Zenfolio 2024: Innovations and enhancements to fuel your success.
December 10th, 2024
As a photographer, your dedication to capturing moments and stories is nothing short of inspiring. The long hours, intense energy, and commitment to perfecting your art don’t go unnoticed—because behind every camera lens is a person with creative passion and steadfast determination. We understand the unique challenges you face, from running a business to juggling life outside your work, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
That’s why 2024 has been a year of innovation for us. We’ve been hard at work designing features that help you sell and earn MORE, create an exceptional customer experience, and simplify your workflow so you can spend less time in front of a computer screen and more time doing what you love. How do we know they work? Photographers on Zenfolio who have already started using these features are the proof in the pudding. Let’s dig into the exciting updates we’ve created this year to help your business stand out and succeed.
Sell and earn MORE.
Smart selling features:
Maximize your profit potential with smart tools that do all the work for you, even as you sleep.
It goes without saying that running a photography business is more than just taking pictures. You’ve got to think about everything, including how to increase profits without sounding like a pushy used car salesman. We designed Smart Upsell to be your built-in sales marketeer, offering in-cart promotions your clients can’t turn down. Photographers who use Smart Upsell see cart totals double compared to regular orders. Offer tiered or quantity-based discounts and even free shipping. Set it up once, and let it work its magic behind the scenes to help you put more profits in your pocket.
Pricing your work can be so tough—every photographer struggles with it. Price too low, and you feel undervalued, too high and you might develop imposter syndrome and worry about scaring off new clients. Our Smart Pricing feature can be your new BFF when it comes to pricing prints and products. This upgraded tool analyzes local business trends and your shoot type to generate a price list tailored to your market. It’s like having a little pricing guru whispering in your ear (but way less awkward). You deserve to feel confident about your prices—now you can!
Abandoned cart notifications:
We all get distracted—whether you’re chasing that perfect shot or chasing after a toddler gone rogue. Your clients’ lives are no less chaotic, which is why abandoned cart notifications can be a money lifesaver. These little nudges remind customers about the gorgeous images they almost ordered (but didn’t) and make it easy for them to pick up where they left off in the shopping cart. The best part? Photographers who use this feature see 50% of those carts turn into orders. It’s a win-win: you close the sale, and your client gets their beautiful photos!
New print lab partners:
Expanding your product offerings = more money coming into your business. This year, we’ve added three new partnerships with top-tier professional photo labs; Miller’s and Miller’s School & Sports (based in the US), and Technicare (based in Canada). These industry-leading, trusted labs help you deliver exceptional prints and products from stunning wall art to custom cards. Even better, these beautifully finished products are delivered straight to your clients. No more long lines at the post office and goodbye to the mountain of packaging supplies taking over your office (seriously, where did all this cardboard come from?)
Create an exceptional customer experience.
Custom Layout Block:
Your website should be distinctive and unforgettable. It’s more than just your portfolio—it’s your digital first impression. With the Custom Layout Block, you have the freedom to create a website that is unique to your brand and style. Use our ready-to-go templates, or channel your inner web designer (no coding experience needed!) and get creative with your customizations. Your website will be far from cookie-cutter—it’ll stand out and keep your clients engaged and captivated by your amazing work.
New website templates:
Looking to give your website a fresh, new look? We’ve got you covered! Our designers have rolled out a huge collection of sleek, modern templates that make it easier than ever to build a site that’s not only visually stunning but also super engaging for your clients. These templates will help you create a stunning website that is truly unique to your brand and your style.
Simplify your workflow.
Updated client access settings and gallery conflict warnings:
You loved the ability to customize access, but we asked ourselves; can this be even better? (drumroll…it could get better, and it did!) Of course, your clients’ photos need to be kept safe and secure, but you also want them to actually access their galleries without needing a 10-step instructional guide. Our improved client access settings make it super easy for them to view, share, and buy their images. Plus, we’ve added gallery conflict warnings to flag any potential issues before you send out the gallery—because nobody likes a late-night text from a frantic client!
Folder organization and design:
We know one thing for sure: if clients can’t easily find their images, they won’t be buying them. If you have folders and galleries shared on your website menu, our improved folder design and organization will keep your galleries neat and accessible—making it quick and straightforward for clients to view and purchase their favorite photos. For sports and event photographers, this setup is a game-changer for your fast-paced workflow. And a smooth buying experience means happy customers, more sales, and more money in the bank.
As we wrap up this year’s exciting progress, we just want to take a moment to say thank you—for your dedication to your craft, your creativity, and the incredible work you continue to deliver. As we look ahead to 2025, we’re excited to keep supporting you and your business with even more tools, features, education, and improvements that make your life easier and help you achieve more of your goals. We can’t wait to see the amazing moments you’ll capture and share with the world in the year to come. Here’s to another year of growth, inspiring creativity, and success together!
