How does the order of photos affect the user?

Obviously we don't place bathroom photos first in our online slideshows, but how much does the order really affect the viewer? Any data on this?

We are in the process of purchasing our 1st home so like most people we turn to online ads and our realtor sends us listing. Pictures will determine whether or not the person will actually come to view your property - for me anyhow.

When I see the pictures it is kind of like a mini tour for me. When you go view a home or apartment I am not sure you go to the potty 1st. I want to see the picutres of the front of the house, the front yard, then entry way, on to the living and dining, the kitchen, then beds and baths and ultimately the backyard. It may not be a big deal to some people but for me it helps me get a feel of the layout and walkthrough before I decide to come visit. Others may not be as crazy as I am when it comes to details like that, but for me it can be a major turn off to start the photo tour with random pics. For me even taking the time to look at the pics is a big deal because house hunting is not really all that fun . Eiter way, it may not be that big of a deal in your case.

The first photo is HUGE!! I have 15 years of real estate marketing experience and 9 years of multi-family marketing experience. From a marketing point of view, the first photo is the attention-getter, the second will be the kitchen (kitchens sell)!

The first class I took on real estate ad writing, we were taught you have 3 seconds to get their attention. Then, the reader looks at the ad in a "Z" fashion across the page, start on the top left.

In advertisements, I look at what my competition is doing first. Then I do something different. There are many blogs/articles about companies putting a photo of their swimming pool first in the ad. This is a big "No!".

I am also looking at houses for sale. I laugh when I see the MLS listings. You can tell who knows what they are doing. The ad with 4 photos vs 16 photos tells me everything I want to know about the listing agent. I WOULDN'T LET THEM LIST MY HOUSE!!!

As a consumer looking at real estate ads in MLS, I want to see the outside of the house, first. My reason is, I am looking for a ranch and it is impossible for me to buy a two story. It annoys me when I see the first photo as the living room, love it and find out it is a two story. But the ad writer is taught to put the best photo first as the attention-getter.

Currently, my first photo in the ad for my apartment community is a picture of my kitten with white lettering on the photo that says "Small pets Welcome." I get a lot of response about the photo. Most of the ads in my market on Craigslist have no photo at all. Maybe that's why I'm 100% occupied and they are still advertising move-in specials!!!

Without a doubt. Here at Trulia we have millions of listings vying for attention. We stare at this sort of data all the time. The first photo matters, but for that matter - every photo matters. if that's not enough - more photos also matter. A great first photo should be inviting, bright and have context. Here are some ways to think about it simply:

Good:
- Photo of sun drenched Living Room

Bad:
- Photo of front of building

You want the first photo to be a hook to the most desirable aspect of your unit - OR your property. Do you have a gym, or sauna? That could work in generating a lot of interest. Maybe you just have awesome open kitchens, sunny rooms, etc. The one thing I think fails is a photo of a "view", not many people trust those images, especially as a 1st photo.