Safely Offering Downloadble Files

by Azarna
16 replies
I would like to pick your brains, if I may, knowing how many people here do this sort of thing, so surely someone will be able to help solve my dilemma.

I sell digital images via a marketplace type site. At the moment I am emailing the files to my customers. I don't like to have more than 10mb attached to an email, because I believe some people's email clients dislike that.

So at the moment a single set of textures can require between 1 and 6 emails/attachments to send.

Many customers buy more than one pack at once (I have bundle offers for 4 or 5 packs). And I get multiple orders in a day. Most of my orders occur during the night (as from American market, I am in the UK) so I wake up to them. And want to get them to the customers as fast as possible, of course.

I have an idea of how to improve this, but I am not sure if is a good one, or even safe to do.

I could upload all my graphics files to my webhost, and give them random, non-sequential names. I keep a master list of which name is which.

When a customer orders, I send them a single email with hyperlinks to the relevant files.

Every so often I change the names of big selling files, just in case.

I obviously don't want a customer to be able to access all the graphics, but also don't want to make them have to work hard to get the ones they have legitimately bought from me.

I would appreciate your thoughts on this, and if you have other, better solutions, I would be very interested to hear them. Thank you.
#downloadble #files #offering #safely
  • Profile picture of the author Shaun OReilly
    Bloody hell - you're doing it the HARD way.

    You'd be better off having a shopping cart and download
    protection system that will AUTOMATICALLY process the
    payment, instantly deliver the files and protect them too.

    I use a system called Rapid Action Profits for my shopping
    cart, download protection, etc.

    It processes the payments 24/7 and all of my files are
    protected in non-web accessible folders so they can
    NEVER be indexed by Google or used by non-customers.

    However, if you have a much larger catalog of image files
    to sell, then there's likely a more tailored shopping cart
    solution out there for you.

    Maybe Shopify?

    Art & Photography Ecommerce Templates & Online Store Template Examples — Shopify (no affil.)

    Here's an example of an artist selling their prints using
    Shopify as their shopping cart:

    Tim Bulmer | Humorous Cartoons for all occasions signed by Tim Bulmer, Artist — Giclée Prints (no affil.)

    But DON'T continue processing the orders manually in the
    age of the Internet.

    Dedicated to mutual success,

    Shaun
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  • Profile picture of the author Azarna
    I don't want a shopping cart system, because I am selling them through a marketplace site - that has its own system, but doesn't offer downloadable files.

    If I thought my own site could generate as much traffic I would do it myself, hehe, but I am getting sales this way, so want to carry on.

    So it not the shopping cart that I need - just how to store and deliver files easily.

    Since I posted, my hosting site hasjust informed me I 'may not use my account as a file repository', grr, not sure why I have masses of flipping space then, I assumed they gave me server space that I could actually put things on, heh.

    I feel sure there has to be a simple way to store files and send encrypted links or something.
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    • Profile picture of the author Shaun OReilly
      Originally Posted by Azarna View Post

      I don't want a shopping cart system, because I am selling them through a marketplace site - that has its own system, but doesn't offer downloadable files.
      Oh - I see.

      Does the marketplace have an API or do they suggest
      any way of seamlessly integrating with a download
      protection system?

      If not...

      If you still want to process the orders manually but
      still protect your images and download files, then you
      could use a solution like DLGuard:

      DLGuard - Download page protector, create expiring download links (no affil.)

      That system would allow you to manually enter the
      details of a new customer, what they've bought and
      then it would automatically e-mail them the link to
      download their bundle.

      Originally Posted by Azarna View Post

      Since I posted, my hosting site hasjust informed me I 'may not use my account as a file repository', grr, not sure why I have masses of flipping space then, I assumed they gave me server space that I could actually put things on, heh.

      I feel sure there has to be a simple way to store files and send encrypted links or something.
      Your host is probably more concerned about how much
      bandwidth and resources you're using rather than the
      diskspace.

      You could change your host or use an alternative storage
      system such as Amazon S3.

      Dedicated to mutual success,

      Shaun
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  • Profile picture of the author Azarna
    Thank you Shaun, that is the sort of thing I meant.

    Digital downloads are only a tiny part of the marketplace site, so they have no provision at all for it, merchants have to arrange supplying purchases themselves - no automation, heh.

    In the future I would like to sell directly from my own site (instead or/as well) and will then have a direct download system in place. But my hands are rather tied at the moment, and I do like the fact this sales platform is bringing me sales :-)

    GoDaddy (my host) have offered me a file hosting option, but I am going to check around first to ensure that is the best option. I have masses of space with GoDaddy, my files would not dent it, heh. Plus unlimited bandwidth. So seems a bit mean of them to make me pay twice. oh well.

    Thank you again
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    • Profile picture of the author TheArticlePros
      Originally Posted by Azarna View Post

      GoDaddy (my host) have offered me a file hosting option, but I am going to check around first to ensure that is the best option. I have masses of space with GoDaddy, my files would not dent it, heh. Plus unlimited bandwidth. So seems a bit mean of them to make me pay twice. oh well.

      Thank you again
      Cha-ching...there's the problem! I'm just getting into virtual products, so I don't have as many answers as Shaun did, but you may want to look into better hosts (HostGator, BlueHost). I'd also look into the Amazon AWS like he said as that's what most people use for massive amounts of file storage and bandwidth.

      -- j
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      Posting About Life & Video Games:
      http://www.jarycu.com

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  • Profile picture of the author Istvan Horvath
    There is no such thing as "unlimited disk space" or "unlimited bandwidth". That's a big fat lie.

    And GD is one of the worst hosts possible... Consider running away from them

    As for the marketplace and download: if they are a marketplace - then they are using some kind of payment processor/platform. Normally, there should be a way to connect your "download protector script" with their payment processor.
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  • Profile picture of the author Azarna
    I have only just joined GoDaddy - after spending ages reading reviews etc. I am not an expert, just a normal person. I went with the site that had the most positive reviews, biggest customer base and numerous recommendations - including from Warriors.

    And I have already said, twice, that the marketplace has no download facilities.

    Istvan, why have you taken time to post something that seems to have no other use but to belittle me?

    I am not an expert on this sort of thing, I am trying hard to learn what I need to know. This is why I came here and (politely, I hope) asked for a bit of advice. I have spent long enough on these forums to know that there are some very knowledgable and good people here.

    I am trying my best to get my business going, despite serious illness. Every little step is a big victory for me. I have just had to rebuild my websites to move from Homestead to GoDaddy, set up a WordPress Blog and now I want to improve this aspect.

    Thank you Shaun for some positive and kind assistance.

    But if people out there want to get some sort of strange kick from telling me my choice of host is wrong, or that when I say a simple fact like 'my marketplace has no download provisions' then I am wrong because "normally there should be", well that hurts and knocks me back.
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    • Profile picture of the author TheArticlePros
      Originally Posted by Azarna View Post

      I am not an expert on this sort of thing, I am trying hard to learn what I need to know. This is why I came here and (politely, I hope) asked for a bit of advice. I have spent long enough on these forums to know that there are some very knowledgable and good people here.
      You were very polite. I've been up too late the last 3-4 nights working on orders and building sites, so I'm a little sleep-deprived. I started answering your question while ago and didn't realize I didn't type everything I'd meant to type.

      My apologies to you, ma'am.

      I did a little Google homework and came across this article from Aug 2011:

      15 Cloud Storage Sites | Practical eCommerce

      It lists 15 different cloud storage sites that you might be able to use. Off of the list, the only one that I've actually used is Dropbox.com. You can send links to your files out from Dropbox so that a user can download the products after payment. I've seen Fiverr merchants do that before.

      Again, all apologies for the complete lack of help I gave in my last post. I hope that this one's a little more helpful.

      -- j
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      Posting About Life & Video Games:
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  • Profile picture of the author Brian Snipes
    Look at payloadz.com and see if that might help you.
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  • Profile picture of the author Istvan Horvath
    Azarna, I do not have time and inclination to deal with your sensitivities...

    GD is a marketing/selling machine and goes like a steamroller: everybody gets "flat" if in their way. We all (almost all) paid our lessons.

    What I was trying to do: not to belittle anybody - but to save your butt from the pain that will be there if you stay with a bad host. You should be grateful, for starters.

    Next, I didn't even mention "downloading provisions" of your marketplace. Unlike many others I do read threads before replying.

    What I was asking (and you don't have to answer) was this: what payment processor were they using. For example, if it was Paypal, then there should be a way to use their 'interface' (to make it simple) to send your buyers to a secure and protected download page on your own site/host after they paid for your product.

    Believe me, there was a reason I was asking exactly that specific question: I had in mind a possible solution but I needed to know that small detail.

    Now, instead of simply answering my question you chose to rant and argue... in which case I am not able to help you.

    Good luck!
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  • Profile picture of the author Azarna
    Thank you very much indeed, JaRyCu. And you have nothing at all to apologise for.

    I can not change hosts, I have paid for that one and I am not a big business, just one person with a very small one. I can't afford to move again, simple as that.

    I am sorry if I sounded 'ranty'. It is very upsetting to make what you honestly believe is a good move - and I really did spend a LONG time researching it. Then people keep saying I should move. As if I even have that choice. I can't move for a year, I can't afford to. Simple as that. Pathetic though it might be.

    And now I am doubting myself again. I shouldn't do this stuff
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    • Profile picture of the author Shaun OReilly
      Originally Posted by Azarna View Post

      And now I am doubting myself again. I shouldn't do this stuff
      Please don't doubt yourself too much Deborah.

      Believe it or not, you are further ahead than the vast
      majority of 'Internet Marketers' out there.

      Why?

      You've taken action and have actually got some RESULTS.

      Hey - you're even earning money online.

      Most people don't even get to that step.

      All you need to do now, is to work out how to sort out
      the Internet 'plumbing' to get it to work better for you.

      Plus, at least you're smart enough to ask for help too.

      Good luck.

      Dedicated to mutual success,

      Shaun
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    • Profile picture of the author sandalwood
      Originally Posted by Azarna View Post

      Thank you very much indeed, JaRyCu. And you have nothing at all to apologise for.

      I can not change hosts, I have paid for that one and I am not a big business, just one person with a very small one. I can't afford to move again, simple as that.

      I am sorry if I sounded 'ranty'. It is very upsetting to make what you honestly believe is a good move - and I really did spend a LONG time researching it. Then people keep saying I should move. As if I even have that choice. I can't move for a year, I can't afford to. Simple as that. Pathetic though it might be.

      And now I am doubting myself again. I shouldn't do this stuff
      Deborah,

      First, congratulations on taking action. That is more than most people do.

      Now, It would seem to me if you are in the middle of England you are in a nice place to sit back, relax and listen to the advice. You do not have to act on it. The gentleman who told you godaddy is a piece of crap was telling you the absolute truth. You may want to seriously consider changing.

      You said, "As if I even have that choice. I can't move for a year, I can't afford to. Simple as that. Pathetic though it might be."

      Notice what I emphasized. I emphasized it because it is absolutely not true. You are in control and you do have the choice.

      Your choice is simple: pay pennies now or pounds later. The only one who thinks it is pathetic is you. None of us think that way.

      It is that easy. Take it from a guy who found out the hard way.

      I normally don't get involved in these types of threads but you seem like a nice person who needs a little boost. Take greater control of yourself, your site, your business and you will have a nice revenue stream.

      Good luck and keep smiling.

      Tom
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  • Profile picture of the author Chris Thompson
    How many different product variations do you have?

    Try this tutorial?
    outsourcefactor.com/digitaldownloads
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  • Profile picture of the author Chris Thompson
    Deborah, now having read the thread in more depth, there are a few questions that are still unanswered. Namely, now are your customers actually paying you.

    It's an important question. We need to understand the exact chain of "things" that happen in the purchase of your products, from your customers visiting some sort of sales page to you sending them an email with the digital files.

    Describe the process. We'll help you figure out how to automate it. Then you'll feel amazing for accomplishing it.

    GoDaddy may or MAY NOT be related to any problem in achieving this. Let's not assume they are (yet).
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  • Profile picture of the author dogstar
    Deborah,
    don't give up...as others have said, YOU my dear are way ahead of probably 90% of the folks on this site cause you are making money online! Keep doing it and don't pay attention to any one response you might get that upsets you. Take ALL the answers you get and consider them together and judge, by your own common sense and experience, which parts of which answers make the most sense to you. Some people come off as super great folks but have answers that won't help, while others may seem abrupt and non-helpful due to their tone but can supply you with gold. Stick with it and remember, you already are succeeding, many here are ready and willing to help you go further!
    best of luck to you!
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