One thing that strikes me is the sheer number of photography websites that look like someone threw them up over a weekend. Missing or incomplete photo galleries, bio pages that read like a wishlist of a wanna be photographer rather than a description of industry accomplishments, inconsistency in typography, poor or excessively edited images and a host of other faux pas can all reflect poorly on (the perception of) your professional image and standing as a professional photographer. If you have to write “coming soon” on any page in your site, it should not go up.
Your website itself is but a fraction of your overall marketing. You need a strong and compelling marketing program that can fuel your business forward. I recommend getting Mitche Grafe’s Power Marketing and Power Selling programs on CD. http://www.powermarketing101.com These work synergistically and so the marketing program as a whole can be improved month over month. A Website is a sales tool that supports the marketing program you have created for your business; one cannot replace the other.
Have you written down your business or marketing plans? Do you have a coherent and well thought out marketing strategy? Would I get the impression from looking at your website that you are in desperate need of Photoshop training, or that you are overextending yourself by trying to be all things to all people?
I hope you are on the ball and that you have put a lot of thought into your business and marketing plans. I can tell you in an instant whether the business and marketing plans were an after thought to building your website, or if your website is built upon a strong, logical business foundation within a few minutes. If you are new to business, or have spent a while in the business area but are new to wedding photography, I strongly urge you to sign up for Dane Sander’s book project called Fast Track Photographer to jumpstart your career in this field. Don’t let a poorly planned business affect the message you are sending your prospective customers; prospective customers will detect your tentative plans or lack of dedication (or enthusiasm) right away.
@garyfong1 - Well, that too but then that wouldn’t be a nice thing to say would it?
i thought you said threw up over the weekend ha!
I’m honored Steve. I love your questions. So helpful!