How smart businesses use images to boost their online presence
You might think that for an agency that does so much web design and blogging, we’re just writing and studying code all day.
And that is partly true: we do do a lot of custom writing and coding.
But part of being a good digital agency is understanding the role images play, both in creating a website and in building a brand and online presence.
Forget the old saying. Online, an image is worth road over a thousand words.
That’s why today we’re covering how to choose photos for your website and online marketing that really grab attention and make potential customers remember you.
And don’t worry. Even if you don’t have the budget for a fancy photographer, there are still plenty of ways to get great images for your website, which we’ll also cover below.
Use of images in marketing
Humans are visual creatures, and that doesn’t magically change when we connect. That is why the use of images for online brand marketing is essential.
Every image you share should invoke an emotion and represent your brand identity, whatever makes you who you are. Sure, taglines and content are incredibly important (and critical if you want to rank on Google).
But the images harness and convey their uniqueness in an instant. In fact, neuroscientists at MIT have determined that only 13 milliseconds to process a complete image.
So if you want to create a connection with your audience in an instant, then sharp, beautiful photos that represent your brand well are the way to go.
Today’s customers want to connect with authentic brands. The better you can offer them stunning visuals that paint a picture, the more likely they are to become raving fans. And most likely, they will become your ambassadors.
In fact, a BuzzSumo study found that articles that use an image once every 75-100 words received twice as many shares on social media as articles with fewer images.
Clearly, images are important and can dramatically improve the content on your website.
~~~~~~~~
READ: Is Your Business Brand Identity Memorable Enough?
When thinking about your product or service, what comes to mind? What do people imagine? What characteristics do they give to what you offer? And does it stand out from its competitors?
When building a memorable business brand, these are important questions to consider; Otherwise, you risk losing valuable business because your brand isn’t differentiated enough from others looking for the same target audience as you.
Your brand must invoke an identity, an emotion, characteristics and something that makes you be you. This is where that differentiation comes into play: taking advantage of and transmitting its uniqueness.
Read more on our website
~~~~~~~~
Importance of images in web design
Given the fact that at least 38% of users will stop engaging with an unattractive website design, using attractive images on your website is a no-brainer.
But images do so much more for your website.
First, images on your website can improve your SEO.
When Google scans your website, it looks at all of your content, including your images. Good, optimized images can improve your ranking on Google.
In fact, website content with images gets 94% more views than content without. So if you want more traffic, you should use more photos on your website.
Proper use of images can also keep people on your website longer.
And the stakes are even higher if you run an eCommerce website.. According to this kissmetrics study 93% of shoppers consider visual appearance to be the most important factor when making a purchase!
And as we’ve covered, images also keep users more engaged.
Remember that people are busy and tend to scan websites. Breaking up text into shorter paragraphs and interspersing it with interesting photos and infographics can help make your website more accessible and user-friendly.
Of course this only works if you are using the images correctly. This means using only relevant and attractive images, with small file sizes. It’s also best to use images of people as much as possible.
And remember, one of the most important elements of using images on your website or other online efforts is making sure that you only use photos that you own or have the right to use, which we discuss below.
How to choose photos for your website
So how do you choose photos for your website?
First, think about the first impression you want to give. Create a brand guide that includes your brand colors and fonts, but also the look you want your images to reflect. And decide what types of images should and should not appear.
Ultimately, you want to use high-quality images that provide purpose and meaning. And it is essential that you have the right to use them.
If you have the budget to work with a photographer, great! Make sure you work with someone who is willing to learn about your brand guide and work closely with you to create the right images. This is a time when it really pays to be picky.
And if you don’t have the budget to work with a photographer, great! There are many options available for great stock photography, which can be much more affordable or even free.
For paid stock photos, we recommend Depositphotos, which we’ve used for years with no problems.
And if you’re just starting out and need to stick to free photos, check out Unsplash, which has a host of beautiful stock photos that are free to use, with no attribution or permissions, for all commercial and non-commercial purposes.
When choosing stock photos, you need to be even more careful about choosing images that represent your brand well. Try to avoid stock photos where people are looking directly into the camera, which tends to be a bit cheesier and less authentic.
Finally, remember that visual clutter is actually a bad thing. He tries to focus on using some great images, cleverly organized. A good web developer can help ensure your website looks good and converts well, using the right mix of beautiful images, engaging written content, and well-placed calls-to-action.
The better you can use photos in your website and online marketing, the better you can connect with your audience.
My team helps small businesses create the right brand, along with website design, SEO, and digital marketing. Talk to us to get started with an attractive brand that perfectly showcases your business.
For the success of your business,
Suzanne