Why I found it hard to Create a Photography Website

Choosing the right platform to create your amazing website

One of the first steps in creating a photography website was choosing the right platform to build it on. There are many options available, such as website builders, WordPress, or custom coding. Each option has its pros and cons, and you need to consider your needs, budget, skills, and preferences before making a decision.

Website builders are online tools that allow you to create a website without any coding or design skills. They offer a variety of templates, features, and integrations that you can customize to suit your style and brand. Some of the popular website builders for photographers are Wix, Squarespace, and Pixieset. Website builders are easy to use, affordable, and fast to set up. However, they also have some limitations, such as less flexibility, control, and customization. You may also have to pay extra fees for hosting, domain, and e-commerce.

I looked at many website builders such as Squarespace, Wix, Ionos. Many of these sites had some great offers but also hidden extra costs.

In the end I settled for the Website builder Webador. I felt that they are a good choice for people who want to create a website without coding or hiring a developer. They offer many benefits, such as:

• Super user-friendly: You can easily customize your website with drag-and-drop elements, pre-made templates, and simple settings.
• Suitable for business: You can use your own domain name or register a new one, and get a professional email address and SSL certificate.
• Sell products online: You can add an online store to your website and manage your orders, inventory, and payments.
• Optimised for Google: Webador websites are fast, responsive, and SEO-friendly, which means they can rank higher on search engines.
• Affordable pricing: Webador has a free plan that lets you create a basic website with a subdomain, and paid plans that start from £4.50 per month and include more features and support. What brought me to use their website was the offer of 6 months for free.

Webador is a great option for beginners who want to build a website quickly and easily, but it may not be the best choice for advanced users who need more flexibility and customisation.

WordPress is a powerful and popular platform that powers over 40% of the web. WordPress allows you to create a website using themes and plugins that you can install and customize. WordPress offers more flexibility, control, and customization than website builders, and you can also access a large community of developers and users who can help you with any issues or questions. However, WordPress also requires more technical skills, maintenance, and security. You also need to find a reliable hosting provider, domain registrar, and theme and plugin developers.

Custom coding is the option of creating a website from scratch using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and other languages. Custom coding gives you the most flexibility, control, and customization over your website, and you can create a unique and original design that reflects your vision and brand. However, custom coding also requires the most technical skills, time, and resources. You need to have a good knowledge of web development, design, and SEO, or hire a professional developer to do it for you. You also need to find a hosting provider, domain registrar, and security solutions. All of this was complicated and I found Webador the best option for me.

Defining your goals and audience

Another challenge I found in creating a photography website was defining my goals and audience. I needed to have a clear idea of what I wanted to achieve with my website, and who I wanted to reach and attract. These points below will help you design your website accordingly, and optimize it for conversions.

Some of the common goals for a photography website are:

• Showcase your portfolio and style
• Build your brand and reputation
• Attract new clients and bookings
• Sell your photos and services online
• Share your knowledge and expertise

Some of the common audiences for a photography website are:

• Potential clients who are looking for a photographer for a specific occasion or project
• Existing clients who want to view, download, or order their photos
• Fellow photographers who want to learn from you or collaborate with you
• Fans and followers who want to see your latest work and updates

To define your goals and audience, you need to do some research and analysis. You can use tools like Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and social media insights to understand your website traffic, keywords, and engagement. You can also use surveys, feedback forms, and testimonials to get to know your clients and their needs and preferences. You can also look at your competitors and industry trends to see what works and what doesn't.

Creating and organising your content

One of the most important and difficult aspects of creating a photography website I found was creating and organising my content. Content is the core of your website, and it includes your photos, text, and other elements that communicate your message and value to your visitors. You need to create and organize your content in a way that showcases your work, tells your story, and convinces your visitors to take action.

Some of the common content types for a photography website are:

• Homepage: The homepage is the first impression of your website, and it should capture your visitors' attention and interest. It should include a catchy headline, a stunning hero image, a clear value proposition, and a strong call to action. It should also provide an overview of your portfolio, services, and brand.
• Portfolio: The portfolio is the main showcase of your work, and it should display your best and most relevant photos. It should also include some information about each project, such as the client, the location, the date, and the story behind the photos. You should organize your portfolio into categories, such as weddings, portraits, landscapes, etc., and use filters, tags, and search functions to help your visitors find what they are looking for.
• Blog: The blog is a great way to share your knowledge, expertise, and personality with your visitors. It can also help you improve your SEO, traffic, and engagement. You can write about topics related to your niche, such as tips, tutorials, reviews, stories, trends, etc. You should also include images, videos, and other media to make your blog posts more attractive and interactive.
• About: The About page is where you introduce yourself and your brand to your visitors. It should include your bio, your mission, your values, your achievements, and your personality. It should also include a professional photo of yourself and some testimonials or reviews from your clients. The About page should help you build trust and rapport with your visitors, and show them why you are the right photographer for them.
• Pricing: The pricing page is where you list your packages and rates for your services. It should include the details, benefits, and features of each package, and the terms and conditions. It should also include some FAQs, guarantees, and payment options. The pricing page should help you attract and convert your ideal clients, and avoid any confusion or misunderstanding.
• Contact: The contact page is where you invite your visitors to get in touch with you. It should include your contact information, such as your email, phone, address, and social media links. It should also include a contact form, a map, and a calendar. The contact page should make it easy and convenient for your visitors to reach out to you, and encourage them to do so.

Optimizing your website for performance and SEO

The last challenge I came across in creating a photography website is optimising my website for performance and SEO (search engine optimisation). Performance and SEO are crucial factors that affect your website's speed, usability, and visibility. You need to optimize your website for performance and SEO to ensure that your website loads fast, works well, and ranks high on search engines.

Some of the common ways to optimize your website for performance and SEO are:

• Compress and resize your images to reduce their file size and loading time
• Use a caching plugin or service to store and deliver your website content faster
• Use a CDN (Content Delivery Network) to distribute your website content across multiple servers and locations
• Use SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) to encrypt and secure your website data and transactions
• Use a responsive design to make your website adapt to different devices and screen sizes
• Use keywords, titles, headings, meta tags, and alt text to optimize your website content for search engines
• Use internal and external links to connect your website pages and other relevant sources
• Use sitemaps and robots.txt files to help search engines crawl and index your website
• Use analytics and webmaster tools to monitor and improve your website performance and SEO.