online ordering - good idea or waste of time?

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Archive 2008 · online ordering - good idea or waste of time?

agila
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p.1 #1 · online ordering - good idea or waste of time?

Since almost everyone attending a wedding have their own digital camera, Im thinking if online ordering is still a good source of additional income or just a waste of time. I tried it in my first few weddings and I gave up because I barely got an order and It took so much time to upload and sort out the photos. My pictures and pricing are not bad at all...

Am I missing something? For those who are still doing it, are you getting a lot and how much is the average orders per wedding? I appreciate your feedback and tips on getting it right.

Thanks

Oct 10, 2008 at 03:22 PM

letenele
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p.1 #2 · online ordering - good idea or waste of time?

I don't get many orders per wedding but I get TONS of views from people who were at the wedding - which means referrals and awareness.

Oct 10, 2008 at 04:52 PM

unforged
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p.1 #3 · online ordering - good idea or waste of time?

Me, too. I may go three weddings without any orders. But then I will have one wedding where they order quite a few prints.

Basically, I make enough to pay for my hosting on Smugmug plus a little extra.

Plus, as letenele mentioned, it's GREAT for getting my name out there. I have lots of views for every single wedding, and the couples appreciate it a lot.

Besides, I switched from printed proofs to online proofs so I save quite a bit by putting all images up there rather than giving them a copy of everything. I market it as a benefit to them- they can share images with family and friends. Their family can order their own prints which will save the B&G money and hassle. I have a lot of the bridal party and friends order prints, too.

Oct 10, 2008 at 05:13 PM

Lucky_Dog
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p.1 #4 · online ordering - good idea or waste of time?

If you give away a disk, how do you expect to sell prints?

I use online proofing primarily for the bride to pick album photos and to fulfill print credits -- I know there aren't going to be many print sales. The profit from lost print sales has been built into the package price.

Oct 10, 2008 at 05:40 PM

scott shoemake
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p.1 #5 · online ordering - good idea or waste of time?

You'll get a few orders form it and it will pay for itself. It doesn't take long, just drag and drop then go to bed while it loads. It also (some of the hosting companies) acts as an additional backup.

Oct 10, 2008 at 06:00 PM

asimsoofi
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p.1 #6 · online ordering - good idea or waste of time?

Basic marketing.

Leave cards which indicate your online proofing area and a password in a location accessible to all guests. Tables, chairs, etc.

These cards can also call to action for them to email you to be included on a notification when the proofs are ready for viewing/ordering.

There are multiple services online that do this for you, as well carts you can purchase to help you do this.

How much money you make is directly related to how you market your business and services.

Good luck.

/asim

Oct 10, 2008 at 06:05 PM

mcarr
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p.1 #7 · online ordering - good idea or waste of time?

Web exposure. Gives you another site to link to your main site, and yet another thing for prospective customers to view and browse. I use instaproofs which is free, they just take a 15% commission on sales, so I built that into the price.

Oct 10, 2008 at 06:19 PM

MarianneDoidge
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p.1 #8 · online ordering - good idea or waste of time?

asimsoofi wrote:

These cards can also call to action for them to email you to be included on a notification when the proofs are ready for viewing/ordering.

Thanks for the idea.

-M

Oct 11, 2008 at 01:40 AM

nikongirl
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p.1 #9 · online ordering - good idea or waste of time?

I use Smugmug - $150 for a year - in 3 months I have cleared $600 - these are all print orders that I would have otherwise not have gotten!
I give each bride 100 table cards - I order from zazzle.com - LOVE them - they are small, distinctive and come in the coolest boxes of 20 Here are two o fmy latest - I did these in "Pearl" finish - the camera picked up on the bit of texture. These cost me about $23 for each wedding. The brides love them and it's great advertising. Also the set up is quick b/c you can save your designs online - so I just have to change the colors and text and/or add a pic.

This image is copyrighted by the owner

MarianneDoidge wrote:
asimsoofi wrote:

These cards can also call to action for them to email you to be included on a notification when the proofs are ready for viewing/ordering.

Thanks for the idea.

-M

Oct 11, 2008 at 01:35 PM

ChrisDM
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p.1 #10 · online ordering - good idea or waste of time?

I get $200-$400 in print orders per wedding, because collages.net markets the photos to the wedding guests. I just upload the photos, enter the guest email addresses, and watch the money come in!

Chris M
www.imagineimagery.com

Oct 11, 2008 at 03:03 PM

ChrisDM
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p.1 #11 · online ordering - good idea or waste of time?

Lucky_Dog wrote:
If you give away a disk, how do you expect to sell prints?

First off, I don't "give away" the disk, it is paid for. And website reprints come from out of town guests and family members etc, not the couple. Mothers and grandmothers etc, and brides, LOVE that family members don't have to bother the bride for copies of the wedding photos.

Chris M
www.imagineimagery.com

Oct 11, 2008 at 03:06 PM

Kiron Kid
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p.1 #12 · online ordering - good idea or waste of time?

Definitely not a waste of time or materials. It works for us.

Kiron Kid

Oct 11, 2008 at 03:09 PM

Lucky_Dog
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p.1 #13 · online ordering - good idea or waste of time?

ChrisDM wrote:
Lucky_Dog wrote:
If you give away a disk, how do you expect to sell prints?

First off, I don't "give away" the disk, it is paid for. And website reprints come from out of town guests and family members etc, not the couple. Mothers and grandmothers etc, and brides, LOVE that family members don't have to bother the bride for copies of the wedding photos.

Chris M
www.imagineimagery.com

Why do you assume that I'm talking to you? If you read my entire post, you would have noticed that I said the very thing that you countered with.

Oct 11, 2008 at 04:51 PM

ChrisDM
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p.1 #14 · online ordering - good idea or waste of time?

Lucky_Dog wrote:
ChrisDM wrote:
Lucky_Dog wrote:
If you give away a disk, how do you expect to sell prints?

First off, I don't "give away" the disk, it is paid for. And website reprints come from out of town guests and family members etc, not the couple. Mothers and grandmothers etc, and brides, LOVE that family members don't have to bother the bride for copies of the wedding photos.

Chris M
www.imagineimagery.com

Why do you assume that I'm talking to you? If you read my entire post, you would have noticed that I said the very thing that you countered with.

I apologize, I assumed this was an open discussion

Chris M
www.imagineimagery.com

Oct 11, 2008 at 06:13 PM

agila
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p.1 #15 · online ordering - good idea or waste of time?

nikongirl wrote:
I use Smugmug - $150 for a year - in 3 months I have cleared $600 - these are all print orders that I would have otherwise not have gotten!
I give each bride 100 table cards - I order from zazzle.com - LOVE them - they are small, distinctive and come in the coolest boxes of 20 Here are two o fmy latest - I did these in "Pearl" finish - the camera picked up on the bit of texture. These cost me about $23 for each wedding. The brides love them and it's great advertising. Also the set up is quick b/c you can save your designs online - so I just have to change the colors and text and/or add a pic.

im thinking of the business card idea too but nikongirl's table cards are cute. Thanks

Oct 11, 2008 at 06:21 PM

gillyohan
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p.1 #16 · online ordering - good idea or waste of time?

I use instaproofs, which doesn't take much time to upload to. I also get to use a lab of my choice.

I also don't give out the password and link to anyone other than the clients. It is up to them to give the info out to whomever they wish. Some weddings get me a lot of sales, others none at all. Either way, I don't lose any money out of pocket.

Oct 11, 2008 at 06:49 PM

agila
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p.1 #17 · online ordering - good idea or waste of time?

gillyohan wrote:
I use instaproofs, which doesn't take much time to upload to. I also get to use a lab of my choice.

I also don't give out the password and link to anyone other than the clients. It is up to them to give the info out to whomever they wish. Some weddings get me a lot of sales, others none at all. Either way, I don't lose any money out of pocket.
thanks for instaproofs, looks like a great option. unlimited free upload. other company have a yearly membership and they still get a percentage of your sales.
btw, how do you get your checks/bills from instaproof? is it per order, monthly, quarterly or yearly?

Oct 11, 2008 at 07:10 PM

Lucky_Dog
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p.1 #18 · online ordering - good idea or waste of time?

ChrisDM wrote:
Lucky_Dog wrote:
ChrisDM wrote:
Lucky_Dog wrote:
If you give away a disk, how do you expect to sell prints?

First off, I don't "give away" the disk, it is paid for. And website reprints come from out of town guests and family members etc, not the couple. Mothers and grandmothers etc, and brides, LOVE that family members don't have to bother the bride for copies of the wedding photos.

Chris M
www.imagineimagery.com

Why do you assume that I'm talking to you? If you read my entire post, you would have noticed that I said the very thing that you countered with.

I apologize, I assumed this was an open discussion

Oct 11, 2008 at 09:25 PM

Lucky_Dog
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p.1 #19 · online ordering - good idea or waste of time?

agila wrote:
gillyohan wrote:
I use instaproofs, which doesn't take much time to upload to. I also get to use a lab of my choice.

I also don't give out the password and link to anyone other than the clients. It is up to them to give the info out to whomever they wish. Some weddings get me a lot of sales, others none at all. Either way, I don't lose any money out of pocket.
thanks for instaproofs, looks like a great option. unlimited free upload. other company have a yearly membership and they still get a percentage of your sales.
btw, how do you get your checks/bills from instaproof? is it per order, monthly, quarterly or yearly?

Twice a month on accounts over $50. They'll send a check, direct deposit, or paypal the money to you.

Oct 11, 2008 at 09:26 PM

ChrisDM
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p.1 #20 · online ordering - good idea or waste of time?

Lucky_Dog wrote:
ChrisDM wrote:
Lucky_Dog wrote:
ChrisDM wrote:
Lucky_Dog wrote:
If you give away a disk, how do you expect to sell prints?

First off, I don't "give away" the disk, it is paid for. And website reprints come from out of town guests and family members etc, not the couple. Mothers and grandmothers etc, and brides, LOVE that family members don't have to bother the bride for copies of the wedding photos.

Chris M
www.imagineimagery.com

Why do you assume that I'm talking to you? If you read my entire post, you would have noticed that I said the very thing that you countered with.

I apologize, I assumed this was an open discussion

Chris M
www.imagineimagery.com

Of course it’s an open discussion but you quoted me and answered as if I had insulted you. I know that folks generally factor in the potential profit from print sales when they decide to provide a DVD – I certainly do. But the OP poster is asking if online proofing/ordering is just a waste of time. My comments were merely to point out that if you provide a disk with your packages, that it may impact print sales.

See my point?

Yes, I did see your point, and my counterpoint was that print sales are to family members and friends, not to the couple you sell the disc to. You asked, "How do you expect to sell prints if you give away the disk?" And I answered, apparently out of turn...

Oct 12, 2008 at 01:30 AM

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