How to Choose Images for Your Website: Tips for Optimizing Your Site's Visuals
When creating a website, one of the most important aspects to consider is the visuals. You want your site to look professional and polished, and the images you choose are a big part of that. In this blog post, we'll discuss some tips for choosing images for your website. We'll also talk about how to optimize your images for SEO purposes. So whether you're just starting with a new website or you're looking to make some adjustments, here’s your guide!
1. Choose images that are high quality and represent your brand well
When choosing images for your website, it's important to select high-quality photos that represent your brand well. This means choosing images that are clear and free of any graininess or blurriness. It also means selecting photos that reflect the overall tone and feel of your website. If you have a fun and lighthearted site, for example, you'll want to choose images that are in line with that lighthearted vibe. On the other hand, if your site is more serious and professional, you'll want to choose images that convey professionalism.
2. Make sure all the images on your website are the same size, resolution and are the right format
You should also make sure all the images on your site are the same or similar size, resolution and the right formal. This will create a cohesive look and avoid any visual clutter. It will also help you when lining up your text, columns, and the general layout of your website pages. This way, you can easily resize and adjust them as needed without compromising quality. Normally for websites the image format used is a JPEG or PNG.
If you're not sure how to resize or adjust your site images, there are plenty of online tutorials and tools that can help you. Some of these free tools include.
PicResize - www.picresize.com
Canva - www.canva.com
BeFunky - www.befunky.com
3. Use images that are relevant to your content and audience
It's also important to use images that are relevant to your content and audience. We highly recommend investing in getting professional photos taken of your products. Or if you’re a service based business you should look into hiring a personal brand photographer to take some professional snaps of you for your website and content marketing. People buy from people after-all.
If you can’t afford to invest in a professional photoshoot to start, do not worry. You can get professional-grade photographs and images, completely free of charge.
Here are some of our favourite platforms for finding images online.
Unsplash - www.unsplash.com
Pixabay - www.pixabay.com
Pexels - www.pexels.com
These websites offer free stock photos and videos that you can use on your website. Simply search for the type of image you need, and you'll find a wide selection to choose from. Just be sure to read the terms of use before using any of the images, as some may require attribution.
4. Don't use too many or too few images on your website
It's important to use a moderate number of images on your website. Too many images can make your site look cluttered, and too few can make it look sparse. Try to use images sparingly, and only when they add value to your content. When in doubt, less is usually more. Remember, you can always add more images later if you need to.
5. Add alt text to all of your images for SEO purposes
Once you've selected the perfect images for your website, it's time to optimize them for SEO purposes. This means adding alt text to each image.
Alt-text is a short description that appears in place of an image if it doesn't load properly. It also helps search engines understand what an image is about, which can improve your website's ranking in search results.
To add alt text to an image, simply open the image file and select "Add alt text." Type in a brief description of the image, making sure to include relevant keywords. Save the changes and upload the image to your website.
THE WRAP UP
When creating a website, one of the most important aspects to consider is the visuals. Follow these tips to ensure that your website has beautiful visuals that appeal to your target audience and are optimized for SEO purposes. So take some time to choose photos that represent your brand well, and don't forget to add alt text! Your site will thank you.