September, 26th, 2009
When purchasing an Adult Webcam Script, everyone is always looking for that best “Deal”, cheap enough for us to afford, but is affordability always the better deal when starting a new business?

Sometimes a good deal can also end up being nothing more than a good marketing scheme.  In this article the truth between a webcam script and a full fledge adult video chat business solution will be discussed, it’s up to you to decide what is best for you, but at least knowing the facts before you purchase may save you more money in the long run.

Webcam script vs Full Service Provider: There are many different variations available when looking to start a new adult video chat business, but inevitably most potential web cam business owner’s look at buying software first, before actually putting a full fledged business plan together.  If you fall into the look for software first category then this article is for you.   There are many so called “Adult Webcam Script” providers popping up all over the search engines, no point in targeting one particular company, just Google it’s not hard to find them, but what are they really selling you?

Generally any business that truly makes money didn’t start from a $200 piece of software, especially if you are one of the “Newbie” adult online business owners.  Below are the requirements for starting a new adult web cam business (The bare minimum).

Adult Webcam Script (Software) - The Server: When you purchase adult webcam scripts (Adult Video Chat Software), you also need (We are targeting flash based systems) a server, enough to handle any load, also just like the software portion of your new business it’s also a major part, there are good providers and not so good providers.  Unless you are system administrator, network engineer or one of those weekend warriors that just likes spending all your time screwing with online server components, then getting a server for cheap with unmanaged service is simply just a bad business decision.  When it goes down or has problems, (Which anyone that thinks this will never happen, has something to learn) it is going to either cost you an arm and a leg to fix, or you will just end up with a page cannot be found eventually, server costs to repair with an unmanaged service will eat you up in the long run.

The Software: Good software is in essence like a car, cheap software being a ford Pinto and cutting edge software being a Formula 1 Race Car. There is so much code that goes into a properly coded adult video chat software (If done right) than most could understand. Thinking you can just hire a programmer and say "I want to clone this video webcam site" and the programmer says sure no problem in 30-60 days he says not a problem with 60 days no where near being done, (Maybe in 6 to 12 months, if he sticks around that long, on the original bid price). A good, secure video chat software takes time, a proper team of senior developers, and money, Formula 1 race car vs gas economy commute car. Getting to the point simply, if you are only paying a few hundred or so dollars for your web cam script, what are you really getting, and is it going to help me make money?

Some of the questions to these are simplified below, again make your own decisions...

Security: Anyone that says your web site won’t get hacked or is fool proof has rocks in their head (To put it bluntly) unless your software was built with security in mind.  Generally when you purchase a cheap webcam script, sure they look descent, when you set it up, but are they really secure?  A good software for video chat honestly takes years to produce, whenever someone says I can build you a webcam software for adult video chat in under 6 months from the ground up, what you are going to get is  (If you actually get it at all) a video chat software that isn’t very secure (if not really buggy).  When and if you actually do start making money, when a private show is going on, makes good sense to have true private shows and not ones that came from hacking into your webcam script, for free.  You end up paying the models salary, regardless, or you loose both ways, either you lose the model or you lose the money.  Sure there are many variables but security in mind should be a major focus day 1, saving money in the long run is going to cost you more, than if you just bought a qualified webcam solution in the beginning.

Adult Web cam Script providers that offer a source code with your purchase for only a few hundred dollars, then every person that buys that software has the same source code, your security goes right out the window. Doesn't take much for that source to end up on a bittorrent site, where anyone can download it, find a hole and what you have is your new business wide open to anyone that wants you. Source files of Qualified Service Providers/Builders usually remain with those providers for one of the reasons just mentioned.

Flash Media Stream Server: When Flash media server is what in simple terms runs your software video and chat applications, without it your software will do nothing, (There are other scripts and components but a good software includes all these).   The general cost for Adobes stream server runs about $4500; this handles more than enough connections for any startup and good running webcam business.  Do we need to spend that much on a stream server?  There are other alternatives much harder to implement but some open source options are available (Though I have yet to see one that can honestly handle a solid 200 or more live streams nonstop).  There are however some FM3 (Flash Media Stream Server for short) companies that will run your Flash media server based on usage and needs, the issue with this is simple, your stream server will run on a different server and network than where your software is hosted, giving you latency (Slower response times) than if it was on the same server or server company which we call LAN.  What does this mean?  Means that when you are going into the models video and it says one moment while we are connecting you, or page is Loading… it’s doing just that… but takes longer, and customers who want to get into a room waiting for the page to load generally do not have the patients as the owner of the web site.  Fast load times, fast connections are what get your customer in the door.

Web Design: There is one thing to consider when deciding on a web design which most of us do not have a strong web design background is: “Is the design based on what you like or what other like”?  Generally we will nitpick a web design to death only to realize in the end that truthfully it did nothing more than cost us more money, more time and brought us no more money than if we had just live models on a page with a white background. Keep your web page simple, fast loading and you will find your customers will respond to you later with their likes and dislikes (that’s what email and suggestions are for).

Credit Card Processor: Remember that not all credit card processors will work seamlessly with a video chat system, matter of fact there isn't one credit card processor that has a universal plug n play install system.   If the builder of the software has not previously built in the module to install the processors scripts, it’s a fight to get it to work, you’re going to need a programmer regardless, posting back the customers purchase information into your database that shows he made a purchase with pay per second billing is not something the general web surfer is going to be able to accomplish. 

Training on Member Traffic: The Hardest and really the only thing a new webcam site owner needs to worry about is how are you going to get traffic to your new website?  This question would take probably more pages than anyone wants to write, but it is simply the MOST IMPORTANT of all.  If you can find anyone with adult traffic related “Online Webmaster” know how by all means you need to listen to all you can, generally you will not find this information online very easily if at all, it’s one of those well kept webmaster secrets. 

Models: The funny thing about the model situation is you need them, but without paying members you’re going to keep them about 30 minutes, before they log off never to return again.   Everyone thinks you need models first, actually it’s quite the opposite and you need traffic first, otherwise the model situation is worthless.

Support: There has to be something said about a company that sells a product with only an email for support. I would have to say probably with any online business (not just Webcam Software Industry) there cant be anything more irritating than sending an email, waiting for support to answer back, then if you get lucky enough to get anyone in a reasonable amount of time (Which maybe others luck is better than mine) before going back and forth with X amount of emails, of course at this point your issues at hand are still un-resolved. When choosing the proper provider first make sure he has a phone number, and also what hours they are available. Problems usually don't happen from the typical 9-5 hours, usually at the most un godly hours especially when you are busy, meaning if the support is available only certain hours, go figure... You are waiting just to get ahold of anyone, and of course the issues at hand are still unresolved.

Configurability: This is not really considered a bare minimum point, considering if you are buying a piece of software for only a few hundred dollars, regardless if the source is included Usually better to have the original provider build in any changes or additions to your software (If they offer these services) then be given the source code for a programmer you hire to make any changes, most programmers will agree that making changes and or additions to anothers code is usually a nitemare. Remember (Read "Security" point above regarding Source Code) if the source code is given to every person that buys this webcam scripts, then every person that sees that code and for only a few hundred dollars, you are opening up a large door for security issues.

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In Summary: The dream of building a second income with little investment is a nice thought but generally in any business it takes money to make money.  Sure you can start a new online business with just a few hundred dollars but most likely you won’t get very far, better to save the money for when you have enough to do it right, testing the waters with cheap web cam scripts generally is just a waste of money if you don’t have all the points above in place in any case. There are some descent adult webcam business solution providers out there, not just us (About 4 or 5 good ones), honest. Reason this article was written was to simply educate anyone researching about a starting a new adult webcam business.  Who are we and what is our credibility to write such an article?

OdysseyCam - Live Adult Video Chat Turnkey Business Solutions have helped many to achieve their personal goals into becoming not only a successful webcam business owners but to provide all the points above in one easy package.

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Solutions:
OdysseyCam has a Model Mirror Program that allows you to purchase on a monthly basis Live Models for your new cam site.  This is 24/7 models that work directly for your website for only $200 per month.

OdysseyCam will actually teach you something, not how to put your website on 900,000 search engines that nobody has ever heard about, but a solid platform for becoming a true webmaster with the purchase of one of their affiliate programs.

Your Adult webcam business is housed on one of the finest 24/7 managed Hosting companies (Rackco.com) in the world.  If your site goes down or has problems for any reason, we or they know about it most likely before you do and have you back up or fixed before you even know it.

If you can think it, we can build it! OdysseyCams configurabilty with the new 4.5 version depends on you. If you require a certain feature, the odysseyCam team of developers can map the fastest and cleanest way to accomodate your needs. (May require additional charges)

With the the only 24/7 Live the year at anytime support in the industry giving you full support for any problem 365 days of the year. Cant call for any reason? use just our live help or sms us, we will call you back in minutes anywhere you are in the world at no charge, anytime. OdysseyCam is committed to providing the highest level of customer service and support. When you purchase a quality product, support is just one part of being a true provider.

The new OdysseyCam 4.5 movement bit rate sensitive video chat software was built with over 3 years of research and development to bring you the fastest connecting and secure cutting edge software on the market today scheduled to be released on September 1st, 2009.

And more...

OdysseyCam wants you to know we are not intentionally bashing any of the providers of these cheap webcam scripts or the customers that buy them, having the proper knowledge before entering into any business venture is just we think….Just Good Business.

To learn more about the OdysseyCam™ System please visit the website.

About OdysseyCam:
With over  15 years experience in webcam related businesses, including studio startups in 3 continents and leading technology in real time video and audio communications. We are the makers of the “One stop Shop” solution for customers requiring a “Realistic Approach” using a turnkey solution for webcam streaming video with live chat. From custom web design to billing integration we are noted for our experience and efficiency. Our staff of web designers and developers is some of the most creative and talented in the industry.