How to Add a Custom Domain to Wix: A Step-by-Step Guide

How to Add a Custom Domain to Wix: A Step-by-Step Guide

Adding a custom domain to your Wix website is a great way to make your site look more professional and improve its SEO. Whether you're running a blog, an online store, or a portfolio, having a custom domain can help you stand out and make it easier for people to find you online. In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of adding a custom domain to your Wix site in simple, easy-to-follow steps.

Why Use a Custom Domain?

Before we dive into the steps, let's talk about why you should consider using a custom domain. A custom domain is your own unique web address (like www.yourbusiness.com) instead of the default Wix domain (like username.wixsite.com/sitename). Here are a few reasons why a custom domain is important:

• Professionalism: A custom domain makes your website look more credible and professional.
• Branding: It helps reinforce your brand and makes it easier for people to remember your website.
• SEO Benefits: Search engines like Google tend to favor websites with custom domains, which can help improve your search rankings.
• Ownership: A custom domain gives you full control over your website's address, which is important if you ever decide to move your site to a different platform.

Step 1: Choose and Purchase a Domain

The first step in adding a custom domain to your Wix site is to choose and purchase a domain name. You can either buy a domain directly from Wix or from a third-party domain registrar like GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Google Domains.

If you buy your domain from Wix:

1. Log in to your Wix account and go to the Domains page.
2. Click on Get a Custom Domain.
3. Use the search bar to find an available domain name that matches your brand or business.
4. Once you find a domain you like, follow the prompts to complete the purchase.

If you buy your domain from a third-party registrar:

1. Visit the website of your chosen domain registrar.
2. Search for an available domain name and complete the purchase process.
3. After purchasing, you'll need to connect your domain to Wix, which we'll cover in the next steps.

Step 2: Connect Your Domain to Wix

Once you have your domain, the next step is to connect it to your Wix site. The process is slightly different depending on whether you bought your domain from Wix or a third-party registrar.

If you bought your domain from Wix:

1. Go to the Domains page in your Wix account.
2. Find the domain you purchased and click on Connect a Domain.
3. Follow the prompts to connect your domain to your Wix site. Wix will automatically configure the necessary settings for you.

If you bought your domain from a third-party registrar:

1. Log in to your Wix account and go to the Domains page.
2. Click on Connect a Domain You Already Own.
3. Enter your domain name and click Next.
4. Wix will provide you with DNS records that you need to add to your domain registrar's settings. These records include things like the A record and CNAME.
5. Log in to your domain registrar's website and find the DNS settings for your domain.
6. Add the DNS records provided by Wix to your domain's settings. This process can vary depending on your registrar, so you may need to refer to their support documentation for specific instructions.
7. Once you've added the DNS records, go back to Wix and click Verify Connection. Wix will check to make sure the records are correctly configured.

Step 3: Set Your Custom Domain as Primary

After connecting your domain to Wix, you'll need to set it as the primary domain for your site. This ensures that when people visit your website, they'll see your custom domain in the address bar instead of the default Wix domain.

1. Go to the Domains page in your Wix account.
2. Find your custom domain and click on Set as Primary.
3. Confirm your choice, and Wix will update your site's settings to use your custom domain as the primary address.

Step 4: Update Your SEO Settings

Now that your custom domain is set up, it's a good idea to update your SEO settings to take full advantage of your new domain. Here are a few things you can do:

• Update Your Site Title and Meta Description: Make sure your site title and meta description reflect your brand and include relevant keywords.
• Create a Custom 404 Page: A custom 404 page can help improve user experience and keep visitors on your site even if they land on a broken link.
• Submit Your Sitemap to Google: Log in to Google Search Console and submit your sitemap to help Google index your site more effectively.
• Set Up 301 Redirects: If you're changing from an old domain to a new one, set up 301 redirects to ensure that visitors and search engines are directed to the correct pages on your new domain.

Step 5: Test Your Custom Domain

Before you officially launch your site with the new custom domain, it's important to test everything to make sure it's working correctly. Here are a few things to check:

• Check Your Website's Loading Speed: Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to make sure your site loads quickly on both desktop and mobile devices.
• Test All Links: Click through all the links on your site to make sure they're working correctly and directing visitors to the right pages.
• Check for Mixed Content: Make sure all the content on your site (images, scripts, etc.) is being served over HTTPS to avoid security warnings.
• Verify Your SSL Certificate: Wix automatically provides an SSL certificate for your custom domain, but it's a good idea to double-check that it's active and working correctly.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

While setting up a custom domain on Wix is usually straightforward, you might run into a few issues along the way. Here are some common problems and how to fix them:

• Domain Not Connecting: If your domain isn't connecting to Wix, double-check that you've entered the correct DNS records in your domain registrar's settings. It can take up to 48 hours for DNS changes to propagate, so be patient.
• SSL Certificate Not Active: If your SSL certificate isn't active, go to the SSL/TLS settings in your Wix account and make sure it's enabled for your custom domain.
• Broken Links: If you notice any broken links after switching to your custom domain, set up 301 redirects to direct visitors to the correct pages.

Conclusion

Adding a custom domain to your Wix site is a simple process that can have a big impact on your website's professionalism and SEO. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily connect your custom domain to Wix, set it as your primary domain, and optimize your site for search engines. Remember to test everything before launching your site to ensure a smooth experience for your visitors. With your new custom domain, you'll be well on your way to building a strong online presence for your brand or business.