So what’s all the fuss about visual content?
We’re all familiar with the saying “a picture is worth a thousand words,” and when it comes to connecting with online readers, this common adage couldn’t be truer.
Visual content not only grabs and holds reader attention, it also breaks up walls of text. In fact, 3M Corporation and Zabisco state that visual images are processed 60 thousand times faster than text.
Visual content not only grabs and holds reader attention, it also breaks up walls of text. In fact, 3M Corporation and Zabisco state that visual images are processed 60 thousand times faster than text. Click To TweetMoreover, 40% of people respond better to visual content than text-only content.
In terms of connecting with audiences, visual content does far more than relay information. By integrating visual content such as infographics, you can expect up to 12% more visitors than bloggers who utilize text-only content.
In terms of connecting with audiences, visual content does far more than relay information. By integrating visual content with your blog posts, you can expect up to 12% more visitors than bloggers who utilize text-only content. Click To TweetSo, if you’re seeking a means for expanding your audience, as well as your authority within a niche, it’s essential to integrate visual content with your textual content.
Now that you understand why you need engaging visual content, let’s discuss how you can put it together quickly and easily, and in most cases free!
Free Image Sites
MorgueFile
If you’re searching for high resolution stock photos to increase the visual content of your site, MorgueFile is your ideal destination. Unlike other stock photography databases, MorgueFile is completely free to use and features thousands of professional-quality images.
UnSplash
UnSplash features professional-quality photographs. The best part? All images are completely free to use. These high-resolution stock photographs are ideal for blogs, presentations, and other visual uses. Along with an ever-growing database, when you subscribe to their email list, you’ll receive 10 new photographs every 10 days.
Picography
Are you tired of using generic stock photographs due to your limited, or non-existing budget? Picography is a completely free stock photography database, featuring a massive catalogue of professional quality photographs. If you’re searching for stunning images that are free of usage limits, Picography may be your ideal resource.
Pixabay
With over 270,000 free vectors, art, illustration, and high-resolution photographs, you’ll never have to pay for stock photography again. This sprawling database features an intuitive, searchable database, making filtering its massive collection of images simple and fast. Stop worrying about copyright issues or attribution requirements with Pixabay.
Free Images
Regarded as the leading source of free stock photography, Free Images features over 400,000 high-resolution stock photographs. These images are free to use, which makes it the ideal resource for the amateur blogger or cost-conscious designer. While its number of available photographs may be overwhelming, its well-designed and organized database makes finding the ideal image easier than ever before.
Paid Image Sites
iStockPhoto
Perhaps one of the most trusted resources for royalty-free images, iStockPhoto features millions of high-quality images designed to be used for websites, presentations or as visual content for blogs. Its interface is one of the best in the industry, and its prices are affordable.
Fotolia
Fotolia features millions of royalty-free images and videos with licenses that never expire. Its affordable pricing models make this the ideal subscription-based stock photography site as users have the option of paying-as-you-go or subscribing to a bulk image package.
Shutterstock
With over 40 million images within its database, Shutterstock is one of the oldest and most respected stock image dealers in the industry. Its powerful search function allows users to easily locate their ideal image or video. With practically any category you would need to create an image-filled website or blog post, Shutterstock is a must for any visual designer.
Getty Images
If you’re looking for powerful images that speak to the soul as well as the eyes, Getty Images is your go-to source for stock photography. All of its images are reviewed to ensure the highest quality, and with royalty-free licensing, you’re free to use any purchased image however you choose.
Veer
Veer was designed to provide visual designers with an uncomplicated search and shopping experience. Its intuitive search function is capable of locating your ideal image faster than ever before. Whether you need one or 1,000 images, Veer offers a payment option capable of delivering the visual content you need without breaking your budget.
Customizing Your Images: Adding Text and Branding
Canva
Canva offers advanced-level designing options for those who may not understand the technical side of customizing images and text. This simple and intuitive tool offers a simplistic designing tool capable of customizing your visual content to set your brand apart from the rest.
PicMonkey
PicMonkey features an effective and user-friendly design interface to streamline the photo editing process. Designated as one of the Top 100 websites by PC Magazine in 2013, PicMonkey offers various photo editor tools, such as design, collage, and touch up. If you’re inexperienced at visual design, PicMonkey’s point-and-click interface can make you look like a professional designer.
Quick Picture Tools
Need a fast and easy online design tool? Quick Picture Tools was designed as a simple solution for bloggers and others who need personalized visual content without having to purchase and learn difficult software applications. Its simple, one-page design interface allows you instant-access to its designing tools without having to download a single file. This is an excellent solution for designers who are always on-the-go.
Fotor
The Fotor Photo Editor is a fun and simple online design tool capable of delivering visually stunning designs within a matter of minutes. This user-friendly interface gives you professional-quality photo editing tools without having to be a designer. Add dynamic effects, filters, textures, and other elements with a simple click of your mouse.
iPiccy
iPiccy makes editing and customizing your images easy and cost-effective. In fact, you’re given access to fast exposure fixes, professional-quality photo touch-ups, and other editing solutions completely free of charge. And you don’t need to register to start editing your images! This is a must-have for bloggers who want a free, yet dynamic, image editing solution.
If adding text doesn’t give you the competitive edge you want, you may want to consider creating animated gifs!
Animated GIF Sites
Animated Gifs are lightweight files capable of attracting attention without bogging down your site. If you’re seeking a way to attract readers without slowing down site performance, animated Gifs are your ideal choice. The following sites should be your go-to source for professional-quality Gifs.
GifMaker.me
Regardless of why you need an animated Gif, GIFMaker.me offers a solution. This 100% free resource allows users to create professional-quality Gifs by uploading the images to their site. Its simple and user-friendly interface is easy to navigate, which is ideal for beginner designers and/or bloggers looking to enhance their visual content.
MakeaGif
Want to create animated Gifs without having to learn programming or paying a usage fee? MakeaGif is an effective solution for designers looking to create high-quality Gifs without paying a fee. Users may create Gifs by uploading images from their computer or by uploading a YouTube URL into the interface.
Picasion
Picasion is a completely free Gif generator. Users may upload their images via its simplistic interface. Images may be uploaded directly from your computer or by selecting a URL. You can also turn on your webcam and capture a moment as it’s happening.
GifPal
GifPal is a simple, yet dynamic online tool capable of creating professional-quality animated Gifs. Users are able to make Gif animations from their webcam or stored images. Once images are uploaded, users may adjust animation speed or customize images by adding text, drawings, and various effects.
Image to Slideshow
Freemake.com
Transform images into a visually appealing slideshow with FreeMake.com. This user-friendly resource creates slideshows in three easy steps. After uploading images, users may add music and various effects to create their ideal slideshow.
Very PDF
VeryPDF allows you to create stunning visual slideshows completely free of charge. If you’re searching for a powerful, yet simple, means of creating customized slideshows, you’ll love this site. Its step-by-step creation process is simple and intuitive, which allows novice designers the ability to create entertaining and professional slideshows.
Photo Slideshow Maker
Photo Slideshow Maker is among the most user-friendly slideshow creation tools in the modern industry. Its powerful and intuitive interface gives users access countless customization settings. Need more slideshow options beyond the free package? You can purchase a $2.95/month subscription package, which expands the functionality and complexity of slideshows.
Movavi
Enhance your visual content by creating professional-quality slideshows with Movavi. This comprehensive slideshow creation software provides an easy, intuitive interface to upload images, edit individual photographs, and add music to enhance your slideshows.
Kizoa
Kizoa is an online slideshow and video maker capable of not only creating slideshows, but also editing images and adding dynamic effects, such as text and music. Users are surprised at its functionality, especially because they’re free to make as many slideshows as they want without paying a dime!
Image to Video
Image to Video
Image to Video is a free online service that allows you to add up to 15 images and music to create dynamic and visually stunning videos. While it’s not the most comprehensive solution, if you’re searching for simple and powerful, this is the solution for you.
Stupeflix
Stupeflix allows users to create up to 20-minute videos, completely free of charge. While the length of videos are limited, you’re free to make as many as you want within any of the 16 predetermined themes.
Slidely
Slidely allows users to create videos from your stored media files, which include music, images, and other videos. With 7 design interfaces, you’re able to create and share your memories in a dynamic, free fashion.
Animoto
Animoto comes with everything you’ll need to transform standard images into dynamic videos. Regardless of why you need to create videos from your stored media files, Animoto offers a solution to create, customize, and distribute your creations.
PhotoShow
Roxio PhotoShow allows users to create image-based videos in three simple steps. The user-friendly click-and-drag interface makes customizing videos simple and fun. While the free account is more than capable of creating dynamic videos, its subscription-based service opens up even more creative possibilities.
Images to Infographics
PiktoChart
Piktochart simplifies the often complex process of creating infographics. The easy editor takes you step-by-step throughout the creation process. Therefore, even if you’re not a professional, or a seasoned infographic artist, you’re able to create powerful and beautiful infographics, capable of delivering information and engaging visitors.
Visual.ly
Visual.ly provides users with one of the most powerful and intuitive creation editing tools to design infographics, presentations, web experiences, and videos. While slightly more complex than the others, the editing capabilities of this solution are far worth the extra learning time.
Infogr.am
Infogr.am has created nearly three million infographics. Thanks to its user-friendly, yet powerful design interface, even the beginning designer can create dynamic infographics. With over 30 templates to choose from, users may choose a pre-determined design or stretch their design legs with a blank template.
Easel.ly
Easel.ly features over 500,000 users and has grown in popularity due to its simplistic editing tool and dynamic features. Regardless of why you need to create an infographic, Easel.ly offers a solution and a template that’s ideal for your design needs.
On to you.
What’s your favorite visual content app, website, or service?
Share your comments below.
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