In today’s internet-centric society, it’s just as crucial to keep up to date with design trends as it is to follow those of a specific industry.
One of the most popular trends used by web designers, graphic designers, and marketers these days is the utilization of hero images on websites and social media pages. From big brands to small businesses, hero pictures are taking over the internet one website at a time.
So, what exactly are hero images? What makes them so effective, and why do they function so well? Let’s investigate.
What are Hero images?
A hero image in web design is an eye-catching image that is featured in the above-the-fold zone of the webpage. The image is generally the first thing that visitors view, and it can provide a good first impression when they land on the page.
The hero picture may include text, but it should not be so cluttered that it detracts from the purpose of displaying an image. It should inform and pique the visitor’s interest in the page’s content.
Hero images perform better than other types of images because they are more eye-catching, drawing attention to where you want it – on your website or blog – rather than elsewhere.
They also encourage readers to pause for a minute before continuing with their navigations, giving them time to assimilate what information has been conveyed and decide whether or not to stay and read further.
A hero image might include your company’s unique selling point (USP) as well as a conversion goal, such as a registration form or a button to start purchasing, in addition to a high-resolution graphic.
A popular new trend includes the use of animations and videos for the hero image instead of static photographs.
The Hero image’s origins
Some people were quite dubious when the idea of hero images first emerged. Many individuals assumed that putting a large image on the front page was a bad idea. However, the fact that the notion of hero images has long been utilized in conventional media was (and is) often overlooked.
Prior to the use of the term for web design, hero images were characterized by the use of conspicuous visuals in print media. These may have included full-page adverts in newspapers, two-page spreads before the main story in magazines, or massive posters in store windows.
Most newspapers use large graphics on the top half-fold of their publications. Some publications may even utilize photos of people of interest, recent events, or emotionally charged imagery.
Marketing magic! Why Hero Images work so well in Web Design and Social Media
These days most websites are increasingly using a more storytelling approach in their design. On the homepage alone, visitors should be able to grasp what you do, what you are offering, and why they should pick you over the many others on offer.
By using an image, you can provide both eye candy and a means for the website to “tell a short story”. In an age when people’s attention spans are so limited, you can easily cram an idea or message into one image rather than a 200-word paragraph.
Benefits of Hero Images:
Here are a few reasons why using a hero image can be valuable (and a very good idea!)
1. It helps to build and strengthen a brand:
A hero image may boost a company’s visibility. Consumers are more likely to recall the appearance of your website than the name at the top of your page. It’s no secret that there isn’t much time to wow a first-time website visitor or draw notice to fresh offers.
The hero image allows you to wow users as quickly as possible by immediately awakening the power of visual perception.
2. It can answer clients’ questions:
For example, an e-commerce site offering one-of-a-kind hand-painted vases by a famous artist may use their hero image to highlight the most popular and enticing item they have to offer.
This succeeds because it distinguishes them from other online stores selling comparable items by demonstrating how they provide something unique.
3. It may showcase your value proposition
As a business, you will always want to stand out from the crowd!
4. To make an announcement
It is often said that if you have something interesting to share on your website, your hero image is your best bet. Floating elements and pop-ups are no longer as effective, so make sure that you position it wherever you know people will notice it.
5. Added information
Most individuals perceive and interpret pictures considerably faster than they do text. This implies that the hero image is not only an eye-catching feature but also an instructive aspect of the page, conveying a fast visual message about the content.
6. Navigation
The positioning of the hero image can help with navigation and draw attention to the call-to-action button.
7. Emotional hook
The emotional appeal of the user experience is critical in making communication between the website and users more human-like. Hero images are a reliable way to express appropriate emotions through images, colors, and designs, as well as to create the right mood from the get-go.
8. Aesthetic satisfaction.
Undoubtedly, the website’s offer and functioning are important, but people also expect to have their eyes pleased. Aesthetics are essential to web competitiveness and growing popularity as part of a positive user experience.
Using hero images correctly
With the one-page approach becoming increasingly popular, an increasing number of websites are focusing on the usage of hero images. Is there a correct and incorrect method to use hero images? Yip, of course, there is. You can’t just place a big image on your site and expect it to perform flawlessly.
Remember to incorporate the following:
1. Make your website visitors feel welcome by demonstrating that they have arrived at the right place. Since they are an important element of your website’s ambiance, the hero picture is the ideal spot to introduce your brand to your visitors, not to mention that they will be viewed by all visitors before they even scroll down or click around the site.
Create a powerful visual using a hero image—something bold that stands out far more than what words can convey. So, should you want visitors to see something straight away, this would be the ideal spot to place it. This could include product videos or any other sort of images.
Explore what colors are popular in your industry as well. Determine which tone is best suited to your brand. There is no such thing as a “one-size-fits-all” solution. Always ensure that this tone is consistent across your brand.
With slight modifications in saturation and color, any visual may be transformed into a powerful, warm, and captivating image.
2. Don’t be scared to incorporate a bit of movement. Many websites that use hero pictures use “static” generic images. By including movement and motion into your Hero Image, you will hold your visitors’ attention and improve the probability that they will stay engaged and click through to the site.
3. Play with grids. In addition to the hero image trend, grids are a prominent web design feature these days. Don’t be scared to use both components in your website design.
You can assist in leading the visitor’s eyes to what is important on your website by utilizing grids correctly. You can divide your Hero Image into two blocks, one for a graphic and the other for typography.
4. Don’t be limited! Using a rectangle or box-shaped hero picture on a website drastically restricts the site’s storytelling value. Don’t be afraid to experiment with your hero image.
Play with lines, set it askew, ignore symmetry, and even get creative with borders and patterns. Remember that if your hero image successfully grabs your visitor’s attention, you have already won half the battle.
Final Tips for A Good Hero Image:
To wrap up, these are the three essential elements that should always be included in your hero image:
- Make the image pop: The hero image should be distinctive and stand out amongst all the other images on your site. Do not try to be subtle – rather select an image that will get people’s attention right away!
- Captivating copy: Depending on your design, you may have very little area for text on your hero image, or you may have plenty of vacant space. If your hero image will incorporate a copy, it should be brief yet compelling.
- A strong call to action: In your hero image, include a simple button or link that tells your consumers what they should do next. Do you want them to look over your inventory? Maybe send them to your testimonials page to read about your other customers’ experiences? It’s entirely up to you, but always find a method to lead them to the next logical step in your conversion funnel.
So, get creative with your website’s graphics and design elements. Be bold and take risks – these may just pay off and yield big results.