A website is not only a platform where you can display an array of your work. It is an extension of who you are as a makeup artist since the vibe your visitors get will tell so much about your professionalism. All makeup artists who are serious about their career have their own website, but it is not enough to just have any kind of website. Clients look for pages that make them feel “This is the one.”
As a makeup artist, your resume is also important when you are applying for retail, corporate, and teaching positions in makeup artistry. But at the end of the day, employers are still drawn into asking for your portfolio, which should be found on your website for convenience. During interviews, it would be a plus if you had a physical portfolio but your website is what scores your interview in the first place.
Here are a couple of tips to maintain your website to get more clients:
1. IN REGARDS TO DESIGN, LESS IS MORE
Your website’s job is to send out the appropriate message but it is essential not to overwhelm whoever visits your website. Don’t put too many tabs, fonts, colors, and other designs. It is confusing for the eyes so it is better to keep it clean and simple. The more minimalistic your website is, the more your visitors focus on your makeup skills rather than their feedback on the appearance of your page.
Your website’s aura should feel pristine. Take a look at other professional makeup artists’ websites, merely for inspiration because your website should still be reflective of your own taste. When using fonts, maintain professionalism by using minimal fonts – around three to four kinds, but if you can make it two to three fonts, then better.
2. USE COLORS THAT ARE EASY ON THE EYES
Loud colors are a big no on anyone’s website. Your portfolio should be the one that is striking, and not the hues. All colors have meaning and you should choose ones that are calming and easy on the eyes. Shy away from colors that are bright. Safer ones to go with are usually white, black, gray, and those with lighter or neutral shades.
Colors may seem to be a small chunk of a website but it is highly noticeable. Make sure that you are also using colors that complement each other. Add to the balance of your website by using just the right amount of colors and sticking to a certain color palette.
3. WHEN SHARING NUMEROUS IMAGES, DISPLAY THEM IN SMALLER SIZES
While it is exciting to showcase all your images in one go, sometimes too many images on one page can be quite overwhelming. So it is a better option to compress them in small sizes and make others look forward to seeing your work by leading them to another page that has the full-size version.
You can also divide your pictures according to categories such as Beauty, Fashion, Editorial, Bridal, and the like. That way, your potential clients have a better understanding of the looks you do for specific occasions. This is also a tip to follow since your potential clients are most likely looking for a certain makeup look already. For example, if they are looking for bridal makeup but if your website is disorganized and the first photos they see are creative looks, there is a high chance that they may immediately pass.
4. CHOOSE A SIMPLE LAYOUT
Your layout may make or break your chances. It is one of the most important features of any website. Your layout will not only include the placement of your photos but also of your navigation bar. You also don’t want to give anybody a hard time looking for the menu and the kinds of photos they are wanting to see. Create a user-friendly page that people of all ages are able to use whenever and wherever.
Remember that the more add-ons you have on a website (let’s say widgets and other attachments), the slower your website may load. If it is too heavy, it may even crash if the Internet connection does not permit. If you can keep your layout as simple as possible, more people will want to browse through your whole website. Your home page is the most important of all the pages because it gives possible clients their first impression and if they are already unimpressed with the first page they see, they will no longer take the time to see the rest you have worked so hard on.
5. DISPLAY YOUR HEADSHOT IN YOUR “ABOUT ME” SECTION
Believe it or not, even if clients are looking for makeup, they also want to see you. They want to be able to see the person they are to trust or even just have an idea what you look like. If you are meeting somebody for the first time, you would want to know who you are at least meeting, right?
In today’s industry, people like to put a face to a name because it is more personable. In our Extensive 5-Week Program and Master Makeup Program, we highly encourage our students to dress up and make up the way they want to be photographed for their headshot on their last day which is their photo shoot.
At Nina Mua, we have a student database. Companies and clients send their requests for Hair and Makeup Artists our way because they are looking for those who have been professionally trained. So we send them a list of our recommended graduates who have not only done excellent in their programs but also those who have a commendable website. The reason being is that those graduates have higher chances of getting hired because they show their portfolio with immense professionalism.
