My Website Sucks Big Time
I know … my website sucks … BIG TIME. It made it in an hour or two in iWeb just to put something online. It’s buggy, ugly, very outdated and doesn’t even work properly in some browsers. I really want to do something about it and I want to do it as soon as possible. I’d love to have your input on things.
I’m very tempted to use something like Bluedomain or Bigfolio. Their sites look pretty cool and easy to use. But most of their templates are flash-only. I hear it’s not great for your ranking in Google and it can’t be displayed on an Iphone.
Livebooks and a photo folio seem to have solutions for it but Livebooks looks a bit too expensive and I’m not crazy about the designs of A Photo Folio.
A custom made website might be the best solution, but will it still be affordable? Or maybe have a Wordpress site designed. I’m familiar with the interface and the blog is the most important part of my site anyway. If I go for a custom build site, I want a local company so we can sit together in person.
Here’s what I absolutely want:
- fast loading portfolio site with huge images
- a couple of info-pages
- integration of my blog
- easy content management
- password protected client proofing
Optional:
- online ordering module
Do you have any experiences, comments, … Please let me know.
I am currently in the exact same situation as you and will be watching this discussion unfold with rapt attention!
- mike
blu domain and big folio are nice because they are affordable. if i was choosing again i would go big folio…incredible customer service….mine is through blu and i wish i had stayed with big folio
After having one of the standard websites from Big folio, I just switched to PhotoBiz. There was way too much frustration with Bigfolio’s interface, and the images loaded extremely slow. People were always asking if the website was broken. Others may have different experiences. So far, I love my photobiz. http://www.stephenwagnerphoto.com
Check out dripbook.com, it’s very affordable and it looks great. I like that it’s more of an online artist community that also exports websites, not just the latter.
I looked at some of the templates they offer through these services, there’s a few things to note. They seem to take over your screen and your browser, which most people hate. I’m not against Flash, but it seems that a lot of the transitions are heavily animated, which can become annoying after a few pictures. Just something to keep in mind.
If you could have one of templates from photobiz, with the usability, but without the extra animation stuff, you would probably be golden.
Another option, but a little more involved.
http://slideshowpro.net/
Hope this helps!
I have BigFolio, and I love their service. The other one that is great for service and quality is http://www.creativemotiondesign.com
Both of them have HTML versions of the sites. No, the HTML sites are not pretty, but they allow a way for you to get your site seen on search engines.
It’ll be important for you to have regular updated content so that the search engines know you’re active. This is why a blog is good. Have it all linked to a HTML splash page.
Most important…..you need to have links going into your site from other sites. So, get connected with others in a similar industry and eventually even the least search engine friendly flash page can rank very high.
If you go to Google and search for “Winnipeg Wedding Photographer”, or anything else like “Winnipeg Wedding” or “Winnipeg Photographer” you will find I rank either first, or very close to first. So, it’s working for me (for now, anyway).
Hope this helps.
T
Showit Sites is AWESOME!! Brilliantly simple, endlessly flexible and not expensive at all – http://www.showitfast.com
Showit Sites is not template-based – you design absolutely anything you want and change it as often as you want. . .add as many pages & images & slideshows as you want. . .basically do ANYTHING you want.
Can you tell I like it?
I actually discovered a content management system that’s really easy to use and can make great portfolio sites – squarespace.com
I haven’t spent as much time making my personal site look as good as I’d like but I honestly think it’s a great option if you know what you’d like it to look like and it’s not too complex.
Graph Paper Press also makes some of the best wordpress portfolio templates, in my opinion – graphpaperpress.com
If you’re looking for a CMS platform to build from I use and recommend Modx for most of my clients – http://modxcms.com/ – free, open source and one of the easiest to work with from a design, coding and end user point of view.
I’d use WordPress for the blog though as IMO it’s the best blogging platform. Having developed a full site for a client using WordPress I wouldn’t do it again – it can be done well, but implementing it is a pain in the rear.
All the best with the redesign!
I went with BluDomain. They were really helpful and I got my site for $100 and another $100 for hosting for one year. It was easy to figure out. I put one up for a friend: http://www.heyserphoto.com and it took me literally 20 minutes once the photos were edited. My only complaint is that they charge for the right to host with a different domain, so I just hosted with them. My site is http://www.nixonphoto.com
Good luck and I’d love to see what you do
I use Wordpress for my photography website. You mentioned possibly using Wordpress, so I wanted to offer up a look at mine to see what can be done. Take a look at http://www.lowrimore.com and see. I love the ease of updating and the built in SEO optimization it offers.
If you want a web site i can do it for you, but i work in southamerica, maybe we can work in your site!!
Big thanks for all the info and suggestions. I’ll look into all of them and I will keep you posted
I’d recommend having a sitdown with someone who can help you rather then go for a template. It’s your website, you’re unique, and even though people will come here no matter what, I think it’s still important to have a website that reflects who YOU are. Wordpress could be a very nice solution. I use it for the blog on my site, it’s very customizable. You can build a theme yourself (or well, in your case, someone else could do that), exactly the way you like it. There are so many options really. I am working on a site for a group of filmers in wordpress and I am making it custom so they can have multiple sidebars, pages and a news (blog) part and so on. A wordpress guru or someone who knows their way around a nice cms is so much better for you.
Then again, that will cost you.. so you might want to ’shop around’ a bit. It doesn’t have to be very expensive. But seriously, don’t go for the templates everyone’s using.. you’re not like everyone! Just take your time; don’t rush and go for the compromise. It’s not worth it, in my humble opinion..
Maybe you should take a look at squarespace.com
Hi, if you are familiar with WordPress, that seems to be the way to go. WordPress can be customized to do absolutely anything: both in terms of functions and design.
I would completely forget about Flash about you. It takes forever to load, some older computers won’t handle it, plus what you said is very true – Google can’t read Flash and iPhone and most mobile devices won’t display it.
Today you can create most of the Flash coolness with JavaScript. It will load faster, be Google-friendly and still include cool animations, transitions and whatnot.
I’m a web developer and designer – just starting out and I would be happy to help you out with anything you want: coding, drawing, designing, advice, anything. You don’t have to pay me anything, I just need a portfolio right now.
Thanks
Hey, I would check out http://www.Picaholic.com. They do flash sites but they are all indexed by google etc and also work on the iPhone. Pretty easy to use admin site as well. I use them and have been pretty happy. Low cost as well.
B
Hi,
I am sort of a computer geek, so I made my site by myself (www.arsmaior.com/) starting from a HTML/CSS template bought here: http://www.templatemonster.com/
Also good is: http://www.pixel-templates.com/
The template was very well done, I changed the photos, the colors, something in the layout and much of the CSS styles, but they saved me a lot of work. Being a Royalty free template, it can happen, though, that someone buys the same template, maybe for a complete different business.
Then I integrated my blog platform of choice (Google Blogger) using my new CSS and voila. I also managed to import the template into Lightroom so with a click I can export a collection and make it become a porfolio on the web site, with the same visual impact as the rest of the site. That was a lot of work, though.
If you’re not too techy, and have no time to loose, Wordpress is a good choice in my opinion, but you have to get an original, nice template, or ask someone to build one for you from scratch.
Just don’t go Flash.
Hi Bert
You could consider http://www.SmugMug.com.
All the hosting is done by them, they provide a nice default interface, BUT everything is fully customisable via CSS and JavaScript if that is needed. If you are not a computer geek, there are people who can setup and advanced SmugMug design, e.g. look here: http://www.dgrin.com/forumdisplay.php?f=31
Check out my website TheArtOfTheMoment at http://markusbrosch.smugmug.com
This is nothing fancy, but shows you that with a bit of CSS & Javascript you can do things pretty quickly.
Good luck with your future website
Looking forward to the next podcast – keep it up, its fun to listen to!
Best regards,
Markus
Hi Bert,
If you are considering Wordpress, have a look at Prophoto. (http://www.prophotoblogs.com/)
Easy to use, fully customizable and has the ability to display your images large. (900 x600)
Take care,
Jean
Statik.be in Leuven. Call PJ.
some photography and tech podcasts are/were sponsored by squarespace.com (twip & twit). you can try it for free w/out creditcard and if you use code TWIP you get 10% off. you can import AND export content from squarespace websites and it should be very easy to use.
Hi Bert, I build my own websites (its really not that difficult) and use blogger for my blog. The one I had before was total flash and indeed you miss out on your rankings in google. I swapped it and build an html one using css in under a week. I purchased SlightShowPro for lightroom and from lightroom I export straight into my site. Very easy content managing. I also just purchased a Dripbook account, not so much for the website feature (although looking very good) but more to extend the network overseas….and yes I got some work out of it. If you want to know more about my website feel free to contact me (also in Dutch if you like). Good luck on your queste
Vincent
http://www.holandaluz.com
Bert
My site uses a photofolio template and im very happy with it. Pretty quick to load with large images, easliy customisable and the blog adds on nicely. Also works on iphone. Take a look:
http://www.weareadventurers.com
Cheers
Stu
Bert, I use Wordpress for my blog and a Thesis template in which I also integrated the rest of my website. The SlideShowPro flash galleries are loaded inside my blog software, so these pages are also optimized for SEO.
Otherwise have a look at http://www.squarespace.com/
I don’t have experience with this site but it seems to be very exciting.
Why not check out squarespace.com? You can do everything you listed with it and its super easy to use.
ps.
im a regular feeder of your blog.
I just use WP. I love it.
Got the wp, some theme, twaked it a bit. Even I got the Menalto Gallery to work with it.
BUT! Im not a pro, I do not have to make money out of my photos, thus my site does not really matter now does it?
If I was I a pro, I think Id have better lookking site.
Than again. DHs Blog is whole site is on blogspot and he is doing fine with it. It still is the content – and how are you found – on the web that counts.
/Jussi
finland
Another vote for http://www.smugmug.com/ here. They don’t offer blog functionality themselfs, but it’s fairly easy to integrate an existing blog.
I am currently building my second website using SiteGrinder. It’s a photoshop plugin which allows you to export your web layout (including links, photo slideshows etc. into html) direct from photoshop… it’s really awesome. Check it out on http://www.medialab.com
I have a blue domain site and got it on a fire sale. Its flash…. but as we all know flash is a biznatch when it comes to SEO. I paid for their hosting to save on cash, but will probably migrate at some point.
I built mine http://www.rebeccalynch.com. For my photos currently I have a slide show that I made in powerpoint and they are of a decent size. I am getting ready to redeisgn it and use Jalbum to make my portfolios.
Good luck with it!
http://rebeccalynchphotography.blogspot.com/
Go for WordPress. It’s pretty much THE Content Management Sytem on the web today. It’s well known, very popular, is hugely customisable and isn’t going away any time soon. Most importantly, you already know how to use it, so no learning curve as with other CMS’s.
Find some local specialists who would be able to customise it for your needs, and make it handle your other pages (home, portfolio etc), in addition to your blog. Get them to make a custom theme for you. It’s true that Flash isn’t really ideal, go with clean, valid HTML and CSS.
Good luck.
Go to http://wiki.twit.tv/wiki/TWiT_190
Listen to the show and hear Leo Laporte tell about squarespace.
Squarespace is getting rave reviews.
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/04/29/ultimate-guide-to-using-wordpress-for-a-portfolio/ has a great run down of wp themes aimed at designers and photographers – might suit your needs and it’d be done right away!
I have been with Bigfolio from the beginning. Great customer service, prices are affordable, and template selection are wonderful. Let your images say the rest. http://www.jarrettgaza.com/
Jarrett
APhotoFolio.com
Excellent service and have a clear solution to the Google/Flash thing.
http://www.rogeroverall.net
Hi Bert, I’m reading your blog and Lime for ages (well, months) and it’s my first comment here so thanks a lot for all your share.
I’m an amateur photographer but in the day I work for LBi Belgium (http://lbigroup.be/), a Web Agency.
We made lot of websites based on WP and I think it’s a good solution to create fast and easy to use websites.
One of the other advantages of a selfhosted website is that your aren’t dependent of the design & plugins proposed by your host. So you can choose everything you want to custom your website…
If you have questions, don’t hesitate to ask…
PS: sorry for my bad english…
So many comments … my website must really SUCK big time
Thanks for all these suggestions. I’m taking the time to examine all of them. I’ll keep you posted about the progress.
thanks
If it is not too late I can recommend you the guy that made my website, wont cost you much and will be working everywhere
I am also one of those who use bluwin for their website. They have templates that display large images but seamlessly integrating blog can be an issue. I created a link and used the same color scheme which makes the connection ok. For client proofing I use photobiz, which I found to be excellent for proofing and sale. Again I have a link and same color scheme which makes it fairly seamlessly connected to my site.
Good luck with your site!
http://www.ronaszegi.com
Bert,
Give photobiz a try (i know others have mentioned it already). They’ve got more then enough templates and colour combos to keep you busy deciding for a month. Packages are affordable so you’re not gonna break the bank (I use the $15 per month one right now) and you can upsize the package you use whenever you want, client proofing is included and they give you the option to create a shopping cart and offer your clients their own mini-sites. You can create a link directly to your blog (and link elsewhere on a links page too), plus they have an easy to maintain calendar and an easy to use contact form for prospective clients.
Their customer service/help line is also really efficient and friendly, so no complaints there. Google analytics and e-mail can all be setup through them for free.
I don’t know if this is a company I will stay with forever (I’d really like to move up to livebooks at some point…when I can afford to do that), but in the meantime I’m super happy with photobiz.
http://www.photokat.ca
I’m currently looking at http://www.yola.com/, free templates, some customization and free.
Any thoughts?
Hi Bert,
you should consider smugmug.com. Customizable, storage unlimited, you can bind it with your domain, blog on blogger.com, etc. And as a bonus if you google little bit you can find 50% discount coupon. And I mean 50% not 5%.
Have a nice day,
Petr
Based upon your suggestions, I’m currently talking to some developers. I’ll keep you posted, thanks
My site uses a template I built and resell.
Is it close to what you’re looking for?
http://www.CallumW.com
CW
Bert, you should totally check out Showit Sites. You are limited only by your imagination with this software. Drag and drop simplicity, and allows you to build an entire flash website with absolutely zero coding stuff. Totally WYSIWYG.
If you any custom stuff hit up http://www.spilledmilkdesigns.com
Bert, you should totally check out Showit Sites. You are limited only by your imagination with this software. Drag and drop simplicity, and allows you to build an entire flash website with absolutely zero coding stuff. Totally WYSIWYG.
If you anything custom hit up http://www.spilledmilkdesigns.com
[...] Bert’s blogpost about tips for his new site – check the comments, great info and links there Posted in Podcast RSS 2.0 | Trackback | Comment [...]
I have just started with Bludomain and it is okay for the $$$ but google sucks at putting it up on the search. Pictures load very slow if your running older equipment.
I have just started with Bludomain and it is okay for the $$$ but google sucks at putting it up on the search. Pictures load very slow if your running older equipment. if you have any comments or suggestions to get searched let me know or check out the site..
http://www.studiodwlp.com.com
[...] photographer out there who is befuddled by the options. A good example is this thread on flickr and this post by Bert [...]
[...] and over again, it’s here … my new website. Almost three months ago, I wrote: “my website sucks” and it did … big time. So I’m really happy to announce the birth of my first [...]
Picaholic Sucks! Stay away from them!
hi i’m currently doing web design course
you can see my first work on http://www.cliqon.com.au
i will finish this course soon and wanna get a work for web design coz it will be very bored on the holiday! ill do a photography web only. and i’m offering for free.. let me know ..
josh_3mo_92@hotmail.com
i created my site myself using dreamweaver. It took a long time but well worth it in the long run in both cost and flexibility.