These companies are two of the biggest players in domain registration and online information, and started these new interactive services to reach out to webmasters interested in networking, sharing information and possibly making some money.
GoDaddyConnections.com features the usual bells and whistles of a social networking site — profiles, forums, etc. — but content is the main event. The site offers a constantly updated library of articles about building and running more effective and more profitable websites.
Members also can provide feedback on the site itself and promote their own businesses. Unfortunately for adult webmasters, the site's terms of service prohibit pornographic content.
“Small and mid-size business owners have questions about running their business online, and GoDaddy Connections gives them a place to interact and exchange ideas with other business owners,” GoDaddy’s founder and CEO Bob Parsons said. “In today’s world, if you aren’t online, you aren’t staying competitive — for yourself or your customers.”
NetworkSolutions' new blog promises to provide information on effective webmaster habits in both the virtual and real worlds, with regularly updated information about online and offline seminars.
"Network Solutions' new blog is designed to provide anyone interested in online marketing with a great source of information on current events and topics in the industry," said Jeff Zimmerman, vice president of product marketing with Network Solutions.
But despite the prominence of these two new resources, Internet guru Brandon Shalton questioned the wisdom of mixing adult and mainstream.
"Adult webmasters post on a few boards that they enjoy and spend the rest of the time working," Shalton told XBIZ. "Most adult webmasters probably will not find a need or the time for other sites. Most get their social networking from the adult webmaster boards."