If your photography business homepage were a shopfront, the first screen would be the window. Below is what belongs in the window, what belongs inside, and what belongs in the bin.
Row 1: the first screen
One headline in plain words — the service, the customer and the area, such as "Photographer services for couples across [your area]". One line of reassurance under it (a portfolio that loads fast and is organised by session type or years trading). Then the primary action: for photographers that is 'check my date' or 'enquire' with a form asking date, location and session type. All three visible on a phone without scrolling. No slider, no video, no welcome message.
Row 2: what you do, in the customer's words
Three to six services, named the way people search for them — wedding photography, family and newborn sessions, corporate headshots and product and e-commerce photography — each with one sentence and a link to its page. Someone who typed wedding photographer [your city] prices should see that phrase, or something close to it, within one scroll.
Row 3: proof where the decision is made
Three recent Google reviews with first names and dates, and the specific trust details customers look for: package prices or starting prices, testimonials tied to real galleries and a clear description of what the client receives and when. Put this row directly under the services, not on a separate page.
Row 4: photos that could only be yours
Four to six images: your own work, compressed properly; a stunning portfolio that takes eight seconds to load loses the visitor. Each with a short caption naming the suburb or the job. This row replaces the stock imagery that most photographer homepages open with.
Row 5: the money question
Publish starting prices per session type and what is included. Couples and businesses budget before they enquire. Even a single line — "typical jobs from $X" — on the homepage keeps people from leaving to find a competitor who says a number.
Row 6: where you work
Name the suburbs or the radius you genuinely cover, with a small map if customers come to you. It answers the second question every visitor has and it is what local search reads.
Row 7: the same next step, again
Repeat the primary action at the bottom, with the phone number written out. People who scrolled this far are ready; do not make them scroll back up.
What to leave off
- No pricing, which wastes time on both sides.
- A 200-image homepage slider that cripples mobile speed.
- Your business history in the first screen. It belongs on the about page.
- Sliders, autoplay video and pop-ups in the first ten seconds.
- Four competing buttons. One primary, one secondary in text.
The homepage in eight rows
- Headline: service + customer + area.
- One-line reassurance and the primary button.
- Three to six services with links.
- Reviews and trust details.
- Your own photos with captions.
- A price line or range.
- Service area.
- Primary action repeated with the phone number.
Common questions
Should photographers show prices?
At least starting prices. Enquiries drop in number but rise in quality when people know the range.
How many photos should be on the homepage?
Ten to twenty of your best, properly compressed. Put the rest in galleries by service.
What should be on my homepage?
What you do, who you help, where you work and how to contact you, all visible on a phone screen without scrolling. Everything else supports those four points.
YINO builds focused websites for Australian local businesses: $499 for a one-page site delivered in 3 business days, $999 for up to 8 pages. If you are weighing up a refresh versus a rebuild, start with website refresh; otherwise get in touch.
