[FAQ]

I’m in the middle of a homepage refresh and I’m completely stuck on the hero image. I know it’s the first thing everyone sees, and the pressure to get it right is immense.

I’m just not sure what direction to take. Should it be a top-down shot of our product? A picture of someone happily using the product? Or more of an abstract, brand-focused image? They all seem like valid options, but I don’t know how to decide which one will actually get people to scroll down and engage.

I’m worried about picking something that’s either boring or just confusing. What’s your process for selecting an image that is both visually appealing and actually supports the business goals for the page?

[Jeff Bullas]

This is a critical decision, as the hero image sets the entire tone for a visitor’s session.

Short Answer: A good hero image is a high-quality, emotionally resonant photograph or graphic that directly relates to your core value proposition and visually guides the user toward your main call-to-action.

It’s not just about choosing a pretty picture; it’s about selecting a strategic visual asset.

A strong hero image must achieve several goals at once. First, it needs to be directly relevant and provide context to your main headline text; if your text promises a solution, the image should visually reinforce that promise, not contradict it or cause confusion. Second, the technical quality of the image must be outstanding, meaning it should be sharp, well-composed, and properly sized so it loads quickly without slowing down your site. Third, the best hero images create an emotional connection by showing a positive outcome or a person genuinely benefiting from what you offer, which is almost always more effective than a simple photo of a product sitting on a table. Avoid using generic, clichéd stock photos that feel inauthentic to your brand, as visitors can spot them a mile away and it can damage their trust.

Cheers,
Jeff

[Author]

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