Content creation is one of the most important factors for having a great brand, website and engagement. Sometimes it may not always be easy to tick all of the boxes and we understand the struggles! We are here to help you fill in the gaps. This Marketing Tip will focus on the online tools for finding free images/photos, and the visual content creation tools that are easy and effective to use.
Important Information For Using Free Images Commercially
Before we get started, it’s important to note that some free images/illustrations may not be free for commercial use, but for personal use only, e.g. for a birthday invitation. Some images may only be used commercially if you give a shoutout to the photographer/artist/creator on the post or attributing them. It is always important to double-check what each free image requires you to do to use it commercially. You can use images according to the permissions specified under their licenses. Please ensure the photos you use are not copyrighted or you will be liable for damages.
For example, Canva’s free image requirement is: “All free media on Canva can be used for free for commercial and noncommercial use. If a photo, icon, music track, video or other media contains an identifiable person, place, logo or trademark, please ensure you check the source or contact us if you’re unsure”, while Unplash’s License states that all photos can be used for commercial and non-commercial purposes.
Where To Find Free Images
Sometimes business owners do not have the time or the resources to curate their own gallery of images to use for their content ideas. This is why it is important to know where you can find or source similar images to fit your needs. It is also important to ensure your images are correctly sized for each platform, and we have created a social media size guide for you to refer to. Some websites that offer free photos* under the free version include:
*Please remember to check the permissions for all images as they may not be available for commercial use. This is usually listed when downloading the image.
- Unsplash
- Pixabay
- Pexels
- Burst
- Canva (change to the “free mode” by clicking the drop-down box under “Trending Photos” and changing it to “free”).
- Kaboompics
- StockSnap.io
- Freepik
- Google Advanced Image Search (change to the “free mode” by scrolling to the bottom to “usage rights” and changing it to “commercial and other licenses”).
Where To Find Free Illustrations
Brands do not always want to use real photos on their website, socials or marketing material. Sometimes, it just doesn’t fit with their branding. For example, have you looked around our website? We don’t use real-life people at all because we just prefer illustrations! If you prefer to have illustrations or digital drawings, here are some great websites that you can download free illustrations under free accounts:
Free Online Graphic Design Tools
You do not need to have years of graphic design experience or own the whole Adobe Creative Suite to create content for your brand! You can create a free account with these creative online tools and create some great content. With a free version account, you have access to a range of templates and styles to create posts, video, infographics, gifs, reports, documents, social media stories, banners, and much, much more! Even if you have never touched a graphic design program before, they make it so easy and effective to use!
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