels' store name stands out, while clearly indicating what their brand offers.  Pro tip : If you're ready to start a business  of your own, you’ll need a catchy name. Try our store name generator  to craft an equally catchy title for your brand, or take some inspiration from these eCommerce business name ideas . 04. Gay’s The Word One of our favorite LGBTQIA+ websites , Gay’s The Word  has done an admirable job designing an online extension of their iconic London-based LGBTQ+ bookstore. Photos of its brick-and-mortar shop, coupled with vibrant pictures of its books, give shoppers the cozy feeling of being in a bookstore. The site includes "Community" and "Events" pages that keep online shoppers connected to the community that has surrounded this business since its inception. 05. Cherry and Mint Bright and refreshing, Cherry and Mint’s  website has a fitting vibe consistent with the playful colors that track across their clothes, accessories and branding. Cherry and Mint makes their website fairly product-focused. You can shop directly from the homepage, starting with a call-out of the brand’s newest releases, and continue exploring various collections the brand has curated. One unique feature they employ is a "Last Chance" section, where shoppers can view items marked down to a final sale price. This is a great marketing strategy to instill a sense of urgency and irresistibility to buyers. 06. The Spice Suite Looking at The Spice Suite , one thing is immediately apparent: both the site and the store’s founder, Angel Gregorio, have flavor. The Spice Suite’s "Our Story" page outlines Angel's journey to "Spice Girlboss," culminating in a top-40 spot on season eight of MasterChef . The Spice Suite’s website also showcases Angel’s extraordinary commitment to her community, shouting out the 2,300+ Black-owned pop-up shops she has hosted from her store. 07. T. Patterson Surfboards T. Patterson Surfboards  has made quite a mark on the surfing industry. Created in 1980, owner and second-generation surfboard builder Tim Patterson calls his work “a harmonious blend of artistry and technical expertise.”  The T. Patterson eCommerce website makes the brand’s expertise known through its mix of media (lifestyle photos and video) and impressive technical language. The "Board Builder" is a particularly unique tab where customers can fully outfit a custom surfboard, choosing from different shapes, dimensions, colors, fin plugs and more. 08. Evolve Clothing Gallery Like the clothes that founder RanD carefully curates for his collection, Evolve’s  online storefront stands out. The site has a slick, sophisticated experience that feels as stylish as the Evolve brick-and-mortar store in New Jersey.  Visitors can use detailed dropdown menus to choose their own adventure in terms of what product categories they’d like to browse. Evolve’s sleek design, combined with the easy navigation and smooth checkout process, creates an experience that is both fluid and fashion-forward. Pro tip : Strong product descriptions are key to building a solid eCommerce website.  If you have a large product catalog, give Wix’s AI text creator a try. Used by Wix merchants like Evolve, this generative AI tool can write hundreds of rich product descriptions for you in minutes, all from a few simple prompts. To get started, from your Wix editor, click "Add Elements" and then "Text." Click into the text box, select "Create AI Text" and choose the "Product description" option. 09. Papier Patate Belgian family business Papier Patate  offers an adorable assortment of customizable, kid-friendly cards and stickers—all made from recycled paper. With a focus on simplicity and sustainability, their eCommerce website design perfectly suits their initiative, featuring a simple yet refined pastel color palette, flat design , organic shapes and straightforward navigation. The brand even features a "Spotlight" page to showcase photos of customers using their stickers and other goodies. 10. Adamapple Another proponent of sustainability, Adamapple  is an England-based boutique offering dried flowers, flower preservation, wreaths, eco-friendly gifts and—most famously—100% biodegradable confetti.  Their website design features rich greens and pinks that evoke the feeling of floral design, and large, colorful photos are present across the homepage and all product pages. As an added selling point, customers can view the "As seen in…" section from the homepage, showcasing various brands and publications that have sung this bio-friendly brand's praises. 11. Lauren Simpson Art The best artist websites  serve a dual purpose: to display art and to sell it. Lauren Simpson Art  has both of these necessities down with an elegant, refined website showcasing the best of her Alaskan wilderness-inspired portfolio.  From Lauren’s shop, you can purchase original paintings as well as prints, stickers or cards featuring her original artwork. Her homepage features a side-scrolling gallery with beautiful pictures of her working in the studio, and a simple "About the Artist" blurb further down the page details a few sentences about her mission statement. 12. The Boho Birdy The Boho Birdy  is a 100% Australian-owned and operated online boutique selling everything from housewares to loungewear to wedding attire. Their eCommerce website design is bold and organized, with easy-to-spot category pages, currency selector, "Contact Us" buttons and other website features  that make it easy for shoppers to navigate. A homepage carousel of the "Latest Arrivals" also shows customers the newest items available for purchase. 13. Beck & Cap Beck & Cap  is a custom furniture and signmaking outlet from northwestern Montana. Owners Tanner and Jana Roach have taken a less-is-more approach to their eCommerce website design, with a grid-style gallery on the homepage showcasing their creations in upscale, rustic living spaces.  Throughout the site, the use of a fine-weight sans serif font and crisp, airy photos gives the entire website a cohesive visual lightness that perfectly complements the couple’s handmade furniture. 14. Hydrascape Hailing from Bellingham, Washington, Hydracscape  is a sticker brand created by painter and mural artist Gretchen Leggitt . The rich tones and multidimensional elements of Leggitt’s artwork carry over into her site design for Hydrascape, instantly catching the consumer’s eye.  Scrolling through the homepage, you can see various examples of how Hydrascape’s stickers (and sew-on/iron-on patches) can be applied to various-sized water bottles, mugs and even cars. The top navigation additionally directs visitors to helpful links for instructions, inspiration and collab pages featuring other artists.  15. Handlebend Handlebend  is another example of cohesive branding, tying their eCommerce website design into the same warm tones and rustic textures of their product collection—handcrafted copper mugs and custom apparel. Site visitors are instantly greeted with striking photos of the collection, plus bolded-text callouts directing you where to click for corporate or custom gifting, directions to their O'Neill, Nebraska taproom and inspiring customer reviews. 16. Oak & Willow With a goal of making no-waste and eco-friendly cleaning products affordable, Oak & Willow’s  online store encourages customers to "make the switch" . The site’s flat design, floral details and chic brand colors are reminiscent of 1960s- and 70s-era "Flower Power" motifs.  Notably, Oak & Willow lays out its ethos front and center of the homepage, detailing their commitment to sustainable and human-first business practices. Considering that 78% of consumers  feel sustainability is important—and 75% of sustainable goods sell better online—this is a smart way to instantly connect with concerned customers. 17. Fieldstone Fieldstone  is an apparel brand inspired by the Southern sportsman lifestyle. A first glance at their eCommerce site will transport you straight to the outdoors as you scroll through beautiful photos of their apparel in action.  On the homepage, beneath the header gallery, they make it instantly clear what they stand for in their business: unique designs that are made in the USA with quality craftsmanship. Before you dive in to shop, you can also browse a few galleries of featured and popular products, as well as the brand’s recent Instagram photos. 18. Tach Tach  notes that their clothing is "both simple and complex, with a strong timeless appeal." That echoes true for eCommerce website design, too. The site has a simple homepage featuring images (some still, some moving) of models wearing the brand’s vintage-inspired clothing. As a cool alternative to an "About Us" page , Tach presents a dreamy, film-like video detailing their history and sharing a little bit about the sisters behind the brand. 19. Home & Patio Gallery In addition to its three storefronts in Puerto Rico, Home & Patio Gallery  has a gone about building a robust eCommerce website where shoppers can browse an impressive assortment of home goods. The homepage offers a wealth of information, including current sales, featured products and information about financing.  The furniture retailer additionally makes excellent use of a top navigation bar with broad product categories—such as "Dining" and "Living"—that drop down into subsections, such as "Futons," "TV Units" and "Barstools." 20. Furry Necks If dogs could shop online, they would love the Furry Necks  website. The good news is that humans love it, too. When consumers aren’t browsing the brand’s handmade dog collars (made from world-famous Harris Tweed), they may find themselves fawning over the "Gallery" page, which shows off dozens of doggies modeling Furry Necks’ products.  Notably, at the website’s footer, you’ll find emblems for the Harris Tweed Authority and Campaign for Wool, which speak to the brand’s authenticity and commitment to quality.  21. Healthy Eating on the Go Healthy Eating on the Go  proclaims that their snack bars will inspire "Love at first bite," and if you weren’t convinced, their eCommerce site makes a pretty compelling case. The homepage shines a spotlight on the bars’ best features—safe for everyone, gluten-free, high in protein and more—while also calling out fan-favorite flavors and reviews from satisfied customers. The site’s simple and clean layout reflects the simple and clean ingredients in their bars; no fluff, no filler. 22. Sena Runa Paper artist Sena Runa  has crafted a one-page website that serves as both an online portfolio and online shop. Scrolling through her store, you’re immersed in a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors and clean, crisp photography that masterfully captures the essence of each piece of artwork. Sena also features a brief "About" section, links to several notable interviews and a "Projects & collaborations" gallery, where you can see work she’s done for brands like Sugar Bear Hair, Royal Caribbean, Essie and others. 23. Brave Sunglasses Brave Sunglasses’  eCommerce website design is bold, rugged and stylish, just like its versatile, fashion-forward sunglasses. Product photography is a standout feature across all pages of the website, showing both the details of each pair of glasses and examples of how they look on various models.  Additionally, Brave has gorgeous product pages that are well-organized and full of key product information: "Materials," "Features," "Light transmission," "Duties" and "Returns," to name a few of the expandable list items. 24. Love Her Athleisure retailer Love Her  uses their eCommerce homepage as prime real estate to show off product restocks, new releases and a featured "Item of the Month." The brand utilizes a blog as a smart way to add more content-rich pages to their website, along with an FAQ page.  In fact, if you’ve been looking for pointers on how to create an FAQ page , Love Her serves as a great example. There, the brand includes relevant details about sizing, returns, shopping, wash instructions and more, preemptively answering customers’ questions before they buy. 25. Lamarsa Coffee Machine Company Lamarsa Coffee Machine Company  is a team of self-proclaimed coffee enthusiasts selling fine coffee equipment both online and from their Petaling Jaya showroom in Selangor, Malaysia. Their eCommerce website is an homage to the brands they stock, with a simple top-bar navigation that lets customers browse by brand, product type or current deals.  At the bottom of Lamarsa’s website, you’ll find a "Why Buy From Us" section that offers reassurance in what they offer to customers: authorized dealer warranties, bespoke customer service and fast, reliable deliveries. 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. Start designing your eCommerce website  today with Wix. What defines good eCommerce website design? A strong eCommerce website design is easy to navigate, visually appealing and effective in converting visitors into customers. Here are some of the key elements of good eCommerce website design: It’s easy to navigate It’s hard to overstate the importance of a good eCommerce UX  in website design. Put simply, it should be easy for shoppers to browse and filter through all of their options. Features like your header, navigation menu, breadcrumbs, filters, on-site search and footer can contribute to a good UI. As a general rule of thumb, optimize your eCommerce website  to that all of your products will be accessible within three or fewer clicks. It offers multiple payment options Offering multiple payment options creates a customer-centric checkout process, which in turn maximizes sales. By allowing customers to pay with their preferred method, which you can enable with an online payment processing system  like Wix Payments, you eliminate friction during the final, most important step of the buying process.  Learn more about what is Wix Payments.   See more : Ready for a deeper dive into learning all about designing a website? See our comprehensive guide: What is web design?   It’s visually appealing Just as lighting, music and decorations create ambiance in a brick-and-mortar store, every design element of your website influences how your brand is perceived. Shoppers will evaluate your store in seconds—making it especially important for your branding to be polished, professional and consistent. High-quality imagery serves as a cornerstone of a visually appealing website. It not only showcases your products but also evokes emotions that can influence purchasing decisions. Lifestyle images can immerse shoppers in an aspirational experience, while detailed product photos provide clarity and build trust. Incorporating visual hierarchy—such as bold headlines, strategically placed buttons and contrasting colors—guides users’ attention and encourages them to take desired actions. Using consistent fonts is also important. Stick to the same typefaces for headings, body text and buttons to create a seamless, cohesive design that keeps the focus on your content—not clashing styles. Fonts also set the tone for your brand. Rounded fonts feel warm and approachable, while sharp, geometric fonts communicate precision and innovation. Choose wisely to reflect the right message for your audience. It works well on mobile As of this writing, 63.64% of worldwide website traffic  comes from mobile devices. What’s more, in the U.S. alone, mobile commerce—or mCommerce—is projected to account for 6.5% of retail sales in 2023 , increasing each year up to 8.7% in 2026. If your eCommerce website does not look good or work well on mobile, you are leaving money on the table. It incorporates professional photography Each product should be accompanied by at least one minimalist photo that shows your item against a white or plain background. Include additional photos that show your product from various angles so that shoppers can see the finer details. Aside from product photos, remember that imagery plays a big role throughout your site—and it’s one of our key "About Us" page tips . Weave lifestyle photographs throughout your pages and focus on creating a visual story about your brand. It offers a variety of multimedia Video, 360° images, user-generated content (UGC) and size charts are just some of the ways that a variety of media can elevate the shopping experience on your site. Aside from offering an engaging experience, each of these elements can help your shoppers visualize various things about your product: size, use, texture, color, etc. It features strong copy Incorporating strong copy and engaging content into your eCommerce website design helps to build your brand voice, create trust and increase the professionalism of your business. Every piece of text your shoppers encounter in their buying journey is an opportunity for creating a personal connection, so you’ll want to be thoughtful with your copywriting. It showcases product reviews Social proof is critical in creating a high-converting product page. According to BrightLocal, 46% of consumers  consider online business reviews to be as trustworthy as personal recommendations from friends or family members. It’s your responsibility to make sure that customers can easily find those reviews on your website. Additionally, keep in mind that customer reviews can help with SEO by adding depth to your product pages and touching on long-tail keywords. It outlines a return policy Writing a clear return and exchange policy creates transparency. Customers want to know what to expect from you before they buy something. ShippyPro notes that 67% of consumers  want to consult a return policy before making a purchase, and 58% want their returns to be simple, without wasting time digging or reaching out for more information. These policies should be clear and easily accessible from your eCommerce site. It offers a clear path to purchase According to Dynamic Yield, 21% of abandoned shopping carts  are due to a site having a complicated or lengthy checkout process. Site design should never be why customers get frustrated and avoid making a purchase, and this includes your checkout page. Ensure that it’s optimized without being bogged down by extraneous buttons, banners or text fields that aren’t necessary.  Tips for designing an eCommerce store that sells Now that you have the basics down, here are a few simple tips to keep in mind when researching how to design a website  for eCommerce that sells: Choose the right eCommerce platform The best eCommerce site starts with choosing the best ecommerce website builder or best ecommerce platform . The right eCommerce platform is crucial for a successful online business. It should offer a user-friendly interface and a seamless shopping experience for customers. This means robust security features , including SSL certificates  and secure payment gateways, instill trust and protect your customers sensitive information. Learn more about ecommerce website security . Scalability also is vital to accommodate business growth. The platform should support a variety of product types and sizes as well as flexible product customization options. Integration capabilities with third-party tools, such as CRMs and web analytics , also help you create a successful ecommerce website. An efficient inventory management  system prevents overselling and helps in tracking stock levels. Shopping cart software is integral to an eCommerce website builder. It should offer secure checkout processes, diverse payment options and seamless integration with inventory management. You should also expect responsive customer support  from your platform provider ensures timely assistance during technical issues. Learn more:  Ecommerce tools Use eCommerce website templates Using templates to build an eCommerce site is an efficient way to create a user-friendly selling site. Templates provide a structured design and web page framework, streamlining the design process and giving a professional look. They allow you to establish an online presence quickly while benefiting from professionally designed templates with proven layouts and features. Here are some to get started with: Ecommerce website templates Fashion and clothing ecommerce website templates Jewelry and accessories ecommerce website templates Arts and crafts ecommerce website templates Food and drink ecommerce website templates Beauty and wellness ecommerce website templates Sports and outdoors ecommerce website templates Pets and animals ecommerce website templates Kids and babies ecommerce website templates Integrate your social media channels Many eCommerce websites integrate media from their social feeds—such as Instagram photos—as a means to incorporate UGC into their site design, boosting social proof. Establish customer trust Showcase any trust badges or security certifications on your website and/or checkout page, such as SSL certificates or payment security icons. A hassle-free return policy, customer reviews and clear contact information also help establish your brand as trustworthy. See our round-up of the best "Contact Us" pages  for inspiration here. Watch our video courses to learn more about eCommerce  today. Don't miss out on maximizing your seasonal sales: Check out the ultimate eCommerce holiday readiness checklist  and get your business holiday-ready today. eCommerce website examples FAQ How can I make sure my eCommerce site is secure for customers? To ensure your Wix ecommerce site is secure for customers: 1.Rely on Wix's built-in SSL certificate 2. Enable two-factor authentication 3. Regularly update your Wix account password 4. Use Wix Payments for secure transactions 5. Implement Wix's fraud prevention tools 6. Limit admin access to trusted individuals 7. Rely on Wix's regular, auto backup of your site data 8. Use Wix's GDPR-compliant features 9. Educate customers about secure practices 12. Rely on Wix's PCI DSS compliant eCommerce hosting What are the best ways to drive traffic to my eCommerce site? To drive traffic to your ecommerce site: 1. Optimize for search engines (SEO) 2. Use paid advertising (Google Ads, social media ads) 3. Leverage social media marketing 4. Create valuable content (blog, videos) 5. Email marketing campaigns 6. Influencer partnerships 7. Offer referral programs 8. Participate in online communities 9. Use retargeting ads 10. Optimize for mobile users 11. List products on comparison sites 12. Collaborate with complementary businesses 13. Use PR and press releases 14. Host online events or webinars 15. Implement affiliate marketing How can I improve the user experience on my eCommerce site? To improve user experience on your ecommerce site simplify your navigation, prioritize site speed, use high-quality product images with clear product descriptions. Make sure your site is mobile-friendly with a streamlined checkout process and clear shipping information. What are the legal requirements for running an eCommerce business? Legal requirements for running an ecommerce business typically include: 1. Business registration and licenses 2. Tax ID and sales tax collection 3. Privacy policy and terms of service 4. GDPR compliance (for EU customers) 5. PCI DSS compliance for payment processing 6. Trademark and copyright protection 7. Product safety standards 8. Age verification for restricted products 9. Shipping regulations 10. Consumer protection laws 11. ADA compliance for accessibility 12. Email marketing regulations (CAN-SPAM Act) 13. Accurate advertising and pricing 14. Proper handling of customer data 15. Compliance with industry-specific regulations How do I integrate social media with my eCommerce site? To integrate social media with your Wix ecommerce site: 1. Add social media buttons using Wix's Social Bar 2. Enable social sharing on product pages 3. Use Wix's Social Post feature to share products 4. Embed Instagram feed using Wix App Market 5. Connect Facebook Shop to your Wix store 6. Use Wix's Social Media Stream app 7. Add Pinterest "Save" buttons to products 8. Utilize Wix's Facebook Pixel integration 9. Create shoppable posts on Instagram via Wix 10. Implement Wix Chat for social-like interactions 11. Use Wix's Social Media Icons app 12. Showcase customer reviews from social platforms How much does it cost to build an eCommerce website? On Wix, you can build an ecommerce website for free. However, once you launch your site and want to start accepting payments from shoppers, you’ll have to choose a paid plan. Wix offers several annual eCommerce plans ranging from $27/month for basic eCommerce features to $159/month for more advanced capabilities. Is eCommerce profitable? Yes, eCommerce can be highly profitable, but success depends on factors like understanding market demand, executing effective marketing strategies and managing costs. Profitability often stems from providing unique products, competitive pricing and exceptional customer experiences. By keeping overhead costs low and utilizing scalable digital tools, businesses can optimize their margins and growth potential. However, stiff competition requires consistent innovation and efficient operations to maintain an edge. What are the best ways to find customers? To find customers for your eCommerce business, focus on a mix of strategies tailored to your audience: Leverage digital marketing channels : Use paid ads on platforms like Google and social media to target specific audiences and drive traffic quickly. Optimize for search engines (SEO) : Ensure your website ranks high in search results. Utilize social media : Engage users by sharing compelling visuals, stories and promotions on platforms like Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. Email marketing : Build email lists and nurture leads with personalized offers and updates to encourage repeat purchases. Understand customer needs : Analyze customer data and feedback to tailor your marketing approach, highlighting what resonates most with your audience. What is an eCommerce website? An eCommerce site is a website specifically created for the online buying and selling of goods or services. An eCommerce site is defined by the following features and functionality: Product catalog:  Offers a wide range of products or services with detailed information, including descriptions, specifications, pricing and availability. Shopping cart:  Allows customers to select products, view their online shopping cart and checkout securely. Payment processing:  Integrates secure payment gateways to process transactions using credit cards, debit cards, e-wallets and other online payment options. Order fulfillment:  Manages the process of receiving orders, processing payments, preparing shipments and managing shipping logistics. Customer management:  Includes features for customer account creation, login, order tracking, communication tools and managing returns or refunds. Search and navigation:  Provides intuitive search functionality and user-friendly navigation tools for customers to easily find the products they're looking for. What are some of the best eCommerce websites? Some of the best eCommerce website examples include Amazon, eBay and Etsy. Amazon is probably the most famous and poplar ecommerce website example and its known for its vast product selection and fast shipping times. Newer ecommerce website examples include Temu and Aliexpress, both based out of China and offering low price products. Other popular examples by location include OnBuy in the UK or Zalando in Germany.

Turn your ideas into sales and start selling with Wix eCommerce →   So you’re wondering if Wix eCommerce is more than just a pretty face. It’s a common misconception—after all, Wix started as a platform for any creator who wanted to build a beautiful website. But safe to say that Wix has come a long way. Wix eCommerce  is, in and of itself, a powerful solution for simplifying and scaling business. With comprehensive management tools, multichannel integrations , best-in-class security and a high-resilience infrastructure, the platform is entrusted by some of today’s fastest growing companies when it comes to making an eCommerce website (or any type of site for that matter). But why take our word for it? Let’s look beneath the hood and explore some of the features that make Wix eCommerce one of the most powerful solutions available when starting a business  online. Ready to start your eCommerce journey? Now’s the perfect time to bring your vision to life. With Wix eCommerce, you have the tools to build a professional online store and learn how to create a website that captivates your audience, drives traffic and boosts sales. Take the first step and explore Wix eCommerce today. Make your mark online and turn your ideas into success. What makes Wix eCommerce a powerful platform? A good eCommerce platform  should set you up for success by offering easy-to-use eCommerce tools, on top of a secure backend and crash-resistant infrastructure. In other words, efficiency, reliability and opportunity should all be factored in. Wix eCommerce incorporates the above into an all-inclusive ecosystem where you can sell to a global audience while keeping your operations air-tight. The platform gives you the power to sell more, scale quicker and diversify your business strategy. Here’s a closer look at some of Wix’s core eCommerce features . Reliability An eCommerce platform is only as strong as the infrastructure that supports it. It doesn’t matter how good your products are, or how successful your marketing is, if your online store can’t handle the extra traffic. Wix eCommerce wants you to go viral. Wix’s high-resilience infrastructure includes multi-cloud hosting  services (plus free web hosting ), browser compatibility adjustments and autoscale technology. Put simply, the infrastructure is built to avoid costly site crashes . In fact, Wix stores can process 45,000 transactions per minute. Wix also flaunts an industry-leading uptime of 99.99%—ensuring that your Wix store will run smoothly whether you have dozens of people browsing your site, or tens of thousands of shoppers placing orders at the same time. Even if you’re having a holiday sale, or one of your social media ads goes viral, you can rest easy knowing that your site will remain undeterred. The best part is that it’s all automated. You don’t need to worry about coding or on-going maintenance. Just leave it to Wix. Performance Nobody wants to click onto a webpage and have to wait (what feels like) 10 minutes for it to load. These days, most online shoppers will bounce if a page takes longer than six seconds  to load—which is still generous if you ask us. The infrastructure behind every Wix site enables the fastest loading pages. Thanks to our globally distributed CDN and data centers, you can expect fast-loading pages wherever you go and no matter what device you use. There are dozens of other tasks that happen in the background, including automatic resizing of media and continuous code optimizations, to ensure that everything on your site loads seamlessly. Think: clear, fully loaded product images and smooth animations. Wix sites are also optimized for core web vitals (CWV). CWV metrics help to prevent performance degradation. All the while, you can monitor your site’s performance via your Site Speed Dashboard and access other helpful resources to learn how to build the best user experience possible. Discover the top reasons why eCommerce sites fail . Catalog and inventory management Your online store should be well-organized and easy-to-navigate so that your customer can find what they’re looking for. At the same time, you should be able to organize and manage your products without headache or hassle. Wix eCommerce provides one place to manage your product data, listings and inventory. Bulk upload your product data. Tap into built-in dropshipping and print on demand features. List products to your store and third-party channels like Amazon or Instagram. By having one place to store your data, you can ensure data accuracy and consistency. At the same time, you can enjoy flexible tools for customizing your listings per channel. For example, you can adjust product descriptions and titles to target the right keywords. Furthermore, you can display product variations as separate listings or combine them into one listing, depending on user behaviors. Meanwhile, you can keep track of which products are published where. Wix will automatically update inventory as orders are placed from any channel, preventing overselling. Creating and selling custom products has never been easier. With Wix’s on demand printing , powered by Printful, you can design and launch personalized apparel, accessories, home goods and more—made to suit any style, niche or need. No extra tools, no complex setup. Just pick a product, upload your design and start selling—all from your Wix dashboard. With seamless Printful integration, you get a streamlined way to build, brand and sell—without ever leaving Wix. Payments An online store with weak payment options may as well be an image gallery. Today's online shoppers are much more likely to buy through a payment gateway they trust. For this reason, Wix eCommerce integrates with more than  80 secure payment gateways . Wix Payments additionally accepts online payments  via all major credit cards, digital wallets (like Apple Pay and PayPal), buy-now-pay-later solutions (like Affirm, Afterpay and PayPal Later), and other popular payment methods. By providing diverse payment options, you make the buying flow accessible and accommodating to every shopper. Learn more about what is Wix Payments.   Wix Payments is, most importantly, secure and fully integrated. Manage orders, refunds, payments, payouts and more all from your Wix dashboard. And if you’re a U.S.-based merchant with brick-and-mortar locations, you can use Wix’s POS system to accept in-person sales—then manage both in-store and online purchases from your dashboard. Read more: How to accept secure online payments with Wix  and  How much does an eCommerce website cost Combine all this with Wix’s automated currency converters. Show prices in your customers’ local currencies, and quickly forge a path into the global market to grow your customer base and revenue stream. Shipping and fulfillment With Wix eCommerce, you can fulfill orders through a variety of shipping methods. Customize everything from your shipping carriers, delivery time frames, shipping rates and delivery options (e.g., express shipping or local delivery) by item or channel. Inspire repeat business by giving your shoppers the luxury of choice. As an added convenience, print your shipping labels, track order status and send automated emails to your customers from Wix. If you’re in the business of dropshipping, connect Wix to Modalyst  or another dropshipping supplier to have orders automatically forwarded to them for fulfillment. By streamlining your fulfillment and shipping workflows, you can enjoy a smoother, hassle-free post-purchase process. You get more done, and your shoppers are left with a positive impression of your brand. Marketing Today, nearly every corner of the internet is a potential market. Wix eCommerce offers more than just a storefront to display your products; it provides numerous digital arms that put your products in front of shoppers wherever they are. That includes social media platforms like Facebook, search engines like Google and your shoppers’ inboxes. Wix eCommerce provides a full suite of business management tools  that helps you to expand your marketing and advertising programs. You can use AI to write entire blog posts from start to finish, then optimize them for SEO with expert precision. Craft engaging emails on the fly. Or, create promotional videos and images with the help of Wix's other AI tools . Facebook Ads by Wix  gives you marquee space to advertise your products on two of the world’s busiest social channels: Facebook and Instagram. Create new ad campaigns to reach new audiences or to re-engage existing shoppers. Through Wix’s machine-learning algorithm, you can optimize ads and reach relevant shoppers, even in your sleep. From your Wix eCommerce dashboard, you can also create branded content on Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter. Maximize the results with lead-generation tools, like coupons, AI site chat or recommended products. Multichannel selling With online marketplaces like Amazon and eBay attracting billions of shoppers every day, multichannel selling  is one of the most lucrative strategies for reaching new audiences and increasing sales. It’s also an organic part of the Wix eCommerce playbook. Wix gives you direct access to the world’s busiest online marketplaces. Post your products on eBay, Amazon, YouTube and more. Seamlessly upload products from your master catalog, track orders from your dashboard and customize your listings on each sales channel to reach shoppers in the format they’re most familiar with. Wix sellers see a 26% average increase in sales revenue after adding Amazon as a sales channel. Wix eCommerce offers additional incentives that make multichannel selling a no-brainer, including discounts and priority listings. If you sign up for eBay with your Wix store, you can get connected in just three steps and list more products than non-Wix sellers. With multichannel selling, Wix eCommerce essentially turns the world’s busiest online marketplaces into second storefronts, so you can reach new audiences with minimal legwork. Security Website security  is a fundamental concern for anybody who does business online. Wix eCommerce implements world-class security experts to monitor the platform, alongside cyber-security detection and rapid response technologies. The result? Safe transactions for both you and your sellers. For more context: as a Wix eCommerce user, you’re protected 24/7 by automated threat-detection and updates. Wix abides by the highest international standards, achieving PCI Level 1 compliance and instituting SOC 24/7/365 protection that ensures non-stop monitoring and rapid response to potential disruptions. Wix further institutes Business Continuity Planning programs, which involves recovery plans and regularly scheduled simulations to stay ahead of potential threats. A specialized Incident Response team is trained to address and remediate potential threats as soon as they occur. Anti-DDoS solutions, vulnerability scans and data protection via automated backups additionally ensure that the platform remains secure no matter what else is happening on the internet. Read more about eCommerce website security . Design and storefront While, as stated earlier, Wix eCommerce is more than just a pretty face—it’d be a crime not to mention Wix’s aesthetic strengths. Your website , after all, needs to look professional and be memorable for shoppers to stick around. Wix’s storefronts are designed with both form and functionality in mind. Each template is designed to showcase your products in a way that’s visually appealing and compulsively browsable. Wix eCommerce offers hundreds of professionally designed templates with specific store templates  for electronics, home goods, fashion, beauty care and more. Alternatively, you've got the AI website builder that can deliver a fully functional website from a simple chat. The Wix Editor then lets you customize your product galleries to showcase your products in their best light. Customize grid layouts, institute banners and create SEO-friendly product pages to attract shoppers and streamline the buying flow. You can even customize the checkout flow exactly to your liking (think: allowing customers to bundle together multiple services with products in one shopping cart). Who is Wix eCommerce best for? Wix eCommerce is home to both SMBs and multimillion-dollar brands looking to break into new channels, international markets or simply a new stage of growth. It’s a flexible platform for businesses with global clientele. Wix sellers offer everything from electronics and fashion apparel, to sports equipment, CBD, jewelry and home furnishings. Pro tip:  Your free eCommerce hosting  on Wix is automatically set up when you publish your site—no installation needed—and supports successful online stores of every size. Is Wix good for eCommerce FAQ Is Wix eCommerce good for large businesses? Wix eCommerce’s clientele includes established brick-and-mortar companies and online businesses usually earning up to a few million in online sales per year. Its solutions for catalog management, inventory management, marketing and more are accommodating for large brands looking to work more efficiently while scaling their reach. Is eCommerce reliable? Yes. The Wix eCommerce platform is built on best-in-class infrastructure with 99.99% uptime and compliance with the highest international security standards. Wix eCommerce stores can handle 45,000 simultaneous transactions a minute without degradation to site performance. The platform is stress-tested to ensure peak performance during traffic spikes and viral sales. How is Wix eCommerce different from Wix's website creator? The Wix eCommerce platform is specifically geared for online businesses or businesses looking to get online. It offers capabilities across all the core eCommerce functions: catalog management, inventory management, orders, marketing, payments, fulfillment and dropshipping. While it’s easy to create an attractive site through Wix eCommerce, the real value is being able to handle these back office functions with ease and speed. What can I sell on Wix eCommerce? Wix merchants sell everything from fashion and apparel, to electronics, sporting goods, CBD, home decor, beauty supplies and other types of products. Wix eCommerce offers tools and integrations that are well-suited for various lines of business. You can customize your storefront and centrally manage your operations, whether you’re selling (or dropshipping) existing products—or a brand new idea you’re ready to introduce to the world.

Turn your ideas into sales and start selling with Wix eCommerce →   With so many options on the market, choosing the best eCommerce website builder can be overwhelming. You need a tool that not only offers flexibility and scalability but also integrates with various payment gateways, provides robust security and delivers an impeccable user experience. It may be tempting to pick the first option that comes up in your Google search. Yet, what works for one person might not be the most suitable website builder  for your business. To save you time, money and headaches in your search, we've rounded up a list of the best eCommerce website builders that cover a range of budgets and use cases. Ready to start your eCommerce journey? Now’s the perfect time to bring your vision to life. With Wix eCommerce, you have the tools to build a professional online store and create a website that captivates your audience, drives traffic and boosts sales. Take the first step and explore Wix eCommerce today. Make your mark online and turn your ideas into success. 10 best eCommerce website builders Navigating the world of website builders requires more than just a quick glance, especially if you’re looking for a tool that can support your eCommerce business  at all stages of its growth. Each option in our carefully curated list of the best eCommerce platforms  brings reliable solutions to the table. From specialized features catering to specific industries to versatile builders that suit any type of business , we've got you covered.  Wix: Best all-in-one eCommerce platform with AI tools   Squarespace : Offers a diverse selection of templates BigCommerce : Advanced features for businesses of all sizes Big Cartel : Affordable pricing plans for small businesses Shopify : Extensive app store with free and paid apps WooCommerce : Designed for seamless WordPress integration Ecwid : Ideal for quickly launching an online store Weebly : Provides easy-to-use templates for beginners Shift4Shop : Free domain name registration and renewal Volusion : Built-in tools for sales and marketing 01. Wix  With Wix, learning how to make a website  for eCommerce is straightforward. You can browse a library of free, professionally designed online store templates  that match your brand's identity. You can then customize your site with the help of our drag-and-drop website builder  and all of its built-in editing tools or AI—no coding required. If you do have coding experience, however, Wix’s open platform does allow you to create your own customized website with code. Wix is designed as a comprehensive, end-to-end eCommerce platform with eCommerce tools  and others, to help you market, manage and grow your business—from sourcing products to accepting payments, fulfilling orders, developing into B2B eCommerce and more.  Learn more about what is Wix Payments.   For example, from Wix, you can manage product listings across multiple sales channels , including native mobile apps, third-party eCommerce marketplaces  and social media  There’s even an integrated physical point-of-sale  (POS) system for accepting in-person sales.  “Wix is not only an eCommerce website builder,” explains Oren Inditzky, vice president and general manager of online stores at Wix. “It covers all types of business, and as such, it can allow you to further grow and expand your business. In addition to selling products, you can also offer services to book , events to attend , blogs to read and so on.”  Once your site is live, you can refine your content to drive more sales, convert more customers and show up higher in search results. Wix’s SEO Assistant  automatically recommends ways to improve your content, structure and SEO attributes across Wix Bookings pages, Wix Stores product pages and Wix Blog posts. And, Wix is at the forefront of AI in eCommerce : with built-in AI text creation tools, you can instantly refine FAQ pages, About sections and more. Most notably, the AI tool can create hundreds of optimized product descriptions for your store in minutes, saving you countless hours of work.  Key Wix features Custom website templates  for various industries Built-in AI tools for website creation, product descriptions, product recommendations and more Wide range of built-in eCommerce tools, plus hundreds of third-party integrations (free and paid) through the Wix App Market Versatile payment solution, Wix Payments, offers a seamless checkout experience Easy integration with social media channels (Instagram, Facebook and TikTok) and advertising channels (Google Ads, Facebook Ads and Instagram Ads) Support for selling across multiple channels, including native apps, POS systems, external marketplaces and social media Pricing Ecommerce plans start at $27 per month See more : Read our handy guide on  how to start an online store . Ready to start selling online and explore eCommerce hosting ? Try Wix  on for size. 02. Squarespace Squarespace can help all kinds of businesses get online. The website builder offers an assortment of visually appealing templates, making it a good choice for photographers, local stores, restaurants and more. Squarespace combines good looks with versatility and ease of use. Its drag-and-drop site editor is fairly simple to use, allowing you to set up your site in a short amount of time. You don't need any coding know-how to make a great-looking and functional website. Additionally, the platform has many helpful features that will help your online business scale. For example, it has built-in blogging features for SEO visibility as well as merchandising tools like low stock alerts, product waitlists and more.  Key features of Squarespace Simplified site-building tools, allowing easy customization without technical expertise Diverse selection of templates for a wide range of stylistic preferences Combines aesthetic appeal with practical features, ideal for creative industries and user-friendly online stores Pricing  Range of plans available, with their Business plan starting at $33 per month; advanced merchandising tools are available under the eCommerce plan at $36 per month Looking for the best Squarespace alternatives ? Try Wix for free and see how it compares in this  Wix vs Squarespace  guide. 03. BigCommerce BigCommerce is another popular platform for online stores of all sizes, especially enterprise businesses. As its name implies, this is largely thanks to the eCommerce-specific features available across all of its plans.  You can start building your site from one of 12 free designs, or browse through the library of more than 200 paid templates. If you have technical experience, you can further customize your website down to the CSS and HTML code. One of the nicest features of BigCommerce is that it offers unlimited products and staff accounts across all of its plan tiers. Each tier also offers multichannel sales features, built-in blogs, professional reporting tools, product ratings and more. More advanced features are available in higher-tier plans. Key features of BigCommerce Well-suited to businesses looking to scale, offering solutions for small and enterprise businesses; enterprise features include multi-storefront capabilities, leading omnichannel integrations, extensive partner ecosystem and more No transaction fees across any of its plans Integration with WordPress to modify an existing website Pricing Plans start from $39 per month 04. Big Cartel If you’re a creative professional, showcasing your work in the best light can be hard. Fortunately, Big Cartel offers a good solution if you're looking for an eCommerce website builder aimed at independent artists and creators.  Big Cartel takes a simple approach to website creation, which is ideal for smaller stores or those just getting started with their business. It is not intended to handle robust eCommerce or enterprise needs like those offered by platforms like Wix, Shopify or BigCommerce.  All of Big Cartel’s 15+ templates are stylish, unique and free across all pricing plans. You can customize each design to your liking, and the platform’s site editor lets you see changes made to your Big Cartel site right away.  As for your store offerings, you can list five products for sale through the free forever plan, or upgrade to a paid plan to list between 50 and 500 products. All plans come with an assortment of basic eCommerce tools, though more advanced features like analytics, inventory management and shipping tracking are available through paid plans. Key features of Big Cartel Ideal for independent artists and small creators Simple, stylish and customizable templates Affordable pricing plans with a free forever option for eCommerce sellers Pricing  Paid plans start from $9.99 per month; free forever plan also available 05. Shopify Shopify’s website builder is designed specifically for eCommerce businesses. The platform offers a wide range of features and customizability options for merchants, making it a popular choice for online selling. To build your online store with Shopify, you can browse more than 170 professionally designed templates from the platform’s theme library. Of this assortment, around a dozen themes are free while more than 160 are paid. Shopify's templates provide the basic framework you need to get started building your online store; you can then add additional functionality and customization to your site via Shopify’s diverse app store, which features more than 8,000 free and paid apps as of this writing.  Key features of Shopify “Shopify Magic” offers a suite of AI tools to write product descriptions, emails, blog posts and more Extensive app market to customize the design, functionality and content of your online store Supports omnichannel selling across online and offline platforms Pricing Plans start from $39 per month Learn more: Shopify alternatives Wix vs Shopify 06. WooCommerce WooCommerce is an open-source plugin that's built for WordPress, giving you tight control over your eCommerce site. Building a store with WooCommerce is a budget-friendly option because the plugin is free. The only caveat is you'll need your own server, domain name and SSL certificate to receive payments. Since the onus is on you, the user, to sort out your website, that also means you'll need to handle your website's upkeep and safety. Since you have full control and autonomy over WooCommerce, you can really make your online store your own. There are hundreds of free and paid extensions you can add to include features like different ways to pay or tools for email marketing. However, bear in mind that you have to keep these plugins and your WordPress up to date to keep your site safe and working right. Other eCommerce website builders on this list manage everything for you (usually at a cost). With you completely at the helm, you’ll want to double-check your site’s functionality after something like a plugin update.  If you’re looking instead for a turnkey solution, Woo, the creator of WooCommerce, also offers Woo Express. These paid plans are designed for folks who want to spend less time building and more time selling.    Key features of WooCommerce Plugin is free to download and built for WordPress integration Ideal for business owners who want full control over all elements of their website Hundreds of free and paid extensions to round out your online store functionality Pricing Free to install (must pay for your own hosting provider and domain name) See more: Ready to get your venture off of the ground? Read our guide on how to start a business . 07. Ecwid Ecwid  is a unique option among the best eCommerce  website builders. Instead of needing to build or redesign an entire site, Ecwid can simply be added to your existing website—including your Wix website—instantly turning it into an online store. The platform proclaims that it can help you “sell anywhere,” offering additional eCommerce integrations for social media, online marketplaces like Esty or Amazon, and even in-person sales via POS and mobile.  If you don’t yet have a website, you can use Ecwid’s “Instant Site” feature to put one together in about 30 minutes. The platform offers hundreds of customizable templates designed to get your store launched as quickly and effortlessly as possible. Ecwid offers a free forever plan with limited functionality. Advanced and even basic eCommerce features—like live chat support, discounts and access to Ecwid’s App Market—are only available through paid plans.  Key features of Ecwid “Instant Site” feature for quickly launching an online store; ideal for beginners Allows you add eCommerce functionality to your existing website, blog, social media channels and more Free-forever plan, which allows you to sell up to five products from your online store Pricing Paid plans start from $19 per month; free forever plan also available 08. Weebly Weebly is another good choice for independent contractors or small businesses that want to set up a website, especially if you don't want anything too technical. Weebly is owned by Square, meaning you’ll need a Square Online account to access the site builder.  Weebly offers a range of customizable templates—including free options—that enable you to craft a professional-looking store. Its user-friendly interface makes designing your site straightforward, though it’s a bit more limited in design options than other platforms on this list. Weebly also integrates seamlessly with various payment gateways, providing a smooth transaction experience for both the store owner and the customers.  This simplicity does not come at the cost of functionality, as Weebly includes essential features like inventory management, shipping tools and basic marketing capabilities within its platform. Key features of Weebly Offers beginner-friendly templates with simple and practical editing tools Offers a robust free plan (though you cannot connect a domain name) Premium plans are fairly budget-friendly Pricing Plans start from $13 per month 09. Shift4Shop Shift4Shop, formerly known as 3dcart, is a strong contender in the eCommerce website builder space, particularly for businesses looking for an all-inclusive platform with extensive customization capabilities.  One of Shift4Shop’s most significant advantages is that it offers an “unlimited, enterprise-grade” plan with a full suite of eCommerce tools for the potential cost of $0. If your online store processes at least $500 per month, your end-to-end eCommerce plan is free. If you process less than $500 per month, you’ll still have access to the same tools, but may be charged a monthly software as a service (SaaS) fee. All of Shift4Shop’s 100 website themes are free, too. Key features of Shift4Shop Feature-rich plans are suitable for beginners and small-scale online businesses Offers free domain name registration and renewal Stores processing over $500 per month pay $0 for the platform Pricing Free for businesses that process at least $500 per month; monthly SaaS fee may apply otherwise 10. Volusion Volusion is a solid out-of-the-box solution for small- to medium-sized online stores, with a focus on making website creation simple and easily customizable. The platform offers an assortment of free themes expertly designed with “conversions in mind.” The simple page-building tool allows you to customize each theme with click-to-add functionality for pre-coded content blocks—like blogs, featured products, testimonials and more. Volusion also offers an assortment of sales and marketing tools, but it’s worth noting that they’re only available starting at the second-tier paid plan. This includes useful features like abandoned cart reports, a customer relationship management (CRM) system, ratings, reviews and more. Key features of Volusion Simple and effective eCommerce platform for small- and medium-sized online stores No coding required to customize any of the templates or website features Offers an assortment of eCommerce sales and marketing tools Pricing Plans start from $35 per month Non-negotiable features of an eCommerce website builder The best eCommerce website builders should offer a range of features to enable you to create, manage and optimize your online store. Some of the key non-negotiable features you should expect from an eCommerce website builder are: Ease of use Any platform you use should have an intuitive interface that allows users with varying levels of technical expertise to build and customize their online stores without extensive coding knowledge. Look for features such as drag and drop and low code no code capabilities. Templates and customization Access to a variety of professionally designed ecommerce templates should be paramount, catering to different industries and design styles. Additionally, the ability to customize these templates with branding elements, colors, fonts and layouts is essential for creating a unique online store. Popular ecommerce template categories include: Fashion and clothing templates Jewelry templates Beauty and wellness templates Food and drinks templates Arts and crafts templates Mobile friendly The builder should ensure that websites created on the builder are mobile friendly, allowing you to design your site for mobile. Mobile friendly ecommerce website builders prioritize site reliability  and performance . Learn more: eCommerce UX Product management Robust product ecommerce management features are crucial, including the ability to add, edit, and categorize products easily. Users should be able to upload product images, set prices, manage inventory and create product variations (such as sizesm or colors) efficiently. Checkout and payment processing Your ecommerce platform should offer a secure and streamlined checkout process, allowing customers to easily add products to their cart, enter shipping and payment details and complete purchases. Integration with popular payment gateways and support for multiple payment methods for credit card processing online  (credit cards, PayPal) is essential. Shipping and tax options Your ecommerce builder should provide flexible shipping and tax configuration options, allowing users to set shipping rates based on factors like weight, location or order value. It should also support automatic tax calculations based on the customer's location and applicable tax laws. Marketing tools Built-in search engine optimization (SEO) features  are essential to help you optimize their online stores for better visibility in search engine results. Additionally, marketing tools such as email marketing integration, discount codes, social media sharing and gift cards can help drive traffic and increase sales. Analytics and reporting A good ecommerce website builder should offer built-in analytics tools  that provide insights into website traffic, sales performance, customer behavior and other key metrics. Access to detailed reports and data visualization tools can help you make informed decisions to optimize their online stores. Security and compliance Security features  such as SSL encryption, PCI compliance and regular software updates are essential to protect customer data and ensure a secure shopping experience. Also look for features like automatic backups and fraud detection/prevention mechanisms, all of which are standard with a Wix ecommerce site. Customer support and community Look for responsive customer support channels (such as live chat, email or phone support) and comprehensive documentation/resources to help you troubleshoot issues and get the most out of your builder. An active user community or forum can encourage knowledge sharing and collaboration among all users. Learn more: WordPress alternatives Small business website statistics Editor’s note: all prices and features are current as of January 11, 2024. Best eCommerce website builders FAQ What is an eCommerce website? An eCommerce website  is an online platform where businesses sell goods and services directly to consumers. It acts as a digital storefront, offering a convenient, accessible way for users to browse, select and buy products or services at any time. These websites are equipped with features like shopping carts , product catalogs and secure payment systems. For businesses, they provide a vital channel to reach a wider audience, track consumer behavior and enhance sales. Learn more: eCommerce advantages and disadvantages What is the best eCommerce website builder? Determining the best eCommerce website builder depends on your business needs, technical skills and budget.  For ease of use and versatility, Wix stands out as a top choice, offering a wide range of customizable templates, eCommerce functionality and an intuitive drag-and-drop interface with AI tools built in. How much does it cost to build an online store? The cost of building an online store can vary widely depending on several factors, including your paid subscription plan (if applicable), necessary apps and other essential eCommerce features. Additional costs may include purchasing a domain name, which typically costs around $10 to $20 annually, and any premium themes or plugins, which can cost as much as $400. For a more customized, professional store, costs can escalate significantly, especially if you hire web designers or developers, potentially reaching thousands of dollars. Remember, ongoing expenses for maintenance, marketing and platform updates also contribute to how much an eCommerce website costs . Can I build an eCommerce website for free? There are several eCommerce website builders that will let you get started with building an ecommerce website  for free. However, you may quickly discover that you need to factor in other costs in order to grow or market your store. For example, you may need to pay for hosting, a domain name and potentially a subscription fee if you’d like to upgrade your account with your platform of choice.

Turn your ideas into sales and start selling with Wix eCommerce →   Building an eCommerce website is a significant and inevitable step in launching your  eCommerce business . And it can feel like a big undertaking. After all, there are tons of nitty gritty details, research and design considerations to juggle when you’re first learning how to create an ecommerce site. Fortunately, this handy guide can get you started with all the essential tips for creating a site to sell that’s unique and professional. Still not sure what is an ecommerce website , we've got that covered too. Ready to start your eCommerce journey? Now’s the perfect time to bring your vision to life. With Wix eCommerce, you have the tools to build a professional online store and create a website that captivates your audience, drives traffic and boosts sales. From endless customization options and built-in SEO to powerful marketing tools, everything you need to grow your brand and reach more customers is right at your fingertips. Take the first step and explore Wix eCommerce today. Make your mark online and turn your ideas into success. How to make an eCommerce website in 9 steps Research your audience Pick the right eCommerce platform Design your eCommerce website Create and optimize your product pages Set up payments Set up shipping and delivery Choose, register and connect your domain name Test and launch your eCommerce site Market and promote your eCommerce website 01. Research your audience Start your eCommerce journey by defining your audience. Understand who they are, what they need and how they shop online. Combine this with a clear understanding of your product range and business goals to guide your website design and functionality. This crucial first step sets the foundation for building a website that truly connects with your customers.  For example, if your audience is busy professionals looking for quick meal solutions, design your website to meet their needs. Focus on easy navigation, highlight meal prep times and ensure a smooth checkout process. By creating a user-friendly experience tailored to their lifestyle, you build trust, encourage engagement and inspire them to keep coming back. 02. Pick the right eCommerce platform When you’re  making a website  from the ground up, you can choose to host it yourself or tap an eCommerce website builder or platform. Independently hosting a site yourself gives you total control but it’s expensive and time-consuming. Self-hosting means you must handle website development , website maintenance and your site's security all on your own. If you’re not technologically savvy, you’ll need to hire a professional who is or opt for a hosting plan. Read more: Web hosting costs Alternatively, you can choose to use a hosted eCommerce platform or website builder. Cloud-based platforms like  Wix for eCommerce  make setting up your store easy. Look for a platform that offers an easy-to-use website builder, plus tools for managing multiple aspects of your business, from marketing and sales, to inventory management and fulfillment. You can also explore these best eCommerce website builders to help you decide. The platform you choose can impact the management, promotion and user experience on your store, so choose carefully. Read also: Wix vs. Wix Studio When it comes to choosing how and where to make your eCommerce site you'll want to consider some of the following crucial features and capabilities: Mobile friendliness : Seek a platform that offers responsive themes and templates, ensuring that the elements of your online store will automatically adapt to fit various screen sizes. Check out all of Wix’s   eCommerce website templates , which are all designer-made and mobile-responsive. You can also choose from a range of fully responsive website templates from Wix Studio. Security : Your platform-of-choice should offer fraud prevention, data backups, and other  eCommerce website security  measures that keep your site and data well-protected. In addition, if you plan to accept credit card payments, PCI compliance is a must. Reliability : Given that every second of downtime puts your sales in jeopardy, it’s crucial to find an e-commerce platform that has the infrastructure and resilience to handle any volume of traffic to your site. Ideally, it should support limitless scalability and take measures to prevent eCommerce site crashes, especially during peak selling periods. Learn more about Wix's robust web hosting with every site. Back-office tools: Select an eCommerce website builder that supports all the major functions, apps and automation that you need to grow your business in the right ways. Think about the tools necessary for managing your inventory, product listings, shipping solutions, orders, and more. Multichannel selling  capabilities : As you grow your eCommerce business, chances are that you’ll want to expand your reach with the help of third-party marketplaces, social media and other channels. Get ahead with a platform that lets you manage your sales and marketing channels from a single dashboard. Learn more: Squarespace alternatives Wix vs Squarespace Shopify alternatives Wix vs Shopify WordPress alternatives 03. Design your eCommerce website Your eCommerce website serves as the face of your brand. This means you'll want to get your online store design right from the start. Learning how to make a website with the right design and templates is essential for reinforcing your brand image, as well as guiding users toward the right actions through eCommerce merchandising strategies. You'll want to pick a theme that fits with the category of merchandise that you’re selling—be it fashion, furniture, food or another product type. Sift through the themes and templates offered by your eCommerce platform for inspiration. A good place to start is with Wix's eCommerce website templates . Other eCommerce template options by category include: Fashion and clothing eCommerce website templates Jewelry and accessories eCommerce website templates Arts and crafts eCommerce website templates Food and drink eCommerce website templates Beauty and wellness eCommerce website templates Sports and outdoors ecommerce website templates Pets and animals eCommerce website templates Kids and babies eCommerce website templates Learn more about some of the best AI website builders . Once you've chosen your eCommerce template, you can customize your theme as needed through your platform’s editor. Or, tap a professional designer, like one of   Wix’s Marketplace  professionals, to help out. At this stage of making your eCommerce website, you’ll want to think about a number of design features, plus also the option of adding more website pages beyond just your product pages: Product images : It’s best to upload your own  product photography , including ones that aren’t product-specific but serve as compelling header images, background images, or lifestyle photos. If you’re in a pinch, Wix offers a gallery of free, high-quality stock photos to choose from. Learn more: eCommerce photography . Fonts and colors : Select a typeface and colors that align with your eCommerce branding. Check that your copy is easy to read and that buttons are easy to spot. Be intentional about your design, taking into consideration how colors and patterns have the power to communicate various moods, memories, and values. Your homepage : Consider the most crucial information to provide upfront for your customers to see (think: if your business were opening a brick-and-mortar location, what signage would you show at the front of your store?). Highlight your most important products, messaging, and/or offers on your homepage. You could even embed posts from your Instagram or Facebook feeds, or add product reviews that showcase your brand’s authenticity. Navigation : Keep your navigation clean and well-organized. As a general rule of thumb, visitors should be able to find any product they need within three clicks or less. Add site search, sorting options, and filters to your pages to further assist your customers with finding what they need faster. The mobile experience : As you finetune your eCommerce website, don’t forget to check on the mobile experience. Check that any text, images and buttons appear as they should on smaller screens. Learn more about ecommerce ux. Online shopping cart: Your shopping cart is an important part of your site, as this is what shoppers use to collect their online purchases. It should be easy for your customers to use and designed to help you sell. 04. Create and optimize your product pages When it comes to building your eCommerce site, product pages can’t be rushed. Get them right and you’ll not only encourage sales but you’ll also spark cross-sells and upsells that can lead to bigger purchases. Be deliberate about how you format your product pages. Think about the questions—and assumptions—buyers may have when they’re not able to physically see or touch your products. Remember that the devil is in the details: Often the most   high-converting product pages  are rich with information, provide multiple images, and include some sort of social proof. Your product listings should always involve high quality images, clear and accurate product descriptions and transparent pricing information. As you build out your product pages, pay close attention to the following elements: Product names : Your product names should include at least one easy-to-recognize descriptor in the title. For example, if you’re selling headphones, include “earbuds” or “headphones” somewhere so that it’s easy to search. Product images: Add multiple high-quality images taken from several angles to give your customers a 360-degree view of your product. Where appropriate, use video and/or informational graphics to provide even more context. Free AI-powered tools like HubSpot's Clip Creator  allow you to quickly generate unique, compelling videos ready to share. If your products come in multiple colors or styles, be sure to include images of each variation. Product descriptions : Your  product descriptions  should aim to answer frequently asked questions about your product. Include details such as how the product is made and the type of material it’s made out of. Speak to the benefits of your product, not simply its features, and emphasize what makes your product unique. Weave in keywords naturally tool to enhance your chances of ranking high in search engines. Shipping and return information : Today’s shoppers want to make as few clicks or swipes as possible, so including shipping costs and your return policy on your product page will help create a more efficient journey. More importantly, putting your policies in a clear spot helps to keep expectations aligned, reducing the chance of returns or upset customers. Product reviews : Incorporate reviews onto your product pages by adding a widget or importing existing reviews from another source. You could additionally display user-generated social content on your page to showcase real-life photos of your product in action. Cross-selling and upselling opportunities : Include dynamic “related products” banners on your pages to draw attention to other accessories, components, or items that your customers may be interested in while shopping. As another option, upsell your customers on product subscriptions or premium versions of their items. 05. Set up payments Today’s shoppers expect multiple payment options. Some prefer credit or debit cards. Others prefer digital wallets. Still, others may prefer a payment app. When creating your eCommerce site we recommend offering as many payment options as possible to give customers exactly what they want. Your eCommerce platform should include prompts for setting up your online payment gateway. Most will ask you to enter and confirm your business’ country of origin, before determining which payment and currency options are available in your region. With Wix, you can activate  Wix Payments as a credit card payment solution to instantly start accepting all the major credit/debit cards, alongside digital wallets and other popular forms of payment. Wix Payments additionally allows you to manage your entire business from one place, whether you’re looking to review orders or schedule your payouts (among other things). Learn more about what is Wix Payments.   06. Set up shipping and delivery While an efficient payment experience will help shoppers convert, an outstanding shipping and delivery experience helps convince them to come back. When building an eCommerce website, start by determining your shipping and delivery objectives: Do you want to ship your products domestically, internationally, or both? What shipping policies do you care to offer (free shipping, flat rate, variable fee, etc.)? Which carriers or third-party logistics providers are you looking to ship with? Will you be dropshipping ? Which shipping software platforms are you planning to use? Your eCommerce platform should make it easy for you to set custom rules and integrate your most important apps so that you can deliver outstanding customer service, plus track the cost of shipping with each order. If you use Wix to make your eCommerce site, you can also enable local customers to pick up their orders from a nearby warehouse or from your closest brick-and-mortar store by setting up store pickup as a ‘delivery’ option. 07. Choose, register and connect your domain name Once you've created your eCommerce site, you’ll need to either connect an existing domain or create a new one yourself. Your domain name is the name that users will type into their browser to get to your site. Choosing the right name is important for both your branding and marketing strategies , with the latter focused on having a trustworthy and easy-to-search   domain name . It's also essential if customers are to find your store. Pro tip: Opt for popular domain extensions such as .com  or .net  to enhance your site's credibility. To register a domain name , you can find a domain registrar that's accredited by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) . You can purchase a domain from Wix. The average domain costs between $10 and $20 per year, though with a Wix   premium plan , you can get a voucher for a free domain name for a year. If you already have a domain and want to incorporate it into your eCommerce site, simply go to your site’s settings and connect your domain. You’ll be asked to log into your domain registrar and verify your domain name. The verification process often takes a few minutes, but in some cases, it could take up to 48 hours. Once your domain is verified, it will be automatically connected to your new eCommerce site. 08. Test and launch your eCommerce site Once you've made your ecommerce site it’s critical that you take the time to test it thoroughly. Most platforms will allow you to preview your site before it goes live. This allows you to see exactly what your site will look like, and to make any last-minute changes. Be sure to test your site across multiple devices—desktop, tablet, and mobile. Make sure that all links, menus, and buttons work properly. Go through the whole user journey, starting with a product search and ending with a checkout. This is also a good time to test it's performance and speed - these are crucial to get right on ecommerce website as a slow experience can frustrate potential and returning customers to your online store. Once you’re completely satisfied with your eCommerce site’s look and feel, hit publish and take your site live (and then check out our guide on   eCommerce website optimization ). Then look into getting it ranking on Google and other search engines, too. 09. Market and promote your eCommerce website While building your own eCommerce site will give your store a “home,” selling on other sales channels, such as third-party marketplace (e.g., Amazon, eBay, etc.) and social media (TikTok, Instagram, etc.) should be a central part of your marketing plan, strategy and of promoting your site. By establishing a strong   omnichannel retail   strategy, you can expand your reach, while engaging users with a clear intent to shop. Of course, you’ll want to make sure to sync these third-party channels with your eCommerce site. Doing so will make it easier to track inventory across channels and deliver a consistent brand experience no matter where a customer shops for your products. If you use Wix for eCommerce, you can easily manage today’s most popular marketplaces from one central dashboard. Simply choose the channels you want to activate from your Wix account and go through the step-by-step instructions that are provided for you. By signing up through Wix, you may even receive special benefits, such as higher listing limits or reduced commission fees. Learn more: How to sell on Facebook How to sell on Instagram How to sell on YouTube How to sell on Amazon Cost to sell on eBay Why create an eCommerce website? Building an eCommerce website offers numerous advantages for individuals and businesses looking to sell products or services online. Here are several compelling reasons to make an eCommerce website for your online business : Global reach An eCommerce website allows you to reach a global audience, so you can sell to customers anywhere in the world. This   type of website  typically increases visibility, especially if you also market it effectively. This can attract new customers, boost brand awareness and lead to higher sales. Streamlined customer experience Unlike physical stores with operating hours, eCommerce websites are accessible 24/7. This constant availability accommodates varied consumer schedules and time zones. Consumers also appreciate the convenience of online shopping as it allows them to browse products and make purchases from the comfort of their homes or on the go. With features like online payments, automated order processing and efficient customer support systems, eCommerce websites provide a streamlined and efficient shopping experience for customers. Data insights Some of the best eCommerce platforms   provide valuable data and analytics about customer behavior, preferences and buying patterns. This information can be used to refine   your marketing and selling efforts  by improving the overall customer experience. An eCommerce website allows you to adapt to changing trends and preferences, meaning your business stays relevant and competitive. Check out Wix Analytics as an example. Cost-effectiveness Compared to brick-and-mortar stores, eCommerce businesses often have lower overhead costs. You can save on expenses like rent, utilities and staffing. You also have flexibility in terms of product variety and business scale. You can easily add new products, update inventory and expand your business without significant infrastructure changes. Personalization Ecommerce platforms enable personalized shopping experiences through features like product recommendations, targeted promotions and personalized content based on customer preferences and behavior. How to make an eCommerce site FAQ How much does it cost to build an eCommerce site? Ecommerce website cost  varies depending on factors like the chosen platform, features, design complexity and whether you hire professionals for certain tasks. Wix offers a low monthly fee, while custom-built solutions may involve higher upfront costs. Additionally, consider expenses for domain registration, hosting and potentially hiring designers or developers for specific tasks when assessing how much it costs to build a website . Can I create an eCommerce site for free? Yes, with Wix and other eCommerce site builders, although some e-commerce and online store features may be limited based on the functionality you need. Check out our comparison of Wix vs Squarespace to learn more about each website builder's capabilities. Can I build an eCommerce site on my own or as a beginner? Absolutely. Using an ecommerce website builder is the most efficient and effective way to build an ecommerce site alone, or if you've never build one before. Most builders will walk you through the setup and you won't need any technical knowledge or understanding to get your online store live. Building an ecommerce site doesn't have to be hard. What do you need to start an eCommerce site? To start an eCommerce site, you'll need a clear business plan, a domain name and a reliable hosting service. If you choose an ecommerce website builder like Wix you'll get all of this included. You'll also need a payment gateway to process transactions, inventory management tools and a secure SSL certificate for customer data protection. Design your site with user-friendly navigation, product listings and an easy to navigate checkout process. Implement SEO strategies for visibility, and set up customer service channels. Lastly, consider logistics for shipping and returns and check compliance with legal and tax regulations. Is it hard to build an eCommerce website? Building an eCommerce website is manageable, especially with user-friendly platforms that guide you through the process. While technical skills aren't necessary, tasks like creating content or marketing your store might need extra effort. With step-by-step tools and support, the process is approachable for beginners. What is the best way to build an eCommerce website? The best way to build an eCommerce website starts with choosing a user-friendly platform like Wix that suits your business needs and budget. Using a website builder is better for beginners because it eliminates the need for coding or technical skills, making the process much more accessible. These platforms provide pre-designed templates and built-in features like hosting, customization tools and eCommerce functionality, which save time and streamline setup. How many hours does it take to build an eCommerce website? Building an eCommerce website can take anywhere from 3 to 12 months, depending on the complexity and customization required. For a basic site with standard templates, it might take around 3 to 6 months. How long it takes to build a website can vary significantly based on the specific features, design requirements and resources available.

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