Here are 6 best website builders for actors:
- Snapps.ai
- Wix
- Ucraft
- Webnode
- Site123
- WordPress
Using a website builder is helpful in building your actor website if you want agencies and directories to find you. But some think that it’s not entirely necessary for an actor to have a website. You can prioritize having a website if you’re an independent artist with self-generated work for promotion. But you don’t need to use a website if you’re an actor having regular auditions. Agencies and directors want to see what you can do in the room, so preparation is a necessity. They value your confidence, body of work, and ability rather than an online presence.
Never underestimate the influence of having a website and social media platforms as an actor. According to Medium, having an online presence is helpful because it draws the audience in. It helps casting directors check your resume and consider you eligible for auditions. Deciding to build a website can also be based on where you are in your career right now and what you want from it. Some managers may require you to have one, while others think it’s unnecessary. But if you’re a young actor, it’s good to have a website so it’s easier for casting directors to contact you.
The acting profession expects to have a growth rate of 3% from 2019 to 2029, according to Gitnux. If you’re starting your acting career, this article provides 6 best website builders for actors. Check a variety of pre-made actor website templates and the content that you’re going to include in your website. We included user reviews to weigh the pros and cons of each website. Also, note tips on designing an actor website for your website to stand out.
1. Snapps.ai
Snapps.ai is a drag and drop website builder that has the customization and personalization features you need to build an actor website. Snapps Widgets is a customization tool that lets you add elements and designs representing your skills, experiences, and roles you took part in. Create a unique domain name that stands out for agencies through Snapps.ai’s My Domains. Other customization tools like Snappseo and Localgrids help your website maintain a high ranking on Google search results for SEO. This will increase your online visibility and allow more visitors to discover your website.
Snapps.ai offers a variety of pre-made templates to customize your actor website template.
What makes Snapps.ai stand out from other website builders is its intuitive interface and beautifully-designed templates. You can globalize design aspects like logos or navigation buttons. The platform offers aesthetic templates to provide appeal and engagement to the target audience. However, it may be challenging to format text and images together in the way you want it to be.
2. Wix
Wix is a well-known website builder that’s beneficial for beginners in creating their actor websites. You don’t need any coding experience in using Wix as it already offers built-in features for marketing, branding, and scheduling. Wix offers a tool called AI website maker, where you can create an AI-generated website within minutes. Answer several questions about how you want to create your actor website. Wix’s AI website maker will generate it in seconds and include texts and images that fit your responses.
Below are screenshots of a sample actor website template made on Wix. You can change the format by viewing it in a desktop or mobile format. On the left side, you can see social media logos are included. Including these logos at the upper part of the site is crucial so you wouldn’t have to scroll all the way down the home page.
Wix is easy to use for beginners as you can easily customize templates to build your personal website. However, there’s a limitation to customization once you start. This platform may not be for you if you’re looking for extensive and unlimited customization options.
3. Ucraft
Ucraft is a free and no-code website builder that can help you create an exceptional actor website template. This platform is specifically designed for eCommerce and SaaS by starting up an online store and getting potential customers. Ucraft lets you create blogs and tutorials. You’ll be supported by a reliable team and a responsive community.
This platform designs actor website templates and portfolios. Below are screenshots of a ready-to-customize actor portfolio. Most of Ucraft’s website templates are giving a minimalist vibe while balancing light and dark colors.
Ucraft is not a famous website builder, so users wouldn’t usually recommend it to those who are looking for best website builders. This platform offers SEO plugins on blog posts and tags. You can start building your free landing page using Ucraft to receive features like 1 multilingual landing, basic elements, SSL Security, Google Analytics, and many more!
4. Webnode
Webnode is another drag and drop website builder that lets you build a professional actor website. This platform was created in 2008 to help millions of users in building their websites, even with no experience. It also offers a user-friendly portfolio and online shop to start your personal brand or business.
The screenshots below are from a sample actor website template. It includes the required information that agencies and directors must see on your website, like education and previous experiences. The website template offers minimalist designs that are easily accessible by visitors.
You’ll have fun using the pre-made templates available on Webnode, enhancing your website-building experience. This platform is recommended if you want to write a blog. It’s up to you if you want to include a blog on your actor website, since it’s unnecessary. Just like other website builders, Webnode is also free and you can avail premium features once you get used to using it.
5. Site123
Site123 lets you build an easy and simple actor website. It offers a user-friendly interface, along with tutorials that can help you in your website building process. Site123 is commonly known for its reliable customer support through a 24/7 live chat. This live support can help you every time you encounter any technical issues in using the tools.
Below are examples of pre-made templates made in Site123 that can be easily customized. You can choose from any of these templates and determine what works best for your actor website.
Site123 offers drag-and-drop features tailored to the needs of your website templates. In accessing the platform’s sub-domain, you have the option to create a blog and publish it. Other special features include page creator, plugins, and multi-language features. However, in using Site123, expect to encounter limited functionality in navigating your website.
6. WordPress
WordPress was previously well-known as a blogging platform, but now it helps you build a beautiful actor website. This is good for creating business websites, eCommerce stores, portfolios, blogs, resumes, and membership sites. This platform is an open-source software, meaning anyone can edit or change its templates or layouts.
Below are examples of pre-made actor website templates made from WordPress. You can freely customize these templates based on your experiences, education, likes and dislikes, and contact information.
WordPress is great for building an intermediate to advanced web design. You can improve your actor website template as your career in the industry continues to be bigger. It offers functionalities and plugins, so website contents are accessed easily. However, WordPress may not be beginner-friendly to you, depending on how you use its tools.
What Are Some Tips for Designing an Actor Website That Stands Out?
1. Present a Portfolio Showcasing Your Outstanding Projects
Present a portfolio to show your projects because it serves as a representation of you. Having a portfolio means showing your skill level and experience. But it’s normal to feel nervous if you’re just starting out, since you want to provide the best impression of your work.
If you’re applying for a voice actor role, you can contact small businesses within your area. These small businesses are looking to create training or informational videos about their industry. Once you get to work with several clients, it’s already a good edge to your portfolio.
You can always build an actor portfolio, but it’s not for free. You can start building on Fiverr or UpWork. Whether you’re an actor, voice actor, or a performer, join communities to get feedback on samples. Have a storage tool like Dropbox or Google Drive to store your portfolio samples. Organize each file or link by project type.
Before you start your portfolio, take time reading, analyzing, and memorizing scripts and monologues. Have some small time to practice daily and set a goal for reading scripts. Remember, thirty minutes a day of practicing for auditions is better than nothing. You can record a video of yourself during practice sessions, which can be included in your portfolio.
2. Choose the Right Actor Website Template
Choose the right actor website template that resonates with your skills and experiences. Include a representation of your acting style in your template. If you’re a comedic actor, put light colors and funny captions to captivate your website visitors. But if you’re a dramatic actor, it’s best to focus on a dark color scheme. Applying shades of blue can present a melancholic theme to your template.
3. Provide Links of Your Social Media Accounts
Provide links to your social media accounts so agents and directors know where to reach you. Building a strong social media presence is crucial for more connections with different people in the acting industry. You can get different acting roles when people just visit your social media pages and contact you from there.
The relevance of social media doesn’t have a practical purpose in the acting industry. Instead, social media helps you create a likable persona and commitment to your own work. It’s not a universal law to need social media as an actor. But it’s necessary to have it when you’re doing commercial work and promoting solo projects. Social media helps people to know you in an industry filled with other good aspiring actors. Posting on social media can revolve around candids, headshots, and experiences you already have. Getting social media accounts for an actor can be risky, since all celebrities nowadays are prone to cyber-bullying on the internet.
Social media helps people to know you in an industry filled with other good aspiring actors. Posting on social media can revolve around candids, headshots, and experiences you already have. Getting social media accounts for an actor can be risky, since all celebrities nowadays are prone to cyber-bullying on the internet.
4. Regularly Update your Website Content
Regular updates on your website occur when your acting role or experience changes. It’s important to let viewers know if you’ll be playing in a new role or a different character. Updating your website is helpful since it also keeps track of your progress as an actor and the things you need to improve.
5. Include a Blog to Produce Engaging Content
Including a blog to produce engaging content lets you express your insights on topics related to acting. The goal of your blog is to provide personal experience, share the latest news in the acting industry, and give advice to aspiring actors like you. Create unique content to serve as an inspiration for readers to fulfill their passion in the industry, despite the struggles.
What are the Elements of a Website Builder for Actors?
Project listings. Project listings refer to showcasing past acting roles. Include important details like character name, type of production, theme, and production name. Snapps.ai offers a table widget that you can customize for project listing. You have the option to create a table or download a CSV file.
Media Galleries. Media galleries must consist of your headshots, practice videos or rehearsals, acting reels, behind the scenes, and production stills. This element is important so agencies and casting directories will know your prior experiences and what role you should fit in. Snapps.ai has widgets for including images in your actor website. You can create media galleries with the use of photo galleries with image and media sliders.
Drag-and-Drop Editing. Drag-and-drop editing provides a smooth user interface in customizing your actor website. You can successfully create a website within minutes because of drag and drop features, so you won’t need to hire a web developer. Snapps.ai has Snapps Widgets, a drag-and-drop tool that you can use to include relevant elements for your actor website.
Contact Forms. Contact forms are a convenient tool to spread your connection with fellow actors, agencies, and directors. If you’re a director looking for outstanding talent, an actor must answer the information you provided in a contact form. This includes their name, active email address, contact number, social media platforms, and the role they wish to apply for. Snapps.ai lets you add a contact form element easily on your website. You just need to select the “Contact Form” widget to edit and add fields on your form.
SEO Optimization Tools. SEO optimization tools help your actor website rank on search engines. When your website’s ranking well, agencies and directors would be able to easily find you. Snapps.ai heightens your SEO optimization experience with its various tools. The platform has SEO tools like Localgrids, Snappseo, Snapps Keyword Research, and Snapps Copy AI.
What Are the Benefits of Using a Website Builder for Actors?
- Security Features – Website builders offer security features to make sure your actor website is protected from potential outside threats. This is crucial, especially for a website that’s prone to hacking and technical issues. As your website goes public, so does more about what you do in your life as an aspiring actor.
- Customizable Templates – There are customizable templates specifically designed for actors. You can choose from a wide variety of pre-made templates representing your skills, talent, and desired roles or characters. With drag-and-drop website builders like Snapps.ai, you can customize pre-made templates that fit your experiences as an actor.
- Ease of Use – Website builders provide ease of use through easy navigation for visitors when switching to different pages. You wouldn’t have to spend too much time combining elements and designs, as they can be customized within minutes. Also, it’s convenient to provide a contact form on your site so agencies and directors can communicate directly with you.
- Cost-effective – Instead of hiring a web developer, a website builder’s cost-effectivity saves you time and money. It’s more expensive to hire a web developer than to use a website builder if you want a complex website. But you wouldn’t need advanced features for your actor website
- Mobile-friendly Design – A mobile-friendly design is crucial since most visitors use their phones to visit a website. You can automatically adjust the screen size whether you’re accessing the website in desktop, tablet, or mobile view.
Do Actors Still Need Websites?
Yes, actors still need websites to control what people see and to share your personal brand. Current headshots, resume, contact information, and demo reels/clips of your work are what you need to include in your website. As your career changes, so does the content of your website. Take note that casting directors may not always look at your website. But there’s a good chance a producer or director will search your website looking for you.
Although it’s not a universal requirement to have an actor website, it can still be useful. Be open to using different avenues for you to stand out to people to help you advance your career. An actor’s website is also a core component of an actor’s marketing strategy for more roles and online presence.
What Websites Do Actors Use for Auditions?
Actors Access – Actors Access is a well-known website where it offers headshots, resumes, and performance media for aspiring actors. You’ll need an Actors Access profile when you get an agent or manager.
Backstage – Backstage lets you apply to over thousands of casting calls, auditions, and roles. Well-known leading brands like Disney, Netflix, and HBO trust this platform. You don’t have to be an actor to apply to this site. You’re free to start your career by becoming a model, voiceover artist, freelancer, or content creator.
Casting Networks – Casting Networks lets you discover the right role for you as an actor. The site offers robust casting software that lets you find natural talent if you’re a casting director. You can manage client profiles and submit them to thousands of jobs.
Casting Frontiers – Casting Frontier lets you take control of your acting career through posting different acting roles everyday. You can connect with fellow actors, performers, casting directors, and content creators. Casting Frontiers lets you audition in films, TV shows, digital content print, and commercials.
The Mandy Network – The Mandy Network claims that it offers 6,500 new auditions and production jobs posted every month. It offers opportunities for child actors, entertainers, dancers, singers. Voiceover artists and actors. Just like any audition website, you can check the latest job posts on Mandy to show off your skills.
