I have gone through SO many different websites to create my photography website. I started with good ol’ Blogger. Then, I tried Wix. It was simpler because I could drag and drop, but it wasn’t exactly what I wanted so I bought Adobe Dreamweaver and attempted to build a website from scratch. I spent HOURS learning to code, looking for templates and trying to figure out hosting. Bleh. I finally got it up and it looked awful.

Finally, I learned about WordPress! I started with WordPress.com, but it was just like Blogger except less customizable in my opinion. So then I switched to a self-hosted blog through WordPress.org. Woah, learning curve! It was sooo much to learn and totally overwhelming, but now it’s my best friend! It’s SO great for SEO, super customizable, simple to edit and use, and there are amazing themes available.

Through this crazy process of searching for the perfect website, I have learned sooo much! I learned a little coding, a little about hosting, domains, plugins, themes and so much here. I’ve forgotten how confusing it all used to be to me. So now I’m here to share the steps to create a Photography Website through WordPress.

DISCLAIMER: Even though it may seem simple with this 4 step process,Wordpress is definitely a big learning curve. Be prepared for lots of research on each one of these steps.

1. Buy a domain name (or 5 like me #overkill)

definition: the part of a network address that identifies it as belonging to a particular domain. || example: http:// kyleeann.com or http://kyleeann.photography

My main domain name is https://kyleeannphotography.com. My other domain names (kyleeann.com, kyleeann.photography, loganutah.photography & cachevalley.photography) all redirect to my main domain.

Cost: $10-50/year depending on your extension (.photography cost more than .com)

2. Buy hosting

definition: a website or other data on a server or other computer so that it can be accessed over the Internet.

Your domain name is the name of your site. Hosting is a piece of the server where the information is held. It’s your little piece of the internet. There are so many places to buy domain names, but it’s most convenient to buy them your domain and hosting in the same location.

3. Install WordPress

I’ve installed WordPress manually in the past and it was incredibly confusing. Lucky for you, Midphase is amazing and uses C-panel. You can install WordPress with one click.

Tutorial HERE!

4. Buy (or build a theme)

There are MANY MANY places to get started on a design.

1. Hire a web designer to build your site.

• the AMAZING Pixel Redefined

1. Find a theme (ranging from free-$1000+)

• through WordPress
• http://themeforest.com
• http://bluchic.com
• http://angiemakes.com
• http://prophoto.com
• Google search “WordPress theme”

5. Customize your theme

• Add your information!
  • Logo
  • About Me
  • Prices
  • Portfolio

• Add plugins (My site has SOOO many plugins! When my plugins are down, you can’t even recognize it!)
  • Spam plugins
  • Font plugins
  • SEO plugins
  • Store plugin

Now you’re ready to start blogging! Good luck!!!

Kylee Maughan

Kylee started Kylee Ann Photography 9 years ago, and has since grown from a one woman amateur show to a full associate team. We shoot 50-75 weddings a year, and thrive on kindness and service. After a year of teaching Intro to Photography at the local technical college, she discovered that helping other entrepreneurs create thriving businesses is what fires her up! She hosts semi-annual Kylee Ann Sleepovers all over the US, speak at conferences and teach online courses about running a small business and marketing.

kyleeannphotography.com/kylee