Online Proofing, and Order fulfillment.

oshead

I think I need this.... My search has brought me to a few places on the web.

Zenfolio Pro account for $100 a year, order fulfillment from Europe (photobox).
SmugMug Pro account for €150 a year, order fulfillment from USA.
Photo-Cart. PHP based, One time purchase, no direct shipment to customers.

I haven't really looked at other options. I'll drop the money on Zenfolio if I don't get any better alternatives.

Any suggestions....?

kensutz

Have you tried Photoshelter?

PCPhoto

have you tried contacting photobox directly and asking if you can set up a merchant account with them....they might be able to set up something for you.

oshead

kensutz wrote: »

Have you tried Photoshelter?

Thanks. I've heard of them. I'll give them a look.

PCPhoto wrote: »

have you tried contacting photobox directly and asking if you can set up a merchant account with them....they might be able to set up something for you.

I noticed something on their site alright. Havn't read it yet. Thanks.

mrboswell

A while back I tried to set a pro/merchant account up with Photobox but it drove me demented and I went for zenfolio instead.

They take a reasonable cut and photobox do a reasonable job.

Never had any problems and I don't have to lift a finger for any order.

If you go for zenfolio there is a VVG-XRQ-2SG that gives you an me some money off!!

kjt

I was looking into this late last year and in the end it came down to photocart. Since the time I haven't had a need for it but it looks the cheapest and most customisable. You're also not relying on other services or annual fee's...

Ballyman

Hi Dave

Have you had a look at Gallery 2/3? It's free to setup and use and has numerous plugins so that you can either do the order fulfillment yourself or get someone else to do it and they take a percentage. If you have a bit of time to hand yourself and have an idea of php and css then you can set up a funky order fulfillment website in no time. There are no set up or annual fees.

I can show you some samples of it in action if you want. I'm free tomorrow if you're home.

PaulieC

Go for zenfolio. It's foolproof. I think for an extra $25, you do get online proofing and loads more besides. You also have worldwide fulfillment and you only have to approve

Borderfox

I have a friend using Smugmug and finds it excellent, upload all the original files and sit back. No problems with shipping from the usa

PopeBuckfastXVI

If you want to send me a pic I'll upload it to a private gallery on my zenfolio and you can get a print made from it to see what you think.

the_doctor199

Can't recommend PhotoShelter enough.

oshead

mrboswell wrote: »

If you go for zenfolio there is a VVG-XRQ-2SG that gives you an me some money off!!

Thanks Colm, save me the hassle of finding out for my self. Thanks for the code too.

kjt wrote: »

I was looking into this late last year and in the end it came down to photocart. Since the time I haven't had a need for it but it looks the cheapest and most customisable. You're also not relying on other services or annual fee's...

Hi ya Kyle. I have an older version of Photocart(3.9) on my Apache/PHP box and I don't really have the time nor the inclination to get stuck into doing anything with it. Plus, no drop shipping from it.

Ballyman wrote: »

Hi Dave

Have you had a look at Gallery 2/3? It's free to setup and use and has numerous plugins so that you can either do the order fulfillment yourself or get someone else to do it and they take a percentage. If you have a bit of time to hand yourself and have an idea of php and css then you can set up a funky order fulfillment website in no time. There are no set up or annual fees.

I can show you some samples of it in action if you want. I'm free tomorrow if you're home.

Further to the PM Aindreas, I want something complete out of the box. No hassel.

cambo_gueno wrote: »

Go for zenfolio. It's foolproof. I think for an extra $25, you do get online proofing and loads more besides. You also have worldwide fulfillment and you only have to approve

Cheers Paul, I guess I'm that fool.... :pac: Plus they post direct in unbranded boxes from Photobox which is the clincher for me.

Borderfox wrote: »

I have a friend using Smugmug and finds it excellent, upload all the original files and sit back. No problems with shipping from the usa

Cheers Keith, most of the sales I expect to get from it (If Any at all....) will most probably be just one or two individual images at a time.

PopeBuckfastXVI wrote: »

If you want to send me a pic I'll upload it to a private gallery on my zenfolio and you can get a print made from it to see what you think.

Thanks PBF. I got some Photobox images before and I find the quality, for what I need (events, 21st etc...) is good enough.

the_doctor199 wrote: »

Can't recommend PhotoShelter enough.

They certainly look the best but are very expensive, Sure I can always go to them if Zenfolio doesn't work out.

Borderfox

Just looking at the options Photoshelter looks pretty expensive for linited storage, Zenfolio looks like the best price/punch option

oshead

I came to the same conclusion too. I got the site up and running and with the 10% off thanks to mrboswell and strong euro v's dollar it really was very cheap.

Doing my first upload atm.... davidosfoto.com

Cameraman

I have both Zenfolio & Smugmug accounts.


My quick version of the Pros and Cons for each

Smugmug

Great support
I think the galleries and viewing speed is better
Good photo labs - with an unbeatable guarantee
Very customisable site/galleries (but see below)

---

Pricing in US$ only, with delivery from the US
No self-fulfilment
Can be awkward customising the site

Zenfolio

Pricing in many currencies
Lots of nice built in features e.g. favourites, royalty-free music for slideshows
Self-fulfilment
European Lab (Photobox)
Can create full website (i.e. have non-gallery pages)

---

I would never use Photobox for anything except cheap snaps. Quality is dire and inconsistent (but they are promising a proper European Pro lab soon)
Performance is a bit poorer than Smugmug

That's just the tip of the iceberg. Each has lots of good/bad points and your requirements may vary. They both have free trials.

(Incidentally - when I posted my ZF discount code a while ago, I got a telling-off from a mod - wonder if the policy has changed ???)

ValueInIreland

The Image File (https://www.theimagefile.ie/about/) is SUPERB, Covers all the requirements that anybody could want - and then a lot more besides!
As well as showcasing your work, there are several options for Photo ordering. They have Lab deals, but you can opt to have the orders sent to you, or any third-party lab - with NO commission!
There is a very modest monthly charge which includes hosting for up to 20Gb of images (Video, Stills, PDF's etc.).
The real beauty of The Imagefile is that it is run by real (decent) people who could not be more helpful.
The company is UK based, but uses an Irish domain, but better still they have an IRISH FREEFONE number for support. There is no automated answering, just real people who will call you back if they are busy. They are ideal for Photographers who have absolutely no web experience.
When I was asked to sort a Photo showcase / sales site (by a Scottish boss who IS the stereotype tight-fisted Scot), I was told to get the best available - but I could not spend any money! I made a few inquiries an got some scary quotes, then a Professional Photographer friend reminded me of The ImageFile, and presto - we were up and running in no time.
I have absolutely no connection to the company, but I am blown away by their "Nothing is too much trouble" attitude and their flexibility to take new ideas on board.

EyeBlinks

ValueInIreland wrote: »

- but I could not spend any money!

Didn't see that option !

Certainly looks the business, but not cheap.

Borderfox

Where a lot of these providers fall down is in putting a cap on space, I can do a single day event in jpeg and it can be 2gb+ wouldnt be too long before you have to start deleting events to make way for new ones (of course this is for the site fulfilling orders) if you are printing yourself then only small files need be uploaded

Kbeg3

I've just subscribed to the Zenfolio Premium Business account. They have just introduced subscription prices in Euro and have an introductory offer, so I got it for €115 (normally €140).
They have also teamed up with One Vision Pro Lab in the UK so you can choose between them or Photobox.

oshead

It'll cost me €23 to upgrade from Premium to Premium Business. I might as well do that. Bit of a no brainer IMO.

oshead

Did the upgrade, I'm now on EU Premium Business plan... If anyone wants to open an account with them you can use this referral code KYH-JG8-A8V for a significant discount.