Your profile image is the face of your business and is one of the easiest and most important ways of making an impression on your prospective buyers. Images boost visibility, engagement and CTRs. Research has shown that posts with images are shared three times more than those without images. Moreover, 93% of shared posts on Facebook include images. This is because images easily grab the attention of customers and influence their decision making process.
However, it is also important to note that in spite of images being so important, search engines have delayed in adoption of images as part of search results, and have always been returning text-based results. But, with challenges by newer or vertical specific search platforms, this has been seen to be changing and Google has started to use logos and images in its local search ‘snack pack’ results last year. There are quite a few ways you can make sure you get the most out of your images in local search listings. You either hire the top online marketing company in Bangalore to take care of every aspect of your business marketing strategies or utilize these tips on your own –
Choose your own pictures before Google does so
When you don’t upload a photo for your business on your own, Google does so. It may be the street view image outside your store, or your store sign, or a picture of something next to your store at an unappealing angle, or anything else. If general public has taken some pictures within your store and posted them to the Google listing of your business, Google may select any one of those as your profile image too. And, this may be something that you would not want your customers to see. So, instead of Google randomly putting up an image for your business, it is better you do so on your own.
Try having the best picture as your profile image
You have the option of uploading a profile picture, logo, cover photo and the interior and exterior shots of your workplace and team. However, it isn’t necessary that your pictures are shown in the order you post them in. This is because it is Google who decides the order of the pictures to be shown, based on various factors like relevancy, size, resolution, format and picture quality. So, if you are having trouble having your most desired picture as your profile picture, you can try mixing up the order of your pictures again. Or, you may try things like uploading high resolution pictures, brightening the contrast, uploading differently angled/cropped pictures, or anything else that comes to your mind. You never know what might make Google change its mind and give you what you want.
Keep a check for unexpected changes
Google is always fiddling with making things better for its customers. In the process, it also keeps fidgeting with your prolife picture frequently. Moreover, it does so unexpectedly without any kind of input from the profile owner. So, even if you haven’t upload any new pictures or made any changes, you can expect changes by Google. Therefore, you must keep checking your profile images on all platforms and devices from time to time to look for changes you may not want. However, you must make sure that all the pictures you upload are atleast acceptable if set as your profile picture. In case, you miss out on frequent checking on a particular platform, you don’t want to land up with an inappropriate profile picture that may turn down the viewers.
Images are one of the most effective ways to distinguish yourself from your competitors. All you have to make sure is that you create a positive impression on the viewers. And, this can be done by using high quality appropriate images because both Google and consumers love high quality pictures. Also, make sure you don’t use stock images because if consumers find out that the profile image of your business is not a real one, it is going to hurt the reputation of your business. Whatever you do, be genuine and trustworthy!
