How to Outsource Photo Editing for E-Commerce Business
Do you know that well-polished product images can increase your conversion rates as high as 94% compared to poor-quality photos? Professional product editing helps you present your products neatly and honestly.
However, image editing is a long haul. It takes a lot of time and effort. But editing photos along with running a full-paced e-commerce business may make you feel jam-packed. The best solution is outsourcing the image editing to save you from this issue.
But how do you outsource photo editing for e-commerce business? Can you find a reliable photo retouching service provider easily? Will a third party protect your privacy after your files?
We understand various types of questions popping up in your head. This post will clear all confusion. Let’s dive right in!
What Is Outsourced Photo Editing?
Outsourced photo editing is hiring or making a contract with a third party or external service provider to edit or retouch your product or other images.
Hundreds of photographers, e-commerce businesses, marketing agencies, and content creators outsource photo editing services. It helps them save their time and stay laser-focused on their primary jobs.
Outsourced photo editing is the third step, which is known as the post-production process. The initial two steps are per-production (photography planning) and production (image shooting).
You may hire an external retouching service provider either for basic photo editing or advanced image editing.
Benefits Of Outsourcing Product Photo Editing
01. Extra Funding for Reinvestment in Your Business
Ever wondered how much you will save from outsourcing a photo editing company?
Hiring in-house full-time employees will add at least 30% of additional costs if your business has a high fluctuating demand.
In contrast, outsourcing a photo retouching service provider will help save money during low-demand periods. You don’t have to worry about paying salaries, benefits, and other overhead costs year-round.
This helps you reinvest this fund into other business areas and grow your business.
02. Opportunity to Focus on What Truly Matters
Photo editing needs specialized skills and attention to detail for the best output.
Handing over the photo editing tasks to a professional third party helps business owners focus on their time-consuming and technical work.
It enables them to give priority to their core aspects and spin-off back-burner tasks.
03. Scope to Express More Creativity
When you focus on what you are at the best, you have leeway for creativity.
Delegating photo editing jobs to a professional external service provider allows you to make leaps and bounds and build creative momentum.
You will make a significant contribution to your current role by dedicating your time and energy. No worry about distractions and mental clutter!
Outsourcing photo editing services helps business owners and other professionals think more freely and creatively.
04. Greater Profitability
An outsourced image editing company can save you a lot of money as you don’t have to manage the entire team.
You can keep your mind at ease about bottlenecks. Hiring a well-reputed photo editing company ensures on-time delivery, even for bulk orders.
Plus, they will hand over high-quality images to you. It will drive more sales and increase your business profitability.
05. Streamlined Operations
Can your in-house designer team deliver a sudden bulk image within 24 hours? The answer is most likely no.
But a giant outsourced image editing company can deliver thousands of photos within a few hours. They have a vast team.
More importantly, this type of photo retouching service provider uses Photoshop experts and advanced software and equipment to streamline your business operations.
06. Additional Services or Revenue Streams
How about generating extra revenue by giving additional services?
Suppose you offer professional photography services. Your client wants to know whether you provide photo retouching services, too.
Outsource a professional image editing service provider and deliver your clients perfectly captured and well-polished images.
You will charge additional money for each photo editing. Of course, you will do the proper calculation to earn profit.
07. Various Types of Photo Editing
Will you hire different image editing companies for clipping paths, color correction, image masking, etc., separately?
Of course not! It will fritter away your valuable time and money.
A professional company will provide various image editing services right up your alley.
How to Outsource Photo Editing for E-Commerce?
01. Outline Your Requirements
The first important step is clearly defining your specific photo editing requirements. Leave no room for confusion. The following are the primary criteria to be upfront about your photo editing requirements.
- What type of photo editing or retouching do you need: basic, medium, or advanced?
- How many pictures do you want to edit: 10, 100, or 1000+?
- When will you need the final edited images?
- How much money do you have allocated for photo editing?
02. User-Friendly And Practical On-boarding Process
Choose an outsourced image editing company that has a straightforward on-boarding process. It helps maintain a mutual understanding between you and the editing company.
They can understand your image editing requirements precisely, as you mention everything clearly through the on-boarding system.
Besides, they may arrange calls, meetings, and on-site visits. It helps them define style guides, clarify expectations, and address technical or creative needs.
03. Sophisticated Technology-based System
Knowing their expertise isn’t always crucial. However, they must use advanced technology and tools to provide high-resolution, professionally edited images.
You don’t want to rely on an editing company that uses AI-generated or free tools. They may lack precision and customization.
04. Previous Clients and Partners
Outsource an established, reputable photo editing company that has substantial experience and an eye-catching visual portfolio.
You can give their customer testimonials and reviews a detailed read to understand their work style and ability to meet your expectations and requirements.
Also, check their previous clients and partners. It will give you insight into the industries they’ve worked with, the scale of projects they’ve handled, and their reputation.
05. Priority to Data Security
Keeping your sensitive images and information protected is pivotal for you.
When it comes to outsourcing a photo editing service provider, go with a reputable brand that provides 100% data security.
They must have strict privacy policies to prevent unauthorized access. It will put your worries to rest and make you feel confident, as they will keep your images safe.
Bonus Tips for Outsourcing Image Editing Provider
- Choose an editor company that maintains seamless communication. They should continuously give you updates about the tasks that are in progress.
- The photo editing service provider must deliver flawless and well-defined images. Ask for high-quality sample photos to assess their technical ability, style, and consistency.
- Don’t speed through the delivery process too much. Give the image editing company enough time to ensure consistent quality across all edited images.
- If you want to outsource a professional photo editing service company from another country, consider critical cultural aspects, such as communication style, attention to detail, understanding of aesthetic preferences, etc.
- Utilize different technology-based solutions, such as cloud-based tools, project management tools, communication tools, etc., for seamless collaboration. It will improve the workflow and quality of the edited images.
- Choose an image editing provider with whom you can maintain a long-term relationship. It helps you avoid the hassle of hiring a new company every time and wasting time, energy, and money.
Common Mistakes to Avoid While Outsourcing a Photo Editing Service Provider
- Don’t always choose the lowest-priced option. Remember, there’s a price for excellence. Of course, you must pay the minimum amount for their expertise and skills.
- Good communication is the cornerstone of a project’s success. Give clear instructions about the task and what you expect from them.
- Take advantage of free trial photo editing before committing to a paid plan. It helps you assess the quality, style, and speed of the service.
- Select a particular editing entity that offers various versatile payment methods for a smooth, hassle-free experience. Plus, the payment system must be safe and secure.
- Choose a photo editing service company that mentions clear revision policies. They must be specific on the number of revisions to avoid conflicts later.
Final Thoughts
Saving time means saving money. When you outsource photo editing for e-commerce business, streamline your primary business. Most importantly, professional image editing service providers can deliver top-notch quality edited product images to you. It can help you increase conversion rates and enhance brand perception.
