How Stock Images Can Maximize Your Website’s Appeal

“A picture is worth a thousand words.”Never has this been more true than when consuming content online. Humans are visual creatures. It’s how our brains are wired.

Visual elements make all the difference in digital marketing. Here’s why. A couple of vision scientists got together one day and explored a few scenarios on how the brain transforms visual stimuli into sight.

Their findings were published in several journals, from Nature to Current Biology. William G. Allyn, a professor of medical optics, explained that more than 50% of the cortex is devoted to processing visuals.

And while we think we know how the brain works, there’s more to uncover. Researchers admit that human vision is incredibly complicated.

We know that we process an image in just 150 milliseconds, and assign meaning to it in another 100 milliseconds. Also, we follow directions 323% better when illustrations are included with text.

Visually rich text is what sets your online presence apart from your competition. For many startups, the budget doesn’t exist to source beautiful, high-quality images. However, stock pictures can perform the same role if done right.

Choosing a Stock Image Provider

It might sound like an easy choice. Yet, there are many variables to consider.

Licensing Rights

Depending on whether the image is for commercial or personal use, you may have to pay a one-time fee and use the image for various purposes.

Creative Commons

The license allows free use, but creators may add restrictions so check the Creative Commons note carefully.

Editorial Use

Editorial-use images are for articles and news content only. You can’t use them for commercial gain.

Best Stock Image Websites

Once you’ve factored in the above, Unsplash, Pixabay, or Pexels are ideal for free high-quality images. For paid options, iStock and Shutterstock are top choices.

Choosing a Payment Gateway Image

Whether you run a platform selling SaaS or an eCommerce store, the visual representation of your payment gateway makes all the difference when diversifying revenue streams.

Shutterstock suggests using high-quality images that convey trust, security, and modern transactions. Think credit cards, QR codes, or secure data relevant to your target audience.

The goal is to convince the customer that your payment platform is safe. PayPro Global says implementing one solution to rule global payments contributes to your global growth journey and empowers customers to choose their preferred payment method.

Many companies utilize the subscription management model and one platform for selling their products or services.

The solution is adequate for dealing with the headaches of global payments such as payments taxes and regulations, becoming a compliance expert.

Color Psychology

Different colors convey certain emotions. For instance, red is associated with anger or passion, while blue elicits feelings of calm and trust, explains Verywell Mind.

Marketers and branding agencies have been using color psychology for decades. Color shapes buyers’ perception of brands, so choose colors that match your goals and desired outcomes.

Remember, your choice of stock images can increase user engagement and improve brand perception.

Quality Matters, Always

Have you ever clicked on a website only to be disappointed by the pixelated photos that aren’t relevant to the topic? You probably haven’t visited that website since.

High-quality stock photos matter because first impressions last and impact how your audience engages with your brand.

Low-quality or generic stock photos can make your brand seem unprofessional or untrustworthy. On the other hand, sharp, well-composed images encourage users to engage with your content or product.

Visuals are the key to maintaining consistency across all your online platforms. If those visuals are poor quality or mismatched, they create a disjointed, confused look.

However, stock images that align with your brand’s identity in color, tone, and value demonstrate a seamless visual identity.

Choosing the Right Stock Images

Or rather, what not to do when choosing the right stock images.

Don’t use generic or outdated stock photos. Your images must be authentic and relatable. Opt for natural expressions, real-life settings, and genuine interactions.

As previously mentioned, blurry or pixelated images undermine your brand. Always use high-resolution, sharp stock photos that remain clear, even when resized.

Different online platforms have varying image dimensions and resolutions. If you’re paying for stock images, ensure they can maintain quality across websites, emails, and social media.

You could also personalize stock photos by adding overlays, text, filters, or cropping to match your website’s design.

Avoid overused images. An easy way around this is to perform a reverse image search.

Well, there you have it! Well-placed stock images can be powerful tools that enhance your online visibility.

Carefully selecting and customizing images to align with your brand can create visually compelling content to attract your target audience.