Why are images important on a website?
The answer to that question is actually pretty simple: They help generate more sales, attract organic traffic, and improve credibility and trust. That’s it, right?
Well, not really! There are even more reasons.
At Artonic we offer professional photography services, and we have included a unique case study at the end of the article to better illustrate the importance of images on websites.
Keep reading to learn more!
1. More Sales
Whether you have an e-commerce website, or a local business, unique, high-quality images can help increase sales.
Wendy Wang, owner of F&J Outdoors reported a 30% increase in sales after updating a product listing with high-quality images.
Source: photoroom.com
Regardless of your business, make sure to add relevant images to your landing page, or product page to maximize its potential.
2. More Organic Traffic
Optimizing your website images for search engines can bring benefits in terms of organic traffic.
According to 2018 data from Jumpshot, more than 20% of U.S. searches on Google occur on Google Images, making Google Images a hidden source of traffic.
However, just adding a unique image to attract organic traffic from Google Images is not enough. Businesses must optimize these images by adding relevant and descriptive Alt Texts and Filenames so that Google understands what they are about.
3. Versatility
One of the advantages of adding high-quality images of your services, products, team, and facility to your website is that they can be also reused on other online marketing channels, including social media marketing, and email marketing.
For example, if you have built a landing page about your home security systems using unique photos of your products, why not use those same photos to promote your products on social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram?
According to BuzzSumo, Facebook posts with images generate 2.3x more engagement than those posts without images. In simple words, posts with images generate more likes than those without images.
4. Better User Engagement
Website engagement is a broad term that encompasses many actions a visitor can take on a website. These include but are not limited to page views, average time on page, conversion rate, and more.
Website images improve user engagement in a variety of ways, one of them is the time users spend on the page before leaving.
Images break up blocks of text, and complement the information on the page, making it easier to digest and remember. In fact, research reveals that adding 3 or more visuals to a Blog Post increases its average time on page by 3x.
5. Enhance Credibility
When it comes to selling products or services online one thing is clear, credibility and trust are crucial.
Business owners should add high-quality images of their products, services, teams, and facilities to their websites. These types of images help potential customers feel confident about the authenticity and professionalism of the business.
Key sections include Landing pages, Product pages, About Us pages, Home pages, and Blog posts, however, the relevance of the images is also essential.
For example, Product pages should feature high-quality product images, while About Us and Home pages can benefit from team photos.
Here’s an example of the Artonic About Us page.
Hold it right there! Make sure to read our Blog post on: 11 Powerful Examples of About Us Photos for Small Businesses.
6. Good Images Will Set You Apart
Not all businesses use quality images, and many rely on stock photos. The problem is that the overuse of the same stock photos by numerous businesses can harm their professional image and credibility.
In a survey by Venngage, 39.05% of respondents reported poor performance from stock photos.
To stand out and maintain a unique, trustworthy presence, businesses should invest in professional photography. High-quality, original images can effectively differentiate a company from its competition.
Can you tell which of the two photos below is the stock photo? Your customers most certainly can!
7. Enhanced UX
Website images significantly improve User Experience (UX) by aiding users in understanding processes, products, or information more effectively.
Additionally, icons, symbols, and other types of images enhance navigation, guiding users intuitively through the website.
Here’s an example from the Artonic Home page. You can see how we included a few illustrations to help our users understand the types of services we offer. These images are especially helpful as they make the list a little easier to digest.
Case Study: Grizzly Glue
At Artonic we offer professional photography services in Michigan, and we’ve prepared a small case study to better answer the question: Why are images important on a website?
Our client was a provider of industrial-strength adhesives for woodworkers and craftsmen: Grizzly Glue. Grizzly Glue needed to increase trust and credibility among its target audience, and as an e-commerce, customers need to see their products before purchasing.
We conducted a comprehensive photo shoot, focusing on detailed, high-resolution images of Grizzly Glue’s products. Team photos were also taken to showcase the dedicated professionals behind the brand.
These images were strategically integrated into their website, particularly on product pages, the About Us page, and the Home page.
Alongside professional photography, we designed a distinctive logo that reflects the strength and reliability of Grizzly Glue’s products. We also developed a user-friendly e-commerce website, ensuring seamless navigation and an engaging user experience.
Learn more about this Artonic case study: Grizzly Glue Photography Case Study.
Why Are Images Important On a Website? – The Bottom Line
So, why are images important on a website?
Images are important on pretty much any website as they are essential to increase sales, provide a good UX, and increase user engagement.
At Artonic we provide professional photography services in Michigan to help local customers improve their professional image and enhance the results of their digital marketing initiatives.
Not sure if professional photography is right for you?
Learn more about our photography services, including downloading the eBook: 10 Stats about the Value of Photography.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about: “Why are images important on a website?”.
Do Websites Need Images?
Yes, websites need images. High-quality images enhance user experience by making content easier to digest. They help build trust and credibility, especially when showcasing products or services. Images also improve navigation through icons and other illustrations.
Do Images Improve SEO?
Images can attract traffic from search engines when optimized with proper Alt Texts, which helps search engines understand the images better.
When to Use Images on a Website?
In summary, while images can be beneficial on almost any page, their true value lies in how they support the content.
For example, if we are talking about a product page, then you should add relevant images about that specific product.
On the other hand, if we are talking about chimney repair services, then images that illustrate the team working and executing the repair process are the ideal option.
Images can also be used on About Us pages to show users that there are real, professional individuals behind the company, increasing trust and credibility.