Ready to refresh your Wix website’s look? Changing your Wix template is straightforward and can significantly improve your site’s design and user experience.
With the drag-and-drop interface, you have the freedom to explore new themes and designs without diving into complex coding.
Navigating template customization on the Wix platform can help in creating a responsive design that aligns with your brand’s unique identity.
Understanding how to transition your site’s layout is key to leveraging the full potential of Wix’s website editor and its diverse design templates.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the essential steps to smoothly switch your website templates, ensuring your content and SEO settings are retained.
From selecting the right template from the vast template marketplace to handling the layout preview before finalizing your choice, by the end of this article, you’ll be equipped with everything you need to successfully rebrand your online presence using a new Wix template.
How To Change The Wix Template: Quick Workflow
Changing a Wix template is not directly possible within an existing site. However, you can achieve this by creating a new site with the desired template and then transferring your content to it. Here’s how:
Steps to Change Wix Template
- Create a New Site:
- Sign in to your Wix account.
- Go to the Templates Page and select the category for your new template.
- Choose a template that fits your needs and click Edit.
- Copy Content from Old Site:
- Open your existing site in the editor.
- Go to Pages & Menu, right-click on each page you want to copy, and select Copy.
- Switch back to the new site’s tab, go to Pages & Menu, right-click, and select Paste for each copied page.
- Customize New Site:
- Adjust fonts, colors, and layouts in the new site by using Wix’s design tools (e.g., changing text themes or section backgrounds).
- Assign Premium Plan (Optional):
If necessary, assign a Premium plan to ensure all features are available on your new site.
Understanding Wix Templates
What Are Wix Templates?
Wix templates serve as a foundational tool for creating websites without delving into complex code. Aimed at streamlining the design process, these pre-designed layouts offer a drag-and-drop interface to simplify customization.
The essence lies in their role—providing both beginners and seasoned designers with a structure to build engaging online spaces.
Template categories available on Wix
Wix offers a variety of options designed to meet specific needs—ranging from eCommerce to portfolios, blogs, and beyond.
Whether it’s for showcasing artistic endeavors with a creative portfolio or selling products with a dynamic online store, the template gallery is quite vast.
Even small business websites can find their perfect fit among these categories, ensuring a tailored digital presence.
Pros and Cons of Wix Templates
Pros
Wide variety of customizable options
The beauty of Wix templates lies in their flexibility. Users can dive into a wide array of design elements, from unique color schemes to personalized layout configurations.
This design flexibility enables creativity, turning ideas into a visually appealing reality.
No coding required
Perhaps the standout feature—it demands no coding knowledge. Just the Wix editor and a bit of imagination are necessary to produce interactive features like sliders and galleries.
With the pre-made templates, your online presence is ready to evolve without a single line of code written.
Cons
Inability to switch templates directly
A noticeable limitation exists: You can’t simply swap one template for another once the Wix website is live.
Starting afresh is required, which means often building new pages or redesigning essential elements anew.
Limited responsiveness without manual adjustments
While Wix provides a responsive design, achieving a polished look across all devices sometimes calls for manual tweaks.
Adjusting elements to fit the diversity of screen sizes can be meticulous. Without careful moderation, layout inconsistencies often emerge, and one must navigate these discrepancies to maintain visual harmony.
Preparations Before Changing a Wix Template
Assessing Your Current Website
First things first, take a good hard look at what’s already there. Content, layout, and design elements are your starting points.
Identify strengths and areas that might need improvement. Keep some things, change others, throw out the rest. This is your clean slate moment.
Got a great color palette or typography that works for your branding? Keep it.
Is that Wix Blog post from 2015 still relevant? Maybe not.
Backing Up Essential Data
Don’t skip this. Exporting content isn’t just smart—it’s necessary. Websites aren’t scrapbooks; you can’t just snip and paste. Your apps, widgets, and other non-transferable features need attention. Jot them down, plan where they’ll go in the new design. Not everything moves over. Some things need rebuilding.
Wix Media Manager will be your friend here. Get your site files safe and sound.
Planning the New Design
Right. Time to get creative, but with purpose. Clear objectives for the new template mean everything aligns. Think big but stay practical.
You want a template that aligns with your brand and speaks your website’s language. Is it jazzy enough for an eCommerce site? Calm enough for a portfolio?
Choose wisely, my friend. The Template Gallery has tons.
No detours. No distractions. Stick to your goals, and let the new design breathe life into your vision.
Step-by-Step Guide to Changing a Wix Template
Step 1: Create a New Wix Site with the Desired Template
First, get started by logging into your Wix account. Once in, the next move is to navigate to My Sites. Hit the option to Create New Site. Now you’re on the hunt for the right fit for your needs. Want an eCommerce setup or something more portfolio-focused?
The choice is yours. With the new template selected, it’s time to customize. Dive into the Wix editor and start adding a personal touch to the design.
Step 2: Copy Content from Your Existing Site to the New Template
Access your current website’s editor. Here lies everything — your text, images, all the bits and bobs. Begin by copying these pages and elements. Paste them into the new site, but be aware: not everything transitions smoothly. Forms, apps, and certain widgets may resist this move. Preparing for what can’t be copied saves a few headaches down the line.
Step 3: Import Media and Files
Leverage the Wix Media Manager. Think of it as your toolbox for transferring site files from the old site to the new. Having all your assets in one place reduces downtime and keeps things organized.
Step 4: Customize the New Site
Now, onto the fun stuff. Modifying text styles and typography is key. Apply new font themes or edit individual elements. Adjust colors and backgrounds too. Whether sticking with the color scheme from the new template or applying custom colors, consistency is crucial.
Redesigning layouts and sections calls for a fresh eye. Add new pages. Rearrange content to ensure a cohesive look that aligns with your goals.
Step 5: Reintegrate Non-Transferable Features
Next, it’s time to bring back the non-transferable. Reinstall essential apps, widgets, and plugins. Recreate any forms, booking tools, and other custom features so your site operates smoothly and meets user needs.
Step 6: Transfer Your Wix Premium Plan and Domain (If Applicable)
To wrap up, the last key move might involve the Premium plan and domain. Reassign the Premium plan carefully, meeting all necessary steps. Don’t forget about managing those domain connections. This ensures that everything is aligned as you bring your fresh site to life, both visibly and functionally.
Optimizing the New Template for Consistency
Maintaining Branding Elements
Logo placement and size
Start here. The logo speaks first for your brand. Make sure it’s in the right spot, not too big to overwhelm but not too small to miss. The right placement on your Wix template is crucial. A balanced logo sets the tone.
Color palettes and typography consistency
Next up, colors and fonts. These aren’t just choices; they’re your voice. Maintain the color palettes already aligned with your brand. Ensure typography flows seamlessly. Font themes should match from header to footer. There’s a story in these details.
Ensuring Responsive Design
Adjusting mobile and tablet views
Now, test everything for every screen. Responsive design is about adaptability. Check how it looks on phones and tablets. Sometimes it’s about dragging sections or resizing images so that they fit right.
Testing responsiveness across devices
Don’t stop at seeing; start testing. Grab your gadgets. Navigate the site as users would. If a button goes off-screen or text gets cut, adjust till it all fits. It’s a puzzle but an essential one.
Checking Navigation and Site Structure
Verifying internal links
Links are threads in your digital tapestry. Verify every internal link. They should guide users without fail. Link errors are unforgiving, leading to lost visitors and missed opportunities.
Improving user experience with intuitive menus
Menus must invite exploration. Simplify complexity where needed, all while ensuring intuitive flow. Should be easy, smooth, not burdensome. A well-structured site establishes attachment with those who visit, encouraging longer interactions and returning users.
SEO and Performance Considerations After Changing Templates
Impact on SEO
Maintaining URL structures
Switching templates is tricky if the URLs go south. The original links need to stay intact. URL structures should remain a reflection of your site’s taxonomy, making it simple for search engines to crawl. Keep them consistent; otherwise, traffic could dive, and that’s no fun.
Updating metadata (titles, descriptions, alt text)
Next, look at your metadata. Titles, descriptions, alt text—all need a close review. Fresh template means ensuring these are still descriptive and keyword-rich. It’s the little details like this that get your pages found in the sea of search results and keep the search engine algorithms happy.
Performance Optimization
Compressing images for faster load times
Page speed matters. Compressing images is how to get a quicker load time and happier visitors. Smaller images load faster, which means your site doesn’t keep anyone waiting. Use the talents of the Wix Media Manager or similar tools to shrink those files without losing quality. Keep it snappy.
Reducing unnecessary scripts and plugins
Finally, clear the clutter. Unneeded scripts and plugins can be a drag. Deactivate or delete where you can. Less is more here. You want your site to load fast, not lumber through a forest of unused code. Performance gets a boost from such a spring clean, making sure everything runs efficiently.
FAQ on How To Change Wix Template
How do I change my Wix template?
To switch templates in Wix, you’ll need to start by choosing a new template from their template marketplace. Once selected, it requires manual rebuilding since Wix doesn’t support automatic theme swapping on existing sites.
Utilize the drag-and-drop interface for this change. Responsive design adjustments are often needed.
Will changing my Wix template affect my SEO?
Yes, changing your template can affect your site’s SEO. Ensure your content management and SEO settings remain intact by manually carrying over meta descriptions, alt texts, and key design templates features.
Regularly monitor your analytics dashboard to keep track of any changes in site performance.
Can I revert to my old Wix template?
No, once you change your template, reverting isn’t an option. It’s advised to backup your content and design preferences before starting the template switch.
Keep a copy of your site’s visual elements, layout, and structure as a reference while implementing the new template selection.
What happens to my content when I change a template?
Changing templates means manually transferring your media gallery, text, and other content to the new design.
You won’t lose these, but ensure your website appearance is consistent across the new template. Preview the new layout to confirm everything aligns with your brand’s visual identity.
Are Wix templates customizable after switching?
Absolutely. Once your new template is in place, you can use the Wix website editor to tailor the design.
Apply changes through graphic design elements, update font styling, and incorporate desired widgets for a comprehensive branded look. The editor gives you full control over template customization.
Can I change the template without losing my content?
Your content remains intact, but transferring manually to the new template is a must. The Wix platform requires you to restructure pages using its page builder.
Regular backups during this process help protect your content management. Pay attention to user experience during the template migration.
How do I choose the right Wix template?
When selecting, consider your brand’s online presence, style, and responsive design. Explore the template marketplace for layouts matching your needs. Test templates for site performance and branding elements compatibility.
Think about incorporating e-commerce integration if you run an online store.
Does changing a Wix template affect my domain?
Your domain isn’t directly affected when you change a template. Domain registrar settings remain connected to your Wix account.
Ensure the new template supports your domain needs, like custom domain and SEO settings. For clarity and user experience, confirm navigation works smoothly post-change.
Can I switch to another template for my blog on Wix?
You can. Review blog customization options within Wix templates. Look into features like content management, how your site navigation changes, and design aesthetics.
Refine your blog’s look with design update methods that support content visibility and match the main website for branded cohesion.
How does changing templates impact Wix app integrations?
Switching templates doesn’t remove apps, but it may alter placement or visibility. Reinstalling within the new template helps maintain added features.
Stay updated with the Wix app market for tools that match your site. Adjust the template code to ensure apps align properly in the updated design.
Conclusion
Changing a Wix template can transform your site’s look and user interaction. It’s about grasping the steps, making effective use of the Wix website editor, and aligning your new design templates with your brand’s objectives. Manual tweaking is involved, but that ensures your adjustments match the branding elements perfectly.
Regularly check your site performance using the analytics dashboard after implementing changes. It helps detect which template customization choices work best in enhancing responsive design and user experience.
By now, you should be well-equipped to switch templates effortlessly. Use your newfound skills to make changes that reflect your evolving style and online presence. Adjust, preview, and fine-tune to keep your web journey smooth and rewarding. The power of precise template selection lies in making sure your site remains impactful and inviting.
Stay creative and let your site speak your brand. Explore, adjust, succeed— that’s the path forward.
