Graphics are an integral part of your website design and social media presence. They are a must. However, graphics can hurt your business growth online. Yes, it’s true.

A web with no graphics would be a bit like chili without the seasoning! Graphics, photos and clipart are to your website as spices are to your cooking – enhancing the experiencing and leaving you with a more memorable experience.

However, just as food can be too spicy, there can be too many images on the page ruining the experience, so you’ll need to find a happy, medium. Too many images can actually turn visitors away and thus graphics can hurt your business.

So what type of graphics will harm more than help your website? Glad you asked.

Let’s have a look at 5 ways graphics can hurt your business growth online.

1. Too Large
   When images are too large they can be too slow to load and they can also take away from the text. The purpose of the image is usually to help convey an idea relating to the content. When the image takes up too much of the screen, the visitor can be distracted missing the purpose of the site.
2. Inappropriate
   When your website is a business design, you need to focus on the content of your pages and the overall message they project. You need to ensure the images you use are appropriate and reflect your business values correctly. If you do not present your image appropriately to the audience you are targeting it could be more detrimental than helpful.
3. Poor Quality Images
   Using images that are unclear, fuzzy, poorly centered or amateur in other ways will be reflected in the assumption your business is also amateurish. No images are better than poor quality images.
4. Illegal Images
   There’s a lot of creative images on the internet and you might do a right click and save without thinking much about it. The problem is that if you use these images on your website and you may find yourself facing copyright infringement. Use only those images that are royalty free unless you have permission to use others.
5. Ignoring the Use of the ALT Tag
   Many people ignore the ALT tags, not realizing just how important it is. The alt tag is like a free sign to your website. Without the use of the ALT tag, your website is at a disadvantage for visitors and you will also be non-compliant when it comes to web standards.

Knowing how graphics can hurt your business website as well as help your website will help you to build your website in a manner that keeps your visitors interested in what your website has to offer.

Top Tips for Using Graphics for Your Business Publicity

If you are pitching your business, don’t miss out on the opportunity the use of graphics offers you. It’s an excellent tool in your business publicity.

Often a high quality graphic or photo is the first thing that the reader sees. A picture serves as an anchor, which is why you will see photos or graphics associated with many top stories. In the world of journalism, a good photo can take your story from the back of a magazine to the front.

Here are some top tips you should know about for using graphics for your business publicity.

Remember graphics can hurt your business. Follow the below tips to make sure you have great designs on your website.

• Graphs such as bar charts or pie charts help your reader better understand complex issues. Use them freely when they can add value to what you are saying or promoting.
• If you are including a photo of yourself should be above the shoulders and a good resolution. Don’t be afraid to include your photo with reports, stories, as well as other advertising or marketing.
• Use exterior and interior photos of your business in media events and marketing campaigns. Consider using photos of people at work inside your business where applicable.
• Press releases for promotions, awards, new products, etc. should include a photo.
• Use graphics to create company and brand recognition.
• Have graphics professionally designed for maximum value and begin to create association early on.
• Use photos that are relevant. For example, if you are a fitness trainer you might consider a photo that shows you in some type of fitness event.
• Stay away from graphics that are too big. While graphics are extremely valuable, that valuable can be undermined by using graphics that are too large.
• All images should be in a digital format so that all media and websites can have access.
• If you are involved in sponsoring events, make sure to take advantage of the photo opportunity that can benefit your business.

Graphics are a powerful tool for all businesses, yet surprisingly their value is often misunderstood, and still more often graphics are completely ignored. Graphics can hurt your business. However, when graphics and photos are used in the right manner, they present an incredible amount of value to all businesses.

If you aren’t sure how to get the most value from graphics and photos it’s a good idea to speak with a professional who can guide you in the right direction and ensure you understand the does and don’ts of graphics and photos in your business publicity.

Using Graphics and Copy to Design a Website That Sells

How to create a website that sells – it’s the million dollar question. Just because you build a website, does not mean they will come and it does not mean they will buy even if they do come. It’s a common misunderstanding that leaves people frustrated and disappointed because their website did not do as well as they expected.

Your copy is important and it’s not well understood. When it comes to your visitors, who are your potential customers, they care only about themselves. If this doesn’t sit well think about it – I want to feel younger, I want to feel skinnier, I want to … and the list goes on. When consumers buy things, there is always an emotion attached to that purchase. When writing your copy make sure you keep this in mind.

Quality graphics are also essential to a website; however their importance is also tied to what you are selling.

For example, if you have an eBook for sale that’s for sale graphics may not play as important a role as it would be if you were selling a video game for the Wii or the Play Station, where graphics not only allow them to see what it is they are buying it can close the sale by enticing them.

Graphics Can Hurt Your Business

Not all graphics are created equal. It’s important that you use graphics that are only of the highest quality, and those graphics need to be relevant. If you don’t use graphics properly, graphics can hurt your business.

Graphics are highly misunderstood. They are far more than pictures.

They engage, entice, create emotional reactions, and they can mean the difference between products selling and products sitting on the shelf.

In other words, don’t just choose a graphic to fill the space. Give your graphic choices the attention they deserve. Graphics are associated with products and they are also associated with branding of your.

Take for example, the Golden Arches of McDonalds, which everyone recognizes. You can create the same type of branding for your business with the right graphic design.

Hire a graphics design professional who has the skills to create something memorable for your online business. Simple, catchy, and designed especially for your business and/or website.

If you haven’t introduced your website to quality graphics don’t wait another day. Graphics are a powerful tool that will be provide you with return on that investment for years to come. Your online business will benefit with an increase in revenues.