smugmug day 1 of 14 day trial

I been looking into trying to set up a website to host pictures. I'm a full time tax auditor and honestly not ever going be a "photographer" other than for fun, but i do enjoy it quite a bit. As such I'm looking for a place to showcase my work.

Anyway
I already put up a test gallery on smugmug and directed my domain to it. Everything was going smoothly and I was about to purchase the pro for $150.00. but decided I should create the website before paying and see how it panned out.
I ran across a huge problem. I couldn't "easily" delete the smugmug footer. Ever after using all the options they give in their help/FAQs and using the "mini" version it still showed the "powered by" / "hosted by smugmug", "contact us", "portions copyright by smugmug".

Having a background in computer science and programing, it was pretty easy to find a way around it. However I am worried that smugmug will eventually catch on and remove this "hole". I havent payed the $150, so at least i got that going for me.

Should I pay the $150 and hope they don't fix it?
If they were to find/notice my website, would they delete it and then I'd be out $150.00?

I really like the ease of use and everything else about smugmug, but being a bit OCD and just looking to make a very simple and clean layout on my page i wish to have no copyright notice, no contact us info (specially not smugmugs).
I want absolutely nothing other than a clean header, some public gallery's, a slide show, options for download, ability to order prints, and private password protected galleries for when I shoot for friends.

Are there other alternatives to smugmug? I seen threads on zenfolio, I checked it out, seems to be about the same, do they have similar policy on the footer (or perhaps some other form of branding)? Is there any disadvantage to zenfolio over smugmug? any other players in the business that will just let me code as I please and not drop their brand in my page?

My domain name does have webspace, but at the moment it is just linked to smugmug, as I am trying to avoid having to design a website from the bottom up, i haven't done much programming since I changed major into accounting from computer science when i was in college... about 4 years ago... plus that would mean i would have to forgo the ordering prints option...

well thanks for anyhelp!

frozenfire wrote in post #13956605
Are there other alternatives to smugmug? I seen threads on zenfolio, I checked it out, seems to be about the same, do they have similar policy on the footer (or perhaps some other form of branding)? Is there any disadvantage to zenfolio over smugmug?

Zenfolio allows you to remove all branding from your pages with the $100 or $250 plans.

from your Smugmug site ...did you go to Control Panel.. Advanced Customizations--site wide-EDIT... there's a bunch of options under there including replacing Smugmug's footer/header with your own...

you may also want to contact Smugmug and just ask them.. they are pretty good with usually quick responses

put this into your CSS box.

#cobrand_footer {display:none !important;}

stakeouttoo wrote in post #13960553
from your Smugmug site ...did you go to Control Panel.. Advanced Customizations--site wide-EDIT... there's a bunch of options under there including replacing Smugmug's footer/header with your own...

you may also want to contact Smugmug and just ask them.. they are pretty good with usually quick responses

Yes I did.

No, smug does not allow the footer to be removed anylonger. If you removed it while they still allowed you too, you will be fine. But they no longer allow it.

looks like you already know the answer to your question. Removing it violates their policy, unless you go through one of their approved designers. Kinda lame if you ask me, but it is what it is.

That said, they have amazing customer service... if you get caught they will probably just make you put it back in. They aren't going to delete your account without talking to you first.

many of us have been clamoring to have this reinstated. If you feel like it, vote here on it: http://feedback.smugmu​g.com …to-remove-footer#comments

There's a comment about how branding needs to be removed EVERYWHERE, and I agree. But the fact it's in the checkout makes it less annoying that it's in the footer. Only because at least an end user wouldn't be totally surprised as why the hell this "smugmug" suddenly in their checkout.

I may give zenfolio a try over the weekend. any disavantages to zenfolio vs smugmug? do they also allow CSS/Java?
are there any other options? i'm well aware of how to remove the "footer" i'm just a bit worried that they will eventually patch the flaw...

Frozenfire, check out this thread:

http://forums.zenfolio​.com/forums/p/7814/420​28.aspx

See the 3rd post down from the top.

chris_holtmeier wrote in post #13961009
put this into your CSS box.

#cobrand_footer {display:none !important;}

I just tried this and it works! How come everyone is saying you can no longer remove the footer? Sure, it's not a clickable option anymore, but if the code works...

Muffin Princess wrote in post #13982216
I just tried this and it works! How come everyone is saying you can no longer remove the footer? Sure, it's not a clickable option anymore, but if the code works...

Basically, they don't want you removing it unless you hire one of their customizers. I really don't agree with this, and will continue to hide the footer until they make me show it.

I'm gonna have to try that later, thanks alot for the tip Chris! Question, will that replace a custom footer that I may create as well?

Also, FrozenFire.. supposedly if you started your trial from the iTunes Smugmug app, you can get half off your 1st year. See this marketplace thread for more info) :

https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1152967

Mistabernie wrote in post #13982878
Question, will that replace a custom footer that I may create as well?


https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1152967

No, the Smugmug footer and your custom footer are two different elements.

Go to http://www.dgrin.com/ for help with smugmug. Look in the support section.

I've been playing around with my Smugmug lately and there are loads of things you can do to modify your site. Some of the pro sites on there I wouldn't even know they were powered by Smugmug they've been modified so much. You just need to spend a bit of time having a look in the help section and looking at other people's sites.