SmugMug or Zenfolio - DPChallenge Forums

09/29/2008 05:14:55 PM · #1

Looking for a site to load and host pictures (to sell, show pics to clients, etc.). So far SmugMug and Zenfolio look the best, Zenfolio looks a bit more professional, what are your thoughts? Pros and Cons?

Citadel

Nikon D7500

09/29/2008 05:35:23 PM · #2

I'm not familiar with Zenfolio but Smugmug doesn't seem too shabby to me. Of course that based off the one portfolio I've seen too. I'll have to peek at them both myself....

09/29/2008 05:53:05 PM · #3

Originally posted by aneyra:

I don't know about Zenfolio, but I'm happy with SmugMug. I have heard that SmugMug is more customizable.

You can check out my site here.

If you decide to go with SmugMug, you can use my personal code (qzDagz7w1S78w) in the 'Referred by' field on the signup form to save a few bucks on your subscription.

aneyra

Sigma 85mm f/1.4 for Canon

09/29/2008 06:20:05 PM · #4

My friend's Zenfolio site: //snapjag.zenfolio.com/

I think SmugMug is a bit more expensive.

RKT

Canon EOS-60D

09/29/2008 06:27:53 PM · #5

...

Message edited by author 2009-12-08 11:55:23.

cdrice

Nikon D7000

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

09/29/2008 07:19:59 PM · #6

If you haven't considered them, you might also check out ExposureManager (my affiliate link). I've found their prints superior (as have other reviewers I read back when I made my decision), and their interface is very flexible. They also offer domain mapping, so your EM galleries integrate directly into your existing web site / domain, or you can just use EM for your entire web site.

luv2photo

Canon EOS-40D

Tamron AF 28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD Aspherical(IF)Macro

09/29/2008 07:43:11 PM · #7

I just started a trial on Zenfolio, and i have been using SmugMug for at least a year now. I just renewed my second year. I love that Zenfolio orders through mpix, but they are not as easy to use as smugmug in my opinion. I know it takes time to get used to new systems, but they don't make it easy to adapt. It is not as customizable as smugmug. I like that I can have sub-categories in my galleries that will seperate my password protected galleries from my non-protected. So far, I have not figured out if that is even possible in Zenfolio, but it is not looking to be the case.

I will defenitely be interested to see if anyone else did some comparisons.

My smugmug

zackdezon

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR

09/29/2008 07:55:59 PM · #8

Smugmug has been pretty good to me so far. Not sure about Zenfolio, and while printing through mpix is great, Smugmug's printing quality has been great for me.

www.zackdezonphotography.com is a SmugMug account, too, if you'd like to take a look.

Message edited by author 2008-09-29 19:56:15.

aneyra

Tokina AF 12-24mm f/4.0 AT-X Pro DX

10/01/2008 05:29:28 PM · #9

thanks for the input so far, I wonder if others have tried them both.

Nusbaum

Fujifilm X-T1

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

10/01/2008 06:06:55 PM · #10

I've invested time and money in both. I did some extensive customizing with smugmug on two different occasions, but got frustrated with the amount of smugmug branding even at the pro level. The title of my site, "David Nusbaum Photography - powered by Smugmug" just drove me nuts. The had great support and a lot of options for customization, but I couldn't get by the branding. Zenfolio provides a very nice looking site without customization (it doesn't really allow any anyway) and I like really like that they order through mpix. On the other hand, I like being able to include customized slideshow on the smugmug entry and zenfolio is a little plain by comparison.

I bounce back and forth, but right now my domain points to zenfolio. I also have a smugmug account where I'm trying some different navigation options as I have time.

Nusbaum

Fujifilm X-T1

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

10/01/2008 06:10:16 PM · #11

Originally posted by luv2photo:

I like that I can have sub-categories in my galleries that will seperate my password protected galleries from my non-protected. So far, I have not figured out if that is even possible in Zenfolio, but it is not looking to be the case.

Let me know if I can help. I do my proofing using zenfolio galleries and they are password protected as well as being hidden from view.

jaimeDp

Canon EOS-20D

10/01/2008 06:28:16 PM · #12

haha from the amount of ppl who have heard of the two, i think you would be better off going with the site most ppl are familiar with. just an opinion. ive also never heard of the zen place either

Message edited by author 2008-10-01 18:28:40.

Beetle

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

10/01/2008 06:37:30 PM · #13

I like Zenfolio for the most part.
They are slow at adding new features, but keep promising that they ARE coming.

However, when they DO add something, it works and it works well. I have never experienced any problems with the site, and I love the clean look, the slideshow, etc.

I am impressed with their communication - emails are answered promptly and courteously .

Can't say anything about the printing, because I still haven't used that part.

Tamron AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II for Nikon

10/01/2008 08:35:24 PM · #14

Originally posted by Nusbaum:

It's easy to change the title of your SmugMug site. In fact, you can easily remove all of SmugMug's branding on your own pages. Their TOS agreement says that you can't remove their co-branding footer, but you can change the way it appears, make it tiny, etc. You can even remove it completely if you want to. I know one site that did that. If you remove it though, they might object if they found out. I don't see any problem with having it there anyway. It's not like it's a major part of your site.

david1707

Nikon D90

10/02/2008 04:34:42 AM · #15

I just started a smugmug site (pro account) and am very happy with it so far. My site really isn't customized yet so you can see what an idiot with no knowledge of html's site looks like right now. Their help and tutorials are outstanding for an html dummy. Now if I could only make some sales.

Message edited by author 2008-10-02 06:02:21.

Nusbaum

Fujifilm X-T1

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

10/02/2008 10:21:46 AM · #16

Originally posted by Mick:

Originally posted by Nusbaum:
I've invested time and money in both. I did some extensive customizing with smugmug on two different occasions, but got frustrated with the amount of smugmug branding even at the pro level. The title of my site, "David Nusbaum Photography - powered by Smugmug" just drove me nuts. The had great support and a lot of options for customization, but I couldn't get by the branding.

It's easy to change the title of your SmugMug site. In fact, you can easily remove all of SmugMug's branding on your own pages. Their TOS agreement says that you can't remove their co-branding footer, but you can change the way it appears, make it tiny, etc. You can even remove it completely if you want to. I know one site that did that. If you remove it though, they might object if they found out. I don't see any problem with having it there anyway. It's not like it's a major part of your site.

Hi Mike. I was going to come back and point out that even with the javascript hack google still sees, and includes, "powered by smugmug" on your site listings. Yyou seemed to have found another way around this issue. By using a long site name you have taken advantage of the fact that google only capture the first 64 characters of your site name. This is an elegant solution to any annoying problem.

I don't mind their branding in the footer, I just didn't want it in the title or description of my site when listed on google.

samchad

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

12/15/2008 02:40:15 PM · #17

Launched my Zenfolio site last week. Very happy with the service so far. Received my first order today but am still waiting patiently for international shipping!
//samchadwick.zenfolio.com

trigeminal

10/09/2009 12:36:27 AM · #18

Originally posted by samchad:

Launched my Zenfolio site last week. Very happy with the service so far. Received my first order today but am still waiting patiently for international shipping!
//samchadwick.zenfolio.com

For professional purposes Zenfolio has a slight advantage especically if you don't need/want video uploading. The account is also cheaper at the pro level $100 vs $140. Another advantage is if you aren't using your own domain; it sounds "more professional" at least this is what I've heard from family/friends.

If you'd like you can get $5 off either service by using the following codes:
Zenfolio:
9MS-YYH-CBP
Smugmug:
MjmiE0xAHBhwQ

Strikeslip

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

10/09/2009 05:48:29 AM · #19

Smugmug has a lot of downtime. It seems to be down whenever I want to show something. Pretty embarrassing.

GabrielS

Nikon D80

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) for Nikon

10/09/2009 07:01:26 AM · #20

My website is also hosted by Zenfolio My site
It's very funny to see different customizations between users, i even did not recognize RKT as a zenfolio hosted website!

Message edited by author 2009-10-09 07:03:40.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

10/09/2009 10:37:38 AM · #21

Originally posted by Strikeslip:

Smugmug has a lot of downtime. It seems to be down whenever I want to show something. Pretty embarrassing.

Funny, my Smugmug site has hardly ever been down in the past five years. The few times it has been down were very brief. Maybe your experience has been different because you're in Canada?

karmat

Apple iPhone 7

10/09/2009 10:48:16 AM · #22

Originally posted by Mick:

Originally posted by Strikeslip:
Smugmug has a lot of downtime. It seems to be down whenever I want to show something. Pretty embarrassing.

Funny, my Smugmug site has hardly ever been down in the past five years. The few times it has been down were very brief. Maybe your experience has been different because you're in Canada?

That's what I was thinking. I've been on there for two years and know of 2 downtimes and experienced one of them (yesterday). Maybe I've just been lucky.

tjbel05

Nikon Z9

Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S

10/09/2009 12:25:14 PM · #23

I use smugmug for the last two years.

My site my site

jbsmithana

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 12-24mm f/4.0G IF-ED

10/09/2009 12:44:55 PM · #24

Yup, must be a Canadian thing, eh? I've had Smugmug for years without many problems. Used to be slow to access at times but they solved that awhile ago.

Not to say Zenfolio is not good. As a matter of fact if I ever look at selling over my site I may look at switching to Zenfolio.

Message edited by author 2009-10-09 12:46:53.