How do you use Wix to build a website?
Building a website with Wix has become increasingly accessible for beginners, thanks to its intuitive interface and powerful AI tools. The platform offers multiple pathways to create a professional site, whether you prefer guided automation or hands-on design control.
Two Main Creation Pathways
Wix provides two distinct approaches for building your website, each suited to different preferences and skill levels:
Wix AI Builder uses artificial intelligence to generate a website based on information about your business. You simply answer a few conversational questions, and Wix creates a fully functional, customizable site tailored to your needs.
Wix Editor is the traditional drag-and-drop builder where you have complete creative control. You can start with one of 2000+ professionally designed templates or begin with a blank canvas, then customize every element using Wix's intuitive tools.
Step-by-Step Process for Beginners
Step 1: Create Your Account
Visit Wix.com and click the "Get Started" button. Complete the simple sign-up form by providing your email address and creating a password. Alternatively, you can log in quickly using your Facebook or Google account.
Step 2: Choose Your Starting Point
After logging in, click the "Design Site" button at the top right of your dashboard. From here, decide whether you want Wix AI to generate a site for you or if you prefer to select from available templates and design manually.
Step 3: Select a Template (Optional)
If you choose the Editor route, browse through Wix's extensive template library and select one that aligns with your business type and aesthetic preferences. You can always start over if you change your mind, so don't feel pressured to be overly selective.
Step 4: Access the Wix Editor
Once you've made your selection, the Wix Editor will load. This is where you'll see your website layout in the middle of the screen with editing tools available on the left side.
Core Editing and Customization Features
Text and Content Editing
Double-click on any text element to modify it. You can add a catchy title, write main content, and update any text-based sections throughout your site.
Adding Visual Elements
Use the intuitive interface to add images, galleries, videos, and other multimedia content. Click the "+" sign in the left sidebar to access available elements and drag them onto your page. Wix's built-in AI tools can generate and edit custom images and text sections without requiring any coding knowledge.
Drag-and-Drop Customization
Effortlessly arrange your design by dragging and dropping text, visuals, buttons, and entire sections to create your desired layout. This intuitive method requires no technical skills whatsoever.
Advanced Design Features
Beyond basic customization, Wix offers scroll effects, animations, and interactive elements to make your site stand out. The editor provides responsive design controls so your site works perfectly across mobile devices.
Page and Section Management
Organize your website by managing multiple pages through the pages menu. Understand the structure of header sections (consistent across all pages), body sections (unique to each page), and footer sections (consistent across all pages).
Additional Website Functionality
Once your basic design is complete, you can enhance your site with advanced features:
- Adding forms to collect visitor information
- E-commerce setup for selling products online
- Booking and scheduling services for service-based businesses
- Professional email integration
- Gift cards functionality
- Blog and forum features
- SEO optimization and marketing tools to improve visibility
Settings and Optimization
Access the site settings through the left-hand menu to configure crucial elements like cover images, publish dates, author information, and SEO metadata. This stage is essential for optimizing your website for search engines and ensuring it presents your business professionally.
Domain Connection and Upgrades
While Wix offers a free version to get started, you'll eventually want to connect your own custom domain name and choose a paid plan that suits your needs. These upgrades unlock additional features and professional branding for your website.
The entire process from sign-up to having a functional website can take as little as 2-3 minutes if you're not particular about design choices, or several hours if you want to fine-tune every detail. Check out Wix's essential tutorials for more in-depth guidance on specific features.