How important is gallery design
 

How important is gallery design for conversions? Compared to the content, can a no-graphics layout hurt conversions?

should I bump this?

The short answer: yes

Long version: Would you watch a commercial with someone just sitting there against a bland backdrop telling you to buy somthing? I wouldn't. Design is an integral part of the surfers experience. It's not everything - content is still king, but the gallery has to be visually appealing and draw the surfers eye towards the upsell, whether it be a text or graphical link, while all at the same time not being overbearing (you dont want to seem like a used car salesman).

If your content is so amazing that buyers see right through all the design, then sure it dosen't matter. For me, good gallerys are minimal in extra crap, just give me some pics and tell me where I can sign up - anyone whos going to sign up just needs the link.

some of my highest sales producing galleries have been all text, zero graphics

A good design can focus you're traffic were you want, and make them click exactly where you need
A bad design will confuse the traff mind!:)

Exactly what he said. You want your gallery designs to be clean and to focus the attention to where you want the user to click. If you want the focus to be on the pictures, don't put a huge flashing banner between the images~ :2 cents:

If it was a naked chick sitting there against a bland backdrop I would watch it.