Photos on your website: size, description and rights
Good photos make your site stronger, if they load quickly, have a description and you are allowed to use them. This is how.
Photos show who you are and what you do. A site with your own photos feels more personal than a site with only text. Do pay attention to three things: the size, the description and the rights.
The size
A photo from your phone is often much larger than needed. That makes your site slow. For a photo across the full width, 2000 pixels wide is usually enough. Smaller photos can be smaller still. Your visitors do not see the difference, but they do notice that the page loads faster.
A description for every photo
Not everyone sees your photos. People with poor sight have the page read out. Then the software reads the description of the photo, the so-called alt text. Google reads that text too. Describe briefly what is in the photo, for example "Engineer installing a new boiler in a kitchen".
Are you allowed to use the photo?
You cannot simply use a photo you find on the internet. The maker has rights to it. That can cost you a hefty bill. So use:
- photos you took yourself;
- photos from a photographer you paid, with clear agreements about their use;
- photos from a site with free images, if its terms allow use on a website.
Are there people in the photo? Then ask whether they agree to you putting it on your site.
Real photos work well
A photo of your own workshop or team says more than a glossy stock photo. It does not have to be professional. Daylight, a calm background and a phone held straight already get you a long way.
Photos in Qsite
In Qsite you put photos on your site with the Upload Manager. The weekly SEO check shows which photos do not have a description yet. Qsite AI can suggest a description, which you check yourself before you save it.
Want to give your own photos a place? Start for free with Qsite.