Website value?

[fredlef]

Hi,

I'd like to know what the pros think is the value of a website for driving new business. How much business actually comes from folks cruising the web and how much comes from word of mouth, reputation, etc?

Thanks,
Fred

[vadim]

I would not speak for all photographers and I am not sure that any sizible number of orders were induced by a customer googling for a photgrapher in the area.
But how else would you show your potential customer that you are a serious business with this and that quality of work rather than a GWC ?

[brian.austin]

I look at it more as an online portfolio that's available for potential clients. Hand them a business card and let them look at the portfolio instead of dragging around a book full of photos (although I do that, too ).

[Pony]

I try to do alot of recreation league and Martial Arts school photography.Most of these people don't want to talk w/o seeing work examples first.It also helps show your a legitimate business.
I'm creating a portfolio for a website.If you can generate traffic,the difference could make or break your business.

[TheRileyFactor]

I'm not a wedding photog by any means, but I did recently (a few months ago) book a photographer for my wedding thats coming up in June. I found him through the web-site Wedding Dresses - Wedding Cakes - Wedding Planning - Unique Wedding Ideas They have message boards for different areas where people make recommendations based on their experiences with all different vendors, including photogs. I would honestly say that some of the best advertising is through web-sites like that. At my age (23, last semester of college) I have a lot of friends that are getting engaged and the vast majority of them use web-sites similar to theknot...

Just my $0.0002!!!

[TheRileyFactor]

whoah... I typed the web-site, and it replaced it with a big long linked title... the site is theknot.com since you can't see it through the title...

[Steven G Webb]

I don't know the value of driving new business to a photographer. I've been doing a considerable amount of surfing while writing out the competition comarison section of my business plan. I have been amazed at the number of self-proclaimed professional photographers who's proud work is at or below sub-standard. I can see hundreds of people I wouldn't do business with.

A web presence is particularly handy for some of us. If you shoot events, your customers might not be local. Having a marketing platform online can increase after-sales and as previoulsy stated gives you an on-line portfolio.

[zvonkopetroski]

This theme is most interesting.
Owning a website as a photographer is so accepted combination for advertising as a photographer. It is a place where most of potencial customers and enthuziasts can see your portfolios. But the reality of your quality as a photographer could be seen only when is taking photos and, finally, how it will be a result - photos. (I so agree with Songman).There is one thing, that anyone can do a website (pay-you get best) and sometimes customers can get wrong picture for a particular photographer. This tip is important for them-customers.
In my country we are in a progress of this "moving"-websites, according to economic and political stage, but, here are very good "shoters" with so interesting portfoliios.

[fredlef]

Thanks ! We are just getting started - and starting slowly which is fine with me. This looks like a good site to use. The link worked ok too.

Fred

[zvonkopetroski]

I just prepare my website as I'm producing photoporcelains - perhaps you know, processing photo on glazed porcelain tile and burning at as high temperature as 900C degrees. I just want to engross wholesale clients from South America.
And next thing will be an other website as a portfolio for my photography.