Online portfolio site

[Avotius]

As much as I use places like flickr and deviantart for sticking photos up, I really think they are not a professional platform to have images on, its more for fun and not the kind of thing I would want to stick on a business card, as seeing as I am going to need a new set of business cards soon I want to have a private site with only a select pick of my photos as sort of like a portfolio/resume site. I have make the site myself, it will be basic and primitive but that is perfect for me.

It has been many many years since I have done any of this stuff, the site development wont be so hard but what I am wondering about is if anyone here can recommend a place to get a domain name and also some host server space. I was figuring I would try to get something like colinjones.com or colinjonesphotography.com but to my surprise those have already been registered! Figuring out a domain name is going to be a pain, I suck at names.

So, I know a few of you out there have your own site type things, any suggestions?

 

[nzeeman]

maybe you dont have to put your name in domain name. try to define your art with one or two words and use that for name. it will be also easier for people to remember...

 

[Avotius]

maybe you dont have to put your name in domain name. try to define your art with one or two words and use that for name. it will be also easier for people to remember...

yeah, maybe, I was looking at how all the other portfolio sites out there seem to be with a name address

 

[nzeeman]

reason i think is not that important is because you will give people business cards and on them your name will be clearly shown - so nobody will learn or memorize your name from domain name but from card.
also if you continue making nice photos as you made until now when they see your photos they will put site in favorites immediately.

 

[jbf]

I know the exact feeling Colin. Right now I'm using software called pixel-post, but it leaves much to be desired. While it does look slick, it doesnt offer the control that I want.

Its really designed for a photoblog type of service and what I want is a slick looking means for having very specific 'image sets' arranged specifically, etc. (Must like in a musuem or exhibition).

In any case, I could create it myself, but my time is precious and i'd much rather be able to find a service relatively cheap that will do the trick (that i can then customize)

 

[Avotius]

yeah there is all that stuff, frankly I am not interested in learning these programs and what not. A friend of mine keeps trying to tell me to use this Jumla thing, is is the most convoluted and unclear thing to use....I dont have time to go learn a program like that! I can easily just throw something simple together in dream weaver myself in a night and would rather do that.

Anyone know where I might consider looking for server space?

 

[jbf]

I use dreamhost. Works wonderfully. Fast, easy to setup and use...

 

[infrequent]

nearlyfreespeech.net works for me.

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

I looked around a few weeks back and thought zenfolio looked a decent place.

As for domain names, you don't have to use .com: somebody had already registered claremontphoto.com so I registered claremontphoto.eu instead. If you go through Network Solutions (expensive, but worth it) and try for a name they will suggest alternatives if it's not available.

I'm just sorry I can't suggest Expressions, but we've just closed to new members.

 

[mervynyan]

I use zenfolio with my own domain name. It is easy and on par with other sites. I don't know how to build a website myself.

 

[Meakin]

An alternative - if you don't want the hassle of "D.I.Y", may be these guys:

http://aphotofolio.com/

(no relation - just came across them mentioned in a photo blog somewhere)

As for names - I would recommend that you think: simple,short,easy to remember - maybe even come up with your own "word" - as opposed to something that gives meaning to you, as it may not make sense for anybody else.

Cheers,

Meakin

 

[Steveh]

These guys (Clikpics)advertise in a lot of the UK photo mags - no idea what they're like but some of the layouts look reasonable and they're not too expensive: http://www.clikpic.com/.

 

[Abbazz]

I use Zenfolio and love it. It's fast and customizable. As stated by mervynyan, you can use it with your own domain name. I have an unlimited account ($40 per year), which I use primarily as an off-site storage (I have over 32,000 pictures stored for a total exceeding 77 GB) and also to store some pictures I post on various forums. There is also a premium account ($100 per year) for those who want to sell pictures or prints for a profit.

If anyone is interested, please use my referal code (29C-TR8-GZK) at registration time. It a win-win scheme: you will get a $5 credit on your yearly fee and so will I :angel:.

Cheers!

Abbazz

 

[volker]

Another vote for Clikpic. It is easy to set up and use and I like the results (given how little time you have to put in):

http://www.volkerb.co.uk/

You could also use it to sell your prints online using PayPal. It gives you some stats but I found Google Analytics a better tool to see how many visitors you are getting and where they are located etc.

Volker

 

[sockeyed]

Colin,

I'm also using zenfolio for my personal "portfolio" site: http://www.sockeyedphoto.com/

It's instantly update-able, flexible and somewhat customizable, lets you use your own domain, and is inexpensive.