Hey I need to make a decision on a website here within the next few days. I thought about doing my own, because I've built quite a few websites from scratch, but I decided I just wanted to pay for one, and save time. I was all set to sign up for the Pro package at Smugmug, and then I saw a friend's Photosite website, and I thought again. Maybe I should consider Photosite. Does anyone have any experience with either of these places? I definatley want to be able to do online proofing and purchasing. I was using digibug, but I got fet up with them and their auto cropping. I want to be able to customize the site to the nth degree, and I want the prints to be avaliable in Lustre finish. Smugmug has all this and way more, they're awesome. The question is, does photosite also have all this, and is it worth the price difference between $150/yr for smugmug and $43/yr for photosite? Even though $150/yr isn't really that big of a risk, I'd like to save all the money possible. I know I ultimately still have to be the judge, but the people here on this forum always make me think of something I didn't think of before. a couple big questions I couldn't find an answer to on Photosite– how's their support? and can I set my own price list for prints?

 Thanks

 

-AG

 BTW, I'll still be using Mpix for photo gifts and my own pictures, don't worry Mpix, I'm not leaving!

I paid $90 for a flash template at winklet.com, and $200 for photocart.  That is all I need.  One-time payment, no yearly fees.  SO worth it.

My flash site is inspiredimagesbywendi.com.  My proofing and purchasing site is inspiredimagesbywendi.com/photocart.  You can check out the galleries on there.  If there is one you want to look at to see the setup, PM me and I'll send you an access code.

I have some great sites on special this week in limited quantities, all  are Flash and all under a $100. I'm not a huge fan of things that cost monthly so my personal advice would be a website you can maintain yourself and a proofing program like photocart, PEgallery or even ProofBuddy, which is free for the lite version. Free is always good lol!

Good websites are www.Photoreflect.com and www.Printroom.com.

Try those out.

-Joey

Photoreflect charges a % of what you sell not what you host.  It's free up until you sell images.  I think that is the fairest deal out there.

-Joey

instaproofs is free until ou sell something too.  I'm using that for my proofing, and asking people to call or stop by with their orders.  Free is good!

 Wendi- I love the little boy with the "Do notopen till Christmas" sign on him.  It is so cute.

JessE.:

instaproofs is free until ou sell something too.  I'm using that for my proofing, and asking people to call or stop by with their orders.  Free is good!

I might open a can or worms here but I am going to do it anyway.  

Instaproofs is a great way to show your proofs and take orders.   They have great customer service and are continously updating the product.  Sure they take 15% off the top of your sales before shipping and taxes but that is how the site is supported.  

However, if everyone were asking their clients to stop by the studio and place their orders rather than have them doing it on the website, Instaproofs would not exist.  I am sure Adam wouldn't be doing it if he wasn't making something from it.

While there is nothing on the site that says you can't do it, there seems to be something wrong with this.  Sort of like people copying your photographs.............

Free won't be free when it is not there any longer.

I am also trying to setup my site..and i am looking for an upload proof method online..can anyone else tell me about photoreflect? is it worth is for them the take 18%? i have been doing proofs old fashion way..its nice making straight profit. and with photoreflect can you still order everything from mpix? or how about Pictage? does anyone use them? are they overrated? its alot of money!

Mandy in OK

I ended up going with smugmug. I know it was more money, but It had everything I wanted and plenty of room to grow. The big thing is that I can totally customize it. And the support is awesome. They have a support forum like the size of Apple's. I'm very happy so far. thanks a bunch everybody for the input!

 

-AG 

PhotographybyMJ:

I am also trying to setup my site..and i am looking for an upload proof method online..can anyone else tell me about photoreflect? is it worth is for them the take 18%?

Mandy in OK

I use http://www.instaproofs.com.  They only take 15% and have great customer support.  That 15% includes the hosting of the images and processing of the payments to you.   You can order your images from any lab you want to use.

Is it worth it?  For me it is.

 

Proimageguide.com   will let you try them for 3 months for FREE.  it has everything you need. so you don't have to panic and make a decision today. 

I too am needing a website!  Not sure where to begin:(  I know that I need a domain name and all that good stuff but any suggestions on what company to use as far as hosting and all that.  I am pretty clueless about websites and building them.  I need help- any suggestions would be great!

 

-BH

I got your PM and email Unique, I ust replied to the PM.

Hey guys,

I make photography websites for a living. I can answer all questions and get you set up with an attractive looking website in which you can manage yourself. Here is my website:
 
http://www.clearfocusdesigns.com/

-Shaun 

Iphoto, I appreciate your candor, and do understand what you are saying.  I have been asking tons of webhosting questions, as I want to get my own site up and running.  I won't make instarproofs permanent, but I did need a proofing site.  LIke I said this is only temporary, which is why I'm soaking up recommendations left and right for webhosting

Jess

Jess I went with Blue Host.  It was a rec from Colleen.  I have also jsut purchased a template from her as well.  I am waiting for everything to get activated and all that but I will let you know how it all goes!  Colleen has been super helpful in answering all my questions.

BH

I make my website myself with MS Frontpage and there is a lot of great help out there for this program.  I go through godaddy.com and pay about 50 a year and just link all my photos to a photosite like photoreflect.  I like photoreflect but sometimes their servers are a bit slow.  If you know MS Word you can learn MS Frontpage if you just mess with it.  Plus there is lots of great templates out there althought i recomend you create your own unique site.  Check out my site at www.LTXSPORTS.com

Thanks,

-Joey