Updating my Online Proofing System

I've been using the same online proofing system for over two years and it hasn't been updated in those two years.  So I have been looking around for a new solution.  Originally I had filtered out most other systems because many have very limited support for multi-pose print packages (seriously, what is up with that?) but with the change in my business model to be more digital focused I actually realized I don't really need print packages anymore so that opened up more options.

I checked out NextProof and was really impressed with it.  It has a bunch of different templates for your gallery but you can also completely customize it yourself by editing the template files.  They also offer premium templates AND custom template design services.

I am still in my 30 day free trial.  I signed up on their website and was able to go in and add in my pricing very easily.  I've only done some basic editing of the template but I am using a custom template.  You can download the template code for any of the standard templates and then customize them the way that you want too.  If you have any coding experience it is pretty easy to follow.  I will surely go in and do more customization in the future.

One of the things I really liked about them was the ability to use my own domain even though it was a hosted solution.  I created a sub-domain for placing orders then worked with their customer support to get my digital certificate setup for the secure ordering.  They were responsive and helped me get it setup. If you decide to use your domain (orders.bubblegumtree.com) instead of their domain (bubblegumtree.nextproof.com) then I strongly recommend buying a digital certificate.  I was able to order mine though GoDaddy (also where I manage my domain name).   If you don't get a digital certificate for yourself your site will still be secure but your customers will probably get a message from their web browser telling them that the certificate does not match the website address.

Currently the support for packages is limited.  You can put a package in as a product but they wouldn't be able to choose the images for the items in the package through the system...I assume they'd just pay there and then contact the photographer directly to determine which images to actually print.  I can say that StudioCart (which I have been using and which I am still using for some of my pre-existing clients that still order mainly print packages) has awesome support for packages.  Honestly, that has really spoiled me because of the level of package customization...it is probably also why it hasn't been updated in a while - too complicated to update.  I will be phasing it out though as I move more towards digital files and ala carte print orders.

I'm choosing to continue to do my own order fulfillment through the various labs I use but they do offer order processing through ProDPI if you'd rather have that part streamlined for your business.  And I like that I can create discount codes that expire - a great way to boost sales by forcing ordering in a certain window of opportunity.

If you are looking for an online proofing system check them out: http://www.nextproof.com.  If you enter the coupon code "BUBBLEGUM" when you sign up for your account, you'll get 25% off your plan. SWEET!

NextProof is a product by the same folks that put together BigFolio for templated photography websites.  I checked with Jen Thompson and her coupon code (JEN150), good for $150 off a premium template, is still active so if you are looking for an alternative to the other template sites for photographers, definitely check them out because they are doing some great work.  Also, Jen is now working through them for the logo design services they are offering (Jen designed my new logo for my rebranding of my business and did a FANTASTIC job).  They also offer some SEO services which I have heard they are really awesome at making that magic happen (search engine optimization for those you not familiar with the term).

One of the founders is going to be speaking at a workshop early this fall called Bent in Suncadia.  The location looks beautiful and the speakers includes Bambi Cantrell (who hasn't heard of her?), Jim Garner, and Erik Dungan (of Big Folio). 

Comments

[sara sun]

Hi, I too have been meaning to update my proofing gallery and was thinking of purchasing PhotoCart until I came across the shopping cart feature through www.photobiz.com
All I have to do is purchase the shopping cart for $125 and it is a monthly hosting fee. Then I sign up for ecommerce and they take 2.8% of the total sales, way better than nextproof's transaction fee of 7% and they have very similar features. Seems just as user-friendly. Check it out.

[Daniele]

I also have a PhotoBiz cart and love it! You should check it out. I have to say I'm a little confused. Just a couple of posts ago when you released the results of your survey it was about planning for packages (something I've been meaning to do since!) but now you're phasing yours out. Do you think packages are the way to go for maximized sales?

[Jessica]

Ah yes, that could be confusing. So, for the past few years my business has been modeled after traditional photography businesses....charge a session fee but rely on large print orders to really make my income. In that model, having print packages that guide my clients towards orders in the $$ that I wanted to reach really made sense and was very successful in increasing my average sales. If you have your business modeled to sell prints PACKAGES are great! So when I wrote about that recently it was more from a historical perspective.

I have recently revised my business model to more of a digital model where I charge a much higher session fee but include images on the disk for that amount and any print sales are add-on/gravy. It'll be interesting to see how it goes after the fall!

[Logo Design]

Blogs for logo design.