Is Smugmug the best option for me?

[Sundance]

I became disabled in March of this year (neck wore out) and now have time to pursue my photography interests. I'm looking for a site to store and organize my pics and hopefully sell some to make some cash on the side. While looking at Smugmug today, I was kicked off the site 3 times and it locked up four times. Is this normal? I'm running IE 6.0 SP2. If I go with Smugmug I'm thinking I should start with the Standard account until I get the majority of my pics loaded (I'm on dial-up http://www.dgrin.com/images/icons/bncry.gif). Should I even attempt to do this on dial-up? Do I understand correctly that you don't make any money on pic sales unless you have the Pro account to set prices? I would appreciate your thoughts and recommendations on this.

[DavidTO]

Sundance,

Sounds like smugmug's a great solution for you. Dial-up's gonna kill you, though, making uploads much much much slower. That's also most likely the reason for you getting bumped, although I'm no expert. There are internet/network/firewall gurus around that may be able to help you trouble shoot that.

If you do sign up, make sure you get a referral code from one of the other users, so that you can save $5 when you sign up.

[cmason]

Been on all day, and no connectivity issues myself.

If you want $$ from your photos, you will need a pro account.

Dial up is going to make you drop your photo bug :huh. If you get an order for a 11x14 print of one of your photos, it will take you half the day to load it online....

[Bodley]

Feel free to use this code for a sign up discount JrsVMt9lXWqAw . The code goes in the "Referred by" field on the signup screen.

Sign-up for the trial period and test the site. I highly recommend Smugmug and I don't think you'll find a friendlier bunch to work with.

Good luck

[cmason]

thats better, we waited for the third post before we shilled for SM :rofl

[Sundance]

I appreciate the help. The last two posts obviously went over my head. I may try this anyway. When I upload to another site I start the upload and let it run overnight. Not a very good option but the best I've got for now. DSL and cable not available. Satellite too expensive for me at this point.

[phxmark123]

Just something to think about if you are getting a "Standard" membership. You will never know if someone bought your photos. There are no reports for this. Only for the PRO membership do they do this. Personally I have had the standard for awhile and I am thinking of changing sites or upgrading because of this. I don't care if or how much profit is made on my photos at this level but it would be nice to know if anybody likes them enough to buy them.