is bad site design good?
 

I run a graphic and web design firm out of Seattle, WA. In our business it is important to make sure that any project that goes out the door is aesthetically pleasing but more importantly make sure that it properly communicates our client's product/group/service/etc to it's target audience.

I've been looking to start a TGP (or possibly even a content driven adult site), but the more I look into this realm of business, the more it seems like an anomaly to me. It seems as though a terrible aesthetic is the best way to hook your audience in when it comes to porn. Some of the largest and most popular TGP/adult sites are a visual mess. Now with as much money as these sites are making, they surely could afford to drop a couple bills on a pleasing and efficient site design; so it brought me to thinking..

Is bad site design good in the adult industry? Does your average porn freak generally go for the cheesy home-made appeal? Are they turned off by anything that looks mass produced, professional and corporate?

If you're a webmaster, what have you found? And if you're a consumer what floats your boat? I?d like to know what im getting into before I spend too much time.

looks 2 me like you answered most if not all of your own questions.:Graucho

KISS

it always amazes me what does and doesn't make money. there are way too many factors other than the design to take into account when looking at a site as a whole.

yes,
the content always comes first, but the design acts as a vessle for that content. It is what will either keep a visitor or drive him away after the first 10 seconds he hits your page.

so are there any good resources for people who are just starting out with TGP style adult sites?

Bad design is not good man, design is just another variable, of course surfers are looking mainly for the content, but if you were to do a scientific study you will find that same content will do better with a good design than not. :2 cents:

Section8ight, you are of course assuming how much money anyone is making and whether or not they can afford to hire a professional, and then again there are a whole ton of variables in the equation.

The problem with some designers is they over elaberate. The surfer switched on his computer to look at porn, not your designs.

A good design needs to show the content clearly, tell the surfer what you are offering him. And here is the problem for some.

Normally surfers do not want to read, they want to see it, so IMO the minimum text is best, don't try to tell him everything in text use one/two word statements. Then aim to please one man not 50, to many sites are trying to say they have everything for everyone and end up confusing the surfer. Aim at pleasing people with 4-5 of the main points on a site.

Remember AIDA Attention, Interest, Desire Action.

KISS, Keep It Sweet & Simple.

I used to design advertising in Yellow Pages and those were the first things I learned about advertising design.