Here are some tips to help you take the best-possible photos for your listings.

More photos are better

Instead of uploading only one or two photos, add as many as you can. Shoot multiple angles to show the item’s details and blemishes. Take photos of brand labels and model numbers. Your first photo will be the one that appears in search results, so choose one that will catch your buyers’ attention.

Use clear, crisp, high-quality photos

Take high-resolution photos so your item will look good on big and small screens. Use a tripod to keep focus steady while shooting. Turn off the flash and use soft, diffused lighting.

Focus on the item being sold

Use white backgrounds, avoid using props, and fill the frame with your item. Capture the natural colors of your item — no filters necessary.

Listings with better photo quality are 4.5% more likely to sell*. These requirements will help you get there.

1. Every listing must have at least one photo

If your item is something that can’t be photographed, like a vacation package or a home-improvement service, browse the Internet for copyright-free images you can use with your listing.

2. Meet the minimum photo size

Price in Tanzania requires a minimum of 500 pixels for an image’s longest side. Most cameras and camera phones will exceed this minimum, and bigger is better!

3. Don’t use borders

Borders aren’t allowed on any item photos, except if it’s a natural border created by photographing your square or rectangular item against a neutral backdrop.

4. Don’t add text or artwork

No text or artwork, like “Free Shipping” or seller logos, may be added to photos. Use the title, subtitle, and description box to include details of your item.

5. Use stock photos only for brand-new items

Stock photos cannot be used for pre-owned items. Catalog images are acceptable, but not as the primary photo for pre-owned items except those in the Books, Movies, Music, or Video Game categories.

*Likelihood to sell based on an Price in Tanzania study that reviewed 6.8 million listings that resulted in an increase in 4.5% more sales over this period; “better photo quality” defined as photos that measure 500 or greater pixels on the longest side, do not have added text or graphics, and are uploaded to Price in Tanzania picture service. Individual results may vary and results assume that sellers do not increase the item price while making these changes.