The only way we’re going to find out if the Warning page safeguards webmasters is if the subject comes up in a court case. It’s not like a Warning page can physically stop anyone from entering an adult site. The Warning page is our self-adopted content rating system. Porn webmasters post them as a sign of good faith. So far, we don’t know if the Warning page protects us in a legal sense.
|
"That Warning page could be your site's most valuable piece of marketing real estate. Many adult webmasters make money from their humble Warning pages." |
Ineffective as they may be against unwanted visitors, practically all adult webmasters need to learn how to build a Warning page. For one, it’s just the right thing to do. For another, the Warning page is the perfect spot to display your site’s 2257 information. Thirdly, most link lists and search engines won’t index a free adult site without a Warning page. Even the top TGP sites serve a Warning page.
The Warning page contains a few common elements:
- The Warning text should be readily viewable as the page loads.
- The page should contain a link to 2257 information for the site’s content.
- The page must display an ENTER and EXIT link.
- No hardcore/nudity
The whole thing sounds pretty dull and it makes sense that a lot of new adult webmasters find the task ridiculous. What’s the point of a Warning page? It’s not going to stop anyone. Why not just hit them with the main page and start selling the smut?
What the newbie doesn’t know is that if he/she builds that Warning page right, they’re already selling.
That Warning page could be your site’s most valuable piece of marketing real estate. Many adult webmasters make money from their humble Warning pages. Those spartan HTML documents do much more than caution a surfer. Warning pages provide the smutmaster with a place to promote a non-adult sponsor or send a visitor to a non-adult site. A Warning page is an opportunity sell before the prey ever enters your web.
It’s done with two words. Two words that are the most important when designing any commercial adult page: Scroll Down. You should always try to design your Warning page so that the surfer must scroll d
down to get to your EXIT or ENTER links. Make them scroll down past your logo, your Warning text and your sponsor ad before they can go further or just go.
Here’s a map of the construction:
1. TOP
Place a logo image or header text. This should be easy to see but not too big. You want the surfer to be able to view the logo and some of the Warning text within the initial window. This way, the surfer knows
what site they’re on and they are forced to read your Warning.
2. WARNING
Embed it directly on the page or put it in an IFrame. Whatever you choose, make sure your Warning text is a message to the underage and those accessing illegally. Tell the reader that your site contains sexual content and their entry could be a violation of the law.
3. ADVERTISING
We’re not talking banner farm. One smut-free sponsor link/banner with some sales copy will work nicely from this position on your Warning page. You’ll undoubtedly get more benefit out of marketing non-adult products/programs here. Quite a few adult webmasters sell history-killer or file-protection software on a Warning page. Some sell male-enhancement pills, while others will promote their own non-adult sites. Get creative. Our industry offers numerous sponsors with affiliate programs featuring non-adult services/products.
4. ENTER/EXIT
See how that works? By the time the surfer gets to this part of the page, they know what site they’re on. They know whether or not they need to leave or stay. They’ve seen your stunning advertisement. Now they get to make a choice. With the ENTER/EXIT links and the sponsor banner, you’ve given them three choices. Two are in your favor. If the surfer decides to EXIT, you have the chance to hook them when they click that link. All you have to do is send them to a non-porn site of your own. That way you can still market to them non-adult style!
5. 2257 INFO
Every adult site should have it. This is as good a place as any. 2257 is part of the US Code. 2257 contains information detailing the custodian of records for the content on your site as well as mention that all models are of legal age. Some webmasters stick this link at the very bottom of a Warning page. Regrettable but acceptable. Some neglect to post 2257 at all. Bad move.
6. OTHER STUFF
Want to link to NetNanny or some other porn-blocking software? How about a copyright for your intellectual property? Do you like a bit of navigation at the end of a page? All good here, under the other elements. You could even get away with another bit of sales text, promoting your non-adult program.
A Warning page doesn’t have to be the place where you lose the surfer. Legal protection or not, a Warning page can be more than just a reason to click the ENTER and/or EXIT link. This page is the first thing any surfer sees when first visiting your domain. Make it worth their time on your bandwidth. Use your Warning page to sell!
SUBMIT