For people who are only interested in storing photos online there are two primary options.  The first is online photo sharing sites and social media sites.  The second is online photo storage services.  Both options have advantages and drawbacks which must be considered.

Both Offer Sharing Capabilities

Both types of services offer photo sharing capabilities.  Some people have never considered online photo storage as viable because they didn’t think sharing was an option.  In fact, a hidden benefit of online photo storage sites is the ability to share photos via a secure link.  This allows users to share their photos only with the people they choose rather than the entire world.

Consider the Privacy Issues

The first thing to consider is any relevant privacy issues.  There are a lot of photos most people don’t want the whole world to see.  This is a significant drawback of relying solely on photo sharing sites.  They offer very little control over who does and does not see all of the uploaded images.  On the other hand, online photo storage sites give users complete control each image.

Consider the Security Issues

Along with personal privacy, security is an important consideration as well.  Photo sharing sites are inherently less secure because their platform emphasizes openness.  Online photo storage sites place a significantly larger emphasis on creating a safe and secure platform.  Not only is the storage space secured, but the data transfer is as well. A quality online photo storage site encrypts all file transfers to ensure maximum security and prevent data theft.

Consider Potential Space Limitations

Another issue most people overlook is space limitations.  Immediately after choosing either option, space is rarely going to be an issue.  Over the long term space limitations become a real issue.  A big benefit of online photo storage is the ability to get additional storage space as it is needed.  This ensures users are never stuck trying to decide what photos to keep which ones to delete. If you run out of space on your external hard drive you would need to buy another one or delete files. In this case you can just increase your storage space.

Consider Overall Ease of Use

The final factor to consider when comparing photo sharing sites and online photo storage sites is the overall ease of use.  This is more difficult to compare in general terms because every site is different.  The key is to test out multiple options and deciding what the right fit is.  One thing to keep in mind is online photo storage sites are feature-rich.  They offer a variety of features which are not available on photo sharing sites.  One of the most valuable features is automatic syncing.  This allows users to rest easy knowing their photos are being backed up automatically.

How Do They Stack Up Overall?

Online photo storage sites have several clear advantages of photo sharing sites.  The benefits include better security, increased control over privacy settings, secure sharing capabilities, and the ability to easily get more storage space any time it is required.  Photo sharing sites will always play an important role but are not suited to be as flexible or versatile as their competition.

Haley Caine has a passion for writing about online security and privacy. She explains to her readers the benefits of using secure options such as online photo storage noted above. The online photo storage service that Haley reccommends can be found at www.goldenfrog.com/dumptruck