Why are product displays on e-commerce sites so drab?

Businesses based on technology shouldn't lose touch with the subtle art of persuasion

- BIJU DOMINIC

The e-commerce story, a business that began a few decades ago with buying and selling used computers before evolving to sell almost anything online, is nothing short of dramatic. But this journey of changes has had one constant: the backgrounds of most product images on e-commerce platforms are white in color. This socialist-world principle of sameness should be seen alongside the fact that these sites use some of the drabbest product images across all types of media. E-commerce companies use some of the most cutting-edge technology in various facets of its management. But why are they not bothered about the quality of their display images?

Just compare the product shots of brands on e-commerce sites with those at brick-and-mortar stores, like the shopfront of a kirana outlet. If a soft drink brand has sponsored the sign-board, it will ensure that an evocative image is displayed on it. Even water droplets on the soft drink's bottle will look refreshing. But the same brand's image even on the top e-commerce sites would look dull. What explains this dismissal of online images?