Looking to build a website.

[Nikon_Canuck]

So I'm hoping to get some feedback on what good website providers there are out there. I've tried Bludomain before, they're average at best but I like what they offer. I'd like something similar to what Bludomain provides, classy and slick flash website templates, easy to use (no html knowledge required). Obviously I'm building a photography website, features I'd like include: a shopping cart setup that uses paypal preferably, multiple galleries, a passworded proofing section for clients and externals links to my blog. It would also be nice to be able to register a domain name and host through the same company (this isn't a necessity, its just easier).

I'm just not sure what other options there are out there to bludomain, if anyone has used another company I'd appreciate some help.

[Rocky8]

Flash is on the way out. It's too shoddy. It's being replaced by HTML5.

[bevilaquafoto]

liveBooks - websites designed to get you more business

They're expensive, but I've heard good things about them.

[Karen Skelly]

I just set my website up thru Creative Motion Design and it's really easy to set up and make updates.

www.creativemotiondesign.com

my website: www.karenskellyphoto.com

They do have many other templates to chose from.

[Emma Holden]

Originally Posted by Rocky8

Flash is on the way out. It's too shoddy. It's being replaced by HTML5.

what a nonsense! here are at least 5 reasons why it's a whole lifetime before HTML 5 replaces Flash Know what Ancient Maya said about Adobe Flash Apocalypse? | Flash Scope Blog

[Emma Holden]

btw, did you check ReadyPhotoSite.com? They offer editable website for photographers and they are totally affordable. It's great that you can customize the site exactly to your needs and you don't have to be a computer wiz to do that. You can also choose where to host your site..they are cool and really helpful support! be sure to take a look at this service.

[hotelfive]

I used a template from Portfoliositez.com and have been very happy with it. I've said it before, the customer service I received from them was by far the best I've ever received (not just including photo stuff). I had a bunch of questions in setting it up and ALWAYS got a reply within a couple hours. The sites are fully customizable and have all the features you say you are looking for.

Here's mine just for an example: http://www.elmsphotography.ca

[JackAZ]

Originally Posted by Emma Holden

what a nonsense! here are at least 5 reasons why it's a whole lifetime before HTML 5 replaces Flash Know what Ancient Maya said about Adobe Flash Apocalypse? | Flash Scope Blog

That's a great read on the whole Flash/HTML 5 topic. I think we'll see HTML 5 progress quicker on the business apps end than we will in replacing Flash. I really like the quote at the end about using the right tool for the job, and Flash is definitely not the right tool for touchscreen devices, I wish people would quite crying about it. Of course, if Adobe would just port Flash to a few touchscreen devices I think the whining of how it doesn't work would far surpass the current whining about it not existing for them.

Oops, didn't mean to get so far off topic. SmugMug is super simple to set up and offers a few account options. You can even get custom third party templates.

[pwilgus]

Did you look into Zenfolio.com or Smugmug.com. Both have everything you are looking for.

[jbyrum]

I agree with some of the earlier posts, creativemotiondesign is awesome and very affordable. Another alternative is to use ifreelance.com to find a developer. My site us currently being re designed and I used both places that I mentioned and paid $400. ANother thing that I would strongly recommend is to involve a female in this process! Most of this business, our customers, are women so you must appeal to and market to females.