How to Create Effective Product Images to Boost Online Sales
The biggest advantage a brick and mortar store has over an online store is the fact that shoppers can see the product in person, read everything on the packaging, and imagine themselves using it by fiddling with it. This is why great product images are so important for online stores. Flattering pictures could be the deciding factor for potential customers especially if you are selling apparel or luxury items.
Some key points to remember when preparing your product images:
Show all angles.
Whether it’s shoes or computers, people need information. They need to see what kind of tread is on the bottom of that shoe and what kind of ports are on the back of the computer. If it comes in different colors, show it different colors. Not everyone can imagine something they can’t see. Since online shoppers can’t touch your product while deciding, give them the next best thing by providing a 360-degree view if you can!
What size is it?
For products that can vary in size, such as jewelry, tools, toys, and numerous other items where suitable size is a deciding factor, a photo that shows the scale of the product is more useful than simply writing the dimensions into the description. Few people have easy access to a ruler or tape measure when they are shopping online, so showing a person holding a product or displaying it next to a quarter will help the shopper get a good sense of how large it really is.
Show it in context.
Products whose function is obvious, like mugs or lotions, don’t require any imagination to know what it’s like to use it. More novel products, however, can benefit greatly from a picture that shows it being used. You can talk about a Snuggie all you like, but a picture of someone lounging on a couch while wearing one speaks volumes to a shopper.
Use a white background.
Unless you are photographing an action shot, a white background generally makes for fewer distractions for shoppers. It’s also easier to crop your product out if you need to use it in other applications, such as websites or brochures.
Don’t underestimate the value of posting quality images that accurately represent your product. Nobody wants a surprise in the mail only to find it’s not what they thought they purchased. Poor quality images leads to customer frustration and returns. Bottom line, if images look high quality, they will have a positive impact on both your brand and more importantly, your conversion rate.
Zoe is a web designer by day and a caped super-hero by night. Okay not really, but she really is a web designer at Nexternal with over 14 years of experience coding HTML, CSS, and other magical web things. She also enjoys helping others, which is a bit like channeling her inner hero. Google+ Profile
