Creating a Wix Shop: Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
Would you like to create an online shop but have no technical experience? With Wix, you can build a professional web shop in just a few steps – perfect for the Austrian market!
Wix offers an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, euro price display, and local payment options such as Klarna and PayPal. Within a short time, you can launch your shop and start selling your products online. Read on to learn how to optimally implement design, payment methods, and legal requirements.
Why Use Wix for Your Austrian Online Shop
Benefits for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses
Wix has established itself as one of the most popular e-commerce platforms in the German-speaking region, holding an impressive market share of over 21% in the DACH region (Austria, Germany, Switzerland). This makes the platform particularly attractive for Austrian small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) looking to enter or grow in online commerce.
With monthly costs between €27 and €159, Wix's e-commerce plans offer a clear and manageable cost structure. This is particularly helpful for businesses that need to plan their expenses precisely – whether they are just starting out or are already established and looking to expand their digital presence.
Another advantage is Wix's drag-and-drop system, which enables the creation of a professional online shop without any technical know-how. This saves entrepreneurs not only time but also the costs of external developers or designers.
In addition to these general advantages, Wix offers features specifically tailored to the needs of Austrian businesses.
Austria-Specific Business Features
For the Austrian market, Wix has integrated several important adaptations. Prices are automatically displayed in euros, and the platform offers a complete German translation – both essential for optimally addressing customers in Austria.
With Wix Payments and over 80 additional payment providers, a wide range of secure and trustworthy payment options is available. These include popular options such as PayPal, Stripe, SumUp, and Klarna, which meet the expectations of Austrian customers.
Another highlight is the automated VAT calculation, which ensures that tax requirements in Austria are met without any issues. Entrepreneurs can also manage individual tax rates, making processing even simpler. The platform meets the highest security standards, including PCI DSS Level 1 certification, which ensures secure payment processes.
| Feature | Benefit for Austrian Businesses |
|---|---|
| Wix Payments | Local support and secure payment processing |
| Multilingual Support | German translation for a better customer experience |
| Euro Currency Display | Automatic price display in euros |
| Automated VAT | Tax calculations according to Austrian law |
| Local Payment Providers | Integration of PayPal, Stripe, Klarna, and more |
These tailored features make Wix an excellent choice for Austrian businesses looking to enter online commerce quickly, securely, and conveniently.
Setting Up a Wix Account and Selecting a Template
Creating a Wix Account
The first step to your own online shop is the free registration with Wix. Visit wix.com and click "Get Started". You can sign up either with your email address or through existing accounts such as Google or Facebook.
After signing up, select the purpose of your website by clicking "Online Shop" or "E-Commerce". This ensures Wix displays the appropriate tools and templates that will be important for your shop later.
In the next step, decide whether to use the classic Wix Editor or Wix ADI (Artificial Design Intelligence). For beginners who want full control over the design, the classic editor is the better choice. It offers extensive customisation options and is particularly suitable for Austrian businesses that have specific requirements such as imprint pages or GDPR-compliant cookie banners. After creating your account, you can immediately select a suitable template.
Choosing the Right Template for Your Online Shop
With your active account, you can now design your shop by selecting a professional template. The choice of template is a crucial step, as it significantly influences the appearance and functionality of your online shop. Wix offers a wide range of templates specifically optimised for e-commerce. Choose a template that suits your industry while meeting the expectations of your Austrian clientele.
What is important for Austrian online shops? Look for clear navigation, sufficient space for product descriptions, and the ability to prominently place legally required pages such as terms and conditions or privacy policies. Templates like "Fashion Store", "Electronics Shop", or "Handmade Crafts" are already optimised for different industries.
Another important point is that the template offers a responsive design. This means your website is optimally displayed on all devices – whether smartphone, tablet, or desktop. Therefore, test in advance whether the template also functions flawlessly on mobile devices.
| Template Category | Ideal for | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Fashion & Mode | Clothing, Accessories | Large product images, colour variants |
| Electronics & Tech | Devices, Gadgets | Detailed specifications, comparison tables |
| Crafts & Art | Handmade Products | Storytelling sections, artist portraits |
| Food & Drink | Regional Specialities | Fresh presentation, origin information |
After selecting the template, you can immediately begin customising. Change the colours to match your brand and replace the default texts with your own content. This creates a solid foundation for your Austrian online shop that you can further personalise later.
Customising Your Shop for Austrian Customers
If you want to optimise your online shop for the Austrian market, adaptations to local preferences and legal requirements are essential. A well-thought-out design, clear product information, and compliance with legal requirements create trust and improve the customer experience.
Customising Design and Layout with the Wix Editor
With the Wix Editor, you can individually design your shop. Select suitable elements and adjust colours to your corporate design. For Austrian customers, a clean, professional appearance is particularly important. Subtle colours and sufficient white space between products ensure clarity.
Choose easily readable fonts such as "Open Sans" or "Roboto", which also provide clear display on mobile devices. Intuitive navigation is equally crucial: create a main menu with categories such as "Products", "About Us", and "Contact". Important legal information such as imprint and privacy policy should be easily accessible in the footer.
Once the design is in place, you can adjust the regional settings to optimally align your shop with the Austrian market.
Regional Settings: Currency, Language, and Legal Pages
In the Wix dashboard under "Language & Region", you can set the currency to Euro (€). This setting applies to all product prices and transactions.
Set German as the main language of your website so that all content, email notifications, and app languages are consistent. If you wish to offer multilingual content, use Wix Multilingual, which creates a separate subdomain for each language.
Create separate pages for legal information such as imprint, privacy policy, general terms and conditions (T&Cs), and right of withdrawal. You can use Wix templates for this or design the pages manually.
In addition to the legal aspects, product descriptions should also be carefully tailored to the Austrian market.
Product Descriptions and Metric Units
Austrian customers place great value on detailed and understandable product information in German. Use exclusively metric units such as centimetres, kilograms, and litres. For example, dimensions should be given as "15 × 20 × 8 cm" and weights as "2.5 kg" – instead of English units such as inches or pounds.
Price display in Austria also follows a specific format: use a comma as the decimal separator, e.g. "€ 29.99" or "€ 1,299.00" for higher amounts.
Structured product descriptions increase customer satisfaction. Provide essential information such as materials, care instructions, and origin. As Austrian consumers value quality and sustainability, you can build additional trust through references to regional manufacturing or certifications.
| Element | Austrian Format | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Prices | € before amount, comma as decimal separator | € 49.90 |
| Weight | Kilograms, Grams | 1.2 kg or 250 g |
| Dimensions | Centimetres, Metres | 25 × 15 × 10 cm |
| Temperature | Celsius | Storage at 2–8 °C |
Do not forget to preview your shop in both desktop and mobile views to ensure everything looks appealing and functions correctly. A well-designed shop that considers local expectations is the key to satisfied customers in Austria.
Setting Up Payment, Shipping, and Tax Options
After your online shop has been optimised for the Austrian market, it is time to configure the most important business processes. These include payment methods, shipping options, and tax requirements.
Setting Up Payment Methods
Customers in Austria prefer familiar and secure payment options. In the Wix dashboard, you can activate the appropriate options under "Settings" > "Accept Payments". These include credit cards, online transfers, and instant transfers. Review the offered payment methods and select those that meet the needs and expectations of your target audience.
Setting Up Shipping and Delivery Options
In the "Shipping & Pickup" menu, define shipping zones, delivery costs, and delivery times. It is important to select reliable shipping partners that satisfy your customers. Additionally, you can offer incentives such as free shipping above a certain order value or pickup options if you operate a physical shop or warehouse in Austria.
Tax Settings and Legal Requirements
The correct configuration of VAT is essential for the Austrian market. Under "Settings" → "Taxes" in the Wix dashboard, you can set up the applicable VAT rates and ensure all prices are displayed inclusive of VAT.
Ensure that your invoices contain all legally required information, including company name, address, VAT number (UID-Nummer), invoice date, sequential invoice number, and the VAT amount. If Wix offers an automatic invoice generation feature, this can help you efficiently implement the legal requirements.
Before your shop goes live, thoroughly test all settings to ensure the checkout process functions smoothly. A well-functioning system is crucial for customer satisfaction.
Testing, Publishing, and Managing Your Shop
After you have completed all settings, it is time to take your shop live – but not without a thorough review and careful management.
Testing Your Shop Before Publishing
Before your shop becomes accessible to customers, you should ensure all functions work flawlessly. As the website owner, you can test the checkout process in a preview without incurring any real charges. To do this, activate the manual payment method in your Wix account. Add a product, go to checkout, and select the "I just want to place a test order" option to simulate the entire ordering process. Note, however, that this preview is not available for Wix Bookings services or product subscriptions.
Also check your shipping rules: enter your region on the cart page or use an address on the checkout page to ensure shipping costs are calculated correctly. Once all tests have been successfully completed, you can take your shop live.
Publishing Your Shop with an Austrian Domain
A .at domain strengthens the trust of Austrian customers in your online shop. If you already own a .at domain, you can connect it to your shop via the domain settings in the Wix dashboard. If not, you have the option to purchase a .at domain directly through Wix or a local provider.
Wix Payments is available in Austria and supports payments in euros. This allows you to offer common payment methods such as debit and credit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Ensure all prices are correctly displayed in euros. Before the final publication, review your shop one last time, especially the mobile version, as many customers shop via their smartphones.
Managing Orders and Tracking Performance
After publishing your shop, you can manage orders through the Wix dashboard. There you have the option to update order statuses, send shipping confirmations, and activate email notifications for new orders.
Use the built-in Wix Analytics to analyse important metrics such as visitor numbers, conversion rates, and popular products. This data helps you to adjust your product range specifically and improve your marketing strategies.
A well-maintained shop is essential: regularly update product information, prices, and inventory levels. This creates trust among your customers and improves your ranking in search engines. Also plan regular reviews of your shop performance to remain successful in the long term. This ensures smooth order processing and allows you to make informed decisions based on meaningful analytics.
FAQs
What legal requirements must I consider when creating an online shop in Austria?
In Austria, there are numerous legal requirements to consider when creating an online shop. These include the Consumer Rights Directive, which covers aspects such as information obligations, the right of withdrawal, and general terms and conditions (T&Cs). A correct imprint, clear and transparent price and shipping information, and compliance with the Distance and Off-Premises Contracts Act (FAGG) are also mandatory. Additionally, data protection in accordance with the GDPR plays a central role.
From 28 June 2025, the Accessibility Act (BaFG) will take effect. This requires web shops to be designed accessibly in accordance with WCAG standards. Micro-enterprises with fewer than 10 employees are exempt from this regulation. For all others, transitional periods apply until 2025 or 2030.
Compliance with these requirements is important not only to avoid legal consequences but also to operate your online shop professionally and in accordance with the law.
How do I ensure my Wix shop is optimally displayed on mobile devices?
To ensure your Wix shop functions flawlessly on mobile devices, the Mobile Editor is recommended. With this tool, you can optimise the design specifically for the mobile view. For example, you can make product galleries, navigation elements, and the shopping cart clearly arranged. It is important that all central functions remain easily accessible.
It is advisable to regularly test the mobile view of your shop. Check the layout, spacing, and display of elements to ensure everything is displayed correctly. If necessary, you can adjust the visibility of certain content to improve usability for mobile customers. Particularly crucial for a pleasant shopping experience are intuitive navigation and short loading times.
What payment methods do Austrian customers use most frequently and how do I set them up in my Wix shop?
In Austria, credit cards, PayPal, instant transfers, Klarna, and payment on invoice are among the preferred payment methods. This selection gives your customers the ability to shop online flexibly and with confidence.
To offer these payment methods in your Wix shop, you can use either Wix Payments or other supported payment service providers such as Mollie. Setup is straightforward via the Wix dashboard. There you can activate the desired payment methods and make all necessary settings. Ensure that the configuration meets the needs of the Austrian market – for example, by displaying prices in euros (€).
