How to Optimize Your Amazon Listing Images – using only one photo

It’s possible to optimize your Amazon listing images using only one photo, and here’s how:

I recently designed and optimized a full set of 7 Amazon listing images for a client who only provided me a single hero shot of her product.

But do these optimized images look good?

That’s a fair question. Below is the image I was given when hired:

Using this single image, I created this full set of 7 Amazon listing images:

How did I do it?

I downloaded some beautiful stock backdrops, inserted the product into these scenes, and then matched the light and shadows so it looks like a real photoshoot.

I then highlighted features/benefits using text that would be readable on mobile phones and these turned out great. The client was extremely happy with my work!

Are there limitations to this method of listing optimization?

Absolutely: There are huge benefits to using lifestyle imagery and showing the product in use, which I have talked about in many of my blogs.

But lifestyle photography could be expensive or take weeks/months to finalize. The longer you wait for this content, the more sales you could be missing out on.

What are the benefits to using this method?

The biggest benefit is speed: you can quickly create a listing that we would consider “optimized,” without having to wait weeks or months for lifestyle photography. While this listing optimization might not be as pretty as content from a high-end photoshoot with models and lifestyle photos, there is a reason why speed gives you a big advantage as a seller.

Let’s assume Product A goes live today with an average listing, while Product B goes live in 2 months with a beautiful listing (obviously this could take more or less time), Product A will have made 2 months of sales and, more importantly, harnessed data on keywords, PPC ads, and customers. Product B may be still be trying to finalize their lifestyle photography.

Gathering keywords and creating an ad strategy is a process that takes time, and the process shouldn’t be started without an optimized listing.

Sending paid ads traffic to a listing with one image or no bullet points won’t convert, so the data is meaningless. With this basic listing optimization, Product A would be able to get 2 months of data showing which keywords to target and a real strategy on how to advertise their product.

In fact, this data could direct a lifestyle photography shoot in a more meaningful and effective way. In this case, delaying the higher quality content production provides a benefit.

But how exactly?

Let’s assume in this product category, we find that “vegan formula” and “all-natural product” are the top 2 keywords producing sales from our 2 months of keyword testing. We can now direct a photoshoot that will specifically show visuals of what our customers want: visuals of our all natural ingredients, vegan formula, etc.

Leveraging Photoshop skills is a great way to quickly optimize your listing in the short term, so you can begin building your keyword list and ad strategy. You can then use this data to direct your higher-end listing content that will be driven by the keywords that are actually producing your product’s sales, further increasing conversion.