Maybe you’ve heard web design elitists advise not to use stock photographs. They say they’re generic and unappealing. But, what if you can’t afford to have customised photography at the moment?
It’s understood that customised photography is an investment anyone building a website should make, but stock photographs can also help improve the appeal of your website—if only you will use them with creativity. What’s more, they are always accessible, making them your go-to items in case web design deadlines are looming.
Below are some tips that will help you use stock photographs without making your website look generic or cringeworthy.
Subtly Complement the Text
Say you have an article about travel. Most people will likely complement it with beaches and flying airplanes. The relationship between the text and the photograph is obvious, but not that subtle. If you want to make the relation not too blatant, use a photograph of a glass of summer punch against a sunny backdrop or a suitcase with some travel stickers.
Optimise the Images
SEO companies, such as BamrickMedia.com, advise business to optimise their images. To see how your photos attract your target audiences, you need to A/B test your website.
Be Careful In Choosing
Choose photographs of people that seem genuinely happy with what they’re doing. Usually, these are the photographs taken outside. Don’t be a fan of stock images that use a white background. More importantly, don’t attempt to use season-specific fashion photos if your plan is to use them for the long-term.
Remove the Biases
Remember that the world is diverse. This means your photos should feature people of different ages, races and genders. Using pictures that reflect all walks of life will create an impression that your website is all-encompassing in terms of audience targeting.
These are only some of the things you need to consider when using stock photos. Unless you have skills in editing and photography, don’t try to modify the photographs. They may end up looking awkward.