How to create a client space

Report · Jan 15, 2012

Hello, I am a photographer and I would like to create a client space for them to see there wedding photography.

Simply a web page protected by a password.

I dont' need the ultimate security since its only there wedding images.

I will provide them with the password so I don't need them to login to a database to get it.

I know how to do my PHP coding with the help of a book...

If the password is "1234" open this page.

Elseif the password is "abcd" open this page, and so on.

Else there is an error.

My problem is how to write the code making the link directly to the page to open it without opening a PHP page with the link.

I want them to open the page as soon as they press the submit button.

Do I need to use the "echo" line?

Thank you!

Report · Jan 15, 2012

If you don't want to do all the coding there are companies like Smugmug ( http://www.smugmug.com/ ) that allow you to setup a client area per client. Unfortunately, if you are doing this on a per client basis you will need a fairly complex system with a database. The reason for that is that the login would have to be stored somewhere, and then the images would need to be linked to that login and you would have to verify the cookies/session to ensure that Google doesn't index the pages and that you cannot get in through a backdoor. It's a lot more involved than what you might believe. For instance, one they press submit, they still have to go to a PHP page. The form needs to be processed and the user needs to go to their area and the proper images need to be queried from the database. Personally speaking I'd recommend the 3rd party, despite the cost, but as a benefit you would be able to sell the digital photos easier too if you wish.

Report · Jan 15, 2012

Thank you very much SnakeEye02.

I solved the problem, well I should say bypassed it.

Using _POST, I did put a hidden variable (1) in my Submit button, so I coded my PHP to show the link below the form, on the same page as the form.

The form his processed on the same page, no other PHP page.

So the client, after pressing on "Submit" will see his link appear below the submit button. "Go to your page" something like that.

I know there's a lots of websites offering to setup a customer area.

Thanks again!

My new site should be online soon, at www.djphotographe.ca