What is the first thing your website users notice about your website? Images. Whether it’s your logo, a great product image, or a team photo – our eyes are naturally drawn to pictures. While custom website images are always great to have, it’s not always possible when you have to work within a budget. Fortunately, there are tons of fantastic options out there for website images that won’t break the bank.
Great images not only improve the appearance of your website, they can work wonders for your reach and your revenue. Here are 3 tips and alternatives to custom images that won’t break the bank.
Quality Stock Images
There are a variety of stock image sites out there that offer great pictures at a reasonable price. If you don’t have much money to spend on this area right now, keep in mind that quality always trumps quantity. Select each image carefully to ensure it accurately represents your brand and how you want customers to view your business.
Do you have a decent budget for images? Getty Images, iStock, Shutterstock, and Adobe Stock are all great options. These sites offer royalty-free images that cover nearly every topic and industry you could possibly need.
If you are working with a tighter budget, you are in luck. There are a number of fantastic sites that offer free images like Pixabay, Pexels, and Unsplash. You will likely find anything you need on these sites, but the downside is that everyone else can easily access the same pictures. If you’re searching for an image that will make an impact, don’t choose a photo you’ve seen splattered across social media sites and other websites you’ve recently visited.
Get a Team Photo
Whether your team is large or small, a group photo can increase your business’ credibility and trustworthiness. People appreciate being able to put a face with a name and a professional photo assures your customers they are working with humans and not machines.
If you’re able, hire a professional to take a team photo as well as individual employee photos. Affordable photographers are available, but it may take a little research on your part. Also keep in mind that someone from your team may have a photographer in the family, or they may have experience taking pictures themselves. Another alternative would be to look for interns or freelancers who may offer better rates and appreciate the experience.
Edit Your Own Images
Editing your own images is an excellent way to save money. With a little practice, you will be able to skip the pro and edit your own website photographs in a matter of minutes. A simple Google search will provide you with a plethora of free photo editing tools, but not all of them are user friendly. If you’re looking for something simple and easy to use, try Fotor. If you’re feeling more adventurous, Gimp is a great photo editing service that allows for more complex edits.
Need help finding the best website photography services for your business? Blindspot Advisors can help! Interested in more of a unique look? Contact us today to learn more about our custom website designs.