Product Image Best Practices | ShopKatalog Documentation

Why Product Images Matter

High-quality product images are one of the most important factors in online sales. Customers cannot touch or feel your products, so your images are their primary way to evaluate quality, size, color, and details. Studies show that products with professional images convert 40% better than those without.

✅ Image Impact

Customers spend 58% more time looking at products with multiple images
Clear product images reduce return rates significantly
Professional images build trust and credibility
Images are the first thing customers evaluate

Image Technical Requirements

File Specifications

Size & Resolution

Minimum: 800x800 pixels (can appear small on zoomed views)
Recommended: 1200x1200 pixels or higher
Maximum file size: 5MB per image
Aspect ratio: 1:1 (square) works best
DPI: 72 DPI is fine for web (not print)

File Format

JPG: Best for photographs, smaller file sizes
PNG: Better for graphics, supports transparency
WebP: Modern format, excellent compression (if supported)
Avoid: BMP, GIF, TIFF formats

Number of Images

Minimum: 1 image (but 3+ recommended)
Ideal: 5-8 images per product
Maximum: 10 images (diminishing returns)
Include different angles, close-ups, and use cases

Photography Setup & Equipment

Budget-Friendly Setup

You don't need expensive equipment. Here's a professional-looking setup on a budget:

Camera

A smartphone camera works perfectly fine. Modern phones have excellent cameras. Alternatively, use a basic DSLR or mirrorless camera.

Lighting

Good lighting is crucial. Options include:

Natural window light (best and free)
Ring light (₦5,000-₦15,000)
LED panel lights (affordable and adjustable)
Avoid harsh overhead lighting that creates shadows

Background

Simple backgrounds work best:

White paper or poster board (simple, professional)
Plain colored fabric (gray, beige, or black)
Photography backdrop stand (₦3,000-₦8,000)
Avoid busy patterns that distract from the product

Props & Styling

Minimal additional items needed - sometimes the product alone is best. A few complementary props can add context (e.g., styled setting for home goods).

Professional Setup (Optional)

If you want to invest more, consider:

Professional camera body (DSLR or mirrorless)
Prime lenses (50mm, 35mm for better quality)
Studio lighting kit with softboxes
Tripod and remote shutter (for stability)
White balance card for consistent color
Backdrop system with multiple colors

Photography Best Practices

Lighting Tips

Use natural light when possible: Window light is soft and flattering
Avoid harsh shadows: Diffuse bright light with a white sheet
Multiple light sources: Use fill lights to eliminate shadows
Consistent lighting: Keep the same setup for all products
Shoot during daytime: Best quality natural light is midday to late afternoon
Never use flash: Creates harsh reflections and shadows

Composition & Framing

Main Product Shot

Center the product in the frame
Leave small margins around the product
Show the entire product clearly
Straight-on angle for most products
Make the product fill 60-70% of the image

Different Angles

Front view (most important)
Back/side view (shows full product)
45-degree angle (more dynamic)
Top/bottom view (for relevant products)
Detail shots (close-ups of important features)

Context & Scale

Product in use (shows scale and application)
Product with hand (shows size relative to hand)
Lifestyle shot (customer using the product)
Packaging and unboxing (if relevant)

Photography Checklist

Clean the product before shooting
Remove any stickers, labels, or dust
Check lighting from camera's perspective
Use a tripod for stability
Take multiple shots to choose the best
Check focus is sharp on important details
Review images on a larger screen
Ensure consistent white balance

Image Editing & Optimization

Essential Edits

Simple editing makes a huge difference. You don't need to be an expert - basic adjustments are enough:

Brightness & Contrast

Increase brightness slightly to make images pop. Increase contrast to make the product stand out from the background.

Saturation

Increase slightly to make colors more vibrant, but don't overdo it. The image should look natural, not artificial.

Crop & Straighten

Crop unnecessary background. Straighten tilted images. Remove distracting elements from edges.

Sharpness

Apply slight sharpening to make details crisp. Be careful not to over-sharpen (creates halos around edges).

Recommended Editing Tools

Free Options

Photopea.com (web-based Photoshop alternative)
GIMP (open-source, desktop version)
Canva (drag-and-drop, easy to use)
Pixlr (web-based editor)

Paid Options

Adobe Lightroom (₦2,500+/month)
Photoshop (₦4,500+/month)
Capture One (₦3,000-₦7,000/month)
Affinity Photo (one-time purchase)

Optimization for Web

File size matters: Compress images without losing quality
Use TinyPNG or similar tools: Free online image compression
Resize appropriately: No need for massive 4000x4000 images
Consistent naming: Use descriptive file names (product-name-angle.jpg)
Color profile: Use sRGB for web compatibility

Special Photography Tips by Product Type

Clothing & Fashion

Show on a dress form or mannequin for clarity
Include close-ups of fabric texture and seams
Show how it fits with measurements in photos
Include back and side views
Use natural colors - don't over-edit colors
Show multiple angles (front, back, side)

Electronics & Gadgets

Show all ports, buttons, and connections
Include close-ups of important features
Show product at 45-degree angles for dimension
Include packaging and included accessories
Scale photos with hand or common object
Show screen/display (if applicable)

Home & Kitchen Items

Show in context/lifestyle setting
Close-ups of texture and material
Show scale with a person or familiar item
Multiple angles to show 3D form
Detail shots of important features
Show product in use (cooking, cleaning, etc.)

Jewelry & Small Items

Macro/close-up shots to show detail
Show with measurement scale
Multiple angles and rotations
Show how it's worn (if applicable)
Detail shots of craftsmanship
Show size comparison with common objects

Common Image Mistakes to Avoid

🚫 Poor Lighting

Dark, shadowy images make products look worse. Invest time in proper lighting.

🚫 Blurry or Out of Focus

Unclear images reduce customer confidence. Always focus on important product details.

🚫 Inconsistent Style Across Images

Images should look like they belong together - same lighting, background, editing style.

🚫 Over-Editing

Excessive filters or color changes make images look fake. Aim for natural, enhanced, not altered.

🚫 Product Doesn't Fill Frame

Too much empty space makes products look small and less appealing. Frame tightly.

🚫 Distracting Backgrounds

Busy, cluttered backgrounds distract from the product. Keep it simple and clean.

🚫 Only One Angle

Multiple images from different angles significantly increase conversion rates.

Image Upload & Management

Once your images are ready to upload:

File Organization Tips

Name files descriptively (e.g., "blue-shirt-front.jpg")
Organize in folders by product or category
Keep originals and edited versions separate
Use a consistent naming convention
Back up all images in multiple locations

Upload Best Practices

Upload main image first (this becomes thumbnail)
Upload remaining images in logical order
Use clear, descriptive alt text for accessibility
Add alt text with relevant keywords
Example alt text: "Men's white cotton t-shirt front view"
Test how images look on mobile devices

Tips for Success

📸 Invest in Quality

Good product images are one of the best investments in your shop. They directly impact sales.

🔄 Stay Consistent

Consistent style across all product images builds a professional, cohesive brand.

📱 Test on Mobile

Most customers view on mobile. Always preview how images look on phone screens.

🎯 Tell a Story

Your sequence of images should tell a complete story about the product.

Next Steps

Adding Products →

Learn how to add products with your images

Pricing & Variants →

Set up pricing for your products