You can make a website for free with Wix, but what can you expect from the free plan? Wix offers a generous free plan that lets you create a website with a Wix domain, although it will display a Wix ad.
The free plan has some limitations, such as a 500MB storage limit and a Wix subdomain instead of a custom domain. You can still create a professional-looking website with a variety of templates and drag-and-drop tools.
Wix's free plan is a great option for small businesses, personal projects, or hobby websites that don't require a lot of storage or advanced features.
Getting Started
To get started with Wix, head to their website and sign up for an account using just an email address and password. You'll then click Get Started to register your account.
The account contains everything you need to make your website, including a dashboard and Wix editor. This is the only account you need to create your Wix website.
Wix will ask you questions to determine the best way to create your website, starting with the type of site you want to build. Answer these questions as accurately as you can.
Enter your website name, even if you don't have one yet - you can change it later. This helps Wix populate your site with information, so you'll have fewer details to adjust when editing your site.
Select the features and functionality you want to add to your website, such as Forms, Bookings, Blogs, and Pricing Plans. Don't worry if you're not sure what you want - you can always add, remove, or change features later.
Preview your site to ensure you're happy with it, and then click Publish to make it live.
Choosing a Plan
The Wix free plan offers some great features, including access to the free drag-and-drop website builder, Wix hosting, 500MB of storage, standard web templates, and basic customer support.
However, if you're looking for more advanced features, you'll need to upgrade to a premium plan. With a premium plan, you'll get access to eCommerce functionality, analytics, and priority customer support, which can be a game-changer for businesses or individuals with online sales.
If you're still unsure about which plan to choose, consider the following:
Keep in mind that the free plan has limitations, and you'll need to upgrade to a premium plan to access more storage and advanced features.
Plan Features
The Wix free plan is a great option for those who want to dip their toes into website building without committing to a paid plan. You can access the free drag-and-drop website builder, which allows you to create a functional website with ease.
Wix hosting is also included in the free plan, giving you a reliable and secure place to host your website. This is a great feature, especially for beginners who may not know much about website hosting.
With the free plan, you get 500MB of storage, which is enough to host a small website. However, if you need more storage or advanced features, you'll have to upgrade to a premium plan.
The free plan comes with basic customer support, which is a great resource for those who are new to website building. However, if you need priority customer support or more advanced features, you'll have to upgrade to a premium plan.
Here are the key features of the Wix free plan:
- Free drag-and-drop website builder
- Wix hosting
- 500MB of storage
- Standard web templates
- Basic customer support
Keep in mind that the free plan is limited, and you'll have to upgrade to a premium plan to access more advanced features and functionalities.
Plan Limitations
So, you're considering the free plan, but you want to know about its limitations. The free plan has storage limits, which might be okay for small businesses, but you'll likely need to upgrade as your business grows.
If you opt for the free plan, your website's domain will be a subdomain of Wix, meaning wixsite.com will always be part of your URL. This might not be ideal if you're trying to create a professional image.
Additionally, the free plan restricts your ability to monetize your content. If you're serious about making money from your website, you'll need to upgrade to a paid plan.
Wix branding, including advertisements, will also be displayed on every page of your site. This can affect the credibility and authority of your brand. Unfortunately, there's no way to remove the branding without upgrading to a paid plan.
Here are some key limitations of the free plan:
- Storage limits that may not be sufficient for growing businesses
- Subdomain of Wix in your website's URL
- Restrictions on monetizing your content
- Unremovable Wix branding and advertisements
Integrations &
Choosing a plan for your website can be overwhelming, but let's break it down. The plan you choose will determine the features and tools you have access to.
Integrated payments are available with all business and eCommerce plans, making it easy to process transactions on your site. This is a huge perk for online stores.
Wix has a built-in tool to help you create a business logo if you don't already have one. This can save you time and money on hiring a designer.
The platform includes Ascend by Wix, which helps you stay organized with tasks and reminders. This feature is especially useful for managing multiple projects and deadlines.
Here's a quick rundown of some of the key integrations and tools you can expect with Wix:
Domain and Hosting
You can get a free custom domain from Wix, but there are some steps to follow. Note that non-US customers might see the Connect Domain package, which doesn't qualify for the free custom domain offer.
To get your free custom domain, you need to use a Wix voucher, which is equivalent to 100% off a domain name registration or purchase. You can use it for various domain extensions like .com, .co.uk, and .net.
To use your Wix voucher, log in to the Wix Editor or Editor X Dashboard and navigate to the profile icon at the top-right corner of the page. Click on it, then click on the Vouchers link in the drop-down.
Your voucher is under the 1 Year Free Domain section, including its expiration date. Copy the code from there and choose your preferred domain registration period. It's more advisable to purchase between 2 or 3 years subscriptions for better discounts.
You can also choose the Privacy Registration option to keep your contact info private on your web address's WHOIS page. If you don't mind your contact info being public, choose the Public Registration option instead.
Customization and Design
With Wix, you can create a website that truly reflects your brand and style. You can change practically every aspect of your site, including images, text, and layouts.
You can also add new features to your site through the Wix App Market, which offers both free and paid apps. These apps can introduce features like forms, bookings, image galleries, chat, and SEO to your site.
Some examples of apps available through the Wix App Market include:
- Forms
- Bookings
- Image galleries
- Chat
- SEO
Wix offers hundreds of pre-made templates that are attractive, professional, stylish, and modern. You can choose a template from the catalog that is specifically built for your type of business, such as fashion, jewelry, automotive, electronics, or arts & crafts.
You can also customize your website further by adding or removing pages, changing your theme, and using Wix's logo maker to create a unique logo for your brand.
Follow ADI Prompts
Following the ADI prompts is a breeze, and it's a great way to get started with your website. You can skip any page if you don't have the required information, but it's best to review and edit the basic site information first.
This includes your company name, logo, address, email, phone number, and social media handles. Wix will use this information to customize your website, creating contact pages, headers, footers, and navigation menus.
Wix even has a logo maker, which is just as intuitive as the website builder. You answer a few questions about your brand and personal style, and Wix creates your logo.
Choosing a theme is also a straightforward process. The ADI will suggest a few options, so you won't get overwhelmed with thousands of choices. You can always change your theme later, so don't worry if the options seem restrictive.
Here's a rundown of the steps:
- Review and edit basic site information
- Choose a theme
- Wix recommends a homepage design based on your website type
- Choose your favorite homepage design and click Next
- The ADI recommends other pages to add to your website, such as About, FAQ, Store Policies, Contact, and Support
The ADI will even suggest other pages to add to your website, based on the type of website you're building. You can tick the box corresponding to the web page(s) you want to add.
Customization
Customization is a crucial aspect of creating a website that truly reflects your brand and meets your needs. You can change practically every aspect of your Wix site, including images, text, and layouts.
The Wix template system may seem restrictive at first, but it's actually a great starting point for building a solid foundation. You can then use the Wix App Market to introduce new features to your site.
The App Market offers a wide range of apps, including forms, bookings, image galleries, chat, and SEO tools. You can choose from both free and paid apps to customize and personalize your site.
Before adding any integrated apps, make sure to check if they'll slow down your page load speed. It's essential to keep an eye on performance, especially since most ecommerce website platforms don't take responsibility for app integrations causing lag.
Here are some examples of apps available in the Wix App Market:
- Forms
- Bookings
- Image galleries
- Chat
- SEO
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a free Wix website last?
You can keep your free Wix website active indefinitely, with no time limit. The free plan is a great option for those who want to try Wix without a commitment.
Can I create my own website for free?
Yes, you can create a website for free, but be aware that free plans often come with limitations on storage, features, and branding
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