How to Post Feature Images or Thumbnails in WordPress
WordPress posts are accompanied by feature images that help draw readers in. But how do you set featured images?
This blog will give you an easy-to-follow outline to posting feature images on your site.
What are feature images?
WordPress feature images are the photos or graphics that appear next to blog posts or articles on your website.
Almost all WordPress themes support feature images and have a space to post them.
Why are feature images important?
Feature images may not seem like a big deal, but they are important!
Having a photo or a graphic beside your blog post or article will draw readers in much more effectively than a good title will.
A picture, as you probably know, is worth a thousand words. It’s important to make use of this.
Feature images can help attract readers from the SERP and increase clicks or page views on your blogs.
And best of all, they’re easy to add in!
How to add a feature image
First, create a new blog post.
Then click on the content editor panel. Under the document heading, you will find a box near the bottom of the column entitled “Feature image.”
Click on the set featured image box. This will take you to a pop-up window where you can upload media into the blog post or choose from existing images that are already in your media library.
At this point, you also have the option to write a caption to go with your image. This is useful for SEO and can give readers a better idea of why you decided to upload an image with your blog post. But this is an optional step.
You can see a preview of what your feature image will look like in the upload image area. When you are satisfied with your image and caption, press “set featured image.”
Now you can save or publish your post, and you can always preview it in another tab before you decide to publish it.
Usually, your feature image will appear automatically with your post.
What makes a good feature image?
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The right image resolution
Posting a blurry image undermines the quality of your site and makes it seem like you posted something in a hurry. This is not the message you want to be sending to your audience. Instead, post an image with a minimum resolution of 628px by 1200px.
You can easily customize your image settings in WordPress by navigating to Settings and then Media. There you can change the width and height of your thumbnail images, and medium and large images.
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Consistency
It’s important to choose images that are in line with your brand and your brand messaging. Choosing an aesthetic that doesn’t reflect your company might confuse readers and undermine your authority.
Think about colours, shapes, and the message that images send, and ask yourself if those align with your brand.
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Simple is better than cluttered
Choose images that have clean lines and have a simple appearance. This is easier for readers to digest than five different colours and eight different shapes all packed together in a tight space. Simple will grab the attention of readers and capture their interest.
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Use relevant images
Make sure your images match the subject of your blog or article. If you are using stock photos, don’t make your images too generic. Your readers need to be able to tell what your blog will be about from a quick glance at the feature image.
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Legal rights
This is very important. Make sure that you have the legal rights to an image before you post it on your site. You can’t just google “adorable fluffy dogs” and post the first image that pops up. Instead, check out stock photo sites like Unsplash, Pixabay, rawpixel, Shutterstock, and more for copy-right free photos. Or you can post pictures licensed under the Creative Commons license.
Keep in mind that if you want to develop a unique brand and rank higher on the SERP, it will help to have original photos on your site and set as your featured image. This is especially important if you have a food, lifestyle, or travel brand.
But this isn’t necessary for every brand.
If you have more questions about feature images and feature image best practices, reach out to our branding experts at Creative Coco’Nuts.
Visit our online portfolio today or contact us.
The expert designers of the Coco’Nuts’ studio are here to help!
Contact us by email at info@creativecoconuts.ca
Talk to you soon!
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