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- How to start a business in 14 steps: a guide for 2025
Start generating business ideas with the Wix Business Launcher → As Steve Jobs said, “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” Starting your own business is a big step toward doing work you’re truly passionate about. But before you jump in, it’s important to answer a few key questions: What problem are you solving? Who’s your target audience? What makes you stand out from the competition? And most importantly, where do you start? This guide is here to help you turn your business idea into reality—from brainstorming and branding to registering your business and creating a business website . Think of it as your go-to roadmap for navigating the world of entrepreneurship and building your dream business with confidence. Make sure your business idea is as strong as the name you choose. Use the Wix Business Launcher to explore various opportunities based on your skills and experience. Simply chat with AI to receive personalized business ideas. Then, get set up with a full market analysis, earning strategies and launch kit for each idea, so you can get started with confidence. How to start a business Brainstorm and refine your business idea Conduct market and competitor research Pick a business name Write up a business plan Choose a legal structure for your business Secure business capital and funding Register your business and make it official Apply for tax IDs, licenses and permits Apply for business insurance Organize your finances Brand your business Create a professional business website Market and promote your business Build a team 01. Brainstorm and refine your business idea You might already have a great business idea that you can’t wait to start, or maybe you’re still in the early brainstorming stages of finding your niche. If the latter applies to you, think about what you’re passionate about and what skills you possess. The best business ideas often emerge from your interests and expertise, making it easier to stay motivated and dedicated throughout the journey. Keep in mind that there are some very real, very unavoidable small business challenges to consider. Most business ideas require money, innovation and time to yield results—some may even come with financial risks. This is true for both brick-and-mortar businesses and online business ideas . That’s why as a first step, you’ll need to refine and test your idea to make sure it’s a viable option. Here are some effective ways to kickstart your brainstorming process. How to choose the right business idea - 10 smart tips Got a great idea but not sure it’s business-ready? The best ideas solve problems, meet market demand and play to your strengths. Starting fresh or refining an idea? Here’s how to come up with a business idea that works. These 10 tips will help you get there. Follow your passion but validate it : Passion is a great motivator but it’s not enough on its own. Research market demand to make sure there’s a real opportunity before jumping in. Identify a problem to solve : The best businesses solve real problems. What frustrates you or others? A simple solution to a common pain point is often where great ideas begin. Assess your strengths and skills : Build on what you’re naturally good at. Your experience, expertise and talents can give you an edge and make starting out easier. Check for market demand : A great idea only works if people are willing to pay for it. Do some research, look at trends and talk to your target market before going all in. Test before you invest : Start small. Try a pilot, build a landing page or sell a simple version of your product to see if there’s interest before committing fully. Think about scalability : A hobby can make money but can it grow into a full business? Consider if your idea has the potential for long-term growth and scalability. Evaluate startup costs and profitability : Some ideas need big investments while others can be bootstrapped. Make sure your business model is sustainable and financially sound in the long run. Consider your ideal lifestyle : Do you see yourself running a remote business, opening a local shop or growing a high-growth startup? Your business should fit the lifestyle and work-life balance you want. Analyze your competition : Competition is good—it shows demand exists. Study your competitors to see what they’re doing well and where you can stand out. Stay flexible and open to change : Great business ideas evolve over time. Be ready to adjust, refine or pivot based on customer feedback and market trends. Ready to create a business website? Start building yours today . Popular business ideas to get you started Dropshipping: Dropshipping is a great low-cost business idea that lets you sell products without needing to manage your own inventory. You simply need an eCommerce website , or a specific dropshipping website and a strong marketing strategy to get started. Print on demand (POD): Another popular way to make money online , print on demand involves working with suppliers that print your designs on blank items, such as T-shirts and mugs, and ship the orders on your behalf. This is an effective way to put your own spin on a retail venture and start your own online store . Freelancing: Freelance artists , writers and creatives can jumpstart their business by creating a portfolio website and monetizing their skills. Take Berlin-based illustrator and animator Rafael Varona for inspiration—his modern, visually engaging Wix website features artwork he’s done for leading companies including Disney, Google and Porsche. Starting a service business : Service business ideas center around selling your expertise, skills or assistance—such as tutoring, dog walking, personal training or event planning. For inspiration, take a look at Whitehead Weddings + Events . Founder Anna Katherine Whitehead has built an elegant service website that showcases work samples, package offerings and more. Selling handmade items: If you’ve got a knack for creating homemade jewelry, artwork, décor or clothing, you have a business idea just waiting to launch. Follow the lead of businesses like Tach Clothing , whose online Wix storefront features handmade crocheted clothing inspired by vintage fashion. Boring businesses : Don't be fooled by the way these business sound, boring means anything but. These ventures are typically businesses that offer products or services that are essential but may not have flashy or attention-grabbing qualities. Think accounting firms, insurance companies, waste management services or industrial manufacturers. Is starting a business worth it? Many business owners would say, yes. Business ownership can mean profit as well as some degree of financial stability. Moreover, for small business owners it offers the opportunity to escape the confines of a nine-to-five job that may not bring you happiness or fulfillment. That said, starting a business isn't without its share of challenges—from launching a profitable idea, to securing funding, to managing a business, it all takes time, resources and a lot of hard work. Not all businesses succeed. Before launching your business make sure to be very clear about your goals and timeline for achieving them. What are some creative ways to test my business idea without quitting my day job? To test your business idea while keeping your day job (and income), consider launching a minimal viable product (MVP ) or service on weekends. You can also use a social media account for your business or a simple business website to gauge interest — on social media does your idea attract engagement from potential customers? Can you generate potential users to your idea via your website? Then, once you have their attention, conduct surveys or interviews with potential customers. There's nothing to stop you from starting a business small, on weekends or in the evenings. It can involve a lot of time commitment and juggling with your day job but it can be the most risk free way to start a business. How a successful business owner turned selling handmade items into a $2M business Six and a half years ago, Amanda Buhse was working a nine-to-five job as a graphic designer. Her day job was exhausting so Buhse and her best friend, a nurse, decided to meet a few times a week to decompress over a glass of wine and make candles together. The hobby stuck. Buhse eventually turned those evenings melting wax and cutting wicks into a bustling business. Now she’s the owner and chief creative officer of Coal and Canary , a Canada-based online luxury candle company. Her candles are sold all over North America and have even made it into the glamorous gift bags handed out to VIPs at the Oscar and Grammy Awards. What started as a passionate side hustle is now a $2M business. You can read more about Amanda’s business story here . 02. Conduct market and competitor research When your business is still in its earliest stages, doing market research is critical. This step helps you understand your target audience’s needs and preferences, allowing you to tailor your products or services accordingly. It also enables you to evaluate the competitive landscape, identify market gaps and make informed decisions. All of this increases your chances of success and mitigates risk. When it comes to consumer behavior, there are two sets of research: primary and secondary. Primary research: This is the direct study of your target market by researching them firsthand, such as by conducting user interviews or holding focus groups. You’ll want to define who your customers are and further segment your market by age, location, language, spending power or even stage of life (for example, college students, newlyweds or retirees). Secondary research: This consists of gathering information from external sources. Conduct an online search or reference public agencies like the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as a good starting point. Down the line, you might also find internal data just as useful. You can turn to your own sales reports and see what trends took off right under your nose. This combination of primary and secondary research can help you create a thorough SWOT analysis , which is an insightful way to measure and evaluate your overall business outlook against your competitors. To do this, create a table with four quadrants, where you'll rank your business’ strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Strengths: Identify the areas where your business stands out. Then, turn to your competitors and ask yourself, “How can I do what they do, but better?” Look at the products and services they offer to help you understand what attracts their customers, and use this as inspiration to improve your own business strategy and competitive advantage . Weaknesses: Be honest with yourself here. Answer this question as directly as you can: What do customers complain about or dislike? This will let you narrow in on one topic at a time, as opposed to tackling something abstract like, “What is wrong within my company?” Opportunities: Think about your business in terms of growth. Consider different ways to expand and tap into new spaces, like running seasonal events, taking on a green initiative or testing out trends. Threats: Be cautious of any external factors that can affect your business in a negative way. It can range from market fluctuations to consumers who no longer express interest in your offerings. Remember to play to your understanding of what a specific audience needs. Identifying a gap in the market, or having an idea to make an existing product is an important part of market research for starting a business. How one entrepreneur translated her understanding of her target audience into business success Raquel “Rocky” Harris knows a thing or two about kicking ass. She’s a five-time Muay Thai champion, Team USA gold medalist, Fight Camp trainer (that’s basically the Peloton of boxing) and, most recently, a thriving entrepreneur (see our guide on how to become an entrepreneur ). Harris now uses Wix eCommerce to sell a collection of wellness products to athletes like herself as the founder of Warm Up. “I was making my own hand sanitizer and thought ‘Why don’t they have sanitizers that kill fungus?’” she says. “There are always breakouts in boxing gyms due to common skin infections like ringworms. Tea tree soap is anti-fungal, so I started adding it to my hand sanitizers, which eventually evolved into my sweat butters.” She launched her first product line while training clients and creating Wix sites for her colleagues, all while moving across the country to shoot workouts for Fight Camp. You can read more about her business story here . Is it easy to start a business? Creating a business doesn't have to be difficult or intimidating. It can start with a simple but strong idea, like Raquel Harris' realization that hand sanitizers would be all the more useful if they killed fungus, especially in boxing rings. Starting a business does require dedication, hard work and careful planning—there's no way around that. While it may not be easy, per se, with the right mindset, research, resources and tools like Wix, anyone can embark on the entrepreneurial journey. The rewards of building a successful business can truly be fulfilling and worthwhile. More popular business ideas to consider How to start an online business How to start a consulting business How to start a fitness business How to start a fitness clothing line How to start a makeup line How to start a candle business How to start a clothing business How to start an online boutique How to start a t-shirt business How to start a jewelry business How to start a subscription box business How to start a beauty business How to start a photography business How to start a food business How to start an interior design business How to start a rental property business How to start a painting business How to start a gym business How to start a babysitting business How to start a plumbing business How to start a coaching business How to start a finance business How to start a web design business 03. Pick a business name Feeling satisfied with your business idea? The next step is to come up with a business name that will leave a strong first impression on potential clients. You’ll want a name that’s catchy, memorable and scalable (i.e., is still relevant even if your business expands to new locations, niches or product offerings). If you need a little nudge, Wix’s free business name generator can help you brainstorm some ideas, or you can check out these best company names for further inspiration. You’ll also want to make sure no one else has trademarked or registered your desired business name, which you can check via the U.S. Trademark Electronic Search System or with the Office of the Secretary of State for the state in which your business is located. And, remember you’ll eventually want to build a website for your business. Because your domain name will most likely be the same as your business name, make sure your desired name is available by doing a domain name search . Learn more: Small business name ideas Tech business name ideas Craft business name ideas Clothing brand name ideas Consulting business names Marketing business names Ecommerce business names Beauty business name ideas Fitness business name ideas 04. Write up a business plan Another essential step when starting a business is to come up with an organized plan. At its core, a business plan is a document that serves as a roadmap for how to structure, operate and manage your new venture. It serves multiple purposes, like helping to attract investors, earning the trust of banks and outlining the cost of starting your business . You can use a business plan template to get your thoughts on paper. No matter how you get started, your business plan should include these components: Executive summary : Give a high-level view of your business proposal or concept. If you were to make a professional elevator pitch (explaining your business in about a minute), you’d be reciting this bit aloud. Company description: Include your company’s name, the names of your founders, your locations and your mission statement . Your mission statement should include core values, goals and your guarantee to provide clients with quality service or products. Take a look at these powerful mission statement examples to gather inspiration for your own. Industry analysis: Provide research about your industry, such as small business trends and growth. When writing this section, think about how large your industry is and how it’s expected to evolve. You should also consider who your competitors are, and make note of their strengths and weaknesses. Customer analysis: Describe your target audience and how you plan to reach them. Clearly state the needs of your customers and specify how your product or service will meet them. Organization and management: Provide an overview of your business' organization and leadership, encompassing any founders, executives, board members, employees or important stakeholders. Creating a visual representation—like an organizational chart—can assist in presenting your company's structure effectively. Service or product offerings: Create a list of your existing and upcoming products and services. If you're still developing your business idea, write a concept statement to outline your vision. Additionally, incorporate a proof of concept (POC) to showcase the viability of your idea. Marketing and sales: Outline how your business concept actually translates into sales. Explain your marketing strategies and tactics, including plans for advertising, promotions, pricing, distribution channels and digital marketing efforts, along with planned consumer touch points (website, mobile app, retail store, etc.). Financial projections: Estimate how much money will be coming in—or share any data around early sales. Investors want to see hard numbers to justify their risk. Include a sales forecast (based on industry and market trends), expenses , sunk costs , overhead costs , anticipated break-even point, expected accounts receivable, an estimated cash flow (derived from your sales forecast and expenses) and expected profits or losses. Operational plan: Wrap up with an action plan. If you have a team, write down how each member will contribute to achieving your company’s SMART goals and objectives. Answer questions like “Is there a timeline?” and “What are the milestones you wish to accomplish?” For both, think in terms of years and quarters. How do I balance risk and reward? Balancing risk and reward starts with smart decision-making. Instead of avoiding risk, assess potential downsides and plan ways to manage them. Use data, market research and competitor analysis to figure out if the reward is worth the risk. Spread your efforts across different areas—don’t put all your resources in one place. Test ideas with small investments, gather feedback and adjust as you go. This helps you minimize losses while learning along the way. Smart entrepreneurs know the importance of setting clear risk thresholds. Figure out what level of risk works for your financial situation, business goals and industry trends. If an idea has big potential but requires a lot of upfront investment, try options like partnerships or phased rollouts to spread the risk. Always have a backup plan—whether it’s pivot strategies, emergency funds or secondary revenue streams, being prepared helps you adjust if things don't go as planned. How choosing the right business model and establishing a clear business plan helped this online business succeed Based in Oldbury, right in the heart of England, Andrew Darby, Faye Darby, Craig Pritchard and Terri Pritchard sold their first piece of jewelry in January 2019. Their story began with Wix eCommerce and a little inspiration from their spouses: “Our wives love jewelry, so we thought, ‘Let's do something mid-range and affordable. Nice pieces that last well.’" For these new entrepreneurs, the key to starting their business off on the right foot was, in their own words, also their biggest challenge, “The biggest challenge was having a business model so to speak—or a blueprint and sticking to that blueprint. Eventually when we found our blueprint, we got ourselves out of trying to sell here, there, and everywhere.” And for this business, it's worked. As of April 2022, Darby Pritchards had an annual returning customer rate of over 20%. Read more about how they started their business here . Looking for a business plan for a specific business idea: How to create a clothing line business plan How to create a consultant business plan How to create a photographer business plan How to create a bookkeeping business plan How to create a virtual assistant business plan How to create a real estate business plan How to create a restaurant business plan How to create a plumbing business plan 05. Choose a legal structure for your business While there are different flavors of legal structures, choosing which one will best serve your needs is based on multiple factors, such as how much personal liability you want to have, taxes and business registration requirements. For example, a sole proprietorship is the easiest to file, but has the most personal liability. LLCs relieve you of many personal liabilities, but can come with hefty tax payments. A great place to start is by reviewing your options via the U.S. Small Business Administration’s business structure breakdown . The most common types of businesses or business entities in the U.S. include: Sole proprietorship : You’ll have full control and responsibility but also full liability for business debts, meaning your personal assets could be at risk. No formal registration is required unless you’re using a trade name, but you’ll need to report profits on your personal tax return. Since business income and expenses are tied to your personal finances, keeping good records and having liability insurance is a must. Partnership : Partnerships need a clear agreement on profit-sharing, responsibilities and liabilities. The business doesn’t pay income tax—profits and losses pass through to partners’ personal tax returns. Each partner is personally responsible for debts, meaning personal assets could be at risk. Disputes and financial risks can happen, so having a solid partnership agreement is key. Limited Liability Company (LLC) : An LLC gives you liability protection by keeping your personal assets separate from business risks. You’ll need to register with the state and pay annual fees. LLCs can be taxed as a sole proprietorship, partnership or corporation depending on what works best for you. Be sure to pick the right tax classification and follow your state’s rules to keep your liability protection intact. Corporations : A corporation is a separate legal entity that shields owners from personal liability but requires more paperwork and corporate tax filings. Profits are taxed at the corporate level and dividends are taxed again on shareholders' personal returns. There are different types of corporations, like C-corps and S-corps, each with unique tax and regulatory implications. Corporations are a great choice for businesses looking to raise capital, issue stock or scale big. Cooperative : A business owned and run by its members for their mutual benefit. Starting a co-op means understanding member roles and working together to make decisions. Whether nonprofit or for-profit, members share profits and responsibilities, so it’s key to get everyone on the same page about the mission. You’ll also need to handle legal documents and state filings. Franchise : A franchise operates under an established brand using a proven model. It’s a reliable system but comes with upfront fees and ongoing royalties. Franchisees need to follow the franchisor’s rules and systems, so it’s key to research the brand thoroughly. Make sure you understand the support they offer, contract terms and any restrictions before committing. Nonprofit : A nonprofit is an organization designed to serve a charitable, educational or social mission instead of making a profit. These mission-driven organizations need to register with the IRS to get tax-exempt status. Fundraising and grants are key since any profits have to go back into the mission. Staying organized and following nonprofit laws is essential for success. How do you know which one is right for you? We consulted with Shylene D’Addario, VP, associate general counsel with LegalZoom. Shylene offered the following insight: "Sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations and LLCs are the most popular kinds of business structures, according to the IRS. But what type is best for you and why? A sole proprietorship is best suited to a business owned by an individual or couple that doesn’t have employees or significant contracts with landlords, suppliers or subcontractors. A business with two or more owners that hasn’t established an entity is treated as a general partnership. General partners typically share the management of the business and its profits and losses but don’t have any protection against liability for their partners’ negligence, misconduct or internal disputes. Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) provide their owners with protection against liability for company obligations. If your LLC can’t pay its debts or is unable to meet its obligations, only the business assets—and not personal assets—are at risk in a lawsuit. This flexibility and limited liability make LLCs a popular choice for small businesses of all types. Corporations offer their owners (called 'shareholders') the same liability protection as LLCs. Corporations tend to have somewhat more complex recordkeeping and reporting requirements than LLCs, depending on the state in which you incorporate. If you have additional questions about what kind of entity may be right for your needs, you can learn more on our website or LegalZoom can connect you with a business lawyer who can help advise you in the business process." Start an LLC with LegalZoom. Do your research, and compare and contrast the advantages and disadvantages of the different business structures to find the right fit for you. A business lawyer can help advise you in this process, and the IRS’ guide to business structures can assist in evaluating tax implications. What are the differences between starting a small business and an enterprise? Starting an enterprise and starting a small business share some similarities but they differ greatly in scale, scope and goals. Small businesses are typically, as the name suggests, small in scale. They often serve a local or niche market and have a limited number of employees. Enterprises are generally larger in scale, often with a broader geographic reach. They may have multiple locations and serve a larger customer base. Think a small, independent toy shop in a town versus a huge brand like Toys R us. Small businesses are often owner-operated, where the owner is actively involved in day-to-day operations. Enterprises usually have a more complex ownership structure. They generally have multiple owners, shareholders and a board of directors. The owner's involvement in day-to-day operations can be limited, especially in larger enterprises. Small businesses tend to offer a narrow range of products or services tailored to a specific customer base. They might focus on providing personalized, local solutions. Enterprises typically have a broader scope, offering a wide range of products or services. They often aim to capture a larger share of the market or diversify their offerings. While small businesses can grow over time, they might not have aspirations for rapid or significant expansion. The primary goal may be to maintain a steady income or lifestyle. The primary goal of an enterprise is often rapid growth and scaling. They aim to expand their operations, market presence, and profitability. Other business ideas to consider: Business ideas for teens Small town business ideas Part-time business ideas Scalable business ideas Family business ideas Craft business ideas B2B business ideas Rental business ideas Beauty business ideas 06. Secure business capital and funding The most common cause of startup failure is lack of financing (47%), according to a recent survey. Second to that is running out of cash (44%). Clearly, it’s never too early to start thinking about finances. You’ll need both sufficient capital and reliable cash flow to get your business off the ground. Business funding can take many forms. From applying for grants and loans to reaching out to an angel investor or setting up a fundraising campaign, there are many different strategies here. Here are a few good ways to obtain capital: Bootstrapping : This involves dipping into your own personal finances to fund your business. In some cases, the benefits of investing your own money may outweigh the challenges of having to depend on outsiders. This allows you to retain greater control over all aspects of your company, though you may face slower growth and potential personal risk. Crowdfunding: This is a fast and easy way to share your ideas on a wide scale, get feedback and raise money at the same time. When choosing from one of the many crowdfunding sites available, consider the fees, terms and conditions of each, as well as the kind of audience they typically draw. Small business grants: The biggest benefit of using grant money is that you won’t have to pay it back. A good place to begin looking for grants and eligibility is on the grants for community organizations page of the U.S. Small Business Administration website. Alternatively, you can check out private institutions that offer small business grants, including FedEx and the Second Service Foundation . Credit cards: When used responsibly, credit cards can be a viable option for funding a new business. It’s advisable to open a business credit card just for this purpose; ideally one with a 0% introductory APR period and a rewards structure so you can earn cash back, credit statements or miles. This can also be a good way to build your business credit score, as long as you make on-time payments and keep a credit utilization of under 30% . You will need strong credit to obtain other types of financing. Startup business loan : Small businesses can apply for loans from banks and other financial institutions through their offering of faq services. First, you should know how much you need, and you should be able to demonstrate good reasons for it. Use the financial projections of your business plan to estimate an amount and determine the type of loan you need. Business line of credit (LOC): This is a flexible loan that behaves similar to a credit card, letting you borrow and repay funds as needed. Business LOCs often have an annual income and time-in-business requirement, but new business owners may be able apply if they’re willing to put up collateral and have a good personal credit score ( over 670 ). Angel investors: Often, angel investors are found through mutual contacts or even family members. That said, there are hundreds of other active high-net worth individuals who seed startups with their personal money, particularly in the early stages. You can check out Golden Seeds LLC (New York City) or Tech Coast Angels (Los Angeles) as just a few examples of angel investing firms who are involved in venture capital financing. What are some innovative ways to secure funding beyond traditional loans or venture capital? There are many ways, including some more established and some very novel. They include, revenue-based financing, peer-to-peer lending, blockchain-based token offerings, angel investor syndicates, startup accelerators with funding, grants and competitions, customers as investors, royalty financing, invoice financing and micro-loan programs. 07. Register your business and make it official Before you take your business out into the world, you’ll need to complete all the legal and formal paperwork. If you’re establishing a business in the U.S., your location and business structure will determine the steps you’ll need to take to register a business name . Keep in mind that, according to the SBA , the benefits of registering your business include personal liability protection, legal and trademark protection, and tax benefits—all of which are crucial to the prosperity and expansion of any entrepreneurial operation . Meanwhile, for those who are seeking to set up a business in the UK or EU , it's essential to familiarize yourself with the different requirements and rules for registering a business , relevant certifications and VAT. How to start a business by state How to start a business in Utah How to start a business in Massachusetts How to start a business in Oregon How to start a business in Alabama How to start a business in Missouri How to start a business in Illinois How to start a business in Maryland How to start a business in Michigan How to start a business in Connecticut How to start a business in South Carolina How to start a business in Tennessee How to start a business in Minnesota How to start a business in New York How to start a business in Pennsylvania How to start a business in Virginia How to start a business in Indiana How to start a business in Washington state How these co-founders managed to register their business one step at a time For Andrea Shubert, co-founder of Strathcona Spirits when it came to registering their new business they found the following crucial: "Don’t start with a 'no.' We didn’t think the distillery was going to happen because of all the red tape involved, but we kept applying for permits to do this or that. When they said yes, we thought: great, let’s move on to the next thing. The idea that everything is permitted is the best place to start from and just go from there. And when you get a 'no,' which we definitely have a few times over the last five years, we typically dust ourselves off and continue on until we find our 'yes.'" 08. Apply for tax IDs, licenses and permits As a registered U.S. business, you’re going to need to obtain your federal and state tax ID numbers , known as your employer identification number (EIN). This is how your business is recognized by the government when it comes to paying taxes on both the state and federal levels. Furthermore, you’ll need a tax ID number to hire employees, open a bank account and apply for relevant business licenses and permits. Check your local government site to see what types of licenses and permits you might need to apply for. If your company’s activities are regulated by a federal agency, you’ll need a license (selling alcoholic beverages or broadcasting on public radio are two examples). You can review the SBA’s list of business requirements for federal licenses and permits for more information. Applying for an EIN is free and you can do so online with the IRS’ EIN Assistant tool . That said, tax requirements vary by state. Visit your state’s website to check whether you need to get a state tax ID number to remain compliant. You'll also need to understand which IRS forms are relevant for your business, income statement , tax return process, income tax audit process and corporate tax payments, if any. Taxes are a major responsibility for business owners, and that responsibility can vary significantly from business to business. According to Sabrina Papini, marketing director of eCommerce and marketplaces at Avalara , "A small business owner might be subjected to various types of taxes depending on their location, industry and business activities." Papini notes that in particular, business owners may be required to pay the following: Sales tax: If your business sells goods or services to customers within a particular jurisdiction, you might need to collect and remit sales tax. The rate and regulations can vary based on the location and type of product or service sold. State and local taxes: Depending on your business' location, there could be additional state and local taxes beyond sales tax. These could include business privilege taxes, property taxes, local business license fees and city-specific taxes. Excise tax: Certain industries that deal with specific goods like alcohol, tobacco, fuel or other regulated products might be subject to excise taxes. These taxes are usually included in the product's price and are paid by the manufacturer, importer or distributor. International taxes: The company could encounter various international taxes and fees if the business engages in international commerce. These may include value-added tax (VAT), goods and services tax (GST), customs duties or tariffs. If you're a U.S. business operating overseas, or a foreign business operating from the U.S., you should also check for any double taxation liabilities. Tax considerations should be part of your operational plan from the beginning, Papini emphasizes. "[Using] automated tools, staying informed about tax changes and seeking professional guidance when necessary are critical strategies for managing tax and staying compliant with regulations . These steps will not only help protect your business from legal issues but also contribute to its growth and success." 09. Apply for business insurance As a new small business owner, obtaining insurance is crucial to protect your venture from unforeseen risks and potential financial liabilities. Business insurance provides a safety net that can shield your assets and help your business stay afloat in case of accidents, lawsuits or other unexpected events. When applying for insurance, you’ll want to first assess the nature of your business and identify the specific risks it may face. This includes any potential hazards, liabilities related to your products or services, and any potential lawsuits that might arise. Next, consider the coverage types that align with your business needs, such as general liability, professional liability, casualty or property insurance, etc. A knowledgeable insurance broker can help you navigate the complexities of insurance policies and find the best rates and coverage options that fit your unique circumstances. Some types of insurance you might need to consider include: Workers' compensation insurance: Mandatory in most states if you have employees, this insurance covers medical expenses and lost wages for employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses. General liability insurance: This provides coverage for third-party bodily injury, property damage and related legal expenses resulting from accidents on your business premises or due to your products or services. Professional liability insurance: Also known as “errors and omissions insurance,” this policy protects against claims of professional negligence, errors or omissions that may arise from providing professional services or advice. Property insurance: This policy covers physical assets of the business, such as buildings, equipment, inventory and furniture against damage or loss from events like fire, theft or natural disasters. Product liability insurance: This type of policy offers coverage for claims arising from injuries or property damage caused by a defective product sold by your business. Business interruption insurance: If your business operations are interrupted due to a covered event, such as a fire or natural disaster, this will provide compensation for lost income and ongoing expenses. Employment practices liability insurance (EPLI): An EPLI policy provides coverage for claims related to employment practices issues, such as wrongful termination, discrimination or harassment. 10. Organize your finances Keeping a business running smoothly demands organized, detailed financials. As you put these systems in place, you’ll want to open a business bank account and consider how you’ll handle your business accounting. Set up a business bank account New small businesses should set up a business bank account for several reasons. First and foremost, separating your business finances from your personal finances is crucial for maintaining accurate and organized records. A dedicated business bank account enables you to track income, expenses and profits effectively, simplifying tax preparation and financial reporting. Additionally, having a business bank account is usually required if you want a business loan or line of credit. It builds credibility with customers, peers and potential investors, as it demonstrates a professional approach to how you operate. To open a business bank account, you’ll typically need to provide certain documents, including your business registration paperwork, employer identification number (EIN) or Social Security number (SSN). When setting up a business bank account, you’ll want to ask questions to make sure the bank can adequately handle your business needs. Make sure you ask about account fees, transaction limits, access to credit options and integration with financial accounting software to start. Set up an accounting system Having a meticulous bookkeeping system in place will help set your business up for success, especially when it comes to tracking expenses, paying taxes, managing invoices or handling payroll. There are a myriad of accounting apps and software options that can help you stay organized in this area, or you can hire a certified public accountant (CPA) to manage this for you. With Wix, you can keep your books right from within the platform, eliminating the need for additional software and streamlining your workflow. You can manage customer invoices or product inventory directly from your website dashboard, or you can employ a number of accounting and payroll app integrations, such as QuickBooks and EasyTeam . To fine tune your process, turn to this guide on small business accounting , which covers everything from creating financial statements to planning cash flow statements to managing balance sheets and more. 11. Brand your business Building a brand is a vital part of understanding how to start a small business and shape a corporate identity . In a nutshell, branding is about creating a consistent voice, set of values and visual identity for your company. This can include everything from logo and brand colors to your company ethos, story and personality. Brand visuals When building your brand visuals, there are several key elements and assets you need to create to establish a cohesive visual identity: Logo: A well-designed logo is the cornerstone of your brand visuals. It should be versatile, memorable and easily recognizable. You can get a professional design in minutes with Wix’s free logo maker . Color palette: Choose a set of primary and secondary colors that reflect your brand's personality and evoke the desired emotions. Typography: Select fonts that align with your brand's tone and are easy to read across different mediums. Imagery: Decide on the type of images or illustrations that best represent your brand. This could include photography, illustrations or graphics. Iconography: Create a set of custom icons or symbols that can be used consistently throughout your branding materials. Website design: Ensure that your brand visuals and colors are integrated into your site design, including buttons, banners and overall layout. Print materials: Consider how your brand visuals will translate to print materials like business cards, brochures and packaging. Not sure how to design a business card ? The Wix Business Card Maker can help you create a professional design in just six steps. Email: Creating a business email takes just a handful of steps, and you can get a custom business email with Wix . Develop branded templates to maintain consistency in your online communications. Brand story According to Sitecore’s 2022 Brand Authenticity report, 70% of consumers want brands to connect with them on a more personal level. This is where your brand story comes into play. Building a brand story is all about creating a compelling and authentic narrative that resonates with your target audience. Yaya Aaronsohn, head of brand maker at Wix, explains further. "At its core, branding hinges on trust—think of it as a relationship between two individuals: the customer and the brand, which represents the business. Within this relationship, authenticity plays a critical role. It builds trust and creates emotional bonds. It fosters consistency, engagement and reduces reputation risks." A well-defined brand story can help you forge an emotional connection with customers, and should touch on your: Origin story: Share the backstory of how and why your brand was created, including the challenges and inspirations that led to its inception. Founder's journey: If applicable, humanize the brand by sharing the founder's personal journey and connection to the business. Brand purpose: Clearly articulate the reason your brand exists, its core mission and the problem it aims to solve for its customers. Brand values: Identify the guiding principles and values that drive your brand's decision-making and actions. Evolution: Address how your brand has evolved over time and demonstrate your commitment to continuous improvement. Brand voice Brand voice establishes a consistent tone that reflects your personality and communication style. It further helps customers relate to the face behind the brand, which can translate directly to sales. Your brand voice should remain consistent across all channels to reinforce your identity. Some key elements to include are: Persona: Identify how you want to be perceived by your target audience and craft a tone that supports that identity. Language: Use language that aligns with your chosen persona, such as authoritative, knowledgeable, down to earth or humorous. Communication strategy: Set clear communication standards for how you’ll respond to customer comments, reviews, emails or phone calls. 12. Create a professional business website Building a strong website and setting goals for your website is an absolute must when starting a business. For most prospective customers, investors and partners, your website will be their introduction to your business. It's a vital opportunity for you to create a positive first impression of your brand. Expert advice from Amanda Buhse, owner and chief creative officer of Coal and Canary : "Something that I always heard growing up was that you could be the smallest fish in the sea, but if you have a professional website and branding, people will take you seriously. When I sent my website to potential retailers early on, we were making seven candles at a time out of my small kitchen. I think it goes to show that when you have a professional brand, the goals and dreams that you have are limitless." (Coal and Canary now produces more than 1,0000 hand-poured candles, a day from their 10,000 square foot warehouse.) Learning how to make a business website is simple and doable for people of all skill levels. Follow the steps outlined below to get your online presence off the ground. Ready to launch? Build a beautiful business website or eCommerce website today. Find a business website template Website builders make it easy to create a professional, well-designed website with a few clicks of the mouse. Wix offers business website templates , including 500+ online store website templates , encompassing everything from finance and fashion to crafts and consulting (and beyond). To begin, simply choose a template and customize it to meet your needs. Alternatively, you can utilize Wix’s AI website builder tool, which translates information about your design and layout preferences into a professional website tailor-made to your needs—all in a matter of minutes. If you need more inspiration, check out the best business websites of the past year. Customize your tools and features With the foundation of your website up and running, it’s time to fine-tune which tools and integrations you’ll use to help run your business. Wix offers business owners a full assortment of native software solutions and built-in features that transform your site dashboard into a one-stop-shop for day-to-day operations. You can collect payments online with Wix Payments or Wix Point of Sale (POS) ; manage incoming payments with Wix Invoices ; schedule classes, workshops and appointments with Wix Bookings ; and even sell tickets with Wix Events & Tickets . The Wix App Market offers hundreds of other third-party integrations that can help you manage payroll, expense tracking and more. Choose a web host and domain name After you’ve customized your template, you’re ready to move on to the next step: flipping the switch so that your site is visible to the public. This is a two-fold process. First, you’ll need to pick a web hosting provider. Basically, this is just a tool that stores your website’s files so that they’re viewable online. Wix is the leading web hosting platform for small businesses , and it offers free website hosting that’s protected and reliable—complete with 24/7 security monitoring and integrated SSL certificates to keep your users safe. Once you’ve selected a web host, you’ll need to connect your registered domain name to a hosting server. It will take a matter of minutes, but rest assured that when you purchase your website domain with Wix, you’ll also gain access to domain security and full customer support. Optimize your business website for SEO When it comes to starting a business online, it’s essential to have some basic knowledge of search engine optimization (SEO). SEO is the process of optimizing web content to improve your site’s ranking for searches of specific keywords. Rebecca Tomasis, SEO expert for Wix Blogs, explains further. "The higher you rank in search, and the more keywords you rank for—the greater your visibility, traffic and potential for conversions or sales." For example, if you sell organic baby items, you want to integrate exact phrases, like “eco baby products” and “natural baby toys,” into your site content. This improves your chances of showing up in search results when people type those phrases into the search bar. You can use keyword research tools such as Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs or Semrush (which has native integration with Wix ) to find terms to incorporate into your web content. You can also use the Wix SEO Hub as a resource for all things related to learning SEO. Your overall SEO strategy should include the following: Technical SEO: "Technical [SEO] involves elements such as your site speed, core web vitals, the site hierarchy and structure and navigation," Tomasis details. In other words, your website should, on a technical level, be responsive, quick to load (including on mobile) and easy for search engines to crawl. You should avoid things like dead links, duplicate content and large, slow-loading media files that can impact the user experience. On-page optimization: Optimize your website's individual pages for the targeted keywords you’ve identified. Place the primary keyword in the page title, meta description, headings and content naturally. High-quality content: Create high-quality, informative and engaging content that addresses the needs of your target audience. If you have a blog, well-written articles attract visitors and encourage them to spend more time on your site, signaling search engines about its relevance. "Make sure your content is helpful and answers the intent behind the search term as directly and as clearly as possible," says Tomasis. "Everything about the article—its structure, its data, its headings—should be optimized to meet the intent of the user searching." Mobile-friendly design: Ensure your website is responsive and mobile-friendly. With the increasing number of mobile users, mobile optimization is crucial for SEO and user experience. Local SEO: If your business serves a local audience, optimize for local SEO. Claim and optimize your Google My Business listing, ensure consistent NAP (name, address, phone) information across the web and encourage customer reviews. 13. Market and promote your business Once you’ve launched your business and published your website, you can start building a small business marketing strategy that fuels business growth . A solid marketing strategy is essential for bringing in customers and taking your business to the next level. As Erin Shea, senior director of North America marketing for VistaPrint shares, "Customers are the backbone of any successful small business and effective marketing is one of the best ways to build and sustain your community." According to Erin: “Whether you’re engaging customers online or offline—remember that consistency is worth its weight in gold. A cohesive look to your marketing inspires confidence in your professionalism, builds credibility and strengthens customer rapport.” Check out more of VistaPrint's 2024 marketing trends to help with your new business efforts. Here are some of the most common marketing strategies to consider: Paid advertising: By leveraging targeted advertisements, small businesses can reach a vast audience of potential customers who are actively searching for products or services related to their industry. Google Ads are particularly popular, letting businesses bid on relevant keywords, ensuring their ads appear prominently in search engine results. Wix users can manage Google Ad campaigns from their site dashboard, leaving one less external platform to worry about. Social media marketing: Marketing on social media brings you massive exposure from diverse groups of people. Pick a platform that your target audience uses and maintain an active presence there. You can also implement paid social media marketing; for example, Wix users can boost sales with fully integrated Facebook and Instagram ads directly from their website builder. Email marketing: A highly effective tactic, email marketing can promote your brand and build engagement . Using this method, you can reach customers directly, build a loyalty program and customize messages based on their individual interests. Wix users have access to a free email marketing tool with customizable templates, simple editing interface and advanced analytics. Content marketing: This involves crafting and sharing valuable and relevant content in order to draw in your target audience. It can be done in a variety of ways, including publishing a blog, creating a podcast or making a YouTube channel. Use any of these outlets to share business updates, distribute relevant industry related news and build connections with potential customers. Word of mouth: Positive word of mouth can give your brand's reputation and credibility a boost, increasing customer loyalty and customer acquisition. It’s a cost-effective strategy that can create a ripple effect, reaching a broader audience and generating organic growth for businesses. Bear in mind that finding the right marketing strategy may take some time, experimentation and patience. But, Erin notes, consistency is key: "Whether you’re engaging customers online or offline, remember that consistency is worth its weight in gold. Even if you’re just starting out, try experimenting with different marketing tactics to see what works. As your sales grow, direct a greater portion of your revenue for your marketing budget and keep building.” 14. Build a team As your business grows, it may be difficult for you to play multiple roles—which is where hiring employees and delegating tasks comes in. Even if you decide not to hire in-house staff, you may find yourself needing extra assistance from freelancers or independent contractors. Read also: Human resources guide When you begin the hiring process, factor in your budget, your needs and the company culture you want to portray. Creating a well-defined vision statement will help you find the right people to satisfy all of these requirements. There are many effective ways to source talent for your team. A few ideas to get you started: Online job platforms: Websites like Indeed, LinkedIn and Glassdoor offer job posting services where you can find potential team members. Local job boards: Many communities have local job boards or websites where businesses can post job openings to attract candidates from the area. College career centers: Contact career centers at local colleges and universities to connect with talented students or recent graduates seeking employment opportunities. Networking events: Attend industry-specific business networking events or job fairs to meet potential candidates face-to-face and discuss job opportunities. Social media: Utilize social media channels like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram to reach out to a broader audience and attract job seekers. Freelance platforms: Websites like Upwork, Freelancer and Fiverr offer access to freelancers who can work on specific projects or provide specialized skills. Industry-specific forums or groups: Join online forums or social media groups dedicated to a particular industry to discover talented professionals interested in relevant job opportunities. How to start a business online If you're ready to explore new possibilities, start an online business and enjoy the freedom to work from anywhere, keep costs low and reach customers worldwide—benefits traditional businesses can’t always provide. In most cases, you don’t need a huge investment—just a clear plan and the right tools. With a website, smart marketing and a little flexibility, you can launch fast and grow your way. Set your business up right from the start Even online businesses need a solid foundation. Choose your structure—sole proprietorship is the simplest but an LLC protects your personal assets. Check for any required licenses, especially if you’re selling physical products. Secure a domain name that matches your brand before someone else grabs it and open a business bank account to keep finances organized. Use tools like Stripe or PayPal to start accepting payments right away. Thinking of hiring later? Research tax and legal requirements now to avoid future headaches. Launch fast with a website that works Keep it simple—a clean, easy-to-use site beats a flashy, confusing one. Use a website builder to get online quickly with clear messaging and a solid layout. Your homepage should hook visitors, your product or service page should sell and your contact page should make reaching out effortless. Add testimonials for trust, make checkout seamless and optimize for mobile. Don’t skip SEO—use keywords so people can find you on Google. A fast-loading, easy-to-navigate site means more sales. Get customers right away with smart marketing Don’t wait for customers to find you—put your business in front of them. Run social media ads, team up with influencers or launch a giveaway to build buzz. Start an email list immediately, even with zero customers—offer a freebie like a discount or guide to encourage sign-ups. Share behind-the-scenes content and customer reviews to build trust. Short-form videos on TikTok, Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts can get you in front of thousands quickly. Test different strategies, track what works and focus on what drives results. How to start a business FAQ When should I start my own company? There’s no perfect age to start a company—some start in their teens, others in their 50s. The best time is when you’ve got a solid idea, a clear audience and the drive to commit. Test demand with a side hustle or freelance work to lower the risk. If people are paying for what you offer and you’ve got a growth plan, it’s probably time to take the leap. What do you need to start a business? To start a business, you’ll need a viable business idea, a thorough understanding of your target market, a well-defined business plan, necessary funding or capital, proper legal registration and licenses, a strong brand identity, a professional online presence and a dedicated team or the ability to handle various business responsibilities on your own. How do you start a business as a beginner? To start a business as a beginner, follow these essential 14 steps: Brainstorm and refine your business idea Conduct market and competitor research Pick a business name Write up a business plan Choose a legal structure for your business Secure business capital and funding Register your business and make it official Apply for tax IDs, licenses and permits Apply for business insurance Organize your finances Brand your business Create a professional business website Market and promote your business Build a team How much money do you usually need to start a business? The amount of money required to start a business can vary greatly depending on the type of business, industry, location and scale of operations. For example, you can start a smaller-scale or home-based business for under $1,000. Some ideas include dog walker, tutor, social media manager, professional organizer or consultant. Of course, having more starting capital can provide a significantly stronger foundation for starting a business compared to a smaller amount, and it may be required if you’re launching a large-scale operation. While it's still important to consider the specific requirements and costs of your business venture, an amount like $100,000 can offer more flexibility and opportunities when it comes to starting a small business. How do you get money to start a business? To get money for starting a business, explore options like personal savings, borrowing from friends and family, applying for small business loans, crowdfunding or working with startup incubators. Make sure you have a solid business plan prepared and a compelling pitch if you want to attract potential investors or lenders. It’s also wise to consider bootstrapping and minimizing initial costs where possible. Do you need a business degree to start a business? No, you do not necessarily need a business degree for starting your own business. While a business degree can provide valuable knowledge and skills, it is not a prerequisite for entrepreneurial success. Many successful entrepreneurs have built thriving businesses without a formal business education. However, it is important to acquire relevant knowledge through professional growth , networking, mentorship and practical experience. Determination, adaptability and a willingness to keep learning are crucial factors for success in starting and owning a business. Can you start a business with no money? Yes, it is possible to start the business process with no money, although it can be challenging. If you’re looking to start a business with limited resources , consider starting a service-based business or an online venture that requires minimal upfront investment. Utilize free resources such as open-source software and social media to establish your online presence. Bartering, crowdfunding and seeking partnerships or collaborations can also help acquire necessary resources. Focus on bootstrapping, resourcefulness and leveraging your skills and network to get started. How to start a business as a teenager? Starting a business as a teenager can be both exciting and rewarding on many levels. It not only allows you to gain valuable entrepreneurial experience but also provides an opportunity to learn important life skills. Some popular business ideas for teens include babysitting, pet sitting, tutoring and car washing. To start a business as a teenager, make sure to check the age requirements to register a business in your state. How to start a business as a student? Starting a business as a student can be a great way to earn extra income and learn entrepreneurial skills. But it requires effective time management, dedication, and the ability to balance your academic commitments with a business. Some well-known student business ideas include tutoring, academic writing and eCommerce businesses. What are some of the tax implications of starting a business? They might include but not be limited to: 1. Self-employment tax 2. Estimated quarterly tax payments 3. Business expense deductions 4. Home office deduction (if applicable) 5. Payroll taxes (for employees) 6. Sales tax collection and remittance 7. Different tax forms (e.g., Schedule C) 8. Potential tax credits Should I have a physical location or operate only online? To make this decision you'll need to consider your: Business type Target market Startup costs Overhead expenses Flexibility needs Brand image Local regulations Growth potential Customer preferences Competition analysis What are the pros and cons of starting a business as a digital nomad? Pros: Location flexibility Lower overhead costs Global networking opportunities Diverse cultural experiences Potential for work-life balance Cons Inconsistent internet connectivity Time zone challenges Lack of stable work environment Potential isolation Legal and tax complexities Difficulty building local business relationships Work-life boundary issues Possible reduced productivity due to travel How do I go about setting up my business banking? Choose which business checking account you need (your bank should be able to help you make the right choice here) Get a business credit card (and establish what you plan to use it for) Set up merchant services (if relevant to your business) Establish a payroll account (if you have staff) Separate your personal/business finances (absolutely essential) Set up accounting software Plan for taxes Should I quit my job to start a business? Make sure you have enough savings to cover expenses and confirm your business model works before quitting. If you can, start as a side hustle to test demand and bring in some income. Leave your job only when your business shows it’s sustainable and scalable. LegalZoom is a partner of Wix.
- What is a .com domain?
The perfect domain is just a click away: claim your domain → Launched on January 1, 1985, .com is one of the original and most widely use domain extensions across the internet. A domain extension, otherwise known as a top-level domain (TLD), is the ending part of a web address, like .com , .org or .net . Originally meant for businesses needing to register subdomains, it's short for 'commercial', a .com domain now suits all kinds of websites and businesses and is often considered a default domain extension. People trust .com sites because they've been around for so long (they're also easy to remember), making it a great choice for almost any website , whether it's for a company, a blog or a personal page. The only potential con is that as they're so popular, you might find that the first names you try to register with this domain extension are already taken. Websites with .com domains are linked to the United States country code top-level domain (ccTLD), indicating that these sites are hosted by the US Central Office for Internet Domain Names (COID). Learn more: What is a domain Website infrastructure Why opt for a .com domain extension? It's business orientated .com domains work especially well for websites involved in commerce, business ventures and online activities. The .com extension often signifies to users that the website is associated with business-related endeavors. It's versatile One of the main advantages of a .com domain extension is its versatility. It isn't limited to a specific industry, making it a suitable choice for businesses, organizations and individuals engaged in a variety of online activities. It's established and reliable As one of the earliest domain extensions , .com carries a sense of established reliability. This adds to the trustworthiness of websites utilizing this domain. There are estimated to be over 160 million .com websites currently worldwide. Learn more: Guide to domain extensions , New top level domains , what is a .net domain How to register and buy your .com domain Select a reputable domain registrar , like Wix, that supports .com extensions. 2. Use the registrar's domain name search tool to verify the availability of your desired .com domain. You might need to explore variations or use a domain name generator to find an open and available option. 3. Once you confirm availability, choose the .com domain you want and complete the domain registration process . Provide any necessary contact information and make the required payment. Many registrars offer bundled services, including website hosting . Pro Tip : With Wix when you make a website, a paid plan includes domain name registration. Be aware that .com domains, like others, typically have annual renewal fees. Check with your registrar for specific pricing details and renewal procedures. Wix domains, for example, are renewed every year. Find the domain owner and registration details for a website with a Whois domain lookup . Learn more: How to choose a domain name How to register a domain name How .com domain originated The .com domain launched in 1985 and quickly became a cornerstone of the internet. Originally designed for businesses and organizations, it helped them establish a presence on the emerging web. The first-ever .com domain, symbolics.com, was registered by Symbolics, Inc., a computer manufacturing company, on March 15, 1985. This milestone set the stage for .com to become a symbol of online success and global brand recognition. Today, the .com domain remains the most trusted and recognized extension worldwide. It’s the top choice for businesses, entrepreneurs and individuals because of its credibility and universal appeal. From global corporations to small startups, .com represents professionalism and reliability. Learn more about smart domain name management strategies to keep your online presence strong. .com domain extension FAQ Can I use .com for non-commercial websites? While possible, it's recommended for websites with a focus on business, either physical or online. If you’re learning how to make a website , choosing the right domain extension is an important step. Are there any restrictions on .com domain registration? Generally, there are no specific restrictions, but it's essential to review the registrar's policies for any updates. Is .com suitable for personal portfolios? Yes, .com can be a suitable choice for personal portfolios, particularly if they involve commerce, business or online content. Can I use a .com domain for business emails? Yes, you can use a .com domain for business emails, and it’s one of the most popular choices for creating a professional image. If you’re learning how to create a business email , a .com domain ensures your email address aligns seamlessly with your website and brand. Formats like contact@yourbusiness.com or team@yourbusiness.com are great starting points, but you can also explore unique email name ideas that reflect specific roles or departments, making communication more personalized and efficient. Other popular domain extensions to consider .info domain .org domain .co domain .net domain .llc domain .studio domain .media domain .solutions domain .expert domain .group domain .technology domain .land domain .tokyo domain .london domain .love domain .training domain .photos domain .party domain .top domain .christmas domain .holiday domain
- What is a .net domain?
The perfect domain is just a click away: claim your domain → The .net domain extension, a top-level domain (TLD ), is designed to serve a wide range of websites, particularly those associated with networking, technology and online activities. It was introduced on January 1, 1985, as one of the internet's original domain extensions, alongside .com, .org, .int, .edu, .gov and .mil. Short for "network", it was initially created for organizations involved in networking technologies, such as internet service providers (ISPs) and network infrastructure companies. It has since evolved to become a versatile and widely used domain option. Learn more: What is a domain Guide to domain extensions Website infrastructure Why use a .net domain extension? It's network-oriented .net is particularly suitable for websites related to networking, internet services and technology. It signals to users that the website is associated with network-related activities. It's established and trustworthy As one of the earliest domain extensions , .net carries a sense of credibility and tradition. It has a well-established presence on the internet, contributing to the trustworthiness of websites using this domain. In 2021 there were estimated to be over 13 million .net websites. It establishes a professional image A .net domain can help create a polished and credible online presence, making it appealing to clients and users seeking trustworthy services. It helps protect your brand Many businesses secure the .net version of their domain alongside their existing .com to protect their brand identity and ensure their online presence is secure. Adding a .net domain can offer peace of mind and an extra layer of branding strategy. It's budget-friendly A .net domain can be a cost-effective option, making it appealing for businesses looking for affordability. It’s often more affordable than a .com domain, especially when registering for multiple years, providing great value for long-term plans. .net vs .com: which one to use Use .net when Your website is related to networking, technology or related online services. This could include if you're a technology company, a development business or a marketing agency dealing with tech clients. The .com extension for your desired domain name is already taken or if you want to differentiate from a .com counterpart. Some brands create sites with both .com and .net to reinforce their online presence. On occasion the .net version may automatically redirect to the .com site. Use .com when Your website has a broad scope and you want a widely recognized domain extension. The branding of your website is not closely tied to a specific niche. How to register a .net domain Here are three steps to building your website with a .net domain: 01. Choose a reputable domain registrar Opt for a domain registrar that facilitates the registration of .net domains, Wix domains are a popular choice. 02. Use the registrar's domain search tool Get started with a domain search tool . Then verify the availability of your desired .net domain. If your first choice isn’t available, pop it into a domain name generator , which can help you find a similar domain name. You can also find the domain owner and registration details for a website with a Whois domain lookup . 03. Confirm domain availability Then select your preferred .net domain and complete the registration process. Provide necessary contact details and make the required payment. Note that with a website builder like Wix, domain registration is included in paid plans when learning how to build a website . Be aware that .net domains, like all domains, typically incur annual renewal fees. Check with your registrar for specific pricing details and renewal procedures. Wix domains, for instance, are renewable on an annual basis. Learn more: How to choose a domain name How to register a domain name .net domain extension FAQ Can I use .net for non-technology websites? Yes, in theory .net can be used for any type of website. It's more commonly used for sites with a technology focus. Are there any restrictions on registering a .net domain? Generally, there are no specific restrictions but it's essential to review the registrar's policies for any updates. Is .net suitable for personal sites or portfolios? Yes, .net can be a suitable choice for personal portfolios, especially if they involve technology, networking, or online-related content. Can I use a .net domain for business emails? Yes, you can use a .net domain for business emails. It's a solid choice if you're looking to learn how to create a business email that looks professional and aligns with your brand. Using a .net domain for your business emails, like info@yourbusiness.net or support@yourbusiness.net, can help maintain consistency with your website and brand identity. It's also a great opportunity to explore creative email name ideas that align with your business's image and communication needs. Other potential top level domain extensions to use .info domain .org domain .co domain .llc domain .studio domain .media domain .solutions domain .expert domain .group domain .technology domain .land domain .tokyo domain .london domain .love domain .training domain .photos domain .party domain .top domain .christmas domain .holiday domain
- How farmers make money: 15 profitable farm business ideas you can start
Start generating business ideas with the Wix Business Launcher → Farming nowadays is tougher than ever before. With unstable market prices, changing weather and other issues, making enough money has become tricky for many farmers. Trying new business ideas alongside the usual crops and farming methods has become essential to stay profitable. Even with the challenges, there are still plenty of chances for farmers to do well with their farming business . The demand for food and farm products keeps increasing globally. With this, farmers who manage to tap into specialty markets or make improvements by adapting to technology and improved sustainability practices will often see good rewards. The key is adapting creatively, spreading risk and exploring ways to get more value from the resources available. Need help thinking of other money-making opportunities? Use the Wix Business Launcher to discover more ideas based on your skills and hobbies. Chat with AI and get set up with a full market analysis, earning strategies and launch kit right out of the gate. Quickly take any idea from concept to reality. 15 ways to make money as a farmer In the quest to make more money, farmers can explore a variety of innovative and lucrative agricultural ventures. Here are 15 farming ideas, each with its own unique angle on profitability, requirements and potential market. Specialist vegetable farming Organic crop production Herb gardening Beekeeping and honey production Aquaculture Agrotourism Livestock breeding Mushroom farming Farm produce shop Cut flowers Plant nursery Vertical farming Hydroponics or aquaponics Community-supported agriculture programs Renewable energy production 01. Specialty vegetable farming Grow niche or exotic vegetables that command higher prices from consumers and supermarkets. This requires knowledge of specialty crops and finding the right market but once you do that, it’s a good way to make money as a farmer. For example, the rise in popularity of Asian food has led to demand for locally grown Asian crops, such as Bak Choi, Choy Sum and Napa cabbage. 02. Organic crop production Capitalize on the growing demand for organic products by today’s consumers - the organic food market was estimated to be worth US$183.35 billion in 2022 , rising to a predicted US$546.97 in 2032. This will require extra certification and strict adherence to organic farming practices and standards. In the US these are largely set by the National Organic Program from the Department of Agriculture . Organic products can be sold for a higher price, meaning the potential to earn more money as an organic farmer. Consider growing organic vegetables and fruits, based on their popularity, these include: Strawberries Spinach Kale Nectarines Apples Grapes 03. Herb gardening Make money as a farmer by cultivating herbs for culinary, medicinal or aromatic purposes. Requires minimal space and can be highly profitable with direct sales to customers through farm shops or farmers markets. Some of the most popular herbs for people to buy to grow and use at home include: Basil Mint Chives Cilantro Parsley 04. Beekeeping and honey production Make extra money as a farmer by keeping bees for honey. This can also help with your cross-pollination and important efforts to save and boost bee numbers. You’ll need some beekeeping knowledge or will need to hire someone with that knowledge to get started. 05. Aquaculture Another way to diversify farming income is to consider fish farming, either for food or pet shops. Some species are in higher demand than others, so it’s best to do your research. Also, you’ll need specific setups and equipment, like ponds and tanks. 06. Agrotourism Make money as a farmer by combining farming with tourism - farm stays, tours, or educational workshops. If you’ve got a large farmhouse with spare rooms you could start a bed and breakfast and offer farm stays. Or perhaps you have unused barns that could be converted into holiday accommodation for people looking for a rural getaway. Farm tours can prove popular - common examples include dairy farm tours, complete with calf feedings and tours of the dairy sheds. These tours can be offered to local schools, community centers and the general public. 07. Livestock breeding Diversify your farming and make more money by breeding specialty or high-demand livestock breeds. You’ll need knowledge of animal husbandry, especially as it relates to each specific breed. Some unique livestock breeds include: Llama Elk Bison Emu 08. Mushroom farming Consider growing gourmet mushrooms, to make more money as a farmer. This is also an idea that can be started on a small scale and then expanded as demand grows. Some examples of specialty mushrooms to grow are: Lion’s mane Oyster mushrooms Enoki True morels Mushroom farming can require a specific level of expertise and if you’re planning to sell edible mushrooms, make sure you know exactly what you’re growing and that they’re safe for human consumption. 09. Farm produce shop Depending on what you already grow and produce on your farm, you can consider selling these at a farm shop on your premises, or local farm fairs and markets. Popular farm products to sell include jams, cheese and cured meats. You’ll need to make sure everything is produced and processed in line with food safety regulations. 10. Cut flowers If you already grow flowers you can cultivate them for bouquets and arrangements, to sell, either on your farm or through local markets. You could also sell them via local shops and supermarkets if they agree. This is an easy way to make more money as a farmer if you already grow flowers or could grow them without too much extra investment and resources. 11. Plant nursery Another way to make money as a farmer is to start a nursery for trees, shrubs or ornamental plants. This can work if you have a lot of space and the resources for growing these types of plants. Then you can sell them directly from your farm or through local shops, or even sell them online. 12. Vertical farming If you’re looking to make money with farming but are short of extra space, you could consider vertical farming. This is where crops are grown vertically - on walls or using tower-like structures. Some popular vertical farming crops include lettuce, chard, cabbage, rocket and kale. 13. Hydroponics Hydroponics is a popular way for farmers to diversify their income and try a different style of farming. It involves growing plants in a water-based, nutrient-rich solution (hydroponics) or combined with fish farming (aquaponics). There are some setup costs to consider before starting but it can prove to be profitable. 14. Community Supported Agriculture Programs Join the Community Supported Agriculture Directory and join a program that lists farms offering customers regular deliveries of farm products during the different harvest seasons. It works on a subscription basis where customers pay weekly or monthly for their boxes of product. This can help you make money as a farmer by connecting you with customers easily. 15. Renewable energy production If you’ve got plenty of space, another way to make extra money as a farmer is to install solar panels or wind turbines on your farmland to generate renewable energy. You can then sell this energy to the national grid, use it to power your own farm business or sell it to power companies. Farming innovations and fresh agricultural business ideas Farming is evolving with innovations that boost productivity and focus on sustainability. Tech like drones, IoT and AI helps farmers manage crops, improve irrigation and monitor soil health. Methods like hydroponics, aquaponics and vertical farming are transforming unexpected spaces into thriving agricultural hubs. New business ideas from farm-to-table models to regenerative farming are creating profitable eco-friendly opportunities. Let’s explore the top farming ideas shaping the future of agriculture. Vertical farming : Grow crops indoors in stacked layers making the most of small spaces and bringing fresh produce to urban areas. Hydroponics and aquaponics : Grow plants without soil using nutrient-rich water perfect for areas with limited water or dry climates. Aquaponics pairs plant farming with fish farming to create a sustainable system. Smart irrigation systems : Use IoT sensors to monitor soil moisture and weather so crops get the right amount of water while reducing waste. Drone technology : Use drones to monitor crops, check soil health and apply pesticides with precision to boost yields and cut costs. Farm robotics : Automate tasks like planting, harvesting and weeding with robots to save on labor and improve efficiency especially for large farms. Agri-tourism : Offer experiences like farm stays, workshops or pick-your-own activities to connect people to farming and bring in extra income. Regenerative farming : Use techniques that improve soil health, boost biodiversity and reduce carbon footprints to increase yields over time and attract eco-conscious customers. Urban rooftop gardens : Turn city rooftops into spaces for growing organic veggies and herbs to provide fresh produce to local communities. Farm-to-table subscription boxes : Deliver fresh produce, dairy or meats straight from your farm to homes with a convenient subscription model. Biodegradable packaging : Replace plastic with eco-friendly packaging to appeal to environmentally-conscious shoppers. What defines a profitable farming business To thrive in the competitive world of agriculture, it's crucial to adopt farming ideas that are not only innovative but also possess certain key characteristics that can lead to long-term profitability. Understanding these traits helps in identifying and investing in ventures that are more likely to succeed financially. Profitability The primary characteristic of a successful farming idea is its ability to generate profit. This means that the revenue obtained from the farming activity should exceed the costs involved in production, marketing and distribution. Profitable farming ventures often have a good return on investment (ROI) and can maintain or increase profitability over time. Sustainability Sustainability is another critical aspect of a profitable farming idea. This refers to practices that are environmentally sound, socially responsible and economically viable. Sustainable farming not only helps in preserving resources for future generations but also often leads to cost savings in the long run. Moreover, there is a growing market for products that are produced sustainably, which can be leveraged for higher profit margins. Scalability The scalability of a farming idea is its potential to be expanded or replicated on a larger scale. An idea that starts small should have the capacity to grow without a proportional increase in costs. Scalability ensures that as demand increases, the farming business can meet that demand without sacrificing quality or profitability. Market demand Lastly, for a farming idea to be profitable, there must be sufficient market demand for the product or service. This involves understanding consumer trends, preferences and purchasing behaviors. A profitable farming business idea should cater to existing market demands or create new demand through innovation and marketing. It's also important to consider the competition and find ways to differentiate your product or service to capture a share of the market. How to make money farming: getting started Making money as a farmer requires careful planning and a strategic approach. Here are the foundational steps to consider when starting a farming business, ensuring that you lay the groundwork for success and sustainability. Conduct market research: understanding local demand, competition and pricing Starting a farm means figuring out what people actually want to buy. Market research helps you identify which crops, livestock or products are in demand in your area. Are local restaurants looking for fresh herbs? Is there a growing interest in organic produce at farmers' markets? Knowing what your community is interested in lets you focus on the right products. It’s also important to see what your competition is up to—if there’s already a lot of one type of product, you might want to try something different to stand out. Pricing is a big part of market research too. Check how much your competitors charge for similar products and make sure your prices are competitive. At the same time, don’t sell yourself short. Your pricing should reflect the value of your work and the quality of your products. Develop a business plan: farming concept, financial projections and marketing strategies Your farming business plan doesn’t need to be complicated, but it should give you a clear direction. Start by defining your concept—what are you growing, raising or offering? Are you focusing on crops, livestock or maybe something like agrotourism? Include financial projections to map out everything from startup costs to expected profits. Knowing how money flows in and out will help you stay on track and avoid surprises. Your marketing strategy is just as important. Think about who your customers are and how you’ll connect with them. Are you selling to local restaurants, individuals at markets or setting up an online shop? Use a farm name generator to come up with a memorable name that helps you stand out and attract the right audience. Secure financing: exploring loans, grants or investors Starting a farm can be expensive, so finding the right way to fund it is crucial. Loans are a popular choice, with banks and agricultural lenders offering programs tailored for farmers. These can help cover costs like land, equipment or daily operations. Just make sure to review interest rates and repayment terms to avoid surprises later. Grants can also be a great option, especially for farms focusing on sustainability or innovative practices. Many organizations support farmers using eco-friendly methods or experimenting with new techniques. If you’re open to sharing the risk and bringing in extra expertise, investors or partnerships might be worth considering. Investors can provide funding in exchange for a share of the profits, so it’s important to have a clear plan for how the arrangement will work. Pick the right location: soil quality, climate and water availability Choosing the right spot for your farm is essential. Start with soil quality—healthy soil is the foundation for growing crops or raising animals. Soil tests can help you spot missing nutrients so you can make improvements. For livestock, look for land with good grazing areas and plenty of space for animals to roam. Climate matters too. Different crops and animals do better in certain climates, so understanding what works best for your farm will make a big difference. Water availability is another must. Farms need a reliable source of water for irrigation or livestock care. Whether it’s a well, river or rain collection system, water is vital for keeping your farm running. Get the equipment and supplies you need: tools, seeds, livestock Once you’ve got your farm idea ready, it’s time to gather the tools, supplies and livestock to bring it to life. For crops, this could mean tractors, plows and seeders to prepare your land for planting. For animals, think about fencing, barns and feeding equipment. Focus on what’s most important to get started. Investing in good equipment can make farming easier and more efficient. Quality seeds and healthy livestock give you the best chance for success. Spend time researching what works best for your farm, like choosing a cattle breed or figuring out the right soil amendments for your land. Get the right licenses and permits: follow local rules Before you start planting or selling make sure you're following local rules. Each region has its own farming regulations including land use, water rights and what crops you can grow. If you're selling at farmers' markets or in stores you might need food safety certifications, health permits and other approvals. Taking the time to figure this out upfront can save you from fines or delays later. Don't forget to check zoning and land-use permits. Some areas have laws that limit farming activities or require approval to farm on certain land. Reach out to local authorities early to ensure everything is in order. Sustainable farming practices: eco-friendly methods for lasting success Sustainable farming isn’t just good for the environment—it’s a smart way to ensure the future of your farm. Practices like crop rotation, composting and natural pest control help reduce reliance on harmful chemicals while keeping your soil healthy. These methods also make your farm more resilient to challenges like extreme weather. Going sustainable can also give you an edge in the market as more consumers look for organic and environmentally friendly products. Build a strong brand and marketing strategy: create your farm identity Building a strong brand for your farm goes beyond just a logo—it’s about telling people who you are and what you stand for. Design a farming logo that reflects your farm’s unique qualities, whether it’s sustainability, high-quality produce or a family-friendly experience. Your farm’s name, logo and tagline should work together to tell a story that connects with your audience. Marketing strategy is just as important to help your farm stand out. Social media, local events and word-of-mouth are great ways to get noticed. You can also create a website to share your story, sell your products and make it easy for customers to connect with you. Email newsletters or loyalty programs are great for keeping customers engaged and coming back. Build distribution channels: getting your products to customers Getting your products to customers is a vital part of running a farm. Selling directly through farmers markets or a farm stand is a great way to connect with your customers and get quick feedback on your products. You can also explore other options like selling to local restaurants, grocery stores or setting up an online store. Online sales can help you reach customers beyond your local area, especially if you offer items like jams, sauces or crafts. You could even offer subscription boxes or home delivery for fresh produce making it easier for customers to enjoy what your farm has to offer. Monitor and adjust your business plan: adapt to growth and challenges As your farm grows, it’s important to keep an eye on your progress and fine-tune your strategy. Track your income, expenses and sales to make sure everything’s on track. If a crop or product isn’t doing well, try a new approach or experiment with something different. Farming can be unpredictable with challenges like extreme weather or changing customer preferences. Staying flexible and reviewing your business plan regularly allows you to make changes when needed. If something's working, stick with it. If not, don’t hesitate to switch things up. Build a website: boost visibility and manage online sales A website is one of the best tools you can have as a farmer. It’s where you can share your farm’s story, list your products and connect with your customers. People can easily learn what you grow or make, how to buy from you and how to visit your farm. If you sell directly to consumers, create a website to build trust and get your business noticed. Looking to sell online? You can make an eCommerce website to offer things like produce boxes, dairy, eggs or homemade goods. It’s also a great way to manage CSA memberships or let people book farm tours. Not sure where to start? It’s easier than you think to learn how to build a website , especially with the best ecommerce platforms made for small business owners like you. How to make money as a farmer FAQ What type of farming is the most cost-effective? The most profitable farming methods use fewer resources and deliver fast results. Growing microgreens, for example, is affordable and offers a quick turnaround, making it a popular choice. Microgreens are a lucrative crop that you can grow in small spaces with minimal equipment. Perfect for urban farmers, they offer an efficient way to boost your income. How much land do I need to diversify a farming business? Diversifying a farming business doesn't necessarily require a large amount of land. It depends on the type of farming you plan to do. Urban farming methods like hydroponics or vertical farming can be done in small spaces, while livestock or crop farming typically requires more land. What are some of the biggest challenges in making money as a farmer? Some of the biggest challenges include securing funding, understanding the market, coping with environmental factors, managing labor and navigating regulatory requirements. It's important to research and prepare for these challenges before starting. Can farming be a side business? Yes, many people start farming as a side business and gradually expand. Small-scale operations like herb gardening, beekeeping, or mushroom farming can be managed alongside other commitments. How do small farmers make money? Popular ways for small farmers to make money — selling direct to consumers, fruit and vegetables and other crops or products are some good ideas. You can also sell from farmers markets or with a pop up store, or set up a permanent shop to sell. How to make a living on 5 acres? Grow high-value crops like microgreens, garlic or mushrooms or raise chickens and goats for eggs, milk and meat. Sell directly to consumers at farmers markets, through CSA subscriptions or a digital store to make money online . Boost your income with agritourism, farm workshops or by selling homemade products like cheese, honey or preserves on your website or other online platforms. Other ways to consider making money How to make money as a student How to make money as a chef How to make money as a real estate agent How to make money as a personal trainer How to make money as a therapist How to make money as a freelance writer How to make money as a singer How to make money as a contractor How to make money as a handyman How to make money as a notary public How to make money as an entrepreneur How to make money as a crafter How to make money as a teenager How to make money as a virtual assistant
- How to start a blog in 10 steps: a beginner's guide
Ready to share your ideas with the world? Start your blog → If you’re wondering how to create a blog , you’ve come to the right place. As a blogger myself, I can tell you it’s a rewarding way to hone your writing skills, explore new ideas and build an online presence that revolves around your passions and expertise. You’ll get the chance to inspire, educate and entertain your readers—and as your blog grows, you can even start making money and turn it into a full-time job or use it to start a business . In other words, blogging is the first step toward finally pursuing your dream job or favorite hobby, so you really can’t go wrong. While starting a blog might seem daunting, I’m going to walk you through every step to make it as smooth and successful as possible. The process is actually quite easy, and you’ll have your blog up and running, as well as your first blog post written, before you know it. In this step-by-step guide, you’ll find all the guidance and tools you’ll need to start a blog and get writing blog posts. You’ll learn how to make your website , write your first blog post and draw in loyal readers. Sounds exciting? Let’s dive in. 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. How to start a blog in 10 steps Choose a blogging platform. Use a platform that offers customizable templates. Pick a hosting platform. Consider a platform with good bandwidth, uptime and customer support. Find the right niche. Narrow down your theme and have a specific audience in mind. Select a blog name and domain. Choose a descriptive name that piques readers’ interests. Set up and design your blog. Include imagery and effects that reflect your theme. Brainstorm blog topics. Write down all your ideas before narrowing down topic selections. Write your first blog post. Engage your audience with a killer title and use headers to make the content skimmable. Create an editorial calendar. Create a calendar to help you publish consistently and hold yourself accountable. Promote your blog. Use marketing strategies to expand your reach. Make money blogging. Take advantage of opportunities to monetize your blog. In this complete how to blog A to Z tutorial, we’ll cover everything from choosing your blogging platform to making money from your written work. With a little bit of guidance, you can get your blog online in 30 minutes or less. This is going to be the most comprehensive advice you’ll find on building a successful blog from scratch. If you want to start a blog fast, though, feel free to use the numbered steps above as a quick cheat sheet. You can go directly to the step you need the most help with, or grab a cup of coffee and read it all the way through. What is a blog? While a blog can encompass an entire website or simply be its own section of a website, this is a place to share content about a topic you’re passionate about. Starting a blog will typically include both written and visual elements published in an easy-to-read, article format so visitors can swiftly browse and find what they’re looking for. And with over 31.7 million blogs in the US alone, you can literally find blogs about every subject out therein, from home renovation to baking to local business marketing strategies . Once you’ve established a community of readers, the possibilities are truly endless. We use our blog as a platform to support you on your website building journey. Our posts guide you through the entire process, from start to finish, giving informative insights and practical tips at every step along the way. As far as a timeline goes, there's no definitive "perfect" time to start a blog. If you feel that you have the time and resources to start, manage and promote a blog and are enthusiastic about sharing your ideas with the world, it might be the right time to take the plunge and start your blogging journey. The sooner you start, the sooner you can learn and grow as a blogger. 01. Choose a blogging platform If you're here, you're likely curious about how to get started—and you're in the right place. The first step in starting a blog is to select a blogging platform or Content Management System (CMS) for publishing your content. A quick Google search will show you that there are several different sites available that suit bloggers from all industries. The blog you're reading is actually built on Wix , a platform I highly recommend for new and seasoned bloggers. Wix’s blogging platform is fairly straightforward to get the hang of, and it offers a variety of attractive design options and templates to work with. In addition, it comes with features to analyze your blog’s performance and monetize your content, which will come in handy as you setup your blog and build your readership. How much does it cost to start a blog? When researching how to create a blog, one of the biggest questions people have is how much does it cost to start a blog . On many blogging builders, starting a blog is completely free . You can decide at any point whethdoer you’d like to upgrade to a variety of different plans, depending on your budget and needs. Learn more about how much does it cost to build a website. 02. Pick a hosting platform Once you select your preferred blogging platform, you’ll need to choose a hosting platform. A blog, like other types of websites , requires a host. This essentially stores websites on a server under a unique address so that visitors can easily reach them. faqOn some blogging platforms, hosting is already included, so you won’t need to find a separate web host when setting up your blog. In that case, you can skip this step and move to Step 3 . With other blog builders, such as WordPress, you will need to find and pay for a separate web hosting platform. Some popular options include: BlueHost HostGator GoDaddy DreamHost If you’re not sure which web hosting platform to choose, take into account these factors: Uptime: The amount of time that the server hosting your website is up and running. A strong uptime rate (99.95% or above) is a good indication that the host’s servers perform well. Bandwidth: The amount of data your website can transfer to visitors over a certain period of time. This factor is based on the size of your website pages as well as the amount of traffic you expect. This quick bandwidth calculator can help you determine your site’s bandwidth. Customer support: Customer service you can contact in the event something goes wrong. Ideally, your hosting provider should offer an online help center, offer callbacks and respond to questions and concerns on social media. Once you’ve chosen your blogging platform and hosting provider, you can start coming up with your blog idea. Don’t worry about picking and registering your domain name just yet. We’ll walk through that process together in Step 4 . 03. Find the right profitable blog niche There is virtually no limit when it comes to your choice of subjects. The most crucial thing is that you select a specific topic area that will be the central focus of your entire blog and its content strategy. What is a blog niche Popular blog niche ideas How to choose your blog niche Don’t follow trends you don’t love Stay focused Testing the waters Your blog niche doesn’t need to be perfect What is a blog niche A blog niche is the specific topic your blog focuses on—like travel, tech, food or personal finance. A niche lets you narrow your content to attract a specific audience. Think of it as picking your lane: readers know what to expect and you become the go-to person for that topic. Why does this matter? When your blog has a clear focus, it’s easier to grow. Search engines understand your site which helps with SEO. Readers are more likely to stick around and subscribe when the content feels made for them. And if you’re looking to make money from your blog, a niche makes it easier to recommend products, attract partnerships or create content that converts. Popular blog niche ideas These blog topics attract big, active audiences and offer lots of room to grow, monetize and build a community. Blogging for fun, as a side hustle or to support your business? These niches give you plenty of flexibility and potential—especially when you bring your unique voice and experience. Personal finance : Budgeting, saving, investing and making money online are always in demand. Health and wellness : From fitness routines to mental health and holistic living. Food and recipes : Share meals, diet-specific cooking (vegan, keto or other food blog types) or cultural cuisine. Travel : Tips, itineraries and experiences from around the world or your own backyard. Parenting : Advice, stories and activities for new parents or families. Lifestyle : A broader niche that can include home decor, fashion blogs , productivity or minimalism. Tech and gadgets : Reviews, how-tos and insights into the latest devices and trends. Beauty and skincare : Tutorials, reviews and routines for makeup and skincare enthusiasts. Career and personal development : Productivity tips, job hunting or entrepreneurship. Education and learning : Great for teachers, tutors or curious minds. Share study tips, teaching tools or start a book blog with reviews and reading guides. How to choose your blog niche Before picking a niche, think of it like finding your blog’s sweet spot. It should be something you love talking about, know a bit about and that people are actually interested in. The best niches mix passion, knowledge and the potential to grow through ads, products or building a loyal group of readers. 3 steps to pick the perfect blog niche: Narrow down your interests : Start by listing 5–10 broad interests then narrow each down to something more specific. For example, if you love travel, maybe it’s backpacking in Southeast Asia; if you like cooking, maybe it’s vegan recipes. These personal interests will help shape a niche you’ll stick with and actually enjoy building content around. Research your blog audience : Start by using tools like Google Trends to see how many people are searching for certain subjects. The more searches a topic gets, the more potential audience you have. For example, “vegan recipes” shows steady interest, making it a strong choice for a blog niche while topics with lower or declining interest like “paleo recipes” may have fewer readers. Check if it’s profitable : Even if you’re running a hobby personal blog , it’s a good idea to explore ways to make money from it. Affiliate marketing is a popular option where you promote products and earn a commission on sales. Consider how your niche fits into this, like writing "best of" or "how to" posts with affiliate links. For example, a "Best kitchen appliances for easy cooking" post could include links to food processors making you money with every sale. Don’t follow trends you don’t love Jumping on a trending topic can be tempting when it feels like everyone else is making it work. But if you're not truly interested, your blog won't last. Writing about something you don’t care about feels like a chore and readers will notice when you're not into it. Passion is what keeps your blog going and makes the process more enjoyable. Stay focused Another trap to avoid? Going way too broad. “Lifestyle” might sound cool but it’s too broad. Instead, go for something like “sustainable living for young moms” or “minimalist style for city dwellers.” It gives your blog a clear focus and helps you build a loyal audience. Also stick to your chosen niche—changing topics all the time confuses readers and hurts your SEO. Testing the waters: how to know if your niche will attract readers Before jumping in, make sure people actually want to read about your niche. A quick Google or Pinterest search will show you what kind of content is already out there. If you find blog posts, YouTube videos and products, that’s a great sign. Tools like Google Keyword Planner can also help you see if your topic gets decent search traffic. Forums and Facebook groups are super helpful too. Look at what people are asking, complaining about or curious to learn—those are your content ideas. And don’t skip checking out the competition. What are other bloggers covering? What are they missing? That gap could be exactly where your blog stands out. Your blog niche doesn’t need to be perfect Most bloggers don’t get it right on the first try. You might start out writing about wellness and realize you’re actually into natural skincare. Or maybe you find your groove creating tech tutorials for beginners instead of covering every new gadget out there. That’s totally fine. Your blog can grow and evolve with you. It’s not about having the perfect plan from day one—it’s about staying flexible and figuring out what works. Many successful bloggers refine their niche as they go, learning what resonates with their audience and what feels good to create. Start now, adjust along the way and enjoy the process. 04. Select a blog name and domain As you think about how to make a blog, the question of what to name it is probably lurking somewhere in the back of your mind. There are three main routes you can go with your blog's name. These include: Your first and last name The name of your business (if you have one) A creative new name When choosing your blog’s name, you should also think about the personality you want it to reflect. Should it be formal and professional? Sweet and romantic? Edgy and offbeat? If you’re stuck on names for your blog , this blog name generator is a helpful source of inspiration. Once you decide, you should also go ahead and choose your domain name for your blog. Also referred to as a URL , a domain is a site’s address on the web (this website’s domain name, for example, is www.wix.com). Typically, your domain name will be the same as, or at least influenced by, the name of your blog. If you really want your blog to stand out, consider a .blog domain extension . It's a clear and unique way to help your blog and content pop. Tips for picking a domain name for your blog: Keep it short and simple so it's easy to remember. Try to use keywords related to your blog's niche. Avoid numbers or hyphens—they can be confusing and hard to share. Check if the domain name is available using a domain name search . Make sure it aligns with your blog name for consistency. Pro tip: Find the domain owner and registration details for a website with a Whois domain lookup . 05. Set up and design your blog Choose a blog template Decide which pages to include Get indexed on search engines Create a blog logo At this point, you’ve chosen a blogging and hosting platform, domain name and blog niche. You’re now equipped with all the basics for setting up your blog. Here's how to optimize your blog design : Choose a blog template The first part of setup for a blog is selecting a template. Like your blog’s name, its look and feel will be an important part of its personality. The most efficient way to get your blog up and running is to choose a pre-designed blog template . Afterwards, you can customize it based on your preferences. Be sure to pick one that conveys your blog’s subject area. There are website templates for bloggers of any genre, whether you’re a food blogger, photography blogger or business blogger. As you browse, think about the mood you want your website to communicate, for example. whether it’s classic, modern, rugged or minimalist. You should also take that into account as you further personalize the template with your preferred colors. Color psychology plays a huge role in forming your audience’s impression of your blog. As you choose a color palette, keep in mind the feelings and attitudes that different colors evoke. Blue, for instance, tends to evoke dependability and trust, while yellow evokes energy and joy. If you’re unsure of which templates to choose, these blog examples serve as a helpful source of design inspiration. Decide which pages to include Once you’ve chosen a template, think about which pages to include. Most blogs include more than just a section to display their posts. They might also include an online store, as in the image below, or a contact page. Here's an overview of the different options when designing your blog: 01. Contact page: This is a place to put your email address so that fans and potential business partners can reach out to you. You can also include a contact form so that people can send a message directly through your site. 02. About page: This tells visitors who you are, what you do and why you do it, providing some context behind your blog and humanizing your content. 03. Online store: You’ll also want to add a separate online store page if you’re thinking of selling items related to your blog. You can call this page “Products” or “Shop.” In addition to your primary content pages when you create a blog, you can include a few legal pages to protect your interests and inform your visitors. Create a disclaimer page to clearly explain the accuracy of your information, especially if you're giving advice or using affiliate links. A privacy policy is often required by law and tells users about how you handle their data. You can also add a Terms of Service page to outline usage rules, user expectations and your rights. If you want to beef up your blog with even more pages, a Tutorials page, Now Trending page or Author’s Pick page are all popular options. Furthermore, some blogs opt to place their posts directly on the homepage, while others keep their homepages and blog pages separate. If you do this, make sure to include a navigation menu so that visitors can easily access your blog as well as any other pages. There’s no right or wrong way to set up a blog, so play around with different options to see what best suits your style and personality. Keep in mind that you can always add or remove pages over time as your blog evolves. Get indexed on search engines Another part of starting a blog is making sure it’s visible on Google and other search engines. This is crucial if you want your content to pop up in search results, so you’ll want to take care of this step right away. First, make sure your site is indexed on Google. Essentially, this means giving Google a heads up that your blog exists. You can do this by submitting your sitemap to Google Search Console . Pro tip: Google Search Console is not only important for indexing your site, but it’s also a valuable platform that you’ll be using throughout your blogging journey. It tells you important data about your blog’s site visitors and clicks, which you can use to improve your content. To find out whether your site is already included in Google’s search index, do a quick site search (a site search uses your homepage URL and takes the form of site:yourblogname.com ). If your blog pops up in the search results, then your site is already indexed. Create a blog logo Finally, polish off your site with an attractive blog logo . This is another way to add personality to your site, and it’s an essential step if you want to create a blog that evolves into a recognizable brand. One option is to design your own or outsource the task, but you can also use an online logo maker . These tools give you plenty of room to customize your logo with your preferred colors, fonts and icons, and tend to be quicker and more affordable than hiring a professional designer. Once you create your logo, place it in the upper left-hand corner of your website, and link it to your homepage. This will help brand your content while improving the navigation experience for readers. 06. Brainstorm blog topics On the technical side, your blog is now setup and ready to go. It’s time to start thinking about which topics you’ll get started with. Begin by thinking about your experiences, successes, failures or discoveries related to your niche. What insights can you share? What ideas are you looking to explore in-depth? As you think of topics, try to get into your readers’ heads. Here are some questions to guide you through the brainstorming process: What characteristics does my target audience possess? What subjects does my target audience get excited about? What challenges does my target audience face? Here on our blog, we choose topics by focusing on what matters most to you, our reader. We pay attention to trending industries, common questions and what people are searching for right now. By mixing popular topics with practical advice and insights from our in-house experts, we make sure our content is genuinely helpful. We also explore niche areas that often get overlooked, adding unique tips to give you your website, blog or other online presence that extra edge. Our goal is simple–create blog posts that solve real-world problems and provide value to anyone ready to start their own blog. You can also come up with ideas using the topic cluster model . Essentially, this is a tightly organized system that strings together related posts using a series of internal links. While this process is usually considered part of SEO, you can also think of it as a mind map for coming up with ideas. By this model, think about a broad topic—say, recipes—and then divide that up into smaller subtopics, like dinner recipes or brunch recipes. Then, divide those up into even more specific topics, like 20-minute dinner recipes, mimosa recipes, and cake decoration ideas. Any of these topics could be its own blog post. If you’re still stuck, this list of blog ideas can help jumpstart the brainstorming process. They include: A 30 before 30 list (also 40 before 40, or 50 before 50) Your sources of inspiration Beginners’ guides Time-saving hacks A challenge you’ve faced Use these ideas to guide you, but feel free to add your own creative twist based on your niche. 07. Write your first blog post Start with keyword research Come up with a blog post title Outline your main points Write engaging content Insert images Optimize for SEO Edit and publish Now that you’ve come up with ideas, you’re ready to dive into the writing. Let’s go over how to write a blog post from start to finish: Start with keyword research Finding the right keywords is crucial for getting people to read your posts. By targeting certain phrases with your article, you increase the chances of your blog appearing on search results pages for those queries. Let’s say, for instance, that you want to share a carrot cake recipe in your blog. You’ll want to target keywords such as: Carrot cake Carrot cake recipe Best carrot cake recipe How to make carrot cake Depending on your topic, some keywords may be more obvious than others. You can refine your keywords using free keyword research tools such as Google Keyword Planner or you can use more robust paid options like SEMrush or Ahrefs . Next, you’ll need to strategically target your selected keywords throughout your article. This means two things: First, you’ll need to sprinkle those phrases throughout your post (but try to do so as organically as possible—no one likes unnatural keyword stuffing). Second, you should structure your article based on the format you see in the top 10 search results for those keywords (you can also reference these results when deciding how long should a blog post be ). Let’s say, for example, that you want to write an article about your favorite carrot cake recipe. Start by checking your competitors—the top 10 search results on Google for the keyword “carrot cake recipe.” When you type that phrase into the search engine, you’ll notice that the top results are written as numbered steps, rather than as a story. You can therefore assume that most readers prefer the list format for these types of posts. In order to provide valuable content to your readers—and to rank high on Google as a result—you’ll want your own post to assume a similar format. Likewise, you’ll want to touch on all the main points covered by your competitors. This doesn’t mean you can’t be creative. It’s just to say that in addition to sharing your own original insights, you should cover all the bases. To continue with our example, let’s assume that when you look up “carrot cake recipe,” the top search results include a section about how to make cream cheese frosting. This is an indicator that many readers find this content helpful. In addition, it shows that Google has a preference for articles including that detail. You’d be wise, then, to touch on this idea in your own article. Outline your main points Keyword research gives you an idea of the best format for your blog post, as well as which sections to include. This naturally segues into the outline stage of the writing process. First, choose which type of blog post you’d like to write. Will it be a how-to guide? A product recommendation? An op-ed? Whichever blog post template you choose, you’ll want to have a clear idea in mind before structuring the outline. Then, use headers and subheaders to break up your content into organized, bite-sized chunks. Beneath each heading, make bulleted notes of the main points you’ll include in each section. This will be the skeleton of your first blog post. Feel free to use this downloadable blog post template to help with your outline. All you need to do is fill in the blanks: Come up with a blog post title The next part of starting a blog article is coming up with a strong title. You can come up with your blog titles at any stage of the planning process, but the best ideas often arise as you build your outline. A blog title is a small but mighty piece of content. Often, it makes the difference between whether or not people click on your article. When it comes to writing blog post titles, we keep it simple, clear and to the point. We’re all about grabbing your attention while giving you exactly what you need to know. Our goal? To speak directly to you in an approachable tone that still shows we’ve got the know-how. Each title is designed to promise real value–from solving a problem, answering your questions or walking you through a step-by-step guide. And yes, we make sure to include some SEO magic, so our blogs are easy to find, but we never sacrifice that for personal touch. Because here’s the thing, a great headline isn’t just about getting clicks; it’s about keeping our promise and giving you exactly what you’re looking for. To make your blog titles catchy and compelling, put yourself in your readers’ shoes. Think about what might interest and excite them, and try the following strategies: Be clear and direct Promise value Appeal to your readers’ emotions Pique their curiosity Use humor, alliteration or wordplay Here are a few fill-in-the-blank blog title ideas to help you: f you’re curious about diving more into what makes a headline a success, Buzzsumo’s shared headlines study is also an insightful resource. Looking to make the most out of your blog? Subscribe to the Wix blog newsletter and get fresh content and updates straight to your inbox. Write engaging content Now, it’s time to start typing away. Keep in mind that you’ll need an introduction, body text broken up by headers and sub-headers, and a conclusion (optional). In the introduction, grab your audience’s attention with a captivating anecdote, a compelling quote or statistic, or an interesting fact. Then, share a brief summary of what the article is about, making sure to grab the interest of your readers. Next, write the body text, using your outline as a guide. This is where you share your knowledge and expertise as a blogger. Be sure to avoid fluff; writing for the sake of writing is one of the biggest blogging mistakes . Instead, make sure each sentence is meaningful, and dive straight into sharing your original insights and actionable tips. You should also use a tone of voice that resonates with your audience, whether it’s funny and casual or serious and formal. Finally, wrap up the post with a concluding section. While not every blog includes this final bit, it’s a nice way to tie your ideas together and share your closing thoughts. Keep in mind that writing a blog post can take several hours, and it’s a process that shouldn’t be rushed. Set aside at least half a day to write your first draft. There are quicker ways to research, plan and create blog content, if you choose to decide with AI content generation tools. There are several to choose from - including Open AI's Chat GPT, Google's BARD and others such as Jasper.ai. Just be sure to heavily edit any AI generated content, be on top of fact checking it's output and don't forget to bring your own voice and style to the content. Write a blog post with AI As AI content generators become more popular and as their output improves, considering whether to use AI to write blog posts is a valid question a lot of bloggers are asking themselves. AI content generation can speed up the blog writing process and help you create more, faster. However, in our experience, AI generated content still requires a large degree of human editing, fact checking and injecting of experience into it. So while it might help you create drafts faster, it's not going to be something you can publish fresh from an AI content generator. However you can use AI for other parts of the blog writing process. You can use it to: Create blog titles Write meta titles and descriptions Structure your blog articles Help you proofread for grammar and spelling mistakes Insert images As you start your blog, remember that your choice of images can strengthen readers’ overall impression of your article. Whether you add photos, screenshots or illustrations to your articles, they should be functional as well as beautiful. Make sure they convey your main points and highlight important examples in the post. If you don’t have your own images, begin by browsing free stock photos on the web. Pexels and Unsplash are both popular sites for gathering visual material. While you might eventually want to use photos you take yourself, stock photos are a quick way to get your blog started. Optimize for SEO Once you create your content, there are a couple things you’ll need to take care of before hitting Publish. These steps primarily revolve around strategy, from improving your blog SEO to generating conversions through your article. Here’s a quick post-writing checklist to guide you: Double check your keywords: Quickly search your content (CTRL+F) to review your use of keywords. Did you include all the keywords you intended to? If not, check to see whether there are any other opportunities to incorporate the keywords throughout your article. (Keep in mind that keyword stuffing is considered a bad practice, and search engines can penalize you for it. Incorporate them naturally into the text, rather than forcing them in.) Add internal links: One trick up every bloggers’ sleeve is to link between their blog posts (also known as the practice of internal linking). This helps improve your posts’ SEO, and it also encourages your readers to browse your other articles. Rather than linking randomly, you should link between primarily related blog posts; this is better for SEO, and it also makes the links more valuable to your readers. If you’re just starting a blog and don’t have much content yet, don’t forget to go back into your posts and add in the links later. Incorporate CTAs: The next trick in the book is to include calls-to-action (CTAs) throughout the article. These little snippets of content often take the form of phrases such as Buy Now, Subscribe, or Read More. By placing call-to-action buttons in your article, you can direct readers to buy your products, subscribe to your newsletter, or click for further reading. Use alt text: Because Google can’t read photos, bloggers often add a short description to each image (ideally using keywords) to help the search engine understand what is being displayed. This description, called alt text, helps your images show up in Google image searches. Write your post’s metadata: Metadata is the term for the text used to display a web page in Google search results. This includes the meta title (also known as the title tag) and meta description. Sometimes, the meta title is the same as the title of your blog post, while other times, you’ll want to choose a slightly different title for displaying your post. There’s no right or wrong here, so long as your title is engaging and includes your most important keyword. The meta description, which is the short snippet of text beneath the meta title, should also include your main keywords and should preview the article’s main points. Choose your URL: Every webpage has a dedicated URL, and your blog posts are no different. A strong URL helps your articles rank high on search engine results pages, and typically contains a keyword. Blog post URLs often take the form of www.yourdomainname.com/blog-post-keyword or www.yourdomainname.com/blog/blog-post-keyword . Pro tip: Edit the slug, or the end portion of the URL, to be simple, clear and include a keyword. For instance, www.yourdomainname.com/delicious-cake-recipes reads much better than something long or generic. There are also more advanced SEO strategies you can employ: Add structured data: Adding structured data markup allows search engines to display rich snippets in search results, such as ratings, images and additional details. These snippets improve visibility and attract more clicks by making your content appear more informative and engaging to users. Optimize for voice search: Voice search relies on natural language and conversational queries, so tailoring your content to include long-tail keywords and question-based phrases improves your chances of appearing in results. Using structured answers within your content can also make it more compatible with voice-activated devices. Edit and publish You now have everything you need for your first blog post. Give it a couple reads, and share it with family members or friends to review. It’s always helpful to have a second, third, or fourth pair of eyes. When you think your article is ready to go, upload it to your blog. Your blogging platform will also have a place for you to type in the metadata and URL. Once that’s done, hit Publish and let the celebrations begin. 08. Create an editorial calendar Whew! You’ve just written your first blog post. Take a break, and when you’re ready, plan out the rest of the month’s posting schedule. Creating an editorial calendar is an important part of starting a blog. It’s an effective way to ensure you publish content consistently, letting you hold yourself accountable as a writer and ensuring you don’t deviate from your blogging goals. Your readers want new content, and you need to deliver. Plus, search engines take into account how frequently you publish when determining your site’s overall ranking. You probably already have a handful of topics from your brainstorming session in Step 6. If not, use the same process to come up with new ideas. Once you have at least 10 or so ideas, start building a content calendar. Your calendar doesn’t need to cost a thing, and it certainly doesn’t require the use of unfamiliar tools or platforms. Open up Excel or Google Sheets, and start building a schedule from there. The columns you use are completely up to you, but you’ll probably want to create different sections for the publishing date, blog title, main keywords, article status and comments. Pro tip: If you know you’re prone to procrastination (aren't we all?), open up a Google Calendar and fill in your deadlines there. You can even set aside blocks of time in your calendar for writing. How often should you blog? When learning how to start a blog, a big question people ask is how often they should be publishing new content. As a rule of thumb, the more often you blog, the more traffic you get. There’s no black-or-white answer for exactly how frequently that is, but studies have pointed us to a few important statistics : 11 or more posts per month yields a noticeable increase in traffic. Among small companies of 10 or fewer employees, those who published at least 11 blog posts a month had twice as much traffic as those who published two to five blogs a month. Small companies also found that publishing at least 11 posts per month yields twice as many leads as those publishing six to 10 monthly articles. This is important if your goal is to obtain subscribers, sell products or work as an affiliate (more on that in Step 10). How often you blog also depends on your goals . If your main goal is to generate brand awareness, start with one to two new posts per week. On the other hand, if you’re primarily aiming to increase blog traffic , you should ideally be writing three to four new posts per week. Keep all this in mind as you create your editorial calendar, but make your goals small and achievable. If you set unrealistic deadlines that you can’t meet, you’ll get thrown off course and even discouraged. You can always ramp up your efforts once you get used to publishing and make it a habit to stick to your schedule. In addition, remember that you can always bring in guest contributors to up the quantity of published content each week. 09. Promote your blog Share on social media Create a blog newsletter Write for other sites and consider guest blogging Reach out to an existing community Participate in question and discussion sites Invest in paid ads Try new content formats Add videos to your blog Network for backlinks Build an email list At this stage, you have everything you need to start a blog. These last couple of steps will focus on how to spread the word about your blog and grow it into a serious monetization tool. In order to get readers, you’ll need to find creative ways to drive traffic to your site. While improving your SEO is an important step, the following methods can also help you promote your blog . Note that most of them are completely free, while a few (like advertising) are paid. Share on social media: Social media is an excellent place to post your content and draw attention to your blog. Whether you promote your blog on Facebook , Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn, it’s a great way to reach new readers. Learn more about blogging vs instagram in our guide. Create a blog newsletter: Send out a weekly email newsletter to engage your readers and get them coming back to your blog for more. This will help you sustain a loyal fan base. To get subscribers to your blog email list in the first place, include a prominent Subscribe button in your website’s navigation bar, footer and within your blog posts. Write for other sites and consider guest blogging: Strengthen your reputation as a writer and expert in your niche by publishing content outside your own website. Consider opening a Medium account and making a name for yourself there, or post articles on LinkedIn . You should also keep an eye out for guest blogging opportunities, which are offered by publications such as Forbes and Entrepreneur . This helps you expand your reach and introduce your content to new audiences. Reach out to an existing community: Facebook groups, forums and LinkedIn groups are gathering places for people interested in a particular topic. If you find an online community that’s relevant to your blog niche, share your website with them and network among their group members. Participate in question and discussion sites: Sites such as Quora and Reddit give you the opportunity to highlight your blog in discussion threads. Use one of your blog posts to answer a question or follow up on a comment, but be sure to come across as helpful and informative rather than promotional. Invest in paid ads: In addition to sharing posts on social media, you can boost your posts with a paid promotion so that they reach more people. Likewise, you can pay for Google ads and reach new users through the search engine. Try new content formats: Expand your reach even further by trying new content formats. These essentially repurpose the same information provided in your posts. For instance, you can turn your blog posts into videos and start a YouTube channel. You might even create a podcast or offer a webinar. The sky's the limit. Add videos to your blog: Adding videos to your blog often elevates engagement and draws in a wider audience by transforming your content into a dynamic experience. Videos help visitors stay longer on your site, a key factor in improving SEO. By seamlessly integrating videos into your posts, you ensure they not only complement but also enrich your written content. Network for backlinks: Networking plays a key role in building backlinks, which are critical for boosting SEO and monetizing your blog. Backlinks from authoritative sites signal to search engines that your content is credible, improving its rankings and driving organic traffic—key factors for monetization. To earn quality backlinks, engage with other bloggers through thoughtful comments and social shares, and pitch guest posts to share value while securing links to your site. Build an email list: Growing your email list is one of the best ways to stay connected with readers and drive consistent traffic back to your blog. Offer something valuable like a free resource or exclusive content to encourage people to sign up. Make it easy for them to subscribe by adding sign-up forms to your homepage, blog posts and sidebar. Once your list starts growing, send regular updates or newsletters to keep readers engaged and coming back for more. Learn more: Blogging vs Youtube 10. Make money blogging Affiliate marketing Advertise within your blog Offer paid subscriptions Write sponsored content Sell e-books and merchandise Provide consulting services Create and sell online courses Explore diverse income streams Build a strong brand If you’re looking to create a blog with a large readership, chances are you’re also aiming to make money from your blog’s popularity. We touched on affiliate marketing earlier in the article, but let’s talk more about this and other money-making strategies that can help you generate passive income from your writing efforts. There are more ways than one to make money blogging . Here’s a quick overview of each method: Affiliate marketing: This is one of the most common ways to make money blogging, and it’s easy to get started. Intermediate affiliates can earn between $300 to $3,000 per day , and that number only goes up with experience. There are plenty of affiliate marketing programs out there, but Amazon Associates is a popular choice for beginners. Advertising within your blog: Another option is to display ads within your blog, which means you’re essentially selling your blog real estate as ad space. This is a fairly reliable way to make money, as you’ll be earning revenue with each click. If you’re thinking of taking this route, Google AdSense is by far one of the most lucrative and popular programs. Offering paid subscriptions: You know how the New York Times makes you pay to read their content? You can do the same thing with your blog. While some of your articles should be free, you can also create exclusive content that readers can buy access to through a subscription plan. Write sponsored content: Reach out to companies—or, as you blog grows, make it easy for brands to contact you—regarding sponsorship opportunities. You’ll be writing articles that promote those companies’ products, and the business, in turn, will compensate you for the posts. Sell e-books and merchandise: You can also sell digital or physical goods directly from your site. This might include branded merchandise, products related to your field, or e-books and other online resources. One way to do this is by adding a Pay button to your homepage that your readers can click to browse your merchandise. Provide consulting services: This approach involves making use of your professional experience and harnessing the knowledge you’ve gained as a professional blogger. Based on your insights and expertise, think about the kinds of consulting services you might be able to offer to your clients. If you’re writing a nutrition blog, one such idea could be making customized diet plans or working as a nutrition coach for clients. Create and sell online courses: Use your expertise to develop online courses that teach skills or share knowledge in your niche. Start by identifying a topic that aligns with your blog content and appeals to your audience’s needs. Then, create engaging course materials such as video lessons, downloadable resources and quizzes. Explore diverse income streams: Diversifying income streams is a crucial step toward building a sustainable and profitable blog. By exploring opportunities like public speaking, you can turn your expertise into income while expanding your network. Social media advertising offers another avenue, allowing you to leverage your influence for sponsored content and brand partnerships. Together, these strategies not only boost revenue but also enhance your blog’s credibility and strengthen its overall brand presence. Build a strong brand: A strong, recognizable brand is key to growing your blog and turning it into a reliable income stream. Create a consistent voice, design and message that resonate with your readers. Whether it’s your blog name, logo or topics you cover, a strong brand helps you connect with your audience and keeps them coming back. It also makes you more appealing to sponsors, advertisers and new opportunities. For further details, take a look at this article on how to monetize a blog or check out the Wix Learn online course on monetizing your blog. Ready to start your blog now? Sign up with Wix today. 5 reasons to start a blog and is it worth it People make blogs for a variety of reasons, many of which mean blogging is still worth it, some of these reasons include: 01. Share your ideas with the world Sometimes you just want to be heard and get your ideas out into the universe. This is where starting a blog can help—it’s a form of communication and space that’s entirely your own. You can use your creativity and passion to create a space customized exactly to your liking where you can share your ideas, expertise and experiences. 02. Promote a product or service Blogging for business is a great way to engage potential customers and provide more information about a product or service. Additionally, blogging does wonders for a website's SEO. 03. Build your brand Starting a blog provides a platform to showcase your knowledge and skills, establishing yourself as an authority in your field and building credibility and trust with your audience. As Ophyr Hanan, Blog Growth and SEO Outreach Specialist at Wix, says, "By fostering relationships and collaborating on content, it can help build the foundation for thought leadership and authority building both for you and within your industry." 04. Earn income Blogging can be profitable with time and continued effort. The best way to see the monetary fruits of your labor is by posting quality content regularly that draws in new readers and brings more traffic to your website. This will help your blog gain advertisers and can also boost your status as an online influencer, which can open up the door for affiliate marketing. 05. Build a community Thanks to the internet, we no longer need to live in the same city, state or even country to feel connected to others. When you create a blog as part of a wider blogosphere community, you create a space to share your story and ideas, as well as start conversations with people all over the world with mutual interests. A blog typically has a comments section where your readers can speak with you directly, allowing you to engage in conversation and build relationships. Blogging stats to reinforce why starting a blog can still be a good idea Yes, competition is fierce with over 600 million live blogs globally but with over 4 billion active blog readers—there's still demand for blogs. Building a blog as a part of content marketing is still alive and well, believe us. Businesses with blogs generate 55% more traffic than those that don't, meaning they still work. Data shows that B2C blog content is shared 9.7 times more than any other type of content—meaning starting a blog to promote a business, works. B2B businesses that use blogs get up to 67% more leads than those who don't. Related reading: Experts weigh in on why you should start a blog Is it too late to start a blog? Blogs are still a popular and effective way to share your thoughts, ideas and expertise with the world. In fact, building a blog is one of the most popular forms of content marketing. It can also be a great way to build a community and connect with other people who share your interests. Blogging is crucial to build your brand's voice and community, and allows you to expand your reach to a relevant audience who might otherwise not know you exist. Judit Ruiz Ricart, Team Lead of Blog Growth at Wix Remember that the internet is still growing, with more and more people using it every day. This means that there's a large and growing potential audience for your blog, too. While there are many blogs out there, there's always room for new voices and perspectives. If you have something unique to share, people will be interested in reading it. And the best part is that there are many tools and platforms that make it easy to create and manage a blog. There are a number of reasons why blogging is still relevant, including: Search engines love blogs Starting a blog is a great way to improve your website's SEO and rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs). This is because blogs provide fresh, high-quality content that is relevant to your target audience. Blogs build authority When you write informative and engaging blog posts, you establish yourself as an expert in your field. This can help you attract new customers and clients, and build trust with your existing audience. Blogs build connections Blogs provide a platform for you to share your thoughts and ideas and to connect with other people who share your interests. This can help you build a community around your brand. This is especially true of service industries, fitness blogs for example are a great way to build a loyal health focused audience and the same is true for almost every industry. Blogs generate leads and sales When you write blog posts that are relevant to your target audience, you can include calls to action that encourage them to learn more about your products or services, or to contact you for a consultation. The blogging landscape has changed in recent years, the space is more competitive as more blogs exist and competition for audience numbers grows. Hand in hand with this social media and video have become more popular ways to consume content, especially amongst younger audiences. However amongst all of this blogs still play an important role in the content marketing mix. Blogging resources - how to become a blogger As you learn how to create a blog and become a blogger, browse these blogging resources to help guide you through the writing process, SEO and more: Blog post checklist : Check off these steps to ensure you’ve covered all the bases with your first blog post. Blogging for beginners : Read through these additional tips on how to start your blog from scratch. Free online writing courses (Udemy) : Browse Udemy for professional writing courses that will help you develop your blogging skills. Free SEO tutorial (Moz) : Learn the basics of SEO with this free six-part video course. Blogging tools to make a blog successful Finally, online tools are a big part of launching a blog, since they make the process more streamlined and efficient. Here’s a quick list of some helpful blogging tools you can use to start a blog—don’t forget to bookmark them for future reference: Google Keyword Planner : Get data about which keywords to use in your blog posts. Google Analytics : Obtain insights into your blog’s data to strengthen its performance. Google Search Console : Have a clear view of the number of website visitors and clicks your blog receives. ShareThrough’s headline analyzer : Type in your headline and get feedback on its strengths and weaknesses. Pexels : Find free stock photos for your blog articles. Grammarly : Review your writing with an AI editing tool. BuzzSumo : Keep track of trending content to create relevant, targeted posts. Asana : Manage your writing schedule with an online task management tool. At this point, you have all the tools and resources you need for starting a blog. You couldn't have found a more rewarding endeavor, and I couldn't be more honored to help you create a blog and get it off the ground. Feel free to bookmark this guide as a reference as you begin this new journey, and happy blogging. Start a blog FAQ How can I start a blog for free? First of all, you'll need to choose a blogging platform with free user options. With Wix, for example, you can create a blog for free. You can also save money when starting a blog by writing all of your content yourself and by using as many free content planning and keyword research tools as possible. You can also use stock images included within the template or editor of your blogging platform for free in most cases. How do I make a successful blog? First of all you'll need to define 'successful.' Generally a successful blog is one which has a large readership, and generates considerable amounts of traffic. But depending on your blog niche, the goals of a successful blog may look different. For some bloggers an engaged readership who share your content widely and look at it as a source of authority and trust, is what defines the success of their blog. For other bloggers how fast, and effectively their blog can be monetized or act as a part of their marketing funnel, would be another indicator of success. Is blogging still worth it in 2025? Yes, blogging is still worth it. Despite the rise of social media platforms and video content, blogging continues to be a valuable medium for individuals and businesses. Here are a few reasons why blogging remains relevant: content ownership and control is all yours on a blog, unlike with social media; blogs still work for building search engine visibility and traffic; blogs still work for community building. and establishing your brand authority; there's still huge potential for blogs to be monetized. How to make a blogging website? There are a few steps necessary to making a blogging website. Once you've chosen your blog niche, you'll need to create your actual site. Choose a website builder, like Wix, with hosting included and everything you need to create a blogging website from their blog creator. How do bloggers get paid? Bloggers can get paid in a variety of ways, including: Advertising: Bloggers can sell ad space on their blog to businesses. The amount of money bloggers make from advertising will vary depending on the size and popularity of their blog. Affiliate marketing: Bloggers can promote other people's products or services on their blog and earn a commission on each sale that they generate. Sponsored posts: Bloggers can write posts about specific products or services in exchange for payment from the company that produces the product or service. Selling digital products: Bloggers can create and sell digital products, such as e-books, online courses or templates. Selling physical products: Bloggers can sell physical products, such as merchandise or handmade goods. Membership sites: Bloggers can create membership sites where readers pay a monthly or annual fee to access exclusive content or resources. The best way for bloggers to get paid is to diversify their income streams. This way, if one income stream dries up, they will still have other sources of income. Can you start a blog as a side hustle? Yes, you can start a blog as a side hustle. In fact, blogging is a popular side hustle for many people, as it can be a relatively low-cost and low-time commitment way to make extra money. When starting a blog as a side hustle, you will need to choose a niche, create a blog and start publishing content. Once you have a following, you can monetize your blog through a variety of methods, such as advertising, affiliate marketing and selling your own products or services. How to write a blog post with AI? AI can be a valuable asset throughout the content production process, from generating topic ideas to serving as a proofreader. AI tools like ChatGPT and Bard can help brainstorm blog topics, provide research insights, construct outlines and even write drafts. However, it's crucial to review and refine AI-generated content to ensure accuracy, relevance and adherence to your brand voice. Additionally, grammar checkers like Grammarly and ProWritingAid can assist in proofreading, but their suggestions should be considered carefully to avoid altering creative writing styles. Do blogs make money? Yes, blogs can be profitable ventures with the potential to generate income through various monetization strategies. Common methods include advertising (e.g., Google AdSense), sponsored content, affiliate marketing, selling digital or physical products, offering services and membership/subscriptions. Successful bloggers often diversify their income streams and focus on providing value to their audience to maximize revenue potential. How do I start a blog with no money? To start a blog with no money, begin by leveraging low-cost blogging platforms and use social media and online communities to attract visitors. Invest time and effort into building relationships with your audience and consistently providing value through your content. With dedication and persistence, you can gradually grow your blog into a successful venture without initial financial investment. How to make a blog popular? To be in with any chance of making a popular blog, you're going to need to start by choosing a popular niche (something you know at least one audience once will) and then by creating great content. To become popular though you'll then need to invest as much again in promoting your blog, generating traffic to it and engaging your readers. Popular can be defined in many different ways when describing a blog - traffic, readers, shares, going viral, comments and engagement, sales from a blog. Make sure to define what popular means to you before chasing it. What are the baby steps to starting a blog? Choosing a niche is an important baby step in starting your blog. Once you’ve picked one, start writing. Don’t get caught up in perfecting your blog’s design or tackling technical details just yet—those can come later. Focus on sharing your passion and ideas in your unique voice. Write content that feels natural and engaging, whether it’s a story, a tip or an idea. Publishing your first posts, even if they’re not perfect, is the best way to grow and improve. What are legal considerations for bloggers? Bloggers need to be aware of several legal considerations to ensure compliance and protect themselves. Key areas include creating a privacy policy to inform readers about data collection practices, using disclaimers to clarify the accuracy of information and any affiliate relationships, and respecting copyright laws by using only licensed or original content. Additionally, bloggers should be mindful of advertising regulations, such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines in the U.S., which require clear disclosure of sponsored content and affiliate links. What is the 80/20 rule for blogging? The 80/20 rule for blogging suggests you should focus 80% of your efforts on promoting your content and 20% on creating it. This principle highlights that even the best content can go unnoticed without proper promotion. By dedicating more time to sharing posts on social media, optimizing for SEO and engaging with your audience through email or collaborations, you can amplify the reach and impact of your blog. How much money is 1000 views on a blog? Earnings from 1,000 blog views vary widely based on factors like your blog's niche, the ad networks you use and how you monetize your site. On platforms like Google AdSense, you might earn anywhere from $1 to $10 per 1,000 views depending on your audience's demographics and interests. If you use affiliate marketing or sell your own products, this amount could be higher. Understanding your audience and diversifying income streams can help maximize your earnings per thousand views.
- 6 best website builders in Canada
Build your website in minutes, try Wix for free today → Creating a website in Canada should feel exciting, not overwhelming. Whether you're exploring how to make a website for the first time or hunting for the best website builder , there’s good news. Options like an AI website builder can help you craft a sleek, professional site in minutes, while other user-friendly platforms give you the freedom to build your dream site your way. We’re here to guide you through the top website builders in Canada that blend ease with powerful features, so you can kickstart your site with confidence. 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. What to look for in a website builder in Canada When choosing a website creator for the Canadian market, several key features can ensure your site looks great and functions optimally for local audiences. The more features your preferred platform packs, the better for your project. For instance, the best website builders in Canada should enable you to speed up your domain name search with a free, AI-powered domain name generator and include business tools, like a free logo maker and meeting scheduling software. Prioritize these features when choosing a platform: Intuitive website editor: The website builder should support drag-and-drop or other intuitive web page editors to simplify the design process. Customizable templates and mobile optimization: Professionally designed and mobile-friendly website templates ensure your site looks great on any device. Bilingual capabilities: A strong builder should provide robust English and French language support, catering to Canada’s official languages and broadening your audience reach. Regional and search engine optimization (SEO): Choose a website creator that enhances your regional visibility. Your domain name provider should support a Canadian ( .ca ) domain name, helping search engines associate your website with Canada. Local payment integration: Ensure support for Canadian online payment processing methods which can boost customer trust and streamline transactions. Compliance and security: Ensure the platform offers top-quality website security and adheres to Canadian privacy standards, safeguarding your data and that of your customers. Site reliability and scalability: Choose a reliable platform you can trust with great uptime and scalability so your site works well as your visitor count grows. Built-in analytics and social media integrations: Gain insights into visitor behavior and connect seamlessly with social platforms to grow your online presence. "As a creator or entrepreneur, you’re often wearing multiple hats. You’re designing the website and optimizing for SEO. This means you need a website builder that makes it easy and intuitive for you to do all those things on the same platform while still delivering results as if you were working with experts in those fields." - Esin D. Habif, product marketing lead at Wix Learn more: How to make a website accessible . How much does it cost to build a website in Canada? Planning a website build in Canada? One of the first questions on your mind is likely, "How much will this cost?" Website costs in Canada can vary widely, from a few hundred to many thousands of dollars. For small businesses, freelancers and entrepreneurs, understanding these costs is essential for effective budgeting and financial planning. We’ve got everything you need to know right here. We'll break down the typical expenses, like buying a domain, hosting fees, design and development and even ongoing maintenance. On top of that, we’ll compare your options. Want to use a DIY website builder? Thinking about hiring a freelancer? Considering working with a professional agency? We’ll guide you to the choice that works best for your goals. Here’s a stat to keep in mind as you plan your budget. According to Spaceo Technologies , the cost of a custom-built website for small businesses generally starts at $10,000 and can go up to $25,000 or more, based on your site’s complexity. Of course, there are less expensive options out there, too, like drag-and-drop platforms that offer free plans (like Wix). "At Wix, we believe that building a great website should be accessible to everyone, no matter their budget," says Sharon Hafuta, SEO blog editor at Wix. Continue reading, and by the end, you'll have the confidence to decide which approach fits your needs and how to get the most for your money. Building your website in Canada doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Best website builders for Canada Wix Wix Studio Siteleaf WebSelf WebStarts PageCloud 01. Wix Wix shines as one of Canada’s top professional a nd personal website builders , delivering a user-friendly platform packed with features to craft a standout online presence. The drag-and-drop editor makes it a breeze for anyone to design a site. You can choose from a vast library of customizable templates tailored to various industries, all optimized for mobile so your site looks flawless on any device. Wix also simplifies payment integration and appointment scheduling, letting you accept transactions and bookings securely and effortlessly. For Canadians, Wix supports bilingual sites , which are perfect for reaching English and French audiences alike. Wix also offers a blog maker , and with built-in SEO features , you can easily boost the visibility of your blog and online store, while the robust security keeps your site safe. You can track site performance with Wix Analytics and tap into the many AI tools to streamline website design, domain registration and content creation. Plus, the Wix marketing suite—covering social media and email marketing—helps you engage your audience. Wix comes with free website hosting which helps you launch your website on a budget. Pricing: Free plan available. Premium plans start at $16 CAD per month (billed annually). Month-to-month payment options are also available. "I think the biggest game-changer is the fact that you can easily create a stunning website, and you don’t need to understand layout, design or anything to get a great working website. You can get the creative juices flowing with AI’s help and Wix’s expertise until you get exactly what you want." - Yaara Asaf, head of product (Wix Editor) Learn more: Best website builder for small businesses Best website builders for freelancers Free website builders 02. Wix Studio Wix Studio is a dynamic platform tailored for Canadian agencies, freelancers and creatives who need cutting-edge tools to craft standout websites. Its advanced editor empowers users with pixel-perfect precision, offering flexible grids and custom breakpoints for layouts that fit on any screen. You’ll find responsive templates designed for different types of websites , fully customizable to reflect your unique vision—ideal for showcasing your work. Like its Wix counterpart, Wix Studio supports bilingual features and ensures performance across devices with robust mobile optimization powered by Responsive AI. It also offers custom domains and blogging tools to help you build credibility, plus tools to learn how to make a website mobile-friendly . Payment integration flows effortlessly with Wix Studio eCommerce , and the appointment scheduler simplifies online bookings. Wix Studio SEO tools amp up your visibility with structured data and custom meta tags, while top-tier security—think enterprise-grade encryption—shields your site from potential threats. Wix Studio AI accelerates design and content creation, and Wix Studio marketing integrations tie in email and social media tools to grow your reach. You also get deep insights via custom dashboards. Pricing: Plans start at $17 CAD per month (billed annually). Month-to-month payment options are also available. Learn more: Wix vs. Wix Studio Wix Studio vs. Elementor Best AI website builders Best website builders for designers Best website builder for graphic designers 03. Siteleaf Siteleaf stands out as a developer-frien dly content management system ( CMS ) tailored for professional website creation in Canada. Its text-based editor appeals to technical skill and coding enthusiasts, and its drag-and-drop visual editor is great for beginners. Although it supplies a range of website templates for mobile-friendly design and professional websites, it doesn’t offer payment integrations or bilingual capability. Siteleaf provides essential security and website SEO features, and integrations offer advanced analytics, AI, social media, email marketing and booking tools. While built-in hosting isn’t included, the platform supports a variety of web hosts and lets you use your own custom domain. You can also explore what is web hosting to learn more. Plus, it offers a web page setup for blogs and business websites. Pricing: Free 14-day trial available. Free plan available for developers. Paid plans start at $7 CAD per month (paid annually). Month-to-month payment options are also available Learn more: Best booking website builders How to make a booking website Booking sites How to make a social media website 04. WebSelf Web Self delivers a user-friendly site creation experience as a drag-and-drop website builder ideal for business websites and online portfolio projects. It features a visual editor with website design templates and web page layouts tailored for one-page websites and portfolio websites. This website builder supports mobile-friendly pages with integrations for online payments and shopping carts. It also offers multilingual website support and makes it easy for business owners and creators to learn how to start a blog . The platform enables SEO, Google Analytics integration and site security for professional websites. Although AI tools aren’t provided, WebSelf covers other essential features, such as domain name registration and an online booking tool . Pricing: 30-day free trial available. Plans start at $4.50 CAD per month (paid annually). Month-to-month payment options are also available. Learn more: Best website builder for portfolio Best website builders for SEO Best website design templates 05. WebStarts WebStarts is a drag-and-drop website builder featuring a library of mobile-optimized templates that suit the needs of beginner website creators and Canadian business websites. The platform supports payment integration for online store setups and credit card payments, though bilingual capability is not featured. You can also add bookings functionality through the Appointments app. It provides essential SEO tools, website security and built-in analytics tools to track website performance through Google Analytics. WebStarts features an AI website builder, text and image generation and marketing integrations for email and social media. Users can secure a professional custom domain and even explore what is a domain name for more insights, while those on a budget can take advantage of the free blogging tool. Pricing: Free plan available. Paid plans start at $14 CAD per month (paid annually). Month-to-month payment options are also available. "AI acts like a boost, almost like steroids, helping us speed up tasks that we thought would take much longer. In general, I believe we’re now in a phase where AI is becoming more practical and less about flashy, experimental uses. In the areas I’m focused on, particularly visual design, it started out as very 'new-agey'—creating fun, imaginative things like superheroes doing crazy stuff or other wild and creative visuals. That was entertaining and mind-opening, but now I believe we’re moving to a stage where AI is truly practical. It’s about achieving real, objective results that I actually want to accomplish." - Ido Kosover, head of Media at Wix 06. PageCloud PageCloud offers a no-code website builder experience for creatives, businesses and professionals interested in offering an online portfolio. The platform provides mobile-friendly design templates and customization options. Thanks to its landing page templates, PageCloud is one of the best one-page website builders . This platform includes essential site security, a custom domain and SEO and analytics tools for monitoring web traffic. Its eCommerce features include support for a variety of payment gateways and multilingual catalogs. However, it doesn’t fully support multilingual websites. You can access AI capabilities to write and edit blogs and web pages, and you can add bookings and other features through integrations. Pricing: No free plan available. Plans start at $22 USD per month (paid annually). Month-to-month payment options are also available. Editor's note: The information presented in this article is true as of March 19, 2025, unless mentioned otherwise. How much does it cost to build a website in Canada? Planning a website build in Canada? One of the first questions on your mind is likely, "How much will this cost?" Website costs in Canada can vary widely, from a few hundred to many thousands of dollars. For small businesses, freelancers and entrepreneurs, understanding these costs is essential for effective budgeting and financial planning. Best website builders in Canada What is the best website builder in Canada? The best website builder depends on your needs. For eCommerce websites, Wix Studio and WebStarts offer shopping cart functionality. Canadian business owners who need French website builder options can choose Wix or Wix Studio for their robust multilingual support. PageCloud, Wix Studio and Siteleaf support portfolio showcases and landing page simplicity, while the free Wix option helps you access a cheap website builder with the potential to scale with your business. Learn more: Website launch checklist How to host a website How much does it cost to build a website in Canada? Costs vary with pricing plans. Wix and WebSelf offer a free website builder, allowing you to scale to paid options depending on your needs. Some builders offer a budget-friendly free domain deal, while others feature paid marketing tools, domain registration, apps and integrations to suit different needs and preferences. Can Canadians use Wix? Absolutely. The Wix editor and AI website builder, Wix ADI, craft responsive websites for business owners. With SEO tools, email marketing, eCommerce and online appointments, Wix and Wix Studio stand out as the best web builders in Canada.
- 1+1=3: The added value of strategic B2B partnerships
While some B2B partnerships are purely transactional, the best ones come from two forward-thinking enterprises teaming up to create added value for their joint customer bases. By bringing together ecosystems, thoughtfully integrating products and creating seamless user experiences, businesses can provide a truly maximized offering to their customers. And in addition to the impact on customers, a strong partnership means increased retention, acquisition and revenue for the brand. It can even positively affect productivity and company culture—creating new pathways to success. Some Channel partners at Wix In the case of Wix’s B2B channel partnerships, brands can provide their SMB customers with Wix’s leading web creation platform as a fully co-branded offering. This empowers companies to steadily fuel their own business growth while satisfying multiple customer needs at once. With 75% of global trade flowing indirectly, more and more brands are embracing the channel partnerships business model. Enterprises that offer the dynamic Wix platform are giving their SMB customers the tools they need to create a complete online presence and thrive in today’s ever-evolving digital landscape. Wix empowers 258M+ users worldwide, with 1.5M average new users per month. The platform offers AI assistance to get SMBs online fast, and provides built-in solutions for any type of business , from eCommerce businesses to service providers and hospitality. SMBs can sell their products online, take appointments, utilize omni-channel marketing and much more. Tip: As your customers start their businesses and expand online, a business website can fast-track their growth. Wix’s dynamic platform In order to cater to SMBs with the right intent at the right moment, the Wix Channels team works hand-in-hand with enterprises to custom-integrate Wix directly into their own funnels and flows. This allows the enterprise to increase website builder sales and ultimately maximize SMB eCommerce website and online store creation. Leveraging cross-team expertise, Wix Channels develops a unique full funnel partnership strategy with the business partner in order to analyze flows, create advanced integrations and marketing opportunities, and continually optimize processes with the goal of driving business growth. Any type of business servicing SMBs can develop a Wix partnership and create added value for customers. From SaaS digital solutions to design and printing services, Wix can be customized to the business offering and integrated into the funnel. Enterprises can offer Wix’s drag & drop editor directly to customers, making how to create a website quick and intuitive , or they can offer professional website design services and create custom websites for clients. Either way, offering SMBs a complete online presence from the outset serves to naturally meet their needs. Enterprise and SaaS companies serving any stage of the SMB lifecycle can provide Wix products to customers in a seamless, combined offer: Online directories Legal services Insurance, accounting and payroll Design and printing services Banks, payment providers and fintech …and many more. “As Wix continues to evolve both their business and their products, we believe we can offer our customers the best website products on the market.” Sherilyn King, Senior Vice President of Sales at Yellow Pages Canada (Pages Jaunes) For enterprises that opt to create sites for clients, the partnership can bring on a serious shift in company productivity, and even culture. Working with Wix’s leading tech platform has helped enterprises welcome a new age of digital transformation. As the enterprise advances into the world of websites and digital business solutions, they upskill staff in-house with training provided directly by Wix experts. And by leveraging core platform features like web design templates , AI tools and Wix business solutions , teams have been able to reduce fulfillment time, allowing them to service more customers. Beyond website creation, Wix offers advanced site analytics that can provide deep insights about customers’ businesses—insights an enterprise channel can leverage. Since the SMB acquires Wix solutions via the enterprise, the enterprise gains visibility into certain parts of their customers’ online business performance. By analyzing this data, an enterprise can better understand the SMB’s needs and which solutions would be the best fit. For example, if a customer’s traffic is increasing, an enterprise may want to suggest a CRM solution from Wix or one of Wix’s trusted third-party vendors. Read more: Rethinking the power of domains and B2B partnerships Drive growth with data True partnership means dedicated, ongoing collaboration and guidance. With nearly 20 years of experience providing cutting-edge technology to small businesses, Wix pours its expertise into nurturing a successful partnership . From technical product integrations led in cooperation with top Solutions Engineers, to hands-on training with experienced Success Managers and comprehensive guidance from Marketing professionals, Wix provides support throughout the entire partnership lifecycle. When it comes to partnership, two halves don’t make a whole. Rather, two leading brands can come together to create an innovative offering with new value in the market—benefiting both the shared customer base and the business partners alike. Who knows where the right partnership can take your business. Learn how a channel partnership with Wix can drive growth for your business and your SMB customers.
- How to make an interior design website to mirror your style
Turn your ideas into a website you love with Wix → Historically, interior design portfolios have been physical collections of drawings, photographs and prints, meticulously compiled and bound. Today, digital platforms are becoming increasingly popular among studio owners, freelance designers and students to showcase their work. When your industry revolves around visual appeal, having an online presence becomes even more crucial to convey your design style and attract new clients. Portfolio websites offer the flexibility to incorporate various multimedia such as videos, 3D models and interactive content, providing viewers with a richer and more engaging experience. Whether you’re learning how to build a website for the first time or you’re ready to invest in an overhaul of your current page, this article will guide you on how to make an interior design website that mirrors your unique point of view. 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. What is an interior design website? An interior design website is an online footprint that showcases the work and services of an interior designer or design firm. The best way to illustrate your work as an interior designer is to invite individuals into the spaces you've created. A professional online portfolio allows viewers to fully immerse themselves in your work and explore your designs from the comfort of their own homes. How to make an interior design website Set the goal of your interior design website Select a domain name and website host Choose a website builder Design key pages and functionality Add design portfolio and visuals Curate informative content Promote your interior design website Keep your website up to date 01. Set the goal of your interior design website When creating your website, think about what you are looking to achieve. You may be starting a business and aim to increase brand awareness and establish yourself as a skilled interior designer. Or perhaps you want to expand your business and attract new client inquiries. Maybe you're seeking strategic collaborations with architects and contractors to take your business to the next level. Keeping your goal in mind will guide your website design , ensuring it aligns with your business objectives. It's all about using the right calls-to-action and deciding which pages to include when you create a website to reflect your brand image. For example, if your goal is to connect with potential residential clients, you can create a blog about style and design trends. This showcases your expertise in the field. On the other hand, architects and contractors might be more interested in seeing examples of your interior design jobs rather than reading these types of posts. Focus on services you want to offer Be clear about the services your interior business will provide. If your focus is on office and corporate spaces, make that clear from the start. For a complete interior design experience, you can include painting pallets, mood boards, 3D rendering, shopping lists and more. By outlining the focus of your services, this will make the website creation process more streamlined and intentional, and aligned with your business. 02. Select a domain name and website host In order to make an interior design website, you'll need a domain name . It's like your website's address on the internet. Consider using keywords related to interior design in your domain name to help with search engine optimization (SEO). Here’s a simple guide on how to pick a good domain name: Keep it short and easy to remember Avoid numbers or special characters Use your name or company name Utilize keywords related to interior design Perform a domain search to check for availability For inspiration, use a domain name creator Learn more about what is a domain name and get started with Wix’s free web hosting . Once you’ve selected a domain name, you’ll need to choose a hosting website . A web host is a company that provides the technology and services necessary for your website to be visible on the internet. Research different hosting options and think about factors such as cost, storage space, customer support and website-building tools. 03. Choose a website builder A website builder , like Wix, simplifies the process of creating a site by providing user-friendly tools and website design templates . It requires no coding skills, saving time and effort. It's great for individuals and small businesses looking to make a website. Learn more about some of the best AI website builders . Website template Using website templates for design can save you time and effort in making your interior design website. When selecting an interior design website template , review the overall layout and style to confirm it aligns with your brand voice. You'll also want to look for customization options that allow you to add your own distinct touch. Learn more: What is a template Website design Your website is like a mirror for your brand. When someone enters your website, every element they see influences their decision to trust and hire you. Your brand personality heavily influences the web design elements of your website, such as color palettes, typography and aesthetic. Before building your website, you'll want to spend some time defining your style, target audience and creating a cohesive visual representation of your brand. For instance, if you want to draw high-end interior business, make sure your website features sophisticated and polished copy. On the other hand, if your signature design style is casual and eclectic, let your voice and content be warm, friendly and light-hearted. Fonts and color palette Your choice of fonts and color palettes can have a significant impact on your website's look and feel. Stick to a maximum of three fonts, with one for headings, one for body text and one for accent or call-to-action buttons. When it comes to colors, go for a cohesive palette that speaks to your brand strategy and interior design vibes. You may want to incorporate colors that represent the emotions you want to evoke in your clients. As an interior designer you already know that warm tones can create a cozy and inviting atmosphere, while cooler tones can convey a sense of sophistication and elegance. Navigation Site navigation is all about helping users effortlessly navigate your site and find what they're looking for. It's important to have clear menu options on every page and check that all links are working correctly, leading to relevant and valuable content. As you develop your website, pay attention to the user journey and make it as easy as possible for individuals to access the details they need. Mobile-friendly design A user-friendly and captivating mobile interface enhances the user experience. With clients constantly browsing for design inspirations on their devices, it's vital that your website and its designs are aesthetically pleasing on both mobile and desktops. By prioritizing seamless mobile functionality, you'll retain more viewers, broadening your reach and sustaining their interest. Logo A logo helps form trust and recognition. If you don't already have one, use a logo creator to craft a professional and visually appealing logo that reflects your individual style and vision. Make sure it's prominently displayed on your homepage, favicon and consistent with the rest of your branding choices. Learn how to make your own logo that speaks your interior design language and represents your brand. 04. Design key pages and functionality Before you start building your website, determine the content you want to publish. Your pages should communicate your style, skills and background to prospective clients. Homepage Capture your visitor's attention here as they decide to explore further. Illustrate your interior design proficiency with a selection of high-quality photos on your homepage . Choose one or two captivating images or create a slideshow to highlight your style and design abilities. This is particularly useful if you specialize in multiple types of interior design. Struggling to decide? Seek input from friends, family and colleagues to identify their favorite images that best represent your individual style. Their insights will help you curate a collection that successfully conveys your design mastery. Contact page A contact page is important for your customers to easily reach you. It should list key details like your business email , business phone number and business location. You might also want to create a form that enables viewers to send inquiries or requests directly from your website. Incorporate an email opt-in option to keep your clients updated on your business. Every visitor has the potential to become a client, whether it's today or in the future. By providing a regular newsletter, you can give a better understanding of your work and initiate yourself as an industry expert. Additionally, make it easy for clients to contact you by placing your contact information on the footer of every page of your website. This way, they won't have to look for your contact details, especially when they're on the go. About page As an interior designer, you'll spend plenty of one-on-one time with clients and collaborators. You want them to get a sense of your personality to ensure a productive working relationship. The about page is your chance to share your story and exhibit your brand's personality. Share your background, experience and values that set you apart from other interior designers. Add personal touches like pictures of yourself or your team to foster a human connection with your clientele. Services page A dedicated page that explains your offerings ensures decision makers understand what you offer and if it aligns with their needs. Make it easy for them to take the next step by including a prominent call-to-action button like "Contact us for more information." This allows interested individuals to reach out and discuss costs. It's also an opportunity to begin a personal connection with the customer and follow up on any inquiries. Online scheduling Set up an appointment scheduler to encourage visitors to book your services on your site. This gives a convenient and hassle-free way to schedule appointments, encouraging them to work with you. Using a scheduling platform that can be linked to your website and synced with your calendar will make it easier for both you and your clients. 05. Add design portfolio and visuals Your interior design expertise should speak for itself through your portfolio and graphics. Your portfolio should reflect your perspective on interior design. Feature only your best work to impress the user and illustrate your proficiency as a designer. This gives an idea of the types of designs you specialize in and your skill level. Organize your portfolio Displaying your portfolio in a user-friendly way allows the viewer to browse your projects easily. Categorize specific activity into groups like residential and commercial. Using a title generator , provide each image with a clear title and a brief description, so users can explore and click on what interests them. Prioritize visuals Engage your audience with story-like images and content. Pair professional photos with extra visual materials like mood boards, hand-drawn sketches or 3D renderings. Post before-and-after shots to highlight your designs' impact and transformation. It's also important to verify that the images used on your website are optimized for web viewing. Use an image resizer to ensure fast site loading and maintain visual appeal without losing quality. Tip: Create engaging videos with a video maker to bring your content to life in a whole new way. 06. Curate informative content Use your website to share your philosophy, knowledge and expertise on interior design. Your website’s content is your chance to connect with clients and show them why you’re the right interior designer for their business. Case studies Writing case studies of your previous jobs to demonstrate your design process and showcase successful collaborations with clients. Share insights on client requests, challenges you faced and how you overcame them to achieve the final result. This not only demonstrates your skills but also builds trust. Design blog A design blog is an excellent way to share your thoughts on the latest trends, tips and tricks in interior design. Using a blog maker to consistently publish educational content can signify you as an industry expert and keep your website relevant. A blog is a great way of directing traffic to your website, particularly if you post about it on social media. Social media links In addition to interesting website content, you should have a strong social media presence. Share links between your business website and social accounts for customers to view your work. Stay updated on TikTok or Instagram trends, using popular music bits and video filters to feature your projects. If you have more followers or connections, you’ll find it easier to build your brand and drive traffic to your website. In addition, if you have Pinterest boards that show your work and aesthetic, consider including links for more opportunities to show off your work. You can also try to incorporate user generated content, (UGC) from spaces you’ve already designed. Get happy clients to show some BTS content, before and after or other fun ways to show off your work in action. Testimonials Dedicate a section on your website to post reviews from happy customers. It's a certificate of your excellence and professionalism that goes a long way in building your brand. This builds credibility and trust with clients, making them more likely to choose your offerings. You can dedicate an entire web page to testimonials or add them at the bottom of other pages, such as the Homepage and your portfolio pages. Press and awards Don't be shy about showing off any press features or awards you have received. This adds credibility to your brand and expertise and customers will appreciate seeing your work recognized by others in the industry. Include logos of publications and organizations you've been featured in on your website, along with a brief description of the recognition. This can also entice new clients who may have seen your work in a publication or heard of your awards. 07. Promote your interior design website Your website is an essential component of your marketing strategies for your interior design business. After you launch your website, you will want to promote it effectively. Here are a few ways to get the word out about your website: SEO optimization Ensure that your website has proper SEO features , so users can easily find you through Google or other search engines. Use relevant keywords throughout your content, optimize page titles and descriptions and write alt tags for your images. This will help improve your website's ranking in search results and drive more organic traffic. Collaborate with other businesses Partner with complementary businesses like furniture stores, home renovation companies or real estate agents. Offer to showcase their products or services on your website in exchange for them promoting your design business on their platforms. This can help expand your audience reach and increase traffic to your site through backlinks from their websites. Network at industry events Attend industry events such as trade shows, conferences or webinars to network with other designers and potentially collaborate on assignments or receive referrals. These events can also be an opportunity to feature your portfolio and hand out business cards to clients. Email marketing Use email marketing tools to reach out to prospects and keep them updated on your recent projects, blog posts and offerings. Create a mailing list and send out regular newsletters to communicate your work and keep your brand top of mind. You can also offer special promotions or discount codes to incentivize new clients to hire your services. 08. Keep your website up to date Your website is a live portfolio that should always display your recent work and ideas. Regularly update your website with new activity, blog posts and any changes in your services or contact information. By consistently refreshing your content, you show others that you are an active and dedicated designer who is always improving and staying on top of the latest trends. Website analytics There's always room to enhance your pages or layout once you see how it performs. Get feedback from clients and colleagues on your site’s appearance, usability and messaging. You can also tap into website data available through Google and Wix Analytics , included free with every Wix site. View traffic, the most visited pages and bounce rate to tailor your site to your audience needs. Read more: How to create an interior design business plan How to start an interior design blog in 6 steps 10 interior design portfolio examples (plus pro tips) How to start an interior design business in 7 simple steps Examples of interior design websites Before you start building your own site, check out your peers' websites on Wix for website ideas to discover what you like, what you don’t like and how you can stand out. Interno A studio that combines creativity and technical expertise, Interno transforms ideas and concepts into beautiful spaces. The landing page features a captivating picture that highlights their work, drawing viewers in. Casa Vilora Interiors Casa Vilora Interiors is an award-winning Houston interior design firm specializing in accessible luxury design. On the weekly blog, Lux Living Weekly, users will find her take on bold, modern, and eclectic interiors that are both luxurious and practical. On the homepage, viewers will spot a prominent call-to-action button for booking now. Samantha Pynn Samantha Pynn is known for her friendly, vibrant style, with rooms that blend classic elements and her own modern twist. Her aesthetic is featured in an image gallery on her homepage along with a short blurb about her design approach. Tracy Turco Tracy Turco , an artist, designer, author, hotelier, entrepreneur, and style icon, is based in NYC and Palm Springs. Her website features vibrant colors and design that align with her brand image. An online shop is seamlessly integrated into the website for clients to purchase her products directly. Studio ETN Eitan Cohen of Studio ETN specializes in designing urban spaces using light and natural materials, functional design, and maximizing the space's characteristics. This expertise is showcased in the beautifully curated homepage gallery. The website features an easily navigable menu at the top, offering dedicated pages for services, projects, press, and contact information. Get started with an AI generated website today. Why does an interior designer need a website? Businesses in various industries have begun developing these types of websites . A well-crafted website is key to effectively reaching and engaging with your audience. Here are some compelling reasons. Showcase your portfolio As an interior designer, your portfolio plays a vital role in your business. A website lets you exhibit high-quality images of your work and highlight various styles and designs. Plus, your site can provide inspiring web content , offering consumers ideas and insights for their projects. Reach a wider audience Having a website opens up your business to the entire online world. Keeping your site updated and SEO optimized helps you connect with individuals worldwide, expanding your business reach. With your website available around the clock, customers can explore your services, portfolio and reach out at their convenience. Establish credibility A website acts as a virtual business card, demonstrating your brand and services. It adds professionalism to your business and helps build trust. By building an informative website, you can set yourself up as an expert in the industry and inspire more clients. Stay competitive In today's digital age, having a website is almost expected for any business. A beautiful, optimized website can help you stand out from the competition and find clients who are looking for interior designers online. Other types of websites to create How to make an art portfolio How to make an auto repair website How to make a bakery website How to make a booking website How to make a car dealership website How to make a car rental website How to make a car wash website How to make a carpenter website How to make a church website How to make a coaching website How to make a construction website How to make a consulting website How to make a dog breeder website How to make a donation website How to make an electrician website How to make a fashion website How to make a finance website How to make a florist website How to make a furniture website How to make a gaming website How to make a handyman website How to make a landscaping website How to make a laundromat website How to make a locksmith website How to make a medical website How to make a pet business website How to make a plumbing website How to make a real estate website How to make a sports website How to make a subscription website How to make a taxi service website How to make a toy website How to make a trucking website How to make a vacation rental website How to make a veterinary website How to make a website for bookkeeping How to make a dance studio website How to make an interior design website FAQ What is a work sample vs. an online portfolio? A work sample is a small snippet or example of your work, while an online portfolio is a comprehensive collection of your best work. A work sample may consist of one assignment or design, while an online portfolio can portray multiple projects and styles. How long should an interior design portfolio be? An interior design portfolio should be long enough to display your best work and highlight your skills, but not too long that it becomes overwhelming for viewers. A good rule is to aim for 10-15 projects in your portfolio. Quality over quantity is key, so curate the best representation of your work. Additionally, make sure to regularly update your portfolio with your recent jobs and remove any outdated work. Do I need coding skills to create an interior design website? No, you do not need coding knowledge to build an interior design website. Wix offers a drag and drop builder and templates specifically designed for interior designers. This enables you to customize your website without any coding knowledge. You can also hire a website designer to help you bring your vision to life. Can I sell products on my interior design website? Yes, many interior designers also offer products such as furniture, home decor items or design services on their websites. With Wix, you can set up an online store with online payment processing to sell your goods and services directly to customers. Build an eCommerce site to generate additional income and offer a one-stop-shop for consumers. Should I invest in professional photography for my interior design website? Yes, professional photography can make a huge difference in featuring your work and drawing clients. High-quality photos of your projects will give visitors a better understanding and appreciation for your design skills. If you are unable to hire a professional photographer, invest in a good camera and learn basic photography techniques to capture quality images yourself.
- Wix Studio vs. Duda: what pros really need in a web platform
Design high-end sites with efficiency on Wix Studio. Start creating today → When you’re in the business of building websites for clients, choosing the right website builder makes all the difference. It’s not just about building design-forward sites anymore—it’s about scaling efficiently, collaborating seamlessly and delivering results that wow. That’s why the Wix Studio vs. Duda conversation matters. Both platforms are heavyweights in the web creation space, but take different approaches to design flexibility, workflow management and client collaboration. In this post, we’ll compare Wix Studio and Duda across features that actually move the needle for marketers, agency owners, developers or anyone who creates websites for others professionally. From responsive design tools, CMS capabilities and dev-friendly features to the not-so-obvious stuff like pricing transparency, client handoff and ecosystem support—by the end, you’ll have a clear picture of which builder is right for you. If you’re entirely new to website building, check out our guide on how to make a website from scratch . Meet the platforms: Wix Studio vs. Duda Before we get into features, let’s take a quick look at what each platform brings to the table—and who they’re really built for. Wix Studio Wix Studio, one of the best website builders for designers , is built for professional website creators who want full creative freedom without being boxed in by code or platform limitations. It includes 375+ responsive templates , Figma integration and a powerful suite of AI tools designed to speed up your workflow from design to delivery. The platform is especially strong for growing agencies managing multiple clients. With reusable components and templates, you can reduce production time without sacrificing quality. Developers also benefit from features like a cloud-based IDE and headless solution , all working alongside the visual builder for maximum flexibility. For agencies that need predictable pricing, Wix Studio's all-inclusive plans (with built-in eCommerce) help eliminate surprise costs when clients are ready to scale their online stores. "When you're building a website, you need a platform that’s got your back and helps you reach your goals. That’s where Wix Studio shines. It’s made for web creators of all kinds who want an all-in-one solution with powerful tools that just work. You can get your site up and running fast, without any extra hassle or complicated steps." - Roy Wax, product marketing manager at Wix Studio Duda Duda is a strong fit for agencies that prioritize white-label solutions, offering everything from custom platform domains to branded client communications, so you can present the platform as your own proprietary tool. Its zero-transaction-fee policy makes it a compelling choice for eCommerce projects where transaction costs eat into profits, especially for higher-volume online stores with tight margins. For teams that need detailed control over client access, Duda’s granular permission system lets multiple stakeholders update specific sections of a site—while keeping the overall design intact and protected. Now that you’ve met the platforms, let’s see how they stack up feature by feature. Wix Studio vs. Duda features comparison Here’s how Wix Studio and Duda go head-to-head on the tools and features that shape your daily workflow: Infrastructure Design and creative control AI features Scalability and dynamic content Collaboration and client management Ecommerce capabilities SEO and marketing App marketplace and plugins Native deep functionality Enterprise and large-scale solutions Support and community Pricing 01. Infrastructure: how do Wix and Duda compare? Wix Studio benefits from being part of the wider Wix platform, giving it access to a fully-managed multi-cloud hosting solution, global CDN coverage and multiple layers of DDoS protection. Its infrastructure is powered by Google Cloud, AWS and Fastly, ensuring high performance, speed and reliability across the board. With a 99.99% uptime guarantee, Wix Studio supports automatic disaster recovery, so sites remain operational even during peak traffic surges. A global CDN with over 200 nodes also helps content load quickly, no matter where your visitors are located. On the website security front, Studio includes HTTPS and automatic SSL , giving clients a strong foundation right out of the box. Duda also offers a fully-managed hosting environment, making website management simple and reliable. It uses AWS as its hosting infrastructure and offers a 99.99% uptime guarantee. For content delivery, Duda relies on Amazon's Cloud Front CDN, helping ensure fast web performance globally. Security features include SSL certificates, automated DDoS mitigation, data encryption and automatic data protections, offering a secure foundation for its users. Bottom line: why infrastructure matters Both platforms offer secure, reliable hosting, but Wix Studio stands out with free website hosting , extensive global CDN reach and domain name management. For agencies managing client sites at scale, the combination of Google Cloud, AWS and Fastly ensures top-tier performance you can count on—without needing to think twice about infrastructure. "What often gets forgotten when talking about choosing a website builder is the capabilities of the infrastructure that’s promised to you—the reliability of the hosting, the level of security in place to protect your visitors’ data and, of course, your site's speed. Even if infrastructure is not the first thought that comes to mind when creating a website, if it’s not robust enough, it can cause major headaches for website owners when trying to scale a website later on." - Esin D. Habif, product marketing lead at Wix Looking to get started fast? Use our domain name search to secure your URL or try the domain name generator if you need a little creative inspiration. 02. Design and creative control: how much creative control do you really get? When designing at scale, the right tools can make or break your workflow. Let’s see how Wix Studio features compare against Duda when it comes to design flexibility, customization and speed—plus how both platforms support creative trends like the color of the year 2025 . Wix Studio Design stands out with a responsive drag-and-drop editor that automatically adapts designs to every screen size. Designers can take advantage of built-in, code free web animations and effects, like web gradients , custom cursors , text masks and even WebGL effects, all available directly within the editor. Integrations with tools like Lottie and Rive make it easy to build motion-rich, standout experiences without leaving the platform or installing anything extra. For those who want even more creative control, customized CSS is also available. Wix Studio also comes with advanced layout tools—such as Section Grid, CSS Grid, Repeaters and Flexboxes—so you can structure your sites exactly the way you want. To speed things up, Wix Studio includes time-saving features like components, text themes, color palettes and the ability to save entire site templates for future projects. Its Figma-to-Studio plugin lets you turn your designs into fully functional websites with a single click, and with access to over 375+ fully customizable website templates , you can move fast—or go pixel-perfect. Duda also offers a responsive drag-and-drop editor with code-free animations and effects built-in. However, access to custom code is limited to Team plans or higher. Duda allows you to create and reuse custom sections across multiple sites, which can also be shared with team members or clients to make the site building process more efficient. While Duda does support Lottie, it does not currently offer a Figma integration. Its template library includes around 57+ templates for getting started. Bottom line: more power in the hands of designers Both platforms offer flexible, visual design tools, but when it comes to web design , Wix Studio goes further in giving professionals the freedom to build visually rich, highly customized websites from a single platform. Between its extensive template library, advanced layout capabilities, reusable design assets and Figma integration, Wix Studio delivers the kind of control and creative flow today’s pros need to stand out in the design world. Need ideas for your next project? Explore real examples and creative use cases in our Wix Studio inspiration gallery. 03. AI features: smarter site building, start to finish AI is changing the way websites get built—from content to code structure. Let’s take a look at how Wix Studio and Duda use AI to streamline the process and power your workflow. Wix Studio AI comes packed with AI tools built to simplify your workflow, every step of the way. You can resize sections in a single click with responsive AI, generate tailored code and troubleshoot issues using the AI Code Assistant, or instantly create and edit visuals right inside the editor using AI image generation . Need to write optimized content? Use the AI text generator to get copy ideas fast, or turn to SEO efforts. Content-heavy sites benefit from AI-built CMS collections, just enter a few key details and Wix Studio will auto-generate a full structure with sample items, or help you customize prebuilt collections. To help you get a head start on layout and planning, the visual sitemap and wireframe generator lets you map out site structure and flow before jumping into design mode—so you’re always building with purpose. Duda also provides a range of AI tools that generate copy, site-wide SEO tags and alt-text or entire site sections. Duda’s AI can instantly generate site-wide Meta Tags in a click as well as automatically add business context to future content prompts after the first input. You can also use it to optimize product and category descriptions, make quick edits, and get suggested text in seconds. While Duda offers a selection of helpful AI tools that can save designers time, Wix Studio’s suite of AI tools is far more comprehensive and spans a much greater portion of the website creation process. Its capabilities are deeply embedded throughout the workflow—from structure and design to breakpoints and content—making the entire creation process smarter, smoother and more scalable. Bottom line: built-in intelligence that goes further Both platforms offer AI tools to help streamline the website development process, but Wix Studio’s capabilities are more extensive and deeply integrated. From layout and breakpoints to visuals, content and structure, Wix Studio’ AI supports you throughout the entire workflow, making your process more efficient, scalable and future-ready. "Let's say you're a web designer, and you need to present a website structure to a client whose imagination is very lacking. Generative AI can create images and write copy for your early drafts. Instead of using placeholder text like Lorem Ipsum, you can provide a more realistic example of how the website will look." - Shachaf Rodberg, Wix marketing trend analyst See how AI can transform the way you build websites: Best AI website builders Traditional vs. AI website builder How does AI work? Types of AI 04. Scalability and dynamic content: building sites that grow with you When projects grow in size or complexity, having a flexible content management system makes all the difference. Here’s how Wix Studio and Duda stack up when it comes to scalability , dynamic workflows and managing structured content at scale. Wix Studio CMS is a comprehensive and built-in solution that gives you the flexibility to create content once and reuse it across pages, projects and clients. You can build dynamic landing pages , collections and repeaters—so updating content is seamless and doesn’t interfere with your existing design. The platform also supports dynamic content at scale with reusable assets, letting you save and repurpose components to streamline your workflow. Use global sections to create a section once and deploy it anywhere across your site for design consistency, and manage your entire visual system in the Site Styles panel—where you can control typography , colors, page transitions and layout width. It’s a centralized way to apply cohesive design across even the most content-heavy sites. For growing projects or clients with large databases, Wix Studio also includes AI tools that help manage and organize content more efficiently. Need even more control? Developers can tap into Wix data API s to manage CMS content with code, and enterprise users get access to account-level CMS features for managing high-volume sites with precision. Duda includes an Internal Collections system—its version of a CMS—which allows you to create dynamic pages directly in the editor, without needing third-party integrations. Each entry in a collection gets its own unique URL, supporting SEO best practices and allowing for organized functionality. Duda offers Dynamic Page templates for common use cases, pre-connected to Internal Collections for faster setup. However, access to CMS features is limited on the Team plan, with more robust functionality reserved for Agency plans and above. Bottom line: a smarter system for scaling content While both platforms offer dynamic content capabilities, Wix Studio’s CMS is more robust, flexible and scalable across teams, use cases and skill levels. With integrated dynamic content tools, advanced design controls and developer-ready APIs, Wix Studio makes managing high-growth sites easier—whether you're building dynamic landing pages, full-scale applications or exploring the difference between static vs. dynamic websites . Learn more: Website builder vs. CMS Best content management systems What is CMS in web design? Wix headless CMS 05. Collaboration and client management: tools that keep you and your clients in sync When you’re working with teams, or managing multiple clients at once, the right platform can make collaboration smoother and client handoff a breeze. Here’s how Wix Studio and Duda support your day-to-day operations behind the scenes. Wix Studio management tools include a robust set of features designed to help you work faster with your team and give clients a seamless experience. Team features like role-based permissions, concurrent editing and on-canvas commenting make it easy to collaborate in real time. You can also speed up production by sharing design libraries, custom templates, reusable widgets and pre-built sections across team members and projects. Client management is just as thoughtful. The built-in client kit includes customizable tutorials and onboarding guides, along with automated client reports and a dedicated content mode, which lets clients update text or images without changing the layout. For large-scale clients or agency operations, Wix Studio also offers an enterprise solution, allowing client teams to manage thousands of sites, roles, permissions and SSO access from one centralized dashboard. Duda offers collaboration and client management features tailored for professional website creators. The platform's team-focused tools include customizable user permissions, site comments for contextual feedback, and asset sharing to save time and maintain brand consistency across projects. For client management, Duda provides white label solutions, automatic client reports, and native client billing tools. Clients can also be given controlled editing access to specific website sections through customizable permissions, as well as leave comments on the site for simplified communication. Bottom line: built for teamwork, optimized for clients Both platforms offer strong tools for managing teams and clients, but Wix Studio takes the lead with its unified workspace, mobile app for on-the-go control and built-in Wix Studio management tools like the client kit and content mode. Whether you're scaling your agency or supporting a high-touch client base, Wix Studio offers more built-in flexibility to keep collaboration moving and client experiences professional. “With Wix Studio’s tools, you’re equipped to create anything from a sleek single-page site to a robust, multi-layered project for larger clients. It grows with you, making it just as effective for a solo freelancer designer as for an established agency.” - Shir Berkovitz, design team lead at Wix Studio 06. Ecommerce capabilities: sell smarter, scale easier W hether you're building an eCommerce website for a small business, learning how to sell online or making an online store for a client, your platform’s eCommerce capabilities need to go beyond just “add to cart.” Here’s how Wix Studio and Duda compare when it comes to selling online. Wix Studio comes with a built-in Wix Studio eCommerce platform, offering tools that let you create fully customized shopping experiences. From personalized product categories to tailored checkout flows and AI-generated product descriptions , everything is designed to streamline both store management and the customer journey. APIs and SPIs are available for added customization and omnichannel retail features let you connect stores to marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, Google Shopping, Facebook and Instagram. A standout feature is the multi-vertical cart, which allows customers to add services and products to the same cart—ideal for businesses that sell both. On the backend, you’ll find over 100 secure, globally recognized payment solutions including credit cards, Apple Pay, Tap to Pay and more. Shipping is fully customizable, and you can localize the experience with native language, currency and tax settings. The platform also includes a centralized eCommerce dashboard, streamlined order fulfillment tools and rev-share earning opportunities with Wix Payments . Duda also supports a wide range of selling use cases, including physical products, digital goods, services, tickets, vouchers and donations. Subscription options are coming soon. It offers essential store management features like inventory management , automated shipping, product filtering and search tools. Duda doesn’t charge platform transaction fees (note: payment gateway fees still apply) and it works with 74 payment gateways by default—Stripe and PayPal being the most common. For higher-tier plans, API access is available for custom payment solutions. AI features are also included to help generate product and category descriptions faster. Bottom line: built-in tools that go beyond basics While Duda offers flexibility and avoids transaction fees, Wix Studio stands out with a more powerful and all-inclusive Wix Studio eCommerce solution. With built-in selling features on every plan, deeper multichannel support and smart tools for both customization and growth, Wix Studio gives creators and agencies more ways to succeed in the ever-evolving eCommerce space. Learn more about eCommerce: What is eCommerce? How to make an eCommerce website Best eCommerce website builders Ecommerce website optimization 07. SEO and marketing: build it right, help it rank A great website isn't just about looking good—it also needs to get found. Both Wix Studio and Duda offer tools to help you climb the search rankings, but Wix Studio delivers a more integrated and scalable approach to SEO and marketing. Wix Studio equips you with a professional-grade Wix Studio SEO toolkit that includes custom meta tags, dynamic XML sitemaps and the ability to add custom code when needed. You also get direct connections to leading platforms like Semrush, Google Search Console, Google Merchant Center and Business Profile—making it easier to manage your entire strategy from one place. These integrations help streamline SEO and campaign workflows for agencies and advanced users. Inside the editor, you’ll find built-in keyword research tools, SEO features recommendations and mobile optimization capabilities—all designed to save time and boost performance. The AI meta tag generator simplifies content optimization, while the integrated blog maker gives you everything you need to create and manage a content-rich website. And if you're just getting started, Wix Studio has your back with resources on how to start a blog , plus 375+ customizable templates, including blog templates , to jumpstart your strategy. To support continuous growth, the Wix SEO Hub offers expert-led education through tutorials, webinars and podcasts—perfect for leveling up your skills. Plus, built-in web analytics deliver insights into website traffic, user behavior and performance with no extra setup required. Duda also provides a solid set of SEO tools geared toward automation. Its AI features can instantly generate page titles, meta descriptions and alt-text. You’ll also get an SEO overview to flag optimization opportunities and built-in support for Google Core Web Vitals and PageSpeed. With 99.9% uptime, your content stays online and indexable. Bottom line: more power, more visibility While Duda offers a good base of SEO features, Wix Studio stands out as one of the best website builders for SEO . With advanced SEO tools, native Wix Studio marketing integrations, keyword research and a full suite of AI and educational resources, Wix Studio is built to help you rank higher, create smarter and scale faster. "Leveraging SEO and integrating it into the website creation process is vital. Various studies have shown that organic search is the single greatest provider of traffic to websites, which is even more pronounced in the B2B context. Additionally, traffic from organic search, when done correctly, is essentially built to last (with proper maintenance over time, of course) and forms a crucial part of a site’s long-term growth." - Mordy Oberstein, head of SEO branding at Wix 08. App marketplace and plugins: customize and expand your capabilities W hen it comes to extending your site’s functionality, both Wix Studio and Duda offer flexible plugin options. Wix Studio supports two types of plugins to extend business solutions: site plugins and dashboard plugins. Site plugins add custom features to the website front end, and dashboard plugins customize the Wix Studio dashboard for a smoother user experience. Developers also have the opportunity to create and sell full-stack applications on the Wix App Market , gaining access to millions of users. These tools work hand-in-hand with Wix Studio marketing integrations , giving you more control over everything from client management to campaign performance—no third-party patchwork required. Duda also offers a wide range of plugin support and leans heavily on this model to extend its core product. You can add both front-end and dashboard plugins, but unlike Wix Studio, many of these features are available only through paid add-ons. This can require multiple tool subscriptions to fully power your site. Developers can also build their own apps and services to sell on the Duda App Store, connecting with over 20,000 digital agencies and providing monetization opportunities. Bottom line: more built-in power with Wix Studio While both platforms support robust plugin ecosystems, Wix Studio offers more out-of-the-box flexibility with fewer add-on requirements. Its dual plugin system—plus access to the expansive Wix App Market—makes it easier to tailor both your site and dashboard experience without stacking on extra subscriptions. Add in seamless Wix Studio marketing integrations, and you get a solution that’s more unified, scalable, and easier to manage as your business or client base grows. Duda provides solid plugin functionality, but for many must-have tools, you’ll need to turn to third-party apps—often at an additional cost. Want to tap into millions of users and expand your offering? Start by exploring how to build Wix apps or dive straight into our guide to build Wix apps that scale your business. 09. Native deep functionality: build smarter with dev tools and business solutions Wix Studio isn’t just for designers—it’s also a powerful platform for developers. With advanced dev tools and integrated business solutions, it helps teams build, scale and ship faster without relying on third-party workarounds. Wix Studio offers a powerful development ecosystem built to support full coding freedom. With a cloud-based IDE, AI Code Assistant and no-setup environments for development, testing and production, you can build confidently without the typical dev hurdle. Developers can leverage Wix Headless APIs to connect core business functions—like eCommerce, events and more—into any tech stack, making Wix Studio Developers a great fit for teams seeking scalable and customizable solutions. Beyond development tools, Wix Studio business solutions come built-in and ready to go. Whether you need event management, booking capabilities, online stores or payment processing, these features are native to the platform—no need for third-party apps or complex integrations. You get the flexibility to choose the tools you want without sacrificing ease of use. Duda also supports business features like scheduling, online stores and event tools, though many of these require third-party services or external plug-ins. Developers can build custom widgets or tap into Duda’s Partner API to create white-labeled tools tailored to client needs. Duda also offers headless content management, particularly for blogs, with support for full CRUD operations and automation via API—no interface needed. Webhooks allow real-time updates, while the Connected Content Library syncs external data sources to Duda widgets for consistent, centralized content. Bottom line: flexibility meets functionality Both platforms support developers—but Wix Studio makes it easier to build at scale. With built-in business tools, robust dev features and fewer dependencies on third parties, Wix Studio offers a streamlined way to create fully customized, powerful digital experiences that grow with your needs. Want to see it in action? Watch this Wix Studio tutorial on how to work with plugins and slots in Wix Studio and learn how to extend your site’s functionality with total flexibility. 10. Enterprise and large-scale solutions: build to scale W hen you're managing multiple sites or operating at scale, the right platform makes all the difference. Both Wix Studio and Duda offer enterprise-level solutions—but Wix Studio brings extra firepower to the table. Let’s take a look. Wix Studio Enterprise is built specifically for large organizations that need power, flexibility and control. It supports multi-site management with tiered permissions at the account, group or site level for everything from CMS access and asset libraries to analytics and performance monitoring. You'll get built-in enterprise-grade security, a centralized dashboard for full visibility and 24/7 priority support, along with a dedicated account manager to help streamline your operations. The platform also includes advanced design tools and customizable templates to support high-impact, fully branded site creation at scale. For teams looking to upskill, the Wix Studio Certification program is another standout—offering training and validation for professionals building at an enterprise level. Duda also supports large-scale operations and targets agencies, franchises and teams with its own enterprise offering. One of its biggest strengths is comprehensive white labeling, which allows agencies to fully rebrand the platform. Duda includes multi-site management, team collaboration features, enterprise security and personal support from a dedicated account manager. Like Wix Studio, it offers 24/7 VIP support. Bottom line: enterprise, elevated Both platforms cater to high-volume, enterprise-grade needs. But Wix Studio Enterprise sets itself apart with a powerful blend of advanced design tools, built-in CMS and analytics tiering and deep customization options—all designed to keep your brand consistent and your workflows scalable. Add to that the professional growth that comes with Wix Studio Certification, and it’s a platform built not just for business, but for long-term success. 11. Support and community: because going at it alone shouldn’t be part of the plan G reat tools are only as powerful as the support behind them—and that’s where Wix Studio shines. You’ll get 24/7 customer service in English, with additional language support in Spanish, Portuguese and French during set hours. There’s also an AI-powered chatbot for instant help and a Customer Care ticket log so you can keep tabs on past interactions. If you're an agency or freelancer, applying to the Wix Studio Partner Program unlocks priority support and exclusive resources. Wix Studio goes beyond support with a connected ecosystem of learning and collaboration. Join the Wix Studio Community to connect with other designers, developers and creators, or dive into the Wix Studio Academy to access expert-led courses, how-tos and certifications designed to elevate your skill set. Duda provides multi-channel support with a web form, phone, and live chat available Monday through Friday from 12 AM to 6 PM PST, including specific language sessions in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, while offering extended 24/5 support for Team and Agency plans and 24/7 live-agent chat for Enterprise customers. Users can submit support tickets via the portal to track previous interactions and resolve issues through live chat or callback requests, with the support team handling technical inquiries related to the Duda Editor, bug reports, API guidance, and account management. Duda also offers additional resources through its Community, University, Experts, and Developer portals. Bottom line: your built-in support team Wix Studio gives you more than answers—it gives you a community. Between 24/7 support, partner perks and ongoing learning through the Academy, you’ve got the tools (and the people) to scale confidently and creatively. 12. Pricing: plans built for how you work Whether you're testing the waters or managing multiple clients, both platforms offer flexibility—but the details matter. Wix Studio offers four plan tiers—plus a free plan that you can use indefinitely. Paid plans start at $19/month (billed annually) for Basic and go up to $159/month for Elite, with an Enterprise tier available on request. Each paid plan includes a free domain for the first year and scales with your needs: more CMS items, more collaborators, more storage—and integrated eCommerce starting at the Standard level. Duda also provides four annual plans, plus a customizable enterprise option. While all plans come with a free domain for one year, AI tools and email support, eCommerce features are sold as separate add-ons. These range from $7 to $45/month, billed annually. Both platforms offer monthly billing at a higher cost. But here’s a key difference: Wix Studio includes a permanent free plan, so you can build for clients before you ever commit. Duda, on the other hand, offers a 14-day free trial—after that, you’ll need to pick a plan. Wix Studio plans (billed annually): Free plan available with limited features Plan Price Includes Basic $19/month Free domain for 1 year Site analytics 1,500 CMS items 3 site collaborators 10 GB media storage Standard $27/month Everything in Basic, plus: Accept payments 4,000 CMS items 5 site collaborators 50 GB media storage Plus $34/month Everything in Standard, plus: Priority support 20,000 CMS items 10 site collaborators 120 GB media storage Elite $159/month Everything in Plus, and: Dedicated data infrastructure Custom analytics 500,000 CMS items 100 site collaborators Unlimited media storage *Prices displayed are for U.S. customers. Duda plans (billed annually): Free 14-day trial, eCommerce sold separately Plan Price Includes Basic $19/month Free domain for 1 year Email support AI tools Unlimited Storage and bandwidth Team $29/month Everything in Basic, plus: 4 team members Dynamic pages (1 internal collection per site, up to 10 rows) Client management Agency $52/month Everything in Team, plus: Priority support Dynamic pages with internal collections (unlimited) 6 team members Site export White label $149/month Everything in Agency, plus: Ful white label Custom platform domain Integrate external datasets Branded client communication White label support portal Branded client login screen Analytics Custom Custom 24x7 Support 99.99% uptime SLA Unlimited team members Integrate external datasets DIY/Simple Editor Full access to Duda’s API Single-Sign-On (SSO) Native Widget Builder Dedicated account manager Enterprise-grade security AI Text, SEO and Building Assistant *Prices displayed are for U.S. customers. Bottom line: flexible pricing, different approaches Wix Studio includes eCommerce out of the box and offers a free plan you can use indefinitely—ideal for web creators, freelancers, agencies or businesses that want to start building before committing. Duda's pricing leans heavier on add-ons and trials, so while it's robust, the real cost depends on what extras you need. Editor’s note: all pricing and information are current as of 04/20/2025. Curious how Wix Studio stacks up against other platforms? Explore more comparisons: Wix Studio vs. Shopify | Wix Studio vs. Framer | Wix Studio vs. Elementor | Wix Studio vs. Webflow Differences between Wix Studio and Duda When it comes to building sites for clients, the details matter. From design flexibility to CMS control, here’s how Wix Studio and Duda compare across the features that make the biggest impact. Here’s a side-by-side look at what sets each platform apart—so you can choose the right fit for your workflow and clients. Feature Wix Studio Duda Ease of use Responsive drag-and-drop editor AI-powered tools like responsive AI, code assistant Visual sitemap and wireframe generator to streamline workflows Responsive drag-and-drop editor Some AI tools for content generation AI site section creation Design flexibility 375+ highly customizable templates Figma integration Code-free animations and effects Custom CSS capabilities Reusable components, text themes and color palettes 57+ templates No Figma integration Code-free animations Custom sections for reuse Code customization only available on Team plans and higher Infrastructure Multi-cloud hosting (Google Cloud, AWS, Fastly) 99.99% uptime guarantee Global CDN with 200+ nodes Automatic disaster recovery AWS hosting infrastructure Amazon CloudFront CDN 99.9% uptime guarantee Automated DDoS mitigation AI capabilities Responsive AI for section adjustments AI Code Assistant Image generation tool AI text generator Meta Tag creator for SEO AI-built CMS collections Visual Sitemap and Wireframe Generator AI tools for generating copy SEO tags and alt-text generation Site section creation Description optimization tools CMS & dynamic content Integrated CMS available on all plans Create dynamic pages, collections and repeaters AI-powered database management Account-level CMS for enterprise customers Wix Data APIs for code management Internal Collections CMS only available on Team plans and above Restricted capabilities on Team tier Dynamic Page templates for common use cases Expanded options exclusively for Agency and higher plans Collaboration Role-based permissions Concurrent creation On-canvas commenting Shared design assets and templates Client content mode Enterprise solution with centralized dashboard Customizable user permissions Site comments for contextual feedback Asset sharing Extensive white labeling capabilities Granular permission controls Native client billing tools Ecommerce Built-in on all plans Omni selling retail features (Amazon, eBay, Google Shopping, social media) 100+ payment providers Customizable shipping options Transaction fees apply Unified eCommerce dashboard Zero transaction fees Requires separate subscription add-ons ($7-$45/month) 74 payment providers Support for physical products, digital goods, services, tickets Integrates with Stripe and PayPal by default SEO & marketing Advanced toolkit with keyword research tools Semrush and Google integrations AI Meta Tag Generator Integrated blogging system SEO Hub with educational resources Mobile optimization features Site analytics Basic SEO tools AI-generated meta content SEO overview highlighting optimization opportunities Core Web Vitals optimization App marketplace Two types of plugins (Site and Dashboard) Option to create and sell full-stack applications Integrated app development environment Robust plugin ecosystem Requires multiple tool subscriptions App development opportunities Connected Content Library Native functionality Built-in business solutions Cloud-based IDE AI Code Assistant Headless APIs for eCommerce, event management No-setup development environments Requires third-party services or plugins for business solutions Partner API integration Headless content management capabilities Webhooks for real-time automation Pricing $19−$159/month with eCommerce included Permanent free plan available Free domain for one year Increasing storage, CMS items and collaborators with each tier $19−$149/month plus separate eCommerce add-ons 14-day free trial Free domain for one year Team collaboration features only on higher-tier plans Support 24/7 customer service in English Other languages during set hours AI chatbot assistance Partner Program for priority support Community forum and Academy resources Support Monday-Friday (12 AM-6 PM PST) 24/5 for Team/Agency plans 24/7 for Enterprise customers only Community, University, Experts and Developer portals Multi-channel support (web form, phone, live chat) Making your decision: Wix Studio vs. Duda Choosing the right platform comes down to the way you work—and what you want to build. Both Wix Studio and Duda offer powerful solutions for professionals creating websites for clients. But Wix Studio takes it a step further with unmatched design flexibility, built-in AI tools and deeply integrated business features—all within one seamless workspace. Whether you're flying solo, growing a team or managing work at scale, Wix Studio delivers a rare combination of creative freedom and operational efficiency that’s built for how modern web pros work. Wix Studio vs. Duda FAQ What's the main difference between Wix Studio and Duda? The main difference lies in their approach to web creation. Wix Studio is an industry leader when it comes to design tools and capabilities and is built specifically for professional web creators who need full creative and technical control. Its design environment is both powerful and flexible, allowing teams to create highly custom websites with pixel-perfect precision and advanced layout tools. It also offers comprehensive AI tools and integrations. In contrast, Duda caters to those needing effective white-label solutions with cost control on transaction fees (although users will have to pay for eCommerce support and often rely on third-party integrations), but may face limitations in design customization, AI functionality and integrations. Explore the differences between Wix vs. Wix Studio to discover the best platform for your needs. Do professionals use Wix Studio? Absolutely—yes, professionals use Wix Studio. Wix Studio was built for professionals: agencies, freelancers, web creators and developers who manage multiple client sites and need full creative control. It combines the ease of visual editing with the flexibility of advanced dev tools like custom code, APIs and responsive design at the breakpoint level. Top features that attract professionals include: Scalable site infrastructure for complex builds Collaboration tools that streamline team workflows and client feedback Integrated business solutions (like CMS, eCommerce, booking and more) Dev mode for working with custom code, external data sources and APIs Multi-site management that simplifies large-scale projects Plus, the platform keeps evolving with feedback from its pro community—so designers and developers can keep pushing creative boundaries without leaving the Studio ecosystem. So, whether you’re building a sleek portfolio or managing 100+ client sites, Wix Studio is made to handle the job. Which platform offers better value for money: Wix Studio or Duda? When it comes to value for money, Wix Studio generally offers more flexibility and built-in features for the price, especially if you're an agency or freelancer managing multiple clients. With its all-inclusive pricing (starting at $19/month) that includes eCommerce functionality, advanced design tools and AI capabilities. Duda's base pricing is comparable ($19-$149/month) but requires additional payments for eCommerce functionality ($7-$45/month extra), potentially making it more expensive for full-featured sites. How do the AI capabilities compare between Wix Studio and Duda? Wix Studio offers a more comprehensive AI toolkit, including responsive AI for layout adjustments, AI Code Assistant, image generation, text generation, meta tag creation, CMS building and visual sitemap generation. Duda provides some AI tools for generating copy, SEO tags and site sections, but with less depth and variety compared to Wix Studio. Which platform is better for client collaboration: Wix Studio or Duda? Both platforms offer strong collaboration features. Wix Studio provides a thorough client kit, automated reports, role-based permissions, concurrent creation, on-canvas commenting and a client content mode that prevents design changes. Duda emphasizes white-labeling and granular permission controls. In short, Wix Studio emphasizes its unified workspace, mobile app for on-the-go management and comprehensive Client Kit, while Duda stands out for its extensive white labeling capabilities. Check out some of the best website builders by niche: Best restaurant website builders Best real estate website builders Best website builders for writers Best hotel website builders Best one page website builders Best resume website builders Free website builders Best website builders for musicians Best website builders for freelancers Best website builders for non profits Best website builders for small businesses Best website builders for service businesses Salon website builders Membership website builders Best website builders for creatives Construction website builders Best website builders for graphic designers Best website builders for law firms Best website builders for consultants Best website builders for plumbers Traditional vs AI website builders Booking website builders Best website builders Canada Best website builders for cleaning businesses Vacation rental website builders Best mobile website builders Easiest website builders Can I create custom functionality for clients on Wix Studio and Duda? Yes, but with different approaches. Wix Studio offers a more developer-friendly environment with a cloud-based IDE, AI Code Assistant and headless APIs for custom development. Duda provides Partner API integration and webhooks but generally relies more on third-party plugins for extended functionality.
- How to change a domain name and keep your rankings
The perfect domain is just a click away: claim your domain → Changing a domain name can be a pivotal move for a brand, signifying growth, rebranding, or a strategic shift in direction, especially when considering how to make a website that stands out. Your website's domain name is its identity on the web, a key to unlock growth, but transitioning might seem daunting. It’s not just about the technical steps involved; it's also about safeguarding your hard-earned SEO rankings. Maintaining your SEO rankings during and after a domain change is important to ensure that the transition does not lead to a significant drop in traffic, engagement or customer trust. This guide will walk you through the essential steps to change your domain name effectively while preserving and potentially even improving your site's SEO performance. From planning and preparation to execution and post-launch monitoring, this guide will cover everything you need to know to make this transition as smooth and successful as possible. If you're just stepping into the domain world or looking to refresh your knowledge, begin with our domain definition . Can you change a domain name? Yes, changing your domain name is possible. Once a domain name is registered it cannot be changed. After purchase, it's stored in Domain Name System (DNS) databases and can no longer be modified. Existing domain names can only be transferred between different owners. To change a domain name, you will need to purchase a new one and link it to your website. Learn more about how to transfer a domain name . How to change a domain name Choose a new domain name Back up your website content Research your domain host’s features Start the migration from one domain to the other Update DNS settings Redirect your old website to your new domain name Update your website content Inform Google and other search engines about your domain name change 01. Choose a new domain name When choosing a domain name , it's essential to consider your brand identity, business goals and SEO impact. Ideally, you want the new domain name to be as close to your old one as possible so that users can easily find and recognize your site. However, if you are rebranding or changing direction significantly, consider exploring various types of domains to find one that aligns with your new path.. Some tips for choosing a new domain name: Keep it short, simple and easy to remember Use keywords related to your business or industry Avoid using numbers or special characters Check for availability on social media platforms Use a relevant domain extension Use a domain name generator if you need help coming up with an idea. Already have an idea? Check the availability with a domain name search tool. 02. Back up your website content Before making any changes back up your website content and download it to your computer. This ensures that if anything goes wrong during the domain change process, you can easily revert to a previous version of your site. Backing up your website content ensures you can restore it if anything goes wrong during the migration process. This step is critical for safeguarding your site and avoiding potential downtime. Choosing the right approach for backing up your website content depends on several key factors: your preferred website platform, whether your site is self-hosted or managed and who your domain provider is. Take your time to understand the process—it's crucial for safeguarding your content. 03. Research your domain host’s features Before proceeding, check whether your current website builder or hosting website offers the flexibility to change your domain name. If this option isn't available, you can acquire a new domain name elsewhere and transition your website's content to your new domain. If you’re considering transferring your domain to a new registrar, check your current provider’s transfer process and ensure your domain is unlocked and ready for migration. Learn more about how to register a domain name and the top domain registrars . Find the domain owner and registration details for a website with a Whois domain lookup . 04. Start the migration from one domain to the other Depending on your website platform and hosting provider, the process of migrating from one domain to another may vary. Look into the knowledge base articles of your hosting platform to learn more about the process of migrating. Additionally, some hosting providers offer tutorials or support for this specific task. Some platforms have a built-in option to easily switch domains, while others may require manual steps such as updating file names or database information. Keep both domains and hosting paid up for the entire time you are migrating. Some migrations can take a few hours, but sometimes it can take up to five days depending on your hosting provider. 05. Update DNS settings Make sure to modify your DNS records to point it to your new domain. This step ensures your website is accessible to visitors without any issues. Depending on your domain registrar, you may need to update A records (linking your domain to an IP address), CNAME records (connecting subdomains to your main domain) or other settings like MX records for email. Follow the specific instructions from your domain registrar or hosting provider as the process can vary. Keep in mind DNS changes can take some time to fully update, so your site might not be instantly available on the new domain. Take a moment to double-check everything to ensure a smooth transition. Don’t forget about your SSL certificate either. SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is crucial for encrypting data between your website and its visitors, boosting security and trust in your site. If your old domain included an SSL certificate, you’ll need to get a new one for the new domain, as SSL certificates are tied to specific domain names. The good news? Wix provides free SSL certificates for all domains hosted on their platform, so you can ensure your new domain is secure without any extra hassle. This not only safeguards your visitors’ data but also helps eliminate browser security warnings and presents a professional, trustworthy online experience. 06. Redirect your old website to your new domain name Once your new domain is up and running, it's important to redirect your old website traffic to your new domain. This ensures that users who may have bookmarked or saved links to your old domain will still be able to reach your site with minimal disruption. This step also helps search engines understand the change in domain name and update their index accordingly. To redirect your old website, you can set up a 301 permanent redirect in your website's hosting settings. This will automatically redirect all traffic from your old domain to your new one and avoid confusing your target audience with a HTTP 404 page not found error. Most host providers offer detailed instructions on how to implement a 301 redirect from your old domain to your new one. You'll typically find these instructions in the help section of your host provider's website or by contacting their support team. Learn more about how to redirect a domain . 07. Update your website content Once your new domain is live, it’s crucial to ensure all website content reflects the change to avoid confusion and maintain a professional appearance. Start by updating all internal links, headers, navigation menus and any other references to the old domain, ensuring they now direct to the new domain name. Don’t forget to check less obvious areas like footer links, metadata and embedded scripts or forms that might still reference the old domain. This step is essential to prevent broken links, maintain a seamless experience for your users and avoid losing valuable traffic. Next, update your new domain across external platforms like social media profiles, email signatures and directory listings. This not only strengthens your brand identity but also helps search engines recognize and prioritize your new domain. 08. Inform Google and other search engines about your domain name change To ensure that your SEO rankings are preserved during and after the domain change, it's essential to inform Google and other search engines about your new domain. This will prompt them to update their index with your new domain name and avoid any significant drops in traffic or rankings. Changing your domain name can temporarily affect your SEO rankings. Monitor your website traffic and search engine performance closely after the change to ensure everything is functioning as expected. Use tools like Google Analytics and Search Console to track any fluctuations. Regardless of the website platform you’re using, submit a change of address request through Google Search Console to officially notify Google about the switch. The process is simple and ensures your site gets re-indexed quickly. Read the full step-by-step instructions for doing this on the Google Search Console Help page . Additionally, you should also update your new domain name in other online directories or listings, such as social media profiles, business listings and online review sites. Learn more about smart domain name management strategies to keep your online presence strong. Tips to keep your SEO rankings during a domain change Changing your domain name is a significant move that requires careful planning and execution to ensure a seamless transition. Here's some tips to help you navigate the domain change process smoothly, ensuring your audience stays informed and your website continues to perform well. Tell customers about the new domain Be sure to inform your customers and followers about the upcoming domain change. This can be through social media, email newsletters or a blog post on your website. The more you communicate with your audience about the change, the less likely they are to be caught off guard and potentially lose trust in your brand. Monitor traffic and rankings Seeing a slight dip in traffic at first is normal; however, if you see a significant decrease in traffic or rankings, it is likely an indication that something is wrong. Keep an eye on your website traffic and search engine rankings before, during and after the domain change. This will allow you to quickly identify any issues that may arise and address them promptly. Wix websites come with Wix Analytics or you can use tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to track your website's performance. Update internal links Make sure to update all internal links on your website to reflect the new domain name. This includes links within your website's content, menus and footers. Broken or incorrect internal links can negatively impact user experience and SEO rankings. Do an audit for backlinks Backlinks are an essential factor in SEO rankings and they can be negatively affected during a domain change if not handled correctly. Use a backlink checker tool to identify all the websites linking to your old domain and reach out to them to update the links with your new domain name. This will help preserve the value of those backlinks for your website. Forward emails to your new domain If you use a custom business email address with your old domain, be sure to set up email forwarding so that any emails sent to your old address will still reach you. This ensures that you don't miss out on any important messages during the transition period. Reasons to change a domain name Choosing to change the domain name could be a tough decision but here are some benefits of having a relevant and catchy domain name. Rebranding efforts One of the most common reasons for changing your domain name is to align with a rebranding effort. A new and improved brand image can bring in more business and a catchy domain name that reflects your brand's values and personality can be a valuable asset. For instance, consider a boutique coffee shop known as "BeanThereCoffee" deciding to broaden its appeal beyond coffee to include a wider range of beverages and baked goods. The owners decided to rebrand to "BeanThereCafe" to reflect the expanded focus. This strategic move not only aligns the domain name with the business's current operations but also sets the stage for future growth. Business relocation or expansion If your business is changing to a new location, it may be beneficial to change your domain name to reflect that expansion. This can make it easier for potential customers in those areas to find and remember your website. With a variety of country code top-level domains (ccTLDs) available, consider selecting the right one when moving abroad or expanding your business internationally. This choice can significantly enhance your online identity and connect more effectively with local audiences. It's a smart move for any website owner looking to make a mark in a new market. For instance, imagine a UK-based e-commerce brand that has successfully captured the local market and is now looking to expand its reach into Mexico. Initially operating under a . co.uk domain , they decided to adopt a .mx domain for their Mexican audience. The business has evolved As your business grows, you may find that your current domain name no longer accurately represents what your brand has become. Changing to a more relevant and suitable domain name can help attract the right audience and better reflect your company's values and offerings. Consider the scenario where a tech startup originally branded itself around its flagship product, a smart home device with a .net domain . As the company evolves, it shifts towards offering a wider array of smart technology products and solutions, not just home devices. To reflect this broader vision and appeal to a more global audience, the company decides to transition to a more inclusive and universal .tech domain. This Top-Level Domain (TLD) change from ".net" to ".tech" not only signifies the company's expansion beyond home gadgets but also aligns its online presence with the tech industry at large. This strategic move can enhance brand perception, making it more relevant and attractive to potential customers and partners interested in the latest technology solutions. Learn more: What is .net , what is .tech Explore more domain extensions : .com , .info , .org , . co , and country-specific extensions such as .mx , .ch, .de , .be , .nl . or . co.uk . Legal issues or conflicts with existing domain name In some cases, businesses may be forced to change their domain name due to legal issues or conflicts with an existing domain name. This may be due to trademark infringement, copyright violations or a similar domain name being used by a competitor. In such cases, it's essential to take prompt action and change to a new domain name to avoid potential legal complications. An ideal domain name is available If you come across an ideal domain name that wasn't available when you first started building your website, it may be worth changing to it. A shorter, more memorable and relevant domain name can have a significant impact on your website's success. Risks to change a domain name While changing your domain name can have many benefits, there are also some risks involved. It's essential to weigh these potential risks before making a decision. Loss of traffic and rankings Even with proper preparation and implementation, it may take some time for search engines to recognize and index your new domain, affecting your domain history . This can result in a temporary drop in rankings and traffic, which can have a direct impact on your business's bottom line. Confusion for customers and partners Changing your domain name can also cause confusion for existing customers and partners who are familiar with your previous domain. They may accidentally access the old website or be unsure if they have reached the correct site. This can lead to frustration and potentially harm your brand's credibility. Technical issues During the transition process, technical issues may arise, such as broken links or missing pages. These can negatively impact user experience and can also affect search engine rankings. It's crucial to have a thorough plan in place for redirecting old URLs to their corresponding new ones and monitoring for any technical issues. Potential costs Changing your domain name may also incur additional domain name costs , such as purchasing the new domain and updating branding materials like business cards, marketing collateral and packaging. Consider these expenses before making a decision to change your domain name. Drop in brand awareness and recognition Your domain name is more than just a URL ; it's a crucial part of your brand's identity. Changing it might lead to a temporary dip in brand recognition and awareness. This could be seen by customers as though you are starting a business anew. However, if a domain change is a must, you can maintain your business's trust and reputation by launching a powerful awareness campaign. This approach ensures your audience adjusts smoothly to the new name, keeping your brand's essence alive and well. Get a free domain name from Wix when you sign up for a premium plan. How to change a domain name FAQ How do I get a domain name? You can get a domain name through a registrar, which is an organization accredited by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to sell domain names. With Wix, for example, you can search and purchase a domain name through the platform as part of their website building services. Do I need to update my branding materials after changing my domain name? Yes, you will need to update any branding materials that include your domain name, such as business cards, marketing collateral and packaging. This ensures consistency and helps avoid confusion for customers. What is the difference between a migration and a 301 redirect? A migration is the process of moving your website from one domain to another. A 301 redirect is a permanent redirect that tells search engines and browsers that your site has moved to a new location. When properly implemented, a 301 redirect ensures that visitors are automatically directed to your new domain. How long is the process to change a domain name? The process can vary depending on the size of your website and how complex it is. Generally, it can take a few weeks to fully transition to a new domain name. It's essential to have a detailed plan in place and allow enough time for any potential technical issues to be resolved. How much will it cost to change a domain name? The cost can vary depending on the registrar you choose and the availability of your desired domain name. It may also include additional expenses, such as updating branding materials. Be sure to research and budget accordingly before making a decision to change your domain name. Can I keep the same URL structure and change my domain name? Yes, it is possible to keep the same URL structure when changing your domain name. This can help minimize any potential impact on search engine rankings and user experience. However, it's essential to implement 301 redirects properly to ensure a smooth transition. Will changing my domain name affect my social media presence? Yes, changing your domain name will affect your social media presence. You will need to update the URL on all of your social media profiles and may also need to change the handle if it includes your old domain name. It's essential to communicate this change to your followers and provide them with the new web address . Can I go back to my old domain name after changing it? In most cases, you can revert to your old domain name if necessary. However, this may have a negative impact on search engine rankings and user trust. It's best to thoroughly consider the decision before changing your domain name. Is it possible to get a domain name for free? Yes, it’s possible to get a free domain name, but there are often certain conditions attached. Many web hosting and website builder services offer free domain names as part of their packages, especially for the first year. However, these are usually tied to the hosting service, meaning you may not have full ownership or control over the domain as you would if you purchased it outright. It's important to read the terms and conditions carefully to understand what “free” really means and to determine if there might be any long-term costs involved. Is it a good idea to change a domain name? Changing a domain name can be a good idea if your current domain no longer aligns with your brand, is difficult to remember or doesn't reflect your business's offerings. However, it can also have drawbacks, such as potential loss of search engine rankings and customer confusion. To mitigate these risks, ensure a smooth transition by redirecting the old domain to the new one and updating all marketing materials.
- What are new top-level domains?
The perfect domain is just a click away: claim your domain → When you're building your business website , choosing a domain name is one of the first things you need to prioritize. Top-level domains (TLDs) and choosing the right one, are a critical part of this process. What are top-level domains? They're the letters that come after the dot in a web address . These have traditionally been - .com, .org, or .net . As more websites are created and competition for domain names grows, new top level domains have been introduced to give businesses more choice. New top-level domains offer more personalized and industry-specific options that can help your business stand out in a crowded online world. For example, a tech company might opt for a .tech domain , while a photographer might choose .photography . So why should you care about new domain extensions ? Moving beyond the trends—they can play a pivotal role in establishing and reinforcing your brand's identity online. With new TLDs, you have the opportunity to register a domain name that tells customers exactly what you or your business does, with just a glance. Learn more: What is a domain name , How to get a free domain name The evolution of new top-level domains The story of top-level domains began in the 1980s, with the goal of creating a structured naming system for the internet. Initially, there were only a handful of TLDs and each had a specific purpose. For instance, when it comes to what .com is , it was intended for commercial entities, while .org was designated for organizations. Over time, the landscape of TLDs has expanded significantly. This change has been driven by the need to accommodate increasing numbers of websites and demands for more personalized domain names. As businesses and individuals sought domain names that were both unique and meaningful, the industry responded with a wider variety of TLD options. How new TLDs are coordinated and regulated is an intricate process involving several key players. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) , for example, is a leading regulatory body that plays a crucial role in this ecosystem. ICANN oversees the introduction and management of TLDs to maintain fairness in domain name registration. Types of top-level domains Generic top-level domains Generic top-level domains (gTLDs) are a category of TLDs that are not tied to any specific country or territory. They include familiar extensions like .com and .info, as well as newer additions like .app and .blog . Country code top-level domains (ccTLDs) In contrast to gTLDs, Country Code Top-Level Domains (ccTLDs) are specific to individual countries or territories—like .de for Germany, .nl for the Netherlands or .ca for Canada. These domains are particularly significant for local businesses aiming to connect with customers in a specific geo. They signal to users that a website is more relevant to their region, which can be beneficial for companies targeting a local market. Why new top-level domains matter: key benefits Your website is often the first connection between your business and potential customers. It’s where impressions are formed and your brand identity starts to shine. New TLDs aren’t just about getting a web address. They’re a powerful tool to boost your brand and create meaningful connections with your audience. Build a stronger brand identity Think of a yoga studio with a .yoga domain or a tech community using .dev. The right TLD sends a message about who you are and what you do in an instant, making it easier for customers to remember and recognize you. It’s a simple way to craft a unique online presence that leaves a lasting impression. Cater to specific audiences with niche targeting New TLDs also help you tailor your domain to fit your industry or audience. A bakery with .bakery or an eco-friendly brand using .earth tells customers exactly what you’re about the moment they see your URL. This kind of focused targeting helps you connect quickly with the right crowd. Boost trust and credibility The right domain doesn’t just represent your business. It can also build trust. Extensions like .expert or .pro naturally communicate authority and professionalism, giving visitors confidence in your expertise. A thoughtful choice here can go a long way in building credibility. Expand your global reach Many new TLDs are even available in languages and scripts beyond English. This opens up opportunities to connect with audiences around the world. Whether you’re growing your business locally in a new country or reaching international communities, these domains make it easier to speak directly to your diverse customers. Ready to get started? Learn how to build a website with this easy guide. Choosing a niche-specific TLD isn't just about standing out—it's also about protection. By securing domains that are closely aligned with your brand, you prevent others from registering similar names that could confuse customers or dilute your brand's strength. The most popular top-level domains When it comes to top-level domains, some are more popular than others. And despite the increase in available new top-level domains, the original ones are still some of the most popular choices. Their popularity also stems from the level of trust they've built; when users see these domains, they associate them with established and legitimate entities. .com: The gold standard of TLDs, .com stands as the most recognized and widely used domain extension. Originally intended for commercial entities, it's now the go-to choice for all types of businesses seeking a global presence. .org: Often associated with non-profits, charities and educational platforms, .org conveys trust and credibility. .net: What is .net? Initially designated for network services such as internet providers, .net is now a popular alternative to .com for businesses of all kinds. .info : As the name suggests, .info is typically used for informational sites. It's an open domain which means it can be registered by anyone, making it a versatile option for various purposes. .biz: What is .biz? Short for business, .biz is another alternative to .com that is specifically intended for business or commercial use. New top-level domains in 2023 In 2023, Google announced 8 new top-level domains . They were: .dad .phd .prof .esq .foo .zip .mov .nexus Other new top-level domains introduced in the same year included: .watches .forum .it .case .meme .ing .music New top-level domains in 2024 and 2025 These are some of the new top-level domains in 2024 that have been added to the domain name system : .vana .living .lifestyle .food .DIY .deal .locker .now .sr .co.jp .sv As for 2025, ICANN's New gTLD Program is actively preparing for the next round of applications. Other new top-level domain extensions to choose from .xyz (introduced 2014) .agency (introduced 2014) .digital (introduced 2014) .party (introduced 2014) .top (introduced 2014): 2,066,084 registered domains as of January 2023. .me (introduced 2008) .studio (introduced 2014) .store (introduced 2016) How to choose a new top level domain name Selecting the right top-level domain (TLD) for your website is a decision that can have lasting implications on your brand's online identity and success. With a range of new options available, it's important to choose one that aligns with your business objectives. You’ll need to consider the following: Relevance : Choose a TLD, new or traditional, that reflects your business type or industry. This can help customers understand what you offer at a glance. Memorability : A unique and easy-to-remember TLD can make it easier for customers to return to your site and recommend it to others. Running a media site? Opting for something like .media , makes it very clear what you offer. Branding : Consider how the TLD will fit into your overall brand strategy and whether it adds value to your brand name. As Ben Seidel the CEO and founder of Igniting Business shares: "Selecting a domain name can be an intimidating process, especially for small businesses. We advise our clients to choose a domain name that directly represents their brand as closely as possible while keeping it simple to type. More importantly, it's crucial to find a balance where the domain should clearly reflect the brand without limiting potential future growth." Remember your goals : Are you aiming for local recognition or global presence? Choose a ccTLD or gTLD accordingly. Consider future growth: Pick a domain that allows room for expansion and won't limit you as your business evolves. Some new top-level domains can be very specific and picking the wrong one when you start your business could restrict later scaling needs. Check availability : Ensure that the domain name you want is available with the desired TLD and consider registering multiple variations to protect your brand. You’ll need to use a domain name search tool to do this. If your first choice isn’t available, pop it into a domain name generator , which can help you find a similar domain name. You can also find the domain owner and registration details for a website with a Whois domain lookup . Pro tip: Explore domain registrars to get started. With Wix , for example, you can easily find and register a domain name for your site and business. What are new top-level domains FAQ Can I change the domain name of my existing website? Yes, you can change the domain name of your existing website. However, when considering how to change a domain name , it is essential to consider the implications on SEO and existing marketing materials. Redirects will need to be put in place to ensure that visitors trying to access your site through the old domain are automatically redirected to the new one. What is SLD vs TLD? An SLD (Second-Level Domain) is the part of a domain name before the TLD, like "example" in " example.com ." A TLD (Top-Level Domain) is the suffix such as .com or .org, showing the domain's category. What is the most common TLD? The .com TLD is the most common, favored for its global recognition and used widely by businesses and individuals. Why are some TLDs closed or otherwise restricted? Some TLDs are closed or restricted to preserve their intended purpose or maintain security. For instance, TLDs like ".gov" or ".edu" are only available to verified government or educational institutions. Restrictions ensure that these domains are used in alignment with their defined roles, fostering trust and credibility for entities using them. What are the new TLDs? New TLDs include industry-specific, brand-centric and creative extensions that go beyond traditional domains like ".com" or ".net." Examples include ".tech," ".store," ".eco" and many others tailored for niches. These options give businesses and individuals more flexibility to align their domain with their purpose or identity. Can I create a new top-level domain? Yes, you can create a new TLD, but the process is extensive and regulated by ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers). You’ll need to apply during designated application periods, submit detailed plans demonstrating technical and operational compliance and pay significant fees. This process is typically pursued by large organizations or entities with specific branding needs. Are there any 4-letter .com domains left? Four-letter .com domains are extremely rare due to high demand and years of registrations. However, some may still be available on secondary markets or through domain resellers, though they often come with a premium price tag. For businesses, exploring alternative extensions can be a practical option. How many TLDs are there in 2025? This year, there are 1,591 top-level domains (TLDs) available on the internet . This includes 1,249 generic TLDs (gTLDs) like .com and .net, 316 country-code TLDs (ccTLDs) such as .uk and .de, 10 test domains and 1 infrastructure domain (.arpa) used for technical purposes.
- 15 best startup logos: tech company logo ideas + real brand examples
Tech startups move fast—and their branding needs to keep up. If you’re launching a SaaS platform, building an AI productivity tool, creating a fintech app or offering cloud-based IT solutions, a strong logo helps your brand stand out in a crowded market. It’s often the first thing people connect with your company, from pitch decks to product interfaces to app icons. Creating a great logo doesn’t have to mean a huge budget or a full creative team. With some inspiration and a free logo maker , founders, designers, and developers can craft sleek, professional logos that capture their startup’s vision. Below are 15 standout examples from real tech companies. From clean typography to bold icons and smart visual ideas, these designs can help inspire your own brand’s logo. The design magic behind tech company logos Tech startup logos stand out by saying a lot with very little. They’re sleek, modern and minimal but still feel smart, fresh and energetic. These designs don’t just follow trends—they set them. From clever icons that hint at the product’s purpose to custom letterforms and bold color choices, they’re made to shine in a digital-first world. Built to look great and cool on everything from app icons to dark-mode dashboards, these logos are all about being memorable, flexible and just techy enough to feel like the future. What makes a good tech startup logo? What separates a forgettable logo ideas from one that fuels recognition, trust and growth? Here’s how to design a logo for your tech startup: Relevance: Speak the language of your product Your logo should visually echo your startup’s space and mission. Are you building cutting-edge AI tools? A sleek, minimalist logo with sharp lines and futuristic fonts might fit. Are you creating a platform that makes remote work more human? Softer curves and approachable colors could tell that story. Start with your core value prop and build from there. Every line, shape and color should connect to what your company does—and, more importantly, what it means to users. A good technology logo maker can help translate those abstract ideas into visual elements that feel consistent with your product and brand personality. Distinctiveness: Cut through the noise The startup world is crowded. You don’t just need a logo—you need a remember-me logo. That means avoiding generic icons (no more gradient hexagons please) and leaning into what makes you different. Consider a bold visual metaphor, a unique mark or an unexpected color combo. Aim for something that would still be recognizable without the name attached. That’s how you build long-term brand equity. Simplicity: Complexity kills clarity Tech can be complicated. Your logo shouldn’t be. The best startup logos distill big ideas into clean, confident visuals. Think Notion’s minimalist "N" or Stripe’s subtle wave—simple, memorable designs that inspire clarity. A strong logo is easy to recognize, quick to load and works seamlessly across everything from favicons to pitch decks. For startups, clarity and confidence in a logo are the keys to leaving a lasting impression. Scalability: Built for growth Your startup might be tiny now—but you're thinking big. Your logo needs to scale with you, from landing pages to launch parties, mobile apps to massive billboards. Test it at every size. Make sure it looks sharp in color, grayscale and even one-color versions. A good rule of thumb: if it looks good as a tiny app icon and still holds up on stage behind a keynote speaker—you’re golden. Memorability: Make it stick In the early stages of a tech startup, your brand needs to stand out in crowded spaces like social feeds and app stores. A memorable logo helps your name stick after just a glance, building recognition when visibility and budgets are limited. Here’s how tech brands can create one: Focus on one core idea like speed, security or intelligence. Use simple, bold shapes that are easy to process and remember. Add subtle distinctiveness with a unique twist or intentional detail. Leverage color psychology to stand out and align with your brand. Test for recall by seeing if others can remember or sketch it after a quick look. Timelessness: Trends fade, clarity lasts Design trends come and go (remember those glossy Web 2.0 logos?). Chasing trends might grab some quick attention, but timeless logos stick around for the long haul. Focus on lasting design principles like balance, proportion and contrast. Your brand will evolve, and your logo should still look great 5 pivots and 10 funding rounds later. Digital-first adaptability Tech companies live online—your logo should, too. It needs to work across app stores, software dashboards, browser tabs and social icons. This might mean creating a logo system—like a primary logo, a compact mark and even a motion version for product demos. Think about how your logo moves, how it looks in dark mode or as a loading animation. It shouldn't just sit there—it should feel alive within your product ecosystem. Emotional resonance: Say something real Even in tech, emotion matters. Your logo should reflect the feeling you want users to experience—curiosity, trust, speed, freedom. Typography and color play a big role in this. A cybersecurity startup might go for deep blues and strong lettering to feel safe and solid. A wellness app might lean toward a lighter, friendlier vibe. The goal isn’t just to look cool—it’s to connect. Visual harmony with your product Ask yourself: does your logo reflect the experience users will have? A clean and simple product can feel out of sync with a loud or overly complex logo. On the other hand, a bold, creative platform needs a logo that brings the same energy. This connection helps tie the logo and product experience together seamlessly. A well-designed logo makes a strong first impression and sets the tone before the UI even loads. If your branding and interface don’t align, users might notice the disconnect. Consistency builds trust and shows attention to detail. Pull design elements like colors or shapes from your product to create a logo that feels like a natural extension of your brand. Tip: Learn how to make a tech logo that represents your brand. The best tech startup logo examples Ception techNovus Foxie Ursa SERVIO Technologies Caper Starlet Technologies Crew GRAX Hologram Electronics Diality Inc. Zeemart Swish Fibre ePHealth Superup 01. Ception : Tech startup logo with precision and depth Ception offers precise localization solutions with pinpoint accuracy. Their logo design manifests this idea with a three-dimensional geometric design that offers their own version of an “X marks the spot,” as well as a nod to the familiar GPS pin icon. The four triangles making up the design are each in a different shade taken from the startup’s brand colors. By setting all colors but one to a lower opacity and giving them a slight gradient, there’s an added sense of depth and volume to the logo. It also creates a modern feel, alluding to the advanced technologies involved in Ception’s product. While the full logo includes the startup’s business name, its icon also serves as a stand-alone logo for some applications. For example, the favicon (the little icon at the top of the browser) on their business website proves just how well the logo works even in minuscule proportions. Looking to choose your own tech startup name? Check out our tech company name generator to get you started. 02. techNovus: Futuristic tech logo with motion techNovus Infotech Solutions is a cloud-based consulting service. Their logo, created using the Wix logo maker tool, creates a sense of swift motion, generating feelings of forward-thinking and ingenuity, appealing to the future of logos . The appearance of movement is achieved using a circle that starts from one direction, but then transforms into an open-ended shape. This design helps establish techNovus as a dynamic, constantly evolving startup. 03. Foxie : Playful app logo for travel tech Tourism app Foxie turns the exploration of different cities around France into a game. Their logo is a fox’s face, perfectly symmetrical and featureless so that it looks more like a logo than an illustration. By going for a fox’s head and a cheeky business name, Foxie places the values of fun and playfulness at the core of their brand identity. The use of the color orange, as color psychology can tell us, reinforces these values with its cheerfulness and freshness. In addition, the gradients used for shading gives the logo a three-dimensional effect, making it come to life. 04. Ursa : Minimal space tech logo with orbit motif Ursa Space Systems is an intelligence system that uses satellite-based data. While their logo is mostly typographical, it also points to their use of satellite with a simple graphic solution - the placement of four differently sized dots around the letters. The dots’ uneven positioning and sizing references the shape of the Ursa Major constellation. It also makes it seem like they can orbit around the letters. This idea is taken a step further on the startup's Wix website, with an animated version of the logo that features the dots swerving around the text. The visual language of the logo extends to the rest of their website design , by using colored dots as a motif throughout. 05. SERVIO Technologies : Software startup logo with balance SERVIO Technologies is a software development and distribution company. Their startup logo is shaped like a plus sign, whose rounded corners give it a softer edge and make it inviting and full of energy. The color palette is a combination of warm shades of orange and yellow, contrasted with cool blues, amounting to a well-balanced result. Blue is a commonly used color for high-tech and startup logos, as it conveys notions of trust and efficiency. Here, the company lets this color take lead, placing it at the more prominent axis of the plus sign. 06. Caper : Retail tech logo inspired by product design Caper’s versatile design combines two types of logos , to be used interchangeably depending on their application. On their homepage design, for example, they feature the full wordmark logo, while on their social media channels and on the actual product, they go for an abbreviated lettermark of the first initial. As a tech company specializing in autonomous shopping carts, Caper’s logo includes a dotted letter C. The two dots represent the grocery cart’s wheels, and their coral pink color makes the cart feel fun and exciting. Referencing the visual shape of the product in the logo’s design is a good practice for building brand recognition. 07. Starlet Technologies : Geometric technology logo with a twist This startup logo example , created on Wix’s free logo maker , demonstrates the brand’s uniqueness with a geometric, three-dimensional shape that is mathematically infeasible. Accompanied by the tagline, “Create The Impossible,” it’s clear that this tech company is all about breaking boundaries and thinking outside the box. The Wix Logo Maker allows complete customization for all of the different components in your logo, from the font to the icon and colors, for truly professional results. The final logo would then be available for download in high-quality image files. 08. Crew : Team app logo with a collaborative feel Crew is an app for teams, meant to boost team motivation and help create a more informed and supportive working environment. Their startup logo is based on a cursive logo font combined with a check mark symbol. The lowercase, flowy font is light and friendly. The cursive letters are physically joined together, generating notions of collaborative teamwork, just as the name suggests. The added check mark builds on this positive approach, giving off a sense of accomplishment. Placing the check mark in a message bubble hints to the fact that Crew is an app. The check mark and bubble symbol also doubles as the app’s icon. 09. GRAX : Clean technical logo with standout “X” For their tech company logo, GRAX uses a single-weight line that refers to the last letter in their name. Their take on the X shape - with a rounded center and additional surrounding lines - transforms the icon into a more distinct visual that can be easily associated with the company. The color purple, which often stands for quality and creativity, is applied here with a soft gradient. This effect helps the logo stand out, making it look as if it’s been struck by a passing light beam. When placed against a dark blue background, as can be seen in their website color scheme, the logo seems to be almost radiant. 10. Hologram Electronics : Retro tech brand logo for audio gear While an unconventional choice for a tech startup logo, the Hologram Electronics logo has a vintage feel to it. As a company specializing in audio effects, this retro vibe is reminiscent of synthesizers and the early days of Polaroid photography. This look is achieved by the choice of font, as well as their nostalgic business color palette. It’s interesting to note the various interpretations that this brand has created for the logo, attaining design flexibility without detracting from a cohesive look. For example, the logo’s four colored rectangles go on to become blinking lights when placed on a physical product. In another instance, those same lines are stretched on into the distance in a Star Wars-inspired design. 11. Diality Inc. : Health tech logo with symbolic clarity Diality Inc. provides a smart home dialysis machine. To represent this concept, their letterform logo turns their first initial into a circular shape that resembles the blood circulation system, with the D serving as the heart at its core. By utilizing white space, one of the key principles of design and logo design tips , the D at the center stays easily legible. The letter is easy to spot, thanks to the two breaks in the shape’s line, allowing it to stand out. 12. Zeemart : eCommerce tech logo with a mascot edge eCommerce platform Zeemart helps users from the food and beverage industry to keep track of their small business accounting. Their tech startup logo features a zebra mascot, drawing on the Z sound in their name. Logo mascots of animals or other illustrated characters can make a brand more engaging, helping people resonate and connect with it. Designed only in black stripes, the zebra mascot utilizes the principle of Gestalt so that viewers can mentally complete the rest of its body. The use of a single color helps simplify the design and also matches the black, chunky typography of the brand’s name. 13. Swish Fibre : Fast broadband logo with motion As a broadband provider, Swish Fibre’s brand identity is centered around the idea of fast and secure internet. Through implementing two different letter weights in their logotype, Swish Fibre creates a sense of forward movement. Their abstract symbol of a dotted circle is equally dynamic, with the dots growing larger towards the circle’s center and the incorporation of a gradual color transition. Font and shape are both determining factors when it comes to designing a logo . Notice how the dotted I’s in Swish Fibre’s typeface reiterate the dots to their left, making the design feel cohesive. 14. ePHealth: Friendly digital health logo ePHealth is an app and primary healthcare solution. Their logo design uses a lowercase sans serif font, a typographical choice popular amongst startups and tech companies. Sans serifs - or fonts that don’t have decorative strokes or embellishments on the end of their letters - are commonly perceived as more modern. Lowercase writing usually expresses an informal, friendly approach. This idea is reinforced by a thin curvy line underneath the letters, making the logo look as though it’s smiling at its audience. 15. Superup: Mobile shopping logo with a clever icon Special characters are a major logo trend, and mobile shopping platform Superup puts it to good use. Their logo includes non-letter typographical symbols that make up a smiley face, bringing to mind our communication habits on mobile websites and apps. This icon also acts as an arrow, pointing at the company’s name and directing attention to it. Lastly, the smiley face is also a play on the brand’s catchy slogan, “The new face on mobile shopping.” Explore more logo ideas for real estate logos or podcast logos Tech company logo ideas: creative designs for every industry SaaS companies : These logos should be sleek and scalable, often featuring simple wordmarks or lettermarks with clean sans-serif fonts. The design needs to feel modern and efficient, with rounded corners that add a sense of ease and approachability. Minimalist color palettes like blues, teals and grays help build trust and ensure the logo looks great across platforms, from mobile apps to websites. AI and machine learning startups : AI logos often feature abstract symbols like interconnected dots, neural networks or geometric shapes to reflect intelligence and innovation. Bold gradients, metallic colors and futuristic fonts emphasize cutting-edge technology. Organic shapes or circular designs can suggest smooth and constant learning, creatingAn error occurred during generation. Please try again or contact support if it continues. Fintech companies : Fintech logos should inspire trust and security while feeling modern and dynamic. Geometric shapes like squares or bars paired with sleek monograms or icons such as locks and shields communicate financial reliability and security. Common color palettes include deep blues, grays and subtle green accents, symbolizing professionalism and growth. The design needs to be simple and effective across both digital and physical spaces. Cybersecurity firms : Cybersecurity logos often use bold symbols like shields, locks or abstract designs that represent encryption. These elements communicate security, precision and vigilance. Dark color palettes like black, blue and gray create a serious, authoritative tone, while neon or bright accents bring a modern, high-tech vibe that reflects advanced security solutions. Health tech companies : Health tech logos often combine classic medical symbols like crosses, hearts or stethoscopes with modern, sleek designs. Soft curves and fluid lines work well with calming colors like teal, blue and green to create a sense of care, trust and innovation. A good logo feels reassuring and forward-thinking, using clean typography and familiar medical imagery with a fresh twist for the healthcare space. Green tech / clean energy startups : Logos in green tech often mix nature-inspired elements like leaves, trees or solar panels with sleek, tech-forward designs. They balance sustainability with innovation. Colors like greens, earth tones and blues reflect the environment while also representing growth and energy. Clean geometric shapes and flowing lines create a sense of movement and progress, ideal for companies focused on building a better future. eCommerce & retail tech platforms : eCommerce logos are often dynamic and focused on functionality. Carts, arrows and boxes work great as icons to represent the flow of goods or the ease of shopping. Bold and readable fonts are a must, especially for mobile apps or small screens. Vibrant colors like orange, green or blue bring energy and grab attention, making the logo stand out across websites and ads. Web3 and blockchain companies : Web3 and blockchain logos often use interlocking shapes, cubes or abstract designs that represent networks and nodes. These visuals communicate decentralization, transparency and complexity. Neon gradients, metallic finishes and futuristic fonts help highlight the high-tech, cutting-edge feel of the blockchain world. The design should stay modern and timeless, signaling both security and innovation. AR/VR & metaverse startups : Logos for AR/VR companies should capture the feeling of immersion, alternate realities and futuristic tech. Fluid, multidimensional designs or symbols like floating loops, lenses or eyes can create that sense of another world. Bright, bold colors like neon pinks, purples and blues set the tone for the virtual space while futuristic, bold typography helps the logo stand out in the fast-changing tech scene. IT consulting & B2B tech : Logos in IT consulting need to be professional, clean and efficient. Geometric shapes or abstract icons that represent systems, networks or connections are popular choices. A strong, structured design with clear, easy-to-read fonts helps build trust with clients. Color schemes tend to stay minimal with tones like dark blue, gray and black, giving off a sense of professionalism and reliability in the B2B world. Developer tools and APIs : Logos for developer tools and APIs often use code-related symbols like brackets, slashes or abstract circuit designs. They should feel simple, clear and efficient with typography that resonates with a tech-savvy audience. Monospace or tech-inspired fonts work well paired with minimalistic color schemes. Clean lines and small pops of color keep the design fresh and professional. Robotics & hardware companies : Logos for robotics and hardware companies often feature mechanical elements like gears, joints or modular shapes to emphasize precision and engineering. The designs usually reflect power and innovation with metallic finishes or gradients in silver, black and deep blue. Strong, bold fonts pair well with the sharp, industrial feel of these logos. EdTech startups : Logos for EdTech companies should feel welcoming and innovative. Designs often include educational symbols like books, caps or pencils but with a modern twist, like pixelated books or abstract learning tools. Bright colors like sky blue, lime green and orange keep the design playful and engaging while clean, legible fonts add a sense of modernity and approachability.