So you’ve decided it’s time to create and launch a website for your photography business. Just using Facebook and Instagram isn’t really cutting it, and honestly; you don’t feel like that’s really putting your best foot forward. (You’re correct!) You don’t feel “legit” yet, and you’re ready to… so you can charge more for your work, (let’s be honest.) ?
You’re in the right place, friend. ? Today, I’m dishing out everything I know, (and actually use) to run my website!
Before I get into all of the tech stuff, let’s just chat real quick about why you need a website. Here are a few pros to having a website for your photography business:
- It educates your clients without you having to.
-
-
- Think of it as an assistant working for you, that’s helping qualify leads, (a.k.a. potential clients) around the clock! Simply put, it’s your 24/7 marketing agent.
-
- It showcases your best work front and center, with minimal opportunity for distraction.
-
- When a potential client is on social media, they’re tempted to keep scrolling or get distracted by an incoming text, notification, or email on their screen; so they’re more likely to click off and go on with their day. Whereas if they’re on your website, they’re further into the experience with you and are more likely to stay on, (i.e. getting to know you – which will warm them up and make them more likely to buy.)
- It’s much more professional than using social media.
-
- (The majority of new photographers don’t even have a website, so you’re already way ahead of the game by having one.) Any other legit business has a website, so don’t you think it’s about time you do too? When you’re inquiring about booking an expensive service, it’s a must for them to have a website. It helps people to feel like they’re safe and secure putting their money in your hands.
HOW TO CREATE A WEBSITE
FOR YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS:
1. Choose a domain name and register it.
In order to have your own website (i.e www.jessicavickers.com), you have to have a domain name. I recommend heading over to Google Domains and checking to see if the one you want is available. (Chances are your photography business is either named after yourself, or a term sentimental to you.)
Just type in the domain name you want, and Google will tell you if it’s available or not — easy peasy! Then proceed with the process of setting it up once you’ve figured out what you want it to be, and you’ll have a domain in no time. (It’s literally only like $12 a year!)
2. Choose a website hosting service.
My website wouldn’t look as snazzy as it does if it weren’t for Showit. I seriously can’t get over how much I love it. It’s a drag and drop website builder, (meaning you don’t have to know any code at all to use it,) and that’s a HUGE deal for us non-designers. I can usually tell a Showit design apart from any other, because they seriously look THAT good. They’re just next-level. Here’s a few examples of some people who are running their kick-butt sites on Showit, (and chances are… you know a few!)
Point proven. ? In fact, all of these here are built and designed on Showit. So, go ahead and head to Showit.co and click “Create your site” in that top right-hand corner. You won’t regret it — I promise. I wasted a lot of time using different hosting websites (and actually designed like three sites without ever fully launching them because they never truly felt like “me.”) Save yourself the headache. You can start a 14-day risk-free trial, and could literally have an entire site live in like three days. #justdoit
3. Choose a template.
If you decide to use Showit, you can snag a completely free website theme built by a professional designer, (it’s essentially a premade design,) then drag and drop your own logos/colors/fonts, and go live with it! It’s that simple. Or, you can choose one of the paid ones inside of Showit. If you’re wanting to get super fancy, you can hire a designer to build you out a custom site (like mine is,) but I don’t recommend doing that when you’re just starting out!
Either way, just head here to browse through the beautiful themes Showit has to offer, and see which one is calling out your name. Alternatively, you can type something like “showit website theme” in google and see if you find any designers that way!
If you’re interested in some JVP Insider info, my top picks for designers are:
- Samantha Royer at She Is Bold (she hasn’t launched her design biz to the public yet — but if you send her a nice DM on insta– she just may give ya the hookup. Be sure to tell her I sent ya!)
- Tonic Site Shop (their templates are some of the best in the industry)
- Refinery Original
- Davey & Krista
- Saffron Avenue
- With Grace & Gold
4. Curate your portfolio by only showing your BEST images, (especially the types of shoots you want to do MORE of.)
In this case, less is truly best– because you really only want to show your best work. It’s like a clothing store, they’re going to put their best/hottest outfits on the racks inside the window, (which usually also have the highest price tags. LOL.) But, it draws you in and makes you want to see more, i.e. spend more time in their store. We want your website to do the same since it’s essentially your digital storefront!
Be sure to only show the types of shoots you want to do a ton more of — not the shoots you dreaded. In other words, show what you want to shoot. Always remember that.
5. Pepper in those testimonials and social proof, and write some copy that converts.
The best marketing for your biz is, and will always be – word of mouth. And who better to sell your services than those who have already worked with you! Take the backseat and let your clients take center stage. Use their words to sell your services, it’s seriously the best way to sell without feeling salesy. ?
If you’ve ever been featured in a magazine, won a contest, etc. — be sure to put that on your site. It’s one of those, “oh – if they’ve done this or won this, they must be legit” – things. Trust me, it makes a huge difference!
6. Have a workflow established for all of those new leads you’ll be getting once you go live with your new site!
The last thing you want is to launch a site for your brand, start getting a ton of inquiries (EEK!)… and then not be able to be consistent in communicating with them, and lose them. You need a workflow to be able to always stay ahead of the game, and be organized. Once you have a website, you’re held to a different standard of business. You need to be professional and have all of your ducks in a row. The best and easiest way to do that is with a CRM (a client relationship manager.) The one I use and LOVE is Honeybook. I wrote a super in-depth blog post all about how I use and love it here.
I hope this post was SO helpful for you, and I’m here to answer any q’s you may have about creating and launching your own photography business because I truly WANT you to do this. It completely changed my business, and I want that massive growth and opportunity for you, too. So just drop me a comment below with any q’s you may have, and I’ll do my best to get ya the hookup!
Want to throw your hands up in the air because you’re crazy overwhelmed and are ready to just start making real money with this expensive hobby of yours?
I feel ya girl, I’ve been there too. I know it all too well. Here’s the deal… I do mentorships for this EXACT reason. I come alongside you, one-on-one, and help you get this photography business dream done right. ?
Interested in what that looks like? Just click the link below to schedule a free strategy call with me, no strings attached; where I answer your biggest burning q’s for free, and we decide if we’re a good fit to work together.
Looking for more helpful photography tips? Feel free to binge on these blog posts, or pin ’em on Pinterest for later! ??
If you’re short on time, follow me on Pinterest – and you’ll get these kinda tips delivered straight to your feed! You know… when you’re scrollin’ through Pinterest with coffee in hand, ready to take on the day… or, procrastinate.
Whatevs. Pinterest biz sesh, anybody!? ??
Read the Comments +