The appearance of any online store or e-commerce site can be said to be captivating only if the images of the products and services sold are visually appealing and enhance the sale of the product or service. In fact, we come across many sites online in industry segments that have a wide range of products but very limited or poor display. In the absence of the physical contact and feel experience a prospective buyer has in a physical retail store, any unanswered questions about the product will only culminate in lost sales.
This is where the importance of product pages for any and all eCommerce sites comes to the fore. Product images or photos provide the “final push” for a prospective buyer to become a customer.
After all, pictures speak louder than words and pictures can make the real sale because even a casual site visitor is influenced by product photos, especially if they are displayed in a compelling way and provide answers to many questions such as what are sizes, shapes, colors, dimensions, fabric or material, durability, etc. depending on the product category.
Some of the aspects that are important in product photography can be summarized as:
1. Display in the most suitable environment: They are especially useful for products such as shoes, all-weather fabrics or materials, etc. as the buyer gets a real view of the product not only in a studio environment but also in actual use. Artificial lighting and interior settings may not be suitable for all products. In the case of outdoor products and items, displaying them in the natural environment enhances their appeal.
2. Alternate Images – Multiple shots of product images and angled images can convey a great deal of information, such as:
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Characteristics,
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Benefits,
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Versatility,
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Sense of scale, etc.
These images also convey to the viewer that the site is taking care to ensure that the buyer has all the information on hand to help them through the buying process.
3. Attention to detail: this is a key attribute to sell quality items in which it is necessary to highlight the brand, the special characteristics, the fabric or the material. They are especially useful as a descriptive measure to highlight the unique qualities of art and craft pieces when the focus is on qualities such as tradition, craftsmanship, etc. Such attention to detail also builds trust between the seller and the buyer.
4. As is: For a website that deals in fashion and clothing, the display of items on mannequins is not as appealing as on a ‘living body’. Today, clothing retailers go to great lengths to display images of models wearing clothing to help customers choose their fit and size, along with details of the model’s height, body weight, and garment size for reference. This has worked extremely well, especially for plus size women who feel inadequate or shy about walking into a retail store and finding a dress or garment that fits their size.
Images are certainly attractive and the key to the success of an e-commerce site is good product photography with a great sense of detail to help the online shopping process.