PRO Feature comparison--s.m. versus others?

tmanchester · July 20, 2006

I have been a smugmug pro for a year now, and am considering other options at renewal time (just like I do with insurance).

I recently looked into Exposure Manager, and saw this:

http://www.exposuremanager.com/scripts/website.pl?rm=compare

Is there a similar chart that smugmug has put together that may show their advantages?

Andy · July 20, 2006

tmanchester wrote:

I have been a smugmug pro for a year now, and am considering other options at renewal time (just like I do with insurance).

I recently looked into Exposure Manager, and saw this:

http://www.exposuremanager.com/scripts/website.pl?rm=compare

Is there a similar chart that smugmug has put together that may show their advantages?

Hi Thomas, thanks for posting. There is no chart. Couple inaccuracies noted:

Rapid Keywording tool? Sure, we have that.

Online sharpening and color correction? We have that. I suppose it's all in the semantics, though.

Customizable image sizes? Sure we have that.

The other stuff is accurate.

We don't have (yet) custom watermarks, digital downloads, packages, coupons. All of these have been discussed in other Exposure Manager threads here on Dgrin, and in other threads here in the support forum.

Sure, we don't have some very important features that you and other pros want. We plan on having them. I hope we do, in time for your renewal, Thomas.

What I will stack up 1000x over against any other company, in this business, is the way in which we do business, 365 days a year, holidays included, to bend over backwards to satisfy our pros and their customers. Everyday stuff like redoing a pro's website for him. Everyday stuff like redoing a complete pro order at no charge to the pro or the customer, because the customer goofed, ordered glossy when they wanted Lustre. Everyday stuff like saving a pro's bacon when he's uploaded a file of poor quality, doesn't notice, customer orders, print is bad, writes us, I fix it, get new print overnight to customer in time for deadline event. Everyday stuff like completely reworking an off-color group photo in mixed lighting, making painstaking white balance and other color corrections, professionally, rapidly, and at no charge to either the pro or the pro's customer.

We'll get there in terms of missing pro features. But when shopping around, a question I'd ask is, how will they take care of me?

tmanchester · July 20, 2006

Andy wrote:

Hi Thomas, thanks for posting. There is no chart. Couple inaccuracies noted:

Rapid Keywording tool? Sure, we have that.

Online sharpening and color correction? We have that. I suppose it's all in the semantics, though.

Customizable image sizes? Sure we have that.

The other stuff is accurate.

We don't have (yet) custom watermarks, digital downloads, packages, coupons. All of these have been discussed in other Exposure Manager threads here on Dgrin, and in other threads here in the support forum.

Sure, we don't have some very important features that you and other pros want. We plan on having them. I hope we do, in time for your renewal, Thomas.

What I will stack up 1000x over against any other company, in this business, is the way in which we do business, 365 days a year, holidays included, to bend over backwards to satisfy our pros and their customers. Everyday stuff like redoing a pro's website for him. Everyday stuff like redoing a complete pro order at no charge to the pro or the customer, because the customer goofed, ordered glossy when they wanted Lustre. Everyday stuff like saving a pro's bacon when he's uploaded a file of poor quality, doesn't notice, customer orders, print is bad, writes us, I fix it, get new print overnight to customer in time for deadline event. Everyday stuff like completely reworking an off-color group photo in mixed lighting, making painstaking white balance and other color corrections, professionally, rapidly, and at no charge to either the pro or the pro's customer.

We'll get there in terms of missing pro features. But when shopping around, a question I'd ask is, how will they take care of me?

Thanks, Andy.

In all candor, the help and service you've given me has been great. The problem I see is that there are a lot of things in the "We don't have (yet)" column that have been requested features (by lots of pros) for a long time--at least as long as I've been around, that is.

The truth is, one doesn't know the answer to the "how will they take care of me" question until that time comes. All one has to go by is the recommendations of others.

Smugmug support and service for the features that exist have been great--no question about that. If I leave, it won't be because I have not gotten what I was promised. If I do decide to go elsewhere, it will be more because of what smugmug is not, rather than what it is.

Thanks again.

mercphoto · July 20, 2006

I have accounts on both services and each have their advantages. You'll have to ask yourself what are your most important needs in a provider and which one meets the most important needs. You will probably find either of them lacking in some way, which makes the decision harder, but if you prioritize what you need versus what you want you should arrive at the best compromise for your needs.

tmanchester · July 20, 2006

mercphoto wrote:

I have accounts on both services and each have their advantages. You'll have to ask yourself what are your most important needs in a provider and which one meets the most important needs. You will probably find either of them lacking in some way, which makes the decision harder, but if you prioritize what you need versus what you want you should arrive at the best compromise for your needs.

True--that's what I'm considering now.

BTW, sorry about the poor timing referrin gyou to TX photo forum. They have never, ever been down since I joined, and now their server is fried. Don't let that turn you off--when they get back up, they'll be a valuable resource again.

TalkieT · July 21, 2006

tmanchester wrote:

I have been a smugmug pro for a year now, and am considering other options at renewal time (just like I do with insurance).

I recently looked into Exposure Manager, and saw this:

http://www.exposuremanager.com/scripts/website.pl?rm=compare

Is there a similar chart that smugmug has put together that may show their advantages?

Thanks for this heads up... My renewal is coming up in December and if SM hasn't implemented or stated they will implement a digital DL service, I'm definitely switching to one that offers it... Exposure Manager looks pretty clean.

I love the customisability of SM, and the forums, and the speed, but I really want a couple of new specific features and I don't believe they are going to be implemented here.

Regards
Neil G

Baldy · July 21, 2006

tmanchester wrote:

The problem I see is that there are a lot of things in the "We don't have (yet)" column that have been requested features (by lots of pros) for a long time--at least as long as I've been around, that is.

A very fair and accurate point, Tom.

When I was a geophysicist, it seemed very logical to most people that since an earthquake hadn't happened in California for a long time, things had gotten pretty safe from earthquakes.

But geophysicists thought about it the other way, that earthquakes were therefore more likely. Just sayin', and not trying to be cute about it.

Like Apple and Google, we don't pre-announce features. But we've been occupied in some pretty big initiatives that we were determined to stay with until they were right, like Amazon for storage redundancy (Flickr was offline for several hours during prime time yesterday because they don't have that), customization, building out a support center in Utah, etc.

No doubt there are some things we could have prioritized better, but I feel we had to stick by the big things to build a solid foundation.

JimM · July 21, 2006

Does EM accept all of your high-res photos? I really like this about SM, as I know they are now sitting off site from my computer (redundancy) and my customers can order anything up without me having to do anything else.

mbrady · July 21, 2006

Baldy wrote:

When I was a geophysicist, it seemed very logical to most people that since an earthquake hadn't happened in California for a long time, things had gotten pretty safe from earthquakes.

But geophysicists thought about it the other way, that earthquakes were therefore more likely. Just sayin', and not trying to be cute about it.

So you're saying that the longer smugmug goes between upgrades, the more likely California is to having an earthquake?
I live in California! Hurry up with the next release!

cwphotos · July 21, 2006

I want to throw in my .02 here because I rarely do when the whole "SM doesnt have what I want debate" comes up but I want to personally share my experience. My 1 year is coming up soon and I have no intent on changing. The service and support I have recieved here are bar none the best I have seen from any company. Do they have everything I want? No not yet. But I keep a tiny link in my quicklinks section for smugblog and check it daily to see when something new is released. I know they are going to spring some of the features on us soon enough and have no problem waiting. Digital downloads, watermarks, etc. can wait for me I guess....though you may need them more than me. I just want to encourage some people to not jump ship and just ride out the growing process and I dont think you will be sorry.

Whew....long post. Back to work for me.

Baldy · July 21, 2006

cwphotos wrote:

Do they have everything I want? No not yet. But I know they are going to spring some of the features on us soon enough.

Customers like you make the SmugMug team burn the midnight oil. Our worst nightmare would be to make a liar out of you.

We all watch Andy pour his heart into supporting the pros and twist in the wind when he wants so badly to say, "We'll have that on _______" but can't.

It'll be a great day when he can.

DouglasFoto · August 5, 2006

I have been a Smugmug user for a little over a year now. The service my customers and I receive from Smugmug has been more than I expected. I'm a CPA and have a passion for photography. Smugmug has allowed me to sell my work very easily - all I have to do is photograph. They have made it very easy for me.

I would like to see other services added. I really want photo packages and I'm sure this service will be added soon as so many users have asked for it.

I know other services are out there with cheaper print costs and additional services, but the customer service provided by Smugmug will keep me a satisfied customer.

I just hit 3,000 online sales thanks to my relationship with Smugmug. And no, I am not a paid spokesperson(lol).

Pat Douglas

onethumb · August 6, 2006

tmanchester wrote:

I have been a smugmug pro for a year now, and am considering other options at renewal time (just like I do with insurance).

I recently looked into Exposure Manager, and saw this:

http://www.exposuremanager.com/scripts/website.pl?rm=compare

Is there a similar chart that smugmug has put together that may show their advantages?

That chart was never accurate to begin with, but withour most recent release, is seriously out-of-date.

I emailed them about it, politely asking them to update their chart. I never heard anything back.

I'd rather keep things friendly and not force the issue by threatening legal action or something, so if any of you are also their customer and wouldn't mind nicely reminding them that their chart is out of date, I'd appreciate it.

Here's exactly what I wrote to them:

---
Hey Exposure Manager,

I'm Don MacAskill, the CEO over at SmugMug, and I think you've got a great services comparison chart. Unfortunately, it's got some out-of-date information on it. Would you mind updating it?

We've had these features for a long time (prior to the chart's existence, I believe):

- Rapid keywording tool
- Customizable image sizes
- Upload multiple galleries at once
- Online color correction

Just today, we added these features:

- Customizable watermarking
- Upload small 'display only' files
- Digital fulfillment

Thanks, and keep up the good work!

Don
---

Feel free to copy it or use your own words, but please do be polite - they seem to be a good company and the email probably just got lost.

Don

DTMPhotos · August 18, 2006

Thoughts on SM vs EM

Andy wrote:

What I will stack up 1000x over against any other company, in this business, is the way in which we do business, 365 days a year, holidays included, to bend over backwards to satisfy our pros and their customers. Everyday stuff like redoing a pro's website for him. Everyday stuff like redoing a complete pro order at no charge to the pro or the customer, because the customer goofed, ordered glossy when they wanted Lustre. Everyday stuff like saving a pro's bacon when he's uploaded a file of poor quality, doesn't notice, customer orders, print is bad, writes us, I fix it, get new print overnight to customer in time for deadline event. Everyday stuff like completely reworking an off-color group photo in mixed lighting, making painstaking white balance and other color corrections, professionally, rapidly, and at no charge to either the pro or the pro's customer.

We'll get there in terms of missing pro features. But when shopping around, a question I'd ask is, how will they take care of me?

FWIW...Due to an issue I stumbled across and mentioned to EM, I actually have a free "lifetime" subscription to EM. Check out my gallery there. Oh, you couldnt' find it? Gee...That's because I'm still on SM (and here I actually pay!). There are a number of features that EM has that I'd love to have on SM (especially packages, self-fulfillment of non-print products and prepays) but many that SM has recently added that have made a real difference in my sales (like digital downloads). The real test? When I have an issue or a question (or more importantly, when a customer does), I email help@smugmug.com and almost without exception, within an hour someone has emailed me back. I've NEVER heard "you'll have to wait until Monday" and their help link is prominently posted throughout the pages. It is the customer service/satisfaction that discreminates SM from EM. Hands down.

IMHO of course...

Derek
(guess there goes my EM freebie!)

Rheascope · April 26, 2007

In need of help and more features !

Greetings to all photographers and artists !
I just found this old post on Google search and wanted to ask you some questions about Smugmug .

I am prof. photographer and digital artist . I am looking for perfect hosting service where I can build my portfoilo / store site .My main product is stock photography and illsutrations . I also want to sell fine art prints, gift items , image collections on CD's and downloadable in zip files , plus I want to sell services .
Smugmug pro account looks like right site for this but it missing some important features , this comparison chart that was mentioned in this post is very useful because you can see what other similar service can propose to their users .

OK here are my main questions , I hope somebody can help me that I could make right decision which service is better for me .
I want my site to have nice portfoilo section and easy to build and navigate store section all on one site .
1.As I understand Smugmug have web builder . If it is easy to use for someone who is not familiar with coding ?
2.If it is possible to have one common shoping cart where I could sell not only prints provided by smugmug but also my own products and services ( self fullfilled ) ??
As I understand such feature is not possible at this moment . If you are working on this feature in future ? How long it will take to have such feature ? What can you advice to me that I could build such self fullfilment section of my store on my own ? Do I need to buy some other hosting site with shoping cart for this purpose and then to integrate it with Smugmug ? How can I do this , which hosts can you recomend ? Maybe exposuremanager site is right for this because they have both types of products self and theirs ?

3.What is better on Smugmug compare to exposuremanager ?
4. I noticed that their site has fee 1.75$ for each digital download .
If Smugmug have any fee ? I cant find this information anywhere or I am missing something ?
5. How can I sell downloadable zip files through Smugmug ?

This is all for now , please somebody help me !

Thank you !
Rheascope .

Andy · April 27, 2007

Rheascope wrote:

1.As I understand Smugmug have web builder . If it is easy to use for someone who is not familiar with coding ?

You bet - and we can help you, all of us and the community here on Dgrin. Start here:
http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=52812

2.If it is possible to have one common shoping cart where I could sell not only prints provided by smugmug but also my own products and services ( self fullfilled ) ??
As I understand such feature is not possible at this moment . If you are working on this feature in future ? How long it will take to have such feature ?

What can you advice to me that I could build such self fullfilment section of my store on my own ? Do I need to buy some other hosting site with shoping cart for this purpose and then to integrate it with Smugmug ? How can I do this , which hosts can you recomend ?

At present, only our products through our shopping cart. You can set up your own cart (paypal, Google checkout, etc) for your own type of stuff, too. See www.moonriverphotography.com the portraits link for example

Maybe exposuremanager site is right for this because they have both types of products self and theirs ?

Only you can decide that

3.What is better on Smugmug compare to exposuremanager ?

Well, I'm biased, but I think we have gorgeous albums/sites, unlimited customization, storage, bandwidth, many viewing styles, white-glove service and support.

4. I noticed that their site has fee 1.75$ for each digital download .
If Smugmug have any fee ? I cant find this information anywhere or I am missing something ?

YOU set the prices, and we keep 15% of the difference between cost and your price. Same for photos and dig downloads.

5. How can I sell downloadable zip files through Smugmug ?

Not sure what this last means, can you clarify?

Rheascope · April 28, 2007

Thank you !
Thank you Andy for such detailed and fast response !
That is one big plus to Smugmug - such great community

Correct me if I am not right , we can add paypal or another carts in description section of image in HTML ?
I tried your cart and found out that I cant remove anything from it or continue shopping etc so it seems not the greatest of carts and not customizable . Well hopefuly paypal cart will be better .

OK about zip files , I mean collection of files / images stored on one zip folder which can be uploaded to site and then can be downloaded through link on this site for free or for fee .
By learning all info at Smugmug I understood that it is impossible here . If this is correct or I missed something ?
Speaking about files , can you tell me which files can be uploaded here ? Such as Psd , Psp, flash , zip folders etc ??

And last question for now , please can you tell me if it is possible to customize style , color and header of each page/ gallery or it stays the same at whole site ? If I understood correct I can change style of gallery but how about header ( banner ) ?

Thanks again !
Rhea :s85

Andy · April 30, 2007

Rheascope wrote:

Correct me if I am not right , we can add paypal or another carts in description section of image in HTML ?
I tried your cart and found out that I cant remove anything from it or continue shopping etc so it seems not the greatest of carts and not customizable . Well hopefuly paypal cart will be better .

Yes, well they have their limits, eh? I only use it for deposits and such

You put them in captions, or gallery descriptions, yep.

OK about zip files , I mean collection of files / images stored on one zip folder which can be uploaded to site and then can be downloaded through link on this site for free or for fee .
By learning all info at Smugmug I understood that it is impossible here . If this is correct or I missed something ?

Impossible? No - but you can't store the zip on SmugMug. You can link it, in a gallery, and have it stored elsewhere (even on a free site, like http://pages.google.com )

Speaking about files , can you tell me which files can be uploaded here ? Such as Psd , Psp, flash , zip folders etc ??

http://www.smugmug.com/help/upload-photos

And last question for now , please can you tell me if it is possible to customize style , color and header of each page/ gallery or it stays the same at whole site ? If I understood correct I can change style of gallery but how about header ( banner ) ?

Thanks again !
Rhea :s85

You can customize nearly anything, and different galleries & categories can have different look/feel.

If you'd like to see some of the possibilities, have a look here: http://dgrin.smugmug.com/gallery/1801307 for some really well done SmugMug sites!

PRO Feature comparison--s.m. versus others?

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