One Simple Change That Made Walgreens’ Pinterest Ads 55% More Effective

So, you’ve spent countless hours perfecting your products, setting up your online shop, and crafting the perfect descriptions. 

But your sales aren’t exactly flowing in like you hoped they would.

What if I told you the problem might be something as simple as your product photos?

Newsflash… those pristine white-background product images you worked so hard on might actually be killing your conversions. 

And I’ve got the data to back it up.

The Conversion Lesson Hidden in Walgreens’ Pinterest Strategy

I stumbled upon something pretty juicy in a Pinterest Newsroom article that I absolutely had to share with you.

Walgreens — yes, the massive retail chain — recently tested Pinterest’s Performance+ creative tools to elevate their online shopping experience. 

The result? By simply showcasing their retail products against Pinterest-generated backgrounds instead of plain white ones, they saw a 55% higher clickthrough rate and a 13% lower cost per click.

Let that sink in for a moment.

Same products. Same platform. 

Just a different visual presentation—and their results skyrocketed. (And no, I’m not using that word lightly, because a 55% increase is genuinely impressive!)

But here’s what’s even more interesting: This wasn’t just about Pinterest ads specifically. It was about the fundamental way they presented their products visually that made such a massive impact.

Which takes me to…

Why White Backgrounds Are Probably Hurting Your Sales

Now, I know what you’re thinking. “But Ingrid, white backgrounds look clean and professional! Isn’t that what customers want?“

I hear you, friend. In all honesty, we’ve all been conditioned to believe that white backgrounds equal professionalism. 

And yes, there’s definitely a time and place for them (like Amazon product listings, for example).

But when it comes to platforms like Pinterest, Instagram, or even your own website, here’s the psychological reality:

White backgrounds feel sterile and don’t create emotional connections. 

When a customer sees a product floating in white space, it’s harder for them to imagine that product in their life.

Our brains are trained to ignore “obvious” ads. 

As customers scroll through content, anything that looks too much like a traditional ad gets mentally filtered out. Plain product images scream “I’m trying to sell you something!” and often get ignored.

Storytelling sells, and white backgrounds tell no story. 

Context-rich images help customers self-identify with the product and visualize how it fits into their lifestyle.

I can’t stress this enough: People don’t just buy products—they buy the feeling, the lifestyle, and the transformation those products represent.

The “In-Context” Product Image Shift That Increases Clicks and Sales

So what exactly makes an effective product image that converts better? 

It comes down to this simple idea: showing your product in context.

Let’s break down what that actually means:

What Makes a Converting Product Image?

• It shows the product in use or in a relevant environment
• It feels relatable rather than sterile or overly staged
• It evokes emotion and desire
• It helps customers visualize ownership

Think about it this way: If you’re selling a scented candle, which image is more likely to make someone click “buy now”?

Image A: A set of essential oils floating on a white background

Image B: The set on a cozy side table, next to a diffuser for context and realism.

I’m guessing you picked B — and your customers would too!

And yes, this is a real client of my sister brand, Atelier21 Co.

More pretty pics from Gleam Living company for tax:

Now, please don’t think that this means you need to abandon studio shots completely. You can still create stunning studio images with:

• Textured backdrops
• Complementary props
• Strategic lighting
• Branded elements

Studio examples:

The key is adding context—even in a controlled studio environment—that tells a visual story about your product.

And THAT is how you create product imagery that drives conversions. It’s about creating that perfect bridge between showing the product clearly and helping customers imagine it in their lives.

How to Implement Better Product Imagery in Your Small Business (Without Breaking the Bank)

I know, I know… not all of us have Walgreens’ photography budget. But the good news?

You absolutely can create context-rich product imagery without spending a fortune.

DIY Product Photography Tips

1. Invest in a few versatile backdrops

• Textured fabrics
• Wooden boards
• Marble-look contact paper
• Colored cardstock

2. Use natural light whenever possible!

• Near a window during the day
• Avoid harsh direct sunlight
• Use a white foam board to bounce light and fill shadows

3. Gather simple props that align with your brand

• For wellness products: crystals, plants, neutral ceramics
• For stationery: coffee cups, fresh flowers, artisan pens
• For jewelry: textured fabrics, natural elements, minimalist props

4. Create a consistent visual language

• Stick to a cohesive color palette
• Use similar styling across product lines
• Maintain consistent angles and composition styles

The goal is to create a repeatable system that feels authentic to your brand while showing your products in their best light (literally and figuratively!).

Optimizing Your Imagery Across All Platforms

Once you’ve created these context-rich images, it’s time to put them to work:

• Website product pages: Feature lifestyle images prominently, with studio shots as secondary angles
• Pinterest: Use in-context pins that feel native to the platform
• Instagram: Create a mix of lifestyle, in-use, and styled product images
• Email marketing: A/B test different image types to see which drives more clicks

Foundational to all of this is understanding your customer journey!

Where do they first encounter your products?

What visuals would resonate most at each touchpoint?

This strategic approach ensures your imagery isn’t just pretty—it’s effective.

Need help with your customer journey in the first place? Check out these articles all about customer journey mapping for conversions. Or get my Offer Synergy.

A Simple A/B Test You Can Run Today

Let’s not even talk about complex marketing strategies for a moment.

Instead, try this:

1. Take your best-selling product
2. Create a lifestyle or context-rich image of it
3. Run a simple A/B test on your marketing platform of choice (Instagram, Pinterest, anything), showing the white background to 50% of viewers and the context-rich version to the other 50%
4. Track clicks, engagement, and (if possible) conversions

I’m willing to bet you’ll see results similar to what Walgreens experienced. And once you have that data, you can confidently invest more time and resources into upgrading your product imagery across the board.

Want Professional Product Photos That Convert? Here’s How I Can Help

While I’m primarily known for my brand and web design services, did you know that I also offer strategic guidance on visual brand elements—including product photography direction? Yep, my brand and website clients get that. We need cohesive visuals and that includes PHOTOGRAPHY!

And as part of my shop design services, I can help you:

• Develop a strategic approach to product photography that aligns with your brand
• Create style guides for consistent and converting product imagery
• Shoot your whole suite of product imagery (I own Atelier21 Co, a product photography studio).

If you’re ready to transform your product visuals and boost your conversions, let’s chat about how we can elevate your shop’s visual strategy as part of a comprehensive design approach.

Final Thoughts: Sell a Lifestyle, Not a Product

If there’s one thing we can learn from Walgreens’ Pinterest experiment, it’s that context matters enormously when it comes to selling products online.

Your customers aren’t just buying an object—they’re buying into an aspiration, a feeling, and a desired outcome. 

Your product imagery should reflect that reality.

So I ask you: What’s one change you could make today to improve your product visuals? Could you add more context, more emotion, more story to how you present what you sell?

Because at the end of the day, conversion isn’t just about having the right price or the perfect product description (those of course matter!). But this is about creating that immediate emotional connection that makes someone think, “Yes, I need this in my life.”

And sometimes, that connection starts with something as simple as taking your product out of that stark white void and placing it somewhere it feels at home—just like it would in your customer’s life!

Ready to transform your product imagery and boost your conversions? Book a call to discuss how we can elevate your shop’s visual strategy together!