Many car buyers start their hunt for a new vehicle online; a study by Cox Automotive reported that in 2020, car buyers spent more than seven hours researching and shopping online. The dealership website was noted to be the last destination for more than 30 percent of online shoppers.
For dealerships, their website should be memorable and informative. It needs to include the info shoppers are seeking and offer some memorable experiences and features, too. Photography is important to showcasing inventory, and some dealerships take charge of those photos.
Should car dealers use stock photos for their website, though? Yes and here are the reasons why stock photos are the best image choice for dealerships:
- Stock photos are high-resolution
- Stock photos are professionally staged
- They include all the detailed close-up shots buyers want and demand
- Stock photos can be immersive and interactive
- Base trim stock photos only show the most-budget friendly option of the model
Why DIY Photos Might Not Cut It
Some dealerships might decide to take their own photos of inventory for their website. This might be an ideal option for used inventory; these cars might have unique features or maybe some wear that can only be depicted in personalized photography.
However, to amp up excitement around new models, DIY photography might not have the same impact as a professionally staged photo. Hiring a professional photographer to capture new models could be cost prohibitive for dealerships, especially if the photographer needs to snap images of many new vehicles.
Choosing stock images can ensure that dealerships have access to the photos they need of every new model on their lot and in their showroom. Dealerships pay one price for a subscription and don’t need to worry about accruing costs of a photographer’s expenses and time.
Stock Photos Offer the Best Image Resolution
Professional stock photos from EVOX Images are never grainy or distorted. Dealerships have access to high-quality, high-resolution images that can be utilized in marketing materials, websites or even via social media and digital ads.
Use stock photos to create carousel ads that entice shoppers to explore a particular vehicle or drop an image into a social media post to build excitement around a new model. Photos also include engaging backgrounds that add to the impact of the image.
Stock Photos are Professionally Staged
Hiring a photographer to capture inventory means that the dealership and the photographer will have to choose a background or location for the photoshoot. The obvious location choice is often the dealership, but while this can add branding, the dealership or the dealership logo probably won’t create the most impactful or exciting photo.
EVOX Images stages its stock photos against impactful backdrops that create excitement, add drama and help to lend support to the dynamics of a model. For example, a half-ton pickup might be photographed on boulders against a wilderness backdrop. A Jeep model might be photographed seemingly off-roading in the desert.
Professional stock photos capture the design, function and mood of the vehicle. These images aren’t just pictures, they are a visual story for every vehicle.
Stock Photos Include the Detailed Close-Up Shots Buyers Demand
EVOX Images’ photo library for each model includes a variety of interior and exterior photographs. These photos don’t just capture basic features of the car, they zoom in on specific features and points and interests that buyers want to see as part of their online research. Car stock photos will include close-up images of:
- Gear shifts
- Infotainment screens
- Instrument panels
- Tires and wheel rims
- Headlights
- Hood ornaments and logos
- Seat upholstery and design
There are many different images that dealerships can use for their website to create a photo slideshow for a particular model. These photo slideshows also could be shared to social media sites, too. With professional stock photos, dealers can provide potential buyers with all the visual information they need and want about a model.
Stock Photos can be Immersive and Interactive
Unlike standard professional photography, car stock images can be used to create immersive and interactive experiences online. While EVOX Images offers standard one-dimensional photos, the company also provides dealerships with the option to access 360 degree spin photos.
Spin photos engage users and are completely interactive. EVOX Images includes both 360 degree exterior spin photos and 360 spin interior panorama photos. Exterior spin photos depict a vehicle model in 3D; car shoppers can interact with the image using a mouse or a fingertip (for mobile devices). The photo can be rotated 360 degrees to view the car from all angles.
Panorama spin photos let shoppers explore a vehicle’s interior. These photos can be experienced using a fingertip or a mouse. Panorama photos let a user feel like they are in the front seat looking all around the vehicle. They can look up and view the moon roof or look behind them to explore the space in the back.
Use 360 spin photos to enhance the user experience on the dealership’s website. Let buyers explore the vehicle and immerse into the shopping experience. Not only do these photos let potential buyers learn more about a vehicle, but 360 photos are fun to explore and use online.
Not all dealerships incorporate spin photos as part of their online user experience. Use these photos to make an impact with site visitors and offer an experience that others don’t provide.
Base Trim Stock Photos Depict the Most Budget-Friendly Option
One frustration for buyers when visiting dealership sites might be related to understanding the features of the base trim of a model. Many dealerships will show an image of a model with a note stating that the price differs from the base trim.
How can buyers visualize the base trim if there aren’t any images showing the base trim? EVOX Images offers a base trim library for every model in its online inventory. Dealerships can use these images to help shoppers understand what the base trim looks like and what features it includes.
Again, many dealerships might fail to include base trim photography. Offer these images as a beneficial resource to buyers who might be on a budget and looking for only the lowest-priced trim available.
Can Dealerships Request Customized Stock Photos?
Dealerships who are on the fence on using car stock photos to depict the new models in their inventory might hesitate because they want more personalized photography. Maybe the dealership wants their logo in the stock photos or they simply want to capture their newest models in the familiar backdrop of the dealership.
EVOX Images offers dealerships the option of custom photography. These photos are ideal for dealerships who might have a unique vehicle on their lot or dealerships that specialize in luxury pre-owned vehicles.
However, some dealerships might just want their online photos to be customized to stand out from the competition. Custom photoshoots can be arranged per the dealership’s request.
Capture all the Colors
One final way that dealerships might choose to include car stock photos is by using a three-angle colorized set. These photos show one model in the different hues offered by the manufacturer and help buyers understand how the model appears when selected in each paint color.
While the most popular colors for a vehicle are white, black and gray, three-way color photos give buyers the chance to see other colorful choices for their favorite models.
Dealerships Should Use Stock Photos
Car dealerships wondering if they should use stock photos should check out all their stock photo options on EVOX Images. Use photos to heighten engagement, provide more information about car models and create expansive slideshows for each vehicle.
Choose photos that set the dealership apart from the competition, enhance the user experience, and help buyers gain the information they want when they are researching their new car options.