Images are such an essential part of blog posts, your content will look naked without them. Not to mention boring and unattractive.

You probably already know how important images are. They make your content look professional and more appealing to read, they get you more traffic through social media, and well-optimised images can improve your SEO and search engine ranking. Really, there’s no excuse not to include at least one image in every piece of content you publish.

What about when you’ve finished writing a blog post but you really can’t think of a relevant image to use? Including an unrelated image just for the sake of it could confuse and distract your readers and can be just as bad as going without.

Here are some ideas to help you choose suitable images for your blog if you’re having artist’s block.

What types of images can I use?

There are seven types of images commonly used in blog posts. You might find yourself using all of them eventually, but it’s more likely you’ll rely on a few familiar types. It’s important too that you consider the legalities and usage rights of images before you post them.

1. Original photos

High quality original images add a personal touch and professional finish to a business website, if you can afford them. However, it can be a challenge trying to create new visual content for every blog post, unless you’re writing about your own products and you have plenty of images available.

If you have the skills and the equipment, you can also take your own photos for your blog, giving it a personal touch and meaning you can show exactly what you want.

2. Stock photos

Stock photos are a practical alternative for blog posts, especially if you publish regularly. Websites such as Librestock and Pixabay include a huge number of free stock photos to suit every conceivable situation, but even then you might have to use your creativity to find the perfect fit.

Most stock photos are free to use as long as you credit your sources properly, or you can pay a small amount if you find the perfect image for sale.

3. Custom graphics

If you don’t want to use a photo, custom art is another affordable option that gives you complete control over what you’re expressing and is easy to match to your branding. If you don’t have the artistic gene yourself, you can commission work through freelance sites.

You can find stock graphics online too, but these are often generic or cliched and are the most likely candidates for your blog being accused of using images for the sake of images.

4. Screenshots

If you’re writing about software, apps or something else that’s happening on a screen, inserting screenshots into the post will support what you’re saying and make it easier for your readers to follow. Tools such as Snagit make it easy to take and share screenshots.

5. Charts

If you’re discussing statistics, include charts and graphs as useful visual aids for your readers. You can turn tables of data into simple charts using Google Sheets or your spreadsheet of choice, choosing colours and styles that suit your brand.

6. Pop culture images

Recognisable icons from film, TV, music and sport will have clear associations for many of your readers. This is a more difficult option however, as unless you’re dealing with a very old movie, screenshots and promotional images will likely be subject to copyright and difficult to obtain permission for.

Make sure you attribute the image properly and that your use of the image falls under Fair Use.

7. Infographics

The most time-consuming option, infographics go above and beyond other blog images and can be highly shareable marketing content in their own right.

If you’re writing a blog post that’s full of percentages, tables and charts, you could communicate this information more effectively and attractively by turning it into an infographic. As long as you can find a creative who’s up to the task.

What makes a good blog image?

Whatever types of images you use, they should make your content look professional and appealing. Follow these four Rs and choose images that are:

Relevant

Does this image help your reader to understand what you’re talking about? Does it at least set the right mood? According to research from Skyword, blog posts that include relevant images draw 94% more traffic than those with no images.

Realistic

Including photos of people in your content can help you make a connection with your reader, but only if the characters and setting are relatable. Don’t use stock photos of people with exaggerated expressions or in unbelievable situations if you hope to be taken seriously.

Ravishing

Not every image has to be a sunset or a supermodel, but the images you choose should be pleasing to the eye. Avoid images that are too busy or chaotic, as these can be overwhelming.

Resolution

Never stretch smaller images to fit a larger space – if you have to pay for the full-size photo, pay up or choose something else. Blurry and badly formatted images are worse than no images at all. They make your business look unprofessional and cheap.

It’s also a good idea to consider the file size of your image. If it’s too big, it can slow down the loading time of your site, potentially annoying your visitors. Using a tool like TinyJPG can help minimise the size without ruining the quality of the image.

What else do I need to know?

If you’re using images that other people have created, you need to make sure you have the right to do so.

Read our guide to sourcing blog images to find out how to attribute blog images correctly and avoid legal trouble.