- Tips & Tricks
- Aug 19, 2022
How To Sell Clothing Online
You gotta be in it to win it, right? In this case, you’ve got to sell it first. Trying to be successful in selling clothing online takes a lot of effort and dedication. You’ll need to have your product photos look great and be able to write some witty captions if you’re looking to stand out in today’s marketplaces.
Maybe you’ve always dreamed of becoming the next t-shirt mogul or fashionista but never knew where to start. Having the right photography skills can absolutely help you make a fortune.
Of course, it can be overwhelming to know where to begin – especially if you’re a beginner in either clothes or photography (or both!)
With a few simple tricks, however, you’ll be selling like a professional in no time at all. Below, we’ll teach you how to build the perfect setup, choose the right gear, automatically remove image backgrounds, and more!
Why are quality photos important?
When embarking on your journey as a clothing seller or reseller, it’s easy to get distracted by which clothing items you want to sell and how you’re going to list them. What’s a fair price for that designer shirt? What should you name your store?
Remember, however, that photographs (quality ones) are your key to success in this industry. The top fashion brands post an average of eight photographs per item they sell, because let’s face it – we buy with our eyes first.
With that in mind, how can you make sure your images really do your clothing justice?
Get an excellent setup to make sure your photos look awesome
If you’re going to take the time for a photoshoot, you want it to look good, right? Of course, you do! There are a few things you can do to make sure your photos turn out fantastic every time.
First, let’s talk about clothes. If you’re going to be in the photo, make sure your clothes are wrinkle-free. No one wants to see a wrinkled shirt being advertised. You should also make sure your clothes are clean and pressed.
Take a few minutes to tidy up your surroundings before you start snapping away. Remove any stains or threads that might mar the surface you’re photographing on, and be sure to put away any stray belongings that could end up in the shot.
Once you’ve got a clean canvas to work with, you can be confident that your clothing photography will turn out to look amazing.
Buy and sell used clothing
No one wants to buy clothes that look like they’ve been sitting in a pile on the floor for weeks. Make sure your pictures show the clothes looking their best; iron out any wrinkles, and get rid of pesky stains.
If you’re selling on used clothing apps, make sure you take clear, well-lit photos from multiple angles and with a white background. There are clothing-specific sites such as ThreadUp or Mercari where people are often more interested in purchasing clothing than general shopping sites like eBay or Amazon.
Clothing apps can be helpful as well if you have some unique pieces that need to be sold quickly. And they are an excellent way to reach a niche market of buyers interested in specific types of clothing, particularly vintage items.
Choose the right camera and lighting
If you want your photos to look professional, you’ll need to invest in a good camera and some decent lighting. A DSLR camera will give you the best results, but a mid-range point-and-shoot will do the trick if you’re just starting out.
Top-of-the-range camera brands include Canon, Nikon, and Sony. Make sure you experiment with the settings to find what works best for you.
As far as lighting goes, natural light is always best. If you’re taking photos inside, try to position yourself near a window. If you’re taking them outside, early morning or late afternoon light will give you the best results.
Use a tripod
If you want to avoid blurry photos, use a tripod. This will help you keep your camera still while taking pictures, and it will also allow you to use a lower shutter speed, which will help reduce camera shake.
Use a hangar
If you’re selling clothing items that need to be hung up, invest in a few good quality clothes hangers. This will make your visuals look much more polished, and it will also help the clothes keep their shape while they’re being shipped.
Use a mannequin
If you think you’ll be using your mannequin often, it can be one of the priciest investments you make. However, it’s worth it for the professional look it can add to your work. Make sure to measure accurately and get the right size for your needs – a mannequin that’s too small or large will just be a waste of money.
Use a steamer
Invest in a good quality steamer if you’re selling clothing items that need to be hung up. This will help remove any wrinkles or creases from the clothes, and it will also help to kill any bacteria that might be present.
Use a model
If you want your photos to really stand out, hire a professional model. This will make your clothing look amazing, and it will also help you show off the fit of the garments. Just make sure you get permission from the model before you use their images.
Get creative with your photos
Once you’ve got the basic photo-taking tips down, it’s time to get creative. Think about ways you can make your images more visually appealing. This could mean adding props, using creative angles, or playing with lighting. The possibilities are endless, so have fun with it!
Use props that elevate the item you are selling
When it comes to styling a photoshoot, incorporating props can help add dimension and character to your images. Humans can recall thousands of images with incredible accuracy – so make your images memorable!
However, it’s important to use props that enhance your product rather than detract from it. For example, if you’re selling a summer dress, adding a pair of sunglasses or a sunhat to the photo can really help to sell the look.
Similarly, if you’re selling jewelry, using a simple velvet box or display stand can add a touch of luxury. Ultimately, the goal is to create an image that is both visually appealing and accurate to the item you are selling. By taking the time to style your photoshoot with care, you can create stunning visuals that will help boost your sales.
Make sure the label is visible
Sizing and authenticity are two important factors to consider when selling clothing items online. To address both of these concerns, it’s important to make sure the label is visible in the photo. This will help potential buyers know what size they’re looking at, and it will also help them verify that they’re getting the real deal.
If you’re selling vintage or second-hand clothing, it’s also a good idea to include a photo of just the label. This will help potential buyers know what they’re getting, and it will also help to authenticate the item.
Including photos of labels and brands is a simple way to provide buyers with the information they need to make a purchase, so be sure to take advantage of this tactic when listing your clothes for sale.
Remove image background
If you’re selling clothes online, it’s important to consider the background of your images. A busy or cluttered background can be distracting and make it difficult for potential customers to focus on the clothing itself.
By contrast, a simple, clean background can help to highlight the clothing and make it more appealing to shoppers. There are a number of ways to remove the background from an image, including using an automatic background remover tool like Slazzer. It uses advanced AI so you can simply upload a picture and it will instantly replace the background with a transparent layer. You can also use their bulk background remover desktop app to process thousands of images per day or integrate their Slazzer API directly into your website or app. This allows you to create a clean, sophisticated look that is consistent and is sure to appeal to shoppers.
As you can see in the two images below, there’s an enormous difference between a cluttered, unattractive background and no background at all. The second image tends to look far more professional; plus, you can add your store branding for a customized look.
So when you’re taking photos of clothing for sale, be sure to keep the background in mind. A little bit of effort can make a big difference in the overall impact of your visuals.
Add some flair with editing
Once you’ve taken your photos, it’s time to edit them. This is where you can really add some flair and make them stand out. Polishing your images requires time and effort, but it’s well worth your while; studies show that product photography is ‘very influential’ to 75 percent of consumers, so take the time to make yours excellent.
There are a number of ways to edit photos, but some simple tips can help you get started.
First, try adjusting the brightness and contrast. This can help to make your images pop and really grab attention. You can also play with the saturation and temperature to create different effects.
Another way to add some interest to your photos is to experiment with filters. There are a number of free photo editing apps that offer a variety of filters, so you can easily find one that suits your needs. Just be sure not to go overboard with the editing. A little bit can go a long way, so less is often more when it comes to editing.
By following these simple tips, you can take great photos of clothing that will help boost your sales. So get creative, have fun, and start selling!
Reach out to buyers directly
Have you ever found the perfect pair of shoes online, only to discover that they’re not quite your size? Or bought a shirt that you loved, only to realize it was too small?
For buyers also, it can be frustrating to find clothing that they love, only to find out that they don’t quite fit. Clothing websites and apps that enable two-way communication between buyers and sellers are a great way to buy and sell used clothing.
Whether you’re selling clothes online or through a clothing app, you can use the platform to communicate directly with potential buyers. This way, you can let them know what sizes you have available and provide detailed information about the items you’re selling.
So if you’re looking for a way to sell your clothing more effectively, reach out to buyers directly. You may be surprised at how interested they are and what they have to say.
Take advantage of social media
Social media can be a great way to market your clothes and reach potential buyers. You can use platforms like Instagram and Facebook to post photos of your clothing, tag the brands, and include information about the items. You can also use social media to promote seasonal sales and discounts.
This is a great way to reach out to potential customers who might not be familiar with your clothing line. By taking advantage of social media, you can definitely reach a wider audience and boost your sales.
Mistakes to avoid
As a first-time seller, you may encounter some difficulties and might not get the results and sales that you were expecting. So, it is important to learn from your mistakes in order to improve your chances of success. Here are some mistakes that you should avoid when selling clothes online:
One mistake to avoid is not taking accurate measurements of your items. Buyers want to know exactly what they’re getting, so take the time to measure each piece of clothing and include the measurements in your listings.
Another mistake to avoid is using low-quality photos. Buyers can’t see the clothing in person, so it’s important to use clear, well-lit images that show off the items in the best light possible. Avoid using blurry or dark ones, as these will turn buyers off.
Finally, don’t overcharge for shipping. Many buyers are reluctant to purchase clothing items online because of the high shipping costs. Offer free shipping whenever possible, or charge a reasonable flat rate that won’t deter potential buyers.
Try to avoid these mistakes, and you will be well on your way to becoming a successful online seller.
Final words: Display the best photos for your listings
Taking and uploading quality photos can be a time-consuming task. There’s lots to think about, and sometimes, you’ll walk away from your photoshoot frustrated with the outcome.
There’s a lot of value in persistence, however – especially when those sales start flooding in, and your bank account begins to grow. Give your clothes the high-quality advertising they deserve by using a good camera, removing distracting backgrounds, and editing each shot to perfection.
Good luck, and have fun!
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