Author Topic: Zenfoli, photoshleter, smugmug etc. - comparison (Read 6462 times)

HerMajesty · « **on:** November 25, 2011, 13:07 »

I'm in the process of choosing a site mainly as a cloud-based online backup for my pictures and videos, but with the possibility to sell my work directly (so at least the fee will pay for it self). I was wondering if anyone did a comparison of those different sites as far as earnings potential. I'm talking about sites like smugmug, photoshelter, zenfolio, avid images ... I wonder if one needs to do a lot of their own marketing to bring sales or is it possible to get some sales without any additional effort apart from uploading.

Pixart · « **Reply #1 on:** November 25, 2011, 14:03 »

Zenfolio supports more file types (png, tiff) than Smugmug. I don't remember if they support video - Smugmug does.

If you are not American, please be aware that these sites withhold taxes and you would be better off with your own site.

I think Photoshelter has more traffic, most of the sites you have to do your own marketing.

Zen/Smug price is actually quite reasonable when you compare to buying Ktools software (one-time) plus paying for hosting (ongoing).

If Zen/Smug update their website your transition should be smoooth. With a personal site, I've heard horror stories about having to rebuild entire websites when new software was introduced.

Leaf was trying a hosting site where you handled the transactions that I intended to look into - sounded like a good option for me - can't remember the name off hand, it sounded like it has most of the features I am looking for. You handle your own transactions and are not at the mercy of some hosting companie's accounting department like Photoshelter, Smugmug etc. If Leaf doesn't pop in here, PM him or do a search in that category and you should find it. LOL, and remind me what it was, my Smugmug expires at end of June and I got trapped there last year when Zenfolio went down on the weekend I was switching over.

FD · « **Reply #2 on:** November 26, 2011, 00:23 »

Don't forget to have a look at CMSaccount. They are mostly under the radar here but they have a brilliant framework that allows video. It's constantly being developed (unlike Ktools that seems to be stuck) by a Russian team and they recently integrated cloud/S3 storage.

Especially your hoster won't like large video files to be up or downloaded. Hostgator for instance forbids it and most hosters sets very narrow limits on up/download file size, one other instance where the "unlimited" in their ads is quite limited. They can force you in a plan well over 100$/month to overcome this limit. Having your content in the cloud/S3/Amazon makes you only pay for what you need in a flexible way while you can stick with the cheapest plan on your hoster.

To license CMSaccount you only need to pay an upfront fee of 200$ for the code (full unlimited version) and that's it. No recurrent costs like on Smug, Photoshelter, Photodeck. You can sell one images or a thousand, they don't care. You'll have free installation and lifelong upgrades.

http://cmsaccount.com/ - this is not a referral link and I'm not connected with them

Karimala · « **Reply #3 on:** November 26, 2011, 01:12 »

I used SmugMug for a couple of years and earned 8 cents. Woohoo. It definitely required marketing, which I didn't have time to do.

borg · « **Reply #4 on:** November 26, 2011, 07:38 »

Quote from: Karimala on November 26, 2011, 01:12

I used SmugMug for a couple of years and earned 8 cents. Woohoo. It definitely required marketing, which I didn't have time to do.

I spent several hundreds $ on Google adwords and many many promotions on social networks, also many links on various websites and nothing, for almost one year...
Probably I will close my account soon...

Ed · « **Reply #5 on:** November 26, 2011, 13:52 »

I use Zenfolio but I don't use it to market my images to the general public. I use it to distribute images to clients and models and to market myself as opposed to my images (commissioned work). I like the site and it serves that purpose well.

You can set it up to market all of your stock images, and the search engines will pickup keywords entered into images but I think Photoshelter may be a better option for what you're looking for.

steheap · « **Reply #6 on:** November 27, 2011, 13:45 »

If you want to store your images in an online backup, and possibly get some occasional sales, why don't you try Most Photos. This stock site lets you download the full res copies of your own images if required, and they do have occasional sales. Upload is pretty easy as well. I covered them in my review of small stock sites available on my blog.

Steve

FD · « **Reply #7 on:** November 27, 2011, 14:15 »

Quote from: steheap on November 27, 2011, 13:45

If you want to store your images in an online backup, and possibly get some occasional sales, why don't you try Most Photos. This stock site lets you download the full res copies of your own images if required, and they do have occasional sales. Upload is pretty easy as well.

This thread was about self-hosting, not about agencies.

microstockphoto.co.uk · « **Reply #8 on:** November 27, 2011, 14:20 »

Besides backup and direct sales, the possibility of distributing pictures from an on-line storage is more and more a requirement with new agencies popping up every day.

Photoshelter does it all perfectly (well, almost - except sales which are very low) but it's a bit expensive.

I wonder why no one tries to come up with a comprehensive solution for online storage and backup, FTP export and direct sales at a competitive price.

Adding a paid storage and/or selling uploaded photos could be a way to monetize a free service such as Lightburner.

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Author Topic: Zenfoli, photoshleter, smugmug etc. - comparison (Read 6462 times)

HerMajesty

Pixart

FD

Karimala

borg

Ed

steheap

FD

microstockphoto.co.uk

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