ARE PHOTOGRAPHY WEBSITES POINTLESS IN 2023?
As you know, there are a TON of photographers out there. Starting a photography business is about as easy as starting a Sam’s Club membership. For 800 bucks, you can walk out of Walmart with a photography business. Throw your photos on an Instagram account and you’re up and runnin’. Bad photographers oversaturate the market, making it hard for the good ones to stand out.
How does a good photographer rise above the noise? Is it by showing up on social media every day and getting your page to explode with followers? That can help. But are those followers going to become clients? And what happens if you lose your social media accounts?
WHY YOU NEED A WEBSITE EVEN IF YOUR IG IS BLOWING UP
In 2022, even with social media as prominent as it is, you still need a website to have a successful photography business. Why? Two reasons:
- You don’t own your social media accounts.
What if Instagram went out of business? What if you say something that lands you in social media jail? All your followers, those valuable potential clients—gone. The work you did to persuade them to hit the follow button—wasted. And if you don’t have a website then there’s nowhere else for those followers to find you. Your photography brand is now non-existent in a highly-competitive market. That’s not good.
A website that is yours is yours always. No one can ban you, and no one but YOU can cause it to disappear. You are the Lord, Emperor, King, Queen, Master of the universe.
- A website expresses the FULL power of your brand.
Social media is like a flyer for a local business. But a website IS the business. Why would you advertise a business that doesn’t own a location? On Instagram, you get limited space to connect with visitors; but the aesthetic of Instagram promotes Instagram, not you. On a website, you can stand out. Every element is there to persuade visitors that YOU are the photographer for them and not the next photographer.
And the options are limitless:
- Have a lot to say?
A website gives you all the space you need to say it.
- Have a unique customer experience to offer?
Only a website allows you to properly convey that experience.
- Is there a relatable story you want to tell?
Combine emotional writing and imagery on a website.
- Feel like a sales funnel or an enticing lead magnet is what you need to get the clients rushing in?
No other platform but a website can do it more effectively.
WEBSITES IN A NUTSHELL
A website is a digital home for your photography business. It’s a place meant to attract and convert your ideal clients. A simple website is better than no website. But a good website that’s built to serve and connect with clients you love will last longer than some glorified portfolio.
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