Online Printing/Storefront
Dec 19, 2011 23:09:12 #
I'm looking for a place to host photos of clients. I am just starting out so I prefer one that has a pay per use rather than a monthly fee. Suggestions?
Dec 19, 2011 23:22:29 #
I've never seen one that has a pay per use. I'm looking for a site too but the ones I'm looking at are a little out of reach at the moment !
Dec 19, 2011 23:29:57 #
http://www.millerslab.com has one and it's .20 per image uploaded but you also have to fill out a w-9 and I'm not anywhere near that level....
Dec 19, 2011 23:31:18 #
CumminsCaptures wrote:
http://www.millerslab.com has one and it's .20 per image uploaded but you also have to fill out a w-9 and I'm not anywhere near that level....
W-9....oooo.....don't like forms that start with "W" !!!
Dec 19, 2011 23:36:05 #
Bahaha neither do I. This is just a hobby for me at this point and a few have seen my photos of friends and want me to do them. I'll keep looking :)
Dec 19, 2011 23:46:58 #
OK - this is all my opinion, but based on experience. I assume you are taking portrait images, not random shots at sport events.
Posting images online for sale is the worst way to sell. Clients get tired of looking at the images, get no help from the professional (you) on what sizes work, what works well in their home, and on and on. Been there - will never go back.
I realize it is convenient for you, but it is terrible customer service and a sales killer. If you really want to pursue this, there are some hosting sites that are in the $100/year range - there may be some per use sites, but I do not know of any.
If you do this, never show more than about 35 or 40 images and NEVER show similar images - you will give your client analysis paralysis trying to decide just which one is best. And since you are not there to help them, they just cannot decide. You think you are giving them choices, and you are - TOO many. It is up to you to show them the very best.
OK- after I posted I see you say this is just a hobby. I agree - find someplace cheap.
Posting images online for sale is the worst way to sell. Clients get tired of looking at the images, get no help from the professional (you) on what sizes work, what works well in their home, and on and on. Been there - will never go back.
I realize it is convenient for you, but it is terrible customer service and a sales killer. If you really want to pursue this, there are some hosting sites that are in the $100/year range - there may be some per use sites, but I do not know of any.
If you do this, never show more than about 35 or 40 images and NEVER show similar images - you will give your client analysis paralysis trying to decide just which one is best. And since you are not there to help them, they just cannot decide. You think you are giving them choices, and you are - TOO many. It is up to you to show them the very best.
OK- after I posted I see you say this is just a hobby. I agree - find someplace cheap.
Dec 20, 2011 00:16:44 #
Thank you so much for the tips :) Eventually I'd like to do more but as it stands right now I'm taking pictures of mainly friends or friends of friends.
Dec 20, 2011 00:21:10 #
Why don't you just use Flickr if all you're looking to do is host some pics ? Or just put up a simple site for viewing !
Dec 20, 2011 00:51:35 #
I want it to be a little more professional than that being as how I will get paid for some of the work. I've found PhotoReflect and it's $9 a month with a storefront and lab to print.
Dec 20, 2011 01:45:58 #
CumminsCaptures wrote:
I want it to be a little more professional than that being as how I will get paid for some of the work. I've found PhotoReflect and it's $9 a month with a storefront and lab to print.
I guess it all depends on how great they can print photos, that can very greatly. I'd want to see what their prints looked like, compared to the photo you had pick out to print, and what quality of paper they use. Just my 2 cents worth.
Mike
Dec 20, 2011 05:45:05 #
CumminsCaptures wrote:
I want it to be a little more professional than that being as how I will get paid for some of the work. I've found PhotoReflect and it's $9 a month with a storefront and lab to print.
Actually in addition to the $9/month for the storefront rental there are two additional charges accessed for every sale you make. These total 18% of every sale you have on the site. Might want to take this into consideration.
Dec 20, 2011 06:06:00 #
You may want to check out exposuremanager.com although they do charge a monthly or yearly fee. Their processing is very good, as I ordered a variety of prints to check out the quality before using them. They offer standard photo papers, along with
metalized type paper, greeting cards, etc. and you can set up online galleries any way you want. There is a small percentage charge per sale, but you handle no money or sales tax on a sale, just receive payment from them.
metalized type paper, greeting cards, etc. and you can set up online galleries any way you want. There is a small percentage charge per sale, but you handle no money or sales tax on a sale, just receive payment from them.
Dec 20, 2011 06:27:41 #
I have been using a site called Pbase.com for many years to host my pictures. The cost is minimal > $25 per year for about a gig of storage. you can upload easily with a browser. my site is www.pbase.com/rhbryant/galleries.
Dec 20, 2011 07:06:09 #
I put my pics on SmugMug, in the 'Power' level. It is $60 per year and people can order from the site and get very nice prints -- they use Bay Photo for the printing lab. You control the site, there are no ads, and lots of storage. There is no profit from this, but it could be the start to get some traffic and build a business. Then you can move up to 'PRO' for $150 per year and make some money off the site.
Dec 20, 2011 07:22:29 #
CumminsCaptures wrote:
Thank you so much for the tips :) Eventually I'd like to do more but as it stands right now I'm taking pictures of mainly friends or friends of friends.
snap fish...
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