In today's digital world, images are everything. They grab our attention, influence our decisions, and often determine whether we stay on a web page or move on.
Just imagine: in May 2024 alone, approximately 1.3 billion photos were uploaded to Instagram daily. (Omnicore Agency)​​ Now, think about how frustrating it would be if you couldn't access these images for some reason. This brings us to a crucial topic — accessibility.
Why Accessibility Matters
Accessibility is essential in every aspect of life, including the digital space. Inaccessible images can create many problems, especially for people who rely on screen readers or have visual impairments. This is where Alt image descriptions come in. Though often overlooked, they are incredibly important. They act as a bridge between visual content and users who cannot see the images, ensuring that everyone can access and enjoy your content.
Understanding Alt Image Descriptions
Alt image descriptions, or alternative image descriptions, are text descriptions added to images on web pages. These descriptions are read aloud by screen readers to visually impaired users and are displayed when images fail to load. This ensures that all users can understand your content, even if they can't see the images.
Enhancing Accessibility
For individuals who rely on screen readers or have visual impairments, alt image descriptions are crucial. By providing detailed and accurate descriptions of images, you can ensure your Wix website is accessible to everyone. This is important for all types of content, from product images on e-commerce sites to infographics on educational platforms. Alt image descriptions help everyone fully engage with your content.
Boosting SEO
Alt image descriptions also play a significant role in search engine optimisation (SEO). Search engines like Google use alt text to understand the content and context of images, which can affect your website's ranking in search results. By optimising alt image descriptions with relevant keywords and descriptive language, you can improve your website’s visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs) and attract more organic traffic.
Best Practices for Alt Image Descriptions
To make your alt image descriptions as effective and accurate as possible, follow these best practices:
Be Descriptive - Provide a concise yet detailed description of the image content, including relevant keywords and context.
Use Keywords Strategically - Incorporate relevant keywords into your alt text to improve SEO without keyword stuffing.
Keep It Succinct -Aim for alt text that is no longer than 125 characters to ensure compatibility with screen readers and avoid overwhelming users.
Avoid Redundant Descriptions - If the image content is already described in the surrounding text, opt for a brief alt text that adds value rather than duplicating information.
Prioritise Essential Images - Focus on providing alt descriptions for images that convey important information or serve a functional purpose on the page.
Alt image descriptions are a vital component of both web accessibility and SEO strategy. By prioritising inclusivity and optimising alt text for search engines, you can create a more inclusive and discoverable online experience for all users.
So, take a moment this week to review and optimise your alt image descriptions. It's a simple step that can make a big difference to your visitors and your search engine results!
Adding alt image descriptions to your blog images - learn more.
Adding alt image descriptions to images on your website - learn more.
Adding alt image descriptions to your galleries - learn more.
Need help or want a review of your website to make sure it is up to scratch? Get in touch today - book a free chat. Or if you're a woman using Wix - pop over to Facebook and join my new Group - Wix For Women In Business.
by Nancy Detchon - Director at Peak Net Ltd.Â
Business Professional with 30+ Years Experience - Wix Web Design - 5* Wix Legend Partner - Female Business Owner - Micro Business Champion
A business professional and website designer with 30+ years of experience in Director level business management, project management and software implementation. A high level Wix Partner committed to providing creative web design solutions with excellent functionality, all without breaking the bank. I'm here to help you hit the ground running, allowing you to concentrate on your specialist subject – the business of running your business.
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