Images can make or break a website. Here are a few key benefits of having high-quality, professional website images.
Professional website images are essential to creating an impactful and engaging online presence for your business. Here are some of the benefits of using professional images as well as tips and tricks for ensuring your website is a success.
Why you should use high quality images
Professional brand image
A website is your online shopfront and often the first point of contact for potential customers. High-quality images give the impression of a premium, professional business, supporting your brand image and messaging. This can help persuade customers to purchase your product or service. Using images of your business, staff and facilities are also far more trustworthy and credible than stock images, or images that are not your own.
Key advertising for your products and services
Each image on your website can serve to communicate your message and advertise your products, services, store or team. Professionally shot photos will provide the most accurate representation of your products and services. They will also foster confidence and a sense of security among potential clients, resulting in higher conversion rates. Images also act as emotional triggers. Therefore, photos that represent positive emotions – such as happy, smiling staff – can act as a positive trigger for your potential consumers and result in increased engagement.
Improved Google ranking
It’s not just about having high quality images, you also need to ensure that images are an appropriate file size. Smaller image file sizes result in faster website loading times, which helps your search ranking. Consumers prefer a website that loads quickly, so naturally Google also rewards fast sites. We recommend that website images have file sizes of under 200KB (though big header images can be a bit larger). Keep in mind it is important not to sacrifice visual quality as you reduce file size.
Professional photos can be used on multiple platforms
Investing in having professional photos taken provides you with a library of high-quality images to use across multiple platforms. This can include your website, social media, e-newsletters or even printed marketing material. Using professional photos across multiple platforms is also more cohesive and promotes a professional brand image. Hiring a professional photographer is therefore a worthwhile investment as there are countless ways to utilise the images.
Tips & tricks for curating images to take your website to the next level
Website design and layout optimisation
It is important to think about the overall design and layout of your website when taking photos for your site. Taking images that support the content of your website is important but choosing images that support the design of your website is equally important. You should know where the image will be placed on your website: do you need more background images? Are you in need of more smaller images for some of your website pages? Do you have a hero image? Take a wide variety of images in different sizes to ensure you have sufficient variety.
Using professional stock images
While having professional photos taken of your business is highly recommended, stock images can also be a suitable alternative. Stock images are high quality generic images that are available for purchase. Some popular stock image websites include Shutterstock, Adobe Stock and Canva. At Dubzz, we can help you source and select the perfect stock images for your website. Note that if you choose to use stock images, it is recommended to use them for generic shots only. Do not use stock photos that will misrepresent your company, staff and products.
High-quality images are essential for developing a successful website for your business in the digital age. If you have any questions or queries regarding website images, or web design and development, do not hesitate to get in touch. Dubzz are happy to help.
