Ready to give your digital presence a makeover and flaunt your work in style? Well, buckle up because we’re about to dive into the nitty-gritty of crafting your own photography website using TONIC Site Shop and Showit. Get ready for a ride that will have you proudly showcasing your portfolio to the world.
First Things First: Setting the Stage
1. Create a Showit Account Let’s kick things off by heading over to Showit and creating an account. Make sure to grab that 14-day free trial, and when you’re ready to take the plunge, don’t forget to use the code “TonicPremium20” to score a sweet 20% off your first-year subscription. It’s the perfect way to start your website-building journey on a budget-friendly note.
2. Access Your TONIC Design Sharekey Now, let’s get that TONIC magic flowing. Log into your TONIC account, navigate to the “Sharekeys” tab, and snag that special sharekey. Think of it as the secret sauce that will bring your design to life. Copy it to your clipboard, and you’re ready for the next exciting step.
3. Install Your Design into Showit Time to make the magic happen in Showit. Whether you’re a Showit newbie or a seasoned pro, this step is crucial. If you’re new, login at app.showit.co and find your way to “Your designs.” For the seasoned users, just log in and hit “Create A New Design.” Paste that sharekey, and bam! Say hello to your sleek new website. But hold on, there’s more…
01 / Prep: Laying the Groundwork
Branding Alright, let’s get our brand game strong because we know that’s oh-so important when crafting your own website. Grab those fonts, colors, logos, and marks. If you’re in need of some fresh fonts, CreativeMarket.com is like our spending haven, and you’ll find fantastic free options at dafont.com. Organize those high-res images, and for the love of SEO, give them catchy names. This step is all about setting the visual tone for your website, so take your time and make it shine.
Image Curation Now, it’s time for a little image curation dance. Follow the Content Prep Guide, toss your chosen images into folders, and let Showit do its resizing magic. Pro tip: tinyjpg.com is your friend for resizing and speeding up your site. Take the opportunity to consider the story your images tell collectively – it’s the essence of your portfolio.
Copy For the wordsmiths out there, here’s a tip – draft your copy outside Showit, maybe in a Google Doc. Keep it snappy, impactful, and in sync with the template text. This is your chance to narrate your brand’s story, so let your creativity flow. The goal is to keep it simple, memorable, and aligned with the overall design aesthetic.
02 / Design: Adding Your Personal Touch
Before You Dive into Customizing… Hold your horses before you unleash your inner designer at 3 am. Start by swapping out content, not redesigning from scratch. The templates are your canvas – let’s not paint over the masterpiece. Remember, you chose a template for a reason – to save time and start with a solid foundation. So, keep the essence intact and make gradual tweaks to make it uniquely yours.
Set Up Fonts & Colors Now, let’s tap into Showit’s design settings wizardry to effortlessly switch up fonts and colors throughout your entire site. If you followed along with the Prep Checklist in your content guide, you’ll already have your fonts and colors picked out. Now, it’s time to implement them and watch your website transform into a cohesive visual experience. This step is where your brand identity truly comes to life, so savor the process.
Replace / Add Your Images Here’s a pro move when crafting your own website – replace images first, don’t just pile on new ones. Keep that design flow intact. As you replace existing images with your carefully curated ones, you’ll see the template evolve into a personalized masterpiece. This step is all about creating a seamless integration of your visual content, so take your time and ensure each image complements the overall aesthetic.
03 / Experience: Navigating the Details
Links + Click Actions Now, let’s dive into the intricate art of seamless navigation of Click Actions. These are the little magic tricks that happen when you click on a link, button, image, or any element. While most Click Actions are pre-set for you, there are some, like social media links, that might need your personal touch. To set a Click Action, simply click on the element, whether it’s text, an image, or an icon, and navigate to the “click action” tab in the right toolbar.
Mobile / Desktop Views Did you know that with Showit, you have full design control over both the mobile and desktop versions of your site? It’s like having a digital magic wand! Your visitors should enjoy a seamless experience, no matter the device they use. Forget the “Make sure you look at this on your Desktop” reminders. All TONIC templates are 100% optimized and built to wow for mobile viewing. And, if you need to make specific adjustments, whether it’s fonts or images, you can easily toggle mobile settings. It’s your site, your rules, on any screen size.
Portfolio / Galleries Let’s talk about showcasing your stellar work because crafting your own website can be some work! Every TONIC template comes with a fantastic “Portfolio” page that’s like a blank canvas waiting for your artistic touch. Dive into the treasure trove of gallery styles, pick your favorites, add your content, and if you’re feeling prolific, duplicate to your heart’s content. It’s the gallery showcase made easy, thanks to TONIC’s thoughtful design.
Canvas Views Now, brace yourself for the magic of Canvas Views. Picture this – you want to showcase rotating testimonials or create an interactive header. Enter Canvas Views, Showit’s coolest feature. These allow you to display different content in the same place or section of your website. Want something akin to a slideshow with arrows? Use Canvas Views. Click on the folder, navigate to the desired view, and add or edit your content. It’s like having a dynamic, ever-changing mural on your site.
04 / Pre-Launch: The Final Checks
Test, Test, Test… You’re on the cusp of launch day! Testing is the secret sauce to a successful website launch. With fresh eyes and a clear mind, open your website preview and click through it like you’re an average viewer stumbling upon your masterpiece for the first time. Once you’ve given it a run-through and made any adjustments, bring in a friend. A second pair of eyes can catch things you might have missed. It’s the last dance before the big reveal, so make it count.
Don’t Delete, Hide… Now that you’ve navigated your website like a visitor, it’s time for a little spring cleaning. But hold on – instead of hitting the delete button, opt for hiding elements. Why? Because it makes life easier if you change your mind later. Elements you might not need right now can be tucked away for a potential encore. Remember, when it comes to pages, deleting is fair game, but for individual elements, hiding is the savvy move.
SEO, Baby One of the most important steps in crafting your own website.. Let’s talk SEO – because no matter how visually stunning your website is, it’s all for naught if no one can find it. Luckily, your TONIC site comes prepped for keyword ranking. We’ll spare you the deep dive into the intricacies of SEO and just say, your TONIC site is designed to be search engine friendly. So, take a moment to appreciate the beauty of a site that not only looks good but is also ready to be discovered.
05 / Launch: Letting Your Work Shine
How to Launch The moment of truth has arrived – it’s time to release your beautiful creation into the digital wild. Submit your launch request to the Showit team and let the pros handle the technicalities. This is the moment to celebrate your hard work and creativity. So, raise a virtual toast, sit back, and watch as your masterpiece takes its place in the online universe.
And there you have it – a comprehensive guide to crafting your own photography website with TONIC Site Shop and Showit! Get ready to share your passion and talent with the world. Happy creating! 🚀
P.S. Use our links to TONIC Site Shop or Showit and get a major discount! For TONIC Site Shop, you’ll receive 15% off your purchase and with Showit, you’ll receive one month totally FREE!
