Search is DEFINITELY one of the items at the top of our priority list. As a buyer (and also a submitter), I've experienced the pain of bad search myself.

I guess a question that needs to be asked is how people plan to use this software.

Do you plan to rely on Google searches, or will you be directing potential buyers to your site?

Since we are throwing out ideas...I would like to see some sort of "parent site" that ties all of the individual sites together. Perhaps with a search option like "search this site" or "search entire network". I would even be ok with being a part of one large site but having my own "store" so to speak. Kind of like a mall. Lots of individual stores in one place.

Pretty much an interesting way to drive traffic to everyone and let the photos/illustrations speak for themselves. Sure we are competing with each other and at the same time, working in a co-operative fashion would bring more buyers and views to all of us.

Ultimately a photostore where artists could link their stores together to create a bigger library. Yes that's the idea.

I think there are good suggestions for the rest of the features, watermark, re-size. (offer size by price handled by the software) Direct payment by PayPal, Google, or others that provide that service to us. Download set after payment is confirmed and stays active for 48 hours or some selectable fair time for the buyer to download.

But if I had to pick one, I'd like the site to have a "Circle" of friends which allows everyone to promote the other collections. I'm not sure that a search of all sites would be functional because it would need to download and index some constantly changing galleries from everyone, over and over. Links and descriptions to all member sites would be more workable.

How would you guys rate your existing solution regarding getting your images found by Google: Excellent, Fair, or Poor?

first, are you referring to our own sites or our images as represented by agencies?

We are referring to images on your own sites. Most hosting packages have fairly detailed stats packages included that will show you where your traffic is coming from. You could also install Google Analytics for free if you need more data from your existing solution.

How would you guys rate your existing solution regarding getting your images found by Google: Excellent, Fair, or Poor?

Out of the box, KTools isn't optimal for SEO. Lots of underscores and characters in the names of images, galleries, etc. You'll need to do some re-writing to improve the SEO. But don't sweat it. If you are relevant, the KTools naming system will do just fine for you.

Getting found by Google is easy. Getting ranked highly is not, but I think that is what you were referring to. I don't think SEO helps as much as the SEO community would lead you to believe. If someone tells you that you need an SEO Expert, assume they are selling SEO services.

Getting your images ranked highly has nothing to do with Photoshelter, KTools, or whatever path you decide to go down. You need to prove to Google that you are highly relevant. Which seems impossible, because how do you become relevant if Google doesn't put you on Page 1?

I look at setting up the store as maybe 1/1000 of the work toward getting yourself recognized. The other 999/1000 is everything else you do to get people's attention.

I just wanted to give you guys an update of where we are in the development process.

So far we have completed the following:

• Uploading images (including IPTC recognition)
• Primary photo color recognition and listing
• Individual photo or .zip archive upload
• Portfolio display

Next up:

• Payment integration/content delivery
• Search functions

We're plugging away! 

I will be watching this one too, aside from the other similar project in the other thread...

http://www.microstockgroup.com/general-stock-discussion/selling-rf-images-is-really-not-that-hard-php-developers-wanted/

Honestly the other thread is a lot more interesting, that offers something really new in the cross linking of sites to create a larger network. Another KTools or similar is not all that interesting to me.

Apologies, missed mattdixon's post about that and your response earlier in the thread.

Is that something you plan to offer at the outset or some time down the line? I think that is the exciting thing about the recent threads re. new ways to sell. In any case I am primarily an illustrator so wouldn't be on board at the start.

- Ability to sell physical goods. 
- Ability to charge local taxes (I need to calculate 1 or 2 taxes depending on postal code or none for out-of-country) 
- Auto renumbering/renaming system.  I gave my shots sequential numbers, but went and put the model's name in it too... 1523-JakeSmith-Hockey.  Mistake!
- Ability to set a blanket price series, but to be able to change it for special or exclusive content.
- Instant download - no waiting for an e-mail with a link that they can pass to all their friends.
- Collections/packages - I imagine if we can upload a zip we can make our own collection
- Repositionable watermark

You really get what you pay for.   I've been looking at some Wordpress and Woocommerce photo stores but they don't auto watermark or auto resize.  The more I look into the work I would have to put into it (or pay to have put into it), the better K-tools looks.

Well you are talking about Ktools version i have.......word by word.....and still does much more.

Quote from: elvinstar on November 06, 2012, 06:38

How would you guys rate your existing solution regarding getting your images found by Google: Excellent, Fair, or Poor?

Out of the box, KTools isn't optimal for SEO. Lots of underscores and characters in the names of images, galleries, etc. You'll need to do some re-writing to improve the SEO. But don't sweat it. If you are relevant, the KTools naming system will do just fine for you.

Getting found by Google is easy. Getting ranked highly is not, but I think that is what you were referring to. I don't think SEO helps as much as the SEO community would lead you to believe. If someone tells you that you need an SEO Expert, assume they are selling SEO services.

Getting your images ranked highly has nothing to do with Photoshelter, KTools, or whatever path you decide to go down. You need to prove to Google that you are highly relevant. Which seems impossible, because how do you become relevant if Google doesn't put you on Page 1?

I look at setting up the store as maybe 1/1000 of the work toward getting yourself recognized. The other 999/1000 is everything else you do to get people's attention.

Wise words. There are several pretty good options available for setting up your own store. Getting people in there is the challenge.

Quote from: brmonico on February 05, 2013, 20:39

Well you are talking about Ktools version i have.......word by word.....and still does much more.

I'm not sure that I understand what you mean. Are you saying that Ktools does all of that and more?

Yes, this last version do it all , in a easy way.... and if understand php and html , or are able to develop the program you have a extremely good work base to start.

Can you give us an idea of how much would it cost? Just price range, maybe below 100$, below 50$, below 20$?