We frequently get comments about how good our projects look — positive first-impressions people have after visiting the website. Besides clean, attractive design, there is a strategy we recommend to clients. A staple in the world of print advertising, it’s all too often overlooked on websites: make the product and service come alive with photography featuring people in action shots (browsing the store, using the product, etc.). So simple yet so powerful.

The images here serve as an example: the real Chalet Dental home page features a photograph potraying a client leaving the clinic and sporting a shining white smile (click it to see the real deal). What would it look like without the human element?

Here is a mockup of what the shot and home page would have looked like without the “client”. Still nice, of course, but it doesn’t have the same friendly look. The presence of the neatly groomed professional woman in the first shot helps create a feel for the the clinic and how you will feel exiting it with a better-looking smile.

Just like a good-looking smile, emphasizing the human element is one secret to powerful first impressions!

This entry was posted on Friday, August 24th, 2007 at 5:40 pm and is filed under Design. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.