Wix is one of the most user-friendly website builders available, making it easy for anyone to create a professional-looking website without coding. Whether you're new to website design or exploring tools for a free online presence, this step-by-step guide will show you how to use Wix from the ground up.
Getting Started with Wix
To begin building a website with Wix, you'll first need to sign up and choose how you want to create your website—either with Wix ADI or the classic Editor.
Sign up and choose a creation method
- Go to wix.com and click Get Started.
- Create an account using your email or social login.
- Choose between Wix ADI (uses AI to build your website quickly) or the Wix Editor for full customization.
Navigating the Wix Dashboard
After choosing a creation method, you’ll land on the Wix Dashboard. This is your control center where you manage your website, domain, SEO, apps, and more.
- Site Actions: Preview, publish, duplicate or transfer your website.
- Settings: Manage business info, privacy settings, and favicon.
- Marketing & SEO: Set up email campaigns and optimize for search engines.
- Apps: Access the Wix App Market to add booking forms, chat widgets, and more.
Using the Wix Website Editor
The drag and drop editor in Wix is the main tool for designing your website’s layout, content, and structure. It offers a highly visual, intuitive experience that allows you to build pages by simply selecting and moving elements around—no coding required. You can edit everything from colors and fonts to entire sections of the page in just a few clicks.
How the Editor works
When you enter the Editor, you’ll see a live version of your page. The left-hand menu gives access to all content and design elements, while the top toolbar includes undo/redo options, preview, and publish. Right-clicking on any item brings up context-specific options like duplicate, copy, align, and animation.
Common elements you can add:
- Text: Insert headers, subheadings, paragraphs, or stylized quotes. Use pre-styled text presets or create your own typography styles.
- Images: Drag images from your computer or select from free and premium media inside the Wix Media Manager.
- Buttons: These are essential for navigation and calls to action (CTAs). Customize size, shape, hover effects, and links.
- Galleries and Slideshows: Showcase photos with dynamic sliders, lightboxes, or masonry layouts, ideal for portfolios or visual brands.
- Strips and Containers: Used to divide content into full-width bands or organized blocks. You can add backgrounds, videos, or parallax effects to strips.
Element placement & layout tips
Precision matters when designing a polished website. Wix provides alignment guides and rulers to help with layout accuracy. Most elements snap into place automatically, ensuring consistency across devices.
- Drag & Drop Freely: Place elements anywhere on the page canvas.
- Use Columns: Add a multi-column layout to better organize text and images side by side.
- Resize Handles: Most elements have adjustable corners so you can quickly change width or height.
- Right Click Menu: Use for layering, pinning, copying styles, and setting animations.
Mobile optimization
Every website made with Wix is automatically mobile-friendly, but the mobile version may need tweaks. Switch to Mobile View from the top menu to adjust content visibility, rearrange elements, or hide sections that don’t work well on smaller screens.
Undoing & version history
Wix keeps track of every change you make. You can use the Undo and Redo buttons freely, or access your Site History to restore an earlier version if needed.
Customize Your Wix Website Layout
Personalizing the layout and design is where your website starts to reflect your brand. Wix offers tools to customize themes, fonts, colors, and more.
| Customization Option | Where to Find It |
|---|---|
| Fonts & Colors | Click on any text > Edit Text > Customize |
| Theme | Site Design > Themes |
| Background | Click on background > Change Background |
| Mobile View | Top Menu > Switch to Mobile |
How to Use Wix for Free
Wix offers a robust free plan ideal for trying out the platform. You can build, design, and publish your website without paying, though your domain will include the Wix branding.
- Unlimited edits and design features
- Wix-branded domain (e.g., username.wixsite.com/sitename)
- Access to Wix App Market (free + paid apps)
- Basic SEO and marketing tools
Adding Features and Apps on Wix
Wix App Market allows you to extend your website’s functionality with both built-in and third-party tools.
Popular apps to consider:
- Wix Forms: For contact forms, surveys, and lead capture.
- Wix Bookings: Manage online appointments and classes.
- Chat: Add live chat to your website for customer support.
- Wix Stores: Launch an eCommerce store with product management tools.
Publishing Your Wix Website
Once you're happy with the design, publishing is just one click away.
- Click the Publish button in the top right corner.
- Preview your website in both desktop and mobile view.
- Wix will assign a free domain if you’re on the free plan.
- To connect a custom domain, upgrade to a premium plan.
How to Learn Wix Quickly
Wix provides an extensive library of resources, tutorials, and community support to help beginners learn fast.
- Wix Help Center: Step-by-step guides on every feature
- Wix YouTube Channel: Video tutorials for visual learners
- Wix Blog: Website design tips and business growth advice
- Community Forum: Ask questions and share experiences
Useful Links
Getting Started with Wix – This guide provides a comprehensive overview for beginners, covering the basics of setting up your Wix account and starting your website project.
Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your Wix Site – A detailed walkthrough on designing and customizing your site using the Wix Editor, including adding pages and content.
Wix Editor: Publishing Your Site – Instructions on how to publish your website, making it live for the world to see.
Elfsight created dozens of useful apps to make your website more attractive and boost its performance in so many ways. Try these no-code solutions for free on Wix!
Conclusion
Wix is a powerful and intuitive platform for anyone looking to create a website — whether for a personal project, online store, or business. Its free plan, beginner-friendly tools, and drag and drop editor make it ideal for first-time users. As you become familiar with the platform, you'll be able to build more complex and customized websites with ease.
