Creating a website yourself can feel overwhelming, but DIY’ing your website doesn’t mean sacrificing quality or effectiveness. With the right tools and strategies—like high-quality photos—you can build a website that converts visitors into clients, even in 2025!

If you want your website to convert in 2025, you need high-quality photos!

When DIYing your website, one of the most important elements to focus on is your visuals—because even a great DIY design can fall flat without stunning, professional-looking photos.

READ MORE: How to make your website CONVERT and what is a “good” conversion?

How to have professional photography on your website if you can’t afford a photographer?

Whether you’re designing your website for the first time or giving it a refresh, professional-looking photos are a must. Even without hiring a photographer, you can achieve great results that align with your brand by following these simple tips.

I promise you, good photos makes a difference! If you can’t afford professional photography, have a friend come over and get some photos of you looking at the camera and smiling (we are trying to build that KNOW, LIKE, TRUST factor) as well as photos of you working on whatever your business is.

I know branded photos can be costly, so if you are looking for a simpler solution, try stock photos. Here are my favorite free and membership stock photography websites.

FREE OPTIONS

When it comes to free photos, I usually gravitate towards PIXABAY, PEXELS, and UNSPLASH (this is the photography site Squarespace uses).

MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS

ÉLEVAE VISUALS (used to be Social Squares) is a very popular stock photography site. Shay Cochrane created the stock photography site  and now is a co-host of the “Family Goals Podcast” which I love! I love supporting women-owned small businesses.

STYLED STOCK HOUSE (used to be KATE MAX)is another one of my go-to’s and you can always get their free photos first to see their vibe. I also enjoy IVORY MIX (click that link for the Stock Photo & Canva Template Library) and my absolute favorite is HAUTE STOCK (use code “bekah” to save 15% off your recurring subscription).

Here are other stock photography websites you could try (however I’m not as familiar with them): PIKWIZARD (free), WELLNESS STOCK SHOP (focuses on health and wellness), MOYO STUDIO, LIFE OF PIX (also free), STREET WILL (free), ISTOCK, PICSPREE, STYLED STOCK SHOP, and BACKDROP STOCK.

CHECKLIST FOR INTEGRATING PHOTOS EFFECTIVELY:

If you’re DIYing your website, here’s a quick checklist for integrating visuals effectively:

• Use hero images with you front and center.
• Highlight your product or service with lifestyle photos.
• Incorporate behind-the-scenes images to build authenticity (this is ESPECIALLY important in 2025 when people are OVER the slimy marketing tactics).
• Make sure your photos are the right size and optimized for web performance.

Other Tips for DIYing a High-Quality Website Without a Big Budget

First make sure you pick the right website platform. WordPress is NOT better for SEO (don’t believe everything you read) and is NOT user-friendly. DIY-friendly tools like Squarespace or Showit, are a much better option because they are easy to design on (especially if you have a template). If you pair a beautiful and high-converting website with great visuals, people will think it’s professionally done!

Need more guidance on DIYing your website? Read this post on creating a Squarespace site that stands out!

DIYing your website doesn’t have to mean cutting corners! By focusing on high-quality visuals, you’re setting yourself up for a website that looks professional and converts.

Ready to take your DIY site to the next level? Check out my DIY Squarespace Course or go through this free training ↓