ShootProof vs SmugMug: Which Service to Choose
By Eva Williams 21 days ago, Software Reviews
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Those looking for a reliable way to save, exchange, send and print photos online are often interested in the ShootProof vs. SmugMug.
ShootProof offers smart and sophisticated online galleries, a free mobile client application, studio management tools, a Lightroom plug-in for running galleries, an iPad leader app and many other features.
SmugMug, for its part, provides excellent service to its users and has a wide range of functions for beginners and professional photographers looking to sell prints or digital photos.
Both programs allow you to customize your galleries for sharing with clients quickly and easily and it's possible to download pictures or request prints at the touch of a button.
What Is ShootProof?
ShootProof is a highly effective website to show off your own professional portfolio. ShootProof photography websites serve as incredible client galleries and provide an easy way to do business online. As far as the general user-friendliness is concerned, the website's interface is well suited for photographers or a person interested in selling their photos for profit. Besides, a service serves as a great alternative to digital asset management software for photographers.
ShootProof: Advantages and Disadvantages
Online proofreading for photographers. Online ordering allows photographers to share their clients’ photos in a private online gallery, giving them the opportunity to choose their personal favorites, order printouts, download or share images. Alternatively, you can decide what users have access to a particular gallery and which don't.
Easy to choose site plans. The service offers a very simple interface and user-friendly ShootProof pricing plans. You will pay a monthly fee for the number of uploaded photos instead of layered plans with various functions.
Support for social media networks. In addition, ShootProof features full integration with social networks. It is easy for clients to exchange images if they want to. It enables users to upload photos fitting Facebook and Instagram sizes, as well as download premium print-quality images that can be purchased simultaneously.
100 free photos to share. There are some free options that are really quite generous for ShootProof photographers. A hundred photos may not sound like so much but if you are keen on the graphic arts or are very selective about sharing your photos, then there is a reason to use ShootProof.
Complicated navigation system. The navigation system is a bit confusing at first but not awful, you could easily handle the operation and enjoy the ShootProof portfolio.
Not always trustworthy e-mail functionality. Although email seems to work fine, some clients have pointed out that the Email feature could be a little more reliable.
What Is SmugMug?
SmugMug is a popular photo hosting site for photographers, that's been available since 2002. It serves as an online gallery space with SmugMug editing tools, making it easy and comparatively cheap to share your photos.The site is a perfect choice for beginners as well as professionals that don’t like ShootProof packages. That way, even if you don’t have professional photographic equipment, you could exchange your photos with others and sell it.
SmugMug guarantees that every photo, image, web page and gallery is fully secure, offering powerful password and filigree protection. A built-in shopping cart system allows you to promote your photos and sell some, while dedicated professional statistics tools allow you to keep track of your popularity, traffic and sales volume.
Smugmug: Strengths and Weaknesses
A variety of individual configuration features for the site. It is possible to set up the layout of the site, make online galleries and virtual collections, exchange content through social platforms, even include and modify comments on your projects.
Perfect mobility connectivity. The portable mobile application supports editing and archiving of content from any location in the world, and media can be inserted into other websites directly, including posting on Facebook. There is no need to be bothered about the number of viewers you can get: there are no traffic restrictions.
No limits on the amount of content that can be posted. The site allows you to post an unrestricted number of photos and videos, taking into account several size limitations (150MB for each photo, 3GB and 20 minutes for each video - in HD max).
Support 24/7. In case you don't find the right option on the website, you can ask for the following information real support representatives, who work 24/7 by e-mail. It is also available to start a chat at the bottom of the sidebar.
Integrated creation of personal photo galleries. That is not as easy as with some competitors, and not very affordable.
Insufficient number of templates. The SmugMug service provides fewer templates compared to its main competitor in the SmugMug vs ShootProof battle.
Overloaded interface. Inexperienced users may find the interface slightly overloaded with elements and design tools.
ShootProof VS SmugMug: Price
ShootProof has a free trial version to test the platform before taking over the paid plan. This trial allows you to test the service for 2 weeks with no need for a credit card to run the trial.
By the end of the trial period, the service plans look like this:
- ShootProof 1,500 photo plan - $10/month
- ShootProof 5,000 photo plan - $20/month
Like Shootproof, SmugMug offers its clients a 2-week trial version of the site, after which they will be offered to move to one of the provided plans:
- SmugMug Basic photo plan - $55/year
- SmugMug Power photo plan - $85/year
ShootProof vs SmugMug – Who Wins?
Now, we approach the main question of who won the ShootProof vs SmugMug battle. An obvious gain goes to ShootProof, offering professional photographers dozens of assets. We strongly recommend this platform for photographers, who are looking for a universal solution for managing their business.
We could say that their price pattern is not only simpler, but also cheaper when you think about what it offers and the ridiculous 15% commission that SmugMug provides.
Another great advantage of ShootProof is that it can handle your accounts and payments directly for you. SmugMug is not supplied with both options, but only with payment processing.
