I’ve talked with a few photographers lately about new web sites. They each had different ideas of what they needed. It got me to thinking… what would the perfect photographer’s web site look like?
Photography is one of those fields where you put your work - your art and soul - on the line at every appointment.
It is also a word-of-mouth business: happy clients will refer their friends. Prospective customers value their friends’ opinions, so the most trusting new clients will be referrals.
A photographer’s web site would need to:
- entice prospective clients
- schedule photo shoots
- prepare new clients for their photo shoot
- share proofs with clients
- help clients share prints with friends
- sell prints to clients (optional)
- show off your best work
- encourage repeat business
- bill your clients
In terms of features, this would mean:
Availability Calendar
Show people when you’re available, and let them request a photo shoot for a specific day/time online. Maybe there could be a non-refundable $25 reservation fee collected online.
Blog
Encourage repeat business, prepare new clients for their photo shoot, and discuss photography techniques in your blog. This lets prospective customers know that you know what you’re doing and you’re dedicated to making their shoot as successful as possible.
Public Gallery & Store
Show off your best work in your public photo gallery. Also, make certain photos available for print ordering (landscapes and other work).
Private Gallery & Store
Share your clients’ photos with them in their own private gallery area. Let them mark their favorites and order prints. Also make it very easy to email you with questions/comments. This could include a gallery sharing feature, where clients could share the gallery with their friends. Clients and their friends could also order prints online.
Back End
Easily upload a whole batch of photos at once. Bill your clients. Work on your schedule. Send emails to your clients with referral specials, new public photos, etc.
That’s all I’ve got for now. What have I missed?