Question
Hi!
I am starting to work on my listing template and I am curious what picture layout you like the best? I like the idea of using thumbnails for additional pictures but wonder which is better ... having ONE box where the picture changes when you click or mouse over the thumbnails OR clicking on the thumbnail to have it open in a separate window? The later can allow you to see a bigger picture but it is one more thing the buyer has to close. I have also heard that thumbnails are good because the listing loads faster.
Also, what overall picture size (dimension not file size) is best for most computer monitors out there? Thank you.
Answer
Originally Posted by canuck
I have also heard that thumbnails are good because the listing loads faster.
They load faster if they are a "true" thumbnail image. Using an 800X600 pixel image and "shrinking" it by using something like width="100" doesn't make it load any faster though. The browser still has to download the 800X600 image before it can "shrink" it with the width tag. Personally, I would rather see a thumbnail with click to enalarge. If I want to see a bigger image, I expect it to open in a new window and know I will need to close it. On the other hand, I would hate to have a thumbnail image jump out at me just because I moved my mouse pointer over it.
Answer
I'm with SellersCircle. True thumbnails, no larger than 11Kb or so each, with a click to enlarge to a photo not larger than 60-80Kb and sized at not more than 640x480. No mousey tricks with pop-ups. I hate that. No music. No sound. And preferrably no moving JPGs. Pop-ups aren't the most hated thing. I think the "hey, don't leave until I show you another couple screens of pop-ups," is way more hated. And leave out any threats. Buyers hate being threatened.
I like lots of photos, not just one photo leaving the buyer to figure out what the interior, the bottom, the back, each side, and the top look like. I truly appreciate the seller who bothers to spell out in the description what those words or numbers are on the antique item too.
And it is absolutely true that an auction loads faster with true thumbnails in it instead of the full photos. It is a simple transmission issue of how much data is being sent. The thumbs should be around 6Kb each while a normal photo is often 60Kb or more. True, with broadband it won't be noticed, but there are still a lot of people on dial-up and it matters to them.
Answer
Originally Posted by dstuber
No mousey tricks with pop-ups. I hate that. No music. No sound. And preferrably no moving JPGs. Pop-ups aren't the most hated thing.
I agree with pop-ups and music has to be the worst! What I am trying to describe is not a pop-up. Here is an example: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...5067 116&rd=1
So what do you think? I thought that if you had lots of pic's it would do two things: 1) allow the listing to load faster and 2) allow the looker to chose what picture you want to see without having to scroll down and down and down to view them all.
I have copied the information in this thread and will use these guidelines for picture sizes, Thanks!