The photography and art business, in general, has experienced quite a boom in the past years. More and more people have started to recognize the appeal to get into photography and sell their photos or take photos of others. Thus, competition in the sector has become really high. That is why more and more people have realized that they need new channels to sell their photos through, like websites, for example.
Since there is a rising demand for anything online, we have compiled a comprehensive list of our top 10 choices for best website builders for photography in an effort to help out those who want to take their artistic skills and aspirations online and sell their photos and videos to the broadest audience there is. So, stay with us, and find out which are our top 10 picks for the best website builders for photography in 2022, which are provided via our comparison chart below.
Check Out Our Top 10 Best Website Builders for Photography
- Squarespace – best overall website builder for photography
- Wix Website Builder – best website builder for beginners
- Pixpa – best budget-friendly builder
- Format – best intuitive interface and unique options
- Elementor – best visual editor
- SmugMug – best for photography-centered features
- Zenfolio – best for professional photographers
- Carbonmade – best for speed and ease-of-use
- Shopify – best for photographers that want to sell online
- PhotoShelter – best for photographers who need cloud storage
How Do We Test and Rank?
Finding the right website builder for your needs should be taken very seriously and done with caution. Also, not many people know what a website builder needs to offer to them so that they can build a whole, high-quality website.
That is where we come in. We have developed our own ranking system with which we rank various website builders, hosting companies, and other similar businesses so that you can learn which builders or providers are genuinely worth the money and offer the necessary features for building a website or hosting one. We have put numerous website builders through a series of tests so that we can rank them accordingly. Also, while testing out the builders, our experts buy plans from each of them to truly test them and get an accurate picture of what the builders offer.
Our ranking system is based on five factors that we consider to be the most important for photographers seeking to go online. We assign specific percentages based on how important each factor is for photographers.
- Design flexibility (20%) – number of templates the builder offers, quality of the templates, the level of customization you can do on the templates and website overall, whether you can edit and change the templates once your site is live.
- Features (30%) – number of features a builder offers, usefulness and efficiency of the features, ease-of-use of the features, whether the features are photography-centered.
- Value for money (10%) – are the plans worth their price, does the builder offer a free plan or free trial, do users get their money back if they do not like the builder.
- Ease-of-use (15%) – ease-of-use of the setup process, navigating through the dashboard and Control Panel, can beginners and people with no tech background easily use the builder.
- Functionality and integration (25%) – the number of third-party apps users can get with the builder, integration with other apps and programs does the builder function well when a user adds third-party apps.
How to Choose the Best Website Builder for Photography?
Choosing the best website builder for your needs can be difficult considering the number of website builders available to you out there. Also, not all people need the same features and options. Thus, if one person has had a fantastic experience with a particular website builder does not mean that you or someone else will feel the same way too.
What’s more, many people, especially those who are just starting out, do not know which features they should value and look for and which features do not matter much to them. So, when choosing a website builder, you should complete a few steps to determine what you need and narrow down your options.
List your goals – listing your goals for your website can help you in many ways. During this step, you should determine what you are using your photography website for, whether it is an online portfolio or a gateway to your social media accounts. An online portfolio is typically used for showcasing art and demonstrating your skill and expertise.
Also, you could be using your photography website to provide private galleries to your clients or integrate it with your photo editing software.
Make a plan – making a plan for your website involves listing your priorities and determining which features you need most and which you need the least. That way, you will make sure that the website builder you choose provides you with all the necessities you need for your website and that you will get the best value for your money.
Determine your budget – research and decide how much money you are able and willing to spend to make your website. If you want to sell online, you should factor in all the transaction fees that you would need to pay to sell your products.
When making a budget, free plans seem the most attractive offers of all. However, free plans are usually pretty limited, and most don’t even allow you to sell online. So, instead of starting for free and getting hit with additional fees later, you should consider spending a few extra bucks now and getting everything you need right off the bat. Hidden fees and charges can be more costly for you than paying for a plan. Also, as you gain traction and clients, you might need some additional features to keep your site relevant and updated. Usually, free plans do not include many additional features, and you will inevitably end up paying extra for each feature in the future.
The Top 10 Best Photography Website Builders
- Overall score: 4.9
- Design flexibility: 4.8
- Features: 5.0
- Value for money: 4.9
- Ease-of-use: 4.9
- Functionality and integration: 5.0
Squarespace is one of the most popular website builders on the market. The website builder is designed specifically for artists of all kinds, including photographers.
With Squarespace, you will be able to build a complete website with a fancy photo gallery that will contain your work. It offers a wide range of templates and designs that will make sure your photos are in the center of the attention of your website.
Pros:
- Aesthetic templates
- Drag-and-drop builder
- Unlimited storage and bandwidth
- Excellent SEO tools
Cons:
- Limited customization
- More expensive compared to competitors
Squarespace is best known for its creative and mobile-responsive websites. With it, you can create top-notch professional websites and upload as many photos as you want on your website.
Plan | Personal | Business | Commerce (Basic) | Commerce (Advanced) |
Price | US $19/month | US $33/month | US $36/month | US $65/month |
Number of Products | None | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Free Trials | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Additional Feature |
|
|
|
|
Unique features:
Excellent Templates
Squarespace offers a wide range of themes you can choose from depending on what kinds of photographs you want to upload. There is a theme for everyone, and all of them are designed by professionals. Also, all Squarespace themes are mobile-responsive, which means that your photos will look fantastic on all screen sizes. You can redesign your website whenever you want with Squarespace, so even if you are not sure what kind of content you want on your website, you can always change it and re-brand later.
Built-in Features
Buying a plan from Squarespace will allow you to have access to numerous valuable features for your photography website. Its plans include features like Squarespace Scheduling, which is a calendar tool with which you can book viewings, appointments, and schedule calls and meetings with potential buyers.
Also, with Squarespace, you will get robust SEO tools that will increase your visibility on the Internet. Another great built-in feature from Squarespace is its email marketing. Since Squarespace has email marketing built-in, you will not have to get it from third-party services like Mailchimp and save money.
Functionality and Integration
Squarespace allows its users to integrate other third-party tools and features if they need to. Also, it is fully optimized and works well on mobile devices so that you will receive additional functionality, and with that, you can target both desktop and mobile users.
Overall, Squarespace provides everything a photographer might need from a website builder. With it, you can create professional and creative websites that will truly emphasize your photos and put them in the spotlight. Learn more about Squarespace by reading our expert review on the builder.
- Overall score: 4.8
- Design flexibility: 4.7
- Features: 4.9
- Value for money: 4.7
- Ease-of-use: 5.0
- Functionality and integration: 4.9
Wix is another famous website builder suitable for photographers. Its drag-and-drop editing interface makes using Wix a breeze, even for those who are new to the website-building process.
With Wix, you can build attractive websites which you can use as online galleries or hubs for your photography business.
Pros:
- 800+ templates
- Easy to use
- Free plan
- Excellent opportunities for integration
Cons:
- Users can’t redesign or switch templates once the site is live
- Users have to buy a premium plan to get rid of Wix ads
Wix is best known for its numerous beautiful templates and its easy-to-use interface. It also offers affordable prices and a free plan for those on a tighter budget.
Plan | Connect Domain | Combo | Unlimited | VIP |
Price | US $4.50/month | US $8.50/month | US $12.50/month | US $24.50/month |
Number Of Products | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
Free Trial | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Additional Feature |
|
|
|
|
Unique Features:
Drag-and-Drop Editing Interface
Wix has a drag-and-drop editing interface that is specifically made so that everyone can learn to use it quickly. Thus, Wix is ideal for beginners and those who do not have any coding or programming skills. With its editor, you can drag, drop, and organize your website the way you want with a few simple clicks. Everything you need is shown on your screen, so you won’t have to bounce around different tools or programs to build and customize your site.
Also, if you want, you can use Wix’s ADI builder to design your website. The ADI builder will create your whole website for you, so you won’t have to move a muscle to create your site. All you would need to do is answer some questions about what you want your website to look like and leave the rest to the ADI builder.
Built-in Features
Among its 800+ templates, Wix offers over 40 templates that are tailored specifically for photography websites. Also, you can choose between 30+ media galleries that allow you to display your photos and videos. And Wix offers multiple tools that can enhance the quality of your photos before you publish them.
Another impressive built-in feature that Wix offers is its Wix SEO Wiz. With Wix SEO Wiz, you will get interactive SEO tools that will show you how to add keywords and make your photography website fully SEO-optimized.
Third-party Apps
When it comes to integration with third-party apps, Wix has some of the best options on the market. You can find many useful apps on the Wix App Market that can help you further customize your website and stand out from the competition.
In the Wix App Market, you can find apps and tools that can do a variety of things, like:
- Virtual tours – you can add 360˚ virtual tours to your site for a more immersive experience.
- Fulfillment – you can get apps like ShipBob, Printify, Printful, and more.
- Art Store – the art store can help you showcase and sell your work.
- Communication – here, you can find tools like live chat, forums, and testimonial slider, which you can add to your website.
Wix is one of the most popular website builders available on the market, and for a good reason. Its beginner-friendly editing interface and hundreds of professional, pre-made templates make it the ideal builder for anyone who wants to create a website. Learn more about Wix by checking out our expert Wix review.
- Overall score: 4.5
- Design flexibility: 4.7
- Features: 4.5
- Value for money: 4.4
- Ease-of-use: 4.5
- Functionality and integration: 4.6
Pixpa is an all-in-one, no-code website builder for photographers. Due to its no-code philosophy, it is suitable for all kinds of users, from beginners to professionals. It is a budget-friendly option for photographers looking to create their website, and it offers competent eCommerce features and excellent customer support.
Users can showcase, sell, and process orders all in one place with Pixpa. Also, Pixpa websites are entirely responsive and customizable, so users can express themselves as freely and as much as they want.
Pros:
- Free trial
- Drag-and-drop builder
- Ability to build mobile gallery apps
- Student discounts
Cons:
- More complex interface compared to other builders
Pixpa is best known for its affordable prices and multiple functionalities, including an eCommerce functionality and a Client Proofing functionality.
Plan | Light | Personal | Expert | Business |
Price | US $5/month | US $10/month | US $15/month | US $24/month |
Number of Products | None | 5 | 50 | 1,000 |
Free Trials | 15 day free trial | 15 day free trial | 15 day free trial | 15 day free trial |
Additional Feature |
|
|
|
|
Unique Features:
Personalized Gallery Apps
With Pixpa, you can create personalized gallery apps for your clients. They can access the gallery apps on their phones. Since more and more people are using their phones these days, making mobile-optimized personalized gallery apps can help you generate more traction and ultimately reach more clients and sell more photos.
Third-party Integration
Pixpa offers integrations with many useful third-party apps like MailChimp, Spotify, Google Analytics, etc. You can also build an online store and sell your work there. With Pixpa’s eCommerce functionality, you can also create discount codes and give them directly to your clients or others who can promote your work. Also, you won’t have to pay any payment processing fees if you use Pixpa, which is a great option to have.
Along with the 15-day free trial, Pixpa also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee to all of its users. Furthermore, students get a 50% discount if they are studying creative courses like art, photography, fashion, architecture, design, and other similar courses.
Pixpa is a great website builder for photographers and creative people in general that offers affordable prices, a free trial, an excellent money-back time frame, and a student discount. You can learn more about Pixpa by reading our expert review on the builder.
- Overall score: 4.7
- Design flexibility: 4.7
- Features: 4.9
- Value for money: 4.7
- Ease-of-use: 4.8
- Functionality and integration: 4.7
Format is a website builder made for photographers. It is a fully customizable portfolio builder with high-quality templates and responsive themes.
Also, Format’s themes are fully optimized for mobile devices, and no coding is required to create a website with Format. You can customize every corner of your website and choose between various page templates, including simple content pages, galleries, resumes, and many more.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- It can be used to create blogs and web stores
- It is tailored for photographers
- It has many professional photography features
Cons:
- There is no Android app
- It has a higher learning curve compared to its rivals
Format is best known for its professional photography features and highly-customizable themes. With Format, you can make changes to your website whenever you want, and each theme is designed to fit all screen sizes, including tablet, phone, and computer screens.
Plan | Basic | Pro | Pro Plus |
Price | US $7/month | US $8/month | US $13/month |
Number of Products | 100 | 1,500 | Unlimited |
Free Trials | 14-day trial period | 14-day trial period | 14-day trial period |
Additional Feature |
|
|
|
Unique Features:
Fully – customizable Themes
Format users can choose from over 60 themes when building their website, and if they don’t like what they see, they can also get more premium themes for an additional charge. After choosing a theme, all you need to do is adjust the layout the way you like, and you can start adding your photos or videos. And if you don’t like your theme anymore, you can change it at any time with just a few clicks.
As we mentioned, Format’s templates are designed to fit any screen, and you can see how they look on different devices by using Format’s preview function.
Format-specific Features
With Format, you can create password-protected, customized proofing galleries that you can share with specific clients. Also, you can use Format’s watermark tool to protect your work from others that are not authorized to use it.
Format also allows users to import an existing domain, edit CSS directly, and create a blog or an online store. The possibilities are truly endless. If you think that you will not be able to do all of that on your own, don’t worry. Format has multiple video tutorials and guides that will help you do everything you want to do and understand how the platform functions.
Another excellent unique feature that Format offers is integration with photography software like Lightroom and Capture One Integration. That means that you can share your work directly from its editing source. So, you will not need to reformat and compress your photos and videos so that you can send them to a client.
Format is a great website builder made for photographers. It comes with all of the tools you need to create a beautiful photography website and some unique features that can be very useful for you. If you want to find out more about Format, check out our expert review.
- Overall score: 4.7
- Design flexibility: 4.7
- Features: 4.8
- Value for money: 4.9
- Ease-of-use: 4.5
- Functionality and integration: 4.6
Elementor is another website builder that focuses on the creative side of life. It is an excellent builder for both photography and WordPress websites.
With Elementor, users get a drag-and-drop interface on which they can create and edit their sites. Also, Elementor offers portfolio templates designed specifically for photographers.
Pros:
- Free plan
- Excellent support
- Numerous built-in tools for editing
Cons:
- Not as easy to use compared to its competitors
Elementor is best known for its theme builder and its offer of 300+ templates and more than 90 widgets. Also, with Elementor’s Pro version, you will get a pop-up builder, WooCommerce builder, and the theme builder we mentioned previously.
Plan | Essential | Expert | Studio | Agency |
Price | US $49/year | US $199/year | US $499/year | US $999/year |
Number Of Products | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
Free Trial | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Additional Feature |
|
|
|
|
Unique Features:
Feature-packed Free Plan
Elementor takes its free plan a step further compared to its rivals and offers a lot of useful and powerful features that are enough for you to get started and truly test out the builder. Some of the features you will get from Elementor for free include:
- A live editing feature;
- Drag-and-drop editor;
- The ability to mark widgets as favorites;
- 50 basic widgets;
- Responsive design;
- Five website kits;
- The ability to drag files from the desktop;
- Site settings;
- 30 templates made by professionals;
- Global fonts and colors.
Built-in Features
As we mentioned, with Elementor, you will be able to create and edit your website with a drag-and-drop editing tool. All you would need to do when creating and editing your website is drag the elements you want on your website and drop them wherever you want them to go.
However, you will get even more useful built-in tools with Elementor. For instance, you can create advanced marketing pop-ups which you can use to promote a sale or deal you have going on. Another feature you will have is Elementor’s WooCommercer Builder. With it, you can create an online store that can be a part of your photography website, and your customers can directly buy the photos or videos they like.
Also, you can adjust the appearance of your website to fit both computer and mobile screens. While you’re editing, you can see all your edits right away on the page. You won’t need to bounce back and forth between your website pages and the admin panel. Thus, you can edit, add or remove photos, change texts, and tweak everything you want right there on your web pages.
If you are not sure precisely what kind of website builder is the right fit for you, then Elementor is the way to go. Not only will you get to try out numerous features and build a whole website for free, but you will also have access to more than enough tools to build a photography website. After trying it out for free, most users tend to stick with Elementor for the long run since it is an excellent builder with powerful features. You can learn more about Elementor by reading our expert review, where we conduct an in-depth analysis of the builder.
- Overall score: 4.6
- Design flexibility: 4.4
- Features: 4.9
- Value for money: 4.6
- Ease-of-use: 4.4
- Functionality and integration: 4.7
SmugMug is another excellent photography website on our list. It offers an easy way to create a website that will be centered around your work and make your photos shine.
SmugMug is a suitable choice for all kinds of photographers. So, regardless of whether you are new to the scene or an already established professional photographer, you will not go wrong with choosing SmugMug as your website builder.
Pros:
- Many options for monetization
- Password protection
- Custom watermarks
Cons:
- The editing interface is old-fashioned and outdated
SmugMug is best known for its features that let users sell on the spot. Users can charge per download, sell prints and gifts directly, and create custom price lists with this builder.
Plan | Basic | Power | Portfolio | Pro |
Price | US $9/month | US $13/month | US $28/month | US $42/month |
Number of Products | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Free Trials | 14 day free trial | 14 day free trial | 14 day free trial | 14 day free trial |
Additional Feature |
|
|
|
|
Unique Features:
Photography-centered Features
SmugMug is a website builder that is genuinely designed for photographers, with specialized and unique features that not all builders provide.
One such feature is the ability that SmugMug users get to protect their photos from third-party downloads. SmugMug offers a few methods that you can use to protect your work. So, depending on the plan you buy, you can get different protection options, like:
- Right-click protection – enabling right-click protection will allow you to receive a personalized copyright notice when someone right-clicks something on your site.
- Custom watermarks – you can add custom watermarks on your content so that even if someone re-uploads it, people will know that the content is originally yours.
- Password protection – you can protect your pages, galleries, folders, and even your entire website with a password.
In addition to the above-mentioned features, SmugMug offers even more unique features to its users. Some of them include an unlimited amount of photo and video uploads, partnerships with various professional printers that allow your visitors to order prints/products right from your website, integration with numerous social media platforms so that you can share your skills with more people, and more. You can also sync your photo libraries with Lightroom and upload photo albums from many locations, like Dropbox and Apple.
Another fantastic feature we want to mention here is the ability for SmugMug users to snap on the go and upload photos directly from their phones to their website. What’s best about that feature is that you can upload photos from anywhere and anytime with ease.
Dropshipping
Dropshipping is an option that not many website builders offer. It is truly a show of how centered SmugMug is on photographers and their work. With SmugMug’s dropshipping option, you can ship your printed photos and merchandise to your customers without needing to hire shipping companies by yourself. SmugMug’s partners will ship your products directly to your customers, so you won’t have to worry about shipping-related issues at all. Also, you won’t need to create large stocks of prints or merchandise – SmugMug’s partners will take care of all of that for you.
Overall, SmugMug is the ideal choice for those who want a truly photography-centered website with many options to sell and promote their work. If you want to find out more about SmugMug in general, you can do so by reading our expert review on the builder.
- Overall score: 4.4
- Design flexibility: 4.6
- Features: 4.7
- Value for money: 4.4
- Ease-of-use: 4.1
- Functionality and integration: 4.4
Zenfolio is the top choice for many professional photographers from all over the world. It offers classy and smart designs ideal for established photography professionals who want to take their business online. Also, it has many features specifically made for photographers and excellent web design tools.
With Zenfolio, you will get both a website builder and an eCommerce platform.
Pros:
- Excellent eCommerce features
- Privacy options
- Photography-centered templates
Cons:
- Straightforward designs
Zenfolio is best known for allowing users to share large amounts of photos on their website and sell their work directly to clients. Many professional photographers praise Zenfolio as it allows them to showcase all of their work and sell it easily.
Plan | Portfolio | Portfolio Plus | ProSuite |
Price | US $8/month | US $18/month | US $36/month |
Number of Products | 15GB | 100GB | 1,000GB |
Free Trials | No | No | No |
Additional Feature |
|
|
|
Unique Features:
Features Aimed Specifically at Photographers
Zenfolio users can take advantage of many useful features for their photography website with the builder’s photography-centered options. Namely, they will get automatic adjustments for their photos that will fit the photos to browser screen size, auto-dim effects that will enhance their clients’ browsing experience, and image-optimized presentation.
Also, pages made with Zenfolio are fast and responsive, which further enhances overall client experience and satisfaction. Other notable features include unlimited storage and powerful video presentation features for those who want to take it a step further and sell videos on their site.
Zenfolio also takes photo security seriously and offers robust security measures for your content. Namely, all of your files will be stored in geo-distributed data centers with the latest security measures. Also, you can add watermarks to your photos for further protection from unauthorized users.
When it comes to selling your work online, Zenfolio comes with integrated payment processing, so you won’t have to use any third-party payment processing apps. Also, you will have access to powerful photo-book tools, easy product package creation, order management tools, and unlimited price variants with Zenfolio. And if that wasn’t enough, you can receive payment in multiple currencies, not just US dollars.
Zenfolio is an excellent website builder for those who want a simple yet powerful design with unlimited storage and powerful online store features. To learn more about Zenfolio, you can check out our expert review on the builder.
- Overall score: 4.3
- Design flexibility: 4.3
- Features: 4.1
- Value for money: 4.3
- Ease-of-use: 4.5
- Functionality and integration: 4.2
Carbonmade is a website builder that was designed with speed in mind. Namely, it was explicitly made to be extra fast and easy to use, rather than have a wide array of different features. However, even though it has fewer features than some of its competitors, Carbonmade still provides enough features for photographers to create a beautiful website for their photos.
Pros:
- Excellent portfolio builder
- Ability to switch between different themes and layouts
Cons:
- Fewer customization options compared to its competitors
Carbonmade is best known for its easy-to-use features and fast creating and editing processes.
Plan | Beginner | Pro | Unlimited |
Price | US $9/month | US $12/month | US $22/month |
Number of Products | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Free Trials | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Additional Feature |
|
|
|
Unique Features:
Support and Communication Features
Carbonmade is an excellent option for people who want a quick and easy way to get their work online and show it to the world. Its intuitive interface makes it easy for anyone to create a simple website in just a few hours.
Carbonmade also provides numerous helpful resources for its users, which can help them solve many issues they might encounter. Also, users can customize their website by using simple tools and creating what they want.
A unique feature that Carbonmade offers that we would like to mention is Carbonmade Messages. Carbon Messages enables you to communicate directly with the visitors to your website. Thus, you can take orders, set up appointments, and more without needing to use third-party apps. Also, you can connect a custom domain and upload photos directly from your Dropbox.
Carbonmade is a fantastic choice if you are looking for an affordable builder that lets you create a simple website very fast. If you want to learn more about Carbonmade and its services, you can check out our expert review on Carbonmade, where we cover all of that and more.
- Overall score: 4.2
- Design flexibility: 4.0
- Features: 4.3
- Value for money: 4.1
- Ease-of-use: 4.2
- Functionality and integration: 4.3
Shopify is a famous website builder that comes with a plethora of sales features and excellent eCommerce functionality. It also has a vast selection of third-party apps, which can be helpful in many different cases.
Even though it is not explicitly made for photographers like other website builders on our list, Shopify is an excellent solution for people or businesses whose primary goal is to sell online.
Pros:
- A wide array of third-party apps
- 24/7 customer support
- Hundreds of pre-made templates
Cons:
- More focused on selling rather than photography
Shopify is best known for its online store builder and numerous sales features. It is ideal for those who want to sell online and display their work.
Plan | Basic | Shopify | Advanced |
Price | US $29/month | US $79/month | US $299/month |
Number of Products | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Free Trials | 14-day trial period | 14-day trial period | 14-day trial period |
Additional Feature |
|
|
|
Unique Features:
Round the Clock Support
Shopify has a large team of experts that is available 24/7 for its users. It also does not charge additional fees to users for providing such support. Also, users can get at least two staff members to help them during the creation process.
Third-party Integration
As we mentioned, Shopify has a vast selection of third-party apps that you can get for your website. You can also integrate your Shopify website with many social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and more. Thus, more and more people will be able to find your products and buy your work.
Shopify allows you to receive payment and sell your work in 133 currencies and in up to 20 languages.
Overall, Shopify is an excellent choice if you want to sell and be as flexible in the selling process as possible. It is not as centered around photography features as other builders, but it is excellent for selling and getting your photos and videos out there. If you want to learn more about Shopify, you can do so by reading our expert review on the builder.
- Overall score: 4.0
- Design flexibility: 3.9
- Features: 4.2
- Value for money: 4.1
- Ease-of-use: 4.0
- Functionality and integration: 3.9
PhotoShelter is another website builder that was made with photographers in mind. With over 80,000 photographers using PhotoShelter for building their websites, it is one of the best and most widely-known website builders, and that is why it made it on our Top 10 best website builders for photography list.
Pros:
- Free trial
- eCommerce functionality
- SEO and analytics
Cons:
- A limited selection of templates
PhotoShelter is best known for putting creators’ work first and allowing them to take advantage of cloud storage that allows constant access for users.
Plan | Basic | Standard | PRO |
Price | US $10/month | US $25/month | US $45/month |
Number of Products | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Free Trials | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Additional Feature |
|
|
|
Unique Features:
eCommerce Functionality and Design
With PhotoShelter, you can manage multiple clients at the same time. You can also edit your website in real time, which means that you can see your changes as you make them.
Even though PhotoShelter offers a limited range of templates, you can customize them and add features like photo walls, individual photo displays, slideshows, and other tools that enhance your photos and videos. Also, you can use your own personalized font and color options to express your brand image truly the way you want.
Other useful eCommerce features that PhotoShelter offers include a dedicated shopping cart, flexible pricing mechanisms, advanced management of attributes like royalty definition for photos and rights management, integrated payment processing, and more. Users can also create discount codes and manage their marketing campaigns with PhotoShelter.
PhotoShelter is a website builder known for its cloud storage accessibility and eCommerce functionality. To learn more about the builder in general, check out our expert review.
Do Photographers Need a Website?
As the world has become predominantly digital these days and people can connect with other people from thousands of miles away, having an online presence is crucial for any business, including photography. If you want people to discover your work and talent and sell your photos to as many people as possible, you absolutely without a doubt need a website.
Of course, there’s always social media. However, social media is most suitable for those who engage in photography as a hobby rather than a full-time job. With social media, you do not have much control over your business and its future. Also, many social media platforms choose whether they want to showcase and promote your account or not, so you’re really left at their mercy.
On the other hand, having your own website will take you all the way to the finish line, which is usually selling your work and attracting new clients. Also, having your own website makes you more competent and legit in clients’ eyes. Many people prefer to browse a company’s website rather than Instagram photos when they are deciding to buy something. So, the credibility that a website will give you will go a long way and show potential clients that you’re the real deal and not some bot account that will take their money and disappear.
What Should a Photography Website Include?
Every website is different in its own way. People create websites to sell online and communicate their values and goals for their work. However, photographers should include a few things on their website if they want to make their clients happy and satisfied.
Theme-labeled galleries – many people choose to create only one large gallery section on their website, which includes all their work. Scrolling through hundreds of photos that are entirely unrelated to each other is not what most clients are looking for as it can be tiring, and they usually end up overwhelmed by all the photos you have to offer.
To avoid that result, you should consider breaking your galleries up into themes that will make your photos easier to take in and admire. Also, it will appease the people who are looking for a specific theme as you will not waste their time by making them search through hundreds of unrelated photos.
Add an “About” page – when it comes to photography and hiring people to take photos of private events like weddings or birthdays, people don’t want to hire some stranger whose name they don’t even know. That is why you should add an “About” page to your website where you provide visitors with a bit of information about yourself and your work. Doing so will go a long way and increase the probability that people will hire you.
Provide contact information – even though this seems obvious, you would be surprised at how many people do not provide a way for others to reach them. Also, many people still have reservations when buying something or hiring someone online, so providing a number or email through which people can contact you will result in them knowing that you are legit and that you actually exist.
How Can Photographers Build an Online Store?
There are a few ways to go about creating an online store. The best part about it is that you do not need to learn how to code or program to do so.
One way to go about creating your online store is by purchasing a plan from a website builder. Many website builders offer eCommerce functionality and features in their plans, allowing you to add an online store to your website easily. Also, you should add all of your photos that are for sale to your online store, provide payment methods, and provide some basic information about the photo that the client is purchasing. Your online store should also provide shipping information to your clients and include the total price that the clients need to pay for the photos.
Another way to build an online store is by hiring a developer or another professional to do it for you if you do not know how to do it by yourself. The developer will code and build your store and will then add it to your website.
Summary
As we mentioned, choosing a website builder can be a lengthy and challenging process. And as you may have now noticed, a lot of factors come into consideration when picking out the best website builder for a photography website.
However, with the help of our recommendation system and the list we provided in this article, you can cut the decision-making process short and use our Top 10 Best Website Builders for Photography list to choose the right website builder for you. What’s more, you can rest assured that each builder we have on our list offers excellent features and reliable services to each of their users, including you.