To get ahead of the competition, sellers must make their product listings stand out. Just as important as well-executed written content is effective product imagery. Professional photos both showcase your products and build customer trust. How many times have you found a product listing online with low resolution, poorly shot images? For many shoppers, that’s enough to make them click away entirely.
Professional imagery doesn’t just look the part; it must also meet GS1 standards and other critical logistics for retail goods. With so many factors at play, image processing can become complicated for sellers that lack expertise. Creating quality imagery is easier said than done, but here are some important guidelines we follow when working with our partners.
Capture Images in a Professional Studio
When creating marketing imagery, it’s important to represent products in the best light possible—literally. Image capturing is a deceptively simple process that requires proper equipment, setup and, yes, lighting to get a professional look. Product images must also adhere to GS1 guidelines for retail goods. Exact requirements depend on the kinds of products, so expertise handling a variety of goods is valuable.
To meet end-to-end needs, photographers must take multiple images of everything from packaging, assembly and even “ready-to-serve” images if food is involved. Customers need to know what products look like inside and outside their boxes, their measurements and their applicability in everyday life. Taking the shopper’s mindset when producing product imagery is a great way to maximize its effectiveness.
Hand Them Off to Post-Production
An image producer’s job isn’t done once the camera’s turned off; in fact, most professionals agree quality content is made in the editing room. Usually, a separate post-production team handles color correction, clipping paths, specific backgrounds and any other editing that images require after capture. This is our preferred method, as all products are captured in our Chicago studio before being sent to our editors in India.
Another crucial, often overlooked aspect of post-production is file organization. To minimize error and wasted time, there should be a specific process, if not specific employees, dedicated to naming files, maintaining the correct formats and ensuring a smooth workflow. Proper attention to detail is needed to meet the standards of both GS1 and clients.
Skip Traditional Product Photography
Everything we’ve covered can be applied to any kind of product imagery, but we strongly advise to explore opportunities beyond traditional, static product images, if possible. Specifically, Tulfa stands out as a content agency for enhancing product listings using 3D services like 360-degree spins and CGI renders.
When shopping online, customers are not able to examine or touch the product to understand its features. Images only give a one-directional view of the product. For demonstrating its best features, a brand must take several photographs of a product.
3D product photography effectively eliminates this issue by showing a product from all angles. Websites now offer interactive models that allow customers to rotate, drag, change, resize and even see products in motion, all using their mouse or touchscreen. This functionality gives customers everything they need to make a purchasing decision.
CGI renders are the most versatile, affordable forms of product imagery. They are easily created using just computer software, eliminating the need for hiring photographers and renting studio space and equipment. Today’s consumers are always seeking new shopping experiences that better connect them to products, and CGI can do just that. Once created, 3D models can be used for any marketing purpose, from product listing images, to lifestyle shots, to augmented reality. The possibilities truly are endless.
CGI imagery has grown into one of our primary services this last year due to its ability to be quickly created anywhere, something our remote employees surely enjoy.
Partner with Tulfa
We hope this blog has shed some light on the importance of product imagery and our enhancement tactics. The fact of the matter is, some sellers simply don’t have the resources to product quality content, especially during these trying times. This is where dedicated content agencies, like Tulfa, come in.
We’re here to help. Shoot us an email or reach out to us on social media. As one of ecommerce’s leading content providers, we make sure customers notice your products. Check out our services for more information and a free sample of our work.
