Final verdict
Zenfolio and Sellfy both offer unique features tailored to different types of users, but they cater to distinct needs.
-
Zenfolio (Overall Grade: 6.4/10)
is a specialized platform designed for professional photographers and visual artists. It excels in providing elegant, mobile-friendly templates and integrated e-commerce capabilities specifically for selling photography products. Zenfolio’s robust security features and comprehensive customer support make it a reliable choice for photographers looking to showcase and sell their work online. However, its design flexibility and ease of use may not be as strong as Sellfy’s. -
Sellfy (Overall Grade: 6.0/10)
is an all-in-one eCommerce platform ideal for creators looking to sell a variety of products, including digital, physical, subscription-based, and print-on-demand items. It offers a user-friendly interface and a straightforward website builder, making it accessible for users without advanced technical skills. Sellfy’s integrated marketing tools and higher hosting quality score make it a versatile option for small business owners and entrepreneurs. However, it may lack some of the advanced customization and security features that Zenfolio offers.
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Design functionalities & templates |
6.8 |
5.2 |
|
Ease of use |
6.3 |
7.8 |
|
Ecommerce |
6.3 |
6.8 |
|
Website Editors |
7.6 |
6.8 |
|
Product testing options |
8.4 |
7.3 |
|
Price |
8.2 |
7.9 |
|
Hosting quality |
5.7 |
7.3 |
|
Website speed optimization |
5.2 |
5.4 |
|
Plugins and integrations |
6.5 |
6.7 |
|
Marketing features |
6.1 |
7.1 |
|
Customer support |
6.7 |
5.8 |
|
Security |
8.0 |
7.2 |
|
AI capabilities |
2.4 |
0 |
|
User Management |
2.8 |
2.0 |
| Overall |
6.4 |
6.0 |
Best for ecommerce
6.3
6.8
Verdict
: Zenfolio is tailored for photographers and visual artists, while Sellfy is more versatile for a broader range of creators and merchants.
-
Zenfolio
: Zenfolio is designed specifically for professional photographers and visual artists, offering a range of customizable templates and integrated ecommerce features. It supports multiple currencies, discount coupons, and tax management, making it a solid choice for those looking to sell prints and digital downloads. However, when comparing Zenfolio vs Sellfy, Zenfolio’s ecommerce capabilities are more niche and may not cater to a wider audience. -
Sellfy
: Sellfy is an all-in-one ecommerce platform that supports a variety of products, including digital, physical, subscription-based, and print-on-demand items. It offers a user-friendly interface and comprehensive tools for managing and marketing an online store. Sellfy’s broader focus makes it more suitable for creators looking to sell a diverse range of products.
Best for informational & business websites
6.9
5.7
Verdict
: Zenfolio is better suited for informational websites, especially for photographers and visual artists, while Sellfy, though versatile, is more focused on eCommerce functionalities.
-
Zenfolio
: Zenfolio is tailored for professional photographers and visual artists, offering elegant and mobile-friendly templates that are easy to customize without coding skills. Its integrated e-commerce capabilities and tools for marketing, client proofing, and secure photo storage make it a versatile platform for managing a photography business. However, its design flexibility is somewhat limited outside of photography-specific needs. Zenfolio scores 6.9. -
Sellfy
: Sellfy provides a simple, user-friendly interface for creators looking to sell various products, including digital, physical, subscription-based, and print-on-demand items. While it offers a straightforward setup and integrated marketing tools, its focus on eCommerce may not fully cater to the needs of purely informational websites. Sellfy scores 5.7.
Detailed comparison
Design functionalities & templates
Design FunctionalitiesRepresents how well each platform allows for creative design and customization of websites.Score Components:
- Template Variety (30%): Range and quality of design templates.
- Customization (30%): Flexibility and options for design alterations.
- User Interface (20%): Ease and intuitiveness of the design process.
- Responsiveness (10%): Adaptability to different devices and screen sizes.
- Innovation (10%): Unique design features and tools.
6.8
5.2
🏆
Winner: Zenfolio.
If you’re a professional photographer or visual artist looking for a platform that offers elegant and mobile-friendly templates, Zenfolio is the preferred choice.
Zenfolio offers a variety of customizable templates and features specifically tailored for photographers, with a focus on showcasing and selling their work. While it provides several customization options, including blocks for different layouts and styles, it may not offer as much versatility outside of photography-specific needs.
Compared to Zenfolio, Sellfy provides a collection of design templates through its theme store, located in the Store Customizer. Users have the option to preview these themes before applying them to their websites. As of the latest information, Sellfy offers five main theme options: Lumiére, Noir, Savant, Idée, and Mode. These themes cater to various aesthetic preferences and can be published to go live on a user’s website after selection and customization.
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Ease of use
Ease of useReflects the platform’s overall user-friendliness.Score
Components:
- Learning curve (40%): Quickness and ease of getting started.
- Interface design (30%): Simplicity and intuitiveness of layout.
- User guidance (20%): Quality of tutorials and support.
- Flexibility (10%): Adaptability to various user skills.
6.3
7.8
🏆 Winner: Sellfy
. With a score of 7.8, Sellfy offers an intuitive user interface and a straightforward website builder, making it accessible for creators and small business owners without advanced technical skills. Zenfolio, scoring 6.3, offers a specialized platform for photographers with a range of templates and personalization options, but has limitations in design flexibility. If ease of use is a priority, Sellfy is the clear winner in this category.
Learning Resources
🏆 Winner: Sellfy
. While both platforms offer learning resources, Sellfy’s resources are appreciated for their ease of use and integrated marketing tools. Zenfolio’s learning resources are somewhat limited and users have expressed a desire for more comprehensive learning resources.
For ecommerce
EcommerceMeasures the platform’s effectiveness in supporting online business activities.Score Components:
- Ecommerce themes and templates (20%): Variety and design of templates.
- Product management (25%): Ease of managing and organizing products.
- Payment options (25%): Variety and convenience of payment methods.
- Ecommerce features (20%): Features for managing an ecommerce store.
- Integration (10%): Compatibility with external e-commerce tools and services.
6.3
6.8
Zenfolio and Sellfy are both website builders that offer ecommerce capabilities, but they cater to different audiences. Zenfolio is designed specifically for professional photographers and visual artists, while Sellfy is tailored for creators looking to sell a wide array of products including digital, physical, subscription-based, and print-on-demand items.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Ecommerce themes and templates |
7.0 |
7.0 |
|
Product page customization |
7.2 |
6.5 |
|
Payment processing and commissions |
6.5 |
8.0 |
|
POS capabilities |
3.0 |
4.0 |
|
Payment gateways |
6.8 |
6.0 |
|
Product numbers |
5.0 |
7.5 |
|
Additional ecommerce features |
6.5 |
6.5 |
Zenfolio ecommerce features:
- Multiple Currency Support
- Discount Coupons
- Order management
- Gift Certificates
- Tax management
Sellfy ecommerce features:
- Product Listings
- Payment Gateways integration
- Product categories
Ecommerce themes & templates
Zenfolio provides customizable website templates with integrated e-commerce features for photographers, designed to showcase and sell their work across various genres. These templates include essential online selling tools such as secure payment options, product management, and marketing integrations. On the other hand, Sellfy’s templates are designed specifically for online stores, catering to a broader range of products and businesses.
Product page customization
Zenfolio allows users to detail their product pages with descriptions, images, and options such as size or color. This allows for each product page to be adjusted to clearly display its unique attributes. Placing products in specific galleries or categories helps organize the site and improve navigation. The platform also supports customization in pricing and shipping settings, allowing sellers to cater to various needs effectively.
Sellfy supports a diverse range of products including digital goods like music, videos, ebooks, and software, as well as physical products and print-on-demand merchandise such as t-shirts and mugs. The platform enables the sale of subscriptions, offering a means for recurring revenue. Sellfy provides tools for product protection and piracy prevention, ensuring secure file hosting and delivery.
Payment processing
Zenfolio supports Stripe and PayPal for payment processing, integrating them seamlessly into its platform designed for photographers to sell their work online. The platform charges a commerce fee of 7% per order (excluding tax and shipping) and a payment processing fee for transactions through Stripe or PayPal.
Sellfy supports two primary payment gateways, Stripe and PayPal, allowing for various payment options including credit/debit cards and localized payment methods in Europe. The platform does not charge transaction fees beyond its subscription cost, though payment processors’ standard fees apply.
In conclusion, while both Zenfolio and Sellfy offer robust ecommerce capabilities, Zenfolio is more suited for photographers and visual artists looking to sell their work online, while Sellfy caters to a broader range of creators and merchants looking to sell various types of products online.
Website Editors
Website EditorsEvaluates the platforms’ website building and editing capabilities.Score Components:
- Customization tools (40%): Range and power of editing features.
- Editor usability (30%): User experience within the editor.
- Design flexibility (20%): Freedom in layout and design changes.
- Update and maintenance ease (10%): Simplicity of updating and maintaining the site.
7.6
6.8
🏆
Winner: Zenfolio
. Zenfolio, with a score of 7.6, offers an intuitive, no-coding-required website builder tailored for photographers, featuring drag-and-drop customization, a wide array of templates, and a powerful Custom Layout block for personalized designs. Its integrated eCommerce capabilities enable selling both digital and physical photography products, supported by comprehensive security features for protecting photographers’ work. Additionally, Zenfolio provides tools for SEO, marketing, photo and video hosting, client booking, and management, backed by award-winning customer support.
Sellfy’s website builder, scoring 6.8, offers a straightforward and user-friendly platform for creating online stores, focusing on simplicity over advanced customization. It supports the sale of digital, physical, subscription-based, and print-on-demand products, alongside integrated marketing tools for promotion and sales optimization. Payment processing is secure and direct, utilizing popular gateways like Stripe and PayPal with no transaction fees. Despite some limitations in design customization and app integrations, Sellfy aims to provide a comprehensive e-commerce solution for entrepreneurs and creators.
Mobile editor/app
8.5
7.5
🏆
Winner: Zenfolio
. Both Zenfolio and Sellfy offer mobile apps for managing your website, but they cater to different needs. Zenfolio’s mobile editor app is designed for managing websites and galleries directly from mobile devices, with features for notifications, gallery management, sales tasks, and photo showcasing. However, some features may require desktop use for full functionality.
Sellfy’s mobile app allows store owners to manage their online stores on the go, with functionalities for viewing store performance metrics, managing and tracking orders, and receiving customized notifications. However, it does not allow for changes to the layout or design of the website.
In summary, Zenfolio receives a higher rating due to its comprehensive mobile editing capabilities, while Sellfy is strong in store management but lacks the ability to change the layout or design of the website from the mobile app.
Product testing options
Product Testing OptionsAssesses the options for trying out platform features before commitment.Score Components:
- Trial quality (40%): Extent and usefulness of the trial or free version.
- Feature accessibility (30%): How many features are available to test.
- Trial duration (20%): Length of the trial period.
- Ease of transition (10%): Smoothness of moving from trial to paid plans.
8.4
7.3
Overall Result
:
Zenfolio wins
. Zenfolio scores 8.4 in product testing options, slightly higher than Sellfy’s 7.3. Both platforms offer a 14-day free trial and allow testing of premium features during the trial period. They also both offer a 30-day money back guarantee. However, Zenfolio’s slightly higher score suggests it may provide a more comprehensive or user-friendly testing experience.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Free Plan |
No | No |
|
Trial Duration |
14 days | 14 days |
|
Testing Premium Features |
During the free trial | During the free trial |
|
Money Back Guarantee |
30 days | 30 days |
Price
PriceLooks at the cost-effectiveness and value for money of each platform.Score Components:
- Plan value (40%): What each pricing tier offers.
- Transparency and clarity (30%): Clearness of pricing structures.
- Flexibility of plans (20%): Range of options to suit different budgets.
- Hidden costs (10%): Additional expenses not included in the plan.
8.2
7.9
Zenfolio and Sellfy both offer a range of pricing plans to suit different needs, with Zenfolio offering more significant discounts for annual billing.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
$0-$10 |
Portfolio ($9.00/month): Basic entry-level with 15 GB photo storage, HD video, single-page website. Value for price: 6.0 |
No offering at this amount. |
|
$20-$30 |
PortfolioPlus ($23.00/month): Balanced features with 150 GB photo storage, HD video, single-page website. Value for price: 7.5 |
Starter ($29/month): Ideal for growing businesses with sales up to $10k/year. Offers unlimited products, digital and subscription products, domain connection, and 2,000 email credits. Annual savings available. Value for price: 7.5 |
|
$40-$80 |
ProSuite ($40.00/month): Extensive features for photo and video, multi-page websites, blog, templates, and more. Value for price: 9.0 |
Business ($79/month): Targets businesses with up to $50k in yearly sales, offering everything in the Starter plan plus 10,000 email credits, product and store design migration, product upselling, cart abandonment tools, and Sellfy branding removal. Value for price: 8.0 |
|
$100+ |
No offering at this amount. |
Premium ($159/month): For businesses with up to $200k/year in sales. Includes everything in the Business plan plus 50,000 email credits, product migration, and priority support. Annual savings are also offered. Value for Price: 8.5 |
location. As a result in rare cases the prices displayed here can differ from the ones you see on their
websites.
Hosting quality
Hosting
qualityExamines the reliability and performance of the hosting solutions.Score Components:
- Uptime (40%): Consistency and reliability of website availability.
- Speed (30%): Loading times and performance.
- Bandwidth and storage (20%): Sufficiency of resources provided.
- Data centers (10%): Quality and distribution of hosting infrastructure.
5.7
7.3
🏆
Winner: Sellfy
Sellfy edges out Zenfolio with a higher Hosting Quality score. While both platforms offer hosting services, Sellfy boasts a 99.99% uptime, although it doesn’t provide an uptime guarantee. Zenfolio, on the other hand, doesn’t disclose any information about its uptime statistics or guarantee. Both platforms are not transparent about their hosting type and the locations of their data centers.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Do they offer hosting? |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Type of hosting: |
Cloud Hosting |
Not disclosed |
|
Uptime: |
Not disclosed |
99.99% |
|
Uptime Guarantee: |
No |
No |
|
Data Centers: |
Not disclosed |
Not disclosed |
Website Speed Optimization
Website Speed OptimizationEvaluates optimization of website loading timesScore Components:
- PageSpeed Score (30%): Google’s score indicating performance optimization.
- Loading Time (30%): The average time until a website is fully interactive.
- Mobile Optimization (15%): Optimization effectiveness for mobile devices.
- Resource Optimization (15%): Optimizing images, scripts, and other heavy resources.
- CDN Usage (10%): Use of CDN to enhance speed across geolocations.
5.2
5.4
🏆 Winner: Sellfy
Both Zenfolio and Sellfy have strategies in place for website speed optimization, but Sellfy edges out Zenfolio with a slightly higher Website Speed Optimization score.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Focus |
Mobile responsive design |
Code Minification, Caching, Image Optimization |
|
Performance Tools |
Not specified |
Not specified |
|
Key Strategies |
Mobile responsive design |
Code Minification, Caching, Image Optimization |
|
Load Times |
Varies depending on optimization and website complexity |
Varies depending on optimization and website complexity |
|
Page Speed Scores Range |
Not specified |
Not specified |
|
Core Web Vitals Improvement |
Not specified |
Not specified |
Zenfolio focuses on mobile responsive design for speed optimization. However, it does not provide specific information about its load times, PageSpeed score ranges, or Core Web Vital improvements.
On the other hand, Sellfy uses strategies such as code minification, caching, and image optimization for speed optimization. Like Zenfolio, Sellfy does not provide specific information about its load times, PageSpeed score ranges, or Core Web Vital improvements. However, its slightly higher Website Speed Optimization score indicates that these strategies may be more effective.
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Plugins and integrations
Plugins and integrationsMeasures the range and effectiveness of additional plugins and integrations.Score Components:
- Variety of options (40%): Range of available add-ons.
- Integration smoothness (30%): Ease of integrating plugins into the site.
- Quality of plugins (20%): Functionality and reliability of the options.
- Custom integration capabilities (10%): Support for custom or third-party integrations.
6.5
6.7
🏆 Winner: Sellfy.
Sellfy scores slightly higher with 6.7, offering a variety of integrations that enhance ecommerce functionality and automate workflows. Zenfolio, scoring 6.5, also offers a focused set of plugins and integrations specifically designed for photographers. However, Sellfy’s broader range of automation options and advanced features give it a slight edge.
It’s worth noting that both platforms offer integrations that can significantly enhance their base functionalities, enabling advanced ecommerce capabilities, personalized customer interactions, and deeper social media engagement. The choice between the two would largely depend on the specific needs of the user.
Marketing Features
Design FunctionalitiesRepresents how well each platform allows for creative design and customization of websites.Score Components:
- Template Variety (30%): Range and quality of design templates.
- Customization (30%): Flexibility and options for design alterations.
- User Interface (20%): Ease and intuitiveness of the design process.
- Responsiveness (10%): Adaptability to different devices and screen sizes.
- Innovation (10%): Unique design features and tools.
6.1
7.1
🏆
Overall Winner: Sellfy
. Sellfy stands out for its comprehensive SEO features, email marketing, and analytics and reporting tools. Zenfolio, while offering similar features, lacks in SEO capabilities and does not provide blogging features on all plans.
| Marketing Features |
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
SEO Tools |
Yes, but limited |
Yes |
|
Email Marketing |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Blogging |
Yes, on higher plans |
No |
|
Social Media Integration |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Analytics and Reporting |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Ads and Promotions |
Yes |
Yes |
Customer Support
Customer supportEvaluates the quality and availability of support options.Score Components:
- Response time (40%): Speed of support responses.
- Support quality (30%): Effectiveness and helpfulness of the support.
- Availability (20%): Range of support channels (phone, chat, email).
- Resource richness (10%): Quality of self-help and educational materials.
6.7
5.8
🏆 Winner: Zenfolio
. Comparing Zenfolio vs Sellfy, Zenfolio takes the lead in this category with a customer support score of 6.7. Zenfolio offers comprehensive support through email 365 days a year, LiveChat from Monday to Thursday, and phone support for Advanced plan subscribers. Additionally, Zenfolio provides a rich Support Center with articles and video tutorials, ensuring users have access to a variety of resources to resolve their issues.
Sellfy, on the other hand, provides 24/7 customer support, which is a significant advantage for users needing assistance at any time. However, the lack of phone support and live chat options limits the immediacy of the help available. Sellfy’s support is primarily through email and possibly a knowledge base, which may not be as robust as Zenfolio’s offerings.
Security
SecurityLooks at the platforms’ security measures and data protection.Score Components:
- Data protection (40%): Safeguards for user and customer data.
- SSL and encryption (30%): Implementation of secure connections.
- Compliance (20%): Adherence to industry security standards.
- Regular updates (10%): Frequency of security updates and patches.
8.0
7.2
🏆
Winner: Zenfolio
. Zenfolio’s security measures are comprehensive, offering SSL encryption for all websites, watermarking to protect users’ work, password-protected galleries for controlled access, and cloud backup for additional data protection. These features cater specifically to photographers and visual artists who need a secure platform to display and sell their work.
Sellfy also prioritizes security, employing measures like secure payment processors, unique download links for each purchase, and limited download attempts to protect digital content. However, it acknowledges the challenges of completely eliminating piracy in the digital space, taking a pragmatic approach by providing tools to assist in handling disputes effectively. Despite these efforts, Zenfolio’s higher security score and specialized features for visual artists give it the edge in this comparison.
AI Capabilities
AI capabilitiesMeasures the effectiveness of AI-driven features and tools.Score Components:
- Automation efficiency (40%): Impact of AI on streamlining processes.
- Personalization (30%): AI-driven customization for users or customers.
- AI-Assisted design (20%): Role of AI in website design and functionality.
- Data analysis (10%): Use of AI in interpreting user data and analytics.
2.4
0
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
AI Builder |
|
|
|
AI Ecommerce features |
Zenfolio offers AI-driven eCommerce features for photographers, including PhotoRefine.ai for efficient photo management |
|
|
AI content generation |
|
|
|
Additional AI features |
|
|
🏆 Winner: Zenfolio
. Although Zenfolio’s AI capabilities are limited, it does offer some AI-driven eCommerce features, specifically for photographers. This gives Zenfolio an edge over Sellfy, which does not have any AI capabilities.
User Management
User ManagementAssesses the platforms’ capabilities in managing user roles, permissions, and accessibility.Score Components:
- Role Customization (40%): Flexibility in creating and defining user roles and
permissions. - Ease of Management (30%): User interface and tools for managing users.
- Access Control (20%): Effectiveness of access control measures for different user
levels. - Scalability (10%): Ability to manage a growing number of users efficiently.
2.8
2.0
🏆 Winner: Zenfolio
. Both Zenfolio and Sellfy have limited user management capabilities.
- Zenfolio allows only one user to edit and manage a website.
- Sellfy does not support adding multiple users or staff to a single account.
Given these limitations, Zenfolio scores slightly higher in user management.
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
Users appreciate Zenfolio for its elegant and affordable site/portfolio designs, highlighting the platform’s suitability for photographers looking to showcase and sell their work online. The Starter plan is praised for its value, though some users express a desire to upgrade to the Pro plan for its enhanced client interaction features and customizable marketing tools. Criticisms include dissatisfaction with the platform’s handling of photo albums and a desire for more privacy and faster loading times. Overall, Zenfolio is valued for its ability to organize and share professional photographs and files, despite some navigational and performance issues.
The user feedback on Sellfy highlights its strengths in providing an efficient, compact online store setup that caters to specific needs with affordable pricing, including a 14-day trial period to familiarize users with the product. Many appreciate its user-friendly interface, internal marketing tools, and customization options, which enable sellers to tailor their storefronts to their brand, along with integrations for payment processing like PayPal and Stripe. However, criticisms include issues with mobile site speed, a desire for clearer insights, limitations on customization, and some customer service inefficiencies.
The making of this blog
We followed a clear, step-by-step process to write and research this article.
FAQ
Which platform is better for professional photographers, Zenfolio or Sellfy?
Can I sell physical and digital products on both Zenfolio and Sellfy?
Which platform is easier to use for beginners?
How do Zenfolio and Sellfy compare in terms of pricing?
Which platform offers better customer support?
Are there any significant differences in website speed and hosting quality between Zenfolio and Sellfy?
Can I manage multiple users or staff accounts on either platform?
Which platform is better for marketing and selling online?
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