How To Connect Your Domain To Wix For Free (Without Paying For A Wix Plan)

Hey there, web enthusiasts, artists, and digital creators! Ever been in a situation where you own a domain, have a fabulous Wix website ready to go, but don't want to shell out for a Wix plan just to connect the two? Well, you're in luck! Today, we're diving into the simple, budget-friendly way to connect your domain to your Wix site without breaking the bank.

Before we get started, here's a quick shoutout to NewForm Community — the ultimate creative hub to refine your web design skills, participate in exciting monthly challenges, attend skill-building events, and engage with top industry professionals. If that sounds like something you'd love, keep reading and join us after!

What You Need To Know

First up, let's set some expectations. What we're about to dive into is a straightforward way to make your domain point to your Wix site. Note: This is a domain forwarding solution, not a direct connection. That means your domain won't integrate seamlessly with your Wix site, and it's not the most SEO-friendly method out there. But if you're mainly looking to have a single URL for people to easily access your site, this solution will work perfectly for you.

Getting Started with Your Free Wix Connection

Step 1: Publish Your Wix Site

For starters, ensure your Wix site is fully published and live on its subdomain (the free Wix URL they provide). If you haven't published it yet, head over to your Wix dashboard, click on "Edit Site," and then make sure your site is published by hitting that "Publish" button.

Once published, take a moment to admire your work—then hit that address bar, grab your Wix URL, and give it a quick Ctrl+A followed by a convenient Ctrl+C. Yes, we're copying your Wix site URL for later like a pro!

Step 2: Access Your Domain Registrar

Now, let's switch gears. I'm using Namecheap to demonstrate this process, but the steps are largely the same across most domain registrars like GoDaddy or SiteGround.

1. Log into your Domain Registrar Account: Head to your registrar's website and log into your account.

2. Navigate to Your Domains: Go to your account dashboard and select the domain you'd like to redirect.

3. Manage Your Domain: Once you find the right domain, click "Manage" to make changes to its settings.

Step 3: Set Up Domain Forwarding

Here's where the magic happens. You need to set up a redirect from your domain to your Wix website URL.

1. Select the DNS Settings: Ensure you're using the correct DNS settings, often referred to as "Basic DNS" or similar.

2. Add a Redirect:

- Source URL: Enter your domain name (e.g., example.com and www.example.com).

- Destination URL: This is where you paste that Wix URL you copied earlier.

3. Save and Wait: Hit that save button. It may take a bit—usually 10 to 15 minutes, but sometimes up to a couple of hours for the forwarding to kick in.

And there you have it! Your domain should now redirect to your Wix site just like that. No Wix plan necessary!

*Pro Tip:* Keep in mind, if you're using Namecheap, you'll need to set up a forwarding configuration for both the "naked" domain (without "www") and the "www" version. This ensures everyone lands on the right page, no matter how they type it in.

Why This Isn't the Perfect Solution

Okay, so let's chat about why this isn't the golden ticket for everyone.

- No Direct Connection: Unlike Wix's premium plan that binds your domain directly, this method is a straightforward forwarding. Good for access but not for technical integrations.

- SEO Limitations: Forwarding doesn't offer the same SEO benefits as a direct connection, which means your site might not perform as well in search engines if heavily reliant on search traffic.

- Recommendation: This methodology is perfect if you're creating a portfolio site, a personal blog, or something where search rankings aren't the primary concern.

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And that's it for today’s deep dive. Stay creative, keep pushing your boundaries, and see your projects come alive! Until next time, happy designing!