The pitfalls of using stock photography for website images. Let's face it; professional photography can be expensive. When budget constraints are an issue, many businesses turn to stock photography as a cost-effective alternative.

However, there are several reasons why you should avoid using stock photos for your website, if possible. In this blog post, we'll explore some of the pitfalls of stock photography and why custom photography is always the best option for your business.

Let's go over a few reasons why you should avoid using stock photography for website images.

1. Stock photos rarely match your brand.

Although you may find an image that aligns with your brand, these images are generally generic in nature and won’t capture the essence of your company. Custom photography captures your business’s unique features and gives a sense of authenticity to website visitors.

Using the same stock photo that numerous other businesses have used can make your website look generic and unoriginal. Custom photography adds an exclusive touch to your website, which is more likely to draw customers in.

2. Stock photos often look staged or contrived.

Professional photographers use lighting, angles, and post-production techniques to create a photo that captures the desired emotion. When using stock images, you have little control over the quality of the image which can be problematic if you’re trying to evoke an emotional response from viewers.

Stock photos often look too perfect and can come across as being staged or contrived. Authentic photography is more likely to engage website visitors and effectively communicate your message.

3. Stock photos can be used by multiple businesses.

By using stock photography for website images, you’re giving your competition access to the exact same visuals as you. Custom photography ensures that no one else can use the same images and is more effective at distinguishing you from other businesses in your industry.

At the end of the day, custom photography is always the preferred option for website images. Professional photographers are able to create unique visuals that accurately represent your business and engage website visitors.

4. Google knows when stock photography is used.

Google’s algorithm is designed to detect when stock photography is used on a website. It penalizes websites that use generic photos and rewards sites with authentic visual content.

Using stock photography isn't always the best option for your business, but it may be a cost-effective choice in the short term. Consider using stock photography as a temporary solution until you're able to invest in professional photography services.

Overall, custom photography is the best option instead of opting for stock photography for website images.

5. Google prefers custom photography.

Google rewards websites that use custom images with higher rankings in search engine results pages. Not only does it provide a better overall experience for website visitors, but using high-quality photography can help increase organic traffic to your site. This further adds to the reasons why not to use stock photography for website images.

Using custom photography is the best way to ensure that your website stands out from the competition and makes a lasting impression on website visitors and enjoy the benefits of Google favoring you in search engine results.

6. People don't trust staged photography.

People, in general, are skeptical of stock photography and assume the images don’t accurately reflect what the business is actually like. Professional photographs that showcase your staff or products can help build trust with potential customers. When it comes to creating content for your website, custom photography should always be your top priority.

Custom photography is the best way to ensure your website looks professional and conveys your brand’s message accurately. Using stock images for your website images can become a costly mistake, so always opt for high-quality custom photographs.

Not only will it make your website look more polished, but it can also help you engage visitors, increase organic traffic, and boost your search engine rankings.

7. Custom photography ads authenticity and trust to your brand.

Using custom photography gives viewers a sense of authenticity that can’t be achieved with stock images. Custom photos capture the essence of your business, provide an honest portrayal, and create trust with potential customers. Stock photography has its place in website design, but it shouldn't be used as the main source of visual content.

High-quality professional photography can help you stand out from the crowd and elevate your brand. When it comes to website images, custom photography is always the best option. Professional images are more likely to engage website visitors and effectively communicate your message.

Hire a photographer to get some custom photos on your website.

Hire a photographer to increase your brand, trust, and authenticity. Your professional photographer will be able to capture the essence of your business and create images that evoke an emotional response from viewers.

Professional photographs can help distinguish you from other businesses in your industry and increase organic traffic to your website through higher search engine rankings. In the end, custom photography is always the best option for your business.

Using custom photography on your website will ensure that visitors get an accurate picture of what you have to offer and can help you build a loyal customer base.

Final thoughts on using stock photography for website images.

When it comes to your website, professional photography is always the best option—even if it means stretching your budget a bit further than you originally planned. Unlike stock photography for website images, custom photos are shot specifically for your website and they match your brand perfectly.

What's more, Google knows when stock photos are being used and they prefer custom photos over stock photos since they offer a more authentic user experience, and people can tell when a photo is staged; after all, we've all seen those " candid " shots of people laughing hysterically while they work on their laptops at a coffee shop... right?

If you really want to build trust and authenticity with your website visitors, steer clear of stock photos and opt for custom photography instead.

Rebel Ape Marketing can help you with your website.

If you would like to talk about getting a website designed by Rebel Ape Marketing, contact us today. Our team of experienced web designers and developers will work with you to create the perfect website that meets your needs and effectively communicates your brand message. We look forward to hearing from you!

Hope this helps. Have a good day! 🙂