n00b here, guidance needed...
 

Hello. I've been lurking for a few weeks and have finally decided to dive in and introduce my self.

My wife and myself are starting an "adult oriented website" (read: porn.) My wife told me that if I could find a model, I could do it. So, I now have tentative agreements with two girls interested in modeling. So, off we go.

We're starting out small, and a little slow because this is pretty new territory. I've done a lot of "market research", but I'm still a little foggy on the back end of things. We have web space, some templates to start out with, Title 18 info. We plan on using CCBill for billing.

I believe we have an interesting hook for our site, and we will concentrate on using new talent that has never modeled before.

I'm interested in making money doing this, for both myself and my models so I want to start off in the right direction.

I have a few questions for you guys.

• When starting out, is there any "Aww, shit" problems that popped up that you didn't foresee?
  
• What are the top 3 or 4 most important things for a successful adult site?
  
• Is there an "Affiliate Programs 101" that I can read to learn more about the process?
  
• It's all about subscriptions... You can never have too many, but what is average? I understand break-even points, but what should I expect? How do you judge success?
  
• Like I said, we're using amateur models. We're looking at a new set each week with 75-100 pics in each set and at least one video per shoot. Is that too much, too little, just right?
  
• Are "hardcore" sites more profitable then "softcore"? I know that once you move in to fetish (with a few exceptions) you start to niche yourself and limit your subscribers.
  
• Are affiliate programs necessary for a successful site, or is it something that we can ease in to once we get up and rolling?
  
• ... I'm sure I have more questions... But I'm brain cramping at the moment...

I really appreciate your input on this and look forward to becoming a regular here. :thumbsup

Xelot

Welcome, Xelot. Most important thing is to get a lot of traffic. Focus on the getting traffic and converting it into money part.

Welcome to GFY

Hi and welcome aboard

:2 cents::thumbsup
The answer : HERE:)

hope yyou faill jk gfy

The world of Porn is ruled by two kings. 1 is traffic and the other is content. You will NOT have 1 without the other.. at lease that's worth a damn.

If you are shooting girls I would shoot enough that when they flake you have it saved.

I am running cam sites myself, they are a bit different from regular content sites, but here are my five cents :

• When starting out, is there any "Aww, shit" problems that popped up that you didn't foresee?

- Traffic, start building your "free sites" now to get seo traffic to your paysite. Just putting a paysite online, without any traffic doesnt work, unless you have a kickass domain name..

• What are the top 3 or 4 most important things for a successful adult site?

1. Traffic, Traffic, and more Traffic !
2. An affiliate program
3. A lot of patience and hard work !
4. Great content

• Is there an "Affiliate Programs 101" that I can read to learn more about the process?

- Not that I know of, but asking your questions on sites like GFY is a great start !

• It's all about subscriptions... You can never have too many, but what is average? I understand break-even points, but what should I expect? How do you judge success?

- If you make more money then you invest, your okay. But never think your done, because your never done...

• Like I said, we're using amateur models. We're looking at a new set each week with 75-100 pics in each set and at least one video per shoot. Is that too much, too little, just right?

- I don't have a clue... But there are plenty of program owners here that will know this.

• Are "hardcore" sites more profitable then "softcore"? I know that once you move in to fetish (with a few exceptions) you start to niche yourself and limit your subscribers.

- Not sure, but if you have great softcore content that people like, that might work..

• Are affiliate programs necessary for a successful site, or is it something that we can ease in to once we get up and rolling?

- I think you need to look into all aspects of traffic, because traffic and content is the king. Build your own free sites for seo traffic, trade traffic and links on them, buy traffic from a good source, make your affiliates happy people...

• ... I'm sure I have more questions... But I'm brain cramping at the moment...

- Oooow yes you will have more questions ;)

welcome to GFY Xelot

traffic, promotion

Yes!

Welcome to gfy

Thanks for the info. I'll keep you posted on our progress. :thumbsup

Welcome to GFY

Welcome to Gfy and good luck :)

Niche within a niche is the answer.

Welcome to GFY. If I can be of any help to you holler at me

Hi
Well, you first want to build some free sites to attract traffic and learn site design, SEO, and have something to announce your new content on.

Create good content that is interesting. Hardcore, fetishes.

Affiliate your sites with good payouts.

Pitfalls:
Lack of web experience
No finances
Lame content/boring content/unattractive models
No traffic/small traffic
paying to much for hosting/design/models/videographer and photographers.

OK, I am worried for you already. Get everything 100% agreed before you start, words like "tentative" should not be anywhere near a new project like this.
Putting that to one side, here are some basic answers to your questions:-
1. Yes, there always will be. No-one can think of everything.
2. Content and Traffic are the two most important by far.
3. I don't know of any "guides to starting an affiliate program". However, as long as your content is good quality and "different" and your affiliate program offers decent pay-outs and ALWAYS pays on time and in full, then affiliates will start to promote you - "if you build it they will come". You can then help them out by adding in some good promo tools like Free Hosted Galleries, RSS feeds, etc . . but if you're just starting out, just get a good, solid, trustworthy program started and then add on tools as you grow. Speak to your affiliates - they will tell you what they need to make more sales.
4. Yes subscriptions tell you whether your content is any good and whether you are reaching enough people. No such thing as average - it all depends on your niche / target audience, etc . . Bottom line is you judge success by how much profit you make! There's no point having a site with 10,000 members if it costs you so much to make the content you end up making a loss - profit = success.
5. With regards to your content, with one picture and one video update per week your content would need to be unusual. If it's run of the mill solo girl stuff then there are hundreds of sites out there updating far more regularly. Identify who your competition are and see how regularly they update (don't be tight, buy a subscription to their site if you have to - if they are making money in whatever the niche is then copy them!)
6. Yes, hardcore is more profitable than softcore but it is also more expensive to make.
7. I wouldn't say an affiliate program is essential, but for the amount of work you are talking to get a basic one up and running, I would definitely do it from the start. If you are starting out with CCBill as your payment processor for example (as a lot of newcomers do) then their affiliate system is well respected and dead easy to set up.
Good luck!

Welcome to GFY :)

Welcome to GFY :)

welcome to the board