Online Portfolio?

[Ariel]

Hi, I have been a member of POTN for a few years, shy on postings but not new to the forum or photo community. I have started taking photography more seriously in the last year and would like to create a portfolio (online) for potential clients. Any help ? Suggestions on where to start ? Just adding, i'm not looking for a hosting site, but for a professional looking solution to capture customers online. An info, comments, critique, advice, will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Ariel

[spuddevans]

There are many places that will do that for you and offer various levels of customizaton for you to make the site your own. There is Exposure Manager, Zenfolio and Smugmug to name just 3, although there are many more.

Most of them will give you a free trial so you can try several and then settle on whichever you want to stick with, and the 3 that I mentioned will also do print fulfillment and shipping for you.

I went with Smugmug ( click here for a discount ) (http://www.smugmug.com/?referrer=3MDk82MhINcPg) and am very happy with the service. They have a brilliant support forum, super fast help-desk and just about the best customer service I have experienced. You also can customise your site quite easily with Cut-&-Paste code from the support forum Dgrin.


But like I said, try a few out, read up about them and then make your informed choice, that's what I did, and I'm sure you will be happy with what you decide on.

Tim

[spuddevans]

I forgot to say, check out the Sticky (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=163130), there's a shed load of links there to photo hosting sites both free and pay.

Tim

[sodalis]

The three sites mentioned above (EM, Zen, and Smug) were the final three that I found myself choosing between. The best advice is to try the free trials at several sites and then choose. In the end I went with Exposure Manager and have been quite happy with them so far. They have some decent default layouts to choose from, and if you know how to code or are willing to learn the customization is almost limitless.

One of the big deciding factors for me was the branding that is possible with EM. With Exposure Manager you can remove all links to their site (no links saying "This site powered by...) and when a customer goes to the shopping cart it appears to still be part of your site.

Their commission and print prices are also some of the lowest. Print quality has been excellent. I've had prints done on their glossy, matte, and metallic papers all the way up to 24x36" and all have been stunning.

My site is in my sig, if you want to try the 15 day free trial you can use this link and get us both a discount if you choose to sign up: http://www.exposuremanager.com/aff/shadowhillsphoto

[glenphoto]

Ariel and everyone,
I have good photography skills and knowledge, but have very little knowledge and skills with regards to computer skills, like e-mailing photos to other people and just simply the first steps with what to do after you have the photos on the memory card(compactflash,SD cards). I have the card readers on my computer tower to insert the memory card, but what are the next steps in e-mailing and sending these photos. I need simple and easy directions to follow as I am a complete novice with computers. I have the AT&T internet services with "MY photos" as one of the headings. I have been offered a part time photographer position that is part ime in nature for a hospital setting(bay photos), so I would really like a quick crash course in the basics starting from ground zero. The company provides much of the training, but I would still feel a lot more comfortable if I can even be familar with basic computer skills related to computer photo e-mailing and sending, storing, etc. Any help would be greatly appreciated> Thanks, glenphoto

[Skids]

I am now looking into hosting my pictures on one of these sites.

Can anybody advise a site that is UK based? The reason I ask is that if people order prints I would want them to be able to order from a UK shop for good delivery times prices etc.

Many Thanks

[BermyFunk]

To the OP I went with zenfolio to start my online portfolio and I love it. Great look, I can control prices and coupons, and track whos going to my website and from where using google analytics. You can use my referal code for $5 off to if you decide to go with zenfolio.

[Skids]

I have now gone with Zenfolio and I am pleased with it too.

Uploads are a bit slow mind you