Small businesses operating in the fast paced digital marketing world have the challenge of having to compete with other businesses despite the high level of competition. Video-based content is one of the many channels of getting attention. Due to technology, it has become easier and economical to convert stagnant images into alluring videos. The article discusses nine cost-effective image to video tools that a small business can use in 2025 and improve their marketing strategies.

Understanding the Importance of Video Content

It is important to first have an idea of why video content is needed by small businesses before delving into the tools. Video can communicate complicated information within a short period of time and in a memorable fashion. Studies show that consumers recall information that is in the video form better than that in a text form. Moreover, the use of videos can enhance activity on the social media, which will increase brand awareness and contact with customers.

Statistics That Matter

• Retention Rates: When a viewer appears in a video he is able to remember 95 percent of the message, which is 10 percent when reading it on a text.
• Social Media Interaction: Videos increase the number of views of posts 48 times more than those without.
• Consumer Preference: 70% of the consumers like to learn about a product with the help of video.

These figures highlight the significance of using video as a part of your content strategy, and it is a potent weapon of the small business that aims to get the attention of the customers and make them convert.

The Rise of Image to Video Tools

Image to video tools enable companies to extract the already available image (be it product photos, staff pictures or advertisement graphics) and convert them into animated videos. Such tools usually have an addition of moving, music, and text features that makes the images more interactive in terms of the story surrounding them.

Advantages of Image to Video Tools

• Cost Effective: A number of these tools remain affordable through their budget friendly pricing models and so are affordable by small businesses.
• Easy to use: The majority of the platforms do not need any sophisticated skills in video editing and everyone can create videos with a few clicks.
• Flexible Formats: The videos can be changed in different formats, including social media and sites, to reach as many people as possible.

With the evolution of marketing trends, small businesses are trying to be in tandem with the trends, and hence by the deployment of these tools, they can greatly improve their visibility on the internet and interaction with customers.

1. Magic Hour

The Image to Video Generator by Magic Hour is the first in our list. The tool is unique because of its user friendly interface and fast results. Users are able to upload pictures easily and customize their pictures by use of prompts on how they would wish their pictures to animate. Having both a quick and high quality video render mode, the small businesses can select the mode that is the most suitable to use.

Key Features:

• Allows Different Image Formats: Customers have an opportunity to upload PNG, JPG, and other image formats.
• Quick Mode or Studio Mode: Select between the quicker results or the better quality results.
• Templates: Thousands of templates increase level of creativity and simplify the process of creating video.

Small businesses can also make their photos into cinematic videos only with several clicks with Magic Hour, which makes it one of the best options available to people who want to create a pleasant piece of content without dedicating a lot of time to it.

Use Case: Promotional Videos

Consider the case of a small bakery that wants to present its new cake designs. With the help of the Image to Video Generator of Magic Hour bakery can upload the pictures of the cakes, add certain funny animations and produce a nice video, which can be shared on social media. This does not only emphasize their products, but also captures the attention of the potential customers on a visual level.

2. Animaker

Animaker is also a cheap application which enables people to make animated videos using pictures. Having a range of templates and character effects, small businesses have the opportunity to make their video in the style of their brands. The drag and drop interface is easy to use, and it can be used even by the individuals who have a little or no design experience.

Highlights:

• Animation Features: Character animations can be added to make the game more interesting.
• Vast Library: You can access a library of music and sound effects to make your videos look better.
• Social Media Optimized: Templates in different social media areas provide your content with the best appearance.

Animaker is the best option because it is versatile and can be used by the business to create animated explainer videos or marketing videos.

Use Case: Explainer Videos

Animaker can be applied to an explainer video that is animated by a small technology company on how its new app works. They can show the functionality and benefits of the app to prospective users by using the still pictures of the app interface and transform them into the form of animated animation.

3. InVideo

The InVideo is a robust application that is used to make professional level videos out of pictures. Users are able to easily produce videos that appeal to their target audience with the help of libraries of templates and stock footage. Text overlay is also provided on the platform, with businesses being able to add pertinent text with their images.

Notable Features:

• More than 5000 Templates: Large selections of templates in any event or branding design.
• Brand Customization: Customize your videos with ease by adding your logos, fonts and brand colors.
• Multi Format Compatibility: Produce videos that can be shared on social media, websites, or used in presentations.

The large resources and capabilities offered by InVideo make it worth acquisition by small businesses who seek to take the game of video marketing to the next level.

Application: Social Media Campaigns.

InVideo would assist in designing catchy promoting videos to be used in social media campaigns in the case of a small clothing retailer. They can easily attract the attention of prospective customers browsing through their feeds since they use pictures of their products and provide text overlays that include promotional deals.

4. Kapwing

Kapwing is a video editor that enables users to make videos out of pictures and makes it look natural. The platform can allow different video versions, which is why it can be used in social media, websites, and presentations. The subtitles, text overlays, and music are addable, which offers a full editing experience to the users.

Benefits:

• Collaborative Options: Teams are able to collaborate in real time and brainstorm with each other and easily produce videos together.
• Easy to Use Interface: The platform is easy to use even by the novice.
• Multifile type: Upload and edit images of all kinds without any problem.

In the case of small businesses that need collaboration, Kapwing has been a good choice to simplify the process of creating a video.

Use Case: Team Collaboration

Take the case of a small marketing firm which has to produce a video on behalf of its customer. With the help of Kapwing, members of the team can cooperate on the project, and the input of every member is considered. This encourages creativity and the process of making videos is accelerated.

5. Lumen5

Lumen5 is an incredible application that can help any company transform their blog posts or articles into entertaining videos with the help of pictures. The AI-based system makes it easier because it proposes layouts and image positions in accordance with the available text.

Key Features:

• Automatic Video Generating: Transform the available materials into videos with minimum effort.
• Massive Stock Library: Have a library of pictures and videos to make your project stronger.
• Customization: customize fonts, colours and music to match your brand.

Lumen5 Lumen5 is especially popular among content marketers who want to refruit their existing content as a video, and get maximum out of what they have already written.

Use Case: Content Marketing

An example of a small digital marketing agency that will use Lumen5 to produce videos based on its blog posts. They will be able to reach more people by making the written articles interesting in the form of the video and deliver the valuable information in the digestible form.

6. Canva

Although Canva is mainly used as a graphic design tool, it has powerful video editing features, such as image to video features. The users can develop videos through the combination of images, text and animation that can produce visual appealing content.

Highlights:

• Drag and Drop Interface: Add pictures and text and make it a fantastic video with the help of simple drag and drop interface.
• Large Library: Huge amount of templates, images and details to use in improving your projects.
• Options to Animation: You can animate text and images in order to make the presentation more dynamic.

The possibilities of Canva are such that it is a one stop shop to businesses that want to create graphics as well as create videos.

Use Case: Marketing Materials.

A nonprofit organization that has a small size can utilize Canva to produce promotional videos during its raising activities. They can share their mission and make the potential donors listen by using images of past activities and text regarding future plans.

7. Wave.video

Wave.video is an active platform, which involves the creation of videos based on the pictures and provides a possibility of a great customization. The tool offers social media templates; thus, small businesses can find it easy to develop content that can be posted on different social media.

Notable Features:

• built in Stock Library: You get millions of stock images and videos in order to add more details to your projects.
• Multi Platform Sharing: It is easy to share videos on various social media platforms.
• Video Resizing Features: Resize videos so that they could be viewed on different platforms optimally.

In the case of businesses that are interested in social media marketing, Wave.video offers the means of creating visually appealing posts in a short time.

Application: Social Media Interaction.

The small fitness studio has a chance to make workout videos with pictures of their trainers working and make them interesting with the help of Wave.video. Posting such videos on social media will help them to motivate their potential clients to attend and get involved with their brand.

8. FlexClip

FlexClip is one of the video makers that allow users to make videos using images in a very easy way. The templates, stock images, and music choices are diverse, and one can always add a personal touch to each project in the platform.

Key Features:

• Drag and Drop Interface: It takes a short time to make videos.
• Cloud Based Access: Save your projects while you are anywhere as long as you have an internet connection.
• No Watermark on the Free Users: Make and share videos without the watermark bother.

FlexClip is ideal to small businesses that require creation of videos in a quick and efficient manner without compromising the quality of the videos.

Quick Promotional Videos

An independent real estate agency can conduct a promotion video that is brief to make with FlexClip and feature new properties. They can make eye catching videos by adding music and text to their images of the properties which they can post on their social media and on the website.

9. Animoto

To complete our list is Animoto which is a video making tool that enables one to make videos out of pictures with ease. It is a good option in case of beginners because of its simple interface and preset styles.

Benefits:

• Customization of Templates: Select among a wide range of templates that can be used at various events, including holiday or promotion.
• Simple Video Sharing: Share videos without any hassles on different platforms through a couple of clicks.
• Music Library: Music selection: Add a background music to your storytelling.

The simplicity of the animation software is appropriate to the small business owner who does not have a high learning curve and would rather create a promotional video or other social media content using it.

Use Case: Event Promotion

Animoto can be used by a small event planning business to make promotional videos of the next event. Through displaying photos of previous events as well as testimonials, they will be in a good position to attract new clients and create interest.

Conclusion

In 2025, small companies can enjoy a plethora of budget friendly tools that can be used to generate image to video at their disposal. Besides assisting in the development of interesting content, the platforms enable the businesses to narrate their stories in an interactive manner. We can talk about Image to Video Generator of Magic Hour, the animation abilities of Animaker, or the multifunctionality of Canva, all of them are useful in their own way and address different needs.

Small business can adopt these tools to develop their marketing strategies, attract their audiences and eventually grow by using these tools. With the digital world ever-changing, the leverage of the power of video will be an important part of successful marketing in next few years.