Online Portfolio suggestions ...

[adilh]

Hi Guys,

I want to create an online portfolio/website for my pictures. I have done a lot of research between all these guys – Zenfolio, Smugmug, 500px, razzi….etc, and still can't make a difference, I know I don't want to use Flash based platform.
I would like to know if you can share your thoughts/experiences with these providers and what’s the best one, I should go with …

Thank you in advance

Adil

[JacobPhoto]

It's all personal preference. Pick the one that you like best.

[GadgetRick]

Originally Posted by JacobPhoto

It's all personal preference. Pick the one that you like best.

I agree. Many of us have tried more than one. They all have pros and cons. You need to decide which is best for you. Most of them will give you a free trial period. Give them each a shot.

[adilh]

Thanks guys, I guess I was looking for more than just “give them a try”… I would rather not upload my pictures all over place and determine which one will work... 14 days or whatever is not enough time to test- I'm a software QA tester-
I should’ve asked what did you like the most on the service provider you are using….
Thanks again

[givtu]

I have used both Zenfolio and SmugMug. I liked how user friendly Zenfolio's interface was to navigate and set up galleries. But severe performance issues caused me to leave them for SmugMug. I don't like SmugMug's user interface very much at all (though I'm getting more used to it), but their down-to-earth customer service and great performance have kept me there for the last 2 years.

[ceegee]

I tried Zenfolio and Smugmug and went with Zenfolio. It seemd much easier to use, and so far has been extremely reliable. I wanted something that could be set up and customized easily, with an attractive layout, and Zenfolio gave me that. Their customer service has also been spot-on, and it's very quick and easy to upload photos. I found the Smugmug interface much harder to deal with, and when I finally managed to set up a basic site I didn't really like how it looked. My 10-year-old daughter also has a Zenfolio site for her photos, and manages it very well. So for me: ease of use, ease of customization, fast uploading and reliability.

[nicksan]

Are you just looking to dump your images somewhere for others to view or are you looking to "advertise" your photography? If the latter, then I would suggest you get your own website. It'll look more professional if done correctly.

That said, between Smug and Zen, I prefer Zen. Folder management is infinitely easier and more intuitive than Smug.

[GadgetRick]

Originally Posted by givtu

I have used both Zenfolio and SmugMug. I liked how user friendly Zenfolio's interface was to navigate and set up galleries. But severe performance issues caused me to leave them for SmugMug. I don't like SmugMug's user interface very much at all (though I'm getting more used to it), but their down-to-earth customer service and great performance have kept me there for the last 2 years.

I also tried both. I'm with SmugMug at the moment. However, I will say, as others have said, their UI leaves a lot left to be desired. I also notice strangeness when trying to create subfolders, etc. They also seem to have a bit too much downtime for me but it's not horrible.

If I didn't already have so much on SmugMug I'd consider moving. I think I'll have a site built at some point.

When I looked at Zenfolio, I didn't feel it was as easy to customize as SmugMug. That may have changed since I've not looked at them in about 2 years.

[on2rails]

Adil,
As mentioned - your decision should be based on what you plan to do with your images and I don't see where you specified (unless I missed it).

I have a photography sales website that at one time I did my own printing and shipping and then a while back moved the gallery portions over to Zenfolio and they handle the "behind the scenes" sales and printing through a partnership with Mpix.

I have had great success and would highly recommend this partnership to anyone wishing to sell photos online. Joey Ricard Photography is my site.

I also have free account on Flickr here - where I display some of my "for sale" images along with some family and other images. I would suggest Flickr if you just wished to post images for online viewing.

I should mention that my main pages are ones that I created for my website on my own domain and then intergrated the Zenfolio galleries into the theme, but are physically separate from each other. Most viewers would never know the difference and think it is part of the same site.

Joey

[adilh]

Great, Thank you all guys, this has been Awesome

[joeeznutz]

I say use them all!!!

More exposure

[adilh]

Great one

Originally Posted by joeeznutz

I say use them all!!!

More exposure

[adilh]

Well the Girlfriend surprised me with a Zenfolio gift code ..... so I'm going to use that I guess along with some others
Thanks again

[TeleFragger]

Originally Posted by adilh

Well the Girlfriend surprised me with a Zenfolio gift code ..... so I'm going to use that I guess along with some others
Thanks again

ok so how has it been going? start it yet? im now looking into the same thing as you were and my head hurts bigtime!!!!

[TeleFragger]

Originally Posted by adilh

Well the Girlfriend surprised me with a Zenfolio gift code ..... so I'm going to use that I guess along with some others
Thanks again

ok so how has it been going? start it yet? im now looking into the same thing as you were and my head hurts bigtime!!!!