Your website called… it’s time for an upgrade.
I’ve been there. A couple of years ago, I had invested in branding and a website that I loved. It looked clean, polished, and totally me. But as my business grew I realized my site needed to do more…like a blog, a resources page, templates (coming soon!), and highlighting my speaking options.
Not a total strip it down but a rebuild. Just a smart refresh that pulled in all the pieces I loved of the original site and gave it a serious glow up. We switched platforms for more versatility, elevated design highlights and made everything easier for my clients (and for me) to navigate.
The result? Everything finally felt aligned: the art, the operations, the experience.
Let’s talk about how to get you there too.
If Your Website Isn’t Converting, Here’s Why That Happens
As photographers, your work is visual. So it makes sense that we start with the design. Photos, Fonts, colors, logos… they’re fun, important, and meaningful parts of your brand.
Maybe this feels familiar:
- You’re getting ghosted after leads fill out your contact form
- You’re spending a lot of time with back and forth communications before clients commit.
- You’re afraid to change platforms because “tech stuff” just feels overwhelming
Here’s the truth: a great-looking site isn’t enough to grow your business but a perfect back end is worthless without a site that converts people into it!
In today’s fast-moving world, your website has to do heavy lifting. It needs to guide your clients clearly, nurture trust, make booking easy, and reflect your capacity and brand values all the way through.
And if you’re juggling life, bookings, edits, and travel (hi, solopreneurs 🤝), your site should also take a few things off your plate.
My Biggest Lesson: Don’t Separate the Front and Back of Your Business
Stylish design and strategy should work together with your brand. Your systems should be speaking the same language.
I’ve built a lot of systems for photographers, and the ones who have the smoothest, most effortless client experience tend to fall into one of three categories:
- Established brand + dialed-in website: These photographers have an onpoint website and have been using HoneyBook for years they just need someone to update the back end with all the new features, integrations, and automations.
- Freshly rebranded + new website: They’re just branching into using a CRM, and we’re building a new system that fits them perfectly.
- Brand new to CRM + working on a budget + “needs some love” branding/site: This client may have a website that could use work and limited branding (I see you Canva logos), but when they’re open to tackling their branding and site together, the results are nothing short of magic.
When it comes to investing after systems, my top suggestion will always be website-related. A website that works with your systems, not against them, is the single biggest leverage point in your business. It’s where strategy meets style, and when it’s done right, everything clicks.
How to Make Your Website Work For You
1. Pair Branding With Backend Systems
That shift?
✨ Game-changing clarity
✨ Hours saved every week
✨ A brand that felt like a whole business, not just a vibe
If you’re working with a trusted designer or strategist (like Helen, my creative right arm), bring them into the systems conversation. When we partner with photographers together, we build the pretty and the powerful side by side.
2. Stick With What’s Working, Then Add Smart Upgrades
You don’t need to burn your site to the ground. For my glow-up, I kept about 75% of my original branding and content. We fine-tuned the framework, added conversion-focused pages, and upgraded the platform to support growth.
Before a full redesign, review:
- What’s already attracting clients?
- Where are the leads dropping off?
- What’s consuming too much of your time?
Sometimes small tweaks like an improved inquiry form, integrated calendar, or clearer CTAs make a massive difference. It’s about flow, not perfection.
3. Save Time by Outsourcing (Strategically!)
DIY fixes are tempting, but overwhelm can stall progress. Hiring the right support pays off.
I love working with photographers who bring me in alongside their designer or brand strategist. When we join forces:
- You get a tailored experience from all angles
- You don’t have to act as project manager (🙅♀️)
- Updates happen smoother, faster, and with less stress
Best part? You don’t waste money reinventing the wheel.
When Systems Meet Soul, Magic Happens
There’s something special when your website, client process, and personal touch align. You stop juggling piecemeal systems. You start getting better bookings from the right clients. You feel supported instead of scattered.
And yes, you can finally exhale a little.
This work doesn’t have to feel like a mystery or a mountain. It can feel like clarity, warmth, and trust all backed by a system that handles the busy work so you can get back to shooting, dreaming, and living.
Ready for a Website That Works Harder (So You Don’t Have To)?
If you’re serious about leveling up without losing your spark, I’d love to support you. My specialty is systems! Want to tackle it all? I can partner with designers (like my fav, Helen!) to bring your website and systems to life without making it feel cold or complicated.
Want help translating your beautiful branding into backend workflows that actually make life easier?
Let’s build something that works beautifully and wisely.
Whether you’re just thinking about a refresh or knee-deep in decision fatigue, I’ve got you. Let’s make this part of your business fun again. Or at least… less headache-y 😉
