Because no one likes the old and used, both of the adult business’ trade publications have spent the Spring rolling their new websites to the launchpad.
AVN has been tinkering with its design for at least six months, and XBiz is reportedly planning a relaunch within the next few weeks.
Both sites currently look similar; this is understandable because both are drawing from the same well of advertisers and press releases in a very small industry.
Both sites have a lead story with a graphic (AVN’s pops more) topping four smaller stories with graphics. The graphics for AVN’s second-tier stories are mashed together while XBiz puts spaces between theirs, like Belladonna’s teeth. I love Belladonna.
AVN is doubly-NSFW because it runs Flash movie clips that start upon the load of the page. Visitors must be quick on the draw else coworkers will discover their dirty secret. XBiz does not have this feature, though its daughter site, XFanz, runs surfer-controlled movie clips.
Until recently, XBiz’ site was very busy with affiliate program ads; that has died down, mercifully, though the site scrolls beyond the level of comfort. AVN’s site is compact.
It will be interesting to see what both sides do; XBiz is currently beating AVN in Alexa ratings, and XFanz looks much better than apples-to-oranges AVN consumer site AVNInsider*. It would be smart to build more interactivity into AVN’s site and maybe blend XFanz into XBiz.
XBiz is the employer of a lot of people who used to work at AVN and therefore benefits from some institutional knowledge (all perfectly legal, of course) about the industry giant. AVN is now in its third decade of operation and benefits from a solid foundation of experience with the adult industry. AVN also has a record of hiring people who are porn fans, for better or worse.
My impression of AVN is that people like founder Paul Fishbein, early editor Gene Ross (who is no longer there), and Senior Editor Mark Kernes, all of whom were with the publication since the 1980s, like (or liked) porn and wanted to make a business out of covering it.
I feel about XBiz that founder Alec Helmy thought that porn would be a good vehicle for his business goals. It is a subtle distinction. Both philosophies work, and filter through the complicated hierarchies of both companies. Both philosophies are reflected in the editorial styles of the publications.
How is a company’s philosophy about porn manifested in its website design? Fucked if I know. If one took that approach, my philosophy about porn would be that it is sloppy and tinged with Verdana.
My role in keeping both publications afloat is that I write a blog for XBiz and I drink with AVN’s editorial staff. I can do no more to keep these gargantuans from tearing each other – and this very industry – asunder.
*AVNInsider.com currently redirects to AVN.com
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