How to Use Wix: A Beginner's Guide to Building Your Site

Wix is one of the most popular ways for small businesses to build a website without hiring a developer. It's drag and drop, packed with templates, and you can have a decent site up in a weekend. The trick is knowing what to focus on so you don't spend hours fiddling with things that don't matter. Here's how to use Wix from blank template to published site.

How Wix works in one table

Part	What it's for
Template	Your starting design
Wix Editor	Where you build and edit the site
Add Elements	Adding text, images, buttons and more
Site Design	Colours, fonts and backgrounds across the site
Mobile editor	Adjusting how the site looks on phones
Dashboard	Managing your business, settings and plan

Step 1: Choose a template

Pick a template for its layout, not its photos. Look at how the homepage is structured, how the menu works and whether the pages suit your business. You'll replace every image and word, so imagine your own content in the frame. Choose carefully, because Wix doesn't let you switch templates on a site once it's created.

Step 2: Add and customise elements

Wix says the editor contains hundreds of customisable elements, from images and text to shapes and strips. Click Add Elements on the left to add something new, then select any element to see its customisation options. Start by replacing the template's text and images with your own before adding anything extra.

Step 3: Set your colours and fonts

Click Site Design on the left of the editor. Wix explains you can set your site theme, meaning the colours and text styles used across your site, plus page backgrounds and transitions between pages. Set these once at the start and your whole site stays consistent.

Step 4: Fix the mobile version

Here's the step most beginners leave too late. Wix recommends optimising your mobile site after you've finished the desktop design, using the mobile editor to resize images, make text readable and hide elements mobile visitors don't need. Many of your visitors will only ever see the mobile version, so give it as much care as the desktop.

Step 5: Save, preview and publish

Button	What it does
Save	Keeps your changes in the editor
Preview	Shows the site as visitors will see it
Publish	Puts your changes live

All three sit at the top right. Wix makes the key point clearly: saved changes won't appear on your site until you click Publish. Autosave also only starts after your first manual save, so click Save early on a new site.

The pages every small business site needs

• Home: who you help and what to do next.
• About: your story and why people should trust you.
• Services or Shop: what you offer, clearly explained.
• Contact: a form, email and any location details.
• Privacy policy: especially if you collect emails.

Start with these five and add more only when you have a reason. A small site that's clear beats a big one that's confusing.

Make it easy to find

Wix includes SEO settings in your dashboard where you can set page titles and descriptions. Write a clear title for each page that says what it's about, and connect a custom domain so your address looks professional. My guide to using your own domain name explains why it matters, and if you take appointments, my roundup of booking websites for small businesses compares your options.

Don't be afraid to experiment

Wix says you can save, preview and publish as often as you want, and Site History lets you go back to a previous version. That means no edit is permanent. Try a new layout, preview it, and roll back if you don't like it.

Common beginner mistakes

• Leaving demo text or images on the site.
• Using too many fonts and colours.
• Forgetting to check the mobile version.
• Saving but never clicking Publish.
• Building lots of pages before the homepage is right.

Use the dashboard as well as the editor

The editor is where you design, but the dashboard is where you run things. That's where you'll find your site's settings, SEO tools, messages from visitors, and any business features you've added, such as bookings or a store. Get into the habit of checking it once a week for new enquiries, so nothing slips through the cracks.

Get help from other people

You don't have to do everything yourself. You can invite a team member or freelancer to work on your site as a collaborator rather than sharing your password. If you hire a designer, agree up front who owns the site and the domain, and make sure your own email is the account owner. It saves real headaches if you ever part ways.

My verdict

Choose a template for its structure, replace the demo content, set colours and fonts in Site Design, and fix the mobile version before you publish. Save often, preview everything, and remember nothing goes live until you click Publish. Start small with five clear pages, then grow the site as your business does.

Frequently asked questions

How do I start using Wix?

Pick a template, open the Wix Editor, replace the demo content with your own, then save and publish.

Where do I change colours and fonts in Wix?

Click Site Design on the left of the editor to set your site theme.

Why can't visitors see my Wix changes?

Saved changes only go live when you click Publish.

Should I design the mobile or desktop Wix site first?

Wix recommends finishing the desktop site, then adjusting it in the mobile editor.

Can I undo changes on Wix?

Yes. Site History lets you go back to a previous version of your site.