No one wants to browse online eCommerce store pages with blurry or pixelated pictures that are slow to load. This almost immediately gives the impression that the store might be suspicious, or users are simply unwilling to wait for the site to finish loading.
On the other hand, online stores that use eye-catching, engaging images, graphics, and animated images can obtain increased revenue, higher quality leads, and higher search engine page rankings.
Successful Shopify store owners know that they need to have the best high quality images possible, but uploading images to can feel intimidating at first when you consider all the different requirements for file sizes, image format, resolution, and types.
Here's an easy guide about Shopify image sizes, image optimization, editing images, and more to help you get started.
Table of Contents
Ideal Shopify Image Sizes
Banner size
Header image size
Product image size
Slideshow image size
Collection image size
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Conclusion
Ideal Shopify Image Sizes
Logo Size
Your Shopify logo image size is important not only because it needs to fit Shopify's image size constraints, but also because it needs to be legible and impactful. If your logo is too small, people won’t be able to read it. A large logo will make a bigger impression, while a smaller logo will appear more subtle.
The biggest you can make your Shopify logo is 450 pixels by 250 pixels. This is so your logo will display properly in the sidebar, which has a width of 250 pixels. Your logo can be smaller, but it may become blurry when it's stretched to a larger size on your store pages. You won't be able to upload an image larger than that.
Banner Size
Your Shopify banner is an important visual element of your store since, along with your logo, it's one of the first things people will see when they come to your shop. Your hero banner image should help communicate your brand's messaging and feel as soon as customers visit your Shopify stores.
How big you can make your Shopify banner images depends on the theme you are using. Most themes use banners that are 1200 pixels wide, and the height can range between 400, 600, or even 800 pixels.
Check your theme to find the appropriate Shopify banner image size for the best display on all devices. If your Shopify banner size has too much space or is any other size, it will be stretched or shrunk to fit those dimensions, potentially resulting in the loss of image quality.
Header Image Size
You can also add an image to the Shopify header block. For example, if you have a special promotion running, you can create and post a graphic that highlights the sale. You can keep your shop's banner image the same and update the header image depending on what you want to promote.
However, it's important to note that the Shopify header image size is actually quite short and wide. The image's width is about the same as the Shopify image size, but its height is only 120 pixels tall.
Product Image Size
Your Shopify product images are arguably the most important type of photo you will display on your Shopify store. This is because they are the only images that provide potential customers with a visual representation of your products, since they can't see, touch, hear, or smell them in person.
High-resolution square images with a good aspect ratio and image file size can help sell your products to a larger audience.
Product photos are similar to collection images and can be any size up to 4472 x 4472 pixels or 20 megapixels. That said, Shopify recommends square product photos that are 2048 x 2048 pixels for uniformity and consistency. Square product images can be smaller, but they shouldn't go under 800 x 800 pixels.
This will cause square images to lose quality with certain functions, like pinching and zooming on mobile devices.
Slideshow Image Size
A Shopify stores slideshow is a mobile-friendly album of images that users can scroll through to see a brand's featured products. The ideal Shopify slideshow image size is 1200 pixels to 2000 pixels wide by 400 to 600 pixels tall, depending on the theme of your store.
Just remember that like all Shopify images, Shopify slideshow images are trimmed and resized for mobile, so make sure they are middle aligned so the app doesn't crop images differently from what you want.
Your Shopify slideshow image size should be neither too small or too large to avoid potential quality issues. This helps your slideshow to look and function well, which ultimately engages potential customers and drives traffic, leads, and sales.
Collection Image Size
A Shopify collection image is an element or widget of sorts that allows users to display pictures of their Shopify collections on both collections and non-collection pages. Shopify collection images can actually be any size or accepted image format, so long as they are below 20 megapixels or smaller than 4472 x 4472 pixels.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Shopify Image Sizes
Why do I need properly sized images on my Shopify store?
If your Shopify images are too small, they'll look blurry and low-quality on your store. This will give customers a bad impression of your brand and could lead to them going to a competitor's store. On the other hand, if your Shopify image sizes are over the maximum image size, they'll take too long to load, which will also frustrate customers.
To avoid these issues, you need to make sure each image is the correct file size for where it will be displayed on the site. Don't try to upload images over the maximum image file size or with the incorrect image aspect ratio. This will ensure that your images look clear and high-quality, while also loading quickly.
What are Shopify themes and do they affect what size my images should be?
Shopify themes are templates that control the overall look and feel of your store. They affect things like the layout of your website, the colors and fonts you use, and the way your products are displayed.
When it comes to images, most themes will automatically resize them to fit the space they're in. However, it's still a good idea to upload Shopify images images that are the right size for the theme you're using. That way, you can avoid having your images stretched or distorted.
Be sure to check your theme's image sizes before getting started. Cropping and resizing can lower the photo's resolution, making it appear grainy or blurred when you do get it uploaded to your store.
If you're not happy with the way your store looks, you can always switch to a new theme. Shopify has a wide selection of themes to choose from, so you're sure to find one that you like. Plus, switching to a new theme is a quick and easy way to give your store a fresh look.
What are stock images and can I use them on Shopify?
Stock photos are professional photographs of common places, items, or activities. Many online businesses use stock photos to enhance their products or for background images on their websites, but some businesses prefer to use high-quality photos of their facility, storefront, or the products themselves.
If you choose to use stock photos for your Shopify images, you can do so by purchasing a license from a company. You can either buy a subscription for a certain number of images you can download each day, or you can just pay for the images you want outright.
There are many different stock photo providers to choose from, so it's important compare and contrast features to find what works best for you.
Be sure to read the terms and conditions of the website or company you are purchasing them from to make sure you have the right licensing and are using them in the right way to avoid potential penalties.
Do I need a commercial use license for stock photos?
There are several different types of image licenses for stock photos that you can choose from depending on your needs. Since your Shopify store is considered commercial use, you will need to make sure that the license you purchase allows for you to use the images to sell your products. Stock images that are used for blogs, newsletters, and non-commercial initiatives do not need a commercial use license.
If you don't purchase the correct license for your stock photos, you could be opening yourself up to legal issues down the road. For example, if you use a photo that is only licensed for personal use on your commercial website, the photographer could file a lawsuit against you. A judge may order you to pay the photographer or image owner what they would have made had the correct license been purchased initially, plus court costs and administrative fees.
To avoid any potential problems, make sure you're buying the most appropriate license for your needs when using stock photography for your Shopify store.
What image formats or file formats does Shopify accept?
Image formats or file formats are also an important consideration before uploading images to your online store. Shopify supports nearly every common image file type, including JPEG, GIF, and PNG image files, as well as TFF, HEIC, PSD, BMP, and WebP. No matter which image format you need to use, they should be high-quality and the right file size.
This helps maintain a fast site loading speed for all the Shopify images you're using.
Do I need high resolution images for Shopify?
If you want your Shopify store to be able to compete with others in your niche, high resolution images are a must. Multiple images that are too small or of poor quality can make your store look unprofessional and could deter customers from making a purchase.
While you don't need to use professional photos, using high resolution photos will give your store a much more polished look.
What is image optimization and do I need it?
Image optimization is the process of reducing the file size of an image while keeping the quality as high as possible. This can be done through a number of methods, like reducing the number of colors in an image, or using data compression.
Optimization is important for a number of reasons, including reducing the amount of time it takes for an image to load, and saving storage space. Shopify automatically compresses images, which makes this step a little easier.
However, there are still a few things you can do to further reduce the file size of your images. Most often, Shopify store owners use a plugin or application that automatically resizes photos on the site for them, making it easier to keep everything uniform across the entire store.
Which image sizes work best for mobile?
It's important to consider how your images will display on mobile devices when you upload them to your online store. Small images are easy to load on a mobile device and don't take up much space.
Medium images are a good Shopify product image size for most mobile devices, and large image dimensions are perfect for devices with high-resolution screens, although they do take longer to load. Shopify suggests using square images for mobile for a clean layout and easy pinching and zooming.
Are there any product photos that aren't allowed?
Shopify has strict regulations on what product images, banner image and background image designs, and collection images can feature and what can and cannot be posted for sale on an online store.
This includes but is not limited to virtual currency, illegal or regulated products, sexually explicit items, products that promote violence or hatred, and counterfeit goods. If an item does not meet the Shopify image size guidelines, the product will be removed from the store. If your items are frequently removed due to inappropriate images, you may be at risk of serious consequences.
Conclusion
Paying attention to your image sizes, resolution, and quality can help you improve your Shopify storefront, helping to increase traffic and sales. Make sure you're choosing good photos that are the same size and align with your brand messaging and goals, and if you're choosing stock photos, make sure you've bought the correct usage license.
No matter which photos you choose or how large or small they are, remember that images create a more engaging store that people want to browse and shop from, and attractive, well-formatted pictures can take your Shopify store to the next level.
(Sources: Ecom Solid)
