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#51 - Website
Photos: Blessing or Curse? |
Weak
photos make for sorry sites.
Business by Design reports this month that the pictures
design professionals post on their websites can be more a hindrance than a help.
THIS MONTH:
+ Where Photos Fail
+ And your point is...?
+ Photo Fundamentals
+ Where Photos Fail
I gotta problem with the photos on your website. A serious problem.
Assuming you post the kinds of photos that other design firms, manufacturers
or showrooms do, we gotta talk.
The photos may be pretty, but they aren't meaningful. They're a waste of my time
and your money.
That's because you don't explain what you're showing me -- and why.
Let's go site surfing.
First stop: the interior designer's website.
Look, here's a photo of a Marina del Rey Peninsula condominum. There's one of
a Coral Gables residence. And, another of a Vail vacation home.
Now I see a picture of a fireplace. And there's a living room. And a law office
waiting room.
Any idea why she's showing us these photos ? I don't have a clue. Maybe
she doesn't either.
Let's check out the website of the decorative hardware manufacturer.
What's with the photos?
15 shots of doorknobs, 14 drapery finials, 12 drawer pulls.
I don't get it. What's the message here? Yeah, it's nice stuff, but everyone's got
nice stuff.
Finally, the multiline showroom website.
Lots of words here about all the nice furniture, textile, lighting and accessories.
But, why are the photos so small? And, why should I care about these
images of Chapman lighting and Jim Thompson Thai Silk?
+ And your point is...?
My first question about your website photos is: Why?
Why show me these? What's your point? What do these pictures prove?
And, most importantly, why should I care?
Remember, the average visit to a website is four seconds and two clicks.
Given that time restraint, do those who see the photos on your site really "get" what
makes you special?
Or, do your photos disqualify, rather than qualify you for the kinds of clients
you want?
+ Photo Fundamentals
Don't just give me images. Give me help.
Your website photos will have greater impact if you give me:
Your Greatest. Quality matters. Quantity doesn't.
Your Latest. Show me new, show me now. Update often.
Guidance. A little caption can say a lot.
Perspective. Small photos of big rooms don't work. Large photos
of small details do.
Size. Let me click onto larger versions.
Variety. Show me all that you can do.
Direction. An index or category list, please.
Links. I like what I see. Where can I learn more?
A Way Out. Get me back to your home page easily.
A Taste. Whet my appetite, but don't overdo it.
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