PHeaders websites

[CivicMan]

Obviously, a lot of contributors to this forum have their own website as a showcase for their car images, but do many run them as a commercial operation designed to sell these or are they purely for personal and sharing purposes?

And leading on from that, if it is a commercial operation, how do they direct potential customers to their site? Do they advertise in the media or just hope that a search engine will pick them up?

I personally advertise nationally in a magazine that has a pretty international readership that I find very cost effective. The American market particularly is one of growth, to the extent that rather than shipping orders out which takes time, I get orders printed and shipped from within the USA which my brother, who lives there, supervises. European orders I have printed and ship from here.

American classic car magazines are a-plenty to advertise in, but finding the ones where the readers have the disposable income takes a bit of research. Their advertising rates are not cheap though!

Obviously, I have a full time day to day job but the photographic side, once set up, is very easy to administer.

[Zipster]

Hi guys, just joined your forums today!

Same thing over here, seems like everybody has their own web site but mostly just keep the interaction between friends.

Trying to get your business ranked on the search engines is an art form on it's own. I've seen books in the store devoted to the subject.

[Simpo Two]

Orson Freedman. That's a heck of a name - it makes you sound famous even if you aren't!

Think I'll change my name to Burl Thrinmann.

[Zipster]

One day maybe! My Dad was a fan of Orson Welles, hence the name. Could have been worse, could have called me Humphrey!

[Simpo Two]

Zipster said:

My Dad was a fan of Orson Welles, hence the name.

Did you know his real name was Orson Cart?

[CivicMan]

While you two engage in name calling, it's interesting I've had no reply to my original question!

Maybe I'll tag it onto another thread about websites.

[timtime]

I set my website up primarily to showcase my pictures. I plug new galleries mainly on forums that are allied to the gallery in question or via mailing groups.

I dont intentionally do it to sell pictures and any money that I get offered is put into my sponsorship kitty. I sponsor a motorcycle drag racing team and have also sponsored trophies at other meetings. I have never fancied racing but if I can give something back to those that do then to me I am doing my bit.

Where I have been approached by teams to supply pictures then I am quite happy to do this, all I would ask is for a plug where and when they are used. If it helps the team learn things as has been the case with some of my drag racing pictures or they can use them to promote the team then again the reward is that the teams are not cutting deeper into their racing funds and can invest those finances in to being the best they can on track. I have had offers of tickets in exchange for pictures etc and again is something I would consider but my main motivation is personal satisfaction and to help teams.

Hope that is the type of feedback you were looking to generate and if you have any comments of questions then please ask.

Tim

www.timtime.co.uk

Edited by timtime on Thursday 21st February 13:12