Many stock photographers are already seeking to market their images online direct to buyers. But many buyers shun the opportunity for better service and better prices by buying direct from photographers - they automatically head for one of the market behemoths (eg Getty or Corbis). Stock photographers online can increase their traffic and sales by the simple expedient of linking to each others' sites in a structured way.

Most stock photographers selling direct over the web rely on buyers knowing their web address to find their images. In doing this they miss out on new custom that can be generated:

• through referrals from other photographers, and
• through being ranked more prominently in the major search engines

Why do you link to other photographers - they are your competitors, aren't they?

In a crude analysis this is correct - but it is a narrow view. The real challenge to independent stock photographers is to woo customers away from the apparent convenience of Corbis and Getty.

Let's take an analogy of a computer buyer. Expert computer buyers generally go straight to specialists that they know and trust. These specialists are equivalent to the specialist stock photographer selling direct, who can offer a level of tailored service well beyond that of an online database. If they do not have what the buyer wants then they have nothing to lose and everything to gain by maintaining the confidence of the buyer by being helpful and explaining to the buyer where he or she can find what they are looking for.

We think that we will get more visitors if you can give them what they want - through being helpful in providing further direction for visitors who cannot find what they want at this site.

OK - I follow you so far - but you want something in return, don't you?

Essentially we'd like to exchange links - you are probably familiar with that - but at this end we will do it in a structured way, in a way that helps visitors to our site find the images that they want. Your link will appear here in a detailed subject index. We put you under the subject heading that appears the most relevant to us. We welcome you suggesting where you should be placed if you are not categorised correctly. You can also suggest further sub-categories in the description that accompanies the link.

We do ask that you link back to us.

Why do links improve search engine performance?

Many major search engines now place significant importance on the number of INWARD links that a site has in deciding the order in which pages appear on the screen as a result of searches. Put simply, the more inward links you have, the more highly you are likely to be regarded by the online community and therefore to preserve their reputation these search engines push you up their lists. This method of ranking sites is the biggest reason why Google is now by far the world's most popular search engine.

Further, if you are linked from a popular site woith a high 'page rank' that is relevant to your content, then that link is weighted rather more highly. Quite simply, we are relevant and we have high page rank so a link from us will be valuable to you.

OK, I'm with you again, what next?

Sign up to this initiative by sending an email to support@Photoconnect.net with your name and website address. Tell us what your stock specialisation is (be specific as possible).

Finally consider placing some images with us. Having more than one outlet on the web increases your exposure and quite simply increases your chances of achieving sales. This is particularly relevant if you do not yourself have a site that has a links page or your site is not search engine friendly. Read more here.