Squarespace, Zenfolio, Other People's Pixels

[jglass]

Has anyone used one of these sites or any other to create a web site?

I'm interested in seeing examples if so.

I'm in a free trial period on two of them and am finding it a challenge to make the site look the way I want it to.

Any other recommendations for sites that give easy tools for creating the site, as well as hosting?

Thanks.

Jeff

 

[MikeSeb]

I looked at all of those, and many more, a year ago when I redesigned my site.

I went with A Photo Folio and I've been very pleased. APF is considerably more expensive than the ones you list---though cheaper than liveBooks or clikbooq---but you get what you pay for in appearance, ease of management, SEO optimization, and support.

My site's linked in my signature; or go to www.aphotofolio.com to learn more. (If you go with APF, tell Rob I referred you!)

 

[jglass]

Thanks, Mike. $1000 is a bit steep for me at this point. BTW, I like your color work on your website. And what is SEO optimization?

 

[MikeSeb]

Yeah, they aren't cheap. I really debated it, but thought it would be a good value over time, in the longer run.

I should have said just plain "SEO", not "SEO optimization; SEO is Search Engine Optimization---making one's site search-engine friendly.

Thanks for the kind words about the work. Good luck finding your web host. It can be tough to choose a solution that works for you and provides the value you seek, from among the welter of choices out there.

 

[Wye Photography]

Zenfolio

Hi Jeff,

I am a Zenfolio user, here's my site http://wyephotography.zenfolio.com/

I find Zenfolio, well, excellent actually. Good price, easy to use and customise. I am certainly very pleased with the service.

Regards

Chris.

 

[danschmidt]

I'm using squarespace

danschmidt.com

 

[topoxforddoc]

I use Zenfolio.

Good points - Cheap, easy to use, secure(as any site can be), easy e-commerce (if you're into that).

Downsides - template driven, hence a bit formulaic and difficult to make it very different to other people's zenfolio sites.

Here's mine
www.charlie-chan.co.uk

Charlie

 

[theseasideartist]

I recently changed over to Zenfolio from Printroom-
Zen has made lots of changes and upgrades.
I found the site easy to set up.

I think it takes several sites to accomplish things.
Zen for some things.
Photoshelter for Editorial work- since editors seem to like it.
I think I am going to test out Artistrising.com for my silver gel work. [sales of orig prints-handmade]

www.theseasideartist.zenfolio.com

 

[ldhayden]

I'm using SquareSpace and I like being able to design the site myself. They are responsive, it's cost efficient and it's not flash based. I don't know any code so configuring specifically is a challenge but I'm certain I don't really need to do this.

www.larrydhayden.com

 

[jglass]

ldhayden: I like your site. It seems to work well and it's pretty clean for a Squarespace site. I did a trial on Squarespace but could not figure out how to make the site look good. Would you mind telling me what template you used? maybe they've added some since I tried it out. Thanks. And you can PM me if you'd rather

Jeff Glass

 

[ldhayden]

Hi Jeff,

Sent you a PM. I did use a template (can't recall at the moment) and made modifications as I wanted. I still want to make some changes, especially the gallery, and will do so over time.

Take care,

Larry

 

[ldhayden]

Hi Jeff,

Just checked and am using the Newsroom template with changes to color, background, size and fonts.

Thanks,

 

[citizens]

To anyone finding this thread through Google don't forget to check out Portfolio Websites.

 

[bsdunek]

Hi Jeff,

I am a Zenfolio user, here's my site http://wyephotography.zenfolio.com/

I find Zenfolio, well, excellent actually. Good price, easy to use and customise. I am certainly very pleased with the service.

Regards

Chris.

My opinion also. There's more I could do with my site, I just haven't gotten to it. They really seem to be trying to have the features requested. Read the Zenfolio forum for ideas.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

I'm using VisualServer. They have a lot of templates you can choose from, and lots of ways to customize your site, including an e-commerce feature (nice to have but it's been useless so far- nobody has wanted to buy my stuff!).