These days, more and more businesses are taking advantage of the many benefits of product photography when it comes to growing their online store - and for good reason. When it’s done professionally, product photography is an investment for businesses, helping to drive sales, build credibility, and stand-out from competitors.

For all these reasons and more, good product photography is the cornerstone of many eCommerce businesses. Though if you’re still not convinced, here are 8 benefits of product photography every business needs to know.

1. Encourage Sales

One of the key limitations of online shopping is that customers can’t try before they buy. And since they can't wear, hold, or feel the products in their hands before heading to the checkout - customers will heavily rely on visual content throughout the purchasing journey.

If a brand’s visual content isn’t up to scratch, converting customers is going to be all the more challenging.

One of the core reasons to have professional product photos is to encourage and entice customers to make a purchase. By using images to highlight the aethetics, you can convince your customers that purchasing your product is the right choice.

2. Develop A Brand

When we think of product photos, the classic white-background eCommerce images often come to mind - though there’s a lot more depth to this type of photography.

With lifestyle product photos, brands can create everyday scenes around a product to push certain moods and tones to an audience. This helps to develop and share core ideologies behind a business.

For example, let’s say your brand is geared towards eco-friendliness. In your product images, you could use natural backdrops with plenty of greenery to push those organic vibes and share your message. Or take a minimalist approach to your photography - sharing a ‘less is more’ themed message.

For your own business, you can adjust the lighting and use relevant props or settings to reflect the moods and values that your brand runs on.

3. Enhance Product Appeal

This is one of the key benefits of product photography. With the right lighting and a creative eye, product photography can boost the aesthetic of your product - making it much more desirable to customers.

Whether it’s by subtly switching-up your angles, using a flattering backdrop, or taking the time to professionally edit your shots - these simple photography tips can make your products look all the more appealing.

4. Stand Above Competitors

When it comes to product photography, many brands often fall short - whether it’s because the shots are blurry, poorly framed, or are inconsistent across the website.

These images can stick-out like a sore thumb on an eCommerce website - making a brand look untrustworthy, unprofessional, or sub-par.

Having a ground-breaking product isn’t enough to stand out from competitors these days. With clear, high-grade images on your website, you can build trust and rise above competitors that aren’t meeting this benchmark.

5. Stand Out To Customers

How does your brand stand out on social media? Many newsfeeds are often crammed with all sorts of content and information, making it harder to catch and maintain your audience’s attention. This is where product photography can come in handy.

Using eye-catching content can help your brand to rise above the noise and make an impact - potentially leading to more conversions in the process. Create a content calendar and strive to post regular, meaningful content to reap these rewards.

6. Boost Online Visibility

Eye-catching product images are often the fuel of many content marketing strategies - helping to catch the attention of customers online and boost brand awareness.

On social media channels like Instagram or Facebook, you can share a series of appealing product images to improve your online presence, increase sales, and grow your business. Plus, tools like hashtags can help you to tap into new audiences and develop your brand’s visibility.

7. Boost Credibility

Product photos play such a crucial role along the customer journey. Though if your images aren’t telling the full story or are missing vital pieces of information, you can lose the trust of your customers.

Instead, strive to have detailed product photos in your store. Put yourself in the customer’s shoes and showcase your subject from as many angles as you think they’ll want to see.

For example, if you’re shooting clothes, capture images of the product on its own and being worn by a model. Or if you’re working with skincare products, showcase the packaging as well as the creams or oils inside.

Giving your customers a solid description of what they’re about to buy will help to build credibility and trust between the brand and your audience.

8. Create Expectations

It’s frustrating and disappointing to customers when their purchase finally arrives and it looks nothing like the product image online. That’s why it’s important to have accurate images of your products in your online store.

With clear and accurate product photography, you can set expectations for your customers right from the beginning. As they’re shopping, customers will develop a solid understanding of how your product is going to look when it arrives.

It may sound simple, but this effect can boost customer satisfaction and generate positive word of mouth for your business.

In Summary

It doesn’t matter if you’re running a big or small business - anyone can reap the many benefits of product photography. Just by making sure your images are crisp, accurate, and appealing, you can drive sales, stand above competitors, and improve your brand's visibility online.

The best part? Professional-looking product photography shouldn't have to break the bank - all you need are a few essential tools and the right know-how to get the job done.

Before you get started, check out this recent article: ‘How To Do A Product Shoot In 6 Easy Steps.'

8 Benefits Of Product Photography For eCommerce