| Sign in: |
| Members log in here with your user name and password to access the your admin page and other special features. |
|
|
|
|
|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Is anyone using Smugmug for your websites? How good is it?
Armando Solares, Photographer
 |
Englewood | FL | USA | Posted: 5:35 PM on 08.24.09 |
->> Are any of you using Smugmug pro for your websites? How good is the service? and Can you list your site?
thanks,
Armando |
|
Curtis Clegg, Photographer
|
Sycamore | IL | USA | Posted: 9:13 PM on 08.24.09 |
->> I have used Smugmug Pro for several years and so far I haven't found a compelling reason to switch.
The concept is simple but not ususual: You upload your photos, set the retail price for them, and Smugmug takes care of payment, fulfillment, and shipping. In return for their services they get a percentage of your markup.
Among the things I like: Stellar customer service (e-mail replies often come within a few minutes), clean and customizable layouts, and customization options for each gallery (retail prices on prints, whether or not to make the gallery publicly browseable, right-click protection, watermarks, etc.), a slideshow option, and really good print quality.
What I don't like: It's somewhat difficult to customize your page (there are forums dedicated to helping you though if you know HTML and CFM and I have seen some really nice layouts), you can't pay your annual fees by check or money order, and relatively poor branding (Shutterbug's Storefront seems to be much better at this, you can ask Jody Gomez for details).
My site is nothing fancy but it does generate sales... you can find it from the "Galleries" link on my webpage if you're curious. If you have any other questions or would like a discount code, let me know. |
|
Curtis Clegg, Photographer
|
Sycamore | IL | USA | Posted: 9:18 PM on 08.24.09 |
| ->> Oh shoot one other thing: I like the way Smugmug displays your embedded IPTC caption information under the photos. If you do a Google search on a phrase (like a high school athlete's name), Smugmug's results show up pretty high in the search results, leading to more sales. |
|
Kenya Hudson, Photographer, Student/Intern
|
Jackson | MS | USA | Posted: 9:46 PM on 08.24.09 |
->> I'm in the process of switching from Smugmug. I have a Livebooks PJ account that I'm using as a portfolio site and will probably switch my archive over to Photoshelter when my Smugmug account runs out.
In general, I agree with Clegg's assessment of Smugmug. I'd like to emphasize the great customer service with really fast response times including in the evenings and on weekends. The support team is supplemented by a large and active online community at dgrin which was quite helpful when I was customizing my site. There are a number of useful functions one can perform with images like multiple watermarks, importing of embedded captions and keywords, setting sizes available for viewing and the like. Photoshelter has better built-in functions for an online archive targeted toward photo editors and other editorial uses. However, for event photography and youth sports, I think Smugmug works equally well.
Occasionally, moving large numbers of images especially if one is moving them individually and not as a predefined gallery can be a bit tedious. Also, another frequent complaint was the lack of package pricing systems. This can be a useful tool for events (esp. weddings) and also sports.
I switched because I wanted to use part of the site primarily as a portfolio. However, Smugmug makes changes relatively often to the site. (This could be a good thing.) On two occasions when I had the site customized as I wished, Smugmug's changes undermined the customizations I had made. On the last occasion, I found out about the changes because a fellow photographer who was showing some of the images to a potential client suggested that I revert to the old version of the site. If I've customized something, I want it to look that way until I want to change it. I would at least appreciate a heads-up before the changes are made.
However, I think it works well for youth and school sports. It is relatively easy to navigate. The print quality is good especially with the additional of a specialized printer. They also offer many of the additional photo gifts that appeal to parents.
You can make the site your own if you have a "pro" site. You can strip out almost all of the smugmug branding. They have a customization preset that can do that for you without having to deal with CSS/XML. You can assign your own domain name. If you're up to coding or paying someone else to code for you, you can establish your own look for the site.
If you have questions about specific functions, let me know. |
|
Danny Munson, Photographer
|
San Dimas | Ca | United States | Posted: 10:22 PM on 08.24.09 |
->> I recently left for 3 main reasons.
1.Promises of coupons, packages, vouchers have been going on for years now and no date of when they will actually have them.
2. Lousy SEO.
3. When my customer does receive pictures from me the packaging is plastered with "SMUGMUG" and no mention of me. I don't need a partner. I just want a company that will host my pictures and do fulfillment without self promoting their company.
I feel it is geared more toward the average hobbiest who is just looking to share photos with there friends and family but supposedly they are trying to change toward more of a pro service. We shall see. |
|
John Germ, Photographer
|
Wadsworth | Oh | USA | Posted: 9:29 AM on 08.25.09 |
->> Danny,
Curious where you went to after leaving? Just wondering what other options are out there. |
|
Danny Munson, Photographer
|
San Dimas | Ca | United States | Posted: 9:58 AM on 08.25.09 |
->> John I use Exposure Manager now but wasn't too crazy about there customization so I use SquareSpace as the home page and link to EM from there. I'm paying $178 for a year combined but the SEO with SquareSpace is worth that alone. I can post on my main page about an event I shot that weekend and the next day it is 1st page in Google. I could never get anything close to that with Smug.
It is cheaper to just have someone host it like GoDaddy and build your self but SquareSpace is very easy to set up and customize. |
|
Mike Janes, Photographer
|
Attica | NY | USA | Posted: 11:41 AM on 08.25.09 |
| ->> Exposure Manager can be customized pretty freely, and more so than any other site out there I believe. PhotoShelter is by far the best for SEO I've seen, I get a lot of e-mails from my PS site but prefer EM for prints so both those services are integrated into my site. Dan, what didn't you like about the customization? |
|
Darren Whitley, Photographer
|
Maryville | MO | USA | Posted: 12:41 PM on 08.25.09 |
| ->> I bought PickPic as my e-commerce package. It costs a bit to get up and running, but I'm happy with it thus far. I'm planning to stick with this solution for at least 2-3 years. I chose it over RedCart because of the way PickPic organizes photos. The only complaint so far is that I don't have enough control over the way shipping is charged, but I'm able to make adjustments before charging credit cards. |
|
Danny Munson, Photographer
|
San Dimas | Ca | United States | Posted: 2:01 PM on 08.25.09 |
->> Mike I have seen some that look pretty good but without some serious knowledge of HTML and CSS it is a lot more complex to build then Smug and SquareSpace. I actually got the idea of integrating two sites from looking at your site but with SquareSpace you can't integrate another site within a frame like you have done. I like EM a lot for everything else and will stick with them but will integrate it for now until they make it easier to customize the look.
PS. How are you feeling? |
|
Randy Abrams, Photographer
|
Bath | NY | US | Posted: 10:25 PM on 08.25.09 |
| ->> I've been a pro level user of Smugmug for about a year and half. No regrets for the most part. I started with the 14 trial, which I strongly encourage if you have any interest at all. You can play with the site setup and see what it is like to upload galleries and such. Customer service is very good (although I'd like a phone number to actually talk to a human once in awhile) and they have a print guarantee which is very good. I've gotten prints redone for a customer (for free) because the mailman stuff them in the customer's mailbox and bent them. No questions asked, they shipped them right out. Happy customer, happy me. Like Danny, the things I don't like is the lack of vouchers/coupons and the shipping not even having our company/website name on it. |
|
Jimmy Hickey, Student/Intern
|
Longview | WA | USA | Posted: 3:54 AM on 08.26.09 |
->> I've used Smugmug as my gallery website almost two years. (I use livebooks.edu for my portfolio) For the most part I really enjoy the service SM provides. The freedom to customize your site to your liking is nice. Through that I was able to make the layout exactly how I wanted.
However, I do agree with Danny on his points; I really need their photo coupon system to start working, so I can start including print credit with my photo packages. And he does make a good point I never really thought about. Their packaging is labeled with Smugmug everywhere, with no mention of the photographer. I've had one client tell me she almost threw out the package containing her prints because they didn't know they were the photos she ordered. Their self promotion is a bit excessive considering the people are buying from the photographer, and Smugmugs just the middleman.
But those issues are pretty minor, the back end on SM is fantastic. I've got it down to a science now, so I like the simplicity that brings. Their customer service is first rate, and they respond to questions usually within the hour. Not to mention for the services they provide, it's a great deal. I've been debating about switching over to Zenfolio, but I came to the conclusion that the only thing I really like about Zengolifio over SM is their print credit, and SM says their version of it is on the way. So overall, SM is a pretty solid set up, I think if they fix those minor issues they'll be about perfect for online photo galleries. |
|
Adam Heller, Photographer
|
Grafenwoehr | DE | | Posted: 6:03 AM on 08.26.09 |
->> Danny, the SEO on Squarespace is that good? I'm still on an extremely boring and dull XHTML/CSS site. I do remember now why I got out of the web design game though.
Anyone have any recommendations for a re-design (probably including logo) for my existing site? I want SEO, as well as an admin back end, so I can just update the blog / upload and add new photos/folders. And of course, a cool design...Not some cookie cutter looking stuff.
-Adam |
|
Danny Munson, Photographer
|
San Dimas | Ca | United States | Posted: 7:54 AM on 08.26.09 |
| ->> Adam with Smugmug I would be lucky to find page 5 in Google after a week and some stuff would never. The main things I want indexed by Google all show up on page one results now. "Glendora Baseball" shows up page 1, 5th. "Glendora Football" shows up 1st page, 3rd result. The event I shot over the weekend shows up 1st page, 1st result. |
|
Adam Heller, Photographer
|
Grafenwoehr | DE | | Posted: 8:40 AM on 08.26.09 |
->> Danny, was there anything special that you had to do? Or pay for some extra service? I'm not too familiar with Squarespace. How did you end up integrating the blog with EM? I signed up for EM today, it's actualy really nice, but the default design is a bit bland :/
Drop me a message if you have time Danny.
Thanks
-Adam |
|
Robin Loznak, Photo Editor, Photographer
|
Roseburg | OR | USA | Posted: 9:14 AM on 08.26.09 |
| ->> A friend's friend is using http://www.zenfolio.com/. It looks interesting. |
|
Geoffrey Bolte, Photographer, Assistant
|
Spencer/Worcester | MA | USA | Posted: 10:46 AM on 08.26.09 |
->> I use zenfolio for my print sales side. They are partnered up with MPix, and Millers Pro Lab. So they have pretty good backing, they are still working on some things like print packages and such, but have been listening to the customer and they have been implementing a lot of great stuff. I like the fact that you can take all the MPix branding off of prints/shipping/ecommerce, so it is YOUR business promoted not theirs(Yes they have a little zenfoio link on the bottom of the page but it is very small and unobtrusive. They are there for the photographer and helping you grow as if you grow they grow!
For my portfolio, I am using a hosting service and have designed the site myself, www.atlanticexpressions.com. I am still working on my SEO, certain searches come up first page some 2nd or 3rd page, gone through the Photoshelter SEO PDF, and also a few other places.
Think I might look at squarespace though to see whats up with them if it can get me closer to the top. |
|
Michael Pina, Photographer
|
SF Bay Area | ca | usa | Posted: 12:26 PM on 08.26.09 |
| ->> Hi Armando, I am using the Smugmug pro account and have been since they introduced it. It has come a long way compared to the early days. My experience has been very good. I have sold to many clients and they all have been very pleased with their photos. Smugmug just made the switch to using Bay Photo as a way to improve on the reproduction on prints. Their service and tech support is awesome. Coming soon, A new Smugmug Pro section to the site will tailor to the working professional and allow for full web site customization. There are monthly Smugmug meet ups here in the SF bay Area that are very informative and are a great opportunity to learn more about the company. I would highly recommend them. |
|
Adam Heller, Photographer
|
Grafenwoehr | DE | | Posted: 3:17 PM on 08.26.09 |
->> OT: Danny, thanks a ton. I'm doing the same thing you are with squarespace and EM. Amazing.
Honestly, I have played with a demo account for smugmug, and this is so so so so much easier. |
|
Danny Munson, Photographer
|
San Dimas | Ca | United States | Posted: 8:15 PM on 08.26.09 |
| ->> Cool Adam PM or email me if you need any help I've been using them for about 3 months now. I can help you set it up for optimal SEO just hit me up when you get to that point. |
|
Mike Janes, Photographer
|
Attica | NY | USA | Posted: 1:43 AM on 08.27.09 |
->> Danny - yea, you need to have some knowledge of html to integrate it all but that's with anything. The smug sites they have templates but if you have a full site like mine then you have to change it to fit what they look like, or did when I last checked but it was awhile ago.
PS answer: Dizzy, in pain, and wondering what's going to happen. |
|
Danny Munson, Photographer
|
San Dimas | Ca | United States | Posted: 11:05 PM on 08.27.09 |
| ->> Relax and get caught up on your culling. Hope you feel better Mike. |
|
David Bailey, Photographer
|
Flower Mound | TX | USA | Posted: 2:08 AM on 08.30.09 |
| ->> Yes, I like Smugmug for event photos & individal sales as it is better suited for that application. I also use Photoshelter for all editorial images as it is best suited for that type of business. A little more expensive than using 1 service, but they are each best at what they are designed for. |
|
Steve King, Photographer
|
Ann Arbor | MI | USA | Posted: 5:27 PM on 08.30.09 |
->> Ditto what David said.
I have had a Smugmg Pro account for 3 years now and it suits its purpose well, and matching that with Photoshelter works well too. Smugmug Pro offers unlimited storage, which helps for age group, T&I, and others, while Photoshelter links back here to SportsShooter and works best for business & editorial usage. I think it's OK to use more than one tool, since that's what it takes to get the job done rather than trying to shoe horn everything into just one site and being disappointed. |
|
Return to --> Message Board Main Index
|