What can you use the application for?
Smugmug is a creative internet application that basically aims to assist professional photographers and amateurs to store and share images and incorporates several photo sharing tools including a public API. The site includes numerous categories in which one can easily search to find the best images according to his/her requirements and print their favorite photos and pictures from the site by paying affordable charges. The photos can be printed in different sizes like that of compact camera sizes, etc. as per the needs of the users. The site allows its users to maintain beautiful photo galleries with unlimited storage and ensures that no one needs not to delete his/her favorite photos to make space for new ones. A user can also invite his friends to see the great photo galleries on the site without getting registered on it. The site helps its users in automatically scaling the photos in different sizes to perfectly match the size of the browsers used by them. The three account levels differ in their features they offer to users, like the Standard account allows for storing unlimited photos and themes, the Power account facilitates users to add video and customizing their account with special banners and themes and finally the Professional account helps them in commercializing their photos and offers Hi-Definition videos. In addition for professional photographers several other features such as watermarking, privatizing galleries with the help of passwords etc are provided.
What is the history and popularity of the application?
Smugmug was co-founded by Don MacAskill and his father Chris MacAskill. Don is presently holding the position of CEO as Chris MacAskill is the President of the company. The office of the company is situated at 67 E, Evelyn Avenue, Suite 200, Mountain View, California, USA. The website has been an increase in its user base in recent years and it hope to improve its popularity amongst its target audience.
What are the differences to other applications?
The site shows its creativity from the word ‘go’. It includes all the necessary features and facilities that can be asked by the users. From sharing to selling, it aims at simplifying the whole process. The site does include some great features like automatic scaling, sharing tools, watermarking, etc. It public API allows people to incorporate its capabilities in their applications and goes a long way in increasing its efficiency.
How does the application look and feel to use?
Smugmug presents an interesting design that incorporates nuanced elements of photographic perfection. Incidentally major parts of its homepage are covered with high resolution images which are presented against a black background. Information is appropriately spread out on the whole page giving the visitors an opportunity to have a good look at the pictures. The site has a smooth navigation and the process of making purchases is equally easy. Overall what makes the site stand out is its usage of pictures in the site design and one can safely say that Smugmug scores high on aesthetic appeal.
How does the registration process work?
For registering with the site, a new user is required to provide some general information like email, password, nickname, three account levels to choose from, etc. Once a user signs in, the site provides certain options for personalizing his/her first gallery. No credit card details are demanded by the site for registration. A confirmation/welcome mail with a name “Smugmug quickstart guide” is sent by the site to user’s provided email address.
What does it cost to use the application?
Initially getting started with the site is free. It provides a 14 days trial version after which, the users can opt from the three different paid plans available on the site. The three types of paid plans are named- Standard Plan at a yearly cost of $39.95, Power Plan at a yearly cost of $59.95 and lastly Professional Plan which is available at $149.95 per year. All these plans offer different set of features for the customers.
Who would you recommend the application to?
The site is a great online platform for professional photographers who can use it for storing amazing photographic work or to share them with their friends. These photo enthusiasts can easily receive good price for their work by commercializing their photographs on the site.
