Forrest is in the market for a barbecue grill. He did a Google search and clicked a link to an outdoor products site named OutdoorMan.com. What must the site marketer for OutdoorMan.com do to make a good first impression of the site on Forrest?

Analysis of Correct Answer(s)

Providing a welcoming experience is the correct answer because it is the most comprehensive, user-centric principle for creating a good first impression. A welcoming experience is not a single action but the sum of many positive elements. For a new visitor like Forrest, this includes:

• Relevance: Immediately showing him content related to his search for barbecue grills.
• Clarity: Having a clean design and clear navigation so he knows where he is and what to do next.
• Value Proposition: Quickly communicating why OutdoorMan.com is the right place to buy a grill.
• Usability: Ensuring the site loads quickly and is easy to use on any device.

This overarching goal of a "welcoming experience" directly addresses the need to make a visitor feel understood and confident in the site.

Analysis of Incorrect Options

• Display their most popular products on the home page: This is a common tactic, but it may not be relevant to Forrest's specific intent. If the most popular products are tents or hiking boots, it creates a disconnect and a poor first impression for someone looking for grills.

• Display a video window of products in use: While video can be engaging, it's a specific feature that isn't universally effective. An auto-playing video can be intrusive, slow down the page, and annoy the user, leading to a negative first impression.

• Display contact information: Easily accessible contact information is crucial for building trust, but it is not the primary factor in creating an initial welcoming impression. Users typically look for this information after they have decided they are interested in the site's offerings.