Should You Use Stock Photos?

Have you considered using stock photos on your website?  Here are a few reasons why you should use stock photos on your website or blog.

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You’ve chosen your theme, you know what your brand is, so what’s the next step in designing your website or blog?  The next step is deciding whether to use your own photos or stock photos in your posts and pages.  Should you use stock photos on your website?

Stock photos are photos you can use for free or with a licensing fee.  Some stock photos require credit to the artist, but many are free to use with no attribution.  Please be sure to check the license for terms in which you can use the photos.

I use stock photos on this website and on social media.  Here’s why you should, too:

The subject matter you need is already photographed

Say you’re writing an article on laptops and you need a picture of one.  I don’t know about you, but my laptop shows all the wear and tear it’s been through.  Meanwhile, a stock photo of a laptop is going to be nice and clean.

It saves time

Who has time to take photos and edit them every time you make a new post?  Not me, that’s for sure.  Stock photos are already edited and have great lighting.  Canva offers free stock photos as well as premium ones you can use with a paid plan.

They are customizable

Stock photos can be customized to meet your brand’s needs.  You add text or other features to stock photos. You can crop and rotate stock photos.  You can also change the size of the photos or use the same photo in multiple ways.  Tools like Canva make customizing stock photos even easier.

You can make mockups

Mockups show off your designs in a real-world setting.  Mockups are great for designers or those with online businesses that offer digital downloads.  Mockups help potential customers better visualize your product. Here’s a cute Thanksgiving themed printable I made and then put into a mockup.

Choosing the right photos for your website is extremely important.  Photos with the same colors or fonts, for example, show that your brand is consistent and memorable.  Using the wrong photos can distract from your brand and even drive traffic away from your site.  Should you use stock photos on your website?  My answer is yes.