If today’s marketing is all about being real and authentic, is it time to stop using stock photos on your website? Maybe… OK – yes!
The photos on your website need to make a positive first impression. You want to give your site visitors a real feel for your brand.
But if stock photos are someone else’s vision and not yours, how can these generic images convey your unique message?
Using Stock Images vs. Custom Photography
In a study by web expert Jakob Nielsen:
- Site visitors ignored generic stock images and kept scrolling.
- Photos of actual people caught a site visitor’s attention.
Stock photos lack authenticity
Your website is lacking in the authentic branding that gets people’s attention.
Remember, a stock photo is someone else’s vision, not yours.
Your stock photos are on other sites
What if your competitor is using the exact same stock image on their website?
What if someone visits your website for the first time and they see the same image on your website that had given them a bad feeling on another website?
They will project their negative experience onto your site. They will leave without ever knowing how fabulous you are.
Your stock graphics haven’t been customized
If you’re a digital designer, why are the computer screens in the graphics on your website blank? I see this all the time and I don’t get it.
Why would a graphic designer or digital marketer use a stock image of a computer without adding an example of their work to the screen?
Instead of a computer screen that’s blank or black, showcase a sample project. This will help you promote your creative talents!
We like to look at real people
If you’re using stock model photos, you’re not showing us real people we know, or want to know.
We pay attention to people who look like real people.
Real photos of your team lay the groundwork for making a better connection.
Just imagine the sense of trust you can create by sharing pictures of your actual employees!
Google Seeks Unique Content
Not only do we lose interest when seeing stock photos, but Google loses interest. Google would like to avoid showing its users the same picture over and over across multiple websites (and in similar industries).
According to Google’s indexing methods, your website content should be creating an authentic user experience.
- Create custom images that are authentic, show familiar faces, and enhance your brand.
- Share images that reflect your diverse lifestyle and the community where you are doing business.
By giving Google something unique, you have a better chance of ranking higher than your competition.
Start Taking Original Photos!
If a picture says a thousand words, what do the pictures you’re using say about you and your business?
Bad photos leave a bad impression.
Fortunately, there’s a lot of quality packed into your smartphone so grab it and start snapping your own unique photos!