Why You Need to Use Alt and Title Tags on Images
Images can have a big impact on your users experience and your SEO!
As SEO experts, we understand the significance of optimising every aspect of a website to improve its visibility and attract more visitors. One often overlooked yet crucial aspect is the proper use of alt and title tags on images. In this blog post we have asked the SEO team at CTO Digital to delve into why incorporating these tags is essential, how they contribute to improved coverage and visitor engagement, and finally, a step-by-step guide on adding alt and title tags in WordPress.
Understanding the Importance of Alt and Title Tags
Alt tags (alternative text) and title tags are attributes added to image elements in HTML code. They serve different purposes but are both valuable for search engine optimisation:
Alt Tags: Alt tags provide a text description of an image, which helps search engines understand the image’s content and context. Additionally, alt tags are essential for web accessibility, making it possible for visually impaired users to comprehend the image through screen readers.
Title Tags: Title tags, on the other hand, display a tooltip when a user hovers over an image. Although they do not directly impact SEO, they provide additional context to website visitors, enhancing user experience and potentially encouraging more clicks.
Enhancing SEO and Website Coverage
Using alt and title tags on images can significantly improve your website’s SEO and increase its visibility on search engines. Here’s how:
Improved Image Search Ranking: Search engines can’t “see” images, but they can read alt tags. By providing relevant and descriptive alt tags, you increase the chances of your images appearing in image search results, driving more organic traffic to your website.
Enhanced Keyword Relevance: Alt tags allow you to incorporate relevant keywords related to the image and the content of the page. This reinforces the topic’s relevance and helps search engines better understand your content, potentially leading to higher rankings for targeted keywords.
Reduced Bounce Rates: When users encounter images without alt tags or with misleading ones, they may become frustrated and leave the website. By using descriptive alt tags, you provide a more seamless user experience, reducing bounce rates, and keeping visitors engaged.
Increasing Visitor Engagement and Accessibility
Beyond SEO benefits, alt and title tags contribute to better user engagement and website accessibility:
Improved User Experience: Including relevant title tags adds useful information when users hover over images. This engagement factor can lead to more clicks and a positive user experience, encouraging visitors to explore your website further.
Accessibility Compliance: Alt tags are a fundamental aspect of web accessibility. By incorporating descriptive alt text, you ensure that visually impaired users can comprehend the content and context of images on your website, thus improving inclusivity.
Adding Alt and Title Tags in WordPress
WordPress, being a widely used CMS and the website builder that we choose as an SEO agency, makes it simple to add alt and title tags to images:
Uploading Images: When you upload an image to WordPress, you’ll see fields to add the alt text and title in the media library. Be descriptive and use relevant keywords to make your images more search-friendly.
Editing Existing Images: To add alt and title tags to existing images, go to the Media Library, select the image you want to edit, and click on the “Edit” button. In the image details window, you can add or modify the alt text and title attributes.
Optimising Image Size: Remember to optimise your images for faster loading times, as this also affects SEO and user experience. Use compression plugins or tools to reduce file sizes without compromising quality.
Alt and title tags to help with visual impairment:
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Furthermore, incorporating alt and title tags promotes website accessibility. Making your website inclusive to all users, including those with visual impairments, demonstrates your commitment to providing an excellent user experience for everyone, which can also positively impact your brand reputation. This inclusivity not only enhances user satisfaction but also helps you reach a wider audience, as search engines prioritise accessible websites, potentially boosting your rankings. By ensuring your content is accessible to all, you show that your brand values diversity and inclusivity, fostering trust and loyalty among your audience.
How to write alt and title tags?
Here at CTO Digital, when it comes SEO, we have been creating alt and title tags for images for years, we recommend the following best practices for using alt and title tags:
Be Descriptive: Use clear and concise language to describe the image accurately. Incorporate relevant keywords that align with the image’s context and the page’s content.
Avoid Keyword Stuffing: While keywords are essential, refrain from overloading your alt tags with unnecessary keywords. Keep the descriptions natural and meaningful.
Stay Relevant: Ensure that the alt and title tags directly relate to the image’s content and its purpose within the context of the page.
Test for Accessibility: Use accessibility tools or plugins to evaluate your website’s accessibility and confirm that alt tags are correctly providing information to users with visual impairments.
Optimise Image Sizes: Compress images to reduce loading times and improve overall website performance.
Incorporating these best practices will not only boost your website’s SEO but also create a more user-friendly and inclusive environment for all your visitors.
Alt and title tags are vital to CTO!
Incorporating alt and title tags for images is a vital SEO practice that enhances your website’s visibility, increases user engagement, and ensures accessibility for all users. By providing meaningful alt text and relevant title tags, you not only improve your search engine rankings but also create a more inclusive and engaging experience for your visitors. Make it a habit to use these tags effectively in WordPress, and you’ll soon witness the positive impact on your website’s performance and traffic.
