Art and photography websites require specific features and functionalities—like marketing, selling, and ecommerce capabilities—that other types of websites don’t need. While this presents a unique set of challenges, choosing the best website builder can save you time, money, and wasted effort. We reviewed more than 20 website solutions to come up with our list of the best website builders for artists and photographers.
- Best Website Builder for Artists Overall: Weebly
- Best AI Website Builder for Artists & Photographers: Hostinger
- Top Pick for Appointment Booking: Wix
- Best for Selling Creative Work Internationally: Mozello
- Best for Paid, Gated Content & Memberships: Dorik
- Best Free Website Builder for Artists & Photographers: Webador
- Best Photographer-specific Platform: PhotoBiz
- Cheapest Professional Design Services: Web.com
- Easiest Website Builder for Artists & Photographers: GoDaddy
- Best Way for Creatives to Build a WordPress Site: DreamHost
- Most Style-forward Website Builder: Squarespace
Skip the read: The overall best website builder for artists or photographers is Weebly. It includes ecommerce solutions for selling physical and digital works on all tiers, including the free-forever plan. You can build password-protected pages and host unlimited image galleries. And with ample storage and bandwidth, you can create a robust, attractive website with just a little bit of time and effort—try it out for free.
Best Website Builders for Artists & Photographers at a Glance
Providers | Pricing | Features | Learn more |
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4.85 out of 5 | Free plan Paid plans from $12/mo* |
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4.79 out of 5 | $2.99/mo* |
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4.71 out of 5 | Free plan Paid plans from $16/mo* |
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4.57 out of 5 | Free plan Paid plans from $8/mo* |
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4.52 out of 5 |
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4.36 out of 5 | Free plan Ad-free plans from $9/mo* |
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4.29 out of 5 | From $29/mo* Optional design service: $600 |
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4.23 out of 5 | From $4.95/mo* Optional design services from $149 |
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4.2 out of 5 | Free plan Paid plans from $9.99/mo* |
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4.15 out of 5 | From $2.95/mo* |
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4.01 out of 5 | From $16/mo* |
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*Billed annually. Monthly billing may be available, and some plans renew at a higher rate. |
Weebly: Best Website Builder for Artists Overall
Weebly tops our list of builders to create the best websites for artists and photographers with its drag-and-drop website editor, a large number of themes, and more than a few options and add-ons to help you build a creative showcase for your work. It includes a grid-based gallery feature and an easy-to-use blogging platform to enable you to create visually attractive presentations of art and photography. Additionally, ecommerce is included in all plans, so you can sell online easily.
The video below showcases how easy it is to use Weebly to build a website:
While Weebly is our top contender, that doesn’t mean it’s for everyone. And to be honest, we found its templates a little dated and clunky. Plus, you may need a more robust appointment scheduling system.
If you’re looking for more advanced features, consider Wix, which sports more than 300 add-ons for increased functionality and has ecommerce plans specifically for artists and photographers (including appointment booking). For a visually stunning design, consider Squarespace.
For most artists and photographers, the Weebly website builder will provide more-than-ample functions and enable you to sell your art online in both physical and digital formats. Ecommerce is fully integrated into all plans, even the free one. Weebly is feature-rich and powerful, making it to our list of best website builders for small businesses. You can try Weebly risk-free before upgrading to a paid plan.
More reading…
- To learn more about Weebly’s features and capabilities, read our full Weebly review
- See how easy it is to build a site with Weebly in our guide to using Weebly website builder
Hostinger: Best AI Website Builder for Artists & Photographers
Hostinger’s artificial intelligence (AI) website builder will design a custom-looking site and populate it with stock art and web copy, which you can then edit and replace with your own art and copy. The process takes less than 10 minutes, and the results are stunning. Add to that the easy-to-use photo gallery feature, unlimited storage and bandwidth, and 24/7 customer support for a full-featured website builder that’s great for artists.
Watch our video tutorial and follow along to learn how to use the Hostinger website builder:
One downside of Hostinger is that you lack a significant amount of control over how your site looks. If you’re not too sure about using AI, or if you’re looking for more creative control, go with Wix’s drag-and-drop editor and add-ons for increased functionality. Or, if you want a professional site without having to learn how to work the AI features, choose GoDaddy for the ultimate simplicity.
Hostinger website builder is a powerful entry as a website builder for artists. It’s very beginner-friendly and requires zero code to create an attractive website. With ecommerce features built in, you can sell your art online digitally or print shipping labels to send physical works. There’s no free trial, but the paid plan is just $2.99 a month for the first year. Read our Hostinger website builder review to learn more, or set up your plan to get started.
Wix: Top Website Builder for Appointment Booking
For photographers who need a beautiful, full-featured website that includes the ability to book and manage appointments online, Wix delivers. In fact, it ranks at the top of our list of best drag-and-drop website builders. In addition to these features, Wix has more than 300 add-ons to give you virtually any functionality you need. The Core tier includes ecommerce, making it easy to sell online both digitally and physically.
The video below showcases how easy it is to build a Wix website in a few easy steps:
Though Wix is packed with features, you’ll need the $27 per month Core tier to access many of the tools artists and photographers need, including ecommerce and appointment booking. This might feel too expensive for some artists and photographers just starting out.
For a cheaper though still full-featured experience, try Weebly. Or, if you’re looking for a truly limitless experience, invest the time in learning WordPress and build your website using DreamHost’s WordPress site builder.
Wix is a powerful website builder with plenty of features for most photographers. It is easy to use, and you can have a site up and running in just a few hours. Making changes is a breeze with the Wix Editor, and AI content writing tools will help you craft compelling copy. Learn more about the platform in our Wix review. Or, try Wix risk-free with its free-forever plan.
Mozello: Best Website Builder for International Creators
For artists and photographers who work internationally, Mozello incorporates multi-lingual sites into all of its plans, including a free website builder option on a Mozello subdomain with Mozello branding. In addition to offering support for multiple languages, Mozello includes basic ecommerce features in all plans, and it charges no transaction fees. This makes Mozello a great choice for artists looking to save money and sell internationally.
While many website builders offer a free plan, artists and photographers looking to build a credible brand should get a paid plan to use a custom domain and remove third-party ads.
For some users, Mozello may not be the best option because (while easy to use) it lacks some of the design functionality of other website builders. There are few templates available, and the website builder does not include some standard content blocks. For more design freedom, consider Weebly or Hostinger. If you need advanced functionality or lots of add-ons, use Wix instead.
If you’re an artist or photographer with international clientele, Mozello can help make building a multi-language, small business website simpler than other website builders. It boasts enough ecommerce features to make it a competitor for selling online, and you can try it risk-free with a free-forever version. For more information, or to get started, visit the Mozello website.
Dorik: Best Website Builder for Gating Member-only Content
Dorik offers an easy-to-integrate members-only feature in all plans. The Free plan includes up to 500 non-paying members, while the Personal plan gives access to up to 3,000 and the Business tier up to 10,000. For paid memberships, you’ll need to enroll in one of the paid plans. Additionally, Dorik users can create password-protected pages if they subscribe to the Business plan.
While Dorik’s website builder is relatively easy to use, it’s slightly less intuitive and has fewer features than other similarly equipped builders. Achieve the same membership functions using an add-on in Wix, though this will cost you an additional monthly fee. If you’re looking for more aesthetically pleasing sites, Squarespace’s attractive templates will provide you with a better solution.
Building a membership website is easy with Dorik. In just a few hours, you’ll be up and creating membership-driven content. You also have the ability to place content behind password-protected sites on the Business plan. You can try Dorik before you buy with its free-forever plan. Or sign up for the $79 Professional plan and start selling memberships today.
Webador: Best Free Website Builder for Artists & Photographers
For artists and photographers just starting out, or for those on a budget looking to build an online portfolio, Webador offers a free-forever plan that includes a lot of features other hosts charge for. This includes unlimited storage and bandwidth as well as free stock photos. You can build an attractive, compelling website for free. For more advanced features, including ecommerce and photo galleries, the paid plans are affordably priced.
While Webador is easy to use, it doesn’t give you the most design freedom. Its website designer is content-block and widget-based, and the results can look somewhat formulaic. For more advanced design with ecommerce, consider Weebly instead. If you are looking for a cheap alternative that includes more design freedom, Hostinger may be a better bet.
Building an attractive website is easy and free with Webador. At just $9 per month, the Pro plan is an affordable way to start selling your artwork or photos online. The Business plan includes unlimited products and the ability to host HD video, and it will run you an affordable $18 per month. All paid plans include three months free, so you can get started inexpensively.
PhotoBiz: Best Photographer-specific Website Builder
Professional photographers who manage a studio should give PhotoBiz a serious look. Created specifically for photographers, it includes more than a dozen features to help you grow and manage your studio. These include unlimited client galleries, a full-featured ecommerce solution, and an integrated studio management suite. The suite incorporates a customer relationship manager (CRM), email marketing, and online contracts to make managing your studio easy.
While it is a powerful system, for some freelance photographers, PhotoBiz may be a little bit overkill. If you aren’t looking for a full management solution, Squarespace offers fully responsive, mobile-friendly website options at an affordable price. For more design control with ecommerce incorporated, Weebly may be the better choice. If you find the $600 site creation fee too steep, you can get cheaper design services from Web.com.
Running a photography business is simple with PhotoBiz. It offers tools to help you sell your work as well as collect money from clients via an incorporated invoicing system. If you don’t want to get bogged down in design, you can pay a $600 design fee and PhotoBiz will create a site for you. Try it for free for 30 days before committing.
Web.com: Cheapest Professional Design Services
For photographers and artists who don’t want to design their own website, Web.com offers professional web design services starting at just $149. This makes them the most affordable design solution we reviewed. In addition, its website builder is easy to use and incorporates many of the features artists need, such as the ability to sell services online and integrated social media feeds.
While Web.com offers cheap design services, its website builder is not the most robust content management system. You may feel a little underwhelmed when you start managing your own website. At the same time, the renewal rates for Web.com are surprisingly expensive. Both Weebly and Wix provide many of the same features at a fraction of the renewal price. So, if you’re planning for the long term, you might consider an alternative.
Getting professional design services starting at just $149 makes Web.com a tremendous value for artists and photographers who are just starting out. Web.com will build a professional, fully custom website, sometimes in as little as seven days. If you need design services, chances are you won’t be able to beat Web.com’s prices. Check out its website to learn more.
GoDaddy: Simplest Website Builder for Artists & Photographers
Artists and photographers looking to get online fast and without a significant learning curve should look closely at GoDaddy’s website builder. It selects a template for you and populates it with stock art and placeholder content.
Editing is simple, point-click-and-replace, and the editor is fast and sleek. Additionally, GoDaddy includes the ability to book both one-time and recurring appointments with its integrated booking system. Starting for free, you can use website chatbots to engage site visitors, answer questions, and take inquiries 24 hours a day.
See how to create a website on GoDaddy by watching the video tutorial below:
While GoDaddy is easy to use, it’s also the most design-restrictive. GoDaddy’s website editor chooses a template for you, and while you can change templates without starting over, you still have to answer questions—which can lead to the same template. The templates are also dated and somewhat simple. For a more aesthetically pleasing template experience, consider choosing Squarespace instead.
If simple is what you’re looking for, GoDaddy is what you need. Its website builder is easy, fast, and efficient. Monthly plans start at an affordable $9.99 and include appointment booking and the ability to manage all your social media and Google Ads in one place. You can get started on its free-forever plan to make sure it’s a good fit before committing to a purchase, or learn more by reading our GoDaddy website builder review.
DreamHost: Best WordPress Website Builder for Photographers & Artists
For photographers and artists wanting the most functionality possible in their website, using WordPress to build and manage their online brand presence is the only solution. DreamHost offers affordable WordPress hosting featuring BoldGrid, a powerful, template-driven, drag-and-drop editor that provides almost as much design control as Wix. You’ll get the best of both worlds—an easy website builder and the near-limitless power of WordPress.
To build a WordPress website with DreamHost (using BoldGrid) still means you have to learn to operate WordPress. Virtually all features require sourcing a plugin from the more than 55,000 available (which can prove problematic, especially for novice builders).
For an easier time with almost as much functionality, choose Wix. With more than 300 integrations, Wix provides many of the advanced features you can get with WordPress, but with very little of the learning curve. Read our Wix vs WordPress comparison to learn more.
If WordPress is the solution for you, DreamHost’s affordable plans are your best bet. All plans include a free domain and SSL certificate, unlimited bandwidth, and 24/7 customer support. Paired with BoldGrid, DreamHost offers the easiest WordPress solution available. It’s also very affordable, with a basic plan starting at $2.95 a month and a managed ecommerce plan for just $16.95 a month. For more features or pricing information, visit DreamHost.
Unlike all-in-one site builders like Weebly and Wix, adding galleries, ecommerce, and appointment booking on WordPress requires plugins. Read our list of WordPress tips and tricks to see what else is involved, and find out how much WordPress costs compared to all-in-one platforms.
Squarespace: Most Style-forward Website Builder for Creatives
Photographers and artists tend to be design-focused, which is why Squarespace may be the best option for some creators. Its Fluid Engine drag-and-drop editor is powered by a selection of more than 100 attractive, design-forward themes that will help you build a beautiful, attractive website. With integrated ecommerce solutions for digital and physical products, Squarespace provides a solution that is ideal for many photographers and artists.
The video tutorial below shows how to build a Squarespace video, including its drag-and-drop editing tools:
But Squarespace isn’t for everybody. Though its ecommerce packages include a lot of functionality, it lacks some features that are included in less expensive website builders. Appointment booking is an additional fee, as are member-only pages. In fact, many features require expensive add-ons that can drive up the price significantly. For a less expensive ecommerce solution with significant design control, Weebly might be the better option.
Squarespace is renowned for the quality and artistry of the free Squarespace templates available to users. They are easy to use and will guide you to an attractive, professional-looking website with relative ease. Try Squarespace risk-free for 14 days to make sure it’s right for you.
How We Compared the Best Website Builders for Artists & Photographers
To assess website builders for artists and photographers, we considered the features content creators need in their website. We researched more than 20 website builders to come up with a list of choices that best represent the needs of photographers and artists, and then we assessed those based on the criteria as detailed in the tabs here.
25% of Overall Score
Almost universally, website builders provide an all-in-one solution for website creation. However, website builders vary in degrees on what they include in their builder. We chose platforms that conform to a relatively fixed set of features, including ample storage, the ability to connect custom domains, free SSL and domain privacy, and business email addresses.
25% of Overall Score
More and more, artists and photographers are relying on ecommerce solutions to drive revenue. Whether it’s selling original works, prints of photos, or photography services, those sales are taking place online. We evaluated each provider we chose based on the ecommerce features they offer and the additional cost of those features.
20% of Overall Score
Artists and photographers face unique challenges when it comes to expenses, and we focused 20% of our attention on the bottom line: how much the website builder costs over the course of a year. We analyzed providers based on how much they cost and how much that cost includes.
20% of Overall Score
Finally, we relied on more than 20-plus years of firsthand web design experience to assess the ease of use, quality, and design power of each platform. We gave each platform a score based on that knowledge and experience, rating it for general usability, value for price, and included features.
10% of Overall Score
Few artists and photographers are skilled website designers. When things go wrong, they’ll need help to fix them. That’s why we included support services, with providers who offer 24/7 chat or phone support scoring higher than those with limited hours or only email support.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
To create a website to sell your artwork, first choose a website builder that includes an ecommerce solution, like Weebly. Then, choose and purchase your domain name. After that, the website builder you chose will walk you through the process of selecting a theme, titling your website, and creating the framework you’ll customize. Add your photographs, artwork, and website copy to complete the process.
Yes, you can create your own website as a photographer. In fact, website builders like Wix are ideal for photographers, including booking appointments online, selling digital or physical prints of your work, and even managing a photography studio from your website.
An artist should have a website that is attractive, easy to navigate, and that presents their artwork to visitors in an effective fashion. Additionally, ecommerce plays a more important role than ever before in the art marketplace, which means you should build a website where you can sell your artwork or merchandise featuring that work. Ultimately, only you can decide what features your website needs, but it should be user-friendly and professional-looking.
Yes. Wix is a great website builder for artists and photographers. It is easy to use, packed with features, and offers dozens of attractive, professional themes to get you started. You can incorporate ecommerce solutions, appointment booking, and more into your website without the hassle of learning to code or searching for the perfect plugin.
Bottom Line
Website builders for artists and photographers need to provide solutions to the unique challenges of marketing and selling creative works online. Whether you’re looking to build an online portfolio or a fully featured studio management system, choosing the right website builder is a critical step.
Our overall choice for the best website builder for artists and photographers is Weebly. It incorporates most of the features you’ll need at a price you can afford. Try it risk-free with the free-forever plan before you step up to a paid tier.