Do You Use Stock Photos on Your Website? Maybe You Shouldn’t…

Let’s be honest – when you’re running a small business, there’s never enough time or money to go around. Between juggling emails, sorting out your accounts, and trying to keep customers happy, building the “perfect” website might feel like something you just have to rush through. And when it comes to pictures, what’s quicker than slapping in a few free stock photos, right?

They’re easy, they’re fast, and hey – some of them look pretty good too. But here’s the thing: stock photos might actually be hurting your business more than they’re helping.

So, if you’ve ever typed “friendly business people” into a stock photo site, or found yourself using that same picture of a man laughing with salad – this one’s for you.

What Are Stock Photos Anyway?

Stock photos are pre-taken images you can download and use – sometimes for free, sometimes for a fee. They cover just about every topic under the sun: people shaking hands, a customer looking pleased, a laptop with graphs, and way too many photos of coffee cups. Seriously, what’s with all the coffee?

There are loads of sites that offer these images – Unsplash, Pexels, Shutterstock, Adobe Stock – the list goes on. You don’t need to hire a photographer or take any photos yourself. Just download and go.

Sounds ideal, right? Not always.

Why Small Businesses Love Stock Photos

Let’s give credit where it’s due. Stock photos do solve a few problems:

• They’re cheap (or even free): Great when you’re on a tight budget.
• They’re fast: No need to book a photographer or wait for edits.
• There’s a big choice: You can find pictures on nearly any topic.

So yes, they’re a convenient option – especially when you’re trying to get your website live quickly. But convenience often comes with a catch…

What’s the Problem with Stock Photos?

Here’s where things get a bit sticky. While stock photos might seem like the easy way out, they can actually do more harm than good when it comes to building trust, standing out, and converting visitors into paying customers.

1. Everyone’s Seen Them Before

That cheerful man in a headset? He’s on 3,000 other websites. That smiley group of office workers high-fiving? They’ve been used by law firms, gyms, dentists and maybe even a dog groomer. People can spot a stock photo a mile off – even if they don’t realise it.

Using pictures everyone’s seen before makes your business look generic. And the last thing you want to be is forgettable.

2. They Don’t Reflect the Real You

If you run a café in Brighton, a photo of a perfect latte made in a New York coffee shop doesn’t tell your story. If you’re a plumber in Leeds, a shiny American showroom isn’t going to help someone trust you to fix their boiler.  If you are a firm of accountants in north London, that photo of the city skyline with Tower Bridge and the river Thames may send mixed messages about where you are based.  If you’re a firm of solicitors or accountants and the “team” in the photo is all young people, what does that say to visitors to the office if all your team are on the wrong side of 50?

Your website should show who you are, what you do, where you are,  and what makes you different. Stock photos can’t do that – but your own photos can.

3. They Can Seem Fake

Let’s face it – some stock photos are just plain weird. Ever seen a picture of someone laughing while eating a salad alone? Or a group of workers looking way too excited about a spreadsheet?  I can’t remember the last time I was excited about a spreadsheet,  how about you?

People can tell when something looks staged. And when your website looks fake, they might wonder if your business is too.

4. Trust Matters More Than Ever

Customers are picky. They check reviews, look at your social media, and scroll through your site before they even think about buying. If your photos look like you just grabbed them off the internet, it’s harder for them to trust you.

Real photos – even if they’re not perfect – make your business feel more human, more honest, and more reliable.

5. You Might Not Be As Legal As You Think

Just because a photo is online doesn’t mean you can use it.

Many years ago, I had a website client from the north of England who sent me some images of his factory to be added to his website – only it wasn’t his factory and wasn’t even a factory in the UK and was one that he grabbed from the internet.  As he had sent me the images it was him that got into all sorts of bother over it.

For images on stock photo websites you have to check the license. Some photos need credit. Some can’t be used for commercial purposes. some you have to pay a licence for.  If you use the wrong image the wrong way, you could land yourself in legal trouble and sometimes a large bill for using an image in the wrong way.

Yikes.

So, What Should You Do Instead?

If stock photos are off the table, what’s the alternative? Don’t panic – you don’t need to become a pro photographer or spend thousands on a photo shoot. Here are some realistic options:

1. Use Your Own Photos

Even a quick snap with your phone is better than a cheesy stock photo. Show your shop, your products, your workspace. Take pictures of you and your team doing what you do best. People love seeing the real faces behind a business, and remember the old adage that people buy from people.

2. Hire a Local Photographer

If you’ve got a bit of budget, hiring someone for a few hours can make a massive difference. You’ll get a set of high-quality, original photos that are all about you and your brand.

Tip: Look for someone local who works with small businesses. They’ll often offer short sessions or affordable packages.

3. Ask Your Customers

If you sell products, ask your customers to send you photos of them in use. If you run a café, share pictures your customers post (with permission, of course!). Real people using your stuff is the best kind of advertising.

4. Be Honest and Real

You don’t need to look perfect. You just need to look real. A slightly wonky photo of your team in the office? Brilliant. A behind-the-scenes shot of how you make your product? Even better.

Authenticity beats polish every time.

But I’m Not a Designer!

You don’t have to be. There are loads of tools that make it easy to make your photos look better – even if you’re just using your phone:

• Canva: Great for editing and adding text to photos.
• Snapseed: A free app that makes photo editing simple.
• Lightroom Mobile: Easy filters and controls to brighten things up.

And if you’re stuck, ask someone for help. There’s no shame in getting a mate, a teenager, or a freelancer to lend a hand!

Does It Really Make a Difference?

Absolutely. A website that shows the real you builds trust. It helps people feel more connected to your business. And it can even help you rank better on Google – because original content (including images) is great for SEO.

Plus, when your website stands out, you’re more likely to be remembered. And that means more clicks, more calls, and more customers.

Still Not Sure?

If you’re reading this thinking, “But I’m not photogenic” or “My shop’s not Instagram-worthy,” don’t worry. You’re not trying to win awards – you’re just trying to show people that you’re real, trustworthy, and ready to help.

And if your website looks just like everyone else’s, how will anyone remember you?

Let’s Wrap It Up

Stock photos might seem like a quick win, but for small businesses, they can actually be a step in the wrong direction. They make you blend in when you should be standing out. They feel fake when you want to feel real. And they don’t tell your story – not properly.

So next time you’re updating your website, try something different. Snap a quick photo of your team. Show off your workspace. Be proud of what makes your business unique.

Because your story is worth showing – and people are way more likely to buy from someone they trust.

Over to You!

Do you use stock photos on your website? Have you tried switching to real images? We’d love to hear what worked (or didn’t!) for your business. Drop us a comment or share your thoughts below.

And remember – the best camera is the one you’ve got in your pocket. Start with that, and go from there.