Is it worth investing in a website?

[Isabelle18]

Hey,
I've read about getting a website in a few places now,
I don't really understand it much- this is my understanding- you buy a domain name, and then get a website host such as wordpress? and then you set it up yourself, but how do you do that? do they have a set up similar to Wix.com which allows you to pick what it looks like without having to write all that complex IT speak? I assume so cause otherwise I doubt so many girls would have a site without being IT experts.
So if that is how to set it up, do you think it's worth doing?
If I'm paying ?15-30 a month, I'd only need one client a month through there for it to be successful but will I even get that? How do I get it to appear high on popular search engines such as google?

I'm gunna be doing more research now ive realised how clueless I am but any help in the meantime would be useful,
Thankyou
Isabelle

[Fabulassie]

Appearing high on search engines is damn near impossible without doing dodgy things that can backfire and get you dropped by Google entirely.

However I find it very helpful as a supplemental part of my marketing. I put the link on my aw and vivastreet profiles. Good clients will click through to learn more about you. Having a blog is really good for that.

There are also directories that you can link to with a link exchange. And twitter can get the word out.

To convert these surfers into future bookings, I have a newsletter subscription form. Guys do sign up for it. It helps to promote tours and discounts.

Ian (xw5) does excellent websites for escorts. Includes registering domain (good for anonymity), hosting on a server, and basic design.

[Caledonia]

You can always get one made for you, yourescortsite is run by Xw5 from on here. Also the guy behind selectanescort does websites too.

It doesn't cost that much and probably a lot easier for someone with no technical knowledge at all.

Although I will say I have now created 2 websites, 1 on escortsite .com and the other on escortbook .com, they have easy to follow steps.

As for getting up on google I found simple things like having links with the directories helped, this tends to involve putting their link on your site and yours on theirs either as a HTML link on an ad itself or a banner link on their main page.

Also making sure your title tags are descriptive and relevant, if you have individual pages then you want to have title tags for then all (for example if you separate pages with the following, description, services, rates, tours, blog, gallery)

So for example for the description page (about you) title tag, you would have something like 'Isabelle sexy independent escort available for sensual gfe in Camden London. Find out more about myself.

[Caledonia]

Also make sure any photos have good descriptions too

[Kay]

I'm useless at SEO (my local competitor beats me hands out, but I do still appear on the first page of Google) but like having my own site mainly as I can always refer people to it, and say what I want in my blog etc.

I paid, I think 80 quid to have it set up, and then a bit (less than 20) for the domain name, which needs to be renewed. I subsequently set up my own WordPress site for my other business (you basically choose a 'theme' and adapt it, and I managed to do a fairly basic site), but having someone else do my escorting one means the domain name isn't linked to me, so that's a plus re. privacy.

Last but not least, I think it makes you look more professional, i.e. escorting is your business, not just a hobby/desperate act, you're not pimped etc.

[Isabelle18]

So if I did get a website host, do I tell them how I want the site to appear and they do it? Or just what I'd like the boxes to say?
Could I add things like a shop to sell pictures/videos etc or does that have to be through another site?
+ does anyone have a site done by the people you've recommended please just so I can have a little peak to see if it's the sort of thing I'm looking for.
Thankyou very much everyone

[VoluptuousCurves]

Domain name is the address of your website and will cost approx ?10-20 per year. If you register with Namecheap they also give you free domain privacy for the first year which means people can't look up your personal details from your domain name.

The Web host simply provides a space where your website will "live" - a bit like renting a flat. Hostgator have reasonable pricing and their customer support is good.

You can then choose to either build the site yourself using for example WordPress (which is fairly easy to use) or you could hire a designer and pay them a fee to design the site the way you want it. If you are expecting to regularly add pics, blogs, change wording etc then I would go with WordPress because a designer will need to charge for updates.

Regarding getting high in the search results, that is a whole other topic and can be extremely expensive (and frustrating!)

[VoluptuousCurves]

Sorry also meant to say: adding a store facility will increase the price significantly and is difficult to do yourself. You would also need to open a merchant account to take credit card transactions because Paypal won't deal with adult content. Is there something specific you were thinking of selling/charging for?

[Isabelle18]

Okay thankyou very much,
Only like used clothing or pictures so if it's not worth it I'll just do it through another site or get them to send me an amazon egiftcard or something. I think I'll spend today doing this, thankyou xx

[Emma_C]

purchase your domain name in you work name. Had my details leaked on google even after I'd asked for my name to be hidden. Took 3 months to get it removed, it was very stressful.

[Riverprice]

Hey everyone! I tried looking up this on the search engine but the only results were from 7 years ago! Basically I was looking at various escorts websites and i was wondering is there a big benefit to having one rather than just having a Adult work (which is currently where i get all my work from) ? Im thinking of making one but Id like to check if its worth it before I start! xxx

[Caledonia]

It is definitely worth it. There have been girls in the past who relied only on AW panicking because AW has went down (and it has been down for days before). So it is good to be on other directories for just this reason plus a lot of clients have never heard of AW.

A lot of the directories will only do a free ad if you have their link on your website (it has to be a paid site not a free one), so unless you want to pay for every single ad then you really do need a website.

[Mirror]

I get bookings from men who use Google, other directories and AW. In my opinion it results in a wider range of client enquiries. Quite a few say they chose me over those closer, younger, cheaper/whatever because they felt my website made me into more of a real person.

Not for everyone, but it suits me.

[BibiofLeeds]

I've always found having your own website get's you extra clients,I think it also adds an extra air of professionalism and genuineness to you as a 'brand'.Some clients are wary about Adultwork etc and so an actual website of your own makes them feel more reassured that you are for real.
Not all clients use directories and instead put into google 'bbw escort Leeds' for example.
You can also put what you want on your own website so you don't have to worry about using mystery words that will get you banned on AW!

[Caledonia]

You can also put what you want on your own website so you don't have to worry about using mystery words that will get you banned on AW!

Yep so you can write on your blog if you read a book by Lee Child without being suspended  .