Bludomain? Photobiz? Clickbooq? What are you using for your flash website?

CeciliaGrins

Has anyone used any of these three? I'm considering them for my upcoming website, but can't decide. If you are using something else, please let me know too. Seriously need feedback. Thanks!

Art Scott

SMUGMUG!!!!!clapclapthumbthumbbowbowbow
Is there any where else????? SERIOUSLY?????dunno

CeciliaGrins

Thanks, Art! I'm planning to keep SmugMug for the client gallery. Plus, you know how it is, gotta find out what the options are out there.

Art Scott wrote:

SMUGMUG!!!!!clapclapthumbthumbbowbowbow
Is there any where else????? SERIOUSLY?????dunno

Art Scott

I have a few galleries sped out over: REDBUBBLE....FLIKR.....DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHER......all free.......just a way to get more exposure...REDBUBBLE is so I can have my "Art for Your Walls" gallery open to those not able to or it is easier for them not to have to convert to the ALMIGHTY US DOLLAR.......soif someone wants to use euros they can go to REDBUBBLE.........both will have the exact same offerings here very soon.

Moogle Pepper

I use bludomain. I don't like their text editing protocol. It is very strange and sometimes a real pain in the ass. Their service is a love or hate affair, I had great service with them but others I read haven't. You just need to be patient.

I have a one year contract with them, but I am looking to jump to photobiz at the time of the end of my year.

CeciliaGrins

Thanks for the feedback, Ted! I'll definitely keep it in mind.

Moogle Pepper wrote:

I use bludomain. I don't like their text editing protocol. It is very strange and sometimes a real pain in the ass. Their service is a love or hate affair, I had great service with them but others I read haven't. You just need to be patient.

I have a one year contract with them, but I am looking to jump to photobiz at the time of the end of my year.

CeciliaGrins

I've tried Red Bubble and Flickr, but not Digital Photographer. Will check it later. Thanks!

Art Scott wrote:

I have a few galleries sped out over: REDBUBBLE....FLIKR.....DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHER......all free.......just a way to get more exposure...REDBUBBLE is so I can have my "Art for Your Walls" gallery open to those not able to or it is easier for them not to have to convert to the ALMIGHTY US DOLLAR.......soif someone wants to use euros they can go to REDBUBBLE.........both will have the exact same offerings here very soon.

FedererPhoto

I use federerphotography.com ...

Seriously, I just rolled my own. My client galleries are flash program as well, also hosted on my site. I've very happy with it, and get quite a few compliments.

Art Scott

CeciliaGrins wrote:

I've tried Red Bubble and Flickr, but not Digital Photographer. Will check it later. Thanks!

Digital Photographer is an online and hard copy UK photo mag.....they offered FREE galleries several months ago and I jumped at it just to spread my name around.....I had tried some other Uk sites and was turned down due to not living in the UK.....they just did not like the US addressing system I guess.......I currently read mostly the UK photo mags and try to get into any gallery online I can plce work, an enail and link to my site.........

My smuggy is my only pay for site and will remain that way as long as I stay with them......but I will put photos up every where I can for FREE.

CeciliaGrins

thanks guys!
Much appreciate the feedback.

ShepsMom

I've been using Photobiz for the last couple of years, never had a problem. The only thing is, they charge by how many pictures you have. The more you want, the more expensive it will be. Excellent customer service, very friendly and easy. Their shopping cart comes with it, for one time set up fee. Coupons and packages offered as well.


I had bludomain at one point, it was a PITA to get anyone to answer any questions, so i left them.

CeciliaGrins

Thanks, Marina. I'm on a trial basis with Photobiz right now, just not sure if it's a cost-effective way to go.

ShepsMom wrote:

I've been using Photobiz for the last couple of years, never had a problem. The only thing is, they charge by how many pictures you have. The more you want, the more expensive it will be. Excellent customer service, very friendly and easy. Their shopping cart comes with it, for one time set up fee. Coupons and packages offered as well.


I had bludomain at one point, it was a PITA to get anyone to answer any questions, so i left them.

JohnBiggs

You can go to something like template monster, buy a template that you like, then host it anywhere. Godaddy is fairly cheap.

dogwood

Livebooks is what I use. Smugmug for client proofing.

Yes, livebooks is expensive but it's worth it. Talk to just about any photo consultant, editor, etc. They'll tell you that livebooks is the standard for a professional photographer website and if you can't design or buy one that is up to the speed, design, etc of livebooks, you should just go with livebooks.

JohnBiggs

dogwood wrote:

Livebooks is what I use. Smugmug for client proofing.

Yes, livebooks is expensive but it's worth it. Talk to just about any photo consultant, editor, etc. They'll tell you that livebooks is the standard for a professional photographer website and if you can't design or buy one that is up to the speed, design, etc of livebooks, you should just go with livebooks.

Livebooks is like locking yourself in a box. You'll have a very static site (except for adding new pics) which may look good this year, but...

FedererPhoto

JohnBiggs wrote:

Livebooks is like locking yourself in a box. You'll have a very static site (except for adding new pics) which may look good this year, but...

I'm really surprised more people haven't suggested writing your own. For a few hours of learning (probably less time than you've spent looking for 'templates' (that look like everyone elses' site) , you could learn how to make your own. It's only hard 'voodoo magic' until you learn it.

dogwood

FedererPhoto wrote:

I'm really surprised more people haven't suggested writing your own. For a few hours of learning (probably less time than you've spent looking for 'templates' (that look like everyone elses' site) , you could learn how to make your own. It's only hard 'voodoo magic' until you learn it.

Personally, I think making your own is great idea but if you can't make it as fast or nice as a livebooks site, you shouldn't bother. Just my two cents. Livebooks really is the industry standard right now. Potential clients are going to notice a self-designed site and they'll realize right away that you're a budget photographer.

Originally Posted by JohnBiggs
Livebooks is like locking yourself in a box. You'll have a very static site (except for adding new pics) which may look good this year, but...

Well, why not change the site every year? The benefit of livebooks is you get to work with an actual designer when you do this. Does it cost money? Yes, of course. Quality does cost money.

I find it ironic that most of us would encourage potential clients to pay a professional photographer for their photo needs. Yet you're unwilling to pay a designer to create a website or redesign a website. Just seems like a double standard to me. Your website is your NUMBER 1 piece of marketing. Why skimp? You wouldn't shoot a wedding with a Canon Rebel and kit lens (as least I hope not) so why use a poorly designed website to present your work to the world?

There's such a thing as being penny-wise and pound foolish. JohnBiggs-- when I go to your self-designed site, the first and most prominent thing I notice is the smugmug logo center screen as I wait (and wait) for photos to load. As a potential client, I'd be wondering, "What is smugmug? Where are the photos? Why do I have to scroll down to see photos in galleries?"

Good or bad, clients do judge you on your website design.

FedererPhoto

dogwood wrote:

Livebooks really is the industry standard right now.

Potential clients are going to notice a self-designed site and they'll realize right away that you're a budget photographer.

In the same way they might notice you are using the same design as every other person in the industry and might think you have no creative talent.


No, seriously, I do get your point. A website is soooo important, if you can't do it right yourself*, hire it out to someone who can. I completely agree with what you had to say. There are places where you can save and it doesn't matter - your most important marketing tool, your website, is not (normally) one of those places.

*and even if you can, ask yourself if it's worth the time -- 50+ hours of work vs 3 hours and 1000 dollars. 47 hours to spend making yourself better and/or doing more jobs and/or marketing.


That having been said, I've gotten quite a few compliments on my site - which I made myself.

dogwood

FedererPhoto wrote:

In the same way they might notice you are using the same design as every other person in the industry and might think you have no creative talent.

Not sure what you mean here. Livebooks individually designs sites-- no two sites are the same and they don't use templates.

FedererPhoto

dogwood wrote:

Not sure what you mean here. Livebooks individually designs sites-- no two sites are the same and they don't use templates.

Tounge-in-cheek comment/joke. More directed at the template buyers. Everyone can ignore.

CeciliaGrins

Thanks for the tip about Livebooks. I'll check it out later today. Much appreciate your tips, folks!

Sheryl Widberg

Question for you???

Moogle Pepper wrote:

I use bludomain. I don't like their text editing protocol. It is very strange and sometimes a real pain in the ass. Their service is a love or hate affair, I had great service with them but others I read haven't. You just need to be patient.

I have a one year contract with them, but I am looking to jump to photobiz at the time of the end of my year.

How did you integrate with your smug mug site? I'm at a loss as to how to proceed. Bludomain help nor smugmug help can help....Can you help?

CherryChick

I use Readyphotosite Stylish design, easy navigation and administration, user-friendly flash. However, not as many template options as at Bluedomain, but the template has more features to offer. I really like their gallery option. You can easily sell photos with Readyphotosite, too, but I haven't gotten their yet. You may take a look at my photo website. If you do, please, let me know what you think 'cause I've just launched mine recently.

ShepsMom

Cherry, i took a look
It's clean and easy to the eye, nothing complicated. I found it user friendly, simple but yet elegant.
Good work!

Photog4Christ

CeciliaGrins wrote:

Has anyone used any of these three? I'm considering them for my upcoming website, but can't decide. If you are using something else, please let me know too. Seriously need feedback. Thanks!

Big Folio

I know that you are going to think the price is high, but trust me, it is worth it. I used them for over three years. I canceled only because I closed my photography business.

These guys are TOP NOTCH. The customer service is 5 DIAMOND! They will go above and beyond for you.

Contact them and ask for Mike. Tell them that Neal Jacob sent you. (well, if you do that, he might charge you more!!! just kidding!!!)

BTW... Standard costs less than Premium. All the details are on their web site.

CherryChick

ShepsMom wrote:

Cherry, i took a look
It's clean and easy to the eye, nothing complicated. I found it user friendly, simple but yet elegant.
Good work!

Thanks! Glag you liked it! It's a new software that's been recently launched. I think they did a great job on accumulating the experiences of all the previous platforms.