How to Create the Best Product Images for Ecommerce
If you’re running an eCommerce site, then using high-quality product images is essential to your success. Your customers need to be able to see what they’re buying, and good product photos can make all the difference. But it’s not just about having pretty pictures – there are a few things you should keep in mind when using product images for eCommerce.
Make sure the image is clear and in focus. This sounds like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many blurry or out-of-focus photos there are out there! Customers won’t buy something if they can’t even tell what it is, so take the time to get clear, well-lit shots of your products.
Use multiple angles. People want to see products from different angles before they purchase them – it helps give them a better idea of what the item looks like and whether or not it’s right for them. So don’t just stick with one photo per product; show off as many sides as possible!
Consider using lifestyle shots for product images for eCommerce instead of straight-on product shots. Lifestyle shots help potential customers visualize how the product would fit into their own lives.
Why Are Good Product Images for Ecommerce so Important?
Product images for eCommerce are important because they provide potential customers with a visualization of what they are interested in purchasing. These images also help to create a connection between the customer and the product. By having high-quality and visually appealing product images, eCommerce businesses can increase the likelihood of customers completing a purchase.
The 2012 Internet Retailer Conference and Exhibition (IRCE) report revealed that the quality of a product image is the most important consideration for an online shopper, with alternate views and zooming in close behind.
When customers aren’t in a physical storefront, they have to rely solely on the visuals you provide online. High-quality images are therefore crucial for your business.
1. They Give Your Shoppers a First Impression
When a customer lands on your product page, you have just a few seconds to convince them that your product is worth buying.
A 2013 MIT study found that it takes only 13 ms for our brain to register an image, giving brands a fleeting opportunity to impress us.
The quality of your photos is important because it creates an instant and lasting impression.
2. Customers Want to See Product Images
High-quality images are important because they give customers an idea of the texture, color, and shape of what they are purchasing. Seeing these photos can help a customer feel confident that they are making the right decision.
Product images help customers understand products better, and also help the customer visualize how a product can be used. Shoppers typically like to see more than one image from different perspectives before committing to a purchase.
Most customers prefer to see multiple product images from different angles as it helps them get a better sense of the product. A small minority of customers are content with seeing just one image, while the majority want to see several images (preferably in a 360º view) to make an informed decision.
3. Quality Product Images Generate More Sales and Fewer Returns
According to research, 75% of consumers say the quality of a product image is “very important” to influence their purchase decision.
22% of customers, however, have also admitted to returning products because they look different from how they expected.
The importance of product images cannot be understated. Humans are visual creatures, and an image is often the first thing that will interest a person in a product. In addition, if a product does not look like its image, customers are likely to return it, costing the company money in lost sales and restocking fees.
4. Bad Product Images Hinder Conversions
You may think that any old picture will do, but bad images will only distract your customer from the goal of researching and purchasing.
Your images are an important part of your product page because they provide information and give shoppers clear differentiation between one product and another. If your images are unclear or don’t offer enough information, customers may ignore them or worse, turn to a competitor’s site. Make sure your images are high quality and informative to ensure the best possible chance of a conversion.
5. They Boost SEO Efforts
Including an alt and title attribute to your product photos allows Google and other engines to know exactly what each picture is.
When a user searches on Google for “trail running shoe”, the search engine uses the alt text and description of your photo to determine what it is. This improves your search engine optimization.
When your image closely matches what the searcher is looking for, it has a greater chance of appearing in the search results. This increases traffic to your product pages and can boost your SEO efforts.
By including high-quality images of your products, you can increase the number of visitors that land on your eCommerce pages.
6 Types of Product Images
How can you ensure that your images are meeting the needs of your customers and delivering a great user experience?
By varying your product photos!
Each different kind of product photo has a different purpose. The most effective pages will use a combination of photos to increase sales.
1. Lifestyle Images
Showing how a product is used helps a customer visualize themselves using it. This can help communicate the values that are important in their lifestyle.
A nutritional supplement company might show pictures of people leading healthy lifestyles, with their nutritional supplements nearby.
If you want to show your potential customers how your product or service fits into their lifestyle, then incorporating images of people doing activities they enjoy can help. Showing that you share the same values and interests as your customers can also go a long way.
2. Usage Inspiration Images
Product usage images help show your customers how your products can fit into the many different parts of their life. By including these product images on your company’s website or in your marketing campaigns, you can help give potential customers a better idea of what you can do for them.
If you make cleaning products, you can show potential customers how your products can be used in different areas. For example, you can show how they can be used in the kitchen, the car, and the windows.
If you can demonstrate to buyers how your product or service can be used in multiple ways, they are more likely to be interested in purchasing it.
The pocket on a pair of shorts from clothing company Wolacco is big enough to hold your subway card and keys, making it the perfect workout companion. This shows the versatility of Wolacco’s products and makes them appealing to customers.
These shorts give wearers the versatility to wear them to the gym, on the subway, or around town.
3. Customer Images
Product images are great for showing off your products in action. They tend to get posted on social media and act as great proof for potential customers that your product or service is as great as you say it is.
When your potential customers can see photos of your actual satisfied customers enjoying your product or service, it gives them more confidence that it’s worth their hard-earned money. Seeing real photos feels more genuine than seeing professional images, which can make skeptical consumers more likely to buy.
If you want to use images of your customers on your products, be sure to ask their permission to use them. This will prevent any lawsuits in the future.
Customers can upload their own images to social media, which are then used on the website to allow people to purchase the outfits they’re wearing.
By building a community of users, and allowing them to post their own photos and videos of themselves wearing their clothing, the fitness apparel company allows its customers to make informed decisions about their purchases. This ultimately results in higher customer satisfaction.
4. Textural Images
One of the biggest challenges for eCommerce websites is that customers can’t physically touch the items they’re buying. This is especially true for products that rely heavily on the sensory experience, such as clothing or shoes.
They can’t feel the texture of a shirt or the suppleness of a leather jacket.
The shoe company, Dr. Marten, does an excellent job of describing their black, sleek, black leather shoes.
Textural images provide shoppers with an up-close look at the product, allowing them to see the quality of the materials and workmanship. These photos give customers a better idea of what they can expect from the product before making a purchase.
You can achieve a close-up on a photo by enlarging a high-resolution photo or providing a different picture entirely.
If a buyer considers how the product looks and feels, it’s important to have photos of it.
5. Compatibility Images
Including images of your products being used is a great way to help customers understand what they’re buying. If you’re selling a charger for your phone, for example, showing an image of someone using it with their smartphone will help your customers know what to look for.
An image of the tip and type of connector on the lightning-to-USB cable assures you that you’re making the right choice.
If your product is going to be used with another item, be sure to include an image of both items together. This will give customers peace of mind that they are buying the right item.
6. Size Proportion Images
This style of image is used to help shoppers understand the size of one item compared to another.
If you sell flashlights, it might be helpful to show a hand holding the flashlight so that shoppers have an idea of its size. This way, they can make a more informed decision about whether or not it is the right fit for them.
What Should Be Included in a Product Image?
A product image should include a clear and accurate representation of the product, as well as any relevant details or information. This could include the product name, price, dimensions, etc.
Conclusion
Product images are an essential part of any e-commerce site. They help potential customers see what they’re buying and make a decision about whether or not to purchase. By following the tips above, you can ensure that your product images for eCommerce are clear, well-lit, and informative, which will ultimately lead to more sales!
