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

[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/

[Milhamah]

This sounds like the internet in the late 1990s before Google became mainstream. Everyone had their own site on Geocities and Lycos, and they were grouped by hobby. Most content wasn't slick, but it was charming.

[rajillustration]

But also back in the day (of like what, 15 years ago?) having ads on your site used to give you way more money and that's why you would host your own comics and blogs--for that sweet sweet ad money. Nowadays ads are super different in how they work so having one on your page doesn't make nearly as much. That's part of the reason why we've turned to platforms like tapas and webtoon. I don't think ads would even pay my yearly fee for my site itself (and I do have one, but it's just a portfolio site, I don't drive any comic traffic that direction)

[vothnthorvaldson]

Yes! I remember these times with a lot of nostalgia! Even if there was way less content, in an hour I could see so much content I actually was looking for, find people with common interests from everywhere in the world etc.
Now there is so much more content and so many social media, but the actual 'good' (as helpful, pertinent) interactions are very difficult to make.

[Darth_Biomech]

Pros of sites like Tapas: webcomic cross-pollination with readers and basically free advertising.
Pros of a standalone site: Total control over the design of the pages, what is presented to the reader and how.

With Tapas I can't change the layout, or how it presents pages to the readers, I can't even put in a bonus section with fanarts or character info. I would actually consider Tapas being a secondary platform in relation to my main site, since it is so much more limited in what it allows me to do. I can't even change the background color! Bright white works so well with mostly dark pages!

[CodeMonkeyArts]

I am currently working on building my own website but linking to Tapas for my WebNovels. I suppose I can post my Webnovels there too, but since I just started, I kinda want it to just be a blog and art gallery to help promote where my work can be read. I dunno shrug I'm just flying by the seat of my pants.

[rajillustration]

Oh man what I would give if Tapas would allow me to put even just a little bit of scripting on my own pages. Like the stark white is so freakin hard on my eyes, and people on mobile might be using dark mode so like...what color do I make my gutters then? It's real annoying.

[Schwa]

How do you make a website formatted for a long scroller comic? Can Word Press do it?

[Iris-Grimoire]

There's a plugin called ComicPress that pretty much every webcomic I follow uses, and I believe there are others to install Disqus or whatever comment structure you think is necessary. What I don't know is that if Wordpress lets you use that big of a plugin without a domain of your own, but I was going to cross that bridge when I got there with enough comic content to need an archive.

[Schwa]

Hey thanks so much T^T