Is SmugMug the bee's knees?

[m@lester]

Hi all,

I'm new to TPF but not to photography or videography. Long story short, my main question is "Is SmugMug worth it?"

I've been doing my research, and SmugMug is easily in the top three, but the price tag of the Pro account is just a bit more than others. I feel like I sell enough photos that SmugMug will easily make more than that based on their commission.

I obviously love that I can have SmugMug and Bay take care of everything for me, but that up front cost is more about principal. You can call me a penny pincher, but I just don't want to pay that much for something that also takes off the top of each sale.

The 14-day trial is great, but I don't want 14-days. I need to pick my new host ASAP to learn it and become and expert by the time all these weddings get here. I don't feel I can customize my website/galleries, link it to my website, upload a shoot, take an order, print, send, and get appropriate feedback in only 14-days.

Any thoughts about the original price of SmugMug when I'm guaranteed to have over that amount in commission for SmugMug? Any known discounts/rebates/free accounts? Not a testimonial sort of thing, since I know people love them, just wondering about the customer service aspect of the original cost.

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TLDR Version

I know SmugMug is great, but that starting price for the Pro account seems high for something I'm going to give back to them 10x over in commission. What should I do?

- Matt

PS - Thanks in advance for any responses!

[Redneck]

I've always felt that SM is worth every penny they're charging. I mean, unlimited hosting, great photographer targeted website features, excellent customer service for $12.50 a month. Sounds like a steal to me.
The commission isn't too much either considering that they really take care of everything (payment processing, order fulfillment, no questions asked customer satisfaction guarantee etc).

The fact that really hurt with SM is that they charge significantly more for prints than you expect (and than the chosen lab does). And they don't tell you upfront about it.
I'm not even talking about SM making more and photog making less money, I'm mostly talking about trust and a fair business relationship.
I've been with SM two years but I won't stay with them anymore due to his practice. I just don't like to deal with people that try to screw you where you don't expect it.

[ZacW]

We like to think so! (regarding the bee's knees comment) :)

M@lester - if you need more than 14 days on the trial we can help you out with that. We can extend it another 2 weeks past the original 14 days, just email our help desk and ask :). SmugMug Help: How to email a real person who will respond

The coupon code TPF will get you 20% off your first year at SmugMug. If you have an iPhone or Android you can download the SmugMug app and that will get you 50% off your first year.

Redneck - also don't forget about our 100% guarantee on prints. If something is damaged or lost in the mail, the prints are damaged from the lab, or maybe even your photo was too blurry from your camera. It doesn't matter, we guarantee everything.
Our guarantee

Also it's never been our intent to blindside you with our print prices. At the bottom of any uncustomized SmugMug page you will find a link to our prints and gifts page which clearly states the base prices for prints.
EZ Prints: Prints and Photo gifts
Bay Photo: Prints and Photo gifts

-Zac
SmugMug

[J Eddington]

I have been a client of SM for gosh... 5 or 6 years.
It is simple and easy to use.
Pricing is fair. I know you were concerned about the pricing. Do you currently accept credit cards? If not I think you will find this to be very fair pricing.

[mercphoto]

Have you considered Exposure Manager? Great customer service, great prices, low commissions. Plus some features for the event photographer that Smugmug doesn't have. I left SM for EM and haven't looked back.

[CtrlAltDel]

Smug Mug IS the bee's knees! Super easy to use, no upkeep on my part. When I need help, I post here in the Smug Mug area and get an answer VERY quickly. I have used it over a year and have no complaints and no desire to look elsewhere.

[Flea77]

Although I went with Zenfolio (sales tax and customization) I have heard overwhelmingly good things about SmugMug.

Allan

[J Eddington]

OH, and if you have a problem. The Hero's always come to the rescue!

[ndsimm]

yes, they are! been with them for almost 5 years and while I mainly use them for image storage and to show images to clients, each year, I make more back in sales than the cost of my membership

Like you, I said ouch at first, but it has been worth it....

[therest]

Originally Posted by m@lester

Hi all,


Any thoughts about the original price of SmugMug when I'm guaranteed to have over that amount in commission for SmugMug? Any known discounts/rebates/free accounts? Not a testimonial sort of thing, since I know people love them, just wondering about the customer service aspect of the original cost.


PS - Thanks in advance for any responses!

Can someone explain the commission aspect of having a SM please? I dont understand.

Also, if we have a SM site do we have to by rules of agreement order our prints thru them? Can we just print at a local photo lab?

[groovyone]

Eliud, there is no requirement to get your prints through SmugMug.

I am not sure I understand the commission comment either. If you order prints you only pay what their normal price is for prints. The markup goes to you...I think.

[ZacW]

Originally Posted by therest

Can someone explain the commission aspect of having a SM please? I dont understand.

Also, if we have a SM site do we have to by rules of agreement order our prints thru them? Can we just print at a local photo lab?

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

Example: You sell a 5x7 for $10.79 and the SmugMug default price for it is $0.79. The markup is $10.00. You keep $8.50 as profit (85% of $10).


If you want to use the built in features like our shopping cart, 100% no questions asked print guarantee, outstanding customer service and more, then yes you need to use our print labs. However there are lots of users that chose to set up their own shopping cart and go with a private lab but all in all it's going to be a lot more time and work for you to pull it off. PayPal and Google Checkout are good options if you want to set up your own shopping cart and payment system.

If you have further questions I'd be happy to help! You can also email our help desk http://www.smugmug.com/help/emailreal

-Zac
SmugMug

[groovyone]

^^^ Like he said. That's why he's the man.

[Kalrog]

If you want the simplicity of a one stop hosting/ordering/fulfillment shop, then SmugMug is a good choice at a reasonable price. I always had great service and quality from them when I used them. I left because I wanted to control the fulfillment and then the 15% processing fee wasn't such an attractive option. If you want to self fulfill, check out PhotoCart (I love it). But if you don't want to deal with that, SM is a good choice.