How to Switch from SmugMug to WordPress (Step by Step)

Last updated on Jul 25, 2017 by Waseem Abbas Reader Disclosure

Do you want to move your photos and image galleries from SmugMug to WordPress? You may know that the photos shared on SmugMug aren’t in your control and can be deleted anytime. In this tutorial, we will share how to switch from SmugMug to WordPress.

SmugMug Pros and Cons for Photographers

SmugMug is an easy way to get your photos online. But if you’re a professional photographer, you’ll find yourself limited by the platform.

You don’t own the SmugMug website, so your photos can be removed anytime. You need to be sure to carefully follow the terms set by SmugMug, so you are not the owner of your own uploaded images.

However, if you create a site on WordPress and upload your photos, then you’re the owner of it. No one can delete your images, and you have the full control over how to display your photos, and can add other features to your site. You can also create photo albums and image galleries in WordPress, create password protected galleries and client proofing, and even sell your photos online.

Want to get started with your own WordPress website?

To switch from SmugMug to WordPress, you’ll need to follow these 6 steps:

• Step 1. Download all your photos from SmugMug
• Step 2. Create a photography website in WordPress
• Step 3. Install and activate Envira Gallery plugin
• Step 4. Install and activate the zip importer addon
• Step 5. Add a new image gallery and upload the SmugMug photos
• Step 6. Publish the image gallery on your site

Ready to get started? Let’s go!

Step 1: Download All Your SmugMug Photos

The first thing that you need to do is to download all your photos from SmugMug. Go ahead and login to your SmugMug account and go to Customize Gallery » Settings from the top menu.

It will show you a popup with Gallery Settings. You need to go to Photo Protection tab and click the ON option for Download Buttons.

Make sure to hit the Save button.

You’ll notice a download icon above your image gallery in SmugMug right next to Slideshow button. Hit the Download button.

It will show you a message in the popup that your photos are ready and you can download them by clicking on the link below.

Once you click on this link, it will download all your SmugMug photos on your computer in a zip file. Now you can go to WordPress to import these photos.

Step 2: Create a Photography Website in WordPress

To start with WordPress, you need to create a photography site where you will display your images. You’ll be using the WordPress.org (self-hosted version) to create your website. Check the difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org.

To learn more, you should check this guide on how to create a photography website step by step, so you can completely switch your photos from SmugMug to WordPress.

Step 3: Install and Activate Envira Gallery Plugin

After creating your photography site, simply install and activate Envira Gallery plugin in WordPress.

Having issues at the installation? You should check out this guide on how to install Envira Gallery plugin.

Step 4: Install and Activate the Zip Importer Addon

Upon activating the plugin, you should go to Envira Gallery » Addons. You need to install and activate the Zip Importer addon.

To access this addon, you must have Envira Ultimate or Pro license. You should check this guide on how to upgrade your license in Envira.

This addon will import the SmugMug photos from the zip file to WordPress image gallery.

Step 5: Add a New Image Gallery and Upload SmugMug Photos

Next you need to go to Envira Gallery » Add New from your WordPress admin backend. Add a title and drop the SmugMug zip file (that you downloaded in Step 1) to Native Envira Gallery section.

For more image gallery settings, you should check out this guide on how to create an image gallery with thumbnails in WordPress.

Step 6: Publish the Image Gallery on Your Site

Your image gallery photos are moved from SmugMug to WordPress. Now click on the Publish button and copy the shortcode from Envira Gallery Code widget.

Simply go to Pages/Posts » Add New or edit an existing page/post. In the visual editor, you need to paste the shortcode.

Make sure to click on the Update button.

We hope this tutorial has helped you to learn how to switch from SmugMug to WordPress. You may also want to check out our guide on how to import Instagram photos in WordPress image galleries. In case, you want to rank your photos in search engines, then you need to check this ultimage WordPress SEO guide for beginners.

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