Having a professional website worth the cost when starting with jobs?

4 years 6 months ago #663491 by Jon East
I'm just getting things going where I'm charging people for the work that I'm doing.  I don't have a website, however have noticed there is a bit of an investment to get one.  I need to get a custom URL, email address and then the website to complete the trifecta.

Uh, then comes advertising, which I jump on later.  

What about my question on the website?


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4 years 6 months ago #663511 by garyrhook
You'll get differing opinions nowadays. Some think that Instagram is adequate for a portfolio. What that doesn't take into account is digital delivery of images via private client accounts, if you need to do that. And free stuff via Dropbox and Drive is limited in size.

That said, you need a business name, you need to be registered in your state (a DBA), and you need to be collecting and reporting sales taxes. I.e. be legitimate.

I'd suggest getting a domain name and registering it, then getting an email account for it. That will run you less than $20 for the domain, and email can be had for $50/yr. gmail is just not professional, despite what Google would have you think. And if you decide to use IG for starters, this will at least give you an air of professionalism for a modest outlay.

Many hosting providers will throw in a domain for a year when you set up a site. SquareSpace, Zenfolio run under $150/yr for a fully branded site.

So, the answer to your question is, "it depends." Likely that nothin you do will be a dead end, although coming up with and registering a domain is probably the trickiest task.


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The following user(s) said Thank You: Jon East
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4 years 6 months ago #663535 by Jon East
Hey thanks Gary.  Really people will use Instagram?  I thought that was more for mobile uploads.  I guess that shows my understanding of the platform.  

I'm going to check out those sites you mentioned.  Regarding the gmail thing... I was just reading another persons notes on that too.  Good to know.  


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4 years 6 months ago #663540 by garyrhook

Jon East wrote: Hey thanks Gary.  Really people will use Instagram?  I thought that was more for mobile uploads.  I guess that shows my understanding of the platform.


Yes, and not just photography. It seems to be considered adequate across a variety of industries.

Me, I dislike being dependent upon a free service.


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4 years 6 months ago - 4 years 6 months ago #663547 by effron

garyrhook wrote: Me, I dislike being dependent upon a free service.


That's a ten four......

Why so serious?
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4 years 6 months ago #663552 by Jon East
Well I'm going to sign up for an account today.  Am I the last on the planet not to have any IG account?


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