A web developer from China is here today to tell his story of how to earn with a movie trailer website. Zhaohui Liu founded a site that aggregates the most expected trailers in Asia and the US. His journey involved challenges, but you will meet them as insights for building, optimizing, and monetizing a movie website.
| Top traffic: | Ad format: | Revenue: |
|---|---|---|
| Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, the US | Popunder, Social Bar, Direct Link | $7,000 to $9,000 per month |
*The following content was translated into English by the Adsterra team.
Greetings! My name is Zhaohui, and I’m going to walk you through my journey to the highest monthly revenues. I will try my best to provide insights into sourcing content, optimizing pages for search engines, and placing ads. By the end of this story, you will have a plan of how to make money with a movie trailer website or a similar entertainment project.
Before moving to the main part, take a look at my 30-day statistics taken from Adsterra. Last period was the most lucrative, as my projects gained over $9,000 in total.
To Contents ↑
Chapter 1: How cinema inspired me to earn from a movie trailer website
The idea to develop a movie trailer hub derives from my deep love for cinema. I’m bilingual. Growing up in China, I was always fascinated by the art of storytelling through filming worldwide. I would spend hours looking for the most poignant and exciting movies to come out. This skill has been mastered, and I’ve become one of the fastest movie diggers. One day, the idea struck me: why not create a dedicated space where people could find trailers for the most awaited and hyped videos, all in one place?
When choosing a niche, I spotlighted the value of movie trailers. Many websites offer streaming services or reviews. The first niche entails compliance with multiple regulations. The second niche requires advanced storytelling skills. But trailers: They’re like the first touchpoint. They boost excitement and anticipation, which translates into regular, loyal visitors.
Chapter 2: Getting ready to set up a movie trailer site
Next, I will give general advice for newbie website developers around the world, not just focus on my business specifics. This will ensure the guide is highly saturated with helpful advice for international readers. Since my projects embrace countries outside China, general tips will be more convenient.
You will walk through the path from choosing a domain to start making money:
- Domain name and hosting
- CMS setup (WordPress)
- Movie niche themes
- Basic tips for SEO
- Embedding movie trailers to watch
- Content tips
- Ways to earn with a movie trailer website
- Popunders scripts for earning
- Methods of increasing revenues from ads
Chapter 3: Creating a movie trailer website
Domain name
When it all started, I felt rather dumb when inventing brand names. I used a tried-and-true way: I searched through the ExpiredDomains and took one parked domain with a good story and existing backlinks. You too, can use this method.
We’re living in the AI era. And today, you can simply refer to ChatGPT prompting it to list 20 website domains that combine:
- The movie genre (e.g., romcom, drama, anime, etc.)
- Country
- The word “trailer”
- Optional: some superlatives to make a name unique (e.g., “best,” “hit,” and so on)
ChatGPT can list some unclear stuff, but don’t give up and improve the prompt. You will also have to power your prompting with additional tips.
Why do you need a movie category? It will be much easier to handle several sites dedicated to separate categories or subniches than to develop a huge multi-page platform. I will give a deeper explanation of this topic in the SEO chapter.
Domain extension
Choose those with .com, .org, or .net. These domains are pretty expensive, so you may want to opt for cheaper alternatives like .xyz, .cc, .gl, me.
If you will experiment with content and ads, it’s better to choose a less common and regulated zone like .gd or .ru. If you plan to post country-specific movie trailers, choose the appropriate domain like .in, .nl, etc.
Domain registrars
- Classic registrars are ok in 90% of cases: Namecheap, AwardSpace, GoDaddy, DynaDot.
- Registrars with a focus on anonymity: Flokinet, Njalla, Todaynic.
Registrars from the EU (the UK, France, Germany), the US, Canada, Singapore, and India are intolerant to content experiments, so make sure you stick to legislation and comply with their rules.
Hosting
Host your website on servers as close to your audience as possible. For instance, if you plan to earn from a movie trailer website in the US, website servers must be near the majority of potential visitors. However, if you don’t run a streaming platform or VOD content service, looking for alternative locations like Malaysia or Panama is okay.
- For typical projects, you are free to choose among the following popular hosting providers: A2 Hosting, Bluehost, SiteGround, GoDaddy, ProFreeHost, and Ionos.
- For websites that need anonymity and content flexibility, check NiceVPS, RarHost, OceanicHost, HostCay, and Shinjiru.
WordPress setup
WordPress site monetization is one of the top strategies globally. And since we’ve agreed to follow the most common instructions, I will provide some fundamental tips for setting up a WordPress project about movies.
For beginner users: It’s better to opt for user-friendly auto installers like Softaculus, CapRover, or Easypanel.
For regular WP users: you can use cPanel provided by your hosting provider.
To Contents ↑I use WP very seldom when developing websites for Chinese audiences. You might know that /wordpress.com/ has troubles here in China. However, its open-source analog, /wordpress.org/ is still in use. You may face difficulties with your blog or website performance on WP in China, so ensure you choose a suitable platform for a local business.
WordPress movie theme choice
Themes are updating too fast. If I recommend you one or even 10 as the best ones, they will get outdated soon afterward. What’s truly important is to choose a theme designed for WordPress movie websites and read through:
- Number of sales
- Embedding options
- Support quality rates
- Reviews
- Latest update dates
- Important options like SEO and category pages
- Mobile-optimized design
Go to Theme Forest or Template Monster marketplaces and filter your search according to your needs. I don’t recommend choosing themes built for video studios, filmmakers, or solely for movie reviews. Look precisely for movie streaming themes with options for film embedding (both from various sources and IMDb).
Examples of movie website WordPress themes you can check:
- VideoPro (by ThemeForest)
- Blockter (by ThemeForest)
- Amymovie (by ThemeForest)
- WStream (by Template Monster)
Chapter 4: SEO tips for movie trailer websites
SEO is the broadest topic. Therefore, I will keep your focus on the essential aspects that beginners should know.
What you should know about SEO in China
Google is not available in China. So, if you optimize projects solely for a Chinese audience, you need to learn how Baidu, Sogou, Shenma, Haosou, and Bing search engines work. Such country-oriented sites should be in the local language. All Chinese sites need to be under ICP licenses: the owner must receive the Internet Content Provider (ICP) license via the China Ministry of Industry.
If you run a project in Chinese but target abroad, you will inevitably optimize for Google. Therefore, my following tips will relate to international projects with various audiences.
Main SEO aspects for international projects
You will need to compete with lots of trailer sites. To get higher rankings in search engines, incorporate a strategy:
- Create several trailer websites for particular categories instead of one big;
- Keep every trailer in 3-clicks access maximum
- Add trailers and SEO-optimized texts at least 2–3 months before the movie release
- Add social signals (e.g., sharing buttons and comment section)
- Regularly check Pagespeed Insights because your content load speed is a key competitive advantage.
A few more words about my point of creating several sites with minimum click depth. It’s vital to give users access to trailers as quickly as possible.
If your website has a complex hierarchy, users need to dive deeper in its structure or apply multiple filters. Every filter is a page category for Google. The more steps it takes users to get to the film trailer, the less important this page is as of Google.
The ideal movie trailer website structure is:
- Homepage. The homepage features a gallery of the latest trailers, with sections below highlighting upcoming releases and popular trailers. Here, you also provide a search option for finding specific movies or TV series.
- Category pages (second click). You categorize all video content by genre, release date, and popularity. Just make it easy for users to browse and discover new content.
- Trailer pages (third click). Each trailer has a dedicated page. You should include here a high-quality embedded video, an SEO-enriched brief synopsis, release date, and relevant supportive info such as director, cast, and genre. You must include the source of the trailer, as well.
Chapter 5: Movie trailer website optimization (SEO)
You get to carry out keyword research to earn from a movie trailer website. I use tools like Google Keyword Planner, Organic Research by SEMrush, and Ahrefs to identify user queries with high search volume.
Keyword research
Primary keywords technique:
Target primary keywords this way: for each of your trailer pages, add a title that contains the movie combined with the word “trailer.”
Example: if the movie is “Longlegs,” the main key phrase should be “Longlegs trailer.”
Secondary keywords
Secondary keywords are search phrases related to your trailer. They usually come with the movie name plus words “cast,” or “release date.”
Long-tail keywords
These words are necessary for attracting highly relevant niche audiences; they consist of 3+ words and may contain dates or other specifications.
Example: “Upcoming Marvel movies 2025” or “2024 psychological horror movies.”
On-page SEO best practices
On-page SEO includes individual pages optimization. It helps me rank higher in search engines and embrace more search queries. On-page SEO involves everything from the meta tags (titles and descriptions) to the content and internal links.
Meta tags
Each trailer page needs a unique, keyword-enriched (not stuffed) title tag. For instance, “The Crow Trailer (2024) | Watch the Latest Trailer in High Quality.” As in the previous example, it’s a good idea to engage viewers with a call to action.
Descriptions should also entice users to click. Try crafting compelling meta descriptions with a primary key phrase. For example, “Watch the official Alien: Romulus trailer and learn the latest news on this highly anticipated movie.”
URL structure
Every one of your pages should have a clear and descriptive URL (or slug), such as “/alien-romulus-trailer-2024/.” Such structures are user-friendly and also SEO-friendly.
H1—H2 tags
Apply only one H1 tag on each page. It must include the primary keyword or phrase. The H2 tags break up the copy you place under the trailer into chapters and paragraphs. H2 tags include secondary keywords, giving more details about the trailer: release date, synopsis, cast, news, secret facts, behind the scenes, etc.
Video optimization
Apply only one H1 tag on each page. It must include the primary keyword or phrase. The H2 tags break up the copy you place under the trailer into chapters and paragraphs. H2 tags include secondary keywords, giving more details about the trailer: release date, synopsis, cast, news, secret facts, behind the scenes, etc.
To Contents ↑Chapter 6: Embedding videos to a WordPress movie trailer website
Despite our common desire to be the first to post a video, my advice is to follow the copyright rules. Be sure to use movie trailers from public sources and always mention the source to credit the owner.
Get a code to embed
Embedding a movie clip to your WordPress website is pretty easy. First, look for the trailer on, say, YouTube. Then, watch the trailer yourself to make sure it’s what you need. Finally, copy a YouTube link or pick the Embed option.
Put the code to a web page
Next, you take the link to embed and log in to WordPress. Open the page where you want to add the trailer and choose a YouTube embedding block from the instruments panel.
Simply paste the URL to the field provided and hit Embed.
Your website visitors will be able to watch the movie trailer on your web page without jumping to YouTube.
Finding movie trailers outside of YouTube
- Look for alternative public sources as well. Major movie studios often allow bloggers to publish trailers to boost anticipation amongst the audiences.
- Partner with smaller studios. You can email them with an offer of additional promotion on your site.
- Use RSS feeds and APIs. You can look for RSS feeds and API integration options on movie databases like TMDb (The Movie Database) and IMDb. Such integrations allow for flawless updates and help maintain current content without extra manual work.
One of the challenges was ensuring that all content on the site was legally sourced. Using unauthorized content could lead to legal troubles, which could shut down the site or result in significant fines.
To Contents ↑Chapter 7: Content tips
To earn from a movie trailer website, you will need to curate content daily. This involves posting the latest pieces but also highlighting upcoming movies that will generate big buzz. I will now suggest a content strategy you too can utilize:
- Add featured trailers. I feature trailers of highly anticipated films on the homepage. These trailers usually draw the most traffic that turns into earnings.
- Create thematic collections. I create collections of trailers based on popular search queries, such as “Oscar contenders,” or “Upcoming horror movies.” These collections encourage users to explore multiple collections and stay longer in my space. Seasonal collections are also very popular (e.g., “Best Christmas movies,” “Top Halloween horrors”)
- Enable user interaction. I encourage my website visitors to rate and comment on trailers. These interaction options boost user engagement and also provide valuable insights into what people are most interested to watch.
Chapter 8: How to earn from a movie trailer website
This chapter will fully immerse you into making money. My earnings from movie trailer websites involve solely ad placement. This type of passive income allows me to focus on video content research and web development.
Popunders: The easiest way to earn from a movie trailer website
Popunders are a leading advertising type for movie streamers and those who place content people come to watch. You power the site to generate income from ad views and following user activities. You earn significantly higher when people not just watch advertising pages but stay and pay money to advertisers.
To start monetizing with Popunders, get a Publisher Adsterra account. And next, add your site domain to the network and wait a bit for Adsterra to approve it. When your website is marked ACTIVE, you copy the Popunder code, which is a JS code.
If you can edit the source code, get to the Theme Header file and paste the snippet before the closing </head> tag. If you’re managing your WordPress movie website from an admin panel, choose Theme Editor (or Editor) from the Appearance tab and follow the same instructions.
Finally, update your site and check how the code performs by entering the main page from different browsers, including mobiles. Switch to incognito mode, as well.
Do more ad types help you make more money?
Popunder ads are not as aggressive as pop ups, so you can add alternative advertising types by Adsterra. If you plan to earn from a movie trailer website, I highly recommend trying Social Bar or Native Banners set.
Avoid converting your website into a mess of flashy images and choose advertising styles that are detached from the main content. I tried Native Banners but they looked a bit odd on my layout. Social Bar seems to be the most native option. They’re either small or full-screen ads, but never messy.
After adding Social Bar, I increased revenues to 35 to 40%. These are my revenues divided by country 30 days after I added Social Bar. And my current monthly income accounts to 8 to 9 thousand dollars.
Final tips and lessons learned
It is if you share public-domain videos from official sources. Always respect copyright laws and ask for permission when necessary. Place a DMCA page to protect yourself from copyright infringement claims.
Building relationships with studios and filmmakers can help secure the rights to use their material.
Ad blockers have become popular, impacting ad revenue seriously. This challenge forced me to think of choosing an ad network with anti-adblock solutions. Adsterra provides such scripts for every ad type.
Never underestimate user experience. Despite the fact you need a revenue source, your first thought must be about movie lovers. Create a neat, easy-to-navigate website that compels with clean design and provides high-quality videos. Add well-structured, concise content. Prefer ads that don’t interrupt users on their way to watch movie trailers.
I could tell you much more about my experience in creating movie trailer websites, especially in China. Although, it seems like it’s time to end my story. My final advice to you will be:
- Stay informed about the movie industry trends.
- Be ready to pivot your content and monetization strategy when necessary.
- Regularly update your content to keep your audience engaged.
- Read feedback and check ratings to enrich your site with the most anticipated trailers.
Let’s send our gratitude to Zhaohui Liu for picturing a clear path to building a website for monetization. You can now twist and adapt all of these tips to earn from a movie trailer website, or start a similar project with a movie streaming platform like our publisher from Indonesia mastered. This or that way, Adsterra is a reliable partner in generating revenues from social traffic or website audiences.
