Image is Everything

I'm working with Chesed Dog and Cat Rescue as we redesign their website. Part of the site is being managed by volunteers who post the animals available for adoption, the new posts to the Blog and info about current events.

One of the volunteers questioned why some of the animals chosen to appear on the site are so sad looking. "We should have happy dogs so people will adopt them," she suggested.

A website promoting dog and cat adoption is marketing a message; These animals will suffer and might even die if homes are not found. We want people to feel sorry for them. A plaintive face behind a cage is a lot more compelling than a cuddly puppy safe in a rescuer's arms.

Selecting images for a website or a Blog should be done with as much care as the words you choose. Think about the overall message and complement the photos accordingly.