Question about SmugMug

[Bayskiff]

I'm thinking about it, So If I sell prints, How do I get paid and who pays the printer? or how does this work?

Thanks
Johnny

[Fireball]

You have two photo labs to choose from (different base prices), you set up your prices on smugmug, they collect the money (and taxes if you want) from the customer and deposit the money into your checking account (if that's the way you want to get paid) when you reach a certain amount in sales. Or you can request the money be sent to you sooner. The base price and their percentage of your sales is what smugmug keeps, thus you need to set your prices high enough to make a profit.

[Bayskiff]

Thank You Charrie!!!

[Skutty2Shots]

Any preference or experience with these type of sites I'm thinking about getting an account with Smugmug but am still on the fence seeing if there is a better site.

[kayumangi]

Just to add to what to Charrie said, Smugmug and other similar providers have a limited set of labs that they partner with, so sometimes they don't offer more customized services like larger prints or custom albums, better frame choices, and so on.


But it's a good way to start selling prints because you don't have to trouble yourself with the payment process (like accepting credit cards etc),


I don't use Smugmug, I use Zenfolio but they are quite similar.

[Fireball]

I've been with smugmug for a little over a year now (the pro account) and have been happy with them so far. It is nice not having to collect money. I do wish they had album options, but they did add customized cards with over 100 templates to choose from which my customers are very happy with.

Their site is also easy to set up and use. They also have a forum where you can get help customizing the look and feel of your site. And when I've had a problem, they get back to me quickly.

[MT Stringer]

The pro account is $149/yr I believe. You can create packages, coupons like for discounts, free shipping, etc. You can offer all sorts of print sizes 16 x 24 and larger if you like.

The customer never sees a detailed invoice when their order is delivered.
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[Skutty2Shots]

cool thanks!!

[mercphoto]

Originally Posted by Skutty2Shots

Any preference or experience with these type of sites I'm thinking about getting an account with Smugmug but am still on the fence seeing if there is a better site.

It depends on the type of photography you do I think. I used to be with Smugmug, starting in 2004. I left for Exposure Manager around 2006 because EM had such better sales tools than SM did. In fact, EM still has better sales tools than SM does, especially for event work and sports.

I will admit my old Smugmug site looked better than my Exposure Manager site. But with EM I can do self-fulfill items (which means I can sell items that EM or SM does not offer, such as metal prints), they do proof delay correctly (SM does not properly proof delay digital downloads, big deal to me). SM has slowly been catching up to EM but they are still not there.

Oh, and the commission on EM is cheaper, as are the print prices.

[toverman]

I have a Smug Mug account, and like it OK. Bill's right that the high commission they take off the top will eat your lunch, but most services do that to some degree. I've been quite happy with the quality of work (Bay Photo is one of the labs, and I recommend using that one). Smug Mug used to have a deal for TPF members (still might) that the first year of a Pro account is half off. Makes it worth a closer look.

[Tom]

But with EM I can do self-fulfill items (which means I can sell items that EM or SM does not offer, such as metal prints), they do proof delay correctly (SM does not properly proof delay digital downloads, big deal to me).

Smugmug does offer metal prints and does do proof delay.

I've been with Smugmug for a long time. I don't rely on them for all my order fulfillment, but rather guests at weddings. Its a nice little bonus.

[mercphoto]

Originally Posted by Thomas Campbell

Smugmug does offer metal prints and does do proof delay.

What I said specifically is they don't do proof delay properly for digital files. If someone orders a digital file they get it immediately. They only delay for prints. This really isn't good.

[ndsimm]

they are also a forum sponsor so check out the section there as well

SmugMug

those of us that use smugmug can give you a code for a discount on membership so if you decide, let one of us know and you can save some money