One word of advice though.
It is something I have noticed when I am making my website.
You should probably start from the beginning only using new pictures and information, because a lot of collectors don´t like their pictures being used on pages with commercial or merchandise interests. And since you have plans involving ads, meaning getting paid, meaning money invoved that is important.
That is why I wrote on my index page that I have no such interests or connections to any company, etc. Also only use a link to this forum, meaning not connected so the pictures posted on the forum also gets on my site. This is very IMPORTANT if you ask me, because it could otherwise lead to that some collectors stop posting pictures on this forum. And I don´t think anyone would want that, right???
And it has happened that someone leaves the forum and also wants all there pictures and posts to be removed!! This would mean that you have to remove all those pictures from your database also if those are connected???
The good thing with this forum is that it does not have any such connetions, to sellers sites.
And for me it is also very important that all pictures are marked and gives full credit to the owner of the pictures, as with all information given, if not written yourself. That has to do with respect for other collectors and for the work they have put into this. So basicly all pictures have to be approved to be used by the owner.
Especially since there is a big difference between educational use( meaning sharing information without money involved) and commercial use( meaning money involved) and you have plans involving money into the site!!
There is a thing called freedom of press or "fair use", which means you can show a picture without permission of the owner if you use it in educational matters ONLY. But I personally always asks the owners and always puts there name on it when using it on my website.
This is off course a thing you may already have known and have thought about. But I just wanted to add this, because I know a lot off collectors who don´t want their pictures on commercialsites, ebays, facebook etc., because then they don´t know in which purpose the picture are used for.
So basicly don´t use anything without asking the source first!!
Otherwise I think the idea is good and as Maureen says it will be interesting to see what you come up with!