How to Sell Stock Photos on WordPress (In Four Steps)

Oct 20, 2022

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Do you want to transform your passion to take pictures into a lucrative company? Think that it's not possible?

In this article we'll discuss the advantages of selling photos online. Then, we'll guide you on the steps to take using a few simple instruments. So, let's get to it!

The tools you'll need

Before you start, you might be wondering what digital tools you'll need to be fully equipped to create your new stock photo business. You might be shocked by how few there are:

  1.   WordPress
  2.   Photo Gallery

WordPress and will serve as the foundation of your site. After that, with the Photo Gallery plugin, you'll be able to create an image gallery of your items:

The Benefits of Selling Stock Images Online

There are numerous benefitsto beginning a stock photography business using WordPress. They include:

  • Wide global viewers Selling photos online means no geographical limits and you are able to promote your work across the globe.
  • Make money by yourself Profiting from your art may mean that you don't have to work 9-5 for a second time.
  • Creative freedom If you are a self-employed photographer there are no assignments to complete or criteria to meet. Also, because WordPress is a non-hosted platform it isn't necessary to be concerned about being de-platformed for accidentally missing some guideline on the tiny-print. It gives you the freedom to experiment.
  • Passive/recurring income Selling your photos in the form of stock photos opens up the possibility to earn a an income that is passive later on.

The world can be saved from the "stock photo look"

We all recognize that ultra-cheesy style that gives your material the appearance of an fake and cheap look. This is why many businesses need original, better-quality pictures to stand out from the crowd.

That's why having a boutique stock photo service is a great way to earn extra money.

Plus, as a smaller company, you'll have more leg room to make your subscription prices less expensive and more affordable.

How to sell stock photos using WordPress (In 4 Steps)

If you're aware of the benefits of selling your photos in stock we'll look at the ways you can do it.

For starting out, you'll need a WordPress site, plus photos of your own images. Let's get started!

Step 1: Build an online membership site

The initial step in establishing your company is to create a membership website. This is typically the best method because it is the most common in the world of selling stock photos.

If you've established your WordPress site, all you need now is an application to make money from your website's content.

  • As one-off purchases AND
  • Through packages and subscription plans

It's possible to do this all from one location.

Once you've successfully installed and activated our plugin, follow this quick guide:

WATCH >> IN 5 MINUTEs

This guide will provide you with a an overview of how a stock photo website will work. The tutorial will also provide more specifics about the key actions in the following sections.

Step 2: Create a Subscription Plan

After you've built your membership website and you've created a membership site, you need to develop a subscription plan. It will give you a designated space on your website where customers can pay for your artwork.

To start, navigate to > Subscriptions in your dashboard.

Simply click Add New. You will be taken to a page that allows you to create a new subscription:

You are able to modify various elements of your account, such as the user, sub-totaland tax amounts.

In addition, you are able to pick the payment status, select the payment gateway as well as offer a trial session to customers:

This way, you can allow members to access an exclusive gallery that contains an amount of pictures. However, first we'll need to make these galleries!

It's now time to upload your photos to your website. To do this, first install and then activate this Photo Gallery plugin.

Next, navigate to the Rules section on the WordPress Dashboard:

Then, click Add New. It will bring you to the page on which you are able to add an additional rule. Within the Content and Access section, you'll find a dropdown menu. It's located under the heading "Protected Content":

If you click on the menu above, you'll get the gallery rules options:

These will allow you to safeguard galleries, based on which option you select.

If, for instance, you pick All Galleries, you'll protect all galleries that are added using this plugin. Photo Gallery plugin.

Next, open Photo Gallery within your dashboard:

Click here to "Add new gallery" to the right on the screen. The first step is to add a title as well as a preview image

Click Add Photos to upload photos on your personal computer. After you've uploaded your photo, you can edit the title, description and alt the text:

Be sure to click publish when you're done.

You also have the option to add an existing gallery group. To do so, navigate to Gallery Groups under Photo Gallery:

Then, click on to add a New Group. You can include a group name and preview image.

After that, pick the galleries that you wish to add to your group. You can do this by going to the galleries and gallery groups section.

Once you're done, hit Publish.

WATCH >> PROTECTING YOUR SITE'S CONTENT: HOW TO USE RULES

You can now embed a gallery gallery group onto a page or blog post. It will however not be secured. Meaning, all users can access the pictures it holds.

Next, click the three dots in the vertical direction to select where you would like to insert the protected content:

Next search for the Photo Gallery block and insert it:

This will open a page that lets you select which gallery to add, as well as your preferred format:

Now you have access to a photo gallery that only registered members have access to:

If you want to see the features your users can use, hit preview to access the front end of your website:

If you're satisfied with the results You can then make the website public. All that's left is to promote your new stock photo website!

Tips and Tools for Promoting Your Website

The blog has all kinds of excellent resources to help your journey in the development of your online business. Below are a few suggestions tips to help you get started:

Conclusion

If you're a photographer one of the easiest ways to make money is selling your work as stock images. This way, you can pursue your passions and make a steady revenue at the same time.

In case you're wondering the basics, you can make money selling stock images using WordPress in four simple steps:

  1. Develop one (or several) subscription plans for your customers.
  2. Upload your photo gallery with this plugin. photo Gallery extension plugin.
  3. You can restrict the access of your gallery so that only paid subscribers are able to see it.
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Are You Ready to Begin Your Start Your Stock Image Business Right Now?

Take action today, and see your income recurring climb to the skies in no time.

Are you having any concerns regarding how you can sell images you have taken online? Contact us via the comment section down below!