Now that we have our blog post or article written, we need a feature image. Having a featured image on a blog post is important for several reasons:
- Visual Appeal: A featured image grabs the reader’s attention, making the post more visually appealing. It creates an inviting first impression, encouraging users to engage with the content.
- Improved Engagement: Blog posts with images often see higher engagement, as readers are more likely to share, click, or interact with posts that include relevant visuals. A striking image can prompt social media shares, driving more traffic.
- Better SEO: Search engines like Google factor images into their ranking algorithms. Alt text, file names, and image captions can boost a post’s search engine optimization (SEO), improving visibility and helping attract more visitors. Feature images, if optimised properly, can appear in the Google Image search results, driving even more Organic traffic to your website.
- Branding and Consistency: A featured image can reflect your blog’s branding and aesthetic, helping to create a consistent look and feel. This strengthens the blog’s identity, making it more recognizable to readers.
- Communicates the Topic: A well-chosen image can convey the essence of the blog post at a glance, helping users quickly understand what the post is about before they start reading. text overlaid over the image can enhance this even further.
- Improves Social Media Previews: When shared on social media, blog posts with featured images are often displayed with larger, more engaging previews, which can lead to more clicks compared to posts without images.
Selecting or designing the right featured image for your blog posts can significantly enhance your content’s appeal and effectiveness. Here are some tips to help you create or choose the perfect featured images:
1. Ensure Relevance to Content
- Align with the Topic: Choose images that accurately represent the subject matter of your blog post. This helps set the right expectations for your readers.
- Support the Message: The image should complement and reinforce the key message or theme of your content.
2. Use High-Quality Images
- Resolution Matters: Opt for high-resolution images to ensure clarity and professionalism. Blurry or pixelated images can detract from your blog’s credibility.
- Avoid Overly Busy Images: Select images that are clear and not cluttered, making sure the main subject stands out.
3. Maintain Consistent Style and Branding
- Consistent Aesthetic: Use a consistent colour palette, style, and tone across all featured images to establish a recognizable brand identity.
- Incorporate Branding Elements: Include subtle branding elements like your logo, brand colours, or specific typography to reinforce your brand.
4. Optimize for SEO
- Descriptive File Names: Use clear and descriptive file names that reflect the content of the image (e.g., “healthy-recipes-tips.jpg”).
- Alt Text: Add meaningful alt text to your images to improve accessibility and help search engines understand the image context.
- File Size Optimization: Compress images without compromising quality to ensure faster loading times, which positively affects SEO.
5. Choose Eye-Catching and Engaging Images
- Vibrant Colours: Utilize bright and contrasting colours to make your image stand out and attract attention.
- Emotional Appeal: Select images that evoke emotions or curiosity, encouraging readers to click and engage with your post.
6. Use Original or Properly Licensed Images
- Original Content: Whenever possible, create your own images or graphics to ensure uniqueness and avoid copyright issues.
- Stock Photos: If using stock images, choose from reputable sources and ensure you have the proper licenses. Websites like Unsplash, Pexels, and Shutterstock offer a wide range of options.
- Attribution: If required, provide proper attribution for images used to respect creators’ rights.
7. Incorporate Text Overlays Wisely
- Add Context: Including a short, readable text overlay can provide additional context or highlight key points of your blog post.
- Legible Fonts: Use fonts that are easy to read and contrast well with the background image.
- Avoid Clutter: Keep text minimal to ensure it doesn’t overwhelm the image or distract from the main message.
8. Consider the Platform and Layout
- Responsive Design: Ensure your featured images look good on various devices and screen sizes by testing their appearance on desktops, tablets, and smartphones.
- Aspect Ratio: Adhere to recommended aspect ratios for different platforms (e.g., 16:9 for most blogs and social media) to maintain consistency and prevent cropping issues.
9. Use Design Tools and Templates
- Canva: A user-friendly tool that offers customizable templates specifically for blog featured images.
- Adobe Spark: Provides a range of design options and templates to create professional-looking images.
- Photoshop or Illustrator: For more advanced customization and high-quality graphics, these tools offer extensive features.
10. Leverage Visual Hierarchy
- Focus Points: Design your image with a clear focal point to guide the viewer’s attention.
- Balance Elements: Arrange visual elements in a balanced way to create harmony and avoid visual fatigue.
11. Stay Updated with Trends
- Current Aesthetics: Keep an eye on design trends to ensure your images feel modern and relevant.
- Adapt to Audience Preferences: Understand your target audience’s preferences and tailor your image style accordingly.
12. Respect Copyright and Usage Rights
- Royalty-Free vs. Licensed: Understand the difference between royalty-free images and those that require licenses. Always adhere to usage rights to avoid legal issues.
- Creative Commons: If using Creative Commons images, ensure you comply with the specific license terms, such as attribution requirements.
13. Use Consistent Image Sourcing
- Reliable Sources: Stick to a few trusted image sources to maintain consistency in quality and style.
- Organize Your Library: Keep your images organized in folders or a digital asset management system for easy access and consistent usage.
14. Incorporate Branding Elements Subtly
- Watermarks: Use subtle watermarks to protect your images while maintaining visual appeal.
- Brand Colours and Fonts: Integrate your brand’s colour scheme and typography into the image design to reinforce brand identity.
Additional Resources and Tools
- Image Editing: Tools like Canva, Adobe Photoshop, and GIMP for editing and designing images.
- Stock Photo Websites:
- SEO Optimisation: Plugins like Yoast SEO for WordPress can help optimize image SEO effectively.
A well-chosen or well-designed featured image can make a significant difference in attracting readers, enhancing engagement, and reinforcing your brand. By following these tips, you can create visually compelling images that not only complement your content but also drive more traffic and build a stronger connection with your audience.
If you aren’t confident creating images, or don’t have the budget for a graphic designer, then I have an AI Image creator which does a great job:
Here’s how to use it:
1. Type “Hi’ to awaken the AI Assistant
2. Select image type:
3. Select layout: Portrait(up and down) or landscape (left to right). Landscape is best for feature images.
4. Write a general description for what you want in the image. But be detailed. Remember the more information you input into AI the better the output! An outline might be:
“Design an eye-catching, modern feature image that represents the article ‘[article title]’ The image should include a [clean, minimalist] design with [bright and vibrant] colours. At the centre, a [object/person etc] is visible with [something] surrounding it, suggesting [something]. [something] should be incorporated to highlight the [something]. Include a text overlay with the title of the article in a bold, stylish font that is legible and contrasts with the background. The image should feel professional, yet approachable, drawing readers into the topic of visual design.”
5. Advise the primary focus
6. Advise the background
7. Advise the text overlay. AI isn’t good at text, so keep it to one or two words only.
That’s it. The tool will generate the image.
Don’t forget you can ask the tool to adjust the image and get it closer to what you want.
