Looking for a stock photo web system for good look and feel and maximum flexibility. Found two systems like Ktool's Photostore and StockBoxPhoto. Both the system has many visible common features but need to know the hidden differences.

The criteria of evaluation might be:

1. Default look and feel.
2. Versatility, efficiency and speed of search option.
3. Search Engine Optimization performance
4. Limitations of image size, numbers etc.
5. International currency selection.
6. Security.
7. Trend and the Future

Thanks.
 

Hello,

I used Ktool's Photostore several years ago, about a year. Used their renting service (~$50/month, with all addons, PRO version full install, upgrades, their hosting, help service, support etc). It was very convenient because I had everything in one hand and I did not have extra troubles if something go wrong. Just email them and they fix everything.

I did a lot of work while creating design how I wanted to look. It was not easy but they helped me in everything.  One thing only I can remember that the site was not the fastest on the web. It was fast but not as fast as I wanted But it was several years ago and now they have new versions of Photostore with even more addons so I think they fixed a lot of bugs or some other technical questions.

I was really happy with them and stopped use only because of my personal reasons. It was not their fault..
Now, just at the moment I'm thinking again about using their store. Already a couple of weeks I'm checking their demo, features, addons, and it seems they did a lot of work since that time. Probably will use their renting service again. I think that $50/month is a reasonable price for absolutely full service, beginning with PRO version, all addons and finishing with their hosting. Just one question is about bandwidth and storage, so I will email them.

I didn't know about Stockbox nothing. But just compared a bit them and personally for me Ktools is a winner: because of features, price, services etc. Will check more deeply soon, thanks for link.

Based on being part of WarmPicture (based on Ktools) I couldn't recommend going that route. You customize the store (because it doesn't do what you want out of the box) and then when there's an upgrade you're stuck as there's no path to integrate your changes. It wasn't IMO a great option.

StockBoxPhoto (a) looks awful and (b) doesn't appear to have any real sites using its very expensive software - the "demos" don't appear to be targeting stock, but event and wedding photography. If I were going to spend that sort of money why wouldn't I go with PhotoShelter?

I am in the process of setting up a Symbiostock site, so I've obviously made my choice

Thanks cthoman I understand and agree. Will check about Symbiostock for sure.

cidepix I am from outside USA and still not sure of Symbiostock's features and flexibility in payment gateways etc. May be I should do a portfolio there and will try to get connected. Thanks for your input.

Thanks lisafx. Will check Symbiostock for sure.

Thanks djpadavona for sharing your view. Actually I have some uncertainty. The stock price in my own country and in the US or in the European countries are very different. So if I can't do region specific pricing I will have troubles. So I might have to disable online payment for local customers. When all these comes as complex issues (as I don't want to sale cheaper than other local stock agencies are selling, others will not like it), going for a standard stock service becomes difficult. I might do a parallel site for networking with others. Let's see.     

Don't go with Ktools,

Horrible SEO,
Bad support (it's like messaging Hitler)
and finally "if" you manage to customize it, you're stuck with what you got, to upgrade you'll need to do the customization all over again..

Not recommended!