The Ultimate Guide to Website Builders and Business Tools for Photographers in 2025
Your online presence is everything as a photographer. It’s your digital portfolio, your storefront, and often your first impression for potential clients. But with so many options out there, figuring out the best platforms and tools for your biz can feel like trying to choose a lens with your eyes closed.
I work with a lot of creative entrepreneurs - so don’t stress—I’ve got you. This guide walks you through the best website builders and essential business tools to help your photography business thrive. And because I believe in keeping it real, I’ll tell you which ones I’ve personally used and which ones I haven’t (but have heard great things about).
Best Website Builders for Photographers
All-in-One Solutions
Squarespace
My top pick and the platform I use for all my sites! Known for its stunning, minimalist templates, Squarespace is a dream for photographers who want their images to take center stage. Plus, it has built-in e-commerce features, so you can sell prints and services with ease.
A super popular choice among photographers, ShowIt gives you complete creative control. The best part? Their blogs are powered by WordPress (which is great for SEO). That said, I left my self-hosted WordPress sites for Squarespace years ago and haven’t looked back. I’m not a fan of how ShowIt handles blog migrations (they charge for it—ugh), but if you love WordPress and want design freedom, this might be for you.
Wix
Wix has seriously upped its game, offering sleek templates, drag-and-drop functionality, and built-in marketing tools. If you want an easy-to-use website builder with tons of flexibility, Wix is worth checking out.
I’ve personally built and desinged websites on all three of these platforms. ShowIt has the steepest learning curve (and some annoying pricing for blog upgrades), but once you get the hang of it, it’s solid. If you want ultimate control and don’t mind managing your own hosting, you could also grab a template and self-host on WordPress.org—I did that for 20+ years!
Essential Business Management Tools
Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
The right CRM can transform how you manage client relationships and streamline your workflow. Here are the top options:
HoneyBook
Perfect for photographers who want a smooth, all-in-one system. HoneyBook helps manage inquiries, contracts, invoices, and more—plus, it’s designed specifically for creatives. I’m currently switching back to HoneyBook after trying other options.
Dubsado (Haven’t used personally, but I hear great things!)
A favorite among photographers, Dubsado offers powerful automation, custom workflows, and contracts. If you love customizing all the things, this might be your CRM soulmate.
Right now, I’m managing everything through Squarespace’s CRM system. It’s worked fine for a few years, but HoneyBook’s new features are pulling me back in!
Photo Gallery Hosting and Delivery
ShootProof
ShootProof is a rockstar when it comes to gallery hosting, client delivery, and even contracts. It’s clean, professional, and lets you sell prints with ease.
Pixieset
Pixieset is another top choice, blending client galleries with business management tools. The interface is modern, easy to use, and loved by tons of photographers.
What I DON’T Recommend: Google Drive or Dropbox for client galleries. Sure, they’re free (ish), but they don’t look professional at all and offer no print-selling options.
Business Management Software
To keep your business running like a well-oiled machine, consider these:
Photographers love this all-in-one business management system—it handles scheduling, invoicing, and client communication in one place.
If you’re a solo entrepreneur looking for something simple, 17Hats offers contract management, scheduling, and bookkeeping tools.
I personally tried 17Hats but didn’t find it useful for me. Still, I’ve heard great things, so it might work for you!
Tips for Choosing the Right Tools
Consider Your Needs
What’s your priority? Showcasing your portfolio, selling prints, or managing client workflows?Start Small
You don’t have to do everything at once. Get a website and a basic CRM first, then add more tools as you grow.Check Integration Capabilities
The best tools work well together! Many of these platforms integrate seamlessly with one another.Factor in Growth
Choose platforms that can grow with you. The cheapest option now might hold you back later.
Last but not least
You’ve got to handle your finances. But there’s a lot to cover on that front, and I am definitely not a professional accountant by any stretch of the imagination - what I can do, is share my research with you on the best financial management software for photographers.
Final Thoughts: You Got This! 🎉
I know—choosing the right tools can feel overwhelming. But remember, the best tools are the ones that fit YOUR workflow and business style.
Take advantage of free trials, don’t be afraid to switch things up if something isn’t working, and most importantly—focus on what you do best: creating stunning images that make people feel something.
Now, go build that dream photography business!
