Go for the Eyes: 10 Ways to Boost Web Traffic with Visual Content

Text content is all well and good – but how will anyone pin your brilliant article on Pinterest if there’s no image? What’s a mere text link going to look like in a Facebook stream? Snore.

Missing out on social shares means missing out on oodles of blog and web traffic, so don’t let your words go out naked. Here are 10 types of visual content to dress up your tweets, Facebook posts, blog posts, whitepapers and more.

Balcom Team

1. Your Own Photos

How to use: standalone on most platforms; paired with blogs, whitepapers

You’ve got a smart phone. Use it. Take slice-of-life photos of your coworkers, building, customers (with permission) – any person, object or setting relevant to your content. Here are some tips on taking good photos.

Bus
Image by Nan Palmero

2. Creative Commons Photos

How to use: paired with blogs or whitepapers

If you can’t take your own photos, don’t despair! There are thousands of free photos available on sites like Flickr and Stock.XCHNG . Remember: only use photos that have a Creative Commons – Attribution license (meaning you’re allowed to use the image as long as you link back to the creator).

Profile Photo

3. Author Photos

How to use: paired with blogs or whitepapers

It’s good to put a face with a name. Consider including an author photo and possibly a short bio with each blog post. B savvy: if you activate Google Authorship, Google will automatically put the profile photo next to your content in search results.

Blog Graphic Quote

4. Pull Quotes

How to use: paired with blogs or whitepapers

An easy way to make long content more shareable: choose a pithy, helpful quote from the text and make a graphic out of it (use one of your brand fonts), then insert the graphic near the text version of the quote, in a magazine-style callout.

WebDonuts Comics - Internet Photos

5. Cartoons

How to use: standalone on most platforms; paired with blogs or whitepapers

Who doesn’t love a cartoon? There are several ways to get them:

Memes

6. Memes

How to use: standalone on most platforms; paired with blogs or whitepapers

Memes are running web jokes people copy and reinterpret. Done right, they can earn laughs and lots of shares. Check KnowYourMeme.com for popular memes and DIY templates. Just avoid anything marked “NSFW” (not safe for work).

 

Animated Gifs

 

7. Animated GIFs

How to use: standalone on most platforms; paired with blogs or whitepapers

Add motion to your image without going full-on video with an animated GIF. Just a few frames can help tell a story, express an emotion, or demonstrate some instructions.

8. Videos

How to use: standalone on most platforms; paired with blogs or whitepapers

Videos are great for showing how-tos or for demonstrating products in fun ways. Micro-video platforms like Vine and Instagram can be great for quick tips. Shoot and edit your own videos or hire a professional (hint hint) to do it for you.

Infographics

9. Infographics

How to use: standalone on most platforms; paired with blogs or whitepapers

Organize large amounts of information into an illustration that’s easy to digest and super shareable. While you can try your hand at creating your own simple graphics using online tools, it’s best to hire a professional to design complex infographics.

 

Formatted vs unformatted blog

10. Formatting

How to use: paired with blogs or whitepapers

Adding images isn’t the only way to make text content more visual – you should also format the text itself, using headers, subheads and bullet points to:

  • Create white space where the eye can rest.
  • Organize your ideas in a visual hierarchy, making it easier for your readers to understand what you’re saying – faster.

B Savvy: Dress Up Your Real-World Content, Too

Imagery is as relevant in the real world as online. Ads, brochures, point of sale (and your website, come to think of it) all require a more professionally-designed look – above the DIY flare typical of social media – but many of these tips still apply. Use your own (professionally shot) photography or buy stock photography. Pull quotes and infographics work beautifully in print, and formatting is a must. You could even try a meme or a cartoon if it suits your brand.

Sure, it may take a little extra effort to make your content more appealing to the eye – but it’s overwhelmingly worth it. Here are the stats to prove it.

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