Creating an E-Commerce Website

<p>i'm starting a portraiture/children's photo business. as part of my launch strategy, i am going to set up at a local event and invite families to have their photo taken in front of a portable backdrop. i'd like to be able to send the families to a site where the photos will be available for a low-low introductory-rate (cue tom waits' "step right up").<br>

can anyone recommend a service i can use that will allow me to upload what could be a few hundred photos? the catch is - i want to create a system that's simple for people to navigate - i don't want anyone to have to sift through 300 pictures to find themselves. i want to collect email addresses, then send a link not just to the site but to their own individual photos.<br>

any thoughts on how to do this?<br>

thanks.</p>

<p>p/s - if you're familiar with Brightroom even photographs, it's basically the same thing, only i'd be doing the process as an individual and not outsourcing to them.</p>

<p>Check out zenfolio.com; I believe you can do this with them.</p>

<p>Same with Smugmug - they have variable packages you can opt for depending on your commercial needs, plus they also have the ability to offer protected galleries (something which you will need to do if you're uploading children's pictures for sale on the web...!)</p>

<p>Zenfolio offer what you seek. I don't use SM, but I would guess they are quite similar.</p>

 

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<p>i don't want anyone to have to sift through 300 pictures to find themselves.</p>

 

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<p>Cataloging many people will still be your responsibility.<br>

With zenfolio, you upload the images to a specific folder YOU select.</p>

<p>For instance, there would be a folder for "THE A Family"..Another folder for "John & Carol M" etc..etc...</p>

<p><strong>Small word of caution</strong>: If you offer certain size enlargements, watch out for aspect ratio mismatch. Although both services offer cropping guides prior to the order, they are a bit of a pain to use. Even worse, your customer may not be aware of the cropping guides; so when they receive their 8x10 they are shocked.</p>

<p>Zenfolio and perhaps SM as well offers a "Approve all orders" before going to the lab.<br>

I prefer this compared to letting the customer attempt to create their own print order.</p>

<p>If Marathon Press hosts your website, you can post the images there for FREE. You just pay a one time set-up (less than $100) and you can post. Each family can have their own page with a password. Simple and easy. Also, if they host your site, you'll receive discounts on their other services and products.....-TED :-)</p>

<p><a href="http://www.exposuremanager.com/">Exposure Manager</a> is another option but I'm not sure if they offer all the features you're looking for.</p>

<p>thank you all so much for your responses! i really appreciate it...</p>