Images not only can create an aesthetically pleasing

atmosphere for users, but they can also (and more

importantly) help you gain credibility, and ultimately

sales if done correctly. Here are some great ways to

increase your credibility:

1. Self Portraits/Customer photos

Having a photo of yourself on your sales page will help

your customers feel more at home, and that they're dealing

with a real person, and not just a machine. This increases

your credibility in the viewer's eye because it adds a

personal touch, and you will see your sales increase when

you employ such methods. A great place to place a self

portrait is in an 'about me' section of your site or

newsletter. If you don't have a section like this, you

should consider creating one because this, just like the

image will increase your credibility and your conversion

rate.

Another way of using pictures to increase your conversion

rate is by using customer photos. You should place these

on customer testimonials, and when people view them, they

will see that this is a real customer that is satisfied

with your product, and they will carry much more weight

this way. Testimonials alone are a great way to increase

conversions, so don't hesitate to make them even more

effective by adding customer photos. The only problem here

is acquiring the photos themselves, since many people do

not have a self portrait, but that shouldn't stop you from

asking your customers for them, and maybe even offer them

discounts for some incentive! The choice is yours.

2. Product Packaging

Product packaging images - this means, regardless of what

you're selling, be it tangible or intangible, to offer

images of your product. If you're selling an ebook, create

an ebook cover. If you're selling an actual book, show a

photo of it. What this does is explain to the viewer of

your site that your product is 'real' and that they're

really getting something when they're spending their money.

It's been proven that simply showing an ebook cover on a

sales page can increase conversion rates by over 50%! You

can't afford to miss out on something so simple that will

increase your sales this much, so make it a point to have

some product packaging!

3. Physical Evidence of Product's Success

This can mean an infinite number of things depending on

what you're selling, but in a nutshell, try to include a

photo of something that lets your site's visitors know that

the product you're selling actually works. Some examples:

If you're selling a book on internet marketing, show a

picture of a check you've received while using the

techniques explained in your book. If you're selling a

book on bodybuilding, show before and after pictures of

someone who has practiced the methods explained in the

book. These kinds of things will drastically increase the

viewer's excitement in your product and will get them

itching to whip out their credit cards!

4. Soothing, Pleasant Graphics

You want your site's look to be welcoming just like a big

soft sofa, so your viewers are visually relaxed and not

constantly being annoyed. Things to avoid are animated

icons and bright/flashy/uncomplimentary colors as these are

very unprofessional, leading your visitors to believe your

product may also be unprofessional. Plus, these things may

turn away some visitors altogether, so do your best to

avoid them. Train yourself to use softer colors, softer

gradients, softer backgrounds, etc. And you (and your

visitors) will reap the benefits.

If you practice some or all of these methods you will see

great improvements in your conversion rates, so don't take

them lightly. People will read interesting copy, but

nothing builds credibility like a bit of positive imagery.

Hope you've learned something!