Is there room for one more...

richardh · #1 (**permalink**) 06-25-2007, 11:19 PM

I know what most of you are going to say, but I'm going to ask the question anyway. Is there room for one more micro stock site?

As a frustrated photographer who is fed up of the faceless micro stock sites out there and the unfriendly interfaces they have, I decided to search around for a new and friendly stock site out there, even if they are small and just starting up. Thats when I came across Raw-Stock-Images after hearing about the site and the friendly guy who was running it.

The site is outdated in design and a little hard to use, but it had lots of potential, and after emailing the guy running it with a list of improvements I could think of, I found out that he was looking for a partner. And thats how I got involved.

We eventually decided to completely re-design the website and re-brand it, taking along the existing members and their images.

The new site is ready to be launched on Saturday and is called Gecko Stock

It's been designed around the needs and requirements of the existing users as well as taking into consideration all of the things that annoy us about the other big micro stock sites out there.

I know that you're thinking "oh no....not another new stock site....it'll never last" but we're giving it a go and hope that you'll join us for the launch on Saturday evening and will at least take a look and see what you think. There are quite a few members on here who are members of our old site Raw Stock Images and I know that they are keen to see the new site. Hopefully they'll vouch for how friendly we are and how we are striving to create a great stock site which is focused at helping it's members grow and improve.

We have many plans for the future of the site and hope that you will help us realise these plans by taking the time to upload your images.

louoates · #2 (**permalink**) 06-26-2007, 03:30 AM

Speaking just for me I think that asking for images should be accompanied by some realistic ideas of how you are going to promote the site. I just uploaded 5 images to SnapVillage, the new Corbis venture. I'll be uploading several hundred more over the next month or so. I'll take the time to do so because I'm convinced their marketing will be dynamic, substantial, and sustainable.

I wish you well but you've got a tough field to go against. For now I'll be just watching from the sidelines.

helix7 · #3 (**permalink**) 06-26-2007, 03:33 AM

I have to give you credit for taking a shot at this and seeing what you can do with a new microstock site. Best of luck to you.

One thing you'll definitely have working against you is that your site is oddly similar to Fotolia, which lately hasn't been getting a very good reputation around here.

But hopefully the new site looks totally different. I'll check it out on Saturday.

RTimages · #4 (**permalink**) 06-26-2007, 07:34 AM

I had high hopes for RSi initially, but then some changes were made which totally lost my confidence in them. They are the first site where I started to remove my images.
I even recommended a well regarded friend to join, something which I feel embarrassed for now.
I wish you all the success in the new venture, but as mentioned above Corbis have just joined the game.

richardh · #5 (**permalink**) 06-26-2007, 08:43 AM

I understand that we've got a long hard slog ahead of us, especially with so many big names muscling in on the scene. However, the thing that got us started in developing a new stock site was the number of complaints we kept hearing, as well as making ourselves, about the big 5 micro stock sites out there.

As we're amateur photographers ourselves, we want to create a community which is both fun and profitable. We don't just want it to be another micro stock site that you hate uploading to and think of as a choir.

We welcome all comments you have on the new Gecko Stock site and if you think something should be changed, or something added then tell us and we'll do our best to make the changes. This is a micro stock site for you guys, the photographers.

As we're a new site, we're going to rely heavily on your patience and willingness to keep uploading your pictures even though sales will be slow at first. But please stick with us as I think you'll find us growing quicker than you think. :-D

Thats enough of the sales pitch for now. lol Check it out and enjoy.

Frame · #6 (**permalink**) 06-26-2007, 09:04 AM

I recently closed my a/c and deleted pics at Rawstock, but today logged into the new upcoming Gecko site to find my account still open and pics on view there.

My account was confirmed as closed by Rawstock. I have contacted them and hope this will be sorted.

richardh · #7 (**permalink**) 06-26-2007, 12:06 PM

The Gecko Stock website that you guys have been looking at is the one corrently under development, it shouldn't have been accessible to the open public until the launch on Saturday the 30th. It's not under lock and key again after we opened it up to a couple of beta testers.

My appologies Frame, you're account at RSI has been deleted, but Gecko Stock is using a test snapshot of data which is out of date. We've taken down the RSI site today so that we can copy across all of the up to date data and process it ready for the launch.

You'll find that Gecko Stock is a complete re-write, with the only thing in common with RSI being the loyal members who have stuck with RSI even though it never took off.

peolsen · #8 (**permalink**) 06-26-2007, 12:54 PM

So it'll look different from what we could see in your previous posted link? That interface looked tiresome and quirky (not in the good LO way). And don't get me started on the Forum;o)

Don't know if I can be bothered uploading to another site, but I wish you all the best!

Paul

Frame · #9 (**permalink**) 06-26-2007, 01:37 PM

Thanks Richard for efficently and speedily dealing with accont problem.

Wish you well.

Karimala · #10 (**permalink**) 06-26-2007, 07:23 PM

Curb appeal is everything, and you guys have done a great job making the site look like it's worth buying from. Much better than RSI.

Although...I just noticed that the cover photo has visible noise and artifacts. Sorry...that's just the reviewer in me coming out. ;-)