What better way to get content for a website than from the users themselves? There are many benefits to this reversal of roles for both sides.

Users who supply content have the power to mold what kind of content they want to read on the websites they frequently visit. The more content users vote to the top, the more interesting and useful content will be displayed to new visitors. Those topics that are the least popular will be left behind and forgotten.

Owners of websites featuring user content only have to worry about supporting the operations behind the scenes. Making sure the servers are running and that no illegal or questionable content is posted can be easier than planning for and posting interesting and useful content. There is no guesswork at what users want. They make it for you.

Free user content doesn’t cost anything. Royalities and other payments don’t exist. Collaborations between users of a  website can further strengthen and correct content that would take a writer more time.  Users have a variety of backgrounds and have knowledge of different things that together can represent an overall picture of specific topics.

In video and audio webcasts, borrowing from talk shows, viewers and listeners are often invited to call in and share their opinions or events that happen in their own lives. This time wasting but fascinating content can make boring shows more interesting and fun. You don’t need a production staff or expensive equipment.  A simple VoIP program like Skype can make it possible.

Stale content is a major issue with many websites. Providing new outlets for user content can keep fresh content in front of viewers and entice them to come back both to read and contribute.

What doesn’t cost much can lead to many visitors and an audience which you can advertise products and services to.