Category Archives: branding

Stock Photo Websites that AREN’T awful!

Stock photo websites that don't suck

When designing something for your website, or finding that perfect image for your next newsletter, being able to track down a great photo that you can legally use can be quite a hard task! Stock photos are notoriously awful, cheesy and can be quite expensive. But fear not, designers of the world, because Blue Biscuit is here to help. Below is a list of stock photo websites that aren’t awful!

  • Splitshare: Splitshare is a great website which allows you to search through copyright free, high quality photos. Handy “download them all” feature if you want 500+ pictures to do whatever you want with! For commercial and personal use.
  • Death to The Stock Photo: A personal favourite of Blue Biscuit’s, Death To The Stock Photo has two separate services depending on your budget. For free, all you have to do is sign up to receive a new pack of gorgeous copyright free photos straight to your inbox each month!
  • Unsplash: Perfect if you use a lot of landscape imagery in your marketing and designs, Unsplash uploads 10 free images every 10 days for commercial and personal use.
  • Life Of Pix: Another good site that has a search feature for if you’re looking for something in particular. For commercial and personal use.
  • Pexels: A personal favourite of Blue Biscuit’s. Pexels has a huge range of phots, a well designed site and is searchable!

Did we miss any that you think should be included on here? Let us know in the comments or tweet us @bluebiscuitblog!

The Importance of Strong Branding For Small Businesses

Branding. Definition: The practice of creating a name, symbol or design that identifies and differentiates a product from other products. Your brand is everything you stand for and the way you present yourself to customers and potential customers. But, what is so important about it? We asked our good friends over at White Elephant in Toronto, Canada to talk all about it:

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“It’s not what you say it is. It’s what they say it is.” – Marty Neumeier, Brand Gap

From Facebook to Twitter to Instagram, your customers are talking. In public, and in private. They are sharing wonderful experiences among each other and reliving horrible ones on Yelp.

Branding, and the concept of marketing has changed forever with the introduction of technology. Brand building, and brand development is no longer a one way street but rather an organic process. Don’t think Research & Development— think Relationships & Revenues.

Relationshthe importance of branding for small businessesips

Behind every great product, there are great people. There is a great team, a devoted team, and a passionate team. And in today’s connected age, consumers care more than ever about the people behind the product. Consumers want to get behind brands that they can connect to. They want to connect with brands that are talking to them, instead of talking at them. If and when they decide to invest in you, its because you’ve demonstrated to them that you understand their needs, wants and concerns.

Revenue

In today’s age, consumers have an abundance of options at their disposal. Where they choose to spend their disposal income is decided by whether or not your a relationship exists with your brand. Truth is, consumers are more likely to buy in to a product if they know potential for a relationship exists. Why buy a Rolex over an Omega? Toyota over KIA? Apple over Google? Because many times, consumers often know what they are receiving. Their parents had the product, their friend currently has one, or they simply connect to what the brand stands for.

The worlds strongest brands understand the importance of relationships to consumers. They don’t just understand what they can do for consumers, they understand what consumers can do for them. A strong brand is not an overnight task, it’s the result of years of trust, honesty, and consistency— just like any relationship.

About the Writer:

Eve Aphayboun