How Improving Your Photos Can Increase How Much You Make from Your eBay Listing

In partnership with eBay

First impressions count, and when you are selling on a global marketplace like eBay, you want to make sure that your listing stands out for the right reasons. It should come as no surprise that buyers are naturally more drawn to images that are pleasing to the eye, so taking a little bit more time and effort when photographing your items, can really pay off in terms of how much they sell for.

Tip #1. Background

It’s best to keep your background as clean and simple as possible. Consider photographing your item against a white wall or on a well-ironed plain tablecloth. It’s a good idea to also eliminate all clutter from the shot, so that there are no distractions.

Tip #2. Lighting

Whenever possible opt to photograph your item in natural lighting. Using a flash invariably creates heavy shadows that make it had to see your item clearly.

Tip #3. Avoid Camera Shake

Hold your phone or camera steady when taking photographs to avoid creating blurry and out of focus images. If you have a tripod handy, they are a fantastic way of ensuring your photographic equipment is held steady.

Tip #4. High Resolution

eBay requires all images uploaded to listings to be a minimum of 500 pixels for the images longest side. Fortunately, most camera and smartphones exceed this minimum anyway. Just remember, when it comes to eBay images, bigger is definitely better. You want potential buyers to be able to see your item clearly regardless of which type of device and size screen they are viewing it on.

Tip #5. Fill the Frame.

Take up as much space with your item as possible, and don’t be afraid to use a crop tool.

Tip #6. Get Every Angle

Whilst your main image should be the most-eye-catching, flattering image of your item, other images should be used to capture it from every angle, including any imperfections or damage.

Tip #7. Showing Scale

We know, we told you to eliminate other items from the frame back in Tip #1, but of course, there is an exception to the rule. Some items benefit from having a common item in the shot to demonstrate scale.

Tip #8. Don’t Use Filters

You want to present your item exactly as it is, so please…no filters.

Tip #9. Detailed Close Up Shots

Use close up shots to show off any special details on your item, or imperfections.

Tip #10. Avoid Using Props

This of course goes back to our point in Tip #1 about avoiding clutter, but it can also lead to confusion over what is actually including in the listing. Just keep it simple!

Thinking of having a clear-out at home? We highly recommend selling your pre-loved items on eBay instead of throwing them away. If you are tempted, but the thought of having to do several trips back-and-fore the post office puts you off, we’ve got good news.

In an effort to support its customers during the Coronavirus crisis, eBay and partner courier company Sendle, are ensuring that sending and receiving of items is 100% contact free. There’s no need to worry about visiting your local post office to arrange delivery. All you have to do is simply select and click on “Print Postage Label” in My eBay, and Sendle will pick up your item from your front door and it will be sent to the buyer. It couldn’t be easier. For more information on this service we recommend heading to the eBay website here for more information.

Not sure what to sell? Check out our article here on how you can make easy money from home by selling on eBay, without even having to leave the house to post them to your buyers!