Today's Shap Advice on how to make your site better - GoFuckYourself.com

Shap · 06-07-2016, 02:02 PM

Hi Everyone!

Still making my way through the AskShap mentoring and coaching emails. While I'm doing that I thought I'd share some advice that I think a lot of people can use and apply immediately. Here is a common email I'm getting.

"Hi Shap, I own TubeXyz my site is stuck in traffic and not growing. What can I do to improve?"

Alright let's use the Tube example. Let's say I want to start a Fetish porn tube. Here are some of the main steps I would take in my research and planning of my site.

-I'd go to The Porn Dude - Top Porn Sites List! and any other site with a list of tubes. I'd research on alexa the actual biggest tubes (i.e. porndude doesn't have youjizz etc). Create a master list of the biggest adult tubes. Then create a list of the biggest niche tubes.

- I'd visit each one and view them as a surfer. I'd make a list of what I liked and didn't like about each. Hell if you have to drop your pants and whip out your cock then do that. You need to really think and feel like the surfer. You have to BE the surfer.

- I'd visit the top tubes/sites in each niche category. I'd go through the same practise of viewing them as a surfer.

- I'd revisit all of the top sites and then start making notes as a website owner. What do I like about the design. What do i dislike. What would I change. What do i think works.

- I'd review the top niche sites. What elements do the best do better than the others? What do I think the reasons the top guys are the top guys. Is there anything being done on other tubes that hasn?t been applied to the Fetish Porn Tubes? Ie is Jamo.tv doing something in the asian market that i can use on my fetish tube.

- I?d create a list of the fetish free sites and visit them. Any recurring themes that seem to work or be popular.
- I?d create a list of communities in my niche/fetish and visit them. Get involved as a surfer. Research what is popular. Which sites are being linked to? What type of videos? Are most links going to general tubes or fetish tubes? If it?s not going to fetish tubes why not? Ads? popups?

Alright now you have data and some perspective on what is needed to compete. Start building your site. Try to implement the ideas you have. Once you?ve designed the site now review and compare your site to the top tubes. Ask yourself this question. If you are the surfer and you have the choice would you visit your site or Pornhub? Why? Why not? You have to build a site that is better than your competition. There is no point in launching a CopyCatCookieCutterTube.com. Those days are over. If you are going to launch something make it worthwhile. Make it the best. For your launch remove all advertising. Remove all popups. Do you think having an annoying popup will get a surfer to prefer your site over PornHub? You are in competition with every major tube. If you can?t compete and be better than them then don?t launch.

This method can be applied to every type of site. I use the tube example because that is the most common email I've received so far. So now I can simply direct them to this post and not reply the same thing again

CaptainHowdy · 06-07-2016, 02:05 PM

Thread too useful for GFY standards. Please delete.

PornHero · 06-07-2016, 02:07 PM

reading now...

j3rkules · 06-07-2016, 02:20 PM

Awesome thread Shap. One of the best threads posted recently.

BigFurry · 06-07-2016, 02:20 PM

Solid advice

NatalieK · 06-07-2016, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shap

I'd visit the top tubes/sites in each niche category. I'd go through the same practise of viewing them as a surfer.

Hi Shap, loads of amazing advice as usual, although, the above, yes, it's possible to get this right, only if you're thinking of the majority of people...

you could have a different fetish to others...

So watching other sites to see what would you'd like to see is pointless because you'd do what you want anyway as not everyone's the same. There'll be niche there no matter what you like

TheDynasty · 06-07-2016, 02:43 PM

Great Thread Bookmarked!

Shap · 06-07-2016, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GspotProductions

Hi Shap, loads of amazing advice as usual, although, the above, yes, it's possible to get this right, only if you're thinking of the majority of people...

you could have a different fetish to others...

So watching other sites to see what would you'd like to see is pointless because you'd do what you want anyway as not everyone's the same. There'll be niche there no matter what you like

There may be a niche but the way content is laid out and delivered is independent of niche. A nice layout is a nice layout.

Sid70 · 06-07-2016, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shap

Hi Everyone!

Still making my way through the AskShap mentoring and coaching emails. While I'm doing that I thought I'd share some advice that I think a lot of people can use and apply immediately. Here is a common email I'm getting.

"Hi Shap, I own TubeXyz my site is stuck in traffic and not growing. What can I do to improve?"

Alright let's use the Tube example. Let's say I want to start a Fetish porn tube. Here are some of the main steps I would take in my research and planning of my site.

-I'd go to The Porn Dude - Top Porn Sites List! and any other site with a list of tubes. I'd research on alexa the actual biggest tubes (i.e. porndude doesn't have youjizz etc). Create a master list of the biggest adult tubes. Then create a list of the biggest niche tubes.

- I'd visit each one and view them as a surfer. I'd make a list of what I liked and didn't like about each. Hell if you have to drop your pants and whip out your cock then do that. You need to really think and feel like the surfer. You have to BE the surfer.

- I'd visit the top tubes/sites in each niche category. I'd go through the same practise of viewing them as a surfer.

- I'd revisit all of the top sites and then start making notes as a website owner. What do I like about the design. What do i dislike. What would I change. What do i think works.

- I'd review the top niche sites. What elements do the best do better than the others? What do I think the reasons the top guys are the top guys. Is there anything being done on other tubes that hasn?t been applied to the Fetish Porn Tubes? Ie is Jamo.tv doing something in the asian market that i can use on my fetish tube.

- I?d create a list of the fetish free sites and visit them. Any recurring themes that seem to work or be popular.
- I?d create a list of communities in my niche/fetish and visit them. Get involved as a surfer. Research what is popular. Which sites are being linked to? What type of videos? Are most links going to general tubes or fetish tubes? If it?s not going to fetish tubes why not? Ads? popups?

Alright now you have data and some perspective on what is needed to compete. Start building your site. Try to implement the ideas you have. Once you?ve designed the site now review and compare your site to the top tubes. Ask yourself this question. If you are the surfer and you have the choice would you visit your site or Pornhub? Why? Why not? You have to build a site that is better than your competition. There is no point in launching a CopyCatCookieCutterTube.com. Those days are over. If you are going to launch something make it worthwhile. Make it the best. For your launch remove all advertising. Remove all popups. Do you think having an annoying popup will get a surfer to prefer your site over PornHub? You are in competition with every major tube. If you can?t compete and be better than them then don?t launch.

This method can be applied to every type of site. I use the tube example because that is the most common email I've received so far. So now I can simply direct them to this post and not reply the same thing again

This is very basic approach. I mean, a no-brainer. But what's left behind is where do we get money to build that site and get fresh content?

Shap · 06-07-2016, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sid70

This is very basic approach. I mean, a no-brainer. But what's left behind is where do we get money to build that site and get fresh content?

You'd be surprised how few people do this

PornMySex · 06-07-2016, 02:58 PM

You can have the best tube, if you don't know how to generate traffic it won't grow.

I have sites where visitors stay 8 minutes and visit a lot of pages, the direct traffic just don't grow by itself easily. You need a lot of se traffic and other sources to make the direct traffic grow.

Shap · 06-07-2016, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PornMySex

You can have the best tube, if you don't know how to generate traffic it won't grow.

I have sites where visitors stay 8 minutes and visit a lot of pages, the direct traffic just don't grow by itself easily. You need a lot of se traffic and other sources to make the direct traffic grow.

You could be great at getting traffic but if your site sucks it's a waste. Chicken and egg

PornMySex · 06-07-2016, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shap

You could be great at getting traffic but if your site sucks it's a waste. Chicken and egg

Nowadays it's way easier to build a great tube with a lot of long length hd videos coming from affiliate programs and have visitors staying more than 5 minutes on a site.

It's way harder to get huge traffic from search engine or other sources without buying and even harder to get direct traffic.

robwod · 06-07-2016, 05:45 PM

Shap, I'd like to just add that there are times when it is difficult to separate one's self from the developer perspective to the end user perspective.

One option I have used in the past is with the local colleges. Every one of them has a student union and a bulletin board where you can post "opportunities". You can, and I certainly have, put up a flyer asking for people interested in providing feedback for mature entertainment ... a focus group if you will. You can supply them with a list of sites to check out, or specific pages, and/or ask them to supply a list of the sites they visit and why. It's amazing what information you can get for Beer Money

You can also do something similar with Fiverr.... post that you're seeking "reviewers" and choose form various countries.

This is also great for "AB testing" because you can give one group a list of some sites and others a different list. Then compare.

Just thought I'd contribute to an otherwise already helpful thread.

Mediamix · 06-07-2016, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robwod

Shap, I'd like to just add that there are times when it is difficult to separate one's self from the developer perspective to the end user perspective.

One option I have used in the past is with the local colleges. Every one of them has a student union and a bulletin board where you can post "opportunities". You can, and I certainly have, put up a flyer asking for people interested in providing feedback for mature entertainment ... a focus group if you will. You can supply them with a list of sites to check out, or specific pages, and/or ask them to supply a list of the sites they visit and why. It's amazing what information you can get for Beer Money

You can also do something similar with Fiverr.... post that you're seeking "reviewers" and choose form various countries.

This is also great for "AB testing" because you can give one group a list of some sites and others a different list. Then compare.

Just thought I'd contribute to an otherwise already helpful thread.

Great advice!

Thanks.

Shap · 06-08-2016, 02:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robwod

Shap, I'd like to just add that there are times when it is difficult to separate one's self from the developer perspective to the end user perspective.

One option I have used in the past is with the local colleges. Every one of them has a student union and a bulletin board where you can post "opportunities". You can, and I certainly have, put up a flyer asking for people interested in providing feedback for mature entertainment ... a focus group if you will. You can supply them with a list of sites to check out, or specific pages, and/or ask them to supply a list of the sites they visit and why. It's amazing what information you can get for Beer Money

You can also do something similar with Fiverr.... post that you're seeking "reviewers" and choose form various countries.

This is also great for "AB testing" because you can give one group a list of some sites and others a different list. Then compare.

Just thought I'd contribute to an otherwise already helpful thread.

Awesome idea

PornDiscounts-V · 06-08-2016, 02:56 AM

Oh fucking wait just one minute!

Are you saying that we should all use common sense?

Are you fucking crazy?

Paul Markham · 06-08-2016, 03:04 AM

First step in improving sales. Empathy with the consumer.

bns666 · 06-08-2016, 03:06 AM

good advice

NatalieK · 06-08-2016, 03:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shap

There may be a niche but the way content is laid out and delivered is independent of niche. A nice layout is a nice layout.

agreed Shap, the layout is maybe more important than the content to begin, on entrance...

as the old saying goes "first impressions last"

Shap · 06-08-2016, 03:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Markham

First step in improving sales. Empathy with the consumer.

Empathy is so important!

Paul Markham · 06-08-2016, 08:25 AM

It's important to know who, what and where to sell. Selling another slab of meat in a market chockablock with similar slabs of meat. Is stupid. Which is why Tubes convert 1 in many 1,000s of views.

Empathy with a buyer reveals, he wants more than slabs of meat, more than soundbite logos, more than false promises, even true ones are taken as false when they're needles in a haystack.

A sample needs to sell the product, not slate the appetite. It needs to entice, lure and go through the basic steps of arousing the curiosity of the buyer. That can't be done today with clips of people fucking, except for slinging traffic and hoping.

So what does the buyer want, that can't be found on a Tube site?

Suggestions, please. It should be easy. If you empathise with buyers and not free surfers.

CDSmith · 06-08-2016, 08:50 AM

Excellent post Shap. My only note would be something I've always said to prospective webmasters in the past who want to run a large multi-niched 'database' type site (such as a tube) which is this:

Don't only promote what YOU like. There are millions of surfers out there who are into a ton of things I myself, or you, would never be into. Many are willing to pay to get it. None of them care what YOU the site owner is into. Find those niches and give it to them. Shemale, gay, lego sex, balloons, hard bondage, whatever, if it's legal it's fair game and you can bet someone out there wants it. Present each one as if it's your all time favorite. Over time see which ones sell. Give those ones top billing but still include the others.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Markham

So what does the buyer want, that can't be found on a Tube site?

Main question for any site, especially these days.

Shap · 06-08-2016, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CDSmith

Excellent post Shap. My only note would be something I've always said to prospective webmasters in the past who want to run a large multi-niched 'database' type site (such as a tube) which is this:

Don't only promote what YOU like. There are millions of surfers out there who are into a ton of things I myself, or you, would never be into. Many are willing to pay to get it. None of them care what YOU the site owner is into. Find those niches and give it to them. Shemale, gay, lego sex, balloons, hard bondage, whatever, if it's legal it's fair game and you can bet someone out there wants it. Present each one as if it's your all time favorite. Over time see which ones sell. Give those ones top billing but still include the others.

Main question for any site, especially these days.

Agreed 100% I've learned that a few times. Started a boob tgp with the idea that people wanted to see Stripper type fake boob chicks quickly learned it was all about natural when it came to boobs. Same when we started GayTube. Started with me trying to coordinate what type of content to use on it. But when we handed it over to someone who understood the surfer the site went from not growing to absolutely exploding.

NoWhErE · 06-08-2016, 11:09 AM

Refreshing to see a thread with actual information to help someone successfully launch a new project. This is a great primer.

Good work Shap.

Paul Markham · 06-08-2016, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CDSmith

Excellent post Shap. My only note would be something I've always said to prospective webmasters in the past who want to run a large multi-niched 'database' type site (such as a tube) which is this:

Don't only promote what YOU like. There are millions of surfers out there who are into a ton of things I myself, or you, would never be into. Many are willing to pay to get it. None of them care what YOU the site owner is into. Find those niches and give it to them. Shemale, gay, lego sex, balloons, hard bondage, whatever, if it's legal it's fair game and you can bet someone out there wants it. Present each one as if it's your all time favorite. Over time see which ones sell. Give those ones top billing but still include the others.

Main question for any site, especially these days.

I would disagree about promoting what you don't like. The odds of understanding what a surfer will like drop increasingly and the time is better spent on promoting porn you do like and understand.

It's as crazy as me shooting gay porn.

Tubes are the biggest threat today. For 99.99% there is no real need to buy porn when tubes are better for consumers. Giving consumers a reason to pay for porn on the site one promotes or owns is essential.

So why do so few sites give that?

Are they waiting for VR to be too expensive for Tubes and so essential for consumers, people will have to pay for it?

06-07-2016, 02:02 PM	#1
Shap Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: May 2001 Posts: 8,313	Today's Shap Advice on how to make your site better Hi Everyone! Still making my way through the AskShap mentoring and coaching emails. While I'm doing that I thought I'd share some advice that I think a lot of people can use and apply immediately. Here is a common email I'm getting. "Hi Shap, I own TubeXyz my site is stuck in traffic and not growing. What can I do to improve?" Alright let's use the Tube example. Let's say I want to start a Fetish porn tube. Here are some of the main steps I would take in my research and planning of my site. -I'd go to The Porn Dude - Top Porn Sites List! and any other site with a list of tubes. I'd research on alexa the actual biggest tubes (i.e. porndude doesn't have youjizz etc). Create a master list of the biggest adult tubes. Then create a list of the biggest niche tubes. - I'd visit each one and view them as a surfer. I'd make a list of what I liked and didn't like about each. Hell if you have to drop your pants and whip out your cock then do that. You need to really think and feel like the surfer. You have to BE the surfer. - I'd visit the top tubes/sites in each niche category. I'd go through the same practise of viewing them as a surfer. - I'd revisit all of the top sites and then start making notes as a website owner. What do I like about the design. What do i dislike. What would I change. What do i think works. - I'd review the top niche sites. What elements do the best do better than the others? What do I think the reasons the top guys are the top guys. Is there anything being done on other tubes that hasn?t been applied to the Fetish Porn Tubes? Ie is Jamo.tv doing something in the asian market that i can use on my fetish tube. - I?d create a list of the fetish free sites and visit them. Any recurring themes that seem to work or be popular. - I?d create a list of communities in my niche/fetish and visit them. Get involved as a surfer. Research what is popular. Which sites are being linked to? What type of videos? Are most links going to general tubes or fetish tubes? If it?s not going to fetish tubes why not? Ads? popups? Alright now you have data and some perspective on what is needed to compete. Start building your site. Try to implement the ideas you have. Once you?ve designed the site now review and compare your site to the top tubes. Ask yourself this question. If you are the surfer and you have the choice would you visit your site or Pornhub? Why? Why not? You have to build a site that is better than your competition. There is no point in launching a CopyCatCookieCutterTube.com. Those days are over. If you are going to launch something make it worthwhile. Make it the best. For your launch remove all advertising. Remove all popups. Do you think having an annoying popup will get a surfer to prefer your site over PornHub? You are in competition with every major tube. If you can?t compete and be better than them then don?t launch. This method can be applied to every type of site. I use the tube example because that is the most common email I've received so far. So now I can simply direct them to this post and not reply the same thing again

06-07-2016, 02:05 PM	#2
CaptainHowdy Too lazy to set a custom title Industry Role: Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Happy in the dark. Posts: 93,043	Thread too useful for GFY standards. Please delete. __________________ FLASH SALE INSANITY! deal with a 100% Trusted Seller Buy Traffic Spots on a High-Quality Network 1 Year or Lifetime — That’s Right, Until the Internet Explodes!

06-07-2016, 02:07 PM	#3
PornHero Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,381	reading now... __________________ PornHero.com

06-07-2016, 02:20 PM	#4
j3rkules VIP Industry Role: Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 22,112	Awesome thread Shap. One of the best threads posted recently. __________________ How To Build A Porn Site And Make Money \| My Best $$$ Cam Sponsor \| New Webcam Script 3 Top Adult Hosting Providers

06-07-2016, 02:43 PM	#7
TheDynasty See Signature Industry Role: Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: noneya Posts: 5,882	Great Thread Bookmarked! __________________ Try out WP-SCRIPT The Best Tube Script

06-07-2016, 02:20 PM	#5
BigFurry Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 1,554	Solid advice

06-07-2016, 02:58 PM	#11
PornMySex Confirmed User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Earth Posts: 577	You can have the best tube, if you don't know how to generate traffic it won't grow. I have sites where visitors stay 8 minutes and visit a lot of pages, the direct traffic just don't grow by itself easily. You need a lot of se traffic and other sources to make the direct traffic grow.

06-07-2016, 05:45 PM	#14
robwod Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 2,539	Shap, I'd like to just add that there are times when it is difficult to separate one's self from the developer perspective to the end user perspective. One option I have used in the past is with the local colleges. Every one of them has a student union and a bulletin board where you can post "opportunities". You can, and I certainly have, put up a flyer asking for people interested in providing feedback for mature entertainment ... a focus group if you will. You can supply them with a list of sites to check out, or specific pages, and/or ask them to supply a list of the sites they visit and why. It's amazing what information you can get for Beer Money You can also do something similar with Fiverr.... post that you're seeking "reviewers" and choose form various countries. This is also great for "AB testing" because you can give one group a list of some sites and others a different list. Then compare. Just thought I'd contribute to an otherwise already helpful thread. __________________ NSFW

06-08-2016, 02:56 AM	#17
PornDiscounts-V Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: L.A. Posts: 5,740	Oh fucking wait just one minute! Are you saying that we should all use common sense? Are you fucking crazy? __________________ Blog Posts - Contextual Links - Hardlinks on 600+ Blog Network * Handwritten * 180 C Class IPs * Permanent! * Many Niches! * Bulk Discounts! GFYPosts /at/ J2Media.net

06-08-2016, 03:04 AM	#18
Paul Markham Too old to care Industry Role: Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: On the sofa, watching TV or doing my jigsaws. Posts: 52,943	First step in improving sales. Empathy with the consumer. __________________ Blowout deal. 880 videos, 2,400 image sets, plus many RAW videos. $500. PM me for a deal. Skype Paulmarkham70

06-08-2016, 03:06 AM	#19
bns666 Confirmed Fetishist Industry Role: Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Fetishland Posts: 11,521	good advice __________________ ⭐ CAM SODA ⭐ STRIPCHAT ⭐ ⭐ CHATURBATE ⭐ X LOVE CAM ⭐

06-08-2016, 08:25 AM	#22
Paul Markham Too old to care Industry Role: Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: On the sofa, watching TV or doing my jigsaws. Posts: 52,943	It's important to know who, what and where to sell. Selling another slab of meat in a market chockablock with similar slabs of meat. Is stupid. Which is why Tubes convert 1 in many 1,000s of views. Empathy with a buyer reveals, he wants more than slabs of meat, more than soundbite logos, more than false promises, even true ones are taken as false when they're needles in a haystack. A sample needs to sell the product, not slate the appetite. It needs to entice, lure and go through the basic steps of arousing the curiosity of the buyer. That can't be done today with clips of people fucking, except for slinging traffic and hoping. So what does the buyer want, that can't be found on a Tube site? Suggestions, please. It should be easy. If you empathise with buyers and not free surfers. __________________ Blowout deal. 880 videos, 2,400 image sets, plus many RAW videos. $500. PM me for a deal. Skype Paulmarkham70

06-08-2016, 11:09 AM	#25
NoWhErE Too lazy to set a custom title Industry Role: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 10,222	Refreshing to see a thread with actual information to help someone successfully launch a new project. This is a great primer. Good work Shap. __________________ skype: lordofthecameltoe