Of course they do! But it’s a question we find ourselves asking folks that are skeptical about whether investing in design is really worth it. 

So, let’s be blunt: Today - your chances of making a meaningful first impression are less likely than ever to be through an in-person handshake with prolonged eye contact, (Just us?).

Your company's design and visual identity is the handshake you're giving when you can’t be there to do it — your silent ambassador. Once you've grabbed that initial interest, the stage is set. Now you can showcase your capabilities and let your reputation do the talking. But first and foremost, you need to make a good first impression.

It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking, "Hey, no one's complaining, and business is humming along—our design must be on point!" But hold on a second. That outlook only accounts for people who've already decided to engage with your brand. What about the potential customers who overlooked you because you didn't catch their eye? Or those who exited your website within seconds because it seemed cluttered or outdated? These are the silent losses, the missed opportunities you'll never hear about. So, don't mistake the absence of complaints for the absence of room for improvement. You might be unknowingly filtering out a swath of would-be loyal customers before they even get the chance to know you.

To best grasp the impact of good design, it's really crucial to debunk the myth that design is all about 'looking cooler.' Of course aesthetics play a role, but effective design is more strategic than that. It's not about what you or your buddy thinks is stylish; it's about positioning yourself as the best option for your intended audience niche. Ever heard the saying, "Appeal to everyone and appeal to no one"? Your visual choices are laying the groundwork in the consumer's mind before they even get to your offerings. 

Let’s hold up a sec! Stop (literally actually stop) and consider your competitors—especially those who are outpacing you, or quickly catching up. What's their mojo? Assuming their product is no better than yours, is it possible they’re just leaving a better first impression, or providing a more consistent visual experience? Compared to them, is your branding coming off as sloppy or inconsistent? If so - what kind of expectations are you setting for your products or services? Or - maybe nobody in your space is doing great design (This oftentimes can lead people to believe it’s not necessary) but what it really means is you’re completely missing out on an awesome opportunity to stand out from the pack - instead of just being another one among it.

While quality design isn't cheap, bad design can cost you a fortune in lost opportunities and be causing a hit to your credibility you’re not even aware of. I know, I know – we’re biased because it’s what we do. But honestly we just truly believe everyone benefits from great design, even if it doesn’t cost you a bunch, or even if you prefer dealing with a competitor of ours - great design for all (stands down from soapbox)! 

So let’s talk about dollar bills. Design is a long-term investment shaping how people perceive your brand. Its influence can be subtle yet accumulative. The good news, it doesn't have to break the bank. Whether you're working with a $500 budget (We’ll help you pick a great freelancer), $5,000 (call us - trust me), or $25,000+ (let us point you towards the perfect agency), there are scalable options to lift your visual game and help you carve your niche in a crowded market to show your audience that you actually care about your customers experience and expectations of you.

In the end, you might be surprised at what ends up being someone's intro to your company. From the swag your employees wear at trade shows to the visuals in your social media posts or even the design of your business cards—every single touchpoint matters and first impressions can happen anywhere. So, make each visual element a winning handshake.

So, do first impressions matter? In our robot dominated world, they matter more than ever. Your design and branding are more than just window dressing; they're the intro to your brand’s epic tale… so why not make it a page-turner?