If your web site contains images of products, what is the best way to present those pictures? Is “click to enlarge” the only step to take for an alternative view?
Here are some ideas to jazz up your product images:
1. Get close up shots. If you sell boots, offer a way to see the tread. If you sell handmade jewelry, show the types of clasps.
2. If you sell earrings, do you offer it in a variety of hooks? What does it look like with different ones? Are there safety features for loss included? What do those look like?
3. Know your user. What if your prospect has had a bad experience with a certain hinge on a type of laptop? When buying a new one, they want to see close up shots of how your laptop brands are made. What do known weak areas look like?
4. Remove the cover! Machines with rollers, for example, never seem to have pictures of the insides. Show parts and how they are connected together.
5. Craftsmanship and talent should never hide behind a poor picture. We want to sense the feel of the leather or suede. If you sell boots with fringe, do you offer a video of the boot in action during walking? Your site visitor can not try them on and walk around the store. So, do it for them! A stiff suede fringe over a thin, flowing fringe may sell the boot if you show your customer proof.
Video vs Static Image
Do you offer video of products or static images?
1. What are the use cases? For example, if you sell products to buyers who buy in bulk and must get quotes and information up front for their managers, which do you think will help them the most? An email link to a video or a way to print out a picture for a faster view?
2. Videos are nice for how-to demos. If you make one, tell your site visitor what plug-in or software they may need, in advance of the download, to view it. Describe how long it is and add a call to action prompt to direct them to what you want them to do when they are finished watching your demo.
3. Take a static shot from the video to use as a call to action to get to the video.
4. If you are showing how to take apart or build something, get close up shots. Don’t film the product from far away. Your customer wants to experience it.
5. Offer a choice to your visitors. When it makes sense, offer both video and images, with different angles and close ups. This is especially helpful for higher priced items.
Many people have web sites that sell the exact same thing as the brand or manufacturer does. There are resellers and affiliates to compete with. If you rely on a cookie cutter template provided for you and other resellers are also using it, what are your chances of outselling them?
Let your product images work for you.
Do you enjoy discussions on web design and marketing? Membership is free at Cre8asiteforums.com.
- Follow me on Twitter to communicate and stay connected.
80 Website Usability Heuristics; only $5, PDF
80 Website Conversions Heuristics; only $5, PDF
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for the tips Kim. I think we’re all guilty of forgetting to zoom in on products.
For videos, consider that not everyone wants to view the entire video, and wants a quick way to get to the content. Plus, who has 100 hours in a day to view all the video people are posting to the web?
Add transcripts of videos for:
1. people can review quickly and
2. for those people using screenreaders
Also, the transcript is an SEO silver bullet.
Hi Kim, Great post about the importance of photos. Since people can’t touch, inspect, and turn items around with their own hands, it’s important to have many, many photos. Sometimes, depending on how big the item is, I could have 10+ photos for each item. I received a call from a lady who was upset that the item she received did not have a back. It is hung on a wall and did not require a back. Nevertheless, ever since then, I take photos of the backs of items. I shoot the item from straight on top, from a 45 degree angle, from eye level, from the side, etc. Although I have a light box, I still prefer to take photos outside in the bright sunlight. I find that the sun is the most awesome light of all, even if there are shadows. Great push to do videos. I’ve been procrastinating doing them – I don’t really want to be like Vanna White or the QVC lady, but I think I’ll try it this year and see what it does for conversions.
Really great info about selection of image for my product. It would add more spice to my product marketing online. Thanks.