I have done hanging baskets for the past five years and I love them.  However I do notice how the professional ones appear to last longer.  I have this year put a plastic liner inside the basket not just on the bottom section but right up to the top.  This did make pushing the plants through a bit more time consuming but the effect has been worth it with the baskets being full and overflowing without any plants dying off.  Note to self for next year!