outofboxsolutions
[iPhone Version]
outofboxsolutions presents the complete portfolio builder - upload and edit your own content (images, text & movies).
System Requirements: computer with internet connection
This site serves as the HTML fallback to the fully featured Flash version. If you are reading this, it is because your browser has Flash disabled. On this page we briefly describe the outofboxsolutions service and link to a few featured sites above (click on any of the images above for access). To have the full outofboxsolutions experience, you will have to revisit us on a Flash enabled browser.
outofboxsolutions started as a way to maintain friend's portfolio sites and has evolved into fully integrated portfolio content management system. Beginning in the Fall of '05 when it was first promoted at Santa Cruz Open Studios, it has come a long way towards it's current manifestation, which was officially released as of May 2009. We believe it serves both aspiring and experienced artists as a way to display their work online in an easy and uncluttered fashion.
outofboxsolutions feature set:
- outofboxsolutions.com subdomain + hosting
- link to your current domain
- full control of all site content
- create both image + video galleries
- dynamic "share image" links
- slideshows for each gallery
- built in contact form
- up to 3 "about pages" available for custom content
- upload your own profile picture for about pages
- reviews page
- events page
- customizable background (image or color)
- optional intro page
- exposure to galleries through the Events Newsletter
- month-to-month commitment
Wait... what is this?
When you sign up with outofboxsolutions you get our signature but customizable portfolio site, access to the portfolio site editor, web hosting, and a sub-domain (yourdomain.outofboxsolutions.com). It all comes together and is all hosted online, accessible through the browser - no software downloads/installations needed. Once you're up and running you will also get the benefit of added exposure through our online network and other promotional efforts.
Can I use my own domain name instead of that really long one?
Yes, absolutely. You're account comes with the sub-domain by default (something.outofboxsolutions.com), but you can have your own domain point to the same site, no additional charge (other than actually purchasing the domain). We are also planning to have shorter sub-domain options in the future.
Is there a way visitors can purchase my work through the portfolio site?
Yes, after you have uploaded your images, you can go to the "Edit Description Page" in the site editor where you can paste in a link to that would go directly to that same product featured in your online store hosted elsewhere (i.e. Big Cartel, Etsy, Paypal, etc.). There are no fees applied on our side for this.
What about search engines? I heard Flash does not work so well with them?
In the site editor you can input Meta Keywords and Description which will be embedded into your live site upon publishing. The published live site is a static html page which will make them easier for indexing in search engines. We plan to offer more indexible content in the future as well.
I already have my own custom site but would like to use the site editor for my own gallery?
Currently we have a feature where you can paste in the code for a "Micro Site" version of the full outofboxsolutions portfolio site. This is updated in real time as changes are made in the site editor.
Can I arrange the order that the galleries appear in the "Work" menu?
Yes, once you have created a few galleries you can simply go to the "Arrange Galleries" page under the "Edit Gallery" menu and drag the gallery names to into their new order on the right side.
How can I get my site shown in the Featured Sites section on the home page?
Just send us an email wishing you'd like your site to be featured and we will put you in the cue.
What are the advantages of having the portfolio sites built in all Flash?
This allows for easier external loading and unloading of content, allowing for a more stable experience without having to navigate around so much. Also, it makes stealing images more difficult as they are embedded within the Flash file and cannot simply be right-clicked and downloaded.
What if someone pulls up my portfolio site on the iPhone?
We have installed an HTML fallback version for each portfolio site. When an outofbox site is pulled up on any non-Flash enabled device, it will display a simplified version of the portfolio. Viewers will see your complete first gallery listed in the "Work" menu as well as a contact email, allowing someone to make a quick assessment of your work and get in touch!
Is there a way to edit content from the iPhone?
We are planning to offer an "abbreviated" version of the portfolio editor as an iPhone App that would allow for simple but essential edits to be done to the portfolio content.
