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Understanding Wix Branches and How They Work in Wix Studio
- 1 day ago
- 8 min read
Wix Branches in Wix Studio let you create test versions of your website without affecting the live site. These branches duplicate your site's design and content while keeping backend data - like CMS collections, products, and automations - intact. This makes it easy to experiment with changes or redesigns while ensuring business operations continue smoothly.
Key points:
Branches retain backend data (CMS, products, contacts, automations).
Switching from Wix Editor to Wix Studio is seamless with branches, allowing redesigns without downtime.
Publishing replaces the live site with the new branch while transferring all data.
Limitations: Revenue share isn't transferable, and branches auto-delete after 30 days.
Example: A 2026 redesign of "The Coaches Zone" used branches to create a new front-end in Wix Studio while keeping the original site live.
For advanced needs like ongoing updates, DLL Studios offers developer maintenance plans, which include expert support and custom development, making them a choice for businesses needing more than what Wix Branches provide.
NEW! Create a Studio Version of a Wix Editor Site with Shared Dashboard
How to Create a Wix Branch in Wix Studio
Now that you have a grasp of what branches are and how they function, let's go through the steps to create your own Wix Studio branch.
Access the Site Dashboard
Start by heading to the Sites tab in your Wix Studio workspace. This is where all the websites you manage are listed. Hover over the site you want to work on, and a Site Actions icon (three dots) will appear. Click on it to open up site-level management options [5][6]. From here, you’ll find the tools needed to create your Wix Studio version.
Create a Version in Wix Studio
Click on Create a version on Studio. This option allows you to create a new branch specifically for Wix Studio, even if your site was originally built using the classic Wix Editor. Wix sets up a separate editing environment for the new branch while keeping access to your CMS collections, products, contacts, and automations intact from the original dashboard [4]. Your original site is labeled as the , and any new versions you create are categorized as branches [1].
Switch Between Original and Studio Branches
Once your Studio branch is created, you’ll need to know how to navigate between the different versions. Click on the Wix Studio icon in the top left corner of the editor. This opens a menu that provides shortcuts to all site versions [7][8]. Use this menu to switch between your original site and the Studio branch, ensuring you’re working in the correct version before making edits. This setup allows you to manage and edit each branch effortlessly.
Managing and Editing Wix Branches
Once you've set up your Studio branch, it's time to explore the tools and features that set Wix Studio apart. Understanding how to switch between versions and utilize advanced editing tools is crucial for maximizing your workflow.
Switch Between Branches
Switching between branches is simple. Just click the Wix Studio icon to see all available site versions. From this menu, you can easily toggle between your original site and Studio branches. If needed, you can also append the branch ID to the editor URL to directly access a specific branch [2]. For teams juggling multiple test sites, a tagging strategy can be a game-changer. Use labels like , , or to track the progress of each branch [2]. Wix allows up to 100 tags per account, and a single site can have up to 100 tags assigned [5]. Once you’ve switched to the desired branch, you can dive into the advanced tools that Wix Studio offers to refine your site’s design and functionality.
Use Studio Tools for Advanced Editing
Wix Studio includes tools that go beyond what the classic editor provides, helping you elevate both the design and performance of your site. One standout feature is Responsive AI, which analyzes your design and applies a responsive structure with just one click [9]. For more intricate layouts, you can use CSS Grid and Flexbox to create dynamic designs [11][9]. The Layers panel is another essential tool - it helps you manage the hierarchy and stacking order of elements, ensuring everything appears as intended, like text properly layered over shapes or containers [10]. If you need to make changes that affect multiple pages, Global Sections (highlighted in green within the Layers panel) allow you to edit once and apply updates across your entire site [8][10]. Before publishing, use the Site Checker and Responsive Checker to ensure your design looks great across all device breakpoints [8].
Handle Apps During Migration
After perfecting your design and layout, it’s important to ensure your business applications and custom features remain functional. Apps like Wix Stores, Blogs, and Bookings stay active throughout the process [1][8]. You can manage these apps via the Add Elements panel in the Studio Editor, maintaining seamless integration. The shared infrastructure ensures that your products, blog posts, and booking services remain intact while you test and refine your site’s design. For custom functionality, you can use Velo by Wix to integrate JavaScript and APIs [11][9]. Additionally, Wix Blocks allows you to create reusable widgets that can be shared across branches or even different sites within your workspace [9]. Collaboration is another highlight - multiple team members can work together in real time. However, note that in Dev Mode, only one user can edit the code at a time [5][9].
Publishing and Limitations of Wix Branches
Publish Wix Branches
Publishing a branch in Wix Studio is a simple process. Just click the Publish button in the top-right corner of the editor to make your changes live [12]. Before doing so, use the Preview as Test Site feature to see how your design looks across different devices - your original branch will remain intact as a backup [1]. If you're using Git Integration or the Wix CLI, push your code to GitHub and run the command to publish your changes [14]. Once your branch is live, focus on fine-tuning your site's SEO and ensuring proper indexing.
SEO and Preview Considerations
After publishing, search engines need time to crawl and index any new pages or updates [15]. According to Wix Support, "New sites, pages, and updates may take some time to appear on search engine results, as they need to be crawled and indexed by Google" [15]. To maintain visibility, make sure each page includes well-crafted titles, meta descriptions, and alt text for images before publishing [16]. You can check if your site is indexed by using Google’s "site:" search operator (e.g., "site:yourdomain.com"). If you’re not ready for public visibility, you can publish your site while temporarily blocking search engines from indexing it [15].
Revenue Share Limitations
Wix Branches come with specific restrictions for partners regarding revenue share. To qualify for revenue share, you must be the first owner of the site - meaning you created it within your Wix Studio workspace [13][17]. Wix Support clarifies, "You have to be the first owner to be eligible to earn [revenue share]" [13]. If you’re upgrading a client’s existing site by creating a Studio branch, you won’t be eligible for revenue share on that site’s premium plans. Similarly, reassigning an existing premium plan to another site or branch doesn’t qualify for revenue share [13]. This policy means revenue share cannot be transferred to new designers. For Wix Partners, branches are most beneficial if they’re already earning revenue share from their client. Currently, non-Legend Partners earn a 20% revenue share on Wix Studio yearly plans, while Legend Partners earn 30% [13][17].
Wix Branches vs. DLL Studios Maintenance Plans
Feature and Benefit Comparison
Wix Branches is a built-in versioning and staging tool within Wix Studio, designed to let users test changes before publishing. On the other hand, DLL Studios' maintenance plans provide dedicated developer hours and hands-on expertise tailored to your site's needs [18][19]. While Wix Branches focuses on independent version management, DLL Studios takes care of proactive, expert-driven site management.
DLL Studios offers a range of services, including security monitoring, strategic consulting, and performance optimization. Subscribers also gain direct phone and email access to developers skilled in advanced Velo coding, API integrations, and ensuring ADA compliance [20].
Feature | Wix Branches (Standard Platform) | DLL Studios Maintenance Plans |
Primary Function | Versioning and staging for editing | Comprehensive, expert-driven site management |
Support Access | Automated loops/Generalist tickets | Direct phone/email access to dedicated experts |
Expertise | Core platform functionality | Custom code (Velo), SEO, and business strategy |
Maintenance | User-managed updates | Proactive updates for apps, plugins, and security |
Turnaround | Variable (hours to days) | Prioritized responses: 1–3 business days for most issues, 4–5 days for complex ones |
For example, DLL Studios' Creative Essential plan includes 12 hours of annual developer maintenance, covering SEO optimization and priority support [18]. The Creative Premium plan offers 60 hours annually, with VIP support and faster response times of 1–3 business days [18]. Unlike Wix's standard support, which is geared toward general issues, DLL Studios focuses on the deep, strategic guidance that growing businesses often require [20].
This comparison makes it clear how features and benefits differ, but understanding cost and scalability is just as important.
Cost and Scalability
When deciding between Wix Branches and DLL Studios, pricing and scalability play a huge role. Wix Studio plans range from $19/month (Basic) to $159/month (Elite), covering hosting and collaborator access. However, these plans do not include expert labor for updates or custom development [21]. In contrast, DLL Studios' maintenance plans start at $1,320/year ($140/month) and go up to $6,600/year ($680/month), depending on the level of developer time required [18].
DLL Studios operates on a fixed-cost model with no ownership restrictions or long-term commitments [18]. Developer hours are allocated annually - 12 hours for Creative Essential, 36 hours for Creative Plus, and 60 hours for Creative Premium. This approach ensures predictable costs as your site scales. Instead of just paying for hosting or traffic, you're investing in the expertise and developer time needed to bring your vision to life.
Conclusion
Wix Branches offer a convenient way to test design tweaks, experiment with Velo code, and manage site versions - all without affecting your live website [1]. However, it’s worth noting that technical branches are automatically deleted after 30 days [1]. While branches are great for short-term testing, they don’t address broader needs like ongoing SEO audits, performance tracking, or security monitoring [3]. These aspects require a more comprehensive approach, as discussed in our earlier breakdown of branch management.
For Wix Partners, keep in mind that earning revenue share depends on being the first owner of a site. New designers or projects won’t qualify for this program [13].
Although Wix handles platform updates, your website still needs regular care to stay at its best [3]. While branches help with safe design updates, their limitations mean you’ll need additional maintenance strategies. That’s where DLL Studios steps in. Their maintenance plans provide 12 to 60 hours of annual developer support, direct access to experts, and services ranging from custom Velo development to ADA compliance. This ensures your site remains optimized and effective over time.
Ultimately, your decision should depend on how central your website is to your business goals. If your site plays a key role in driving revenue or leads, proactive management is always smarter than waiting to fix problems later [22]. While Wix Branches handle versioning, DLL Studios offers the expertise and strategies to keep your site performing at its peak.
FAQs
Will publishing a branch overwrite my live site?
Publishing a branch won’t overwrite your live site. Think of branches as separate draft versions you can work on without affecting what’s currently live. Your live site will only update if you specifically choose to publish the content from a branch.
What data stays shared across branches (CMS, Stores, automations)?
When managing branches, elements like site content, design, and settings are handled independently for each branch. The only shared aspects are branch metadata - such as the branch name and tags - which can be accessed through the API. Content editing is restricted to the editor, ensuring that any updates or changes apply solely to the specific branch being worked on.
Does creating a Studio branch transfer revenue share to a new designer?
No, creating a Wix Studio branch does not change who receives the revenue share. The revenue share will stay with the original recipient, unless that recipient is already earning it from the same client.
