If you’re considering a Digital Asset Management (DAM) platform, you probably have a list of questions that start with “How much does it cost?” and end with “What’s the difference between this and the tools we already use?” The answers aren’t always simple — but they don’t have to be vague either. This guide covers the ten essential questions every team should ask before buying a DAM, with clear answers that help you make the right decision for your organization.
TL;DR
- Understand real staffing needs (hint: you don’t always need a full-time DAM manager).
- Know your total cost drivers: storage, users, features, training, and support.
- Choose vendors on ease of use, integrations, pricing model, and future readiness (AI).
- Use DAM as your reuse/distribution hub; keep working drafts in file storage.
- Set clear ownership for governance so your DAM doesn’t drift.
1) How much staff support does a DAM really need?
The short answer: it depends. The long answer: it depends a lot less than you might think.
- If your DAM is intuitive, you don’t need a full-time “DAM manager.”
- Drivers include asset volume, users, integrations, and governance requirements.
- Most marketing/creative teams can run DAM as part of existing workflows — not as a whole new job role.
👉 Look for vendors who offer unlimited users and simple admin controls, so you’re not bottlenecked by system complexity.
2) What about annual costs for running a DAM?
Costs vary by setup, but the usual suspects are:
- Storage (often the biggest driver)
- Licenses — per seat vs. unlimited users
- Features — AI services, watermarking, integrations
- Training & support — included or extra?
👉 With Stockpress, costs scale with storage and features only — your budget grows with usage, not with every new user.
3) How should you choose a DAM vendor?
An RFP is only as good as its questions. Prioritize:
- Ease of use: can anyone on your team use it on day one?
- Integration fit: does it work with your creative/content tools?
- Pricing model: per seat or only for what you use?
- Future-proofing: useful AI & automation that add real value.
👉 Ask vendors to show your files and workflows in their DAM — not a generic demo library.
4) Who handles Digital Asset Management training?
Most vendors provide generic onboarding. That helps, but you’ll still want lightweight internal resources tailored to your workflows.
👉 The simpler the platform, the less training you need. With Stockpress, most teams are up and running in minutes — plus an extensive help center is on hand.
5) Where does AI fit into DAM?
AI is powerful, but it needs guidance. DAM provides the structure and guardrails:
- Metadata and taxonomy that teach AI what’s what
- Controlled access so AI works with the right files
- Version control so models don’t learn from outdated content
👉 DAM is the “teacher” that tells AI how to behave. Without it, AI is just guessing.
6) Where does file storage end, and DAM take over?
- Drafts & working files live in Drive/OneDrive/SharePoint.
- Final, approved assets live in DAM.
- Archives can sit in lower-cost storage if rarely accessed.
👉 Think of DAM as your reuse & distribution hub. If you want people to find, use, and collaborate on files, they belong in your DAM.
7) What about governance?
Governance sounds heavy, but it’s about clarity:
- Who owns assets?
- Who manages policies?
- Who ensures integrations keep working?
👉 Even without a formal board, someone must “own” DAM success — or it drifts.
8) How do DAM integrations keep work moving?
A DAM isn’t just storage — it connects content to the tools your team already uses. The right integrations reduce interruptions, speed approvals, and prevent projects from stalling.
- Reduce friction: pull assets straight into tools like Photoshop or Figma.
- Keep everything current: updates in DAM mean the right version is easy to grab.
- Bring teams together: Slack notifications and connections to platforms like Mailchimp or Klaviyo.
- Publish faster: use DAM assets directly in WordPress or Webflow.
9) How do you make a business case for a DAM?
- DAM provides structure: rules, metadata, and permissions that make AI and people effective.
- DAM saves money: fewer duplicates, less wasted effort, more reuse.
- DAM improves collaboration: one source of truth for every team.
👉 The cost of a DAM is a false economy compared to the cost of assets that never get used because they can’t be found.
10) How do you explain DAM to your broader team?
“DAM is where your final, approved files live so you can always find the right version, share it instantly, and reuse it without confusion.”
- Less time searching = more time delivering
- Confidence you’re using the right file
- Easier collaboration with teammates
- More content reused (and more budget saved)
Final takeaway
Buying a DAM doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Ask clear questions about cost, staffing, training, AI, integrations, governance, and boundaries with other tools — and you’ll quickly see which solutions fit your team best.
- Unlimited users (no seat fees)
- Simple, intuitive design anyone can use
- Storage-based pricing — pay for what you use
- Accessible for any team, regardless of size or budget