Great product photography is essential when you're selling online. Eighty percent of people remember what they see and do, while only 20 percent remember what they read, and 10 percent remember what they hear, according to an infographic from Wyzol. So even if you have great copy and product titles, if you don’t have high-quality images, you’re missing out on a core segment of potential customers. Here are some other ways professional product photography can help your business.
1. PEOPLE WILL BE MORE CONFIDENT IN MAKING A PURCHASE.
If you’re selling online, people don’t have the benefit of getting up close and physically handling your products. You’ll want to fill in that gap by providing them with as much information as possible through your images. Put yourself in your customers’ shoes and try to consider any questions they might have. Show every size, color, and style option. Include different angles, show the product in-use, and highlight all of its features, such as interior pockets and lining, zippers, etc. This information and visual proof will help customers feel more confident in making a purchase, and you'll also decrease the likelihood of returns.
2. YOU’LL BE ABLE TO SELL ON MAJOR ONLINE MARKETPLACES.
Online marketplaces like Amazon, Ebay, and Google Shopping have set image guidelines. Amazon, for example, requires a white background on products’ primary images. These websites are a major opportunity for your brand. If you have high-quality images on a white seamless background, you'll have more opportunities to submit and sell your products.
3. PEOPLE ARE MORE LIKELY TO SHARE YOUR PRODUCTS ON SOCIAL MEDIA.
If your products are nice to look at, people are far more likely to share them on imaged-based social media platforms such as Pinterest and Polyvore. Many people use Pinterest to bookmark things they want to buy, or to discover new products — but they want their boards to be visually appealing. If you have impressive images, your products have a better chance of being re-pinned or clicked on by others. Polyvore is dedicated solely to shopping, and some people even share products on platforms such as Tumblr, Instagram, and Facebook.
4. YOU CAN GET PRESS EXPOSURE.
Press exposure is a huge opportunity for your business. If you want your product to appear in magazines, newspaper, blogs, and other publications, professional photography is essential. While certain publications will want to take their own photographs, some blogs might want you to provide the images. You should also consider that editors are constantly overwhelmed with pitches. You need to make an impression very quickly, so your photos will need to stand out.
5. YOUR WEBSITE WILL HAVE A BETTER USER EXPERIENCE.
Professional photography will give your brand consistency. If your photos are taken in the same style, by the same photographer, your collection pages will look clean, professional, and aesthetically appealing. And in addition to having a better overall look, large high-quality photos may allow you to implement additional features on your website. A zoom feature, for example, requires very large, high-resolution images.