Should You Start Image Hosting?
When it comes to making money, Web hosts are always looking for the next best thing. With the popularity of places like Photobucket going up a lot of Web hosts are looking to start their own image hosting solution.
So should Web hosts get in this business? What are some good choices for image hosts that Web hosting clients could use? Here is the long and short of it.
If a Web host feels like they could manage the image hosting services, I see no reason for them not to do it. Even GoDaddy has gotten into the mix with their new Photo Filer service. Now sure, you might not be making money with new sign ups. With ads or some sort of membership service for people who use the service a lot - there could be lots of the green stuff to be made.
Here is a good article by the folks at TopHosts.com that explains the reasons why you might want to get into the image hosting business.
Now if you are a Web hosting client, or just some Joe off the street that wants to find a good picture hosting service, here are some of the best.
Pando.com
zShare.net
ImageThrust.com
Flickr.com
Have some others to share? Leave a comment and spread the word!
+ Check Out the Podcast This Was From! Listen to the Web Hosting Show, Episode 94!
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I’ve got to say that image hosting is a very tough business to be in. There are tons of competitors and so many offer a free service its rediculous. My website used to be free, but its very risky, as bandwidth typically costs more than ads will support, keep in mind that your image hosting pages are NOT clickfests, people upload, grab link and go. If you’re interested take a look at applepics, small, pay only and successful.
The short answer is no, you shouldn’t. The space is severely croweded and unless you can bring something new to the table you shouldn’t even bother.
Ross
- http://www.thehostguru.com
Hello
I just started my own image hosting which is called : MyOwnPic.com . Its going good so far, and more and more visitors come everyday.
I think going into the image hosting business is still possible