Why Image Guidelines Matter

Exceptional product images are the backbone of eCommerce success. According to studies, over 90% of the information processed by the human brain is visual. This highlights why following proper image guidelines is crucial for online businesses. If you’re an African entrepreneur looking to grow your business, registering as an online seller on zonline.africa is your greatest advantage this year.

Adhering to the right image guidelines not only makes your store visually appealing but also builds trust with shoppers and drives sales. Let’s explore how zonline.africa simplifies this journey with clear, achievable standards.

Seller Profile & Logo Image Guidelines

Your profile and logo are the first impressions of your brand, and following proper image guidelines ensures they shine.

Specifications:

• Dimensions: 500px by 500px
• File Size: Ideally between 10-20kb, maximum 100kb

Why it matters:

These images represent your business identity. A crisp, professional logo can leave a lasting impression, setting the tone for your store’s credibility.

Seller Store Banner Image Guidelines

The banner is your store’s spotlight, helping visitors understand your brand visually.

Specifications:

• Dimensions: 625 by 300px
• File Size: Ideally 50kb, maximum 100kb

Pro Tip:

Optimize your banners to load quickly. Slow-loading banners can frustrate potential customers, reducing engagement.

Product and Service Image Guidelines

All product images must be 700px by 700px (max 1000px by 1000px) and not be more than 50kb in size. This is extremely important to ensure that your product has the zoom-in functionality and remember this is the selling point and should represent your brand very well. If you are not familiar with basic graphic design skills then you can also contact any one of our recommended Graphic Design companies or zonline experts listed on zonline.africa… Click HERE for a list of designers that you can use to get your business online. Remember to visit their stores and to read their terms and conditions as this is not an endorsement by zonline (See our Terms & Conditions).

The Two Types of eCommerce Product Images That Drive Sales

When it comes to eCommerce, not all product images are created equal. On zonline.africa, having the right types of images can make the difference between a shopper clicking “Add to Cart” “order on whatsapp” or scrolling past. Let’s break down the two essential types of product images and how they can work wonders for your online store.

1. White Background Images: The MVP of eCommerce

The first and most common type of product image features the item centered on a clean, white background. This classic style is your go-to for showcasing products on zonline.africa or any other online store. Why? Because it’s simple, effective, and focuses entirely on the product.

Here’s what makes white background images so powerful:

• Spotlight on Details: They highlight the product’s features in its best light, from multiple angles. Whether it’s the stitching on a bag or the buttons on a shirt, shoppers can clearly see what they’re buying.
• Close-Up Views: Including zoomed-in shots of specific functions or designs adds an extra layer of allure, enticing shoppers with the finer details.
• Consistency Across Products: A white background creates a uniform and professional look, making your product line visually appealing.

Pro Tip: Think of these images as your virtual salesperson. Since you’ll likely never meet your online clients in person, your product images must “speak” for you. Pair these visuals with compelling product descriptions, specifications, and you’ll have a winning combination to close the sale.

2. In-Context Images: Selling the Lifestyle

The second type, often called “in-context” or “lifestyle” images, shows the product in its natural environment or alongside complementary items. These images help shoppers envision how your product fits into their lives – creating an emotional connection.

Here’s how to make in-context images work for you:

• Show the Product in Use: For example, a dining set laid out for a family meal or a gas heater warming a cozy living room. This makes the purpose of the product instantly clear.
• Avoid Clutter: While these images add personality, they must remain focused. Overcrowded or unclear visuals can confuse or turn off potential buyers therefore will not be approved on zonline.africa.
• Create Desire: High-quality lifestyle photos, taken by a seasoned photographer, can make your product irresistible. These images are perfect as the last in a series to help shoppers emotionally connect with the product and imagine it in their own lives.

Important Reminder: While lifestyle images are engaging, don’t mislead customers. The focus should always remain on the product being sold, not on other elements in the image.

Maximize Your Images’ Potential

By combining the power of white background images and lifestyle images, you can appeal to both the shopper’s logical and emotional sides. Use white background images to showcase details and functionality, and lifestyle images to create an aspirational connection.

When done right, these two image types are a match made in eCommerce heaven – turning curious browsers into loyal customers on zonline.africa.

Please note that if your products do not meet these minimum requirements, they will not be approved. As part of the new Pan-Africanism narrative, we each have a role in showcasing that quality thrives in Africa. Together, we can prove that African businesses not only compete with the best but often surpass expectations. Dedicate time and effort to ensure your online store on zonline.africa reflects the excellence and innovation of your great African brand.

PLEASE NOTE: The main product image must have a white background except for service images that sometimes only make sense if they are of the service or taken in the environment such as is the case with for example a massage service image.

Reducing File Sizes Without Compromising Quality

Once you’ve created images that follow the image guidelines above, it’s time to compress them for faster loading. Use TinyPNG for effortless file size reduction:

1. Drag your image files to TinyPNG.
2. Let it optimize your images while retaining quality.
3. Download the compressed images and upload them to your zonline.africa store.

Pro Tip: Compressing files enhances performance. For instance, a haircut image was reduced from 265.4KB to just 41.2KB—a massive 84% reduction—without losing quality.

Have a look at the hair cut image above that we managed to reduce from 265.4KB (section A) to just 41.2KB (section B) as illustrated by the below screen capture from tinypng. That was a saving of 84% or 224KB (section D). Once the compression is done you can download the images one at a time (section C) or you can download all of them at once by clicking on ‘Download All’. Now you can upload your compressed downloaded product/service files to your online store on zonline.africa. This sounds like a lot of work but it’s not, compared to the gains… you will thank us later for teaching you this when your clients rave about how fast your store on zonline.africa loads.

Optimize Your Images for SEO

Following proper image guidelines is only part of the game. For better discoverability:

Add ALT text to explain what the image represents, boosting visibility on search engines.

Use descriptive file names. Example: ‘gas heater head zonline africa.jpg‘

Final Thoughts: Quality Images Reflect Quality Brands

The new Pan-Africanism movement calls for showcasing Africa’s excellence to the world. Adhering to proper image guidelines is a commitment to representing African brands at their best.

Here’s what to remember:

• White background images are mandatory for your main product photos.
• Service images can highlight their environment when appropriate.

Need help? zonline.africa’s support team is here to assist. Partner with us to elevate Africa’s image globally—because quality lives here!

Register on zonline.africa today and start creating your online store with confidence. Use the image guidelines to make your store visually captivating, attract more shoppers, and enhance your sales. With tools like the Order on WhatsApp button and expert design resources, zonline.africa ensures you’re equipped for success.

Let’s show the world that African brands are competitive, creative, and world-class. Everyone’zonline!