What consumers want in online product images isn’t new but the methods and challenges of delivery are ever-evolving, leaving some online retailers playing catch-up.
What Online Shoppers Want
Since 2003, consumers have been asking for alternate product views, zooms and video and have now come to expect those as standard features. Over the last few years, the e-tailing group has also noted an uptick in demand for product image features like 3D, color change and the ability to view the product in a simulated room environment.
The stats:
Attempts to Deliver
Interactive product image of the “Nike Free 5.0+” women’s running shoe from Nike.com
Top brands and retailers have responded to consumer demands in varying degrees. For example, Nike lets shoppers view shoes from 4 angles and zoom in to see design details. Walmart and Zappos provide multiple zoom-enabled images to toggle between product color variants. They also show some products in action through recorded demonstration video.
Well, you’ve survived the Mayans’ prediction and are heading into a new year!
Remember the 
You have a wonderful online product catalog, and your website runs like a dream. Simple to search, easy to navigate—what’s not to love? But you still see room for improvement, both in sales and conversion rates. So what’s next?
For traditional advertising and marketing, choosing to use onscreen talent or a spokesperson may indeed be spot on. After all, consumers can relate to them, warm up to them and feel motivated to go buy a product simply because of the personality and trust they can evoke.
