What you see is what you get is the age-old adage. This really holds true when it comes to how your business uses images. Low quality photos and a bad logo are bad for business.
Images are a form of communication. Often times, small businesses skip out on quality images by playing amateur photographer. Do not do this. Make sure your images are not only professional, but also communicate what you want to communicate to your customers.
We can look at various types of images that have an impact on your business. Logos, photos, website design, and social media pages are where the majority of your images will be located.
Your logo is your branding. It should tell what your business is about by simply using an image. A bad logo speaks volumes about your business even if it is not true. Choose a logo that is simple, informative, and catches your eye. Make sure it is clean and vectored. You will want to use your company’s color scheme for your logo. Your color scheme should appear on everything. Your logo is your first step to branding your business, products, and services. A good logo will be memorable and make a person think of your business specifically.
Photos are very important. You want to make sure they are not blurry, amateurish, and represents your business. For example, your friend at a company picnic posted a photo of your coworker in shorts shorts on the company website. Even though the photo was taken during recreation, there is an element of representation. This image in particular creates the impression that this company’s picnics should have a dress code policy. In other words, it does not reflect well on the company.
Low quality photos also convey a message about your business. If you own a restaurant and everything looks like blurry green eggs and ham, you could end up with a problem. That problem would be less customers. We can take any major fast-food chain as an example of how they have created imagery that makes you not only want to buy their food but eat it. Did you really get that same hamburger in the restaurant that you had seen on the billboard? Well, no you didn’t. That image of that over stacked juicy delicious looking hamburger made you go buy one.
Make sure any photos that you use are balanced in content and lighting, colorful and eye-catching, content connected to your business, and memorable to your customers. Remember, images are a reflection of you and your business. Get your photos as professional looking as possible.
An eye-popping website can make all the difference. Think of the boring HTML pages from yesteryear. Those pages lacked in imagery and quality. It is unfortunate that we still see so many of those types of websites on the internet. A professional quality website can really move your business to the next level. Use your company’s color scheme and get the best eye-popping graphic designs to showcase your product or service.
Social media sites should mimic your company’s website in color scheme and logo placement. Obviously, social media sites are limited but you can work with them to make them work for your business.
Videos should also look as professional as possible and maintain the company’s image. You may use videos on social media, video channels and even your website.
In conclusion, great imagery will take your business to the next level. Not only will great visuals help brand your product or service but will keep your image in the mind of your customers.
