Finding the best website builder for photographers is essential to start your business. Every photographer needs their own website as a portfolio, storefront, and business hub. And the more professional your website, the more success you’ll have as a photographer.
Wix is the best website builder for photographers. It’s a well-priced website builder anyone can use. It’s a no-code platform with drag-and-drop design tools. So you don’t need web design experience.
There are thousands of design capabilities. And you can develop your own branding. It even uses AI features for streamlined website building.
What Is the Best Website Builder For Photographers?
The best website builders let you create a personal and professional website. And the result should be an online space that shows your work at its best.
They should be easy to use. And no computer design or coding experience should be necessary. Thankfully, there are plenty of website builders that make it super easy.
The best website builders have easy-to-use tools. They have drag-and-drop tools and predesigned templates and widgets.
You want a website builder with a good selection of templates. And you’ll also want a way to customize your webpage. This helps you create a website that stands out from the crowd.
You don’t want a website that looks identical to everyone else’s. You want something eye-catching and original. Plus, websites are now more than pages with text and images.
They’ve become fully interactive experiences. So you need a good landing page to grab the viewer’s attention. And you need good navigation tools are vital for helping visitors browse your website.
All the website builders in this article have these features. But finding the best one is about picking the one that matches your objective, style, and budget.
You can see all the website builders in the table below. Then we look at each one in more detail in the section after.
- High storage capacity on higher plans
- Drag-and-drop editing
- Logo design tools
- 24/7 customer service
- Fantastic template selection
- Mobile-optimized websites
- Custom domain name
- Popup guides to help you design your website
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- 100+ designs and widgets
- Drag-and-drop design tools
- Custom popup builder
- Large photo and video hosting capacity
- Templates designed for photographers
- eCommerce features for businesses
- 14-day free trial on all plans
- Shareable client galleries
- Automated workflows for faster website building
- Built-in payment system for selling prints and downloads
- Decent amount of digital storage on all plans
- 14-day free trial on any plan
- Password-protected galleries for clients
- Unlimited storage on all plans
- SmugMug apps for managing your site from your mobile
- Fantastic storage options on all plans
- Built-in tools for invoicing
- Can draft contracts for clients
- 14-day free trial on any plan
- Custom features for blogging and sharing on social media
- 14-day free trial and 30-day money-back guarantee
- Wide range of portfolio templates for photographers
- Drag-and-drop editing tools
- Creative Cloud subscription gives you Photoshop and Lightroom
- Professional portfolio templates
- Custom domain names
- Custom formatting for laptops, tablets, and smartphones
9 Best Website Builders for Photographers
All photographers need an online space to display, promote, and sell their work. And the website builders in this article have been handpicked for photographers.
They have everything a photographer needs to create a digital hub for their business. And we’ve included sites for all levels and budgets. You just need to select the one that suits your needs.
1. Wix
| Brand |
Brand
Wix
|
| Free Trial / Free Plan |
Free Trial / Free Plan
14-day refund window
|
| Number of Plans |
Number of Plans
4
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
Large storage capacity, 24/7 customer service, drag-and-drop editing, custom domain, logo design tools
|
| Best For |
Best For
Creating a unique website
|
Wix isn’t designed for photographers specifically. But it comes at a reasonable price and excellent results. So it still scores high on our list of the best website builders for photographers.
With this site, you can build a fantastic-looking website with little trouble. It’s a website builder for professionals in the creative industries.
It’s not exclusive to photographers. But it does have superb galleries and portfolios photographers can use to showcase their work.
The extra creative elements help you build an online space uniquely yours. And the templates make it easy to build a website. But you get enough creative control to make it personal.
Their sites can be used as online galleries or as a hub for your photography business. It also gives you logo design tools to help you expand your brand.
Plus, it has built-in SEO tools to help you boost traffic. And there’s 24/7 customer service if you encounter problems.
Usability
Wix is beginner-friendly with a straightforward workflow. Even if you’ve never designed a website, you’ll quickly get the hang of Wix.
There are a ton of tools and features that allow you to customize any of the templates. And the drag-and-drop system makes page design easy.
The number of templates is impressive, almost verging on overwhelming. But while having a good selection of templates is a good thing, Wix may have gone overboard.
This means you can choose a unique design. But you are spoiled for choice.
If you want to opt out of the design process, leave it to Wix ADI (artificial design intelligence). This uses your social media information to construct a website for you.
It’s a nifty feature. But if you want a smart photography website, it’s best to put in the extra effort.
Pricing Options
Its prices make Wix one of the top competitors for website builders. There’s no free subscription option. But they offer a 14-day refund window if you don’t like the service.
The Connect Domain plan is the cheapest option. And it’s one of the cheapest basic plans of any website builder. That’s why it’s a good option for photographers with a young business.
The VIP is the top plan. It gives you plenty of features like 35 GB of storage and 5 hours of video. But the price is still reasonable. You also have the Combo and Unlimited plans in between.
You’ll get much more in return if you stretch your budget a bit. And the plans offer excellent value. So you never have to stretch it that far.
Wix has more business and eCommerce plans to grow your enterprise. But the four website plans are perfect for a fledgling photography business.
2. Squarespace
| Brand |
Brand
Squarespace
|
| Free Trial / Free Plan |
Free Trial / Free Plan
14-day free trial on all plans
|
| Number of Plans |
Number of Plans
4
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
Mobile-optimized websites, drag-and-drop editing, 100+ templates, custom domain name
|
| Best For |
Best For
Sleek and simple website designs
|
Squarespace is one of the most popular website builders in the creative industries. You can’t watch a YouTube video these days without seeing their advert.
But their popularity isn’t only due to their advertising campaign. It’s an excellent builder for simple yet sleek photography websites.
Their product is aimed at artists of all kinds. And photographers fit perfectly into that demographic.
The Squarespace portfolio templates are excellent in general. But they have templates specifically tailored for photography portfolios.
Squarespace is a website builder with an excellent array of designs. And all the designs give you professional results.
They have an elegant minimalism that is attractive but easy on the eye. Plus, the templates enhance your photos, not overshadow them.
Usability
The best website builders are easy for anyone to use. And Squarespace fits into that category.
Nothing is hidden within a maze of menus. And the drag-and-drop interface makes web design as simple as moving your mouse.
With Squarespace, you can jump right in. You don’t need to watch any tutorials before you get started.
And if you do get stuck, some popups guide you along. Just hover your mouse over an area, and an info box appears. You can take it as fast or as slow as you want.
The site provides customer support if you do get stuck. There’s 24-hour email support and a live chat line. The chat is open Monday to Friday from 4:00 am to 8:00 pm EDT (eastern daylight time).
Pricing Options
Squarespace offers a free trial period for all new subscribers. It gives you full access to any of the plans for 14 days. But once the trial ends, you’ll be asked to hand over your billing information.
With a monthly subscription cost, Squarespace is more expensive than some of its rivals. But judging by this web builder’s popularity, many think it’s worth the price.
There are different Personal and Business packages. And the two top plans are Commerce (Basic) and Commerce (Advanced).
The Personal package gives you everything for a smashing photo website for an individual photographer. But you can upgrade if you’re running a company or agency.
Squarespace is the best website builder for photographers if you have the money to spend.
3. Elementor
| Brand |
Brand
Elementor
|
| Free Trial / Free Plan |
Free Trial / Free Plan
30-day money-back guarantee
|
| Number of Plans |
Number of Plans
4
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
Drag-and-drop tools, 100+ designs, 100+ widgets, form builder, popup builder, motion effects
|
| Best For |
Best For
Photographers and creatives of all levels
|
Elementor is a web builder designed with creatives in mind. It has templates for media, eCommerce, and photographer bios. And it has specific portfolio templates for photographers.
You don’t need to worry if you lack computer skills with Elementor. The interface is intuitive and easy to use.
Plus, many of the features work with an easy drag-and-drop system. So it’s perfect as your first website builder.
The program is beginner-friendly. But the final results are suitable for any professional photographer.
The page designs are classy with a contemporary aesthetic. The final pages are slick, smart, and stylish. And your photos will look great in Elementor’s photographer templates.
Usability
Elementor is a WordPress plugin. So you need an account before downloading Elementor. But if you’re familiar with WordPress already, there aren’t many surprises.
The menus are clear. So you can always find what you need. And it’s easy to apply the features you want to your photography website.
The drag-and-drop interface gives you incredible freedom to structure your page. And there are very few limitations.
You can use the templates they provide. But you can also make adjustments to create a unique visual experience.
So you can display your portfolio however you wish. And you can create a memorable photography site that puts your work at the forefront.
Pricing Options
Elementor has no free subscription plan. The Basic plan is their cheapest option.
This gives you one WordPress-hosted site and access for one member. It also gives you 10 GB of digital storage. It’s decent value. And it has everything someone early in their career would need.
If you find that restrictive, you can upgrade to one of Elementor’s higher plans. The Business plan is their next offer. Then they have the Grow and Scale plans above that.
Each step comes with increased storage, monthly visit limits, and bandwidth. You can also have more users and more websites under one account.
The plans are well structured. And the price increases match what you get in return. They allow you to start small with space to grow as your business develops.
We are disappointed there’s no free plan. But Elementor does offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. It lets you get a feel for the builder. And if it’s not to your liking, you can quit without losing anything.
4. Format
| Brand |
Brand
Format
|
| Free Trial / Free Plan |
Free Trial / Free Plan
14-day free trial
|
| Number of Plans |
Number of Plans
3
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
eCommerce features, video hosting, photography-specific templates
|
| Best For |
Best For
Photography portfolios
|
Format is the best website builder if you want a professional photography portfolio. They have hundreds of template designs. And they have a whole collection dedicated to photography portfolios.
You can create sleek and professional galleries. And the eCommerce tools help you make money online.
This doesn’t give you the most diverse and interactive website. But it’s the perfect option for displaying and selling photos online.
Usability
The wide selection of smart templates makes Format easy to use. You can have something that looks professional with very little input. It also has the tools to make it unique to your photography brand.
The site allows you to upload photos directly from Adobe Lightroom or Capture One. And you don’t need to worry about online image theft.
You can turn off the right clicks on your site. So no one will be able to download your images without permission.
The “client proofing” is another bonus. You can create client-specific galleries that are password protected.
Not only is it a safe way to share your work, but it’s much quicker than using email. And again, the eCommerce features are great for generating some extra income.
Pricing Options
Format doesn’t have a free plan. But you can start with a 14-day free trial. Then you can choose a paid plan—Basic, Pro, or Pro Plus.
The Basic plan gives you a 15-page website that can display up to 100 images. It’s a cheap option and a good place to start. But if you pay slightly more, you get much more for your money.
The Pro plan is excellent value for money. And you get so much more than the Basic plan.
There’s no limit to the number of pages your website can have. And you can display 1500 high-resolution images. You can also display 15 minutes of video. Plus, you get 100 GB of storage.
Pro Plus gives you unlimited pages and image displays. You can display 120 minutes of video. And you get 1 TB of digital storage.
It also lets you sell up to 1000 products in your online store. So it’s a great option when your business is fully up and running.
Format plans are very reasonably priced. But you get far more for your money with the Pro and Pro Plus plans. So we recommend either of those plans, even if you’re just starting.
5. Zenfolio
| Brand |
Brand
Zenfolio
|
| Free Trial / Free Plan |
Free Trial / Free Plan
14-day free trial
|
| Number of Plans |
Number of Plans
3
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
Shareable client galleries, customizable temples, automated workflows
|
| Best For |
Best For
Photographers looking for an affordable online portfolio
|
Zenfolio offers one of the best opportunities for photographers to create an online portfolio. The platform has excellent photography templates and web design tools.
The website designs are classy and professional. And there are many photographer-specific features to help your online business thrive.
The web design tools couldn’t be easier to use. And the prices make Zenfolio a fantastic option for photographers with a tight budget.
Usability
Zenfolio‘s web templates are excellent. You can upload the photos to your portfolio with very little trouble, even for those who aren’t tech-savvy. Plus, you get unlimited storage on the higher plans.
You can create password-protected galleries for clients. And Zenfolio gives you a guarantee of total image security on all of their sites. This means viewers can’t download images without permission.
The eCommerce features are a strong point for this website builder. A built-in payment system makes it easy to sell prints and other products. So you get a gallery and photo store in one place.
Pricing Options
Zenfolio has a 14-day free trial on all plans. And when you start paying, there’s no big shock.
The prices are very reasonable for a photography website builder of this quality. The prices are some of the lowest on this list if you pay annually instead of monthly.
You can start with the Portfolio plan. It gives you 15 GB of storage and client-proofing features.
The PortfolioPlus plan gives you more storage and multi-page options. And the ProSuite gives you unlimited storage and all the features you could need.
We think the Portfolio plan is ideal for beginners. The price is excellent, especially if you pay annually. And you can move to higher plans with no heavy financial impact.
Zenfolio is an affordable website builder for photographers looking for a professional portfolio. You read our comparison between Zenfolio vs SmugMug, the next choice on our list.
6. SmugMug
| Brand |
Brand
SmugMug
|
| Free Trial / Free Plan |
Free Trial / Free Plan
14-day free trial
|
| Number of Plans |
Number of Plans
3
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
Unlimited storage on all plans, privacy control, customer support, Lightroom integration
|
| Best For |
Best For
Secure photo storage and eCommerce
|
SmugMug is one of the best photo storage websites available. It’s also a great way to display, promote, and sell your work online.
You can create and share galleries with clients and other websites. And you can make money selling prints and downloads.
Usability
It doesn’t have the easiest interface when it comes to website building. And it’s not as smooth as Elementor or Wix. But the effort will be worth it.
SmugMug gives you password-protected client-proofing options. And you can disable downloads from your site, making it harder for people to steal your work.
It’s also easy to set up your online store with its eCommerce features. And you have custom pricing options for print and download sales.
When you sign up with SmugMug, you also get an app. It’s available for iOS and Android. And it lets you manage your site on the go. You can display brand-new shots when you’re still in the studio!
Pricing Options
SmugMug offers a 14-day free trial on all plans. The prices are at the higher end of the scale than others on this list.
But photographers with a large catalog of photos will appreciate the unlimited storage. And that unlimited storage is available on all three plans!
The Power plan is the cheapest option. This storage plan has very few options for displaying and selling your work.
That’s why we recommend the Portfolio or Pro plans for photography businesses. They have excellent eCommerce options. And you can create client galleries and professional portfolios.
You’ll need a bigger budget for a SmugMug subscription. But they have some of the best eCommerce options of any website builder.
They also give you unlimited storage. And they help you with invoices. So it’s ideal for any flourishing photography business.
Read our comparison between SmugMug vs Zenfolio, the previous choice on our list.
7. ShootProof
| Brand |
Brand
ShootProof
|
| Free Trial / Free Plan |
Free Trial / Free Plan
14-day free trial for paid plans and one free plan
|
| Number of Plans |
Number of Plans
5
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
Custom branded galleries, payment and invoicing tools, and anti-theft features
|
| Best For |
Best For
eCommerce and financial features
|
ShootProof isn’t exactly a website builder like the previous ones listed. This is something a bit different. Rather than using a program for website building, it’s a host for your photography business.
You can create branded galleries and portfolios. You can have password-protected galleries for clients. And ShootProof gives you fantastic eCommerce tools for running your online business.
Usability
Rather than creating your own website, ShootProof hosts you on their site. And from there, you can make a portfolio and sell your products with your branding.
It’s quicker and easier than creating your own website from scratch. But it’s more restrictive than the previous options.
You’re not building your own website. So you need to work within their template. And you don’t have many options for customizing the pages and galleries. But the portfolios are professional and classy.
You can safely share images with clients using password-protected galleries. You can also protect your photos and add unique watermarks for further protection.
The main benefits of ShootProof are the eCommerce features. They help you create contracts for clients. Anyone running their own business knows how important that is.
All financial transactions can be arranged through them. And it’s easy to generate invoices through the platform.
Pricing Options
ShootProof has a free plan for beginners. It’s called the 100 Photo Plan. And it gives you free storage for 100 photos. This is a good place to start. But you’ll soon realize 100 photos isn’t a lot.
That’s why we recommend going straight for one of the paid plans.
You get a 14-day free trial with all the paid plans. And they offer excellent value. It’s worth the extra cost to sell photos and services through the website.
The plans are arranged by how many photos you can display. Above the 100 Photo Plan, you have the 1,500, 5,000, and 25,000 Photo Plans.
And the top plan gives you unlimited photo storage. This means you can upgrade as your portfolio grows and develops.
The plans are well-priced. But ShootProof is only a good option if you know you’ll make money through the website. It is an excellent website if you have an income from your photography business.
8. Pixpa
| Brand |
Brand
Pixpa
|
| Free Trial / Free Plan |
Free Trial / Free Plan
15-day free trial and 30-day money back guarantee
|
| Number of Plans |
Number of Plans
4
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
Wide range of portfolio templates, preset and custom layouts, 24/7 customer service, eCommerce features
|
| Best For |
Best For
Blogging and social media
|
Pixpa is an all-in-one website builder for photographers and creative professionals. They have a no-code philosophy, making a platform accessible to all users.
This is a dedicated photography website builder. And their template gallery pages are some of the best for displaying your photographs online.
They also have custom galleries for social media and smartphone displays. So this site gives you a professional photography portfolio without the stress of other website builders.
Usability
In Pixpa, changing the templates with the visual editor tools is easy. And editing the pages couldn’t be easier with the drag-and-drop tools.
It gives you eCommerce galleries for selling prints and other photo products. But their standout feature is their client-proofing platform.
This consists of password-protected galleries and gallery apps. And it simplifies the client-proofing workflow for photographers.
Pricing Options
You can try Pixpa before you pay for a plan. They give you a 15-day free trial on any plan.
Then you can continue with a paid plan. And if you change your mind later, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee.
There’s no free option aside from the 15-day trial. But the basic version is very reasonably priced.
You can upgrade to one of the higher plans if you need more. And with each upgrade, more templates and features become available.
Pixpa is one of the best website builders for photographers available today. Plus, it’s a great website builder on a tight budget.
It’s easy to upgrade when the money starts rolling in. And it’s also a perfect match if you like blogging and posting your work on social media.
Use the discount coupon code EP10 to save 10% on any plan.
9. Adobe Portfolio
| Brand |
Brand
Adobe
|
| Free Trial / Free Plan |
Free Trial / Free Plan
No
|
| Number of Plans |
Number of Plans
1
|
| Key Features |
Key Features
Gives you access to Photoshop and Lightroom, custom domain, professional templates
|
| Best For |
Best For
Adobe Creative Cloud subscribers
|
Adobe Portfolio is the best website builder for Adobe subscribers.
It’s fully integrated with Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop. And you can create a custom website to display your photography work professionally.
Usability
Adobe Portfolio gives you a decent selection of website templates. They all look professional, smart, and elegant. And there’s a big enough range to find one that matches your photography style.
You don’t get many custom features or add-ons. But the galleries let your images do the talking.
You can choose from any of Adobe’s unique fonts for the website text. And you can use different photo grids to display your best images.
They have password-protected galleries and pages. And Adobe has excellent security settings. So viewers can’t steal your work.
Portfolio sites look fantastic on all devices. They automatically resize your pages and content to fit any device. So you don’t need to create different pages for laptop, tablet, or smartphone screens.
Pricing Options
Adobe Portfolio comes as part of the Adobe Creative Cloud package. This means it’s only worth it if you access Photoshop and Lightroom too.
The higher price means there isn’t much point in paying for Creative Cloud if you only want Adobe Portfolio.
But the Creative Cloud is excellent value in general. And that’s especially true if you want a website builder to create an online hub for your work. It does give you everything a photographer needs.
Best Website Builder for Photographers Buyer’s Guide (FAQs)
We answer a few frequently asked questions about website builders for photographers. You need to know it is the right one for your business. And these answers will help you find the perfect one.
Which Website Builder Is Best for Custom Designs?
Elementor is best for custom designs. It gives you incredible creative control. It’s a WordPress extension that takes your website to a new level. And you don’t need any web design skills.
The drag-and-drop tools mean anyone can create an eye-catching website. So you can build something truly unique with no prior experience.
Wix is another website builder with terrific custom design features. They have excellent templates and designs. There are so many options to choose from.
And you can customize every page with the drag-and-drop tools. So it is easy to create a personal and professional website in no time.
Which Website Builder Is Best for Selling Photos?
ShootProof has the best eCommerce features for selling photos. It isn’t exactly a website builder. But it’s the best option if you make a living by selling prints, downloads, or services.
Financial transactions are performed safely through the website. And they have tools to help you create contracts and invoices. They make it easy to run your business online.
SmugMug is another good choice for selling photos online. They have features for invoicing and pricing.
Plus, you can run your entire business from your account page. Your SmugMug page will become the center of your photography business.
Which Website Builder Is Best for Portfolios?
Format has the best options if you want an online photography portfolio. The templates are stylish, modern, and professional.
It has an excellent range of premade galleries. And you can customize certain elements. But they never distract from your work.
Zenfolio is another fantastic option for photography portfolios. It’s slightly more affordable than Format. But it still gives you all the tools you need for a professional photo gallery.
You can create large galleries that show your range as a photographer. And you can make client-specific portfolios for targeted promotion.
Do Photographers Need a Website?
Yes. A website isn’t only a photographer’s portfolio. It’s their business card, personal profile, and point of contact.
A website can also be a photographer’s shop window. It’s where you can display your best photography work. And anyone can check it out.
Some people may already be familiar with your work. But they may want to learn more about you. And the place to do that is your photography website.
These viewers might be admirers of your work. Or they could be potential clients.
Social media is a useful tool for photographers. You can post your favorite photos and gain a bit of exposure. But if you’re serious about photography as a career, you need a photography website.
A photography website is an online portfolio and gallery. And you can display your best work with separate sections for different projects and styles.
The strategy is up to you. You can show a wide range of styles. Or you can target the area of photography that makes you employable.
Building a website might seem like another financial drain. But it’s an investment that can turn into financial gain.
Many website builders have excellent eCommerce tools. And these help you sell prints and downloads online. So your photography website could become your main source of income.
Conclusion: The Best Website Builder for Photographers
The best website builder for photographers is a portfolio, contact card, and store. And all the websites listed here have strengths within those fields.
We’ve selected easy-to-use and accessible website builders. So you don’t need any web design experience to use any of them. And there’s a website builder for all budgets.
Wix is the best website builder for photographers. It gives you complete control over your website. And it empowers you to create an online space that’s totally unique. It’s easy to use, even for tech-shy users. And the subscription plans are well-priced, with plenty of room to grow.
