We were happy to host our PhotoBiz MasterClass once again this year. It was wonderful to connect with the hundreds of customers who attended our virtual education event. We discussed three core principles important to every photography business: design, selling online, and marketing. Our free classes focused on aspects of these topics that some business owners might overlook when it comes to having an online presence. 

In this blog post, we highlight key moments and discussion topics you might have missed from our event.

When it comes to designing a website that is engaging to customers, having a website with good page flow is key. It results in better user engagement which is also great for your SEO. But what is page flow? 

Page flow is simply how the content on your website is organized (it starts with your navigation). Think about how people read from left to right, page flow works the same way, it is all about how people move from one piece of information to another on a page of your website. If a page doesn't have a built-in flow to it, the page can become stagnant or difficult to follow. 

One page flow strategy to consider using is an S-shape. This style of page flow can help drive interest in the information being communicated by balancing text and images in an S shape. Having good visuals helps balance written content with well thought out calls-to-action (CTAs) that drive users where you want them to go next.

Take a look at your website with fresh eyes, does the flow feel natural or does something feel off?

As people read left to right and scroll down they should be learning more about what you offer and be encouraged to take action. A page that is too long or lacks directions or CTAs, can cause your customers to get stuck or unsure of where to go next. Unfortunately, this can result in someone abandoning your website altogether.

Key takeaway: Make sure your website has good page flow. It creates engagement, guides people through the pages on your site, and encourages them to take action.

One of the most powerful tools in the PhotoBiz platform is the form builder. It helps you collect all types of information that is then stored in the Contacts section of your account (aka your CRM). 

Forms can do so much more than collect data, they can also take payments once you set up a merchant. Then you can create forms to collect registrations for events such as mini-sessions simply by adding a payment option right on the form. 

For a robust experience, you can set up conditional fields to collect information from your clients based on their answers to specific fields in your form. For example, if they answer yes to a certain question the form can show them certain additional questions. You can use these conditional fields to collect payment for add-ons or display available slots for a specific event or service to make sure you don’t get overbooked.

Plus you can also turn your forms into digital contracts and releases by adding a digital signature field. 

PhotoBiz forms are flexible and robust! You can embed them on your website by adding a form block or use standalone forms as landing pages. 

Key takeaway: The possibilities of how you can use PhotoBiz forms feel endless, making forms one of the most valuable tools in your PhotoBiz account!

Marketing doesn’t stop once you get a lead to your website. Then you need to keep them engaged and help them feel vested in your products and/or services.

The Marketing tools in your PhotoBiz account can help! You can make use of pop-ups and promotional banners by encouraging visitors to sign up for a newsletter to receive promotions and updates. Or you can use a promotional banner to highlight a sale. You can set up sitewide discounts, or set up promo codes that people receive as a reward for signing up for your emails or are displayed on a pop-up if someone stays on your site for a certain period of time.

Key takeaway: Engage your website visitors. Don’t allow a lead to walk away without taking any action. 

These strategies and more were discussed in our 2022 MasterClass event. If you missed it, head over to our MasterClass website and watch the recordings. Between our 2022 and 2021 events, there are more than 18 free courses you can watch on-demand to help you design, sell online, and market your business.

Need one-on-one help? Check out our private coaching sessions. 

Ready to jump in and put these tips to work? Sign up or log in to your account.

If you need assistance, chat with our support team or give us a call at 866.463.7620. We’re happy to help you!