Approve the Cookies
This website uses cookies to improve your user experience. By using this site, you agree to our use of cookies and our Privacy Policy.
OK
Forums  •   • New posts  •   • RTAT  •   • 'Best of'  •   • Gallery  •   • Gear
Guest
Forums  •   • New posts  •   • RTAT  •   • 'Best of'  •   • Gallery  •   • Gear
Register to forums    Log in

 
FORUMS Photo Sharing & Discussion Weddings & Other Family Events 
Thread started 12 Jun 2012 (Tuesday) 10:03
Search threadPrev/next
sponsored links (only for non-logged)

Website options other than Wordpress..

 
tnis0612
Member
233 posts
Joined Oct 2011
Location: Virginia, USA
     
Jun 12, 2012 10:03 |  #1

So I currently have a Wordpress site that you can see the link to in my signature. I really like the look of the template but it's slow on some computers, almost unreadable on my mother-in-law's netbook, drop down menus dont work on old versions of IE, and it locks up my wife's work computer 50% of the time.

Also, Wordpress has kind of been a struggle for us. The what-you-see-is-what-you-get area when creating a post is NEVER what we get. Spacing in between photos is never there, photos that are side by side when creating the post move down to the next line when you publish the post, etc. We have figured out how to work around some of these things by adding code to the HTML section and things like that.

Maybe it has more to do with the template we chose rather than Wordpress itself but i'd like to swtich to something a little more drag and drop and user friendly. I know Wordpress is probably the best free option out there but i'm willing to spend some money to have something easier to use for us with more features.

Right now i'm considering http://showitfast.com/ (external link) ($40/mo) but would love some ideas of similar easy to use platforms where you can puchase well designed templates that may be a little less expensive...thanks!


5d Mark II, 7D
17-40L, 35L, 50L, 85 1.8, 70-200 2.8L IS II
www.stevenandlilyphoto​graphy.com (external link)

  
  LOG IN TO REPLY
JohnThomas
Senior Member
Avatar
401 posts
Joined May 2012
Location: Long Island, New York
     
Jun 12, 2012 10:33 |  #2

Some of the issues you're describing could be related to your host. Wordpress can be very demanding on a server, and if you're on a shared hosting plan that's reaching its capacity you'll get problems like your describing above (slow to load or errors on load). It's important to have a quality template with wordpress.

I've heard a lot of good things about the ProPhoto template: (I've never used it)
http://www.prophotoblo​gs.com/ (external link)


You can call me JT
jsantiniphotography.co​m

  
  LOG IN TO REPLY
picturecrazy
soft-hearted weenie-boy
Avatar
8,565 posts
Likes: 780
Joined Jan 2006
Location: Alberta, CANADA
     
Jun 12, 2012 12:03 |  #3

I just hired a company to build me a custom website. It wasn't a billion dollars. In fact, it was quite reasonable, and I got EXACTLY what I wanted. Talk to Abe at Mirawest (external link) and tell him Lloyd sent you and says hi!

There are many companies out there who will do a bang-up job of a website. A lot of people have no idea that using services like showit or bigfolio can be more expensive long term than getting a custom site built just for you.


-Lloyd
The BOUDOIR - Edmonton Intimate Boudoir Photography (external link)
Night and Day Photography - Edmonton Studio Family Baby Child Maternity Wedding Photographers (external link)
Night and Day Photography - Edmonton Headshot Photographers (external link)
Facebook (external link) | Twitter (external link) |Instagram (external link) | Gear

  
  LOG IN TO REPLY
Phil ­ V
Goldmember
1,977 posts
Likes: 75
Joined Jan 2005
Location: S Yorks UK
     
Jun 12, 2012 13:12 |  #4

JohnThomas wrote in post #14568190 (external link)
Some of the issues you're describing could be related to your host. Wordpress can be very demanding on a server, and if you're on a shared hosting plan that's reaching its capacity you'll get problems like your describing above (slow to load or errors on load). It's important to have a quality template with wordpress.

I've heard a lot of good things about the ProPhoto template: (I've never used it)
http://www.prophotoblo​gs.com/ (external link)

^ This.
I'd heartily recommend Prophotoblogs. The easiest to use, most powerful worpress template I could find. With no hassle it creates great SEO tags and a mobile friendly site too.


Gear List
website: South Yorkshire Wedding photographer in Doncaster (external link)
Twitter (external link)Facebook (external link)

  
  LOG IN TO REPLY
tnis0612
THREAD ­ STARTER
Member
233 posts
Joined Oct 2011
Location: Virginia, USA
     
Jun 12, 2012 13:38 |  #5

thanks guys, really liking the prophotoblogs so far. My only question is, does it use the same wordpress admin panel that i'm using already? Will I be doing my blog posts the same way as I am now?


5d Mark II, 7D
17-40L, 35L, 50L, 85 1.8, 70-200 2.8L IS II
www.stevenandlilyphoto​graphy.com (external link)

  
  LOG IN TO REPLY
tim
Light Bringer
Avatar
51,010 posts
Likes: 375
Joined Nov 2004
Location: Wellington, New Zealand
     
Jun 12, 2012 14:52 |  #6

I think you just need a new theme/template that better written, and a little Wordpress training. My theme is linked from here, Photocrati. For image spacing just go to the html view and use

 

for a break between images horizontally (repeat the whole thing as many times as required) or

<br />

For vertical spacing.

It may not be perfect WYSIWYG but on the web nothing will look the same on a different computer anyway. Screen resolution, PC type, web browser, they'll all show it different.

ShowItFast websites are a brilliant idea for whoever's selling them, $500 per year is a hell of a lot and will have a massive profit margin. That guy's a great marketer.

Professional wedding photographer, solution architect and general technical guy with multiple Amazon Web Services certifications.
Read all my FAQs (wedding, printing, lighting, books, etc)

  
  LOG IN TO REPLY
tnis0612
THREAD ­ STARTER
Member
233 posts
Joined Oct 2011
Location: Virginia, USA
     
Jun 12, 2012 15:26 |  #7

Yeah I have used that code for spacing, but the frustrating thing is I will go and put that code in between 20+ pictures in the html tab..hit save draft..preview the blog post..and come back to it to make another change and my code will be gone and my pictures will be up against each other again. Drives me crazy! I agree I probably just need some training and a better theme.

Showitfast is definitely expensive, but they do have some really great looking templates at http://www.sitehousede​signs.com/ (external link)

Definitely leaning towards the prophotoblogs right now though.


5d Mark II, 7D
17-40L, 35L, 50L, 85 1.8, 70-200 2.8L IS II
www.stevenandlilyphoto​graphy.com (external link)

  
  LOG IN TO REPLY
scorpio_e
Cream of the Crop
Avatar
7,402 posts
Gallery: 3 photos
Likes: 264
Joined Aug 2007
Location: Pa
     
Jun 12, 2012 15:28 |  #8

tnis0612 wrote in post #14569033 (external link)
thanks guys, really liking the prophotoblogs so far. My only question is, does it use the same wordpress admin panel that i'm using already? Will I be doing my blog posts the same way as I am now?

The admin panel is different for different themes. So you would be familiar with the feel.
I have found the prophotoglog to be responsive to technical questions too.


www.steelcityphotograp​hy.com (external link)

  
  LOG IN TO REPLY
tim
Light Bringer
Avatar
51,010 posts
Likes: 375
Joined Nov 2004
Location: Wellington, New Zealand
     
Jun 12, 2012 15:38 |  #9

I've never noticed the core post/page authoring tools changing depending on theme.

One key decision with Wordpress is do you want a blog with some pages, or a website with a blog. I went for the latter.


Professional wedding photographer, solution architect and general technical guy with multiple Amazon Web Services certifications.
Read all my FAQs (wedding, printing, lighting, books, etc)

  
  LOG IN TO REPLY
Phil ­ V
Goldmember
1,977 posts
Likes: 75
Joined Jan 2005
Location: S Yorks UK
     
Jun 12, 2012 15:48 |  #10

tnis0612 wrote in post #14569033 (external link)
thanks guys, really liking the prophotoblogs so far. My only question is, does it use the same wordpress admin panel that i'm using already? Will I be doing my blog posts the same way as I am now?

Some of the work is done in the admin panel but a lot of the customisation is done in the Theme's customise panel, and the media upload and handling is loads better than standard wordpress. Bulk uploading, display order of images and choice of display options are great.


Gear List
website: South Yorkshire Wedding photographer in Doncaster (external link)
Twitter (external link)Facebook (external link)

  
  LOG IN TO REPLY
asv
Member
Avatar
134 posts
Joined Jul 2011
Location: Perth, Western Australia
     
Jun 13, 2012 19:51 |  #11

Smugmug is another option.
Pretty happy with what i've got now.
But, it takes timeee to set up. You gotta know your html, java codes, etc.
Trial and error.

I got someone did it for me :)


ARTS IN MOTION PHOTOGRAPHY WEBSITE (external link)
My Blog (external link)
LIKE my FB PAGE-->My ARTS IN MOTION PHOTOGRAPHY FB PAGE (external link)
My Gear List

  
  LOG IN TO REPLY
Peacefield
Goldmember
Avatar
4,023 posts
Likes: 2
Joined Jul 2008
Location: NJ
     
Jun 14, 2012 08:54 |  #12

I went the route of the neophyte. It's Homestead (owned by Intuit). They include a drag-and-drop tool. Just the fairly inexpensive monthly hosting rate and the interface tool comes free.


Robert Wayne Photography (external link)

5D3, 5D2, 50D, 350D * 16-35 2.8 II, 24-70 2.8 II, 70-200 2.8 IS II, 100-400 IS, 100 L Macro, 35 1.4, 85 1.2 II, 135 2.0, Tokina 10-17 fish * 580 EX II (3) Stratos triggers * Other Stuff plus a Pelican 1624 to haul it all

  
  LOG IN TO REPLY
nicksan
Man I Like to Fart
Avatar
24,738 posts
Likes: 53
Joined Oct 2006
Location: NYC
     
Jun 14, 2012 20:30 |  #13

Prophotoblogs is great.




  
  LOG IN TO REPLY
mike_311
Checking squirrels nuts
3,761 posts
Gallery: 18 photos
Best ofs: 1
Likes: 570
Joined Mar 2011
     
Jun 15, 2012 06:00 |  #14

asv wrote in post #14575718 (external link)
Smugmug is another option.
Pretty happy with what i've got now.
But, it takes timeee to set up. You gotta know your html, java codes, etc.
Trial and error.

I got someone did it for me :)

i am in the process and plan to go with zenfolio, might not be powerful, but if you are looking for basic, its perfect. maybe down the line i'll contract someone to design one for me.

not yet...


Canon 5d mkii | Canon 17-40/4L | Tamron 24-70/2.8 | Canon 85/1.8 | Canon 135/2L
www.michaelalestraphot​ography.com (external link)
Flickr (external link) | 500px (external link) | About me

  
  LOG IN TO REPLY
gforster
Hatchling
9 posts
Joined May 2012
Location: Chicago, IL
     
Jun 15, 2012 22:27 |  #15

Stick with WordPress and optimize your code. Or hire someone to do it for you.

Some initial thoughts while glancing at your site:
-optimize, compress & scale your images - don't resize in css. This can be done in photoshop (save for web)
-use caching - items can load locally instead of from the server
-© instead of copyright in footer
-minify javascript & css & html - whitespace in design = great, whitespace in code = bad

That should get you started down the right path. How do I know these things - it is what I do on a daily basis.




  
  LOG IN TO REPLY
sponsored links (only for non-logged)

4,342 views & 0 likes for this thread, 11 members have posted to it.
Website options other than Wordpress..
FORUMS Photo Sharing & Discussion Weddings & Other Family Events 
AAA
x 1600
y 1600

Jump to forum...   •  Rules   •  Forums   •  New posts   •  RTAT   •  'Best of'   •  Gallery   •  Gear   •  Reviews   •  Member list   •  Polls   •  Image rules   •  Search   •  Password reset   •  Home

Not a member yet?
Register to forums
Registered members may log in to forums and access all the features: full search, image upload, follow forums, own gear list and ratings, likes, more forums, private messaging, thread follow, notifications, own gallery, all settings, view hosted photos, own reviews, see more and do more... and all is free. Don't be a stranger - register now and start posting!


COOKIES DISCLAIMER: This website uses cookies to improve your user experience. By using this site, you agree to our use of cookies and to our privacy policy.
Privacy policy and cookie usage info.


POWERED BY AMASS forum software 2.58forum software
version 2.58 /
code and design
by Pekka Saarinen ©
for photography-on-the.net

Latest registered member is semonsters
1676 guests, 137 members online
Simultaneous users record so far is 15,144, that happened on Nov 22, 2018

Photography-on-the.net Digital Photography Forums is the website for photographers and all who love great photos, camera and post processing techniques, gear talk, discussion and sharing. Professionals, hobbyists, newbies and those who don't even own a camera -- all are welcome regardless of skill, favourite brand, gear, gender or age. Registering and usage is free.