Online Sales Platform? - DPChallenge Forums

08/06/2009 03:48:09 PM · #1

Can anybody suggest a platform (preferably cheap or free) that I can use to sell photos to a client? What I need is something essentially like DPCPrints, that will let me upload photos, set a custom price, and process the order for me and send me a check with my profits. I especially need them to be able to take online payments, since the order is too large for me to try and cover myself, printing directly through Mpix like I'd usually do.

(I may well end up using DPCPrints, but I'm concerned since I know they ship large prints rolled up in a tube, and the client wants to mount their prints on foamcore. I'm afraid that having been rolled might make this difficult for them.)

Right now, my website doesn't support this option. I looked at Zenfolio, but they want $100 for these features, and I doubt I'll use it again this year. Suggestions?

Tamron 16-300mm Di II VC PZD MACRO w/Canon Nikon mount

08/06/2009 04:58:50 PM · #2

Used Google to search past threads on this, and found a few more services I didn't know about.

ExposureManager looks like it might be best - most cost effective for the price. Can anyone vouch for the quality of their prints?

I looked at others: PhotoBiz charges too much in fees, Printroom & PhotoShelter might work, but I need to read more about them, Zenfolio & Smugmug are way too expensive.

I really, really wish that the DPCPrints upgrade would just happen already. If it were brought up to the level that it ought to be at - where it could compete with these others - then I'd go with them instantly. But they want a 25% commission, and I just don't see how they deserve it, given the outdated interface, very limited options, and unprofessional appearance.

JulietNN

Canon EOS R7

08/06/2009 05:05:38 PM · #3

oh how i wish too!

especially taking half, it is soooooooooo much!

edited to add:

end whine

Message edited by author 2009-08-06 17:05:51.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

08/06/2009 05:09:06 PM · #4

Originally posted by OdysseyF22:

... Zenfolio & Smugmug are way too expensive....

It seems to me that you want some other company to operate at a loss, so that you can generate a greater profit? Somehow, I don't think it works that way.

Perhaps you should consider hosting your own website/galleries and have people order directly from you -- that way you can use any old printing service (e.g. Costco) and save lots of money (no commissions at all). Of course, you'll have to do the order tracking and packaging/shipping and all those other things you don't want to pay someone to do for you.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

08/06/2009 05:44:10 PM · #5

Originally posted by GeneralE:

Originally posted by OdysseyF22:
... Zenfolio & Smugmug are way too expensive....

It seems to me that you want some other company to operate at a loss, so that you can generate a greater profit? Somehow, I don't think it works that way.

Perhaps you should consider hosting your own website/galleries and have people order directly from you -- that way you can use any old printing service (e.g. Costco) and save lots of money (no commissions at all). Of course, you'll have to do the order tracking and packaging/shipping and all those other things you don't want to pay someone to do for you.

Easy,

GeneralE :-) I'm not trying to sound like a greedy bugger. I simply don't expect to use this service more than this one time. So paying $100+ for a on-time use does in fact seem very steep to me. Especially when, even at a 10% commission, they're going to come out okay - for certain they won't operate at a loss.

And I'm not looking to use "any old printing service." Not sure where you got that idea - all I want is a professional lab that will handle the ordering and not change me a "yearly" fee for the "privilege" of using their service. They'll still make plenty off me... Believe me, if this order was smaller, I would just do it myself.

Ivo

08/06/2009 06:04:06 PM · #6

The best solution IMO is to have your own website with commerce integrated.

Do you have your own domain name?
Do you have a Paypal account?
Do you have a web host?

Say yes to all three and I've got a solution for relatively cheap.

cdrice

Nikon D7000

08/06/2009 06:19:37 PM · #7

Originally posted by OdysseyF22:

ExposureManager looks like it might be best - most cost effective for the price. Can anyone vouch for the quality of their prints?

Yes, absolutely. I use EM exclusively for all my theatre and wedding print orders -- I get unsolicited positive feedback about print quality from at least every-other order, usually more often. I use them for any "serious" printing for myself as well. You can order wholesale prints for yourself at any time from your own site. I put them right up there with any local pro lab you can find. Final touch is custom backprinting, so your prints can be branded with your own name/slogan/etc. Very customizable web galleries, as well as domain-mapping, so it can integrate directly into your existing web site (or you can use EM for all of your web site itself).

I recently ordered several metallic-print panorama enlargements as well (3' wide) -- they are amazing. They offer a great selection of products, and you can easily customize your own gallery to only offer the products you want (or as much as you want) and any prices you specify. I could go on and on. I've been very pleased with their service as well as support.

I'm not trying to sound like an EM advertisement, but I really think they have the best and most flexible setup out there for the price.

Finally, if you search around a bit, you can find some online coupons to get a % off the yearly fee (for as long as you keep your galleries online). Feel free to use my referral link if you wish. I'm not sure they are doing anything for referrals right now, but it couldn't hurt. ;)

If you have any specific questions about them, I'll be happy to say what I can. There are several more folks here using EM as well who I'm sure will chime in.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

08/06/2009 06:32:41 PM · #8

Originally posted by OdysseyF22:

Easy, GeneralE :-) I'm not trying to sound like a greedy bugger. I simply don't expect to use this service more than this one time.

Sorry, I think too much hanging out in some other threads has re-set my sarcasm dial to 11 ... I see your point if it's a one-time thing.

I use Costco myself for most of my printing -- I'm pretty satisfied with both the quality and price. And, as in your case, I haven't been able to justfy the cost of a SmugMug-type account either, and I've been too lazy to set up my own gallery. I've also ordered some metallic prints from the Kodak Gallery's new "pro" printing site which looked great, but they're not set up to sell to the public through a storefront (yet, anyway -- AFAIK, the site is still in beta-testing).

08/06/2009 06:37:35 PM · #9

Originally posted by cdrice:

Originally posted by OdysseyF22:
ExposureManager looks like it might be best - most cost effective for the price. Can anyone vouch for the quality of their prints?

Yes, absolutely. I use EM exclusively for all my theatre and wedding print orders -- I get unsolicited positive feedback about print quality from at least every-other order, usually more often. I use them for any "serious" printing for myself as well. You can order wholesale prints for yourself at any time from your own site. I put them right up there with any local pro lab you can find. Final touch is custom backprinting, so your prints can be branded with your own name/slogan/etc. Very customizable web galleries, as well as domain-mapping, so it can integrate directly into your existing web site (or you can use EM for all of your web site itself).

I recently ordered several metallic-print panorama enlargements as well (3' wide) -- they are amazing. They offer a great selection of products, and you can easily customize your own gallery to only offer the products you want (or as much as you want) and any prices you specify. I could go on and on. I've been very pleased with their service as well as support.

I'm not trying to sound like an EM advertisement, but I really think they have the best and most flexible setup out there for the price.

Finally, if you search around a bit, you can find some online coupons to get a % off the yearly fee (for as long as you keep your galleries online). Feel free to use my referral link if you wish. I'm not sure they are doing anything for referrals right now, but it couldn't hurt. ;)

If you have any specific questions about them, I'll be happy to say what I can. There are several more folks here using EM as well who I'm sure will chime in.

Thank you very much for the review! This is what I was hoping to hear. I signed up for their free trial just a few minutes ago - but if I can find a way to use your referral link still, I most certainly will. Between what you've said, and being able to read some of their Support/FAQ pages, most of my questions have been answered. I'm going to order some test prints, but I expect they'll be equal in quality to what I'm used to from Mpix.