Calling shutterbugs everywhere! Would you like to showcase your photography work easily? Imagine you can choose from slideshows, portfolio views or other options to display your best work.
Common Question about Photography Website:
My friend used Smugmug but they doubled their prices! That really sucked. I am looking for the best alternative for my photo storage and printing needs. I was wondering what would you recommend so far.
My main requirement is ability to publish on my own domain name.
In other words, this SumgMug alternative should also work with the top vendors in the industry to deliver highest quality prints and products.
Expert Answer:
You have 2 options when it comes to photo hosting. You can either get an all-in-one photo hosting, or you can build your own website, i.e DIY. You will have full control of your website with the later.
Option 1:
If you do not want to get into web development, then all-in-one service such as Zenfolio is the recommended option for you.
Zenfolio all the way. Zenfolio is very easy, very managable, much faster than smugmug. Heck I do not even like looking at smugmug galleries because they are too slow.
Follow this link for FREE TRIAL. No credit card required. Click here to get your free premium account.
Why Zenfolio? What appealed me the most is the Unlimited level subscription, which adds truly unlimited storage to all the features of the Basic plan.
This particular option will save hours of education that it takes to become a web developer, while allowing you an impressive degree of freedom and customization on an ongoing basis. If you are just looking for a fast way to share photos online with your clients before a shoot, and allow them to purchase photos online, go for this option. If you are just a hobby photographer who just want a basic website to send potential customers to, then this is definitely your best solution.
Option 2:
This is the method where you first get a web hosting account from a website hosting company such as Hostgator. Then you install a content-management system such as WordPress. Lastly, you configure your website which includes setting up a professional photography theme.
This may sound complicated but actually it is quite straightforward. Only a bare minimum of programming knowledge is needed to get started and if you get stuck help is available from either the WordPress forums or the knowledgable hosting support. It is useful (but not essential) to know HTML and CSS to be able to modify the layout.
There are a wide choices of web hosting providers these days but you want the best hosting company at the right price. We have used Hostgator for almost 10 years and we have been amazed with their responsive customer support and unbelievable uptime. We have tried some other 8 hosting providers but HG is simply amazing. If you are unsure if this strategy can meet your requirements, or you have specific question, try the Live Chat at HG. They are fast and knowledgeable. You can also try Hostgator for almost free.
What are the benefits of having your own hosting account, you may ask?. Here are four good reasons:
- At Zenfolio, you have to pay 12% fee when you sell products from partner labs, pay 4% fee when you self-fulfill your own orders, and pay 8% fee when you sell digital products. If you host your own website, you pay nothing from your sale (as oppose to the first option above)
- Unlimited storage space not only for your photos, but anything you want to put on your website (including PDFs, presentations, videos, raw images, designs, digital products)
- You can host more domain names when you want to expand your business
- The service from the first option above can hike or even double the fees and percentages (just like what Smugmug did), but with your own hosting your cost is more constant, i.e the web hosting which is only about $10/month.
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