A key part of online merchandising is photography - images that help your customers connect with your products, despite the inability to hold them before committing to the purchase. Providing multiple, high quality images of each product will improve your conversion rates. 

While not every small business owner has a background in photography, it's an accessible skill that can be taken on in-house if you have an interest in learning. In this article from Practical Ecommerce, an online merchant shares some things he's learned about product photography:

• Beardbrand’s photography process

Key points to take away are the importance of a quality camera, consistency in photo quality and set up, as well as a willingness to learn what you don't know.

For businesses that need a good photo editor, but aren't able, willing, or interested to invest in a name-brand product, there are good open sourced options available for free-download online. One that I've used very successfully is GIMP: https://www.gimp.org/

Does anyone else have tips about capturing compelling product images? Or preparing them for a website?

Pricing is an important aspect of merchandising. Most buyers are driven to some extent by price - and some much more than others. In response, many merchants will lower their prices to get an upper hand on the competition (which could be you!) While your first response might be to lower your prices, too, there are other options. Often times, the alternatives are more effective at retaining your market share.

In this article from EcommerceBytes, a pricing expert discuss some options:

• How to Handle Price Wars and Avoid the Race to the Bottom

Key takeaways include:

1. Reflect before acting.
2. Publicize your intentions.
3. Set yourself apart from the competition in product and/or service.
4. Avoid lowering your price below the competition.

Are you in a particularly competitive market place? If so, have you found any strategies to handle "price wars" while maintaining your bottom line?