Current thoughts on Photoshelter, Smugmug, or other options?

<p>Hi there, for anyone out there who has a photography website, what would you do different if you were starting all over? Would you use a service like Photoshelter, or would you pay $1500-2000 for an agency to create a website for you? I noticed that Smugmug had a redesign last year but I have no experience with it. So I'm curious to know current comparison differences between Smugmug and Photoshelter. Any objective replies would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!</p>

<p>I actually use Zenfolio and like it very much. For a long time I did my own JOOMLA hosting with an ISP, but the constant updates to fend off attacks, coupled with the rather "unfriendly" console convinced me that I was spending too much time dealing with my site instead of working on photography.<br>

I did look at Photoshelter and found it to be pretty comparable to Zenfolio. It basically came down to pricing at that point. I also do have a SmugMug account that I use for family & casual stuff. I like their messaging and the UI is very easy to use. I guess I consider SM to be the least "professional" of them, but that's really just my own perception.<br>

You may wish to have a look at ZF before deciding just to make sure to explore all your options.</p>

<p>Thank you, Matt, for your feedback. I've spent weeks dealing with creating my own site and/or working with someone to do it, and you are definitely right about the process taking up too much time away from photography. I'll check out Zenfolio, too, when I'm comparing with Photoshelter. </p>

<p>I am looking for website software that is capable of searching through all of the IPTC/XMP data, in all images, across multiple directories and subdirectories, and which allows me to add both images and entire new directories, and all the while it keeps its indexes current. It should allow for advanced complex searches, using boolean operators.<br>

In addition, it should allow for a shopping cart, and for each image it should display choices for size of print, finish of print, and three levels of file resolution. It should be able to total up all images and off the ability to pay via Paypal, credit card, or bank check routing and account numbers.<br>

Does this exist anywhere, either for purchase or via subscription?</p>