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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Livebooks offers blogs
Mike Brice, Photographer
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Ogden | UT | USA | Posted: 3:45 PM on 12.28.09 |
->> I was pleased to read on the Livebooks site that they now offer hosted blogs, which would be great for SEO.
Very disappointed to learn that it is only for new customers of their lower priced, pre-designed web sites.
They may allow wordpress installations for pre-existing clients but there is no timetable as of yet.
I used to sing their praises, but Livebooks seems to have gone the way of many tech companies - chasing new clients with more services at lower prices while ignoring the exisiting customers who paid for the company's foundation with higher prices and less services.
Any other Livebooks customers disappointed that you can't yet have your blog at http://yourdomain.com/blog - which would really help with search results? |
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Steve Boyle, Photographer
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Philadelphia | PA | USA | Posted: 5:11 PM on 12.28.09 |
->> yes, I wish I could dump data on my domain at will, such as blogs, files, etc
I've resorted to wordpress on another domain |
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Craig Mitchelldyer, Photographer, Assistant
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Portland & Orange County | OR and CA | USA | Posted: 5:12 PM on 12.28.09 |
| ->> yes! It's one thing I hate about livebooks. I've wanted that for a long, long time and I would love it. Come on Livebooks, please hook up your existing customers too! |
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Mike Brice, Photographer
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Ogden | UT | USA | Posted: 5:46 PM on 12.28.09 |
->> I just find it ironic that they focus on SEO, which I appreciate, and a blog on the same domain is a key component but it isn't something they allow - until now.
But only if you are a new customer who bought at a lower rate.
It is like BMW starting to sell a 7 series for the cost of the 3 series - and not being surprised that the people who bought 5 series are disappointed that new customers can have a better product at a lower price. |
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Brad Barr, Photographer
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Port St. Lucie | FL | USA | Posted: 7:56 PM on 12.28.09 |
->> www.bigfolio.com
nuff said
bb |
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Steven Bisig, Photographer
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Seattle | WA | USA | Posted: 8:24 PM on 12.28.09 |
->> I am one of those new clients. They offer the blog service, but for an additional $95.
I am just hosting my blog on another domain name that I also own. I am still working on some bugs, but the new site is working out pretty good.
Main Website: http://www.stevenbisigphotographer.com
Blog: http://www.stevenbisig.com/blog
Steven b~ |
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Craig Mitchelldyer, Photographer, Assistant
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Portland & Orange County | OR and CA | USA | Posted: 8:30 PM on 12.28.09 |
| ->> I would pay livebooks $95 in half a second to host my blog on the same server as my site. It's stupid to have to have it on another server...one that costs more than $95 I might add... |
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Mike Brice, Photographer
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Ogden | UT | USA | Posted: 8:52 PM on 12.28.09 |
->> Steve,
The point is having both on the same server/domain name is beneficial to SEO.
It is a service that they never allowed before. Now they add it, but only for new customers. So they have the ability, and have had to offer it because other like companies offer it, but for existing customers, we are SOL for our loyalty and being early adopters. |
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Steve Boyle, Photographer
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Philadelphia | PA | USA | Posted: 10:04 AM on 12.29.09 |
->> A response from livebooks -
Dear Steve,
Thank you for your upgrade request.
At this time liveBooks designed and hosted Wordpress blogs are only available with our Predesigned website offering.
Should you choose to create your own blog using another service such as Blog Branded the liveBooks support team will be happy to assist you in linking your website to your blog. We are also happy to supply you with design files used to create your site layout.
Here are some examples of other liveBooks clients with custom designed sites who have integrated their own blog:
http://chasejarvis.com/
http://joemcnally.com/
http://aperturaphoto.com/
http://blog.emilieinc.net/
http://jbrides.com/
http://photography.michelemwaite.com/
http://amandarichelle.com/
liveBooks websites and services are designed and built using standards and best practices assembled through collaboration with industry leading experts and creative professional like yourself. Please feel free to let us know what level of customization, flexibility, and features you would like to see in a blog service. |
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Mike Brice, Photographer
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Ogden | UT | USA | Posted: 10:11 AM on 12.29.09 |
| ->> Isn't that nice - new clients can have a hosted blog, but existing clients who paid twice as much have to maintain a separate domain and hosting service for their blog. |
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Keith Simonian, Photographer
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Martinez | CA | USA | Posted: 10:41 AM on 12.29.09 |
->> Craig,
Are you paying more than $95 a year for somebody to host your blog? |
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Delane B. Rouse, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Dan Bannister, Photographer
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Calgary | AB | Canada | Posted: 11:47 AM on 12.29.09 |
->> Hi All,
I've been going through this very issue since November and got the official answer form Livebooks manager of support just yesterday. When I originally signed up, I was told that moving everything I have exactly as is, over to the Livebooks site would not be a problem. Needless to say, I eventually found out this was wrong and they would not host the WP blog.
I only figured this out after I gave them the $2K or so in deposit against the site. I'm not saying they set out to deceive me though. Lazy sales people who don't listen, combined with dumb customers like me who don't ask enough of the right questions results in errors like this one. After contracting out with a tech guy, he set it up so that when you type my domain, you go to my first host which then points it to my livebooks page. If you type my domain/blog it goes to my own host and repoints any other links to Livebooks. Chase, Joe McNally and a few others have set it up this way and it does seem to work fine.
Livebooks actually told me yesterday that this set up was better for SEO anyway, which is curious as a few people here are saying the opposite so, I'm not sure which is true. With regards to their new customers being able to host WP, I was told yesterday that this is only a very stripped down, simple version of WP with no plug ins. They could not tell me when or if existing customers will ever be able to put their own customized WP site on the host but, they did say that there was a list of people requesting this feature FWIW.
I was angry that I had to go through all this effort after shelling out so much and being told that I could set it up the way I want it, only to find out that was not the fact. Just another case of being told something other than reality during the sales stage of the process I guess. Once everything was up and running, I had a few glitches and was at least able to call them directly and speak with someone every time, which I cant say for the actual host of the rest of the site who could not have worse service or be less responsive. In the end, the site looks great (in my opinion) and the interface and features are very nice. However, I do feel that Livebooks dropped the ball and getting through to an actual manager to complain to was a real hassle, (I got the impression they were just going through the the basic "customer service 101 B.S) and after spending about 10 extra hours and about $500 extra in tech fees and set up costs, I thought they'd at least come back and offer to reduce the cost of my Livebooks package or something but, they did'nt. It still baffles me that a company set up to service photographers won't host WP blogs as that is far and away the most popular platform for shooters in my experience.
Either way, check out my site and blog if you like and feel free to email if you have any questions or want further info.
Dan |
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Mike Brice, Photographer
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Ogden | UT | USA | Posted: 12:18 PM on 12.29.09 |
->> I think the new product - the cheaper sites with a basic wordpress blog - is a reflection on the competition that they are seeing from other web site providers.
The problem is - and I am in this boat - is that after you have forked over the high cost of obtaining a site you are stuck. Can't really take the ball and go home after dropping $3,000 on a site.
However, for their monthly plan, they have to offer a blog solution because at $39 a month, a photographer could switch to one of many companies offering sites and blogs.
I know they have a lot of photographers using Livebooks, but I think there is a question of sustainability - having to keep attracting more and more clients to maintain the clients that pre-paid - like myself.
If I had it to do all over again, I don't think I would select the Livebooks route. |
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Mike Brice, Photographer
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Ogden | UT | USA | Posted: 12:20 PM on 12.29.09 |
->> Delane - He is bouncing readers to another domain through the use of a subdomain. That is not what I (nor others) want. We want to have the site and the blog on the same domain.
This reduces the number of domains and accounts you have to maintain to one as opposed to 2 which are then linked through re-directs. |
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Delane B. Rouse, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Washington | DC | US | Posted: 1:37 PM on 12.29.09 |
->> Mike...you sound like the people that bashed Apple for cutting prices on the original iPhone to $399 when they were initially $599 (ultimately they did offer a $100 credit to those that paid full price).
Remember...you've had the usage of your livebooks site for a while now and you have features that the cheaper sites don't have PLUS the wonderful SEO that should have resulted in increased traffic to your site too right?
You already know that products typically get cheaper and better over time, so you have to take that into consideration when you are making your decision. In 1997 my web hosting service cost me about $20/month for 100MB of space and now we pay $8/month for unlimited space and traffic.
I don't see people complaining because canon/nikon cameras got better features and lower prices ;) |
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Craig Mitchelldyer, Photographer, Assistant
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Portland & Orange County | OR and CA | USA | Posted: 2:34 PM on 12.29.09 |
| ->> Delane, I don't care that they are offering it on cheaper sites, it just would be nice to do the same for existing customers. Hell, I'd pay my $15 am month I am paying my crappy host for http://blog.craigmitchelldyer.com to livebooks to be able to have everything on one server. They nickle and dime you to death on every little change anyway they might as well for this and I'd gladly pay it. |
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Mike Brice, Photographer
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Ogden | UT | USA | Posted: 2:38 PM on 12.29.09 |
->> LIke Craig, I don't mind them offering a lower priced service - I have an interest in their continued success - but I would like to have the same features available to my site as the new sites.
Having everything under one roof would be nice. |
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Mike Brice, Photographer
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Ogden | UT | USA | Posted: 2:42 PM on 12.29.09 |
->> Delane,
In your example, you paid less and your service (products, space, etc increased).
In our real-life scenario - the existing, loyal customers don't get the benefit of the product growth.
Don't you think we should at least be offered the opportunity to have what the new customers can - even if there is a price attached? |
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Robert Benson, Photographer
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San Diego | Ca | USA | Posted: 4:21 PM on 12.29.09 |
| ->> Check out aphotofolio.com, Rob Haggart (aphotoeditor.com's company). Wordpress blogs, many different themes, and functions that blow away anything livebooks have. Better price too. |
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Delane B. Rouse, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Washington | DC | US | Posted: 5:09 PM on 12.29.09 |
->> Robert...the problem is that the "old" livebooks customers have major $$$ invested in the system...so they can't just throw that money down the drain can they?
Mike/Craig...I hear you guys loud and clear. It seems a little short sighted on livebooks part. They are risking the potential of alienating some of their most loyal customer base. You guys have been with them for a while and both of you have recommended them highly over the years.
Delane |
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Brad Barr, Photographer
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Port St. Lucie | FL | USA | Posted: 7:34 PM on 12.30.09 |
->> I'd be interested to hear their justification for this. It makes zero sense. It takes so little time to add the extra folder to everyones site. They've always been free at bigfolio...and several others. It sounds LB has shot themselves in the foot.
As Mike said...the seo benefits alone make disallowing this really stupid. Oh wait....it makes them greedy..thats what it makes them imo.
bb |
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Dinno Kovic, Photographer
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San Francisco | CA | USA | Posted: 11:56 PM on 01.01.10 |
->> Happy New Year to each and every one of you and all the best for 2010. I have been watching this thread evolve over the past few days and thought it time to offer you my thoughts. (Full disclaimer if some of you don't know already - I've being working for liveBooks for the past 3 years and have been a Sportsshooter member for the past 6 years.)
While I understand the various comments that are being posted, I have to say that blog hosting is not a simple cut and dry proposition as a casual observer might assume in reading these threads. Some very important points are being missed, at least in the posts and though we might all think we are talking about the same thing. Are we ?
When I think about hosting a blog, some of the questions that spring to mind (and there are probably a whole load more besides) include;
1) am i just starting a blog, or do I have a blog already that I am seeking to integrate ?
2) if the blog exists, do i want to move that content to my new blog - or simply re-skin my existing blog ?
3) when i ask for a blog design to match my customized design, do I mean just the colors and fonts - or everything including how it appears within my site and seamless navigation between blog and site ?
4) who do I actually want to host my blog ?
5) do I want to extend my blog behavior with widgets - or just publish a stream of posts ?
6) what platform do I want to publish my blog on ? and does it matter to me ? and why ?
7) do i want the url to be part of my domain - or a different URL altogether ?
8) does that mean moving my blog hosting, or can it stay where it is ?
These and so many other points should require anyone to stop and assess exactly what is being asked for and how they want to move forward. That is what we do at liveBooks. And, before anyone points me back to the earlier post from liveBooks where we have written "At this time liveBooks designed and hosted Wordpress blogs are only available with our Predesigned website offering." let me just say that I wouldn't quite have put it that way.
I do not want to take over this forum promoting liveBooks, but if you want a blog to accompany your website, I would invite you to contact me directly, and I will help you sort your individual needs on a case by case basis, come up with a solution that suits you and make sure you are a happy customer.
Bottom line blogs are important to our customers. We support them and we offer them. Both for new customers and existing customers.
Dinno |
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Derek Montgomery, Photographer
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Duluth | MN | USA | Posted: 7:14 PM on 01.04.10 |
->> I was recently in touch with a Livebooks support agent who offered this about the blogs...
He said they are currently testing the blogs and plan to offer them to custom clients in the future. The main reason they are being held up for custom clients is that it would involve more design work than offering the blogs to people who choose the generic design options. With the generic options, they can apparently pump out a blog design that looks familiar in short order.
I then asked when they might be available for custom clients and he mentioned in a few months.
Granted this was a Live Chat support agent and not an official announcement, but I hoe this might offer some assistance to those wondering about what might happen or what might be the reasons they are doing this. |
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