How to Unpublish WIX Site in 2024 | Step-by-Step Guide

There are times when you might need to take your Wix website offline. Perhaps you're revamping the design, working on some content updates, or simply taking a break.

The good news is that Wix makes it easy to unpublish your site, hiding it from visitors while you make changes or take a breather.

This guide will walk you through the simple process of unpublishing your Wix site in two ways: through the Wix Editor and from your site's dashboard.

What Does Unpublishing Do?

Unpublishing essentially makes your website invisible to the public. Anyone trying to access your site address will see an error message or a blank page. This is a great option when you don't want people to see your site while it's under construction or undergoing maintenance.

Unpublishing vs. Hiding from Search Engines

It's important to understand the difference between unpublishing and hiding your site from search engines. Unpublishing removes your site from the internet entirely. Hiding it from search engines, on the other hand, prevents search tools like Google from indexing your site, making it difficult to find through search queries. This can be useful if you want your site to remain accessible through direct links but not discoverable through search engines.

Unpublishing Your Wix Site: Two Easy Methods

Method 1: Unpublishing from the Wix Editor

• Open your Wix Editor: Log in to your Wix account and navigate to the site you want to unpublish. Click on "Edit Site" to open the Wix Editor interface.

• Access the Site Menu: Look for the top toolbar within the editor. You'll see several options, including "Add," "Undo," and "Redo." Click on the menu labeled "Site."

• Unpublish the Site:  Within the "Site" menu, you'll find an option called "Unpublish Site." Click on this button.

• Confirm Unpublishing: A confirmation window will pop up, asking you to verify your choice. Click on "Unpublish" again to confirm.

Method 2: Unpublishing from the Dashboard

• Access Your Site Manager:  Log in to your Wix account and go to your dashboard. Here, you'll see a list of your websites. Click on the site you want to unpublish to access its manager.

• Navigate to Settings:  Within the site manager, find the "Settings" section. It's usually located on the left-hand sidebar. Click on "Settings" to open the options menu.

• Website Settings:  Under "Settings," you'll find various options related to your website. Look for a section labeled "Website settings" or something similar. Click on this section.

• Unpublish Confirmation:  At the top of the "Website settings" page, you'll see information about your site's publishing status. There will likely be a button or toggle switch labeled "Unpublish" or "Site is published." Click on this button to initiate the unpublishing process.

• Confirm Unpublishing: A confirmation window will appear, similar to the one encountered in the editor method. Click on "Unpublish" again to confirm your decision.

Republishing Your Site

Once you've finished making changes or your break is over, you can easily republish your Wix site and make it live again. The process for republishing is similar to unpublishing. Here's a quick rundown:

• Through the Editor: In the Wix Editor, go to the "Site" menu again. This time, you'll see an option to "Publish Site." Click on this button, and your site will be live once more.

• Through the Dashboard:  Navigate to the "Website settings" section within your site manager, as explained earlier. You'll likely see a button or toggle switch labeled "Publish" or "Site is unpublished." Click on this button to republish your site.

Additional Considerations

• SEO and Unpublishing: Unpublishing your site for extended periods can affect your Search Engine Optimization (SEO) ranking. Search engines may take some time to re-index your site after you republish it. If you plan to keep your site unpublished for a while, consider hiding it from search engines instead. If your site ranking goes down, you can hire WIX SEO experts.

• Taking a Backup:  It's always a good practice to back up your website before making significant changes. Wix offers backup and restore features within your account settings.

By following these simple steps, you can take your Wix site offline quickly and easily. Remember, unpublishing is a great way to hide your site from public view while you work on it, but it's important to consider the impact on SEO if you plan to keep it unpublished for a long time.

You might also like:

• Hire WIX SEO Experts, WIX SEO Optimization Services