iStockPhoto: Review

Today we'll be reviewing iStockphoto, another one of the big players in the Microstock business. Find out why millions of people love this site and why it could help you to even monetize your video and audio files!

Website
iStockphoto.com

Support
Phone support: 1 866 478 6251
International Toll-Free: 00 800 6664 6664


Business Model
iStockphoto works on a system of micro-payments, which allow you to purchase images in quantity. Images cost between 1 to 20 credits per download, depending on the file type and image size.
Credits are $1.30 each, and a minimum purchase of $13 is required. Substantial discounts are offered for quantity purchases.' (Source: iStockphoto)
As you can see, iStockphoto not only offers the 'usual' photos and vector graphics/illustrations, but also lets you upload flash files, videos and also audio.
This makes iStockphoto the most 'complete' agency in the Microstock market today!

$$$ per download/ Subscription
Buyers need to get some credits first, then you get 20% of the price, or even up to 40% if your media is exclusively to iStockphoto.
Media types
Images/Vectors/Flash/Video/Audio
FTP Access
No, but they offer some software(deepmeta) to get the job done
ITPC usage
Yes
Approval Procedure
Upload three pictures, get them approved, that's it. If you fail the first few times just try out our tips and tricks or discuss your images in the Microstock Secrets Flickr group.
Ease of use
Since iStockphoto offers not only photos but audio, video, vector and flash files, one could get the impression that it must be hard to use. But in reality the opposite is the case. They do not only have a very well structured website, but also offer some niece pieces of software to help you uploading and managing photos. For Mac users there are really nice plug-ins for iPhoto and Aperture, which really do a great job.
Generally the ease of use is very high a iStockphoto, real problems shouldn't arise in everyday usage.
Chance of being granted as a contributor
Very high! You find out quickly that it's fairly easy to get your approval.
Chance of selling your media
iStockphoto definitely sells. Most important fact about selling your media is to have really high quality media, bundled with a nice bunch of tags describing your image/video etc. very detailed. It might take some time until you sell your first image, but after you've built a nice little Portfolio you'll be amazed how well iStockphoto performs.
Chance of survival
iStockphoto was the first company in the market, having extended their possibilities of selling your media constantly. They won't go down, especially since Getty Images bought the company.
Notes



 •You can sell all your media on one site
 •Attractive extended licenses available
 •Very fast approval process
 •Very useful software
 •Quite sensitive regarding recognizable faces


 Verdict
iStockphoto constantly evolves. The enable you to sell all your media on one site and since they are owned by Getty now, they are a strong partner for your Microstock future. Considering the high ease of use, the fast approval process and the high quality of the media sold by them, they are a great Microstock site.
Register today at iStockphoto and start selling your media!