A simple low-cost and reliable dip-coating method was used to deposit Ni-doped zinc oxide (ZnO) films with various Ni doping levels (i.e., 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 %) on the titania (TiO2) layer. The simple doctor blade method was employed to deposit mesoporous TiO2 film. Various structural, morphological, optical and electrical characterizations were performed for a detailed study of TiO2 and Ni: ZnO/TiO2 photoanode. Further to measure the performance of solar cells, it was assembled with polyiodide electrolyte and platinum counter electrode to perform the photovoltaic study. The prepared films were sensitized by using Ru(N3) (cis-Bis (isothiocyanato) bis(2,2’-bipyridyl-4,4’-dicarboxylato ruthenium(II)) dye. The photoresponse of 2% Ni: ZnO-TiO2 based dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) was higher than other Ni percentage doped ZnOTiO2 photoanode based DSSCs. The electrical and optical properties obtained for Ni:ZnO on TiO2 photoanode demonstrated a superior performance compared to TiO2 photoanode, which shows the coating improves the open-circuit voltage (Voc). This study suggests nickel doped ZnO can be used as a photoanode in the DSSCs.