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How can I make my photography website stand out?

Male photographer on a laptop making a website

In a saturated market such as photography, designing a website that stands out from the competition is incredibly important. Whether you are a wedding photographer or a visual travel blogger, creating a website that reflects your personality can result in new clients. 

This can be done through a variety of means. The visual aspects of your website such as colours and font are important, as are features such as specialised services and offers. If you are looking for ways to make your photography website stand out then read on!

Making your Photographs Centre Stage

As a photography business, the most important part of your website design should be to make your photographs the focal point of your website. Your photographs should be the main selling point to potential customers visiting your website, so  to show your work off to the best quality consider the following:

High-Quality Images: the best way to showcase your images is to present them in a high-quality format. High-quality images show the professional quality of your services. By presenting your images in this format you can show your work in the best light and have a higher chance of gaining new clients through your website. 

Spacing: a key element of website design is the layout. This is especially key when you are a photography business. The spacing of your photographs is important when presenting your photographs. Placing your images too close together can result in a crowded website. 

An effective gallery: in order to show a large range of images on one webpage a well-designed gallery is important. An effective gallery will clearly show a range of images without looking crowded. A key aspect is also a feature to allow visitors to click on each image and see a larger version and find out more information about it. If you choose to have a scroll-through gallery, make sure your best photos are at the beginning and at the end – these are the photos that your visitors will remember the most. 

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Creating Visual Impact

One way to make your website stand out is to carefully consider what visual aspects you need to include to create impact. Visual elements such as colours and fonts can portray your brand image and show a customer what kind of photography business you have. Some elements to think about are:

Colour Scheme: certain colours are associated with particular brands or occasions. For example, a white and gold theme may imply a wedding photographer, whereas brighter colours may imply a more informal family portrait photographer.  

Font: different fonts can create different impressions on visitors to your website. More traditional fonts, such as Times New Roman, give a sense of professionalism. Whereas more unique fonts give a sense of individuality. Whichever kind of font you choose for your website, the main focus should be to portray your brand identity whilst maintaining a professional web design. A general rule of thumb in design is to have one ‘Serif’ font and one ‘Sans Serif’ font, using one for headings and another for body text. 

Logo: an easy way to show off your brand is the design of your logo. This should be something you can display on your website and use in aspects of your business such as business cards. Your logo should be eye-catching and professional.

Consider Layout and Navigation

Another key element of any good website design is the layout of elements of your website. This includes features such as the layout of menus and photographs on your website. One key thing to keep in mind when designing the layout is that less is more. By including as many elements as possible you risk overcrowding your website and making it difficult for visitors to navigate. 

The layout of your website should be simple, with clean lines and panels which are easy to navigate. Elements should be intuitive for visitors of your website, for example, collect all your best wedding photographs on one page and all landscapes in another to allow visitors to find the images they are looking for easily. 

Clear Contact Options

With any online business having clear contact options are incredibly important. If visitors to your website have to search for a long time to find your contact options, it may deter them from contacting you. As a rule, keeping contact options at the bottom of every web page makes sure visitors know how to contact you.  

If you are looking to build a website for your company, then look no further than Go Sitebuilder! Our simple design means you can have a professional-looking website up and running in minutes. With built-in features such as image galleries, a professional photography website is quick and easy to design. Try our 14-day free trial today.

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How to make a successful wedding photography website

How to make a successful wedding photography website

If you are a wedding photographer, your most important tool – apart from your camera – is your website. This is where potential clients come to see your previous work, decide if you are right for them and check out your prices. The success of your business could depend on it.

We’ve written this guide to help you make sure your website stands out from the crowd and brings you more clients, more visibility, and more revenue!

Assess the competition 

Before you start anything, have a look at what others in your industry are doing. In fact, while you do your research, make a list of wedding photographers that you think are leading in the market. What are they doing well, and most importantly – what do you think they could improve on? If there is anything you think their website is missing, make sure to make a note of it so you include it in yours. 

Looking at the competition will help you read the market and identify any gaps that you could fill. Develop your niche – if everyone looks like they’re doing the same thing, highlight what you do differently, whether that’s elopements, large ceremonies or destination weddings. 

Build your brand

Once you’ve decided on your niche, then you can work on your branding. This includes your name, logo, colour palette and typography; if you develop them together then they will look more harmonious on the website. You don’t need to hire a graphic designer to make a logo either, as free online tools like Makr and Looka can help you make your own. 

To help you do this, write notes on the service you provide, your target audience and your Unique Selling Proposition (USP). This will help you direct your creativity and make sure that your website accurately reflects you and your brand. 

Showcase your talents

This is one of the most important parts of your website, if not the most important. The gallery of photos that you choose to showcase are going to be the deciding factor as to whether a potential client contacts you. Choose the pictures that best reflect your brand and your USP, making sure that they are both inclusive and diverse. 

Another consideration is the speed your photos load at – a slow-loading site is a sure-fire way to put visitors off, but you also want to avoid having low-quality pictures in your gallery. Make sure the web host you use is fast and efficient to be able to find a happy medium. 

Tell your story

As a photographer, you are the individual, the company and the brand. Clients are looking to work with someone that they would be happy to have at their wedding, so your story is a tool you can use to make you stand out against the competition. 

Be approachable, relatable and engaging, involving elements of your life that might make it more likely for you to forge a connection with your potential clients. At a loss? Ask your friends and family for qualities they think make you unique and incorporate this into your story. 

Gather testimonials

Another intrinsic part of your website that will help you get conversions are testimonials from previous clients. Although they are difficult to obtain when your business is young, they are essential to developing client trust. 

After each wedding, make sure you contact your clients and ask for a testimonial – if they liked your services then they will be happy to write a glowing review! This is the clients’ big day, and a stamp of approval from previous clients will show them that you won’t let them down. 

Create a clear website navigation

This might seem daunting, but you just need to look at your website as if you were a potential customer. The first page needs to show off your photography and your brand, and have the information most relevant for your client – what type of weddings do you specialise in and where are you based?

Other crucial elements to include are a clear navigation menu that in one click can lead them to your previous work, testimonials, pricing, and contact details.

Start a blog

Blogging is a powerful marketing tool for everyone trying to expand their business. By including keywords relevant to your business, Google will rank your website higher in its search engine, making it easier for people to find you. 

You can use the blog in various ways, either sharing client stories, posting industry-related news, or sharing top tips or guides for a seamless wedding experience. This will place you as a leader in your industry, and help potential clients relate to you as an individual.  Be prepared to update your blog regularly though, as this will help with Google rankings and make your website look relevant and up to date. 

Are you ready to make your own wedding photography website? At Go Sitebuilder you can build a website with minimum hassle. Our pre-designed sections help you drag and drop your logos and pictures where you want them, and there are image galleries ready to showcase your wedding photography! Try our 14-day free trial today and see just how amazing your website could look.