Unlocking the Power of Alt Text: A Comprehensive Guide to Creating Accessible and SEO-Friendly Images and Links

As a digital marketing agency, we know how important it is to make your website accessible to as many people as possible. One of the ways we do this is by using alt text. But what exactly is alt text, and why is it so important? We'll take a closer look at alt text and provide a guide on how to use it effectively. 

A Comprehensive Guide to Creating Accessible and SEO-Friendly Images and Links 

What Is Alt Text? 

Alt text (short for alternative text) is a text description that is added to an image on a website. It provides a textual description of the image for those who cannot see it. Alt text is read by screen readers, which are used by people with visual impairments to navigate websites. Alt text can also be used by search engines to understand the content of an image, which can help with SEO. 

Why Is Alt Text Needed? 

Without alt text, people who are visually impaired would not be able to access the information presented in images on your website. This is a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and can result in legal action against your business. Additionally, alt text can help improve your website's SEO, as search engines use alt text to understand the content of an image. 

How to Use Alt Text 

When adding alt text to an image, it's important to keep a few things in mind: 

1. Be Descriptive: The purpose of alt text is to provide a textual description of the image, so it's important to be as descriptive as possible. Describe what's happening in the image, what objects are present, and any relevant details. 

2. Keep it Short: While it's important to be descriptive, it's also important to keep the alt text short and to the point. Aim for a maximum of 125 characters. 

3. Be Relevant: Make sure the alt text is relevant to the image and the context in which it appears on your website. 

4. Avoid Keyword Stuffing: While alt text can help with SEO, it's important to avoid keyword stuffing. Instead, focus on providing a clear and concise description of the image. 

Why Is Alt Text Important? 

In addition to being required by law, alt text is important because it allows more people to access the content on your website. By providing a textual description of images, you're making your website more accessible to people with visual impairments. Additionally, alt text can help improve your website's SEO, which can lead to increased traffic and more business. 

Real Life Example: 

Let's say you are running a website for a local restaurant and you have a photo gallery featuring pictures of your dishes. One of the dishes is a vegetarian lasagna that looks delicious. However, if you only upload the photo without any alt text, people who are visually impaired won't know what the picture is about. They may miss out on an opportunity to try your vegetarian lasagna or order it for delivery. 

On the other hand, if you add descriptive alt text to the image, such as "vegetarian lasagna made with fresh vegetables and homemade tomato sauce," a screen reader will be able to read the description to people who are visually impaired. This way, they can still enjoy the experience of browsing through your photo gallery and make informed decisions about what to order. Additionally, if someone searches for "vegetarian lasagna" on a search engine, your website will have a better chance of appearing in the results if you have included relevant alt text with your images. 

Alt Text Is an Important Part of Making Your Website Accessible to Everyone

By following these guidelines and adding descriptive alt text to your images, you'll be providing a better user experience for everyone who visits your website. If you have any questions or need help optimizing your website for accessibility, contact us today.