Product Background Color: Why It Matters And How To Get It Right in 2024

The eCommerce industry in 2023 was more challenging than ever, with numerous sites available that offer a wide variety of products.

The return rate is a critical aspect of any eCommerce business’ success and, besides the conversion rate, is worth paying attention to. An astonishing 11% of people claimed to have returned products due to incorrect product images!

In addition, color inaccuracies left an impact on 58% of consumers, who stated they wouldn't make future purchases from the brand. So, a single mistake can result in a loss of customer trust and harm future sales — a significant blow to your business.

In this article, we’ll explore the importance of product background color and the best backgrounds for product photography and how it can influence customer perception and sales.

Product background color plays a big role in creating visual contrast and attracting attention to the product in eCommerce. A well-chosen background color can help the product stand out and draw the viewer's eye toward it, highlighting its features and benefits. By creating a clear separation between the product and the background, a contrasting background color can create a strong focal point and make the product the centerpiece of the image.

First and foremost, the best backgrounds for product photography are in line with your brand’s color scheme. They help to reinforce your brand identity and make it easier for customers to recognize your product on the shelves (or online).

For example, if your brand is associated with the color blue, using a blue background for your product packaging can help to reinforce that association.

The best background color for product photography depends on various factors. Get started by following these 3:

Using a light background with a dark color product is an excellent way to create contrast. This contrast makes the product more visible and draws the audience's attention to it.

On the other hand, matching a product and background with similar tones can create a calm and nuanced image that looks more sophisticated. This option is particularly useful when you want to convey a brand’s subtle and refined image.

For example, if you’re showcasing a product with a neutral color like beige or gray, pairing it with a similarly toned background will create a subtle look.

Lastly, it's always a good idea to test different background colors to see what works best for your product and brand image. Testing different options will give you a better idea of what resonates with your audience and what enhances your product's visual appeal.

Different tools on the market can help you to experiment with the color combinations. One of those is Coolors. With this tool, you can easily find perfect color combinations for your brands’ and packaging designs. All you need to do is enter your colors in the color inspector and then lock them. After entering your colors just click on the spacebar and Coolors will generate the color palette that matches your ‘locked’ colors!

In the world of eCommerce, high-quality images can make the difference between a successful sale and a lost customer. However, what many online retailers fail to consider is the impact of the background color on their product photo’s presentation and overall website design.

The background color of a product photo can have a significant impact on how the product is perceived by the customer. Different colors can evoke different emotions and associations, which can influence the customer's decision-making process.

Here are some examples of the best background color for product photography:

White Background:White backgrounds are a popular choice for product photos because they are simple, clean, and neutral. They allow the product to stand out without any distractions

White backgrounds are often associated with purity, cleanliness, and simplicity.

Black Background: Black backgrounds can create a dramatic and elegant effect. They are often used for luxury and high-end products.

Black is associated with elegance and power. However, black backgrounds can also make products look smaller and less detailed.

Gray Background: Gray backgrounds are a popular choice for products that come in a variety of colors. They provide a neutral background that won't clash with any of the product's colors.

Gray is associated with stability, neutrality, and balance.

Colored Background: Colored backgrounds can be used to create a mood or atmosphere. For example, a blue background can create a calming effect, while a red background can create a sense of urgency or excitement.

However, colored backgrounds should be used with caution, as they can distract from the product and make it difficult to see the details.

In addition to the impact on product photo presentation, the website background color can also have an impact on the overall perception of your website and products. The background color can set the tone for the entire website and influence how customers feel about the brand. For example:

• White Background: Websites with white backgrounds are often associated with simplicity, cleanliness, and modernity. They are popular for minimalist and modern designs.

• Black Background: Websites with black backgrounds are often associated with luxury and elegance. They are popular for high-end and exclusive brands.

• Gray Background: Websites with gray backgrounds are often associated with stability, balance, and neutrality. They are popular for brands that want to appear trustworthy and reliable.

• Colored Background: Using a colored background on your eCommerce website can create a more memorable and unique visual experience for the customer. A bold and bright background can stand out from your competitors, making it easier for customers to remember your brand. For example, Enjoyy - a CBD gummies brand uses a yellow color for its website. yellow is often associated with happiness, optimism, and energy. Websites with yellow backgrounds can create a sense of warmth and positivity that can be beneficial for eCommerce brands selling products related to health, wellness, or leisure.

The background color of the website can also affect the readability of the content and the overall user experience. A background color that is too bright or too dark can strain the eyes and make it difficult to read the text. Therefore, it is important to choose a background color that complements the product photos and creates a visually appealing and user-friendly website design.

That’s why it is crucial to carefully consider the emotions and associations that different colors evoke and choose a background color that aligns with the brand's values and goals. By doing so, you can create a cohesive and effective visual identity that enhances the customer experience and drives sales.

Gradient backgrounds involve the use of two or more colors that blend to create a gradual transition from one color to another. Gradient backgrounds can be used to create a sense of depth and dimension, which adds dynamics to your product photos.

For example, It's Chuu Beauty, an Indonesian personal care brand, lip sleeping mask product uses a gradient background that transitions from purple to orange could be used to create a sunset scene, which could help potential customers envision themselves using the product in a relaxing and calming setting, which can make the product more attractive to them.

Gradient backgrounds can also be used to create a sense of movement or energy, which can help to convey the product's features and benefits.

While there are a host of product background ideas you can implement, here are our top 3: