Moving Your Site Away from Wix
TL;DR:
- Wix doesn't allow direct site exports because it's a closed platform
- You'll need to manually copy all text content and download images separately
- Your domain can be transferred to keep your web address
- Plan your move carefully to protect your search rankings
- Budget extra time since everything has to be done by hand
Moving away from Wix requires more manual work than other platforms because of how their system is built. Wix runs on a closed platform that doesn't play well with standard export tools, so you can't simply download a backup file and upload it elsewhere.
This means copying your content piece by piece and rebuilding your site structure on your new platform. It's not quick, but it's definitely doable with the right approach.
Getting Your Content Out of Wix
Copying Your Text Content
Start by going through each page in your Wix editor and copying the text into a document. Google Docs or a simple text file works fine for this. Go page by page and copy everything including:
- Page titles and headings
- Body text and descriptions
- Button text and calls to action
- Contact details and addresses
Keep track of which content belongs on which page. A simple folder structure or numbered document system helps here.
Downloading Your Images and Files
Wix doesn't give you a bulk download option, so you'll need to save images one by one. Right-click on each image in your editor and save it to your computer. Create folders to organize them by page or content type.
Don't forget about:
- Logo files and brand assets
- Background images
- Gallery photos
- Any downloadable files like PDFs or documents
- Embedded videos (though you might need to re-upload these separately)
Some browser extensions can help speed up image downloads, but test them first to make sure they grab the full-quality versions.
Moving Your Domain Name
If you want to keep your current web address, you can transfer your domain away from Wix. This involves unlocking the domain from Wix's system and moving it to your new platform's domain registrar.
The process usually takes 5-7 days and requires:
- Getting an authorization code from Wix
- Initiating the transfer with your new provider
- Confirming the transfer via email
Start this process early since there can be delays. Your site will stay live during the transfer, but it's better to have everything sorted before you need it.
Protecting Your Search Rankings
Moving platforms can hurt your search rankings if you're not careful. The key is making your new site look as similar as possible to search engines.
Keep your URL structure the same where possible. If your Wix site had a page at /about-us, try to use the same path on your new site. When that's not possible, set up 301 redirects from the old URLs to the new ones.
Update your metadata on the new platform. This includes page titles, descriptions, and image alt tags. Search engines use this information to understand your content, so keeping it consistent helps maintain your rankings.
Once your new site is live, submit a fresh sitemap to Google Search Console and other search engines. This helps them discover and index your new pages faster.
FAQs
Can I export my Wix site automatically?
No, Wix doesn't provide export tools because it's a closed platform. Everything needs to be copied manually.
Will I lose my domain if I leave Wix?
No, you can transfer your domain to keep the same web address. The process takes about a week but your site stays live during the transfer.
How do I avoid losing search rankings when moving from Wix?
Keep your URL structure similar, set up 301 redirects for any changed URLs, and make sure all your page titles and descriptions are properly set up on the new platform.
How long does it take to move a Wix site?
This depends on how much content you have. Small sites might take a few days, while larger sites with lots of images and pages can take weeks of manual work.
Jargon Buster
Closed platform: A website system that doesn't allow you to export your data or move it to other platforms easily.
301 redirect: A permanent redirect that tells search engines a page has moved to a new location, helping preserve search rankings.
Domain transfer: Moving your web address from one company's control to another while keeping the same URL.
Sitemap: A file that lists all the pages on your website to help search engines find and index your content.
Wrap-up
Moving away from Wix takes patience because of the manual work involved, but thousands of site owners make this transition successfully. The key is planning ahead and taking your time with each step.
Start by backing up all your content and images, then work on rebuilding your site structure on your new platform. Handle the domain transfer early to avoid any timing issues, and pay close attention to your SEO setup to protect your search rankings.
While it's more work than moving between other platforms, you'll often end up with a faster, more flexible website that gives you better control over your online presence.
Ready to make the switch but want expert guidance? Join Pixelhaze Academy for step-by-step migration support and platform-specific tutorials.