It's no secret that online shopping is convenient, quick, and can be done in the comfort of your pajamas. Customers no longer have to wait in long lines or find time in their busy days to drive to the store just to purchase a small gift, a new piece of clothing, or even to order numbers from a catalog with a check to be mailed. Now, customers enjoy the joy of instant gratification with just a few simple clicks, and their new purchase is on its way. This convenience has driven a significant increase in online shopping, to the point where groceries can be delivered within the day and, potentially soon, drones will deliver parcels within a few hours. When shopping online or in a catalog, buyers heavily rely on the product's photograph. Many platforms have begun to offer photo shoot services, like Amazon Product Photography. We should emphasize the importance of imagery and learn more about photography industry knowledge to maintain a leading position in the eCommerce industry. The following are five product photography strategy mistakes that companies often make in the process of online selling. Mistake #1: Creating a Complete Product but Failing to Show It Fully It's astonishing how often a company will spend a considerable amount of time creating a product, only to barely demonstrate what it can do once it's on display. Why spend time creating a full product if you don't plan on showing all of it? It makes no sense! This not only wastes the time used to create those unfeatured details but also loses money by not showing customers the complete product. Omitting detailed shots results in overlooked features. It's plain and simple. You are harming your revenue and reputation by not leveraging your true potential. Every product is designed for a specific reason. By adding close-up photographs, you instantly increase the value and desirability of your items. Your products and their features are already there; now, all we have to do is showcase them to the world. Detailed product photos ensure your place as the top seller in any search result. Mistake #2: Providing a Low-Quality Photo for a High-End Product When shopping online, a customer places a lot of trust in the seller. They trust that the product will be the right color, the right brand, the right size – that’s a significant amount of trust to place in a company. If a high-end product, say a designer bag, is advertised with a grainy, low-quality photo, then customers may wonder if the bag is fake. They associate the quality of the photo with the quality of the product. To boost sales, consider taking high-quality photos of all your products, so customers know they are getting the best. Without a photo, potential clients won't know what they are buying. A photo for any item is essential. A photo allows potential clients to connect with your designs and find a style that suits them. Using high-quality photos for your products will begin to build trust and recognition for your designs, keeping your customers loyal. If your design is good, it will translate well into a quality photo. To any company, you want your designs to shine, but costly photography services can be a pain. Many professional product photography companies offer high-quality photographs at a reasonable price, so you can attract more customers to your designs. These companies understand the benefits of a proper photo and want you to see the difference it can make in your sales. Mistake #3: Deceiving Customers When shopping online or in a catalog, buyers rely heavily on the photograph of a product. They need to trust a company to provide exactly what is advertised. Often, returns are based solely on the fact that the real product differed too much from the image, making the customer feel, in a sense, betrayed. This is a surefire way to lose a customer for good – the customer no longer feels they can trust that brand and will consistently look elsewhere. Some companies choose to make their product look cooler and more appealing using Photoshop. While this may seem like a good idea, the company is essentially deceiving its customers. Photoshop may enhance the dynamics of a product's photo, but it won't increase sales. Other companies try to trick customers by uploading low-quality images, taking product pictures from extreme distances, and other methods to avoid showing a close-up look at their actual item. These techniques lead to disappointment and frustration once a customer receives the item and sees the poor quality for themselves. Don't let customers think your company is the same as other untrustworthy businesses. You provide great products, and you should be proud to show high-quality, close-up photos in your item listings. Truly wonderful products can withstand the scrutiny of detailed photographs highlighting their best features and design accents. Professionally detailed photo listings are now more important than ever due to the decreasing attention span caused by ubiquitous technology. The average adult only has 8 seconds before they shift their focus to a new item on their screen. Most of your competitors are merely glanced over as a customer scrolls through a search result. A professional product photography company gives you the power to capture the attention of a customer with their impressive visual creations. They use Photoshop only to ensure the fine details of a product are accentuated, making sure potential customers know what they are buying. Your products deserve the attention we can provide, telling their entire story without uttering a single word. Mistake #4: Underestimating the Importance of Detail Shots Some companies overlook the significance of the little details on their products, resulting in a loss of potential sales. For instance, if you purchased a brand-new car and it arrived without wheels, you'd be extremely upset. Although tires constitute only a small portion of the entire car, their importance is undeniable. Unfortunately, too many companies believe they can list their products without any attention to detail, leading to situations where customers find out essential components, metaphorically the "tires," were not included. Detailed product photos allow your customers to examine every curve, surface, and aspect of your product. This enables customers to know exactly what they are purchasing and instills the confidence to proceed with their purchase. Establishing trust with online shoppers is crucial to completing a sale, especially when there is no direct interaction with the product during the shopping experience. Customers want assurance that their money will secure the exact item they desire. Detailed product photos provide a visual experience that rivals the sensation of physically holding the items. Avoid repeating the mistake of skipping detailed photos and not providing a comprehensive product description. This basic yet critical step secures customer commitment and dispels any doubts they might have. Mistake #5: Stagnant Product Photography Strategy Adapting to the ever-evolving e-commerce market is vital for standing out. Despite the allure of flashy photos and stylized shoots, it's essential to stay abreast of new trends and regulations in product photography. As e-commerce platforms evolve, customers expect a certain level of quality from online sellers. For example, Amazon has updated its furniture guidelines to prioritize specific, clear, and informational shots, moving away from flashy images and text bubbles as the initial customer interface. The new regulations also call for environment photos, in-use shots, and detailed shots to showcase textures and unique designs. To stay ahead, consider partnering with an Outsourced Product Photography Company. They can ensure your products are showcased in the best light, with detailed shots and creative backgrounds. These companies tailor each shoot to meet platform-specific requirements, such as Amazon's, while also injecting creativity to bring your products to life. Clear, informational, and relatable photos draw customer attention, and detail shots let customers know exactly what they are buying. Choosing an outsourced photography service ensures consistency and clarity across your product range, keeping your brand at the forefront of the market. Remember, photographs are the most effective way to communicate a product's value to customers. Earning a buyer's trust with professional imagery is invaluable, enhancing your product and brand perception. As Amazon and other platforms continue to refine their photography standards, aligning with these expectations elevates your business's professionalism. Mistake #6: Overlooking All Photography Options Deciding between in-house and outsourced photography requires careful consideration of various factors, including who takes the photos, camera quality, and the uniqueness of backdrops. Outsourcing product photography offers several advantages: Precision and Coordination: Unlike in-house teams, high-quality outsourced companies have dedicated departments for coordinating between clients and photographers, ensuring that products are photographed according to the client's vision and strategy. Diverse Settings: In-house photography may be limited to available settings, whereas outsourced companies offer a variety of pre-built scenes in different sizes, showcasing your products in unique and appealing ways. Readiness: In-house departments often have limited resources, but professional photography companies boast teams capable of processing large volumes of high-quality photos daily, offering access to a wide array of props, lighting, and backdrops. Considering these aspects can significantly impact how your products are presented and perceived, making it crucial to evaluate all available options for product photography. Summary Navigating the world of eCommerce requires a keen understanding of product photography, a crucial element that directly influences customer perception and sales. This guide highlights six common mistakes in product photography strategies that can adversely affect online retailers. From failing to showcase the complete product to underestimating the importance of detail shots, each mistake underscores the necessity of investing in high-quality, detailed, and authentic product imagery. PENCIL ONE Product Photography can address issues such as precision, diversity of settings, and readiness, offering a professional edge in a competitive marketplace. As online shopping continues to grow, the ability to communicate a product's value through photography is not just an advantage—it's a necessity. Aligning photography strategies with current trends, standards, and customer expectations can significantly enhance brand perception, trust, and ultimately, success in the eCommerce domain.
