How to Change The Wix Template Without Losing Content

Your Wix site looks dated. Or maybe it just doesn’t fit your brand anymore.

Here’s the problem: Wix does not let you swap templates on an existing site. You need a workaround.

This guide shows you exactly how to change Wix template by creating a new site and transferring your content manually. The process takes 30 to 60 minutes depending on your site’s complexity.

You’ll learn how to back up your current site, select a new template from the Wix template library, copy pages between sites, match styling, and transfer your domain and Premium plan to the new design.

No coding. No design skills needed. Just follow the steps.

How to Change Wix Template

Changing a Wix template is the process of switching your website’s design by creating a new site and transferring your existing content to a different layout.

Users need this when their current template no longer matches their brand, lacks specific features, or feels outdated compared to newer design options in the template library.

This guide on how to change Wix template covers 7 steps requiring 30 to 60 minutes depending on your site’s complexity. Beginner skill level. No coding required.

Prerequisites

Before you start the template switch process, make sure you have everything ready.

• Wix account (free or Premium plan)
• Access to the Wix Editor or Wix Studio Editor
• Time estimate: 30 to 60 minutes
• Skill level: Beginner
• All current site content documented or backed up
• New template selected from Wix template categories

If you have a Premium subscription, you can transfer it to your new site later. Same goes for your custom domain.

Step One: How Do You Back Up Your Existing Wix Site?

Back up your Wix site by duplicating it through Site Actions in your dashboard, then document all page content in an external file and download media from the Media Manager to prevent data loss during migration.

Action

1. Site Dashboard > Site Actions > Duplicate Site: Creates a complete copy of your current website as a safety net
2. Document content externally: Copy all text from each page into a Google Doc or Word file
3. Media Manager > Download: Save all images, videos, and files to your computer

Purpose

Wix does not allow direct template switching on existing sites. You will build on a new site and manually transfer content.

The backup protects you if something goes wrong. You can always revert to the duplicated version.

Step Two: How Do You Create a New Wix Site with a Different Template?

Create a new Wix site by clicking “Create New Site” from your My Sites dashboard, selecting your website type, naming the project, and choosing “Begin with a template” to access the full template gallery.

Action

1. My Sites Dashboard > Create New Site: Starts the site creation process
2. Select website type > Next: Choose Business, Store, Portfolio, Blog, or other category
3. Name your site > Next: Enter any name (changeable later)
4. Choose “Begin with a template”: Opens the template selection screen

Purpose

Wix requires a completely new site for template changes. Your old site stays intact until you decide to delete the Wix website or redirect its domain.

Keep this browser tab open. You will switch between old and new sites during content transfer.

Step Three: How Do You Select and Edit the New Wix Template?

Select your new template by browsing categories like Business & Services, eCommerce, Creative, or Blog, then hover over your choice and click “Edit” to open the Wix Editor with the template ready for customization.

Action

1. Browse template categories: Business & Services, Store, Creative, Community, Blog
2. Use search or filters: Find templates matching your industry or style preference
3. Hover over template > Click “Edit”: Opens the design in your Wix Editor

Purpose

Each template includes pre-built pages, color themes, font styles, and layout structures.

The template you pick determines your starting point for navigation, header design, footer customization, and overall site structure. Choose one that closely matches your brand needs to reduce customization time.

All Wix templates are responsive and mobile-optimized by default.

Step Four: How Do You Copy Pages from Your Old Wix Site?

Copy pages from your old site by opening the Wix Editor, accessing Pages & Menu from the sidebar, right-clicking on each page to copy, then pasting into your new site’s corresponding pages.

Action

1. Open old site > Site Editor > Pages & Menu: Click the third icon from the top in the left sidebar
2. Right-click page > Select Copy: Copies all content from that specific page
3. Switch to new site tab > Pages & Menu > Right-click > Paste: Transfers the copied content
4. Rename the page: Match the original page name for consistency

Purpose

This manual process transfers text, images, and basic elements while keeping your new template’s header, hamburger menu, and footer intact.

Repeat for each page. Tedious but necessary since Wix does not support direct template switching.

Step Five: How Do You Match Content Styling to the New Template?

Match styling by applying the new template’s text theme to copied content, adjusting colors through Site Design settings, and modifying layouts to align with the template’s visual hierarchy and design structure.

Action

1. Select text elements > Apply text theme: Use the template’s default font styles for headings and paragraphs
2. Site Design > Color Theme: Adjust background and accent colors to match the new look
3. Modify section layouts: Restructure content blocks to fit the template’s grid system

Purpose

Copied content retains original styling. Without adjustments, your pages will look inconsistent with mismatched fonts, colors, and spacing.

Most templates use a default text theme. Apply it globally for design consistency across all pages.

Step Six: How Do You Transfer Your Domain to the New Site?

Transfer your domain by accessing the Domains section from your profile icon, clicking the three-dot menu next to your domain, selecting “Assign to a Different Site,” choosing your new site, and confirming the assignment.

Action

1. Profile icon > Domains: Opens your domain management panel
2. Three-dot icon > Assign to a Different Site: Initiates the transfer process
3. Select new site from list > Click Next: Choose the site with your new template
4. Click Assign to confirm: Completes the domain reassignment

Purpose

Your custom domain stays connected to your online presence. Visitors reach your new design at the same web address.

If you need to connect a domain to Wix for the first time, do that before this step.

Step Seven: How Do You Transfer Your Premium Plan to the New Site?

Transfer your Premium subscription by navigating to Premium Subscriptions in your Wix account, clicking More Actions, selecting “Assign to a Different Site,” and confirming the new site assignment.

Action

1. Wix Account > Premium Subscriptions: View all active plans
2. More Actions icon > Assign to a Different Site: Opens the transfer dialog
3. Select new site > Click Assign: Moves your Premium features to the new template

Purpose

Premium features like custom domain connection, ad removal, and increased storage move with the plan. Your new site gets full functionality immediately.

Verification

Confirm your template change worked correctly by checking these items:

• All pages load without errors
• Domain resolves to the new site
• Premium features function properly
• Content displays correctly on desktop and mobile
• Forms, buttons, and call-to-action elements work
• Images and media files appear as expected

Preview your site on multiple devices before publishing. Check the mobile version separately in the Wix Mobile Editor.

Troubleshooting

Issue: Copied Content Does Not Match New Template Styling

Solution: Select all text on the page, click “Reset Style” or manually apply the template’s text theme. For colors, go to Site Design > Color Theme and apply the template defaults.

Issue: Domain Not Pointing to New Site

Solution: Verify domain assignment in the Domains section. DNS propagation takes up to 48 hours. Clear browser cache and test in incognito mode.

Issue: Missing Features After Transfer

Solution: Reinstall Wix apps from the App Market. Reconnect third-party integrations like Google Analytics. Some elements like contact forms, videos, and embedded widgets need manual re-adding.

Issue: Site SEO Settings Lost

Solution: Reconfigure SEO Wiz settings on the new site. Update page titles, meta descriptions, and URL slugs. Submit new sitemap to Google Search Console.

Alternative Method: Using Wix ADI

Manual Method (Current Guide)

• Time: 30 to 60 minutes
• Control: Full design customization
• Best for: Users with specific template preferences and existing content to transfer

Wix ADI Method

• Time: 10 to 15 minutes
• Control: AI-generated design based on your inputs
• Best for: Users starting fresh without content migration needs

Choose manual when you need a specific template or have lots of existing pages.

Choose Wix ADI when you want a quick automated setup and can rebuild content from scratch.

Next Steps and Related Processes

After switching your Wix template, complete these tasks:

• Update all SEO settings including titles, descriptions, and image alt text
• Test site speed and optimize images in Media Manager
• Review mobile layout in the Mobile Editor
• Reconnect any Wix apps or third-party integrations
• Upload custom fonts to Wix if your brand requires specific typography
• Update your favicon to match your new design

Consider sharing your Wix website without publishing first to get feedback before going live.

If your old site is no longer needed, you can delete the Wix account or keep it as a backup.

FAQ on How To Change Wix Template

Can You Change a Template on an Existing Wix Site?

No. Wix does not allow direct template switching on published sites. You must create a new site with your desired template, then manually copy content from your old site. Your Premium plan and domain can transfer to the new site afterward.

Will I Lose My Content When Changing Wix Templates?

Not if you back up first. Duplicate your site through Site Actions before starting. Copy page content using the Pages & Menu feature in the Wix Editor. Download all media files from the Media Manager as extra protection.

How Long Does It Take to Switch Wix Templates?

Expect 30 to 60 minutes depending on your site’s size. Simple sites with 5 pages take less time. Complex sites with eCommerce, blogs, or many custom elements need more effort for content migration and styling adjustments.

Can I Transfer My Premium Plan to a New Wix Site?

Yes. Go to Premium Subscriptions in your Wix account, click More Actions, then select “Assign to a Different Site.” Choose your new site and confirm. All Premium features transfer immediately to the new template.

What Happens to My Domain When I Change Templates?

Your domain stays in your account. Reassign it through the Domains section by clicking the three-dot menu and selecting “Assign to a Different Site.” DNS propagation may take up to 48 hours after reassignment.

Can I Use Wix ADI Instead of Manual Template Switching?

Wix ADI generates a new design based on your inputs. It works for fresh starts but cannot import content from existing sites. Choose ADI for quick setups. Choose manual template selection when migrating existing pages.

Will Changing My Wix Template Affect SEO?

Yes. New sites have different URLs and lose existing SEO settings. Reconfigure page titles, meta descriptions, and URL slugs on your new site. Submit a fresh sitemap to Google Search Console after publishing.

Can I Copy Wix Apps to My New Template?

No. Wix apps do not transfer between sites. Reinstall each app from the Wix App Market on your new site. Reconnect third-party integrations manually. Some app data like form submissions may not carry over.

How Do I Match Fonts and Colors After Copying Content?

Apply the new template’s text theme to all copied text. Go to Site Design and select the template’s default color theme. This creates design consistency across pages without manually adjusting each element.

Can I Preview a New Template Before Committing?

Yes. Browse the Wix template library and click “View” on any template to see a live demo. Create a new site with the template to test the editor. No commitment until you transfer your domain and plan.

Conclusion

Now you know how to change Wix template without losing your content or starting completely from scratch.

The process requires creating a new site, copying pages through the Pages & Menu feature, and adjusting your design elements to match the new layout.

Yes, it takes effort. Wix does not offer a one-click template switch. But the manual method gives you full control over your site migration and content organization.

Back up your site first. Choose a template that fits your brand. Transfer content page by page. Match your font style and color scheme. Move your Premium subscription and domain.

Your website redesign is complete. Publish when ready and check everything on both desktop and mobile.