How to Start your Photography Business online using WordPress

Feb 24, 2023

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If you're in search of an easy way to start a photography business, you're in luck.

WordPress Plus is a great tool to use WordPress as well to start almost any kind of business you'd like to, such as an online photography business.

It makes the business model simple to handle. You can sell memberships, create paywalls to limit access to your photos as well as earn recurring revenue several other methods.

In this piece, we'll show you how simple it is to complete. So if you're ready to get rolling now, let's start!

The tools you'll need

There are only a handful of equipment to start your own online photography business. The following are the tools you'll need:

  • . The membership-based and WordPress monetization plugin enables users to create subscriptions, make paywalled content as well as process payment transactions, as well as a lot other.
  • . This add-on allows it is possible to offer digital downloads through your WordPress site.

The tools allow you to market photography and photographs services online. But, you'll need to design a website which can bring in new members.

Your websites are mobile responsive, optimized to make sales, and beautiful in just a couple of clicks. No coding or design experience required.

What's the best part? ReadyLaunch(tm) is integrated into , so you don't need to install it separate.

How to Start an Online Photography Business Using WordPress (4 Steps)

Now that you know what tools you require to get started, let's take a look at ways to begin a photography company on the internet using WordPress.

Step 1: Choose an appropriate Business Model for Your Photography Website

WordPress will allow you to set up any type of business. If you are a professional photographer there are three methods to earn money on the internet:

You can use a tool to establish membership tiers which provide users with access to images and classes, as well as enable individual sales (with the downloads extension):

Membership prices for a stock photography website
A sample of an online pricing structure for business

You can also use your website to promote services in photography. This means that you are able to showcase your work as well asfind new clients while making money from an online business running almost on autopilot.

It's an excellent deal.

Step 2: Download WordPress and Install

When you've installed WordPress it is necessary to set up . This involves obtaining a license key and activating the plugin.

This video will give you steps-by-step directions for how to install :

Learn how to install on wordpress

In the next steps following, we'll explain the steps to use to upload the photos you're looking to sell and create memberships. In this way you'll be able generate both one-time sales and continuously recurring revenues.

Step 3. Upload the Photos You'd like to sell

To complete this task you'll have to install the downloads add-on. For this click > Add-onsin the dashboard.

Search for the downloadsoption and click on the Install option or activate:

Installing the  Downloads add on

Once you have activated the add-on, navigate to MP Downloads > New. This will open an editor in which you are able to select the photo and choose a title for it:

Adding a file using  downloads

When you upload a file you have the option to option to enable the downloading limitoption to determine the amount of times the file will be downloaded either in general, or for single users.

But, it's best to avoid this option if thinking of offering memberships. That way, users are able to download images to which they are granted access:

Configuring image download limits in

After configuring download limits after setting download limits, check for File Tagsand Categorieswidgets. This is important as they'll let you set up guidelines for which users have access to what types of photos.

Setting access rules in

Every photo you upload must include a classification. This is crucial if you are planning to give more than one membership tier. Make sure to save any changes when you're done.

In this point it's time to begin selling photographs as one-time purchases. If you'd like to with a membership-based business approach, then you're able to go on to the next stage.

Step 4: Set Up Membership Tiers and Access Rules

In order to begin for the first time, you'll have to create at least one level of membership.

With you can create Memberships with diverse levels of benefit. This video guides you through the entire process:

Watch >> making members in (with an overview and setup)
Watch >> PROTECTING YOUR SITE'S CONTENT: HOW TO Use the rules

This will allow you to decide which levels have access to what photographs. This way, every membership offers different perks and gives customers more options.

What your Online Photography Business Should Look Similar to

If you'd like to see an example of what an effective online photography business will look like, check out Christina Jones Photography:

Christina Jones Photography website

Using , this photography website combines multiple business model.

Of course, it provides services in person. But Christina Jones Photography also sells individual branding packages.

Christina Jones Photography

Alongside that it also offers training sessions and online classes:

It is not necessary for every photography site to offer such a variety of offerings - it all depends on which business model you'd like to adopt.

Then, Christina Jones Photography offers many great suggestions for branding your business and promote different kinds of services that can increase the amount of revenue you earn through passive streams.

Conclusion

The process of starting an online photography business can be much easier than you believe.

For a recap, here's the best way to start an online business for photography:

  1. Choose a business model to use for your photography site.
  2. Download WordPress and install .
  3. Upload the photographs you want to offer for sale.
  4. Create membership levels and access policies.
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Ready to Start Your Photography Business?

Start getting paid! Get your site ready and prepared to start selling within a matter of hours with .

Do you have any questions regarding how you can start an online photography business? Let us know in the comments section below!