Do you know what an alt tag is? Do you add them to all your images?
An alt tag (a.k.a. alt text or alt description) is a way of telling technology what is in an image. In other words, it's a brief bit of text which describes a picture.
Here's why alt tags should be added to images on your website.
Alt tags enhance accessibility
Alt tags are use by screen readers to describe images to visually impaired users. For example, the photo of me on my homepage might have an alt tag which says, "Zena Barrick, web designer with laptop." This description enables visually impaired visitors to know what sighted users are seeing. This makes my website more inclusive and user-friendly.
Alt tags help with SEO
Alt tags are also vital for SEO. Google can't "see" what is in an image. Instead, they read alt tags to understand the content of your images. When you include relevant alt text, you're helping search engines index your images correctly, which can improve your site's visibility in search results. For example, an image with an alt tag like "accountant in Knutsford" can help your site rank higher for related searches.
Writing effective alt tags
Creating effective alt tags doesn't have to be complicated. Here are a few tips:
Keep it simple and brief: You don't need to describe every detail of the image. A brief, clear description is usually sufficient. For example, instead of "Copywriter typing on a laptop at a desk with a blue wall behind," simply use "Copywriter at a desk."
Be meaningful: Make sure the alt text accurately represents the image. This helps both users and search engines understand the content.
Use keywords judiciously: Only use a keyword if it is relevant to the image. However, avoid keyword stuffing. For example, for an image of a financial advisor, "Financial advisor" is good; "Financial advisor, pensions advisor, financial freedom" is not.
Add meaningful alt tags to all the images on your website. Alt tags are important. They make your website more accessible and more SEO friendly.