p.1 #1 · website: bludomain, photobiz or creativedesignmotions?
I've been reading past threads on FM, as well as looking at the above 3 companies for a new website. Can anyone with experience with any of the above steer me towards one of them? Any particular reasons? Customer support??
My current website is down, and a pain to get back up, so I'm hoping to have something new in the next 4 - 5 days.
p.1 #3 · website: bludomain, photobiz or creativedesignmotions?
Seems like I heard bludomain had a rough patch, and that things had improved a year or so ago.... maybe I'm mistaken, and things still aren't too well with the company.........
p.1 #4 · website: bludomain, photobiz or creativedesignmotions?
Photobiz is awesome. Within the first couple of weeks, I was bombarded with e-mails and calls from people there offering to help me set everything up. Awesome customer service, and easy to use interface.
p.1 #5 · website: bludomain, photobiz or creativedesignmotions?
Lovesong wrote:
Photobiz is awesome. Within the first couple of weeks, I was bombarded with e-mails and calls from people there offering to help me set everything up. Awesome customer service, and easy to use interface.
Did I mention they were awesome?
+1 infinity
Exactly the same experience here. I am in the UK and they call me when they say they will, email me straight back within 12 hours of my query. It is an excellent company and great website designs. Interface if first rate. The only thing is that its a bit expensive to store loads of pics, but a smug mug link sorted that out.!!
p.1 #6 · website: bludomain, photobiz or creativedesignmotions?
bludomain, at least a year ago was not known for good customer service. Good product, great price, but you better know how to follow simple directions.
Yes, people do complain about bludomains customer service, but what do you expect for the price? They are very reliable. Little to no down time.
p.1 #8 · website: bludomain, photobiz or creativedesignmotions?
Photobiz does have people to talk to and respond. I have had good luck with Blu but still like a phone option. I thinbk Photobiz says that they run a HTML site along with the Flash. That could help get you listed in search engines. Flash will not get you much search engine business unless you are really lucky. Never say never but the odds are against it.
Photobiz will also allow changing of templates for the start up fee unless something has changed. Nice not being locked into a template when you want a new look.
I went old school basic HTML I can do myself and will be removing my Blu site in about a week.
p.1 #11 · website: bludomain, photobiz or creativedesignmotions?
I have been doing the research myself these few days spendings hours looking at these templates and comparing. Something that still bugs me a lot is that why does bludomain want your FTP account to install stuff for you.
I used flashpalette.com's template and got my site "installed" to my webserver in exactly 1 minute -- the time the stuff got uploaded to my website.
I also don't want to pay any monthly fees. I suggest you look at www.flashpalette.com if that's your criteria too. But the truth is blu templates are much nicer, and are affordable.
p.1 #12 · website: bludomain, photobiz or creativedesignmotions?
I have a bludomain site. I love my site, and you can't beat the price.
I disagree with those who say bludomain has poor customer service. My guess is that they're just repeating what they've heard others say... that or they had a very different experience than me.
Personally I'd say their customer service is NOT bad... it's simply NON EXISTENT. Bad customer service would be customer service that clumsily attempts to fix your problem and doesn't manage to. Or promises to get back to you within X days and gets back to you in 2X days.
My Bludomain experience has been NOTHING like this. I've contacted them about a problem at this point a month ago, and heard absolutely nothing. No rude customer support people, no incompetent ones. NOTHING. It's kind of like if you go out and buy a bootleg copy of Windows. Except with bludomain you're not breaking any laws.
They also don't have long hold times on the phone, like other companies do. They solved that problem by NOT HAVING a phone number you can call (not that I can find one anyway).
Provided that you know what you're getting into I don' think they're a bad choice, I think they're a TERRIBLE choice.
And now for some SEO friendly text to help others out who use the search engine:
Bludomain customer service
Bludomain website support
Bludomain phone number
Bludomain sucks more than Hoover Vacuum Cleaner
Bludomain website
Bludomain flash site
Bludomain is pathetic
Bludomain is evil
Bludomain websites
Bludomain encrypts their source code, but thankfully they use a boneheaded encryption system the decoder for which is freely available on the web
Bludomain experience
P.S. Oh yeah... forgot to mention... I had contacted them about another probem maybe 2 months ago... no answer there either.
P.P.S. I will say that if you have questions BEFORE YOU BUY they're pretty good at getting back to you. So make sure you get all your customer service issues resolved before you actually give them any money
P.P.P.S. Oh and for those wondering wether my not hearing back from them is the result of an email problem on my part or something... I did get their acknoledgement of my question... so no, not an email problem.
p.1 #13 · website: bludomain, photobiz or creativedesignmotions?
Certainly not beating around the bush, lisy78. But I appreciate the feedback.
I talked with photobiz on the phone today. Wonderfully friendly, nice people. I ended up getting a site with them. I'm in the process of figuring it out, currently.
p.1 #14 · website: bludomain, photobiz or creativedesignmotions?
jolson72 wrote:
Certainly not beating around the bush, lisy78. But I appreciate the feedback.
I talked with photobiz on the phone today. Wonderfully friendly, nice people. I ended up getting a site with them. I'm in the process of figuring it out, currently.
Thanks for the feedback / opinions, everyone.
There's no bush to beat around.
Pardon the non-intentional pun (no, really) but frankly crirticizing Bludomain's customer support would be like criticizing my vagina.
p.1 #15 · website: bludomain, photobiz or creativedesignmotions?
bwcat wrote:
I have been doing the research myself these few days spendings hours looking at these templates and comparing. Something that still bugs me a lot is that why does bludomain want your FTP account to install stuff for you.
I used flashpalette.com's template and got my site "installed" to my webserver in exactly 1 minute -- the time the stuff got uploaded to my website.
I also don't want to pay any monthly fees. I suggest you look at www.flashpalette.com if that's your criteria too. But the truth is blu templates are much nicer, and are affordable.
thanks for the link, definitely thinking about using flashpalette since i have my own server
p.1 #16 · website: bludomain, photobiz or creativedesignmotions?
stecson wrote:
thanks for the link, definitely thinking about using flashpalette since i have my own server
That's what I used for my website and it was awesome. If you have the ability to access your own server it couldnt be easier to update your site. You can download whatever template sofware you like, build the entire site offline and preview it, then when you're ready just upload everything and that's it. You can even put it online without paying for it and by paying for it the "trial" logo comes off. Currently I'm looking to change mine up as I havent update it in a while and I don't really love the interface anymore but it has served it's purpose well.
p.1 #17 · website: bludomain, photobiz or creativedesignmotions?
BGP1 wrote:
That's what I used for my website and it was awesome. If you have the ability to access your own server it couldnt be easier to update your site. You can download whatever template sofware you like, build the entire site offline and preview it, then when you're ready just upload everything and that's it. You can even put it online without paying for it and by paying for it the "trial" logo comes off. Currently I'm looking to change mine up as I havent update it in a while and I don't really love the interface anymore but it has served it's purpose well. ...Show more →
wait, so you are changing from flashpalette? is there a reason why or is it just grown old on you
p.1 #18 · website: bludomain, photobiz or creativedesignmotions?
I have always had phenomenal service from Blu. I've been with them for over 3 years, so I guess I'm a pioneer with them. If I ever have problems, I can email them and expect it to be fixed within 24hrs, thats how good of service I received.
I understand I'm one of the few with great response. Maybe because I was hosting with them? (which BTW their hosting is awesome).
Anyway, I've moved on from Blu and built my own custom HTML site as I was getting fed up with not being indexed by google for having a flash site.
p.1 #19 · website: bludomain, photobiz or creativedesignmotions?
I use CMD (creative motion design) for my website. I think it's great, easy to use interface, infinite storage, infinite galleries and text pages, 1500x1000 size pics (if you want), paypal integration and a bunch of other stuff.
Their customer service is great. They are based in Czech Republic so have some weird opening times- they're American people but operate out of Prague cos the owner married a Czech girl and moved his operation over there.
Everything I ask them gets answered within 24 hrs and the changes to the website (favicon uploading, email account creation etc) are handled straight away.
for the $300 I got it for (half-price) and the free hosting, I'm pleasantly surprised! And they list their phone number, unlike Blu Domain where you have to wait in line to be answered via email.
p.1 #20 · website: bludomain, photobiz or creativedesignmotions?
sboerup wrote:
I have always had phenomenal service from Blu. I've been with them for over 3 years, so I guess I'm a pioneer with them. If I ever have problems, I can email them and expect it to be fixed within 24hrs, thats how good of service I received.
I understand I'm one of the few with great response. Maybe because I was hosting with them? (which BTW their hosting is awesome).
Anyway, I've moved on from Blu and built my own custom HTML site as I was getting fed up with not being indexed by google for having a flash site.
That may, indeed, be the key.
I guess they figure if you're hosting on your own then they can blow you off, wereas if you're hosting with them it's either they provide the CS or they're losing the revenue stream
