Product images are the closest thing to holding the product in your hands before buying it. On Amazon, where shoppers cannot touch or try your product, images do the heavy lifting. Poor images lose sales. Strong images convert browsers into buyers.
Amazon's Image Requirements
Your main image (the one that appears in search results) must have a pure white background (RGB 255, 255, 255), show only the product (no props, accessories that are not included, or lifestyle settings), fill at least 85% of the image frame, and be at least 1000 pixels on the longest side to enable the zoom function.
These are not suggestions — Amazon will suppress listings that do not meet main image requirements. The main image is your click-through driver from search results, so getting it right is non-negotiable.
Beyond the Main Image
You can upload up to eight additional images (nine total including the main image). These additional images are where you sell the product. Unlike the main image, they can include lifestyle shots, infographics, size comparisons, packaging, and detailed close-ups.
A strong image set typically includes the main product image on white, a lifestyle image showing the product in use, an infographic highlighting key features with text callouts, a size or scale reference image, a close-up of important details or materials, and an image of what is included in the box.
Why Image Quality Matters So Much
Amazon shoppers primarily buy based on images. Many do not even read the bullet points in detail — they scroll through images and make their decision. Studies suggest that improving image quality can increase conversion rates by 20–30% or more.
Think about your own shopping behaviour. When you see a product with blurry, dark, or poorly composed images next to one with clean, professional photography — which one feels more trustworthy? Which one would you buy?
DIY vs Professional Photography
For private label products, professional product photography is worth the investment. A product photographer typically charges £100–£300 for a set of images, and the return on that investment through improved conversion rates is substantial.
If budget is tight, decent product photos can be achieved with a smartphone, a well-lit area (natural daylight works well), a white background (a large piece of white card or fabric), and free photo editing software to clean up the background and adjust brightness.
Image Tips That Improve Sales
Show scale by including a common reference object in one of your additional images — a hand holding the product or the product next to an everyday item helps shoppers understand its actual size. Use infographic images to highlight features that are not obvious from photos alone, like "BPA Free" or "Holds 750ml."
Show the product from multiple angles. If there is a back, side, or bottom view that matters, include it. Shoppers who feel uncertain about any aspect of a product will often choose a competitor whose images answered their questions.
A+ Content and Brand Story
If you are brand registered, you can add A+ Content (enhanced brand content) to your listing, which allows richer image and text layouts below the standard product description. This gives you even more space to tell your product's story and address buyer concerns visually.
For Arbitrage and Wholesale Sellers
If you are selling on existing listings, you typically cannot change the images. However, if the current images are poor and you are the primary seller or brand owner, improving them can significantly boost sales for everyone on that listing. Some wholesale sellers negotiate with brands to provide better Amazon-specific imagery.
Whether you are building your own listings or choosing which existing products to sell, image quality is a reliable predictor of sales performance. Products with strong images outsell comparable products with weak images, consistently.