#webimages

Images not only add life to a website, they also make it convert better. People no longer want to browse a website – they want to experience it. Using the right images can boost your site’s conversions and get you to connect better with your target audience. However, you still find many websites unaware of the importance of images when it comes to getting the most out of existing traffic. Here are some tips to encourage using images throughout your website. Emotions rule Many people buy for emotional reasons. If you make them feel just right, they’ll take action. The same rule applies when choosing images for your site. A positive image brings out positive emotions. It could be a smile, a smirk or a gesture. Emotions are powerful, and they work. Consider using a mascot Ever noticed your favorite site with a little cartoon? Site mascots are highly popular these days. Websites and blogs are using them for branding. They are being used to create a bonding experience with the visitors. They’re helping sites create a strong image in their audience’s mind. Look at Mailchimp, for example. If you’re an online marketer, you will know Mailchimp www.mailchimp.com – a highly successful email and newsletter marketing which we have also started using for several of our clients. Think out of the box People want to see something new, even on websites. For example, using advanced “dynamic image technology” can be fun: images spin around 360 degrees. Have a look here: http://truview.ortery.com/360HTMLJavaScript/autoplay/Hennessy/Hennessy.html or here: http://truview.ortery.com/360HTMLJavaScript/DualAnimation/A620/A620.html Stop using bad stock photos People don’t look at the web like they used to. They’re more connected than ever. And educated. What does that have to do with images? People can tell if you’ve used a cheesy stock photos. Choose stock photos intelligently – even if you have to spend more money. Your site has to look professional. Use high quality images, which may or may not be a stock photo, but do not look staged or cheesy. They should look real and authentic, adding real substance to the site. Moving images Flixel is a new app for iPhone inspired by Cinemagraphs that allows you to create living photos with looped animations combining Photo sharing with Instagram and video sharing with Viddy. Best social platform to share a picture: Pinterest With or without added text, if you use images that people can relate and respond to, you’ll increase the likelihood that they’ll find value in what you’re sharing. Pinterest is a fairly new social platform for sharing images. It is not only of interest to the creative industry – photographers, artists, galleries, designers or architects. Similar to Facebook and Twitter all industries should be using Pinterest or other online pinboards. Growing your fan base via Pinterest can be fun, free and easier than you think. Click on these links to find out more: Pinterest Pictures for your business - Social Media Examiner, April 23, 2012 Four secrets for marketing on Pinterest - Inc.com, July 16, 2012 Nine tips to boost your business with Pinterest - Inc.com, Dec 20 2011 Beware of the specs! No one wants to wait around forever while a site is loading. Even if you’ve got a site with great content, if the images are dragging it down, you’ll have lost your audience. A good rule of thumb is to only use images that are relevant to your site’s purpose, and aim for a file size that is 400 KB or smaller. If you must include an image that is larger than 400 KB, then use a thumbnail image. In the context of search engine optimization, load-intensive graphics will hinder search engine spiders, since spiders’ primary food is content.

Images in ice cream

Before you start loading images here are a few hints. The correct size will save you time and bandwidth. There are a number of image resizing tools such as Picasa or Photoshop or Fotosizer for Windows (see below) For uploading:

ensure images have the correct size

image files should be well below 1MB

optimal websize is 72dpi and 1024x768pixels

image file formats can be .jpg, .png, .gif, jpeg

image titles should not contain any funny symbols especially not a period (@#%&-?!) or funny signs

captions and tags can be added in MILK