In the world of web design, the hero image is the large banner image that appears at the top of a web page or landing page.
It is typically the first visual that visitors see when they land on your website. Therefore, it is an important element of a web page and has a significant impact on the visitor’s first impression of your brand, product or service. A hero image can drive conversions by grabbing visitors’ attention and enticing them to interact with your website.
In this article, we will discuss how to choose a hero image that drives conversions. We will also highlight hero image design, hero image examples, and best practices for hero images.
What is a Hero Image?
A hero image is a large banner image that appears at the top of a web page or landing page. It is the first visual that visitors see when they arrive on your website.
The hero images can be a background image or a graphic element that showcases your brand, product, or service. It is typically accompanied by a call-to-action (CTA) that prompts visitors to take action, such as signing up for a newsletter or making a purchase.
Why is a Hero Image Important?
The hero image plays a critical role in driving conversions on your website. It is the first visual that visitors see, and sets the tone for the rest of the site.
A great hero image can grab visitors’ attention, entice them to explore your website, and ultimately convert them into customers. On the other hand, a poor hero image can turn visitors away and hurt your conversion rates.
How to Pick a Hero Image that Drives Conversions?
Choosing the right hero image for your website is crucial to driving conversions. Here are some tips on how to design hero images that drives conversions:
1 . Understand Your Target Audience
Before you choose a hero image, you need to understand your target audience. Who are they? What are their interests and preferences? What motivates them to take action?
Knowing your target audience will help you choose a hero image that resonates with them and inspires them to take action.
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2. Define Your Brand Message
Your hero image should reflect your brand message and convey your value proposition. It should showcase your brand identity and align with your overall branding strategy.
Make sure that the hero image is consistent with your brand style and colors.
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3. Use High-Quality Photos
Your hero image should be of high quality and resolution. Avoid using low-quality, pixelated, or blurry images.
If you cannot take your own photo, consider using high-quality stock photos or hiring a professional photographer to take photos for you.
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4. Make it Relevant
Your hero image should be relevant to your product or service. It should showcase what you offer and how it benefits your customers.
Make sure that the hero image is aligned with the content on the page and the overall theme of your website.
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5. Consider Screen Size
Make sure that your hero image is optimized for different screen sizes. It should look good on both desktop and mobile devices.
Keep in mind that mobile devices have smaller screens, so the hero image should be optimized accordingly.
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6. Keep It Simple
Avoid using too many graphic elements in your hero image. Keep it simple and to the point.
A cluttered hero image can distract visitors and make it difficult to focus on the message.
7. Use White Space
White space can help draw attention to the hero image and make it stand out. Use white space strategically to highlight the hero image and make it more visually appealing.
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8. Smart Placement
The hero image should be placed in a prominent location on the page, above the fold. This ensures that it is the first thing that visitors see when they land on your website.
Consider using an image slider to showcase different hero images if you have multiple products or services.
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9. Use CTAs
Include a call-to-action (CTA) with your hero image to prompt visitors to take action. The CTA should be clear and concise, telling visitors exactly what action to take. Use contrasting colors to make the CTA stand out and attract visitors’ attention.
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10. Entice Visitors
The hero image should be designed to entice visitors to explore your website further. It should be visually appealing and create a strong visual memory in visitors’ minds.
Use images that evoke emotions and connect with visitors on a deeper level.
11. Consider Loading Speed
Make sure that your hero image does not slow down your website’s loading speed. Large images can take longer to load, which can negatively impact user experience.
Optimize your images for the web and consider using image compression tools to reduce file size.
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12. Test and Optimize
After you have chosen a hero image, test it and optimize it to improve conversion rates. A/B test different hero images to see which one performs best.
Consider testing different CTAs, placements, and images to find the best combination for your website.
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Conclusion
A hero image is an essential design element of any website. It is the first visual that visitors see when they land on your website, and it can make a substantial impact on their conversion rate.
With the right hero image, you can grab visitors’ attention, entice them to explore your website further, and convert them into customers.
