Want to advertise your adult store online? Yeah, it’s rough, but not in the way you like it. 😉 Advertising adult stores online can be tricky… But like anything else, it can get better with experience and knowledge.
Before we go on, I’m going to come out and say this: I’m not a very sexual person, but I am VERY sex positive, pro sex work, and pro talking about sexual health. And I know if you’ve spent any amount of time trying to grow your business using Facebook or Google Ads, you may run into some trouble.
Advertisers like Google and Facebook strongly prefer “family friendly” content. Big bummer!
While it’s permissible to run Google Ads for sex merchandise in some countries… There are hoops to jump through. And for some small businesses, it may not be worth the trouble.
Alternatives to paid ads for adult stores
With my clients, I usually try to explore all options before we hand money over to advertising platforms. Besides, paid ads like Google Ads are typically good when business is going well and you’re ready to scale your business.
If you’re in the process of starting up, or working towards the state of “keeping things humming along”, here are some options for you:
Organic SEO
By “organic SEO” I mean striving for visibility on Google (and other search engine) results. Naturally, some people might be a bit shy about their curiosities, and would likely choose Google as their starting point for research instead of asking a friend.
Your strategy on SEO should focus on what we call in the industry “long tail keywords”. Long tail keywords are search phrases that are a few words long, and for a specific purpose.
Some examples of long tail keywords could be:
- Best choices for first vibrator.
- Best lube under $20.
- Sex toys for people with mobility issues.
And then what you’ll need to do is use your expertise to explain or solve the problem for the person searching.
Also, no, you don’t have to write 5000 word backstories like you find on recipe websites. While those articles are super long to get “better SEO” they’re also that long so that someone can make money from multiple display ads (which are usually hosted by Google).
When writing such articles on your website, be clear and concise. Only use video, images, and diagrams if it’s helpful. The aim shouldn’t be to stretch your page to 3000 words, unless the article needs to be that long. The aim is to create content that people find so good they’ll want to share it!
Influencers and niche media advertising for online stores
I think it’s pretty clear that podcasts, blogs, and places like OnlyFans aren’t going away anytime soon.
Many of these creators are happy to promote other people’s businesses and products. The best way to move forward with them is to reach out and start a conversation. Be courteous and mindful of their sponsorship or affiliate criteria, and what you would like to get out of the exchange.
Email newsletters
Email marketing is a great choice for direct customer engagement. It allows you to appear in the privacy of people’s inboxes, in a more direct and intimate way than on social media.
To get the most out of email newsletters, build and nurture an email list from your website, in-store promotions, and in-person events.
And what to send? Send newsletters with educational content, product updates, and special offers. This will keep you top of mind, and position you as a go-to authority for sexual health, safety, and wellness.
Also, if you find that you don’t have the hands free to remember to write and send regular emails, this is absolutely something you can outsource to a professional.
Conclusion
If you’re someone who wants to promote a fun and safe sex life, with good quality products, it’s totally possible! While some platforms might not be happy to have you on them, there are plenty of others who are.
If you have any questions about advertising adult stores, please don’t hesitate to reach out. (I’ll only send you marketing material with your consent. ✌🏻 )
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