Zenfolio vs Fotomerchant

[JJM]

Looking for peoples experiences with either of these to platforms for event photo digital download sales. I have looked at smugmug, pixiset etc but feel these two suit my needs/budget the best.

I am comparing the Zenfolio Pro AU Plan vs Fotomerchant Streamline Plan

Have any users of these two site experienced any downtime?

I have little to no knowledge when it comes to website development, my only experience so far has been helping my wife with her squarespace site. I haven't done a trial yet but these two seem to advertise templates etc, is that the case?

Both seem simlar priced, similar commission charges, payment is either Paypal or Stripe, fotomerchant includes a domain which to me makes things easy like squarespace.

Any key differences between the two that I might have overlooked?

[JJM]

Anyone? Where is the emoj for tumble weeds....:D

[ricktas]

hehe. probably people are not or have not used them so any views would be not really relevant. Ie for example, I remember hearing a couple of years back that people were having issues with Fotomerchant, but do not recall it being fixed or whether those people moved elsewhere. So my opinion is probably unimportant and based on hearsay anyway.

[farmmax]

I'm a Smugmug user, so as Rick says, it is hard to offer help. I don't sell photos, but find Smugmug easy to use.

If you are already familiar with Squarespace, have you thought about selling through there? You can set up E commerce in Squarespace as far as I know.

Try this link to using Squarespace to set manage E-commerce (https://fstoppers.com/sponsored/how-you-can-use-squarespace-manage-ecommerce-2833) and see if there is anything relevant for you.

[JJM]

I'm a Smugmug user, so as Rick says, it is hard to offer help. I don't sell photos, but find Smugmug easy to use.

If you are already familiar with Squarespace, have you thought about selling through there? You can set up E commerce in Squarespace as far as I know.

Try this link to using Squarespace to set manage E-commerce (https://fstoppers.com/sponsored/how-you-can-use-squarespace-manage-ecommerce-2833) and see if there is anything relevant for you.

Thank you for taking the time to reply and the link I havent' seent that one, I have considered squarespace probably the only thing stopping me was the cost compared to zenfolio and fotomerchant.
Squarespace basic commerce is $312USD ($440AUD Approx) per year vs fotomerchant which is $336AUD or Zenfolio at $300AUD....

Squarespace doesn't have any commission fee though on sales so long term it probably will balance out it also includes a domain as does fotomerchant. Zenfolio doesn't include a domain.

[farmmax]

There is no problem having your own domain with Zenfolio. You can bring your own domain name with you. There doesn't seem to be an extra charge for adding your own domain. Domain Names are extremely cheap these days.