When most people shop, whether they are online or in a brick and mortar store, the physical appearance of the item is one of the selling points most of the time. Of course, with online shopping, the only way to look at the product is through the selection of images the seller offers. Great photos optimized for the web, help to garner better results. What does it mean to optimize images for ecommerce websites though? This is one of the big points of confusion and frustration for many sellers, but it does not have to be.
Let’s look at some of the things you have to do to start optimizing your images.
Taking Quality Photos
The first thing that you have to do is make sure you have high quality photos for all of your products and listings. You do not need to be a professional photographer, but you do need a decent camera and some practice. Even the low priced Canon and Nikon DSLR cameras are high quality and can let you take some great photos. However, you do need to spend some time learning the features and functions of those cameras.
You also need to have decent lighting for the images, as well as a tripod so you can shoot steady. For many types of ecommerce sites, having a simple white or gray background is perfect. With Etsy and some of the creative sites, you may want to experiment a bit more with the photos.
With a bit of practice, you can learn to take great photos for your ecommerce sites. However, if you do not have the time, equipment, or inclination to take quality photos on your own, you can always hire someone to do it for you.
The Right Image Types
You should always use the standard types of image files on the web – .png, .jpg, and .gif. Choosing .jpg is a good option, as it is a nice balance between size and quality, and it is very search engine friendly.
The Right Keywords and Phrases
Just as you need to have the right keywords and phrases in your title, description, and on page content, you need to have the right words associated with your images. Be very clear about what the picture is. For example, if you are selling Halloween costumes, and you have a great photo of a Batman Halloween costume, then the term “Batman Halloween costume” should be the keyword you use in your images. Too many online retailers simply add the product SKU number to the photo rather than a keyword, but how many customers are actually searching for SKU numbers? Keywords are the best option.
Great images are important for your ecommerce site, and it is well worth your time to learn to take and tag pictures the right way. Optimize the images for your site and give all of them a uniform appearance. Whether you are selling on your own site, eBay, or any online store, you always want to put up the best photos.
Summary: The cliché of a picture being worth a thousand words is very true, and any ecommerce site without quality photos is not going to do very well. You are responsible for ensuring that every element of your site is up to par, including the product pictures and their tags and keywords. Go through your site and use the tips here to ensure your photos really show off your products in their best light. Quality pictures of your products with the right keywords attached to them really can make a big difference in the number of sales you have.
Resource: http://blog.referralcandy.com/2012/05/21/optimize-images-ecommerce-seo/