A Wix domain costs between $14.95 and $17.35 per year for a standard .com extension, depending on the registration period you choose. If you sign up for a Wix premium plan (Light plan or higher), you get a free custom domain for the first year included in your subscription. Without a premium plan, you can still use Wix with a free subdomain like yourusername.wixsite.com/sitename, but you cannot connect a custom domain name.
Below, we break down exactly what Wix charges for domain registration, how renewal pricing works, how Wix compares to other domain registrars, and when it makes sense to buy your domain directly through Wix versus a third-party provider.
How Much Does a Wix Domain Cost?
The Wix domain price depends on two factors: the domain extension you choose (.com, .net, .org, etc.) and how many years you register it for. A .com domain, which is the most popular choice, starts at $14.95 per year when purchased directly through Wix.
Wix offers discounts when you register your domain for longer periods. Here is a breakdown of the current Wix domain registration prices for a .com domain:
|
1 Year |
2 Year |
3 Year |
|
|
Price |
$17.35 per year |
$16.35 per year |
$15.35 per year |
Other extensions like .net, .org, and .info have different pricing. Specialty and country-code domains (such as .co.uk or .io) often cost more. Premium domains -- short, memorable names that are already registered and being resold -- can cost significantly more, sometimes hundreds or thousands of dollars.
For a full picture of what you will spend on a Wix website beyond just the domain, including hosting, premium features, and e-commerce tools, see our breakdown of how much Wix costs.
Free Wix Domain vs. Custom Domain
Every Wix account comes with a free subdomain in the format yourusername.wixsite.com/sitename. This is a perfectly functional web address, but it has clear limitations:
- It looks unprofessional and is harder for visitors to remember
- It includes Wix branding in the URL, which can undermine trust
- Search engines generally treat subdomains on shared platforms as lower-authority pages
A custom domain like yourbusiness.com gives your site a professional identity and helps with brand recognition. Wix includes a free custom domain for the first year when you subscribe to any premium plan starting from the Light plan. After the first year, the domain renews at Wix's standard registration rate.
If you are just testing Wix or building a personal project, the free subdomain is fine. But for any business, portfolio, or project you want people to take seriously, a custom domain is essential.
Wix Domain Renewal Costs
One detail many people overlook when buying a domain through Wix is the renewal price. Your first year may be discounted or free (if bundled with a premium plan), but the renewal rate is what you will pay going forward.
Wix domain renewal prices are generally the same as the standard registration rates shown in the pricing table above. For a .com domain, expect to pay around $17.35 per year at renewal if you are on a 1-year registration cycle. Registering for 2 or 3 years upfront locks in the lower per-year rate for the entire period.
It is important to keep track of your domain's expiration date. If your domain expires and you do not renew it:
- Your website goes offline and visitors see an error page
- Your custom email addresses tied to the domain stop working
- Wix holds the domain in a grace period (typically around 30 days) during which you can still renew it
- After the grace period, the domain enters a redemption phase where recovering it costs a significant extra fee
- If left unreneemed, the domain is released and anyone can register it
Enabling auto-renewal in your Wix account settings is the simplest way to avoid accidental expiration.
How Wix Domain Pricing Compares to Alternatives
Wix is not the cheapest place to register a domain, but there are tradeoffs to consider. Here is how Wix's .com domain pricing stacks up against popular alternatives:
| Registrar | First Year (.com) |
Renewal (.com) |
Free With Plan? |
|---|---|---|---|
Wix |
$14.95 - $17.35 |
~$17.35 |
Yes (1 year free with premium plan) |
Namecheap |
~$9.98 |
~$14.98 |
No |
Cloudflare |
~$9.15 |
~$9.15 |
No |
Squarespace Domains |
~$20.00 |
~$20.00 |
Yes (1 year free with annual plan) |
Standalone registrars like Namecheap and Cloudflare are cheaper for domain registration alone. However, Wix's pricing includes the convenience of managing your domain and website in one place, plus the free first year with a premium plan effectively brings your initial domain cost to zero if you are already paying for Wix hosting.
Should You Buy Your Domain Through Wix?
Buying a domain directly through Wix makes sense in certain situations, but it is not always the best choice. Here is when each option works best.
Buy Through Wix If:
- You want the simplest setup with everything managed in one dashboard
- You are already subscribing to a Wix premium plan and want the free first-year domain
- You are not technically comfortable configuring DNS records manually
- You want Wix's built-in domain privacy protection (included at no extra cost)
Buy From a Third-Party Registrar If:
- You want the lowest possible price on domain registration and renewal
- You might switch website platforms in the future and want your domain to be independent
- You manage multiple domains across different websites and want them centralized
- You want more advanced DNS management options
If you already own a domain from another registrar, you can connect it to your Wix site by updating your DNS settings. Wix provides step-by-step instructions for this process, and it typically takes a few hours for the connection to propagate.
Understanding Wix Domain Types
When you search for a domain through Wix, you will encounter several types of domain extensions. Understanding the differences helps you pick the right one for your site.
Top-Level Domains (TLDs)
Top-level domains (TLDs) are the most common type of domain extension, and they include .com, .net, .org, and .edu, among others. TLDs are the most recognized and widely used type of domain extension, and they can be used for any type of website. For most users, a .com domain is the best default choice because it carries the most familiarity and trust.
Country Code Top-Level Domains (ccTLDs)
Country Code Top-Level Domains (ccTLDs) are domain extensions that are specific to a particular country or region. Examples include .us for the United States, .ca for Canada, .uk for the United Kingdom, and .au for Australia.
Using a ccTLD can be helpful if you want to target audiences in a specific country or region, as it can help establish your website's local relevance. However, it's important to note that ccTLDs may have different registration requirements and restrictions depending on the country or region.
New Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLDs)
New Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLDs) are a newer type of domain extension that has been introduced in recent years. gTLDs offer more descriptive and memorable domain names than traditional TLDs, and they can help businesses and individuals establish a more specific online identity.
Examples of gTLDs include .club, .online, .store, .app, and many others. gTLDs can be used for a wide range of purposes, from creating an online community (.club) to establishing an e-commerce presence (.store).
Premium Domains
Premium Domains are domain names that have already been registered and are being resold at a higher price due to their desirability. Premium domains may include common words, short domain names, or domain names that are easy to remember.
Premium domains can be a good choice for businesses or individuals who want a highly memorable and brandable domain name, but they can also be more expensive than other types of domains.
Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs)
Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) are domain names that use non-Latin characters, such as Arabic, Chinese, or Cyrillic. IDNs can be useful for businesses or individuals who want to target audiences in specific languages or regions.
It can also help establish a more localized online community and make it easier for people who speak different languages to find and remember your website. However, it's important to note that IDNs may have different registration requirements and restrictions depending on the language and script used.
Subdomains
Subdomains are domains that are part of a larger domain, such as blog.example.com or shop.example.com. Subdomains can be useful for organizing different parts of your website or creating separate websites for different purposes.
Subdomains can help you create a more structured and organized online presence, and they can also be useful for SEO purposes. However, it's important to note that subdomains may be treated as separate websites by search engines, which can affect their ranking and visibility.
How to Register a Domain on Wix
To buy a domain on Wix, follow these steps:
- Log into your Wix account or create a new one at Wix.com
- Go to the domain search tool in your Wix dashboard
- Type in the domain name you want and check availability
- If your preferred name is taken, Wix will suggest similar alternatives
- Select your domain, choose a registration period (1, 2, or 3 years), and complete the purchase
- Your domain will be connected to your Wix site automatically
If you are on a premium plan that includes a free domain, the first-year cost will be waived during checkout. You will still need to enter payment information for future renewals.
Benefits of Having a Wix Domain
Professional Email Address
A professional email address that matches your domain name can help you establish credibility and trust with your audience. With a Wix domain, you can create a custom email address that uses your domain name (e.g. [email protected]). This can make it easier for customers to remember your email address and help you stand out.
Easy Management
Wix provides a user-friendly platform that allows you to manage your domain and website from the same place. This can save you time and effort, as you won't need to navigate different platforms to change your domain or website. You can easily update your domain settings, manage your email accounts, and monitor your website's performance all from the Wix dashboard.
Free SSL Certificate
An SSL certificate is essential for securing your website and protecting visitors' information. All Wix domains come with a free SSL certificate, which ensures that your website is secure and trusted by visitors. This can help you build credibility with your audience and improve rankings, as search engines often prioritize secure websites.
Conclusion: Is a Wix Domain Worth the Cost?
A Wix domain costs between $14.95 and $17.35 per year for a .com, which is slightly above what standalone registrars charge but includes the convenience of integrated management, free WHOIS privacy, and a free SSL certificate. If you are already using a Wix premium plan, the free first-year domain makes it a straightforward choice.
For users who want the lowest possible cost or might switch platforms down the road, buying from a third-party registrar like Namecheap and connecting it to Wix gives you more flexibility. Either way, the most important thing is securing a professional custom domain -- the difference it makes for your brand credibility and search visibility compared to a free wixsite.com subdomain is well worth the investment.
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