How personal do you make it?

[Lee]

So basically you are saying, that putting a 'face' to a paysite is not of any benefit? Interesting when you look at many trigger words where it is one on one, which is why I would also assume that putting a 'face' to the site would help encourage sign ups from outside, plus retention. I also think it would lead to more trust, to encourage upsells.

Maybe I just went to the wrong business school... ' :kickcan:

Putting a 'face' on a site isnt the same as 'personalization' though.

Giving the user a 'personal' experience means they get to do much more than just join and view porn, they get to inter-act, say what they want in the site, chat with the models, chat with other members, define layouts, upload their own pics, etc, etc.

All of that, apart from the potential to land the site owner in a lot of legal trouble by allowing the member to have access to YouTube/MySpace type features, is actually cutting the site owners revenue potential down, why offer the surfer personalization within the paysite when for the price of another membership, they can join a live cam network and make you some more $$$ in the process via the upsell?

Putting a 'face' on a site, in the sense of what you are talking about it basic branding, making your site stand out over the countless others and giving it a 'face' isnt the only method of doing that, and it certainly isnt the most cost effective way of branding a site.

Most of the time, the people who tell you that surfers 'want' personalization inside a paysites members area:

1) Dont own paysites.
2) Say it because it sounds good.
3) Wouldnt do it themselves if they did own a paysite.
4) Dont have a clue what 'surfers' actually want.

Regards,

Lee

[gaystoryman]

Well I think my concept of 'personalization' is different. I am not talking about inter action like putting up pics, or even chatting with the models. Seems that would be costly, and lead to models doing stuff on the side I'd not be comfortable with. (from business perspective)

Putting a face on a site, is a bit more than just branding, though I suppose in a broad sense it would be similar. I just think that in how we approach the surfer, is too cold, too ineffecient. It doesn't build up trust, which may or may not be important but I think it is.

I guess it depends on the style one wants to project. But interesting discussion, as it does help clear up some things I was questioning in the old noggin. Perhaps the term should be personable, rather than personal. Just seems that so many sites, are cold, are too similar that it doesn't lend itself to being more stable in a long term, but then again I do see some pretty staid sites that do keep on making money.