If you are selling products online, be it your own online store or in an auction site, good photos are a must!

Here are 9 tips if you want to ensure your product photos stand out!

1. Snap a shot of a portion of the product. It could be half or three-quarter of the product. You don't need to show the whole product. Use a thumbnail of the partial product to attract customers to click for a larger photo.

2. Angle the product. Must all photos be shot from the front and flat straight? No. Angle your camera so it shoots... well... from an angle.

3. If your product is combined from a number of parts, have a separate photo showing the separate bobs and bits. This allows the customer know how it all fits together and what they'll be getting when they buy it. And describe the parts.

4. If the product you sell is tiny or elaborate, show off the incredible detailing of this tiny product. Shoot close-ups of the product and get more of the intricate details.

5. Show how it is used. If the product is best shown being used, shoot the photo with a model using the product especially if it is new or complicated. For instance, having one or two darling children fiddling/using/wearing your products (if they're meant for children) always helps.

6. If you are selling clothes, get someone to model them. If your model is shy, tell him or her to turn their face sideways. Or better, just focus the camera on their bodies. Many people love to see how clothes drape and fit the actual body!

7. If you have the same product in different colours, why not arrange them in a circle and shoot? It's always attractive and at the same time, shows your customers the range of colours available.

8. If you are selling photo frames, why not insert a photo into the frame to make it look lively? Inanimate objects always look better when they're shown used.

9. If you're completely lost for ideas, pick up great catalogues and brochures (my favourites are those by IKEA). Study how products are featured and how they are arranged.

Nic Sim of Redbox Studio designs marketable websites for solo professionals and small businesses. For more website tips and ideas (and a look at his design portfolio), visit http://www.RedboxStudio.com