Why Good Product Photos Are Key to E-commerce?
Product photos are one of the most important elements in an e-commerce store like an online shop. Customers cannot touch or try out a product, so they make purchasing decisions based on photos and descriptions.
Properly prepared product photos increase conversions, improve brand image and reduce returns.
Key Features of Ideal Product Photos for E-commerce
1. High Quality and Resolution
Photos should be sharp, clear, and have an adequate resolution. The standard is to use photos with a minimum width of 1000-2000 pixels to allow the user to zoom in on details. Avoid blurry, noisy or overly compressed photos.
2. Neutral and Unified Background
The best background for product photos is white or light gray, which highlights the product and eliminates distracting elements. The background should be uniform and clean, without shadows or reflections, making the photo look professional.
3. Natural and Well-Balanced Lighting
Photos should be well-lit, preferably using natural light or studio lighting. Avoid overly dark shadows and harsh glare that can hide product details.
4. Multiple Angles and Perspectives
Presenting a product from multiple angles allows customers to evaluate its appearance accurately. It is recommended to include:
* Front view
* Side view
* Top view
* Close-ups of key features
* Photos showing the product in context (e.g., clothing on a model, furniture in a room)
5. Realistic Colors
Customers expect products to look similar to photos. Therefore, it’s essential to accurately represent colors. Calibrate your monitor and adjust white balance settings in your camera.
6. Minimalism and Avoidance of Unnecessary Elements
Avoid unnecessary decorations that can distract from the product. If you want to add decorative elements, ensure they harmonize with the product and are not dominant.
7. In-Use Photos
Photos showing products in use help customers visualize how they will look in real life. Examples include watches on wrists, sofas in living rooms, or clothing on models.
8. Zoom Functionality and 360-Degree Views
The option to zoom into photos and display 360-degree views increases user engagement and allows them to examine the product from all angles.
How to Prepare Professional Product Photos?
1. Choosing the Right Equipment
Use a digital camera or high-quality smartphone with:
* A lens with an adequate focal length (e.g., 50 mm for portraits and products)
* A tripod or monopod for stability
* Studio lighting equipment (softbox, ring light)
2. Graphic Editing and Optimization
Photos require minor editing in graphic programs (e.g., Photoshop, Lightroom, Canva) to:
* Adjust brightness and contrast
* Improve sharpness
* Correct colors
* Remove backgrounds (if necessary)
* Crop photos
Additionally, compress photos using tools like TinyPNG or ImageOptim to reduce file size and improve website loading speed.
SEO for Photos – How to Optimize Graphics in E-commerce Stores?
Product photos should be optimized for SEO to increase visibility in search engines:
1. File Names
Use descriptive names, e.g., “black-adidas-sport-shoes.jpg” instead of “IMG_1234.jpg”.
2. Alt Attributes
Add brief, descriptive text, e.g., “Black Adidas sport shoes with white sole”.
3. File Formats
Best formats are JPEG for photos and PNG for graphics with transparency. You can also use modern formats like WebP.
4. File Weight
Optimize files to improve website loading speed. Photos should not exceed 100-200 KB in weight.
5. XML Sitemap for Images
Add product images to the store’s sitemap, allowing Google to index them.
6. Lazy Loading
Implement lazy loading technology to improve website performance.
Conclusion
Good product photos in an e-commerce store are a key factor in sales success. They should be of high quality, well-lit, presented on a neutral background and show the product from multiple angles. Additionally, remember to optimize SEO for your photos, which will increase their visibility in search engines and improve website performance. By following these guidelines, you’ll gain customer trust and boost conversions in your online store.
