opinion

Looking Forward to Brighter Days

For a number of adult website operators, the New Year is bringing new hope, along with a slate of new initiatives.

For example, a recent informal survey of XBIZ.net members reveals that many new adult subscription-based websites are being developed, despite some obvious concerns surrounding the long-term viability of the business model. These operators are seeking profits through excellence and uniqueness — bucking the trend by offering high quality content and a superior user experience at a fair price; and showing that pay-for-porn is not dead by any means.

Many of these sites will offer their wares in unique ways, whether it's a matter of content viewing options, payment method choices (including free, ad-supported options) and more. "Inside out" tours that show "contact sheets" of thumbs from the member's area so that prospects know what to expect; and redirecting traffic using ad-blocking software to an ad-free premium offer, are two simple strategies that can benefit paid and free sites — and illustrate the type of "next step" development needed in 2011.

Other companies are expanding the concept of adult entertainment and targeting new audiences and markets — bridging the real and virtual worlds, while targeting today's mobile device users with "adult" offers.

For example, HerWishMap.com is a sexy new social network that enables the ladies to locate love on the move, allowing users to "browse around local neighborhoods to check out the coolest bar, ladies night club, or any venue where potential love awaits."

Beyond examining the site's concept, readers would be wise to run its online demo to get a glimpse of the type of innovative approach that is becoming increasingly necessary. Interaction, personalization, something that is just the right fit — and will gain traction with women; this website hits a lot of the right buttons and certainly this concept could be taken further into the adult realm, perhaps adding a virtual world into the mix, along with even more robust messaging tools.

And then monetize it with novelty sales, for the girls with unfulfilled "wishes."

The glory days of online adult may have faded, but the best is yet to come, even if the revenues won't be spread as widely as in the past. Go beyond the past confines of what porn is supposed to look like, expand your definition of "adult entertainment," and seek to redefine the customer experience — then put it on a mobile-accessible platform with some level of interactivity, messaging and social networking.

All you'll need then is traffic...

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