Free image sources vs paid stock: what to use where

Free image sources vs paid stock: what to use where

Using the wrong image can get you a copyright bill, so source matters as much as looks.

— Free libraries like Unsplash and Pexels: genuinely free to use, even commercially, no attribution required. Great for blog headers and backgrounds.
— Paid stock like Shutterstock: huge selection and more polished, business-specific photos. Worth it when free options all look generic.

A quieter tradeoff: free photos are popular, so the same beach sunset appears on a thousand sites. Paid or original photos help you stand out.

And always shrink images before uploading, since large files slow your site no matter the source.

In plain words: free libraries cover most needs, pay when you need uniqueness, and resize either way.