Here’s the thing, they don’t really teach SEO in school, do they? You can read about SEO until you’re blue in the face, but the real learning? That happens when you’re actually in the trenches, optimizing websites, figuring out what clicks and what flops.You’ve probably heard stuff like “do this for SEO” and “do that for SEO” all the time, right? And there you are, trying it out, but kinda wondering, “Is this actually doing anything? Why am I even doing this?” Trust me, you’re not the only one thinking this.
The best way to get the hang of SEO? Start your own website. Build it from the ground up, try to grow it organically. That’s the real deal.
Guess what? I’ve been there, done that. I’ve grown a bunch of sites: an EDM site, a candle site, and even a streetwear site. In fact, I rank #1 if not top 5 for many photography-related keywords. Here are just a few:
My Article Ranking #1 for “what is a speedlight”
My Article Ranking #2 for “business headshot tips”
My Article Ranking #1 for “what is portrait photography”
Having said that, I would like to offer seven straightforward SEO strategies for photographers that you can easily apply to your photography website right away.
More of a visual learner? Check out the video version:
Nate Torres on YouTube
7 SEO tips for photographers
1. Use HTTPS
First on the list of SEO tips for photographers: ensure your website is using HTTPS. But what is HTTPS? It stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure. This is simply a more secure version of the older HTTP, enhanced with SSL/TLS encryption and authentication.
Let’s bypass the technical jargon. The crucial point is that HTTPS increases your site’s security, and search engines favor secure sites. This can boost your website’s ranking for photography-related keywords. Curious if your site has HTTPS? Just visit an SSL Checker website, enter your URL, and check for an SSL certificate. Here’s an example from when I checked my own site, showing it’s secure:
SSL Checker for Photography Website
If your site lacks an SSL certificate, contact your web hosting provider. Many photography websites are hosted on platforms like SiteGround, Bluehost, or GoDaddy. For obtaining an SSL certificate, here are some useful links depending on your host:
If you’re using a different hosting service, simply search for your provider followed by “ssl instructions” to find a guide on adding it.
2. Use CDN
The next SEO tip for photographers: Verify whether you have a CDN, which means Content Delivery Network. Why is this important? A CDN can significantly improve your photography website’s page loading speed, which is a key factor for SEO success. CDNs work as a network of servers that enhance your SEO by, quickly delivering content to your visitors, boosting your website’s overall speed, and protecting against online security threats.
Wondering if your website is already using a CDN? You can easily check this with a CDN Checker Tool. For example, when I checked my site, it showed that I’m utilizing Cloudflare’s CDN:
CDN Checker Tool
Regarding Cloudflare, they are a popular choice for implementing a CDN. To get started, simply visit the Cloudflare website, register, add your domain, and redirect your domain name to their nameservers. Cloudflare provides an easy-to-follow tutorial, and what’s more, it’s free of charge.
3. Optimize Your Image File Names & Alt Text
For photographers keen on mastering SEO, the third tip focuses on refining your image file names and alt text. Given the abundance of images on photography websites, this provides us an excellent opportunity to enhance SEO by incorporating our desired photography keywords in both the image file names and alt text.
The file name is the label you assign to an image upon saving it:
Image File Name
Alt text, short for alternative text, offers a concise explanation of the image and is vital for both web accessibility and SEO, as search engines rely on this text to understand the content of the image:
Image Alt Text
When assigning file names and crafting alt text, it’s beneficial to include your specific keyword. For instance, if you’re targeting “portrait photographer in Seattle” and have images of yourself photographing clients, choose a file name like “seattle-portrait-session.jpg” rather than a generic “image1.jpg” or “DSC1003.jpg.” For the alt text, opt for a descriptive phrase like “Seattle-based portrait photographer capturing a client on a cloudy day” instead of a simple “photo.” This method significantly improves your website’s search engine visibility, boosting your ranking for the targeted keywords.
4. Keyword-focused titles
Alright, fourth SEO trick for photographers: Amp up those page titles with keywords! These page titles, or meta titles, are those HTML elements that name your webpage. You know, the headlines you click on in Google search results:
Meta Title Example for Article
Here’s the lowdown on nailing your title tags: Use your main keyword in there, try not to repeat the same title tags across your photography site, and watch the length to keep it from being cut off.
Ever heard of truncation? That’s when your title’s too long and gets the dreaded ‘…’ chop from search engines. This can mess with how many people click through to your site – less traffic, less clients, less of the good stuff:
Truncated Article Meta Title Example
If you’re using a custom-coded website, you can dive into the HTML yourself. But if you’re using a CMS like WordPress or Squarespace, like most of us, it’s a bit different. Squarespace lets you change the meta title in its settings. On WordPress, you’ll need a handy SEO plugin to fiddle with those HTML bits such as RankMath.
5. Ensure Proper Headings
Tip number five for SEO-savvy photographers: Get your heading structure on point.
What we’re talking about here are those H1, H2, H3 tags, and so on. These HTML tags label your headings and subheadings. Think of them as traffic signs guiding both your visitors and search engine bots through your content, making everything more digestible and clear about what your page is all about.
Here’s a quick breakdown: in HTML, they look a certain way, and on your page, they look another:
Here’s how they look in HTML:
H1 Header
H2 Header
H3 Header
This is how they look on the page:
Heading Tag Examples
Important note: You should have only one H1 tag per page, and it’s smart to weave in your target keyword.
Let’s say your target is “new york portrait photographer.” That ought to be your H1. Now, this alone won’t shoot you to the top of Google, but it sure helps to have your main keyword in your H1.
Moving on to H2s and H3s: this is where your secondary keywords come into the picture. These are the support crew for your main keyword. For example, if your primary keyword is “new york portrait photographer,” your secondary ones might include variations like “new york fashion portrait photographer,” “new york portrait photography,” and so on. Each photographer will have different secondary keywords that gel best with their style. To really nail down which keywords are perfect for you, it’s all about tailoring them to fit your business goals which I can help with.
6. Responsive on Mobile
Tip six for photographers mastering SEO: Ensure your website is mobile-friendly.
Here’s the deal: A mobile-optimized website is crucial. Think about this: almost 60% of all web traffic worldwide comes from mobile devices. Moreover, search engines like Google prioritize mobile-first indexing. They essentially view your website through the lens of a mobile browser for indexing and ranking purposes.
In plain language, your site needs to shine on mobile, maybe even more than on desktop. If it’s falling short on mobile, it could be dragging down your rankings and your ability to draw in visitors.
Want to know how to check if your site is mobile-friendly? Google Chrome’s DevTools is your friend. Just fire up Chrome, head to your site, right-click, select Inspect, and then hit the Toggle Device Toolbar button. Choose a mobile device to emulate. This shows you what your site looks like on a mobile device:
Testing Mobile Responsiveness
For instance, I checked how one of my articles appeared on an iPhone 12 Pro. If you spot anything off on mobile, like weird spacing, images, or text, it might be time for some adjustments, or perhaps a chat with a developer.
7. Focusing Local SEO
Seventh and last on the SEO advice list for photographers: Harness the potential of Local SEO.
For photographers who serve local clients, Local SEO is key. It’s crucial for any business that customers would usually visit in person, like eateries, contractors, salons, shops, and more. Local SEO zeroes in on search results for a particular area, distinct from general SEO. You’ll spot local results when searching with “near me” or for services typically offered locally. Here’s a look at the “local map pack” where you can feature with solid Local SEO:
Local Map Pack
Here’s what you need to nail Local SEO:
Optimize Google My Business
This free Google feature allows your business to appear in Local Map Pack and on Google Maps. If you’re a local photographer and don’t have a Google My Business account yet, it’s high time to create one. Ensure you fill in all details, including services, images, contact info, and your website.
Create Local Citations
This means listing your business on well-known online directories with consistent name, address, and phone number (NAP). For photographers, a presence on Yelp is a good beginning. Ensure your Yelp profile is thorough and matches your other listings.
Accumulate Online Reviews
Another crucial aspect of Local SEO is to get reviews on your Google My Business and other directory listings, like Yelp. A smart move is to ask clients for a review immediately after a successful photoshoot, when they’re most satisfied and the experience is fresh.
And there you have it, my complete SEO guide for photographers. I hope you find these tips helpful. If you see any areas where you’re lagging in these optimizations, now is the perfect time to start working on them!
Questions? Feel free to leave a comment or send me an email. If you don’t even know where to begin, I offer a Free Photography SEO Audit on my site!
https://photofocus.com/business/seo-for-photographers-7-tips-you-can-use-today/
