Images play a significant role in enhancing website aesthetics and user engagement. However, without proper optimisation, images can hinder website performance and accessibility. Image Alt Text and overall image optimisation are essential components for improving search engine rankings and ensuring an inclusive user experience.

Understanding Image Alt Text

Image Alt Text is a brief, descriptive text assigned to an image on a webpage. It serves two primary purposes: aiding visually impaired users who rely on screen readers and helping search engines understand the context of the image. Properly implemented Alt Text contributes significantly to both accessibility and search engine optimisation (SEO).

Best Practices for Writing Effective Alt Text:

  • Be Concise: Alt text should be brief and focused, ideally no longer than 125 characters. This ensures screen readers can deliver the information effectively.
  • Be Accurate: The description should accurately reflect the image content and its purpose within the page context. Avoid misleading or vague descriptions.
  • Avoid Redundancy: Do not repeat information already provided in nearby text. Alt text should add value, not duplicate content.
  • Use Relevant Keywords: Incorporate appropriate keywords naturally without overstuffing. This can improve SEO while keeping the description user-friendly.

Example: Instead of writing “Image of a product,” a better alt text would be “Eco-friendly reusable water bottle with bamboo lid.”

Why Image Alt Text Matters:

  • Accessibility: Alt text ensures that visually impaired users can understand the context and function of images through screen readers, enhancing their browsing experience.
  • SEO Benefits: Search engines use alt text to index images correctly. Optimised alt text can help your website appear in image search results, boosting organic traffic.
  • User Experience: Clear and relevant alt text improves the overall user experience by providing context, especially when images fail to load.

Comprehensive Image Optimisation Strategies

Beyond alt text, optimising the images themselves is crucial for website performance. Poorly optimised images can slow down your site, leading to higher bounce rates and lower search rankings.

Key Image Optimisation Techniques:

  • Use Appropriate File Formats: Choose the right format for your images. JPEG is suitable for photos, PNG for images requiring transparency, and WebP for high-quality images with smaller file sizes.
  • Compress Images: Use image compression tools to reduce file sizes without sacrificing quality. Tools like TinyPNG or ImageOptim can significantly improve load times.
  • Responsive Images: Implement responsive design by using the srcset attribute in HTML to serve different image sizes for various devices. This ensures optimal display across desktops, tablets, and smartphones.
  • Descriptive File Names: Rename image files with descriptive, keyword-rich names instead of default file names like “IMG1234.jpg.” For example, use “organic-green-tea-packaging.jpg.”
  • Lazy Loading: Enable lazy loading so that images load only when they appear in the user’s viewport. This improves initial page load speed.

Alt Text and Image SEO Synergy

Combining effective alt text with proper image optimisation creates a powerful SEO strategy. Search engines not only read the alt text but also consider file size, loading speed, and file naming conventions when ranking your site. This integrated approach enhances visibility and performance.

Optimising Image Alt Text and Image Use for SEO and Accessibility

Optimising your website’s images and implementing effective alt text are crucial steps in improving accessibility, user experience, and SEO performance. By writing concise, accurate, and keyword-rich alt text and applying comprehensive image optimisation strategies, you ensure that your website is both inclusive and search-engine friendly. Regularly auditing your images and alt text can help maintain a competitive edge in search rankings while providing an accessible experience for all users.