Best Website Builders for Photographers 

Ever wanted to find a way to showcase your photography online but felt lost with so many options to choose from? Choosing the right website builder for your own photography website is a key step in showcasing your craft. But it’s not just about the pictures—a website builder should help you showcase your craft and provide a professional, friendly user experience for your visitors and potential clients.  

In this article, we’ll break down the best site builders for photographers, give tips on choosing the best one for your needs, and share some real-life examples to inspire you, whether you’re an experienced photographer or just starting. 

Top Website Builders for Photographers 

Website builder	Key features	Best for
Web.com	AI builder and integrated AI writer   Drag-and-drop builder   Mobile-friendly designs    Great SEO tools   Pre-built sections with customization	Budget-friendly photographers or beginners who need an easy way to create and manage a website.
Squarespace	Templates for photos   Oline store setup    Blogging tools   Customization options	Photographers who want a   platform with professional designs.
Wix	Drag-and-drop design   Templates    Customization options   Built-in SEO tools	Beginners and those who want a platform with start-up tools and features.
Zenfolio	Photo-focused galleries   Private galleries for clients   Print sales setup   Security features for images	Photographers who want a platform for managing client galleries and selling prints.
SmugMug	Storage for your photos   Customizable galleries   Print sales options   Security for images.	Photographers who need storage, professional image management, and sell prints online.

Web.com 

Web.com provides a user-friendly website builder designed for individuals who want to create an online presence quickly. With tools like an AI-powered builder, domain generator, and logo creation features, Web.com offers an easy way for photographers and other small business owners to get their websites up and running.  

The platform’s intuitive design is perfect for those who may not be tech-savvy but still want a professional website. Web.com also provides a range of tools, including marketing, e-commerce capabilities, and secure hosting, allowing photographers to manage their entire online presence with ease. 

Features 

• AI website builder: The AI-powered website builder helps users create a personalized site in just a few minutes based on their business type and preferences. 
• Domain generator: Helps find and generate domain names that align with your business, making it easier to secure the perfect web address. 
• Logo builder: Allows users to design a logo quickly, ensuring a consistent brand identity across all platforms. 
• E-commerce tools: Includes integrated tools for selling prints, booking appointments, and handling transactions directly on your website. 
• Marketing and SEO tools: Provides built-in SEO features and tools to improve your website’s visibility, along with marketing services to boost your online presence. 

Pros 

• AI-powered tools: Web.com offers an AI builder and other tools like an AI writer and logo generator, making website creation and content generation easy for those with no technical skills. 
• Easy to use: The platform is designed for users who are not tech-savvy, offering a simple drag-and-drop interface and guidance throughout the process. 
• Affordable: Web.com provides cost-effective pricing, especially for photographers and small business owners who need basic web functionality without breaking the bank. 
• E-commerce capabilities: Built-in e-commerce tools help photographers sell prints and services directly from their site, streamlining the process. 
• Customer support: Web.com offers reliable customer service, with 24/7 support available to assist with any issues or technical challenges. 

Cons 

• Basic eCommerce features: The eCommerce tools are functional but may lack advanced features that larger businesses or photographers with high sales volumes might need. 
• Additional costs for premium features: To unlock advanced features, such as premium eCommerce options or professional design services, users need to opt for higher-tier plans. 
• Limited integrations: Web.com has fewer third-party app integrations compared to platforms like Wix, which may limit your ability to expand your site’s functionality. 
• Not ideal for complex sites: Web.com is better suited for simpler websites, and photographers looking for highly customizable or feature-rich sites may find it less suitable. 

Squarespace 

Squarespace is known for its sleek, design-focused approach. It’s a standout choice for photographers because of its high-quality templates specifically built to highlight visual content. Squarespace makes it easy for photographers to create a stunning online portfolio.  

The platform also includes eCommerce features, so if you want to sell your prints or offer online bookings, Squarespace has everything integrated into one platform. Plus, its drag-and-drop interface means that even those with little technical experience can get a beautiful website up and running without much hassle. 

Features 

• Customizable templates: Squarespace offers a variety of templates that photographers can modify. You can adjust the layout, colors, and fonts to match your brand. 
• Pre-Built layouts: Squarespace provides pre-made layouts for pages like Portfolio, Blog, and Contact. These layouts are designed to speed up the website-building process. 
• Design tools: Squarespace gives you flexible design tools to adjust every aspect of your site, from layout to fonts and color schemes. You can optimize your website’s look using the platform’s built-in features or, for advanced tweaks, add custom CSS. 
• Asset library: Squarespace’s Asset Library is a centralized hub where you can upload and manage all your media files like photos and videos. This makes it easier to organize content and quickly reuse assets across different pages of your site. 
• Custom CSS: For more control over your website’s design, Squarespace lets you add Cascading Style Sheets (CSS). This allows you to make detailed changes to your site’s appearance. 

Pros 

• Well designed and responsive templates 
• Easy-to-use interface 
• It allows you to work with a very large range of web fonts. 
• You get a free custom domain name from Squarespace if you sign up for a year. 
• It comes with a usable and reasonably priced built-in email marketing tool. 

Cons 

• Selling in multiple languages can get very expensive if you run a large site. 
• Automatic tax calculations are currently limited to the USA. 
• Payment gateway options are limited. 
• Although support for Apple Pay is provided, there’s no equivalent support for Google Pay. 
• No version history functionality is available. 

Wix 

Wix is an easy-to-use website builder that allows photographers to create professional websites without needing coding skills. You can customize everything from the layout to the colors and fonts with its drag-and-drop editor. It offers a wide range of templates for photography. 

Wix also provides features for selling prints, booking clients, and showcasing your portfolio. The platform’s App Market allows you to add additional functionalities as your business grows, from eCommerce integrations to marketing tools. Wix offers the flexibility and tools needed to manage and expand your photography business effectively. 

Features 

• User-friendly platform: Wix’s drag-and-drop editor simplifies website creation, making it accessible even for those with limited technical knowledge.  
• Attractive templates: Offers a wide array of pre-made, professional templates tailored to various industries, including photography.  
• Customization options: Allows extensive customization of images, text, and layouts, enabling photographers to create a unique online presence.  
• SEO support: Provides built-in SEO tools, such as the SEO Wiz, to help improve website visibility and search engine rankings.  
• Security features: Includes enterprise-grade security measures, including threat prevention and HTTPS for all domains, ensuring data protection.  

Pros 

• Ease of use: The drag-and-drop editor simplifies website creation, making it accessible to users without technical expertise.  
• Professional templates: A wide selection of attractive, industry-specific templates allows for quick and aesthetically pleasing website setups.  
• Customization flexibility: Extensive options to modify images, text, and layouts enable photographers to tailor their websites to their unique style.  
• SEO tools: Built-in SEO features, like the SEO Wiz, assist in enhancing website visibility and search engine rankings.  
• Security measures: Enterprise-grade security, including threat prevention and HTTPS for all domains, ensures data protection. 

Cons 

• Limited flexibility: Wix offers many customization options, but once you select a template and build your site, you can’t change it. This limitation can be an issue if your business needs evolve over time. 
• Non-transferable websites: If you outgrow Wix, you can’t transfer your website to another platform. You’ll need to rebuild your site from scratch or hire someone to help move it elsewhere. 
• No external third-party apps or plugins: Wix limits third-party integrations, which may restrict your ability to expand. This is especially problematic for eCommerce sites that need apps for things like dropshipping or social media storefronts. 
• Limited monetization options: While Wix supports basic eCommerce, advanced features like subscriptions, dropshipping, and product reviews are locked behind higher-tier plans. The lowest-tier plan lacks multi-currency support and other essential eCommerce tools. 
• Slow loading times: Wix sites can suffer from slow load times, particularly if they include large amounts of images or videos. Heavy media files can weigh down your site, affecting overall performance. 

Zenfolio 

Zenfolio is known for its photography-focused features. The platform has customizable galleries, integrated e-commerce capabilities, and client management tools. Whether you’re looking to sell prints, offer digital downloads, or simply display your portfolio. It also has marketing features such as email campaigns and SEO tools to boost visibility. 

You can easily organize your photos, set privacy controls, and allow clients to view, select, and purchase images. The platform also integrates client booking capabilities to streamline appointments and services.  

Features 

• Unlimited photo storage: Zenfolio provides storage for photos and videos. With the option of unlimited storage (depending on the plan), photographers can keep all their images in one place without worrying about running out of space. 
• Customizable galleries: Zenfolio lets you create personalized galleries to showcase your images. You can customize the look of the galleries, adjust privacy settings, and even password-protect galleries for specific clients or groups. 
• eCommerce tools: Integrated eCommerce features allow photographers to sell prints, digital images, and other photo-related products directly through their website. You can set up a store, configure pricing, and manage your sales all in one place. 
• Marketing tools: Zenfolio offers email marketing features that allow you to send campaigns to clients, promoting your work, offering discounts, or sending out updates. The platform also includes built-in SEO options to help your website rank better in search engines. 
• Client booking: The built-in scheduling feature, in partnership with BookMe, allows photographers to manage appointments and bookings directly from their website.  

Pros  

• Photography-centric tools: Zenfolio is designed specifically for photographers, with tools that help manage and showcase photos, as well as sell prints and digital downloads. The platform offers a comprehensive solution for photographers looking to streamline their workflow and enhance their business. 
• Comprehensive client management: With Zenfolio, photographers can track client interactions, manage galleries, and allow clients to proof and select images. These client-focused features are integral for providing a smooth experience, particularly for those handling multiple projects. 
• Unlimited storage: Depending on the plan, Zenfolio offers unlimited photo storage, giving you peace of mind when managing a large portfolio. This feature is ideal for photographers who need extensive storage without having to worry about hitting a limit. 
• Built-in e-commerce: The platform provides everything you need to set up an online store, sell prints, and offer digital products. With Zenfolio’s integrated e-commerce tools, you can focus on creating and selling without having to worry about managing third-party integrations. 
• Easy-to-use dashboard: Zenfolio’s interface is simple and user-friendly, making it easy for even beginners to set up and manage their website. The dashboard is well-organized, allowing you to access all your features and tools without confusion. 

Cons 

• Limited template variety: Zenfolio offers only a limited selection of 12 templates, which may not be enough for photographers seeking a more unique or personalized design. The templates are functional, but they can feel restrictive in terms of variety. 
• Basic customization: The level of customization in Zenfolio is more limited compared to platforms like Wix or Squarespace. While the platform is user-friendly, the design options available are fairly basic, and you might find it hard to achieve highly specific design preferences. 
• E-commerce fees: Zenfolio charges a 7% transaction fee on sales, in addition to the usual payment processing fees. For photographers with high sales volume, this could become a significant cost, especially when selling physical prints or products. 
• Learning curve: Although Zenfolio is relatively easy to use, new users may need time to familiarize themselves with its many features and settings. It may take some time to get comfortable with the platform, especially for those new to website building. 
• Expensive higher-tier plans: Zenfolio’s most advanced features, including full e-commerce functionality and marketing tools, are locked behind its premium plans. These higher-tier plans can be costly, making it less ideal for photographers on a tight budget. 

SmugMug 

SmugMug is a popular photo-sharing platform designed specifically for photographers who need a place to store, display, and sell their images. It offers an array of features that help photographers showcase their work professionally, including customizable galleries, unlimited storage, and robust eCommerce tools.  

The platform provides various security features, such as password protection and watermarking, to ensure your work is safe. It is perfect for both hobbyists and professionals who want to manage large collections of photos and streamline their business. 

Features 

• Customizable galleries: SmugMug allows photographers to create and customize galleries to showcase their work. You can adjust the look and feel of each gallery, change the theme, and even set privacy controls, like password protection. 
• eCommerce tools: SmugMug has built-in eCommerce capabilities that enable photographers to sell prints, digital downloads, and photo gifts directly from their website.  
• Security features: SmugMug offers watermarking, password protection, and image privacy settings. These tools help photographers keep their images safe from theft or unauthorized use. 
• Mobile app: With the SmugMug mobile app, photographers can manage their photos, galleries, and client interactions on the go. The app allows for quick uploads, sharing, and even browsing through client galleries. 

Pros 

• Image quality: SmugMug excels in displaying high-quality images, ensuring your photos look stunning on any device. The platform automatically optimizes images for the best viewing experience. 
• Ease of use: The platform is designed to be user-friendly. The intuitive interface and drag-and-drop functionality make it easy for photographers of all skill levels to get started without technical challenges. 
• eCommerce integration: SmugMug’s eCommerce tools allow photographers to sell prints, digital files, and photo products directly from their website. This integrated system handles everything from pricing to order fulfillment. 
• Security features: SmugMug takes image security seriously by offering watermarking, password protection, and privacy settings. These features allow photographers to control who sees their work. 

Cons 

• No image favoriting: SmugMug lacks a feature for clients to “favorite” or mark images for quick selection, which can be a problem when you have large galleries. Clients may find it difficult to quickly select their preferred images without this option. 
• No invoicing system: While SmugMug handles photo sales, it does not provide an invoicing system for photographers. This means that users need to find a separate tool for billing and managing client payments. 
• 15% fee on sales: SmugMug charges a 15% transaction fee on all sales made through the platform. While this is part of their e-commerce model, it may eat into your profits, especially if you are selling a high volume of prints or digital products. 
• Basic client interaction: While SmugMug is great for showcasing images, it lacks advanced features for client interaction, such as portfolio pricing plans or personalized client tagging. 
• Higher pricing: SmugMug’s pricing may be higher than some other photo-sharing platforms, especially if you need access to advanced features like professional print sales, storage, and customization.  

7 Benefits of Having a Photography Website 

Here are seven benefits you can get from having a photography website that’s tailored to your niche. 

Displays Your High-Quality Portfolios to Potential Clients 

Using a website builder allows you to create stunning online portfolios that display your photos in the best possible light. High-quality, customizable templates ensure that your work is presented professionally. This enhances visual appeal and attracts attention from visitors. 

Share Private Galleries with Clients 

Website builders often come with features that enable you to create private galleries. These are essential for sharing exclusive previews with clients securely, allowing them to view and select their favorite photos in a protected environment. 

This feature boosts client trust and satisfaction by keeping choices private. It also speeds up feedback and approval. By providing a secure, private space, you make the review process faster and more efficient for both you and your clients. 

Creates a Fast and Mobile-Friendly Website 

A fast-loading and mobile-optimized website is in demand today. Website builders adjust your content for any device, ensuring it looks good and works well.  

This boost in user experience and engagement is key. It meets users’ needs for fast access and easy navigation on desktops and mobiles. 

Book Appointments Online 

A website with an integrated online appointment scheduling tool simplifies the process for clients. Customers can book sessions directly on your site. They only need to check availability and make appointments without needing to communicate back and forth.  

This saves time for your customers and communicating with them seamlessly. 

Sell Prints and Digital Files 

When it comes to monetizing your photography, eCommerce integration is a game changer. With website builders, visitors can browse and buy prints or digital downloads of your work. This not only opens a significant revenue stream but also simplifies the purchasing process for your audience. 

Helps Improve Your Site’s Search Ranking 

SEO tools included in website builders can help boost your website’s visibility on search engines. By optimizing your site, you increase the chances of appearing in top search results, drawing more visitors and potential clients to your photography business. 

Set Up Your Website Quickly 

Website builders are designed for ease of use, enabling you to set up a fully functional, professional-looking website in no time.  

This quick setup is beneficial for photographers who want to get their business online without dealing with complex coding or lengthy development processes. 

Showcase Your Craft and Start Building 

Choosing the right website builder can transform your photography into an integrated business. Focus on key features like high-quality templates, seamless eCommerce integration, SEO tools, and security measures. Assess each option carefully to find a platform that aligns with your needs and helps you efficiently manage and display your work. 

You don’t have to search far for a fully integrated website builder. Web.com offers an AI-powered builder for a seamless site setup. It has a variety of templates to suit your style and flexible plans that fit your business needs. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best website builder for a photographer? 

A great website builder offers intuitive design templates, robust SEO tools, and eCommerce functions. These help you to showcase and sell your work. Some platforms also offer a free version, which can be a great starting point for those new to website building. 

What website is best for photographers? 

Photographers should look for website builders that provide visually stunning templates, comprehensive customization options, and reliable customer support to enhance their online presence. 

What do photographers use for websites? 

Photographers typically use website builders that excel in managing high-quality images, offer elegant gallery features, and support seamless print sales and digital downloads.