How to Optimise Your Smiler Storefront to Get More Photography Clients
Today we're going to help you turn your Smiler Storefront into a client magnet. This guide shows key steps to maximise your profile, enhance visibility, and drive sales. Following these steps, you'll learn how to refine your portfolio, improve your SEO, and use Smiler’s tools effectively. The goal is to attract the right customers and make your services stand out in a competitive market. With these steps in place, you’ll be well-positioned to increase your bookings and build a thriving photography business.
With Smiler Photographer Suite you can do things like manage your bookings, track payments, send mobile-friendly client galleries, showcase your services—everything you need to grow your photography business.
Signing up for Smiler Photographer Suite? It’s super simple! With so many features to explore you might not be sure how to get everything set up. We get it! Thankfully, we have the insights to make your exploration quick and efficient from start to finish. The best part of Storefront is that it literally takes seconds to set up. And once it's live it starts to work to become your booking generator. So if you want to learn from actual Storefront users who are seeing great success with their Storefronts, keep reading. We’re here to guide you step-by-step to optimise your Storefront ready to sell!
Craft a High-Converting Storefront
Creating a standout Storefront is essential for your photography business. Your Storefront is the first impression clients get of your work, so every detail matters. The goal is to present your portfolio in a way that grabs attention immediately and keeps clients interested. In this guide, we'll break down the critical elements that will make your Storefront irresistible and ensure it highlights the unique value of your services. It's about showcasing your talent in a way that turns visitors into loyal customers.
Choose a Professional Profile Image
Selecting the right profile image is essential for shaping your brand. Go for a high-quality, professional headshot that reflects both your personality and photography style. A friendly, approachable image can help build trust with potential clients. Pay attention to the background, lighting, and your appearance, making sure everything aligns with the type of photography you offer. Since this image will represent your brand across the platform, take the time to ensure it’s a strong, lasting impression that showcases who you are as a photographer.
Target Your Ideal Clients with Custom Messaging
Your bio is your opportunity to connect with potential clients. Keep it concise but informative. Focus on your photography style, experience, and what makes you stand out. Speak directly to your ideal clients. Use this structure:
- Introduction: Briefly introduce yourself and your specialty.
- Experience: Highlight your credentials or years of experience.
- Services: Mention the types of photography sessions you offer.
- Call to action: Encourage clients to book or inquire.
Elvis' bio is both personal and professional. Elvis introduces himself with just enough personal detail—his South American roots and his long-term home in Milan. It’s welcoming, and knowing he’s been in Italy for over 20 years adds a reassuring layer of experience and local knowledge.
By highlighting his expertise in couple photography while sharing his enthusiasm for family and portrait sessions, Elvis shows both focus and versatility. Plus, his language skills make his services accessible to a broad audience. Overall, this bio feels friendly, authentic, and credible—perfectly suited to attract clients looking for a photographer with both skill and heart.
Upload High-Quality Portfolio Photos
Your portfolio is the centrepiece of your Smiler Storefront, where potential clients assess whether your style aligns with their vision. Showcase only your top work—high-quality and professionally edited images that reflect your skill. Include a diverse range of shots to demonstrate your versatility, but keep a consistent artistic style that defines your brand. Regularly update it with your latest projects to keep your portfolio fresh and relevant, ensuring it continues to engage and attract potential clients as your work evolves.
We love Mohamed's portfolio photos—it’s an invitation to dive into a gallery of colour, precision, and storytelling. The first photo, or 'hero photo' as we like to call it, is perfectly centred and bursting with vibrant hues, immediately catching the eye and inviting viewers to explore further.
Incorporate Video Content
Did you know your Storefront portfolio can now feature video content, allowing you to showcase your work in motion? This offers potential clients a more immersive experience. Consider adding a short video introduction, whether it’s a behind-the-scenes look, a montage of your best shots, or a personal message. Video not only highlights your photography but also gives viewers a sense of your personality, helping you connect with them on a deeper level and stand out from others who rely solely on still images.
Incorporate FAQs
Incorporating a FAQ section in your Storefront is a smart way to address potential client questions upfront. This not only helps provide essential information but also improves your visibility within the platform through better SEO. Include common questions about your process, what clients can expect during a shoot or any questions that typically came up with past clients.
By being transparent and informative, you help build trust with potential clients, which can ultimately lead to more bookings. Here are some examples of questions you could include in a FAQ section for your Smiler Storefront:
- What can I expect during a session?
A brief description of your shooting process, from start to finish. - How long will it take to receive my photos?
Explain your turnaround time for editing and delivering images. - What locations do you cover?
Clarify your service area, especially if you offer destination photography. - What happens if the weather is bad?
Address your policy on rescheduling due to weather or unforeseen circumstances. - Can I request specific shots or poses?
Clarify your flexibility with client requests during a session.
Create Irresistible Services and Products
Now that your Storefront is ready, it’s time to refine what you offer. Success on Smiler comes from providing services and products that not only highlight your expertise but also cater to the specific needs of your target audience. Make sure your packages reflect what your ideal clients are looking for, whether it's specific types of photography sessions or unique products. Matching your services to their expectations will help you stand out and secure more bookings.
Managing your schedule efficiently is crucial for streamlining your workflow and maximising your booking opportunities as a photographer. Your Suite's integration with Google Calendar and the Working Hours feature help prevent scheduling conflicts and ensure clients can only book you during your available times. Make sure to connect your Google Calendar and adjust your working hours first.
Offer Competitive Packages
Clients appreciate clear options and real value. Craft packages that cater to different needs and budgets. Here’s a simple approach:
Tiered Packages: Tiered pricing lets you offer packages that suit a range of budgets while guiding clients toward higher-value options. Start with a basic package that covers costs and includes a modest profit. Then, build mid-range and premium packages with added features that justify a higher price. The difference in pricing should always reflect the extra value offered. This approach not only broadens your client base but also opens up opportunities for upselling, making your business more profitable while keeping options clear for customers.
You might feel tempted to give your services creative or catchy names, but it's essential that your customers understand them at a glance. Avoid overly fancy titles that could confuse or slow down decision-making. Instead, focus on straightforward names that clearly describe the service you're offering. This approach not only ensures clarity but also builds trust with clients who want to quickly know what they're getting. Always prioritise clarity over trying to be unique with your wording.
Clear Descriptions: When describing your packages, be clear and specific about what each option includes. Break down every detail—such as the number of edited photos, hours of coverage, and any extras like photo albums or prints. Avoid vague descriptions and ensure clients understand exactly what they’re paying for. This not only sets expectations but also builds trust. Use straightforward language and consider organizing details in bullet points to make the comparison between packages easy. Transparency in your package descriptions helps clients choose confidently and increases satisfaction.
Special Offers: Limited-time promotions can draw in new clients. Keep your services exciting by adding seasonal options like holiday mini-sessions, back-to-school specials, or summer beach shoots. These time-limited offers create urgency and can attract clients who might not book a full session otherwise. They're also perfect for filling any slower periods in your schedule. Offering seasonal sessions keeps things fresh for your clients and adds flexibility to your business. Don't forget to gather testimonials from these sessions to boost credibility and help future clients make confident booking decisions.
Moselle’s photography packages are refreshingly clear and comprehensive from at first glance. Every detail a client could need is right there—whether it’s the types of sessions she offers, who they’re ideal for, the number of photos included, or the time each session requires. Her services are outlined with precision, making it easy for clients to find exactly what they’re looking for and understand the value they’ll receive.
Consider Value-Based Pricing
Value-based pricing focuses on the unique worth your services offer clients, not just your costs or standard market rates. This approach works well for high-end or specialised photography, where you can highlight aspects like your distinctive style, the emotional significance of capturing memories, or the business impact for commercial clients. To learn more about value-based offers, read our article on Alex Hormozi’s value formula.
Geo-Target Your Storefront
One standout feature of Smiler is geo-targeting your Storefront. This allows you to focus your visibility on specific locations, ensuring you connect with the right audience in the right places, maximising your reach effectively. When possible, start by clearly defining your service area. Are you open to traveling for photography work? If so, think about how far you're willing to go, considering travel time and costs. Once you've defined your service area, use Smiler’s geo-targeting features to make sure your Storefront reaches potential clients in those specific locations. This strategic focus helps you attract inquiries and bookings from the most relevant areas, ensuring your efforts are targeted and efficient.
Highlight Local Knowledge
Use your local knowledge to set yourself apart. If you know the best photo spots in your area, include this in your bio or service descriptions. For destination photographers, emphasise your experience shooting in various locations. This expertise is a strong selling point, especially for event or landscape photography, as clients value photographers who can guide them to the perfect setting for their shoot.
Set Correct Pricing Structures to Find Profitability
Pricing can make or break your photography business. When we talk about pricing, we consider covering your costs, positioning your services in the market and conveying the value you offer. Setting the right pricing structure is essential to attracting clients and ensuring profitability. We’ll explore how to craft pricing that both appeals to your target audience and reflects the quality and experience you bring to the table, helping you create a business that thrives financially while communicating your worth confidently.
Before setting your prices, it's essential to do thorough market research. Check what other photographers in your area and niche are charging, and take note of factors like their experience, the quality of their work, and their target audience. This will help you establish a baseline. Keep in mind that being the cheapest option isn't necessarily a good strategy—undercutting competitors can lower the perceived value of your services and lead to unsustainable practices. Pricing should reflect both your worth and the market expectations.
Download your free eBook to learn more about pricing and upselling strategies.
Use Photographer Suite Tools to Get Your Storefront to Sell
Your Photographer Suite is designed to support your Storefront in becoming a powerful sales engine. Customer reviews are already your most powerful sales tool, but they become even more impactful when paired with visuals! On your Storefront, visitors can see the photos linked to each review, bringing testimonials to life.
Always encourage clients to leave reviews on your Storefront when prompted. A great way to do this is by giving them a heads-up after the shoot. You might say, "Once you receive your gallery, you’ll get a quick email from me asking for a review. I'd really appreciate it if you could take a minute to share your thoughts about your shoot." This gentle reminder makes it more likely they’ll respond, helping you gather those valuable testimonials!
Promote Your Storefront Effectively
Once you’ve set up your Smiler Storefront, it’s time to focus on driving traffic and attracting more clients. Start by sharing your Storefront link through Instagram stories and posts, showing off your services and directing followers to book. Update your Google My Business profile with the Storefront link to improve local search visibility and make it easier for potential clients to find you. Finally, add the Storefront link to your email signature so every message you send can guide recipients directly to your photography services.
Leverage Social Media
Social media is a powerful way to promote your Smiler Storefront. Share your Smiler link on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and other social profiles. Highlight your services through engaging posts and direct followers to your Storefront.
Instagram stories offer a quick and effective way to engage your followers. You can create a series of stories showcasing your services, client galleries, and positive reviews to boost visibility. Remember to save these stories as profile highlights so new visitors can view them at any time, keeping your best content easily accessible and driving more traffic to your Storefront. This approach helps maintain ongoing engagement with both new and existing followers. Here are some Instagram stories that you can personalise and post!
How to customise the templates:
1. Create a free Canva account.
2. Open the template link and click “Use template for new design”.
3. Edit the text, colours, and images to match your style.
4. Download your edited stories and upload them to Instagram as a story
5. Add your series of stories, featuring your service, at least 1 customer gallery and a review into your Profile Highlights
Every email is a chance to promote your Storefront. We have prepared a template that you can download and add to your signature. By adding your Storefront link to your email signature, potential clients can easily explore your work. Start by downloading and customising our Email Signature Template. Edit the text, add your logo if you have one, and include a direct link to your Storefront. Once your signature is ready, update the settings in your email provider, such as Gmail or Outlook, to automatically include it in all outgoing messages.
Now that you've learned how to optimise your Smiler Storefront to attract more photography clients, it's time to put these strategies into action. A well-designed Storefront, paired with thoughtful messaging, can truly make a difference in growing your client base.
If there's anything we haven’t covered or if you have specific questions, feel free to reach out to us at marcomteam@smiler.co. We're here to help you make the most of your Smiler experience!
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