Actual photos vs graphic representation

[palmpal]

I recently launched an internet business. While business is doing good I'd like your feedback on the use of graphics to display products. In the interest of time I will often design a product and simply upload a graphic representation of the product instead of an actual photograph. This allows me to update my site more timely versus making up the physical products and photographing them. Do you think in the long run this will hurt my business? Would photographs be better?

Thanks!

[mat_bastian]

I can tell you this... I would feel much more comfortable buying a product that I could actually see. A photo would be much prefered to a drawing.

Are you selling some sort of prototypes of products or something? Why is it easier to post a drawing rather than a photo?

[palmpal]

Thanks for the response.

My products are based on graphic designs. I design a new layout and output the designs in various physical formats/products. The physical products take time to produce since, in many cases, the graphic design is only a small step in the process. I thought about replacing the graphics with photos as I fill orders because I can just take photos of my products before shipping. Many of my products are personalized as well. I can understand your point with "the real thing" being better. In some cases my graphic representation would show my product "better" than a scan or photo.

I put together my website, launched my business and am just now getting a breather from the holiday rush. All this backend work with maintaining the website, analyzing logs, etc. It's hard to find time to actually produce my product line! :)

This forum has been a great resource for a newbie like me!'

[Crazy_Fool]

>>All this backend work with maintaining the website,
>>analyzing logs, etc. It's hard to find time to actually
>>produce my product line!

don't be afraid to employ someone to develop, maintain and promote the site for you - you can save money by doing the site yourself, but if it's at the expense of product lines, then you're not saving anything - you could be losing more than you save.

[palmpal]

True and point taken. But the knowledge I've gained by learning how to create a website, albeit minimal knowledge, has been a great experience! Getting my site to validate (when I didn't even know what that meant!) was also a good lesson and something to be proud of.

To get back to your suggestion. I guess I would know more about the whole backend scenario if I did decide to outsource some of these tasks! It must be difficult to work with business owners who don't know the technical side!

I am amazed at the talent on this forum!