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It is often said that a picture tells a thousand words but pictures, or indeed a lack of them, may be costing car sellers thousands in lost sales.
That is the findings of a survey by Motors.co.uk, based in the UK, which found that potential buyers are twice as likely to look at a car listing with pictures than those without. In addition, more than two thirds of consumers said they would not contact a seller without seeing a picture of the car first.
Potential car buyers are also picky about the photos they want to see. Around 70 per cent want a view of the dashboard, 84 per cent want to see the interior of the car and 85 per cent of people expect multiple exterior shots before they make up their mind.
"In the past, when it cost extra to put a colour image in the local paper, sellers may have thought twice about including a photo with a classified listing," commented managing director at Motors.co.uk, Andy Coulthurst. "However, in today's digital society, where people may be buying virtually from anywhere in the country, images are crucial when it comes to generating trust and standing out from the competition."
He adds: "Of course, it isn't just about having the photos; it is important to think about the quality too. Anyone can take a photo with a smartphone and sometimes that will be good enough. However, a whopping 77 per cent of consumers would be more attracted to a good quality image rather than a standard image."
The advice is clear: if you want to attract the most attention on Carzone.ie it is time to get the camera out - and that applies to private sellers and dealers alike.