I know there have been earlier threads about this, but it's been a while and things change.
What'd I'd like is a service that can host my photos is a layout I like, under my company name, do the shopping cart thing and then let me know so I can place the order with a decent photo printing service. If they want a digital copy, I can full fill.
Zenfolio Professional seems to fit the bill. Are there others? Anyone have experience with Zenfolio?
I am on Zenfolio Jim and it does everything you mentioned. You can define layout and theme as well as design your own, use a custom domain, and can sell digital products (and I have. you can define license conditions as well) I am also very happy with MPIX print service. I have a premium account which is one below the premium business account. You can also follow traffic with Google Analytics, add music to your slide shows. I also tried Smug Mug but found it difficult to customize. Hope that helps.
Zenfolio is terrif and they add new things often. Very easy to set up with all the possible templates, or make your own.
Top-notch.
Sandy
Posted by Dan Roberts on June 28, 2012 at 12:45 AM
Based on advice here I'm on Zen with my own domain name that I got through Go Daddy. It is awesome. All things mentioned already. I'm selling digital downloads, prints via MPix, and "self fulfilled orders" where he payment goes straight to my PayPal account and Zen just takes the orders, notifies me, and send notices to the buyer when I confirm the order and then again when I confirm that I've shipped it. I think they collect four percent of the sale price for self fulfilled orders. I checked out the free trial on SmugMug and it was far less customizable. I also scoped out a couple more that I can't remember at the moment that were higher cost with no clear advantages over Zen.
I like Zenfolio. A customer who bought one of my images through the site (MPixPro) thought the photo was "awesome," and I'm taking that as a reflection on the print quality.
We use LabPrints to host private portfolios for viewing and sales. They're one of about four recommended by our lab.
And that's key- They work directly with our lab (H&H Color), so we get our accustomed print quality and services. We've never had an issue, and I'm confident our lab will work with us if one should occur. LabPrints does require that you purchase proprietary software for the process though, and it's not cheap. It's worth every penny for our volume of sales, but would be a nonstarter for a one-off print sale.
Bottom line, if you're really happy with your current lab, consult with them about which service works best for them. If it's Zenfolio, sail happily into the sunset. But if using Zenfolio means you're using a different lab, be prepared for an adjustment period.
Zenfolio sounds like it satisfies everyone using them and after looking at their site, pricing is very reasonable.
A couple of outfits that hire out me and my boat for transportation and scuba services have recommended www.photoshelter.com , does anyone have experience with them, their rates are alot higher than Zenfolio ?
Discussion
6 repliesWhat'd I'd like is a service that can host my photos is a layout I like, under my company name, do the shopping cart thing and then let me know so I can place the order with a decent photo printing service. If they want a digital copy, I can full fill.
Zenfolio Professional seems to fit the bill. Are there others? Anyone have experience with Zenfolio?
Thanks.
Top-notch.
Sandy
And that's key- They work directly with our lab (H&H Color), so we get our accustomed print quality and services. We've never had an issue, and I'm confident our lab will work with us if one should occur. LabPrints does require that you purchase proprietary software for the process though, and it's not cheap. It's worth every penny for our volume of sales, but would be a nonstarter for a one-off print sale.
Bottom line, if you're really happy with your current lab, consult with them about which service works best for them. If it's Zenfolio, sail happily into the sunset. But if using Zenfolio means you're using a different lab, be prepared for an adjustment period.
A couple of outfits that hire out me and my boat for transportation and scuba services have recommended www.photoshelter.com , does anyone have experience with them, their rates are alot higher than Zenfolio ?