Instant Shopping Cart For Photographs

[cjay]

Hi all,

We have created a new non branded shopping cart. Unfortunately at the moment it is only for photographers. Would appreciate thoughts and comments from people who have knowledge of e-comerce in general, ease of use, layout, and quality of our instructions are examples of what I could do with feedback on.

[Dawg]

Is the shopping cart only part of parazzipack, or is it available for other uses?

[Astaroth]

It has a fairly good ecommerce side - personally I do not trust any business using paypal and you do continually mention paypal fees rather than "card handling" fees etc.

Personally wasnt keen on the fact that all the information is in PDFs rather than being on the site itself to read up on. From the scan reading it appears there is a pyramid/ MLM aspect to this too which again is something that will concern some people.

I would add more information about what a registered photographer can see in the admin/ account section - for example can they tell how many times their picture has been viewed and not just how many times it has been bought etc.

[FunkyBears]

Hi Cjay,
An excellent concept a very user friendly site.
Your main challenge now is marketing it and getting
people to post their images to increase the content.
I'm sure overtime you will establish a very worthwile business. I really enjoyed the experience
best
Paul

[clairemackaness]

Hi Cjay,

I'm a member on the site and I have to say that uploading is a real pain as it's so very slow.

I'm planning o hitting the clubs etc next weekend to get some shots, but am dreading the hours it will take me to load up all the shots.

Claire

[creospace]

what size photos are you uploading? and at what bandwidth?

Gary

[cjay]

Hi,

Thanks for the comments and suggestions.

The basket can be used as a stand alone with no PP branding. This is done by using some pretty basic html code in your own site. However, it will only handle images at present. I guess you could us it as a catalogue for other product.

The dreaded PayPal question is something we have been debating. I guess we could do as you suggest Astaroth, and not refer to it as PayPal, we were trying to be up front and honest about the fees etc. PayPal does seem to have a bad rep, but mainly for sellers, buyers seem to have few problems. The prime reason we use PayPal is actually because it is such an efficient way to pay out to our members.

We thought the PDFs were a good idea, but clearly you would prefer just normal web pages. I suppose we could offer both. Have to give that some thought.

The Pyramid issue was a big decision for us and I would agree that most schemes are inherently dodgy. We felt that this product was right for the marketing method and we feel members will only benefit. We have followed the UK Pyramid selling act to the letter. On saying all that this element of our model will definitely rule out some people from participating.

The idea on reporting some key metrics back to memebrs in their account management area is one I will definitely be implementing.

Thanks Paul I think you are right, but then I would be a bit bias, thanks for taking the time.

Claire and Gary, The photo upload speed was increased last week from a 250k test circuit to our now fully commercial 100meg pipe into the web. Claire you should notice a massive difference with your next weekends work. I am assuming you are using an ftp client to upload all your pics at once and that you are not trying to do them 5 at a time through your browser. If you have an up to date browser you can drag and drop multiple pics from your desk top.

Anyway thanks for all the thoughts so far, I have to say this forum is the best in its field I think. :lol:

[Barny]

Hi

I used to be a professional photographer, and although I now earn my living by helping people to market their businesses, I'd love to do some freelance photographic work. The problem I have with your site Cjay is I'm totally baffled by the concept and numbers!

I am sure you know what it is all about. But I strongly suggest that you get some friends together and ask them to view your site without you being there. Say that you want them to believe that they are budding photographers looking to earn some cash, and take it from there.

Good luck and good wishes.

[clairemackaness]

Sadly Cjay I am doing it the 5 at a time way as I was not aware there was a differnet method. (The site is really not that clear I'm afraid).

I've PM'd you for more detailed instructions.

Claire

[Hayles]

I really like your idea cjay. We've got a function venue and do outside catering and if I'd got the time (and energy) I'd love to give it a go.

Claire, please would you be my guinea pig and let me know how you get on? :D

Hayles

[clairemackaness]

Hayles, how about I come along to some of your local functions as in house photographer and try it out. We could split the profits?

[cjay]

Hi Claire and Hayles,

I hope your collaboration works. My two teenage daughters have even started snapping at the various parties that they frequent. Only charging a £1 a pic but thats a lot to them. Their friends and parents think its great.

Barney, sorry you dont think the numbers are clear. There are basically two ways to work, shoot events, set your price per pic and you get 80% of the sales revenue after transaction cost. If you wish you can recruit a team of people to do the same and you receive a small percentage of your teams sales. Its that simple.

[cjay]

Hi All,

We got a very cool write up in www.whatdigitalcamera.com apparently the UKs largest selling digital camera magazine. Let me know what you think.

[FunkyBears]

Hi,
Excellent PR, well done!
Best
Paul

[cjay]

Hi all,

We had our first celeb snaps arrive a couple of days ago. Bob Hoskins ,Kevin Spacey and Princess Alexandra.