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Microstock Photography Forum - General => Microstock News => Topic started by: Piotr on November 30, 2017, 13:09

Title: A new website on the Microstock market - www.bestartstock.com
Post by: Piotr on November 30, 2017, 13:09
On the forum I read various opinions about websites for selling photos. I am curious what do you think about this site www.bestartstock.com (http://www.bestartstock.com) ? I will be thankful for your feedback and any comments.
Title: Re: A new website on the Microstock market - www.bestartstock.com
Post by: Sean Locke Photography on November 30, 2017, 14:59
This is your shop, I'm guessing?  Some spelling errors.  Minimal content.  Loads ok.
Title: Re: A new website on the Microstock market - www.bestartstock.com
Post by: Piotr on November 30, 2017, 15:07
Thanks Sean. Yes it's mine. Some spelling errors ? I work hard to improve it. Minimal content? Yes, but you can add something.
Title: Re: A new website on the Microstock market - www.bestartstock.com
Post by: Piotr on December 05, 2017, 10:31
I am still asking for your opinion. I only have one. I will be grateful for each next one. It's very important to me.
Title: Re: A new website on the Microstock market - www.bestartstock.com
Post by: ShadySue on December 05, 2017, 10:46
I haven't looked but unfortunately I read your site name as 'be start stock' (?!) rather than 'best art stock'.
Title: Re: A new website on the Microstock market - www.bestartstock.com
Post by: Piotr on December 05, 2017, 10:56
Yes, my intention was to place here in the site the double name: Be Start Stock and Best Art Stock, by default Be Start (Photo) Stock. I do not know if it worked out well?
Title: Re: A new website on the Microstock market - www.bestartstock.com
Post by: Jo Ann Snover on December 05, 2017, 11:02
I'm not sure if you're trying to encourage others to contribute images to your site, but offering 40% isn't likely to entice many, especially as the site is new and you haven't mentioned anything about marketing.

It looks unfinished to me. For your artist profile, for example, Tabs for Blog, Testimonials and Friends say "Not found" or have no content. Same with Comments on image pages. I'd also question the inclusion of these types of community features unless you wanted to try and build another 500px or EyeEm (and I can't see why you want to take them on).

I was not able to find pricing information - how much does a credit cost, for example - without creating an account. You need to make all that basic information available to anyone who wants to check the site out.

In browsing for images, the continuous loading is slow and prevents you from easily getting to menu items at the bottom of the page - including important things like Buy Credits and Buy Subscription.

The watermark is very distracting on the thumbnails - not sure why you would use one on such a small image.

You have a buyer agreement and a customer agreement - the latter is the license and the former appears to be an explanation (which is pretty confusing) about when you need extended vs. standard license. The seller agreement has virtually no information that a contributor would want to know.

Where are you hoping to go with this?
Title: Re: A new website on the Microstock market - www.bestartstock.com
Post by: niktol on December 05, 2017, 11:34
Pros: the site is simple to navigate and it is fast
Cons: I don't know if it's just me, but the big glaringly red letters "30% OFF", "EARN UP TO 40%" are a bit of a turn off. They are bordering on gaudy and read as "fire sale" to contributors and "untrusted spammy source" to potential buyers. I would find another solution, more aesthetically pleasing and even perhaps less obvious.

I would also ask a native English speaker to take a good look at how naturally the entire site reads.
Title: Re: A new website on the Microstock market - www.bestartstock.com
Post by: Piotr on December 05, 2017, 11:50
I'm not sure if you're trying to encourage others to contribute images to your site, but offering 40% isn't likely to entice many, especially as the site is new and you haven't mentioned anything about marketing.
At the current stage I am more interested in buyers, not sellers. Although it is also important to have a larger offer.
It looks unfinished to me. For your artist profile, for example, Tabs for Blog, Testimonials and Friends say "Not found" or have no content. Same with Comments on image pages. I'd also question the inclusion of these types of community features unless you wanted to try and build another 500px or EyeEm (and I can't see why you want to take them on).
Tabs of comments and Tell a Friends are finished, but there is only one user and that's why it looks like this.
Facebook or Pinrest sharing probably can be, not everyone has to use it.
I was not able to find pricing information - how much does a credit cost, for example - without creating an account. You need to make all that basic information available to anyone who wants to check the site out.
In browsing for images, the continuous loading is slow and prevents you from easily getting to menu items at the bottom of the page - including important things like Buy Credits and Buy Subscription.
You're right, purchase prices are important and should be more readable. Because the more credits you buy, the less you pay for the one credit and finally for the picture.
The watermark is very distracting on the thumbnails - not sure why you would use one on such a small image.
At the moment, the only watermark I can do. Maybe it should be more transparent?
You have a buyer agreement and a customer agreement - the latter is the license and the former appears to be an explanation (which is pretty confusing) about when you need extended vs. standard license. The seller agreement has virtually no information that a contributor would want to know.
I need a week to change it, thanks for your attention
Where are you hoping to go with this?
Global ?

Thanks for your review.
Title: Re: A new website on the Microstock market - www.bestartstock.com
Post by: Piotr on December 05, 2017, 12:06
I'm not sure if you're trying to encourage others to contribute images to your site, but offering 40% isn't likely to entice many, especially as the site is new and you haven't mentioned anything about marketing.
This 40% is a certain offer. He would like it to be a larger percentage, but there are many costs on my side that can not be seen by the seller. The exact percentage of earnings I can offer will be clearly visible only when the sale starts. That is why I am careful.
I thought that this is a good offer for non-exclusive, other players offer max. 30 percent.
Title: Re: A new website on the Microstock market - www.bestartstock.com
Post by: Piotr on December 05, 2017, 12:20
Pros: the site is simple to navigate and it is fast
Cons: I don't know if it's just me, but the big glaringly red letters "30% OFF", "EARN UP TO 40%" are a bit of a turn off. They are bordering on gaudy and read as "fire sale" to contributors and "untrusted spammy source" to potential buyers. I would find another solution, more aesthetically pleasing and even perhaps less obvious.
I thought it would be an eye-catching incentive for buyers. That is why letters have a white border to make them more readable. Maybe I should change the color?
I would also ask a native English speaker to take a good look at how naturally the entire site reads.
Yes, I know, it will be necessary. I already had that attention. In principle, this is a multilingual site and will be a lot of work. Currently, I try to French, German and Polish. I already have the most important titles in many languages, but with a google translator.
Title: Re: A new website on the Microstock market - www.bestartstock.com
Post by: Clair Voyant on December 05, 2017, 12:50
I think the biggest questions that needs to be asked... What are you bringing to the market that is not already over subscribed and been done to death? What makes your idea stand out from IS, SS, FT etc.? What are you providing that any of the multiple established sites are not providing? I don't mean to rain on your parade, but I don't see anything fresh and alive in this effort. It looks to me as if you have just re-invented the wheel. I respect your motivation and effort, but I don't see it getting any traction moving forward.
Title: Re: A new website on the Microstock market - www.bestartstock.com
Post by: Piotr on December 05, 2017, 12:58
I want to make a small place for myself in a web. Why do people send photos to photo banks that already have millions of them?
Title: Re: A new website on the Microstock market - www.bestartstock.com
Post by: Noedelhap on December 05, 2017, 13:35
The site doesn't really look enticing to me, a little cheap even. Mainly because of the boring design and the obvious spelling mistakes (plus grammar and punctuality errors). You should let a native English speaker (preferably a professional translator) translate it for you. Everything has to be flawless (in terms of presentation and content) if you want to convert people into buyers. Your site needs a lot of work.

I think the watermark is off-putting as well. Redesign it and make it more transparent.
The Google Map is only useful if all of your stuff is geo-tagged; currently it shows only 10 locations.

I don't want to disappoint you, but I've tried setting up a website for my own stock vectors, and although I got everything up and running, I wasn't really successful. It was hard to get buyers, let alone enough traffic without a sufficient marketing budget. It's fun to have a little shop of your own, but for revenue you're better off contributing to existing agencies.
Title: Re: A new website on the Microstock market - www.bestartstock.com
Post by: Shelma1 on December 05, 2017, 13:43
The site is a big huh? for me, sorry. Why the focus on sports and "letters?" Are you looking for buyers or contributors? What's the price you're offering a discount on? It's all a bit discombobulated.
Title: Re: A new website on the Microstock market - www.bestartstock.com
Post by: Brasilnut on December 05, 2017, 13:49
Never mind, it's from my end. false alarm.
Title: Re: A new website on the Microstock market - www.bestartstock.com
Post by: Piotr on December 05, 2017, 13:53
I think the watermark is off-putting as well. Redesign it and make it more transparent.
Thanks for the opinion. It is true that there is still a lot ahead of me. I've been working on this project for over three months. The reviews will help me a lot.
I have a problem with the watermark, it must be universal. Since I have different image formats in my offer, it must include all of them. That is why there are also watermarks on the perimeter (pictures of picture frames), which destroy the whole picture. I do not know whether to change the watermark theme - font. In any case, I will make him more transparent. I can also leave it centrally, but then it will not cover some of the pictures. In this case, these images in a small resolution will be free. I do not know if I can go for it?
Title: Re: A new website on the Microstock market - www.bestartstock.com
Post by: Piotr on December 05, 2017, 14:07
The site is a big huh? for me, sorry. Why the focus on sports and "letters?" Are you looking for buyers or contributors? What's the price you're offering a discount on? It's all a bit discombobulated.
My focus on sports and fonts is only a promotion of content that will change from time to time. Next will be "discover the world", "explore Africa", "Norwegian fjords" etc. That's the plan. What do you think?
The price offer for buyers is visible after registration and login. This is a mistake, I will correct it by putting this information in the top menu without logging in.
For sellers will be this information in the "Seller Agreement".
Thanks for the advice.
Title: Re: A new website on the Microstock market - www.bestartstock.com
Post by: Piotr on December 05, 2017, 14:14
My webpage is not yet final, as you can see. I put it in operation in August so that it could crawl and be visible on the web. That's why I put it on the forum to gather the opinion of professionals in this industry. And I'm grateful that you want to share your opinions with me.
Title: Re: A new website on the Microstock market - www.bestartstock.com
Post by: Satforce on December 06, 2017, 05:13
Hello Piotr,

I hope that you will accept feedback.

I know your feeling... opening your own stock photo market place and earning millions BUT... It's not as easy as you think.. It's not about buying a domain name and installing a template.

I am saying that because 10 years ago I wanted to make my own marktletplace I called it fotomina and I spent like $4000 buying a stupid code for my website.

Before you start, you need to ask yourself:
- What makes your website special ? Why should someone leave shutterstock or any other marketplace and buy from you ? why sould I -as an artist- contribute my photos to your website?

To be "special" you need:
- A special domain name.
- A special script code (your own development temlam)
- A security team for security issues
- Licensing team and lawyers
- Professional reviewers
- SEO team
- You need to spend a lot of money bying ads, banners, Google Adwords, etc
- You need a very expressive hosting space and speed/bandwidth.

I lost my money/website longtime ago so I don't want you to live my experience.

Thanks
Ben

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Title: Re: A new website on the Microstock market - www.bestartstock.com
Post by: ShadySue on December 06, 2017, 08:16
Yes, my intention was to place here in the site the double name: Be Start Stock and Best Art Stock, by default Be Start (Photo) Stock. I do not know if it worked out well?

Be Start Stock means nothing really, and is just confusing.
Best Art Stock might work if you were selling Arty images, but you're not.
Title: Re: A new website on the Microstock market - www.bestartstock.com
Post by: Piotr on December 06, 2017, 12:35
The Bestartstock site name can not be changed. Only the name can be changed. If not Best Art Stock can be Best Art Stock Photo or Best Art Photo Stock? Any other proposals that have something in common with Bestartstock?
Title: Re: A new website on the Microstock market - www.bestartstock.com
Post by: Piotr on December 06, 2017, 12:55
I know your feeling... opening your own stock photo market place and earning millions BUT... It's not as easy as you think.. It's not about buying a domain name and installing a template.
That's what I know, because when I delivered my website and entered the address of this site in the search engine, it was not there. I needed a month of work to make this website live on the internet.
I am saying that because 10 years ago I wanted to make my own marktletplace I called it fotomina and I spent like $4000 buying a stupid code for my website.
Maybe you were not persistent? It's like with Photostok, you probably know that you have to load photos every day despite the monthly income of 5 dollars. And after a few years you can achieve success, of course photography geniuses will achieve it much earlier.
- What makes your website special ? Why should someone leave shutterstock or any other marketplace and buy from you ? why sould I -as an artist- contribute my photos to your website?
In my website there are special prices for buyers (visible in Site Info tab) and special percentages for sellers. I do not want to pick up customers for other agencies, I want to fill up them.
Title: Re: A new website on the Microstock market - www.bestartstock.com
Post by: Piotr on December 06, 2017, 15:54
What's the price you're offering a discount on? It's all a bit discombobulated.

I have already corrected it and it is visible in the Site Info tab - www.bestartstock.com/pages/pricing.html (http://www.bestartstock.com/pages/pricing.html)
Title: Re: A new website on the Microstock market - www.bestartstock.com
Post by: Hannafate on December 07, 2017, 20:08
No... The sloppy web design doesn't inspire confidence.  You might entice buyers, but not experienced contributors.

I have a personal prejudice against web pages that move around while I'm trying to look at them.  Keep it simple, so you can keep the code tight.  The submitters' side should be designed to look good and work well on a desktop computer, no matter how you plan to market the other side.

If your platform isn't solid, too many things could go wrong.  You don't want to frustrate your contributors, or confuse your buyers.

The "business" part of owning a microstock site is complicated, and you'll need a very good bookkeeper.

Maybe start out with just a site for yourself and a couple of friends.  Or just a specific topic.  Keep it small until you get the hang of it.  Don't issue a general solicitation for contributors until you know you have the whole process smooth. 

As well as being prepared for not much happening, think about what you will do if a lot starts happening. Will you be able to expand rapidly, without glitches?  Will your data storage costs rise faster than your income?

There's a lot to think about.



Title: Re: A new website on the Microstock market - www.bestartstock.com
Post by: PaulieWalnuts on December 07, 2017, 21:36
On the forum I read various opinions about websites for selling photos. I am curious what do you think about this site [url=http://www.bestartstock.com]www.bestartstock.com[/url] ([url]http://www.bestartstock.com[/url]) ? I will be thankful for your feedback and any comments.


Let’s see. The most affordable and competitive prices. And they can be used for almost anything. Stock is already too cheap. And we’re already constantly losing opportunities to make more money by removing extended licenses and other benefits. I want prices and commissions to go up. What you’re proposing is just contributing toward going further downward. No thanks.
Title: Re: A new website on the Microstock market - www.bestartstock.com
Post by: Piotr on December 08, 2017, 06:11
My thread here is not for getting more contributors. Finding buyers is more important. He is only for opinions and possible advice. On my web site you do not lose extended licenses. There is also a rights managed license option that can be chosen by the seller. It does not depend on me that prices on the market are falling, but they remain at a stable level. Analyzing the level of payments for sellers, I see that they are more advantageous than competitors. Only the level of the maximal subscription lags behind some competitors, but I'm working on it. I am thinking of introducing a percentage for sellers at 60 percent and differentiating this from the level of sales. It was between 40 and 60 percent? But I am not entirely sure how it will grow and generate more costs, it will be necessary to lower this percentage. It will not be nice. Maybe it's better to stay at this level?
Title: Re: A new website on the Microstock market - www.bestartstock.com
Post by: Mantis on December 08, 2017, 08:53
My thread here is not for getting more contributors. Finding buyers is more important. He is only for opinions and possible advice. On my web site you do not lose extended licenses. There is also a rights managed license option that can be chosen by the seller. It does not depend on me that prices on the market are falling, but they remain at a stable level. Analyzing the level of payments for sellers, I see that they are more advantageous than competitors. Only the level of the maximal subscription lags behind some competitors, but I'm working on it. I am thinking of introducing a percentage for sellers at 60 percent and differentiating this from the level of sales. It was between 40 and 60 percent? But I am not entirely sure how it will grow and generate more costs, it will be necessary to lower this percentage. It will not be nice. Maybe it's better to stay at this level?

Slippery slope. Getting buyers with no product won't work. And just to clear this up...if you don't already know, this is mainly a contributor forum.  You are getting feedback from a contributor perspective.  If you want to keep shouting that this thread is not for getting more contributors, perhaps you should find a buyer forum somewhere that will give you the answers you want to hear....or not.
Title: Re: A new website on the Microstock market - www.bestartstock.com
Post by: Piotr on December 08, 2017, 12:22
If you want to keep shouting that this thread is not for getting more contributors ....
I forgot to add that it is only for this moment. The reason is simple, the web page is still incomplete for contributors, as you can see. This forum is perfect for me, I have already implemented some of the comments received. I am now working on rules for sellers and I will be grateful for the comments and expectations in this area.
Title: Re: A new website on the Microstock market - www.bestartstock.com
Post by: qwerty on December 09, 2017, 04:44

I think that you're definitely not ready to take on contributors. I don't think it's the "best way to sell your photos and graphics online". I would just ditch that, if you had some stock friends or something you could co-op with them but you're not going to be an agency.

In my opinion you should concentrate on selling your own work. You need to come up with some niche area if anybody is going to buy off you direct, why come to your site instead of buying off a major agency ?



Title: Re: A new website on the Microstock market - www.bestartstock.com
Post by: Piotr on December 09, 2017, 05:45
You're right. I will change this title to "You will sell your photos and graphics online" or "You can sell your photos and graphics online" maybe it will sound better? Besides, I will be persevering, I do not plan to compete with the biggest on the market, but I want to find my niche place even. There are many smaller agencies on the market and they operate. I do not know how they started, I have to do it myself.
Title: Re: A new website on the Microstock market - www.bestartstock.com
Post by: ShadySue on December 09, 2017, 06:03
What niche do you have which isn't covered by the big agencies?
Title: Re: A new website on the Microstock market - www.bestartstock.com
Post by: Piotr on December 09, 2017, 08:32
I would like, for example, to offer isolated objects with "png" extensions. You can find these files in content type - premium. https://www.bestartstock.com/stock-photo/the-concept-help-you-use-your-computer-19290.html (https://www.bestartstock.com/stock-photo/the-concept-help-you-use-your-computer-19290.html)
Title: Re: A new website on the Microstock market - www.bestartstock.com
Post by: NeonRobot on December 10, 2017, 09:36
My 5cents into conversation.
Compare with this: http://a4stockphotos.com/ (http://a4stockphotos.com/)
Bestartstock is deadly alike a4stock!

I've earned 7$ via a4. Stunning!
I think that above mentioned stuff should explain to you everything.
Title: Re: A new website on the Microstock market - www.bestartstock.com
Post by: Sean Locke Photography on December 10, 2017, 11:27
I would like, for example, to offer isolated objects with "png" extensions. You can find these files in content type - premium. https://www.bestartstock.com/stock-photo/the-concept-help-you-use-your-computer-19290.html (https://www.bestartstock.com/stock-photo/the-concept-help-you-use-your-computer-19290.html)

Dreamstime and Canva both take .png .
Title: Re: A new website on the Microstock market - www.bestartstock.com
Post by: Pauws99 on December 10, 2017, 13:50
Look at the table on the right here and the number of sites and how little the ones outside the top ten earn. You really have to be offering something special to break into this market and I don't see what it is.
Title: Re: A new website on the Microstock market - www.bestartstock.com
Post by: Piotr on December 10, 2017, 17:14
My 5cents into conversation.
Compare with this: [url]http://a4stockphotos.com/[/url] ([url]http://a4stockphotos.com/[/url])
Bestartstock is deadly alike a4stock!
I've earned 7$ via a4. Stunning!
I think that above mentioned stuff should explain to you everything.

Yes, they explained everything to me.
Congratulations that you believed this company and made money. Have they already paid you? What percentage was it from the sale?
Who will buy such a photo without MR? http://a4stockphotos.com/stock-photo/patrol-with-dog-12251.html (http://a4stockphotos.com/stock-photo/patrol-with-dog-12251.html) - You can see that it bought a lot of people, just for what?
Great quality, it's a shame to have something to do with it - http://a4stockphotos.com/stock-photo/docks-9714.html (http://a4stockphotos.com/stock-photo/docks-9714.html)
Did you sign up there without knowing how much you will earn and without knowing who you are signing the contract with?
Title: Re: A new website on the Microstock market - www.bestartstock.com
Post by: Noushad Akampadam on December 11, 2017, 02:59
Hello my friend,

I just visit on your website.
I think it's better you start with some "unique" photos and design
to impress & bring customers!.
I used same script as yours I think. (CMSAccount?)
I made my own stock photos website and prices because of my "unique" items! :)
Now even slowly, getting better result....!

Be unique be special!
All the best!
Noushadali.
www.makkahmadinahphotos.com (http://www.makkahmadinahphotos.com)


Title: Re: A new website on the Microstock market - www.bestartstock.com
Post by: Piotr on January 28, 2018, 07:39
Why do you think so ?
Title: Re: A new website on the Microstock market - www.bestartstock.com
Post by: Tyson Anderson on January 28, 2018, 18:19
In my opinion, just about every comment so far is a good point.  A lot of work still needs to be done.  Applause for the effort.  Keep at it!
Title: Re: A new website on the Microstock market - www.bestartstock.com
Post by: Piotr on January 28, 2018, 18:38
Thanks. I know that every comment is very important to me.
Title: Re: A new website on the Microstock market - www.bestartstock.com
Post by: namussi on January 29, 2018, 06:54
I like some of your rendered alphabets.

Did you design the original typefaces yourself?
Title: Re: A new website on the Microstock market - www.bestartstock.com
Post by: Piotr on January 29, 2018, 08:32
I design my own typefaces, that's why they are the simplest