trends

Alternative Website Billing

Although some of you are probably not feeling it, thanks in main to tubes and torrents, if the research companies are to believed, we are all part of a multi-billion dollar industry whose primary billing mechanism has historically been the credit card, and more recently, the debit card.

However, if Visa and/or Mastercard were to seize the moral high ground for whatever reason, premium web content owners will have no other alternative than to source alternative billing mechanisms to turn all those bytes into bucks.

Of these, phone billing is probably the most well known method. The successor to the dialer, phone billing is powered by premium rate numbers whose tariffs and out-payments vary from country to country.

With such billing, there are two primary mechanisms: pay-per-access (PPA) and pay-per-minute (PPM). With PPA, the ordering process creates the revenue — how much access time is granted is up to the content owner. As for PPM, immediate access to the desired content is granted for the time that the customer remains connected to a premium rate number.

Premium Short Message Service (PSMS) is telephony based payment channel that can be used to charge for access to premium web content. Subscribers are charged either when they send a short-code text message to request a product (known as Mobile Originated or MO billing) or when they receive a product on their phone (known as Mobile Terminated or MT billing). PSMS revenues are shared by the content provider, aggregator and the operator. PSMS is currently supported in 28 territories, across Western Europe, North America and Asia.

Whilst a raft of other alternative processors exist that facilitate anonymous payments to capitalize on the growing army of 'digitally nervous' customers who are afraid of using their cards online, a credit or debit card is usually needed in order to fund their accounts.

One notable exception to this is the London based www.ukash.com whose patented solution allows end-users to pay for online content or tangibles using cash at one of over 275,000 points-of-sale such as convenience stores, corner shops and post offices. Users are then issued a secure and unique 19-digit voucher which assures payment when presented online. Research conducted by the company has concluded that approximately 80 percent of users already have a credit or debit card, but prefer the safety and anonymity afforded to them when paying for goods or services this way.

Clearly, cash, which is still the favored form of money in most countries, has not been suited as a payment method for ecommerce in the past for obvious reasons. But with such a wide and extensive network of vendors already in place who can readily convert it to a valid e-voucher for online commerce, industry observers are predicting that such billing is set to become an increasingly popular payment mechanism with both merchants and users alike.

In an era of increasing online fraud and identity theft, the more payment options that webmasters can give prospective customers, the better. Perhaps one day such payment methods might just become the primary, not secondary, methods of payments on join pages.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More Articles

profile

WIA Profile: Lexi Morin

Lexi Morin’s journey into the adult industry began with a Craigslist ad and a leap of faith. In 2011, fresh-faced and ambitious, she was scrolling through job ads on Craigslist when she stumbled upon a listing for an assistant makeup artist.

Women In Adult ·
profile

Still Rocking: The Hun Celebrates 30 Years in the Game

In the ever-changing landscape of adult entertainment, The Hun’s Yellow Pages stands out for its endurance. As one of the internet’s original fixtures, literally nearly as old as the web itself, The Hun has functioned as a living archive for online adult content, quietly maintaining its relevance with an interface that feels more nostalgic than flashy.

Jackie Backman ·
opinion

Digital Desires: AI's Emerging Role in Adult Entertainment

The adult industry has always been ahead of the curve when it comes to embracing new technology. From the early days of dial-up internet and grainy video clips to today’s polished social media platforms and streaming services, our industry has never been afraid to innovate. But now, artificial intelligence (AI) is shaking things up in ways that are exciting but also daunting.

Steve Lightspeed ·
opinion

More Than Money: Why Donating Time Matters for Nonprofits

The adult industry faces constant legal battles, societal stigma and workplace challenges. Fortunately, a number of nonprofit organizations work tirelessly to protect the rights and well-being of adult performers, producers and industry workers. When folks in the industry think about supporting these groups, donating money is naturally the first solution that comes to mind.

Corey D. Silverstein ·
opinion

Consent Guardrails: How to Protect Your Content Platform

The adult industry takes a strong and definite stance against the creation or publication of nonconsensual materials. Adult industry creators, producers, processors, banks and hosts all share a vested interest in ensuring that the recording and publication of sexually explicit content is supported by informed consent.

Lawrence G. Walters ·
opinion

Payment Systems: Facilitator vs. Gateway Explained

Understanding and selecting the right payment platform can be confusing for anyone. Recently, Segpay launched its payment gateway. Since then, we’ve received numerous questions about the difference between a payment facilitator and a payment gateway. Most merchants want to know which type of platform best meets their business needs.

Cathy Beardsley ·
opinion

Reinventing Intimacy: A Look at AI's Implications for Adult Platforms

The adult industry has long revolved around delivering pleasure and entertainment, but now it’s moving into new territory: intimacy, connection and emotional fulfillment. And AI companions are at the forefront of that shift.

Daniel Keating ·
profile

WIA: Sara Edwards on Evolving Clip Culture and Creator Empowerment

Though she works behind the scenes, Sara Edwards has had a front-row seat to the evolution of adult content creation. Having been immersed in the sector since 1995, she has a unique perspective on the industry.

Jackie Backman ·
profile

Segpay Marks 20 Years of High-Risk Triumphs

Payment processors are behind-the-scenes players in the world of ecommerce, yet their role is critical. Ensuring secure, seamless transactions while navigating a rapidly changing regulatory landscape requires both technological expertise and business acumen.

Jackie Backman ·
opinion

The SCREEN Test: How to Prepare for Federal Age Verification

For those who are counting, there are now 20 enacted state laws in the United States requiring age verification for viewing online adult content, plus numerous proposed laws in the works. This ongoing barrage has been exhausting for many in the adult industry — and it may be about to escalate in the form of a potential new AV law, this time at the federal level.

Corey D. Silverstein ·
Show More