recommended image sizes

[Vickie]

Several years ago I did some Miva Merchant stores (4.x), and now I'm working on a Merchant Express store for a client. In the past I used 50x50px for thumbnails and 200x200px for the larger images.

I've seen other Merchant stores using larger images for both the thumbnail and the larger image. What is the recommended size for each?

[Byron]

Re: recommended image sizes

I don't know what other merchants would recommend for image sizes, but I can give you a warning.

Whatever size you use for thumbnails, do not use a width of 120 by height of 90. "Norton Internet Security" program on PCs will not show that size thumbnail by default. Their reasoning is that it's an ad or banner size. I had a great number of thumbnails of that size on our website that many customers could not see. I just changed the size tag to 119x90 and that seemed to fool Norton into showing them. But I no longer use that size.

There are other sizes that are also blocked. So stay from them: 300 x 250, 250 x 250, 240 x 400, 336 x 280, 180 x 150, 468 x 60, 234 x 60, 88 x 31, 120 x 60, 120 X 90, 120 x 240, 125 x 125, 728 x 90, 160 x 600, 120 x 600, 300 x 600

I found this info a few months ago. It's possible changes have been made since them. Since I work on a Mac I can't easily test this as I do not have "Norton Internet Security".

[Pamela Hazelton]

Re: recommended image sizes

The size is really based on design. You need to keep in mind dial up users, so take that into consideration when determining thumbnail sizes and pagination.

I've found 80 x 80 and 100 x 100 (or a set width or height of 100) seems to work well. 120 wide is probably the max if you plan to use rows across and serve up 18 or more on a category.

As for large sizes, you could go up to 350 wide or so (again, depending on layout), and then offer zoom options for closer views.

[Vickie]

Re: recommended image sizes

Thanks so much to both of your for the very helpful info!
Vickie

[Bruce - PhosphorMedia]

Re: recommended image sizes

To follow up on Pam's advice....to help determine the actual Layout (based on image size)...look two simular products with lots of detail....shrink the image (this should be jpg if its a photo) size until you can no longer discern the difference...back up about 10/20 pixels. Basically what you don't want are a bunch of images that tell the customer nothing. I've seen this on many site: you can't tell the difference between product thumbnails. If that happens, you are better off not using thumbnails as they become wasted bandwidth.

[Vickie]

Re: recommended image sizes

Thanks, Bruce. That is more good advice and I appreciate it very much.
Vickie

To follow up on Pam's advice....to help determine the actual Layout (based on image size)...look two simular products with lots of detail....shrink the image (this should be jpg if its a photo) size until you can no longer discern the difference...back up about 10/20 pixels. Basically what you don't want are a bunch of images that tell the customer nothing. I've seen this on many site: you can't tell the difference between product thumbnails. If that happens, you are better off not using thumbnails as they become wasted bandwidth.