Get Your Photography Business Online: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide

Are you ready to take your photography business to the next level and get it online? We’ve got you covered! 

Getting your business onto the world wide web can be a gamechanger for your bottom line. An online presence can expand your reach, attract new customers, and make it easier for your current customers to find and engage with your business. Having your own website offers immense value compared to relying solely on social media or gig apps: your website becomes your digital home, where you control the narrative, branding, and customer experience.

But where do you start? We’ve made it easy to get started with this step-by-step guide for getting your photography business online! 

Step 1: Choose a domain name 

First things first, you’ll need a domain name. Your domain name serves as your photography website’s online address (for example, a New York Wedding photographer could use the domain nycwedding.photo). Choose a name that’s easy to remember and reflects your brand. 

The .photo domain is perfect for boutique photographers and large studios alike. Whether capturing breathtaking landscapes, memorable events, or striking portraits, photographs provide a window into our world and offer insights into the photographers behind the lens. The .photo domain gives photographers an online home to document and share their singular perspectives. You can find your .photo domain here.  

Step 2: Choose a website builder 

Now that you have your domain name, it’s time to build your website. The great news is that you don’t need to know how to code to create a stunning website nowadays. Website builders like Wix empower you with intuitive drag-and-drop tools, customizable templates, and powerful features like e-commerce capabilities, SEO tools, and integrated analytics. This means you’re not just present online; you’re owning your space, enhancing credibility, and reaching a broader audience beyond the limitations of social media algorithms or app marketplaces. 

Step 3: Choose a design template 

A design template is a premade layout that you can customize to fit your brand. Most website builders offer a variety of templates to choose from, so pick one that fits your style and business needs. Or, if you prefer, you can build your own from scratch! Alternatively, you can hire a website designer to bring your vision to life for you. 

When selecting a design template for your photography website, ensure it offers ample space to showcase your work. Avoid overcrowding with excessive photo collages and prioritize layouts that accentuate your photography’s essence.   

Step 4: Customize your website 

Now that you’ve set up the basic structure of your website, it’s time to customize it to reflect your unique brand identity. Start by adding your logo and selecting a color scheme that aligns with your brand’s personality and values. Website builders make this process seamless with intuitive tools that allow you to upload your logo and customize fonts, colors, and layouts effortlessly. If you don’t have a logo yet, you can use Wix’s free logo maker as a starting point to create one that suits your business.

Next, focus on building essential pages like About Us, Services, and Contact Us. These pages are crucial for providing visitors with valuable information about your business, services, and how to reach you. Not only do these pages enhance user experience by making navigation easy, but they also play a significant role in search engine optimization (SEO). Search engines like Google rely on the content of these pages to understand the nature of your business, then index and rank your site accordingly in search results.

The more comprehensive and informative your website is, the better it will perform in search engine rankings. We’ll delve deeper into SEO in the following steps to help you optimize your website and attract more organic traffic.

Step 5: Add content 

Your website is starting to take shape, but it’s not complete without content. Add content that showcases your business and what you have to offer. This can include photos, videos, and text. Be sure to include keywords that your target audience would use to find your business online. For example, if you are a wedding photographer looking to target people living in Boston, ensure you include the words people would use when searching for a business like yours: “Boston wedding photographer” should be front and center on your website. 

Step 6: Set up e-commerce 

If you intend to sell products or services online, consider implementing e-commerce functionality into your website. Many website builders offer built-in e-commerce features, or you can leverage platforms like Wix for a robust online store solution. With a myriad of e-commerce options available, you’re certain to find one that aligns with your photography business’ requirements, whether you’re selling a single product (like a senior photo package or a holiday mini’s session) or a diverse range (like online photography classes). 

Step 7: Optimize for SEO 

Now that your website is complete, it’s time to optimize it for search engines. Search engine optimization (SEO) improves your website’s ranking on search engines like Google. This can include adding keywords to your content, optimizing your images, and ensuring your website is mobile-friendly. The website builder you choose should make it easy for you to optimize your website for search engines, but if you are having trouble, there are plenty of SEO experts you can hire for a one-off project. 

Step 8: Launch your website! 

Congratulations, your photography website is ready to launch! Double check everything to ensure it works correctly, then hit the ‘Publish’ button. Share your new website on social media using a link-in-bio URL and let your customers know where to find you online. 

Bonus step: Maintain & market your website 

Your website is running, but your work isn’t done yet. Be sure to maintain your website by regularly updating your content, checking for broken links, and keeping your website secure. If you use a platform that has third-party plugins installed, you want to keep those updated any time a new version is available. Not updating plugins can lead to your website becoming vulnerable to hackers.  

To effectively market your website, focus on leveraging social media platforms to share engaging content and interact with your target audience. Utilize email marketing platforms like Titan, which helps maximize your reach with professional-looking personalized emails to multiple recipients at once, and keeps you connected with your customers. Your email marketing channel helps you by providing them with valuable updates, examples of your latest projects, and any promotions you may have coming up, like a Mother’s Day mini-session. Explore collaborating with local influencers or industry partners to expand your reach and credibility within your niche, or consider investing in online advertising through platforms like Google Ads or social media ads to target specific demographics and drive traffic to your site. By actively utilizing these marketing strategies, you can increase visibility and engagement for your website, ultimately driving more traffic and conversions.

Take your email marketing game and professionalism one step further by getting yourself a customized email address that matches your website. Having a customized email address like [email protected] reinforces your brand’s identity and credibility, especially if you’re looking to establish a professional online presence. Additionally, it enhances brand recognition as the domain name reflects your business name or personal brand. Customized email addresses also provide greater control and flexibility over your communication, allowing for personalized email addresses for different purposes (e.g., [email protected], [email protected]). Lastly, a customized email address can contribute to better deliverability and inbox placement, as it appears more legitimate and trustworthy to email providers and recipients alike.

Getting your photography business online may seem overwhelming, but by following these steps, you’ll have a picture-perfect website up and running quickly. Good luck!