jcboy3

I'm looking for a web site that supports selling digital images. I have a Zenfolio account, but it seems more print/product oriented.

Suggestions are welcome.

The following is an example of what I want to do:

For a portrait session, I want one price for the first image the customer buys, and then a separate price for additional images. This would handle the session fee, plus additional images.

If the customer has paid upfront, then I want the first image to be free, and then a separate price for additional images. This could be done with a coupon code, for instance.

Finally, I want a package price (or volume discount). So buy 3 or more images (for example), then get each image for a reduced price.

And I want each session to have it's own folder with controlled access (only the client can access via an account number).

Any thoughts?

Pablo8 Loc: Nottingham UK.

Would suggest you get pencil and paper, and work out the pricing for your very individual system. I do not think there is a formula for this.

jcboy3

Thanks for your suggestion. It was so very very helpful.

Pablo8 Loc: Nottingham UK.

Very glad to give help, where it is needed.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

500px.com

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I think your best bet is to do your own website. You'll need an SSL to handle payments. An htaccess editor will allow you to control access. There are a number of hosting companies that can provide these services at reasonable prices.
--Bob

gerdog

A website host is primarily just where your site files are stored and accessed by the public. You build your site with an editing program, such as WordPress, which can be used to upload the site to the host, such as Godaddy or Bluehost or even the WordPress hosting service. One nice thing about the WordPress editor, which is tghe only one I have used yet, is that you can add plugins to make things easier, many of which are free. They even have ecommerce plugins. However, you will probably be better off to hire someone to build your site for you. Doing business with customers and payments requires some expertise in site security, and you want it done right. Once someone sets it up for you, you will be able to learn how to use the editor yourself in the future one step at a time, rather than trying to build the site from the bottom up.

NCMtnMan Loc: N. Fork New River, Ashe Co., NC

Have you looked at smugmug.com?

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

As a freelancer, I've worked several times with my local newspaper. They use Smug Mug close to all the time.


I'm just guessing but it seems like Smug Mug is similar to a stock agency only they offer to print the photo to whoever purchases them.

gerdog

I just looked at SmugMug for the first time. I see at the bottom of this page https://www.smugmug.com/pro that they also offer a free 14-day trial. Looks like they have the tools you need. If you don't think it will work for you at the end of 14 days, it would still be a good learning experience.

NCMtnMan Loc: N. Fork New River, Ashe Co., NC

According to my good friend who uses it, they are mostly a hosting sight for photographers. If I understood him correctly, apparently they partner with several of the better print services for the printing. You get to choose which one you prefer, and then when people purchase a print the order is sent to that print company and they print it and ship it to the customer. Smugmug gets a commission for the purchase, and you get paid by Smugmug. So you don't have to deal with creating a website, dealing with orders etc. You just organize your smugmug "web site" with your photos etc. You get unlimited storage space, but you can only upload and store jpeg images, no RAW.

Dun1 Loc: Atlanta, GA

Zenfolio gets my vote, you can easily build a website without having to learn code. You can upload you images, you images you upload are stored of site. You can download the original uploaded files should you loose a hard rive or storage. You can also store RAW images also. You set pricing for you photos. Zenfolio allow you to upload your work, when customers buy from the website the choose the photo, they wish to purchase they tender payment on the site and you receive payment. You shoot, edit, upload, it allows you to shooting again. You can create packages for you customers. You can give can give your customers discount coupons, that apply towards purchases. You can select MPIX was you printing vendor and they print great images and excellent customer service. You can select the plan at different pricing points that fit your needs. You customers can select favorites and share those favorites with you. You can use the access feature that shows you who visited your web site and pages.
Should you decide to use Zenfolio please fee free to use my referral code 6PR-UT2-Q8Z it will allow you to receive a discount on the fee.
www.zenfolio.com

jcboy3

I have a Zenfolio account. I got most of what I need working, but it takes a lot of setup. Still looking for something that is more friendly to digital downloads.

NCMtnMan Loc: N. Fork New River, Ashe Co., NC

Did you check out smugmug.com yet?