There are a bajillion beautiful photographer website templates to choose from when you’re looking at rebranding or spicing up a website you already have.
A lot of people either aren’t ready to have a custom website built or find it way out of their budget range.
It isn’t always in the cards and it isn’t always necessary, which is why templates are an excellent alternative.
I mean, I could get lost browsing through templates all day long. As a web designer, I do it too. I look for inspiration, for something new and different, something that might be out of my style comfort zone, just because I like to call that “research” instead of procrastination. LOL Some are templates are absolutely beautiful. But, when you’re picking out a template that’s going to represent your brand and personality and carry it forward into the future, there are some things to consider.
Here are a few things to think about when Picking out a Website Template
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Don’t Pick a Template that Doesn’t Fit Your Personality
There are a lot of photographer website templates out there that are fun, bold, elegant, interactive, and more. It’s easy to get caught up in the cool features and sleek designs, but don’t forget that as cool as a template is, it needs to fit your personality and connect with your target audience.
If you pick a template that’s super interactive and edgy yet both you and your audience have chic and simple tastes, there will be a disconnect the moment someone lands on your page.
It’s easy for us to think “hey I could pull that off” but we need to really look inside ourselves and make sure we aren’t pushing ourselves too far to be different or fit a mold that just isn’t us! Be true to you!
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Don’t Forget to Infuse Unique Qualities Into Your Template
When you do find a template that screams you, don’t forget that it’s still a template. As much as you love everything about it and it represents all you’re after, at the end of the day it was created by someone else, based off of their vision and design aesthetic.
Also, consider how many others will have the exact same look and feel as you. You want to stick out from the crowd and simply inserting your pictures (no matter how beautiful they are) into a template that’s been sold hundreds of times won’t get you noticed.
You want to infuse your unique qualities into your template. You can do this very simply by adding designer details like beautifully designed header images, custom fonts, your color scheme, branded package graphics, and more.
Almost all photographer website templates have good bones to work with. It’s just adding a few details that are true to your brand and convert your intended audience.
In my Heart of Your Brand workbook, I walk business owners through how to identify the unique qualities in their brand and translate those into their design. It also walks business owners through how to brand themselves authentically and connect their brands to their heart-centered purpose.
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Don’t Forget that it is so important to Create a Timeless Brand not just jump full force into a trendy market
When you take the approach of filling in the blanks in a template, you miss out on creating a timeless brand that will resonate for years.
It’s important to remember that photographer website templates are often designed to match trends. If all you do is fill in the blanks and change the color scheme, you may find yourself with a website you can’t grow with.
If you jump from one trendy template to the next, that isn’t going to create a consistent brand or brand recognition. When you have a timeless and authentic brand designed, you can transfer that to any template, because then you’re standing on more than just the style and flow of the template itself.
Spicing up your website template and adding your own unique details and branding is one of the best ways to design a website that looks and feels custom without feeling like you have to sacrifice it all (time or money).
In my ReFresh Package, I take the website template you chose and add in your details and branding to give you a truly branded website that connects with who you are and who you want to serve.
If you’re on a mission to create a timeless brand you can grow with, be sure to check out my 2 Steps to and Authentic Brand freebie that helps you solidify your foundation and branding that leads to a timeless brand and transfers across all media! Download the 2 Steps to an Authentic Brand Freebie Now!
I can’t wait to watch you grow! If you have any thoughts or questions drop me a comment and let’s chat!
p.s. If you are looking for a new photographer website template be sure to hop over and check out my friend Melissa’s site The Design Space Co. There are some real beauties to purchase and she if top notch at customer service!
