“A picture is worth a thousand words.”

We’ve all heard the phrase, but when it comes to website design for contractors, it can take on a whole new meaning. In a world that is actively becoming more visual, the images on your website are incredibly important in promoting your services.

People tend to remember up to 80% of what they see versus 20% of what they read. It makes sense considering that MIT has found that the brain processes images in as little as 13 milliseconds! So, when we say images are powerful, we mean that they really truly are and using them on your website can have a huge impact.

Chances are that your potential customers are going to form opinions about your company and your team based on those website images (i.e. whether or not you seem legitimate) in a matter of seconds. This means that it pays (literally) to make sure that those images count. Use some of the following tips to use images to your advantage on your website.

Tip #1: Be careful with your background

You might not think people notice what is in the background of your team photo, but they do. Take a moment to figure out what is in the background of your photos. Make sure there are no dumpsters, ditches, etc. that might mess with the shot. If you’re taking photos in your office or building, be mindful of excess clutter or distracting items on desks or walls. 

Tip #2: Get outdoors

Make sure that it isn’t raining outside and then get your team members out of the office. The use of natural light rather than artificial LED lights can make your photos vastly more pleasant to look at.

Also, don’t forget to stand back when you take those pictures! Giving the photo plenty of extra room around the subject matter allows your designers to crop the photo exactly the way they need to in order to ensure it works perfectly in your website design. 

Tip #3: Photograph the important stuff

What has your branding on it that would work well on your website? When it comes to taking photos for your website, make sure to include your branding every chance you get. Take that photo of your company trucks right after a good wash, snap a picture of all the staff together so people can see the strength of your team, or take a shot of your headquarters in order to make sure you get a clear view of the logo on your sign. You can also snap some shots of your individual team members while they are on the job to show how professional and friendly they are.

Tip #4: Make your team shots uniform

Did you take a few photos of some team members against the backdrop of a truck or maybe your building? If so, then make sure you keep it up. Using a consistent backdrop for headshots is always better than ones that are taken all over the office.

Tip #5: Don’t toss your “bad” shots

All too often people will take some “bad” photos of their trucks, buildings, team members or other things that aren’t quite picture perfect. Don’t hit the delete button though! Instead, send them to our graphic design team and let us sort through them. We know how to find those hidden gems that can be a great help to your website.

While stock photos can be useful to your website, it is always going to be a good idea to take custom photos for your website. Real photos of your team, trucks, and on-the-job activities can help establish trust and help you convert more leads.

If you're interested in learning more about our services, reach out to iMarket Solutions today. Already an iMarket customer? Contact your marketing coordinator for the rest of our media guide! iMarket Solutions: Dedicated to Contractor Success.