There are two sides to these image hosting websites. One is the technical aspect of it and the other the social part of it. While all of these sites are offering almost the same services, there are still some differences that you might want to know. Some minor differences can be important to some people, perhaps even you, that is why understanding the things you need to know about these image hosting services is important.
Let us start with the technical part of these services. Don't worry because this is not going to be too technical as you might originally think. It is just a sort of an overview of what to expect from most image hosting websites.
1. Disk space
There is always a limitation to the number of photos or to the amount of image file sizes that you can upload to your account. So if you are a planning to save hundreds or even thousands of your digital photographs, you will need more space. Otherwise, if you just a casual, occasional photographer who only take shots during family vacations and office parties, then most free accounts and the most basic disk space is enough for your needs.
2. How fast can the site upload your pictures?
Test a service first before you commit to it. Start timing from the moment you click the button to upload your image file up to the confirmation that the file has been uploaded. The shorter the time is definitely the better choice. You don't want wasting your own time waiting for your photos to be uploaded, do you?
Now let us then discuss the not so technical side of image hosting websites. You will find that they are equally important as those already mentioned. This is because not everybody is too concerned with disk space or the pixel count of their pictures.
1. Can you easily share the photos with your family and friends?
Most people's reason for uploading their photos to an online image service is so that they can easily show it to other people. They just provide a link to their image hosting account and their friends and family can instantly view the pictures. No more need to mail actual photos or to make separate email attachments.
2. Can you also easily integrate your photos to other social media sites?
There might be other social media websites that you are very actively participating. Sites where some of your friends are also using. It is then a good thing if you can quickly move or post your photos from your image hosting service to one of your social sites. Some image hosting websites are already doing this so might want to take a look at it.
Sharing photos has been a favorite thing to do for most people. It's a family and friends thing. Their way to catching up with lost time or just simply saying hello to people they haven't seen for quite some time now. There is always joy in photos; we just need to learn how to properly share them with others.