Zoto is more than just sharing and storing photos. It is a full photo community with galleries, forums and easy blogging. HTML code is provided for any photo.
Zoto has a complete tagging and organization system. You can enter information in categories, such as who, when, where, etc., for each photo. Zoto calls these Smart Tags and they allow you and others, if you add them to a public gallery, to locate photos easily.
In addition to having comprehensive functionality at a low membership price, Zoto is fun, with great graphics, humorous language and lots of personalization. However, this site is not for beginners. The functions are only easy to use once you get the hang of the site. There are many functions to choose from at anytime, which can be overwhelming. Sometimes it is be difficult to find photos, albums and actually know what you are doing, but it pays off if you learn the functions.
Zoto seems like a reliable backup service. Full size versions of your photos with all EXIF info can be re-added to your hard drive at anytime.
If you are a digital imaging rookie, you may want to check out the glossary for descriptions of general features found on photo and video sites, and for some insight into basic industry terms.
[#Unique#]
100MB of bonus space for each friend you sign up!
Shared galleries – invite friends to your gallery and they can add their photos to it!
Change the color of the homepage
Help forums
Geo tags – plot photos on a map
Photo blogging
[#Membership#]
Membership is $19.95 per year and includes unlimited storage, sharing capability, a personal URL and gallery inclusion. Members also get blogging capability, galleries and uploads and ad-free browsing. Full size versions of photos are stored with paid accounts. Free trial is available.
[#Drawbacks#]
Photo Blogs are only available with upgraded membership. The site does not offer its own products or prints. This is done through QOOP.
[#Uploading#]
Multiple uploading options are available, but none are very fast. However, Zoto does upload the full size version along with all EXIF information.
Upload Speed*
Very Fast
Fast
Average
Slow
*Under upload speed, modem is a T1 modem.
[#Storage#]
Each gallery, or album, is a separate page in your URL with layouts and colors. Galleries can be set to varying levels of security.
[#Products#]
Products are ordered through QOOP.
[#Prints#]
Prints are via QOOP.
[#Sharing#]
Share through emails or tell friends to view your personal URL.
[#Privacy#]
Select different levels of permission for different users. You can select from private, public, friends, and friends of friends.
[#SiteNavigation#]
Navigation is straightforward. Menus are clear and all pages are breadcrumbed for easy backtracking.
