The right images will help make your website engaging and trustworthy. They not only improve the user experience for website visitors, but also play a key role in search engine optimisation (SEO), helping your business become more easily discoverable online.
We understand that finding suitable pictures is difficult, so it can be tempting to find images online that you don’t own. However, using images without proper licensing or permission can lead to legal issues which could damage your reputation. Also, if you have used a free image website it's likely that many other people have done the same so your website branding and messaging will no longer be unique. Respect for copyright is critical.
There are several options open to you:
Hire a photographer: A professional photographer can work with you to capture bespoke images tailored to your business. This ensures that your team, facilities, and unique aspects of your services are presented in an appealing manner.
Nicholas Tonks of Jerrams Brothers (pictured) said, "It's definitely worth going to the trouble of getting your own personal photographs because the stock images are the same across so many other websites."
Pros: The authenticity and quality of custom photography can set your website apart from your competitors’. In the funeral profession ‘people buy people’ so have a staff photo page shows that you are warm, friendly and welcoming to your website visitors
Cons: Likely to involve a higher up-front cost
Purchase stock images: Stock photography platforms (such as Shutterstock, Adobe Stock and iStock) offer a huge range of images that can be licensed for use. You can purchase individual licenses and find out how many other people have bought the image before you commit.
Pros: flexibility and cost-effectiveness, allowing you to find visuals that complement your brand
Cons: finding suitable images that have not been used on other funeral websites can be time consuming
Take photos yourself: Using your own phone or camera can be a practical and budget-friendly approach, particularly for pictures of your team or facilities. Choose a nice day with flowers blooming to photograph your funeral home in the best possible light. Internal photographs of the arrangement room can also enhance your website.
Pros: Self-taken photos can add a personal touch to your website
Cons: They will lack the polish of professional photography
Contact organisations that you work with: You could ask your local crematoria, and other suppliers, if you can use images from their websites. Always ensure you have permission to use any images sourced from other parties. Details of local church and crematoria can make valuable content for your website - consider having a separate page with photos and useful information.
Consider a blended approach: Combining professionally taken photos with your own pictures can work well. For instance, professional portraits of your team members portray your professionalism, while informal shots show a human side of your services which people can relate to.
Alt tags, or alternative text descriptions, help visually impaired users understand the content of images through screen readers. They also contribute to SEO by providing search engines with information about your images. Alt tags should include keywords and be descriptive and compassionate, such as "gentle floral arrangement for a memorial service" or "family gathered in remembrance."
Large images slow down page load times on your website, impacting SEO. While your web developer will usually handle this, we think it pays to be aware.
If you consistently use very large image files (or a lot of video), your site might be deemed slow by search engines, and speed is a factor when it comes to your ranking. Naturally, there will be times when there is a trade-off: a beautiful video on the homepage can really wow your visitors. But use responsibly! Larger images than necessary increase file size without offering any additional benefits.
Remember – many of your visitors are looking at your website on a mobile phone or tablet so you don’t need a photo the size of a poster. Over-dimensioned images are resized by browsers, but the full file size is still loaded. Images can be compressed to reduce the file size whilst maintaining quality. Aim for under 100KB where possible to improve performance. There are many online image compression sites but it is more secure to invest in image editing software which will reduce the image and file size for you.
Use our handy guide below to help you choose the right image types and size:
For most modern websites, the main image can be 1920 pixels (508mm) wide to ensure a clean, sharp look. The height depends on your individual design but we suggest keeping it between 800 and 1200 pixels (212–318mm)
File size: Under 100KB
Image width: Large images: 1200-1920 px
Thumbnails: 150-300 px
Resolution: 72 PPI
Format: JPEG (photos), PNG (transparency, e.g. logos), WebP (fast loading)
A carefully chosen selection of images can really enhance your website. Your aim is for bereaved families to imagine themselves using your services, so choose pictures that show you as professional and trustworthy. You can also communicate any special areas of expertise, or unique aspects of your heritage. Try to refresh your images periodically so that your website doesn’t become stale. Every image tells a story - make sure yours aligns with the values and quality of service your funeral business represents.
Funeral Director Websites build sites with a personal touch, customised for your specific business and meeting the highest standards of SEO. If you are planning a new website, or looking to make improvements, please get in touch. Our experts can work with you to build the perfect site.
Contact us at support@muchloved.com or 01494 722818
Kate Walker
Kate has 15 years’ experience in creating websites and has worked with the funeral profession for the past five years. She has a long-established background in IT Training and Technical Project Management and enjoys sharing her knowledge with Funeral Directors and Funeral Arrangers.
Gerry King
Based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Gerry is committed to helping funeral directors do more and better business by engaging new customers using digital marketing. Gerry has 20 years of experience launching successful websites for funeral businesses
