Quality content means different things to different people. It can also mean something different to the same person at another time or with a new need.
In general, quality content includes strong copy supplemented with some magical combination of useful tables, charts, graphics and/or videos.
Quality content also includes photos, but not all photos are created equal.
In Photos as Web Content, web guru Jakob Neilsen (useit.com) asserts many users completely ignore certain photos, such as large, feel-good images and stock shots. Other photos, such as those of real people and products, are carefully studied and treated as content.
What constitutes a content-rich photo? Users tend to focus on those that:
Show real people – From headshots of top executives to group shots of work teams, real-people images attract more attention and scrutiny. However, if the real-people shot is perceived as filler or decoration, users tend to concentrate on the words not the image.In some circumstances, displaying large photos or providing enlargement options allows users to examine specifics. On the other hand, over-sized generic images that hog screen space and carry little information are disregarded or deemed annoying.
Show product details – From examples of your products in use to crisp close-ups of specific features, product images should answer user’s questions and help them understand more about your product(s) in context.
Users prefer images that convey important or desired information. From their perspective, the more relevant it is to the task at hand, the more time and attention they’ll devote to the image.
This is why it’s important to invest in good photo shoots, Nielsen says, because a great photographer can add a fortune to your website’s business value.
Sometimes, a quality picture is worth a thousand words. Sometimes, it’s worth even more in revenue.
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