how to remove this site was designed by wix

Yum Al Zember

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27-11-2024

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Beyond the Wix Footer: Strategies to Remove "This Site Was Designed by Wix" and Brand Your Website

Many website owners initially choose Wix for its ease of use and drag-and-drop interface. However, as their business grows, the branded footer ("This site was designed with Wix") can feel limiting, hindering a professional and unique brand identity. Removing this footer isn't as simple as a single click, but it's achievable through several strategies. This article will explore those strategies, drawing on insights from web development best practices and addressing common challenges. We will also discuss the implications of each approach and guide you towards the best solution for your specific needs.

Understanding Wix's Limitations and Premium Plans:

Before diving into solutions, it's crucial to understand Wix's business model. The free and some basic paid plans prominently display the "This site was designed with Wix" footer. This is how Wix generates revenue and promotes their platform. Removing this footer often requires upgrading to a higher-tier plan, or, more significantly, employing workarounds. Let's explore these workarounds.

Method 1: Upgrading Your Wix Plan

The most straightforward method is upgrading to a premium plan that allows you to remove the Wix branding. The specific plan required varies depending on Wix's current pricing structure. Check Wix's official website for the most up-to-date information on their pricing and features. This often involves a monthly or annual subscription cost.

• Advantages: This is the easiest and most legitimate method. It avoids any potential complications related to modifying Wix's core code or violating their terms of service.
• Disadvantages: It involves recurring costs. This method isn't suitable for budget-conscious users or those who only need a website for a short-term project.

Method 2: Custom Coding (Advanced Users Only)

For users with coding experience (HTML, CSS, and potentially JavaScript), it's possible to manipulate Wix's CSS code to hide the footer. This involves using your browser's developer tools to identify the specific CSS class or ID associated with the footer element and then using the Wix editor's custom code injection capabilities to override that styling.

• Important Note: This method can be risky. Wix updates its platform regularly, and these updates can break custom code injections. You might need to re-apply your code changes with each Wix update, and improperly coded changes can affect other aspects of your website's functionality. This method also technically violates Wix's terms of service in some cases.

Example (Conceptual): Let's say the footer's class is "wixFooter". A potential CSS solution (though this is not guaranteed to work due to Wix's constant updates) would be to add the following custom CSS:

.wixFooter {
  display: none !important;
}

• Advantages: Full control over the footer's appearance if successful.
• Disadvantages: Requires coding expertise, is not guaranteed to work consistently, and may lead to website malfunctions. It's a violation of Wix's terms of service which could lead to account suspension.

Method 3: Creating a Custom Footer Overlay (Intermediate Users)

Instead of directly removing the Wix footer, you can create a custom footer that completely overlays the default Wix footer, effectively hiding it. This can be done by using Wix's built-in features like adding a new footer section with full-width elements and carefully positioning it to cover the original footer.

• Advantages: Less risky than direct code manipulation, still allows some customization.
• Disadvantages: Requires careful design and positioning to ensure complete coverage and consistent appearance across different screen sizes. It may also require the use of background images or colors to match the rest of your website's design.

Method 4: Migrating to a Different Platform

If the limitations of Wix are becoming too restrictive, the most comprehensive solution is migrating your entire website to a different platform that offers more flexibility and control. Platforms like WordPress, Squarespace, or Shopify allow for greater customization and complete control over your website's appearance, including the complete removal of any platform branding.

• Advantages: Maximum control and flexibility, a truly unique brand identity.
• Disadvantages: This is the most time-consuming and potentially costly option, requiring significant effort to rebuild your website on a new platform. It also requires a more significant understanding of web development principles. You'll lose the intuitive simplicity of Wix's drag-and-drop interface.

SEO Considerations and Best Practices:

Removing the Wix branding might impact your SEO (Search Engine Optimization) depending on the method used. Directly manipulating Wix's code (Method 2) is inherently risky and could inadvertently affect your site's SEO negatively if done incorrectly. The other methods (upgrading, overlay, or migration) have minimal SEO impact.

Beyond the footer removal, focus on building a strong SEO foundation by:

• Optimizing your website content: Use relevant keywords, write high-quality content, and create engaging meta descriptions.
• Improving website speed: A fast-loading website is crucial for good SEO.
• Building high-quality backlinks: Earn links from reputable websites in your industry.

Conclusion:

Removing the "This site was designed with Wix" footer is possible, but the best approach depends on your technical skills, budget, and long-term goals. Upgrading to a premium plan offers the simplest and safest solution. If you are comfortable with coding, the other methods might be considered, but they demand a cautious approach to avoid potential problems. Migrating your website offers the most control but is the most involved process. Carefully weigh the pros and cons of each method before making a decision. Remember always to respect the terms of service of any platform you use.