With free stock imagery so easy to get hold of these days, many websites are starting to get the generic look we’ve all seen before. Images however are one thing search engines like Google love, with the inclusion of original, high quality imagery working wonders for your credibility online as well as your SEO.
In this blog post, we delve deeper into the importance of unique images, why they’re always a better choice in comparison to stock images, and what value could be unlocked for your website’s SEO credentials.
Gathering stock imagery may be quicker and easier, but for websites looking to enhance their user experience online, taking the time to capture original photos will be well worth it.
By investing in the imagery you use across your online presence and physical materials (such as brochures), you can share the authenticity that not only attracts customers but keeps them coming back. The use of original images also improves the consistency of your brand, with the photos providing another way to tell your story and reflect your values.
While there may not be a direct link between better rankings and original, unique images, search engines like Google certainly prefer them. With the improved engagement and user experience these images bring to your website however, you can indirectly boost your credibility online.
Like any other content, unique images offer a more valuable and authentic experience to ensure the trust signals consumers are looking for to spend their hard-earned cash with confidence. From the perspective of your target audience, unique images help a website stand out, especially in a sea of online platforms that use stock photography.
There are several ways to make the images you use on-site better optimised. In addition to using the right size and format of image, customising the file name to include any keywords that are relevant to your brand and the image is beneficial. The same applies to your image alt text.
When used to complement an optimised page title and description, all this meta data can help Google rank your images and boost your visibility online as a result.
Here at Content Director, we help businesses just like you find the content you need to improve your online presence, and this goes beyond the written word. Find your content, including unique images, right here.