Author Topic: Do you sell photos on your own website? (Read 4462 times)

Cersei · « **on:** January 19, 2017, 19:21 »

Hello everyone,

This forum has been very helpful although it took me a while to register.
Almost everything i wanted to know was already posted

But here is my question: do you have your own website with portfolio for selling photos or microstock sites are the only place they are available? Is this even worth time and effort?

My portfolio is pretty small at the moment. I'm a graphic/product designer but also studied photography on my University/college.

I am often in need of others' stock photos - at the moment I am definitely more of a buyer than a seller

chrisroll · « **Reply #1 on:** January 20, 2017, 03:55 »

Hi, Cersei,

I'm a photographer and 3d illustrator.
I've my own website and sell 3d illustrations.
Not many sales, but enough to pay hosting charges.

Keep in mind it's a lot of work to setup your own website but it is worth trying it

I use Robin Symbiostock plugin wich is free to use : https://www.symbiostock.org/

Chris

sharpshot · « **Reply #2 on:** January 20, 2017, 04:31 »

I tried my own site and it cost too much to run, took up too much of my time, wasn't good for buyers (they don't like using lots of sites) and seemed to be very popular with scammers and hackers. Then there was the European VAT problem when selling direct and that was the last straw. I'm sure it works for some people but probably only a tiny percentage of those that do microstock.

PaulieWalnuts · « **Reply #3 on:** January 20, 2017, 07:16 »

I have a Photodeck website for selling RM licensing and prints. It does pretty well.

Is it worth the time and effort? Depends. Do you have, or can you create, something unique that's not already overdone on stock sites? Are you good with SEO or are willing to learn it? Are you good with promoting through social media or are willing to learn? Are you prepared to invest a lot of time? If yes, then it would probably be worth your time.

Cersei · « **Reply #4 on:** January 20, 2017, 10:01 »

Thanks everyone for your answers!

I understand it is not the easiest thing to do (properly) and it demands a lot of time. That's probably why i wasn't able to find a lot of those sites.

Will definitely consider it in the future