5 tips to help you get better business sales results from using images in your ads:
1. Stage your shot
A sharply presented business that is spotless, fresh and clutter-free grabs more attention. Remove the clutter from your shots - no one likes a messy room so stage your photo shoot and remove anything that could distract your viewer. Less furniture may make your room look more spacious, extra lighting could eliminate the unsightly dark corners - all dramatically improving your photos.
2. Composition is important
Make your photo interesting. Pay attention to how much of the scene you shoot, the layout and placement of the building, plant and subjects. A good composition will have the human effect - people identify with human stories. If you're selling a cafe it's better to capture the moment of someone happily buying a coffee or a group of friends having a fun in your cafe, than an image of an empty business with no customers. Photos are emotive and need to connect and pull people in. Look to add life - pick the right combinations to bring your image alive; don't let your subject get lost in a cluttered and distracting background. Make your subject stand out, capture your buyers' interest and help tell your story.
3. Make it Sharp
Make it look professional - get the focus and light right. An overexposed, or blurry image is seldom appealing. Avoid camera shake and try different camera settings to ensure you get your best result. Is it best with or without the flash? Experiment by focusing on different background objects or elsewhere in the scene. Generally early or late in the day provides the best light, with slightly cloudy days working well for outside shots.
4. Avoid the Unwanted
Sometimes an unwanted object can kill the beauty of a great shot. Pay attention to the entire frame, watch for cars that obscure, flowers popping out of peoples' heads, signs that confuse or unsightly power poles. Frame your image free of clutter and avoid any visual distractions.
5. Shoot the Interesting
Not everything is interesting. Take a moment to think what would be interesting to tell this story. It might be the action of food being tossed in the kitchen, a car dealer handing over the car keys to a thrilled client. Activities and patterns help make photographs interesting and attract attention, and hopefully the attention of your business buyer. So, take a moment to think about the subject, then frame it and shoot.
What to Actually Photograph - With Emotive Images
Good technique matters, but so does making sure you've actually captured what a buyer needs to see in an emotive way. A well-rounded set of listing photos typically includes:
- A well captured exterior or sign - so buyers can easily place and recognise the business type or brand
- The business in action - engaged staff serving customers or performing a task, not an empty room
- Key plant and equipment - anything with real value that's key and included in the sale
- Your product, menu, or service close-up - the thing customers actually pay for
- A wide interior or product shot - giving a genuine sense of scale and layout
Five well-chosen images is usually enough to tell the full story without overwhelming a buyer scrolling through a listing - a handful of great, purposeful shots beats a large gallery of similar or low-quality ones. If you're able to add a short video walkthrough alongside your photos, it's increasingly worth doing - buyers who can't easily visit in person often value being able to see the business in motion before they inquire.
Get noticed, include ad images for better business sales results with your listings. For more on creating a business sales advert that sells, check out...
Writing a better business for sale ad on Business for Sale website nzbizbuysell.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many photos should I include in a business for sale listing?
Five well-chosen images is usually enough - a handful of purposeful, high-quality shots is more effective than a large gallery of similar or low-quality ones.
What should I photograph for a business for sale ad?
Aim to cover the exterior and signage, the business in action with staff and customers, key plant and equipment included in the sale, a close-up of your product or service, and a wide interior shot for scale.
Do images really make a difference to business sale inquiries?
Yes - image-rich ads consistently attract more interest than text-only listings, particularly for businesses that are remote or harder to visit in person, where photos help buyers picture the opportunity without discounting it due to location.
List your NZ Business for sale.
By Richard O'Brien - nzbizbuysell
Share this article: