We're aware that dates on the forum are not currently showing correctly, and that mobile users may see some extra spacing between threads. Please bear with us while we get this fixed.
We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum. This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
We're aware that dates on the Forum are not currently showing correctly, and that mobile users may see some extra spacing between threads. Please bear with us while we get this fixed, and see Site Feedback for updates.

Need to build a website with the ability for visitors to upload images to it...

icebergx
icebergx Posts: 688 Forumite
edited 7 January 2015 pm31 3:22PM in Techie Stuff
Hi all,

I'm in the process of starting my own promotional model agency, supplying models/promotion people to brands for sampling, etc. but I need some advice on creating the website.

99 % of the site will be pretty standard. i.e. information providing to potential clients and models, case studies, etc.
The only part that is slightly more complicated is that we'd like to give potential models the option to upload picture to us, so we can assess their suitability for us/our clients. We don't want the images to automatically be uploaded onto the site, we just want them sent through to us, for consideration.
Anyone know how this can be done?

I'm a bit of a novice at building websites, but I am quite technically minded so is it better to start off with a reproduced template or design it myself, from scratch?

Thanks in advance for your help.
«1

Comments

  • bod1467
    bod1467 Posts: 15,214 Forumite
    You might be better off just using Wordpress or similar and tweaking the style to suit.

    Enabling an image upload feature requires that the host server allows a scripting language to run (e.g. PHP, .NET etc.), and the scripting is coded to retrieve the image via a web form and store it in the relevant location on the server.

    But there's more to it than just this ... What about security controls to prevent viruses being uploaded? What about access control (login system) to restrict who can upload? What about database management to track who has uploaded what image? And I could go on ....
  • icebergx
    icebergx Posts: 688 Forumite
    bod1467 wrote: »
    You might be better off just using Wordpress or similar and tweaking the style to suit.

    Enabling an image upload feature requires that the host server allows a scripting language to run (e.g. PHP, .NET etc.), and the scripting is coded to retrieve the image via a web form and store it in the relevant location on the server.

    But there's more to it than just this ... What about security controls to prevent viruses being uploaded? What about access control (login system) to restrict who can upload? What about database management to track who has uploaded what image? And I could go on ....

    Well, the upload feature should be available to all visitors but the other points you mentioned are very valid.
    Could you advise me on where the best starting point should be, or where I can obtain this information?

    Thanks.
  • The security and technical side is important. If you offer an upload facility there is always a risk that it can be hacked to allow someone to upload code and effectively take control of your server. Some things to consider:

    - Make people sign up first so that they can only upload from a secure section of the website.
    - Ensure that uploads are restricted to only certain file types (.jpg for example)
    - Most upload scripts have size limits that would only allow for around 5mb per file (RAW image files as used in professional photography may be 20mb+)

    If you are a novice then I would seek external help via a site such as e-lance where you can find independent web designers who can advise and develop this for you. Wordpress is not a bad choice as it can be feature rich and easy to manage.
  • Jim431
    Jim431 Posts: 138 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    Wots wrong with an email link. Just add the photos to the email as an attachment.

    eg: [EMAIL="jim@yahoo.com"]jim@yahoo.com[/EMAIL]

    or [EMAIL="jim@yahoo.com"]Jim[/EMAIL]
  • icebergx
    icebergx Posts: 688 Forumite
    edited 7 January 2015 pm31 4:14PM
    The security and technical side is important. If you offer an upload facility there is always a risk that it can be hacked to allow someone to upload code and effectively take control of your server. Some things to consider:

    - Make people sign up first so that they can only upload from a secure section of the website.
    - Ensure that uploads are restricted to only certain file types (.jpg for example)
    - Most upload scripts have size limits that would only allow for around 5mb per file (RAW image files as used in professional photography may be 20mb+)

    If you are a novice then I would seek external help via a site such as e-lance where you can find independent web designers who can advise and develop this for you. Wordpress is not a bad choice as it can be feature rich and easy to manage.

    I envision the submission process as a form with a few simple fields such as name, age, email, work experience, etc. And then the option to upload 3-5 pictures (only the most common 2-3 file formats) and a max file size, like you suggest.
    So could I design the rest of theist myself, but just get an external web designed to implement this functionality for me? Then just combine both side together?

    How can I get started with Wordpress?


    Jim431 wrote: »
    Wots wrong with an email link. Just add the photos to the email as an attachment.

    eg: [EMAIL="jim@yahoo.com"]jim@yahoo.com[/EMAIL]

    or [EMAIL="jim@yahoo.com"]Jim[/EMAIL]

    That's of course a possibility, and may be a good staring point, but I think the option of uploads a photo, along with filling in some necessary information, while provide us with all the info we need, where to take a model on, or not...

    What you suggest could certainly be a good starting point though

    Thanks.
  • bod1467
    bod1467 Posts: 15,214 Forumite
    icebergx wrote: »
    How can I get started with Wordpress?

    There are load of Wordpress tutorials online. And many web hosts will have Wordpress as an automated install in the web control panel. :)
  • How are you "building" the site?
    Have you already bought the hosting?

    Do you want Admin to be able to view the images online or is having to access with FTP sufficient?

    As others have said, it really isnt that difficult to do in a basic way but really requires a little more thinking about to ensure the data and the website are secure
  • bod1467
    bod1467 Posts: 15,214 Forumite
    And that's another thing ... if you're storing personal data (which you will be) then you're subject to the Data Protection Act so need to keep this secure (except where such data is provided for the purposes of being displayed/shared).
  • icebergx
    icebergx Posts: 688 Forumite
    How are you "building" the site?
    Have you already bought the hosting?

    Do you want Admin to be able to view the images online or is having to access with FTP sufficient?

    As others have said, it really isnt that difficult to do in a basic way but really requires a little more thinking about to ensure the data and the website are secure

    No, I haven't purchased the hosting at this stage.
    If it makes any difference, would it be possible for the website to email the photos to the appropriate person directly, instead of actually uploading onto a server? If this is possible, perhaps this might be easier? Online viewing is not necessary, and automated email would be ideal.
    bod1467 wrote: »
    And that's another thing ... if you're storing personal data (which you will be) then you're subject to the Data Protection Act so need to keep this secure (except where such data is provided for the purposes of being displayed/shared).

    Point noted. Hadn't thought about that. Thanks for mentioning it :)
  • Only my opinion but the company I work for pay £20 per month, including hosting for a fully functional website with tutorials etc for uploading. Off the top of my head I think they're called clickpromo or similar.
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 348.3K Banking & Borrowing
  • 252.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 452.4K Spending & Discounts
  • 240.9K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 617.1K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 175.6K Life & Family
  • 254.1K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.