Thoughts on running an image host for eBay users.

[Odd Fact]

Alright I will get things started with the first post.

What do the FreeWHT users think about image hosting for eBay users?
What are the pros and cons?
Custom software or free scripts?

[KimmiKat]

Many people use Photobucket.com for their images, and a few friends used a special subdirectory on one of my domains when their image host went down a few months ago. They usually sent me the images and I ftp-ed them to the directory. Now a couple of them use Photobucket for the eBay stuff.

[JTY]

I think image hosting would be a cool service. I know many people would use such a service, as many of the mainstream ones are a little slow.

[domainwithfreehosting]

Yes I also want to know the pros and cons.
What are best scripts available?
Sorry for repeating your words Odd Fact.... But I'm really interested.

[maxhest]

There are Powertools in Ensim that let you do this. I am trying to fiddle with it and see if I can give it a go. I have been looking into this for a while, and myself and my technical team are doing more research.
Pros: You get a large market - like eBay. - You can do it cheaper than shared hosting -Very easy management
Cons: Bad Images(You know what I mean) and possibly some virues.

Otherwise, very solid.

[Odd Fact]

I would also like to hear about custom scripts. I have looked at most of the commercial scripts out. What features do users want. I started some coding about a year donlt know if I should go forward or not.

[Jamesc]

I know of a couple of image hosts that have a very nice moderation panel which allows the admin to delete unsuitable pictures. Image upload scipts seem to be coming along quite nicely now with user panels etc.

I know there are also a few paypal https imagehosts for company logos.

Jamesc

:ukflag:

[Roy]

Alright I will get things started with the first post.

What do the FreeWHT users think about image hosting for eBay users?
What are the pros and cons?
Custom software or free scripts?


I think its a great idea. I run two image hosts of my own, and the following pros and cons have been my experience.

Pros:
-Fun to run your own
-Revenue potential from Adsense ads

Cons:
-Can be costly and time consuming
-Lots of competition

I'd choose custom software. Or Free Scripts modified and customized to your needs.

[NickJ]

I am really interested in starting up a small image host for a forum that I am a regular of. Although, I would need a good, stable script that would allow only one registration per IP, or one upload per 24hrs. If you know what I mean..

[CMachuca]

I currently run a free image hosting website. It's not only aimed towards ebay users but to everyone as well.

As Roy mentioned, it is nice to have your own, feels good to know you're helping people and that they are happy using your (free) service :) Even though it is time consuming I think it's worth it.

As for the script, I'd suggest a custom made script. I'm thinking of developing yet another image hosting website but this time with a more complex custom script :)

Best of luck,
Carlos

[Jamesc]

I think it would be niec to see a imagehost that is free and has a user panel etc with a dedicated folder with all there photos in.

[LP-Trel]

Really the problem with providing an image hosting service for eBay hotlinking will be the amount of traffic eBay linked images will receive. You may be able to pull it off with an advertisement added to the bottom of each image uploaded though. Now that is an idea.. :D

[Jamesc]

A simple watermark on the image with the websites name would work well in this aspect.

[Odd Fact]

User panels are nice. Are there addon features that would be good? I am working on adding a online template builder, counter, and secure/https folder for paypal logos. Hotlinking is an idea to work on. Maybe adding code to watermark all uploaded images?

[Daniel]

Although my free image host is not completely aimed for ebay users, i had a few users link some images in ebay auction. All what i can say is that it ate up lots of bandwidth. I had to pay for 50 gb of extra bandwidth that month.

[Plead]

User panels are nice. Are there addon features that would be good? I am working on adding a online template builder, counter, and secure/https folder for paypal logos. Hotlinking is an idea to work on. Maybe adding code to watermark all uploaded images?
I think that you have to be very careful when creating the scripts for watermarking, resizing and reducing (etc.) as I heard it can get CPU intensive when doing lots at once, I could be wrong though.

[freerackspace.org]

I think its a good idea. Just be careful with people uploading porn or other rubbish, and have clear TOS and AUP. Maybe a small watermark with your URL would be good for business.

[monoxide]

Yeah i think it would be a good idea. Remember they will be wanting a lot of data traffic tho ;)

[freerackspace.org]

Yeah i think it would be a good idea. Remember they will be wanting a lot of data traffic tho ;)

you could just put a limit on how many times the image can be displayed. And if they dont like it they can pay extra, but i think that would kill a lot of business.

[Jan]

There are a heap of them already Search google for Auction image hosting.

http://www.boomspeed.com/ is probably the first one I heard of.

Edit: Hmmmmm looks like they have gone to a paying service now, but the free trial might be fine for a one off still.

[freerackspace.org]

im getting into this sort of service now, starting one very soon.

Offtopic: I have more posts than both Jan, Dennis and The Dude....what a strange feeling i've got :D

[Jan]

*sings "you've got that spamming feeling"

[freerackspace.org]

*sings "you've got that spamming feeling"

oh come on now....my posts are of the upmost quality :D