I've been looking around at possible venues for selling online.
Looked at Smugmug, Zenfolio, Shutterfly, etc., and while some have great features, they just don't either have the down/upload speed, or they don't offer some feature I want. Namely translation tools to real international markets.
Now I understand fully no machine translation widget is perfect – but I am looking at serviceable vs. perfect. Recently I have been looking at Ktools. While they don't offer an interface with Millers, WH, MPIX, etc., like Zenfolio does, and orders will have to be self-fulfilled, they do offer translation through Google and Multi-Currency checkout. I have no problem with getting web space to host the site.
As the FM site has many great photographers, I would ask what works for your selling online?
I have a few areas I am somewhat concerned about with Zenfolio. They are by far the least expensive overall, for the total package offered that I have looked at. I see their speed and lack of translation as issues.
Right now I send out emails with PDF's attached of all new captures to a list for each country and well over 70% of my customers are foreign. What I do is use the Google Translator (not perfect, but works well enuf to get the point across). Some of my customers will do the translation for me and I cut and paste. I do one for each country I send to. Its a pain, but it keeps the bucks coming in. What my foreign customers tell me is I need a web site that will translate on the fly, and so we come to what software the FM group likes. Translation is a must. Out of country is a serious market segment, at least for me.
Been looking hard at Lightbox Enterprise. Seems to be extremely well thought out. At the same time, I am sure there are others I have missed. Also have looked at Ktools, and several others.
