You’ve put time into building your website. You’ve uploaded your favorite images, picked fonts you love, and maybe even added a fancy contact form. But let’s be honest—when was the last time you looked at your website from a potential client’s point of view?

Because here’s the truth: your website isn’t just a place to show off your portfolio—it’s a decision-making tool.

In today’s digital-first world, your website often makes the difference between someone clicking Book Now or bouncing back to Instagram. It can either guide someone through the booking journey—or confuse them just enough to move on.

If bookings have slowed, if you’re getting more likes than leads, or if you’re not sure what’s working and what isn’t—this post is for you.

Let’s walk through a step-by-step check-up to make sure your website is helping, not hurting, your business.

1. The Homepage Test: Can They Tell What You Do in 5 Seconds?

Pull up your homepage and pretend you’ve never seen it before. Ask yourself:

“If someone lands here for the first time, can they figure out who I am, what I do, and where I do it within five seconds?”

Here’s what you need above the fold (a.k.a. the part of the screen they see before scrolling):

• A clear header with your name, location, and what you specialize in
  (ex: “Newborn & Family Photographer | Minneapolis, MN”)

• One strong image that reflects your style and ideal client

• A call to action (like “View Portfolio,” “Book a Session,” or “Learn More”)

Skip the clutter, music players, and long welcome text. Clients want clarity fast.

2. Is Your Navigation Helping or Hurting?

Your menu is one of the most important tools on your site—but only if it’s clean, simple, and intuitive.

If your navigation bar is overflowing with dropdowns, links to every single session you’ve ever done, or cutesy page titles that confuse people, it’s time for a clean-up.

Here’s a streamlined structure that works:

• Home

• About

• Portfolio (with subpages for Maternity, Newborn, Branding, etc.)

• Pricing

• Contact

And don’t forget mobile navigation. Pull up your site on your phone right now—is it easy to click through? Or do you have to pinch, scroll, and dig?

If it’s not user-friendly, it’s not client-friendly.

3. Are Your Galleries Strategic—or Just Pretty?

Yes, your work should be beautiful—but your galleries should also guide your client to say, “This is the person I want to hire.”

Here’s how to make that happen:

• Group your work by session type—it helps viewers find what’s most relevant to them

• Limit each gallery to your 15–20 strongest images

• Add short captions or testimonials to reinforce the experience

• Use a few sentences to describe what each session type is like (ex: “My branding sessions are relaxed, collaborative, and designed to tell the story of your business in a real, relatable way.”)

If your gallery is 75 images long or jumps from wedding to pets to real estate to babies… it’s time to tighten things up. Show the work you want more of, and make it easy to understand what working with you looks like.

4. Is Your About Page Actually About You?

Your About Page is one of the most visited pages on your site. It’s also one of the most misunderstood.

This page isn’t where you list every lens you’ve ever used or how long you’ve loved photography. It’s where you make someone feel like they’ve found the right person.

Here’s what makes a great About Page:

• Use real, human language—write in first person

• Share who you serve and how you make people feel (this is about them, too)

• Include a photo of you (bonus points if it’s you with your camera, or just looking relaxed and friendly)

• End with a soft CTA (ex: “Curious about a session like this? Let’s chat.”)

Don’t overthink this. Let your personality come through. Your future clients want to know the human behind the lens.

5. Can They Find Pricing and Book Without Emailing You?

Here’s one of the biggest drop-off points for potential clients: they can’t figure out how much you cost or how to book you—so they give up.

Even if you offer custom quotes or need a consult first, you should still make the starting point clear.

Try this:

• Add starting prices or popular packages right on your Pricing page

• Link to a full session guide PDF or a breakdown of what’s included

• Add a booking link or calendar if you use tools like Dubsado, Calendly, or HoneyBook

Make it easy. Make it clear. Don’t make them email you just to find out if you’re in their budget.

6. Do You Have Trust Signals in Place?

When someone is deciding whether to book, they’re not just looking at your images—they’re looking for reasons to trust you.

Here’s what helps:

• Sprinkle testimonials throughout your site—not just on a hidden reviews page

• Show logos if you’ve been featured, published, or partnered with brands

• Include a “What’s New” section or blog preview to show that your site is active

• Share a recent client story or behind-the-scenes moment to humanize your brand

You don’t need to go overboard—but a few simple trust-building cues can make a big difference.

Your Website Should Be a Booking Assistant—Not a Roadblock

If you’re getting traffic but not inquiries, or if people are reaching out and then ghosting… it might be your website.

A good website doesn’t just display your work—it actively supports the client journey. It introduces you, answers key questions, and removes friction from the decision-making process.

And the best part? You don’t need a full redesign. Sometimes just updating your homepage header, simplifying your galleries, or adding a clear pricing section is enough to turn more browsers into bookings.

📥 Want to Make Sure Your Website Is Working for You?

🎙️ Listen to the Podcast
This week’s Savvy Shutterbug Podcast dives into the biggest booking blockers on your site—and what to do about them.

📺 Watch the YouTube Critique
Get a behind-the-scenes look at a real homepage review and learn what to fix (and what to skip) when updating your own site.

Let’s make your website feel like the booking machine it was meant to be.