Snapps.ai is one of the top website builders in the market. It is popular among solo entrepreneurs and professionals like graphic artists and photographers. It is used by freelancers working in creatives. Snapps provides an agile and intuitive drag-and-drop website builder. It provides highly customizable templates and dynamic website design. It also offers many built-in and third-party app integrations to provide enhancements. From showcasing portfolio selections, and managing artwork sales, to building your online credibility.
Blog Layout
Best Website Builder for Creatives: Top Builders and Features for Design Portfolios
The 7 best website builders for creatives are:
- Snapps.ai
- Squarespace
- Voog
- Fabrik
- SmugMug
- Wix
- Weebly
Portfolio websites are important to creatives. According to Concrete CMS, 59% of people choose to browse beautiful and well-designed sites over basic ones. Designed well, an online portfolio enhances the presentation of artwork and past projects. You can use it to build your identity and credibility as a professional. Graphic designers, illustrators, and artists also use portfolio websites to connect with clients. The following Redditors agree that it is better than a PDF portfolio. A website builder provides customization tools to build a beautiful portfolio that stands out. Its drag-and-drop elements help you create a site within minutes.
Graphics and design are important factors that determine a successful online portfolio. According to FinancesOnline, 94% of consumers leave a website that has poor graphic design. A website builder offers features including image libraries, video editing, client reviews, and project descriptions. Also, online portfolios can also act as selling platforms. That's why generalist website builders are often preferred over niche page builders. Some e-commerce features for creatives include payment gateways, online store integration, and inventory management. You won’t only showcase your creative outputs, but you’ll also be able to monetize your artworks to clients.
Having a website is the fastest way to connect with people who love art. Provide high-quality content and include relevant keywords for your site to rank on search engines. In this article, we discuss the 7 best website builders for creatives, highlighting their features, pricing, and pros and cons.
1. Snapps.ai
Snapps.ai is the ideal website-building platform for small businesses and solo entrepreneurs. But it can also help graphic designers and illustrators build professional-looking online portfolios. It provides the functionalities they need: hi-res image galleries, ample storage, and more.
| Plans | Features for Building Online Portfolios |
|---|---|
| Single Site Pack - $19 per month | Ideal for building one portfolio website. Comes with professionally designed templates and a drag-and-drop editor. |
| Starter Pack - $79 per month | Ideal for building up to 5 websites. Too many if your goal is to build an online portfolio. |
| Decade Pack - $159 per month | Ideal for up to 10 websites. This and the Starter Pack plan are ideal if you are building websites for clients. Starting with your online portfolio. |
Snapps.ai has two higher-tier plans that are suited for freelancers and agencies. It also offers plans for building e-commerce websites. These are available to active users and by invitation only.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| User-friendly and intuitive. Great for beginners and first-time users. | First-time users may need time to get used to the platform’s navigation. |
| Pre-designed templates that are easy to customize and use. | Pre-designed templates are not as varied. |
| Form setup is quick and easy to use. | Some features and integrations are third-party and accessible for a fee. |
| Mobile-friendly and seamless on all devices. | Accessing e-commerce plans is by invitation only and requires a fee. |
| Robust customer support. |
Snapps.ai provides a great balance of customizability and flexibility. It helps elevate portfolio websites from static image collections to dynamic online presentations. What makes Snapps.ai stand out is that it offers many unique features. It has a password-protect feature that limits the viewing of specific portfolio pages. Handy for showing a selection of your work to clients. Snapps.ai also provides AI-assisted image enhancers and editors. Snapps.ai also allows access to Custom Code, its developer mode. This is good news for creatives who want to go in and work on custom coding.
2. Squarespace
Squarespace provides many professionally designed templates including many choices for creatives. Its drag-and-drop editor helps build their online portfolios quickly and easily. No coding experience is needed.
Squarespace provides a lot of flexibility and customizability. But not all of its plans are suitable for online portfolio creation. Below are the two Squarespace plans graphic designers and artists can consider:
| Plans | Features for Building Online Portfolios |
|---|---|
| Personal plan - $25 per month | Ideal for building personal and portfolio websites. |
| Business plan - $19 per month | Includes features to help showcase your online portfolio to potential clients. |
Note that Squarespace offers a total of four plans. Its two upper-tier plans, however, are more suited for medium to large businesses.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 14-day free trial. | Has a steeper learning curve for beginners and first-time users compared to Snapps.ai. |
| Offers over 160 professionally designed templates dedicated to creatives. | Requires a modicum of coding experience and knowledge. |
| Provides tool tips and guides for first-time users. | |
| Offers SEO, e-commerce, and social media integrations. |
Squarespace is one of the top website builders in the market. However, it is not the easiest platform to use, especially for beginners. Even veteran graphic designers and creatives prefer a builder that’s easier to use. That said, Squarespace can help coding-savvy artists with a lot of customizability.
3. Voog
Voog is one of the top platforms dedicated to creatives. It is one of the go-to platforms for building graphic design and artist portfolios. Its online storefront features make it attractive to artists. This is what makes Voog a popular platform for showcasing and selling artwork online.
Voog is a no-nonsense, no-code straightforward online portfolio builder. This simple, intuitive, user-centric approach makes it appealing to professionals working in creatives. Voog provides the following plans and features:
| Plans | Features for Building Online Portfolios |
|---|---|
| Standard plan - $15.27 per month (€14.00 on Voog website) | Limited to 30 pages and media storage of 5GB only; no SEO tools and functionalities; Voog Pay is available. |
| Plus plan - $24.00 per month (€22.00 on Voog) | Unlimited pages, up to 20GB of media storage, and SEO tools; Voog Pay is available. |
| Premium plan - $54.53 per month (€50.00 on Voog) | Unlimited pages and media storage. It provides SEO tools, advanced administrator, and security features; Voog Pay is available. |
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 30-day free trial. | A limited number of pre-designed templates for creatives. |
| Professionally designed templates that are highly customizable. | Can take some time to learn, like Squarespace. |
| Cloud service-based platform. | Custom domain name not included. |
| Great drag-and-drop editor features and blogging tools. | |
| Offers e-commerce tools and multiple language settings. | |
| Excellent customer support. |
Niche platforms know what their markets need. Compared to similar website builders, Voog takes it a step further. It provides beginner-friendly functionalities. Voog offers beautiful pre-designed templates for first-time users. Artists can take their artwork to the next step by promoting and selling them online. However, it can be difficult diversifying and increasing the number of stock photos in your website.
4. Fabrik
Fabrik is a niche website-building platform. It is popular with graphic designers, illustrators, photographers, and artists. Fabrik is known for its simple, easy-to-use drag-and-drop platform.
Like most website builders, Fabrik uses grid layouts. On one hand, it limits customizability. On the other, it makes the portfolio-building process simpler, easier, and faster. Another benefit Fabrik offers is competitive pricing. Its plans make Fabrik one of the most affordable platforms in the market.
| Plans | Features for Building Online Portfolios |
|---|---|
| Personal Plan - $11.00 per month | 10 portfolios and 50 projects, plus 2Gb media storage |
| Professional Plan - $16.00 per month | 20 portfolios and 100 projects, plus 5Gb media storage |
| Unlimited Plan - $26.00 per month | Unlimited portfolios and projects, plus unlimited media storage |
Fabrik is an ideal platform for artists building their online portfolios. Even if you’re on a tighter budget, Fabrik’s three plans will provide the features you need to build your portfolio. Naturally, the content you upload makes all the difference. But there are a few things you need to consider when it comes to Fabrik before you make your pick.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 14-day free trial. | No e-commerce is offered; it requires third-party plugins. |
| AI-assisted website-building editor. | There is no live chat support. |
| Custom domain name and set up through Fabrik for a fee. | Custom domain is not included in plans. |
| Mobile-responsive. | |
| Fast site-loading speed. | |
| Provides media storage, starting at 2Gb. |
Award-winning journalist and author Tom May notes Fabrik is intuitive and easy to use. It offers all the features an artist would need to build an online portfolio. Tom adds that Fabrik's password-protect element is a great feature. It is useful when artists and graphic designers are applying for jobs or projects. However, it’s important to note that Fabrik is primarily suited for portfolio websites. It can lack phone or email support, which isn’t recommended if you need to directly communicate with clients.
5. SmugMug
SmugMug is a website builder that specializes in photography websites and online portfolios. Illustrators, photographers, designers, and artists use it for digital photo galleries. Photographers also use it to compile and present client photos. It can be organized into projects (or albums) like events, family gatherings, and more.
| Plans | Features for Building Online Portfolios |
|---|---|
| Portfolio plan - $31 per month | Ideal for showcasing photos and images, artwork, and graphic designs. |
| Pro plan - $45 per month | Ideal for showcasing an online photography portfolio. Users can also set up their portfolios to sell photos and artwork. |
| Venture plan - $500 per month | An enterprise plan for professional photographers and studios. |
SmugMug provides a secure avenue for selling images, designs, and artwork online. It also provides unique features including third-party integrations and more. In addition, SmugMug also has the following pros and cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 14-day free trial. | Limited |
| High-resolution image gallery | Applies a service fee on every transaction made. |
| Additional services for photography businesses like digital printing, personalized images, and more. | Lacks e-commerce features like invoicing. |
| Good media storage | |
| Online booking system for commissioning photography services for events and special sessions. |
SmugMug works primarily for the photography niche, compared to others in this list. It provides features like watermarks and theft protection. SmugMug also provides tools for building an image- and video-driven online portfolio website. However, SmugMug lacks reliable customer support. They can be difficult to reach out to, especially when you need a technical issue to be solved ASAP.
6. Wix
Wix is one of the most popular website builders in the market. It is popular for its templates and website-building features. It is the preferred choice of small business owners. Wix is also a popular choice among professionals and individuals for personal sites. It is a good pick for graphic designers and artists who are just starting out with no coding experience.
Wix offers one free plan and four premium plans:
| Plans | Features for Building Online Portfolios |
|---|---|
| Free plan | Wix-branded website plus 500Mb media. |
| Light plan - $17 per month | Custom domain plus 2Gb media storage. |
| Core plan - $29 per month | 50Gb storage space, basic online marketing, e-commerce, and site analytics tools |
| Business plan - $36 per month | 100Gb storage space and standard tools for online marketing. Wix also provides e-commerce, site analytics, and more. |
| Business Elite plan - $159 per month | Unlimited media storage, with advanced tools for e-commerce, marketing, SEO, and site analytics. Also offers the Developer Platform for custom coding and design. |
Artists, illustrators, and graphic designers will enjoy using the first three Wix plans. The two higher plans, however, may not be applicable. They cost a bit more and may not be practical choices. Especially the Business Elite plan which costs nearly 10x compared to the Light plan.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 14-day free trial. | Restrictive in terms of customizability and flexibility. |
| Offers a free plan. | The free plan is great for learning Wix but may have limited features. Wix runs your website on a subdomain and places ads on it. |
| Offers 900+ professionally designed web templates categorized into themes. | Once you’ve picked a template, you won’t be able to switch to another. |
| Provides the Wix Artificial Design Intelligence (ADI), an AI website builder. | Uses absolute positioning on web page layout. It can affect responsiveness and user experience across different mobile devices. |
| Offers robust e-commerce and SEO functionalities to optimize searchability. | Site speed and responsiveness are still big issues. They affect SEO and user experience negatively. |
| Offers the Wix Portfolio App which is especially designed for building website portfolios. It is accessible on the App Market. | |
| Provides the Wix Pro Gallery. This feature is especially useful for creating image-heavy online portfolios. |
Wix is a full-service builder compared to some of the platforms in this list. Wix also offers Artificial Design Intelligence, which provides design customizations. However, the downside is it can be confusing to edit different pages in a website.
7. Weebly
Weebly is a popular generalist website-building platform. It provides tools and services to over 50 million users around the world. It is a popular platform for small business online storefronts. Weebly is also popular for building blogs, personal sites, and online portfolios. It appeals to professionals from many industries who want to promote themselves online. That includes artists, photographers, and illustrators building their online portfolios.
Weebly is a great starter platform for beginner graphic artists. It is intuitive and easy to learn. It provides a free plan to help first-timers, as well as walkthrough guides. Weebly also offers the following plans:
| Plans | Features for Building Online Portfolios |
|---|---|
| Free plan | Free to use but limited to basic features and functionalities. Offers e-commerce and SEO functionalities. |
| Personal plan - $10 per month | Include lead capture forms, SEO tools, e-commerce features, and a custom domain. |
| Professional plan - $12 per month | Provides custom domain, unlimited media storage, and more customizations. Includes SEO, site analytics, and e-commerce integrations. |
| Performance plan - $26 per month | All features of the Professional plan. Also provides advanced site analytics and e-commerce reports. Handles abandoned carts and payments through PayPal. |
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Weebly's drag-and-drop editor is easy to learn and use. It is ideal for first-time users. No coding experience is needed. | Limited flexibility in terms of integrations and functionalities. |
| Offers pre-designed templates arranged in a variety of categories and themes. | Limited design flexibility; limited number of templates for online portfolios, creatives especially. |
| Weebly’s website builder counterpart (Square Online) offers advanced e-commerce tools. | E-commerce features are limited in the Free plan. To get premium e-commerce tools, you will need to switch over to Square Online. |
| Weebly’s App Center offers over 400 app integrations. From marketing and SEO, to lead generation and site speed optimization. | Rumors that Square Online won't support Weebly after July 2025 cause user anxiety. Many creatives who are just starting are no longer considering Weebly as a choice. |
| Chat and Email Support. |
Weebly is one of the best drag-and-drop website builders in the market. It is easy to use, has a free plan, and provides many design elements that creatives will appreciate. The only downside is its uncertain future. News of Square withdrawing support for Weebly is currently being discussed on Reddit.
A Redditor posts an update that Square is committed to supporting Weebly. He stated that a Weebly manager confirmed it will continue to operate after July 2025.
What Are the Essential Features for Building Creatives Portfolios?
- Creatives-specific web design templates and themes that are customizable
- High-resolution image galleries with editing features (or AI-assisted)
- Large media storage
- Easy navigation and fast loading speeds.
- Apps or plugin integrations for SEO social media sharing. These are priorities. You can also add a blog editor, chat app, online reviews, SSL security certification, and more.
- Contact forms and links
- E-commerce functionalities
Best Practices for Building Your Online Creatives and Design Portfolios
- Create a gallery page. If you’re using your online portfolio as part of your resume, create a gallery page that showcases only the works related to the job or project you are after. If your website builder has the feature, create a gallery page that is password-protected and accessible only to the clients you're applying to.
- Group your portfolio by projects or by past clients. You can use your website builder’s gallery setting to achieve this. For example, Snapps.ai has a Photo Gallery Widget to help you do that. Add project headings that refer to past clients, projects, or exhibitions you joined. Then, group together personal artwork, unrelated designs, and one-off commissions together.
- Add highlights. Share how your experience was working for clients in different industries. Add your unique design skills and career-defining achievements. If you’re presenting a concept through visuals, add text to make your presentation flow. The best highlights include describing your process for completing that work or design.
- Add a before-and-after presentation.
Best for one-off projects or jobs. Start by showing the original design or the client’s ideation and concept first. Then, reveal the final and approved designs or artwork. A before-and-after presentation will exhibit your work even if you don't have a story to tell.
Why Are Generalist Platforms Better Than Niche Builders for Creatives?
Generalist website builders are better than niche builders for creatives because they provide more flexibility and customization options. Full-service website builders like Snapps.ai can help. You can add other features such as password-protect features and image galleries for better user experience. You can also add e-commerce integrations to set up an online store.
Do Website Builders for Filmmakers Also Build Creative Portfolio Sites?
Yes, website builders for filmmakers also build creative portfolio sites. Filmmaker portfolios are unique because they are composed nearly exclusively of video clips. To showcase these clips, website builders have tools like:
- Video uploading functionality to upload in formats like MOV and MP4 for better user experience.
- Video gallery feature to show teasers, short clips, interviews, and more.
- Adaptive streaming that adjusts video quality to provide a superior viewing experience.
- Custom functionality that adjusts the video player size to match your site’s page layout and structure.
Your online creatives portfolio is your calling card. This is especially important for creatives in film, television, and video. Which is why
website builders for filmmakers are essential. They provide the tools you need to create your compilation of works to show to producers and potential clients.
What is the Best Website Builder for Creatives?
The best website builder for creatives is Snapps.ai. It combines creative templates and customizability with practical built-in and third-party integrations. These help artists create their online portfolios quickly and easily. Snapps offers features and app integrations to create a responsive online portfolio website. It loads faster, is optimized for SEO and social media sharing, and great user experience.
Building your online portfolio is important. It helps build your credibility as a professional working in creatives. It showcases your past design and artwork in a digital space that is wholly your own. No sharing on marketplace platforms. If you're a first-time user, you can rely on Snapps.ai to build your portfolio website. With
Snapps.ai, you will have the tools and features you need to let your creativity shine through.
Recent Articles
Discover the top 4 strategies to attract high-quality remodeling leads that surpass those from Angi. Drive your business forward with effective techniques.
Ways to get contractor leads: Improve SEO Utilize PPC advertising Network to promote your services Post projects on social media
Explore effective methods to boost your commercial HVAC leads. Our comprehensive guide details four key strategies for achieving higher conversion success.