Images for your website...What is OK to Use?

Pairing your website content with images sends a powerful
message that text alone can't convey. Notice all the virtual
eBook covers and software boxes used to describe products.
They are used for one simple reason: they sell more!

Getting images from the web is so easy, we tend to forget
someone created the image and should be paid for the use of
it. The first thing you should do when considering using
one, is getting permission from the creator/designer of the
graphic or image.

You have to read the user agreement carefully before using
images offered by some websites. Most of the time, they are
free for personal use but must be purchased for business
use.

There are many distributors of commercial graphics and
images catering to the needs of Webmasters. Some come in
sets of multiple indexed CD-ROM's with a searchable
database.

Another good source is the return bin of retail computer
goods stores, such as: CompUSA, Fry's and so on. I've found
huge collections of commercial graphics for next to nothing
because somebody opened the package and brought it back for
a refund.

Likewise, your digital camera can be a source of royalty
free images. A word of warning: You still have to get
permission from the owner of any commercially protected
product you photograph; just because you photograph
something doesn't mean you own all the rights to the image.

When you want to get an image from the web, the proper way
to acquire the image is to use the Print Screen button on
your keyboard and then paste the image into your favorite
graphics application. In this way, you won't be taking
bandwidth that doesn't belong to you. Again, due diligence
on your part to get permission to use the image is a must.

The most common formats for web images are GIF and JPEG
because they offer good image quality with reasonable file
size. Do remember that images take up lots of resources and
should be used sparingly. One half of the country is still
using dial up modems and you must design and edit your
website to include them.

A web based utility I've found very useful for testing the
loading time of my websites is the Web Page Analyzer,
located here:
http://www.websiteoptimization.com/services/analyze/

Use it to find the correct loading time of your web page.
As a rule, most folks will wait 5 to 8 seconds for a page
to load; if it's more than that, you risk the chance of
visitors hitting the back button.

Remember that images should be used to enhance the message
you are presenting to your visitors. They should have a
professional, finished look to them.
The last thing you want is for the images on your website to
have such an amateur look that they inspire questions about
your general competence. Remember: You never get a second
chance to make a first impression!

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by Francisco Aloy

(C)2004 Francisco Aloy
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