Do we have to have Hero image or video always in ecoomerce sites?

In the realm of e-commerce, the use of a hero image or video is not a mandatory requirement, but most of the design gurus highly recommend to use it due to several reasons such as;

1. Visual Appeal and First Impressions: A hero image or video can create a strong visual impact, making the first impression more engaging for visitors. This is especially important in an online setting where grabbing a customer's attention quickly is crucial.

2. Brand Messaging: Hero images or videos are excellent tools for conveying your brand's message or values succinctly and effectively. They can set the tone for the entire shopping experience.

3. Product Highlighting: For e-commerce, showcasing featured products or promotions in a hero image or video can directly influence customer interest and sales.

4. User Engagement: Videos and compelling imagery can significantly increase user engagement, keeping visitors on your site longer, which can potentially lead to higher conversion rates.

5. Responsive Design: Hero images and videos can be optimized for different devices, ensuring a consistent and appealing look across all platforms.

However, there are a few considerations to keep in mind:

• Loading Times: Large images or videos can slow down site loading times, which might negatively impact user experience and SEO rankings.

• Relevance and Quality: The content of the hero image or video should be highly relevant to your target audience and of high quality to create a positive impression.

• Accessibility: Ensure that your website remains accessible to all users, including those with disabilities, by providing alt text for images and captions or transcripts for videos.

Websites that choose not to use a traditional hero image for a large, engaging visual at the top of their homepage but instead opt for a category display approach are often focused on providing a more straightforward, user-friendly browsing experience. This approach is particularly common in e-commerce sites where a variety of products or categories need to be immediately accessible to the visitor.

Some examples of websites that might use this approach include:

1. Amazon: Known for its vast array of products, Amazon often uses its homepage to showcase various product categories and special offers instead of a single hero image.
   

2. eBay: Similar to Amazon, eBay often uses its homepage to directly dive into product categories or featured listings rather than focusing on a single large image or video.

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3. Etsy: While Etsy sometimes uses hero images, it also frequently emphasizes category browsing, especially to highlight individual sellers or specific types of products.

4. Walmart: As a large retailer, Walmart's website often focuses on direct marketing of products or categories, especially for seasonal or special promotions.

5. AliExpress: This site often uses its homepage to immediately present a variety of products and categories, catering to its diverse and global customer base.

6. Newegg: Known for electronics and computer hardware, Newegg typically uses its homepage to highlight specific product categories and deals.

These websites prioritize functionality and immediate access to a wide range of products over the aesthetic appeal of a hero image.

You can test this to your e-commerce site and see how you can improve your conversion rate.