better.
Product images that work as hard as your store. This guide focuses on the decisions you can make before investing in a more complex workflow.
Start with a consistent canvas
Choose an image ratio that fits your theme and product category. A consistent square canvas can work well for a mixed product grid, while a taller canvas may suit clothing. Check the actual page on mobile before committing to one format.
Choose fit or crop deliberately
Fit preserves the entire item and adds empty space when needed. Crop fills the canvas but can cut off edges. For products where shape, labels or dimensions matter, inspect the crop manually. Keep enough space around the object to avoid a cramped presentation.
Resize before compressing
Export dimensions that match the largest intended display area, allowing for sharper screens where useful. Sending a very large source file to a small product card wastes bandwidth. Keep your high-quality originals separately; make web versions from copies.
Pick a format that suits the image
JPEG is a practical choice for photographs with a solid background. PNG can retain transparency. WebP supports transparency and lossy compression, but you should still inspect the exported image and check your store’s workflow. There is no single quality percentage that works for every photo.
Compare quality and file size
Watch for soft lettering, halos, banding and lost detail in dark areas. A target file size is a constraint, not a guarantee of good results. If the image still looks poor at the desired size, revisit dimensions, background complexity or the source photo.
Name and describe the image clearly
Use a descriptive filename and write alt text that identifies the product or meaningful visual detail. Do not fill alt text with repeated keywords. Decorative imagery can use empty alt text where appropriate. Add width and height to reduce layout movement.
Review the complete product page
Test the gallery, zoom, mobile layout and page load with several products. Consistent imagery helps customers compare items, but accurate descriptions, delivery information and a clear purchasing journey matter too.