I’ve been using a Mac for over a year now. Before that I was a Windows user since 1988.

Why did I switch? Quite simply, the Mac feels clean. When you turn it on you feel welcomed and embraced; understood even. Sounds silly, but it’s true. The small things make all the difference.

Take Microsoft Outlook for instance. When I switched to the Mac I stopped using Microsoft Outlook and began using Mail and iCal to manage all my email and tasks. These applications work good and I never really thought about Outlook or even missed it. However, yesterday, for work reasons, I started running Windows again as my primary development computer. In doing so I started using Outlook again.

Wow! What a nice application. When Microsoft Outlook first opens it is clean, tidy and well organized. I felt in control immediately. That’s how all software should be. Clean.

How do your products make your customers feel? What is their first impression of you and your company? Do you make them feel clean? Do you help them to feel in control? Let me encourage you to put in the extra effort to make a strong, positive first impression. It will pay dividends in customer satisfaction and loyalty.