Photodeck - ecommerce on your Pbase site

[sheila]

I was recently contacted by Photodeck which is "a service for photographers to create professional stock websites...We support RF, RM (with customizable prices naturally), fully automated purchases, full layout & design customization, SEO... and we keep adding features on a daily basis".

In effect, what Photodeck offers is an ecommerce addition to photographers' own websites which incorporates pricing of images (both Royalty Free and Rights Managed), shopping carts, and a customised website. Photographers upload full resolution images to a personal web gallery provided to the photographer by Photodeck. After uploading, the ID of the particular image on Photodeck is pasted on the image in the photographers own website with a link back to Photodeck. So Photodeck acts as a conduit for clients and prospective customers requiring pricing of images where the photographer's website does not offer this type of service. For example, here is an image on my website http://www.pbase.com/sheila/image/65724407. If you click on Click here for rights managed pricing under the image, it will take you to the Photodeck site, and pricing of the particular image. All prices are able to be edited. You can set up a PayPal payment system and I believe down the track, credit card facilities. The pricing caters for both RF and RM. In fact you can have two different RM (for premium pricing for model/property released images) price lists.

Photodeck is in Beta at the moment and its by invitation only. I have always wanted shopping cart facilities on PBase and this probably covers it all. Its free at the moment but I am sure that it would be well worth a subscription, depending on the fee of course.

Sheila

[1designguy]

Interesting. Thank you Sheila.

[gpmerfeld]

Very cool indeed, Sheila. Thank you so much for the info.

I am wondering if this system can also be set up for print purchasing, or is it just for licensing of images? It would be great to offer various sizes, matted, unmatted, etc. in the same format (for images printed by the photographer rather than a third party, as other sites offer - like RedBubble and Fine Art America)), as well as the licensing option. See below.

Also, how were the licensing fees derived? By you, or are the prices established by Photodeck and then you can adjust? See below.

Finally, how does one get invited? :~) You sign up and wait 2-3 weeks.

UPDATE: I was able to answer my own questions by going to their website (just google Photodeck Beta). No print options right now, but they do plan to add that option. Also, the Faq explains the way they derive pricing...

Thanks again,
GP

[sheila]

Hi GP

Can't help you with the first question, although there is pricing for high res downloads for royalty free images. I don't know how this would work, print wise. Regarding pricing, the values can be fully edited by the photographer and any revenue is collected directly by the photographer. I don't know the source of the pricing but looking at them, they are somewhat overly optimistic! There is presently a problem editing the prices as I had an error message when I tried to do so. Photodeck are looking into this problem. I guess, being in Beta, there are still problems to be ironed out.

They contacted me as they had seen my posts on the Alamy forum and noted I had my own website. It's amazing that a lot of photographers who are Alamy contributors don't have websites (or are not willing to show them in their Alamy posts ) I guess the "selected" photographers are guinea pigs during the Beta process and will make it open to other photographers when it is completed. I have already made a suggestion or two regarding the html links in PBase images linking back to Photodeck which they are taking on board.

Cheers
Sheila

Ahh... a crossed post!

[gpmerfeld]

Yes, sorry about crossing posts, but still very helpful info, Sheila...
Thanks and Aloha to you,
GP

[harpeggio]

Thanks, Sheila. This would make it helpful to ensure receiving payment. Up until now I've never had a problem receiving payment from a publisher for a purchased license. However at the moment I'm still waiting on payment for a license to use 4 images I sold to Cherbo Publishing back on February 8th... I'll be looking forward to this when it becomes available to the rest of us.

[sheila]

For all those interested, it would be worthwhile contacting Photodeck to be placed on a list as soon as it comes out of Beta.

Cheers
Sheila

[amoxtli]

Thank you for posting this Sheila.

[sheila]

Again, for those interested Photodeck has just announced its pricing Here is part of the email from them.

Pricing plans after commercial launch:

- All launch features with 30GB storage: $24.99 / month

- Limited customization and features, with 10GB storage: $9.99 / month

No setup fee, and PhotoDeck takes no commission on sales that originate on your website. Options for additional storage will be available.

Sheila