If you’re building your first website, Wix is one of the most popular all-in-one website builders. It features a drag‑and‑drop editor, 900-plus templates and AI-driven tools for design and content generation. Wix is ideal for users with no coding experience who want to launch and manage a site quickly.

β€œThe best part about Wix is that a person can progress through a blank page to something that resembles a final site in a very short period of time. The visual editor is easy, and the template system is comprehensive,” says Mircea Dima, founder of the coding academy, AlgoCademy.

Read on to learn how to set up a Wix account in a few simple steps.

Step 1: Sign Up and Choose a Plan

Go to Wix.com, sign up with an email, Google or Facebook account, and start building for free using a wix.com subdomain. To connect a custom domain, remove ads and unlock advanced features (blog, e-commerce, bookings), upgrade to a Premium plan. Prices start at $17 per month, with e-commerce plans around $29 per month. Read more about Wix’s pricing.

Step 2: Choose Your Building Method

Wix gives you two options: use the Wix AI builder to generate a site in minutes or choose the Classic Editor for more control. 

  • AI Builder. Answer a few questions, and Wix generates a tailored website, complete with layout, pages, images and content you can fine‑tune.
  • Classic Wix Editor. Use the drag-and-drop interface to customize templates or start with a blank canvas, placing elements exactly where you want them.
Screenshot of Wix interface showing an AI setup prompt with options to β€œStart Chat” or β€œSet up without Chat.”
Wix AI setup prompt gives you the option to create a personalized dashboard based on site details.

Step 3: Pick and Customize Your Template

If you choose to go with the Classic Wix Editor over the AI Builder, the next step is to choose a template from Wix’s library of over 900 templates and pick one that suits your industry or style. Once you’ve selected one, you can change colors, fonts, images and layout elements to make it your own. 

Read more about how to design a website for tips on what pages to include, how to match your site to your existing branding and more.

Screenshot of Wix’s website template selection page displaying portfolio template options.
Wix lets you choose from a selection of different templates for your online portfolio.

Step 4: Optimize for Mobile and SEO

Wix automatically generates a mobile-friendly version of your site. You can further optimize in the mobile editor by hiding unnecessary sections and adjusting spacing, fonts and buttons for touch navigation.

The β€œSEO & LLM Optimization” section in your Dashboard will let you set page titles, meta descriptions, alt text and URL slugs.

Step 5: Add Additional Features Through the App Market

Wix’s App Market offers over 800 apps to help you set up your website. It includes everything from event tools and ecommerce features to restaurant booking widgets. For example, for service-based needs, Wix Bookings lets you set up appointment scheduling, calendars and client management.

Screenshot of the Wix App Market homepage.
Wix offers an app market with tools and integrations to enhance your website.

Step 6: Connect and Purchase a Domain

If you don’t already have a custom domain name, Wix allows you to search for the domain name you’d like to use for your website and connect it to the website you built directly on the platform. If your first choice is already taken, Wix will suggest alternatives.

If you already own your domain name, you can connect it to your Wix website by verifying ownership. Once your domain is linked, it will point visitors straight to your site.

Wix β€œConnect a Domain” settings screen showing domain name options.
If your desired custom domain is taken, Wix will show you other options.

Step 7: Preview and Publish

Use the preview tool to check how your site looks on desktop and mobile. When you’re ready, hit β€œPublish” to take your site live.

Step 8: Maintain and Promote

After launch, you can update content, track performance and use Wix’s built-in tools to promote your site. From email campaigns to analytics, everything is managed in your dashboard.

Bottom Line

Wix makes it easy to build a beautiful and professional website using drag-and-drop tools or AI-generated layouts, while still giving users the ability to fine-tune every detail. Wix offers thousands of templates, built-in business tools and an extensive app marketplace. Whether you’re launching your first blog or a full-scale online store, building with Wix gives you the flexibility and structure for a professional website.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much does Wix cost to create a website?

Wix offers a free plan with Wix-branded ads and a Wix subdomain. Paid plans start at $17 per month and vary depending on features like storage, bandwidth, e-commerce tools and whether you want to connect a custom domain.

What is the downside of Wix?

Mircea Dima, founder of the coding academy Algo Academy, shared that, β€œWhat most people do not understand is that after selecting a template and beginning to work on the editing process, it becomes extremely difficult to change the template without redesigning the site altogether. Not only is it inconvenient, but it can choke your growth in the future.”

Is Wix a good website for beginners?

Yes, Wix is one of the best website builders for beginners thanks to its intuitive design, helpful AI features and ready-to-use templates. You don’t need any coding experience to create a professional-looking site. There are also many Wix alternatives if it doesn’t work for you.