Online print sales

[Mike_Guilbault]

I'm interested in an online print sales solution. I've been looking at PhotoShelter and have used the Kodak ProShots system but that is being discontinued in December.

I'd be interested to hear any recommendations or comments (both negative and positive) about sites that you may have tried.

Thanks

[jonpaul]

Hi Mke

I have just installed a product called photostore by a Ktools Ktools.net - Sell Your Photos Online, PHP Photo Gallery, Sell Stock Photos, Image Hosting, Stock Photo Site Software

It is very flexable and gives you complete control over sizes products ect it also allows for password protected areas for private clients. it is easy to manage and is very widely used in the industry.

[Mike_Guilbault]

Has anyone tried ShowMeProofs.com?

[DougAxford]

I'm looking also. KTools does not allow sales by Visa/Mastercard from what I can see. This would be essential for me. I've asked and very few customers have Paypal (I do & use it but cringe at the exchange rates).

I had a good look at ShowMeProofs.com It seems to have the bases covered. I'm still not sure if the payment is in US$ or Cdn for customers, which would be a deal breaker for me also. They accept V/MC, but pay by Paypal, which I'm not crazy about, but would be workable.

We had one customer try to give us a $90. check from a Florida bank last week. We said no go. Why would a Cdn. be doing that? She had no cash CC or debit. It takes weeks to clear and even though I think she was legit, I can't take the risk unless I hold the order until it clears.

I'd appreciate more info on ShowMeProofs.com from people using it regularly. Thanks for the tip Mike.

Doug

[Mike_Guilbault]

I don't mind PayPal.. have used it alot myself selling on eBay and more recently for my photography workshops and Mac accounting software sales. I've never had a problem with them, and users can pay with their Visa/MC/etc. without having a PayPal account.

My problem, is that I need something TODAY! I think I'll try PhotoShelter for now. At least it's subscription based so I can cancel at any time.

[DougAxford]

Mike, I posted the question on the Showme forum re: Cdn. credit card payments. From my experience this is something that you shouldn't underestimate. People get really upset paying the conversion the banks are charging. I'll post when I get a reply.

[Will_Mass]

Interestingly, after 5 years of event photography and online sales, I am considering closing my online sales galleries and no longer selling online, ala Norm Cabana.

While online sales account for about 30% of our business, I've grown weary of finding my work, watermarks and all, on MySpace, and online advertisements.

I'd love to find a remedy, but so far have not.

Re; K Tools.

I have seen their product, and commented to a photographer/programmer friend about it's lack of speed, even across a DSL line. I wondered if the slowness was a result of a server issue or the software itself. She said; it was software related.