In order to increase conversion rates, businesses need to ensure that their product images are high quality and accurately reflect the products being sold. Good product images can help to increase consumer confidence in a product, as well as making it more likely that potential customers will click through to purchase. Additionally, businesses should make sure that their product images are optimized for mobile devices, as more and more consumers are using their phones and tablets to shop online.
Why are good product images so important?
The quality of your product images can have a direct impact on your conversion rate. This is because potential customers need to be able to see what they are buying in order to feel confident about making a purchase. If your product images are low quality, blurry, or do not accurately reflect the product, potential customers are less likely to purchase from your site. Additionally, if your product images are not optimized for mobile devices, you could be missing out on sales from customers who are shopping on their phones or tablets.
You only have 13 milliseconds to impress shoppers
A study conducted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology found that the human brain can process images in as little as 13 milliseconds. This gives you a very short time frame to make a good impression and convince shoppers to stay on your page and learn more about your product. Make sure that your product image is high quality and represents your brand well, as it could be the deciding factor in whether or not a customer decides to purchase your product.
Quality product images reduce returns and boost sales
Quality product images are not only important for driving traffic to your site but also reducing returns. An average return rate for online retailers is 30%. The cost of processing a return is estimated to be around $30. This means that for every $100 of online sales, you can expect to lose $30 due to returns. The good news is, quality product images can help reduce your return rate. In fact, studies show that high-quality images can reduce returns by up to 25%. The bottom line is, if you want to increase sales and reduce returns, invest in quality product images.
Bad product images cause abandoned carts
Bad product images do more than just cause returns. They also hinder conversions. According to a study by CrowdRiff, 67% of consumers say that the quality of a product image is “very important” in their decision to buy. The bottom line is if you want to increase conversions, invest in quality product images. Quality product images improve customer satisfaction Quality product images not only help you increase sales and reduce returns, but they also improve customer satisfaction. According to a study, 61% of consumers say that they are “satisfied” with a purchase when the product image is good. On the other hand, only 19% of consumers say that they are “satisfied” with a purchase when the product image is bad. The bottom line is if you want to improve customer satisfaction, invest in quality product images.
Quality product images increase brand awareness
Quality product images not only help you increase sales and reduce returns, but they also help you increase brand awareness. According to our study, 62% of consumers say that they are more likely to buy from a brand that they recognize. And, 56% of consumers say that they are more likely to buy from a brand that they trust. The bottom line is if you want to increase brand awareness and trust, invest in quality product images.
SEO boost
There are a number of ways how quality product images can boost your store's SEO:
1. Use descriptive filenames and alt tags. When you save your images, be sure to use descriptive filenames (e.g. instead of image1.jpg, use something like blue-jeans.jpg). This will help search engines understand what the image is of, and index it accordingly. When shoppers search for products on Google, they are more likely to click on your product photo if it's of high quality!
2. Optimize your image file sizes. Large image files can slow down your website, which can hurt your SEO. Be sure to optimize your images for the web, which means saving them in an appropriate file format and size.
3. Use product images to share on social media. Sharing images on social media is a great way to get more eyes on your content. When you share a product image, be sure to include a brief, keyword-rich description to encourage people to click through.
Must-have product images in Ecommerce
1. Product photos on a plain background.
Product photos with a light background are important because they help your products stand out and look more professional.
2. Product photos with people using the product.
People love seeing photos of other people using the products they are interested in. It helps them visualize how the product will fit into their own lives.
3. Product photos in real-life settings.
Real-life settings help potential customers understand the size and scale of your products.
4. Product photos with close-ups of key features and textures.
Close-ups are important because they allow potential customers to see the details of your products. This is especially important for products with intricate designs, unique features, and textures.
5. Product photos with creative lighting.
Creative lighting can make your products look more dramatic and eye-catching. It can also help highlight certain features that you want potential customers to notice.
6. Lifestyle product photos.
Lifestyle elements help potential customers see how your products fit into their everyday lives. It also helps them understand the personality of your brand.
10 tips for better product images
1. Product images should be clear and in focus.
This one seems like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many ecommerce sites have blurry or poorly lit product photos. Your product images should be clear and in focus, with no pixelation or blurriness. This will give your customers a better idea of what they’re looking at and help them to make a more informed purchase decision.
2. Use a plain background.
Your product should be the star of the show, not the background. Use a plain background (preferably white) to make sure your product is the focus of the image. A busy or cluttered background can be distracting and take away from the product itself.
3. Every product needs multiple images.
One photo just isn’t enough. In order to give your customers a complete idea of the product, you need to provide multiple images from different angles. At a minimum, you should have a photo of the product itself, as well as a close-up of any important details.
4. Use high-resolution images.
The last thing you want is for your product images to look pixelated or low-resolution. Use high-resolution images (preferably at least 1000px by 1000px) to ensure that your photos look sharp, no matter how your customers are viewing them.
5. Use natural lighting.
Whenever possible, use natural lighting to take your product photos. This will help to ensure that your photos look natural and realistic, rather than harsh or artificial.
6. Avoid using filters.
In general, you should avoid using filters or other post-processing effects on your product photos. These can often make photos look fake or overdone, which can turn customers off. If you do use any filters, make sure they’re subtle and don’t change the overall look of the photo too much.
7. Show the product in use.
In addition to traditional product photos, consider showing the product in use. This can help customers to better visualize how the product would fit into their own lives. For example, if you’re selling a piece of furniture, you might include a photo of it in a room.
8. Use models sparingly.
If you do decide to use models in your product photos, use them sparingly. Having too many models in a photo can be distracting and take away from the product itself. In general, it’s best to use models only if they’re absolutely necessary to convey the message you’re trying to communicate. For example, if you have a fashion store you want to include images of models of different sizes to show how your item will fit different body types.
9. Be consistent with your product photos.
It’s important to be consistent with your product photos, both in terms of style and quality. This will help create a cohesive look for your site and make it easier for customers to find the product photos they’re looking for.
10. Have a plan for product photography.
Creating high-quality product photos takes time and effort, so it’s important to have a plan in place before you start. Decide what style you want your photos to have, how many photos you need, and who will be responsible for taking them. Having a plan will help to ensure that your photos turn out the way you want them to.
Why conversion rate optimization is impossible without good quality product photos and what you can do about it
The process of conversion rate optimization (CRO) is a data-driven strategy that focuses on optimizing a website to increase the number of conversions it generates. One of the most important elements of a successful CRO strategy is using high-quality product photos. Product photos that are well-lit, clear, and accurately represent the product can have a significant impact on conversion rates. In addition, using multiple photos from different angles can give visitors a better sense of what the product looks like and how it works, which can further increase conversion rates.
When optimizing product photos for conversion rate, it’s important to consider the following:
1. Use High-Quality Photos
Using high-quality product photos is one of the most important things you can do to improve your conversion rates. Poorly lit, blurry, or otherwise low-quality photos will turn visitors away and make it less likely that they’ll take the desired action on your website.
2. Use Photos With Different Angles
Using multiple photos from different angles can give visitors a better sense of what the product looks like and how it works. In addition, including photos of the product in use can be helpful in convincing visitors to take the desired action.
3. A/B Test Different Product Photos
A/B testing is a method of testing two different versions of a web page to see which one performs better. This can be used to test different photos, as well as different text, calls to action, and other elements on a page. Test different photos to see which ones have the biggest impact on conversion rates.
Product photos are an important element of a successful CRO strategy that have a significant impact on conversion rates.
If you need help with A/B testing your product images or need help understanding what product images you are missing, book a free strategy call with me. I will help you to understand what product images you need and how to get the most value from them.