When it comes to site design and how much it really matters in this hobby, I can confidently say this: it's one of the dumbest arguments we could be having. I understand why the topic is being brought up—especially by providers who are trying to figure out how best to market themselves—but from a client’s perspective, it ultimately changes nothing. We’re going to see who we want to see. We might talk about providers in different communities, make suggestions, or nudge each other toward certain people, but the final decision is always personal. No site format is going to override that.
Recently, I saw a provider ask for opinions from both clients and other providers about whether or not the visual design of a directory matters. Specifically, they used TrystLink and Eros as examples. At first glance, those two sites look very different—but the underlying purpose is identical: they are platforms where consenting sex workers and interested clients can connect. That’s the business model. That’s the core function. Providers pay premium rates to be visible in front of clients, hoping to secure bookings and build their careers. Whether or not the website looks sleek or outdated is, in my view, a secondary concern.
Now, some people argue that visual appeal plays a major role. That might be true in some cases. A clean, professional design might make a site seem more legitimate or appealing to new users. But I don’t believe it has the kind of impact people are making it out to have.
Take TrystLink, for example. When you visit the homepage, you're met with a colorful cartoon mural featuring a mix of races and genders. Personally, I look at that every day and feel nothing. It doesn't encourage me or discourage me from using the site. But I can understand how someone else might feel differently—maybe they're put off by the lack of glamour or sensuality in the design. Maybe they want to be visually enticed right away. That’s fair. Everyone experiences visual marketing differently.
Now compare that to Eros. Their homepage features beautiful women lined up underneath regional listings. It’s a straightforward, visually sexual introduction to the site. It probably catches more eyes at first glance. Maybe that encouraged me to click around more when I first saw it, but even if it did, the experience of using the site wasn’t drastically different from TrystLink. Both platforms give me access to the same general thing: a list of providers with photos, rates, bios, and availability. The difference is cosmetic.
So while design might matter a little—especially to someone brand-new to the hobby—it’s not the thing that keeps me on the site. It’s certainly not the thing that convinces me to book. If I’m curious, I’m going to explore, no matter how the homepage is laid out.
What frustrates me is that some providers seem to be missing the bigger picture. They’re getting caught up in aesthetics while ignoring the more serious issues affecting all of us—providers and clients alike. Both TrystLink and Eros are overrun with scammers using stolen photos. Both sites are increasingly catering to content creators rather than providers, shifting the focus away from in-person services and toward platforms like OnlyFans. Worst of all, both directories often refuse to listen to the people who actually use them, as long as their profits keep rolling in.
These are the conversations we should be having. These are the problems worth addressing. But instead, we’re arguing over homepage murals and whether or not a site uses cartoon art or sexy thumbnails.
At the end of the day, clients are going to explore and book based on who catches their eye—not based on whether a website looks like it was built for Vogue or Craigslist. The site design might be the first thing we see, but it’s the last thing that really matters.
