Did you like what you saw? Would it make you say “This place looks amazing! I would shop, eat or do business with them.” or “This outdated, dark, blurry picture makes me hesitant if they are even still in business.” If it’s the latter then we need to talk!
A strong digital first impression is the key to success in the fast-paced world we live in where people judge a book by its cover. As a business owner you have 3-7 seconds to capture your audiences’ attention.
With advances in technology, days of the phone book or Yellow Pages are loooong gone, instead most people do a quick Google search to find out about businesses in their neighborhood. Chances are you have looked up “coffee near me”, “hair salon or chiropractor near me”, etc.
I used Google daily while I travelling across Western Canada this year. And what I found was alarming! Many businesses were using photos that were completely out of date and from the wrong season, leaving me wondering “is this business actually still IN business?”. For example, it was August and I was looking for a hiking backpack, when I googled “hiking gear near me”, the result I received was a cute local shop, but they had photos of snowshoes and skis on their Google page, NOT hiking backpacks, tents, kayaks… all the photos were Winter specific and it was August! It immediately made me question if they were open or not.
Do you know how your business shows up to potential customers when they Google search for a business such as yours?
As a business owner, it is crucial to make sure your imagery is current in all of the following places:
- Your website
- Google My Business
- and social networking platforms.
Ensure your headshot, as well as your business imagery are up-to-date, clear, vibrant and accurately reflect the products and/or services that are available at the present time.
If your business has a physical location that customers can enter, it is also a great idea to showcase photos featuring the inside your business, so they can get a feel for your space. This level of transparency helps to build trust and can convert Google searches into customers that walk through the door.
Let’s say for example, if you are craving a fun and creative burger, you type in ‘burger near me’ into Google and a slew of results appear. You may look at the first three options and see the following:
- Option 1: A clear, colorful, mouth-watering image of a burger, fries and a beverage and another image with an ‘open’ sign and a bright, clean dining area.
- Option 2: A picture of a blurry restaurant exterior with some snow out front (it is Summer now) and unclear as to when the picture was taken.
- Option 3: No images available, just the standard Google street view from the last time the Google car drove past.
Based on the above descriptions, it is likely you would go to option 1. The images suggest this restaurant is open, wanting to serve customers, and has a photo of EXACTLY what you were looking for, a mouth-watering burger.
My focus is to help business owners be visible, show they exist and are open and ready to serve customers. Not only that, but I also like to show their business is a warm, inviting space where their customers can feel comfortable and welcome.
If you are not sure if your business imagery is currently attracting or repelling potential customers, then a business image audit, that shows you what potential customers see when they look you up, might be a service you are interested in. This process:
- Reviews what you have on your website (if you have one), as well as your social media pages.
- It takes a look at the imagery used on your Google profile. It evaluates the findings and provides itemized recommendations on what is needed when it comes to imagery in order to have a strong visual first impression.
- Provides recommendations on how to improve your online presence and you are walked through exactly what you need and how to do it.
If you’re seeking assistance in achieving a strong digital first impression, Bonnie Dickson Photography offers a wide array of services for business photography in Toronto and southern Ontario, and virtually across Canada & the U.S. From professional headshots, business photography, image editing and polishing, and image planning, Bonnie can work remotely, or on location, with you, to tell your business story visually. Her focus on meeting ever-changing demands and needs through seasonally scheduled sessions can help your business grow along with your customer base. While a picture tells a thousand words, the right picture can speak volumes for your business visibility globally. Contact Bonnie Dickson Photography today for a virtual consultation.
