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10/16/2007 02:01:37 PM · #1 |
Hi all,
Just curious if anyone had an opinion on the benefits to using a service like smugmug to host a photo site (primarily to attempt to sell prints) vs setting up a site myself and selling prints directly.
It seems like I'd need a professional smugmug account if I wanted to set my own prices and be able to profit from the prints, right? Do the non-pro accounts just let visitors buy prints at the Smugmug prices, with no profits to the photographer?
Just fishing for info here... comments would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Mike
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10/16/2007 02:10:54 PM · #2 |
Hey I am a smugmugger here is my site //www.lamontphotography.com and yes only on PRO you can set your own prices and have downloadable images which you can also set prices on.
The non-pro or powerusers are able to customize their site but not able to set their own prices
Pro User info
Power User info
Message edited by author 2007-10-16 14:13:16.
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10/16/2007 02:48:26 PM · #3 |
I think the answer depends on what type of prints you want to sell. If you are selling specific prints to specific clients (portraits, etc), smugmug pro is probably one of the most affordable options to be found. If you are selling your prints to the general public (landscapes, still lifes, etc) then services like dpcprints are great. If you are selling prints to the general public you could also create a basic web site that looks great and then direct viewers to your dpcprints account to make the actual purchase.
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10/16/2007 02:52:31 PM · #4 |
Advantages over setting up the site yourself:
1) You don't need a merchant account to take credit cards
2) You don't need to print or ship the prints
3) You don't need to handle support issues (lost or damaged prints).
4) You don't need to maintain the web site, or create new features.
Basically, with smugmug, you just create a new folder and upload your images. Set the prices on that folder, or set them globally, and away you go.
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10/16/2007 02:57:42 PM · #5 |
ryan, what is the best way to write the html code needed to fix up a smugmug site? I have a smugmug site and I would like to fix it up. I had a barter deal with a bride where she was supposed to create a stand alone site for me and she hasn't. I would like to now stick with my smugmug site and not worry about the stand alone site.
www.picturesbykim.smugmug.com
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10/16/2007 03:12:22 PM · #6 |
the best way is to start here on //www.dgrin.com its basically a forum for smugmug
Dgrin.com customizing help for smugmug
That link above should help you out alot. I got alot of help from that link and also asking questions on that website.
Let me know if you need any help I am not a genius when it comes to designing them but I will see what I can do if you need help. I basically did alot of reading and coping and pasting.
Also should always keep a copy on all of you coding for your website that way if you make a mistake and mess anything up you can just go back and copy it
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10/16/2007 04:26:10 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by digitalpins:
Hey I am a smugmugger here is my site //www.lamontphotography.com and yes only on PRO you can set your own prices and have downloadable images which you can also set prices on.
The non-pro or powerusers are able to customize their site but not able to set their own prices
Pro User info
Power User info |
Thanks... So basically the only way to sell at a profit is with the pro account, right?
I'll read through those links and check out DPCprints as well. In terms of print quality, how do the sites compare?
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10/16/2007 06:07:41 PM · #8 |
| All I can say is that every Smugmug website that I have accessed (via DSL) is exceedingly slow. Aesthetics aside, the glacial slowness of Smugmug really puts me off viewing photographer's work therein. |
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10/16/2007 06:16:03 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by PSUlion01:
Thanks... So basically the only way to sell at a profit is with the pro account, right?
I'll read through those links and check out DPCprints as well. In terms of print quality, how do the sites compare? |
Yes to make a profit on your prints you need to have a pro account. And to compare their print quality to other companies no complaints from me at all. I like the look of their prints and everyone whom has ordered from me before never complained.
Originally posted by pineapple:
All I can say is that every Smugmug website that I have accessed (via DSL) is exceedingly slow. Aesthetics aside, the glacial slowness of Smugmug really puts me off viewing photographer's work therein. |
I am on cable modem and wireless internet at home and just checked my site and its really fast, also just checked out my friends smugmug site and its also fast
Message edited by author 2007-10-16 18:16:45.
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10/16/2007 06:18:56 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by PSUlion01:
I'll read through those links and check out DPCprints as well. In terms of print quality, how do the sites compare? |
DPCprints and smugmug both use the same printer, EZPrints.
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10/16/2007 08:00:01 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by Nusbaum:
Originally posted by PSUlion01:
I'll read through those links and check out DPCprints as well. In terms of print quality, how do the sites compare? |
DPCprints and smugmug both use the same printer, EZPrints. |
Was going to post this and am now glad I read the wholethread. Yes they both use the same printing company. And the prints IMO are great. All my customers have commented on how great they look and how easy it was for them to order prints.
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10/16/2007 09:21:03 PM · #12 |
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10/17/2007 12:20:38 AM · #13 |
| check out www.exposuremanager.com; it's not the end-all-be-all, but it has some definite advantages over smugmug (including an incredible competitive upgrade, for those who have been smugged...) |
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10/17/2007 01:55:47 AM · #14 |
Originally posted by pineapple:
All I can say is that every Smugmug website that I have accessed (via DSL) is exceedingly slow. Aesthetics aside, the glacial slowness of Smugmug really puts me off viewing photographer's work therein. |
Sorry to say Andrew but most DSL sux. I tried it once for about 4 months and it was crap. I'll never connect to the internet again with anything that comes through a phone line. I like my cable @ 8Mbps.
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10/17/2007 02:54:28 AM · #15 |
| anyone know of one that is Australian based? |
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10/17/2007 03:38:35 AM · #16 |
going off the subject a bit, but do any of you who sell photos on smugmug (or anywhere else) also have the pictures you sell on your profile?
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10/17/2007 07:14:53 AM · #17 |
Originally posted by kolasi:
going off the subject a bit, but do any of you who sell photos on smugmug (or anywhere else) also have the pictures you sell on your profile? |
You mean ... do I have my smugmug images here on DPC as well? Sure, lots of 'em. But very few of my images here on DPC are for sale. I have a few general interest images on DPCPrints, but I just don't do that kind of sales. (most of my smugmug images are for customers .... weddings, family portraits, etc)
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10/17/2007 08:14:19 AM · #18 |
Ryan,
Just curious how much success you've had selling your prints. I see a lot of NYC stuff on your site, and that's right in my backyard. Also love the car shots you have... Just curious if your customers have been random people, folks you've actively marketed to i.e. handed out business cards, etc., or if it's mostly friends & family, etc.
Trying to turn this hobby into a side business, but trying to learn the ropes a bit. Any insights would be appreciated (either here on the forum or via email if you don't wish to share in public).
Also, since I live in the area, maybe we can get together for a shoot one of these days. Always looking to explore Manhattan for some creative, urban stuff.
Best,
Mike
Originally posted by digitalpins:
Originally posted by PSUlion01:
Thanks... So basically the only way to sell at a profit is with the pro account, right?
I'll read through those links and check out DPCprints as well. In terms of print quality, how do the sites compare? |
Yes to make a profit on your prints you need to have a pro account. And to compare their print quality to other companies no complaints from me at all. I like the look of their prints and everyone whom has ordered from me before never complained.
Originally posted by pineapple:
All I can say is that every Smugmug website that I have accessed (via DSL) is exceedingly slow. Aesthetics aside, the glacial slowness of Smugmug really puts me off viewing photographer's work therein. |
I am on cable modem and wireless internet at home and just checked my site and its really fast, also just checked out my friends smugmug site and its also fast |
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10/17/2007 02:27:09 PM · #19 |
Originally posted by NstiG8tr:
Originally posted by pineapple:
All I can say is that every Smugmug website that I have accessed (via DSL) is exceedingly slow. Aesthetics aside, the glacial slowness of Smugmug really puts me off viewing photographer's work therein. |
Sorry to say Andrew but most DSL sux. |
That may be true for you. For me, DSL works better than cable, because of the lower latency (and yes, I've tried both). Regardless, if I'm putting together a commercial site, I need to consider what my potential customers have. There are a lot of potential customers out there that are using either dialup or the el-cheapo 384Kb/s DSL. Smugmug is noticeably slower than many of the alternatives. For me, slow response time is the thing that is stopping me from using smugmug. |
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10/17/2007 02:44:53 PM · #20 |
Originally posted by dwterry:
Originally posted by kolasi:
going off the subject a bit, but do any of you who sell photos on smugmug (or anywhere else) also have the pictures you sell on your profile? |
You mean ... do I have my smugmug images here on DPC as well? Sure, lots of 'em. But very few of my images here on DPC are for sale. I have a few general interest images on DPCPrints, but I just don't do that kind of sales. (most of my smugmug images are for customers .... weddings, family portraits, etc) |
A while ago you mentioned you you give some kind of "cupon" to family members so they can order prints for them cheaper? Is that right?
Nick |
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10/17/2007 03:02:28 PM · #21 |
Originally posted by Nikolai1024:
A while ago you mentioned you you give some kind of "cupon" to family members so they can order prints for them cheaper? Is that right? |
Not yet. I'd love it if smugmug had coupons!
Right now, if there is any kind of discount at all (quantity purchase, that sort of thing), I have the customer deal with me directly and then I fulfill the order. Smugmug loses out on the sale. Too bad. Some day they'll implement packages and coupons!
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10/17/2007 03:07:00 PM · #22 |
Originally posted by annpatt:
That may be true for you. For me, DSL works better than cable, because of the lower latency (and yes, I've tried both). Regardless, if I'm putting together a commercial site, I need to consider what my potential customers have. There are a lot of potential customers out there that are using either dialup or the el-cheapo 384Kb/s DSL. Smugmug is noticeably slower than many of the alternatives. For me, slow response time is the thing that is stopping me from using smugmug. |
Just curious... does the type of smugmug gallery matter?
I've never seen smugmug be slow (well, except for a short pause the first time onto the page). Could you try two of my galleries and tell me if either of these are slow and if so, is one slower than the other?
Dance Studio Pictures
Family Portraits
Thanks!
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10/17/2007 03:31:15 PM · #23 |
Originally posted by annpatt:
That may be true for you. For me, DSL works better than cable, because of the lower latency (and yes, I've tried both). Regardless, if I'm putting together a commercial site, I need to consider what my potential customers have. There are a lot of potential customers out there that are using either dialup or the el-cheapo 384Kb/s DSL. Smugmug is noticeably slower than many of the alternatives. For me, slow response time is the thing that is stopping me from using smugmug. |
You can consider what your customer has until your blue in the face and even the fastest internet connection will be slow if there is a bottle neck between them and where ever your site is.
Having said that I have seen my share of people griping about speed over the internet and they all claim to have a fast connection. Usually blame is placed on the target system but in reality the blame more often than not is due to bandwidth issues between point and and point B and is not a result of either in and of themselves being slow.
Just something to consider. |
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10/17/2007 07:45:33 PM · #24 |
Originally posted by dwterry:
Not yet. I'd love it if smugmug had coupons! |
exposure manager has coupons, discounts, and packages. also, you can offer extra large prints while having to only upload low-res images (unlike the ezprint-driven product menus you have at smugmug and dpcprints). they take a smaller commision (10%), and, if you want, you can save even more money by self-fulfilling.
i've just started using them for some sports stuff, and i'd have to say i'm much happier with them than i was while getting smugged... |
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10/17/2007 08:01:32 PM · #25 |
Originally posted by Skip:
Originally posted by dwterry:
Not yet. I'd love it if smugmug had coupons! |
exposure manager has coupons, discounts, and packages. also, you can offer extra large prints while having to only upload low-res images (unlike the ezprint-driven product menus you have at smugmug and dpcprints). they take a smaller commision (10%), and, if you want, you can save even more money by self-fulfilling.
i've just started using them for some sports stuff, and i'd have to say i'm much happier with them than i was while getting smugged... |
Hi skip, Just had a look at your site and it looks like just what Im after for selling prints. I did go through the shopping cart bit and found that they were only going to charge me 50cents to post to Australia. Do you think thats right? |
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