Wix Website Development

TL;DR

What it is: Building and customizing websites for clients using Wix, a drag-and-drop website builder platform. You create professional sites for small businesses, entrepreneurs, and creatives without needing to write code from scratch.

What you'll do:

• Meet with clients to understand their website needs and brand identity
• Design and build websites using Wix's visual editor and templates
• Customize layouts, add content, integrate e-commerce or booking systems
• Set up domain names, SEO settings, and analytics
• Provide training and support to clients on managing their sites

Time to learn: 2-4 months to become proficient with regular practice (10-15 hours per week). Basic sites can be built within a few weeks of starting.

What you need: Basic computer skills, understanding of web design principles, eye for design, and ability to communicate with clients. Coding knowledge is optional but helpful for advanced customization.

What This Actually Is

Wix website development is building professional websites for clients using Wix's website builder platform. Unlike traditional web development where you code everything from scratch, Wix provides a visual, drag-and-drop interface that lets you design and publish websites without writing HTML, CSS, or JavaScript.

Your clients are typically small business owners, solopreneurs, local service providers, artists, photographers, coaches, and consultants who need an online presence but don't have the budget or need for custom-coded websites. They want something professional-looking, functional, and easy to update themselves after you hand it over.

The work involves understanding client needs, translating their vision into a functional website, choosing or customizing templates, setting up pages and navigation, integrating features like contact forms or online stores, and ensuring the site looks good on all devices. You're essentially a translator between what the client imagines and what the platform can deliver.

Wix handles the technical backend like hosting, security, and updates. You focus on design, user experience, content layout, and client communication. Some developers also offer ongoing maintenance services like updating content, adding new pages, or troubleshooting issues.

This differs from custom web development where you build from scratch, and from other platforms like WordPress, Squarespace, or Shopify. Each platform has its own interface, capabilities, and learning curve. Wix is known for its beginner-friendly approach and visual editing experience.

What You'll Actually Do

The work breaks down into client communication, design work, technical setup, and project management.

Client communication starts before you build anything. You'll have discovery calls or meetings to understand what they need, what their business does, who their customers are, what features they want, and what their budget is. You'll ask about brand colors, existing logos, competitor websites they like, and specific functionality they need. This phase determines whether you're building a simple 5-page brochure site or a complex e-commerce store.

Design work involves choosing a template as your starting point or building from a blank canvas. You'll customize colors, fonts, and layouts to match the client's brand. You'll arrange sections on each page, select and edit images, write or place copy, and ensure visual consistency across the site. You're making decisions about spacing, hierarchy, button placement, and how users navigate through the site.

Technical setup includes connecting custom domains, setting up email addresses, configuring SEO settings like meta descriptions and page titles, installing apps or integrations for contact forms, chatbots, booking systems, or payment processors, setting up analytics to track visitors, and ensuring mobile responsiveness. You'll also test forms, checkout processes, and all interactive elements before launch.

Content management means organizing the client's text and images, optimizing photos for web use, creating or sourcing additional graphics or icons, and sometimes writing or editing copy if that's part of your service. You'll build out blog sections, portfolio galleries, service pages, or product catalogs depending on the site type.

Training and handoff happens at project completion. You'll walk clients through how to make basic updates, explain where to add blog posts or change text, show them how to view analytics, and provide documentation or video tutorials. Some clients want full control, others prefer you handle all updates going forward.

Ongoing maintenance can be a separate revenue stream. This includes updating content, adding new pages, troubleshooting issues, updating plugins or integrations, and making seasonal design changes. Some developers offer monthly retainer packages for this.

Skills You Need

Design fundamentals are more important than technical skills for Wix development. You need to understand visual hierarchy, color theory, typography basics, spacing and layout principles, and what makes a website easy to navigate. You don't need formal design training, but you should be able to recognize good design and replicate it.

Wix platform knowledge is obviously essential. This means understanding the editor interface, how to use templates versus building from scratch, the limitations of the free plan versus premium features, available apps and integrations, Wix's SEO tools and settings, and mobile editor for responsive design. This comes from hands-on practice building multiple sites.

Basic web concepts help even though you're not coding. Understanding what a domain name is and how DNS works, how hosting works, basic SEO principles like keywords and meta tags, what SSL certificates are, and how contact forms and databases function will help you troubleshoot issues and communicate more professionally.

Client management skills determine whether you get repeat business. You need to ask the right discovery questions, set clear expectations about timelines and revisions, communicate progress updates, handle feedback and change requests professionally, and know when to push back on unrealistic demands. Managing scope creep and difficult clients is a learned skill.

Photography and image editing help create polished sites. Many clients provide poor-quality images or none at all. Being able to find stock photos, edit images for web optimization, create simple graphics, and ensure images look good on the site adds value to your service.

Optional coding skills expand what you can offer. Learning HTML, CSS, and JavaScript through Wix's Velo platform allows custom functionality, more advanced animations and interactions, custom database connections, and integration with external APIs. This lets you charge higher rates and take on more complex projects, but it's not required to start.

Writing and copywriting skills are valuable if you want to offer them. Many clients struggle with website copy. Being able to write clear headlines, compelling calls-to-action, service descriptions, and about page content makes you more valuable and allows you to charge more.

Getting Started

Start by learning Wix itself. Create a free Wix account and build 3-5 practice websites in different niches. Try a business service site, an e-commerce store, a portfolio site, a restaurant site, and a blog. This helps you understand different features and use cases. Experiment with templates and building from scratch. Break things, rebuild them, and get comfortable with the interface.

Build your own portfolio website on Wix. This serves as both your portfolio and a demonstration of your skills. Include case studies of your practice sites, show before-and-after transformations, explain your process, list services and pricing, and make it easy for potential clients to contact you. Your portfolio is your most important sales tool.

Study web design principles through free resources. Search YouTube for web design tutorials, join design communities to see what others are building, analyze websites you admire to understand why they work, and look at competitor Wix developer portfolios to see what they offer. You don't need paid courses, but structured learning helps if you prefer it.

Set your initial pricing based on your skill level and market. Beginners often start with $500-$1,500 for basic sites to build experience and testimonials. As you improve, you can raise rates toward market averages. Consider whether you'll charge hourly or per project. Per-project pricing is more common for website work and easier for clients to understand.

Create service packages to simplify selling. For example, a basic package might include 5 pages, contact form, mobile optimization, and basic SEO for $1,000. A premium package could add e-commerce, custom graphics, content writing, and ongoing support for $3,500. Clear packages make it easier for clients to say yes.

Find your first clients through your immediate network. Tell friends, family, and former colleagues what you're doing. Offer discounted rates for testimonials and portfolio pieces. Local businesses often need help. Join local business groups, attend networking events, and reach out to businesses with outdated websites. Your first few clients come from hustle and direct outreach, not passive marketing.

Join freelance platforms but don't rely on them exclusively. Create profiles on Upwork, Fiverr, and Wix Marketplace. These platforms provide access to clients but take a cut of your earnings and involve competing on price. Use them to get experience but build toward direct clients.

Note: Platforms may charge fees or commissions. We don't track specific rates as they change frequently. Check each platform's current pricing before signing up.

Consider Wix's official certification program. Wix Studio offers certifications based on demonstrated work quality. This credential can boost credibility with potential clients, especially early in your freelance career. It's not required, but some developers find it helpful for legitimacy.

Income Reality

Income varies dramatically based on skill level, services offered, client type, and whether you do this part-time or full-time. These are observations from the market, not promises.

Project-based rates are the standard pricing model. Basic 5-7 page websites typically range from $500-$2,000. This includes template customization, content upload, basic SEO setup, and one round of revisions. Projects at this level take 10-20 hours of work including client communication.

Mid-range websites with custom design and more features fall between $2,000-$4,000. These might include custom graphics, more complex layouts, e-commerce setup with product uploads, blog integration, advanced SEO, and email marketing setup. These projects take 20-40 hours.

Complex or high-end projects run $4,000-$6,000 or more. This includes extensive custom design, large e-commerce stores with many products, multiple languages or locations, custom code using Velo, advanced integrations with CRM or booking systems, and premium support packages. These take 40+ hours and require advanced skills.

Hourly rates for Wix developers range from $15-$100 per hour based on experience and location. Junior developers on platforms like Upwork average $15-$25 per hour. Experienced developers with strong portfolios charge $50-$75 per hour. Developers offering custom coding with Velo can reach $100-$200 per hour for specialized work.

Monthly retainer income provides recurring revenue. Some developers offer ongoing support packages at $200-$500 per month per client. This covers content updates, minor design changes, troubleshooting, and monthly performance reports. Building up 5-10 retainer clients creates steady baseline income.

Realistic monthly earnings depend on how many projects you complete. If you do this part-time with 2-3 small projects per month at $1,000-$1,500 each, you might earn $800-$1,500 monthly after platform fees and expenses. Full-time developers completing 4-6 projects monthly at higher rates can earn $3,000-$8,000 monthly. Adding retainer clients increases predictability.

Your income depends on marketing effectiveness, project efficiency, and ability to upsell services. Developers who find clients directly earn more than those relying solely on freelance platforms. Those who systemize their process with templates and reusable components complete projects faster. Those who offer add-ons like photography, copywriting, or SEO services earn more per project.

Geographic factors affect rates but matter less for remote work. Developers in high-cost-of-living areas often charge more, but clients can hire globally. Your rates should reflect your skill level and the value you provide, not just your location.

The income ceiling for Wix development is lower than custom web development since you're platform-limited. Developers who learn coding can transition to custom development for higher rates. Others scale by hiring subcontractors or building agencies rather than doing all work themselves.

Where to Find Work

Freelance platforms are the easiest starting point. Upwork has consistent Wix projects ranging from quick fixes to full builds. Create a detailed profile highlighting your Wix-specific experience, start with competitive rates to build reviews, and apply to projects that match your skill level. Fiverr works on a gig basis where you list specific services. Create packages at different price points and optimize your profile for Wix-related searches. Wix Marketplace is Wix's official platform where you can become a verified partner. Reaching Icon-level status unlocks marketplace access where potential clients can find you directly. Freelancer also posts Wix projects, though it's more competitive on pricing.

Note: Platforms may charge fees or commissions. We don't track specific rates as they change frequently. Check each platform's current pricing before signing up.

Direct outreach to local businesses works well. Walk through your local area and note businesses with outdated or nonexistent websites. Send personalized emails explaining how a better website could help their business. Offer a free consultation or audit of their current site. Local service businesses like contractors, salons, restaurants, real estate agents, and medical practices often need help and prefer working with someone nearby.

Social media marketing builds your visibility. Share your work on Instagram and LinkedIn showing before-and-after examples. Post tips about website design and common mistakes. Engage with small business communities. Join Facebook groups for entrepreneurs in your niche. Avoid hard selling, instead provide value and let people come to you. Your social media presence acts as extended portfolio content.

Networking and referrals generate higher-quality leads. Attend local business networking events and chamber of commerce meetings. Connect with complementary service providers like graphic designers, photographers, and marketing consultants who can refer clients. Previous clients are your best source of referrals, so deliver excellent work and ask satisfied clients to recommend you.

Content marketing positions you as an expert. Start a blog or YouTube channel about website tips for small businesses. Create case studies showing your process and results. Offer free resources like website checklists or design guides in exchange for email addresses. This builds trust and brings inbound leads from people already convinced of your expertise.

Partnerships with agencies and other developers create overflow work. Many marketing agencies and larger web development firms get Wix projects they don't want to handle themselves. Reach out offering to be their Wix specialist. You work on their client projects and they handle the client relationship, or they refer clients to you directly.

Cold outreach works if done thoughtfully. Research businesses in specific niches that commonly need Wix sites. Send personalized messages explaining why you reached out and how you can help. Focus on solving their problems rather than selling your services. Follow up once or twice but don't spam.

Wix partner programs and communities can lead to opportunities. Join Wix professional communities and forums. Participate in discussions and help others. Visibility in these spaces leads to collaboration opportunities and client referrals from other developers who are overbooked.

Common Challenges

Client expectations often exceed what Wix can do. Clients see complex custom websites and assume Wix can replicate them. You need to educate clients on platform limitations early in discussions. Managing this expectation gap prevents frustration and scope creep. Some features genuinely aren't possible without custom coding, and even then, Wix has constraints compared to fully custom development.

Scope creep happens when projects expand beyond the initial agreement. Clients request additional pages, features, or revisions not included in your quote. Combat this with detailed contracts specifying exactly what's included, how many revision rounds, and what costs extra. Get comfortable saying no or requesting additional payment for out-of-scope work.

Low-budget clients gravitate toward Wix developers. Since Wix is perceived as a cheaper alternative to custom development, clients often have unrealistic budget expectations. They want elaborate sites for $300. You'll spend time on calls that go nowhere. Screen clients early by displaying clear pricing on your site and asking about budgets upfront.

Platform changes and updates can break sites or change workflows. Wix updates its interface and features regularly. Something you built one way might need adjustment after an update. Stay informed about platform changes through Wix's official channels. Build extra time into projects for unexpected technical issues.

Client-provided content delays projects. Clients promise to send text, images, and information but take weeks or forget entirely. Projects stall waiting for materials. Set clear deadlines for content delivery in your contract. Consider offering content creation services at additional cost to avoid this bottleneck entirely.

Technical limitations frustrate advanced use cases. Wix is powerful for its niche but can't handle everything. Complex database needs, specific integrations, or unique functionality might require workarounds or might not be possible. Learn Wix's capabilities thoroughly so you can decline projects outside its scope rather than struggling with impossible requirements.

Competition on freelance platforms drives prices down. Many Wix developers compete on these platforms, some from countries with lower costs of living who bid very low rates. You can't compete on price alone. Differentiate through specialization, quality, communication, and faster turnaround. Consider moving away from platforms toward direct clients as you gain experience.

Ongoing subscription costs for client sites add friction. Clients need to pay Wix monthly or annually for hosting and features. Some clients balk at this ongoing cost. Educate clients about this upfront and consider whether you'll manage their subscriptions or have them handle it directly. Some developers markup Wix plans as part of their service.

Imposter syndrome affects beginners especially. You might feel like a fraud charging for something "easy." Remember you're charging for your expertise, design skills, time, and the value clients receive. The fact that Wix makes it easier doesn't diminish your value. Clients can't or won't do it themselves, which is why they hire you.

Tips That Actually Help

Develop a systematic process for every project. Create checklists for discovery calls, design phases, technical setup, and launch. Use project management templates. This consistency speeds up your work, prevents forgotten steps, and makes you look professional. You'll complete projects faster and with fewer revisions.

Build a library of reusable components and templates. Save color palettes, section designs, contact forms, and layouts you use frequently. This isn't copying yourself, it's working efficiently. You can customize these starting points for each client while cutting development time significantly. Faster completion means more projects per month.

Specialize in a niche to stand out. Instead of being a generic Wix developer, become the Wix expert for restaurants, real estate agents, photographers, or coaches. You'll understand that niche's specific needs, create targeted marketing, charge premium rates, and get referrals within that community. Specialists earn more than generalists.

Set boundaries with clients from the start. Define revision limits, response time expectations, and communication channels in your contract. Don't give clients your personal phone number unless you want 24/7 texts. Train clients to respect your time by respecting your own boundaries. This prevents burnout and problematic client relationships.

Collect testimonials and case studies aggressively. After every successful project, ask for a testimonial and permission to use the site in your portfolio. Write detailed case studies explaining the problem, your solution, and the results. Social proof sells more effectively than any marketing copy you could write.

Learn the basics of SEO beyond Wix's built-in tools. Understanding keyword research, meta descriptions, alt text, site speed, and content strategy makes you more valuable. Clients want their sites to be found. Offering SEO setup as a standard or premium add-on increases your project value and results.

Invest in quality resources for your projects. Pay for stock photo subscriptions, icon libraries, and design tools that speed up your work and improve quality. The cost is minor compared to the professional results and time saved. Cheap or free resources often look cheap.

Keep learning through practice, not just courses. Build sites for fun exploring new features or techniques. Recreate designs you admire. Experiment with Velo if you want to add coding. Hands-on experimentation teaches more than watching tutorials. Set aside time for skill development, not just client work.

Track your time even if you charge per project. Use time tracking tools to see how long different tasks actually take. This data helps you price future projects accurately, identify inefficiencies in your process, and understand your true hourly rate. Many developers undercharge because they don't track actual time spent.

Create clear contracts that protect both parties. Define scope, deliverables, timelines, payment terms, revision policies, and ownership rights. Use contracts even for small projects. This prevents misunderstandings and gives you legal backing if issues arise. Many contract templates are available for freelance designers.

Communicate proactively throughout projects. Send regular updates even when there's nothing urgent. Show work-in-progress screenshots. Ask questions before making assumptions. Clients who feel informed are more satisfied, leave better reviews, and refer more people. Most client complaints come from feeling ignored.

Price based on value, not hours. A website that brings a client thousands in new business is worth more than one that's just a digital business card. Understand what results your work generates and price accordingly. Don't compete with low-budget developers, instead target clients who understand value.

Learning Timeline Reality

The learning curve for Wix development is friendlier than traditional web development but still requires dedicated practice. These timelines assume consistent practice, not passive learning.

Weeks 1-4 focus on platform familiarity. Spending 10-15 hours per week, you can learn the Wix editor interface, template customization, basic design principles, and how to publish a site. Build 2-3 simple practice sites during this month. By week four, you can create basic functional websites, though they might not be portfolio-ready.

Months 2-3 develop professional-level skills. Continue practicing 10-15 hours weekly building more complex sites. Experiment with e-commerce features, blog integration, advanced layouts, and mobile optimization. Study existing Wix sites you admire. Learn SEO basics and analytics setup. By month three, you should have 3-5 portfolio-quality sites and feel confident taking on simple paid projects.

Months 4-6 focus on business skills and specialization. Start taking on real client projects, even at discounted rates for experience. Learn client communication, project scoping, pricing, and contract basics. Begin specializing in specific site types or industries. Continue building skills through paid work rather than just practice. By month six, you should feel comfortable finding and completing client projects independently.

Beyond six months, improvement comes from volume and variety. Each project teaches something new. You get faster, handle edge cases better, develop your design eye, and build confidence. Advanced skills like Velo coding, complex integrations, or specific specializations take additional focused learning time.

Factors that speed up learning include previous design or web experience, consistent daily practice versus sporadic effort, getting feedback on your work, and working on diverse project types. Factors that slow learning include only watching tutorials without building, perfectionism preventing you from finishing projects, and not seeking feedback or studying other work.

You can technically start taking on simple projects within 4-6 weeks of starting, though you'll learn significantly through those early projects. Don't wait until you feel completely ready. Beginners often overthink their readiness. Start with small projects or heavily discounted work to build confidence and portfolio pieces.

Ongoing learning is part of the work. Wix regularly adds features and changes its interface. Design trends evolve. Client needs shift. Successful developers stay curious and continue learning throughout their careers, not just at the beginning.

Is This For You

This side hustle works well for people who enjoy visual design, problem-solving, and client interaction. If you like making things look good, figuring out how pieces fit together, and helping people achieve their goals, you'll probably enjoy this work.

Consider this if you want to start earning relatively quickly without years of training. Compared to traditional web development, the learning curve is much shorter. You can potentially land your first paid project within 2-3 months of starting. The barrier to entry is low in both cost and time commitment.

This suits people who want flexible work. You can do this part-time alongside other work, scale it to full-time, or keep it as steady side income. Projects have defined end points, so you're not locked into ongoing commitments unless you choose retainer work. You control your schedule and workload.

You should be comfortable with technology but don't need to be a programmer. If you generally figure out software without much frustration, learn new tools easily, and don't panic when things don't work, you'll be fine. Patience and problem-solving matter more than technical background.

This isn't ideal if you want very high income potential. The platform's limitations cap what you can charge compared to custom development. Experienced custom developers earn significantly more. Wix development has a ceiling unless you scale into an agency model or transition to custom development. It's solid supplementary or moderate full-time income, not a path to six figures working solo.

Avoid this if you hate client work. Much of your time goes to communication, managing expectations, handling revisions, and dealing with people who don't know what they want. If you prefer heads-down technical work without human interaction, this will frustrate you. Client management is at least half the job.

This might not suit you if you crave cutting-edge technical challenges. Wix development is more about design thinking, problem-solving within constraints, and client service than pure technical innovation. If you need constant new technical learning to stay engaged, you might get bored once you master the platform.

Consider whether you can handle inconsistent income. Freelance work means variable monthly earnings, dry spells between projects, and the need to constantly market yourself. If you need steady predictable paychecks, keep this as a side hustle while maintaining stable primary income until you build consistent client flow.

You'll succeed if you combine decent design sense with good communication skills and business discipline. Technical skills you can learn, but combining design thinking, professional client interaction, and the discipline to market yourself consistently requires a particular personality fit. Be honest with yourself about whether you have or can develop these traits.

Side hustle perspective: While some developers turn this into full-time work, it works particularly well as supplementary income. The flexible nature and project-based work make it easy to balance with other income sources. Treat it as a way to bring in extra money and build skills rather than expecting it to immediately replace a full-time salary.