This is a guest post by Murray who shares make money online tips at his blog Murlu.com.
A blog header has two main goals:
- Convey the overall message of your post
- Entice a visitor to read your post
So why do so many blogs skip out on such an important part of their blog posts? Certainly it’s not the lack of images available on the net. With thousands of available resources, you have no excuse not to be taking advantage of all the great benefits of using an enticing blog header image.
Skipping over the opportunity to create an header image lowers the opportunities for visitors to read your content. After you’ve driven visitors to your blog, the point is to get them to read. A great header image is one additional element that converts visitors into readers.
This post is going to show you just how easy it is to find great images to create an enticing blog header image.
1. Creative Commons Search
Hands down, the easiest method to create a powerful and enticing blog header image is to use images that fall under creative commons. Creative commons, depending on each level, generally allows you to use images in a non commercial manner.
This means you’re able to modify, post and use these images throughout your website as long as you give appropriate credit to the owner.
The easiest way to find a great image to use for your blog header is to do a creative commons search on the web. A great search engine is available at Creative Commons Search.
This search allows you find creative commons images on many websites such as:
- Flickr
- Wikimedia
- Jamendo
You’ll be sure to find very interesting images you can use to create amazing blog header images. Most of these images are uploaded by amateur photographers but it doesn’t mean they aren’t worthwhile, you’ll find many you like and appropriate for your content.
2. Icons and Freebie Packs
Many designers offer free brushes, icons and tools to create amazing header images.
There are thousands of free icons available online at IconsPedia which fit your niche. If you write about making money online, you can do a general search for money related icons.
Designers also offer brushes of all sorts: ink splatters, skylines, nature – the list is endless. Use your own creativity to create variations of your blog header image.
Using these icons and freebie packs, you will be able to create a unique header from your own creativity.
3. Free Stock Photos
Stock photography doesn’t have to be just for business and print media, you can also use these valuable images to create enticing blog header images.
Websites such as SXC.HU offer free stock photos that fall under creative commons.
Thousands of photographers upload endless amounts of images to free stock photography websites so your choices are endless. There are literally thousands of images that depict acts which will be appropriate for your blog content.
Why A Blog Header Matters
People make split decisions online, capturing their attention with a powerful headline and blog header image is your best way to pull them in and read your blog post.
The blog header image helps convey to the reader what your post will be about. The image can also be used to peak the visitors interest and be used as a metaphor which can later be explained in the post, giving your reader the “ah-ha” moment.
Simply load your favorite image editing software, play around with the settings and images you use and in no time you’ll be able to create a unique and enticing header image.
You owe it to yourself to make each of your blog posts the best you can. Including a great header images, using the resources in this post will start you in the right direction.
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Article Written By Murray
Murray writes about making money online, creating your own online business and shares other tips about online business at Murlu.com
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{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
Our blog image is severely lacking, especially since we do not have one. We’ve spent time on making our static website more appealing, but it’s time to do the same for our blog. Nice resource list Murray!
.-= Colleen@Kennewick Real Estate´s last blog ..Homes For Sale by Liberty Christian School in Richland Washington =-.
If you can use Photo shop to create a really customized header, although i don’t have one on my blog, there are other projects that I have done.
.-= McConnell Group | Design and Intelligence´s last blog ..What is a Hexadecimal Color =-.
Remember that there are a ton of great online photo editors which will allow you to create a header image
.-= Murlu´s last blog ..How To Use Twitter To Find New Blog Post Ideas =-.
Nothing’s more enticing than SpongeBob and Patrick. Ha! I agree with the post though. The first impression you make on a potential repeat visitor is 90% of the battle.
I’d think nowadays you’d be best off going custom; freebies of any kind are getting pretty easy to spot.
.-= Dennis Edell @ Direct Sales Marketing´s last blog ..Aweber Affiliate Link Contest! – This Is It!! =-.
Recently I have also read one article at problogger, saying the same things. Darren has explained about what we should care before use other created image on our blog. I prefer use of photo shop for create logo for my blog.
.-= chandan@work at home blog´s last blog ..Basic blogging tips for new blogger =-.
I always prefer to use photoshop for creating blog header image but it seems combination of flickr and few changes in photoshop can do wonders. Thanks for sharing
.-= Whiztechy´s last blog ..Tweetdeck Added Google Buzz, Schedule Tweet and Foursquare =-.
Great post!
I’ve always found myself more drawn to sites with good imagery, and most of them seem to use things from Creative Commons (usually on Flickr).
Hey Murlu,
!! Thanks for sharing this great resource murlu.. !!
Another awesome post buddy. Great work. ! We can also use wefunction find some great icons..
.-= Devesh´s last blog ..Is Blogging For You? =-.
Informative post.
I often skip this small tip. Most of my posts contain text and text.
Maybe, I need to add more images to get the post more attractive and impressive.
Thanks Murlu … a nice informative article as always!
I’ve used Iconspedia.com on occassions … but my x3 personal favs at the moment are:
iconarchive.com, juicyicons.com and dryicons.com.
Most of these have dedicated Blogger icon categories/sections with heaps of really cool blogger icons.
Cheers,
J.D.
When it comes to designing a website/wordpress theme or any kind of site the header is one of the most important things to consider because it the the first thing the visitor see when they visit your site.
Blog header is the first part that reader can see when visiting our blog, the more attractive, the more impressive to readers. However, not many bloggers can do as it need design and photoshop skills and knowledge
That’s the lesson I have learned just this week, that’s why I decided to put a header on my blog! Thanks a lot for the infos!
While not doubting the importance of a blog header, why MUST it be an image?
True, Ari! Pictures are not the best out of an SEO-perspective.
I still dont have a header image for my site and I was thinking of going to Fiverr. I think I will give this a shot instead
This is true.
Blog headers does really have an effect on the site, because it gives a look and its not only “text”.
A header is also a logo, and it can be recognize easyer, maybe IRL or something like that.
Like some other guys said, pictures aren’t so good in SEO-perspective, right. But you can always put a alt=”..” tag. And by the way, a picture says more than 1000 words so pictures are nice.
Köpa recently posted..Mercedes SLS trimmad
Images aren’t good in SEO-perspective like Köpa and Nabil said.
But images make my customers to stay more. and When they stay more, I get more sales.
Ha Ha
Kya recently posted..Hej världen!
A blog header indeed is very important because its like the first impression, it speaks about the blog and the blog owner. Today there are many sophisticated tools and software but photoshop work still looks great and I feel its easier to experiment with photoshop.