Product photography is an essential part of selling on Etsy. It can make or break your sales. Your product photos are the first impression your customers have of your items, and if they are not high-quality, your potential buyers will scroll right past them. In fact, according to a survey conducted by Etsy, 90% of buyers consider product photography to be the most important factor when making a purchase.
Unfortunately, many Etsy sellers make common product photography mistakes that can cost them sales. These mistakes include using low-quality product photos, not showcasing different angles and variations of the product, and not using lifestyle photos to help customers visualize the product in use. By avoiding these mistakes and investing in high-quality product photography, you can increase your sales and grow your Etsy business.
Key Takeaways
- High-quality product photography is essential for selling on Etsy
- Common product photography mistakes can cost you sales
- Investing in high-quality product photography can help you increase your sales on Etsy
Common Product Photography Mistakes
When it comes to selling products on Etsy, product photography is one of the most important elements that can make or break your sales. Here are some common product photography mistakes that can hurt your sales and how to avoid them.
Poor Lighting
One of the most common mistakes that new sellers make is not having enough light in their product photos. Low lighting can lead to blurry, grainy, or dark photos that don’t showcase your products in the best possible way. To avoid this mistake, make sure to shoot your photos in a well-lit area, preferably near a window with natural light. You can also invest in affordable lighting equipment like softbox lights or ring lights to help brighten up your photos.
Bad Composition
Another common mistake is bad composition. This can include photos that are too cluttered, too busy, or not focused on the product itself. To avoid this mistake, make sure to keep your product as the main focus of the photo. Use simple backgrounds that don’t distract from the product, and experiment with different angles and perspectives to showcase your product in the best possible way.
Inconsistent Branding
Finally, inconsistent branding can also hurt your sales. Your product photos should be consistent with your brand identity and style. If your photos are all over the place, it can confuse customers and make it difficult for them to recognize your brand. To avoid this mistake, make sure to develop a consistent style and use it across all of your product photos. This can include using the same background, props, and color scheme to create a cohesive look that represents your brand.
By avoiding these common product photography mistakes, you can create high-quality photos that showcase your products in the best possible way and help increase your sales on Etsy.
Equipment and Set-Up
When it comes to product photography, having the right equipment and set-up is crucial. Here are some key considerations to keep in mind:
Camera Settings
First and foremost, make sure your camera settings are appropriate for the lighting conditions. Shooting in low light can result in blurry or grainy photos, so it’s important to use a tripod and set a longer exposure time if necessary. Additionally, make sure your aperture and ISO settings are optimized for your product and background.
Background and Props
The background and props you choose can have a big impact on the overall look and feel of your product photos. Consider using a plain white or neutral background to help your product stand out, and choose props that complement your product without overpowering it. Keep in mind that less is often more when it comes to props – you don’t want to distract from your product.
Product Placement
Finally, think carefully about how you position your product in your photos. Make sure it’s centered and in focus, and consider using different angles to showcase different features. If you’re photographing a product with multiple pieces, make sure they’re arranged in an aesthetically pleasing way.
By paying close attention to your equipment and set-up, you can create product photos that are both visually appealing and effective at driving sales.
Post-Processing and Editing
Post-processing and editing are essential steps to make your product photos stand out on Etsy. Here are some sub-sections to help you understand how to edit your photos for the best results.
Color Correction
Color correction is an important step in post-processing your product photos. It helps to enhance the colors of your product and make it look more attractive to potential buyers. You can use free online tools like Aviary, Pixlr, and PicMonkey to adjust the brightness, contrast, and saturation of your photos. Make sure to keep the colors as true to life as possible.
Image Sizing and Cropping
Image sizing and cropping are crucial to ensure that your product photos look great on Etsy. You want your photos to be high-quality and show your product in the best possible way. You can use tools like Photoshop to resize and crop your photos. Make sure to keep the aspect ratio of your product photos consistent to avoid any distortion.
Removing Backgrounds
Removing the background of your product photos can make them look more professional and eye-catching. You can use free online tools like Remove.bg and Clipping Magic to remove the background of your product photos. This will help your product stand out on Etsy and make it look more attractive to potential buyers.
In conclusion, post-processing and editing are crucial steps to make your product photos stand out on Etsy. By using color correction, image sizing and cropping, and removing backgrounds, you can make your product photos look more professional and attractive to potential buyers.
Optimizing for Etsy
If you want to increase your Etsy sales, optimizing your product photography is a must. Here are some tips to help you optimize your product photos for Etsy.
Image Naming and Tagging
When uploading your product photos to Etsy, it’s important to use descriptive and relevant file names. This helps Etsy’s search algorithm understand what your product is and what it looks like. Additionally, you should use relevant tags to help your product appear in Etsy search results.
For example, if you’re selling a handmade leather wallet, you should name your photo file something like “handmade-leather-wallet.jpg” and use tags like “leather wallet”, “handmade wallet”, and “men’s wallet”.
Thumbnail Selection
Your product thumbnail is the first thing potential customers will see, so it’s important to choose a thumbnail that accurately represents your product and catches the eye. Etsy’s algorithm also takes into account how often your product is clicked on, so choosing a high-quality thumbnail can help improve your product’s visibility in search results.
Consider using a close-up shot of your product, or a lifestyle shot that shows your product in use. Avoid using blurry or low-quality photos as your thumbnail.
A/B Testing
A/B testing involves creating two versions of a product photo and testing them against each other to see which performs better. This can help you identify which elements of your product photography are most effective at driving sales.
For example, you could test two different backgrounds, two different lighting setups, or two different angles. Keep in mind that you should only test one element at a time to accurately determine which element is having the most impact on sales.
By following these tips, you can optimize your product photography for Etsy and increase your sales.