Building a stunning photography website is easier than ever. In the past, you needed specialized knowledge or a lot of money to create a professional website. But now, thanks to user-friendly platforms like WordPress, Squarespace, and Wix, setting up a website for your photography business is a breeze. These platforms also make it easier to optimize your photography website for search engines, with built-in SEO tools and features that help you improve your online visibility and attract more potential clients. Let’s dive into some of the best website builders for photographers and see what each has to offer.
List of top website creators for photographers
WordPress
WordPress is a powerhouse in the world of website building. With around 30% of all websites on the internet powered by WordPress, it’s easy to see why it’s a top choice for photographers who want complete control over their website. As an open-source content management system (CMS), WordPress is free to use, but you’ll need to pay for hosting through providers like GoDaddy, WPEngine, or Bluehost. You also have the option to use free themes or invest in a paid theme, depending on your budget and needs.
The main advantage of WordPress is its flexibility. You can add almost any feature to your site by using plugins. From online photo galleries to endless SEO options, if there’s a feature you need, there’s probably a plugin for it. However, this flexibility comes with some drawbacks. WordPress is not entirely “dummy-proof.” You might encounter plugin conflicts, updates that break your site, or downtime due to security issues. If these challenges don’t scare you away, WordPress could be the best website builder for photographers who are comfortable with basic coding, troubleshooting, and a bit of maintenance.
Pros and cons:
Wix
Wix is known for its user-friendliness and customizability. It uses a visual editor, allowing you to drag, drop, and arrange elements to design your website exactly how you want. Wix also offers a range of professionally designed templates, including over 40 photography-specific ones.
Wix is reasonably priced, and it includes all the features you’d expect to run a photography website. It also offers a free plan that displays ads, which could be a good option for photographers who are just starting out and don’t mind ads on their site. Wix is ideal for photographers who want a flexible, affordable website builder with plenty of design options.
Pros and cons:
Squarespace
Squarespace is a popular choice among photographers for good reason. It offers a range of beautiful templates with excellent typography, spacing, and design that make your photos look stunning. Its backend is intuitive, and the pricing is reasonable.
One standout feature of Squarespace is its built-in email marketing tools. While most website builders require third-party integrations for email marketing, Squarespace has this functionality built in, saving you money and effort. The main downside of Squarespace is its popularity, which means you might see other photographers using the same template. However, your clients are likely more interested in your photography than your website design, making this a minor issue. Squarespace is perfect for photographers who want an easy, low-maintenance solution with great support.
Pros and cons:
Showit
Showit is a good option for photographers looking for a website builder that combines ease of use with robust customization options. Showit offers drag-and-drop functionality, which allows you to create a visually stunning website without needing any coding skills. Additionally, Showit’s blog integrates with WordPress, so you can enjoy Showit’s design flexibility while leveraging WordPress’s powerful blogging capabilities.
Showit offers good SEO features and focuses on performance, ensuring that your site loads quickly and performs reliably. This can help improve user satisfaction and engagement, as well as increase your site’s visibility in search engine results. Showit is a great choice for photographers who want a combination of design freedom, functionality, and SEO optimization.
Pros and cons:
Pixieset
Pixieset is an excellent option for photographers who already use their online photo galleries. The integration between Pixieset’s website builder and its client galleries is seamless, allowing you to manage your portfolio and client work efficiently. With beautiful design options and an easy-to-use system, Pixieset is perfect for photographers looking for a streamlined solution.
If you value simplicity and use Pixieset’s client galleries, then adding their portfolio website builder to your toolkit makes a lot of sense. It saves time and allows you to create a cohesive experience for your clients.
Pros and cons:
Format
Format is designed specifically for photographers and offers a quick and easy way to create a beautiful portfolio website. Some standout features include integration with Lightroom and Capture One, an iPhone app for managing gallery pages, and client-proofing tools that let you proof, manage, and deliver client work directly from your site.
Format offers a wide selection of beautiful themes and is less commonly used than Squarespace, meaning your website is less likely to look like everyone else’s. If you’re looking for a dedicated photography website builder that includes all the necessary tools in one package, Format is a great choice.
Pros and cons:
Pixpa
Pixpa is a budget-friendly website builder designed for photographers who need an online portfolio. Pixpa offers over 40 themes tailored to various types of photography, from weddings to fashion to architecture. It also comes with built-in e-commerce features and a responsive customer support team.
Pixpa stands out for its affordable pricing and its drag-and-drop builder, which makes website creation easy for beginners. If you’re looking for an affordable and straightforward way to create a photography portfolio with some e-commerce capabilities, Pixpa could be a great option.
Pros and cons:
WebSelf
WebSelf is another simple, drag-and-drop website builder that’s perfect for beginners. With a large number of templates designed specifically for photographers, you can create a website, blog, or online store with ease.
While customization options are limited compared to some other builders, WebSelf is a good choice for photographers who want an easy, low-cost way to get started.
Pros and cons:
Zenfolio
Zenfolio is a website builder and web hosting service designed specifically for photographers who want to sell their photographs online. It combines an e-commerce platform with a website builder, making it easy to create a visually appealing site while also providing tools to scale your photography business.
Zenfolio offers unique template collections, printing lab partnerships, marketing tools, and secure image storage options like watermarking and password-protected galleries.
Pros and cons:
SmugMug
SmugMug is a platform built with photographers in mind, offering both hosting and the ability to showcase or sell images. It’s suitable for both professional and amateur photographers who want to display their work efficiently. SmugMug supports multiple uploads at once and integrates seamlessly with tools like Lightroom.
With customizable design templates and various layout options, SmugMug provides the flexibility photographers need to present their work in the best possible light.
Pros and cons:
How to Choose the Best Website Builder for Photographers
Choosing the best website builder for your photography business depends on your specific needs, technical skills, and the level of control you want over your site.
Best for SEO options
When it comes to SEO, not all website builders are created equal. For photographers who want maximum control over their site’s search engine optimization, WordPress is the best choice due to its extensive range of SEO plugins and customizable features. Wix and Squarespace also offer built-in SEO tools that are user-friendly and effective for those who prefer an all-in-one solution. If you’re looking for a balance between beautiful design and SEO capabilities, Showit is a great option, as it combines a drag-and-drop interface with the robust blogging and SEO capabilities of WordPress.
Best for the Tech-Savvy
If you’re comfortable managing hosting, setting up a website, installing themes, and managing plugins, WordPress is an excellent option. You get complete control over your website, from design to SEO.
Best for Those Who Prefer Simplicity
If you’d rather focus on your photography than on website maintenance, consider Pixpa, Format, Squarespace, or Wix. These platforms offer beautifully designed templates, SEO features, and customer support for a monthly fee.
For Photographers Who Need Workflow Integrations
If integrating your website with your current workflow is a priority, Format offers tools like client proofing and Lightroom plugins that make managing your portfolio a breeze.
For Those Who Want Built-In Email Marketing
Squarespace is a great option if email marketing is part of your strategy
For Selling Prints and Services
If your main goal is to sell your photos or photography services online, platforms like Zenfolio and SmugMug are specifically designed for this purpose. They offer e-commerce tools, secure image storage, and integration with professional printing labs.
For a Budget-Friendly Option
If cost is a primary concern, Pixpa and WebSelf are both affordable choices. Pixpa offers low-cost plans with e-commerce features, while WebSelf provides a free plan for photographers who are just getting started.
Ultimately, the best website builder for photographers comes down to your unique needs, the specific features you’re looking for, and how comfortable you are with handling certain aspects of the website-building process. Each of these platforms has its strengths and is designed to help you showcase your photography in the best light possible.
With SEO in mind, we recommend trying WordPress, Wix, Squarespace or Showit as they give you more options than other website builders.
No matter which builder you choose, remember that a beautiful, functional website can be a powerful tool for reaching new clients, selling your work, and building your brand as a photographer.
