🧰 Ryan Abramson
Website Toolbox

Building a website today is easier than ever thanks to intuitive platforms like Wix, but it still requires time, thought, creativity, and a bit of strategy. Whether you're launching a portfolio, a business site, or a blog, this guide will walk you through the key steps of building a successful website using Wix. Communications expert Ryan Abramson shares professional tips throughout to help you get the most out of your experience.

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Step 1: Sign Up for Wix

To get started with Wix:

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1. Visit Wix.com and click on "Get Started."

2. Create an account using your email, or sign up with your Google or Facebook credentials.

3. Wix will ask a few questions about your website needs. Choose the options that best match your goals (e.g., online store, portfolio, blog, etc.).

 

Wix offers both a free plan and premium plans starting at $16/month. While the free plan is great for experimenting, upgrading to a paid plan gives you access to a custom domain, removes Wix ads, and unlocks additional features like analytics and eCommerce tools.

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Step 2: Choose a Website Template or Use Wix ADI

Once you've signed up, you have two choices:

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• Wix ADI (Artificial Design Intelligence): Automatically builds a site based on your answers to a few questions.

• Wix Editor: Gives you full creative control with drag-and-drop tools.

 

Explore the hundreds of pre-made templates across industries including business, creative portfolios, events, restaurants, and more.

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Step 3: Gather Your Backend Content First

 

Before you dive into design, you should gather and organize the following materials:

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• Written content: Bios, product/service descriptions, blog articles, about page, FAQs.

• Photos: High-resolution headshots, team images, office/product photos.

• Infographics and charts: Designed in Canva or another tool.

• Videos: Introduction videos, behind-the-scenes clips, customer testimonials.

 

Pro Tip by Ryan Abramson: "Building a website is like making a movie. The better your script (content), the smoother the shoot (design process). Take your time and plan in advance."

 

Step 4: Use Canva to Create Web-Ready Graphics

 

Canva is a powerful, free tool that can help you design perfectly sized images for your site, such as:

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• Website banners

• Buttons and icons

• Infographics

• Social media embeds

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Choose your canvas size (e.g., 1920x1080 for full-width banners) and export in high-quality PNG or JPG formats.

 

Step 5: Customize Your Site

 

Within the Wix Editor, you can:

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• Add text boxes, images, and buttons

• Set up site navigation menus

• Embed videos, galleries, and social media feeds

• Customize your color scheme and fonts

 

Make use of Wix’s pre-designed sections (e.g., testimonials, contact forms) to save time.

 

Step 6: Add Functionality with Wix Apps

 

The Wix App Market includes powerful tools to enhance your site:

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• Wix Forms – Create custom forms

• Wix Blog – Easily add a blog section

• Wix Stores – Set up an eCommerce site

• Chat tools, booking apps, and pop-ups – For engagement and sales​

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Step 7: Preview, Test, and Publish

 

Always preview your website before publishing. Check for:

• Spelling and grammar errors

• Broken links

• Mobile responsiveness

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Pro Tip by Ryan Abramson: "Don’t rush to publish. Have a few trusted friends test your site and give honest feedback. Their fresh eyes will spot things you missed."

 

When ready, hit Publish. If you’re on a free plan, your site will have a Wix-branded domain. To connect your own domain, upgrade to a paid plan.

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Step 8: Compare Wix to WordPress

 

Both Wix and WordPress are popular, but they serve different types of users:

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• Wix: Easier for beginners, all-in-one platform, drag-and-drop, less technical.

• WordPress: More flexible and scalable, open-source, but requires web hosting and some technical know-how.

 

Ryan Abramson's Tip: "If you want quick setup with design freedom, go with Wix. If you need custom plugins and deeper SEO tools, WordPress may be better."

 

Step 9: Allow Time for Content Creation

 

Creating meaningful content doesn't happen overnight. Plan your:

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• Written copy

• Graphics and visuals

• Video editing

• Brand tone and messaging

 

Set aside several days or weeks to develop your content library. Great websites tell stories. Allow time to craft yours.

 

Step 10: Research Other Websites for Inspiration

 

Spend time browsing similar sites in your field. Take note of:

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• Navigation structure

• Typography and design flow

• Calls to action (CTAs)

• Customer testimonials

 

Then ask yourself: What can I do better?

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Step 11: Track Website Traffic and Engagement

 

Once your website is live, the work isn’t over. You need to monitor its performance:

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• Use Wix Analytics to see site traffic, clicks, bounce rate

• Enable Google Analytics for deeper insight

 

Step 12: Sign Up for SEMrush for Optimization

 

SEMrush is a digital marketing tool that tracks:

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• Site traffic trends

• Backlinks

• SEO errors and broken links

• Competitor analysis

 

The free version of SEMrush is perfect for most small business owners or bloggers. You’ll get limited but powerful features to:

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• Track 10 keywords

• Audit up to 100 pages

• Analyze backlinks

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Ryan Abramson explains: "SEMrush is like a Swiss Army knife for digital marketing. Even the free version will show you exactly what’s working—and what’s not—so you can adjust."

 

Step 13: Use AI to Design Dynamic Visuals

 

AI tools like DALL·E, Canva’s AI Image Generator, and ChatGPT’s image tools can:

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• Create on-brand illustrations

• Design personalized infographics

• Generate charts from raw data

 

These elements make your site more engaging and professional.

 

Step 14: Essential Tips for Any Website

 

Here are a few universal truths about building a strong website:

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• Keep your homepage clean and focused.

• Use clear navigation menus.

• Don’t bury your contact information.

• Avoid walls of text—use headers, bullets, and images.

• Optimize images for web to avoid slow load times.

 

Pro Tip by Ryan Abramson: "Your homepage should answer three questions in under 10 seconds: Who are you? What do you do? How do I contact you?"

 

Step 15: Ryan Abramson's Last Thoughts

 

Building a website with Wix is accessible, even for beginners—but making a great website takes time, intention,

and ongoing effort. By preparing content ahead of time, exploring other sites, and using tools like Canva, SEMrush, and AI graphics, you can create a visually appealing and high-performing site.

 

Ryan Abramson’s final advice: "Your website is never truly done. It’s a living, breathing representation of your brand. Keep evolving. Keep listening. Keep improving."