Image is Everything! Well, okay, content is important too, but that first impression is what can help make a visitor interested in becoming a client or customer, or leaving your site and going on to the next one.
I really can’t stress enough how important it is that you use professional photography. You could have the most beautiful site on the web, as far as graphic layout goes, but if your images are blurry, and look like they were taken by your favorite uncle with his point-and-shoot after he’s had a couple cocktails, your website, your business and you are not going to present a professional image.
Maybe your budget can’t really accommodate a professional photographer at this time. If that’s the case, look into using stock photography. If you need photos and images that are specific to you, your products or business, think about investing in at least a good camera that can take nice quality photos. You can find something in the $500-$700 price range these days that can take amazing shots in the right hands.
If you are taking your own photographs you can also use programs like Photoshop to enhance and crop the images to give them a more professional look. This can help a lot, not only for the quality of the image, but Photoshop can also help you size and optimize the image specifically for your site.
Look at websites with this in mind. Ask yourself, ‘Does this website look professional? What is the quality level of their photographs?’ Look at some really high end sites. Like sites for BMW, Mercedes, etc… Look at how sharp their photography is. Would you want anything less than that when it comes to presenting your business?
