Website Design for Photographers

Benefits of a Professionally Created Website for Photographers

With the new digital age of media, photographers have entirely new ways to approach their craft. Modern photographers have access to digital cameras, photo editing software and instantaneous storage of up to hundreds of photos per minute. Photos are able seen and sold with new technological advancements in entirely new ways. Photography is just another business field to benefit from the internet’s solidification as a pillar to modern day society.

Every type of business is viewable online. Whether advertising, selling or informing about what they have to offer, businesses online have option over how to use the massive global network. The primary platform from which to benefit from the internet is a website. Identity, purpose, and qualifications are all available on a website for any of the billions of people online to see. Online presence through a website and other platforms has practically become mandatory for those in visual fields such as photography.

With so many platforms for photos and videos available a photographer must show the advantages to using their services. A website will provide all the information clients need on quality and pricing for services. Professionals are available to craft a website in order bring in more website traffic and better results. An optimized photography website draws clients and captivates them with smooth interface and the work a professional is able to do for them.

Researching and Analyzing your Photography Niche

Analysis of Your Photography Business

Understanding a client base and what they expect of a modern photography business is key to successful website design. The photography business is a competitive field with a constant struggle for the attention of a distractible audience. A website is able reflect the trends in demand and use business analysis to change quickly, and efficiently. Analysis continues after creation with a websites additional ability to keep track of its own progress and values.

Photography Website Key Performance Indicators

A Key Performance Indicator, or KPI, is a measurable value used to keep track of a websites progress. By tracking KPI it is possible to quantify and measure certain metrics such as:

• Marketing  
• Sales   
• Digital Marketing  
• Social Media  
• SEO  
• Email Marketing   
  

For a photography business the larger focus is on the metrics for marketing, social media, and SEO. By analyzing KPIs, and applying the information a website is able to change in turn to benefit. The lower metrics clue in where a website needs to grow while the higher ones show where to place emphasis.

Photography Conversion Factors

When a client comes to a photography website a series of factors play into what comes next. Conversion factors are the variable that affect whether or not a website visitor becomes a client. A conversion factor pushes a client either towards or away taking an action such as buying a photo or hiring a photographer for an event.

Drivers are conversion pushers that guide a photography website visitor towards taking an action. Website relevance, clarity and urgency are common drivers create positive impressions to guide visitors. Inhibitors are the conversion factors that lower visitor interest. Common inhibitors are poor website formats, slow loading speeds, and general visitor apprehension to do business.

Calls to Action for Photography Websites

The primary purpose of a website is to answer visitor questions and needs. A call to action is what guides them to and through a website to find exactly what is that they are looking for. Having a call to action is not enough though. Wording and placement are strategic variables that draw in interest and show clients what they want to see. Like in any good photo, interest guides the eye and brings it to where focus needs to go.

On The Map Marketing’s Photography Website Design Strategy Approach

Designing a website for a photography business is a detail oriented task that requires as much focus as the business it is for. On The Map Marketing has teams of focused people that work to develop both the on-site and off-site aspects of a website. On site development being the work put into the making sure a website is an attractive, enjoyable experience for users. While off site development focuses on a photography websites placement on the internet and its relationship to other websites.

Photography Conversion Focused Website Design

By emphasizing conversion factors, a photography website shows visitors the benefit of a business. Photographers are artists and displaying their art will bring visitors in and convince them of ability. New clients will see the skill of a photographer through conversion factor emphasis.  Conversion factors are able to not only convince website visitors to become clients, they also cause them to return as well.

Branding for Photography Businesses

For a photographer, reputation plays a large part in making name for a business in such a competitive field. Pushing a brand and brand name through a website is a classic way to create awareness of a business. A memorable business is one clients will return to. Branding is a solid way to ensure that clients, both old and new, have an easy way to remember one photography business above others.

Mockups for Photography Websites

On The Map Marketing has worked in the field long enough to know that a website is not created overnight. Like planning the perfect photo shoot a website needs solid foundations and a clear goal. Mockups created in the website design process are then reviewed by both us and our clients. The development process begins after all parties are in agreement.

Photographer Approval

Customer satisfaction is a top priority at On The Map Marketing. The website design process is completely transparent to ensure satisfaction at each step. Updates are available and each step of the process is changeable to provide for the best possible outcome. Our teams work to our clients standards and match their vision for the website.

Developing a Photography Businesses Website Code

HTML vs WordPress

One of the most used and popular programs on the internet for website creation is Hypertext Markup Language, or HTML. The HTML program is cheap and does not need much maintenance in order to function. The static nature of the HTML program means that modifications are extremely difficult without the use of a development team. Unlike WordPress, HTML lacks dynamic and intuitive design.

WordPress is a more flexible, dynamic program that creates fluid changeable websites. With WordPress content is instantly addable and capable of change at a moment’s notice. Photographers are able to put up new work or information on the fly. But, WordPress requires constant maintenance in order to function properly.

CMS Pros and Cons for Photography Websites

A Content Management System (CMS), such as WordPress, is able to create highly customizable websites. A website made with CMS is changeable from the moment of creation. The content and technical requirements for CMS websites remain separated, meaning content is addable without having to face any technical requirements. A CMS website is also updatable anyone with access whenever they want.

The flaws with CMS mainly have to do with the open nature of the program. Security and speed for a website take a hit with so much possible customization. There needs to be consistent maintenance for a CMS website to avoid picking up any viruses or lag. Conversion factors for a photography website matter little if a website gives a visitor a virus.

Mobile Responsive Design for a Photography Website

A modern photographer needs to understand the technology of the time, an how to adapt to it. Mobile devices are everywhere you look. More Google searches are on mobile devices than on computers in the United States (Google, 2015). In order to keep up with technological demand a website should be able to adapt to desktops, tablets and mobile phones alike.

Device adaption is not automatic, it requires work and strategic thinking. When a website is shrunk down so does the content. There is not as much space to display all the information from a website efficiently so design focuses on a conservative approach. A photography website should emphasize the artist’s work, their information and information on the business at any size.

Photography Website Design Use of JavaScript and PHP

The technical aspects of a website run through the server-side scripting language Hypertext Processor (PHP). By using PHP efficient coding and communication through a website will ensure better security and speed. PHP also acts as the foundation for a website more dynamic actions. JavaScript works alongside PHP to give a websites aesthetic needs attention too.

JavaScript makes sure a photography website is more than a static standby. Customers will be more inclined to visit and revisit websites that have more stylish presentation. Photographers in particular benefit from the proper use of JavaScript. Those looking for photographer services will expect stylistic design choices and dynamic experiences for a website. The way a website looks leaves an impression instantly and JavaScript is a tool to ensure the impression is positive.

Photography Website API Integration

Application Program Interface (API) is a communication and management software program for a website. When used correctly, an API is capable of advancing both internal and external connections. Authoritative sources such as search engines often rely on API to connect and examine websites. There are multiple API’s to know and use:

• Local that ensure an operating system for application programs.
• Web-Like that works with more common programs in use.
• Program-Like that ensures a tighter connection between the programs available.

Photography Website Security

Website Protection: A website reflects on a photography business, and poor security will result in damaged reputation. A website without properly implemented security becomes a hotbed for viruses and malware to infect visitor software. A photographer and their website will scarcely see any business if potential clients do not trust their website enough to visit. Security is key to any website design in order to prevent infection from the various threats out on the internet.

Potential Risks: A website faces many risks when unsecured. Cross Site Scripting (XSS) is an attack code designed to infect a website and wait. Once a visitor accesses the infected website the script transfers over to their software. After infection, XSS has access to computer software and may act in a malicious manner.

Cross Site Forgery (CSRF) uses website cookies to attack victim software and affect their actions. CSRF alters user requests and with greater access comes worse results. Security Misconfigurations are simply incorrect applications of a security system. While simple, a security misconfiguration will leave a websites protection full of very exploitable holes.

Website Security Programs: There are programs that help defend a website against any malicious software. Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) ensures a safe and private connection between a website and the customers it communicates with. HTTPS is especially important for photographers who wish to make sales and transfer files to customers. Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) is a program that further encrypts transferred data between two parties.

Quality Testing Accounting Websites

Designing a website requires complex, intricate work that leaves plenty of chances for glitches and other issues to pop up. Testing is an important step in any web design process and ensures that the final product is efficient and error free. Both the technical and aesthetic parts of any photography website require heavy reviews and subsequent changes. A photography website reaches needed standards through different types of testing.

Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) Validation checks for syntax errors in a website script. Syntax errors include aesthetically displeasing problems like spacing issues for text and misplaced quotation marks. JavaScript Error Checks ensure that there are no broken links or faulty menus. JavaScript is also needed for coding and any errors will result in website wide issues.

Image Licensing is ensuring that all the photos on a website are properly acquired and used, even the photographers. Content Creation is the development of material for website visitors to find interest in and enjoy. Most importantly, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) enhances a website to rank higher on search engines. By increasing SEO focus a website is able to increase traffic and convert more visitors.

Photography Website Launch

The photography business has moved online and those who do not keep up will not last. Traditional advertising platforms are becoming less viable and thousands of photos flood the internet daily. Competition is fierce and photographers need every advantage available to stay ahead in their field. On The Map Marketing is able to create a website that allows you to stay in the race, and deliver a strong, clear message to a ready audience.