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This FAQ section is only for pre-purchase questions. If you have ProPhoto
already (yay!) and have any kind of question or need a tutorial, try here.

Pre-Purchase FAQs

Q: What do I need in order to use ProPhoto? ANSWER
  • A valid domain name that you own (not a blogspot.com or wordpress.com domain)
  • Your own webhosting account that supports WordPress installations (on a Linux server, not Windows)
  • Check out our getting started steps here
Q: Is it a one-time payment? Or are there recurring, regular fees? ANSWER

One time fee, no further payments.

From time to time (usually around once a year) we release a major version release update to the theme, for which there will be upgrade charges if you choose to upgrade, but upgrading is not mandatory by any means.

Q: Does my webhost work with your product? ANSWER

Chances are, yes. Below is a list of web "hosts" (some of these are not true web-hosting companies, which is why they are on the list) that DON'T work for installing WordPress and ProPhoto.

    These companies web services DON'T allow you to install ProPhoto:

  • Photobiz
  • Smugmug
  • Google (web hosting)
  • Amazing Internet

If you already have a website hosted with one of the above companies, you will need to get a separate webhosting account to install ProPhoto on (see below).


Pretty much everything else works. Below is a list of hosting companies that work fine.

    These companies web hosting packages DO work:

  • 1 and 1
  • BluDomain
  • BlueHost
  • GoDaddy
  • BigFolio
  • WestHost
  • HostGator
  • DreamHost
  • Media Temple
  • HostMonster
  • Creative Motion Design (CMD)
  • Everybody Smile

Host not on the list? It probably works if it's not on the "does not work" list above.


    These companies work, sort of:

  • IXWebHosting
  • LiveBooks
  • Yahoo!

For more info on why these companies only sort of work, read this.

Still wondering about a company?

If you're still wondering if your particular webhost works -- it probably does if it's not on the above list. If you want to know for sure, don't ask us (cuz we don't know), instead, email or call your tech support and ask them this: "Hi, I have a website hosted by you. I want to know if I can install a WordPress blog under my hosting plan. I need to know if have a Linux server that has PHP and mySQL, and I'll need FTP access and the ability to create a new mySQL database for my blog. Can you let me know if that is possible?"

Q: Is it Mac and/or PC compatible? ANSWER

WordPress is totally platform independent, because it's not even installed on your computer. The software gets installed on your web host's webserver. All you need to administrate your blog is a web browser.

During installation (if you're doing it yourself) an FTP program is required, but these are available for Mac or PC for free.

The only real requirement is that your web host's webserver support PHP and mySQL, which nearly all webservers do. For more info on the technical requirements for your webserver, see this post.

Q: Can I install ProPhoto more than once, for different websites/blogs? ANSWER

The End User License Agreement (EULA) permits up to two (2) installations of the theme, provided they are not for two separate money-making ventures. So if they are for the same business, or one is purely personal and associated with the owner of the business, you may just install it again, you need not purchase again. But, if it is for two businesses, or you want to install more than twice for any reason, you need to purchase again. For more info, click here.

Note: if you purchase the "Handheld" package where we handle the installation, the theme may be used a second time without additional payment, but you will have to install the second instance yourself. If you want us to install the second instance, we have to redo all the "Handheld" labor, so you would need to pay just the "Upgrade to Handheld" fee of $80 to cover the labor costs for the second installation.

Q: If I buy, can I import my old blog? ANSWER

Yes, if it is a blog in a format that WordPress has a built-in importer for. That includes Blogger (blogspot), TypePad, MoveableType, and WordPress.com blogs. For a detailed tutorial on how to import your blog click here.

Q: I'm interested in a custom blog design for my business. Can I get a quote? ANSWER

We don't provide any customization services for our customers. Instead we've focused on making ProPhoto as flexible and intuitive as possible so that anyone can create a fantastic looking blog on their own. If you would really like help with a custom blog design, we do have a network of excellent designers that work specifically with ProPhoto. You can contact them at the addresses below to get more information: