Set up WHOIS privacy protection on Wix
TL;DR:
- WHOIS privacy protection hides your contact details from public domain records
- Available for most domain extensions through your Wix dashboard
- Navigate to Domains → Manage to toggle privacy protection on
- Helps reduce spam emails and unwanted contact
- May cost extra depending on your domain package
When you register a domain, your contact details get stored in a public database called WHOIS. Anyone can look up who owns a website, see your email address, phone number, and postal address. WHOIS privacy protection replaces your real details with generic contact information from your registrar.
Why you need WHOIS privacy protection
Your personal information becomes public the moment you register a domain. This creates several problems you probably don't want to deal with.
Spammers harvest email addresses from WHOIS records constantly. You'll start getting unsolicited emails about web services, marketing offers, and worse. Your phone number becomes fair game too.
Domain investors and competitors can see when your domain expires. They might try to snatch it up or contact you with lowball offers.
Having your home address publicly available isn't ideal for obvious security reasons. This is especially important if you run a business from home or value your privacy.
How to enable WHOIS privacy on Wix
The process is straightforward once you know where to look.
Log into your Wix account and head to your dashboard. Click on "Domains" in the left sidebar, then select "Manage" next to the domain you want to protect.
Look for "Privacy Protection" in your domain settings. You'll see a toggle switch that's probably set to "Off" by default. Click it to turn privacy protection on.
Some domain extensions don't support privacy protection. If you don't see the option, your domain type (.gov domains, some country codes) doesn't allow it.
The change takes effect within a few hours. You can check by searching for your domain on any WHOIS lookup tool. Instead of your details, you'll see generic contact information.
What happens when privacy protection is active
Your real contact details get replaced with proxy information from Wix's domain partner. The WHOIS record will show generic contact details instead of yours.
Important emails still reach you. Domain-related messages get forwarded to your actual email address automatically. You won't miss renewal notices or legitimate domain communications.
You can still make changes to your domain settings normally. Privacy protection only affects what the public sees, not your access to domain management.
If someone needs to contact you for legitimate reasons, they can usually find a contact form on your website or business information elsewhere online.
Costs and limitations
WHOIS privacy protection often costs extra. Wix includes it free with some domain packages, but charges separately for others. Check your domain pricing details or contact Wix support to confirm costs.
Not every domain extension supports privacy protection. Most common ones (.com, .org, .net) do, but some country-specific domains and special-use domains don't allow it.
You can turn privacy protection off anytime through the same domain settings. Your real contact details will become public again within a few hours.
Some domain transfers require temporarily disabling privacy protection. If you plan to move your domain to another registrar, you might need to turn it off first.
FAQs
Does WHOIS privacy protection affect my website or email?
No, it only changes what information appears in public domain records. Your website works normally and emails still reach you.
Can I add privacy protection to an existing domain?
Yes, you can enable it anytime through your domain settings. You don't need to wait for renewal or register a new domain.
Will privacy protection hide my business information?
It hides the contact details in WHOIS records, but your business information might still appear elsewhere online. Consider what you share on your website and social media.
What happens if I forget to renew and privacy protection expires?
Your real contact details become public again. Most registrars send reminder emails, but they go to your actual email address, not the proxy one.
Jargon Buster
WHOIS database – A public directory that stores contact information for every registered domain name
Domain registrar – The company that manages your domain registration (Wix partners with registrars but isn't one themselves)
Proxy contact information – Generic contact details that replace your real information in public records
Domain extension – The part after the dot in your domain name (.com, .org, .uk, etc.)
Wrap-up
WHOIS privacy protection is worth enabling for most websites. It costs a bit extra but saves you from spam emails, unwanted calls, and privacy concerns. The setup takes minutes through your Wix dashboard.
Check if your domain extension supports privacy protection and whether your package includes it. If not, the small cost usually pays for itself by reducing spam and protecting your personal information.
Ready to build your website with proper privacy protection from day one? Join Pixelhaze Academy for step-by-step guidance on Wix setup and beyond.