7 Tips for Choosing the Best Image for Your Website

What story should your website images tell?

To answer this question, you must first decide what story you want to tell on your website and who or what it is about.

If you're a communications consultant, for example, you'll want to sell your knowledge and experience. As a result, your story should demonstrate your abilities and how you assist your customers. This means you'll need to include a headshot and other photos of yourself "in action" on your website, such as at seminars, lectures, or working with customers.

However, if you rent a vacation apartment, you should tell your guests how comfortable your place is and what great attractions they can find nearby. This includes photos of the accommodation as well as images of the nearby lake or the romantic medieval town only 30 minutes away.

Before you start looking for images, think about your story. Because the next steps will be simple once you've decided what story you want to tell about your website.

How to choose the best image for your website

Images and photos have always been an important part of visual communication, so making sure that your website makes the most of the images you choose is essential. As a result, 51 percent of B2B marketers prioritize creating visual assets as part of their website content strategy.

Your audience is smarter than you believe. They can tell when you're using a common stock image, especially if it's irrelevant and of poor quality. Selecting the incorrect image has the potential to devastate your website in more ways than one. It can hurt both your UI and UX, so make an informed decision for your website.

1. Prioritize Quality over Quantity

Instead of overloading the website with images, use a few of them and prioritize quality. Blurry images call your credibility into question and present a negative brand image.

Use only high-resolution images that highlight the main product.

Avoid taking photos with smartphones to ensure maximum quality. Consider hiring a professional photographer instead. Though a trained photographer will charge a reasonable fee, the investment will not be in vain.

High-quality, one-of-a-kind images can always add an exciting appeal to your website. They will also allow you to show off your products and services from the best possible angle.

2. Consider Copyrights

The internet is awash in images. Using a search engine will yield a plethora of images in a matter of seconds. Unfortunately, not every image found through a Google search is free of copyright. Using someone else's work without permission is also a legal offense.

If you use such images, the owner may file a lawsuit against you at any time, causing your brand's reputation to suffer in the digital world.

You can avoid the problem by looking for stock photos. They are the ideal solution for companies that cannot afford custom or professional photography. After purchasing stock photos, you may use them legally following the license guidelines.

Many websites offer low-cost stock images that can be used by almost any business. Go through them to find images that are relevant to your brand's services. Some stock photo websites also allow you to edit the images.

3. Stick with Relevant Images

It is also critical to select appropriate images for your website. Your photos should be relevant to the content of your page and aid in telling the story of what you're attempting to communicate.

For example, if you're writing an article about software engineering, a picture of a computer programmer working on their laptop is preferable to a picture of someone relaxing on the beach.

Keep in mind that the image should complement the overall aesthetic of your brand. Avoid using out-of-place visuals that detract from the overall look and feel of your website.

4. Choose Eye-Catching Colours

When choosing colors for your website images, make sure they are eye-catching but not overpowering. Bold colors can draw attention to certain aspects of the page, whereas muted colors can be soothing.

Also, keep in mind that different cultures interpret color differently, so when choosing website images, keep your target audience in mind. The color palette you choose for your images should ideally match your branding preferences, as this will create a symmetrical pattern on your website.

5. Use Real People’s Images

Putting a human face on your website is an excellent way to showcase your brand. Faces are memorable, and audiences connect more easily when they can associate an individual with your product, service, or business.

For example, if you sell watches, avoid using only static images of the product. Use photos of models wearing your accessory instead. This will show your customers how the products look with various outfits and styles.

You can also include images of your workplace culture and the people who work there to help prospects trust you. These images give your company a human face, and people don't just think of you as a corporate entity. Instead, they recognize your workplace and how much value you provide to your workforce.

6. Match Pictures with Your Brand’s Scheme

7. Don’t Forget to Test Your Images

Images aren't something you can just leave alone. They are an adaptable and living component of your website.

The first image you choose may not be the best one for your needs, or it may not even be appealing to your customers. If you have images on your landing page, you should experiment with a few different ones until you find one that gives you the highest conversion rates on your website.