Curated reading material for the summer 👓📚
These are 50+ hand-picked articles that I enjoyed since the beginning of 2018, on topics like business / industry news, web-design, SEO & WordPress.
Read articlePhotography website design inspiration.
Ideas and examples for building great photo websites. For more photography & business inspiration, also check out the “Interviews” category to learn from other professional photographers with successful businesses.
WordPress themes for photographers: how to find and buy the best WP themes for your photography website
WordPress themes have come a long way in recent years. Premium WP themes are now incredibly flexible and powerful, they're mobile-friendly and SEO-friendly, and they often include a slew of powerful plugins that extend their functionality even further. Here are my recommendations.
Read articleCustom website case-study: unique WordPress design for award-winning photographer Chris Dei
See what website design you can achieve if you use the right WP theme and if you let yourself be creative along the way. When the type of photography you shoot demands something special, it's OK to step outside of the norm and creating something unique to showcase it online.
Read articleWebsite makeover case study: using the power of CSS to improve an existing PhotoShelter site
You can bring new life into your existing photography website by adding custom CSS code and doing minor template tweaks. An improved online presence will grow your business as a result.
Read articleUsing call-to-action buttons to guide people through your photography website
One of the most under-utilized ways of improving your photography website, call-to-action buttons can encourage visitors to perform the actions you want them to take on your site (whether that's contacting you, booking a photo shoot, viewing your portfolio, etc.)
Read articleKeeping your online portfolio fresh
Stop your photography portfolio from collecting dust by regularly adding new projects, rotating some of your past galleries and scheduling portfolio clean-ups.
Read article12 ways to make your photography website more trustworthy
Follow these user-experience guidelines to differentiate your photography website, attract more clients, and show that you truly care about your work.
Read articleThe 4 types of thumbnail grids: what’s the best way to display thumbs on your photography website?
A comparison of the most common ways to display photo thumbnails (along with examples and recommended plugins).
Read articleIn-depth guide: 60+ photography website mistakes – the complete guide to finding and fixing your website problems
With straight-forward ideas and many examples & resources, this guide will get your site on the right track. Fix as many mistakes as possible to achieve photo website mastery! All ideas are short and come with their own resources and solutions to help you eliminate any website problems.
Read articleQ&A #6: WP themes, PhotoShelter integrations, SEO, copywriters
This Q&A covers WordPress themes, tips & integrations with PhotoShelter, SEO thoughts and a curated list of copywriters.
Read articleA quick overview of integrating a blog into your photography website
Your options for integrating a blog into your existing site and combining different platforms into a hybrid photo website.
Read articleIn-depth guide: The process of selecting images for a strong & coherent portfolio
Properly choosing your portfolio images is important, but also very difficult. This article includes guidelines for building a better (online & offline) photography portfolio, and a curated selection of resources to learn more.
Read articleIn-depth guide: Having separate photography websites or merging them?
Understanding the compromises you have to make when promoting multiple photography specialties on the same website. It's a game of compromises, and sometimes, the benefits outweigh the problems.
Read articleWebsite makeover case study: polishing & modernizing an existing WordPress site
Thought process and screenshots from redesigning the PhotoBizX Podcast website. Small details can really help you improve your photography WordPress site.
Read articleSpring cleaning: 12 ways to freshen up your outdated photo website
If your photography website is gathering cobwebs, it's about time you do a quick audit and change things up.
Read article8 quick wins to improve your photography website
It's time to grow your business by making some important (but often neglected) changes to your photo website.
Read articleQ&A #2: Getting traffic, pop-us, homepage layouts, flash websites
The struggles of starting out and getting traffic, thoughts on pop-ups, homepage layouts, flash websites and more...
Read articleThe importance of blogging (and doing it for the right reasons)
Blogs are a great way to show your personality, to create a more personal connection with your audience. But don't just keep an "online journal" or blog only for SEO reasons.
Read articleWhy and how to use excerpts on your blog index page
A common mistake I see photographers doing on their site is: not using excerpts on the blog index page. Let's explore ways to solve the issue and improve the blog page layout and user experience.
Read articleWatch 4 in-depth video reviews (screencasts) of photography websites
These free screencasts include tens of tips that you can use on your own website. Or if you don't have those particular website issues, you can at least understand some key concepts in web design, usability, SEO etc.
Read articleIn-depth guide: Navigation menu best‑practices for photography websites
Sadly just an afterthought for some photographers, the navigation menu is critical for the effectiveness of a photo website. Even though it takes up just a few pixels, it can truly make or break the site. These are all-important recommendations for building a clear & effective navigation menu, with examples along the way.
Read articleWordPress now powers 30% of the Internet
How powerful WordPress themes have become + examples of WP-based photography page elements.
Read articleThe importance of whitespace in photography website designs
Many factors come into play to create a good design, but whitespace is great for obtaining a cleaner and more readable website.
Read articleThe case against background images in photography websites
Your website visitors should be drawn to your site because they love your images, so don't distract them with background images or textures.
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