Changing my website host?

Discussion

5 replies

Posted by Buck Ward on February 28, 2013 at 4:29 PM

I've had a Smugmug Pro website for a few years. Smugmug has raised their rates, so I'm considering moving to Zenfolio or another host rather than renewing my Smugmug account. I am deficient in web skills, so having to start over again with a new website is daunting to me. If I sold a lot through the website, the price increase wouldn't be that big a deal. It pays for itself, but it ain't making me rich and famous.

Zenfolio is the only website host I'm aware of that seems to be comparable to SmugMug in the services they offer. Does anybody have experience with both hosts?

Are their other hosts out there who offer similar services, i.e. an attactive, easily customizable website with a shopping cart and good quality printing service?

Posted by Eva McDermott on February 28, 2013 at 6:09 PM

Hi Buck - I use Zenfolio and I am very happy with it an all its features. It is very easy to set up as well as personalize. I originally had a Smug Mug account but found it difficult to personalize.

Posted by Dan Roberts on February 28, 2013 at 7:09 PM

I never had a SmugMug account but did the free trial thing with them and Zenfolio. I went with Zen feeling that they were overall simpler without sacrificing any functionality relative to SmugMug. It is pretty easy to negotiate and cutomizable with or without web skills and has easily configurable marketing functions. Be advised they were recently bought out and though there hasn't been any suggesting of rate changes one should be aware of the possibility.

Posted by Andrew Sentipal on March 1, 2013 at 6:13 AM

Buck,

I just started my website and went with Zenfolio after many positive comments from NPN members. They were easy to use and have great customer service if you get stuck. Try it for 30 days and see all the different templates they have available. They have a 50 page guide on geting started so I would look at that first. Check out my site as one option www.andrewscamera.com.

Good luck

Andrew

Posted by Myer Bornstein on March 1, 2013 at 7:09 AM

I am using PhotoShelter, very easy to use and a lot of options, they do have a free trial http://www.photoshelter.com/referral/MY9BX2V42B

Check out my site www. photobee1.com

Posted by Nancy de Flon on March 1, 2013 at 8:27 AM

I use Zenfolio and find it easy to negotiate. They have different rates depending on how heavily kinvolved you want to be in selling your work online.