How To Start a Porn Site in 10 Easy Steps

Maloney Graham
16 min readJul 8, 2022
How to start a porn site — Featured Image

Are you curious about starting your own porn website but unsure where to start? It can be a lucrative venture, but success requires specific steps. This guide covers the basics, from legal considerations on how to start a porn site, to exploring potential revenue streams. By the end, you’ll have a clearer path to launching your own profitable adult site.

Did you know that a staggering 35% of all internet downloads are linked to adult content? It’s not just a niche corner of the web — approximately 25% of search engine queries revolve around the keyword ‘pornography.’

In cyberspace, over 4.2 million adult websites exist, constituting a whopping 12% of all sites.

Pro Tip: Start Your Own Porn Site Using xStreamer by Adent.io

But it’s not just about numbers; it’s about people. Believe it or not, around 40 million Americans regularly check out porn sites. Even more surprising, 70% of guys aged 18–24 visit these sites every month.

Now, ever thought about the dollars & cents of it all? Internet pornography chips in a substantial 20% of the overall e-commerce sales in the US & UK.

So, without any delay, let’s kick things off by delving into the ins & outs of how to start a porn site.

How To Start a Porn Site: Beginner’s Guide

Thinking about starting your own porn site might sound a bit overwhelming, but with some digging & dedication, it could be a money-making opportunity.

Before you jump in, always do some research on the market and the rules for running a porn site. Don’t worry, though — we’re here to assist!

This article gives you a simple step-by-step guide on how to start your own porn site and make some cash from it.

Let’s dive into the details and get your porn site up and running!

Step 1: Check For the Legal Requirements

If you’re involved in adult filmmaking, comply with the 2257 Regulations by documenting everyone in the production. Register your company as a Limited Liability Company (LLC) for personal protection.

Other legal requirements are:

  • Use an age restriction popup to keep users under 18 from accessing the site.
  • Check if the local laws in your chosen area permit porn consumption. Countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Iraq have prohibited porn.
  • Clearly state terms of usage and a privacy policy.
  • Establish guidelines for acceptable user-uploaded content.
  • Include an option for users to report inappropriate content for a safer online environment.

For a thorough understanding of additional legal considerations, seek guidance from a lawyer experienced in the adult industry.

Step 2: Choose a Niche

Every business has its unique nature, and the same applies when creating a porn site. Technically speaking, you must define its specific focus, technically referred to as its “NICHE.”

Choosing a niche is basically deciding the type of videos your porn site will feature. You might wonder, why not cover all niches to attract a massive audience?

Well, that’s a valid thought, but the big players like Pornhub & RedTube already cover a broad range. To make your mark, it’s smarter to pick a specific niche, focus on it, and grow your site from there.

The main reason is competition. Starting in a niche makes it easier to compete in a smaller area instead of trying to cover everything at once.

Let’s say you pick the “Lesbian” niche. Now, you can concentrate all your efforts on creating quality content and promoting it within that niche. This gives you a better chance to drive most of the relevant traffic than targeting billions and driving none.

Now, the big question: which niche should you choose for your porn site? There are 10,000+ niches to explore, each with its own set of viewers. Your job is to figure out which niche is doing well and start from there.

The 6 most searched and profitable porn niches are:

Once you’ve chosen one of these, the next step is to gauge the search traffic for that particular niche. You can easily accomplish this by using tools like Semrush or free tools like

Hoth Keyword Volume Checker. It proves instrumental in assessing the search volume of keywords in bulk, facilitating strategic keyword selection for enhanced SEO.

For Example,

Let’s take the keyword “Japanese Porn” as an example. After conducting a search volume analysis, you can observe the results for yourself — there’s a massive global search volume, a plethora of search results, and the keyword is only moderately challenging to rank for.

Likewise, research your chosen niche thoroughly. Find out who your competitors are, study what they’re doing, and use that knowledge to create compelling marketing strategies that cater to your customers’ needs.

Pro Tip: Always opt for a niche with high volume and medium competition for long-term sustainability.

PRO TIP: 2023, Pornhub data reveals a rising trend in adult entertainment featuring grandmas and elderly women. The “mature” category is now the 7th most viewed globally, experiencing a remarkable 69% surge.

Searches for terms like “granny” and “GILF” increased by 132% & 168%, respectively, compared to 2022. Focusing on this niche could lead to rapid success.

Step 3: Choose a Business Model

In this section, we’ll walk you through different approaches on how to make a porn site and help you in choosing the one that best suits your preferences.

Porn Tube Sites

  • Tube sites are like YouTube but for adult content, with popular examples including PornHub & XVideos.
  • Creating a porn tube site is advantageous as you can export videos from affiliate partners, making it cost-effective.
  • Monetization options include affiliate commission, selling links, premium contents & Ad zones.
  • The downside is high competition, but opting for a specific niche- based porn site coupled with effective marketing, scaling up is possible.

Adult Webcam Sites

  • Unlike tube sites, cam sites feature live models performing for the audience.
  • Revenue comes from model commissions through interactions like 1-on-1 private shows & video chats, tipping, and PPV.
  • Building a cam site requires sophistication with live streaming, payment gateways, and more.
  • Examples include LiveJasmin & Camsoda.

Subscription Membership Sites

  • Ideal for those planning a studio with models, similar to Brazzers or Digital Playground.
  • Revenue comes from subscription membership, PPV contents, and affiliate ads.
  • Launching a porn paysite requires original content, porn stars, equipment, and dedicated shooting space.
  • Notably, users pay exclusively for HD, 4K videos, and exclusive content

Explore diverse porn site options beyond those mentioned, including marketplace sites like OnlyFans and escort sites, personal fansites, erotic stories & literature sites, VR porn, and educational platforms, cam & porn aggregators.

Must Read: How to Start a Porn Aggregator Website Without Coding?

Step 4: Domain Name & Hosting

When you’re starting a porn channel, the next crucial steps involve choosing a domain name and a hosting service. Your domain name is vital as it will be talked about, remembered, shared, and visited.

Let’s have a quick look at the unique formulas behind popular adult site names:

  • Pornhub — The ultimate hub for all adult videos
  • Xnxx — Simple yet conveys the essence of the site
  • xHamster — A cool twist on a classic porn domain name
  • Chaturbate — The perfect blend of chat + masturbation

You can go according to the niches also just like of

  • Lesbify.com
  • Milf300.com
  • Teenxy.com

The aforementioned websites are associated with lesbian, MILF, and teen video contents respectively. The names of the porn websites directly reflect the niches they focus on.

When creating a website, the next crucial decision is choosing a hosting server. Adult hosting differs from regular hosting, and not all providers offer it. Therefore, adult hosting is categorized into three types:

1. Shared Hosting Services

  • Basic and cost-effective web hosting.
  • Designed for entrepreneurs on a tight budget.
  • Affordable but comes with limitations such as lower processing speed, monthly bandwidth, and storage space.

2. Semi-Dedicated Hosting Services

  • An intermediate option, still shared hosting.
  • Fewer accounts are hosted on the server compared to shared hosting.
  • Though similar to shared hosting, it offers superior technical resources with a semi-dedicated hosting plan.

3. Dedicated Hosting

  • Provides exclusive use of the entire server.
  • Users are not confined to a specific part of the server.
  • Resources are not shared with other users.
  • Eliminates concerns about catching viruses from server users, a common issue in shared & semi-dedicated hosting.

Choosing the right type of hosting service depends on your specific needs and budget considerations.

Most hosting providers don’t support adult niche websites. But M3Server specializes in hosting services for such sites, offering improved performance and minimizing virus concerns. Choosing a dedicated host like M3Server can enhance your porn site’s overall functionality.

Step 5: Get the Right Platform to Build

Now that you’ve chosen your porn site’s niche and domain name, it’s time to decide how to build it. There are 3 main approaches, and you need to pick the one that suits you best.

Build it from Scratch

  • Building from scratch may be the perfect option for those who are new to entrepreneurship or have a keen eye for unique design features. But it’s time-consuming and costly.
  • Takes 6–9 months with an investment of at least $30,000 — $40,000 depending upon the features.
  • Suitable if you have ample time, budget and a dedicated team.

Using WordPress

  • A quicker option compared to building from scratch.
  • Register a domain, choose a hosting partner, select themes, and upload contents.
  • WordPress supports mature content but marks sites as mature, affecting visibility.

Numerous WordPress themes and plugins are available for building your porn websites.

However, it’s essential to seek an alternative that fully supports the growth of your porn site. The ideal solution is creating your own porn site using adult turnkey scripts.

Using Ready-Made Scripts

  • Adult turnkey scripts are pre-developed software scripts specifically designed for the creation of porn websites within the adult industry, aligning with the associated business model.
  • Best for those with a limited budget & time.
  • Highly customizable, user friendly, and attracts heavy online traffic.
  • Enables basic monetization with various features like PPV, affiliate marketing, and advertising.

Adult turnkey scripts are pre-made software scripts specifically crafted for the creation of websites within the adult entertainment industry, commonly associated with explicit content.

Choosing the right approach depends on your resources and goals. If time & money are abundant, building from scratch might be suitable. WordPress is quicker but has limitations, while adult ready-made scripts offer a budget-friendly and efficient solution for new entrepreneurs.

Step 6: Site Structure and Optimization

To make a porn site user-friendly, it is important to organize the pages in a way that makes navigation easy for the users. You should link essential pages, such as different categories, directly to the homepage.

Before that you should first understand the terms ‘categories’ & ‘tags.’

  • Categories are broad classifications that group together similar types of content based on themes or genres. They serve as the primary organizational units on a porn site.
  • Tags on the other hand are more specific labels assigned to individual pieces of content within a category. They provide additional details about the content, highlighting specific attributes, acts, or performers featured in a video or image.

Let’s dive into a specific niche, like MILF (Mother I’d Like to F*ck). Within this category, there are various subcategories such as Latina MILFs, MILF Hunters, MILF Big Tits, and MILF Anal.

Each video in these categories comes with specific tags, like “mature” or “cumshot,” which act as labels describing what happens in that particular video.

To boost the visibility of your videos on search engines, make sure to incorporate relevant keywords in the title, description, and tags. In the later part of the article, we’ll delve into effective marketing tips to enhance your overall strategy.

Step 7: Create and Upload Contents

Once you’ve tackled all the technical aspects, it’s time to understand the strategy for uploading content.

Embed Videos From Other Porn Sites

Embedding videos with affiliate partners is the easiest way to get quality content for your porn site. If you want your site to have lots of quality videos without much effort, this is a great choice.

Here’s how it works: Register your domain name on your affiliate partner’s dashboard, and once that’s done, effortlessly import videos tailored to your preferred niches.

It’s important to note that not every website allows this sharing feature. Additionally, this rule extends to images; certain sites may activate hotlink protection, restricting external sites from embedding images or videos hosted on the original site.

Pros:

  • Access to abundant content from various sources
  • No copyright issues
  • Automation scripts

Cons:

  • Embed links may not work if the source site deletes content.
  • Lack of control over the source may lead to broken links.
  • Limited curated content for your site.

Let Users Upload Videos

Letting users upload their content is a cost-effective approach widely adopted by industry leaders. When you kickstart your porn site, you might consider implementing this strategy, especially after building a consistent audience.

Once you attract regular contributors, you can rely on a continuous influx of fresh content without much effort. Simply insert your ads, encourage users to share their material, and enjoy the revenue.

However, it’s not all smooth sailing when depending on user-generated content. Ensuring submissions align with legal and ethical standards is crucial.

Hosting illegal content, such as child pornography or actual torture, can lead to serious legal consequences.

Pros:

  • Admin doesn’t worry about planning and uploading content.
  • No need to invest time & money in content production.
  • More time to focus on other porn projects.

Cons:

  • Requires continuous monitoring of user-uploaded content.
  • Risk of users uploading virus-encrypted files increases.

Create Your Own Content

Let’s discuss two scenarios here.

In the first scenario, you operate an in-production studio, collaborating with models. It’s crucial to establish a clear agreement to ensure that both parties comprehensively understand the terms and conditions.

This not only fosters a positive working relationship but also safeguards your site from legal issues.

In the second scenario, having your own personal porn account grants you full control. This not only alleviates the worry of infringements but also keeps you clear of legal issues.

This approach enables you to:

  • Decide and schedule content publishing.
  • Maintain control over the quality of your porn site’s content.
  • Have complete access to customize or modify the content.

In summary, a balanced approach is often recommended. You have the flexibility to mix & match these methods based on your preferences and resources so as to make more money with porn.

Step 8: Generate Traffic To Your Porn Site

Let’s explore 10 proven marketing tips to generate traffic to your porn site:

  • Adult SEO — Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is crucial for any website, including adult sites. Optimize your videos with relevant keywords, meta tags, and quality backlinks. This will improve your site’s ranking on search engines and make it more discoverable to your target audience.
  • Email Marketing — Build a strong connection with your audience through email marketing. Create engaging newsletters, exclusive content, and promotions to keep your subscribers interested. Email marketing is a powerful tool to drive repeat visits and build a loyal user base.
  • Affiliate Partnerships — Collaborate with other adult websites through affiliate partnerships. Offer incentives such as revenue sharing or commissions for every customer referred to your site. This mutually beneficial arrangement can broaden your reach and increase traffic.
  • Paid Ads — Engage your audience with interactive advertisements. Create visually appealing and interactive ads to capture attention. Incorporating interactive elements such as sext or video chats pop-ups can actively involve users and make your ads more captivating.
  • Avoid Duplicate Contents — Search engines penalize duplicate content. Ensure your website has unique, high-quality content. This not only improves your search engine rankings but also enhances user experience. Regularly update your content to keep it fresh and relevant.
  • Promotions & Discounts — Everyone loves a good deal. Offer promotions, discounts, or exclusive access to premium content to entice visitors. This not only attracts new users but also encourages existing ones to stay and explore more.
  • Partnerships with Models — Forge partnerships with adult models to increase your site’s credibility and appeal. Featuring well-known models in your content or collaborations can attract their fanbase to your site. This cross-promotion benefits both parties and boosts traffic.
  • Adult Forums and Blogs — Engage with the community by participating in adult forums and blogs. Share valuable insights, answer questions, and establish your website as an authority in the industry. This can drive organic traffic and build a loyal following.

Some popular porn forums are PeachForum, FreeOnes, Phun, and OneClickChicks.

  • Mobile Friendly & Responsiveness — As per Pornhub reports for 2023, there has been an 8.4% surge in mobile usage, making up 52.1% of total traffic on mobile devices. This trend is especially noteworthy within the realm of adult content sites.

When people feel h*rny, waiting on slow or unresponsive sites is a major turn-off.

Fast-loading sites encourage users to revisit, becoming recurring visitors and potentially subscribed members. This, in turn, grabs Google’s attention, elevating the visibility and traffic of your adult site.

Check your site’s performance with Google’s Page Speed Insights.

  • Promote on Social Media — Just like popular adult sites like Eporner & PornHub, having a Twitter account for your porn site can boost visibility.

Twitter & Reddit are ideal platforms for promoting 18+ content. Post a teaser on these platforms with a catchy caption and a link to your full video for increased traffic.

Use Reddit’s diverse SubReddits to reach relevant communities like /r/milf/, /r/actuallesbians/. However, it is crucial to follow platform guidelines to avoid getting banned.

Step 9: Monetize Your Porn Site

Once your porn site is live, the immediate focus should shift to monetization.

Without a robust strategy in place, generating revenue becomes challenging. Here are a couple of effective methods to help you start earning money from your porn site.

Adult Ad Networks

One of the most lucrative ways to generate income from your adult website is through advertisements. Popular adult ad networks like ExoClick, JuicyAds, and TrafficJunky offer a simple strategy — display ads, wait for user clicks, and earn ad revenue.

Signing up with these networks allows your site to partner with various adult platforms. For instance, TrafficJunky provides exposure across various adult sites, cam platforms, and fan sites.

It operates on a CPM pricing model, ensuring visibility on both desktop and mobile sites. Simply register, and the ad network will handle the rest, allowing you to profit from your adult content effortlessly.

Sell Premium Contents

Boost your revenue by selling premium porn content on your porn site. Choose exclusive videos and lock them, prompting users to pay a set price for access.

Many successful adult websites use this strategy, selling high-quality content like HD & 4K videos at premium prices. Implementing this practice can significantly enhance your revenue streams in the adult industry.

Adult Affiliate Marketing

Usually, porn production companies retain video copyrights, limiting sharing on tube sites. However, a workaround involves showcasing shortened versions on your site. Redirect viewers to the original source, earning affiliate commissions.

Moreover, affiliates earn commissions for actions like sales or sign-ups through their referral links or promotional efforts.

This represents just one facet of adult affiliate marketing; explore other avenues like selling sex toys, merchandise, hosting contests, and retailing DVDs to maximize your site’s revenue potential.

Step 10: Monitor & Analyze

Today, optimizing your porn site’s performance is essential, and fortunately, an array of free tools can assist in this endeavor. By using these tools, you can efficiently evaluate and enhance your website’s functionality, contributing to the seamless growth of your adult platform.

  • Google Search Console — Google Search Console is a valuable resource for monitoring your site’s google search presence. It provides insights into indexing status, search queries, crawling errors, and aids in optimizing website visibility.
  • Google AnalyticsFor a comprehensive understanding of your website’s dynamics, consider integrating Google Analytics. This tool offers detailed data on website traffic, acquisition channels, conversion rates, and more, helping you to make informed decisions to improve performance.

Conclusion

The adult industry is evergreen, and now is the perfect time to dip your toes in! Who knows? Your porn site might become the next go-to hub!

In this guide on how to start a porn site, we’ve walked you through the process of building a site from the ground up and ensuring its success. We’ve also delved into strategies for earning from your porn site and maintaining consistent traffic. Now, all that’s left is for you to take the initiative and make your own porn site.

For a top-notch recommendation, Adent.io stands out as the ideal choice to start your own porn website. With its turnkey software, offering comprehensive features and 100% source code access, it helps you to have full control over your adult site’s management and revenue.

Got questions? Cool, hit us up in the comments, and let’s make your journey to owning a rockin’ porn site as exciting as it gets!

FAQs About How to Start a Porn Site

  1. How Profitable is Running a Porn Website?

With a global valuation of $97 billion, the vast porn industry offers diverse niches. Focusing on a niche porn site minimizes competition, guaranteeing profitability. Monetization options include subscriptions, adult product sales, premium content, affiliate marketing, and ads.

2. Do I Need to Know Coding to Start a Porn Site?

No, coding skills are not necessary to start a porn site. Opting for adult turnkey software, such as that offered by Adent.io, can facilitate the launch of a porn site without the need for coding expertise. They offer comprehensive features and 100% source code access for customization.

3. How Does a Regular Person Start a Porn Site like Pornhub or Redtube Without Underground Connections?

Starting a porn site like Pornhub or Redtube is possible for individuals without underground connections. Choose a niche, research legal requirements, use user-friendly platforms and focus on ethical content. Collaborate with legal professionals and network openly within the adult industry to establish your venture.

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