*** Why use pictures at all? ***

In the early incarnations of my life coaching website, I had no idea where to look for or how to buy image files on the internet. I assumed that it would cost a fortune to purchase website-ready photographs, so I gave up almost immediately and opted for a text-based website. As it turned out, I was wrong, rather lazy and denying myself a huge opportunity to create a favourable impression with potential future clients.

When I finally discovered that image files are easy and very cheap to buy online, it was a bit of an awakening for me. The most surprising aspect of all was the impact that it had on my website copy. While my website was a text-only affair, I'd really struggled to write the copy. But as soon as I added pictures, everything began to flow. Somehow the presence of pictures takes the pressure off writing the words.

Okay, so that's my story. But what about your website?

Well why not take a look at other websites out there? Notice the difference between the ones with images and the ones without. Notice your reaction to them. Notice the extent to which they hold your attention and draw you in. You'll probably find, as a general rule, that the websites with pictures enable you to get a much quicker first impression.

First impressions are vital on the internet. You only have a matter of seconds to grab your visitors' attention. If their eye isn't caught by something that interests them in the first couple of seconds, they WILL surf away.

A combination of pictures, clear headlines and bullet point lists is the best way to offer attention-grabbing information on your website. You really don't have to write reams of copy. In fact a well-chosen image will do the job far more effectively for you.

Your images need to be relevant and professional-looking, of course. By relevant, I mean that they must convey the image of your coaching niche in some way. My coaching practice is called Create a Space and these days I have a large stock of images with blue sky and open spaces on them. What is your equivalent?

*** Presenting yourself ***

The question of whether to show a picture of yourself on your website has the same answer, (yes, you really should!), but it comes with an additional, and important, reason.

The aim of your life coaching website is to get clients for your business, right? And your potential future clients come to your website to see if you offer what they are looking for. Since life coaching is a relationship based process, one of the most important things they are looking for is some information about you. And, like it or not, a picture of you. So don't hide youself away!

It's really important to invest in a professional picture of yourself, though. Don't just pick your favourite holiday snapshot and persuade yourself that it will do. If you can always tell when someone else has done that, what makes you think that you will get away with it? Ask around and you might be surprised at how inexpensively you can get professional pictures done.

And my final tip... know what image you want to present of yourself, find some examples of this on other websites and print them off. Then find a photographer who will show you the pictures they are taking as you go along. That way, if you're not getting what you want, you'll know straight away and you can make adjustments during the shoot. And you won't end up paying for pictures that aren't quite right or that you can't use. Not all photographers will offer this, so check in advance.