Visual Search In Ecommerce: How Retailers Can Optimize Images to Win More Customers

One of the most critical tasks that an eCommerce site must perform is image management. Let’s take a look at how computer vision with digital asset management may help you increase your eCommerce conversions. In this post, we will discuss the fundamentals and development of computer vision in eCommerce, as well as how commerce firms are utilizing today’s technology.

AI is changing the way organizations conduct their digital marketing initiatives. One of the most beneficial ways that AI is revolutionizing business is in the management of digital assets for eCommerce companies. Images are important in boosting conversions for online retailers. Users rely on visuals to deliver accurate and useful information because they cannot touch or engage with a product. This is why corporations, in particular, need to employ and make use of AI and computer-vision technologies to manage their digital assets and optimize them for visual search.

What is Visual Search?

Visual search is the term used when someone executes a search for images with images. For eCommerce, it is a query made using a product image in order to find similar-looking items and let the search engine provide further suggestions. These recommendations might include goods from the same line, related products or brands, and so on.

Now that the eCommerce market is already saturated with a lot of similar products, it is recommended that eCommerce companies and brands optimize for visual search. Unless companies adapt this into their strategies, surviving in the market will be difficult especially at this age where consumers are more inclined to processes that are easier and more efficient.

ECommerce Benefits of Visual Search

We are visual beings that digest visuals faster than texts. The human brain analyzes images hundreds of thousands of times quicker than text, and visual information constitutes the vast bulk of information conveyed to the brain. It’s not surprising that when given the option to search for information using images, individuals quickly embrace this search habit. Consumers are increasingly adopting visual search in eCommerce, and firms should consider adding it into their online purchasing experience.

Visual search also makes it easier for customers or individuals to look for a certain, relevant, or similar image in cases that he/she does not know its name. It is also useful if the person is unsure of how to make a search about a product via the search engine with text.

Here are the other important benefits of product image optimization: your product images for visual search to your brand.

Product Discovery

For most buyers, precisely defining products, whether clothing or furniture, is difficult. Visual search increases product discovery by allowing customers to search for products using photos. Customers are provided with the closest match that is — and this is critical — available for sale, rather than having to comb through endless results that aren’t precisely what they’re searching for.

Social Discovery

With so many eCommerce sites, it might be difficult to stand out on Google. On the other side, because Visual Search in ECommerce is still in its early stages, it helps companies stand out from the crowd – and ensure that buyers see things from their product catalogs.

Increased Conversions

Visual search shortens the consumer’s route to buy by increasing the customer experience. According to the Forbes article, BooHoo had an 85 percent conversion rate for consumers who used Camera Search vs those who did not, while Forever21 saw a 20 percent rise in average purchase value after incorporating Visual Search in ECommerce.

Cross-selling and inspiration

Customers are increasingly demanding a multichannel buying experience, and visual search responds to their need to seamlessly transition between the online and real worlds. For instance, Tommy Hilfiger’s machine vision app, which allows fans to purchase things right from the 2017 Tommy Hilfiger show in Los Angeles, led to shoppers spending twice as many hours at Tommy Hilfiger’s online store.

How to Optimize Images for Visual Search Engines?

These search engines examine the image’s components in order to produce relevant results. The results either provide information (such as locations, landmarks, or monuments) or offer results where you may buy the goods. You may also use visual search to capture a photo and submit it later to discover information. Visual search is critical for your target audience. Given that humans digest pictures 60,000 times quicker than words, you must optimize your photographs to assist more people to locate your items. Not to mention that there are considerably more items in the world than there are words in English.

Images are crucial in increasing conversions for your company. People are visual learners, therefore they will initially want to view photographs of your items. You can also use professional picture editors to help optimize your images. Your visuals have the potential to determine whether or not a lead converts.

7 ways to optimize for visual search

1. Choose high-resolution photos

If you wish to acquire leads through visual search, you must invest in high-quality images. High-quality photographs guarantee that Google can match your photo to a person’s search query. Avoid utilizing grainy or low-resolution images on your website since they are unappealing to your target audience and make your site appear amateurish. Not to mention that your target audience will have a difficult time obtaining a good look at your product. High-resolution photographs guarantee that your audience can easily view your product. It will keep your audience interested and involved in your goods.

2. Post multiple product images

When optimizing your company’s website for visual search, be sure to include a lot of photographs of your items. You don’t want to rely on just one image. It is possible that leads will pass over your goods in favor of a competitor’s.

Multiple photos guarantee that your leads can discover your items regardless of the angle from which they see them. They should be able to discover a rear-facing snapshot of the product on your website if they take a picture of it from the back. By photographing your items many times, you can ensure that your target audience discovers your website first. This will assist you in generating more valuable leads for your company.

3. Optimize image size and file types

Optimize picture size and file types if you want to see the greatest results from your visual search approach. When you employ high-resolution photographs, your site may become clogged. High-resolution photographs have bigger file sizes, which means they take longer to load. Use Background remover for ecommerce to help optimize your images.

You can improve loading speed, attract leads, and keep them on your page by optimizing your photographs. This will assist you in increasing conversions from your visual search approach.

4. Do a keyword research

Keyword research is vital not just for search engine optimization (SEO), but it also has an influence on visual search. Keywords assist you in providing a more detailed description of your product image. It aids in the appearance of your photograph in the appropriate results. Keyword research will assist you in determining the best keywords for your campaign. There are several keyword research tools available to assist you in finding the best keywords for your campaign.

Long-tail keywords should be prioritized while choosing keywords. These are keywords of three or more words. Long-tail keywords are more particular and comprehensive, resulting in a higher number of qualified leads. Keyword research will assist you in locating long-tail keywords for your photographs. It will assist you in providing a beneficial description of your goods to your audience.

5. Optimize image titles and descriptions

Once you’ve decided on your long-tail keywords, incorporate them into your picture title and caption. Keywords within your statement contribute to detecting the picture’s content. Your intended market would be likely to discover your items more quickly, which is beneficial for persons who are visually challenged. They can use screen readers to read the description of your image and comprehend what’s in it.

Make your title descriptive when you write it. A generic file name, such as “img203.png,” will not benefit Google or your visitors. To assist your audience and Google understands your image better, develop a meaningful headline and informative description. It is critical to include your keywords in your title and description to assist your readers to better comprehend your image. It will also improve the visibility of your photographs in relevant search results.

6. Include captions

Many companies make the mistake of believing that their brand’s image is self-explanatory. They exclude captions because they are certain that their audience will grasp the context of their photograph. Captions, in actuality, help viewers comprehend the image better.

Captions will help you describe what’s going on in your shot. You might go into further depth about your product or the action in the photograph. It adds context to your image, making it easier for your viewers to process. You may boost the rating of your pictures by providing captions. With visual search, many individuals will locate your image sooner. It’s a wonderful technique to assist additional leads in finding your stuff.

7. Add alternative text

Include alternate text, or an alt tag, with your photographs when you post them to the web. An alt tag is a fantastic area to provide information about your photo, and it should be present in every image you post.

 

This, like your descriptions, is vital to provide for visually challenged portions of your readership. They can utilize screen readers to read the alt tag and have a better understanding of your image. It’s a terrific method to provide potential consumers with an accurate description of your picture. Alt text likewise assists browsers in grasping the content of your images. They will score your images correctly as algorithms understand the significance of the photograph. It’s an excellent technique to assist more valuable leads in finding your image.

Takeaway…

Images are used by online retailers to display product information. These photographs must be of good quality and correctly depict the product. When a company deals with a huge number of items and photographs, it becomes tough to manage them. Computer vision can significantly increase the quality and accuracy of the photographs on your website.

AI is critical in e-commerce enterprises, as even little inaccuracies can lead to customer desertion. There are several AI tools and platforms available to train a computer-vision model to serve your e-commerce firm. Understanding how AI and computer vision may aid you will allow you to make better decisions for the growth of your website. You can make educated choices about the technologies and tools you will use to manage your digital assets. You’ll also be able to give your consumers more precise information, which will increase conversions.