Are Your Product Photos Costing You Sales?
- Jon Allen
- 24 hours ago
- 2 min read
Product photography isn’t decoration. It’s conversion, returns, and compliance—rolled into pixels. In large-scale tests, over half of users start by exploring product images on the page. Weak images drive second-guessing and drop-offs.
Shoppers also punish “thin” content. Multiple studies aligned with Salsify’s research show more than half of consumers won’t buy when product content is incomplete or the images are low-quality. That affects not just conversion, but returns and your shortage claims narrative.
First principles (spell it out, then show it)
Primary image: pure white background (RGB 255,255,255); crisp, fills ~85% of frame; no text overlays. Retailer and marketplace standards still require this.
Coverage set (7+ images): front, back/ingredients, scale/dimensions, in-the-box contents, close-ups, lifestyle, and comparison.
Truth-in-pixels: Unit count and size visible. If the pack changed, your images change—fast.
PDP (Product Detail Page) essentials
Zoomable, high-res images (≥ 1000 px on the long side; many recommend 2000+).
Consistency with copy (title, bullets, attributes). Mismatched info = returns and disputes.
Compliance: Some retailers require specific angles or backgrounds for main images—follow the spec to avoid rejections and fees.
Fictional example (for illustration only): A snacks brand adds a scale shot (bag next to a hand), a “what’s inside” image, and a lifestyle photo showing portion size. Return rate drops, PDP conversion climbs, and customer service tickets about “smaller than expected” disappear.
Why this matters to finance (not just marketing)
Fewer mis-ships and shortage disputes: Clean images + accurate pack counts reduce receiving confusion and claims tied to “not as described.”
Lower post-audit risk: When images and data match invoices and ASNs (Advance Shipping Notices), you have cleaner documentation if a dispute arises.
Faster item setup and fewer chargebacks: Meeting image specs keeps you out of the penalty box.
Bottom line: Treat images as a P&L lever. They are.
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