If you are in the process of web design, then you probably know that you are asked to provide your web designer with photos for your website. Even if you are not in the web design process, it’s great to know what photos are needed for a website well ahead of time.

As a web designer myself, I know for a fact that fantastic web design will take your business far – but your website photos will help you seal the deal and turn your audience into paying customers. That’s why it’s important to make sure you know the 8 kinds of photos your designer needs for your website.

 

1.   Photo for the large header image for your home page

Did you know that visuals are processed 60,000 times faster than text? Therefore, the first thing your audience should see once they land on your webpage is a large, high-quality image that immediately indicates what you and your brand are all about. This eye-catching image should quickly capture your audience’s short attention span, spurring them on to invest their time into learning more about you through your website.

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2.   Photo of you looking at the camera

This photo is one that business owners tend to avoid – but I can’t stress enough how important it is to have this photo on your webpage! An image of you looking directly at the camera (hopefully being happy) establishes a strong emotional connection with you and your audience. There is a psychological trigger that immediately happens when people look into each other’s eyes. Establishing eye contact (even through an online image) with your audience indicates that you are paying attention – to them, their needs, their goals. This is such a great way to make a connection with your audience. So don’t skip this!

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3.   Photos of what you offer

This is a great way to show exactly what you are trying to sell to your audience. Whether it’s a service or product, be clear and to the point. These photos show your audience exactly what they will get when they invest in you. This is a great incentive for them to click the purchase button. It’s important to remember that your audience will likely judge your service or product based on the quality of your images – so make sure they are sharp and clear!

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4.   Have more than one photo of yourself

If you thought #2 was hard enough, I am sure you won’t love this. But I promise – there is a strategy behind showing you off! The more your audience see you, the more familiar they become with you (which is a good thing!). This is a fabulous way to make a strong connection with them, which will then entice them to inquire. The more they see you, the more they will start to trust you. To make sure you don’t overdo it, I recommend 3-5 images scattered throughout your site.

Pro tip: Remember that your website still needs to be about your audience!

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5.   Behind the scene photos

While this may depend on your industry, a performance image can be a great way to show your audience what it’s like to work with you. If you are a service-based business, a photo of you in your office or at a coffee shop is a great way to show off your work environment.

If you make products, showing the process of how the products are made would be a great addition to your website. These photos are a fantastic way to help build your branding story as your audience navigates through your webpage. Don’t worry if this doesn’t make sense for your business! Your website can still be strong without this photo if you feel it doesn’t fit with your brand.

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6.   Have a company photo

If you work with multiple people or run an agency or company, a great way to show your off your company culture is through a high-quality group photo. This will help convey your company culture to your audience – further connecting them to you and your brand.

7.   Have an image that directs attention

This one is more optional, but it can be a great addition to your list of photos! If your website has a call to action, a great way to direct your audience’s attention to a button is by using an image. If you have an image of someone looking to the right, you could easily put a button in the space where they are looking. This quickly captures the audience’s eye and draws attention to the button, further enticing them to click through. Cool, right?

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8.   Have images that tell a story or incite an emotion

Our brains are hardwired to remember stories. Let me ask you, which is easier to remember, a spreadsheet from last week or a movie plotline from three months ago? I vote movie plotline personally. My point is that a website image can be used to help tell the story of your brand. Connect the images you use on your website to the text you are sharing with your audience. An image will help stop the reader and the text around it will tell them the full story. This is where a great copywriter comes in!

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Conclusion

The biggest take away from this post? ALL of your images need to be high-quality! No blurred or fuzzy pictures allowed! There are too many devices out there that are high resolution. So your images need to be sharp!  It’s obvious when they aren’t and that can hurt your brand – and I don’t want that to happen to you. The rest is ultimately up to you.

Just remember, these photo suggestions are highly recommended – especially from someone (me) who designs websites for a living.

I hope this post helps you in being fully prepared to provide your web designer with photos that will help convert your audience into clients!

If you have any questions, please ask away! I would love to help you in your branding process!