SmugMug

[jchooper12]

I have a couple of questions before I sign up with SmugMug.

1. Can you set up package templates where you set a package to say, 1 8X10, 2 5X7 and 4 4X6 and the customer can just select the photos and at the size they want it in the package?

2. What is SmugMugs profit from photos you sale, or if you set your own prices, do they just take out the print price from your profit?

3. How happy are you with them?

4. Is there anyone better?

[athompson]

John:

1. no
2. they take 15% of your mark-up (that is, you keep 85% of what you raised the price to, over the cost of printing)
3. just did a couple of weddings (my first two!) through them. Clients were happy with the quality of the product. I was pleased with their speed and customer service. But I really want the templates you mentioned, plus other things like discounts for clients based on what and quantity purchased. I'm happy that I was able to make the site look just like mine. And I think Smugmug is better looking.
4. I'm about to move over to Exposure Manager (a forum sponsor), who have that template ability, etc

If they could do packages and the other stuff I would stay with them.
-ANDY

[brad]

I do not use smugmug printing (but do use them for serving my images) for two reasons:

1. I want to SEE the image before I deliver it to a customer. That's just the service I want to provide... I don't want to take the chance that the customer will see an image that I wouldn't have approved.

2. They roll anything larger than an 8x10 and put it in a tube for mailing. I don't care how good you are at pressing an image flat again, I don't think it ever looks the same again after being rolled.

[ndsimm]

From Their site:
Your profit is calculated as 85% of the difference between the price you set and SmugMug's published print prices. The 15% SmugMug retains includes credit card payment fees, customer service, and the costs of administering the program.

While you cannot setup templates, I have been successful in setting my pricing so that it works out to template pricing.

I have been very happy with them and while I've only made just shy of $1000 through them in the last year and a half (most of my packages include prints so smugmug sales are always extra orders) my customers have been satisfied.

Since I use their color profile, I've never had a problem with color matching, but in cases where I may have had concerns, I had the print sent to me first, and then sent it to the customer.

hope this helps

[jchooper12]

Are there other places as good or better than SmugMug? I am looking at Exposure Manager.

[Davidtxs]

exp manager gets my vote you can post photos for viewing ONLY they notify you when an order is placed and you do whatever you want to to it then upload the final i usually name the upload by the order number, comission is 10% plus print cost they have metallic also, as well as packages. print cost are competitive with mpix etc they cut checks on the 3rd and i usually get it by the 10th plus they are a sponsor

[robert t]

I started out playing with Sumgmug, but I think I am going to sign with EM also, The sign up cost is less and the lower commission. The reason I first looked at Smugmug was I know nothing about setting up web site.