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Author Topic: Ktools Photostore  (Read 76218 times)

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« Reply #50 on: February 05, 2011, 14:23 »
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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.


« Reply #51 on: February 05, 2011, 14:59 »
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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.

redwater

  • retro stock illustrations
« Reply #52 on: February 05, 2011, 16:19 »
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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.

« Reply #53 on: February 05, 2011, 16:39 »
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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?

« Reply #54 on: February 05, 2011, 16:47 »
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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?

« Reply #55 on: February 05, 2011, 17:26 »
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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...

lisafx

« Reply #56 on: February 05, 2011, 18:35 »
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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. 

« Reply #57 on: February 05, 2011, 23:32 »
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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 (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=
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


I hope this helps, we appreciate your support in using our products.

« Reply #58 on: February 06, 2011, 08:05 »
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Thanks for the tips, Jeff.

« Reply #59 on: February 06, 2011, 13:09 »
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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.

« Reply #60 on: February 06, 2011, 15:06 »
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@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>
« Last Edit: February 06, 2011, 15:10 by Whiz »

« Reply #61 on: February 06, 2011, 18:52 »
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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?

« Reply #62 on: February 06, 2011, 19:00 »
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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?

« Reply #63 on: February 06, 2011, 23:25 »
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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...

« Reply #64 on: February 07, 2011, 09:46 »
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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.

« Reply #65 on: February 07, 2011, 11:33 »
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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.

« Reply #66 on: February 07, 2011, 11:45 »
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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.

lisafx

« Reply #67 on: February 07, 2011, 15:10 »
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@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. 

Xalanx

« Reply #68 on: February 07, 2011, 15:35 »
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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.

« Reply #69 on: February 07, 2011, 16:04 »
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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) 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.

« Reply #70 on: February 07, 2011, 16:05 »
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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.

« Reply #71 on: February 07, 2011, 16:16 »
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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.

« Reply #72 on: February 07, 2011, 16:19 »
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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/

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.

« Reply #73 on: February 07, 2011, 16:43 »
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@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.

« Reply #74 on: February 07, 2011, 16:54 »
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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.


 

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