Back to webcomics hosting themselves (thoughts on the “mature” iOS restrictions)

[GabiWolf]

So I remember when I first started publishing here I had ask the question if it was a good idea to get a website for my comic. A lot of individuals said it wasn’t necessary there are even YouTube webcomic business advice videos talking about the “new age of webcomics” being on apps and second party websites.
However there was the point being made that if things change you are at the whim of that change when on another site, but not if it’s on your own.
With the resent development with apple Tapas is scrambling to find a solution, but I wonder if in the end creators will go, as was done in the “ golden age” of webcomics, and start their own sight.

Thoughts? I don’t make any real mature content but have been mulling over getting a website still and doing research.

[Tanako]

Honestly it won’t hurt getting one even if it’s a free done for the mean time. I personally have my own website www.pleasurecomics.com and that’s where I post all my nature content for Patreon supporters. At least I know I can post whatever I want and not be restricted. It’s just the freedom of knowing you have another outlet Incase one should fail on you. So would I care if tapas or webtoon was to go under? Nope because my work will still be online available to my readers and that’s the most important thing to me. So should you get a website? Absolutely.

The only downfall is that. It could get pricy in a long run so that’s why I suggest the free version before you dive into it. Me personally I can build my own which I did so it reduced cost.

[GabiWolf]

I really do think getting a website is the smart thing to do. I was just worried that a free one wouldn’t look professional. But I guess it’s better than nothing.

[ajcrwl]

I have a website too, even though it's kind of secondary now since my works on Tapas have bigger readership.
I definitely tryharded too much with the coding on the website, but what can I do - ever since I registered my own domain and learned how to code, my brain has expanded 3000% and now I have to make sacrifices to the god of all coders in order to calm the itch down and keep my sanity. But these days there are easier ways to make galleries, and comic templates, and patron-only content, etc. However, when I was starting Webtoons and Tapas weren't a thing, so I definitely crafted a platform for myself which is not influenced by the format of these apps and is more suited for my creative needs.
Speaking of mature content - there will be some in my comic, but I'm still far away from the time when I will be drawing it, but I've definitely already prepared the ground for such content on my site. Just in case. Who knows how it's going to go. I may not even put this content on any apps and keep it on my website only.

[therealbereth]

Honestly, I've been thinking about my own homepage for a while now anyway, and the way things are going, it seems I will be forced to host it sooner rather than later. If this mature section – which we know NOTHING about as of now because we just have one small announcement for some reason – goes the way it is looking now, Tapas alienates exactly the users who were hurt most by Apple's purge, imo.

I just know that my anxiety over posting my mature stuff later (mature, not steamy) has just sparked with this announcement. How can I be true to what the story needs when every (!) website has ridiculous rules on what is considered appropriate?

I'm tired.

[Shanny8]

My plan was to make my site anyway for my comics; never know when all of this could go belly up...with the way that iOS and Google app platforms have been behaving towards art & webcomics, creators need to have their own sites where they can promote and monetize their material without interference based on their content.

[AceRagz]

I haven't coded a website since the early 2000s ugh guess I might have to relearn. The other thing is finding a hosting company that allows mature content because couple years ago I couldn't find one that was cheap and found Tapas in the process. Of course that was well before the Apple/Google purge.

[xabelmind]

Yes, it's your own store in the street.

You may make deals with bigger business to put your product in their stand and/or work under their brand, but still.

If something we know about this is the need to spread in as much directions as possible (which doesn't mean put your stuff everywhere right now, do it at the rythm you can attend it ).

I had a free site around a year ago for some months, it took me a heck lot of time when I set something up, but at least I learned how those sites work inside, and in the moment it got so big that it couldn't load fast, I put it down.

I'll go back on building my own page when I feel it worths it, but still, it worths it, just depends on your priorities and time

[Tanako]

The free one is for you to test it out before you jump into the main thing. Yes I think it’s best to get the real deal. So it looks professional.

[sadghost]

I don't know.

The appeal of sites like webtoons, is that is already frequented by lots of people that exclusive seek for webcomics (compared to sites like devianart that is more "all graphic arts in general"). So the site already attracts lots of potential new readers. I have no problem as i leave the mature content to be show on patreon.

I know, the BIG/Popular webcomics back then, didn't need webtoons/tapas, comics like Lackadaisy (wich now is also on webtoons -_-) or Ava's demons got their own site (how they make people go to their website in the first place, is a mystery to me).

I can see the pros and cons of having your own site.

The pro will be that unlike webtoons or tapas, your comic won't be buried under a lot of big popular comics/featured/premium/original etc.

The cons will be the cost/the codding and how to make people go to your website in the first place.

[vothnthorvaldson]

The problem with personal websites is that they have to be part of a larger community to have proper visibility. But then, they are easily becoming dependent and we're back to the same problem..

Theoretically, what I wish for would be a web of small personal sites with 5-15 comics on each (so it's manageable price and time-wise), either grouped by topics or simply artists with some affinities, either artistically or simply friends. Each small community would link to a few similar communities etc.
Do I think it's possible? Not really. Many people working in the same direction with no leader.. Likely to fail..
But I would probably give a try if I had more time.

[sarrowsmith10]

either grouped by topics or simply artists with some affinities, either artistically or simply friends.

Isn't this what Hiveworks does? ( https://www.hiveworkscomics.com/ )

[Iris-Grimoire]

Hiveworks has gotten pretty big(which is great for ads, but dunno if someone would rather stay on their own) and I THINK they follow certain guidelines? Aside from them, there's Spiderforest Collective, which is slightly smaller and from afar looks more independent.

[Maps]

I read one of my favorite mature webnovels on their own site. I can’t remember how I stumbled across it, but they had a site set up and everything was in a downloadable format. They were able to write anything they wanted, unapologetically (and uncensored)!
It wouldn’t hurt to have your own website for your work. You’d probably just have to promote it a little more on various sites so that it can be easily found.

[vothnthorvaldson]

Isn't this what Hiveworks does? ( https://www.hiveworkscomics.com/ )

Hiveworks has gotten pretty big(which is great for ads, but dunno if someone would rather stay on their own) and I THINK they follow certain guidelines? Aside from them, there's Spiderforest Collective, which is slightly smaller and from afar looks more independent.

Thank you! I can't check now but I will certainly do later.
For independence in the long term it would require to be something set as a non-profit organization, where any profit is organized by each member. Big task though, and my experience with non-profits does not make me extremely enthusiastic. But I think it's the only way for any independence.

[joannekwan]

The cons will be the cost/the codding and how to make people go to your website in the first place.

This is really the biggest con for me.

I suppose if all the comic-hosting sites go down or become inhospitable, that will be a sign for me to finally quit webcomics and focus on novels instead and get a 9-5 job.

[Shanny8]

The cons will be the cost/the codding and how to make people go to your website in the first place.

Welp if it were easy, we'd all have a site and tons of readers by now. I dont mind the struggle if it pays off in the end...

The problem with personal websites is that they have to be part of a larger community to have proper visibility.

I remember there was a buzz goin on around Twitter almost a month ago about webrings(bring them back). I think that would be an excellent idea given the current climate of how other spaces like Tumblr have put the ban on mature content and you see what Tapas is having to resort to now because of Apple...just have links/banners(?) to other creators' webcomic sites so that readers would have access to more comics to read- unfiltered webcomics without censors(other than the creator's own).

@sarrowsmith10 Also, doesnt Hiveworks pick & choose which creators they want with their organization- just like Spiderforest?

[joannekwan]

doesnt Hiveworks pick & choose which creators they want with their organization- just like Spiderforest?

Yes, they both screen applicants and only accept a certain amount. But it's much harder to get into Hiveworks and they require acceptees to be exclusive. Spiderforest is more lax with the types of comics they accept, and don't require exclusivity.

[GabiWolf]

What I’m hearing is that we should start a webcomic commune, full of peace, love and acceptance.

(Takes out drums and starts swaying)

[Cavechan]

As someone who is the proud owner of a website that has almost zero traffic, I think that would be a great idea!

I do remember back in the day when my comic had its own website and I linked to a bunch of other comics and hold on...

blows off dust

Why, here it is!

http://kaitouneppie.comicgenesis.com/