- Why you can't swap templates
- First, ask whether you need a new template at all
- How to move to a new Wix template
- Copying pages and designs across
- Your images come with you
- What does and doesn't transfer
- Moving your plan and domain
- Protect your search traffic
- Choose your next template more carefully
- Give yourself a launch checklist
- My verdict
- Frequently asked questions
You can't switch the template on an existing Wix site. Instead, create a new site from the template you want, copy pages and elements across from your old site, import your media from Site Files, then move your plan and domain to the new site. To refresh the look without starting over, use Site Design in the editor.
It's one of the most common Wix frustrations: you've built your site, fallen out of love with the template, and there's no switch template button anywhere. That's because Wix doesn't let you change templates on a site you've already created. The good news is that starting over is much less painful than it sounds, and sometimes you don't need a new template at all. Here's the full picture.
Why you can't swap templates
Wix's help centre is direct about it: it isn't possible to switch to a different template for a site you've already created. What you can do is create as many sites as you like in your account, so starting a new site from a new template is the official route.
First, ask whether you need a new template at all
Before you rebuild, open your current site in the editor and click Site Design on the left. Wix explains you can change the site theme, meaning your colours and text styles, plus page backgrounds and page transitions, all from there. A new colour palette, fresh fonts and a few redesigned sections can transform a site without any of the hassle of moving.
| If you want | Do this |
|---|---|
| New colours and fonts | Change the site theme in Site Design |
| A fresh look for a few pages | Redesign those sections in your current site |
| A completely different structure | Start a new site from a new template |
How to move to a new Wix template
Wix sets out five steps. Here's what each one means in plain English:
- Choose your new template and create a new site from it.
- Copy pages and elements from your old site and paste them into the new one.
- Import your media from the Site Files folder in the Media Manager.
- Transfer extra features, such as your business email or blog.
- Move your plan and domain from the old site to the new one.
Copying pages and designs across
In the classic Wix Editor, Wix says you can copy specific elements, or even entire pages, from your old site and paste them into the new one. You can also right-click any element or section and save it to My Designs, a library you can use on any Editor site in your account. If you use Wix Studio, you can't copy whole pages, but you can save sections as design assets and reuse them.
Your images come with you
Here's the bit that saves the most time. Wix explains that all the media from your existing site is saved under Site Files in the Media Manager, and those folders can be reached from every site in your account. So you don't need to download and re-upload your photos; just import them into the new site.
What does and doesn't transfer
| Can transfer | Can't transfer |
|---|---|
| Business email | Site theme, design and layout |
| Wix Blog | Premium apps |
| Your plan and domain | Contacts and site members |
| Media, via Site Files | Wix Stores and Wix Bookings |
That right-hand column is the real reason to think twice. If you run a shop or take bookings through Wix, those don't move automatically, so a template switch becomes a bigger project. Wix's help page suggests workarounds for some of these, so check before you start.
Moving your plan and domain
When the new site is ready, reassign your Premium plan and connect your domain to it, so visitors land on the new design at your usual address. Once everything works, you can unpublish or delete the old site.
Protect your search traffic
- Keep the same page addresses where you can.
- Copy across your page titles and descriptions.
- Set up redirects for any pages whose address changes.
- Check every page after the switch, on desktop and mobile.
A new template is effectively a site migration, and the same rules apply. My website migration tips explain how to keep your rankings, and my guide to a successful website redesign helps you plan the new look.
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Choose your next template more carefully
Pick a template for its structure, not its photos. Look at the layout of the homepage, how the menu works and how pages are laid out on a phone. Demo images and text are placeholders, so imagine your own content in that frame. A template that suits your structure will serve you for years.
Give yourself a launch checklist
Before you point your domain at the new site, run through a short checklist: every page from the old site exists or redirects, your contact form sends to the right inbox, your logo and favicon are in place, and the mobile version looks right. It takes half an hour and saves you from discovering broken pages after customers have.
My verdict
Wix won't let you change the template on an existing site, so first try Site Design to refresh colours and fonts. If you need a completely new structure, create a new site from a new template, copy pages and elements across, import media from Site Files, and move your plan and domain. Check what can't transfer before you commit.
Frequently asked questions
Can I change my template on Wix?
Not on an existing site. Create a new site from a new template and move your content across.
Will I lose my images if I change Wix templates?
No. Media is saved in Site Files in the Media Manager, which every site in your account can reach.
Can I copy pages from one Wix site to another?
Yes, in the Wix Editor you can copy and paste elements and entire pages to a new site.
What can't be transferred to a new Wix template?
Wix lists site theme and layout, premium apps, contacts, site members, Wix Stores and Wix Bookings.
How do I change the look of my Wix site without a new template?
Use Site Design in the editor to change your site theme, backgrounds and page transitions.
