How to get free images legally for commercial use
Images are one of the main ingredients of a website and they need to be quality. What price are you willing to pay for that “quality” image? When starting a website it’s nice to have some free resources but beware of some major mistakes. One common problems website owners make is using the wrong images and they end up becoming a thief in the process. It’s an easy mistake to make but can be a costly one. Why make the mistake of stealing image like thousands of people are, when in fact, free images that can be reused and sometimes modified could be found of almost anything.
“Technology is a Useful Servant, but a Dangerous Master”
Christian Lous Lange
This article will cover what labeled for reuse means. How you can use Google search to find these images. And lastly, reuse with modification. Images have usage rights just like music and film do. In other words, you must have the usage rights to use the 
image on your website.
Check Copyrights
Make Original Images
Give Credit When Due
There are two types of images labeled for reuse, labeled for reuse with modification:
1) Labeled for reuse in simple form allows individuals to take a photo and reuse it commercially, and/or non-commercially, without any modification.
2) Labeled for reuse with modification is simply adding the ability to modify the image commercially and non-commercially
Still a little confused?
Let us explain it a little more. You can use the photos found in a Google search with some of Google’s own search tools in any way that you want. Examples such as your own website, school project, work project and more.
You can and probably will be prosecuted if you are taking images directly off of any website or Google workout proper search parameters and or permissions. Fines can be about $1,000 per image and sometimes more.
Got Questions
So might be asking yourself where are these search tools and how do I use them. We have made a video on just this, and it’s free!!! Sign up to join our Facebook group to access the free video. There are many other resources available only to our members-only Facebook group.
On a side note, it is important to mention that is a good idea to give credit to the original author if possible. Most of the time this isn’t required, but it is a respect thing. The least we can do is give credit where it is due, after all, they are giving you free images that help drive traffic to your site or make beautiful your project.
If you require high-quality images and can use a pay per image source. There are great choices such as Adobe Stock, Getty Images, and Shutterstock. These companies and others provide very high-quality images at a minimal price. When going for this kind of purchases do your homework. If you need help in deciding or any other tech-related questions join our Facebook group and ask away.
These are just a few of the many features available within the software. If you are interested in more info or assistance please reach out and ask us. We have a FB group, free 1-hr consultation (in-person or screen to screen), text us, or go old school and call us!