Imagine shopping online and seeing blurry or boring product images—would you still feel confident about buying? High-quality product images are like your store’s silent salesperson, helping customers trust your brand and make a purchase. In this guide, you’ll learn everything about creating amazing eCommerce product images that can boost sales, build trust, and improve your store’s look.
Jump to What This Guide Covers:
- What Is eCommerce Product Imagery?
- Benefits of Great Product Images
- Types of Product Images for eCommerce
- How to Take High-Quality Product Photos
- Image Optimization for SEO
- 4 Common Mistakes to Avoid in eCommerce Imagery
- Advanced Tips for Product Imagery
What Is eCommerce Product Imagery?
eCommerce product imagery refers to photographs or graphical representations of products used in online stores to attract and inform customers. High-quality visuals are essential for showcasing details, highlighting features, and enhancing user experience. Effective imagery often includes multiple angles, lifestyle shots, and zoom features to help consumers make informed purchasing decisions.
3 Main Benefits of Great Product Images
Boosting Customer Trust and Confidence
When people shop online, they can’t touch or try the products. They rely on pictures to understand what they are buying. High-quality product images show customers that you care about your products and your store. Clear and detailed photos make your store look professional and trustworthy. This trust often leads to more sales because customers feel confident in their purchase.
Increasing Click-Through and Conversion Rates
Great product images grab attention and make people want to click. When your products stand out with clear, bright, and appealing photos, customers are more likely to visit your product page. Once they are there, good images help them imagine owning the product, making it easier for them to click “Buy Now.” This is why attractive photos are key to increasing both traffic and sales on your eCommerce store.
Reducing Product Returns with Clear Visuals
One of the biggest reasons people return products is that the item doesn’t look like they expected. Clear and accurate images help avoid this. Show all angles, details, and even size comparisons in your photos so customers know exactly what they are getting. This reduces confusion and helps prevent unhappy customers and extra returns.
High-quality product images are not just pictures—they are powerful tools to grow your store and make your customers happy.
Types of Product Images for eCommerce
Having different types of product images makes your store more appealing and helps customers better understand your products. Let’s explore the key types of eCommerce product images, what they are, and why they matter. I’ll also describe example images for each type to help you visualize how to use them effectively.
Main Product Images / White Background Image
These are the primary images that show your product clearly against a plain background, usually white or light-colored. Their purpose is to present your product in the simplest and cleanest way, making it the first thing customers notice.
Lifestyle Images
Lifestyle images show your product being used in real-life situations. These pictures help customers imagine how the product will fit into their lives.
For example, a camping chair looks more appealing when set up in a lush forest with a campfire in the background and this tells a story and makes the product feel more relatable. These images also create emotional connections that influence buying decisions.
Close-Up Shots
Close-up images zoom in on important details of the product, like texture, stitching, or unique features. They help customers see the quality and craftsmanship of your product.
For instance, a close-up shot of the earring, showcasing its fine details and engraving, gives shoppers a closer look at what makes it special.
360-Degree Views
These are interactive images that let customers view the product from every angle. They create a virtual experience of handling the product, which builds trust and reduces uncertainty.
Infographic Images
Infographic images combine visuals with text to explain the product’s features. These are helpful when you want to highlight specific details, such as measurements, materials, or unique selling points. For example, an infographic of a watch will show its water resistance, battery life, and strap material making it easier for customers to understand the product quickly.
Why These Images Matter
Using all these types of images helps create a complete shopping experience for your customers. They can explore the product in different ways, which builds trust and encourages them to buy.
Now that you know the types of product images, let’s talk about how to create high-quality product photos step by step!
How to Take High-Quality Product Photos (Step-by-Step Guide)
Taking high-quality product photos is a process that needs careful preparation and execution. Below is a complete, step-by-step guide to help you take great product photos that attract customers and boost sales.
Equipment You Need
To take great product photos, you need some basic equipment. Here’s what you’ll need:
| Equipment | Why It’s Important |
|---|---|
| Camera | A DSLR or a good smartphone camera can work. High resolution is key for clear photos. |
| Lighting | Natural light works well, but softbox lights give you more control for indoor shoots. |
| Tripod | Keeps your camera steady to avoid blurry images. |
Using this equipment ensures your photos are sharp, well-lit, and professional-looking.
Step 1: Plan Your Photoshoot
Start by deciding how you want your product to look. Think about the type of photos you need:
- Main product photos for clarity.
- Lifestyle shots to show the product in use.
- Close-up shots for details.
Write down a list of angles and features you want to highlight so you don’t miss anything during the shoot.
Step 2: Set Up Your Space
The right space makes your photos look professional. Follow these steps:
Pick a Well-Lit Area: Choose a space with plenty of natural light or set up softbox lights if indoors.
Use a Clean Surface: A table or flat surface with a plain background works best. White paper or foam boards are great budget-friendly options.
Position Your Product: Place your product in the center and ensure it’s clean and free of dust or smudges.
Step 3: Adjust Your Equipment
Even if you’re using a smartphone, setting it up correctly improves the quality of your photos.
Set Your Camera:
For smartphones: Use manual mode if available to control focus and exposure.
For DSLRs: Use a medium aperture (f/8–f/11) for sharper images.
Use a Tripod: Position your camera at eye level with the product to keep angles consistent.
Check Your Lighting: Avoid harsh shadows by using diffused light or reflectors.
Step 4: Take the Photos
Now it’s time to shoot! Follow these steps for each type of product photo:
Main Product Photos:
Keep the product centered against a plain white background.
Take pictures from the front, side, and back.
Lifestyle Images:
Place the product in a real-life setting.
For example, take a photo of a coffee mug on a table with steam rising.
Close-Up Shots:
Zoom in on specific features like textures, patterns, or small details.
Use proper lighting to avoid shadows in these close-ups.
Creative Angles:
Experiment with flat lays (products arranged on a flat surface).
Try top-down views for products like clothes or accessories.
Step 5: Review and Edit Your Photos
After shooting, review the images and select the best ones. Here’s how to edit them:
- Crop: Focus on the product and remove unnecessary parts of the frame.
- Brightness and Contrast: Adjust these to make the colors pop.
- Background Removal: Tools like Photoshop or Canva can make the product stand out even more.
Or if you are if you are not good at editing or if you don’t have that much time for editing you can take our image retouching service.
Example Workflow for a Product Shoot
Here’s a quick workflow summary for one product:
| Task | Action |
|---|---|
| Set Up Product | Clean and place the product on a white background. |
| Position Lights | Use two softbox lights on either side of the product. |
| Camera Setup | Attach the camera to a tripod and adjust settings for sharp images. |
| Shoot Angles | Capture front, side, back, and close-up views. |
| Edit Photos | Enhance brightness, crop, and remove distractions. |
Now that you’ve captured stunning photos, it’s time to make sure your images perform well on your website. Let’s dive into image optimization for SEO to help your store rank higher and load faster!
Image Optimization for SEO
Optimizing your product images for SEO is just as important as taking high-quality photos. Properly optimized images make your site load faster, rank better on search engines, and improve user experience. Here’s how to do it step by step.
Using Descriptive File Names
The file name of your image can help search engines understand what the image is about. Instead of using generic names like IMG123.jpg, use clear and descriptive names. For example, if your product is a red leather wallet, name the file something like red-leather-wallet.jpg.
Because search engines crawl image file names, so using relevant keywords can help your product appear in image search results, bringing more traffic to your site.
Adding Alt Text for Accessibility and Search Engines
Alt text is a short description of the image that helps visually impaired users and search engines understand your content. Here’s how to write effective alt text:
- Describe the product clearly: “Red leather wallet with gold zipper.”
- Include keywords naturally but avoid keyword stuffing.
Alt text improves accessibility and boosts SEO by making your images more relevant to search engines.
Compressing Images to Improve Page Speed
Large image files slow down your website, which can hurt your rankings and frustrate visitors. Compressing your images makes them smaller without losing quality.
How to Compress Images:
- Use free tools like TinyPNG or online compressors for quick results.
- Many image editing tools, like Photoshop, have a “Save for Web” option that reduces file size automatically.
Always compress your images before uploading them. Large, uncompressed files can make your eCommerce site slow, leading to poor user experience and lower sales. Compressed images load faster and keep your site running smoothly
Choosing the Best Image File Format
Choosing the right file format ensures your images look great without slowing down your site. Here’s a quick guide:
| File Format | Best For |
|---|---|
| JPEG | Photos with lots of colors and details. |
| PNG | Images that need transparency, like logos. |
| WebP | Modern format that offers smaller sizes with high quality. |
Pro Tip: Use WebP if your platform supports it for better speed and quality.
Mobile-Friendly Image Optimization
Make sure your images look great on all devices. Use responsive design techniques like setting image sizes to adjust automatically for different screen sizes.A mobile-friendly website improves user experience and ranks better in mobile search results.
4 Common Mistakes to Avoid in eCommerce Imagery
Even the best intentions can lead to mistakes when creating product photos. Avoid these common errors to ensure your images truly help your eCommerce store grow:
- Using Low-Resolution or Blurry Images:
Blurry photos make your products look unprofessional and can drive customers away. Always use high-resolution images to highlight details and build trust. - Inconsistent Lighting or Angles:
Poor lighting or inconsistent angles can confuse buyers. Stick to a clear, uniform style across all your photos to create a polished and trustworthy look. - Over-Editing That Misleads Customers:
Heavy editing can make products appear different than they are, leading to customer dissatisfaction. Keep edits natural and true to the product. - Ignoring Mobile-Friendly Image Designs:
Many shoppers use their phones to browse. If your images don’t look good on mobile devices, you might lose potential buyers. Always test your images on different screen sizes.
By avoiding these mistakes, you can create images that sell your products effectively.
Advanced Tips for Product Imagery
If you want to take your product images to the next level, try these advanced tips. They can make your photos stand out and give customers a more engaging shopping experience.
Using Models or Props to Add Context
One of the best ways to show how your product fits into real life is by using models or props. For example, if you’re selling clothes, have someone wear the items to show how they look when worn. If you’re selling kitchen tools, place them in a kitchen setting with food to make it feel more natural. This helps customers imagine using the product and makes them more likely to buy.
Creating Videos or GIFs for Dynamic Visuals
Sometimes, a still image isn’t enough to show off your product. Videos or GIFs can give your customers a better understanding of how your product works or how it looks from different angles. For example, showing a chair being sat on or a blender mixing ingredients in action can help customers make a more informed purchase decision. Videos or GIFs also make your website more interactive and engaging.
Leveraging Augmented Reality (AR) for a Better Customer Experience
Augmented Reality (AR) is a cutting-edge technology that allows customers to virtually “try” products before buying them. For example, furniture brands use AR to let customers see how a chair will look in their living room through their phone. This gives buyers more confidence in their purchase, knowing they’ve seen how the product will fit into their space.
These advanced techniques, create more interactive and engaging product imagery that not only attracts customers but also helps them feel more confident in their buying decisions.
