Photography Website Design

[Nerwin]

I'm not sure if this is the right thing to do, but I did buy a domain for a photography and of course I already had hosting for the other website anyways.

But I'm planning on purchasing a theme for my photography site and I have four and I just cannot decide which one I want to get.

Basically I want one that kinds of versatile, one that I can use to show off my talent and possible use it for professional services someday too.

1. Photo Nexus

2. Gallerific

3. FolioFlip

4. Gateway Studios

I mean I do like them all, I just can't decide what would be the best looking and best functionally that I can use for many years.

[TheDarkReaver]

If you want something professional, functional and long lasting then get someone to design one for you, rather than buying off the rack templates that 100s of people may be using.

[Nerwin]

Thanks for your suggestion, but I just don't have that kind of money and I don't really feel like waiting that long.

[summerbl4ck]

If you're using it for your professional services, keep it simple (the first one is pretty clean) and make sure your contact information is up front. And put as much FAQ info up as you can. When I'm comparing photographers for a job, I try to make a quick assessment of suitability first before I contact a short list of photographers directly. I don't want to waste time doing the email/phone message dance only to find out rates are out of line with my budget or that someone doesn't travel.

[greenroompt]

if you plan on taking this up professionally, get a custom built site. not only will you set yourself apart from the masses. (a template site is not professional, and your website is what is selling you so you don't want to be cutting any corners. it will speak to the quality of work you offer.) when someone comes across your site and notices the time and effort that went into the design and content, you will be more likely to nail a job than someone who built a site in a day.

the other reason, people don't always realize, is that pro web designers code your site with keywords that target your demographic so when they type in "underwater portrait photographer" in google, you will be most likely to come up on the first page. it is a cost - building a professional website - that will payout dividends exponentially greater than the $800 you'll be saving now.

bottom line, our websites are our greatest selling tool to the public. and unless you know how to code in HTML, you will be greatly disadvantaged.

Circatree Design is a great, affordable web design company that specializes in search engine optimization (getting hits on google) click here to see their site. they can work with people on a budget and even provide payment plans!

[Murtasma]

Templates sometimes use special plug ins to display and wrap images. Sometimes getting these to work properly on your site can be a major hassle. It was for me at least, I say keep it simple and stick with the 1st template it looks the cleanest and doesn't appear to use any fancy CSS / HTML trickery.

If you don't know much about web design less is more, trust me the last thing you want to do is fight with your website to have it display an image properly,