Use real imagery before brand polish
A real professional photo, storefront shot, or work sample often outperforms a generic logo because it gives buyers faster evidence that a real operator exists behind the profile.
Keep the image legible on cards
Marketplace images have to survive small card layouts, mobile result grids, and dark mode. Choose a focal subject, reduce clutter, and avoid tiny text inside the image itself.
Align photos with the service promise
A moving provider should show real moving context, a groomer should show pet care, and a cleaning team should show completed work. Relevance matters as much as polish.