Step-by-Step Wix Website Setup: Create Your Perfect Site

Creating a website might sound challenging, but platforms like Wix make it straightforward. With Wix, you can design, build, and launch a website without needing to know any coding. Whether you’re looking to start a blog, showcase your art, open an online store, or promote a business, Wix has tools for everyone. With this guide, we’ll go through every step of the Wix website setup—from signing up to fully customising your site.

What is Wix?

Wix is a drag-and-drop website builder designed to make it simple for anyone to create a website. Launched in 2006, Wix has grown to become one of the most popular website-building tools, with over 200 million users around the world. Its focus is on usability, allowing people without technical skills to create websites with ease.

Who Can Use Wix?

Wix is for everyone! It’s ideal for individuals, small business owners, artists, bloggers, and e-commerce shops. You can use it to:

• Build a personal blog or portfolio
• Set up an online store
• Create a website for your business
• Make a landing page for events or special promotions

Benefits of Using Wix

There are many website builders, so why choose Wix for your Wix website setup? Here are some of the main reasons:

1. User-Friendly Platform

Wix is known for being one of the easiest platforms to use, which is ideal for beginners. With drag-and-drop features, anyone can pick up and start building, even if they’ve never created a website before.

2. Professional Templates

Wix offers over 900 templates that cover a wide range of industries and purposes. Each template is professionally designed to be visually appealing, responsive, and fully customisable.

3. Affordable Plans

Wix offers pricing plans to fit different budgets, including a free plan to try out the platform and start your Wix website setup with basic features.

4. Built-In SEO Tools

Wix makes it easier for people to find your website with SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) tools. These help you appear in Google searches, bringing in more visitors.

5. App Market for Extra Features

The Wix App Market offers hundreds of add-ons that extend your website’s functionality. These apps help you add things like booking forms, chatbots, and social media feeds to your site.

Who is This Guide For?

This guide is for anyone looking to create a website using Wix, regardless of their prior experience. Whether you’re a small business owner, a creative professional, or someone simply looking to establish an online presence, you will find valuable insights and practical steps to help you build your website.

Easy Step-By-Step Guide for Wix Setup

Creating your website with Wix is a straightforward process. Follow these easy steps to get your site up and running:

1. Sign Up and Get Started

Step 1: Visit Wix.com

Go to Wix.com. You’ll see a “Get Started” button on the homepage.

Step 2: Create an Account

To create an account, click on “Sign Up” and enter your email address and password, or sign up using Google or Facebook.

Step 3: Choose Your Website’s Purpose

After signing up, Wix will ask you what type of website you want to create. The options include things like:

• Blog
• Online Store
• Portfolio
• Business

This helps Wix suggest the best tools and templates for your needs.

Step 4: Choose Between Wix ADI and Wix Editor

Wix offers you two ways to start building your site:

• Wix ADI (Artificial Design Intelligence): A tool that builds the website for you based on your answers to a few questions.
• Wix Editor: A more hands-on tool that gives you full control over customisation.

2. Decoding the Wix Dashboard

After signing up, you’ll enter the Wix Dashboard, which is your Wix website setup control centre. Here, you can manage pages, settings, content, and apps. Here’s a breakdown of the main sections in the dashboard:

• Home: An overview of your website’s status, including visitor numbers and new updates from Wix.
• Editor: Where you can edit the design and layout of your website.
• Menus & Pages: Manage all the pages on your website here. Add new pages, rename them, or delete them.
• Marketing & SEO: Tools to help your website rank higher in search engines.
• Settings: Customise essential site settings, like your domain, SEO, and contact info.

3. How to Find the Best Template for Your Site

Wix templates are one of its biggest strengths. To get started with templates:

1. Browse by Category: Wix organises templates into categories like “Business,” “Portfolio,” “Health & Wellness,” and “Online Store.”
2. Preview Options: Before selecting a template, click on the “Preview” button to see how it looks live. Make sure it’s close to what you envision for your website.
3. Choosing a Template: Once you find one you like, click “Edit” to start customising it.

Each template can be changed to fit your needs, and if you change your mind later, you can choose a new template at any time.

4. Customising Your Template

Once you’ve selected a template, you’re ready to start making it your own. Wix makes customisation easy with drag-and-drop functionality, so you can add, move, and remove elements without any technical skills.

1. Editing Text and Images

• Text: Click on any text box in your template to edit it. A text toolbar will appear, allowing you to change font style, size, colour, and alignment. Make sure to update headings, paragraphs, and button labels with your unique content.
• Images: Click on any image to replace it. You can upload your photos or browse the Wix Media Library, which offers free and premium stock images. You can also add effects, crop, and adjust the size.

2. Adding New Elements

• Text Boxes: Use text boxes to add headings, subheadings, and body text. To add one, go to the “Add” menu on the left, select “Text,” and choose the size and style you want.
• Images & Videos: You can add photos, graphics, and videos to any page. Use the “Add” menu to drag them where you want on the page.
• Buttons: Buttons help guide visitors to important pages like your “Contact” or “Shop” page. Customise button text and colours to match your site’s style.
• Forms: Contact forms let visitors get in touch. You can customise forms by adding fields like “Name,” “Email,” and “Message,” and connect them to your email.

3. Adjusting Colors and Fonts

Colours: Change your site’s colours by going to the “Theme Manager.” You can pick a preset colour theme or customise each colour individually.
Fonts: Fonts are just as important as colours when it comes to brand identity. Wix offers a wide range of fonts, and you can set them for headings, paragraphs, and buttons.

4. Adding Your Logo

If you have a logo, upload it to Wix and place it in the header of your site. This helps build brand recognition and gives your website a professional touch.

5. Editing Your Site’s Layout

• Spacing: Adjust the spacing between elements for a balanced look.
• Alignment: Use Wix’s alignment tools to make sure everything is placed evenly.
• Sections: If you want to divide your page into clear sections (e.g., “About Us,” “Services,” etc.), go to “Add” > “Strip” and choose different designs, like full-width sections or ones with background images.

5. Creating and Editing Pages

Your website is made up of various pages like the Homepage, About, Services, and Contact. Here’s how to create and organise pages in Wix for an optimal Wix website setup:

1. Adding New Pages

•  Go to the Menus & Pages section in the dashboard.
• Click “+ Add Page” and name your new page (e.g., “Gallery,” “Testimonials”).
• Once the page is created, you can start adding content, like text, images, and videos.

2. Organising Pages

• In the Menus & Pages section, drag and drop pages to reorder them.
• You can also create subpages to organise your site further. For example, under “Services,” you could have “Web Design,” “SEO,” and “Marketing.”

3. Editing Page Layouts

• Each page can have a unique layout. To change the layout, open the page in the editor and adjust sections, add or remove elements, and customise the look to fit each page’s purpose.

6. Adding Essential Website Content

Your website content helps communicate your brand message, establish trust, and encourage visitors to take action. Here are some must-have pages to add to your Wix website setup:

1. Homepage

• Introduction: Explain who you are and what your website is about.
• Call-to-Action (CTA): Encourage visitors to take a specific action, like signing up for a newsletter or contacting you.
• Highlights: Showcase your best features, like recent blog posts, popular products, or customer testimonials.

2. About Page

• This page is your chance to tell your story. Include information about who you are, your mission, and why you started your website or business.
• Add photos of your team, your office, or events to make it more personal.

3. Services or Products Page

• If you offer services, list each one with a simple description and the benefits.
• For products, include images, descriptions, and prices. Make sure each item has a unique page with full details.

4. Contact Page

A Contact page helps visitors get in touch easily. Include a form, your email, and links to social media. For businesses with physical locations, add your address and a map.

7. Make a custom-built website with Wix ADI (Artificial Design Intelligence)

Wix ADI is a tool that builds a website for you based on your preferences. If you’re looking for a fast Wix website setup, ADI might be the best option. Just answer a few questions about your site, and Wix ADI will create a custom website for you.

How to Use Wix ADI

• Step 1: Pick Wix ADI to start building your website.
• Step 2: Answer a few questions about your website’s purpose, design style, and preferences.
• Step 3: Wix ADI will then create a custom website for you based on your responses.

After ADI builds your site, you can still make edits, like adding content or changing colours. ADI is ideal for beginners who want a fast, streamlined process.

8. Exploring Wix Editor for More Control

For advanced users, the Wix Editor provides full control over your website’s layout and features. With drag-and-drop control, add-ons, and customisation options, the Wix Editor is perfect if you want a unique look for your Wix website setup.

Features of the Wix Editor

• Drag-and-Drop Control: Move elements anywhere on the page.
• Wide Range of Add-Ons: Add text, images, video backgrounds, buttons, and more.
• Advanced Customisation Options: Adjust things like animation, scroll effects, and interactivity.

If you’re comfortable exploring and experimenting with design, the Wix Editor lets you create a unique website that stands out.

9. Mobile Optimisation with Wix

Since more people browse websites on their phones, it’s crucial to make sure your site looks great on mobile devices. Wix automatically creates a mobile-friendly version, but you can customise it further for a more refined Wix website setup.

How to Edit the Mobile Version

• In the Wix Editor, click the “Mobile” icon to switch to Mobile View.
• Make adjustments specifically for mobile, like resising images, changing font sizes, or hiding elements that don’t fit well on small screens.
• Test each page to make sure it’s easy to read and navigate on a phone.

Mobile optimisation helps improve user experience and SEO, making your site more accessible for visitors on any device.

10. Adding and Managing a Blog

Blogging can be a great way to attract visitors to your website and provide useful information. Wix’s blog feature lets you create and manage blog posts easily.

Setting Up Your Blog

• Go to the “Add” menu, select “Blog,” and add it to your website.
• In the Blog Manager, you can create, edit, and organise posts.

Creating a Blog Post

• In the Blog Manager, click “Create New Post.”
• Write your title, and body text, and add images, videos, or links.
• You can also add tags and categories to help organise your posts.

Managing Your Blog

• Scheduling: Schedule posts to publish at specific times.
• Comments: Enable comments to let visitors interact with your content.
• SEO: Add keywords, descriptions, and optimised images to help your posts rank in search engines.

11. Set Up SEO with Wix Wiz

To reach more people online, it’s essential to optimise your website for search engines. Wix offers a variety of built-in SEO tools to help your site rank higher on Google and other search engines. Here’s a quick guide to setting up SEO on Wix:

• Wix SEO Wiz: Go to Marketing & SEO in the dashboard and launch SEO Wiz to get a personalised checklist for SEO tasks.
• Keyword Research: Use tools like Google Keyword Planner to find relevant keywords. Focus on specific, long-tail keywords.
• Page Titles & Meta Descriptions: In Menus & Pages, select a page, click SEO (Google), and optimise your title and description with keywords.
• Headers (H1, H2, H3): Use H1 for the main page title and H2/H3 for subheadings, including keywords naturally.
• Image Alt Text: Add descriptive alt text to images in Settings for better accessibility and SEO.
• Clean URLs: Customise URLs in SEO (Google) by keeping them short and relevant.
• Blog Content: Create a blog to post keyword-rich content regularly, improving visibility.
• Mobile Optimisation: Check Mobile View in the editor to ensure a mobile-friendly layout.
• Google Search Console: Connect your site and submit your sitemap for better indexing.
• Track & Update: Use Google Analytics and Search Console to monitor performance and adjust keywords as needed.

Optimising your Wix website setup for SEO can significantly impact your site’s visibility. By following these steps, you can increase your chances of ranking higher on search engines and attract more visitors to your site.

12. Publishing Your Website

Previewing Your Site

Before publishing your website, it’s essential to preview it to ensure everything appears as intended. Here’s how to do it:

1. Click on “Preview”: In the top right corner of the Wix Editor, click the “Preview” button to see how your site will look to visitors.
2. Check Functionality: Navigate through your site, testing links, buttons, and forms to ensure everything works correctly.
3. Make Adjustments: If you spot any issues or areas for improvement during the preview, return to the editor to make the necessary changes.

Publishing Your Website

Once you’re satisfied with your site, it’s time to publish it:

1. Click on “Publish”: In the top right corner of the Wix Editor, click the “Publish” button.
2. Choose a Domain: Wix offers a free Wix domain (e.g., username.wixsite.com/sitename), or you can connect a custom domain. If you have a custom domain, follow the prompts to connect it.
3. Confirmation: After publishing, you’ll receive a confirmation message indicating that your site is live.

After publishing, consider collaborating and cross-promoting your Wix website setup to reach a wider audience.

Analysing Your Site’s Performance

Wix offers built-in analytics tools to help you understand how your site is performing. Tracking visitor behaviour and understanding your audience helps improve your site over time.

1. Accessing Wix Analytics

• In your dashboard, go to Analytics. Here you’ll find key metrics like page views, unique visitors, average time spent on the site, and more.

2. Tracking User Behavior

• Heatmaps and scroll maps show how users interact with your pages. This data helps you determine which areas need improvement.
• Conversion tracking allows you to see which buttons, links, or pages are most effective at getting visitors to take action.

3. Setting Up Goals

• Create goals, like increasing newsletter sign-ups or driving more traffic to a specific product page. By setting goals, you can measure specific outcomes and refine your strategies.

4. Adjusting Based on Data

• Use the data you gather to make adjustments. If a certain page has a high bounce rate, consider updating the content, making it more visually appealing, or adding more calls to action.

By continually monitoring and analysing your site’s performance, you can make improvements that keep visitors engaged and improve the effectiveness of your Wix website setup.

Effective Marketing Strategies Using Wix

After creating your website, use these marketing strategies to attract visitors and turn them into customers:

1. Email Marketing

Use Wix’s email tools to create targeted campaigns. Send personalised emails based on what users like to encourage them to visit your site.

2. Social Media Marketing

Share your website on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Post interesting content that links back to your site.

3. Content Marketing

Write helpful blog posts that answer common questions. Regular updates help you become a trusted source and improve your search engine rankings.

4. Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising

Use Google Ads or Facebook Ads to promote your site with targeted ads. Make sure your landing pages encourage visitors to take action.

5. Collaborations and Partnerships

Work with other businesses or influencers to promote each other’s products or services. This can help you reach new audiences.
Using these marketing strategies, you can improve your online presence and attract more customers.

Exploring the Wix App Market

The Wix App Market has many apps to help make your Wix website setup even better. Here’s a breakdown of popular apps you may want to consider:

1. Social Media Integrations

• Add apps that integrate social media feeds like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. This keeps your site updated with real-time content from your social profiles.
• Social sharing apps allow visitors to share your blog posts, products, and pages on their social media.

2. Marketing and Analytics Tools

• Wix Email Marketing: Create and send newsletters directly from your website. You can use templates and automate emails to reach customers more effectively.
• Google Analytics: Get insights into your site’s performance, track traffic sources, and analyse visitor behaviour.
• Visitor Analytics: Track how visitors interact with your pages, such as where they click or how long they stay.

3. E-commerce and Payment Apps

• Add apps for extra payment options or manage invoicing and customer orders.
• Printful and Printify are apps that allow you to add custom print-on-demand products, such as T-shirts or mugs.

4. Booking and Scheduling

• If you offer services like appointments, classes, or consultations, add Wix Bookings to manage reservations.
• The booking app lets customers schedule directly through your site and offers automatic reminders.

5. Customer Support Apps

• Use live chat apps like Wix Chat to answer customer inquiries in real-time.
• Help Desk and FAQ apps make it easier for visitors to find answers without contacting support.

The Wix App Market provides countless ways to enhance your site’s functionality. Just be selective to avoid overwhelming visitors with too many apps or slowing down your site’s performance.

How do You Set Up An Online Store with Wix?

If you’re selling products or services, Wix has a powerful eCommerce platform that allows you to set up an online store with ease.

1. Adding the Store

• Go to the Wix App Market and search for Wix Stores.
• Add the Wix Stores app to your site. This will create a “Shop” page where you can start listing products.

2. Adding Products

• In the Store Manager, click on Products and select Add New Product.
• You can add physical products, digital downloads, or services. Fill in details like name, price, and description, and upload high-quality images.
• If you’re selling a product with multiple options (like size or colour), you can add variants to each listing.

3. Organising Products into Collections

• Organise similar items into collections, such as “Best Sellers,” “New Arrivals,” or “Sale Items.”
• Collections make it easier for customers to browse your offerings and find what they’re looking for.

4. Setting Up Payment Options

• In the Store Manager, go to Settings > Payment Methods. Wix supports various payment providers, including credit/debit cards, PayPal, and Stripe.
• Choose the payment options that work best for your audience. Make sure to test them before launching your Wix website setup.

5. Configuring Shipping and Tax

• Go to Settings > Shipping and set up your shipping zones, rates, and methods.
• For tax settings, you can configure rates based on your location and ensure your store complies with local tax regulations.

6. Creating a Smooth Checkout Experience

• Customise the checkout page to be user-friendly and match your brand. Wix lets you add a custom thank-you message after a purchase.
• Simplify the process by enabling guest checkout, which doesn’t require customers to create an account.

Setting up an online store with your Wix website setup is a major step toward expanding your business and reaching a broader audience. With these features, Wix gives you control over every part of your eCommerce experience.

Maintaining Your Wix Site

After your site is live, it’s important to keep it running well. Update your blog, add new products, or refresh pages often. This shows search engines that your site is active. Use Wix analytics to check how your site is performing. Look at metrics like bounce rate and traffic sources to see what needs improvement. Regularly back up your site to avoid losing important content. Even though Wix saves changes automatically, it’s good to export your content occasionally.

Test your site to make sure links and forms work properly. Also, check your SEO settings now and then to keep up with changes in trends. By maintaining your site, you can give visitors a better experience and attract more traffic.

Conclusion

Wix is a versatile platform that empowers users to create beautiful, functional websites without needing extensive technical knowledge. From easy drag-and-drop design to powerful eCommerce and marketing tools, Wix offers everything you need to succeed online.

Whether you’re a small business owner, a blogger, or an entrepreneur, the flexibility and resources available on Wix can help you establish your brand, reach your target audience, and achieve your goals.

As you embark on your Wix website setup journey, remember to explore all the features available, keep your content fresh, and implement effective marketing strategies. With dedication and creativity, your Wix site can become a valuable asset for your business.