Ecommerce retail sales have been growing exponentially over the past decade. Within this year, they account for almost 13.7% of all retail sales around the world. This number is further predicted to grow, reaching an even more impressive 17.5% by 2021.
Adding to this, there are 12 to 24 million eCommerce sites currently active on the Internet.
However, on average, only 2.86% of website visits actually lead to a purchase.
The main reason behind this low percentage is the inability to actually touch and feel products while shopping online. About 41% of online shoppers abandon transactions at the virtual checkout, but this number drops down to just 24% for in-store purchases.
People still tend to gravitate towards brick and mortar stores, with 85% preferring it over online. That’s because, in stores, they can properly inspect the product, and determine whether it meets their expectations.
So, what is the solution to increase online purchases? It’s simple, really. Personalized shopping experiences.
And one of the best ways to integrate personalization into your online store, is to use professional product photography.
With visual content being rated as the most important by 32% of marketers, high resolution product photography is just what your business needs.
How Professional Product Photography Works
The aim behind product photography is to accurately AND attractively represent your products for advertising purposes.
When done by a professional, this can present your product in an extremely flattering light, and increase its charm.
An expert photographer understands the entire process well, and uses the following to shoot eye-catching images of your products;
- Suitable background props
- Appropriate themes
- Proper lighting
- Correct camera angles
- Depth of field
Types Of Ecommerce Product Photography
There are two basic types of photography you can get done for your products page, and even to use for promotion on other marketing channels;
Lifestyle Photos
This shows your products being used for its intended purpose – usually alongside complementary products. Models, celebrities, and even influencers may be brought in to further increase the value of the product.
Here’s an example:
<iframe width=”560″ height=”315″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/30xkhqHHcNA” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture” allowfullscreen></iframe>
Product-Focused Images
These are clean-cut images, generally with a white background that focus only on displaying the product effectively. Using this kind of product photography, you can get perfect shots of your featured products. Be sure to showcase them from the different angles.
This is what a product-only shoot looks like:
How Professional Product Photography Drives Sales
Your products represent your company, and help boost your brand. Since online shopping takes away the ability to physically touch and feel the products, users rely heavily on high-quality photographs to assess your products.
Bearing in mind that almost 22% of all products ordered online are returned with complains of being different than what was advertised – here are some other reasons why you should opt for a professional photographer.
To Provide Top Quality Product Images
Regardless of whether you’re a new company, or have been around for years – your product photography will serve as a window to your brand.
Hence, it is essential to have high-quality images that clearly showcase the various features of your products.
An example of this is Amazon, leading online retailer with a net revenue of $232.88 billion. The platform requires at least 1006 pixel images, because they know that customers want to be able to zoom in, and closely inspect the product before buying.
Consider this; if you’re a fashion retailer, close-up shots of the pieces can help buyers get an idea of the feel, and texture of the fabric.
To Earn Credibility
Imagine clicking on a website with the intent to purchase, only to be greeted with low-quality pictures of items arranged in a haphazard manner, with poor lighting and dull angles. You would click away within seconds.
To ensure that this doesn’t happen, hire a professional photographer to assess your inventory, and figure out the best way to portray your products.
The photographer will hold a consultation to determine what kind of brand image and theme you wish to build, and then further improvise on that.
Remember, high-quality pictures not only testify to the quality of your product, but also help in creating a sense of trust through transparency. They shape the customer’s first impression; serving as a tipping point of whether they will choose to browse further, or leave the site.
To Bring In Conversions
Since 90% of the info taken in by our brain is visual, customers are always first engaged by pictures, rather than product descriptions.
In other words, pictures play a pivotal role in purchase decisions – which in turn affects your conversion, and retention rates.
According to a study conducted by eBay, professional product photography can:
- Help increase buyer’s attention, trust and conversion rates
- Double your conversion rate with each image added
- Increase the probability of making a profit
Another important point to remember is that 65% visual content is retained for three days, while stand-alone written content has an extremely low retention rate of 10%.
Moreover, posts on social media are better-received, when paired when high-quality visual content. Facebook posts with images have seen more than double increase in engagement, compared to those without.
As a result, these posts have more consumer interaction, such as shares, likes and comments – along with a higher number click through rates for your website.
Talk To An Expert
With years of experience in product photography for eCommerce stores, Los Angeles Aerial Image is your best bet at standing out amongst a host of competitors.
Our clean, clear and creative photos help you draw in prospective buyers, and keep them engaged with high-resolution images that are true to your brand.
So what are you waiting for? Hire a professional photographer today and start displaying your products in the best way! Contact us now.
Note: Featured photo is a screen shot take from Casey Neistat’s Video, to reference the package being held was a product photography photo taken by Los Angeles Aerial Image.
Samples: