Powered by Smugmug

[burntpixel]

I'm looking into using SmugMug for my site gallery and cart. Just need to know a couple of things before proceeding.

First, should I purchase the pro account can the "powered by Smugmug" be removed? I am aware that I can use my header and footer and make it all look just the way I would want it too. What I have noticed is that every SmugMug site I've looked at still has "powered by Smugmug" listed. I have my own domain name and will point to it. Just wondering what the rules are with this.

Not sure I would want to spend $150.00 per year and have my clients see the price structure.

Second and lastly, does SmugMug operate kind of like a stock photography site? I have noticed comments like...I was only on SmugMug for x number of days and sold $x amount. Just wondering if SmugMug was/is micro stock agent or keywords to such?

Thanks for anyhelp with these questions.

Regards,
bp

[jfriend]

Smugmug requires that you keep the "powered by Smugmug" visible on your pages. The fact that Smugmug's default prices are published really shouldn't matter at all. People generally know what a print costs at Longs or Costco or their local photo lab. When they buy from you they aren't just buying a print, they're buying a specific photograph you offer and paying for the work you put into taking it, preparing it, offering it for sale and supporting your customers. If they aren't willing to pay you a fair price for that, then they weren't going to buy from you anyway.

Smugmug is not yet like a stock photography site (though there are rumors of something along those lines). People who sell on Smugmug are largely responsible for driving the right traffic to their site that includes the kind of people that would want to buy their images. You should not expect to just put up some images, set your prices and start seeing sales. It doesn't work that way.