Why Alt Text is Important for SEO: Guide for Small Business Owners

Most small business owners will know that Search Engine Optimization (SEO) stands as a pivotal element for the visibility and success of any small business. Among the hundreds of SEO strategies our SEO consultants would recommend, the significance of alternative text (alt text) in images often goes unnoticed. As a small business owner, caring about alt-text is an easy way to optimize your website for search engines and enhancing user experience.

What is Alt Text, anyways?

Alt text is a concise description that is added to the HTML code of an image on a website. This text serves as an alternative information source when the image cannot be displayed or accessed by users, including those using screen readers due to visual impairments. It's not just a mere description; it's a critical component of web accessibility and SEO.

The push to enhance Web Accessibility

Web accessibility is paramount, and alt text plays a vital role in making your website inclusive. Screen readers use alt text to describe images to visually impaired users, ensuring that your content is accessible to a broader audience. This inclusivity not only reflects the values of your business as ethical, but also widens your potential customer base.

Why does SEO get a little boost through Alt Text?

Improves Image Search Rankings: Alt text provides context to search engines about the content of an image. Descriptive and keyword-rich alt text can improve the visibility of your images in search engine results, leading to increased traffic to your site.
Enhances Contextual Understanding: Search engines, like Google, use alt text to understand the context and relevance of the page content. Well-crafted alt text helps in categorizing your site content, improving your overall SEO ranking.
Reduces Bounce Rate: When images fail to load due to slow internet or technical issues, alt text ensures that the user still receives information about the image. This reduces frustration and the likelihood of visitors leaving your site prematurely.

Best Practices when Writing Alt Text

Be Descriptive and Concise: Describe the image accurately and keep it brief. Aim for simplicity and clarity.
Incorporate Keywords Strategically: Use relevant keywords that align with your SEO strategy, but avoid keyword stuffing. Natural integration is key.
Avoid Redundant Phrases: Phrases like "image of" or "picture of" are unnecessary as screen readers already announce the presence of an image.
Consider the Context: Ensure that the alt text aligns with the surrounding content on the page. It should contribute to the overall narrative or message.
Handle Decorative Images Appropriately: If the image is purely decorative and adds no informational value, it’s often best to leave the alt text empty. This prevents screen readers from reading out irrelevant information.

Alt Text and the Impact on User Experience

User experience (UX) is a critical factor in website design and SEO. Alt text contributes to a positive UX by ensuring that all users, regardless of their ability to view images, have access to the information conveyed by visuals. This inclusivity can enhance the reputation of your business and increase the time visitors spend on your site, indirectly boosting your SEO.

Case Studies: The Power of Alt Text

Several have witnessed a marked improvement in their SEO rankings and user engagement by optimizing their images with alt text. For example, a retail company saw a significant increase in organic traffic to their product pages after revising their alt text to be more descriptive and aligned with targeted keywords. Similarly, a travel blog experienced higher visibility in image searches, leading to increased website visits and user engagement.

Now you know why you should take into account Alt Text -

As covered, for a small business, understanding and implementing effective alt text is a key component of SEO strategy. It’s not just about adhering to best practices but about embracing the philosophy that an accessible and user-friendly website is a more successful one. By enhancing web accessibility and improving SEO through strategic alt text, you can ensure that your website stands out in the competitive digital marketplace.

Remember, alt text is more than just an SEO tool; it's a commitment to creating an inclusive online environment. Embrace this approach, and watch your business grow not just in rankings, but in values and customer trust. For help with the implementation of alt text and other elements, have a chat with our technical SEO experts through the form below!