A picture is worth a thousand words. Okay, maybe that sounds a bit cliche, but it's true, especially when it comes to your website. So what does this phrase truly mean? It means that a single image has the potential to tell a story just as well as a large amount of descriptive text. Jakob Nielsen, User Advocate and principal of the Nielsen Norman Group, says: "Users pay close attention to photos and other images that contain relevant information, but ignore fluffy pictures used to 'jazz up' Web pages." Photos are important, yes, but what's more important is deciding what photos to use and what photos are useless. Shuffling through hundreds of old photos can be time consuming and aggravating, especially if you aren't sure what you're looking for. Below are some things to consider when deciding what images to use on your site:
1.) Image Fundamentals- size, composition, quality and exposure are four important things to look for in a good image. Make sure your photos are unique, high resolution and most importantly- you own them.
2.) Effectiveness- Each image on your website should create excitement or interest for your viewers. When determining the effectiveness of a photo, consider its emotional and rational appeal:
- Emotional appeal- does the product in the picture look good and make the user want it?
- Rational appeal- does the image show the benefits of the product?
3.) Transmitted Message- Each image should send a message that sticks. Make sure the message is in-line with your brand and it's strong enough to simulate an action from the customer.
Keep in mind that the human brain subconsciously ignores purely decorative or filler images on the web while pictures and images of real people or real products are automatically categorized as important and are often studied in detail.
Need help determining whether or not your photos are worth putting on your website? Is your site in need of an entirely new look and feel that incorporates the right images? Let Old City Web Services effectively showcase your business online. We can help you accomplish all of the above plus more! Just remember, visual content drives engagement.
For more information, contact us today by giving us a call: 904.829.2772 or emailing us: letusmarketyou@oldcity.com.
