Images breathe life into surrounding text. If bad text formatting turns people away, featuring images has the opposite effect. Using the right picture creates interest and entices readers, helping your communications reach their full potential. The good news is that free images for commercial use are easily available. I’ll show you where in a minute.
Fetch! You Too Can Catch Free Images for Commercial Use
Why You Need an Image
Firstly, I just want to emphasise the importance of using images. Using a good image encourages:
- A reader to read the article
- A reader to finish an article
- A reader to subscribe to your site
- A reader to give you a call
- A reader to buy your product.
Imagery is a major part of your small business brand. Choosing the right image is crucial in entrenching your business’ brand personality and positioning.
Words explain your message. Images bring your message to life.
Where Do I Find Free Images?
On the internet, images are everywhere… but that doesn’t mean they are all free to use. You can only use an image if you have permission. Choosing to use an image without permission is breaking copyright law and could get you into legal trouble, so be sure of what you’re using.
Fortunately, millions of images are available through online image libraries. Here, images are called ‘stock photos’. Finding an appropriate image is just a case of visiting an online image library and searching it’s virtual image catalogue.
Some of these images will cost money to purchase, others provide images for free.
“Of all of our inventions for mass communication, pictures still speak the most universally understood language.” Walt Disney
List of Free Image Websites
Free is a good price. Here are a list of sites where you can download free images for commercial use:
- Stock Xchng
- Public Domain Photos
- Morgue File
- Stock Vault
- Free Digital Photos (Thanks Tania)
Note: Before using any free images for commercial use, always ensure you read the terms and conditions of each site.
List of Paid Image Websites
Sometimes a free image just won’t cut it. Fancy something a bit more special, or of better quality? You’re more likely to find it at a pay-per-download image site. These include:
Have a browse of these image sites and commit to incorporating images across all your communications. Your small business will benefit. In upcoming articles I’ll discuss what to look for in an image and also explain the more technical side of image properties.
Growing your small business,
David Moloney
Small Business Planned