well designed sites with black backgrounds?

**jer** · Dec 28, 2000, 15:29

Most people associate sites with black backgrounds with porn sites and amateur sites. I'm working on a new site currently that I think might look better with a black background, however I'm a little stuck on some of the details so I'm wondering if someone could point me towards a few well-designed sites with black backgrounds that I could take a look at.

thanks a lot,

jer

**Elledan** · Dec 28, 2000, 15:36

- http://www.slashdot.org
- http://www.arstechnica.com
- http://www.emudreams.com

ok, maybe you should forget the last one

**aspen** · Dec 28, 2000, 20:12

Just some general comments.

In the professional world black backgrounds are only appropriate for entertainment or techie(nerd) sites. They are also of course popular with underground/porn sites.

This is not so because I read it in the The Big Rule Book of Web Design Or anything like that. This is true simply because of the evolution of the Internet. As the web has developed certain societal standards have been created. Business sites use white backgrounds. Porn sites use black backgrounds. Its the way things have developed. Sure there are the rebels. Some people get by nicely using off-color or pastel like backgrounds. But generally most sites stick to the norm.

Now there is a very good reason for all of this. The internet is full of suprises. Even the most novice surfer knows that links can lie to you. And so when they first come to your page they are going to assess it as either valid, or they're going to click up on the back button. Going against the norm doesn't help this assessment. Would amazon be as popular as it is if it used a black background and hot pink text? I don't think so. And if your site pops up and it reminds someone, even vaguely on a subconscious level, of a porn site or an amatuer homepage thats 1 strike against you.

This is why I always suggest to stick to the societal standards. If you use too many different colors your site will look to flashy(read cheap porn site) and not professional. And if you use a black background on a business site you run the same risk.

So carefully evaluate why you need a black background (I'm assuming this is infact for a business site), and if that background can be safely replaced with a dark grey or other dark color (assuming you need darkness) then I highly recommend switching.

Chris

**jer** · Dec 28, 2000, 22:48

It's actually for a fan site for a local band. I needed to learn some PHP, so I've written a basic content management system (loosly based on the one from Kevin Yank's tutorial) and I need to see it in action.

Anyway, I think I've got to keep looking for more sites with black backgrounds to get a better idea of color options - though I'm not too sure I have all that many. Right now it's looking like I'll be using a lot of bright orange and blue.

**Elledan** · Dec 29, 2000, 02:43

When I use a black background for a site, I always have the text in tables with a light (blue at EmuDreams) color or I use simply white text.

I don't think that a site with a black background does have to be necessarily bad. It's just another way of designing, as I've noticed while trying to convert a site with a black background to one with a white bg. It was hopeless

**Chuckie** · Dec 29, 2000, 02:58

Here is a site that I did for a DJ service, the customer speificly requested black background so I used a black background. Nothen works.. this is just the template.
www.xtremeentertainment.com

Thanks

Chuck

**moshe_be** · Dec 29, 2000, 08:18

Just registred here

My site is black background, I think it's easier for the eyes: http://www.centralgaming.net

**smirk** · Dec 30, 2000, 09:10

I dont think black backgrounds are all that bad. I designed my personal web site with a black background just to keep it simple and I havent really put any work into it at all.

But I do admit that with black backgrounds your choice of colour selections are very important in order to make it look, with white backgrounds its easier to match colours

http://www.stileproject.com <-- of course, the infamous Stile
http://www.puffdaddy.com <-- Not a great site really... but it sure looks good (but basically one big flash app)
http://www.webmonkey.com <-- Not entirely black but close

http://www.tays.net <-- my site. VERY SIMPLE site.. but black background (be nice)

**smirk** · Dec 30, 2000, 09:12

oh yeah.. and

http://battle.net

**jamesglewisf** · Dec 30, 2000, 09:56

http://www.movieforums.com by our very own TWTCommish.

**lynlimz** · Dec 30, 2000, 23:16

Hmm...How about http://nortiq.net?

hehez. =) I don't agree on the content for background. IN my opinion, there are no standards for backgorund colour.

Its how the page is created/designed.

**kmc** · Dec 31, 2000, 21:09

Since I work in the disabilities arena, I pay a lot of attention to color- hence my preference for standard white backgrounds.

I agree if your site is developed for something other than business, do whatever rocks your boat!

**garjo** · Jan 1, 2001, 16:58

Here's mine(Black BackGround)
Maybe it'll help...
www.pagepros.net

**FyreSpryte** · Jan 1, 2001, 18:39

http://www.fusionon.com - classy restaurant... black site...

**Robo** · Jan 1, 2001, 19:51

This is probably a pretty famous site, that looks good in black.

ZDNet's GameSpot:

http://www.gamespot.com

**ANETEK** · Jan 2, 2001, 19:27

Try:

http://www.anetek.com

http://www.jj-law.com

http://www.mobile-equipment.com

Elton

**CryingWolf** · Jan 2, 2001, 22:43

HotWired Webmonkey - http://www.webmonkey.com - web resource
Sarah McLachlan - http://www.sarahmclachlan.com - singer music

**adam** · Jan 3, 2001, 03:39

Well, I run a fansite
In fact, I'm about to launch a network of fansites.

but for 2 examples (old and new designs)

http://www.staindnet.com
http://www.staindnet.com/index1.htm

I'd have to agree with the view that for e-commerce sites, search sites and other such 'corporate' type sites, a black background can be very unnapealing. That's not to say that it can't work! It just takes more effort, to make it work.

Adam

BC · Jan 3, 2001, 04:19

OK then, let me put a situation to you guys then.

Have a look at Alpine Australia's site (get past the splash page) and go into the rest of the site.

Now, considering Alpine specialises in audio, but is a pretty big corporate giant in the field, do you think this is appropriate?

(and in case you're wondering, yes, I was/is part of the team responsible for creating/developing/maintaining the site.. But send all the comments through anyway, since Alpine hasn't bothered to update in just a wee bit of a while.. LOL )

**CryingWolf** · Jan 3, 2001, 19:56

What are we all a bunch of lemmings (go with the rest of the crowd, white is for business, black is for porn) Look, it's time to change the rules!!! Besides shouldn't porn be using red velvet or something???

See black can look good for a business site!!!

late

**diacono** · Jan 4, 2001, 07:28

ok, why not take a bit further?
what about a black bg with a high contrast, like white.

i always wanted my website to have a black bg, but then i found out how neat if looks when contrasted with whie!!

check it out http//:mibstar.com

**Chuckie** · Jan 4, 2001, 10:01

CNN's site has a black background

www.cnn.com

**creole** · Jan 4, 2001, 10:52

keep in mind folks that if you use a black background with light text, many people will not be able to print out your pages (if they so desire). That is one of the main reasons why businesses DO decide on a light colored background. Yes I do know that you can change your printing options, but your average user does not know about that.

**TheOriginalH** · Jan 5, 2001, 03:20

k, so why has no one mentioned balthaser (or am I blind) - corking site that has to the best of my knowledege always favoured a black background. (www.balthaser.com). Another, while not black certainly bucks the white trend - http://www.northants-chamber.co.uk. A rather fetching blue. (any comments on this one appreciated as I am involved in developing it).

The notion that any one colour sceme is "the norm" on the net scares me. "Standards" are to be avoided unless we want to turn it into another plastic, lifeless media. The "content is king" cliche should marry the fact that imagination is queen......

H

**Jackman** · Jan 5, 2001, 05:52

Hello Jer

Good on you for thinking outside the circle. We have a site we did that is black and dark blue, with splashes of orange (Sounds awful, but lloks okay). The product is being positioned at the cutting edge, etc and they wanted a high-tech looking site.

Check it out at http://www.arcticheat.com.au

Our useability testing found it to be up there with just about any other site we have done. Hope this helps.

Regards

Jackman

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