Tips On How To Create A Perfect Hero Image + [10 Best Examples]

In today’s digital era, a website isn’t just a business tool; it’s a gateway to endless opportunities. It serves as a virtual storefront where potential customers come to connect with your brand and maybe even make a purchase. But one key element that holds significant sway over your success is the hero image.

A “hero image” typically describes a striking, large banner image with bold text, prominently displayed at the top of a webpage. It’s a proven strategy to instantly grab the attention of website visitors, placed in the visible, above-the-fold section of a page. These images play a crucial role in engaging visitors and keeping them on your page for longer.

In this blog post, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of hero images. You will learn about the basics of hero images, their benefits, types, and dimensions, tips for crafting them, and 10 outstanding examples from websites that have mastered the art of using hero images effectively. Stay tuned to level up your knowledge

What is a Hero Image?

A hero image serves as the welcome mat of a website. It’s a large, attention-grabbing picture that usually sits right at the top when you land on a webpage. This image is carefully chosen to capture your interest and set the tone for what the website is all about.

Often, you’ll find some bold text or a call to action on this image, guiding you on what to do next, like exploring the site or making a purchase. It’s the website’s way of saying, “Hey there, welcome, and let’s get started!”

Why Do Websites Need a Hero Image?

A hero image is more than just a pretty picture on a website. When chosen and designed thoughtfully, a good hero image can be a valuable asset for improving user engagement and achieving your website’s goals. Here are key reasons why your websites need a hero image:

1. Instant Visual Impact

When someone visits a website, their first impression is crucial. A hero image immediately captures attention and sets the tone for the entire site. It’s like the cover of a book – it should be compelling enough to make visitors want to explore further.

2. Enhanced Branding

A well-chosen hero image can communicate your brand’s identity, values, and personality. Whether it’s a striking product shot or an image representing your company’s mission, it reinforces your branding, making it memorable for visitors.

3. Effective Storytelling

Hero images are a powerful storytelling tool. They can convey a message, evoke emotions, or tell a story without the need for words. For example, an image of a happy family using your product can instantly convey its benefits.

4. Clear Call to Action (CTA)

Placing a CTA button or text on the hero image is a common practice. It guides visitors on what to do next, whether it’s signing up, exploring products, or making a purchase. This direct approach can significantly improve conversion rates.

5. Improved User Engagement

A visually appealing hero image keeps visitors engaged. It can pique curiosity and encourage users to scroll down and explore more of your content. This helps in reducing bounce rates and increasing the time visitors spend on your site.

6. Enhanced Mobile Responsiveness

In the age of mobile browsing, hero images are adaptable to different screen sizes. They ensure that your site looks just as stunning and impactful on smartphones and tablets as it does on larger screens, maintaining a consistent user experience.

Types of Hero Images

Hero images come in various types, each serving a specific purpose and adding a unique flair to a website. Let’s explore the different types of hero images:

1. Photographic Hero Images

These are the most common and versatile hero images. They feature high-quality photographs, often showcasing products, people, or scenes related to the website’s content. Photographs convey authenticity and connect with users on a personal level.

2. Illustrated Hero Images

Illustrated hero images are created by graphic designers or artists. They can be custom-made to match a brand’s style and personality. These images often add a touch of whimsy, creativity, or uniqueness to a website.

3. Video Hero Images

Video hero images are dynamic and engaging. They automatically play short video clips as soon as a user lands on a webpage. These videos can feature product demos, behind-the-scenes footage, or brand storytelling, providing an immersive experience.

4. Animated Hero Images

Animated hero images use subtle animations or motion graphics to draw attention. They can include moving elements, changing colors, or animated text. The combination of both an image and text in this type adds a dynamic element to the webpage without the need for a full video.

5. Slider or Carousel Hero Images

Sliders or carousels allow multiple hero images to rotate in the same space. Users can manually or automatically cycle through different images. They are useful for showcasing various products, promotions, or brand messages.

6. Full-Screen Hero Images

Full-screen hero images cover the entire viewport when a user lands on a webpage. They create a dramatic impact and are often paired with minimalistic text or a single call-to-action button. These images make a bold statement and work well for storytelling.

7. Interactive Hero Images

Interactive hero images encourage user engagement. They might have clickable elements or hotspots that reveal additional information or trigger specific actions when clicked or hovered over. These images enhance user interaction and exploration.

8. Split-Screen or Dual-Image Hero Images

Split-screen hero images divide the hero section into two parts, often using a contrasting visual or theme for each half. This approach can be used to highlight two different aspects or products, appealing to a broader audience.

9. Text-Heavy Hero Images

Some hero images feature significant text overlays. These images are commonly used for promoting specific messages, campaigns, or events. The text should be concise and impactful, encouraging users to take action.

10. Gradient or Color Overlay Hero Images

A gradient or color overlay is applied to the hero image to create a visually striking effect. This can help improve the readability of text or enhance the overall aesthetic. It’s a popular choice for fashion, lifestyle, and creative websites.

Choosing the right type of hero image depends on your website’s goals, branding, and the story you want to convey. Each type has its unique advantages and can play a pivotal role in capturing users’ attention and driving engagement.

Different Hero Image Dimensions

Hero images are crucial for making a strong first impression on your website visitors. However they often require different image dimensions to fit the requirements of every device and hero image type, for example, Banner hero images aren’t the same as full-screen images, and every image has to scale to fit the space.

To make hero images look their best, it’s essential to consider the dimensions that suit your website and the devices your audience is using. Here are different hero image dimensions to consider:

1. Full Screen (1920×1080 pixels)

Full-screen hero images cover the entire width and height of a standard desktop or laptop screen. This dimension ensures a captivating and immersive experience for users. It’s a common choice for websites aiming to make a bold statement. Unlike a full-screen hero image, a banner hero image dimension for optimal resolution is 1600 x 500 pixels.

2. Wide Screen (1440×600 pixels)

This dimension offers a wide, panoramic view, often preferred by websites that want to showcase stunning landscapes, architecture, or large product images. It’s a balance between a spacious view and load time optimization.

3. Standard Screen (1280×720 pixels)

Standard screens are still widely used, especially on laptops. A 1280×720-pixel hero image ensures that your content remains visually impactful without slowing down loading times.

4. Mobile Optimized (750×1334 pixels)

With the increasing use of smartphones, it’s essential to have hero images that look great on mobile screens. A dimension of 750×1334 pixels fits most mobile devices in portrait mode. Mobile-optimized hero images prioritize fast loading and user-friendly display on smaller screens.

5. Tablet-Friendly (1536×2048 pixels)

Tablets come in various sizes, but a dimension of 1536×2048 pixels works well for most of them in portrait mode. This ensures your hero image remains clear and engaging on tablets.

6. Custom Dimensions (Varied)

Depending on your website’s layout and design, you might opt for custom hero image dimensions. These dimensions can be tailored to fit specific design elements or unique website requirements.

7. Responsive Hero Images

To ensure a seamless user experience across various devices, consider using responsive hero images. These adapt to different screen sizes, loading the most suitable image for each device. This approach optimizes both appearance and load times.

8. Retina-Ready Images

With the proliferation of high-resolution screens (like Apple’s Retina displays), it’s beneficial to use higher-resolution hero images (e.g., 3840×2160 pixels) to ensure your visuals appear sharp and crisp on these screens.

When choosing hero image dimensions, consider your website’s layout, target audience, and the balance between image quality and loading speed. Conduct testing to ensure that your hero images look stunning and perform optimally on a variety of devices, providing an excellent user experience.

Things to Watch Out For When Using Hero Images

Hero images are a powerful tool in web design, but there are some important considerations and potential pitfalls to be aware of when using them. These include:

1. Page Loading Speed

High-resolution hero images can slow down page loading times, especially on mobile devices with limited bandwidth. To avoid this, optimize your images for the web by compressing them without compromising quality. Use responsive images to deliver the right size to each device.

2. Mobile Responsiveness

Hero images that look stunning on desktop screens may not translate well to mobile devices. Be sure to test how your hero image appears on various screen sizes and orientations, and consider using different images or cropping for mobile views.

3. Message Clarity

Ensure that any text or call-to-action elements on the hero image are easy to read and don’t get lost in the image. Use contrasting colors and appropriate fonts to enhance readability. Test the hero image with different devices and screen resolutions to verify text clarity.

4. Image Selection

Choose hero images that align with your brand and the content of your website. Avoid generic stock photos that don’t convey your unique message or story. Authentic and relevant images resonate better with users.

5. Overloading with Information

While hero images can be visually impactful, avoid overloading them with too much information. Cluttering the hero section with text, buttons, and multiple images can overwhelm visitors. Maintain a clean and balanced design.

6. File Size

Large hero image files can consume excessive bandwidth, leading to slow loading times and frustrating user experiences. Use image compression tools to reduce file sizes without compromising quality.

7. Contrasting Colors

Ensure that the hero image’s colors don’t clash with the rest of your website’s color scheme. Harmonious color coordination enhances the overall design and user experience.

8. Accessibility

Hero images may pose accessibility challenges for users with visual impairments. Provide alternative text (alt text) for screen readers to describe the image, making your content more inclusive.

9. Optimize for Different Browsers

Test your hero image across various web browsers (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) to ensure it displays correctly and consistently. Browser-specific issues can affect the image’s appearance.

10. Content Relevance

Ensure that the hero image content aligns with the page content and purpose. A mismatch between the image and the content can confuse and deter users.

11. Mobile-First Design

With the increasing use of mobile devices, consider a mobile-first design approach. Ensure that your hero image looks appealing and functions well on smaller screens before optimizing for desktop.

12. Performance Metrics

Monitor the performance of your website, including bounce rates, conversion rates, and load times, to assess how well your hero image is contributing to your website’s goals. Be ready to make adjustments if necessary.

By keeping these considerations in mind, you can maximize the impact of your hero images while avoiding common pitfalls, ensuring an engaging and user-friendly website experience.

Tips On How To Create A Perfect Hero Image

Creating an effective hero image design for your website involves a blend of design expertise and strategic thinking. Here are some valuable tips to guide you through the process:

1. Understand Your Audience

Start by understanding your target audience’s preferences, needs, and expectations. Consider what visuals will resonate with them and evoke a positive emotional response.

2. Define Your Message

Determine the core message you want to convey with your hero image. Is it about a product, service, brand identity, or a particular emotion you want to evoke? Your image should align with this message.

3. Keep It Relevant

Ensure that your hero image is directly related to the content or purpose of the webpage. A relevant image reinforces your message and guides users toward their intended actions.

4. Choose High-Quality Images

High-resolution images are a must for a professional-looking hero image. Opt for clear, sharp visuals that aren’t pixelated. If using stock images, select those that appear authentic and are not overly staged.

5. Consider Composition

Pay attention to the composition of your image. The rule of thirds, balance, and focal points can guide the viewer’s eye and create a visually appealing experience.

6. Use Consistent Branding

Incorporate your brand’s colors, fonts, and visual style into the hero image. Consistency strengthens brand recognition and reinforces your identity.

7. Optimize for Mobile

Given the prevalence of mobile browsing, ensure that your hero image is responsive and looks great on various screen sizes. Test it on different devices to verify its appearance.

8. Keep It Simple

Simplicity often leads to more effective hero images. Avoid clutter and excessive details that might distract from your message. Use negative space strategically to emphasize key elements.

9. Typography Matters

If you include text on your hero image, choose fonts that are legible and align with your brand. Ensure that the text contrasts well with the background and doesn’t blend in to create a beautiful hero image.

10. Enhance with Overlays

Adding a subtle color overlay or gradient can enhance the image’s visual appeal and make text and other elements more readable.

11. Convey Emotion

A well-chosen hero image can evoke specific emotions in your audience. Consider the emotional impact you want to achieve and select or create an image that aligns with that sentiment.

12. Test and Iterate

Don’t be afraid to A/B test different hero images to see which one performs best in terms of user engagement and conversions. Regularly review and update your hero images to stay current and relevant.

13. Consider Page Load Time

Optimize your hero image for web use to minimize its impact on page load times. Compress the image file to an appropriate size while maintaining quality.

14. Accessibility and Alt Text

For inclusivity, provide alt text for your hero image, describing its content for users with visual impairments.

15. Legal Considerations

Ensure that you have the necessary rights or licenses for images used, especially if you’re not using your own photography.

Creating a perfect hero image is a dynamic process that combines creativity, strategy, and ongoing assessment. By following these tips and continuously refining your approach, you can craft hero images that engage your audience, reinforce your brand, and drive desired actions on your website.

10 Best Hero Image Examples

Here are 10 websites with outstanding hero image examples that demonstrate effective use of visuals to capture attention and convey their brand or message:

1. Apple

Apple‘s website often features high-quality hero images that showcase their latest products. This hero image concept features images that are clean and minimalist, emphasizing the beauty and functionality of their devices.

2. Atlassian

Atlassian‘s hero image on their website features a vibrant, collaborative workspace scene, reflecting their software’s teamwork focus. It showcases illustrations and a video that communicates a sense of unity and productivity, aligning perfectly with the brand’s values and offerings.

3. Squarespace

Squarespace‘s website uses a dynamic hero image that demonstrates its website-building capabilities. It often features bold typography and clear calls to action.

4. Nike

Nike‘s hero images are dynamic and action-packed, often top sales of the day with images of the footwear. These images capture the essence of their brand – athleticism and excellence.

5. Charbonnel Town

Charbonnel Town‘s hero image portrays a video of a residential apartment. It captures a peaceful, welcoming ambiance that invites visitors to explore the residential area. The image highlights the charm and warmth of the house.

6. TOMS

TOMS features hero images that highlight their philanthropic mission. Images often show people wearing their shoes in various settings, conveying the brand’s values of giving back.

7. Caledonbuild

Caledonbuild‘s hero image showcases a luxurious, modern home with exquisite architecture and scenic surroundings. It emphasizes their commitment to high-end construction and offers a glimpse of their craftsmanship.

8. Burt’s Bees

Burt’s Bees utilizes hero images that showcase an image of its nourishing cleansing oil with a copy of the core functions of the oil. The background yellow color with red text makes the image very captivating.

9. Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola‘s hero images often feature an image of the refreshing Coca-Cola drink held by a model with the popular slogan “Taste the Feeling.” This image evokes a sense of refreshment and personal satisfaction.

10. GoPro

GoPro‘s website uses action-packed hero images and videos captured with their cameras. These visuals highlight the product’s capabilities and inspire adventure.

These websites demonstrate how hero images can be used effectively to convey brand identity, create emotional connections, and guide users toward desired actions. Each example showcases a unique approach to visual storytelling and engagement.

Leverage Hero Images For Your Success

In the digital landscape, where first impressions are made in an instant, the power of hero images cannot be overemphasized. They are the gateway to your website’s success, captivating visitors, conveying your brand’s essence, and guiding them toward meaningful interactions. Hero images, when harnessed effectively, have the potential to be the driving force behind your online success.

At the heart of this visual strategy lies the expertise and creativity ofAll Time Design. With our guidance and design prowess, we can help you harness the full potential of hero images. We understand that every pixel counts, every emotion matters, and every click is an opportunity. Let us craft compelling hero images that not only capture attention but also tell your unique story, leaving an indelible mark on your audience.

Don’t just create a website; create an experience. Leverage hero images for your success, and let All Time Design be your partner in this transformative journey. Together, we’ll paint a vivid and captivating picture of your brand, etching it into the digital landscape for all to see.