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Microstock Photography Forum - General => Selling Stock Direct => Topic started by: lisafx on January 31, 2011, 14:26

Title: Ktools Photostore
Post by: lisafx on January 31, 2011, 14:26
Like a lot of us right now, I am trying to set up my own website to sell my images directly, using Ktools Photostore.  Or more accurately, a web designer friend is setting it up for me. 

It is proving a bit more of a challenge to get things just right than I had hoped, and Ktools has just shut down their support forums to new registrants  ???

I thought it might be a good idea to have a thread here at MSG where we can discuss issues related to setting up our own sites, offer tips from our own experiences, and perhaps get some tips from others who have sorted it out already. 

I would also be willing to pay someone with coding experience to help out the designer who is currently working on my site.  The issues are minor ones, but still still a PITA if you don't know how to correct them. 

If anyone wants to help out, either with some advice, or by helping code the site, please post here or PM me. 
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: cthoman on January 31, 2011, 14:46
Yeah, there were some little things that could be improved with it. I had to go through the English file and swap out the word photo for illustration or image. It would have been nice if they used something more generic like image. Also, my brother helped me add in the sub categories to the batch edit page which was a huge help. I need to get him to fix some search problems too. I know Elena said she had some bugs with the search as well.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: lisafx on January 31, 2011, 14:54
LOL - I was busy PMing you as you were responding here.  Thanks a lot for responding. 

If you or your brother can sort this for me I would be happy to pay you/him.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: Sean Locke Photography on January 31, 2011, 15:12
Ktools has just shut down their support forums to new registrants  ???

Why would they do that?  Weird...
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: lisafx on January 31, 2011, 15:23
Ktools has just shut down their support forums to new registrants  ???

Why would they do that?  Weird...

Right...?! 

When I tried to register for the forums it said they have disabled new forum registrations because 9 out of 10 of them were spam.  As for the 10th - their legitimate customers - I guess we are SOL  :P
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: Whiz on January 31, 2011, 15:26
Ktools has just shut down their support forums to new registrants  ???

Why would they do that?  Weird...

I think they did it a couple of months ago. I tried accessing them back then and had the same problem. You're right lisafx, it is due to spam. Go figure.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: lisafx on January 31, 2011, 15:26
Ktools has just shut down their support forums to new registrants  ???

Why would they do that?  Weird...

I think they did it a couple of months ago. I tried accessing them back then and had the same problem. You're right lisafx, it is due to spam. Go figure.

Did you ever work out a solution to your issues? 
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: jamirae on January 31, 2011, 15:28
Ktools has just shut down their support forums to new registrants  ???

Why would they do that?  Weird...

Right...?! 

When I tried to register for the forums it said they have disabled new forum registrations because 9 out of 10 of them were spam.  As for the 10th - their legitimate customers - I guess we are SOL  :P

maybe you can email them and they will allow you to register.  there's been a big spam bot hitting some forum boards, I know one that I help out with has been getting about 15-20 spambot registrants a day.  But I just set it to 'admin approval' so I have to manually approve the legit new registrations which are only about 1 every few weeks or so.  It appears they use the same forum software (from the screenshot I saw - looks like InvisionPowerBoard) and an upgrade would probably all but eliminate the spam.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: Whiz on January 31, 2011, 15:32
Ktools has just shut down their support forums to new registrants  ???

Why would they do that?  Weird...

I think they did it a couple of months ago. I tried accessing them back then and had the same problem. You're right lisafx, it is due to spam. Go figure.

Did you ever work out a solution to your issues? 


Yeah, my SQL would not work for some reason; I was having issues with naming the database and such. I had never done that before. But then it magically just fixed itself, so I was happy. That was really the only major hurdle I have had so far, other than my site dying the other day. But it came back to life ten minutes later. It said "Photostore has encountered a fatal error" or something to that effect. Spooky.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: madelaide on January 31, 2011, 15:34
These technical difficulties is the reason why I keep from buying a software and would like a more ready-to-use solution.  :(
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: lisafx on January 31, 2011, 15:35



Yeah, my SQL would not work for some reason; I was having issues with naming the database and such. I had never done that before. But then it magically just fixed itself, so I was happy. That was really the only major hurdle I have had so far, other than my site dying the other day. But it came back to life ten minutes later. It said "Photostore has encountered a fatal error" or something to that effect. Spooky.

Oh, joy!  Hope that is not a regular occurrence!

Glad your issues got sorted on their own :)

Thanks for the suggestion, Jami, about contacting support to register for the forum.  Just did that.  Hopefully I will hear back soon.  
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: lisafx on January 31, 2011, 15:37
These technical difficulties is the reason why I keep from buying a software and would like a more ready-to-use solution.  :(

Don't get discouraged.  I am sure we will get the kinks worked out, and hopefully this forum can serve as a way to share info to help others struggling with the same issues :)
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: WarrenPrice on January 31, 2011, 15:51
My big issue with selling directly has always been lack of know how in writing/drafting the appropriate license.  Do you feel comfortable with that?
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: ThomasAmby on January 31, 2011, 16:04
I also just bought the Photostore and am using these days / weeks to set it up, thrilled about it :) Brilliant thread and idea

Quote
I had to go through the English file and swap out the word photo for illustration or image.

HAHA I was in the same situation, took me around half an hour to figure that out.

Generally it's a PITA to find out where to start with a script containing more than 2000 files, but as you get to know it things start to roll.

I have a problem of my own, which is that my store doesn't show uploaded images on localhost. There are just x'es instead of the uploaded images, which makes it hard to design the framework. Funny enough, it's not a problem when I upload to my website (I'm using webhostingpad). Anyone who's got an idea how I fix this local problem?

lisafx I don't know how much experience you have with PHP/MySQL and HTML/CSS. I'm no programmer but I know just enough to get myself going by trial and error, so if you have questions I'll be happy to see if I can help you out. I doubt I'll be able to though, if your web designer can't !

Here's an appetiser for mine ;) STAY TUNED
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: ppdd on January 31, 2011, 16:28
If you bought the software, you can submit to their support system and they are quite responsive. If you are customizing, the forums can be helpful, but it seems like they are not used as much as they were in years past. Most people are waiting for version 4, which has ben in the works for years. Several years. If it's ever released, it will be great - the product of many years of requests and refinements. But it's a decent sized if.

Generally, the site kicks out "Photostore had encountered a problem" when the SQL server isn't available.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: lisafx on January 31, 2011, 16:46
I tried submitting a support ticket, but it takes 48 hours for them to get back to you. 
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: redwater on January 31, 2011, 16:52
I just bought ktools photostore a few weeks ago and i'm still working on getting my images up (i have about 2000 plus mainly illustrations). i've no prior knowledge on web programming stuff but their support is quick to help. they normally respond to your support ticket within 24 hours based on my experience.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: madelaide on January 31, 2011, 17:07
Maybe we could have gotten a bulk sale discount!  :D
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: lisafx on January 31, 2011, 17:20
Thanks so much for the helpful replies so far, and for the e-mails with helpful tips.

Thanks to some of them I have managed to get a few of my issues ironed out and am in the process of working on others. 

Once I know more about this I will be happy to pay it forward too. 
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: Open_ on January 31, 2011, 21:39
im now developing selling platform from scratch, a platform where buyer pay direct to us via paypal and you can say good bye to middle man. this project still in early stage, wish me luck.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: Whiz on February 03, 2011, 10:43
Does anybody know how to make the search results set to match exact terms instead of match all terms by default?
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: ThomasAmby on February 03, 2011, 12:42
I've stumbled upon some problems setting up this store, that I couldn't find any answer to in the Ktools FAQ. Maybe because those are not common problems, maybe not. I figured I'd share what I learned so far to set it up for local editing. Might be obvious to some, but for people like me who are not very familiar with PHP/HTML I think it could be helpful

Photostore doesn't generate previews of uploaded stock photos
After several days I learned from the helpful support team at Ktools that I had to go to php.ini and change the setting called error_reporting to "2039" (mine was set to "E_ALL"), which worked.

Finding out where to edit
There are many included files in each document so it can be a PITA to find out where to edit or change any of the text. You can't just search for the text in the document you're at, most of the time you'd have to go to English.php which is located in the language-folder and search for it there. The text is stored in variables, so you can only search for the variables on for instance index.php, header.php etc...

I'll update if/when I come across more problems
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: redwater on February 03, 2011, 15:46
thanks, for those tips, Thomas, especially about finding out where to edit or change text. BTW, how's the progress on setting up your site? i'm still half way on mine, probably won't be up and running till end of Feb.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: cathyslife on February 03, 2011, 17:58
Just started working on mine yesterday. Lots of things have to be changed in the php files, but fortunately the uploading of photos is pretty well managed.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: lisafx on February 03, 2011, 18:34
Good tips here.  Thanks for sharing, Thomas.  In my case, I have no ability to edit PHP files, and would be afraid I'd screw something up if I tried.  Gonna have to outsource this part of it.  :(
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: ppdd on February 03, 2011, 18:40
Lisa, the language file is an exception - it's basically a list of phrases and words the site uses at various points. As long as you don't tinker with the syntax, you can update the text. It will say something like "Thank you for contacting us" and you may want to say "We really love your feedback" (whatever...) - it's easy to make some quick, valuable updates.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: Fotonaut on February 04, 2011, 02:28
Some tips on which files to use for customizing that I posted to the Ktools forum in 2009 (for those who do not have Ktools forum access):


Change background image and colours
www / config_public.php

Make changes to the photo details page
www / i_details.php

Make changes in left column table/left menu (statistics etc.)
www / i_gallery_nav.php

Make changes in images (such as watermarks)
www / images

Make changes in the frontpage
www / index.php

Make changes to the hover view
(change borders, remove “Title:” and “Description:” texts, etc.)
www / js / xns.js

Make changes to the search box area.
www / search_bar.php

Remove the "Newest images" and "Most popular images" tabs
www / crumbs.php
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: ThomasAmby on February 04, 2011, 05:04
thanks, for those tips, Thomas, especially about finding out where to edit or change text. BTW, how's the progress on setting up your site? i'm still half way on mine, probably won't be up and running till end of Feb.

I'm lucky if my site is up by then. I'm doing some extensive editing to the layout, slowly but surely, then there's the licensing part and all the technical problems I'm sure will arise once I get it online. Would be great to get it up and going in March, but I try not to set a timeline.

Are you keeping the tag cloud? I think it gives the store a "bloggy" look, but thought about keeping it for the sake of SEO. I think it helps the site's ranking having these highly relevant words in bold. Figure I'd tone it down with a light gray.
Any SEO experts in here who knows if the color of such tags will affect how Google ranks the site? Do they even help a bit, these tag clouds?
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: ThomasAmby on February 04, 2011, 05:05
Some tips on which files to use for customizing that I posted to the Ktools forum in 2009 (for those who do not have Ktools forum access):


Change background image and colours
www / config_public.php

Make changes to the photo details page
www / i_details.php

Make changes in left column table/left menu (statistics etc.)
www / i_gallery_nav.php

Make changes in images (such as watermarks)
www / images

Make changes in the frontpage
www / index.php

Make changes to the hover view
(change borders, remove “Title:” and “Description:” texts, etc.)
www / js / xns.js

Make changes to the search box area.
www / search_bar.php

Remove the "Newest images" and "Most popular images" tabs
www / crumbs.php

Thank you for sharing!
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: cathyslife on February 04, 2011, 07:40
Thank you all for sharing! Those links are very helpful, fotonaut.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: ppdd on February 04, 2011, 11:16
Don't know if it's still the case, but the tag cloud can crush the server, hogging a lot of resources for little gain. YMMV.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: Elenathewise on February 04, 2011, 11:58
Hi Lisa I just sent you a PM on this.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: Fotonaut on February 04, 2011, 15:35
Just a tip on the Ktools site that i find best designed, almost to the point that it no longer looks like a Ktools site: http://www.justworldphoto.org/ (http://www.justworldphoto.org/)
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: lisafx on February 04, 2011, 15:52
Extremely helpful info in this thread!  Thanks a lot Fotonaut, for sharing those locations.  You probably saved a lot of people hours of work :)

Thanks for the PM Elena!
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: Whiz on February 04, 2011, 18:14

Make changes to the search box area.
www / search_bar.php



Well, you answered my question. Thanks. I don't know how I missed this before.  :)
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: ComfortEagle2095 on February 04, 2011, 19:56
I encountered a big problem with Ktools Photostore that you may want to be careful about...

I had my Ktools store up and running for about 6 months and was pretty pleased.  I had invested probably hundreds of hours in getting it up and running and uploading files and it seemed all was going well.

Then my hosting company made some changes to improve security for their hosting clients and suddenly nothing worked.  I tried Ktools support and, although they gave advice, they eventually ended up pointing their fingers to the hosting company.  Of course the hosting company said it was an application problem in my software.

I'm sure if I was an expert programmer I could have eventually figured it out.  Unfortunately I'm not.  After a bunch more time trying to fix my store I finally gave up and went the smugmug route. 

Smugmug has it's limitations but at least they provide the hosting this problem shouldn't crop up.  If you go with Ktools it might be best to use their hosting company.  It seems like that was an option.

Good luck either way.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: lisafx on February 04, 2011, 20:04
Wow.  Scary.  Thanks for sharing that. 

I am signed up through Bluehost, which is one of the hosts they recommend.  Hope that doesn't happen down the line though. 

Out of curiosity, were you getting sales in those 6 months? 
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: Fotonaut on February 04, 2011, 20:12
I encountered a big problem with Ktools Photostore that you may want to be careful about...

I had my Ktools store up and running for about 6 months and was pretty pleased.  I had invested probably hundreds of hours in getting it up and running and uploading files and it seemed all was going well.

Then my hosting company made some changes to improve security for their hosting clients and suddenly nothing worked.  I tried Ktools support and, although they gave advice, they eventually ended up pointing their fingers to the hosting company.  Of course the hosting company said it was an application problem in my software.

I'm sure if I was an expert programmer I could have eventually figured it out.  Unfortunately I'm not.  After a bunch more time trying to fix my store I finally gave up and went the smugmug route. 

Smugmug has it's limitations but at least they provide the hosting this problem shouldn't crop up.  If you go with Ktools it might be best to use their hosting company.  It seems like that was an option.

Good luck either way.

This should be a concern, which is one reason why I use Ktools own hosting.
I honestly would have dropped Ktools in favour of e.g. Photoshelter had it not been that I need a contributor add on solution. Which only Ktools offer within a manageable cost. If I was only selling my own files, I would not have bothered with Photostore, just too much work.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: ppdd on February 04, 2011, 23:32
I highly recommend ktools hosting - it will future-proof the host tweaking their system away from what's needed to have it work. And it uses cpanel, so if you do move to another host, you can migrate the cpanel without rebuilding the site. Very easy.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: sharpshot on February 05, 2011, 07:17
Does anyone make much money from this?  I just think after paying for the software and the hosting and spending lots of hours tweaking the site, it would have to make quite a lot for me to cover my expenses and make some profit.  If this was just for my portfolio, am I going to be able to get enough buyers to use it?
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: stockmarketer on February 05, 2011, 09:13
Does anyone make much money from this?  I just think after paying for the software and the hosting and spending lots of hours tweaking the site, it would have to make quite a lot for me to cover my expenses and make some profit.  If this was just for my portfolio, am I going to be able to get enough buyers to use it?

I was just about to post the same question.  Lots of talk here about how to set it up, and it seems lots of people have experience with Ktools.  But is anyone generating sales?  And a basic question... what is Ktools' cut on the sales or do you keep it all?

I'm taking a different route, working with a friend who is a programmer to build a site from scratch.  Everything coming along well but still figuring out the payment part.  Hoping to launch in 30 - 60 days.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: cathyslife on February 05, 2011, 09:20
Does anyone make much money from this?  I just think after paying for the software and the hosting and spending lots of hours tweaking the site, it would have to make quite a lot for me to cover my expenses and make some profit.  If this was just for my portfolio, am I going to be able to get enough buyers to use it?

I was just about to post the same question.  Lots of talk here about how to set it up, and it seems lots of people have experience with Ktools.  But is anyone generating sales?  And a basic question... what is Ktools' cut on the sales or do you keep it all?

I'm taking a different route, working with a friend who is a programmer to build a site from scratch.  Everything coming along well but still figuring out the payment part.  Hoping to launch in 30 - 60 days.

I have seen a couple of reports of people starting to make money, but people who have posted here have just had it set up for only a month or two.

As far as ktools' cut...I didn't think they got one. It was my understanding that this software enabled everyone to be totally independent from having to pay anyone else anything, except the software fee that goes to ktools. If I have misunderstood, I hope someone will jump in and say, before I upload all my photos.

ktools does have a referral program, and they do have a link at the bottom of the home page unless you pay a little extra, then you can get software with their name removed from everything.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: ComfortEagle2095 on February 05, 2011, 11:39
Wow.  Scary.  Thanks for sharing that. 

I am signed up through Bluehost, which is one of the hosts they recommend.  Hope that doesn't happen down the line though. 

Out of curiosity, were you getting sales in those 6 months? 

I sold a few files--never enough to pay back the cost of the software.  Mostly stuff I shot for Phoenix Marathons and Ironman triathlons.  None of my other regular stock sold at all.

I have similar experience on Smugmug.  Some event stuff sells.  Very little other stuff.  So far I'm making enough to pay the annual fee but not much more.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: ppdd on February 05, 2011, 11:47
Ktools doesn't take a cut - this is the same developing a site from scratch (commission-wise), which is why you assume all technical responsibility for the site. One can quickly grow to appreciate other premium hosted solutions...

Making money with the software is just like any business - it's a tool, but part of the overall plan. It will depend on your niche, your referral network, your ability to drive traffic to your site, etc. Just having a website doesn't get you much, but making it part of an overall plan can work. Seems like a lot of event photographers use it for event/sports/wedding sales, or stock sites dedicated to a niche, like regional or travel images.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: cathyslife on February 05, 2011, 11:54
Ktools doesn't take a cut - this is the same developing a site from scratch (commission-wise), which is why you assume all technical responsibility for the site. One can quickly grow to appreciate other premium hosted solutions...

Making money with the software is just like any business - it's a tool, but part of the overall plan. It will depend on your niche, your referral network, your ability to drive traffic to your site, etc. Just having a website doesn't get you much, but making it part of an overall plan can work. Seems like a lot of event photographers use it for event/sports/wedding sales, or stock sites dedicated to a niche, like regional or travel images.

I didn't think ktools took a cut, thanks for confirming.

I am hopeful that I will be able to at least make the money back from the software purchase and hosting fees. I will do my best to drive traffic to my site and I can also use the site for private galleries.

But mostly I am setting my site up because I at least feel like I am doing something constructive and I have taken a positive step forward. This will be part of a total plan to replace the earnings that I have lost from said greedy agencies.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: lisafx on February 05, 2011, 12:11

But mostly I am setting my site up because I at least feel like I am doing something constructive and I have taken a positive step forward. This will be part of a total plan to replace the earnings that I have lost from said greedy agencies.

^^ Yes, exactly! 

What I am regretting is the amount of time this is taking me that would probably be better spent shooting and uploading, at least in the short term.   But ITLR, it will probably be a good idea to have a site up and running, and hopefully build a clientele over time.  You know, "if you build it they will come".  Or more accurately "If you DON'T build it, they won't ever come"...
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: bunhill on February 05, 2011, 13:11
Photographer sites are more or less essential for anyone doing regular events work. Photoshelter always looks like a good option though I have never tried it myself.

I have seen some impressive looking Ktools based sites. But I think I would be very cautious however of running my own site and having to be responsible for the programming side, updates, security updates etc. It's not just the actual package which is going to need regular tweeking and upgrades. Also the server software, PHP etc. That's a lot to be responsible for.

Weird them closing the forum. I would have thought that sharing info with other users would have been a valuable part of the deal. I wonder how many sites in total are running on this package.
 
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: cathyslife on February 05, 2011, 13:44

But mostly I am setting my site up because I at least feel like I am doing something constructive and I have taken a positive step forward. This will be part of a total plan to replace the earnings that I have lost from said greedy agencies.

^^ Yes, exactly! 

What I am regretting is the amount of time this is taking me that would probably be better spent shooting and uploading, at least in the short term.   But ITLR, it will probably be a good idea to have a site up and running, and hopefully build a clientele over time.  You know, "if you build it they will come".  Or more accurately "If you DON'T build it, they won't ever come"...

I know it's taking time to upload photos and get the site running, but once it's done, it's yours. I don't find it any more tenuous than dealing with the microstock agencies. One thing for sure is whatever you DO sell, is yours 100% to keep. I find comfort in that thought, even if I only make a small amount of money.

And I think it's like everything else...you do without but once you have it, you find all kinds of uses for it and then wonder why you didn't have one sooner.

Quote
snip
But I think I would be very cautious however of running my own site and having to be responsible for the programming side, updates, security updates etc. It's not just the actual package which is going to need regular tweeking and upgrades. Also the server software, PHP etc. That's a lot to be responsible for.

I understand being cautious, but I'm just not going to dwell on the what ifs that may happen in the future. I will cross those bridges when they come up. They may never come up, so no point in worrying about it.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: ppdd on February 05, 2011, 14:18
The ktools forums aren't closed - I'm over there all the time. Sounds like they're closed to new registrations, which is odd.

If you've making modifications to the code of the script, it can be quite hard to upgrade. The V4 update, if it ever comes out, will make look and feel changes easier to keep updated.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: cathyslife on February 05, 2011, 14:22
The ktools forums aren't closed - I'm over there all the time. Sounds like they're closed to new registrations, which is odd.

If you've making modifications to the code of the script, it can be quite hard to upgrade. The V4 update, if it ever comes out, will make look and feel changes easier to keep updated.

I just registered a couple of days ago and I can go to the forums.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: sharpshot on February 05, 2011, 14:23
It might be more interesting to me if we could get a bulk discount on the software and web hosting and we could have a joint search for all the people that use microstockgroup.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: cthoman on February 05, 2011, 14:59
Does anyone make much money from this?  I just think after paying for the software and the hosting and spending lots of hours tweaking the site, it would have to make quite a lot for me to cover my expenses and make some profit.  If this was just for my portfolio, am I going to be able to get enough buyers to use it?

I'm earning money with it. I opened my store in November, and it was instantly better than half the agencies I submit to. It's amazing how little you have to sell when you get 100% royalties, although I lose a little to Paypal. Like others said, it all depends on the details. How you promote, what you charge, your work, your plan or vision, etc. For me, I was just ready to branch off and try this. I wouldn't have been ready 2 years ago to do this, but now, it seems like the next step for me.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: redwater on February 05, 2011, 16:19
thank you for your input is very encouraging, cthoman. i haven't launched mine yet but i'm working on it. i think this is the next step for me because my portfolio has grown in terms of quality, quantity and variety over the years. This is the "field of dreams" for me.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: leaf on February 05, 2011, 16:39
Does anyone make much money from this?  I just think after paying for the software and the hosting and spending lots of hours tweaking the site, it would have to make quite a lot for me to cover my expenses and make some profit.  If this was just for my portfolio, am I going to be able to get enough buyers to use it?

I'm earning money with it. I opened my store in November, and it was instantly better than half the agencies I submit to. It's amazing how little you have to sell when you get 100% royalties, although I lose a little to Paypal. Like others said, it all depends on the details. How you promote, what you charge, your work, your plan or vision, etc. For me, I was just ready to branch off and try this. I wouldn't have been ready 2 years ago to do this, but now, it seems like the next step for me.

Did you have previous contacts for buyers or how did you find buyers?
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: madelaide on February 05, 2011, 16:47
I have seen some impressive looking Ktools based sites. But I think I would be very cautious however of running my own site and having to be responsible for the programming side, updates, security updates etc. It's not just the actual package which is going to need regular tweeking and upgrades. Also the server software, PHP etc. That's a lot to be responsible for.

What brings an interesting point: what is necessary to prevent image theft when running your own site? I mean in terms of site protection to avoid hackers and robots or whatever.

Also, given what happens with credit cards in sites, how to avoid fraud? Is PP safe for that matter?
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: cathyslife on February 05, 2011, 17:26
I have seen some impressive looking Ktools based sites. But I think I would be very cautious however of running my own site and having to be responsible for the programming side, updates, security updates etc. It's not just the actual package which is going to need regular tweeking and upgrades. Also the server software, PHP etc. That's a lot to be responsible for.

What brings an interesting point: what is necessary to prevent image theft when running your own site? I mean in terms of site protection to avoid hackers and robots or whatever.

Also, given what happens with credit cards in sites, how to avoid fraud? Is PP safe for that matter?

In Photostore, you have the ability to check the transaction before releasing the download, if you wish. When the transaction is approved, an email is sent with a download link.

As far as PP being safe...no, I don't trust them. That's why I transfer money to my bank as soon as it's deposited. I don't leave $$ laying around in there for that very reason.

I have found so many of my images on torrents and rapidshare sites, I can't see this alternative as being any worse. Again, we've been paying 80%+ to large companies to prevent fraud, and it is still happening. Hackers? Everything on the internet is open for hacking. If someone really wanted my images, seems like they would have stolen them from one of the five sites I am already on and have been on for 5+ years. Maybe they have...
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: lisafx on February 05, 2011, 18:35

As far as PP being safe...no, I don't trust them. That's why I transfer money to my bank as soon as it's deposited. I don't leave $$ laying around in there for that very reason.


Agreed.  I have never had any problem with Paypal, but I have read the horror stories. 

I opened a separate bank account and business paypal account for my website.  I didn't want to jeopardize my primary income (from the agencies) coming in through PP if I should have some fraud issue with the website or some disgruntled buyer.  This way, with two separate paypal accounts my stock agency income is protected. 
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: Ktools_Jeff on February 05, 2011, 23:32
I want to take a moment to apologize for the confusion of our forum being closed. It is open, but only to those that have a ktools.net account. We don't allow direct signups on the forum, but you can signup at ktools.net and that account will also create a forum account for you automatically. Then you can just log into the forum using your ktools.net account email/password combo.

I know a lot of you stock folks don't want to hear this but selling events is the way to go. I see a lot of people have success at selling events, and that is for obvious reasons. Selling stock is a lot harder to do cause it takes a lot of advertising, as well as trying to get a few landed clients that will keep coming back for more on projects they do.

@ThomasAmby
If you get red X's on your store the best thing to do is right click on the red X, and click on properties. Copy the URL to the image, it should look like http://www.---your--site--.com/image.php?src=X (http://www.---your--site--.com/image.php?src=X) (where X is an id number).
Paste that URL in your browser and try to view the photo outside of the page. When doing this it may report errors to you. Then you can follow those errors to see what the cause is. The most common two causes for this is the SEO feature was turned on in the settings, yet the server can't handle or is not setup to do mod_rewrite of the URL's. The second common issue is the error_reporting setting in PHP is turned up to high, set that setting to around 2039 (or completely turn it off for better security). However if you run into issues you will need to turn it back on for debugging. (after typing this up I seen you already posted again about the error_reporting, sorry for duplicating this)

@lisafx
If you submit a support ticket during our business hours we will usually answer right away. If you contact us on the weekends the response may or may not happen as soon. Just depends if any of us are in the office on the weekend.

@Whiz
To make the search term type a default you will need to edit the search_bar.php file.
You will see this:
Code: [Select]
<select name="match_type">   <option value="all" <?PHP if($_SESSION['search_match_type'] == "all"){ echo "selected"; } ?>><?PHP echo $search_match_all; ?></option>
<option value="any" <?PHP if($_SESSION['search_match_type'] == "any"){ echo "selected"; } ?>><?PHP echo $search_match_any; ?></option>
<?PHP if($setting->hide_id != 1){ ?>
<option value="id" <?PHP if($_SESSION['search_match_type'] == "id"){ echo "selected"; } ?>><?PHP echo $search_match_id; ?></option>
<?PHP } ?>
<option value="exact" <?PHP if($_SESSION['search_match_type'] == "exact"){ echo "selected"; } ?>><?PHP echo $search_match_exact; ?></option>
</select>

Right above that code put in this:
Code: [Select]
<?PHP
if(!$_SESSION['search_match_type']){
$_SESSION['search_match_type'] = "exact";
}
?>

That should make it so that when a new visitors visits, the search type is set to exact to start with.

@everyone else
Even though we don't offer direct customization support we do make articles on customizing and those can be found in our FAQ area here:
http://www.ktools.net/photostore/support.faqs.php?fid= (http://www.ktools.net/photostore/support.faqs.php?fid=)
Example here is one that kind of tells what file is what in the store:
http://www.ktools.net/photostore/support.faqs.php?fid=165 (http://www.ktools.net/photostore/support.faqs.php?fid=165)


I hope this helps, we appreciate your support in using our products.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: cathyslife on February 06, 2011, 08:05
Thanks for the tips, Jeff.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: cthoman on February 06, 2011, 13:09
Did you have previous contacts for buyers or how did you find buyers?

I don't really have any special tricks or a cult following. Just trying to get the word out. I'm sure my marketing will have to step up if I want to hit the next level or get a more stable client base.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: Whiz on February 06, 2011, 15:06

@Whiz
To make the search term type a default you will need to edit the search_bar.php file.
You will see this:
Code: [Select]
<select name="match_type">  <option value="all" <?PHP if($_SESSION['search_match_type'] == "all"){ echo "selected"; } ?>><?PHP echo $search_match_all; ?></option>
<option value="any" <?PHP if($_SESSION['search_match_type'] == "any"){ echo "selected"; } ?>><?PHP echo $search_match_any; ?></option>
<?PHP if($setting->hide_id != 1){ ?>
<option value="id" <?PHP if($_SESSION['search_match_type'] == "id"){ echo "selected"; } ?>><?PHP echo $search_match_id; ?></option>
<?PHP } ?>
<option value="exact" <?PHP if($_SESSION['search_match_type'] == "exact"){ echo "selected"; } ?>><?PHP echo $search_match_exact; ?></option>
</select>

Right above that code put in this:
Code: [Select]
<?PHP
if(!$_SESSION['search_match_type']){
$_SESSION['search_match_type'] = "exact";
}
?>

That should make it so that when a new visitors visits, the search type is set to exact to start with.


In case this helps anybody (copy and paste):


<select name="match_type">
<option value="exact" <?PHP if($_SESSION['search_match_type'] == "exact"){ echo "selected"; } ?>><?PHP echo $search_match_exact; ?></option>
<option value="any" <?PHP if($_SESSION['search_match_type'] == "any"){ echo "selected"; } ?>><?PHP echo $search_match_any; ?></option>
 <?PHP if($setting->hide_id != 1){ ?>
<option value="id" <?PHP if($_SESSION['search_match_type'] == "id"){ echo "selected"; } ?>><?PHP echo $search_match_id; ?></option>
<?PHP } ?>
<option value="all" <?PHP if($_SESSION['search_match_type'] == "all"){ echo "selected"; } ?>><?PHP echo $search_match_all; ?></option>
</select>
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: madelaide on February 06, 2011, 18:52
My question regarding Paypal is actually about the risk of credit card fraud. They make so many verifications that I believe a fraud is not possible. Is it so?
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: madelaide on February 06, 2011, 19:00
And about hacking, my question is: what is necessary to protect our uploaded images? Does Ktools control it, or do we need something on our server side, some special software or an extra service from the hosting company?
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: ppdd on February 06, 2011, 23:25
The script hides the location of the uploaded photos, but if someone gains access to your site's directory structure, they may be able download photos. But this could happen with any script - it would have nothing to do with the ktools script and more do to with the hosting. I've never seen it happen...
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: Ktools_Jeff on February 07, 2011, 09:46
And about hacking, my question is: what is necessary to protect our uploaded images? Does Ktools control it, or do we need something on our server side, some special software or an extra service from the hosting company?

There is always a risk when you put your photos on the internet, regardless of where you put it. The number one rule is, if you don't want it stolen don't put it on the internet!
While we designed the store to not show the details of the photo (filenames, path to the image, full size image, ability to rename directory, watermarking etc..) this doesn't stop things like someone hacking the server that your site is on. Say for example your site is on a shared hosting at any of the popular hosting places (godaddy, bluehost, hostgator, etc..). Someone on that server is running an insecured script on their site which is also on that same server. A hacker gets into the server using that insecured script. The hacker will or could have full access to all files on that server. Another potential issue is people that purchase your product but feels they need to share it with everyone they know, there is absolutely no way to stop that with a product like a digital photo. When it comes to displaying thumbs and samples of your photos online for people to look at, the number one thing you can do to prevent people from using it for what ever reason is to watermark it. Put your name, site name, or what ever to let others know it is yours across the photos.


Quote from: madelaide
My question regarding Paypal is actually about the risk of credit card fraud. They make so many verifications that I believe a fraud is not possible. Is it so?

Yes even with paypal, orders can still be fraud. I have see a lot of them in the past 8 years with people trying to steal our products on ktools.net. It affects all online businesses that sell digital content (photos, music, software, etc..). Paypal is pretty good, but there is still a risk of fraud orders. If you force mandatory accounts in your photostore, you will then be able to compare the details of that account with the details paypal sends you. Check names, address, state, country, etc.. and make sure they match up, if not then chances are it is fraud. I know it doesn't seem right, but almost 90% of the fraud orders we get don't have identical names. Example they will signup with a name like Ben that lives in the USA, yet they checkout with paypal using an account with the name of Morgan from the UK.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: djpadavona on February 07, 2011, 11:33
You know, "if you build it they will come".  Or more accurately "If you DON'T build it, they won't ever come"...

I agree with the second statement.  The first one, not so much.  It's not enough to start a website and wait for people to find it.  They won't find it, so plan on learning a lot about SEO and spending time creatively promoting your site.  I think it would be pretty rare to get a site going on Day 1, and have sales before Day 31.  Perhaps if you are doing a microstock site, you might get some impromptu sales.  But under more traditional pricing, it's going to be a long, hard battle to get recognized.

Stay patient.  Get your site functional and then put your effort into gaining exposure.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: djpadavona on February 07, 2011, 11:45
To follow up on the previous statement...  If any of the larger contributors in this thread have any idea who some of their frequent buyers are, you should let them know that they can buy direct from you.  Word of mouth may spread your site to other buyers thereafter. 

In the meantime it wouldn't be a bad idea to get some type of indie photographer's website listing available, and promote it so buyers know where they can purchase images direct from the artist.  I doubt many buyers frequent these forums, but we know a few do.  If there is a forum which many of them use, that would be the place to promote a web listing of direct purchase sites.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: lisafx on February 07, 2011, 15:10
@Jeff from Ktools - thanks for posting some excellent tips.  And thanks, also, for your patience with my barrage of questions through ktools support :)

@Dan - You are right, marketing will be important.  Also right that the site needs to be completed and have the full portfolio before it can be effectively marketed and begin to see returns. 
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: Xalanx on February 07, 2011, 15:35
Has anyone had success with selling photos from own website? I would love to see at least a single example of someone who actually sells enough to make it relevant - say it'll earn $100 / month or more.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: Ktools_Jeff on February 07, 2011, 16:04
Has anyone had success with selling photos from own website? I would love to see at least a single example of someone who actually sells enough to make it relevant - say it'll earn $100 / month or more.


I seen some selling over $40,000 a year (usually event site, one that comes to mind was selling marathon photos).
I would post links but I don't want to step over the line of confidentiality.


My wife's site (www.itfphotography.com (http://www.itfphotography.com)) was selling more than $100 a month, wedding photography. She no longer does weddings, and has stopped all photography other than family at this time, so her site is closed (which is why the link above will no longer work). I purchased photostore about 6 years ago for my wife so she could sell prints & downloads, and now I work for ktools.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: cathyslife on February 07, 2011, 16:05
Has anyone had success with selling photos from own website? I would love to see at least a single example of someone who actually sells enough to make it relevant - say it'll earn $100 / month or more.

See cthoman's post above. He is selling his illustrations from his own site.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: djpadavona on February 07, 2011, 16:16
Has anyone had success with selling photos from own website? I would love to see at least a single example of someone who actually sells enough to make it relevant - say it'll earn $100 / month or more.

Dan Heller???

Heller did a statistical study which showed 60% of stock photo sales are direct buyer-to-seller with no agency involved whatsoever.  Which means there are plenty of photographers who you don't know, who are selling a ton on their own.  I doubt Bryan Peterson relies on Corbis or Getty as his only source of stock income. 

It's a pet peeve of mine that so many photographers believe they need an agency to sell stock.  You don't.  But because you believe that you do, you have given the agencies more power than they should have.  Which is why your commissions continue to drop, and drop...

I probably won't be around much longer.  Once my sales start, and they will whether it takes a month or a year or a century, I can't see myself wasting any more time with microstock agencies or talking about them.  I'm determined to set my own prices, my own commissions, and my own content.  I'm tired of having bombs dropped on me, and being told agencies need to keep 70-85% of the commission just to survive.  Microstock has warped into a typical internet scam, imo.  Time to move on.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: djpadavona on February 07, 2011, 16:19
Has anyone had success with selling photos from own website? I would love to see at least a single example of someone who actually sells enough to make it relevant - say it'll earn $100 / month or more.


See cthoman's post above. He is selling his illustrations from his own site.


Check out QT Luong's Terragalleria site.

http://www.terragalleria.com/ (http://www.terragalleria.com/)

I don't know how much he makes per month, but he is a well established name so I would assume it is substantial.  His work is stunning, and his site is highly customized.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: djpadavona on February 07, 2011, 16:43
@Dan - You are right, marketing will be important.  Also right that the site needs to be completed and have the full portfolio before it can be effectively marketed and begin to see returns. 

I recommend that as soon as you are happy with the site layout and functionality, and have a decent sized portfolio uploaded, that you start marketing it.  No reason to wait for the entire portfolio to be uploaded.  Personally, I can't wait to see what you do with the site.  You are the first high scale microstock contributor I know of who is doing this.  Five years from now I would assume the majority of high scale contributors will have their own store fronts.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: cathyslife on February 07, 2011, 16:54
I probably won't be around much longer.  Once my sales start, and they will whether it takes a month or a year or a century, I can't see myself wasting any more time with microstock agencies or talking about them.  I'm determined to set my own prices, my own commissions, and my own content.  I'm tired of having bombs dropped on me, and being told agencies need to keep 70-85% of the commission just to survive. Microstock has warped into a typical internet scam, imo.  Time to move on.

Very well put and +1 indeed.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: lisafx on February 07, 2011, 18:12

I recommend that as soon as you are happy with the site layout and functionality, and have a decent sized portfolio uploaded, that you start marketing it.  No reason to wait for the entire portfolio to be uploaded.  Personally, I can't wait to see what you do with the site.  You are the first high scale microstock contributor I know of who is doing this.  Five years from now I would assume the majority of high scale contributors will have their own store fronts.

Thanks for the compliment, but I believe Elena outsells me on most of the micros.  But I agree on principle.  Anyone with a quality stock portfolio should consider setting up their own site.  Even with me having to hire some of the trickiest stuff done, it still is not prohibitively expensive. 

I also liked Elena's idea, or some version of it, for a sort of co-op or confederation of separate stock artist's sites pooling their resources and marketing themselves as a group.  Strength in numbers, and all that. 
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: Fotonaut on February 07, 2011, 18:40
I also liked Elena's idea, or some version of it, for a sort of co-op or confederation of separate stock artist's sites pooling their resources and marketing themselves as a group.  Strength in numbers, and all that. 

Photoshelter has an option to create "virtual agencies", connecting like-minded individual photographers. That could fly under the radar of the microstock non compete policies. This might be the way to go for Lisas, Elenas and such, though even that pool would not be more than one hundred thousand images (or two) at best. Stockfresh seem to think that a million images is needed for it beeing worth advertising for.

With Ktools one could use the contributor add on, but then it would be an actual agency.
Photoshelter has an Multi-User option to create an agency, but that is very expensive (from $2,750/year).
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: lisafx on February 07, 2011, 19:15
Thanks for the suggestions Fotonaut.  I will give my ktools site a year or so and if I can't seem to find my buyers I may consider going the Photoshelter route instead.  Even there, though, I think you have to drum up your own sales. 

As for the confederation idea, I wasn't really talking about setting up an agency, with multiple contributors.  More of an alliance of individuals, each who have their own site.  At least that was my understanding of what was being discussed.  Since independent contributors are allowed to sell from our own sites, I don't see how it would run afoul of the agencies non-compete clauses?

Besides, if the agencies should be worried by a few independent photographers setting up their own sites, they always have the option of raising our royalties so we don't feel the need to search for other options. :)

Personally, setting up my own site, maintaining, and marketing it was something I'd hoped never to have to be bothered doing.  It is only the recent actions of some of the agencies that have pushed me in this direction. 
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: Phil on February 08, 2011, 04:14
did anyone using ktools look at some of other options that are around the same price? such as

http://www.stockboxphoto.com/ (http://www.stockboxphoto.com/)
http://www.xpoze.org/ (http://www.xpoze.org/)
http://www.pixaria.com/ (http://www.pixaria.com/)

it seems ktools is what most people have gone with so I'm just wondering in my ignorance what people are seeing that has made them choose ktools?
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: Fotonaut on February 08, 2011, 04:52
did anyone using ktools look at some of other options that are around the same price? such as

[url]http://www.stockboxphoto.com/[/url] ([url]http://www.stockboxphoto.com/[/url])
[url]http://www.xpoze.org/[/url] ([url]http://www.xpoze.org/[/url])
[url]http://www.pixaria.com/[/url] ([url]http://www.pixaria.com/[/url])

it seems ktools is what most people have gone with so I'm just wondering in my ignorance what people are seeing that has made them choose ktools?


It is some years since I went for Ktools, but all of the above were considered. Some important aspects:

- Features (especially contributor add on option)
- Price
- Look and feel
- Hosting (Ktools hosting with free/managed updates)

Pixaria seems to have come a long way with version 3.0. Today I might have made that choice.

If Ktools Photostore 4 ever is realized, it will be ahead again, though. From what has been presented, it looks really good. But it has been a looong wait.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: ppdd on February 08, 2011, 11:10
The other interesting one is http://www.cmsaccount.com (http://www.cmsaccount.com) and the PhotoVideo script - tons of features, but sort of a mess on the admin side. I couldn't bring myself to do it, though it's cheap and has some nice stock templates.

I recently chose Pixaria 3 over Ktools 3 for a site and I love it - smarty templates and many other things that Ktools won't have unit v4. It's really nice to work with. But the ktools script does more and is more flexible in many ways, such as managing contributors, reviewing photos, offering pricing and subscription flexibility, multiple sizes, etc... better for a microstock-type site. Ktools V4 will put it in rarified air if it every appears.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: Whiz on February 09, 2011, 15:27

@Whiz
To make the search term type a default you will need to edit the search_bar.php file.
You will see this:
Code: [Select]
<select name="match_type">  <option value="all" <?PHP if($_SESSION['search_match_type'] == "all"){ echo "selected"; } ?>><?PHP echo $search_match_all; ?></option>
<option value="any" <?PHP if($_SESSION['search_match_type'] == "any"){ echo "selected"; } ?>><?PHP echo $search_match_any; ?></option>
<?PHP if($setting->hide_id != 1){ ?>
<option value="id" <?PHP if($_SESSION['search_match_type'] == "id"){ echo "selected"; } ?>><?PHP echo $search_match_id; ?></option>
<?PHP } ?>
<option value="exact" <?PHP if($_SESSION['search_match_type'] == "exact"){ echo "selected"; } ?>><?PHP echo $search_match_exact; ?></option>
</select>

Right above that code put in this:
Code: [Select]
<?PHP
if(!$_SESSION['search_match_type']){
$_SESSION['search_match_type'] = "exact";
}
?>

That should make it so that when a new visitors visits, the search type is set to exact to start with.


In case this helps anybody (copy and paste):


<select name="match_type">
<option value="exact" <?PHP if($_SESSION['search_match_type'] == "exact"){ echo "selected"; } ?>><?PHP echo $search_match_exact; ?></option>
<option value="any" <?PHP if($_SESSION['search_match_type'] == "any"){ echo "selected"; } ?>><?PHP echo $search_match_any; ?></option>
 <?PHP if($setting->hide_id != 1){ ?>
<option value="id" <?PHP if($_SESSION['search_match_type'] == "id"){ echo "selected"; } ?>><?PHP echo $search_match_id; ?></option>
<?PHP } ?>
<option value="all" <?PHP if($_SESSION['search_match_type'] == "all"){ echo "selected"; } ?>><?PHP echo $search_match_all; ?></option>
</select>


Also, you may want to apply this same technique to the Search this Gallery area. If you do not, then the main search bar will have the exact match setting, but the gallery search bar will not. Just open the gallery.php file and do the above code again.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: madelaide on February 09, 2011, 16:15
Pixaria seems to have come a long way with version 3.0. Today I might have made that choice.

Their sample sites looks nice. Price is the same, I believe. A lot of money to set aside for a small microstock portfolio like mine.

I wonder which solution (if any of these) would be better for RM images?

I had thought of having just the thumbnails in my website and the buyer would ask for a quotation, all transactions would run outside the site itself. Cheaper, but maybe less effective.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: ppdd on February 09, 2011, 18:11
Pixaria is certainly easy to have it just ask the user to submit a query about the image. It's one of the default setting, in fact. Not sure about ktools - I've never run it this way. Pixaria can bet set up for RM as well. I think there's a RM calc in ktools, but I don't recall.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: lisafx on February 09, 2011, 18:29
Yes. Ktools has an option to sell RM too. 
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: cthoman on February 10, 2011, 12:41
I had someone sign up as a photographer last night. I removed the signup php file today, but I couldn't figure out how they got to the page (unless it was a direct request). Did I miss a check box or a link somewhere?
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: cathyslife on February 10, 2011, 18:28
I had someone sign up as a photographer last night. I removed the signup php file today, but I couldn't figure out how they got to the page (unless it was a direct request). Did I miss a check box or a link somewhere?

I just looked at your site and I don't see anywhere where that would be possible. In fact, I signed up for a free account and I didn't see anything in the creation of that account, either. That's weird. To get to the direct request, they would have to know the workings and names of the PhotoStore pages, no?
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: cthoman on February 10, 2011, 18:45
I just looked at your site and I don't see anywhere where that would be possible. In fact, I signed up for a free account and I didn't see anything in the creation of that account, either. That's weird. To get to the direct request, they would have to know the workings and names of the PhotoStore pages, no?

Thanks for taking a look. I didn't know if I was missing something. I guess they could either know the structure or taken an educated guess. I emailed them to see what they did. Hopefully, I get a response back. Also, I have to approve contributors, so it wasn't like they started uploading files. Regardless, I removed the php file, so no more backdoor. It makes me wonder if I should clean house on the other files that I'm not using.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: Whiz on February 10, 2011, 20:56
I just looked at your site and I don't see anywhere where that would be possible. In fact, I signed up for a free account and I didn't see anything in the creation of that account, either. That's weird. To get to the direct request, they would have to know the workings and names of the PhotoStore pages, no?

Thanks for taking a look. I didn't know if I was missing something. I guess they could either know the structure or taken an educated guess. I emailed them to see what they did. Hopefully, I get a response back. Also, I have to approve contributors, so it wasn't like they started uploading files. Regardless, I removed the php file, so no more backdoor. It makes me wonder if I should clean house on the other files that I'm not using.


Perhaps they just did a Google search, and stumbled across it by accident?
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: cathyslife on February 10, 2011, 23:41
I just looked at your site and I don't see anywhere where that would be possible. In fact, I signed up for a free account and I didn't see anything in the creation of that account, either. That's weird. To get to the direct request, they would have to know the workings and names of the PhotoStore pages, no?

Thanks for taking a look. I didn't know if I was missing something. I guess they could either know the structure or taken an educated guess. I emailed them to see what they did. Hopefully, I get a response back. Also, I have to approve contributors, so it wasn't like they started uploading files. Regardless, I removed the php file, so no more backdoor. It makes me wonder if I should clean house on the other files that I'm not using.


Perhaps they just did a Google search, and stumbled across it by accident?

Well, if that's what happened, then it's kind of good news because at least cthoman is being found in a search, even if it's not exactly a buyer.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: madelaide on February 11, 2011, 16:36
If someone with more technical skills than me can give a summary of the advantges and disadvantages between Pixaria and Photostore, I would be very grateful.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: djpadavona on February 12, 2011, 15:01
Also, I have to approve contributors, so it wasn't like they started uploading files.

There goes my big plan.  I have a portfolio of beautiful circles and squares to upload somewhere as EPS files.   :-[
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: stockmodels on February 17, 2011, 21:09
Hey! Glad I found you folks.  The Ktools internal support forum is pretty dead.  I've asked a bunch of questions there in the past 2 weeks with very little replies (maybe I was the spam?)

I started a couple of weeks ago with their "rental" package which includes hosting so I've not had any real set-up problems.  I do have a bunch of questions and will likely be looking at some customizing but think I should wait till version 4.  Support did tell me that all customizations in Ver 3 will be lost with the upgrade...

I'm off to read what's already been posted...
Chuck
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore - links
Post by: stockmodels on February 18, 2011, 20:05
Hi Gang,
Does anybody know how to add a links page?
I know it has to be done in PHP.
I'm trying to figure out how to add a text link in the footer to the right of the "Terms of Use" text and then create the page that it would pull up if someone clicked on it.

Anyone?

Cross linking wanted! (After I get the link page happening)
Thanks!
Chuck
http://www.stockmodels.com (http://www.stockmodels.com)
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore - links
Post by: cathyslife on February 19, 2011, 08:36
Hi Gang,
Does anybody know how to add a links page?
I know it has to be done in PHP.
I'm trying to figure out how to add a text link in the footer to the right of the "Terms of Use" text and then create the page that it would pull up if someone clicked on it.

Anyone?

Cross linking wanted! (After I get the link page happening)
Thanks!
Chuck
[url]http://www.stockmodels.com[/url] ([url]http://www.stockmodels.com[/url])


I think that can be changed or added in the footer.php page. And maybe some language needs to be added to language>english.php right around line 768 in the footer section? I do not know php, but maybe this will get you in the right area? I've only made some minor changes in the php pages of my site.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: stockmodels on February 19, 2011, 11:05
Hi cclapper,
Thanks - I found the footer.php page and I think I could add the "text" for the word "links" there but then where/how does that text link to or "pull from" some page of info, and how do I add that page of info.  I'm sure these are basic newbie PHP questions but I have no idea! ;-)

Chuck
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: cathyslife on February 19, 2011, 11:25
Hi cclapper,
Thanks - I found the footer.php page and I think I could add the "text" for the word "links" there but then where/how does that text link to or "pull from" some page of info, and how do I add that page of info.  I'm sure these are basic newbie PHP questions but I have no idea! ;-)

Chuck

Hi Chuck
Yeah, I know as much about it as you...sorry.

I do see that you change the wording of the type at the bottom in the English.php file. For instance, I changed the word Licensing to Licensing Agreement on line 768. Then it looks like the footer.php pulls that line from the English.php file. I'm just not sure how you add the a href for the link. If you look down to line 38, ktools added their link in. I'm basically just thinking out loud here.

Hopefully someone who knows will jump in to help.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: cthoman on February 19, 2011, 12:15
I'm guessing here, but there is a file called blank_page.php. I would think if you make a copy of that and rename it, then paste in the info you want into the body. Then you'll just need to put a link to it in the footer or somewhere else. I think you can add extra things to the left nav from the content section of the manager too (left box 1, 2 etc.).

If you can figure it out, it's probably a good idea to set up a local host on your machine too, so you can test things first. You may need to kidnap a nerd for that or the Ktools support might recommend a LAMP one click install that works best.  ;D
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: JC-SL on February 19, 2011, 21:53
Hello Lisa,

Hope you're well..   just checking on how your site is going? I used the same Ktools site to set up my own small RF site awhile ago. 
Found it easier to get someone in for a few hours to sort the last PHP issues.  Well worth with it in the end...  now if I could only
stop shooting in my real job and start playing here, I'd be happy.   www.royaltyfreesportphotos.com (http://www.royaltyfreesportphotos.com)

Take care...  can't wait to see what you come up with.

Cheers,  JC
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: lisafx on February 20, 2011, 17:27
Wow, JC!  Congrats on a really beautiful, professional looking site!  I'm with you.  It's well worth it to me to pay someone with experience to do what customization I wanted. 

Hope you have great success selling your impressive sports images :D
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: Randomway on February 21, 2011, 17:47
I'm just finishing setting up my store at www.sweetsham.com (http://www.sweetsham.com). I'm building new vector and 3d images for the shop. I'm enjoying the setup process now that I've got the hang of it.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: cathyslife on February 21, 2011, 19:01
I'm just finishing setting up my store at [url=http://www.sweetsham.com]www.sweetsham.com[/url] ([url]http://www.sweetsham.com[/url]). I'm building new vector and 3d images for the shop. I'm enjoying the setup process now that I've got the hang of it.


Nice! It almost doesn't look like a Ktools site.

I wanted to add a background to the body of my site, like you did. Would you be willing to give me a clue as to which page(s) it gets changed in?
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: JC-SL on February 21, 2011, 19:19
Nice job... looks great Melissa!

JC
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: lisafx on February 21, 2011, 19:23
I'm just finishing setting up my store at [url=http://www.sweetsham.com]www.sweetsham.com[/url] ([url]http://www.sweetsham.com[/url]). I'm building new vector and 3d images for the shop. I'm enjoying the setup process now that I've got the hang of it.


Very nice!  Love the chocolate colored theme :)
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: trek on February 21, 2011, 20:34
Ktools is intriguing.  Perhaps the microstock coop concept could be built around a Ktools united algorithm where buyers could search several Ktools microstockgroup sites simultaneously via keywords.  Just a thought (that's far past my technical knowhow).  An coop administrator wizard would need compensation of course.... and a percentage of sales would be needed for marketing and promotion.... but wouldn't that be better than going it alone?
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: Randomway on February 21, 2011, 20:50
I'm just finishing setting up my store at [url=http://www.sweetsham.com]www.sweetsham.com[/url] ([url]http://www.sweetsham.com[/url]). I'm building new vector and 3d images for the shop. I'm enjoying the setup process now that I've got the hang of it.


Nice! It almost doesn't look like a Ktools site.

I wanted to add a background to the body of my site, like you did. Would you be willing to give me a clue as to which page(s) it gets changed in?



Sure.  Go into the 'styles' folder and then into the theme that you use for your store. Inside that folder is an image called bg.gif. The bg.gif repeats on the background of your site. Upload a new bg.gif and you get a new background. Mine is a small square tile that repeats all over the page.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: lisafx on February 21, 2011, 20:53
Ktools is intriguing.  Perhaps the microstock coop concept could be built around a Ktools united algorithm where buyers could search several Ktools microstockgroup sites simultaneously via keywords.  Just a thought (that's far past my technical knowhow).  An coop administrator wizard would need compensation of course.... and a percentage of sales would be needed for marketing and promotion.... but wouldn't that be better than going it alone?

Absolutely, on all counts!  I am really hoping that eventually something like this will develop.  An administrator and a marketing budget are a given, but would surely be worth it ITLR.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: cathyslife on February 22, 2011, 07:12
I'm just finishing setting up my store at [url=http://www.sweetsham.com]www.sweetsham.com[/url] ([url]http://www.sweetsham.com[/url]). I'm building new vector and 3d images for the shop. I'm enjoying the setup process now that I've got the hang of it.


Nice! It almost doesn't look like a Ktools site.

I wanted to add a background to the body of my site, like you did. Would you be willing to give me a clue as to which page(s) it gets changed in?



Sure.  Go into the 'styles' folder and then into the theme that you use for your store. Inside that folder is an image called bg.gif. The bg.gif repeats on the background of your site. Upload a new bg.gif and you get a new background. Mine is a small square tile that repeats all over the page.


Thank you so much randomway! I'll check it out.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: djpadavona on February 25, 2011, 13:27
Has anyone else run into problems with Uncompleted Orders?  Today I received a Paypal order that showed up as "Paid" but was listed as "Uncompleted."  I had to manually complete the order so the customer could download the image.

I had already checked the option:
Force the approval of all credit card orders so the customer can download right away without you approving the order (on all completed successful transactions)

so that isn't the issue.  Anyone experience this before?  Any ideas Jeff?
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: Fotonaut on February 25, 2011, 14:11
Not exactly the same, but last week I had an order where the customer did not receive the e-mail with the download link. The customer called later the same day as the order was made, and I had to send everything manually. I asked the customer to check their spam folder, but they found nothing there either. I hope this does not happen again, as it is embarrassing when such happens.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: djpadavona on February 25, 2011, 14:30
Every once in a while I notice something extremely buggy with KTools.  And I agree, it's really embarrassing.  Right now I am clicking on a link which will show me my buyer's download page, and the page is blank.  I wonder if he was able to successfully download the image?

I also had to change my default email address to my Yahoo account.  My Warmpicture KTools address often did not receive emails until 2-3 hours after I sent a test message, and sometimes not at all.  So it is possible customers have tried to contact me and the email never made it.

If things are not running smoothly after 3 months I may have to move things over to Photoshelter.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: cathyslife on February 27, 2011, 10:52
Here's a tip:
to inspect an element on a web page, install Firefox firebug. Then you can roll over an element on the web page and see the html code and CSS. I find it handy in tracking down what code to change when customizing.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: cthoman on February 27, 2011, 11:30
Here's a tip:
to inspect an element on a web page, install Firefox firebug. Then you can roll over an element on the web page and see the html code and CSS. I find it handy in tracking down what code to change when customizing.

Good tip. I use that too.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: leaf on February 27, 2011, 18:25
Ktools is intriguing.  Perhaps the microstock coop concept could be built around a Ktools united algorithm where buyers could search several Ktools microstockgroup sites simultaneously via keywords.  Just a thought (that's far past my technical knowhow).  An coop administrator wizard would need compensation of course.... and a percentage of sales would be needed for marketing and promotion.... but wouldn't that be better than going it alone?

Absolutely, on all counts!  I am really hoping that eventually something like this will develop.  An administrator and a marketing budget are a given, but would surely be worth it ITLR.

Exactly that is possible with the photo shelter virtual agency. Everyone has their own site and images but they are also linked together for a united storefront. I haven't checked it out much more than just reading about it, but it looks interesting.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: jeancliclac on March 03, 2011, 01:48

I have been using Ktool for more than 3 years for two sites:
1) www.energypicturesonline.com (http://www.energypicturesonline.com)
2)www.rudersdalfoto.dk] [url=http://www.rudersdalfoto.dk]www.rudersdalfoto.dk (http://[url=http://www.rudersdalfoto.dk)[/url]
as you will see if you visit the stores I did not make much efforts in the original site design, because I do not have the competency and because I'm not convinced it is necessary (even if I wished to improve the design in many aspects!)

I have by the way always got a fast and friendly support from Ktool staff.

1) www.energypicturesonline.com (http://www.energypicturesonline.com)
is a dedicated niche site that I have opened to other photographers, because if you want to be successful you will need to cover all areas of the niche and bring diversity to the pictures proposed to the client. This is one of the main challenges of individual micro stock site...

2) www.rudersdalfoto.dk (http://www.rudersdalfoto.dk)
is a local library that I started to sell local pictures to the communities around where I live

How much I'm selling?
1) www.energypicturesonline.com (http://www.energypicturesonline.com)
I'm working in the energy business and many of my photo clients are companies that I know and buy pictures for their annual reports, leaflets etc…and from time to time I have of course buyers that find me goggling “energy picture”.
I’m not selling many pictures but enough to pay the costs + a bit more…

2) www.rudersdalfoto.dk (http://www.rudersdalfoto.dk)
Again here I’m not selling many pictures but enough to pay the costs + a bit more…but I started newly to sell event pictures and as it was said, this appears to be an adapted tool (but takes time to explain some clients how to order…)

I have considered selling my micro stock stuff myself but  making the store is the easiest part of the job. Selling is the challenge and even if the stores here above are looking nice, I doubt there will be many clients buying as the diversity of choice is too limited.

To get the interest of the client, we would need a common site showing all pictures of those individual micro stokers together so he doest need to go to 20 individual ones before finding his picture. I’m not an expert, but someone could maybe tell if it is possible to make that common site that will get the content of the individual libraries (= thumbnails + keywords) and once the client click on a given thumbnail he is directed to the store where the picture belongs to?

Alternatively we could also consider the option to have our pictures under a common store?

The advantages to have our pictures together is the better diversity and the volume we have together to make some marketing which is an essential action if we want to sell!

jean
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: Xalanx on March 03, 2011, 02:39
^^ Finally, a proper answer to the question "is it worthy?" !! A real life example from someone who did it for long enough.
From my point of view, it's still not worth the time and work to try and sell stock images from own website.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: cathyslife on March 04, 2011, 08:44

snip
To get the interest of the client, we would need a common site showing all pictures of those individual micro stokers together so he doest need to go to 20 individual ones before finding his picture. I’m not an expert, but someone could maybe tell if it is possible to make that common site that will get the content of the individual libraries (= thumbnails + keywords) and once the client click on a given thumbnail he is directed to the store where the picture belongs to?

Alternatively we could also consider the option to have our pictures under a common store?

The advantages to have our pictures together is the better diversity and the volume we have together to make some marketing which is an essential action if we want to sell!

jean

This has been discussed over and over here. I agree, but no one is going to do that work for free. There will costs involved in setting up another site to do that, and by the time it is finished, it's basically just another agency that's been created. What's the point of that? Someone is going to have to get paid and that translates to money out of the contributor's pocket.

I think that a few good clients going to my site and buying my pictures would net me more money per month than all the agencies I submit to put together. That's my goal and one I am willing to invest in. If it doesn't work? I'm out a few hundred dollars. I probably waste that much money every year on candy bars and junk food.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: Pixart on March 04, 2011, 15:19
Quickie question, can you upload/download Photoshop templates on a Ktools site (.psd files?), and maybe PaintShop templates?
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: Fotonaut on March 04, 2011, 16:11
Yes, if you zip the file and make a jpeg preview, you can use PhotoStore for most any filetype.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: cthoman on March 04, 2011, 16:35
New site design went live today at mystockvectors! Feel free to try and break it.  ;D
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: Pixart on March 04, 2011, 18:30
Thanks Fotonaut! 

Very nice Cory, very clean.  I may have to hire you to make me one.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: cathyslife on March 04, 2011, 19:27
New site design went live today at mystockvectors! Feel free to try and break it.  ;D

Very nice!
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: lisafx on March 05, 2011, 12:43
New site design went live today at mystockvectors! Feel free to try and break it.  ;D

Looks great Cory!  Very clean design :)
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: cthoman on March 05, 2011, 14:18
Thanks!
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: leaf on March 05, 2011, 15:36
agreed, great looking site cthoman.

Do you take site design orders?
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: luissantos84 on March 05, 2011, 15:44
great design, great job, great sales! (someone is making nice $$ "alone")
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: cthoman on March 05, 2011, 17:02
Do you take site design orders?

LOL. I think it's best for my sanity if I don't work on any other web projects for a while.  ;D
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: Phil on March 08, 2011, 01:39
been looking into this a bit but stretching my knowledge.

ktools uses gdlib? for image processing so the php memory size comes into play. Mine is fixed by hostgator at 64M and they will not change it (had problems here with album software, so I knew to look) anyway it limits the size of an image (from memory 24mp image needs it be set at around 150mb). Anyone have problems with this? did you have a solution? should I change host?
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: Fotonaut on March 08, 2011, 03:02
Change host. Hostgator is on Ktools’ no-no list. You’ll find a list of recommended hosting companys here: http://www.ktools.net/find.hosting.php (http://www.ktools.net/find.hosting.php)
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: Phil on March 08, 2011, 04:14
Change host. Hostgator is on Ktools’ no-no list. You’ll find a list of recommended hosting companys here: [url]http://www.ktools.net/find.hosting.php[/url] ([url]http://www.ktools.net/find.hosting.php[/url])


thanks very much
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: Artmyth on March 10, 2011, 10:26
You cant buy advertising like this Lisa....

http://afewtastefulsnaps.wordpress.com/ (http://afewtastefulsnaps.wordpress.com/)
p.s.

links to the article are being tweeted by cnd media and politicos ;)
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: lisafx on March 10, 2011, 12:53
You cant buy advertising like this Lisa....

[url]http://afewtastefulsnaps.wordpress.com/[/url] ([url]http://afewtastefulsnaps.wordpress.com/[/url])
p.s.

links to the article are being tweeted by cnd media and politicos ;)


Oh Wow!  I am jazzed.  I always see Rachel Maddow pointing out how politicians are using stock images and am disappointed none of them were mine.  Now I have finally arrived, I guess ;)

Hey, does this mean my models can have access to the Canadian health care system, since they are honorary Canadians?  Sweeeeet!  ;D
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: visceralimage on March 11, 2011, 00:50
Wow, Lisa, well done
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: djpadavona on March 11, 2011, 12:47
Can someone assist me with setting up an Extended License price point using KTools?  What I did was create a Price Scheme with a Master of "Extended License" and a sub-entry of "EL", in which I set a price of $99.

However the choice is not showing up for my images, so obviously I misunderstood the manual instructions.  Any help would be greatly appeciated.   ;D
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: cathyslife on March 11, 2011, 12:52
Can someone assist me with setting up an Extended License price point using KTools?  What I did was create a Price Scheme with a Master of "Extended License" and a sub-entry of "EL", in which I set a price of $99.

However the choice is not showing up for my images, so obviously I misunderstood the manual instructions.  Any help would be greatly appeciated.   ;D

I did mine differently because I couldn't figure out how to get that to work either. I created an item under Prints and Products. If you need more details, let me know and I will PM you.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: cthoman on March 11, 2011, 12:58
Can someone assist me with setting up an Extended License price point using KTools?  What I did was create a Price Scheme with a Master of "Extended License" and a sub-entry of "EL", in which I set a price of $99.

However the choice is not showing up for my images, so obviously I misunderstood the manual instructions.  Any help would be greatly appeciated.   ;D

Pricing schemes need to be turned on for each image. You can batch edit them, but if you already have the sizes thing set up, that might be easier to add in.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: lisafx on March 11, 2011, 13:23
I tried both the Pricing Scheme option and the Prints and Products option.  The P & P option was the way to go for me. 

 When you get the pricing schemes activated, they always show up at the top of the page.  So the first thing the buyer sees is that the image costs $100.  They have to scroll down the page to see the lower cost sizes and options.  Whereas Prints & Products shows up at the bottom, under the size/price options. 
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: RacePhoto on May 16, 2011, 23:46
How are all these stores going?

It seems that many started last January and with the coding and uploading and modifications, we are approaching a half year of "if you build it, they will come". (run your own site, make all the profit)

What always came to mind was this thread, where someone did build a site and supposedly markets it and the question is, anyone have sales?

http://www.microstockgroup.com/mostphotos-com/who-has-had-sales-at-mostphotos/250/ (http://www.microstockgroup.com/mostphotos-com/who-has-had-sales-at-mostphotos/250/)

So that may bring up a survey question. Which makes more for you? After expenses? (not a real survey yet...) 1) K-tools, hosting your own site? or 2) Mostphotos? 3) Picking up dropped change from a fast food drive through?     ::)  ;D
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: cthoman on May 17, 2011, 09:39
How are all these stores going?

It seems that many started last January and with the coding and uploading and modifications, we are approaching a half year of "if you build it, they will come". (run your own site, make all the profit)

What always came to mind was this thread, where someone did build a site and supposedly markets it and the question is, anyone have sales?

[url]http://www.microstockgroup.com/mostphotos-com/who-has-had-sales-at-mostphotos/250/[/url] ([url]http://www.microstockgroup.com/mostphotos-com/who-has-had-sales-at-mostphotos/250/[/url])

So that may bring up a survey question. Which makes more for you? After expenses? (not a real survey yet...) 1) K-tools, hosting your own site? or 2) Mostphotos? 3) Picking up dropped change from a fast food drive through?     ::)  ;D


You can mark me down with Ktools, although I don't have an account at Mostphotos. So, that may be a gold mine waiting to be tapped.  ;D
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: luissantos84 on May 17, 2011, 09:56
MP is nice to use as a backup :)
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: RacePhoto on May 18, 2011, 02:33
MP is nice to use as a backup :)


Yes and they have a feature where you can download your entire portfolio there. I know this is going off subject and topic, but MP is where I send images that are rejected by the agencies and I think are worth the exposure. Or is that like hanging a diploma in the closet, where no one will ever see it, but it's hanging?  :)

Since Jan. people have been buying KTools and starting their own stores, even the community agency finally got off the ground. What I was getting at, is MP has a site, nice images, good interface, many people uploading, and how many sales do we get from them? That leads me to think, what chance does an individual's personal site have in comparison?

That's where the if you build it comes in, because considering the competition, marketing costs, and chances of someone finding a personal site, it's got to be a slim chance that they will ever succeed. Of course 100% of something still beats getting hijacked by agencies that take 75% and up for themselves.

But the question remains, has anyone had true success with their project and their new KTools site? Before I invest the time and money on the software, I'd like to hear from people who tried? I thought there must be at least a dozen here who took the chance, invested and are trying to make it. Otherwise, I might as well let my photos languish on Mostphotos, and spend my time on something else. (unfortunately that includes wasting time here and on Facebook!  ::) )

Here's one on MP that has a whole 22 views in about a year. Sad. Refused by IS and SS, what's left to do but throw it out there and hope?

  http://www.mostphotos.com/1136577/red-tail-hawk-over-scenic-water-background (http://www.mostphotos.com/1136577/red-tail-hawk-over-scenic-water-background)
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: cthoman on May 18, 2011, 09:57
Well, this probably doesn't help because I'm an illustrator, but my site is averaging about 6th (7th if you add in my canceled FT account) on my list of earners. Just below CanStockPhoto but well above BS, 123RF, and the rest of the middle tier.

You may try contacting some of the photographers though for a more apples to apples opinion.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: RacePhoto on May 19, 2011, 00:46
Well, this probably doesn't help because I'm an illustrator, but my site is averaging about 6th (7th if you add in my canceled Fotolia account) on my list of earners. Just below CanStockPhoto but well above BS, 123RF, and the rest of the middle tier.

You may try contacting some of the photographers though for a more apples to apples opinion.

I think that's wonderful. Just having people find an independent site is hard enough, but making some sales is great. Maybe there is hope? I'm thinking of a niche market, not microstock. But there are others that have areas of concentration and interest who might do the same.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: PaulieWalnuts on May 19, 2011, 06:47
Is there a trial version of Ktools? I'm only seeing a demo on their site.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: ppdd on May 19, 2011, 11:26
There's no trial version.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: PaulieWalnuts on May 19, 2011, 11:58
Seems nice but it's pretty hard to tell if it would meet my needs from a demo. And dropping $250 to find out I may not be able to use it doesn't sound like a good idea.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: cthoman on May 19, 2011, 12:10
Seems nice but it's pretty hard to tell if it would meet my needs from a demo. And dropping $250 to find out I may not be able to use it doesn't sound like a good idea.


I thought you can rent it for $50 a month? It's not very economical, but I guess if you wanted to try it for a month.

Edit: Here's the link - http://www.ktools.net/photostore/renting.php (http://www.ktools.net/photostore/renting.php)
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: cthoman on June 02, 2011, 13:29
I thought I'd throw an open invitation to other store owners out there. I wanted to do interviews or write ups on other artist owned stores on the blog that accompanies my store:

http://www.mystockvectors.com/blog/ (http://www.mystockvectors.com/blog/)

Obviously, I was looking for a reciprocal link in exchange, so it would be like an article link exchange. You interview me and I interview you. Shoot me an email or site mail if you are interested.

-Cory
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: cathyslife on June 07, 2011, 09:12
I just wanted to report back...for all those naysayers who think it is a total waste of time to create your own site.

I was away for a few days and just got back last night. I had a wonderful surprise waiting for me. A buyer, who had previously purchased one of my images on an agency, realized they would need an extended license for an image. Rather than purchasing again from the agency with the correct license, they saw my direct link, realized it would be better to purchase from me directly, and did so.

So it appears that buyers DO care about the contributors, and buyers ARE willing to purchase from contributors directly. I got complimented on my images, took away virtually 100% of the sale (paypal keeps their share) and don't have to make too many more sales this year to surpass my sales on some of the agencies. And hopefully this will be a repeat customer.

Just a little encouragement for those of you who have taken the leap.  :)
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: cthoman on June 07, 2011, 09:59
Congrats!  :)
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: Xalanx on August 07, 2011, 15:22
I saw HostMonster on the "not recommended hosting" list at KTools. Has anybody installed the photostore on a HostMonster account?
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: LouisDavilla on August 17, 2011, 00:19
How's everyone doing? Just thought I'd drop by to let you guys know that I have joined the bandwagon recently. I struggled quite a bit setting up my PhotoStore site, and after 2 whole weeks of sleepless nights... I finally got my site up and running. Yay!  :D

The hardest part was the customization of the site, since their original themes were all...er...notsuitableformytasteatall. And being a noob in HTML/CSS and the sort, it was a really painful process for me. Support was okay, but you can only ask support for technical stuff and not the customizing part in particular. You have to ask on their forum for this, and their forum is pretty much dead.

It's actually a premium stock vector site, exclusively authored by me and my team at Wizmaya Design Studio. Most of the items there are our unused graphic stuff, experimental items etc. I'm not aiming for sales at the moment. The site is just there for the sake of it, and I know I'll be needing it sooner or later.

Anyway, feel free to browse the site at www.vectoriffic.com (http://www.vectoriffic.com). I would really appreciate any feedback / bug reports / critics from you.


Cheers!
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: ppdd on August 17, 2011, 01:45
Nice work - site looks great!

You customized the 3.9 theme, correct? This is a totally different process than every previous version. At v3.9 ktools started using the smarty template system rather than the previous tables, etc, setup. So at least you are working in a more modern template system.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: TheSmilingAssassin on August 17, 2011, 03:33
.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: cathyslife on August 17, 2011, 04:26
How's everyone doing? Just thought I'd drop by to let you guys know that I have joined the bandwagon recently. I struggled quite a bit setting up my PhotoStore site, and after 2 whole weeks of sleepless nights... I finally got my site up and running. Yay!  :D

The hardest part was the customization of the site, since their original themes were all...er...notsuitableformytasteatall. And being a noob in HTML/CSS and the sort, it was a really painful process for me. Support was okay, but you can only ask support for technical stuff and not the customizing part in particular. You have to ask on their forum for this, and their forum is pretty much dead.

It's actually a premium stock vector site, exclusively authored by me and my team at Wizmaya Design Studio. Most of the items there are our unused graphic stuff, experimental items etc. I'm not aiming for sales at the moment. The site is just there for the sake of it, and I know I'll be needing it sooner or later.

Anyway, feel free to browse the site at [url=http://www.vectoriffic.com]www.vectoriffic.com[/url] ([url]http://www.vectoriffic.com[/url]). I would really appreciate any feedback / bug reports / critics from you.


Cheers!


It looks great. I was about to comment on how astonished I was that someone that was a noob in html/css managed to customize that well, considering the site is built in php. Until I got to the bolded sentence above.

Since you're not aiming for vector sales, maybe you are aiming for customization work from people who are setting up their own stores? Looks like that's what you and your team are actually in business for...to build web templates?
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: LouisDavilla on August 17, 2011, 05:25
Nice work - site looks great!

You customized the 3.9 theme, correct? This is a totally different process than every previous version. At v3.9 ktools started using the smarty template system rather than the previous tables, etc, setup. So at least you are working in a more modern template system.

Thanks! Yes, it's 3.9 and the theme is called V4 if I'm not mistaken.

Looking good Louis.

The only thing I would change is replace the word "SUBSCRIBE" with "REGISTER" in your top menu.  If you want to do it, you can by going into English.php but only change the word "subscribe" that's in the quotation marks.

The other thing I'd do is change:

Regular RF Licence - $10        to         Regular RF Licence: $10

Just so it doesn't look like negative 10 dollars.

Your vectors are great by the way.

Thanks a bunch for the input, I'll revise them as soon as I have the time.  ;)

It looks great. I was about to comment on how astonished I was that someone that was a noob in html/css managed to customize that well, considering the site is built in php. Until I got to the bolded sentence above.

Since you're not aiming for vector sales, maybe you are aiming for customization work from people who are setting up their own stores? Looks like that's what you and your team are actually in business for...to build web templates?

Well I still am a noob in HTML/CSS. You wouldn't believe if I told you I bought a bunch of books about HTML and CSS just to be able to start customizing the site. My graphic design studio specializes in branding, logo creation, illustration, print and web design. However, when it comes to web design, we don't do any of the coding. We usually finalize the design in layered PSD format and let the web developers take it from there. ;)  And NO, I'm NOT accepting any customization work for anybody. I need to rest my brain after this one... programming is not for me, hehe.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: yuliang11 on August 18, 2011, 00:56
I've started mine too

http://www.photostockit.com/ (http://www.photostockit.com/)

next mission

1) get to first page "stock photo" for google in my country
 
2) find those local buyers who has been buying from me and sell direct


it seems k-tools is pretty technical and you need to have good  web knowledge to be able to manage it
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: djpadavona on December 27, 2011, 09:59
The software itself requires a huge re-write if you want to have your images found by search engines. The default setting is to write names with underscores, which Google doesn't recognize, rather than dashes.

They do relative links everywhere, which is also a big programming no-no. So if you want to move your file to an SEO and user friendly directory structure like /stock-photos/animals/dog-playing.html, you will have a war on your hands. You can do it in the PHP or htaccess, but then all of your styles will be lost and you will have to change like a million different files to get them to be read again. They want everything kept to the root directory.

If you get Photostore you will have a ton of customization work to do. It might be easier to build a site from the ground up, or hire someone to do it.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: jamirae on December 27, 2011, 13:29
I just wanted to report back...for all those naysayers who think it is a total waste of time to create your own site.

I was away for a few days and just got back last night. I had a wonderful surprise waiting for me. A buyer, who had previously purchased one of my images on an agency, realized they would need an extended license for an image. Rather than purchasing again from the agency with the correct license, they saw my direct link, realized it would be better to purchase from me directly, and did so.

So it appears that buyers DO care about the contributors, and buyers ARE willing to purchase from contributors directly. I got complimented on my images, took away virtually 100% of the sale (paypal keeps their share) and don't have to make too many more sales this year to surpass my sales on some of the agencies. And hopefully this will be a repeat customer.

Just a little encouragement for those of you who have taken the leap.  :)


that's great!  what is the link to your site?  when I go here I get an index listing http://www.cathyslifestockphotos.com/ (http://www.cathyslifestockphotos.com/)  :(
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: jamirae on December 27, 2011, 13:33
The software itself requires a huge re-write if you want to have your images found by search engines. The default setting is to write names with underscores, which Google doesn't recognize, rather than dashes.

They do relative links everywhere, which is also a big programming no-no. So if you want to move your file to an SEO and user friendly directory structure like /stock-photos/animals/dog-playing.html, you will have a war on your hands. You can do it in the PHP or htaccess, but then all of your styles will be lost and you will have to change like a million different files to get them to be read again. They want everything kept to the root directory.

If you get Photostore you will have a ton of customization work to do. It might be easier to build a site from the ground up, or hire someone to do it.

Dan.. wow.. I knew it was some work but that just seems like a lot of work for sure!  You've done some great stuff with WarmPicture!
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: djpadavona on December 27, 2011, 13:53
Thank you Jami. There are a lot of things I still haven't figured out because the software is so convoluted and lacking documentation. Asking questions on the forum is pointless as the admins rarely post there. And you can't ask the admins because they don't answer customization questions.

Unless you are very proficient in PHP and making htaccess changes, I don't recommend it.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: cathyslife on December 27, 2011, 17:25
I just wanted to report back...for all those naysayers who think it is a total waste of time to create your own site.

I was away for a few days and just got back last night. I had a wonderful surprise waiting for me. A buyer, who had previously purchased one of my images on an agency, realized they would need an extended license for an image. Rather than purchasing again from the agency with the correct license, they saw my direct link, realized it would be better to purchase from me directly, and did so.

So it appears that buyers DO care about the contributors, and buyers ARE willing to purchase from contributors directly. I got complimented on my images, took away virtually 100% of the sale (paypal keeps their share) and don't have to make too many more sales this year to surpass my sales on some of the agencies. And hopefully this will be a repeat customer.

Just a little encouragement for those of you who have taken the leap.  :)

that's great!  what is the link to your site?  when I go here I get an index listing   :(

I'm almost to the end of my year with bluehost...I made back the money I put into the project, but I just don't have the time to put into it to continue to do it justice. My images are still available at Warmpicture, SS, DT, BigStock, and Stockfresh. I am concentrating my time and efforts in other avenues of business.
Title: Re: Ktools Photostore
Post by: RacePhoto on December 27, 2011, 20:23
I just wanted to report back...for all those naysayers who think it is a total waste of time to create your own site.

I was away for a few days and just got back last night. I had a wonderful surprise waiting for me. A buyer, who had previously purchased one of my images on an agency, realized they would need an extended license for an image. Rather than purchasing again from the agency with the correct license, they saw my direct link, realized it would be better to purchase from me directly, and did so.

So it appears that buyers DO care about the contributors, and buyers ARE willing to purchase from contributors directly. I got complimented on my images, took away virtually 100% of the sale (paypal keeps their share) and don't have to make too many more sales this year to surpass my sales on some of the agencies. And hopefully this will be a repeat customer.

Just a little encouragement for those of you who have taken the leap.  :)

that's great!  what is the link to your site?  when I go here I get an index listing   :(

I'm almost to the end of my year with bluehost...I made back the money I put into the project, but I just don't have the time to put into it to continue to do it justice. My images are still available at Warmpicture, SS, DT, BigStock, and Stockfresh. I am concentrating my time and efforts in other avenues of business.

Good to hear some positive news and that at least you did it and broke even on the project. Nice Going!