Top 5 Mistakes eCommerce Brands Make with Product Photos (And How to Fix Them)
Did you know 75% of online shoppers rely on product images to decide on a purchase? Yet many eCommerce brands still get it wrong…
In today’s highly visual digital marketplace, product photography is one of the most powerful tools in your eCommerce arsenal. It not only showcases your products—it builds trust, enhances your brand identity, and directly impacts conversion rates. In fact, poor product photos are one of the top reasons online shoppers abandon purchases or return items.
In this post, we’ll explore the top 5 most common product photo mistakes that eCommerce brands make, and give you clear strategies to avoid them. Whether you’re selling on Amazon, Shopify, Etsy, or your own site, these tips can help boost your sales and reduce returns.
1. Using Low-Quality or Blurry Images
❌ The Mistake:
Your product might be fantastic—but if the images are grainy, pixelated, or poorly lit, customers will assume the product quality is just as bad. Low-resolution images also fail to show key details, leading to buyer hesitation.
✅ The Fix:
Use high-resolution images (at least 1000px on the longest side; 2000px is ideal for zoom features). Shoot with a DSLR or a high-quality smartphone camera in good lighting conditions. Always upload optimized versions for fast loading without losing clarity.
Pro Tip: Use lossless compression tools like TinyPNG or ImageOptim to keep image size small without compromising quality.
2. Inconsistent Lighting, Angles, and Backgrounds
❌ The Mistake:
Using different lighting setups, mixed backgrounds, or inconsistent angles across your product catalog makes your store look unprofessional. It confuses shoppers and can distract from your product.
✅ The Fix:
Establish a consistent photography style. Use uniform backgrounds (white is preferred for most marketplaces), stable lighting (natural or softbox), and standardized angles. This not only creates a polished look but helps build visual branding.
For platforms like Amazon, white background (#FFFFFF) is mandatory for the main image. Use lifestyle images or colored backdrops only for secondary shots.
3. Showing Only One Angle or Not Enough Detail
❌ The Mistake:
Too many brands upload just one photo per product. That’s like trying to sell a car by showing only a photo of the hood! Customers want to see every angle, texture, and use case.
✅ The Fix:
Use a variety of images:
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Front, side, back, and top-down views
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Close-ups to show texture and quality
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Lifestyle or contextual images (e.g., a model wearing the product or item in use)
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Size comparison or scale references
Bonus: Add 360° product views or short product videos for a premium customer experience.
4. Skipping Post-Production Editing
❌ The Mistake:
Uploading raw, unedited photos can result in dull colors, distracting elements, or lighting inconsistencies. It also reduces the perceived value of your product.
✅ The Fix:
Invest in professional post-production editing. This includes:
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Background removal
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Color correction and consistency
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Retouching (removing dust, scratches, wrinkles)
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Adding shadows or reflections for depth
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Resizing and cropping for web platforms
At Graphic Solution Bangladesh, we specialize in these editing services to make your products stand out while maintaining a natural look.
5. Ignoring Platform-Specific Image Guidelines
❌ The Mistake:
Every online marketplace has its own image requirements. Ignoring them can lead to disapproved listings, reduced visibility, or even account warnings.
✅ The Fix:
Always check and follow platform-specific image policies. For example:
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Amazon: White background, product must fill 85%+ of frame, no text or logos on the main image
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eBay: High-res image with clear product focus
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Shopify: Recommended size is 2048 x 2048 px for zooming
Ignoring these guidelines can hurt your SEO within the platform and decrease your chances of converting browsers into buyers.
✅ Why Great Product Photography Matters
Shoppers can’t touch or feel your products online. They rely entirely on your visuals to judge value, quality, and trustworthiness. High-quality product photography can:
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Increase conversions by up to 30%
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Reduce return rates
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Improve brand perception
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Help you stand out in crowded marketplaces
In short: the better your photos, the better your sales.
✅ Quick Product Photo Best Practices Checklist
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Use a tripod and shoot in good lighting
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Use clean, consistent backgrounds (white or light gray)
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Show multiple angles and details
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Use image dimensions suitable for zoom (min 1000px)
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Always edit before uploading
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Follow platform-specific requirements
💡 FAQ: Common Questions About Product Photos
Q: What resolution should product images be?
A: At least 1000×1000 pixels is a minimum. For best results (especially zoom-in features), aim for 2000px on the longest side.
Q: Should I include lifestyle images?
A: Yes! Lifestyle shots help customers imagine the product in real life and build emotional engagement. Use them as secondary images.
Q: What background is best for product images?
A: A white background is standard and often required by platforms like Amazon. It’s distraction-free and helps your product stand out.
Q: How many images should I include per product?
A: At least 4–6: front, back, side, close-up, lifestyle, and packaging shots if applicable.
Q: Can I do post-production editing myself?
A: You can, but it’s time-consuming and requires skill. Outsourcing to a professional service like Graphic Solution Bangladesh ensures quality and consistency.
🚀 Final Thoughts
Product photography is more than just clicking pictures—it’s about creating a visual experience that sells. Avoiding these five common mistakes will help your brand appear more professional, improve customer confidence, and ultimately increase sales.
📸 Need help with your product photos?
Graphic Solution Bangladesh offers expert photo editing services including:
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Clipping path and background removal
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Color correction and retouching
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Ghost mannequin and neck joint services
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Shadow creation and resizing for web
👉 Let us help you create product images that convert. Contact us today for a free trial or quote!