Posted by Nick Leadley on November 10, 2009 at 2:08 PM
Has anyone used or is using one of these two online services, not only as a storefront but for promotional purposes?
I'm rethinking my whole website strategy and am lookng at all the options out there.
What I'm hoping to find is a service where I can create website that I can use to sell images as well as promote other aspects of my business.
I primarily do nature and wildlife work, but also shoot weddings and portraits, thus the need for a promotional site as well.
Any thoughts on SmugMug and PageScene along with suggestions of other sites would be welcome.
Thanks!
Posted by Matt Graham on November 10, 2009 at 4:38 PM
Nick,
I use SmugMug for my online gallery. I have not sold anything, but I have not really tried. The thing I love about SmugMug is the support that they offer and they get back to you in 2 hours max. They have helped me with CSS code on my site and when I have had bad prints from my first Bay Photo runs, they re-did them without any problems.
Matt
Posted by Angela Classen on November 10, 2009 at 5:50 PM
I also use Smugmug (I have a Power user account). I've been able to customize a lot using their cut & paste codes, and when I've had problems I've gotten help quickly through the dgrin forums. However, I'm not set up to sell direct through this site and probably won't as I want to see the prints before they go to my customers. But that's just me
I've also linked it to my blog, where I have additional pages set up about my photo book, calendars, etc. The blog was free, and I enjoy writing and it's just fun for me to ramble about things photographic. The web site alone doesn't give me the opportunity to promote these "extras," but by linking them together, people can find the info.
Overall, I'm happy with it and it's a way to have my stuff out there if someone wants to see my portfolio.
Posted by Miro Susta on November 11, 2009 at 1:03 AM
Nick,
You can find "YOUR TOTAL WEBSITE SOLUTION" (description of major on-line providers; incl. comparison and pricing) in the latest issue of Digital Photo Pro (November 2009).
IMO the SmugMug is well suited for all classes (Amateur to Pro). You will get free trial for 14 days.
Posted by Steve Cole on November 11, 2009 at 11:48 PM
Another happy SmugMugger
Posted by Adam Schallau on November 12, 2009 at 4:24 PM
I've been using a SmugMug Pro account for the past six months. Overall I'm quite happy, but I would like to see a self-fulfillment option for print orders.
Get 50% off your first year with the promo code 'yahoo'.
Posted by Buck Ward on November 12, 2009 at 10:52 PM
I was interested to see how others responded to this topic.
I've had a Smugmug Pro account for about half a year. I haven't made any out-of-the-blue sales. (I did make one from my NPN portfolio.) But I have made some sales through personal promotion and then a while later I get a nice message from Smugmug confirming the sale. Smugmug handles the transaction completely, with satisfaction guaranteed.
During my trial period, I ordered some prints from Smugmug and the same prints from another on-line printer that was recommended here on NPN. Smugmug's prints cost less, took much less time, and were better. I've seen some of the prints a customer ordered. They were much better than prints of the same images I had gotten of the same images local at local labs.
I'm HTML illiterate, so customizing Smugmug's template doesn't come easy for me. I'd make some some changes if it were easy for me, but I'm not unhappy with my Smugmug website.
I hadn't heard of PageScene before.
Posted by Nick Leadley on November 17, 2009 at 4:16 PM
Thanks for all the replies. I did read that article in Digital PhotoPro, which is what led to this post as I am comparing the two at this point.
I've been with Smug since April of '09. I'm a photographer, not a website builder so the smug experience has been pretty difficult. I read all this about how the Dgrin forum is such a big help, and how a Smug expert replies quickly. Yes you get a reply, all filled with fluff, happiness and joy! But answers to your issues? Nah. My pro website sat idle for months until a photographer friend wanted to get setup with an e commerce website. Within days he sends me his new site link and its gorgeous. (Smug host) He did NOTHING except upload images and create his bio and add descriptions etc. . No HTML knowledge, has no computer or website building experience. He said he told them "if you can set my page up like ........ website I'll purchase". They did just that for him. This was the point where I contacted them again, with a bit of a rougher attitude. Bills experience was different than my own, what changed? Within 2 days after contacted them again they rebuilt my smug webpage with a presentable appearance and operational e commerce. Apparently their advertised "its so easy" no html knowledge needed sales gimmick didnt fly and they began doing in house customization to help get people started.
I do wish for the option not to use the provided smug photo labs. I have other options from a lab I trust. Dont expect Smug to get you seen too soon!! Unless you drive a customer to your site via a business card or are already very well established forget the casual "out of the blue" sales.
Discussion
8 repliesI'm rethinking my whole website strategy and am lookng at all the options out there.
What I'm hoping to find is a service where I can create website that I can use to sell images as well as promote other aspects of my business.
I primarily do nature and wildlife work, but also shoot weddings and portraits, thus the need for a promotional site as well.
Any thoughts on SmugMug and PageScene along with suggestions of other sites would be welcome.
Thanks!
I use SmugMug for my online gallery. I have not sold anything, but I have not really tried. The thing I love about SmugMug is the support that they offer and they get back to you in 2 hours max. They have helped me with CSS code on my site and when I have had bad prints from my first Bay Photo runs, they re-did them without any problems.
Matt
I've also linked it to my blog, where I have additional pages set up about my photo book, calendars, etc. The blog was free, and I enjoy writing and it's just fun for me to ramble about things photographic. The web site alone doesn't give me the opportunity to promote these "extras," but by linking them together, people can find the info.
Overall, I'm happy with it and it's a way to have my stuff out there if someone wants to see my portfolio.
You can find "YOUR TOTAL WEBSITE SOLUTION" (description of major on-line providers; incl. comparison and pricing) in the latest issue of Digital Photo Pro (November 2009).
IMO the SmugMug is well suited for all classes (Amateur to Pro). You will get free trial for 14 days.
Get 50% off your first year with the promo code 'yahoo'.
I've had a Smugmug Pro account for about half a year. I haven't made any out-of-the-blue sales. (I did make one from my NPN portfolio.) But I have made some sales through personal promotion and then a while later I get a nice message from Smugmug confirming the sale. Smugmug handles the transaction completely, with satisfaction guaranteed.
During my trial period, I ordered some prints from Smugmug and the same prints from another on-line printer that was recommended here on NPN. Smugmug's prints cost less, took much less time, and were better. I've seen some of the prints a customer ordered. They were much better than prints of the same images I had gotten of the same images local at local labs.
I'm HTML illiterate, so customizing Smugmug's template doesn't come easy for me. I'd make some some changes if it were easy for me, but I'm not unhappy with my Smugmug website.
I hadn't heard of PageScene before.
Cheers!
I do wish for the option not to use the provided smug photo labs. I have other options from a lab I trust. Dont expect Smug to get you seen too soon!! Unless you drive a customer to your site via a business card or are already very well established forget the casual "out of the blue" sales.