educational

Adult Webmastering Basics: Part 7: Content

Surfers don't drop by your web site to admire the masterful design or the skillful placement of your sponsored banner ads. They come for your content, and stay for the updates. The challenge of content lies in striking a balance between quality, freshness, and an capital outlay. Several methods of procuring this material provide adult webmasters with the ability to find a mix they're comfortable with.

Sponsor Programs ("Free Content")
The least expensive and possibly quickest method of populating a site with content is by taking advantage of a sponsor program's offerings. This type of material is generally given without charge to webmasters choosing to promote a specific program. In exchange for this content, the webmaster places a banner ad or text link back to the sponsor's pages in the hopes that this will generate a paying user. These sign ups also provide revenue to the webmaster in the form of commission checks.

If grabbing free content from sponsor programs is so easy, everyone would do it, right? That's the problem. The pictures, videos, stories and sound files these programs distribute are so widely utilized, surfers are exposed to the same tired offerings on every site they visit. With a little bit of work, however, webmasters can keep their sites from getting stale by continually searching out new programs and fresh content from existing sponsors. It's a daily battle, but winning it rewards the webmaster with free, fresh, and quality content.

Bundled Packages
In an effort to monetize sets which are either growing old or haven't sold well in the past, content providers offer package deals on a large number of pictures for a low price. These deals allow a webmaster to populate a sizeable member's section with relatively small expenses. When choosing a package deal, look for bundles that include a narrow scope of sets specific to your niche. If you're running an Asian site, 100 sets won't do you any good if 80 of them don't include Asian models.

Content a la Carte
Most content providers will sell a single set (or even single pictures) for a fixed licensing price. This method of purchase allows the webmaster to focus on exactly what is needed, instead of being saddled with a wide variety of sets that will sit unused on a CD-ROM. This type of sale includes anything from pre-shot sets of specific models and themes to custom content produced specifically for you and your audience. Custom content is the priciest option, but provides the advantage of unique offerings. This exclusivity is especially important if other webmasters are promoting your sites as well.

Staying Out of Jail
In the U.S. especially, Federal, State, and local laws are a confusing mess of twisted statutes and subjective interpretations. Complying with these regulations can mean the difference between running an adult enterprise from your home or running a cigarette smuggling operation from cellblock 6. Your chief concerns should be complying with 2257 requirements and keeping minors out of your explicit areas. Consulting a legal expert is the only safe method of ensuring your compliance in these areas, but many XBiz articles and sources on Google can give you a step or two in the right direction. At the very least, your content provider should be handing you documents that allow you to meet the current legal standards. If they aren't, you would do well to shop elsewhere.

Keeping Things Fresh
If, week after week, you saw the same programs on your television, how long would you keep paying for cable service? Your users are going to feel the same way if you don't bother to keep your member's section updated with new content. This means constantly planning ahead to provide quality offerings in a timely manner. Common sense goes a long way in this area, as does looking at your site from a member's perspective. If you're planning on a month-long vacation, make sure someone is updating the content. If your users signed up for video, don't expect them to be happy with picture updates. Put yourself in their shoes, and make your decisions from that vantage point.

Plug-ins provide an easy method of keeping sites updated. These services deliver a constant update of pictures, videos, or any other type of content you require. Typically, a user is passed from your site to a server residing on the plug-in company's network. The surfer is then provided with fresh content, and you are billed monthly for access plus a usage charge per gigabyte. This method may be more expensive in the short term, but the ease of keeping your members happy pays off over time.

Picasso, Move Over!
Next week, we’ll look at the layout and design of a successful adult site, and the options available for getting it implemented. We will explore the “do it yourself” approach of getting out a graphics program and an HTML editor, as opposed to hiring a design specialist to complete your layout.

Stay tuned for more!

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