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153. From Portfolio to Bookings: How to Make Your Website Work for You with Melissa Love
A thriving photography business isn’t just about beautiful images; it’s about building a foundation that makes it easy for potential clients to find you, trust you, and book your services. At the heart of this foundation is your website.
Melissa is a website designer and brand specialist for creative businesses and entrepreneurs.
She is the founder of WordPress theme company, The Design Space, which makes excellent design affordable, and she’s a WordPress nerd who has taught thousands of business owners how to build their own beautiful websites. Through her online membership, The Marketing Fix, she and her team coach members through building ethical sales funnels.
She lives in Spain with her family, where she spends her spare time swimming.
First Impressions Matter
Your website is often the first stop for potential clients after discovering you on social media. While Instagram can catch their eye, it’s your website that seals the deal. When clients sit down at their laptops to make booking decisions, your website—not your social media—is what convinces them to move forward.
What Makes a Great Homepage?
Your homepage should act like a movie trailer—giving visitors quick, compelling glimpses of what they’ll find throughout your site. Your portfolio, services, testimonials, and even a little about you should all be easy to find. Make it effortless for visitors to get the information they need, whether they’re casual browsers or the type to dive straight into a menu.
Showcase a Portfolio That Sells
Your portfolio isn’t just a gallery of your favorite shots—it’s a curated collection designed to appeal to your dream clients. Don’t expect visitors to sift through endless blog posts to find your best work. Instead, organize standout images into intentional galleries, supplemented by blog posts that speak directly to the clients you want to attract.
Don’t Fear the Sales Page
If the idea of a “sales page” makes you uncomfortable, think of it as a space to guide potential clients through their decision-making process. Use this page to answer common questions, share glowing testimonials, and outline your process. By providing clear, reassuring information, you eliminate doubts and position yourself as the obvious choice.
Make Contact Seamless and Personal
Your contact form is a critical step in turning website visitors into clients. Don’t let the excitement die there—follow up quickly and make it personal. A thoughtful response (or even a short video) can make clients feel valued and confident that you’re the right photographer for them.
Design Consistency Builds Trust
Your website is an extension of your brand, so make sure it reflects who you are. Consistent use of colors, fonts, and imagery creates a polished, professional look that builds trust. A cohesive design makes clients feel they’re working with someone who’s intentional and detail-oriented—qualities that matter when choosing a photographer.
Why WordPress Is Worth It
WordPress might feel intimidating at first, but it’s one of the best tools for photographers who want control over their websites. It offers flexibility, scalability, and ownership of your content. Tools like StyleCloud make designing a beautiful, functional site easier than ever—no coding required.
Keep Evolving
Your website isn’t something you “set and forget.” It’s a living part of your business that should grow and evolve as you do. Regular updates, design tweaks, and strategic improvements can ensure your website continues to reflect your brand and serve your business goals.
A strong website isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s the key to turning casual browsers into loyal clients. If your website isn’t working as hard as you are, it’s time to make a change.
Melissa Love
Want more?
Ingvild Kolnes is the host of the Sustainable Photography Podcast, an educator for photographers, and is ready to help you with your photography business.
hi, I’m ingvild
This podcast is all about education and inspiration for photographers. A sustainable business is profitable and lasting. Instead of short-term wins you want to make sure you’re doing things that matter. Both to yourself, and to create the business you want. The goal of this podcast is that it will help you build and structure your business around your life, instead of the other way around.
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