How To Set Up Story Panels

How to Use Story Panels in Your PhotoBiz Website

Overview

Story Panels are layout options available within the List Block in the PhotoBiz Website Builder. They let you display images, text, and video in a bold, narrative-style scrolling experience.

You can use Story Panels to showcase client experiences, testimonials, behind-the-scenes content, event highlights, before-and-after stories, process walkthroughs, or other visual narratives. You can also use a Story Panel layout to create a carousel-style sequence of videos on your website.

Story Panel layouts support images, text, uploaded videos, and embedded videos from YouTube and Vimeo. Vertical media, such as 9:16 images and videos, works especially well with this layout.

This guide will walk you through how to add a List Block, choose a Story Panel layout, customize your content, and manage the panels on your PhotoBiz website.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you have access to your PhotoBiz account and the Website Builder. You should also have the images, text, or videos you want to use in your Story Panels ready before you start.

If you plan to upload videos directly to your PhotoBiz account, make sure the video file is within your account’s file size limit. Website Package accounts can upload files up to 4MB. Accounts with the Original Files premium upgrade can upload files up to 50MB.

If your video file is larger than your account allows, you can upload the video to YouTube or Vimeo and embed it in your Story Panel layout instead.

STEP ONE

STEP TWO

From your list of pages, select the page where you want to add a List Block using a Story Panel layout. You can also create a new page if you want to build a new page specifically for this content.

STEP THREE

Click an existing List Block on your page, or add a new List Block.

New List Block

If you are adding a new List Block, you can choose one of the predesigned layouts that include Story Panels. These include List 16, List 17, and List 18.

Predesigned Story Panel List Block Layouts

STEP FOUR

Click the LAYOUT tab in the right-side menu. This opens the layout options for your List Block.

STEP FIVE

Scroll to the bottom of the List Block layout options and select the Story Panel layout you want to use. You can choose Story Panel Square, Story Panel Portrait, or Story Panel Landscape.

Click SAVE to apply the layout.

STEP SIX

Click the ITEMS tab in the right-side menu. This is where you can add, edit, reorder, and remove the content that appears inside your Story Panel layout.

STEP SEVEN

Add new content or edit the existing panels in your Story Panel layout. Story Panels use the same item types available inside a standard List Block, so you can mix images, text, and videos within the same story sequence.

Choose the content type you want to add, enter the details for that item, and save your changes.

FINAL STEP

Review the panels in the ITEMS tab and arrange them in the order you want visitors to see them. To edit an existing panel, click its thumbnail in the right-side panel.

You can reorder panels by dragging them into a new position. You can also edit the content of an existing panel or delete a panel by dragging it onto the Delete button.

After your panels are added, arranged, and saved, preview the page to confirm the Story Panel layout displays in the correct order. Your visitors will see the panels as a vertical storytelling sequence on your website.

Content Types You Can Use in Story Panels

Story Panel layouts support multiple List Block item types. You can use one content type throughout the full sequence or mix different item types to create a more dynamic story.

Image Items

Image items allow you to add photos or graphics to your Story Panels. They are ideal for showcasing portraits, product images, behind-the-scenes photos, before-and-after images, event highlights, or visual details from a session.

With image items, you can:

Upload an image from your computer
Insert an image from your clipboard
Add a title
Add a description
Add alt text
Add an optional button

The optional button can link to a page, file, form, or external URL.

Text Items

Text items allow you to add written content to your Story Panels. They are helpful for captions, storytelling paragraphs, client testimonials, service explanations, process steps, or calls to action.

With text items, you can:

Add a title
Add a description
Add an optional button

Text items are useful when you want to guide visitors through the story or add context between images and videos.

Video Items

Video items allow you to add motion and personality to your Story Panels. You can upload a video directly to your PhotoBiz account or embed a video from YouTube or Vimeo.

Uploaded videos are subject to your account’s file size limits. Website Package accounts can upload files up to 4MB. Accounts with the Original Files premium upgrade can upload files up to 50MB.

If your video file is larger than your account allows, upload the video to YouTube or Vimeo and embed it in your Story Panel layout instead.

With video items, you can:

Upload a video directly to PhotoBiz
Embed a YouTube video
Embed a Vimeo video
Add a cover image when needed
Add supporting text or button options when available

Vertical videos, such as 9:16 videos, are recommended for the most immersive mobile experience.

Creating a Video Carousel with Story Panels

A Story Panel layout can also be used to create a carousel-style sequence of videos on your website. This is helpful when you want to show multiple video clips in one interactive section instead of placing each video in a separate block.

To create a video carousel, add a List Block, choose one of the Story Panel layouts, and add multiple video items in the ITEMS tab. You can upload videos directly to your PhotoBiz account or embed videos from YouTube or Vimeo.

Uploaded videos are limited by your account’s file size settings. Website Package accounts can upload files up to 4MB. Accounts with the Original Files premium upgrade can upload files up to 50MB. If your video is larger than your account allows, embedding the video from YouTube or Vimeo is usually the best option.

For best results, use vertical 9:16 videos so each video fills the panel cleanly and displays well on mobile devices. After adding your videos, drag them into the order you want and preview the page to confirm the sequence displays correctly.

You can use a video carousel for:

Client video testimonials
Behind-the-scenes clips
Wedding or event highlight clips
Senior session videos
Product or service previews
Social-media-style video stories
Process walkthroughs
Before-and-after video examples

If you want the videos to advance automatically, review the Story Panel styling settings for options such as Auto Play and Slideshow Speed.

Styling Options for Story Panels

Because Story Panels use the List Block, you can customize them with the styling tools available for that layout. These settings help you fine-tune spacing, alignment, borders, and how each panel appears on the page.

Available styling options may include:

Overlay Opacity – Adjust the transparency of the panel overlay
Auto Play – Enable or disable automatic advancement through Story Panels
Slideshow Speed – Set the timing for auto play transitions
Title Alignment – Align panel titles left, center, or right
Description Alignment – Align paragraph text
Button Alignment – Choose where the panel button appears
Image Border Thickness – Add or adjust borders around images
Space Between Items – Control spacing between each Story Panel
Space Below – Adjust space below the entire Story Panel block
Space Inside – Control padding inside each individual panel

Click SAVE CHANGES after adjusting your styling settings.

Color Options for Story Panels

Story Panel layouts include color controls so you can match the panels to your website branding. The exact color settings available may vary based on the Story Panel layout you select.

Color options may include:

Item Title Color
Text Color
Background Color
Overlay Color
Icon Color
Border Color
Button Text Color
Button Overlay Color
Button Background Color
Button Contrast Color

Use these settings to keep your Story Panels consistent with the rest of your website design.

Font Options for Story Panels

You can use your global website fonts or choose custom font settings specifically for your Story Panels. This gives you more control over how titles, descriptions, and buttons appear inside the layout.

Font customization may be available for:

Title
Description
Button Text

You can adjust the font family, size, spacing, and line height when these controls are available. Click SAVE CHANGES after updating your font settings.

Animation Options for Story Panels

Story Panels include animation controls for interactive button effects. These options are optional, but they can help buttons feel more engaging when visitors move their cursor over them.

Animation options may include:

Button Hover Animation

Choose an animation style that matches the personality of your website and the story you are presenting.

Best Practices for Story Panels

Use vertical images or videos when possible. A 9:16 format works well for a mobile-friendly, immersive viewing experience.

Keep your text short and easy to skim. Story Panels work best when visitors can move through the sequence quickly without reading large blocks of text.

Mix images, text, and videos when it supports the story. A combination of content types can make the sequence feel more engaging.

Use consistent colors, editing styles, and tones across your panels. This helps the full sequence feel polished and intentional.

Arrange your panels in a logical order. Story Panels are most effective when they guide visitors through a clear beginning, middle, and end.

If you are using uploaded video files, keep the files as small and optimized as possible to help your page load quickly.

Common Use Cases for Story Panels

Story Panels can be used for many types of visual storytelling on your website.

Common use cases include:

Client testimonials
Video testimonial carousels
Behind-the-scenes stories
Event highlights
Wedding highlights
Senior session features
Portrait session showcases
Before-and-after stories
Service walkthroughs
Product or offer highlights
Step-by-step process explanations

For example, you could combine a client video message, session photos, and a written testimonial into one Story Panel sequence. You could also use Story Panels to show your process from inquiry to final gallery delivery.

Troubleshooting Story Panels

My video will not upload.

Uploaded videos must meet your account’s file size limits. Website Package accounts can upload files up to 4MB. Accounts with the Original Files premium upgrade can upload files up to 50MB.

If your video file is larger than your account allows, you can upload the video to YouTube or Vimeo and embed it in your Story Panel layout instead.

My video looks cropped or zoomed in.

This may happen if the video’s aspect ratio does not match the Story Panel layout you selected. For best results, use a vertical 9:16 video when you want the video to fill the panel in a mobile-friendly format.

My embedded video is not displaying.

Confirm that the video is available on a supported platform, such as YouTube or Vimeo. If the video is private, restricted, or unavailable, it may not display correctly on your website.

My Story Panels are out of order.

Click the ITEMS tab and drag the panels into the order you want. The Story Panel sequence follows the order shown in the Items area.

My Story Panels are loading slowly.

Large images and video files can slow down the page. Resize images for web use before uploading them, and make sure video files are optimized when you upload them directly to PhotoBiz.

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