When developing website content and blog posts, research has proven that visual aids increase both the user’s time on the page and general traffic. Therefore, content marketers need to know how to incorporate specific images into their posts.
One of the simplest and quickest ways to add something visual to your product is through the use of stock art. Below is an evaluation of a handful of the best sites to get stock photos from for your promotional and marketing efforts. These sites contain extensive selections of affordable, often free, artwork, as well as great images in general.
Free Stock Photo Websites
- Stock Free Images – This site has nearly one million photos available; for designers, this site is usually considered one of the best sources for free photos and artwork.
- Stock.xchng – This site provides not only a large number of illustrations, photographs, and vector images, but also tools to learn all about graphic design that are written by other designers and users.
- morgueFile – Despite its name, it is an excellent archive site for public images, and is operated by creatives for other creatives’ uses.
- Freedigitalphotos.net – This site provides free images that are approximately 400 x 300 pixels, although you have to attribute the images to them. (If you opt to purchase the images, no attribution is necessary—and you can obtain other sizes.)
Paid Stock Photo Websites
- Bigstock – This site is affordable and offers excellent illustrations and images. Their pricing model is easy to understand and low in cost, and their extensive image selection will allow most online marketers to find what they need. This means it is one of the most effective sites to use when searching for stock photos.
- 123RF – This site is based on a subscription program, but is very reasonably priced. Low-resolution photos start at just one dollar each, which makes it a great option compared to the more extensive stock photo companies. In addition to over thirty-seven million images, they also have video and audio content available for your use.
- iStock – This site is run by Getty Images, which is an extremely reputable company. Their prices are reasonable, and they offer a variety of low-cost subscriptions. In addition, they have a wide selection of images, so that even smaller agencies and graphics professionals can utilize their services. Since iStock has millions of images for sale and is a top-notch choice when looking for a large selection of royalty-free, low-resolution images, it is commonly used by e-newsletters and websites.
- Shutterstock – With millions of high-resolution images and many different types of subscriptions, this site is a good source for most users’ needs. Compared to other options for high-resolution photographs, their prices are more accommodating, and their large twenty-eight-million-image library means you will be very pleased with the selection available.
- Dreamstime – This website has been in business since the year 2000, and provides a large selection of exquisite images—all at reasonable prices—and the goal of connecting buyers with the people who take the photographs. With over six million registered members, this site offers photos submitted by over 157,000 photographers worldwide. Its photos are all examined carefully and approved by competent editors, which ensures their quality. They also have a library with free clipart, vectors, and images.
When trying to find high-quality, reasonably priced images for your blog or website, there are numerous online options. These websites offer a wide variety of digital-quality photographs and illustrations that are either free or low in cost, which you can use in dozens of ways. When searching for your online photo needs, these websites provide an invaluable service.
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