Looking for flash gallery templates...

[DougAxford]

Originally Posted by Robert Wilde

I just wonder if a photographer's gallery can't be in html, not in flash, too.

ShowitWeb that I posted is embedded into the HTML. The customer does not need Flash viewer as far as I know. That's one of the big reasons I bought it. A few years ago I was sick to death of web sites that forced me to upgrade to the latest Flash updates or I could not see their site and I simply went elsewhere. I understand your concern.

Doug

[DerekW]

Have you taken a look at SimpleViewer by Airtight Interactive? The free version is pretty handy, but their Pro version offers a bit more flexibility.

SimpleViewer-Pro

[Robert Wilde]

Originally Posted by DerekW

Have you taken a look at SimpleViewer by Airtight Interactive? The free version is pretty handy, but their Pro version offers a bit more flexibility.

SimpleViewer-Pro

It says you have got to have Flash installed. That's around 800$.

I have come across several templates that looked good. But what good is it if I have to buy the expensive flash software to make it work?

[Robert Wilde]

Originally Posted by DougAxford

I went through the exact same problem months ago. Many of the pre-made web sites are very inflexible. I spent days downloading samples and phoning to ask questions to tech support. If you are like me and want to control your web site, be very careful with pre-made templates.

I ended up with ShowItWeb. Showit Products - Showit Effects, Showit Web Super simple to make a gallery and for $199. you have full control, no limits on images or galleries. I love it. Very happy. It simply is added to your existing site.

Keep in mind that it you have an HTML site, you have to be careful switching to a 100% Flash site or you will lose any ratings you have with search engines. Many photographers got very upset when they switched incorrectly and their google ratings went to the bottom. Search engines cannot read what is in your Flash, you have to hide your key words on your home page. I'm no expert on this but you need to do research for sure.

If you want a REALLY nice site and want to spend more, this place has some great stuff:
FlashPalette Web Design.

Tread carefully with pre-mades and ask a LOT of questions.

Doug

I really like the flash palette sites.

But I guess I don't want to have a flash-only site.

[Robert Wilde]

I have taken a good look around and wonder, as most photographers use flash sites now, if this hasn't become too widespread, making sites look too similar.

Also, the customary enter-page is a turn-off, and I could imagine people not waiting for the loading of the flash site.

A mix of both is probably best, an html site, and a flash player embedded.