Optimise Cover Images for Better Click-Through Rates

The cover image sets the tone for your Google Sites page, giving visitors an immediate sense of your brand and content. It’s your site’s first impression, and a well-optimised cover image can increase engagement by enticing visitors to click through and learn more. By strategically choosing and optimising this image, you can attract more clicks, keep users on your site longer, and improve overall user experience, all of which contribute to better SEO.

Use free sources like Pexels, Unsplash or Pixabay for free stick photography.

Consistency is key for a professional look. Use images that complement your brand’s colours and design style. For instance, if your brand has a calming colour palette, choose images with soothing colours. If your site is energetic and bold, look for vibrant and dynamic visuals. Matching your cover image to your brand’s aesthetic reinforces your identity and builds trust with your audience.

For most Google Sites cover images, a file size between 150-300 KB works well. Compress images if needed, as faster-loading pages keep users engaged and signal to search engines that your site is user-friendly.

Alt text and filenames play a crucial role in how search engines interpret your image content. While Google Sites doesn’t currently allow alt text for images, naming your image file descriptively before uploading can help with SEO. Instead of a generic filename like “IMG_1234.jpg,” use a name that describes the image’s content, like “beach-sunset-cover-image.jpg.” Descriptive filenames improve the chances of your image appearing in search results, helping drive additional traffic to your site

Google Sites allows you to choose the placement and style of your cover image. You can set it as a full-width cover, banner, or title-only image. Full-width covers create a dramatic effect, while banners offer a balanced look. Choose a layout that best suits your page’s purpose. Aligning the cover image properly can also direct attention to your main content and improve user engagement.

Adding overlay text to your cover image can help communicate key messages instantly. Use Google Sites’ text options to overlay a short, compelling headline or call-to-action directly onto the cover image. This can guide visitors immediately and emphasise the main purpose of the page. For instance, if your cover image shows a product, add a CTA like “Learn More” to drive clicks.

Regularly refreshing cover images keeps your site looking updated and relevant. For example, if you’re promoting a new blog series, change the cover image to reflect this theme. This not only keeps your website visually interesting but can also signal to returning visitors that there’s new content to explore.

Experiment with different cover images and see which ones drive the most engagement. Monitor your analytics to understand how different images affect click-through rates and on-page time. Over time, you’ll identify what resonates best with your audience and be able to optimise based on these insights.

An engaging cover image captures attention, leading to more clicks and potentially higher dwell time as visitors are encouraged to stay on your site. These factors can contribute to better SEO performance by showing search engines that your site has valuable content.

By using optimised cover images that align with your content, you reinforce the relevance and authority of your page. Search engines take note of how users interact with your site, so a strong first impression can positively influence your site’s ranking.

Cover image optimization may seem simple, but it’s a powerful tool for improving click-through rates and engaging your audience. By selecting the right images, customizing them to fit your brand, and ensuring they load quickly, you can make your Google Sites page more inviting and professional. Give it a try and see the difference a well-chosen cover image can make!