How important is it to have a professionally designed icon? Does it aid in keeping visitors to a site?

I think it does. If icons look poorly and like they where made back in 1995, then i personally think that the site is outdated and not relevant for me, so i leave to seach on Google again, and i think many other people fell the samle way.. or is it just me?

It aids. Why? Because it shows professionalism. Like was said before, if you check websites with amateur alike icon designs, people won't give as much credit to the information in it like they would do to a good looking page. At least that's what i think.

I've seen a lot of logos done by nonprofessionals and your chances of having a good logo are better letting someone else do it. Simplicity is another thing I would focus on. And how well your logo will transfer into different medias. Consider it in print, on the web, on t-shirts, embroidered, on promotional products.

The logo at this site is nice, and the entire area that you view is great and will definitely get people registering, if it was a big white and black box that said ASTADA.COM then I think many people would leave, people always judge books by they're cover when browsing the web, I am guilty of it too :)

I don't think icon play a great place in attracting visitors.But they do play their role in enhancing the site's reputation.

Icons are very important in my opinion. This is why almost all businesses have one. You want a symbol so people think of you just by looking at the symbol. Icons speak for theirselves. I wouldn't have a business without one.

Icon is vital to te business and site's reputation. My business does not have an icon, just my face (I feel that people remember the face better than the name most times, so that works for my service-business).

Sales companies and whatnot do have to have a recognizable, professional-looking icon to get a positive reaction from the consumer. Professional is not necessary if you are good with image editing software, but don't be afraid to be your own worst critic, and ask friends, family, and even strangers for their opinions on what you create. Judgementalism is the name of the game with icons, and if you can't see what your customer sees, you are doomed.

It's important because if you are trying to have a professional appearance with your website, then you need your icon's and logo's done by a professional.