What is the best website platforms for photographers to create their site on?

Look…here’s the thing most people won’t tell you…

Your success as a photographer isn’t strictly tied to the platform you build your website on. In fact, we’ve seen great websites on a range of website platforms (and on the other side – we’ve seen some…not so great ones…also on a range of platforms).

What matters most is that you are able to build the website you want, using the tools the platform has, and that enable you to achieve the results you are actually wanting.

Some of you may want to prioritize visual aesthetic and user experience – some of these platforms will do better for this than others.

Some of you will want simple over complicated – some of these website builders will be better than others.

And some of you will want to make sure your “SEO is good” – and sure enough, some are better than others.

But there again – there’s always going to be some trade off. Some push and pull.

The purpose of this post is to highlight our most recommended platforms, then showcase a wider range of options that are also available for you to explore.

Let’s get started!

Our Top Recommended Website Platforms for Photographers

Showit

Showit is a popular website platform known for its drag-and-drop interface and flexibility in design. They offer customizable templates specifically designed for photographers, allowing for easy customization without the need for coding knowledge.

Best for: Photographers who need ultimate design flexibility without coding.

Showit is a drag-and-drop website builder tailored specifically to creatives, including photographers. It allows you to fully customize your website’s design without needing to know code. One of the standout features of Showit is its integration with WordPress for blogging, making it ideal for photographers who want design flexibility paired with powerful blogging tools.

Why Photographers Like It:

• Full creative control over website design with a drag-and-drop interface.
• Seamless WordPress integration for blogging, which also offers added SEO functionality and benefit.
• Mobile-first design options to ensure the site looks great on all devices.
• No coding required, perfect for photographers who want to focus on visuals.

Pro Tip: Use Showit to create unique, visually compelling photography websites that stand out from cookie-cutter designs.

WordPress

WordPress is a powerful and flexible content management system that powers a significant portion of the internet. With thousands of themes and plugins available, WordPress offers photographers unparalleled customization options and flexibility. Photographers can choose from a variety of photography-specific themes and plugins to create custom portfolios, integrate client galleries, and even sell prints online.

Best for: Photographers who want performance, design flexibility, and SEO optimization.

One WordPress theme we see pop up on countless photographer websites is the Kadence theme, which provides a powerful, lightweight solution for photographers who want to build custom websites with speed and flexibility. Kadence is known for its clean code and excellent performance, making it a favorite for photographers focused on site performance factors such as site speed and SEO.

Why Photographers Like It:

• Lightweight and fast-loading, making it ideal for image-heavy photography sites.
• Customizable theme options without needing coding knowledge.
• Built-in integrations with popular WordPress plugins for SEO, eCommerce, and more.
• Flexible design system that allows for drag-and-drop page building.

To learn more about these two- see us compare Showit and WordPress.

Other Website Building Platforms for Photographers

We believe that there isn’t a one size fits all solution for every photographer and business need. 

Choosing the right website platform is essential for photographers who want to showcase their work and attract clients online. Your website is often the first impression potential clients get, so it needs to reflect your style and professionalism.

In this section of the post, we’ll explore some more solid website building platforms for photographers and discuss why each one might be a good fit for your business.

As a reminder – our highest recommendations are Showit and WordPress simply because these other platforms do come up short in some aspects – whether that’s missing features, lesser performance capabilities, etc.

Squarespace

Best for: Photographers who want a polished, all-in-one platform with minimal design work.

Squarespace is known for its sleek, modern templates that make it easy for photographers to build beautiful websites with minimal effort. With built-in SEO tools, blogging features, and a drag-and-drop editor, Squarespace is user-friendly and ideal for photographers who want to focus on their craft without getting bogged down by technical details.

Why Photographers Like It:

• Visually stunning, responsive templates perfect for displaying portfolios.
• Built-in eCommerce capabilities for selling prints or booking sessions.
• Easy to customize with drag-and-drop functionality.
• Reliable hosting and built-in security features.

Wix

Best for: Photographers who want flexibility and a wide range of design options.

Wix is a versatile platform that allows for a high level of customization without needing coding skills. Photographers can choose from hundreds of templates and customize nearly every aspect of their website. With its drag-and-drop interface, Wix makes it easy to adjust layouts, add galleries, and include interactive elements.

Why Photographers Like It:

• Hundreds of customizable templates, including photography-specific options.
• Easy-to-use drag-and-drop editor with a lot of creative freedom.
• Built-in photo galleries, animations, and video backgrounds.
• eCommerce tools for selling prints and booking services.

WordPress (with Elementor or Divi)

Best for: Photographers who want complete control and flexibility.

Okay, so we’re going to mention WordPress here again, but this time with a little variation.

As you know, WP is one of the most powerful and flexible platforms available, allowing photographers to create anything from simple portfolios to complex, feature-rich websites. When combined with drag-and-drop page builders like Elementor or Divi, WordPress offers photographers the freedom to design custom layouts without writing code. Functionaly, these builders allow you to have the benefits of WordPress while getting more flexibility in how you design your website due to the refined visual UI.

As with any WordPress site, it also has a vast library of plugins for added functionality, from SEO tools to client booking systems and beyond.

Why Photographers Like It:

• Endless customization options with plugins and themes.
• Drag-and-drop page builders like Elementor make design easy.
• You own and control your site entirely (self-hosted).
• Perfect for photographers who want to scale and expand functionality over time.

Pixieset

Best for: Photographers who want a portfolio and client gallery solution in one place.

Okay – here’s going to be a divided, potentially unpopular, mention on this list (but we’re here for it!).

Pixieset an online gallery company that allows it’s users to build websites through its fact. In fact, we were around and users of Pixieset before they even had this option available.

In our experience reviewing site’s built on Pixieset, it can be okay – especially if it’s a priority for you to keep as many of your purchases (website, gallery, etc.) under one roof. In practice, we do believe it’s better to use specialized tools for things in your business – but this is ultimately for you to decide.

As it is, Pixieset is specifically designed for photographers and offers a range of tools to manage client galleries, proofing, and digital downloads, along with website building. This all-in-one platform is a great solution for photographers who want to simplify their workflow by managing their website and client interactions in the same place.

Why Photographers Like It:

• Built-in client galleries and proofing features.
• Elegant, minimalist templates that are designed for photography portfolios.
• Integration with print labs for selling products like albums and prints.
• Secure galleries with client download options.

SmugMug

Best for: Photographers who want to sell prints and manage large photo galleries, and put up a quick portfolio website.

SmugMug is a platform designed specifically for photographers looking to store and sell their work (first and foremost). It offers unlimited photo storage, custom galleries, and eCommerce tools for selling prints, albums, and digital downloads.

If it feels like building a website is secondary to this, yes – that is the case. Somewhat like Pixieset here (but with less features), SmugMug can give you a chance to create at least a rudimentary website for your photography business. Not our highest recommendation, but certainly an option available to look at if simple and minimal is your goal.

Why Photographers Like It:

• Unlimited photo storage and powerful gallery management tools.
• Customizable gallery layouts and designs for a personalized look.
• Integrated eCommerce for selling prints and digital downloads.
• Secure client galleries with password protection.

9. Good Gallery

Best for: Photographers who want fast-loading websites with a focus on SEO and image quality.

Good Gallery is a premium website platform designed for photographers who want their images to load quickly without sacrificing quality. It emphasizes SEO and performance, helping photographers build websites that rank well on search engines and provide a seamless experience for visitors. Good Gallery is known for its fast image loading, sleek designs, and strong focus on mobile optimization.

Why Photographers Like It:

• Lightning-fast image loading speeds without quality loss.
• Built-in SEO features to help your website rank better in search engines.
• Mobile-responsive layouts optimized for viewing on all devices.
• Sleek, minimalist design options that keep the focus on your photography.

Conclusion

Each of these website platforms offers something unique for photographers, whether you’re looking for a simple portfolio site, client gallery management, or a full-featured business solution.

When selecting a platform, consider your needs: Do you want full customization and control? Or do you prefer an easy-to-use, all-in-one solution?

No matter which platform you choose, having a professional, well-designed website is essential for building your brand, attracting new clients, and showcasing your best work. Let your website become the cornerstone of your photography business and help you stand out in the competitive photography market.