Visual content can have a great impact on how search engines rank your site – but good pictures can also do much more than just give you a boost on Google. They can also help to increase your conversion rate, as more people who visit your site will be likely to reach out to you if you use images the right way.
If you’re not sure about how to incorporate images into your website, blog, and social media sites, this simple guide can help you get started.
Understanding the Value of Images
Visual images can serve many purposes when incorporated onto your website and blog. Images boost search engine rankings because they can be optimized just like text can. When you incorporate an image into your blog or article, you can give it a title and a description. Search engines will crawl these images, just as they do the text, so you have another opportunity to incorporate your keywords and show Google your content. You could also potentially rank in a Google image search, which gives customers another chance to find you.
Images also help you to convert your online leads in a number of different ways:
- More people will visit your site: Thanks to the SEO boost that comes from having high quality images, you’ll draw more potential visitors to your website. The more eyes on your site, the greater your chances of finding new clients.
- Users will be more engaged: Images break up long strings of text and make your content more visually appealing. Visitors are more likely to stay on your site and to keep scrolling when your site is pleasing to the eye.
- Your bounce rate will go down: Because a website with more images is more attractive and easier to navigate, users are more likely to stick around the site rather than to leave your pages quickly. The more time people spend on your site, the greater the likelihood they’ll reach out and contact you.
- You’ll create a personal connection: When you incorporate the right images onto your site, visitors will get to see the human side of you. Putting a face to the name makes people feel as if they know and trust you, which means they’re much more likely to reach out to you and use your services.
How Should You Incorporate Images?
Attorneys can incorporate images on their firm’s sites and social media accounts in many ways. Some great pictures to feature on your website include:
- Pictures of the actual attorneys and staff members who work in your office: This is key to engender trust and forming that connection with site visitors.
- Photos of office pets: Almost everyone loves animals, so putting pictures of office pets will make site visitors feel happier and more at ease. You’ll make a real human connection over a shared love of animals just by doing something as simple as putting a photo of your office dog or cat.
- Pictures of your building and office: Customers will see that you have a professional space and will be more easily able to visualize themselves in your office, working with you and getting services.
- Pictures of clients: If clients permit it, visitors can see others you’ve helped and will be more likely to want to seek your assistance for themselves as well. Pictures of clients also make reviews and testimonials seem much more trustworthy.
- Photos from events and seminars: When trying to promote special events and seminars, showing pictures of past events helps people know what to expect and make the decision to attend. Remember to have everyone sign a photo release form before you post their pictures online.
- Pictures from community involvement: If you’ve done charity work or sponsored events, posting pictures shows that you give back to your community.
In addition to making sure you’re using the right kinds of images, you’ll want to use the right size and resolution. Every social media platform has their own specifications, and they sometimes change, but here are the current image size recommendations (in pixels) for each site:
- Profile photo – 180 x 180
- Cover photo – 820 x 312
- Timeline image – 1,200 x 630
- Profile photo – 400 x 400
- Header photo – 1,500 x 500
- In-stream photo – appear at a max of 1,024 x 512 and a minimum of 440 x 220
- Personal profile image – 400 x 400
- Personal background image – 1,584 x 396
- Firm logo image – 300 x 300
- Firm cover image – 1,536 x 768
- Shared post image – 1,200 x 630
- Profile picture – 110 x 110
- Photo thumbnails – 161 x 161
- Photos (Instagram App) – 1,080 x 1,080 for square; 4:5 ratio for rectangular
- Stories – 1,080 x 1,920 resolution or an aspect ratio of 9:16
YouTube
- Channel profile image – 800 x 800
- Cover image – 2,560 x 1,440
- Custom video thumbnails – 1,280 x 720
- Profile images – 165 x 165
- Pins – appear on main page or board at 236 pixels wide. Pins have a minimum width of 600 pixels and the height for the image will scale proportionally when expanded. Image aspect ratio of 2:3 is recommended.
The images you include on your website and social media platforms can have a significant impact on how your clients and prospects engage with you. If you haven’t looked at the visuals on your website and social media channels lately, review them to see which may need to be updated.
Rita Chaires
Director, Web and Online Marketing Services
American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc.
9444 Balboa Avenue, Suite 300
San Diego, California 92123
Phone: (858) 453-2128
www.aaepa.com
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