Provide A Better User Experience with Interactive Images

Years ago, the ability to type words on a sheet of paper, and even, words on a digital document used to bring the wow factor. Nowadays, businesses are using interactive design to create interactive content to share and awe their audiences.

However, interactive design does not have to be limited to interactive video. In fact, 65% of senior marketing executives believe that visual assets (photos, video, illustrations and infographics) are core to how their brand story is communicated.

Let’s take a look at some examples based on informational, entertaining and educational content in order for you to create an unforgettable, engaging user experience for your audience.

Informational

An informational interactive image is providing detailed information through relevant imagery and interactivity. This type of image is exemplified with the guys over at Hire A Hubby. Hire A Hubby is a handyman business catered to customers that need an all-in-one handyman. In the spirit of Easter, Hire A Hubby created an interactive Easter egg hunt that targeted pain points by providing “Hubby Hints” in relation to specific areas of the house. For instance, hovering over an Easter egg that was in the fruit bowl provided you with this Hubby Hint, “don’t store paint in the garage. When exposed to high temps in the summer, the color won’t last.“

Eye-tracking studies show internet readers pay close attention to information-carrying images. In fact, when the images are relevant, readers spend more time looking at the images than they do reading text on the page. So if you want to dispel information to your audience without overbearing them with wordy information, start using interactive images and give your audience a new experience for them to retain all your great info even days later.

Entertaining

An entertaining interactive image is providing entertaining content through relevant imagery and interactivity. This type of image is exemplified through Sports Illustrated. Even if you’re not a sports fan, the Golden State Warriors are making history even going as far as to potentially beat the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls record of 72-10. In relation to this streak, Sports Illustrated highlighted Stephen Curry’s long range shots all represented by a static image of the Oracle Arena with interactive overlays — allowing the viewer to interact with past videos of Steph Curry’s shots in various placements on the court.  

It’s one thing to post stats. It’s another to actually see them in action. Entertain your audience and get them involved with your content. Because now through this example, you have the ability to use static imagery and video at same time—in the same interactive image.

Educational

Similar to informational interactive images, an educational interactive image is providing teachable information through relevant imagery and interactivity. A common example that most companies are using and will increase in 2016 is infographics. In terms of user engagement, infographics are liked and shared on social media 3X more than other any other type of content. So if you’re not already using infographics to increase engagement and website traffic, then what are you waiting for.

However, did you know that now you can have interactive infographics. Well, Coca Cola best exemplifies this in a recent infographic teaching readers all about the benefits and history of Stevia—a plant mainly used as a natural sweetener. By using this interactive infographic, it has the advantage of being less busy and more visually simple, while allowing them to reveal more information than a static infographic can. Also, the infographic was able to provide solutions to potential buyers’ pain points—especially if they are concerned with consuming artificial sweeteners and are looking for companies who use more natural ingredients.

Now even infographics are more compelling than ever. Now you can educate your audience through not only using relevant visuals but also allowing them to interact with your information—increasing your information’s relevancy to your audience.

We’re already doing it!

As you can see with interactive example above, we’re already jumping on the interactive image bandwagon with our interactive inbound marketing methodology. We also created an interactive banner showcasing local testimonials surrounding the growth within the city of San Leandro and how it was implemented to promote and increase social media engagement for the San Leandro: Prototype City of the Future campaign.

So take your content to the next level. Join the other 73% of content creators who plan to prioritize creating more engaging content in 2016 and see how interactive images will create a better and more engaging user experience for your audience.

To see examples of interactive video and to read more about how it can help you, explore here or watch a replay of our live streaming event about interactive video by clicking the banner below.