{"id":46,"date":"2020-03-07T18:56:00","date_gmt":"2020-03-07T18:56:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nickiong.com\/simplesprout\/?p=46"},"modified":"2021-04-13T19:18:34","modified_gmt":"2021-04-13T19:18:34","slug":"how-the-right-photography-images-can-take-your-website-from-ho-hum-to-drop-dead-gorgeous","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nickiong.com\/simplesprout\/2020\/03\/07\/how-the-right-photography-images-can-take-your-website-from-ho-hum-to-drop-dead-gorgeous\/","title":{"rendered":"How the Right Photography & Images Can Take Your Website from Ho-Hum to Drop Dead Gorgeous"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This post contains some affiliate links, which means \u2013 at no additional cost to you \u2013 I will earn a commission if you click through a link for a product that I wholeheartedly recommend and make a purchase.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What if I told you that you have the potential to gain or lose business because of the photography you use on your website or within your web presence (like social media)?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is a big difference between good<\/em> photography and great<\/em> photography. Since an image is worth a thousand words, it\u2019s critical that you\u2019re using the right <\/em>imagery to enhance your brand on your website. That way, your web visitors will better understand you and what you offer in just a glance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You need to make a great first impression to your site visitors\u2026and great photos are just the way to do it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What to look for in a great image<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are a ton of different factors involved in finding the right imagery and photography for your website. Here are the biggest ones to pay attention to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Focus on quality and size.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I see a lot of websites that are using low quality images or the wrong sizing, causing images to be grainy or warped. (This can be especially dangerous as we think about building websites that are responsive and can fit both smaller and larger screens.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your\u00a0web designer\u00a0or\u00a0developer<\/a>\u00a0can help you determine the right sizing that you need, but typically a high quality image needs to be balanced with the file size. (You want a quality image that isn\u2019t going to bog down your website load time.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be relevant and authentic.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Think of your imagery as doing the talking for your brand. What do your photos say about you and your company? Are they creating the dialogue you want to portray?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make sure your photos and imagery directly relate to your niche audience. For example, when using imagery with people in them, do they speak to your target demographics? (In other words, do your images look like your target audience?) Do your images draw them in emotionally<\/em>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do the creative images you\u2019re using appeal to your target audience? Not sure? Ask them! Ask people who are in your target demographic which images they like the most before you incorporate them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avoid clich\u00e9 stock photography.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

How many times have you seen an image like this?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Your imagery should be as unique as your business. So stop using clich\u00e9 imagery if you want to differentiate your company!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While there is only so far stock imagery can go for certain industries, try thinking outside of the box. How can you use imagery to support the overall feeling of your business?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It doesn\u2019t need to be all handshakes and smiling business people on your website. Feel free to be creative with your imagery and incorporate colors or styling that gives potential clients a feeling <\/em>of your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Look for images that enhance<\/em> your copy.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a reality that web users scan your content, so that means your potential customers aren\u2019t reading every word you lovingly wrote. (And that\u2019s ok!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be sure to back up your content with the right images that support it. You can also incorporate images as a helpful way to break content up and keep it exciting as readers go through your pages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t forget your call-to-action.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Use your imagery to enhance your call(s)-to-action. Persuade potential customers to take action by drawing them in with your image first, and then your call-to-action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether you want your web visitor to sign up for your newsletter, grab a coupon, get a free download, give you a call, and so on, use your images to enhance the message for the action you want potential customers to take.<\/p>\n\n\n\n