5 Benefits Of Using Your Own Images In Content

Imagery is very important on your website. On informational websites (like this one) the images you use help get across the message you are sending. On ecommerce websites they help sell products. They also give the website it’s ‘feel’. No matter what type of website you own, images are very important.

There are now a lot of good quality stock images available to download completely free, however by using these images you may have to put a copyright notice on your pages. The image will also be used by hundreds, maybe even thousands of other webmasters. Also, sometimes you can’t get the exact image you want, so you end up with an image which is ‘ok’ but probably doesn’t help get your message across like you want it to.

Another way to go is to use your own photographs in your content. Sometimes this won’t be possible, but generally it should be, especially in some subjects you should be able to use them all the time.

The chances are unless you are writing about an event or holiday or something you won’t have the photos already. So you are going to have to have your camera handy at all times and think ahead of pictures you will need so you can take them in good time.

At the top you will see an image of my shed that I took last week when it snowed, pretty huh? I couldn’t think of an image that would work with the article that I took myself, so I thought I’d go the opposite way and just choose a good picture – always a winner!

What are the benefits of using your own images?

• No copyright issues
• Totally unique
• Can help get the message across to visitors
• Gives your website more of a natural feeling
• Helps get your personality across to your regular users

So even if you aren’t a keen photographer, as long as you have some kind of camera I definitely recommend using your own images when possible. It may take slightly longer then just searching the stock image provider websites but the added benefits of using your own photographs make it worthwhile.