How to Choose the Right License for Business Stock Images
The trick is to find a suitable license for your business stock images. This is not easy to do if you don't know what to look for. And this isn't just a matter of getting away from royalty-free stock photography because even licenses that sound pretty reasonable require some thought and research before buying them.
Creative Commons licenses
For those of you who want to make use of creative content in your business, creative Commons licenses are a godsend. These licenses allow you to distribute your work with credit freely. This way, even small businesses can utilize the content you create. You can find examples of creative Commons licenses on the Creative Commons website.
Creative commons photos are available on various online photo-sharing sites, such as Flickr. Flickr photos can be used for commercial purposes, but you must give attribution to the photographer. Similarly, you can download images from other sources like Indiapicture, a massive media file library with a vast collection of copyright-free and public domain images. You should check each photo's license terms and attribution requirements before using them.
On the other hand, public domain images are images that the creator or government has designated as public domain. These images have no copyright by statute, but the creators have granted the right to use them. The license allows you to use these images for commercial or non-commercial purposes, as long as you give attribution to the creator. In addition, you can remix and build upon the material.
Rights Managed licenses
When purchasing stock images for your business, you may consider using a Rights Managed license. These licenses give you more control over your photos and graphics. These types of permits usually include a time-based, limited-use restriction. Typically, you will negotiate with the stock agency about the usage of your photos.
Typically, these licenses are more restrictive than royalty-free licenses. For example, if you plan to use a picture in a commercial publication, you may be required to have it approved by the stock site before you can use it. Additionally, you may have to follow certain restrictions, such as the print run, timeframe, or geographic location.
Using a Rights Managed license for business stock images is a great way to minimize costs and legal risk. Not only will it make it easier to identify the right photos for your business, but it will also help prevent a costly copyright lawsuit.
Royalty-free licenses
There are several important considerations when choosing a royalty-free license for your business stock images. The first is the nature of the use. Commercial use typically involves the sale of items to consumers. However, not all services affect resale. If you plan to use images on your website, it's best to use official stock image sites. Otherwise, you are subjecting yourself to greater liability. You should also avoid downloading free images from unknown sources. While some free stock image sites may offer photos that don't come with any restrictions, they are likely to be scams.
The next thing to consider is whether you need to use the images for commercial purposes. A royalty-free license may allow you to use the photos for commercial purposes, but it may also have limitations. Some restrictions include not using the images in pornographic or content that would damage the owners' reputation. However, this shouldn't pose too many difficulties when using these images for commercial purposes. Just be sure to read the terms and conditions of the license to ensure that you are using these images responsibly.
User-generated content
User-generated content is a powerful marketing tool for businesses. It helps build a positive brand community online and can increase conversions by up to 29 percent. It also helps humanize your marketing efforts by putting your customers in the spotlight. Consumers tend to trust other consumers more than they do companies, so this is a great way to increase brand loyalty.
When using UGC, it's essential to credit the original creator. While some companies re-use UGC without a hitch, it's best to seek permission before using content you don't own. This will ensure you don't risk alienating customers or causing a lawsuit.
Besides showing real customers, User Generated Content can also boost conversions. For example, the watch brand CLUSE saw a 19 percent increase in conversions after adding a UGC gallery. While most stock photos feature model faces, a UGC gallery of real customers will give shoppers a sense of familiarity and connection with the brand.
