Most businesses realize that images can improve your website conversion rate, but they don’t know how to use them properly.
Images not only grab the attention of your visitors, but they can also improve your site’s search engine optimization (SEO) and help you rank higher.
In this article, you’ll find 6 different ways that using images on your site can help boost sales and conversions.
You’ll learn why imagery works so well for sales pages, how it makes it easier for users to understand what you’re selling, plus a lot more tips and tricks!
So let’s get started…
Use Images that Showcase Your Products or Services
If you’re a business that sells products, then the images on your website have to look incredible and relevant for the category. In other words, images should represent the product from every angle, and in the best light possible.
For example, if you’re selling a shirt, then provide images of your product from the front, back, side, detail shots, closeups of elements, etc.
According to research, posts with images receive at least 650% higher conversion than posts with text only.
If you’re selling a service, consider finding unique images that represent your industry.
For example, if you’re an accountant, you can use images of your clients smiling or holding up a “thumbs up” sign after they’ve received their tax refund.
Use Stock Photos
Using stock images is a great way to set the scene on your website and tell potential customers about your company’s personality. After all, people purchase from brands they know and trust.
When you purchase stock images, make sure they are high quality and relevant to your target audience.
We recommend companies like Shutterstock to find relevant images. Especially, if you need help choosing high-resolution images for your website.
Stock images are in real demand because they include many different scenarios without costing too much money.
Use the Rule of Thirds
The rule of thirds is a composition technique that splits your image into nine equal parts using two horizontal lines and two vertical lines.
When you place your subject along with one of those four lines, it makes the photo appear more aesthetically pleasing. It will make your images appear more interesting to viewers.
For example, if you have a picture of a watch on a desk, then align the band of the watch with one of the places where the horizontal lines meet.
That way, it doesn’t appear to be just sitting on a desk but adds depth that makes your picture more intriguing.
You can also use this technique to create a more dynamic shot of your product from a side angle. This way, your product looks better and more appealing than a straight-on shot.
Always Follow the Emotional Rule
Remember, people don’t necessarily buy for logical reasons; emotional factors are also involved.
The images you use on your site should evoke an emotional response from your visitors, which in turn will increase the likelihood that they choose to buy from you.
When you’re choosing images for your site, keep the emotional rule in mind to make sure you are converting visitors at optimal levels.
For example, if you sell luxury candles, you might use an image of someone relaxing on a beach enjoying their candle.
A picture like that conjures up feelings of relaxation and perhaps even stress relief. All of those emotions could lead to a purchase decision.
Use Human Touch
Some images don’t even need words to explain what they convey.
If you use the right type of picture, customers will immediately understand what they’re looking at and the emotions associated with it.
Brands which “humanize” their products are usually more relatable to consumers.
Think about some of your favorite brands – chances are they make you feel good whenever you interact with them.
Humanizing your product doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to show humans in your image, but it does mean that the image should invoke some sort of strong emotion.
Use the Right Eye Level
Images should be aesthetically pleasing. This doesn’t mean that all images need to be extremely polished and professional, but they should at least be in tune with your brand and the web design you decide to implement.
If you use images that are consistent with the mood you’re trying to convey, they will naturally encourage people to take action. When choosing images, make sure they are eye-level.
It doesn’t matter whether your product is high or low in price, you want people to see the image without having to do any extra work.
Eye-level makes it easy and convenient for people to see what’s going on in the picture and helps them relate better to the content of the image.
Use Plenty Pictures
Buzzsumo found articles with images in every 100 words to get more social shares.
So, the more images you use, the better. For example, if your website is full of graphs and charts, it will tend to look cluttered and less approachable.
But if you add an image of the product close up with a person using it, it will make the product seem more tangible.
On the other hand, the quality of your images matters too. People are used to seeing professional-looking images on websites, so if your images don’t look good enough, they will feel turned off by your brand.
When we see a product on Amazon, for example, and then “click to see a larger view,” it’s the image that makes us do so.
This is why it’s important to think about the images you’re choosing for your website. In short, images create trust. A picture of a real product, for example, is likely to be more trusted than one without an image.
Conclusion
Images make your website more personal and relatable, which makes potential customers more likely to trust you and effectively convert. Depending on the image, they can also create a sense of urgency, which motivates people to buy.
The more images you use, the better it is for conversion rates. Make sure they are eye-level and have a consistent tone, but don’t be afraid to go beyond that.
Most importantly, use images to tell a story. Make it personal, relatable, and meaningful. So, lastly, if you want to boost your conversion rates, all you need is pictures!