Where did you go to start your website?

[mrsrice22]

Originally Posted by Todd Lambert

I did it myself. I'm a web developer by day, photographer by night:

Twilightscapes - Unique twilight photography by Todd Lambert

BEAUTIFUL images! I really love the Uptown one.

I use Blue Host for my domain and Word Press for my website/template. I recently revamped it but I think that when it comes time in June for me to renew my subscription I may look into another website that offers template,domain/hosting.

I really want to integrate a gallery and the option for clients to purchase independently or for them to share the gallery with friends/family who can then purchase from there.

I want to try out smug mug, they have a good discount for TPF members but I keep choking back on the fee/commission that they collect, which would mean I'd have to raise my prices. BUT if you/I/anyone went that route then you could just pitch that family and friends can purchase images directly from the online gallery while you/client receives a discount when ordering with me directly... or something. :)

[DigitalScape]

My web site (DigitalScape Photography - John J. Holland) is hosted through GoDaddy, and I built and maintain it myself. I use Adobe's DreamWeaver to build and maintain the web pages.

[boldimagery]

I use into the darkroom and host gator to host the site. My first site I designed my self many moons ago, and I do not recommend it. The time saved is worth more than the gathering change from you couch cushions to buy a good site. My blog is also through them. Check them out.

Bold Imagery by Jason Connel | San Antonio Wedding Photographer | Houston Wedding Photography | www.jasonconnel.com
Bold Imagery by Jason Connel | Houston Wedding Photographer | San Antonio Wedding Photography | Destination Wedding Photographs

[klynam]

Originally Posted by WarrenG

With that said, if I were starting over today, I would build my site on a wordpress platform.

W

I do this for clients weekly. If anyone is interested, contact me.

The Image Doctor

[jstevensphoto]

I use photobiz.com. The good news is it is very easy to set up and manage. The bad news is it is a flash site and people cannot access it on a cell phone or ipad. The photobiz people have been promising a solution, but I doubt it will happen soon. You might want to look at Zenfolio. I am tempted to switch. The pro account is about the same price.

[Todd Lambert]

Originally Posted by mrsrice22

BEAUTIFUL images! I really love the Uptown one.

I use Blue Host for my domain and Word Press for my website/template. I recently revamped it but I think that when it comes time in June for me to renew my subscription I may look into another website that offers template,domain/hosting.

I really want to integrate a gallery and the option for clients to purchase independently or for them to share the gallery with friends/family who can then purchase from there.

I want to try out smug mug, they have a good discount for TPF members but I keep choking back on the fee/commission that they collect, which would mean I'd have to raise my prices. BUT if you/I/anyone went that route then you could just pitch that family and friends can purchase images directly from the online gallery while you/client receives a discount when ordering with me directly... or something. :)

Thank you!


My entire site is powered by Wordpress, the galleries, everything. I'm looking at integrating fotomoto into it, for purchasing prints, etc.. You might want to check out that option? It works with Wordpress, and offers some nice features. I don't know about quality or pricing yet, but that's next. At least it's something to look at?

[contributor_M]

So is Wordpress is just provides the template for you to code your site to? Kinda like a standard or something?

[Todd Lambert]

Originally Posted by contributor_M

So is Wordpress is just provides the template for you to code your site to? Kinda like a standard or something?

Yes, to some extent. It really is the back-end component. The front end can be anything you want. You use a type of "hook" for different functionality that you want, put that into your html, where you want it, style it the way you want, etc...

Wordpress is a Content Management System, which essentially handles the heavy lifting of pages and content. Allowing you to login, and manage your site from one unified interface. Wordpress has tons of themes that you can download right into WP control panel and instantly turn your content into any of the themes.

Of course, you can create your own themes as well (which is what I do) but that requires a good bit of knowledge about php, html and css.

Most find a theme close to what they want, and then modify that.

Beyond that, there's tons of extensions that can be installed into WP as well, giving you things like ratings, polls, forms, etc.. almost anything you can think of.

[carrbowl]

I would say if you think smugmug's little cut they take is too much you should probably raise your prices even if you don't use them.....it's a sign your too cheap to begin with... just sayin'.........

[Redneck]

I've been using Joomla for all of my websites for years.

[Kalrog]

Originally Posted by Redneck

I've been using Joomla for all of my websites for years.

Joomla and WordPress are the 2 big blog/CMS systems out there. You won't go wrong with either of them.

[Kalrog]

Originally Posted by carrbowl

I would say if you think smugmug's little cut they take is too much you should probably raise your prices even if you don't use them.....it's a sign your too cheap to begin with... just sayin'.........

I'm sorry... Roughly 20% isn't little. If you make your money from session fees and not much from prints, then it might not be much. But being out 1/5 of your gross is a big deal if you make your money from prints. Especially not when you can quite easily replace them and have more control over the process. With that said, they do have a place where they excel and if you aren't technical, they certainly do make the process easier.

Not that raising your prices is a bad idea...

[Toyse_Woody]

I use hostgator to host, wordpress for webpage and Zenfolio to sell my pictures from.

[therest]

Originally Posted by jstevensphoto

I use photobiz.com. The good news is it is very easy to set up and manage. The bad news is it is a flash site and people cannot access it on a cell phone or ipad. The photobiz people have been promising a solution, but I doubt it will happen soon. You might want to look at Zenfolio. I am tempted to switch. The pro account is about the same price.

Is it me or has this been updated? Last I checked it can now be seen on a phone or iPad.

[jstevensphoto]

Originally Posted by therest

Is it me or has this been updated? Last I checked it can now be seen on a phone or iPad.

You're right. They can reach the site now that Photobiz.com sells a HTML add-on. But when people try to access the "client viewing and proofing" tab, they get a runaround. They they a message that they need a more up-to-date quick time player, which isn't really available. Everything else works.