ARE STOCK IMAGES OUT OF DATE?
did you know that using stock images could potentially push your online customers away?
STOCK PHOTO
As you and I may know a lot of websites we visit today will have an “About” section. Imagine opening the “About” section on your website and there’s a bunch of strangers smiling in suits. Do those strangers represent your business? Can those strangers build trust with online customers? The answer is no. Why not?
Stock Photos are not unique, since it was easy for you to access these photos, so can many others. Shutterstock one of the biggest stock photos bank out there, has more than 1.9 million users sharing the same pool of images. How are you suppose to differentiate between you and your competitors?
It does not build trust. Stock images can be very cliché and posed. With low quality from stock images, what they represent to your online customers is an unestablished website. According to MDG Advertising 67% of online customers say high quality images contribute in purchase decisions.
Now picture the same “About” section but this time there’s a professional photo of you. And next to you is your team. Proud and the true representatives of your business. Below are my top reasons to use professional photography for your website instead of stock images.
Connection
With minimum interaction with online customers on your website, how will your online customers find a connection with you/your brand. This is where your online content comes in. With professional photos presented under the right section of your website, it allows your online customers to see faces of those behind the brand. Through eye contact, to have a face to interact with and to build an authentic human connection.
Authenticity
To be authentic is to be genuine, true and accurate. Stock Images won’t do your business justice when it comes to being authentic with online customers. When online customers come to you for proof of quality, isn’t it best to show genuine and real people? Whether you are in a business of service or providing high quality product. It is best to show high standards and authentic content to build trust with your online audience.
Trust
I can not express how important it is to build trust with your online audience. A strong relationship between two parties goes a long way when it is built between humans. People buy from people. With most of your website consists of information in text forms, add that human touch in other forms such as photography or videography (we do both). Allow your audience to have a face to speak to, eyes to look at and a figure to trust.
Still think stock images are RELIABLE? let’s compare
professional photos
Real Estimation one of our clients who we helped finalise and update their team photos on their website. Real Estimation specialises as brokers, valuers and consultants. As specialist in their field, we wanted them to feel proud as representatives of their business. Because these faces represent the success of Real Estimations. There will be no other businesses who can use these images and feel proud because its unique and true only to Real Estimations.
Stock
Now let us have a look at some stock images. With a simple search of “team”, this is a few of the many that came up. 3 different photos 1 look and feel. Can you imagine how many businesses that have the same type of photos on their website or social platforms? How are you able to differentiate? How will you able to stand out?
PROFESSIONAL PHOTOS
Real professional photography are much more than just photos. At Iceberg Media we make sure that the photos are customisable, distinctive, original and are tailored made to suit your business/brand. Each image consists of real experts from your business. Real people will make a more real connection with online customers.
stock
Generic, re-used, cheap. Yes, stock images can be a cheap solution to your content needs. Yes, they can be quick to get content on your website up and running, but how long will they last before another website uses the same stock photos as you. I know that most of us who run a business will want long term success over easy short term gains.
PROFESSIONAL PHOTOS
Intergrain has a very successful wheat, barley and oat breeding programs and they have the vision to support the competitive advantage and sustainability of Australian agriculture sector. We wanted to illustrate the joy of being able to show their passion for the Australian agriculture. Their passion for the industry are written all over their faces. Now let us compare what it will look like if we were to use stock images below.
Stock
Compare to our photos from above, the stock pictures tell us little to nothing about the production, the people, the culture, the process that were done at Intergrain.
If you do consider looking into get professional photograph taken for your website or after digital content solutions, check out our stuff here:
Although stock images can be a quick and easy way to give your website an update, the pros and cons of professional photography will out weigh stock images.
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