Creating a Wix site takes about 30 minutes if you use a template, or a few hours if you build from scratch
Wix is a drag-and-drop website builder that lets you create a site without writing code. You start by choosing a template or blank canvas, add your own text and images, connect a domain name, and publish. The process is straightforward enough that someone with no design experience can have a working site the same day they start.
The main decision is whether to use one of Wix's pre-built templates — which get you live faster — or start with a blank page and design everything yourself. Templates come with layouts already built for common site types like restaurants, portfolios, or small businesses. Starting blank gives you more control but requires more decisions about layout and spacing.
Wix offers a free plan with limited features and paid plans starting around $14 per month. The free plan includes Wix branding on your site and limited storage. Paid plans remove the Wix branding, give you more storage, and unlock features like email marketing and advanced analytics.
Key Takeaways
- Sign up for a Wix account, choose a template or start blank, then drag elements like text boxes and images onto your pages.
- You can edit your site at any time before publishing, and Wix saves your work automatically as you go.
- To make your site live, you either connect your own domain name or use a free Wix subdomain like yourname.wixsite.com.
- The free plan works for testing but includes Wix branding; paid plans start around $14 per month and remove that branding.
- Wix handles hosting and security automatically, so you do not need to manage a separate server or install security certificates.
Sign up and pick your starting point
Go to wix.com and click the sign-up button. You can create an account with an email address, Google account, or Facebook account. Wix will ask you what kind of site you want to build — for example, a portfolio, online store, restaurant site, or blog. This is just a starting suggestion; you can change direction later.
After sign-up, Wix shows you template options based on what you said you wanted to build. Browse through these templates and click one that looks close to what you have in mind. If nothing appeals to you, you can also start with a blank page. Once you choose, Wix opens the editor and you are ready to start building.
Add and edit content on your pages
The Wix editor works by dragging elements onto your page. On the left side of the screen is a panel with options: text boxes, image blocks, buttons, contact forms, and more. Click and drag any of these onto your page to add them. You can then click on each element to edit it — change the text, upload a different image, adjust colors, or move it to a new spot.
Every Wix site starts with a home page, and you can add more pages by clicking the plus icon in the left menu. Common pages to add are About, Services, Contact, or a Blog. Each page works the same way: drag elements on, edit them, and arrange them how you want. Wix saves your work automatically, so you do not have to worry about losing changes.
If you used a template, much of the content is already there as placeholder text and images. You simply replace it with your own. Delete sections you do not need and add new ones if the template is missing something. The template is just a starting point — you have full control to reshape it.
Connect your domain name
A domain name is the web address people type to reach your site, like yourname.com. Wix gives you a free subdomain (yourname.wixsite.com) when you publish, but you can also connect your own domain if you own one or want to buy one.
To connect a domain you already own, go to the Settings section in Wix and look for Domain. Wix will walk you through pointing your domain to Wix's servers. If you do not have a domain yet, Wix lets you buy one directly through the same settings panel. Domain prices vary but typically run $10 to $15 per year.
If you use the free Wix subdomain, your site address will be yourname.wixsite.com. This is fine for testing or personal use, but a custom domain (like yourname.com) looks more professional for a business site.
Publish your site and make it live
Once your pages are built and your content is in place, click the Publish button in the top right of the editor. Wix will ask you to confirm your domain choice — either the free Wix subdomain or a custom domain you connected. After you confirm, your site goes live and anyone can visit it by typing your domain into a browser.
Publishing does not lock your site. You can keep editing after it is live. Any changes you make in the editor will update on your live site within a few seconds. This means you can fix typos, swap images, or add new content without taking your site down.
Choose a plan that fits what you need
Wix's free plan lets you build and publish a site, but it includes a Wix banner at the bottom and limits your storage to 500 MB. Free sites also cannot use a custom domain — you get the wixsite.com subdomain only.
Paid plans start around $14 per month (billed annually) and remove the Wix branding, give you more storage, and unlock features like email marketing, advanced analytics, and the ability to sell products. If you plan to run a business or want a professional appearance, a paid plan is worth the cost. Wix often runs promotions that discount the first year, so check for current offers when you sign up.
You can start on the free plan, build your site, and upgrade later if you decide you need more features. Wix will not delete your work if you switch plans.
Common tasks after you publish
After your site is live, you may want to add a contact form so visitors can reach you. Click the Add button in the editor, find Forms, and drag a contact form onto a page. Wix will send you an email each time someone submits it. You can also set up a simple email address through Wix (like hello@yourname.com) if you have a custom domain.
If you want to track how many people visit your site, Wix includes basic analytics in the free plan. Go to Analytics in the left menu to see page views and visitor information. Paid plans offer more detailed analytics, including where visitors come from and which pages they spend the most time on.
You can also add a blog by inserting a Blog element on a page. Wix handles the blog layout for you — you just write posts and Wix organizes them by date. This is useful if you want to share updates or news about your business.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I move my Wix site to a different builder later?
Moving a Wix site to another platform is difficult because Wix does not export your pages in a standard format. You can download your images and text, but you would need to rebuild the site structure elsewhere. If you think you might switch builders, start with a smaller site or keep detailed backups of your content.
Do I need to know code to use Wix?
No. Wix is designed for people with no coding experience. Everything is done through the drag-and-drop editor. If you want to add custom code later, Wix does offer a Code element where you can paste HTML or JavaScript, but this is optional and not required to build a complete site.
How long does it take for my site to appear in Google search results?
Google usually finds and indexes new sites within a few days to a few weeks. Wix automatically submits your site to Google when you publish, but you can speed this up by going to SEO settings in Wix and submitting your sitemap directly to Google Search Console. Having relevant content and a custom domain helps too.
Can I sell products on a Wix site?
Yes, but you need a paid plan. Wix includes an online store feature on most paid plans. You add products, set prices, and Wix handles the shopping cart and payment processing. You pay a transaction fee (usually around 2.9% plus $0.30 per sale) in addition to your monthly plan cost.
What happens if I stop paying for my Wix plan?
If you let a paid plan expire, your site stays live but Wix adds a banner back to it and limits your storage. Your site does not disappear. You can upgrade again at any time and the banner will be removed. If you want to delete your site entirely, you can do that in Settings.