How To Create a Photography Website With Dorik in Less Than 10 Steps

Looking for how to create a photography website in less than 10 steps? Discover the best website builder out there and launch your first website in minutes.

by Zaki Rezwana Chowdhury • 6 September 2023

Whether you are a photographer by hobby or by profession, creating a photography website is a must for you for the sake of art or living.

So, how to create a website that will be hassle-free and also budget friendly? With a no-code website builder, any photographer can have their site up and running in less than ten steps.

No-code platforms like Dorik have tons of photography templates (Photo Tem) you can pick and customize to complement your best work and have the website ready in no time.

How to create a photography website?

Creating a photography website is - minutes task with website builders like Dorik.

Whether you are a non-techie guy or do not want the hassle of coding, launching your website for photography is just a few clicks away.

Fill out the blanks with the right information and your website is all set to go out on the internet.

Can I create a photography portfolio website even without knowing technical things?

There are tons of top website builders out there to choose from. But when it comes to technical flexibility, building a website becomes an easy peasy lemon squeezy kind of task with Dorik.

Considering the hassle people go through to create a website, some great solutions came upfront in the market. They are created keeping creative folks like -photographers in mind.

Creating a professional and stunning website with a website builder has become hot news, as quite a few of them provide no-code options. Also, some of the features are free.

If you are a non-techie guy, you don’t even see gibberish lines of code. Website builders with no-code(Dorik) provide  -quizzes like information boxes and fill-up, and you are good to go with your launch-ready website.

Well, obviously, there are some drawbacks in which you do not have access to the same range of functionalities and tools as tech professionals have.

But it does not affect that much, as they provide tons of features and templates with customization options. You will find something that will fulfill your needs. 

Nail Your Photography Site With a No-code Website Builder

No-code website builders are the best tools for photographers to create sites. They are intuitive and effortless to use, where you simply have to drag and drop elements. Combine this with your aesthetic sense, and you get a professional site that does not compromise your work’s size, quality, or design.

Step 1: Begin With Goals

The first step when building a no-code website for your photography business is defining clear goals. What is the objective of creating the site? This is crucial because all subsequent steps will be subject to it. It’ll help you pick the best template, select the best images, and organize them advantageously.

How do you set goals? By asking yourself what you want the photography site to achieve for you:

  • Should it attract more paid clients? If so, what sort of clients?
  • Or do you want it to design as a portfolio website to display your work? If so, do you want different sections for each category, like stills, portraits, weddings, etc.?

Step 2: Time to Choose Images

Once you know the goal of your no-code website, it’ll be easier to curate the photographs you want to showcase. An oversight most photographers make at this stage is thinking of the website as a social media account.

They don’t serve the best function. On Instagram, you can publish a slew of images. On the website, you publish only the best of your work. It’s not meant to be your oeuvre.

The insider tip here is to choose quality over quantity. For each photography category, sit down and handpick the jewels in your crown. Think about 30 pictures for each, separating the best of the bunch for your homepage. It’s enough to give visitors a feel of your work and spark their curiosity without overwhelming them.

Step 3: Sort Out The Structure

Website Structure

Gathering the best photographs is the most time-consuming step. Once you cross that junction, the website builder makes it smooth sailing. It begins with picking out the site’s layout. A layout is a visual structure where you make decisions like:

  • What should be the color scheme of your site? The rule of thumb for photography sites is to go minimal to help your pictures pop.
  • What background will you use? Again, black and white are the preferred choices as they give a dark and clean look.
  • What type of display do you prefer? The answer will depend upon the photographs you shortlisted in step 2. If you click portraits, then a vertical layout is best. For horizontal photographs, a grid is better. 

Step 4: Decide On A Template

The step after you land on the final layout is choosing a pre-built template from the website builder.

These templates are professionally designed with a photographer’s requirements in mind. So, they come included with all the sections and pages necessary to create an attractive portfolio.

Try out Dorik’s mind-blowing photography templates. It has a filter/ search button for you to choose the perfect template for your need.

Pick a template that fits the layout and images you’ve decided on, and then start customizing. Change what you need to tell your story from the header to the footer. If need be, sit with a pen and paper and sketch out the look.

Conceptualize where the images will go, the text's placement, and how much white space to have. This makes preparing the content simpler and faster.

A recommendation here would be to pick a website builder that offers responsive sites, to optimize the site for mobiles.

Don’t forget that most people view sites on small screens first, and you want your portfolio to look as stunning on them as it does on a laptop or desktop.

No-code builders like Dorik instantly adapt images to the screen they are being viewed on.

For all other elements, you can use the "mobile mode" or "tablet view" when creating your site to adjust how they look on a smaller screen.

Step 5: Settle The Architecture

Once you’ve shortlisted the right template, settle on the pages or sections you want to have on the website. In web design parlance, it’s known as the sitemap. The template will come with common pages/sections:

  1. Home
  2. Projects
  3. Pricing
  4. About
  5. Contact

For beginners, these are more than sufficient. Plus, do not forget to make your landing page engaging. However, if you’ve been in the profession for a while, you may need more pages like blogs and client testimonials. The best practice is not adding many pages or sections and letting the pictures do the talking. 

Step 6: Flesh Out the Content

This is the fun step where you get to see the actual value of a no-code website builder. By now, you know what pages are on your website and where you need to place the content. All that’s left to do is add the content.

Start with the photographs. Replace the existing pictures on the template with your own, followed by the text, so it reflects your style and personality.

With Dorik, you can add new blocks to a page if you think it requires more content. Pick a component or element from the library and drop it in the right place.

Since the homepage is the most crucial part of your photography niche website, pay close attention to it. While it should largely contain eye-catching portraits or beautiful landscapes, don’t ignore the written word.

Good copy can support the visual narrative and give a visitor a better understanding of your style of photography. A few more key points for the homepage are:

  • Your name, logo, and expertise should jump out. So, keep them large and legible.
  • The copy should answer these 3 questions: who you are, what you do, and where you are located.
  • Don’t forget the navigation menu to make it easier for clients to find what they are looking for. It can be a clear header like in this template or a collapsed hamburger (three stacked horizontal lines).
  • For photographers who already have paid clients, request them for testimonials. There is no better social proof than reviews from past clients.
  • Similarly, if a client allows, showcase some of your commission work. People who see your previous work gain confidence in your talent and are more likely to convert into paying customers.

Step 7: What to include in the remaining sections of your no-code website?

What more to include to your website that will make your website visually and functionally a great one? Let’s find the answers down bellow –

  • The heart of your site is the gallery or projects page. It’s where the magic happens when people discover your work. The caveats to keep in mind are: showcase the finest of your photographs and ensure that the site maintains its quality.
  • Check that the sharpness of the pictures is not reduced and that the layout you pick presents them in the best light. Tailor the layout as required. Make them shareable on social media to increase your reach and discoverability. Add right-click protection so people can’t download the photos.
  • The About Section is where visitors get to read about you. Include a good headshot of yourself along with your name. While writing the copy, use the first-person voice. It sounds more personal and increases the odds of a visitor contacting you.
  • There are two options for the contact section. Either use a custom form that anyone can use to send you a message or state your name, phone number, and address. It’s ideal to add the contact info in the footer of your website and also have a separate page.
  • Make the pricing page comprehensive and include all your packages. The smart option is a website builder without coding that connects with a payment gateway like Stripe. The feature allows clients to book and pay you online, freeing you from endless calls and emails to do what you love most: take pictures.

Besides these mandatory pages, a recommendation is to include a blog. It boosts your SEO, making your website more discoverable. Plus, it can build a community for you.

Share your projects, skills, and techniques, such as your preferred gear, how you prepare for a portrait shoot, etc. You don't have to write a long opus; a few paragraphs and good shots are sufficient.

Step 8: Boost The Website's SEO

Creating a website is not enough. You need to optimize it for search engines too. Only then will it pop up when someone searches for a photographer for hire.

Since the site will primarily have images, SEO will be a challenge because search engine algorithms need words to rank a site. Therefore, don’t scrimp on the copy. Add text along with keywords where you can.

A good website builder like Dorik will come with SEO tools that help you optimize the content, even the photographs. For instance, you should include a title and description for every picture you upload on your website.

Dorik uses global CDN and AWS server hosting which ensures fast site speed and also crucial to boost the site SEO.

Apart from the right keywords, ensure the copy accurately describes the image. Another good SEO trick is the alt text. Write one for each image because it makes them discoverable on Google images.

Step 9: Leverage Your Socials

A website, no doubt, gives your photography business a professional patina, but in the current era of social media, it ranks second.

Instagram alone has 2 billion active users, making it the easiest way to find new clients. So, don’t forget to add the link to your site in the bio of each social media account. It is a fantastic and proven way to drive traffic.

Do the reverse too. Once you’ve added the images and copy to your no-code website, link all your social channels to it. Have a clear bar in the footer with the icons of all the platforms you’re active on.

You can even keep it as an anchor on the side of the site. The only rule is to make it prominent enough that visitors can find it easily and share your site or photographs with friends and followers.

Step 10: Get A Second Opinion

Your website is now ready for launch. But before you hit publish, get feedback from a fresh set of eyes. It can be a colleague, a friend, a mentor, or a family member. An outside opinion will give you a better understanding of what you need to tweak.

Since you’re building the site from scratch, or a template, you become blind to typos after a while.

Moreover, your effort makes it hard to accept that the site design may require fixes. A second opinion is like an impartial judge, helping you make the most of the no-code website builder.

FAQs on How To Create a Photography Website, Answered 

What's the best cheap website builder for photographers?

The Internet is compact with website builders. So, how to find the right one?

Well, in that case let us save your time and money. The best website builders for photographer are —

  • Dorik
  • Wix
  • Webflow
  • Weebly,
  • Zyro
  • Squarespace

Learn more about the best website builders (bloglink - 7 beginner friendly website)

Top mentioned website builders provide all the things you need for building a website both stunning and professional. With sophisticated design and functionality, dorik, wix, or webflow, all of them offer all the things you need to build a beautiful website.

The pricing of Dorik gives customers website goals in budget. Whether you are an individual or a business owner, a personal plan or agency plan serves the right thing you need.

Own photography website. Do I need it?

The Internet is full of people craving for visual aesthetics. If you are a photographer and not have a website is like literally giving your savings away.

Having a professional website builds your personal brand. You can stand out and position yourself as the best in the field with a website that only focuses on you.

With a website, contacting you becomes more trusty and accessing one. You can sell your product and book works in a more systematic way.

Also, you are an expert in photography, you can review on photographer tools and share tips on photography.

What features do you need for your photography website?

According to need and functionality photographers look for some specific features where they can build and run their website in no time. Things that is crucial to consider –

  • Updating site requires no programming skills
  • Site size is about 5 to 30 pages
  • Stunning design templates
  • Device responsive
  • Photo-gallery option
  • Storage space is plenty with high-quality image files
  • Social media integration
  • Blog and seo optimization
  • Contact page
  • Technical support offered by the provider.

As a photographer it is wise to find a website builder that requires no coding and other technical proficiency.

When selecting the website builder also keep in mind the scalability of it. How is the site size, design template, does it have different photo-gallery options, how is the storage capability, well organized contact page, do they provide technical support, etc.

Considering all this, select the website builder for your photography portfolio website.

Can I create a free photography portfolio website?

If you want a website that will work as your photography portfolio, but you do not spend any penny at all then we recommend you Dorik’s free plan.

This will allow you to create your own site, with literally no limitation.

You get unlimited storage, so you can upload unlimited images. Also free SSL certificate, global CDN, built-in SEO and image optimization.

Literally you are with full force to launch your photography or portfolio website.

With that being said, Dorik is a great way to get started with your portfolio website. They have a lot of premium plans too. With which you can do a million things.

How do I attract traffic and new customers to my website?

What is the purpose of creating a website with all the cool things if no-one is visiting? You have to get traffic for the people to experience the beauty and the art of your work. Well, how to do that —

When starting your website research the keywords and optimize your content with SEO enriched keywords.

Try local seo by registering to Google My Business, the competition will be low. Optimize your website url, content, and image with proper SEO practices. And get backlinks to your contents.

Try detailed blogs, so that people can get value from it. Whether they are freshers or just getting by with a well compacted blog will give them trust on your products and services. Try these best photography website example from the following blog, 

Best Photography Websites Examples

And you are ready to get traffic and new customers for your website.

How can photographers build an online store?

If you are a photographer and have a website it's a must that you have a product or service selling option.

Today’s world is a fast pacing one. You have to get fast and smart to earn. Building an online store is an easy task with Dorik’s third party integration. It will bring doors of possibilities to your hard work.

Hit Them With Your Best Shot

Creating and launching a photography website with a website builder that is no-code and not time-consuming, particularly if you have the images and copy ready. However, clicking 'publish' is just the beginning.

You must update your site regularly and add fresh content for three reasons.

For one, Google loves websites that are kept up to date.

Two, you appear more reliable to potential clients. Three, as you improve, it gives you the chance to showcase better work.

Helpfully, no-code platforms make it easy to update a site. And if you choose Dorik, you also benefit from fast-loading sites.

Speed is crucial because people are impatient, and they would rather skip to another site than wait four seconds for the current one to load. Speed becomes an issue with photography sites, which have many images. So, a tool that can boost your load times is indispensable to you.

And Dorik takes care of it along with customer support. Whether you’re stuck with customizing an element or integrating an app like Zapier or Airtable, Dorik has a tutorial video for and a community to solve it.

Start with a free plan, and upgrade it to a higher one as your photography career grows. Our advice? Opt for a CMS Plan with a custom domain, i.e., yourname.com. It’s more professional and better for SEO. Now the only thing left to do is appreciate your work and watch the leads roll in.

Zaki Rezwana Chowdhury
AUTHOR
Zaki Rezwana Chowdhury

Zaki Rezwana Chowdhury is a content writer at Dorik. She writes about technical and non-technical things. She has a degree in computer science and enjoys exploring new technologies. Zaki is an avid reader of fiction and non-fiction books. She enjoys rhetoric content, nomadic life, and lollygagging. Outside work, Zaki spends as much time as possible away from blue screens with her family and friends.

Subscribe to Dorik Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated with latest articles from our blog.

Start Building Your Website!

Dorik Logo

❤️ This website is built with Dorik, without writing any code

Product of the week - Producthunt
Partner Program

Earn up to 40% recurring commission

© 2024 Dorik, Inc. All rights reserved

Built with Dorik