Creating An Investment Page: Zenfolio Guide

Zenfolio is a website host that allows users to create portfolio websites, with fully-fledged e-commerce systems, attractive galleries, blogs, and more. It is a popular choice for photographers due to its ease of use and lack of maintenance requirements. Users can create multi-page websites with customizable content, including images, text, videos, and other embeddable items.

To make an investment page on Zenfolio, users can follow these general steps: First, access the Website editor by clicking on the Website icon on the left-hand side. Then, click on the Navigation icon and select the option to create a new page. Name the page, and choose the type of page, such as a Blank Page or a Submenu page. Customize the page by adding blocks, such as an Image Block or a Gallery Block, and adjust the Page Options and visibility settings. Finally, publish the page to make it live on the website.

Zenfolio offers a range of customization options, including the ability to add a stylish background, organize menus, and format text. Users can also embed content, such as videos or HTML, and utilize tables to align and organize different items on the page. Additionally, Zenfolio provides built-in e-commerce systems, allowing users to display products and prices, as well as integrate shopping cart notices.

Creating a portfolio-style page

Zenfolio offers users the ability to create a multi-page website. One such page that can be created is a portfolio-style page. This page can be used to display images in a portfolio format.

To create a basic portfolio-style page, follow these steps:

Firstly, click on the Website icon on the left-hand side of your Zenfolio account. Then, in the Website editor, click on the Navigation icon in the top left-hand area. Here, you will be able to create a new page on your website.

Once the new page appears in the site pages list, give it a name. This will be the name that appears within the site's navigation menu. With the page created and named, click on the icon on the right-hand side to add a new Block to the page.

For a portfolio-style page, the primary block you will want to add is an Image Block. In this example, we will be using the Masonry Landscape block. After selecting the block, the various options for it will appear on the left-hand side. For the Image Blocks, you will be able to adjust the Appearance, Background, Scroll FX, and Images that will appear in the block.

Note that images can either be uploaded to your Zenfolio account first or directly from your desktop. If you would like to add a fully functional gallery to your website page, see this guide for more information about using the Linked Gallery Block. In addition to the Image & Gallery Block, you can add other blocks depending on your needs, such as text, a contact form, or even additional image blocks.

Zenfolio also allows you to create Custom Pages that are highly customizable, even down to the HTML level. These pages are useful for communicating specific messages to your clients. You can create content through their built-in Custom Page interface or by manually coding the HTML into the content area of the page.

When creating a Custom Page, you will need to enter a title, which will be the name of the page. A Friendly URL will be generated in the URL field, which can be used for linking from external websites. You can also check or uncheck the "Allow indexing by search engines" box. If your content is useful to visitors and will help with SEO, it is recommended to leave this checked.

Additionally, you can check or uncheck the box for "Remove default page width". This allows the page to be wider than 944 pixels, but it is important to note that removing this limit can drastically affect the layout of photos and text on the page. You can also enter any desired text into the Content field and use the tools in the formatting toolbar to control the format. These tools can also be used to add photos, slideshows, videos, and embeddable HTML content.

Don't forget to add a link to your Site Menu to make the Custom Page accessible to your website visitors. This is done through the Customize Website View.

Adding a booking widget

Zenfolio is a website host that creates portfolio websites for photographers. It is easy to run and requires no maintenance. Zenfolio offers eCommerce systems, attractive galleries, blogs, and more.

Zenfolio also offers an add-on service called BookMe, which is currently only available in the US and in US dollars. BookMe is an all-in-one client booking tool that allows you to accept bookings, manage payments, and schedule directly from your Zenfolio account. It offers hassle-free scheduling, bookings, and payments.

To add BookMe to your Zenfolio account, follow these steps:

• Subscribe to BookMe and add the BookMe add-on to your Zenfolio account. It is either $10 a month or $96 a year. For ProSuite plan subscribers, BookMe is included in the subscription.
• Set up your BookMe profile by navigating to the BookMe Welcome Page and following the steps under "Setup." This includes setting your primary location, connecting your Google Calendar, and finalizing your payment methods.
• Create your services by choosing a shoot type, giving your service a name, selecting a payment method, setting a price, choosing payment options, and modifying your availability.
• Add BookMe to your website by either adding a BookMe Services Block or a BookMe Button. For the Services Block, follow these steps:

• Click on the Website icon to enter the Editor.
• Click on the Navigation icon on the left-hand side.
• Choose the page where you want your BookMe Services Block to appear or create a new page.
• Click on the icon to add a new block and choose BookMe Services.
• Choose the services that are associated with each shoot type and update them to your site.
• To add additional services, click on the icon underneath Services on the left-hand side and repeat the previous step.
• To customize the image that displays on each service block, click on the service and upload a photo or edit the service description.
• You can also switch between layouts; for example, choose Layout B if you want your services to be displayed horizontally.

For the Button Block, follow these steps:

• Add a new block layout and choose "Button."
• Customize the text and choose the link type: "BookMe."
• Your clients will be able to view a list of services and book directly from the BookMe widget.

Customising the site menu

Firstly, you can edit your site menu in the 'Customise Website View'. To access this, hover over 'Website' in the main menu in your account, and then click 'Customise Website'. You will then be in ''Customise Website View', which will be confirmed by a new customisation menu at the top of the page.

If you want to create a new menu item, simply click on the '+ New' button next to 'Edit Site Menu'. A text field will appear where you can enter the title of the new menu item, and then hit enter. You can then select where you want to establish the link – to a gallery, group, collection, built-in page, uploaded PDF document, or an external webpage. You can also choose whether you want the new page to open in a new window. Finally, select where you want the new item to be displayed on your site, and then click 'Update'.

If you want to create a dropdown menu, follow the same initial steps as above, but then mark the circle for 'Show Dropdown Menu'. You can then select where you want the new item to be displayed and click 'Update'. However, please note that the dropdown menu must be populated with items – in other words, you can't create a dropdown menu of items that aren't yet linked to actual content.

You can also edit existing site menu items. To do this, click on the pencil icon next to the menu item you want to edit, and then use the options displayed to make your changes. Click 'Update' when you're done, and then remember to publish your changes before exiting 'Customise Website View'.

You can also organise your menu items by simply clicking on the grey texture icon to the left of the menu item's title, and dragging it to a new location.

Creating a stylish background

Zenfolio is a great platform for photographers to showcase their work, and one way to elevate your website is by creating a stylish background. Here are some tips to achieve this:

Choose a Colour Scheme

The colour scheme you opt for can have a massive impact on how people react to your background. A black background will evoke a different response to a white one, for example. If you have brand colours, consider using them to maintain consistency and a professional look.

Use Brushes

Brushes allow you to paint on a layer of your design, and they can be useful when you want to add a specific drawing to one layer of your design. You can download brushes online and install the ones you like. You can also play around with different brush types to achieve the look you want.

Create a Pattern

Using Photoshop, you can create a pattern that you can apply repeatedly to your file. For example, you could use a leafy branch design, as seen on the Zenfolio website, and position it to appear as though it is growing from the top of the page.

Graphics and Shapes

Graphics and shapes can add visual interest without introducing complexity. You can include just a few to draw the eye to certain places, or get creative and use different shapes and sizes to create an attention-grabbing geometric pattern.

Effects and Textures

Effects such as increasing exposure, adding colour tints, and adjusting brightness and saturation can give your image a whole new vibe. Adding a texture that aligns with the rest of your design can also create cohesion or contrast for an unforgettable quality.

Fading and Blending

Fading and blending are useful techniques to make subtle changes to your background. This can allow you to add several effects without creating an overwhelming look.

With these tips, you can create a stylish and unique background for your Zenfolio investment page, adding a sophisticated element to your website.

Uploading high-res images

Zenfolio is a great platform for photographers to showcase their work, and uploading high-res images is a straightforward process. Here's a detailed guide on uploading high-resolution images to your Zenfolio website:

Understanding Image Resolution:

Firstly, it's important to understand what image resolution means. Image resolution refers to the size of your photos in terms of pixel dimensions. The more pixels an image has, the higher the resolution and the more detailed it will appear. Low-resolution images may look jagged or pixelated, especially when viewed on larger screens or when printed.

Preparing Your Images:

Before uploading to Zenfolio, ensure your images are in a compatible file format. Zenfolio supports JPEG, PNG, GIF, and HEIC file formats. JPEG is the most commonly used and recommended format due to its optimal balance between file size and image quality.

If you're planning to offer prints or photoproducts for sale, it's best to upload your images at the highest possible resolution. This will ensure optimal print quality. However, if you're only using Zenfolio for online display without any printing or selling, you can upload smaller-sized images to optimise storage space and reduce upload time.

Uploading to Zenfolio:

Zenfolio offers several methods to upload your high-res images:

• Upload directly into a gallery using a supported internet browser.
• Upload an organised directory of photos and videos into a Group, such as 'All Photographs'.
• Use a plug-in to upload from your photo management application.
• Utilise Zenfolio's mobile apps to transfer photos and videos from your mobile device.
• Upload via third-party programs like Blogstomp.

Step-by-Step Upload Process:

• Log in to your Zenfolio account.
• Navigate to the 'Photos' page.
• Select the 'Organizer' on the left side and choose the existing gallery where you want to upload your photos. If you're creating a new gallery, click on 'Create New Gallery' and follow the on-screen instructions.
• Click on 'Upload' and select 'Add Photos, Videos, or Raw files'. Alternatively, you can simply drag and drop files directly into the upload window.
• Navigate to the desired high-res image files on your computer and select them for upload.
• Click 'Start Upload' to begin the uploading process.

Tips for Optimal Results:

• Avoid using illegal characters or symbols in your photo filenames, as these can interfere with the performance of your website.
• If you have a large number of photos, consider uploading low-resolution files for online display and then replacing them with high-resolution files when an order is placed.
• Always review Zenfolio's photo guidelines before uploading to ensure your images meet the required specifications.
• Manage your storage space effectively, especially if you have limited space available. You can purchase additional storage if needed.

By following these steps and recommendations, you'll be able to upload high-resolution images to your Zenfolio website, ensuring your photographs look their best and providing your clients with high-quality prints.

Frequently asked questions