Creating a website is an exciting journey. Sometimes, you may want to share your progress without making it public. If you're using Wix, you're in luck because there are ways to share your site with others without hitting that publish button.
Sharing a Wix website without publishing can be a daunting task. If not done properly, that's why we are here to provide you with a detailed guide. We will try to answer all your queries.
Why You Might Not Want to Publish Just Yet?
Before we dive into the how-to, let's quickly discuss why you might want to keep your site under wraps for now. Maybe you're still tweaking some design elements or waiting for that perfect content to be ready. Or do you prefer search engines not to crawl it at this time?
Whatever the reason, wanting feedback before going live is perfectly okay. Here is the process to follow.
Making Your Wix Website Private
Initially, to maintain your website's privacy, you must make sure it remains unreachable to the public. Here’s how you can make your Wix site private:
Go to Your Site's Dashboard: Log into your Wix account and select the site you’re working on.
Access Site Settings: Click on "Settings" in the left-hand menu.
Set Your Site to Private: Under the "General Info" tab, find the "Privacy" section. Here, you can make your site private, meaning it won't be visible to anyone unless you invite them.
By doing this, you're ensuring that your site stays under the radar until you're ready to unveil it.
Sharing Your Wix Site Without Publishing
Now, onto the main event—sharing your site without hitting publish. This becomes particularly useful when you want someone else to review your site or collaborate on the design.
Use the "Preview" Feature
Wix has a fantastic preview feature that lets you see your site as if it were live. Here’s how you can utilize it:
Enter Preview Mode: In the Wix Editor, click the "Preview" button at the top right corner.
Share the Preview Link: Wix does not let you share the preview link directly. However, you can take screenshots or use screen-sharing tools to show others.
Adding an Admin or Contributor
To have someone edit or review your website, assign them the role of admin or contributor. Here's how to do that:
Invite People to Your Site: On your Wix dashboard, go to "Settings" and then "Roles & Permissions."
Add a New Contributor: Click "Invite People" and enter the email address of the person you want to add. You can assign them various roles, such as admin, editor, or back-office manager, depending on what you need them to do.
Send the Invite: Once you've set their role, send the invite. They’ll receive an email with instructions on how to access your site.
This method not only lets others see your site but also allows them to help with editing if needed.
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Benefits of Sharing Your Site Before Publishing
Sharing your site before it’s live has several benefits:
Gather Feedback: You can collect valuable feedback from friends, family, or colleagues, which can help improve the final product.
Work Together Better: More people on the project usually mean better ideas and solutions.
Make Sure Everything Works: Letting others check your site helps you confirm that all parts work well on different devices and browsers.
Tips for a Smooth Sharing Experience
To make the process even more seamless, here are some tips:
Communicate Clearly: Let the person you’re sharing with know what kind of feedback or help you’re looking for.
Be Smart with Permissions: Only give editing access to people who need it. This helps maintain the integrity of your site.
Use Comments: Encourage collaborators to use comments (if available) to leave feedback instead of changing things directly.
Final Thoughts
Keeping your website under wraps until it's ready to shine is smart. Whether you’re seeking feedback or collaborating with a team, Wix offers several tools to share your site without going live.
This will help you ensure it’s perfect before you hit the publish button. Remember, patience and preparation can go a long way in making your website successful.
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Common Questions
Can I make my Wix site accessible to only a few people without sharing my account?
Absolutely! Adding contributors lets specific people access your site without sharing your personal Wix account details.
Is there a limit to how many people I can add as contributors?
Wix allows you to add multiple contributors. But remember that each role has different permissions, so pick the one that fits your needs.
What if I accidentally publish my site?
No need to worry. If you intentionally publish your site, you can unpublish it. Go to your site's dashboard. Click on "Site Actions." Then select "Unpublish."