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Wix is one of the most popular website builders currently on the market. But like many similar tools, using it involves an ongoing fee. That’s why it’s so important to try it out before subscribing to it – and in this post, we’re going to explain how to access the Wix free trial properly and try out all the platform’s premium features.
There are effectively two ways to try Wix out. You can either use:
- a free plan
- a free trial of a Wix Premium plan.
Let’s take a look at both in turn.
The Wix free plan
Wix works differently from most other well-known website builders, because you can actually use it for free indefinitely, via its free plan.
Now, the free version of Wix is pretty basic.
- It’s ad-supported (and the adverts are very noticeable).
- It gives you minimal storage and bandwidth to play with (500MB of both)
- It doesn’t let you map a custom domain to your free Wix site (i.e., your site will sit on a Wix address rather than yoursitename.com. If you’re serious about running your own website, a custom domain is a much better option).
However, with the exception of ecommerce tools, it does let you try out the bulk of Wix’s features for free – and without any time limit to worry about. It gives you a good way to start learning how to use Wix, and is actually fine for building simple sites for community or family events (and these can then be upgraded to more serious websites down the line).
You can access the free plan here.
The table below highlights some of the key differences between the free plan and the paid-for ones.
| Feature | Wix free plan | Wix premium plans |
|---|---|---|
| Free website available | Yes | No |
| Free domain name available | No | Yes, for first year of service |
| Domain mapping | Not available | Available |
| Wix ads | Prominent | Ad free |
| Storage | 500MB | 2GB – Unlimited |
| Bandwidth | 500MB | 2GB — Unlimited |
| Ecommerce features | None | Available on Business and Ecommerce plans |
| Google Analytics | Not supported | Supported |
So the Wix free plan definitely has its uses, but in many ways it doesn’t actually amount to a proper trial of the platform.
If you want to test any of Wix’s more advanced features (particularly where online selling is concerned), then you’ll need to go about this in quite a different way.
This is where a Wix free trial comes in.
Let’s take a look at that.
Accessing a Wix free trial
Now, the strange thing about getting a free trial of a fully functional Premium Wix plan is that there isn’t really a trial mentioned on any of Wix’s marketing materials – the free plan is the only ‘freemium’ offer that’s really highlighted.
However, there is a simple way to try out every Wix premium feature for free for a fortnight — and in effect, get a proper free trial of the platform.
To do this you need to:
1. Sign up for the free Wix plan.
2. When you’re ready, upgrade to a paid-for plan.
3. Cancel your plan within 14 days (or, of course, keep it going if you’re happy with Wix).
By taking this approach, you can test every Wix premium feature — and ensure that you are happy with the platform as your website builder or online store builder before committing to it.
How to cancel a Wix plan
To cancel a Wix plan, you’ll need to be logged into your Wix account. Then, simply go to the Wix plan cancellation page and scroll down to the ‘Choose plan to cancel’ button. Clicking this will let you choose which Wix plan you’d like to end.
If you cancel within the first 14 days of starting a paid-for plan, you’ll receive a full refund.
However, you should note that:
- If you upgrade from one Wix Premium plan to another, the upgrade is not considered an “initial purchase” and won’t be refunded unless you are cancelling a Wix subscription within 14 days of starting your first one.
- The 14 day trial period is for Wix premium plan purchases only (i.e., it does not apply to domain names, mailboxes, Wix email marketing plans or app purchases).
- You’ll need to allow up to 20 business days for your refund to be fully processed and show up on your credit card statement.
- When you cancel your Wix plan, your site remains visible on the web (i.e., the cut-down, free version of it). You’ll need to unpublish your site for it to no longer be live.
How much does a Wix premium plan cost?
Wix pricing plans vary according to the country you’re based in, and whether you are paying monthly or upfront for 1, 2 or 3 years. When you log into Wix and click on the ‘Upgrade plan’ option, you’ll get to see the individual discounts available (which can be considerable).
The USD pricing listed on the Wix website is based on paying upfront for 1 year of service, and, at time of writing, the available paid-for plans are as follows:
Website builder plans (no ecommerce features)
| Plan name | Monthly price |
|---|---|
| Combo | $16 |
| Unlimited | $22 |
| Pro | $27 |
| VIP | $45 |
Business and ecommerce plans
| Plan name | Monthly price |
|---|---|
| Business Basic | $27 |
| Business Unlimited | $32 |
| Business Basic | $59 |
For a discussion on which Wix plan is right for you, and a more in-depth breakdown of Wix costs, check out our guide to Wix pricing.
Where can I learn more about Wix?
If you’d like to learn more about Wix, there are some Style Factory resources to help you.
- Our Wix review gives you a thorough evaluation of the pros and cons of the platform.
- Our Wix pricing guide helps you decide which plan is best for you.
- Our Wix vs Shopify, Wix vs Squarespace and Wix vs WordPress comparisons let you see how Wix stacks up against other leading website builders and ecommerce platforms.
- Our short Wix vs Squarespace video comparison on YouTube gives the five key reasons you might want to choose each of these platforms over the other.
Alternatives to Wix
If after trying Wix out you feel that the platform is not for you, we’d suggest looking at the following alternatives:
- For selling online, Shopify and BigCommerce are great.
- For general website building (with a bit of ecommerce on the side), it’s hard to go wrong with Squarespace.
Wix free trial FAQ
Does Wix offer a free trial?
Technically, Wix offers a free plan which can then be upgraded to a premium plan. However, you can effectively try a Wix Premium plan out for 14 days by starting with the free plan, upgrading to a premium plan and then cancelling your paid-for plan before the 14-day period is over.
How do I start a free trial on Wix?
To start a free trial on Wix, you simply go to the Wix website and enter your email address. You’ll then get access to a free plan that you can use indefinitely or upgrade to a premium one. If you upgrade to a paid-for Wix plan and then cancel with 14 days, your fee will be refunded.
Can you cancel a Wix plan?
Yes, you can cancel a Wix plan at any stage. However, you will only receive a refund for a premium plan if you cancel it within 14 days of starting it. Any App Market purchases you’ve made while using the platform will not be refunded.
Do you have to pay a monthly fee for Wix?
Not necessarily — a ‘forever free’ plan is available. However, this plan is quite basic in terms of functionality (significantly, you can’t sell online with it) and using it means living with prominent Wix adverts on your website.
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