The best photos for a business website are your own: your work, your premises, your team and your products, shot in good light. Hire a local photographer for a half day if you can, or shoot on a recent phone with natural light and a steady hand. Use free stock libraries such as Unsplash only for backgrounds and ideas, never to show work you did not do. If you start from a template, replace all the demo photography before you publish; template licences usually cover the design, not the photos.
Photos do more than decorate. They are often the first proof visitors see that your business is real and that your work is good.
Where can you get photos for a business website?
| Source | Cost | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|
| A professional photographer | Day or half-day fee | Team, premises, hero images, products | Agree usage rights in writing |
| Your own phone | Free | Work in progress, before and after, behind the scenes | Light, focus and clutter |
| Customers (with permission) | Free | Real results, events, weddings | Get written permission; credit them if asked |
| Free stock (Unsplash, Pexels) | Free | Textures, backgrounds, general scenes | Other sites use the same images |
| Paid stock | Per image or subscription | Specific scenes you cannot shoot | Licence terms vary |
| AI-generated images | Varies | Abstract graphics, illustrations | Do not use to show work, people or places as if real |
Can you use Unsplash photos on a business website?
Unsplash's licence, according to its help centre, allows photos to be used for free for commercial and non-commercial purposes without asking permission or giving credit, though credit is appreciated. It does not allow selling unaltered copies of photos, and some uses, such as implying a person in a photo endorses your product, can cause problems. Read the current licence before you rely on it. This is general information, not legal advice.
The practical issue is different: free stock is used everywhere. A visitor who has seen the same smiling team photo on three other sites will not trust yours.
Can you use the photos that come with a template?
Usually not on a live site. The getsites licence states that demo photography is for demonstration only and should be replaced with your own. The template licence covers the design and build. Check the licence of any template you buy. See the Framer template licence for client sites.
Which photos does a small business need?
A minimum set for most service businesses:
- One strong hero image that shows what you do
- Three to twelve pieces of work, depending on your trade
- A photo of each person customers will meet
- The premises: outside (so people can find you) and inside
- Products, if you sell them, on a plain background and in use
Trades that sell results, such as salons, clinics and builders, also benefit from before and after photos. See before and after photos on a clinic website.
How do you take good photos on a phone?
- Use daylight from a window or shoot outdoors on an overcast day.
- Turn off the flash.
- Clean the lens.
- Clear clutter from the background.
- Hold the phone level, or use a small tripod.
- Shoot more than you need, from a few angles.
- Keep the editing light: crop, straighten, adjust brightness.
Shoot landscape for hero images and portrait for phone-first sections. Many templates crop images differently on desktop and mobile, so check both.
How do you prepare photos for the web?
- Export as JPEG for photos, PNG for graphics with transparency. Framer optimises images when it serves them.
- Keep files reasonably sized. Very large uploads slow editing and can use bandwidth. Framer's Free plan limits uploads to 5 MB per file.
- Name files descriptively, such as "colour-correction-before-after.jpg".
- Add alt text that describes the image for people using screen readers.
See Framer site speed and website accessibility for small businesses.
What about photos of customers and staff?
Get permission before you publish anyone's photo, in writing for customers. Ask staff too, and agree what happens to their photo if they leave. For children, get permission from a parent or guardian. Data protection rules can apply to images of identifiable people; check the guidance in your country.
How do photos fit into a template?
Each getsites template is built around the kind of photos a trade has. A photographer template expects a portfolio; a venue template expects rooms and events. Choose a template whose photo slots match what you have or can shoot. For photographers specifically, see photography portfolio ideas. For artists, see websites for painters.
What should you avoid?
- Photos of work you did not do
- AI images presented as real projects, premises or people
- Watermarked or screenshot images
- Logos or brand names you do not have rights to show
- Very dark or blurred images, even if they are your own
Frequently asked questions
Where can I get free photos for my business website?
Free stock libraries such as Unsplash and Pexels, and your own phone. Your own photos of your real work usually build more trust.
Can I use Unsplash photos on my business website?
Unsplash's licence allows commercial use without permission or credit, according to its help centre, but not selling unaltered copies. Check the current terms.
Can I use the demo photos in a website template?
Usually not. The getsites licence states demo photography is for demonstration only and should be replaced.
Should I hire a photographer for my website?
If you can, a half day of professional photos of your team, premises and work is one of the best investments for a small business site.
What size should website photos be?
Large enough to look sharp on big screens but not huge files. Framer optimises images when serving them, and its Free plan limits uploads to 5 MB.