Do I Need Blog Images?

Let’s address a question I hear often: Are blog images necessary for engagement and SEO?

Ready to hear your favorite answer? It depends. 

The short answer is no. They aren’t absolutely necessary, and they shouldn’t stop you from publishing a new blog. However, there are some scenarios when having blog images would be useful.

Types of Blog Images

There are several different types of blog images you can use. Not all will apply to every blog you write, but it’s good to remember your options!

Featured Image

You will likely have a featured image for every blog. This picture appears on your main blog page and sometimes at the top of your blog post, depending on your page design. See mine below. I use a mix of stock images and branded headshots.

Infographics

Infographics are a visual representation of data. You can use Canva or other designer tools to create images to explain complicated topics, statistics, or step-by-step guides.

Screenshots

Screenshots are helpful to show examples. They help clarify what you’re trying to describe. Many people are visual learners, so screenshots are helpful in how-to guides or step-by-step tutorials.

Graphs

Graphs and charts elevate data-driven content. Again, sometimes, the visual representation of data is more impactful than a written statistic.

Branded Graphics

These are custom-designed graphics that align with your brand’s aesthetic. My clients who have podcasts use these. They create custom-branded graphics for each episode and show notes. 

I use branded graphics to promote my freebies and email list. Of course, you can link to these resources, but a branded graphic can improve conversion.

GIFs

GIFs can be a great addition to a blog post if you have a fun, playful brand! It adds humor and personality to blog posts, making content more engaging. Who doesn’t love a good meme, either?

Product Images

If you have a product-based business or e-commerce side to your service-based business, product images can come in handy for showing off your amazing work. It showcases products in action, which can improve purchases.

Before and Afters

We love a good before-and-after transformation! I like using these in case studies to show before-and-after data, but they are also amazing for industries like fitness, home improvement, and beauty.

Benefits of Blog Images

I have already mentioned some benefits of each type of blog image. But what about the overall benefits of using blog images?

Enhance Readability

We know how long some blog posts can be. They go on and on and on… Images are a nice way to break up all that next. Of course, you have headers that do that, too, but visuals can keep the reader engaged longer.

Boost SEO

When you add alt text to your images (which you should always do!), you can rank in Google Image Search. Accurately describe the image and use keywords if they naturally fit the context.

Increase Shareability

Eye-catching visuals are more likely to be shared on social media, especially Pinterest! It’s always nice to see your content being shared, so make it easy for your audience to do it by providing branded images.

Strengthen Branding

Speaking of branded images, custom graphics can help reinforce your brand identity. It’s an extra step in your blog writing process that can make people think a little more highly about your brand. 

When Blog Images Aren’t Necessary

Convinced you should start using blog images?! Well, hold your horses. There’s one key reason why blog images wouldn’t be necessary.

When images don’t add value. 

You shouldn’t add images just for the sake of having them. Blog images should have a purpose behind them. If you’re considering adding an image to your blog, think about how this will impact the user experience as they read your blog. Will it provide more value or be a distraction?

Best Practices for Using Blog Images

Okay, so you’ve decided to add a few images to your blog. Great! Now, what are some best practices to do first?

Compress images before uploading them to your website. Large file sizes tend to make it hard for a page to load. The longer a page takes to load, the more likely someone will bounce off it, which negatively affects your SEO. Use Tinify to shrink the file size without sacrificing quality.

Make sure you can legally use the image. You can use free stock photos, royalty-free pictures, or original content you created in a tool like Canva. 

FAQs About Blog Images

Where can I find free images for my blog?

I get most of my stock photos from Canva. I have a premium subscription, so I have access to a ton of royalty-free stock photos. Pexels and Unsplash are other good sites, but always check licensing terms before using them.

What’s the best image size for blog posts?

It depends on your website layout, but it’s usually about 1200px wide for full-width images. 

What’s the difference between JPEG, PNG, and WebP for blog images?

JPEG is best for photos because it has a small file size and good quality. PNG is best for graphics. WebP images are best for site speed and SEO, but some older browsers don’t support them.

Do blog images need captions?

Captions aren’t necessary but are useful for images with data to help explain the graphic.

Enhance Your Blog with Images

Blog images can improve the user experience and sometimes your SEO. Whenever you’re considering adding images to a blog post, make sure they add value. If you think you’re adding an image just because you feel like you have to, don’t bother. Have fun creating original, branded images!