The main problem with Adult Entertainment web site designs is that, sadly, they are the reflection of a voracious industry. Jenna Jameson, erotic actress and entrepreneur, once said: “I always look at both sides and totally understand their fears of the unknown, … Whenever there is any type of adult stigma surrounding the fear, the worst is always assumed.”.  The worse, however, is a monster made out of several parts and some of them, albeit non-threatening, can bring businesses to a halt.

It is not a secret to anyone that pornographic web sites are managed in a similar way its contents are produced:  quick and messy.  There is no time for details and top-notch production.  Well… it’s not that the habitual customers of these products expect these traits.  They hope for immediate satisfaction.  So, why do erotic entertainment sites aim for some of the most voracious and gritty marketing strategies such as malware-ridden banners, hidden text and all the tools of black-hat SEO trades?

Because times are tough and there are way too many companies jumping on that bandwagon.

The rise of an “independent” adult industry focused on subcultural trends is throwing away the paradigms of what previous generations thought pornography should be like.  Sultry, heavily pierced and tattoed models began to slowly and steadily replace the iconic image of an airbrushed, bleached, implant-enhanced model wannabe.  This new generation of models is deliberately imperfect, closer to the crazy chick next door that spends her weekends at punk rock gigs or in front of her computer.  The outtake is more voyeuristic.

Plus, have you ever seen these websites? (Don’t worry, the secret dies here…)  They’re beautiful!  Great layouts, clear calls-to-action, interesting and optimized contents, a tidy design that enhances the navigation experience and adds instead of detracting to the main product.  The designers and marketeers of these websites took the time to succeed where most of porn sites fail:  added value.

Let’s face it:  Times are tough and companies that can’t let their old habits go are facing disaster from a distance that gets closer and closer.  People are more liberal and sex is an important part of their lives.  The scenario is completely different now.

The newest generation of adult entertainment took the best of traditional publications and gave an edge that most publications didn’t have:

• Valuable content:  Immediate satisfaction will have your customers coming and going.  But, if you offer them something nice (good interviews, great music reviews, witty editorial notes…) they will be more likely to stay and subscribe or be open to the conversions you need them to be a part of.
• Tasteful material:  Pornography was defined as “any material that has no intrinsic artistic value and that promotes sexual thoughts”.  But the best erotica of all times has tried to encompass the aesthetic trends of the era.  If you’re going to promote sexual thoughts, do it with taste and style.
• Contemporary taste:  Do customers want to revive the shame and haste of their younger years looking at the magazines Dad hid somewhere in the closet?  You have to know your target and your product so you can offer a better experience.
• Censorship controls:  Some contents are not suitable for younger audiences.  Unethical promotion of these sites through pop-ups and malware might affect kids.  Visitors of all sorts deserve to be treated with respect.

So, are these famished marketing strategies most of erotic web sites use an overkill?  Definitely. You cannot compensate the flaws of a product by over-advertising it.  Measly sites and contents detract from the experience and add a sense of guilt to it.  There’s nothing wrong with indulging on these pleasures every now and then (if you are an adult, that is…).  So why can’t we offer a good experience to our customers?  Isn’t that the point in the first place?

Are you looking for web site designs that sell?  Contact us.  We can show your customers a good time.