Do you use a website builder?

Hi guys! I'm kinda new here. Actually, uh, very new.

So I've been using SmugMug for almost a year now as my website. However, I find it very difficult to get it to look how I want it to, and overall it's just... annoying.

I got an email offering a % off a Zenfolio subscription, and now I'm considering switching over to something else. Not necessarily Zenfolio, but anything that will take a little bit off stress off of me.

So. If you use a website builder, what do you use, and do you like it?

Ideally, I'd like to be able to sell prints (because I find that whole process less than thrilling), show off my work, and preferably not use Flash.

Thanks a lot Guys!
Ca're

With no background in web design, I built my first site back in 2004. I did a major overhaul again in 2007, and another one earlier this year. That said, if you want total control you will either need to learn to do it yourself, or pay someone to do it for you. I didn't have the money to pay someone for it, so I researched and figured it out... If there is a will, there is a way The information is definitely out there.

You should check out Squarespace.... not too pricey, very good looking themes, and is pretty 'plug and play'.

I personally like using things like smugmug and zenfolio. Does everything I need, takes almost no time... and it is pretty inexpensive ($120/year)

careanne wrote in post #16112074
So I've been using SmugMug for almost a year now as my website. However, I find it very difficult to get it to look how I want it to, and overall it's just... annoying.

The down of using services like smugmug or zenfolio is that you are limited to the framework that they provide you. But ironically, that's also the upside too because that framework makes it easier to manage. To make a site look exactly how you want it, it'll either take time to do if you are a DIY type person or it'll cost money to hire a designer to do it for you.

One alternative suggestion that I would suggest you look into is to see if there are any commercial Wordpress themes that you really like so that you can use that as the foundation of your site.

I'm not a huge fan of Smugmug and similar sites, because they take far too much commission! This leads to increased overall prices, and lower sales.

Up until about a year ago, I hand coded my site. I decided to switch to a Wordpress framework and changed the theme to my likings. I'm using a Paypal plugin for sales. FWIW, I also have a Smugmug site.

To clarify my previous post... When I said, "if you want total control you will either need to learn to do it yourself..." I didn't mean that you need to write HTML and CSS code. As other suggested, Wordpress is very popular and has thousands of templates (and it's free). Wordpress has tons of support and plenty of how-to information on their site, but as I mentioned earlier it can take some time/research to learn (or money to pay someone else to do it for you).