Mastering Image Selection: The Psychology Behind Effective Website Imagery

Are you tired of creating a website that doesn’t quite hit the mark? Are you struggling to capture the attention of potential customers? Maybe it’s time to consider the psychological factors that influence image selection for websites.

Choosing the right images for a website is crucial to making an impact on visitors. But how do you select images that evoke the desired emotional response? Psychologists suggest that color, composition, and subject matter can all play a significant role in creating a connection with the viewer. 

I call it “blah reduction.”

According to a study conducted by HubSpot, “Color has been shown to increase brand recognition by up to 80%.” This means that selecting the right color palette for images can enhance brand recognition and create a lasting impression. For instance, using red can evoke a sense of urgency, while blue can convey trustworthiness and professionalism.

Composition is another psychological factor that can impact the viewer’s emotional response. Researchers have found that people tend to be drawn to images with a clear focal point, symmetry, and balance. It’s essential to choose images with a clear subject and avoid cluttered backgrounds that may distract from the message.

The subject matter is another critical factor in image selection. The images used on a website should reflect the brand’s message and target audience. For instance, if a website is for a fitness brand, images of people exercising and leading a healthy lifestyle would be more effective than random stock photos.

Here are some examples of images that demonstrate a clear focal point, symmetry, and balance using specific products or brands:

• Apple is known for its sleek and modern design, which is reflected in its website imagery. The product images on their website are often shot on a plain white background, with a clear focal point on the device. The images are symmetrical, with the device placed in the center of the frame, and the composition is balanced.
• Nike is a brand that promotes an active lifestyle, and its website imagery reflects this. The images often feature athletes in motion, with a clear focal point on the person’s face or the product being worn. The images are symmetrical, with the person in the center of the frame, and the composition is balanced.
• Starbucks is a brand that promotes a cozy and inviting atmosphere, and its website imagery reflects this. The images often feature people enjoying their coffee in a warm and welcoming environment. The images are symmetrical, with the people in the center of the frame, and the composition is balanced.
• Airbnb is a brand that promotes unique travel experiences, and its website imagery reflects this. The images often feature unique and quirky places to stay, with a clear focal point on the accommodation. The images are symmetrical, with the accommodation placed in the center of the frame, and the composition is balanced.

Incorporating images that reflect the brand’s message and target audience can also help to create a connection with the viewer. As stated by the famous author Maya Angelou, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Selecting the right images for a website goes beyond choosing pretty pictures. By considering the psychological factors that influence image selection, web developers can create a connection with the viewer and evoke the desired emotional response.  Remember to choose images that reflect the brand’s message and target audience to make a connection with the viewer. If you’re still perplexed by image selection, contact me!