Author Topic: Selling images direct without CMS or Ktools (Read 17810 times)

cascoly · « **Reply #25 on:** November 08, 2012, 17:51 »

i just checked out paypal buttons - i use them for selling maps directly, but there obviously, i just mail the map

i use an html subroutine to create a custom display for each product - eg
http://cascoly.com/civilwar.asp
this feeds the info paypal needs

i hadnt used the response url before,since i had clickbank, but it looks like you could direct the buyer to a download page sending info like image#, size.

[i'd play around more to test this but i'm abiout to leave town for a week]. i can send the source for my templates if anyone's interested

there's the drawback that this system uses 1 code per image, so potentially someone could post the code - but realistically, how many people are going to want the specific image that was downloaded? to workaround that you'd need a sql db to generate unique timelimited codes.

ComfortEagle2095 · « **Reply #26 on:** November 08, 2012, 18:54 »

I use Smugmug and have been pretty happy with it. They do the hosting and you don't have to know anything about web design or HTML. You can customize it somewhat. They handle downloads, prints and products like mugs, mousepads, etc. Search capability is not good and the price is a little high (and going up, unfortunately).

I don't make anywhere near the money back that it costs me but I use it for transferring images to my commercial and private clients so it's worth it for that alone. Anything extra I get from selling images is gravy.

My images on Smugmug used to show up well on Google Images searches. Now they don't show up very high in the searches anymore. Not sure why but I suspect that will reduce my already low license sales. I imagine if you did any marketing (I don't do any) you could probably make money using Smugmug.

http://azcaptured.smugmug.com

Anita Potter · « **Reply #27 on:** November 08, 2012, 21:51 »

Actually I would like to do it myself. I'm not at all familiar with asp code. I would love to have ktools but can't afford it at this time.

I'm going to work on my craft store front first and that I can build on my site relatively easy only thing I would need to work out on that is inventory control that will use the database. After that I'll dive into the digital realm.

I'm learning a lot from ya'all

cascoly · « **Reply #28 on:** November 08, 2012, 22:47 »

Quote from: Anita Potter on November 08, 2012, 21:51

Actually I would like to do it myself. I'm not at all familiar with asp code. I would love to have ktools but can't afford it at this time.

I'm going to work on my craft store front first and that I can build on my site relatively easy only thing I would need to work out on that is inventory control that will use the database. After that I'll dive into the digital realm.

I'm learning a lot from ya'all

you can probably do it without asp - i use that since i have a lot of interactive games where ASP is an advantage [it lets you use visual basic within web pages]

cidepix · « **Reply #29 on:** November 09, 2012, 08:35 »

Quote from: Anita Potter on November 08, 2012, 21:51

Actually I would like to do it myself. I'm not at all familiar with asp code. I would love to have ktools but can't afford it at this time.

I'm going to work on my craft store front first and that I can build on my site relatively easy only thing I would need to work out on that is inventory control that will use the database. After that I'll dive into the digital realm.

I'm learning a lot from ya'all

I definitely don't recommend you the route you are taking..

the easiest solution (if you are not going to pay for ktools) would be;

- to install wordpress - FREE
- to install a wordpress plugin - FREE to $45

or better, use CMS account which is what I use for my store.. It is almost the same thing as ktools and much cheaper.. http://www.cmsaccount.com/buynow/

it's $84.15 without addons..

djpadavona · « **Reply #30 on:** November 09, 2012, 16:35 »

Quote from: RacePhoto on November 08, 2012, 14:53

Dan Heller site which looks quite functional, but here's the license portion #2

"Images are delivered after payment is submitted.
I will manually email the image to you after you submit payment. Your card will not be charged until your image is emailed to you. This is almost always within a 24-hour timeframe. "

That's interesting. Sounds like he changed his methodology, because he was using a cart and credit card function last I checked. He does high pricing RF with licensing terms similar to Getty and Corbis. So this method probably works well for him. It wouldn't work for micro, where buyers just want to get a cheap image and move on.

RacePhoto · « **Reply #31 on:** November 09, 2012, 18:28 »

Quote from: djpadavona on November 09, 2012, 16:35

Quote from: RacePhoto on November 08, 2012, 14:53
Dan Heller site which looks quite functional, but here's the license portion #2

"Images are delivered after payment is submitted.
I will manually email the image to you after you submit payment. Your card will not be charged until your image is emailed to you. This is almost always within a 24-hour timeframe. "

That's interesting. Sounds like he changed his methodology, because he was using a cart and credit card function last I checked. He does high pricing RF with licensing terms similar to Getty and Corbis. So this method probably works well for him. It wouldn't work for micro, where buyers just want to get a cheap image and move on.

Yes, that's the one catch to "I'll email you a link" people want it fast! I want it NOW!