We’re finally in the fourth quarter of the year and whether biz has been good or bad, everybody is going to celebrate saying goodbye to 2009.   The economy has been a challenge all year long.   Sadly, a lot of photographers have pulled back on their advertising and promoting.  They’re following the profile of the hot dog vendor from an earlier post.  I can’t fault anyone for being worried about business, but too often being ultra conservative becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.  

The bottom line is now is the time to look at every aspect of your business, especially your website.   Your website is your calling card – it’s the one vehicle that virtually everybody interested in hiring you is going to look at.   It’s time to update your site  and really put yourself out there. Think about it – if so many of your counterparts are  pulling back then isn’t this the perfect opportunity for you to make your work really stand out?   You’ve got a chance to be in the spotlight all by yourself!

So, before you blame the challenges in your business on the economy or the Uncle Harrys of the world, are you happy with your website?    Is it time for a face lift and a new look for your business?   The best time to launch a new brand or look, is when your competition is slowing down and their marketing efforts lacking.   Maybe it’s time to go back to square one and analyze your website, your images and the message you’re sending to your clients when they ”walk through your door”.   Are people talking about what they saw on your website, or did it look like everybody else’s?

I’ve worked with Big Folio a lot over the last year and I checked on any specials they might have to help photographers upgrade their websites - use code bfsave150 to save $150 off the setup fee of any Premium BIG Folio site. The offer only has a short window, running to the end of this month, October 31.

Your website is critical to your success.  It won’t do any good creating the greatest images of your life if people can’t find them on your site, they take too long to load or simply lack excitement in the quality of the presentation.