We have all heard the phrase, “a picture is worth 1,000 words”.

If you’re selling a product online, images are important. Here are a couple of tips to make sure you’re using images correctly on your website.

Have a reason for the image

Don’t use images simply as a decoration. Your images should have a purpose. While a fancy background image might make your call to action stand out, if it has nothing to do with your product, it may confuse people. Make sure you’re using images purposefully on your site.

Have enough images

This one seems obvious, right? Have you ever searched for real estate online? When Mark and I were searching for our house in Manayunk, we were shocked at how almost all the listings had hardly any photos of the property. How are you supposed to sell a house with no pictures!?

If you’re selling something online, make sure people can see it. Highlight the main features, get detailed and show it off. Detailed photos will help sell your products and help answer any questions your customers might have about them.

But I’m not a professional photographer

While hiring a professional photographer is nice, we understand that it’s not an expense everyone can afford. Luckily, you don’t need a professional to get images that look good. Here are a few tips for better images.

• Invest in a decent camera. As in not your iPhone. High quality digital cameras are much more affordable than they were a few years ago. If you plan on taking pictures yourself, this is a good investment to make.
• Setup a “shooting” area. This doesn’t have to be fancy. Our client Philadelphia Box Lunch Company photographed all of their menu items themselves. They used tablecloths as their background and positioned a few lights to help brighten the area.
• Keep it clean! Make sure the area you are shooting is clean and free of clutter. Taking a picture of a kitchen? Make sure there are no dishes in the sink (You’d be surprised how many home listings had this!). Clutter looks unprofessional, so make sure you clean up.
• Try stock photography. Stock photography has gotten a lot better over the years. No longer is it filled with the cheesy photos of people in business suits shaking hands (please, don’t use those!). You can actually find quality, professional looking images now. Some of our favorites: Pexels and Pixabay.

The use of images on your site will greatly affect overall sales. Make sure your images show off what your trying to sell and have a purpose on your site.