Building an online presence is essential for any coaching business (or consulting, speaking, or service-based practice). High-quality visuals aren’t just “nice to have”—they help you stand out, capture the attention of potential clients, and make your content more memorable. But if you’re not a graphic designer, the thought of creating your own images can feel overwhelming.
In this post, we’ll explore the best tools for designing polished, on-brand visuals—even if your background is in coaching or consulting rather than design. We’ll also cover when it makes sense to do it yourself and when it’s worth investing in a professional.
Why Strong Visuals Matter for Your Coaching or Consulting Business
Eye-catching images aren’t just for aesthetics; they actually affect how people perceive your brand. Consider these uses:
- Website Content: From banner images to icons, visuals help convey your brand personality and guide visitors through your offerings.
- Blog Posts: A well-placed stock photo or graphic keeps readers engaged and encourages more social shares.
- Social Media: Visuals can spark conversations and draw attention in crowded feeds.
- Email Marketing: Attractive header images and graphics can boost open and click-through rates.
- Lead Magnets & PDFs: Professionally designed worksheets, checklists, and e-books add value and credibility.
- Marketing Materials: Think ads, presentations, or webinar slides—images help you stand out and stay top-of-mind with potential clients.
Easy-to-Use Tools for Creating Your Own Images
You don’t have to be a design pro to create impressive visuals. Check out these platforms that many business owners rely on:
1. Canva
Canva offers a user-friendly interface, pre-designed templates, and the ability to customize colors, fonts, and layouts. It’s great for quick social media graphics, lead magnets, and more. For transparent backgrounds, you’ll need a paid plan.
2. VistaCreate
Much like Canva, VistaCreate comes with ready-made templates and preset dimensions for various social platforms. A big perk is downloading designs with a transparent background even on a free plan.
3. Adobe Express
Formerly known as Adobe Spark, Adobe Express harnesses Adobe’s Firefly AI to help you craft graphics without juggling advanced software. Ideal if you’re looking for a simple way to get that “Adobe feel” without a steep learning curve.
4. DALL·E 3
Built by OpenAI, DALL·E 3 lets you generate unique images using text prompts. This is particularly handy if you need something ultra-specific—like a conceptual illustration no stock photo can match. Keep in mind it currently only downloads in WebP format.
What Makes an Image Eye-Catching?
An image that truly grabs attention does more than just look “pretty.” Here are a few factors to consider:
- Relevance: Make sure the visual connects directly to your message or topic—this helps viewers immediately see its purpose.
- Composition: Thoughtful framing, balanced layouts, and a clear focal point guide the viewer’s eye.
- Color & Contrast: Vibrant hues or stark contrasts make images pop in busy feeds and on cluttered web pages.
- Emotional Resonance: Photos that evoke a feeling—such as joy, curiosity, or awe—are more likely to leave a lasting impression.
- Simplicity: Clean, uncluttered designs are often more impactful than visuals overloaded with text or competing elements.
- On-Brand Elements: Consistent use of your brand colors, fonts, and style not only makes your images stand out but also reinforces brand recognition.
- Scroll-Stopping Power: On social media, your image’s primary job is to stop the scroll—whether through bold colors, intriguing visuals, or text overlays that spark curiosity.
Where to Find High-Quality Images and Stock Photo Sites
Sometimes you need a stock photo that doesn’t scream “stock.” Here are a few stock photo sites (most are free) that are safe for commercial purposes:
- Unsplash – Free, high-resolution images with lenient licensing.
Visit Unsplash - Pexels – Large variety of free images and videos.
Visit Pexels - Pixabay – Free stock images, illustrations, and even video content.
Visit Pixabay - StockSnap.io – Continuously updated with free, high-resolution images.
Visit StockSnap.io - Kaboompics – Specializes in lifestyle and business visuals.
Visit Kaboompics - Picnoi – Focuses on people of color in everyday settings.
Visit Picnoi - Nappy – High-quality photos of Black and Brown individuals.
Visit Nappy - Depositphotos (mostly paid) – A paid site offering professional-quality options.
Visit Depositphotos
These platforms are a good starting point when you need a royalty-free image quickly, without worrying about Creative Commons or licensing pitfalls. Still, always double-check usage terms and remember that while attribution is not required it’s always appreciated.
In some of these you can filter based on type of image (photo, graphic, etc.) and orientation.
You can use tools like ChatGPT to come up with search terms to use with these platforms. Here’s a simple prompt to use:
"Give me ideas for what stock photos to look for for this [post/guide/module]. Which one should be the featured image? Include search terms for one or two key sections."
>>> Make sure to include the content or an outline. Note: if you’re looking for images that showcase women of color in tech, check out WOCinTech Chat but note that images there are under Creative Commons license. Visit WOCinTech Chat.
When to DIY and When to Hire a Pro
When DIY Makes Sense
If you’re creating simple, everyday visuals, doing it yourself is often more efficient:
- Social Media Posts – Especially time-sensitive or trend-based content.
- Lead Magnets & PDFs – Using templates for quick turnaround.
- Blog Post Graphics – Headers, infographics, or simple illustrations that don’t require intricate design.
- Event & Webinar Graphics – Branded images for promos or slides.
- Email Marketing – Basic banners or postscript images that highlight offers.
When to Hire a Designer
Professional designers can elevate the look and feel of key brand assets:
- Logo & Branding – Your brand identity is too important to leave to chance.
- Website Design – A cohesive, professional site forms the cornerstone of your online presence.
- Premium Lead Magnets & Digital Products – Elevate e-books, workbooks, or presentation decks that define your brand’s quality.
- Ad Campaigns – Well-designed ads often convert at higher rates.
- Complex Infographics – Hiring a pro ensures clarity and aesthetic appeal.
Choosing the Right File Format (JPEG, PNG, or WebP)
Selecting the best image format keeps your visuals looking great and your pages loading quickly:
- JPEG (JPG): Good for photos or images with many gradients. Smaller file sizes but no transparency.
- PNG: Supports transparent backgrounds—perfect for logos, icons, or overlays. Typically larger file sizes than JPEG.
- WebP: A modern format offering excellent compression (both lossy and lossless). Great for page speed, but not yet universally supported by older browsers.
Optimizing Your Images for a Faster Website
Images can slow your site if they’re too large. Optimizing them boosts user experience and helps with SEO:
- TinyPNG – An intuitive tool that compresses PNG, JPEG, and WebP images while maintaining high visual quality. Simply drag and drop your images; no account required. It’s free for most use cases. My tool of choice.
- JPEGmini – Alternatively, you can use JPEGmini which specializes in preserving the quality of JPEG images while significantly reducing file size.
After downloading your images and before using these compression tools you may need to use a tool like Paint to resize your image to a smaller size.
A speedy site helps you connect with potential clients before they click away.
Handy Tools for Choosing Brand Colors
Sticking to a consistent color scheme makes your graphics instantly recognizable. You can use these tools to find a good color scheme:
- Coolors – Randomly generate color palettes or create custom ones to suit your brand vibe.
- Canva Color Palette Generator – Upload an image, and it’ll pull complementary colors.
- Adobe Color – Experiment with different color rules (monochromatic, triad, complementary) and keep everything in sync with your brand style.
Once you find the color scheme you want for a specific project/campaign/course, save it for easy access.
You can also use tools like Canva grab the colors of a particular image (I like using screenshots of magazine pages to get started) or Firefox/Chrome extensions like ColorZilla to select and save colors from web pages, images, and other digital sources.
Understanding Copyright and Image Licensing
Using images for commercial purposes involves more than just picking something that “looks nice.” Be mindful of these guidelines:
- Copyright & Ownership: Most images you find online can’t be used freely unless the owner explicitly says so.
- Creative Commons: Some photos come with CC licenses that allow certain types of usage, sometimes with mandatory attribution.
- Royalty-Free Images vs. Free-to-Use: Royalty-free means you pay once and can reuse the image, but it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s free. Sites like Unsplash, Pexels, and Pixabay are free to use, yet each may have usage rules.
- Attribution Requirements: Check if you’re required to credit the creator. Failing to do so can lead to legal troubles.
- Stay Compliant: To reduce risk, use reputable stock photo sites, or create your own images with tools like Canva, DALL·E 3, or Adobe Express.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to be a design genius to create impactful visuals for your coaching business. With accessible tools and a bit of planning, you can craft images that resonate with potential clients and support your broader marketing strategy. For those pivotal brand elements—like a new logo or major campaign visuals—consider hiring a professional to ensure your image truly reflects the expertise and value you bring to the table.
Whether you’re designing graphics for a blog post, social media, or email marketing, remember that consistency and clarity are key. And if you’re ever unsure about licensing, focus on trusted stock photo providers or consult a professional to avoid copyright headaches. Here’s to creating visuals that amplify your message and attract the audience you want to serve!