One of the basic rules for building a great website is that content must be presented in the most visually pleasing way to
ensure that visitors actually read it. Avoiding the dreaded “wall of
text” is usually one of the main goals when creating a design to guide
viewers through the information, rather than pushing them away. A great
way to break up text and create an attractive-looking web page is
through the careful use of imagery, whether actual photos or small
illustrations and graphics are used. This helps divide the text into
smaller, more readable portions of content so that the message of the
website is actually understood. The main consideration when using any
type of imagery is to use it correctly or it will cause the opposite
effect.
White Space
People often feel that white space is “empty” space that could be
better used for more text or images; however, this assumption is
incorrect because there needs to be enough white space to balance
overall page appearance. Pictures and white space can work together to
create an interesting, easy-to-read layout that will be much more
user-friendly than space filled with more text or other elements. So
don’t feel compelled to fill quality white space because an image
sometimes only adds clutter rather than benefit.
Bold Look
The idea behind using imagery is to avoid overloading viewers with
too many visuals to interpret; the purpose is to complement text on a
page. One or two good pictures with bold colors and contrast is more
than enough to divide a page into visually pleasing sections. Images
with little color will simply blend into the background or look like
clutter that does not belong. Finding the right picture may take time;
however, once placed on a website it will emphasize the content and give
visitors a more memorable experience.
Use of Graphics
A well laid out web page does not have to have actual photographs;
however, it should not be void of imagery. Decorative and typographic
elements that are strategically placed can work just as well as any
picture and sometimes even better, depending on the website. If the
design is more subtle and traditional, graphic elements can add form to
the function of the page.
Relevancy
Be sure to keep any imagery, whether photographic or graphic,
relevant to the website itself. Do not stray too far from the main idea
of the page just to keep a visitor’s attention. Images that stray too
far from the main topic can increase bounce-back rates when a viewer
reaches the page and realizes it has nothing to do with the image
displayed and immediately clicks away.
It is generally agreed that the best websites carefully combine text,
white space and pictures to create a look that helps the meaning of the
content be more evident. A good way to learn how to make the best use
of images is to randomly check usage on other well-known websites
created by professional web designers. Get some ideas and try them out
for a new look that works much more efficiently for viewing and keeping
visitors on the page.