PHOTOGRAPHY PORTFOLIO WEBSITES
Want your images to stand out from the crowd online? We review four popular options
We take a look at a selection of websites for displaying your imagery
SQUARESPACE (www.squarespace.com)
PRICE: £15/$12 (Personal) to £25/$18 (Business) per month billed annually
Squarespace isn’t the cheapest, but templates are sleek, and the responsive design crops images automatically for different devices. Images can be presented via full-screen slideshows and a lightbox mode. Social integration also goes beyond the usual suspects, even extending to Smugmug and 500px.
FORMAT (www.format.com)
PRICE: From $6 (100 images) to $44 (unlimited storage) per month
Format is an easy-to-use, affordable and smart option. You can update your portfolio directly from Lightroom and manage gallery pages on the go via the free Format Galleries iPhone app. There’s also a built-in client proofing tool, enabling clients to review and favourite images from any device.
SMUGMUG (www.smugmug.com)
PRICE: $3.99 to $25 per month (billed annually)
SmugMug provides unlimited storage even on the basic plan. It’s a good option for selling photos, as the site enables you to fulfil print orders directly with photo labs. Sharing tools are also strong, but some users will miss having a blog function.
WIX (www.wix.com)
PRICE: From free (with Wix branding) to £15.57/$25 (VIP premium plan) per month
Wix is simple and cost-effective, with built-in apps for features such as email marketing. It isn’t solely at creatives, and this shows.
Although there are many photography-specific templates on offer, the interface can feel clunky. You can’t switch between templates without re-inserting your content.