How to create a positive first impression on your website
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November 25, 2019
Nov 25, 2019 byHave you ever stepped
inside a basilica?Incredible architecture and stunning imagery create a breathtaking experience. The Church loves imagery, because sacred artwork that depicts holy people, symbols, and scripture help draw our minds and hearts closer to Jesus and heaven. Images also help tell stories from the lives of saints, the church’s history, and Sacred Scripture.
Here are some easy features built in to your eCatholic website that will help you create a beautiful, balanced design with powerful Catholic imagery.Imagery done well will help you create a positive and pleasing effect on your website visitors. (Just watch the expression of actual visitors as they walk into a beautiful basilica). You can capture the same positive first impression by designing your website with large, beautiful Catholic images.
Ways to use more images on your website
High-quality, beautiful images are the key to generating a positive first impression on your website. That’s why our free website designs offer a number of ways to utilize imagery. Your images invite visitors to dive deeper into your site -- and also offer greater substance to your message. Here are the areas on which you should focus:
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Homepage feature region
Utilizing large vibrant imagery on your homepage is both eye-catching and inviting to visitors. Found in the latest eCatholic-powered free themes, the homepage feature region displays large images or video clips that can span the width of your screen. Include titles as well as call-to-action buttons to extend an invitation and engage your audience.
Learn more: How to add photos to the homepage feature region
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Interior page images
Allow your site to delight visitors with large stunning imagery near the main navigation bar of each interior page. Maintain consistency in design throughout your website while adding a visually appealing element that will not disrupt content below. Consider images that showcase your campus, building architecture, statues or sacred art, landscapes, smiling faces, or sacramentals such as rosaries, bibles, candles, etc …
Learn more: How to add add interior page images
Take your Catholic website design to the next level
Team up with eCatholic's custom design team to build a unique design guaranteed to establish a positive first impression for your visitors.
See Custom Design Examples- 3
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Customized buttons
Buttons keep pages clean by directing site visitors to some of the most sought-after information such as news, new member information, sacrament information, calendars and more. Create beautiful customized buttons featuring images that advertise these resources.
Learn more: How to create customized buttons
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Background of sections
If you’ve transitioned over to the all-new Sections Layouts, you are likely already using sections that can feature colors, patterns, or even images behind elements such as buttons, news headlines, event titles and more. This option offers subtle ways to further add design elements that will complement content without distracting viewers or overcrowding a page.
Learn more: Examples of how to use sections with image backgrounds
Learn more: Unlock Section Layouts and build better pages
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Image, Photo Album, & Gallery modules
As you’re telling your story with text, there are several modules you can use to add images to your pages.
Add a photo album to relive parish and school events with the Photo Album module. Offer photo tours of your campus or school via a rotating image gallery with the Gallery module. You can also place a large image alongside text content using the Image module within a side-by-side section.
Learn more: How to use the Gallery module
Learn more: Side-by-side section examples
Don’t have time to take pictures? No problem.
Receive access to a library of over 2,500 high-quality photos for your website and other marketing needs. Consider how much easier it will be to adorn your organization site with beautiful Catholic images with an affordable subscription to eCatholic Stock Photos.
Get Catholic Stock Photos
A few additional things to keep in mind:
Sizing your photos
Unlike buttons, homepage feature regions and other features will require larger photos so that their appearance is sharp and clear to viewers. Search through larger size image files for filling these areas and note the suggested image dimensions for your theme’s feature region when going to add an image. >> How to resize your imagesImages with people
Photo albums of fundraising galas and other parish functions are often shared online following the event. When loading pictures, be sure to select those that people will enjoy seeing. For example, no one wants to go online and see pictures of themselves chewing food, or in the middle of speaking with their mouth in some unusual mid-word position. :)Pay attention to photography protocols
Many dioceses, schools, and organizations will have guidelines for posting images online from ministry and other school functions. Pay attention to protocols regarding permission of use or images with minors.
