SmugMug vs Webnode: guide for 2024

Final verdict

SmugMug and Webnode both offer unique strengths, catering to different user needs and preferences.

SmugMug (Overall Grade: 6.3/10)

is a specialized platform designed for photographers and creatives. It excels in providing robust photo protection features, customizable templates, and ecommerce capabilities tailored for selling prints and digital downloads. SmugMug is ideal for users who prioritize showcasing high-quality images and need a platform that offers strong privacy and security settings for their work.
Webnode (Overall Grade: 6.5/10)

offers a more general website building experience with a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface, making it accessible for beginners. It provides a variety of customizable templates, basic ecommerce functionalities, and comprehensive learning resources. Webnode is suitable for users looking to create simple websites quickly and easily, without needing advanced technical skills.

	Overall grade: 6.3	Overall grade: 6.5
Design functionalities & templates	7.1	7.1
Ease of use	7.8	8.0
Ecommerce	7.3	6.3
Website Editors	7.3	7.3
Product testing options	7.4	5.3
Price	7.8	7.7
Hosting quality	5.0	6.3
Website speed optimization	5.5	6.1
Plugins and integrations	6.2	6.8
Marketing features	3.8	5.5
Customer support	7.9	5.3
Security	6.0	7.7
AI capabilities	0	5.3
User Management	7.2	6.9

Best for ecommerce

7.3

6.3

Verdict

: SmugMug is ideal for photographers looking to sell their work online, while Webnode is better suited for small-scale general ecommerce.

SmugMug

: Designed specifically for photographers, SmugMug offers a range of ecommerce features tailored to selling digital downloads and prints. It includes robust photo protection features and supports multiple currencies, making it a strong choice for creatives. However, when comparing SmugMug vs Webnode, SmugMug may lack some advanced ecommerce functionalities found in more general platforms.
Webnode

: Webnode provides basic ecommerce functionalities suitable for small online stores. It offers extensive customization options for product pages and supports various payment gateways. While it may not have the specialized features of SmugMug, it is a good option for beginners looking to create a simple ecommerce website quickly and easily.

Best for informational & business websites

7.5

7.2

Verdict

: SmugMug and Webnode both offer unique advantages for informational business websites, but SmugMug slightly edges out Webnode with a score of 7.5 compared to Webnode’s 7.2.

SmugMug

: SmugMug is tailored for photographers and creatives, making it an excellent choice for visually driven informational sites. Its customizable templates and robust photo protection features ensure that high-quality images are showcased effectively. While it includes e-commerce capabilities, its primary strength lies in its ability to create stunning visual portfolios, making it ideal for businesses in the creative industry.
Webnode

: Webnode is a versatile website builder that caters to a broader audience with its drag-and-drop interface and responsive templates. It is particularly suitable for beginners who need to create a simple, professional-looking website quickly. Webnode’s comprehensive approach to website speed optimization and extensive range of plugins make it a strong contender for various business needs. However, when comparing SmugMug vs Webnode, SmugMug’s specialized focus on visual presentation gives it a slight edge for informational business websites.

Detailed comparison

7.1

🏆

Winner: Tie.

Both SmugMug and Webnode offer unique strengths in design functionalities and templates, catering to different user needs.

SmugMug offers a variety of templates and designs, currently around 20+, catering to the diverse needs of photographers and visual artists. Users can choose from an extensive collection of customizable templates, ensuring their website or portfolio reflects their unique style and brand. The platform continuously updates its design offerings, incorporating the latest trends and user feedback, to provide a rich selection of modern, sleek, and professional layouts.

SmugMug Themes

Webnode offers a variety of website templates designed for different purposes, from business and portfolios to restaurants and travel. These templates are customizable and responsive, ensuring they display well on any device. While an exact number isn’t available, Webnode provides a wide selection to cater to diverse website needs.

Webnode Themes

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7.8

8.0

🏆 Winner: Webnode

. Scoring 8.0, Webnode offers a straightforward drag-and-drop interface, making it highly accessible for beginners and those without coding experience. SmugMug, with a score of 7.8, also provides a user-friendly experience but is more specialized for photographers and visual artists. If ease of use is your priority, Webnode has a slight edge in this category.

Learning Resources

🏆 Winner: Webnode

. Both platforms offer a variety of learning resources, but Webnode’s extensive documentation, video tutorials, and community forums provide a more comprehensive support system for users.

Learn more about SmugMug’s learning resources

Learn more about Webnode’s learning resources

7.3

6.3

SmugMug is designed specifically for photographers and creatives, offering a range of ecommerce features tailored to selling digital downloads and prints. Webnode, while more general, provides basic ecommerce functionalities suitable for small online stores.


Ecommerce themes and templates	8.0	6.5
Product page customization	6.5	7.0
Payment processing and commissions	6.0	6.8
POS capabilities	0.0	4.0
Payment gateways	5.0	7.0
Product numbers	9.0	5.5
Additional ecommerce features	6.5	6.0

SmugMug ecommerce features:

Digital Downloads
Product Pricing
Tax handling
Discounts and Coupons
Multiple Currencies support

Webnode ecommerce features:

Shipping options
Payment gateway integrations
Order management
Coupons and discounts

Ecommerce themes & templates

SmugMug’s templates are designed with ecommerce in mind, providing built-in shopping cart functionality. Webnode offers ecommerce-specific templates designed for creating online stores, though the exact number of templates available may vary over time. These templates typically come with features such as product showcasing, shopping cart functionality, support for various payment gateways, and customization options. However, users should be mindful of potential limitations such as customization restrictions, feature limitations based on plan tiers, transaction fees, and integration limitations when choosing a template and plan for their ecommerce website on Webnode.

Product page customization

SmugMug prioritizes photography, offering a platform tailored for photographers to showcase and sell their work, despite having more limited product page customization compared to dedicated e-commerce platforms. It still provides enough functionality to detail digital and printed photography products effectively, enabling users to sell online with ease. This balance between showcasing art and facilitating sales makes SmugMug a suitable choice for photographers looking to professionalize their online presence and monetize their art efficiently.

Webnode provides users with extensive customization options for product pages, allowing for the creation of visually appealing and informative displays. Through customizable content blocks, product images and galleries, and tailored product descriptions, users can effectively showcase their products. Additionally, features such as customizable call-to-action buttons, product variations, and SEO optimization contribute to a seamless and optimized shopping experience.

Payment processing

SmugMug has a unique approach to payment processing, managed through account settings where users must complete a Tax & Payment form to set up payment preferences. Earnings are calculated as 85% of the markup on print prices or download sales, with SmugMug retaining 15% to cover various costs. Payments are made via ACH direct deposit for U.S. users or PayPal for international users, processed on the first business day after the 7th of each month for profits accumulated through the end of the previous month.

Webnode supports various payment gateways, including popular options like PayPal and Stripe, for online transactions. While Webnode itself doesn’t charge commissions on transactions, payment gateways may have their own fee structures. Webnode primarily focuses on facilitating online transactions and doesn’t provide native POS capabilities, although integration with third-party POS solutions may be possible. For the latest information on supported payment gateways, transaction fees, and POS integrations, users should refer to Webnode’s official documentation or contact their customer support.

7.3

🏆

Tie: SmugMug and Webnode

. Both SmugMug and Webnode score 7.3 in the website editors category, each offering unique strengths tailored to different user needs.

Smugmug website editor

SmugMug

: SmugMug’s website builder editor offers a user-friendly interface that allows for the creation of visually appealing, professional-grade photography websites without the need for coding knowledge. Users can customize their site by choosing from a variety of templates, adjusting layouts, and incorporating their own branding elements like logos and colors. The editor also supports easy uploading, organizing, and showcasing of high-quality images, with robust privacy and security settings to protect content. Additionally, SmugMug provides tools for selling prints and digital downloads directly from the website, making it a comprehensive platform for photographers looking to display and monetize their work online.

Webnode

: Webnode’s website builder features a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface with customizable templates, enabling users to easily create professional-looking websites without coding skills. The editor offers responsive design capabilities and multilingual support, catering to diverse audiences across different devices and languages. Built-in features such as SEO tools, e-commerce functionality, and analytics integration empower users to optimize their websites for search engines, sell products online, and track performance metrics effectively. Overall, Webnode provides a comprehensive solution for individuals and businesses to create and manage their online presence efficiently.

Mobile editor/app

7.5

5.5

🏆

Winner: SmugMug

. SmugMug and Webnode both offer mobile editing options, but they cater to different needs and have varying levels of functionality. SmugMug provides a mobile app that allows users to add new photos and edit descriptions, which is particularly useful for photographers who need to update their portfolios on the go. However, it does not support layout changes through the app.

Webnode, on the other hand, does not have a dedicated mobile app but allows users to edit their websites using the mobile browser version of the editor. This option comes with certain limitations, making it less convenient for comprehensive mobile editing.

In summary, SmugMug receives a higher rating due to its dedicated mobile app, which, despite its limitations, offers more focused functionality for photographers. Webnode’s mobile editing capabilities are more restricted, relying on a mobile browser interface that may not be as user-friendly or efficient for extensive edits.

7.4

5.3

Overall Result

:

SmugMug wins

. SmugMug scores 7.4, offering a 14-day free trial that allows users to test all premium features, making it a strong option for photographers and creatives who need to evaluate the platform’s capabilities thoroughly. Webnode, with a score of 5.3, provides a free plan with limited features and no trial version, which may not be sufficient for users who want to explore the full range of premium functionalities.


Free Plan	No	Yes
Trial Duration	14 days	No
Testing Premium Features	During the free trial	Some features can be tested with the free plan

7.8

7.7

Webnode offers more budget-friendly plans, while SmugMug provides specialized features for photographers with higher-tier options.

	Offerings	Offerings
$0-$10	No offering at this amount.	LIMITED ($5.50/month): Basic plan, 200 MB storage, attach domain, website statistics, up to 5 form fields, last 30 days backup. This plan allows to manage 1 website with unlimited number of pages. Value for Price: 3.0
$10-$20	No offering at this amount.	MINI ($10.00/month): All essentials for a simple website, 1 GB storage, 3 GB bandwidth, website statistics, 1 email account. This plan allows to manage 1 website with unlimited number of pages. Value for Price: 4.5
$30-$35	Power ($15.00/month): Best for the photographer who wants their entire photo catalog safe and shareable on their own terms. Unlimited storage, Seamless Lightroom integration Value for Price: 6.5	STANDARD ($16.90/month): For starting an online store, 3 GB storage, 10 GB bandwidth, 20 email accounts, basic store features. This plan allows to manage 1 website with unlimited number of pages. Value for Price: 6.0
$37-$50	Portfolio ($31.00/month): Best for the photographer who wants to start selling photos and keep their archive organized perfectly. All Power plan’s features, plus 21 premade templates, prints and digital downloads sales, Custom Watermarks, Payment integration for credit cards and PayPal, Integrated cart and checkout experience, Sales statistics. Value for Price: 8.0	BUSINESS ($34.90/month): Comprehensive e-commerce, 15 GB storage, unlimited bandwidth, 1000 email accounts, advanced online store features. This plan allows to manage 1 website with unlimited number of pages. Value for Price: 8.5
$500+	Pro ($45.00/month): Adds to Portfolio with custom price lists and coupons, Platform access for assistant or second shooter, Full control over client downloads, Branded packaging and thank you notes for print sales, coupon creator. Value for Price: 8.5	PROFI ($26.50/month): Professional websites, 7 GB storage, unlimited bandwidth, 100 email accounts, full online store capabilities. This plan allows to manage 1 website with unlimited number of pages. Value for Price: 7.5

In some cases companies have different prices based on various components like a
location. As a result in rare cases the prices displayed here can differ from the ones you see on their
websites.

5.0

6.3

🏆

Winner: Webnode

Webnode offers more detailed hosting features, including bandwidth options and automated backups on higher plans. SmugMug, while providing hosting, lacks detailed information on its hosting features, data centers, and uptime statistics, which impacts its reliability score.


Do they offer hosting?	Yes	Yes
Data Centers:	Not disclosed	Not disclosed
Type of hosting:	Not disclosed	Not disclosed
Uptime:	Not disclosed	99.6%
Uptime Guarantee:	Yes, 99.9%	No

5.5

6.1

🏆 Winner: Webnode

While both SmugMug and Webnode have their own strategies for optimizing website speed, Webnode’s comprehensive approach gives it a slight edge over SmugMug.


Focus	Mobile Responsive design	Code Minification, Image Optimization, Caching
Performance Tools	Not specified	Not specified
Key Strategies	Mobile Responsive design	Code Minification, Image Optimization, Caching
Load Times	Varies widely, depending on optimization	Varies depending on optimization
Page Speed Scores Range	Varies widely, depending on optimization	Varies depending on optimization
Core Web Vitals Improvement	Not specified	Not specified

SmugMug is a premium website builder tailored for photographers and creatives, focusing on showcasing high-quality images. Its primary strategy for speed optimization is ensuring a mobile-responsive design. However, SmugMug does not provide detailed information on load times, PageSpeed scores, or Core Web Vitals improvements, making it challenging to assess its overall performance in this area.

Webnode, on the other hand, employs a more comprehensive approach to speed optimization. It utilizes code minification, image optimization, and caching to enhance website performance. Although Webnode also does not provide specific data on load times, PageSpeed scores, or Core Web Vitals improvements, its broader range of optimization strategies suggests a more robust approach to maintaining website speed.

In conclusion, while both platforms aim to optimize website speed, Webnode’s diverse strategies give it a slight advantage over SmugMug in this comparison.

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6.2

6.8

🏆 Winner: Webnode.

Webnode scores 6.8, slightly ahead of SmugMug’s 6.2, thanks to its extensive range of plugins developed by Elfsight. These plugins cover a wide array of functionalities, from social media integration to e-commerce tools, providing users with numerous options to enhance their websites. SmugMug, while offering valuable integrations for photographers, such as Adobe Lightroom and Google Photos, falls short in comparison to Webnode’s broader plugin ecosystem.

It is however worth mentioning that SmugMug’s integrations are highly specialized for photographers, making it a strong contender for users in that niche.

Webnode Applications

Elfsight Webnode plugins

3.8

5.5

🏆

Overall Winner: Webnode

. Webnode offers a more comprehensive suite of marketing tools, making it a better choice for users looking for robust marketing capabilities. SmugMug, while excellent for photographers, falls short in several key marketing areas.


SEO Tools	Basic	✓
Email Marketing	No	✓
Blogging	No	✓
Social Media Integration	✓	✓
Analytics and Reporting	Basic integration with Google Analytics	✓
Ads and Promotions	No	✓

7.9

5.3

🏆 Winner: SmugMug

. When comparing SmugMug vs Webnode, SmugMug takes the lead with a customer support score of 7.9, compared to Webnode’s 5.3. SmugMug offers customer support through email and chat, available 364 days a year, with rapid response times. Additionally, higher-tier business subscribers have access to phone support. This comprehensive support system ensures that users can get help quickly and efficiently.

Webnode, on the other hand, provides customer support in more than 20 languages, available five days a week. While email support is the primary channel, premium customers receive priority phone support. However, the lack of general phone and live chat support, combined with limited availability, makes it less accessible compared to SmugMug. Webnode’s support team aims to resolve inquiries within 24 hours, but this may not be sufficient for users needing immediate assistance.

6.0

7.7

🏆

Winner: Webnode

. Webnode scores higher in security with a score of 7.7, offering comprehensive measures such as HTTPS encryption, IP Filters, Form Protection, and Malware Scanning for premium users. Additionally, Webnode supports GDPR compliance, ensuring that user data is handled according to strict privacy regulations.

SmugMug, with a security score of 6.0, provides basic privacy settings and controls, allowing users to manage access to their content. However, it lacks detailed disclosure of its security measures, which may be a concern for users needing more robust protection for their websites.

5.3


AI Builder	SmugMug does not have an AI website builder	Webnode AI builder generates custom websites based on user input
AI Ecommerce Features	SmugMug does not have AI ecommerce features	Webnode does not have AI ecommerce features
AI Content Generation	SmugMug does not have AI content generation features	Webnode does not have AI content generation features
Additional AI Features	SmugMug does not have any AI capabilities	Webnode does not have other AI features apart from AI builder

🏆 Winner: Webnode

. Webnode, with a score of 5.3, offers a basic AI builder that helps users create custom websites by guiding them through a series of questions. This makes the website creation process more accessible and efficient, especially for beginners. Although Webnode’s AI capabilities are limited, they still provide a significant advantage over SmugMug, which does not offer any AI features.

7.2

6.9

🏆 Winner: SmugMug

. Both SmugMug and Webnode offer robust user management features, but SmugMug edges out with more detailed role customization and permissions.

SmugMug allows the primary account holder full control over the account, with the ability to add additional users through “Shared Account Management” for Portfolio and Pro level accounts. These additional users can be given various roles with different permissions, enabling them to manage or edit the website without full access to billing or account settings.
Webnode allows multiple users to manage and edit a website, but the exact number varies depending on the subscription plan. The free version provides limited user access, while premium plans offer more flexibility, including the ability to add multiple users with different roles and permissions.

SmugMug User Roles and Access Levels:

Role	Description	Access Highlights
Owner	The primary account holder who has full control over the site.	Complete access to all features, settings, content management, and billing.
Admin	Users granted almost the same level of access as the owner, minus some critical billing or account settings.	Manage content, order prints, access to stats, and settings except for account and billing changes.
Contributor	Users who can upload and manage content in specific galleries.	Upload content to assigned galleries, edit captions, and keywords. Limited access to settings.

Webnode User Roles and Access Levels:

Role	Description	Access Highlights
Website Owner	The individual or entity that owns the Webnode website.	Full access: can modify site structure, design, content, and manage user roles.
Administrator	Users with administrative privileges assigned by the website owner.	Nearly full access, including content management, and some settings adjustments.
Editor	Users tasked with creating, editing, and publishing content.	Access to add and edit content, blog posts, and pages, but cannot alter design.
Contributor	Users who can contribute content but cannot publish it.	Can draft content but need approval from an Editor or Administrator to publish.
Viewer/Visitor	Individuals who visit the website without any editing permissions.	Can view the public website and interact through comments or contact forms.
E-commerce Manager	Specifically for websites with an e-commerce component, managing products.	Can add, edit, and manage products, orders, and customer interactions.

Additional Features


SSL Certificate
Custom Domain
Free Custom Domain Included
International Domains
Mobile Responsive
Page Speed
Website Builder Mobile App
Convert a Website To An App
Website Analytics
Multilingual Sites
Multiple Users

User Feedback

SmugMug

33 reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars

Webnode

10 reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars

Users appreciate SmugMug for its reliability, ease of use, and the platform’s ability to securely host and share high-resolution photographs and videos. Highlights include seamless mobile device syncing, excellent gallery features for showcasing assets, and robust customization options minus JavaScript support. However, some users desire improvements in facial recognition technology for automatic album creation, expanded asset management capabilities beyond primarily photos, and more advanced search functionalities. Concerns about rising costs and the platform’s intuitiveness were also mentioned. Overall, SmugMug is valued for its central storage solution, privacy features for client photos, and its ability to simplify file sharing and photo sales.

User feedback on Webnode highlights its ease of use, rapid website creation capabilities, and the wide range of templates available, making it a popular choice for individuals and businesses seeking an intuitive web development platform. While praised for its user-friendly interface and quick setup, including domain purchase and application, some users express a desire for more flexibility and customization options, especially in themes and e-commerce features. Comparatively, it falls short on advanced functionalities such as SEO tools and widgets offered by competitors like WordPress. Customer service experiences vary, with some users facing challenges in getting support for email hosting and analytics integration. Overall, Webnode is celebrated for its ability to accommodate users with little to no coding knowledge, offering an accessible solution for creating professional websites, though it may not fully meet the needs of those requiring more complex site features or dedicated customer support.

The making of this blog

We followed a clear, step-by-step process to write and research this article.

Our Ranking Criteria

FAQ

Which platform is better for photographers, SmugMug or Webnode?

SmugMug is specifically designed for photographers and creatives, offering robust features for showcasing and selling high-quality images. It provides advanced photo protection and ecommerce capabilities tailored for photographers. Webnode, while versatile, does not cater specifically to photographers and may not offer the same level of specialized features.

Can I use both SmugMug and Webnode for creating an ecommerce site?

Yes, both platforms can be used for ecommerce. SmugMug offers specialized ecommerce features that are ideal for photographers looking to sell prints and digital downloads. Webnode provides basic ecommerce functionalities that are suitable for small online stores but lacks the specialized features that SmugMug offers for creative professionals.

How do SmugMug and Webnode compare in terms of user-friendliness?

Webnode scores slightly higher in ease of use with its straightforward drag-and-drop interface, making it highly accessible for beginners. SmugMug also offers a user-friendly experience but is tailored more towards photographers and may have a slight learning curve for those unfamiliar with such specialized platforms.

What are the main differences in pricing between SmugMug and Webnode?

Webnode offers more budget-friendly plans, which are great for users who need basic website functionalities at a lower cost. SmugMug, while more expensive, provides advanced features and unlimited storage options that justify its higher price point, especially for professional photographers.

Which platform offers better customer support, SmugMug or Webnode?

SmugMug is known for its excellent customer support, offering email and chat support almost every day of the year. It is particularly praised for its dedicated support for professional photographers. Webnode also offers support but is limited to email and scheduled phone calls, with a focus on resolving inquiries within 24 hours.