4 Best Free Image Website Builders

Creating a visually engaging online presence is crucial for individuals, businesses, and creatives looking to establish their brand and connect with audiences. In the digital age, a compelling website acts as the cornerstone of this effort.

Fortunately, the rise of intuitive website builders has democratised web design, making it accessible to users regardless of their technical skills. Among the many options available, four platforms stand out for their exceptional user-friendliness, design capabilities, and cost-effectiveness: Wix, Zyro, Squarespace, and GoDaddy.

These free image website builders are widely regarded not just for their general website-building tools but specifically for their prowess in crafting visually stunning image-based sites. Here’s a detailed introduction to each of these top contenders in the realm of free image website builders.

Which Website Builder Can I Use?

For people who don’t have a technical background in building a website, there are key points that you should look into before committing to using any website builder. Just make sure you go ahead and follow them.

Basic Website or Blog

If you’re looking for a simple yet attractive blog or a basic website, you should consider a website builder that has an easy-to-use interface and design templates. Look for drag-and-drop features, as they skip coding and completely eliminate it. With it, you don’t need to use JavaScript, nor do you have to use HTML or CSS.

Online Store

If your goal is to have a sleek, professional online store, you should look into an e-commerce-tailored website. These websites may include Shopify, Wix, GoDaddy, Squarespace, or any other e-commerce website that you can think of.

Research

The most significant point is to look for a website builder that wouldn’t be too complicated to set up. Research is key. Find out which website builder is more suited to you and which one you would find easier to use.

Features of Each Image Website Builder

Captivating images are essential for grabbing attention and creating impactful websites in today’s visual world. Image website builders cater to this need, offering user-friendly tools specifically designed to bring your photo-centric vision to life. But with many options available, choosing the right builder can be overwhelming. Worry not; Our next point is checking the features of each website builder.

Mobile Compatibility

Mobile compatibility is very important, as most of your visitors use mobile devices to browse websites. Luckily, most website builders have already come with this feature embedded and can even change and create a mobile version for you once you’ve made your desktop version of the website.

Hosting and Domains

Another significant feature is hosting and domains. When building a website, there are two other necessary components other than design: a website host and a domain name, thus a URL to navigate your website.

Many website builders offer all three services. So, if you already own a domain name and want to use a different website builder, you’ll have to migrate your domain to the new platform.

Picture and Video Storage

The next feature is pictures and video storage. Website builders make it easy for you to upload pictures and videos. Most of them even offer free, non-copyright images and videos. However, storage capabilities vary according to your subscription plan.

Business Email

Business email is another important feature that many people seek. Most website builders provide the creation of an email address with your domain name. However, some website builders charge extra fees to provide this feature. So, make sure you pick the right plan.

Layout to Use for A Website

Now, let’s explore how we actually build a website and how we lay it out. Your website has a header, Hero sections, and a footer. In the header, you would have a logo, menu, login buttons, and social media icons.

For the Hero section, you can choose a tagline background—whether it’s a video, image, or solid colour backdrop. It is followed by text and media content. In this content section, you could incorporate blog posts or display promotional products, contact forms, chatbots, or galleries, depending on whether it’s an e-commerce site.

Lastly, the footer would contain your links, menu, social media, and disclaimer. That depends on the elements you want to have for your footer.

Top 4 Image Website Builders

Visual impact reigns supreme. For photographers, artists, and creatives of all kinds, a website is a crucial platform to showcase your work and connect with your audience. However, building a website from scratch can be daunting.

This is where image website builders come in. These user-friendly platforms offer a wealth of features specifically designed to bring your image-centric vision to life. With a variety of options available, choosing the right builder can feel overwhelming. The following lines unveil the top free image website builders, empowering you to select the perfect tool for your needs:

Wix Image Website Builder

The first image website builder we have is Wix. It is one of the most powerful image website builders without being too overwhelming. It comes with plenty of templates and great customer support, so it would be a top choice for beginners and pro web builders.

Wix Pros

Wix offers a variety of advantages that make it a popular choice for website creation, especially for beginners. Here are some of the key Wix Pros:

• a wide range of templates,
• a versatile editor,
• a great documentation,
• a mobile-friendly website,
• e-commerce capabilities,
• a great support,
• Wix ADI (Artificial Design Intelligence), and
• a free version to test the service.

Wix Cons

On the other hand, Wix has many drawbacks to consider, including:

• the basic SEO features,
• slower loading times,
• the non-responsive designs, and
• the inability to switch templates once you’ve picked one.

How to Use Wix

Without further ado, we’ll check out how Wix works. Once you access it, it asks you what kind of website you are creating. Let’s choose Visual Image Developer. Next, it asks you what you would like to call your website. Pick up a name for your website. (Don’t worry! You can change it later on.)

Then, Wix asks you about the features you want to add to your website. You can find a list of the available apps on the marketplace for basically some of the features that you can put on. They help improve SEO and increase traffic for your website. It’s primarily up to you, as it depends on whether you want to add these features or not.

Once you choose the features you want and click Next, you will be requested to choose the way you want to create your website, whether it is Wix Editor, Editor X, or Website Generator. Believe it or not, the Website Generator was called Wix ADI, which stands for Artificial Design Intelligence. It is used to build your website based on your questions. Now, it has been renamed Website Generator.

Wix Editor

Now, let’s explore the Wix Editor with some of its actual templates. Since we have chosen the Visual Image Developer type, you will find different businesses and services to pick up from. What we want to primarily focus on is seeing if Wix has free images. Click the Blank Template tab at the right side of the screen, and let’s build a website from scratch.

Wix has a bunch of different available web templates and their own images in the background. Now, we’ll see what they would have to offer in terms of images.

In the preview section, click on the plus button at the top left side of the screen. Choose Add Elemnts and then a black strip. If you click Change Strip Background, you will find tonnes of free images Wix offers. You can look for an image using a specific word or filter by images, categories, or orientation. You also have the option to explore the images from Wix, Shutterstock, and Unsplash.

Choosing images depends on whether you want to pay and get some images that you can actually have copyrights to. By all means, you could use Shutterstock and pay for images with copyrights. Otherwise, you could use Unsplash, which has free images but is used by known photographers or artists. This way, you may have to give credit to the actual image photographers.

Once you choose an image, click on the blue icon at the bottom of the screen that reads Change Background. Alternatively, you can go ahead and upload your own image. Just click on Upload Media, and you’ll get a pop-up message that allows you to upload an image or drag and drop one.

If you have any other websites available with your Wix account, you’ll find that there are a bunch of different websites that have the images you have uploaded onto them. You can place these images onto your actual new website. Anyway, Wix is quick, simple, and easy to use, and it also has a lot of free images.

Zyro (Acquired by Hostinger) Image Website Builder

Zyro is the next website builder we have. It has the lowest pricing plans; however, to take advantage of the low cost, you do need to agree to a four-year contract. Then, you get choices of more than 100 free templates to get started.

Zyro’s designs are great; it relies on Hero sections/ images to nail these designs. It also has a drag-and-drop editor and all the elements you need to build a website.

Zyro Pros

Zyro is making a name for itself in the ever-evolving world of website building with its focus on ease of use, affordability, and powerful AI tools. However, is it the right choice for you? Let’s delve into the key Zyro Pros:

• great for beginners,
• a free SSL certificate,
• an AI-powered website creation,
• pre-designed templates,
• mobile-responsive designs,
• a built-in Content Delivery Network (CDN),
• a drag-and-drop editor,
• strong customer support, and
• a very easy-to-use platform.

Zyro Cons

However, Zyro has some disadvantages, including the following:

• can’t switch to another template once you pick one,
• lacks advanced features,
• has no real-time support for a free plan, and
• basic analytics tools,
• has no access to code editing.

How to Use Zyro

In this section, we’ll see how this Hostinger-acquired platform works, how easy it is, and what free images it provides. The platform offers default templates that are either blank or pre-designed for specific purposes. Additionally, you have the option to browse templates by category.

First, let’s go to the blank templates and click Start Building. Then, click Change Background at the left of the page. The only difference between Wix and Zyro is that you can’t add videos in Zyro; however, you can add images. What’s great about it is that it says free images.

Now, let’s try to search for a specific image. This platform uses authentic images distinct from those provided by Wix. It actually generates almost real images which can be seamlessly integrated into your web page, lending it a contemporary aesthetic. Additionally, you have the option to upload your own images or documents based on your needs and preferences.

Zyro features a straightforward navigation tool that allows for easy background changes. With a single click on the image, you can effortlessly design fluid Hero sections, instantly creating a cohesive header and integrated sections that enhance the overall look of your website.

There are numerous possibilities with Zyro that we would recommend exploring, particularly if you’re new to using image website builders and don’t have a technical background.

Squarespace Image Website Builder

Next up is Squarespace, widely recognised as one of the top website builders available. Packed with useful features, Squarespace offers a blend of drag-and-drop and point-and-click editing functionalities, making it an excellent choice for creating visually appealing websites.

While navigating the menus and features may require some initial familiarisation, Squarespace stands out for its impressive designs and templates.

Squarespace Pros

Squarespace has carved a niche in the website-building world, renowned for its stunning aesthetics, user-friendly interface, and robust set of features. Whether you’re a creative professional showcasing your portfolio or a business owner building an online presence, Squarespace offers a compelling solution. But what exactly makes Squarespace stand out? Let’s delve into the key Squarespace Pros:

• modern,
• stunning website designs,
• drag-and-drop editing,
• user-friendly editor,
• mobile-responsive designs,
• marketing and SEO tools,
• a good number of apps for added functionality to the site,
• free SSL certificate,
• AMP formatting, and
• limited availability labels for e-commerce.

Squarespace Cons

On the other hand, Squarespace has disadvantages:

• potentially higher costs for additional features,
• expensive for what it has, compared to other image website builders, and
• limited app integrations compared to open-source options.

How to Use Squarespace

After launching Squarespace and navigating to the Templates tab, you’ll be prompted to specify your website’s purpose and goals. This step assists in generating tailored ideas and examples to guide your design choices.

Initially, you’ll find some promotional and ready-made templates on the website, depending on the category you select. You have the option to filter the templates by type or topic. Go ahead and set up your account quickly. Squarespace enables you to name your website during this process.

Now, let’s delve into setting up your homepage. Depending on your desired layout, whether for e-commerce or non-e-commerce purposes, Squarespace offers modern page designs to choose from. You’ll find various sections available, such as introductions, social media integrations, and forms. Additionally, Squarespace includes a footer—a feature not commonly found in other image website builders—which adds to its appeal and functionality.

Moving on to the other pages, you can include About, Contact, Shop, or Services sections. Afterwards, select your preferred colour palette from options like neutral, bright, or monochromatic, depending on your preferences. Lastly, choose from a variety of fonts available, such as Six Caps, Poppins, or Archivo Black.

This is how easily you can create a website with a sleek and contemporary design using Squarespace. Upon entering the website editor, Squarespace empowers you to add and customise pages to style your website according to your preferences.

How Do We Actually Change the Images?

To replace the default images, simply click on the image you wish to change and then click Edit. From there, you can upload your own image or choose from the platform’s library. Fortunately, at the top of the pop-up screen, you’ll find free images available sourced from Unsplash, as it is a third-party platform.

One great feature it has is that when you select an image from the library, you receive credits attributing the image to its creator.

You have the flexibility to add images and arrange them to suit your design preferences. Additionally, you can adjust these images to achieve your desired look. This image website builder is quick and simple, allowing you to create a visually appealing website with ease.

Squarespace also enables you to quickly adjust the opacity of elements. Simply navigate to the Design tab and toggle on the overlay. This website builder, which includes free images, offers a wide range of customisation options to enhance your website.

GoDaddy Image Website Builder

Next, we’ve got GoDaddy, which is one of the great image website builders for first-timers. It basically requires zero technical skills; you answer a few questions about what your website is all about and its purpose, and that’s it; GoDaddy takes care of the rest. However, GoDaddy may have limitations in terms of template selection and design options compared to other platforms.

GoDaddy Pros

GoDaddy is a household name synonymous with domain registration and website building. For businesses and individuals venturing into the online world, GoDaddy website builder presents a user-friendly and feature-rich solution. Let’s explore the key advantages that make GoDaddy website builder a compelling choice:

• a 24/7 customer support,
• great value for introductory plans, and
• artificial design intelligence to create a quick website.

GoDaddy Cons

On the other hand, GoDaddy has some drawbacks. It has:

• a limited upmarket,
• very limited customisation, and
• very high prices in terms of the add-ons.

How to Use GoDaddy

GoDaddy seems to have some free images. To get started, navigate to the menu at the top left, select Website & Hosting, and then choose Website Builder. Next, click Start for Free and proceed step-by-step from there.

You will choose a category and write a name for your website. The navigation tool is easy, allowing you to update and modify the background image. Additionally, you have the option to switch the background to a video or slideshow, a feature not commonly found in other image website builders. Furthermore, you can easily incorporate additional images into your design.

What is great about it is that GoDaddy has its own stock images. They also have Unsplash images that you can use. All their images are free, which is great. Once you pick up an image, click Insert, and it will be set as your background image.

There You Go

These are some of the top free image website builders, many of which utilise images from Unsplash. If you have questions about image website builders or need help finding the right one for your website, feel free to leave a comment in the section below. We’re here to assist you!