Best Options for a Photography Business Online?

Sometimes a one-stop solution is just not suitable since your requirements may be different from others. Developers will build lites to the lowest common denominator. Sort of like buying an all-in-one printer; it does a fair job at most of the tasks it's asked to perform but I wouldn't use it for high-res scanning or photo printing; you need more specialized devices for that.

I use InmotionHosting to host my website as well as my Wordpress Blog. My website is hand built (no templates) while my blog is template driven Wordpress. For gallery purposes I use SmugMug.com, but I'm sure Zenfolio would also work for you. The reason I use SmugMug is because they're reasonably priced and depending on the package you select, allows me to price prints and digital downloads as I see fit. I upload 1800x1200 pixel photos of the event which allows the client to print 4x6 prints without issue. If they order larger prints I get to specify a delivery delay (in days) which allows me to touch up the photo, if necessary, and upload the larger sized, touched-up image to the gallery before it goes to print. The client pays for the printing and postage and I get about 85% profit in my account. I can also build galleries within SmugMug that I can use within my traditional Website or Wordpress. The select galleries an be exported as slideshows or galleries and appear as such within iFrames set up on the websites. The visitors to my sites don't know, or care, that the photos are hosted elsewhere. This allows me to quickly add or remove images that appear on my website without having to create separate galleries from within my website or Wordpress. I use the "Portfolio" plan @ $12/mo but there's also a Business plan (which I used for a year) that is more feature rich and allows you to individually set pricing on a per client basis.

As far as SEO goes, that's a buzz word that everyone is concerned about and there are a few things that impact you standings. My website is basically static but my blog is dynamic, having them on the same server, connected to the same URL is important. Links that leave your website and/or blog should always open a new page or tab, this reduces your bounce rate and increases your position in the search hierarchy. Content that changes often increases your standing, hence making your site and blog linked, and please don't forget the importance of setting up a Google Analytics account.

I use Creative Motion Design. www.cmd.com You can do everything you listed with their sites.

I have moved over to squarespace for some of the same reasons you mentioned, but I have noticed I have dropped organically on google. Put still rank high on maps. On wordpress I used yoast Seo which kept me in the #1 or #2 spot on the organic search. Squarespace is easy to use and does have e-commerce.

Photobiz is built for photographers and has excellent support. Been using for years now. Quite happy. If you are interested in the company...let me know and I will forward your contact info to the rep I work with there.

Check my site! www.noanick.com sell artwork, booking options, etc! All function the photographer needed!

Hi Kevin,

Online marketing consists of three core parts: website, blog (which can be written, video or audio, or a combination) and social media. There are other moving parts if you want to fine tune your strategy and really ramp up your game for higher results, like newsletters with a funnel, but that's another discussion.

I looked at your website. It's clean and has a nice feel to it, but it's not designed for maximum effectiveness. You're in good company, as the creative shines through, but it's not what you do. As I've told many, a dentist and ophthalmologists are both doctors, but I wouldn't want an ophthalmologists working on my teeth.

It's all about the user experience. You can't just show your work and awards and expect much engagement. You have to make it fun, educational and helpful to be there. Then you must use strategies geared to the #1 goal of any site - to capture the identity of your visitor, so you can build a database you own for marketing purposes, since no one buys on the first trip. You do this with a blog, a magnet (an offer like a report titled, "5 Ways to Take Amazing Photos with a Smartphone" or some sort of thing like that...) and social media.

You see, a website is nothing more than an elaborate brochure. Like a paper brochure sitting on your table, if it's not handed out, it's useless. You hand it out with a blog through social media (which I see you're doing).

The next question is, HOW are you handing it out through social media, because social media's job is to drive traffic to your website, where if it's done effectively, will do the capturing and selling. It will pull them in, capture their identity, subscribe them to your newsletter which starts the funnel process to lead them to a sale.

A good article that'll help is, "Your Website's a Brochure that Needs to Be Handed Out."

If you'd like to talk, send me an email to [email address].

I hope this helps!

Sorry, I'm too simple for all that. I have a third party site that handles my online proofing. Other than that I'm all in-studio for selling and proofing. You're probably way more successful in today's market than I.

Check out Zenfolio everything the professional photographer needs.

We use Squarespace. We have tried Wix and Zenfolio but went back to Squarespace. They have excellent support and great e-commerce options. We love them!

well ... I use SmugMug.com as my host. They have a Lot of web site modules to build a descent site. Also, e-commerce is available. This host is for photographers. This is my first (& only) experience with online sales of my fine art photography. If there is a more lucrative (my perspective) way to go about selling images online, please advise. RE: SmugMug - I haven't experienced adverse effects from this host. Of course, I don't know what I don't know. www.timfontenot.com