Photobiz or Smugmug

[aimsboy]

Back to the forum, so busy with actual work, need opinions on which to go with. Don't want to be a prat but opinions based on actual use of either would be super helpfull.
Thanks in advance.

[fantasmic2tek]

I use smugmug.. It is very user friendly..My website is in my signature. Check it out.

[oldwolf]

we use smugmug. you can customize it to your liking and we can set our own prices for the pro acct. we can also have them automatically put a watermark over any pictures we upload and put a delay in the print order so we can double check the crop of the image that customers chose to order.

those are just some of the things that i like about smugmug. their customer support is email based so you won't call anyone but they respond fairly fast, usually within 1-2 hrs. that's even late at night.

[candleman]

i use photobiz, they automatically watermark whenyou use the shopping cart feature (not on the main site), you set your own prices and the site is very modifiable.
they also offer HTML + Flash mirror sites so you get the best of both.
i'm yet to buy the HTML tho'
the customer service is excellent, they phone you just to welcome you.. and theres a number to call if you need help.

you get a real domain name too, and keep it when you leave

[dcclark]

I use zenfolio -- I preferred them because the pre-made themes were much better for my needs (and I didn't want to spend time rolling my own!). Their percentage take for selling at a profit is somewhat smaller, and they offer coupon codes (unlike smugmug).

I haven't tried Photobiz.

[aimsboy]

Thanks a million for the responses so far, I am so glad I found this forum.

E

[OfficersWife33]

I just set up a photobiz account and so far I am beyond happy with them. I have yet to publish my site, but so far, so good. Their templates are nice, I love how easy it is to set up and I think it looks really professional.

[S-Man]

I use both. Originally I had Smugmug for everything, but now I keep it for photo storage and print sales. I have links on my photobiz site that go to the Smugmug galleries where people can buy prints and view galleries. I also use my SM site as the HTML version of my photobiz.
I think it was cheaper this way than to buy a plan with unlimited photo storage from Photobiz.

[FrankLamont]

Never actually tried Photobiz - prices seem a bit high.

[ryandaleySD]

Originally Posted by FriedChicken

Never actually tried Photobiz - prices seem a bit high.

Photobiz all the way. The offer templates that are sharp and are always updating them. They register your domain name for free, their customer service is amazing. Actually their CS blew me away the first few times I needed help.

You can get a HTML based site (like i have at the link below) for $45 to start up, then $15 a month to host 200 photos (1st month is free)

You can then upgrade to a flash website. This is their bread and butter and I dont think anyone comes close to offering all that they offer.

Lastly, what I like best about them over say smugmug.com is that your site looks like YOUR site. I can tell a smug mug site the second I come across it and to me they look to 1990's.....maybe its just the ones I have looked at and I am completely biased, but for me hands down photobiz. Easy to use and professional.

Ryan Daley Photography