Images decide trust before text does
Many customers judge the business before reading the description. Clean, sharp, well-lit images make a business feel active and credible. Dark, blurry, cropped, or messy images make even good businesses look careless.
- Use bright, sharp images where the subject is easy to see.
- Make the product, food, car, place, or service result the main focus.
- Avoid screenshots, forwarded WhatsApp images, heavy filters, and low-resolution photos.
- Use a clean background when possible.
- Show the real item or real business environment when trust matters.
The basic image rule
A strong image clearly shows the subject, has enough light, and does not distract the customer.
- Use natural light when possible.
- Avoid harsh flash unless you know how to control it.
- Keep the subject centered or intentionally framed.
- Make sure the image is not tilted in a careless way.
- Clean the background before taking the photo.
- Take more than one photo and choose the sharpest one.
Recommended sizes and formats
Sestag can optimize uploaded images, but the source image still matters. A low-quality source image cannot become a premium image just because it was uploaded.
- Profile image or logo: square, minimum 600 × 600 px.
- Cover image: landscape, minimum 1600 × 900 px.
- Product image: square or 4:5, minimum 1000 × 1000 px.
- Menu item image: square or 4:5, minimum 1000 × 1000 px.
- Service image: square, 4:5, or landscape depending on the result shown.
- Event poster: 4:5 or vertical, minimum 1080 × 1350 px.
- Automotive listing image: landscape, minimum 1600 × 900 px.
- Use JPG or WebP for photos, PNG for logos or graphics when needed.
Profile and cover images
The profile image and cover image should quickly explain the business identity. A logo is useful, but the cover image should usually show the business, atmosphere, products, service, food, cars, or space.
- Use the logo as the profile image if the logo is clean and readable.
- Use a real business photo as the cover image when possible.
- Restaurants should show food, dining atmosphere, or a strong hero dish.
- Auto businesses should show the showroom, a strong vehicle angle, or a clean lineup.
- Service businesses should show the workspace, result, team, or service environment.
- Avoid using a generic stock image as the main cover unless it truly matches the brand.
Product photography
Product images should show what the customer is buying. The first image should show the full item clearly. Extra images can show details, texture, packaging, labels, scale, or usage.
- Show the full item first.
- Use detail shots after the main image.
- Use a clean table, wall, floor, or background.
- Avoid distracting objects around the product.
- For small products, get closer instead of cropping later.
- For used products, show visible wear honestly.
Food photography
Food images should look appetizing but real. Customers should not feel tricked when the item arrives or when they visit.
- Use 45-degree angles for plates, bowls, burgers, sandwiches, and plated dishes.
- Use top-down angles for pizza, pastries, mezze, sushi, desserts, and table spreads.
- Avoid direct flash because it often makes food look flat or oily.
- Use clean plates and clean table surfaces.
- Show realistic portions.
- Do not over-edit colors until the food looks fake.
- For menus, prioritize best sellers and signature items first.
Automotive photography
Car buyers expect visual proof. A car listing with weak photos creates suspicion, even when the vehicle is good.
- Shoot in daylight, preferably in open shade or soft light.
- Clean the car before taking photos.
- Use landscape orientation for most car photos.
- Avoid extreme wide-angle distortion.
- Show exterior, interior, dashboard, odometer, tires, and visible imperfections.
- Do not hide damage. Showing it clearly builds trust and avoids wasted leads.
Common image mistakes
These mistakes make profiles look less premium and reduce confidence.
- Uploading screenshots instead of real images.
- Using blurry images as main photos.
- Cropping the product too tightly.
- Using images with messy backgrounds.
- Using images with text that is too small to read on mobile.
- Using old photos that no longer represent the current business or item.
- Using too many similar images instead of showing useful angles.