How to Sell Sex Toys Online | Start an Adult Toys Website

Looking to cash in on the booming sex toy market? Well, look no further because we've got the inside scoop on how to sell sex toys online!

It is no secret that the adult industry is one of the most profitable and lucrative industries in the world, as it offers numerous opportunities in various sectors like webcamming, porn video production, selling sex toys, and so forth.

With adult toys skyrocketing in popularity, now is the perfect time to dive into the industry. Our comprehensive guide covers everything from the types of sex toys to sell, to the steps you need to take on how to start a sex toy business.

So, what are you waiting for? Let's dive right in and start your sex toy-selling journey today!

The Sex Toys Industry: Statistics and Facts

We have compiled the most current and reliable statistics on the sex toy industry by thoroughly reviewing numerous market reports, research papers, and magazine editorials.

According to Statista, the global sex toy market is projected to experience continuous growth from 2019 to 2026. The market value is expected to increase from roughly 27.17 billion U.S. dollars to around 52.7 billion U.S. dollars during this period and is predicted to reach a value of 80.7 billion U.S. dollars by 2030.

82% of females in the United States own at least one sex toy or a sexual wellness product.

Dildos make up over 24% of the global sex toy industry market.

During the COVID-19 pandemic and country-wide lockdowns, sex toy sales have greatly increased.

According to a survey, vibrators are the most popular sex toy in North America, followed by action figures and dolls among 47% of participants.

A total of $15.3 Billion USD was estimated in 2019 for the male sex toy market.

Now that you know about the sex toy business market and current industry trends, let’s understand some crucial things you must know before starting an online adult toy store.

6 Things You Must Know Before Starting a Sex Toy Business

1. Legality of Selling Sex Toys Online

The adult toy industry has seen significant growth in recent years, especially post-covid. However, amidst this growth, questions regarding the legality of selling adult toys online have arisen.

It is essential to understand that the legality of selling sex toys online varies from country to country and even within different regions or states. In some jurisdictions, there may be specific regulations or restrictions surrounding the sale and distribution of adult products.

However, it is important to note that in many progressive societies, like the US, UK, and France, selling sex toys online is legal and widely accepted. Governments recognize that adults have a right to explore their sexuality and engage in consensual activities within their personal lives.

Furthermore, as long as sellers comply with local laws and regulations regarding age restrictions and labeling requirements, selling sex toys online can be a legitimate business venture.

So it is advisable, before you enter this market, to do thorough research on the legal landscape in their target market.

2. Choose a Niche

Picking the right niche for your online sex toy business is crucial for getting that initial breakthrough you need. You want to focus on a specific part of the market that you know will work for you.

By honing in on a solid niche, you can give your business a great head start. This includes what types of sex toys you'll be selling, who your target audience is, and the overall theme of your sex toy business.

Everything you sell will be related and centered around this niche. A prime example of this is Lelo, a popular sex toy company that's all about creating luxurious toys.

3. Understanding the target market

One of the key aspects of understanding the sex toy market is recognizing the diverse range of consumers it caters to. Gone are the days when sex toys were solely associated with a niche or taboo audience.

Today, people from all walks of life are embracing their sexuality and seeking ways to enhance their intimate experiences.

Another important factor to consider when delving into this market is the evolving trends and preferences among consumers. From traditional vibrators and dildos to innovative tech-driven products, there is a constant demand for new and exciting options.

Keeping up with these trends can provide valuable insights into consumer behavior and help businesses stay ahead in this competitive landscape.

4. Analyze Your Competitors

When it comes to analyzing your sex toy industry competitors, there are several key steps to follow. First and foremost, identify who your main competitors are. This can be done through market research, industry reports, and analyzing customer behavior.

Once you have a clear understanding of who your competitors are, delve deeper into their operations. Analyze their product offerings, pricing strategies, distribution channels, marketing campaigns, and customer engagement tactics.

This will give you a comprehensive view of how they position themselves in the market and what sets them apart from others. In addition to analyzing their current strategies, it's also important to keep an eye on any new developments or innovations within the sex toy industry

5. Startup Cost For a Sex Toy Business

Recent statistics have revealed that the average cost of developing and launching a new sex toy product can range from $5,000 to $100,000. This cost encompasses various aspects such as research, design, testing, and marketing.

In addition, when it comes to trademarking and licensing your sex toys in the United States, the cost of filing for a patent can fall somewhere between $8,000 to $15,000, while trademark licensing fees can vary between $225 to $600.

The final cost of these fees depends on the complexity of the product and the type of patent that is sought.

6. Product Pricing

Selling sex toys successfully is all about pricing them aptly. First and foremost, understand the market dynamics, analyze production costs, and evaluate customer demand; you will be equipped with valuable insights to make informed pricing decisions.

When it comes to pricing your adult toys, there is a simple formula that you can follow.

Wholesale price = (Labor cost + Material cost) x 2 to 2.5

It is worth noting that the specific multiplier you use will depend on the market you are targeting. For luxury or upscale products, you will likely want to use a multiplier closer to 2.5.

On the other hand, for products that are mass-marketed, a multiplier closer to 2 may be more appropriate. By following this formula, you can ensure that your products are priced fairly and competitively.

Types of Business Models to Start a Sex Toy Business

The first step to how to sell sex toys online is to choose a business model. In this section, we will discuss all three business models available in the sex toy industry so that you can make an informed choice.

1. Design and Manufacturing

There are two primary approaches to manufacturing: hands-on and outsourcing. With the hands-on approach, you or your employees are responsible for creating the goods in a facility.

In recent years, 3D printing has made the hands-on manufacturing of sex toys an increasingly viable option. While this method offers maximum quality control, it also requires a significant investment of time and effort.

Alternatively, outsourcing manufacturing involves working with manufacturers who bring your creation to life. One potential drawback is that you may have less control over the quality of each product than you would with a hands-on approach to manufacturing.

It is important to ensure that your chosen manufacturer is adhering to all safety standards and regulations to mitigate this risk.

2. Reselling

The reselling method is a viable option for entrepreneurs who wish to forego the process of creating their own products. Rather, they can choose to source and resell existing products.

For instance, one can purchase sex toys wholesale and resell them to customers. Additionally, one can opt to utilize a manufacturer's white label or private label.

Reselling is a hands-off approach to manufacturing, as it does not require the creation of new products. However, one must be mindful that this method comes with the potential drawback of not being able to offer unique goods that are not available elsewhere in the market.

3. Dropshipping

If you’re someone who wants to make money starting an online sex toy business, then we suggest you do dropshipping.

Dropshipping is a business model that allows for the sale of products without the need for inventory storage. Instead, the responsibility for shipping the product is handled by a designated supplier.

This approach can be particularly advantageous for those interested in selling sex toys online as it requires minimal initial investment and eliminates the need for manufacturing, packaging, and shipping efforts.

By leveraging dropshipping, you can focus on marketing and customer service while the supplier handles the logistics of order fulfillment.

What Are The Types of Sex Toys You Can Sell Online?

You now know how to sell sex toys online - but what about the types of sex toys to sell? To clear up any doubts, here are two primary types of sex toys you can successfully sell online.

1. Pleasure Stimulation Sex Toys

Both men and women can benefit from these types of sex toys, as they enhance the orgasm experience. Especially women who are fed up with their sexual life and want some extra spice are your main target audience.

Sex toys that stimulate pleasure include vibrators, dildos, strap-on dildos and vibrating dildos. In addition, there are Butt Plugs, Anal Beads, Cock Rings.

2. Sex Toys to Better Sexual Experiences

These types of sex toys are used to take the sexual experience to the next level. Most people with fetishes and kinks, like roleplay, bondage, humiliation, submissive, and age play, love to buy these sex toys to enhance their bedroom fights.

Some examples are handcuffs, whips, blindfolds, nipple clamps, restraints, ankle straps and many more.

Having learned about the primary types of sex toys, let's move on to the important part - how to start selling sex toys.

How to Sell Sex Toys Online? 5 Simple Steps

When it comes to building a sex toy website, there are several options to consider. Each option has its own advantages and considerations.

The first option is hiring a developer. It gives you complete control over the design and functionality of your website, allowing for customization that aligns with your specific brand and target audience. However, this can be time-consuming and costly.

The second option is using a SaaS platform like Shopify. It offers convenience and simplicity, as it provides ready-made templates that are optimized for e-commerce. It also includes features such as secure payment gateways and inventory management systems. This can save you time and money in the initial setup process.

Lastly, using an adult e-commerce white-label script can be a cost-effective solution that allows you to launch your adult toy website with the minimal technical knowledge required quickly.

These scripts often come with pre-built features tailored for the adult industry, such as age verification systems or discreet packaging options.

Out of the three methods for starting an online adult toy store, ready-made scripts are the best choice. And our solution is to use xMarketplace by Adent.io.

Step 1: Register Your Business

One of the initial steps to establishing a successful sex toy business is selecting a name that is memorable, relevant to the target audience, and appropriate to the niche.

Additionally, as you plan to operate an online sex toy store, it is advisable to consider the availability of the domain name.

The next crucial step is to register the selected business name as a trademark, which serves to safeguard the name from any other entities that may establish similar or identical sex toy stores, leading to customer confusion.

Furthermore, trademark registration safeguards against the possibility of rebranding in the event that another business claims infringement.

Finally, it is recommended that you set up the business as a separate entity. While further research on the matter is recommended, most online adult toy stores opt for LLCs (Limited Liability Companies).

Step 2: Buy a Domain Name & Hosting

The domain name should be the same as your registered business name. If the URL for your sex toy business name is already taken, try adding a descriptive word to help potential customers find you. For instance, you can include "toys" or "toystore" in your name.

After successfully selecting a domain name for your website, the next crucial step is to choose a reliable hosting service.

While popular hosting options like Dreamhost, Bluehost, and Go Daddy might come to mind, it is important to consider specialized hosting services that cater specifically to the adult toy niche.

As you are starting an adult toy website, it is recommended to opt for a hosting service that supports adult websites.

In this regard, M3Server is an ideal option to consider due to its proven track record of providing reliable and efficient adult hosting services specifically tailored to meet the needs of sex toy websites.

Step 3: Buy xMarketplace & Import Your Products

Once you have both domain and hosting, you can start purchasing xMarketplace and install the script on the server. Adent’s support team will guide you through the installation process, so there is no need to worry about it.

As soon as the installation is complete, you can begin importing the products to your inventory. Select the sex toys based on the niche and target market you decide on and display them on the website.

Step 4: Set Up The Payment Processor

As we already mentioned above, xMarketplace comes with an in-built payment processor such as Vertol, Apply Pay and GPay. All you have to do is create a merchant account on that platform and submit the account details on the admin panel.

Step 5: Develop Your Marketing Plan

Now your website is almost ready to sell sex toys online…almost. The thing is, nobody knows about your online adult toy store, so it’s time you start developing an effective marketing plan that actually works.

Why Choose xMarketplace To Start a Sex Toy Website?

xMarketplace is a cutting-edge whitelabel solution that revolutionizes the way sex toy businesses create, manage, and monetize online adult marketplaces.

It offers a comprehensive suite of tools and features designed to empower entrepreneurs and enterprises alike in building successful sex toy websites within a matter of days.

Here are some of the exceptional features offered by xMarketplace.

1. Integrated Dropshipper API

The implementation of a Drop-shipping API involves integrating popular drop-shippers onto a platform, thereby alleviating concerns around stock inventory, storage location, and shipping.

The xMarketplace boasts two highly-regarded sex toy dropshippers, Inventory Source and Sex Toy Club, which offer an extensive range of sex toys across various categories, featuring over 20,000 sex toy products.

This integration ensures a seamless process for your business, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your sex toy business operations.

2. Multiple Payment Gateway

xMarketplace offers multiple payment options like Verotel, Apple Pay, and Google Pay to make shopping a breeze for your customers. Once you link your merchant account via the admin panel, you’re set to go!

3. Robust Admin Panel

Managing an adult eCommerce website can be overwhelming, but with xMarketplace, it's made easy with a dedicated admin dashboard. You can easily make changes to your website, manage products, and handle payments all in one convenient place.

4. Easy Product Imports

With xMarketplace, you can easily import your products and sell them on your website. You have the flexibility to manage your inventory by updating product pricing, adding or removing items, and more, all without any hassle.

5. Lifetime Access

Starting a sex toy business with xMarketplace is an excellent choice because when you buy the script, you'll have lifetime access, so there's no need to make any further recurring payments.

Additionally, you'll get 100% source code access. Once you're finished setting up your website, you won't have to pay anything else.

That’s it! Now let’s look into how to sell sex toys online using xMarketplace.

Here are some marketing strategies you can implement on your sex toy website:

SEO: To improve your website's visibility, it is important to focus on SEO. This can be achieved by ensuring your website is mobile responsive, generating backlinks, optimizing it for high load speed, and using targeted keywords in URLs, metatags, and titles.

Paid Ads: If you find yourself with some additional funds, investing in paid advertising can be an effective way to drive traffic and increase conversions. By allocating financial resources towards targeted ad campaigns, you can quickly generate interest and engagement for your products or services.

Affiliate Marketing: If you're looking for a way to boost your sales without investing a lot of time and money in marketing, affiliate marketing may be just what you need. With this approach, affiliates handle the marketing efforts and drive sales to your website, while you reward them with a percentage of each sale they generate.

Social Media Marketing: Last but not least, you should promote your adult toy store website on popular social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. You can also use Reddit and other adult forums to engage with your audience directly.

Influencer Marketing: In today's digital age, the endorsement of a popular figure can be a powerful marketing tool for sex toy businesses seeking to increase sales and drive traffic to their website. Employing the services of a well-known porn star or adult influencer to promote your product can make a significant impact on your bottom line.

By requesting that influencers use your sex toys in their video clips and subtly mentioning their recent purchase from your website, you can capitalize on their large following and expand your customer base.

Sex Toy Review Site: Once your business is established, you can then reach out to various sex toy review sites and request that they feature your store in their content. One prominent toy review site is Princess Previews, which offers comprehensive reviews based on a variety of criteria, including type, brand, materials, and features.

A favorable review from a reputable sex toy review site can significantly boost your store's credibility and generate increased traffic and sales.

Tips for Selling Sex Toys Online Successfully

1. Build Your Brand

Creating a brand for your sex toy business can help you establish connections with your audience, leading to customer loyalty. By building a brand that resonates with people, you can gain an edge over competitors who don't take advantage of this strategy.

2. Use Vibrant Images

Designing high-quality product pages requires the use of vibrant HD images that speak volumes about your products. As the saying goes, "A picture is worth a thousand words." By doing so, your customers will be able to appreciate the beauty of your sex toys.

3. Write a Detailed Product Description

Imagine that you are a customer who is thinking about buying a sex toy for yourself. Your product description is the best chance to give them all the information they need. Take some time to think about any questions they might have, and make sure you answer them.

4. Hassle-free Checkouts

Providing an easy and not-so-complex checkout is essential for adult e-commerce websites. Because your customers will abandon their online shopping carts if the process is too complicated.

Therefore, it is crucial to offer a simple and straightforward checkout process, like Lovehoney and Adam & Eve, to avoid losing potential customers.

5. Ship Your Products Discreetly

When selling adult toys online, it's important to use discreet and inconspicuous packaging & shipping. Many customers appreciate the privacy that comes with shopping for sex toys online.

If the packaging reveals the contents to delivery workers or neighbors, you risk losing repeat business.

Conclusion

We hope after reading this article, you’d have a clearer idea of how to sell sex toys online. Remember to keep the advice mentioned above in mind if you decide to launch an online sex toy brand and utilize adult e-commerce scripts like xMarketplace to build your adult toy website.

This will help you establish a strong foundation for your latest online venture. Best of luck with your new adult eCommerce business! If you'd like to share your progress, feel free to let us know in the comments below. We'd love to hear about it.