Table of Contents
- 1. The Number of Images Per Product
- 2. Show All Colours, Details and Designs
- 3. Photograph Products in Context
- 4. Maximise Your Product's Image Appeal
- 5. Allow Your Products to Be Seen
- 6. Consistency is Key
- Is All This Effort Really Necessary?
- FAQ
6 Strategies to Revamp Product Images for eCommerce Websites
To get people to buy your products, outstanding product images are a must. People recall over 80% of what they see, but only 20% of what they read. This proves that visuals truly count. If your product images aren't compelling, many sales opportunities could slip away. Here are six proven strategies to make your product images stand out.
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1. The Number of Images Per Product
You need to consider how many images you want to display for each product. This will be affected by where you are displaying your products — for example, on your own website or using a third-party marketplace like Amazon or Google Shopping. Usually, the more detail you can provide in your product images, the better. Sites like Amazon and eBay allow you to use plenty of different images.
If you are using your own website to sell products and you have a large catalogue, you may be limited in the number of images you can use. Whatever the number you choose, you need to remain consistent for every product in your store. We'd advise using a minimum of three product images per listing.
2. Show All Colours, Details and Designs
If you have a number of colours and designs for a product, you should provide an image of each. Never expect a potential customer to buy a product if they haven't seen it in all available colours and styles.
This is especially true when it comes to fashion items. Don't just take a photograph of the most popular style or colour. After all, not everybody has the same taste.
3. Photograph Products in Context
Every product is different, and the perceived benefits of each product are different too. Don't just rely on a customer to use their imagination in how to best use a product or place it in their home. You need to illustrate clearly the main selling points of your products.
You can also allow your potential customers to become emotionally attached to a product. Illustrating how the product can fit into their everyday life is a great way of getting your message across.
For example, if you were selling sofas, it's a good idea to place the sofa in a home environment with attractive surroundings. The potential customer can then get a clearer idea of how the product could fit into their own home.
4. Maximise Your Product's Image Appeal
This may seem obvious, but it is the most important part of producing great product images. The more attractive and appealing your images look, the more likely you are to make a sale.
There are a number of different ways to spruce up your product images and make them look as attractive as possible:
- Lighting is a key element. Avoid any shadows and make sure that each product is evenly lit.
- Experiment with your camera's photo settings to improve your shots. Once you find something that works, stick to it and be consistent.
- Keep your camera still and stable. Even the slightest movement will create blurring.
- Create an attractive background for all your images and make sure you are consistent in their appearance.
- Consider using different angles for your product shots. Experiment until you find something that works for your particular product.
- Allow time for editing your images. Consistent image editing provides you with great-looking products.
5. Allow Your Products to Be Seen
Product images are always the first thing a website visitor will gravitate towards. Regardless of how good your text is, it's human instinct to look at the images first. The reason is that images are quicker to process — we can decipher numerous things from a first glance at a product image: design, size, colour, shape, and more.
So should we maximise the number of images on an eCommerce site? Not exactly. A site overloaded with images would cause confusion. Use your images tactically — for example, at the end of one product listing, suggest alternative products with images of each.
There are also many other places on the web where you can maximise product visibility — adverts, social media, and more. Aim to spread your product images far and wide.
6. Consistency is Key
Consistency is key to maintaining a strong brand identity and providing a quality feel to your site. Colours, image styles, image size, and image quality should all be consistent across your entire catalogue.
Is All This Effort Really Necessary?
Absolutely. Product images are the most important aspect of selling products online. Your potential customers will always be drawn to a photograph before they read any text on your website. You need to make sure that your product images stand out, are consistent, and are displayed in as many places as possible.
Send us your images for a free sample edit — With over 10 years' experience and 380+ eCommerce clients, Pixel by Hand can help you transform your product photography. Get started today.
FAQ
How many product images should I have per listing? We recommend a minimum of three images per product: a main hero shot, a close-up detail shot, and an alternative angle or lifestyle shot. Marketplaces like Amazon allow up to nine images — use as many as you can to give customers the best possible view.
Does image consistency really affect sales? Yes. Consistent product images create a professional, trustworthy brand experience. Studies show that shoppers are more likely to purchase from stores where the imagery feels cohesive and high-quality. Inconsistent images can make your store look unprofessional and reduce buyer confidence.
Should I include lifestyle images alongside product-only shots? Absolutely. Lifestyle images help customers visualise how a product fits into their life, which builds emotional connection and increases the likelihood of purchase. The ideal approach is a combination of clean product-only shots (often on a white background) and contextual lifestyle images.
Can I improve my existing product images without reshooting? Yes. Professional photo editing services can significantly improve existing images through colour correction, background removal, retouching, and resizing. This is often far more cost-effective than organising a full reshoot.
What's the most common product image mistake? Inconsistency. Many eCommerce stores have products photographed at different times, with different lighting, backgrounds, and styles. This creates a fragmented shopping experience that erodes trust. Establishing clear image guidelines — or using a professional editing service to standardise your images — solves this problem.