SmugMug - Anyone else struggling?

[ian in lancs]

Smugmug hast both my websites and they've recently released a new version of their site software. Looks great so all well and good... Well that's until you use it. Basic functionality is missing. Slideshows don't have a random function (did before) and folder thumbnails for galleries force one picture to be chosen for the thumbnail (previously random). One thing that really gets me is every time I log on it reroutes to a sandbox of my new site rather than going direct. So every time I log-on I get reminded how crap Smugmug are! Their usually excellent helpdesk is swamped and isn't answering emails.

All a bit un-thoughtful and seemingly rushed. Twonks!

Who are the go-to website hosts?

[AndWhyNot]

I looked at hosts incl SmugMug & PhotoShelter before opting for Zenfolio. Actually got really close to pushing the button on PhotoShelter but lack of functionality & back-end usability put me off before high prices sealed its fate.

Zenfolio is the same kind of template-driven website but widely customisable to your own aesthetic. All the usual gallery/ portfolio/ concealed album type features; managed or self-fulfilment of orders etc etc. One of the features it has that PhotoShelter lacked (if I'm honest, the SmugMug name put me off so I never got as far as trying its features) is the upload once, use anywhere gallery hierarchy. Useful to showcase images from several albums in a single location, for instance.

Also has full social media integration & a blog feature which is no worse than the free offer from Wordpress. Usefully, though, the blog can be (but doesn't have to be) based around images already in your albums.

Agressively priced against the competition, all the more so if you use my referral code & earn us both a bit of discount: 7F5-HPB-E5R.

Feel free to try free for 30 days first, tho.

[JustinMinns]

Another vote for zenfolio, site layout is a little bit limited but other than that you get a lot for the money... this is mine www.justinminns.co.uk

[Red Firecracker]

Yup, Zenfolio for me as well.

[triple5]

I've not migrated my site just yet, but have been following all the problems on dgrin. Hopefully they'll get it sorted, however they need to be quick as I bet there is a lot of people looking for alternatives.