We have been working hard on the next template
This will be the first to allow the use of large images so will appeal to those with panoramic images to show, or just if you want to show your images larger!

The design of the controls in the content management system (CMS) has been updated slightly. This we hope will make it clearer and easier to use. If you have any comments on the changes (good or bad) please feel free to let us know.

Today (3rd Feb) is official launch day. A last minute logo redesign and a day off due to my son’s school being closed meant that we were a day late, but we had a good snowball fight so it was worth it.

We will continue to add new features and templates as time allows, and we are very keen on customer feedback, so if there is a feature you feel is missing or something that you think could work better, please let us know.

It’s been a busy time since the holiday period ended, and we are almost ready to launch.
There have been a couple of small creases in the smooth fabric of the LayerSpace system, but the testing has gone well. A big thank you to all those who have been (and still are) participating in the testing period.

This time next week we will be live, so hold on to your hats!

We have finished building the first part of the interactive demo of the LayerSpace Content Management System. This allows you to see how the system works and get a feel of how easy it is to customise a LayerSpace website.

Things you can change are: template, colours, fonts and borders and some other details.
Changing the template is particularly useful to see how a website will work in practice.

To use the interactive demo, go to the examples page and click on the  template you want to see, then click ‘interactive demo’.

The next stage of the demo will incorporate re-ordering images using the simple drag and drop interface.

Having been involved in building and designing websites for photographers and artists for over 10 years, I feel I am entitled to have an opinion about the design basics upon which to base a website primarily to show images.

I have seen a great many websites which are built with the aim of getting as many images on the home page as will fit, in the hope that a scattergun approach will mean that every visitor will like something.

In reality this has precisely the opposite effect, with the result being a mess of different shapes and colours all fighting for attention.

Whenever I advise on a new site I suggest an opening image is used chosen from the photographer’s favourites. This gives impact but keeps everything simple, and if there’s one thing that visitors like, it’s simplicity. A LayerSpace website gives you the option of using a text page as a homepage, or several options for using an image. My advice is always to go for the ‘HomePage’ option which gives you a special gallery in which to upload a select few of your best images. One of them is chosen at random to appear on the first page of your site. This has the added benefit of giving visitors a different image when they (hopefully) return again.

The testing period is due to be terminated on 1st February 2009.
After this date we are confident that any teething problems will have been ironed out, and at that stage we can begin producing more templates.

The first template in planning is one which will allow larger images to be shown (up to 700 pixels), so watch this Space!

The selling tool is now complete and allows you to set up a LightBox enabled Space as a selling platform.
You can setup selling groups with different descriptions of options and prices, and then apply these either to all images, or to select images individually.
You can thus choose to sell only one image if you wish.

I have almost finished the selling tool.
This is primarily aimed at people who wish to sell prints but it can also be used to sell any item which is in an image. All you need to do is describe the item in the title and caption, create a selling group and set the image to be for sale.
A buy button will apear next to the image in your Space, which when clicked will take the buyer to an options page. They can then add the image to their order, carry on to the checkout, or return to buy more!

Selling can be linked to your PayPal account very easily so you can take online payments.
To enable selling you must have the LightBox option.

The user manual has not been updated yet but will be in the very near future. In the meantime, if you want to know more, please contact LayerSpace, or if you already a member, log in and go to the ‘jump to’ menu and choose ’selling groups’

This blog will be used to let anyone know how the development of LayerSpace is going.
If there is a new template – this is where you will hear about it first!

At present, we are aiming for an official launch in February 2009