What image hosting/online sales program do you use?

[jclark319]

I have my own site and used to take orders, have a Paypal option for payment and such. I then had the photos printed and sent to me to check them...usually more than one order at a time. I would then send each out. This was a headache...especially after I got covered up.
Since I moved this summer I started using Printroom (free sign on fee for being a Sportsshooter member). I have yet to develop an opinion of them since I have been working most every day since. I set the prices I want, they recieve the order and payment, email me with the order, I process those files and load them for print. Printroom prints, packages and ships the orders. Then they send me a check each month minus 30% for them.

[UBSeng]

Originally Posted by jclark319

I have my own site and used to take orders, have a Paypal option for payment and such. I then had the photos printed and sent to me to check them...usually more than one order at a time. I would then send each out. This was a headache...especially after I got covered up.
Since I moved this summer I started using Printroom (free sign on fee for being a Sportsshooter member). I have yet to develop an opinion of them since I have been working most every day since. I set the prices I want, they recieve the order and payment, email me with the order, I process those files and load them for print. Printroom prints, packages and ships the orders. Then they send me a check each month minus 30% for them.

30%? That's highway robbery! Zenfolio charges 12% and Smugmug, I believe, 15%.

[brice]

And Exposure Manager 10%

Dare to compare

[rex]

Originally Posted by brice

And Exposure Manager 10%

Dare to compare

I want to see some example sites before I think about converting. How customizable is it?

[brice]

Originally Posted by rex

I want to see some example sites before I think about converting. How customizable is it?

Very customizable. If you go to the samples link it will take you to several customized examples. You can also visit the referenced web sites. Finally, pricing is completely in your control. You pick the products offered and the prices charged and you can customize this to the gallery, maybe even lower, I haven't checked. Gallery at least. You can also offer your own products and they'll take the order and send you an email telling you what the client ordered and how many.

[rex]

Still hard pressed to leave smugmug. I really like how quick they are to respond if you have a question. Only thing I wish smugmug offered were packages and I don't see that with Exposure Manager either?

[bobbyz]

Brice, I think I asked earlier but couldn't see my post, maybe it was on other forum. Anyways, do you have link to your EM web site?

Right now I have smugmug pro. EM has everything but their interface is so old, IMHO. And I wish they had supprt site like dgrin. That's why I don't like Zenfolio either, not much info about customization. I think if someone can offer features of EM with look/feel of zenfolio/smugmug and customer support of smugmug, that would be killer combo.

Rex - EM does offer packages from what I read on their web site.

[brice]

My site is bare bones. I don't do a lot of customization. I WOULD NOT use my site as an example of what you can accomplish with EM. The samples at the link I provided earlier are superior.

You can do packages. Check either gallery I posted here and you'll see you can do packages of almost any kind. You can have single image packages and multi image packages, although creating multi-image packages is different than single image packages.

RE Customer support. all emails are returned within 24 hours, but most are within 4-6 hours and there is a yahoo group for EM.

[UBSeng]

Originally Posted by bobbyz

Brice, I think I asked earlier but couldn't see my post, maybe it was on other forum. Anyways, do you have link to your EM web site?

Right now I have smugmug pro. EM has everything but their interface is so old, IMHO. And I wish they had supprt site like dgrin. That's why I don't like Zenfolio either, not much info about customization. I think if someone can offer features of EM with look/feel of zenfolio/smugmug and customer support of smugmug, that would be killer combo.

Rex - EM does offer packages from what I read on their web site.

I dare say Zenfolio's customer support equals Smugmug's. We had a little issue today on another forum and not only did they respond to users who raised the issue, directly, they also addressed it on that forum and promised to make changes in the immediate future. Talk about listening to your customers . Don't see why you need a whole forum dedicated to support if their support is quick and responsive.

[rex]

Originally Posted by UBSeng

I dare say Zenfolio's customer support equals Smugmug's. We had a little issue today on another forum and not only did they respond to users who raised the issue, directly, they also addressed it on that forum and promised to make changes in the immediate future. Talk about listening to your customers . Don't see why you need a whole forum dedicated to support if their support is quick and responsive.

Smugmug's support far surpasses any support I could ask of any company. Having a forum for support as well you get all the other users to help as well.

Not judging from the galleries posted above I think I will stick with smugmug. They will offer packages soon I am sure of it and have never been disappointed in them.

[brice]

Again, don't use my quick gallery posts to judge EM. There are far better ones. Probably should have just posted the EM Samples and left mine off. I'll go back and edit that.

Glad to hear you are happy with smugmug. I'm sure it's service is just as good as EM, even without the extra benefit of a forum for users.

[bobbyz]

Originally Posted by UBSeng

Don't see why you need a whole forum dedicated to support if their support is quick and responsive.

Well I have looked at Zenfolio and I still find it hard what kind of customization can be done with it. I am not saying Zenfolio is bad or anything, I just wish there was more info for some one who need to tweek the site. Right now only difference I see is themes, maybe i am missing something. Can someone post link to their Zenfolio galleries, where look/feel has been customized?

Thanks.

[UBSeng]

Originally Posted by bobbyz

Well I have looked at Zenfolio and I still find it hard what kind of customization can be done with it. I am not saying Zenfolio is bad or anything, I just wish there was more info for some one who need to tweek the site. Right now only difference I see is themes, maybe i am missing something. Can someone post link to their Zenfolio galleries, where look/feel has been customized?

Thanks.

You can't customize beyond chosing the theme and layout

[bobbyz]

BTW - What kind of warranty Zenfolio provides for their prints (if customer is not satisfied)? I know they use EZPrints (liek smugmug) and also offer Mpix.

Another thing in favor of EM is that prints come with mailer showing your studio address and has some flyer inside also. Smugmug only shows their name. Not sure with Zenfolio.

With smugmug from what I have heard, you don't know who your customers are. I haven't sold anything but that's what I have heard. Would be great if you got contact info so one can send thank you note or some other mkt material later on.

[jclark319]

Originally Posted by UBSeng

30%? That's highway robbery! Zenfolio charges 12% and Smugmug, I believe, 15%.

I know...I just did it during my move this summer. Haven't had a chance to do any research to change...plus I am not shooting much right now. I was recieving a good bit of orders from a basketball tourney I shot in the early spring and during the move I couldn't deal with the hassle I previously did.

I am glad this thread popped up so I can check some places out.

[FocusingOnFlorida]

Originally Posted by UBSeng

30%? That's highway robbery! Zenfolio charges 12% and Smugmug, I believe, 15%.

And mine is 0% because i bought the store and it is hosted on my server.

[StinkyDaddy]

I use Exposure Manager and I really like it.

Have Fun,
Wm.