Should you put your photo on your website?

I have a strong opinion: yes, you should. I can't think of a business, especially a small business, where I don't have the urge to click the 'about' page just to see who I'm talking to through their website.

If I can't find a photo, it makes me pause and wonder if I really want to do business with them.

Even for larger organizations, I love to see photos of staff.

And thanks for your kind words about my article- that one definitely struck a nerve...

On a related subject, one of the things that drives me nuts about of online community sites and some social networks is that members don't upload real photos of themselves. For example, on the otherwise awesome www.freelanceswitch.com site, it's rare to find a real photo or even a real name in the comments. There is something gratifying about the ability to be anonymous on the web, but if you're a freelancer, do you want to be anonymous when it comes to your business?

That's why we require real names on Biznik (Facebook does too - LinkedIn, on the other hand only JUST began allowing members to upload photos a couple months ago). On Biznik we display members who have uploaded real photos above all the members who haven't in the member directories, to encourage this. To me, it makes the place seem so much more authentic. Thoughts?

One more point - I think that requiring real names and strongly encouraging real photos also is partly why we rarely have any flame wars or snarky comments between members. Plus, of course, the fact that there's a good change that you might actually MEET the person you're talking with at an event.

One of the reasons I promote biznik to everyone I run into is the requirement for real names and the liberal use of photos throughout the site. I think it is a large contributing factor to the effectiveness of trust building between referral partners.

I make it a strong point to NOT do business with anyone that appears as a ghost on-line. I only do business with "real people" willing to show me who they are. Naturally I post my picture on my website also.

I think one way to test this theory here is to ask yourself how many profiles you've visited recently without photos compared to with a photo.

Profiles without a photo are easily overlooked. When you do look at them they are usually unfinished in other ways as well. They are rarely worth your time.

I repeat the Internet mantra: You have to test! Most of the time photos help build credibility. However, I met someone who sold information products online. He tested with and without his photo. Without the photo, he actually sold more.

Sales pages work the same way. I've been testing mine with and without images of products. The answer: it varies.

I do not have my photo on my company web site or on my business card, and do not have plans to do so in the future. I do TYPICALLY have my real photo here on Biznik unless I feel like testing the waters and then I throw up an odd ball photo.

I don't believe the lack of photo on my company "marketing materials" takes away from my credibility as a professional organizer. I want people to hire me based on my background and education. If I looked like a Victoria Secret model I am quite certain my opinion would be completely different but I don't so it isn't.

On a social and business networking site such as Biznik the presence of a photo is key. It says "HI" this is a snapshot of me from last week or when I was riding the roller coaster at Coney Island or when I got my new dog and I wanted to share the photo.

It is a handshake in a 3 x 3 box.

This touches a nerve for me.... I hate my picture taken and we (my family) does not to my knowledge have any pics of me...sad I know but its the way it is....

I do think its important to have an about me page and photos up on your website. I personally love to know who Im dealing with....plus it makes it more personal....like there really is an actual person behind the business.

With that being said Im considering trying to get a decent photo of myself and put it up on our about me page.

I asked this question a couple of weeks ago. It didn't get much public response. However, someone mentioned that there is a possibility of danger especially for women who, in their professional duties, might have occasion to meet strangers in non-public places, e.g. real estate agents.

There are sickos who target by how someone looks so this is something that should be considered. (of course, after consideration, one may decide the advantages outweigh a remote possibility of danger)

If asked, I advise people to not post photos of their children on the web for this reason. Many school districts will not allow photos of students to be displayed on their sites.

For adult clients, I mention the possible danger and let them decide. I think of it as informed decision making.

Sorry to throw water on the parade.

Personally, I, too, like seeing photos of people. But I don't hold it against them if they don't have one. They may just be being cautious.

An interesting question you posed, Banu. I understand what Rebecca is saying because I am an introvert and avoid the spotlight if at all possible.

However, small businesses greatly benefit from personal branding, and the old adage applies: people do business with people, not companies.

So I have my photo on my business's website. And in local print advertising we include a photo because people know us as much if not more by our faces and names than our business name. It just helps reinforce our brand.

I recently participated in a marketing forum at my local chamber of commerce where they critiqued my marketing plan. They were of two minds regarding posting personal photos on websites.

Context seemed to be the critical factor. While posting ones picture on a site suggests credibility and that you stand behind your product, it shouldn't be misinterpreted as the product itself.

They suggested, for example, if your product is running shoes and you post a picture of yourself on the home page, it creates a confusing message about the product.

They seemed to suggest that posting your picture on a separate page about the company or you its owner, (as opposed to the product page) reduced this confusion.

Daniel... I agree with the idea of "context". If you are promoting a business selling products, you should highlight what you sell as a focal point. Biznik, as a business networking site is primarily made up service providers and developing "trust" between people seems paramount in this setting.

In a consult of mine, I set up a website for a local Fleet Leasing Company that we felt was important to feature photos of the product (cars and trucks) and the people (that you would be dealing with) to establish trust in both. I think this is a good example for a local independent business that uses personal photos, but of course, I'm prejudiced.

I'm open to critique if anyone wants to venture it. ...Howard

I have a photo on my web site. When people buy my software training services, they aren't only just hiring my expertise, they are hiring me in a personal way as I see all their business and personal finances. It is all about trust. And the photo I have is a nice conservative photo which fits into the image I also want to project.

YES me too. For a small business I think it is essential and the next step will be videos. Soon everyone will have a video on their site and it will be more powerful than just words or a static photo; seeing and hearing you speak about what you are offering of value. The more personal contact the better. The more ways people can relate to you the better.

As I was designing my website I struggled with the thought of putting up my photo (I steer clear of the video camera when my husband brings it out). But because my profession is related to employee relations and confidential financial information I felt that it was important for clients to see who they were working with. Especially working remotely. Most of my client's employees don't see me face to face, but I want them to feel as if I'm in the office next door.

Till the time i joined Biznik i wasn't sure of posting my photo anywhere on net. I guess it was a wise decision. Having a photograph on your profile provides you that extra credibility...

I would say a portfolio without a photo is akin to a foggy mirror where your reflection/image is blurred!

-Anita CM

(http://www.siteometrics.com)

(http://www.vantrix.net)

Sure touches a nerve, eh? We're in the process of redoing our website- I'm going to be taking my photo off the banner, which I've been wanting to do for about two years- but leaving the photo on the about page.

I think when someone first lands on your website- whether or not it's the home page, the focus needs to be on them. But, I believe you do need to be accessible when they are ready to see you.

And yes, Dan, I agree- one of the reasons I like Biznik is the required use of real names and the proliferation of photos.

Rebecca- I understand shyness in front of the camera- and I'm glad you're working on getting a photo anyway. It's just a reality- when we meet people at a live event, we expect to be able to see people's faces, and not have them hidden away behind a veil. Online is not much different- the human needs are the same- a need for connection.

A photo that communicates who you are - whether or not you are a Victoria's Secret model - gives the people who are likely to resonate with that a chance to do so.

I love photos of real people - photos that have not been reduced to a least-common-denominator head shot. (There's a place for those, too.)

Long story short, if you think you take a crummy photo, you could be mistaken. Your real life mug may be exactly what we want to see.

As I read through this thread, I realized that I don't bother looking at profiles that do not have a photo. There is something about communicating face to face that is important to me, even if my only reference is a photo.

And I love photos that reveal your personality, it is a refreshing glimpse into the real human being that is behind the indie business owner.

Before we all had websites, I always did business with people I'd never met and whose photo I had never seen. Seems unbelievable now.

Really, Carol? Even back in the 80's, I seem to remember fliers and brochures usually having photos of the people involved. Or I met them in person at an event before hiring them.

Carol -

Me too. I spent much of the 80's and 90's working with people I never met or saw in a photo. Even after my own website went live in 1998, I continued working with many people (including a large number who did not have photos on their own sites) who I didn't know visually. I seldom meet many of my clients in person.

I've always had a photo on my website and in my marketing materials. The trick has always been to find a photo image - that I personally like - that conveys my personality.