Between the different levels, Basic, Unlimited and Professional, there are a few differences, with most of the difference between the two lower tiers and the Premium level.
The Premium level is intended for image sales and, as such, has a myriad of services intended to make the process of selling quick and easy. Zenfolio lists a comparative chart of their services and features.
Figure 1: Zenfolio Wizard
When I got started with Zenfolio, the site presented a wizard to facilitate getting set up. There were two choices of uploaders to get your images from your computer onto Zenfolio's site. The Zenfolio Uploader can upload a batch of images at one time. All you need do is drag and drop them into the uploader, press the upload button and get some coffee. The HTML uploader requires you to add photos, one-by-one. You can also use third-party tools.
After opening a trial account with Zenfolio (no credit card required), I used the wizard to upload three of my images and then went to look at how they were displayed. I thought it looked good...so good, I wanted to put up a few more to see the slide-show at work and that's when I ran into the first problem. Where is the upload tool?
After going to my account page, I looked for a login link and finally found it at the bottom right-hand corner. I logged in and looked for the uploader and, not finding it, searched the lower right corner, but it's not there.
Glancing around the screen, I saw the Zenfolio logo on the top left and a few items at the top right: WELCOME DENNISHAYS, MY ZENFOLIO (drop down) and LOGOUT. Thinking, for just a minute it's in the MY ZENFOLIO drop down. I check. There is a Back to Edit View link there (also goes to edit view when you click the WELCOME link). It's not obvious, but, I guess if you look hard enough...
Figure 2: Zenfolio Edit Page
Back at the edit view, where you can start one of the uploaders, the original wizard popped open, even though I had checked "Do not show this page when I log in." After the first time I used it and checked "Do not show..." I don't really expect to see it every time I go into Edit mode. This happens with both Firefox and IE7.
Article comments
1 - FCEtier
I've used Zenfolio for over a year now in addition to my own website that is one of those template sites.
So far, Zenfolio has worked well enough that I may go to it exclusively in a year or so. It's a bit cumbersome to get used to in the beginning, but then so was "Lightroom".
2 - John
Nice review, thanks! Have you also considered SmugMug? Many photographers also consider this service. Check out this breakdown for a side-by-side SmugMug Zenfolio Comparison:
Smugmug vs Zenfolio review
3 - FCEtier
Dennis,
Been missing you on Blogcritics. Please contact me via my link, just click on my name.
Thanks!
4 - Ruther
I have an account at Zenfolio and so far I am contented on the services they are providing. I highly recommend it to those photo lovers and most of all to photographers.
5 - Chino
I should try Zenfolio. I'm a amateur photographer and I'm kinda excited to post some of my shots there. Thanks for this post!