Unsplash: Free images for commercial use
High-quality images are an important part of any online message you want to deliver. Free images that you can use on your website and with social media postings must either be your own originals, those that you have permission to use, or donated by artists to use free for commercial use.
I first discovered Pixabay.com, where I've found many beautiful images. Then thanks to visual marketer LouiseM.com, I discovered Unsplash.com, a site that has many stunning high-resolution images that are also free to use without attribution.
I’ve used Unsplash for many projects over the years and I’ve recommended the service to many clients. But I’ve learned that in October 2022 parent company Getty Images initiated a paid Unsplash+ subscription service where “even more” images are going to be available. That defeats the purpose of a free image service, which had been wonderful for budget-minded clients!
I love to combine text and images in inspiring and impactful ways, but I'm no photographer, so I'm grateful there are artists out there donating their images free for commercial use. Only time will tell if I’ll continue to recommend Unsplash to people who are looking for beautiful free images. Pexels.com is another service that I’ve heard good things about and may look into that too.
Getty Images Press Release, 10/5/22
[updated 11/20/22 to mention the paid subscription service Unsplash+]
Optimized photos load more quickly and improve SEO (search engine optimization) for your website, without sacrificing quality. Techniques for optimization include resizing and compressing the photo to reduce the file size while maintaining sharpness and clarity.
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Like the receptionist and reception area in an office, the Home page is the greeting area that needs to contain enough cues to reassure visitors that they're in the right place and give them guidance about how to find what they need and what to do now that they're there.
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Here are my 10 favorite text tips to help you create a modern and professional-looking website on Squarespace or any other website platform.
As I worked with clients, I noticed there were six words that came up in questions to me during our consultations: domain, web host, website, page, SEO, and navigation. Becoming familiar with these website components and how they work together helps you manage and maintain a healthy website for your business.
Two kinds of forms are common on websites: a Contact form and an Email signup form. Each form has its own purpose. To plan which forms will go on your website, it’s helpful to understand how each form is used as an interactive tool for collecting information from your website visitors.
As you start a blog, first determine the focus of your blog. Then choose topics that are relevant and that are in your area of expertise. Blog posts can contain text, images, videos, links to other blog posts, links to podcasts, and personal or creative endeavors. Each blog post adds content to your website and gives you cumulative client-attracting and SEO benefits.
Kerry A. Thompson
You don’t need a big agency to get your website done. You just need the one right person. I offer Squarespace website design and content development services for creatives, coaches, and healers. Learn more in a free 30-minute consultation.