How To Elevate Your Online Presence: Mastering SEO for Photographers

Having just completed a basic SEO certification and advanced SEO certifications from Google, I have learned some really interesting new things when it comes to SEO and for putting it into your business. I also received my certification in Advanced Digital Marketing as a way to improve my reach on the web and also to help others! Here’s some info I learned that I think will be beneficial to all photographers in 2024!

In the dynamic realm of online marketing, SEO emerges as a potent strategy for photographers, surpassing even PPC in lead generation.

According to the majority of marketers online, SEO is better than other marketing strategies. Of ANYTHING! Including your PPC (pays per click) for generating leads.

Discover the keys to enhance your website's SEO with these insightful strategies:

• Consistent Publishing for Success:

• Boost your blog traffic by posting regularly—research suggests that having at least 24 blog posts increases traffic by 30%, while exceeding 50 posts results in a remarkable 77% boost. Opt for longer posts for improved SEO and enhanced visitor engagement.

• Niche Focus Yields Results:

• While exploring creative avenues is crucial, honing in on a niche can significantly benefit your photography business. Specializing allows you to stand out and be recognized as an expert in that specific field.

  Find your niche! They say riches are in the niches!

• Timeframe Realities:

• Understand that SEO results don't happen overnight. It can take three to six months, or even up to 12 to 18 months, to witness significant traffic growth. Patience is key as search engines need time to index and rank your content in the competitive digital landscape.

• Harness the Power of Backlinks:

• Backlinks are vital for SEO success. Regularly submit your sitemap to Google Search Console to ensure effective crawling. Additionally, submit updates to keep Google informed about changes, especially after adding new content.

• SEO Tailored for Photographers:

• Explore dedicated SEO practices crafted for photographers. For a comprehensive understanding, check out my guide on SEO for photographers, covering the fundamentals.

• TTC: The Key to Ranking Success:

• Time, Content Quality, and Consistency—these are the pillars of successful SEO. Mastering these elements is crucial for navigating Google's vast universe.

• Content Quality Matters:

• Produce high-quality content that adds value to your audience. Research relevant keywords and strategically incorporate them to enhance your blog's visibility in search results.

• Consistency is Key:

• Regularly update your blog with fresh and relevant content. Consistency not only builds your audience but also improves your chances of ranking higher in search results.

I picked this because eye-catching. The light is gorgeous and I love showing beautiful New Jersey!

For example statistics show that if you publish consistently (on your blog) after launch. Studies show that if you have 24 blogs to start with, it will increase traffic to your blog by up to 30%. If you up that and have more than 50 blogs, you will see a 77% boost in traffic. The more you blog on a constant basis (they say to start with two blogs per week). The longer your blogs and how informative they are, the more traffic you will see! Longer well-researched content is better for your search engine optimization and for your visitors coming to your site!

Remember, SEO success is a journey, not a sprint. By implementing these strategies, photographers can strengthen their online presence and attract a wider audience over time.

My keywords are an example below. I am a Southern New Jersey Photographer that lives right outside of Philadelphia, so below would be my main keywords to target. My keywords are generally based off the topic I write.

To kickstart your photography blog endeavors, consider focusing on keywords like photographers, south, Jersey, NJ, New Jersey, Philly, portraits, photographers in Philadelphia, photographers in Haddonfield (the shoot location), NJ photographer, family photo shoot. Additionally, showcasing the locations you've photographed at can enhance your Google keyword and location rank for your general area, giving customers insight into your capabilities at specific local sites.

Showing my work.. Also, showing work repeatedly creates a mental image in your client’s memory bank! Post consistently even old stuff! Seriously, it works!

SEO For Photographers

Why is SEO for Photographers so important? 

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is important for photographers for several reasons:

We will cover all these areas. 

• Visibility

• Competition

• Targeted Traffic

• Credibility

• Local Optimization

• Cost-Effective Marketing

• Analytics and Insights

In summary, SEO is essential for photographers because it enhances their online presence, increases visibility, and helps them stand out in a competitive market, ultimately leading to more potential clients and business opportunities. I am going to help walk you through every single process and provide you with the tools to succeed!

Here is a PDF FREE for you to download that helps to walk you through the basic steps in getting started!

Happy Shooting, my photography friends!

Dee

Shooting Star Photography

The Ultimate Guide to Building an SEO-Friendly Photography Website

Congratulations on launching your photography business! You've got the skills, the passion, and now you're eager to start capturing amazing moments for clients. However, to turn your passion into a thriving business, you need clients to find you. In this guide, we'll walk you through the essential steps to create a professional website and optimize it for SEO to get your photography business noticed.

Building a Professional Website

1. Design and Presentation

The foundation of your online presence is a professional website. Your website should be clean, readable, and presentable. Remember, your website is often the first impression potential clients have of your work. Make it visually appealing and user-friendly.

2. Portfolio

Showcase your work with a varied portfolio. Include samples of different types of photography you offer. Whether it's weddings, family portraits, or landscapes, a diverse portfolio will attract a broader audience.

3. Pricing

Clearly state your pricing and packages. Transparency about your rates will help potential clients understand what they can expect.

4. Location and Contact

Ensure your website clearly mentions your location and the areas you plan to serve. Include a prominent contact form, making it easy for clients to reach out to you.

SEO Optimization

I am completely NO JOKE when it comes to SEO. I don’t ever pay for ads. As you see here, this is incognito mode (click on top of photo). Google generally likes to show you google searches based on your google searches in the past. Incognito mode is the general mode in which you want to search for your google ranking. Otherwise, it will not show you an accurate listing if under your profile.

Notice we are in the top search. Above even wedding wire for our number one tag that we utilize on our website.

1. Use Clear Headers

Organize your content with clear headers. Proper headings not only make your website more user-friendly but also help search engines understand your content.

2. Backend Optimization

Most website platforms offer backend optimization options. Utilize meta tags, meta descriptions, and alt tags for your images. These tags make it easier for search engines to index your content.

3. Submit Your Sitemap

Sign up for Google Search Console to submit your sitemap. This step is crucial for Google to crawl and index your website, making it visible in search results.

Content Creation and Blogging

1. Regular Blogging

Now comes the fun part - blogging! As a photographer, you may not have thought of yourself as a writer, but blogging is an excellent way to boost your SEO. Aim to write at least two blog posts per week, with each post being a minimum of 600 words.

2. Blog Ideas

Your blog posts can cover a wide range of topics. Share your journey into photography, showcase your latest work, or offer a glimpse behind the scenes of a photo session. You can also write about photography equipment, props, or wardrobe additions you've made.

3. Categories and Tags

Organize your blogs with categories and tags. For instance, if you write about Santa sessions in Haddon Township, your category could be "Santa Photography Sessions," and your tags might include "Haddon Township," "New Jersey," "Christmas Sessions," and more. Use categories and tags to help potential clients find your content.

4. Alt Tags for Images

Don't forget to add descriptive alt tags to the photos you upload. Alt tags provide text descriptions for images and improve accessibility while assisting search engines in understanding your visual content.

Getting Indexed

Once you've completed the backend optimization, published your blog post, and chosen a featured photo, head to Google Search Console to request indexing. This step ensures your new content appears in Google's search results.

The Power of SEO for Photographers

Optimizing your photography website for SEO is the number one way to attract clients, especially if you're just starting out. Being on the first page of Google search results can significantly boost your visibility and credibility in the competitive photography industry. So, follow these steps, consistently create valuable content, and watch your photography business grow. Your journey as a successful photographer starts with a well-optimized website and regular blogging. 

I promise you, if you do this, you will get consistent bookings!!! 

Happy shooting, my friends!

Dee Giumetti

Shooting Star Photography

Are You A Photographer Looking To Improve Your SEO?

There are so many great photography backdrops in South Jersey!

Daretown Lake, Salem County.

A kid and his stuffed puppy! Shot at our studio in Woodstown!

In today's digital-driven age, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) has become an indispensable tool for photographers. As potential clients increasingly turn to search engines to find and evaluate photographers for their special events or projects, having a strong online presence has never been more crucial. SEO not only helps photographers improve their visibility in search engine results but also enhances their website's overall performance, leading to higher traffic, greater brand awareness, and ultimately, more clients. By strategically implementing SEO techniques, photographers can elevate their online visibility, outrank their competitors, and attract their target audience, making it an indispensable aspect of their marketing strategy.

You also don't need to be a photographer to learn from what I am writing! If you are a small business, wanting to improve your rank, no matter what company, specialty, or blog you have, you may find this useful to get your website ahead!I know how daunting it is as a photographer new to the game! 

You'll soon find yourself lost in the sea of other photographers on the net.  Photography is a very saturated market and you need to truly stand out to get ahead, but if you're on the 4th-15th page, you'll go unnoticed! I'm here to help you get ahead and get you on the first page of Google!

By getting to the top, it allows you to reach more people and to be seen, thus improving your business overall!  Here, in South Jersey, there are what seems hundreds of photographers!  It doesn't matter if you are a photographer or not!! In this modern-day world, you need an online presence in order to stay ahead and to be a viable business!I am a SEO queen! 

No, really!  I worked in IT with a Fortune 500 company and sold high-end solutions to other large organizations. I can build server rooms, design networks, build a server, and entire computers from scratch. I also have a website I have been running since 2012 and has consistently been on the first page of results. This page, right here... Jumped from the 12th page (I was lost at Google sea) to the first page in under a month!  Yup, you heard that right!!! I am now ranking ahead of other photographers that have been more established in my area, some even for over a decade! You want to learn my secret?I am about to spill the beans!

It's SEO, short for search engine optimization.  You need to make your website attractive to google's Googlebots and I'll explain how to do that. Since I'm using Wordpress as my platform, I will explain how I do it with my program.  However, you can also do this on WIX and other platforms, but will take a little work behind the scenes... And using CSS. CSS is the backend coding for the general layout of your page,  but guess what?  Forget CSS, right now!  I'm going to show you how to improve your ranking without using that!  I currently don't and should.  However, I designed my mom's website on WIX and improved her site by using the CSS function. She's now on the top! Getting off track here! Again, forget CSS!

 The number one thing you should do is....Create a BLOG!

The first thing as a photographer that you should make sure you have... when you get set up, with your website..is make sure you have a blog! By utilizing a blog, this will get you to the top fast!  Also, when you get there, it doesn't take that much effort to stay there. A simple weekly post should keep you on top! Within each post that you do, it needs to be AT LEAST 200 words.  I always recommend 300-600.  It also has to be unique content.

DO NOT USE purchased templates, or copy from anyone else!

First off, it's plagiarism essentially.  Google does not like duplicate content!  If they see a website with the exact wording, etc... You will be dropped to the bottom of the list!! Yes, they have these capabilities to detect this! Second... Make sure your blog heading is relevant to what you are going to be talking about and who you wish to target!  A lot of my headings have photography, South Jersey, photo shoot because I am trying to cater to my market area. 

Google indexes this accordingly.PermalinksThere is also a permalink extension.  Usually with the date that you will be posting.  Make sure you change your link name!  For example, may have 2015 family etc.  I change my link to 2015 south jersey family photography.  I'm attempting to get Google to detect my link and index it accordingly!  It works!  I changed my permalink to cater to what I am going over in this blog!https://shootingstarsouthjersey.com/2015/03/26/photographer-seo- See permalink! This is the link you would share to others, if you were to copy this page!

Website Name!

Also, if you look at my website name, it states shootingstarsouthjersey.com, this is an attempt for Google to recognize my area and index my website into my targeted market! It was no mistake doing this and creating this website! If you are writing up a list on your blog.. Let's say... Top Things People Say To Photographers... Make sure every number and caption is at least bold...It is considered a header and Google puts more effort into recognizing that and helps to move you higher in their indexing game! However, don't go overboard!! Google also notices if you are attempting to manipulate their indexing algorithms!  They sometimes know that you are trying to improve your SEO and will penalize you for this!! Dropping you further down the list!

Tags & Categories

Utilize your tags and categories!!! I can't say this enough, but again, don't overdo it, Google knows if you are trying to get ahead.  If your article is only 300 words... Use 4 tags!  400 words 6 tags tops, 600 words 8 tags tops! Now you may be asking me what tags are and what in the hay is she talking about? Okay, I will give you examples!!! My target market is South Jersey.  It's a section of New Jersey and considered the Philadelphia suburbs. My target and photography specialty is family and children and my goal is, if people are searching for a photographer in South Jersey, to be on that first page.

My tags that I will utilize are...  and even look how I put this in use in this post here! Photographer in South Jersey, South Jersey photography, family photography, South Jersey, NJ, kids photography, Salem County photographer, Family photographer south jersey

I'm assisting Google in indexing my website accordingly.  Also, people searching for a photographer in South Jersey, I will come up when folks search! I'm targeting my general market area! Utilizing your categories will also help and is somewhat similar! These are the rules of thumb in improving SEO.  Don't go overboard on your tags, create relevant and unique content, update your blog about once weekly and you will be on your way to the top!

Update Your Site Often!

Google also likes if you update your site often.  It shows them you are active with your website and keeping things fresh!  For both google and client interested! Time and time again, I have gone on to local photographer's websites and they have not updated their blog for 6 months! It doesn't look good from a client perspective or good with Google!  Some clients may think that you actually jumped ship and are no longer doing photography!Google does not like stagnate websites or ones who haven't been touched in a while.

Updating your site WEEKLY is key!  It is also a good suggestion to update your portfolio with your latest work or to proofread some of your posts/pages.  I make a point to sit down every Tuesday to go over'update both my websites!There are other ways to improve SEO by sharing your link on other sites, or others sharing your link, on their website or vice versa (returning the favor), but Google is changing how this operates and is often a sleazy way to manipulate your SEO and get to the top.  I don't like doing this! And google is noticing!

Use Your Alt Text and description... When You Utilize Images on your blog!

This will help to get your images indexed as well as help with your overall website!  I ALWAYS caption my photos too!  It helps and works! My goal is to just create unique content, utilize some headers and tags and keep looking ahead.  This is all you virtually need anyway!If you keep writing, folks will start sharing your link anyway! By getting to the top, it has given me more leads in regards to my business and more business!!!  It's worth a shot! Try it out for yourself and would love to know how it has helped you!  

Again, I have two websites at the top... This one here in particular, I am still improving.. However, I am new to the game. I've been in business since October 2014!  I have jumped other photography sites that have been in the business for years!  From page twelve, to page one, in just a month by using this formula right here! My other website has been in the #1 spot since 2012! Local photographers don't get any ideas, lol! I update my blog often and I will always be here!! I'm not going anywhere, hehe!

Happy Shooting, my friends!

Dee