STOP Overusing Stock Images On Your Website

Introduction

A quick disclaimer. Stock images have their place; the purpose of this article is to identify where you should avoid using them and suggest alternatives.

Stock images are ubiquitous on websites, posters, flyers, and banners. They're a cheap and effective way to get images that look good, but they could end up hurting your brand in the long run.

This article covers why you should avoid stock images, what you should use instead, and when it makes sense to use them on your website.

They stick out like a sore thumb.

Most people can spot a stock image from a mile away. They have a "look" about them that's very clinical, sterile, and almost too perfect.

Take this one for example:

Don't stare at the thumbs too long!

They're not you!

By that, I mean they're not photos of you, your team, your products, services, or happy customers.

They don't give context or add any meaning to your fantastic work, which means they're just taking up space and making your website load slower.

I often talk to people who have the opinion that having a picture on the page makes it less boring because there is too much text.

This is easily solved by having less text or making the text more engaging. Simply inserting stock images to break up the space makes your site feel cheap and doesn't make the content any nicer to read.

We've seen it all before.

Stock images also have an uncanny ability to show up in similar circles to whatever industry your website is themed around.

You better believe I have seen the same three stock images on almost every care provider, plumber, and accountant website I come across.

This is a surefire way to confuse visitors to your website, leaving them wondering, "Wasn't I just on this website? I better go back."

Did you read the license?

Another common trap is finding stock images in a Google search and immediately using them without considering the licensing restrictions.

Unless you're paying for your stock images or getting them from the original source where the license is clearly stated, it's safe to assume you are not allowed to use them on your website.

If you are found to be in breach of copyright, you might receive a nasty email from your hosting provider or even have your website taken down.

If not stock, then what?

People want to feel a connection to you and your brand/business when they visit your site. Give them what they want!

This could be:

• Photos of you and your staff
• Real photos of your products
• Photos of your clients/customers (with their permission)
• Candid shots of you talking to clients or working on something
• The producers of the product you sell (farmers for example)

They don't have to be perfect, and you don't have to be an expert photographer. That can come later.

Imagine if you ran a tattoo parlour and all of your photos were stock images of people with tattoos and not ones of you, artists, or clients.

It would not give customers a good feeling.

So, when can I use them?

There's definitely a time and a place for stock images.

It's usually in places where you just need an image that sends a message but doesn't form the main part of your content.

Examples:

• Thumbnails for blog posts and knowledge base articles - Usually a hybrid solution with your own titles and descriptions. The image is just there to draw the eye but isn't the main focus point.
• Placeholder images - If your original image cannot be found or hasn't been uploaded. You don't want a blank spot where an image should be so a placeholder keeps things consistent.
• When there's no other option - If you're on a tight deadline or you're just starting out with no clients—you might still question whether to have images at all, but that should be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Tips

If you find a place where you do need to use a stock image, here are some tips to selecting a good one:

• Keep it on brand - At least try to get similar colours and theme to help blend it in on your website as best as possible
• Don't make it a focal point - Do your best not to make it the first image a person sees on the page. Let it accent your content, not be front and center
• Add content with it - Pair it with a title and description instead of leaving it floating on the page by itself.

Wrapping up

If you've got too many stock images on your site, or would like to work with an expert to take your site to the next level, contact us!