In timely fashion and building off of last week's tip, a new image search tool is here! Utilizing AI/API wizardry (thanks to Jeff!) and our ever-expanding stock image library, this tool should help with efficient, high-quality, and accurate photo selection!
Simply type a keyword, for example, roof repair, wait for a new tab to open, and you should be presented with a collection of all relevant, or closely relevant, images we have collected and pre-approved. As time goes on, the tool gets some practice, and the library grows, search terms can become more specified. If you notice a certain category or service where images are lacking, please let your Dev. Leads know and we will begin adding them ASAP!
Note: Because this library is still in development, we apologize if not all subject matter is represented. Our goal is for the selection of dev-approved images to become easier, but this will take some time.
When trying to find stock images for websites, it’s important to be intentional about the visuals you choose—especially for clients who provide in-person services, such as contractors, carpet cleaners, and pet groomers. Photos that feature people can make a site feel more relatable; however, using images with faces may unintentionally misrepresent the business. You want to ensure that the site accurately reflects the team who will be providing the service, and stock images with unfamiliar faces can create a misleading impression of who customers will actually interact with.
Instead, focus on selecting images that emphasize the work itself—a freshly cleaned carpet, a well-groomed pet, or the craftsmanship of a new installation. This approach can still convey the quality of service while avoiding any confusion about the actual staff members.
Next time you’re browsing for stock images, consider how an authentic representation can help build trust. Choose photos that highlight the work being done rather than specific people. This way, the site remains visually appealing and true to the client’s brand identity.
Thanks to Jeff, we now have a wide variety of custom AI tools that make our jobs easier. One of those tools is the
AI Content Creator. After feeding helpful information to the Content Creator field in Bitrix, you will receive an email full of home page content ideas
(and collections content, too).
To get the most out of this new tool, content should be proofread and enhanced. One example of AI content that needs a little extra polish is the "Why Choose Us?" bullet points. Below is an example:
Bullet points offer site users a nice break from paragraph text that can be draining to read, section after section. To make a bullet point section feel complete and professional, it is best to frame the content with a 1-2 sentence introduction to the bulleted points. Here are 3 examples of bullet point sections that were taken to the next level:
When creating your Cognito form, be sure to customize it to align with the design and color scheme of your website. To prepare the form for embedding, ensure the header is hidden, as the business logo will be added in the Duda popup form, eliminating the need for the business name to appear twice. As you continue designing the form, adjust the text style to match the typography used on your site. If the exact text style is unavailable in Cognito, selecting a similar option is acceptable. Lastly, customize the form's button color to complement the color scheme of your Duda site.
For this week's tip, I want to discuss
the impact of banner videos in showcasing the services more engagingly.
A well-crafted banner video is a key element that shapes the first impression for clients and site visitors.
When executed effectively, it conveys
professionalism,
dedication, and
effort in the project.
We appreciate the attention to detail and the extra care you put into the sites you build, and banner videos are a great example of that.
As long as the banner videos are aesthetically pleasing and relevant to the services, we do not have strict rules for their creation.
Be sure to check out our previous SOTW winners for inspiration:
https://www.gospeltravel.net/ by
John Zimmer
https://www.unadillavalleysportsctr.com/ by
Nathan Wietecha
https://www.zerochlorpoolsystems.net/ by
Khalil Taylor
Important Note:
If you choose to reuse a template banner video, ensure that each clip showcases the new build's services, and rename the banner video to avoid donor site traces in the site's HTML.
Congratulations, Ren Averion , for: