10 Tips For Creating Eye-Catching Image Carousels On Amazon
When it comes to shopping on Amazon, let’s face it– most of us are initially drawn to a product by its images. Besides price, most customers consider product images the primary factor when deciding whether to buy a product. In fact, 2023 data from Feedvisor found that 48% of consumers consider a product’s image to be a vital part of their purchase decision.
Because images are so impactful on the consumer experience, and are a huge factor as to whether the consumer decides to buy your product or a competitor’s, it’s essential to use images that are visually appealing and professional.
However, having aesthetic images won’t be enough to cut it in today’s Amazon Marketplace, which is now more competitive than ever. It’s important to have an image carousel that is both visually pleasing and informative. Ensuring your Amazon images effectively convey information is just as crucial as their visual appeal.
We’re living in a fast-paced world where customers want the ability to make their decisions as quickly as possible, yet still with enough information that they can feel good about their purchase. With limited attention spans, shoppers may quickly move on if images are confusing or unclear. To avoid losing customer engagement, tell a story with your images and include clear, easily understandable details to help customers make informed purchasing decisions.
When telling your products’ story with your product images, it’s important to start off strong. The main product image, also known as the hero image, should follow a few best practices:
Be Bold: Add complimentary graphics to stand out against competitors. An example of this would be to add one or two pieces of fruit to a fruit-flavored supplement:
Notice how the strawberries emphasize the product’s flavor, and make the supplement look more visually appealing. By making the flavor clearer to the consumer, it helps to inform their purchase decision.
Fill the Frame: Make sure the product fills most of the frame in your hero image to give customers a clear view. Amazon recommends the product itself should fill about 85% of the frame, with the rest being clean white space. It’s best to avoid excessive empty space around the product and maximize the space provided without making your image appear cluttered or crowded.
Quantity Counts: Ideally, you would want the quantity written in a large font on your product packaging. If not, when editing the hero image, you can slightly enlarge the number a bit to make it clearer:
See here how “6-Pack” is enlarged to emphasize the quantity. Including this information in an obvious way will help the customer determine if your product is a good deal, and if it matches their quantity needs.
Add Dimension: When online shopping, your customers should be able to imagine actually having the product in front of them. To do this, you can feature a 3D rendering of the product, such as a product box showing two sides of the product. Alternatively, you can add a drop shadow to help create depth and quality:
In the above example, the drop shadow emphasizes the 3D nature of the product and helps the shopper to better imagine using the product in their real life.
Keyword Callouts: Wherever possible, use product packaging to add or amplify text that includes keywords. Let’s look again at the example we used previously:
Notice how the keyword phrases “Keto Meal,” “Thai Peanut,” and “Shirataki Noodles” are all visually emphasized with a large, bold font. Doing this will draw shoppers to your product and allow them to make a quick, informed decision.
Diving Deeper Into the Image Carousel
While the initial product image is extremely important, its main purpose is to get the customer to click on your product. After clicking on your product page, the average shopper will likely look through the next few photos in your image carousel to make their final decision. Because of this, it’s paramount to create an engaging image carousel with a natural flow of information.
- Keep it Clear: Concise USP’s (Unique Selling Propositions)
In the following section, let’s dive deeper into best practices for creating an engaging image carousel that maintains potential customers’ interest and ultimately leads to more sales conversions. We’ll explore 10 of the best practices to ensure your image carousel reaches its maximum potential to engage and secure new customers:
Each image in your listing should serve a distinct purpose–a good rule of thumb is to aim for one strong USP per image. A USP, or Unique Selling Proposition, is something that makes your product unique and superior to similar products on Amazon. This could be anything from quantity, flavor, special features, real-life uses, or health benefits.
It’s essential to avoid cramming too much information into one image, as it can appear cluttered and confuse customers, leading to a loss of their attention. It’s much better to spread out the selling points for your product throughout the image carousel, essentially telling a story as to why your product is the best option for your potential customers.
Let’s look at a great example of a clear display of a USP in a carousel image:
The purpose of this graphic is clear: the seller wants to highlight that their snack is made with just a few natural ingredients so shoppers can know they are buying a healthy product. The graphic makes both the message and ingredients clear without appearing cluttered, and the USP is clear to the customer in a matter of seconds.
Remember to keep your images simple, so that customers can use minimal effort to understand and focus on the unique benefits or features that set your product apart from the competition. Whether it’s durability, versatility, or affordability, highlight what makes your product a must-have without beating around the bush.
2. Order of Importance: Featuring USPs
It’s important to think strategically when choosing the order of your images and USPs.
The average shopper’s attention tends to wane after the first few images, so valuable selling points should be presented early to capture potential customers’ interest effectively. Neglecting this could result in missed sales opportunities, as many customers may not view later images.
To maximize engagement and ensure critical information is seen, it’s a good idea to prioritize placing key details in the first few images of your gallery. Keeping customers engaged from the start increases the likelihood of them recognizing the product’s suitability swiftly.
Let’s look at an example:
Notice how the first photo visualizes the quantity that the customer will be receiving, emphasizing the value of purchasing a multipack.
The second image highlights the product’s sustainability, giving the customer added motivation to purchase this particular product because it can help them feel good about avoiding plastic packaging. This appeals to the shopper’s ego and improves brand reputation.
The third image is a great example of showing the product in use, which allows the customer to imagine purchasing the product and using it in their daily life. This image also includes a product statistic that demonstrates the superiority of this product over competitors.
By the third image, the shopper has likely already decided whether they are interested in purchasing your product. That’s why it’s so important to lead with strong USPs.
3. Visuals Over Text
When it comes to creating compelling images for your marketing materials, the mantra “visuals first” should be your guiding principle.
Visual content has a unique ability to convey messages quickly and effectively, often making a stronger impact than text. Incorporating text into images can enhance their impact, but it should always act as a complement to the visual elements without overshadowing them.
Your primary goal should be to create visuals that communicate the intended message on their own. This means that even without any accompanying text, a customer should be able to understand the essence of what you’re trying to convey just by looking at the image.
PRO TIP: One effective way to test whether your visuals are doing their job is to conduct a simple experiment: Remove the text from your image and show it to someone who is not familiar with your product. Ask them to interpret what the image is trying to convey. If they can grasp the core message without any explanation, you’ve successfully created a strong visual communication piece.
For example, even if the text was removed from this image, you would almost certainly be able to tell they are selling sauce since it is featured prominently in the image:
By prioritizing visuals and using text as a complementary tool, you create a more engaging and accessible experience for your audience. This method enhances the aesthetic appeal of your marketing materials and ensures that your message is clear and effective, whether or not text is present.
4. Legible Text: Large Font, Minimal Wording
When it comes to making your listings pop, using large and clear text is key. Ideally, text should be legible on the main product image, even from the search results page. This will draw shoppers to your listing and can highlight your item’s USPs even as the shopper quickly glances through their options.
For maximum impact, use large fonts and keep your wording to a minimum. Remember, quality over quantity and simplicity over complexity. Think big and bold to ensure shoppers can easily read the important details even on smaller screens, such as mobile devices or tablets.
Here’s an example of legible and visually appealing text:
Notice how “BETTER COGNITIVE FUNCTION” is written in a large, brightly colored font to increase its impact. It’s also perfectly sized to fit on one line next to an image of the product. For optimal readability, it’s always recommended to avoid splitting words across lines in headers, instead aiming to keep them on a single line without the need for hyphens.
Similarly, sub-copy should be concise, consisting of 1–2 sentences to effectively convey the intended message. In the above example, designers didn’t even need to use a full sentence to fully convey their intended message, simply writing “Optimized brain function and mental efficiency.” This gets the information across in a concise and appealing way.
By simplifying your text and fitting it appropriately to your image, you can create a more engaging visual that communicates product benefits clearly and efficiently to potential new customers.
5. Color Contrast: Choose Colors Wisely
When designing your visuals, make sure to choose complementary colors for your text and icons are easy to read and stand out from each other. As a rule, dark text pops on a light background, and light text pops on a dark background. Using contrasting colors will help your content be clear and noticeable right away.
Here’s a prime example of color contrasting:
There are several factors that make this image highly effective:
- The colors chosen contrast well with one another, staying true to the brand’s aesthetic while also creating an easily-legible graphic.
- The font is large enough to be easily read both in gallery view and on mobile devices– without the need to zoom in.
- The text and icons are still engaging and readable when the screen brightness is turned low.
PRO TIP: To test out your images’ effectiveness, experiment with reading it in different situations. Turn your brightness all the way down, take your phone outside to try to see it with a glare, or try looking at it from several devices to ensure legibility and effectiveness.
By focusing on color contrast and readability, you can make your content more engaging and user-friendly. These little tweaks can make a big difference in how your audience interacts with your content.
6. Show Them With Infographics: Highlight Product Features & Benefits Visually
So far, we’ve established how to effectively incorporate text and color to make your visuals pop and products sell. Now, let’s take a step back and discuss what makes an effective infographic.
To create an optimized infographic, start by identifying the most compelling features and benefits of your product. You’ll want to brainstorm what selling points set your product apart from the competition.
Next, design a visually appealing infographic that effectively communicates these points in a clear and concise manner. To do this, use a combination of icons, text, and images to highlight key features and demonstrate how they benefit the customer:
The compelling infographic above highlights the quality of ingredients, as well as the high protein content, emphasizing the product as a healthy, filling snack that’s low in carbs and free from sugar. By highlighting these product features, they set themselves apart from other less-healthy cheesy snack options found in the Amazon Marketplace.
Remember to ensure the infographic is easy to understand at a glance (even on small screens) by keeping the design simple and uncluttered.
PRO TIP: Maintain clear image hierarchy, meaning the product should be the primary focus, followed by the headings and subheadings. While it’s great to include infographics, your customer’s eyes should always be initially drawn to the product itself! You can test this out by showing your infographic to friends or colleagues and asking them what they first noticed about the image.
7. Feature Lifestyle Images: Make It More Relatable
When crafting your image carousel, make sure to include lifestyle images that show your product being used in “real world” scenarios. By doing this, you can demonstrate your product’s usability and allow shoppers to envision themselves using your product in their daily lives.
As you begin planning out your lifestyle images, consider the various ways your product can be used and the demographics of your target audience. If you’re selling baby food, for example, you will likely want to include imagery of a young woman in her 20s or 30s with an infant ages 6–12 months. This will allow new moms to see a representation of themselves using your product, which can increase consumer trust and lead to increased sales conversion.
Once you have decided on a concept, use photos from a shoot, client photos, or stock photos that depict these scenarios, highlighting the product’s benefits and how it seamlessly integrates into everyday life.
Revisiting the above example from a lifestyle perspective, we can clearly see its effectiveness. Notice how the model’s age demographic matches the target audience for a cognitive function supplement. She is also focusing on completing a task, emphasizing the utility of the supplement. The photo looks natural and engages the customer by allowing them to imagine their improved quality of life.
PRO TIP: Whether it’s showing the product being used in a home setting, during outdoor activities, or in a professional environment, strive to evoke emotions and connect with your audience on a personal level. Ensure the images are high-quality, visually appealing, and effectively convey the value proposition of your product.
8. Incorporate Comparison Charts: Illustrate Your Edge On Competitors
Another way to make your product stand out on Amazon is by creating comparison charts. It’s a great way to show off your best features in a fun, easy-to-read format:
Creating charts like these can demonstrate your products’ advantages over competitors. It’s a creative way to showcase your brand’s superiority and can increase shoppers’ trust in your product and brand.
First, figure out what makes your product unique. Then, create a simple chart that highlights the product’s qualities compared to the competition. Think about things like performance or durability– whatever makes your product shine.
In the above example, an ashwagandha supplement is compared to two similar products without giving the competitor brand names. The visual structure underscores the products’ superiority by highlighting six key features that set it apart from the competition. Additionally, by placing the product above its competitors and using a brighter color for the check marks, it creates a visual distinction that reiterates the supplement’s superiority.
Remember to keep your comparison charts clear, honest, and relevant to what shoppers care about. By creating an effective comparison chart, you can demonstrate to potential customers why your product is the one they need, ultimately boosting your sales on Amazon.
9. Get Technical: Break Down Product Specs
For most products, you’ll want to include some sort of technical information in the visuals to drive purchasing decisions. However, when you’re providing technical information, it’s essential to make it tangible for your customers and avoid using too much industry-specific jargon.
One way to show product specs without using too much text is to create clear visuals to show how your product works. A short video can often explain things much better than a wall of text. For instance, if you’re selling a new kitchen gadget, a video showing it in action while preparing a meal can be incredibly effective. Customers can see the product’s features and envision how it would fit into their daily lives.
Put yourself in your customers’ shoes and think about everyday situations where your product shines. By using examples that resonate with their experiences, you make the technical information more digestible.
Another helpful way to demonstrate product specs without coming across as overly-technical is something we already covered in the last section: using a comparison chart. For instance, if your product is a high-tech blender, you might compare its speed and efficiency to a standard blender a shopper likely already owns. An easy-to-understand comparison graphic can help them quickly grasp the advantages your product offers.
Making technical information tangible not only helps your customers understand what you’re offering– it also makes your product more relevant to their needs. They can see how it will fit into their lives, helping them feel more confident in making a purchase.
10. THE ULTIMATE TEST: The 5-Second Rule
Let’s talk about “The 5-Second Rule” test. It’s simple: every image in your listing needs to tell its story within 5 seconds flat. The idea is that a potential customer should instantly grasp what your image is conveying without having to think too hard about it.
First, figure out what each image is all about and what info it’s supposed to give. If you’re scratching your head, it’s a sign your image might need a clearer purpose. For example, if you have a picture of a fitness tracker, determine if the image is showcasing its sleek design, highlighting its functionality, or emphasizing its health benefits.
Next, show your images to someone who doesn’t know your product for just 5 seconds. Ask them what they think each image is trying to say. If their guess matches your notes, you’re good to go. If not, it’s back to the drawing board until your images pass the test!
Let’s consider an example:
The purpose of this image is to highlight the product as a nutritional snack alternative. If you show this image to a friend for 5 seconds and ask what they noticed, they would immediately be able to call back to the benefits listed as they are clear, concise, and visually appealing. This graphic does an excellent job of demonstrating what sets the product apart without appearing cluttered or confusing. When it comes to the 5 Second Rule, this graphic passes with flying colors!
By ensuring your images pass the 5-second rule, you make your product’s benefits clear and immediately apparent to potential customers, increasing the chances they’ll engage with (and buy) your product. Doing this final test for all of the images in your carousel is a great way to do a final check on the effectiveness of each image, both individually and as a collective messaging tool about the USPs of your product.
Optimizing Your Product Listing: It Starts With the Visuals
When it comes to growing your brand on Amazon, there are many ways to improve sales. However, few are as effective and impactful as having appealing and informative visual content. Optimizing your image carousel will help to improve your brand’s reputation and increase sales conversions.
Remember, keep the information in your product’s image carousel simple and easy to grasp, prioritize optimizing the flow of information in your images, and always keep in mind what sets your product apart from the competition.
If you are looking for expert help to maximize your brand’s potential, reach out to our team today for a free introductory consultation. Luminize specializes in growing brands on Amazon, and we would love to discuss how our creative team can help you optimize your image carousel and more!
Written By Nathaniel Geoghegan, Content Strategist
