3 Create your own photography website

Beginner-friendly website builders let you craft an online space for your images without the need for technical knowledge or design skills, says James Paterson

If you’ve always liked the idea of having your own website but been put off by the thought of hiring a web designer to build it for you, here’s the good news. It’s easier than ever to create your own site using a website builder service. These drag-and-drop editors allow the complete novice to craft their own online space without ever having to touch a line of code.

Website builder services mostly follow the same basic workflow. Those mentioned here – as well as the many similarly capable options out there – will get you up and running by letting you choose a template. This is like a pre-made website full of placeholder text and photos that you simply replace with your own text and photos. If the page structure and layout works for you, you can be up and running with a new website in a couple of hours.

If you want to add pages, alter the architecture of the site or tweak page layouts, this can take a little longer.

Of course, working to a template doesn’t give you the same design freedom as a fully bespoke site. But there is a great variety of templates out there, many of which are specifically tailored for photography. So there’s a good chance you’ll find one that fits with your vision. Templates are usually customisable with your own choice of font and colour scheme, so there are ways to stamp your own style. Many website builders also offer bolt-on apps and features for different functions, like a blog page, a print ordering service or client galleries, allowing you to tailor the site to your needs.

We’ve listed six web builders here that offer the kind of templates, tools and services that you need. Whether you simply want a website to showcase your best photos or for your fledgling photography business, these website builders will provide a quick, simple way to create a polished online presence.