The rule in the automotive industry is show, don’t tell. Hearing about a car’s comfort, technology, and performance is nice, but customers only truly understand what it all means when they see it for themselves. As car shoppers are increasingly introduced to vehicles via websites, high-quality, web-friendly images that offer a captivating look at each car are becoming more critical than ever before.
To access these images and create a strong online presence, dealerships, car rental agencies, ridesharing services, automotive publications, and countless others in the auto industry are turning to stock photography. However, not all stock libraries are created equal. To find the best car stock photo database for website use, there are 5 key features to consider.
1. QUALITY CAR PHOTOS MATTER
The single most important factor in car stock photos is quality. This means not only consistent lighting levels, consistent angles, and true to life colors across the entire database, but a sense of aesthetic excellence in each image. . High-quality, consistent photos create a cohesive, professional look while optimizing the functionality of the images. Viewers can trust that each image is representative of the vehicle and easily compare other vehicles side-by-side.
Quality also needs to be maintained across different photo formats. The best car photo databases provide assets in a range of common, up-to-date formats to ensure optimal usability, quick loading times, and compatibility across devices.
2. COMPLETE COVERAGE OF EACH VEHICLE
Whether visiting a dealership website, an online review site, or third-party classified listings, car shoppers want to see as much of a vehicle as possible. While dramatic beauty shots can be a significant component of showcasing a car, customers need a more comprehensive overview to help them better understand a particular vehicle and imagine themselves in it. And that requires more than just a single hero image.
For dealers, choosing a car photo database that offers complete interior and exterior coverage of each vehicle allows customers to fully experience a vehicle without ever stepping into a showroom. For automotive publications, the ability to pair articles and reviews with relevant, specific images can be invaluable. For rental agencies, photos of key features like cargo space and the layout of passenger seating can play a pivotal role in customer decision-making. Indeed, the variety of images available for each vehicle should be a top consideration for virtually any application.
3. COVERAGE OF NEW AND UPCOMING MAKES AND MODELS
The automotive industry is constantly evolving, bringing new releases and model updates to market each year. At a time when the public can hear about new and upcoming vehicles more quickly than ever before, the ability to preview these cars as early as possible can help solidify interest and build strong and lasting relationships. When choosing a car photo database for websites, it is important to select one that is regularly updated with the latest models—whether they’re available for purchase or just making their debut. Depending on the application, a database that offers specialized speed-to-market solutions for new releases and just-announced vehicles may be particularly beneficial.
4. EXTENSIVE COVERAGE OF PAST PRODUCTION MODELS
Of course, the automotive market isn’t just about new cars. In fact, over 30 million used cars have been sold annually since 2000, and selling, renting, and writing about past models are all core components of the automotive industry. A car photo database that offers comprehensive coverage of these vehicles allows their marketing and editorial materials to be just as strong as those for new vehicles.
In some cases, these assets can be particularly valuable for older vehicles, as finding high-quality images is often difficult once a vehicle has left production. Existing examples are unlikely to be stock, and models that have been meticulously maintained to factory standards aren’t usually available. A complete range of high-quality stock photos taken when the vehicle was brand new is often the best—and may be the only—way to showcase its features, whether on a dealership website or in a specialty publication.
5. PRODUCTS THAT MAKE THE MOST OF TECHNOLOGY
Websites have evolved and today, they can offer immersive experiences that engage viewers and allow automotive companies to expand digital marketing, publications, and services far beyond what was possible only a few short years ago. Forward-thinking companies must take this potential into account when choosing a car stock photo database for website use and consider the technological capabilities of the library. From interactive spins to complete virtual reality libraries, having the assets needed to create compelling online experiences will soon no longer be a bonus, but an expected part of automotive industry websites.
THE RIGHT CAR PHOTO DATABASE FOR WEBSITE USE
The internet has brought countless opportunities for automotive sales, marketing, and writing. Specialized photo databases, like EVOX Images, allows users to take advantage of these opportunities by offering the depth, breadth, and the speed to market necessary for all applications. With high-quality assets in engaging, web-friendly formats, the right car stock photos can breathe new life into websites and allow companies across the automotive industry to adapt and grow in a rapidly changing landscape.
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