Image Optimization

How to Prepare Images for E-commerce Platforms: Tips for Product Photos

Learn how to prepare images for e-commerce platforms. Tips for product photos, image optimization, and more.

June 2, 2025
5 min read
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How to Prepare Images for E-commerce Platforms: Tips for Product Photos

πŸ›οΈ How to Prepare Images for E-commerce Platforms: Tips for Product Photos

When it comes to online shopping, a picture really is worth a thousand words! πŸ“Έ Great product images can boost conversions, build trust, and reduce returns. But if your images are too large, slow-loading, or poorly formatted, you risk losing potential customers before they even click "Add to Cart" πŸ›’.

In this post, we’ll share practical tips for preparing your product images for popular e-commerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, Amazon, Etsy, and more.


βœ… 1. Use the Right File Format

Choosing the correct image format is the foundation of image optimization:

  • JPEG/JPG – Best for photographs and colorful product images. Good compression with small file size.
  • PNG – Great for images that require transparency or crisp edges (e.g., logos).
  • WebP – A modern format that provides better compression with high quality. Supported by most browsers and platforms.
  • AVIF – Cutting-edge format with even smaller file sizes (but still not supported everywhere).

πŸ“ Tip: Stick to JPEGs for most product photos unless transparency is required.


πŸ“ 2. Resize Your Images to Fit Platform Standards

Each platform has recommended image sizes:

PlatformMain Image Size Recommendation
Shopify2048 x 2048 px
Amazon1000 x 1000 px (min)
Etsy2000 x 2000 px (recommended)
WooCommerce800 x 800 px (minimum)

Make sure to resize your images to the proper dimensions using a tool like ReduceImageSize.com so you don’t upload unnecessarily large files. πŸ› οΈ


πŸ–ΌοΈ 3. Maintain Aspect Ratio and Consistency

All your product images should have a consistent aspect ratio (e.g., square 1:1 or 4:3). This creates a neat, professional look and avoids awkward cropping on product pages.

✨ Consistency builds trust and makes your store look polished!


⚑ 4. Compress Images Without Losing Quality

Large file sizes slow down your website βŒ›. Use image compression tools to reduce size while keeping quality high:

βœ… Aim for each image to be under 200 KB without sacrificing clarity.


🧼 5. Use Clean, White Backgrounds

Most e-commerce platforms (especially Amazon) recommend or require a white background (#FFFFFF) for main product images.

Benefits:

  • Looks clean and professional
  • Focus stays on the product
  • Better contrast and visibility

πŸ“Έ Consider using photo editing tools or background remover tools to isolate your product.


πŸ•΅οΈ 6. Include Multiple Angles and Detail Shots

Don’t just show one angle! Give buyers a 360Β° view:

  • Front, side, and back
  • Close-up of materials or stitching
  • Scale shots (product in hand, on model, etc.)

This reduces uncertainty and builds buyer confidence πŸ‘


πŸ” 7. Add Descriptive ALT Text

ALT text isn't just for SEO – it's also for accessibility πŸ§‘β€πŸ¦―.

Write short, descriptive ALT tags for each image. Example:

<img
  src="blue-sneakers.jpg"
  alt="Pair of blue running sneakers with white soles"
/>

🌱 Bonus: Good ALT text improves your Google Image rankings too!


πŸš€ Final Thoughts

Preparing your images properly can dramatically improve your e-commerce performance. From faster load times to more conversions, it's a small effort that pays big.

Don’t forget to check out ReduceImageSize.com to easily compress and resize your images in seconds! πŸ”§πŸ“‰

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