Darren Walker Photography

Is Wix Good For Photographer Websites?

By walkities

Table Of Contents

As a photographer, having an online presence is essential to showcase your work and attract potential clients. However, with so many website builders on the market, choosing the right one for your photography website can be overwhelming.

In this article, I’m going to help you explore one such option, the WIX website builder for photographers. 

As someone who has spent countless hours building my photography website, I understand how important it is to find the perfect fit.  WIX has a powerful marketing message behind it, you’ve likely seen it online through YouTube channels or content marketers hailing it as the best website builder for photographers, but I’m going to let you in on a few secrets that may make you change your mind when building your photography site. 

In this article, I’ll break down these factors so you can decide which platform works best for you as a photographer.

Key Takeaways

  • Wix may not be the best tool for professional or business websites, as it has limitations on customization, SEO, and ownership.
  • Wix may make a brand look cheap and unprofessional, and its generic design and URL may lead customers to question the legitimacy of a business.
  • Wix’s customer service has received some negative reviews but overall, most feedback has been positive.
  • Many people have reported negativity against its payment gateway for eCommerce.
  • Alternatives to Wix include custom website design with effective SEO and niche targeting, affordable WordPress hosting, and web design resource sites with easy-to-understand tutorials.

Pros of using Wix for Photographer Websites

If you’re a photographer looking to create a website, it’s essential to consider the pros and cons of using Wix. Your long term goal of professional photography should be in the back of you remind. If your goal is to build an online business through your website, you may want to keep reading on why I think using WIX isn’t in your best interests.

On the other hand, if you just want a brochure online one silver lining is that Wix offers customizable templates and drag-and-drop features that make designing your site as easy as shooting fish in a barrel.  

Another nice feature is WIX comes with a free plan. The downside of this is it will have ads enabled until you upgrade from the free trial to a paid plan.  The company provides dozens of templates specifically for photographers that are easy to use, so getting something up and running is straightforward.

With Wix, you can easily showcase your stunning website through beautiful, visually appealing layouts that are sure to catch the eye of potential clients. Moreover, Wix also provides options for creating online portfolios and galleries to display your work in all its glory.

You can easily add high-quality images and customize your site’s look to match your personal brand. Plus, with various pricing plans, you can choose what works best for your budget.  Most photographers won’t need more than the basic plan, but if you’re looking to build your photography portfolio, you may find yourself purchasing a bigger monthly plan. 

Overall, suppose you want a user-friendly platform that allows you to showcase your photography skills in an aesthetically pleasing way. In that case, the Wix photography website builder may be worth considering for your website needs.

Cons of using Wix for Photographer Websites

Despite its ease of use and ability to create a website without knowing coding, using Wix may not be ideal for photographers who want to showcase their work online. Wix offers visually-appealing templates and easy-to-use drag-and-drop features, but it falls very short in customization and SEO optimization.

Website Building Is Only The First Step, Why You Need To Think About SEO

What is SEO?  SEO stands for search engine optimization and is the process of properly setting up your website to properly be found in search engines like Google, Bing, etc.  I’ve bad issues in the past with WIX hampering my ability to showup on the top pages, after making the switch to another website solution like WordPress, I noticed an immediate jump to the first page. 

For photographers, having an aesthetically pleasing website with high-quality photos and videos is essential to attract potential clients but if your professional-looking website can’t be found via search you’re going to have to rely on other methods to make your photography website a viable option for your business.

Making The Transition If You Want To Switch

Photographers specifically may need to change their website over time as they grow.  WIX is good for simplicity, but if you end up needing a more complex website (client areas, online store, etc) you may find a huge issue with WIX.  You can’t move to another platform easily due to their code and restrictions.

This might change in the future with AI, but for now, it’s important to keep this in mind.  This website you’re reading is built on WordPress, and I’ve changed it and built how I see fit.  The platform is the best photography option as you can install a page builder like Breakdance and have the same functionality as WIX to create a professional website. 

With WordPress, you can manage your site just as easily and should you ever need to transfer the content you can easily with their import/export plugins. 

Third-Party Plugins and Templates

Additionally, Wix’s inability to integrate with third-party plugins limits the ability to add essential features such as client galleries or some e-commerce functionality.

While WIX itself does have a lot of capability and plugins built there may just be some things that you can’t do with the platform.   In my opinion building your own website on WordPress is the best choice for photographers as it

Overall, while Wix may be suitable for more straightforward websites or personal blogs, photographers looking for a professional online presence should consider alternative solutions that offer greater flexibility and customization options.

Customizing Your Wix Website for Photographers in 2023

To create a visually stunning online portfolio for your photography business, personalizing your website design and optimizing it for search engines are crucial steps toward attracting potential clients.

With Wix, you can customize the look and feel of your website to reflect your unique style and showcase your work in the best possible way. Utilize the platform’s drag-and-drop editor to easily add galleries, slideshows, and videos that will captivate visitors’ attention or dive into their photography templates to build a website that looks and fits your brand. 

If you’ve decided to choose WIX over WordPress there are a few SEO steps that may help your website quickly rank. In addition By utilizing keywords related to your niche and including metadata such as alt tags and descriptions on images, you can increase the likelihood of potential clients finding your site.  While you may not completely control your website you can still fine-tune it to help. 

Below is a table outlining some key tips for customizing and optimizing your Wix website for photography:

Customization TipsOptimization Tips
Use high-quality imagesUtilize relevant keywords in titles and text
Incorporate galleries or slideshowsInclude metadata such as alt tags and descriptions
Choose a color scheme that complements your workOptimize image file names
Add social media links for easy sharingEnsure fast loading speeds

By following these tips, you can create a website in no time that showcases your photography skills and attracts potential clients. Personalizing the design of your Wix website allows you to stand out from competitors while optimizing it ensures maximum visibility on SERPs.

Alternatives to Wix for Photographer Websites

Looking for alternatives to Wix in building your website? You’re not alone. Many professional photographers prefer WordPress and consider it one of the best photography website builders. 

With its vast array of themes, plugins, and templates specifically designed for photographers, WordPress offers unparalleled flexibility and control over the look and functionality of your website.  

In addition to WordPress, there are other great alternatives to Wix, such as Squarespace, SmugMug, Zenfolio, and Format. These platforms offer various features that cater to photographers, such as online galleries, e-commerce options, unlimited storage space, SEO optimization tools, custom domains, and 24/7 customer support.

Ultimately, the choice of which platform to use will depend on your specific needs and preferences, but it’s essential to consider all options before deciding.

Making the Most of Wix’s Features for Photography Websites

You can take your photography website to the next level by maximizing the features available on Wix. As a photographer, you need to create a visually stunning experience for your audience that showcases your work and tells your story.

Here are some ways to make the most of Wix’s features for photography websites:

  • Utilize Wix’s built-in gallery feature to showcase your photos in an organized and visually appealing way.
  • Experiment with different gallery layouts, such as grid or masonry, to find one that best suits your style.
  • Use Wix’s blogging platform to share behind-the-scenes stories about your photo shoots and offer tips and insights for aspiring photographers.
  • Incorporate high-quality images into blog posts to keep readers engaged and showcase your skills.

By taking advantage of these features and customizing them to fit your brand, you can create a website that impresses potential clients and fosters a sense of belonging among fellow photographers. Wix is great if you want a website that looks good and is simple to use, but if you’re looking for long term growth I recommend looking at other options like WordPress.

FAQ’s

Q: Is WIX a good choice for photographers who want to build a photography website?

A: Yes! WIX has specific templates designed for photographers, keeping in mind the need for visually stunning and powerful websites. With its user-friendly interface and an array of customizable templates and designs, you can quickly build a website that best represents your work and aesthetic.

Q: Is WIX one of the best website builders for photographers out there?

A: Yes, WIX is considered one of the best website builders for photographers due to its powerful website-building tools and an extensive variety of templates and designs. Moreover, WIX’s focus on serving photographers’ needs sets it apart from other website builders like Squarespace and Weebly.  Where it lacks is it’s SEO features and ability to show up in search engines.

Q: Are WIX templates and designs suitable for photographers?

A: Yes, WIX offers a wide range of templates and designs that cater specifically to photographers. You can choose from any of the templates and easily customize it to best represent your work and personal brand.

Q: How does WIX stand out as a website builder for photographers?

A: WIX is a powerful website builder that offers an array of tools to optimize your website and showcase your photography. The WIX Pro Gallery, for instance, is a unique tool for photographers that optimizes images and ensures they are displayed in the best possible quality. In addition, WIX offers an array of customization options that can bring your website to life and differentiate it from other photographers.

Q: Is it possible to build an online store using WIX?

A: WIX allows you to create an online store to sell your photos or other merchandise. However, you need to choose the right plan that offers e-commerce capabilities, as the cheapest plan does not offer this feature.

Q: Is WIX a popular website builder for photographers?

A: WIX is a popular website builder widely used by photographers to showcase their work. It is one of the top choices for beginner photographers due to its designer templates, ease of use, and powerful editing tools. Advanced photographers may choose WordPress to customize their site with full control. 

Q: Is WIX the best website builder for photographers?

A: Choosing the best website builder for photographers depends on individual requirements and preferences. While WIX is undoubtedly an excellent choice for photographers, other different website builders like Squarespace, Weebly, and WordPress cater to photographers’ needs and could be a better fit.

Q: Is WIX a good website builder choice for beginners?

A: WIX is an ideal website builder for beginners as it offers an easy-to-use interface and pre-designed templates. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or new to website building, WIX is a suitable choice.

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