Custom Images for your Blog
Including images on your blog post and your website is great way to supplement the content. In terms of SEO, the content is, without a doubt, the most important aspect of your blog but what would it be like for the user without pictures? Boring? You bet!Its great to share photos that relate to the topic, or graphics that illustrate what you're talking about. I use a lot of screen shots so users can visualize what I am saying.
But let's talk about social media. When you are sharing your website or blog to your favorite social media, almost every network will automatically pull an image from that page as a preview to that post. This is fine, but it's not great. Let me show you why...
Example: How to Separate Scams From Legitimate Opportunities
The Image
I found this post in my Pinterest account and I'm using it because it has a custom image created for Pinterest. Its a great example because the custom image shows us WHAT the blog/page is all about. What can the user learn or gain by clicking on the link?
TIP: It also includes their logo on it so someone else can't use it and try to pass it off as their own.
The Problem
The problem isn't with this example specifically, but what would this post look like if there wasn't a custom image created to describe what the article/blog was all about? I'll tell you. Here is the Facebook preview:
The image is taken from the heading, and while on the blog it is paired with the title, this image may in some way represent "scams" but it doesn't say that by just looking at the picture. In addition, the supplemental photos work within the blog, but separately would you know either of the following images was an article about 'scams vs. opportunities' ?
Custom images are most important when using Pinterest, a visual bookmarking tool. Keyword: VISUAL. Pinterest is all about sharing images and users may read the description if an image peaks their interest, but a majority of users scroll through reading and looking at the pictures. If you aren't telling the users what the post is all about, they are passing you by, and they are certainly not "pinning" your post to their boards.
This is the norm, and everyone is doing it because it works!
You can do it!
Start creating custom images for your blog and website today. There are many tools that anyone can use to create these. Picfont is an online tool that doesn't require a download. You can upload your image and simply save the new image when you are done.
I've also included this really nice blog post from The Next Web, below, that outlines some great apps that will do the same.
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