I've just been playing around with it a bit for research, and...the free Shutterfly share site you can get at Shutterfly.com is pretty awesome.

In playing around with it, I just recently discovered the many nuances and facets of Shutterfly's Share feature, and I'm actually pretty excited to talk about it.

What is a Personal Photo Share Site?

For those not familiar with Shutterfly share sites, I'll explain. In general, photo share sites are secure, personal web pages that you create and customize for your family and friends. You can post your photos online like at Flickr or Photobucket... but unlike those sites, you actually have your own site-- not just a profile on somebody else's.

It works kind of like a blog, but not as intricate. In the case of Shutterfly share sites, they have:

Collaborative tools

Photo sharing and shared photos

Calendars

Journals

Rosters

Schedules

Video sharing

Of course, visitors can orders prints and photo books, or even create their own from shared pictures and projects.

Types of Shutterfly Share Sites

There are two different types of share sites available at Shutterfly:

Personal sites are designed for more personal content. For instance to announce your new baby, family news, photo journals or travel photos.

Group sites are designed for communicating with those people who enrich your life, whether it's softball or soccer teammates, your child's classroom, your neighbors, or an entire wedding party. The group site even has a scheduling calendar to help you plan group events.

They're a lot of fun to use and they work pretty well. Some of the features of both person and group Shutterfly share sites are:

Choice of privacy levels

Customized layouts and styles

Featured picture gallery

Seven different pitures display options

When you share your site with friends and family, as members they will get auto-notified about new pictures, comments, changes, and they can post new pictures via email.

Site member comments

List of favorite links

Drag and drop sections

How to Create Your Own Photo Share Site

Creating a share site at Shutterfly is ultra easy, and you can do it even if you're not a total pro.

1. Go to Shutterfly and either sign in or sign up. Then click on "Share".

   Or you can go directly to the Share Site area.

2. Click on "Create a Site".

3. Click on "Get started".

4. On this page, you'll choose a category: Family, Photo Journal, Baby, Travel, Clubs and Groups, Wedding, Kid's Sports or Classroom. Click "Next".

5. This page gives you the option of nine different styles to chose from to customize your site. Choose one and click "Next".

6. Now you'll name your site. The title you choose will be displayed at the top of your site, so choose something simple. Your site name will automatically become your web address unless you want to change it. You'll also be asked on this page who you want to have access to the site and if you want the members to automatically be notified with updates. Click "Next".

7. You are now on your site and the rest is up to you.

It's a great way to keep your photos organized, share them with others, and make buying things like photo book, cards, and photo gifts really easy.

If you're creating a share site because you plan to buy a photo book or other photo item from Shutterfly, you can read over our Shutterfly review here for more info about their service. Return to Shutterfly Review from the Shutterfly Share Site.