How to Start Writing Alt Text: A Comprehensive Guide - Silvermantle

Alt text, short for “alternative text,” is an essential aspect of web accessibility and search engine optimization (SEO). It describes images for those who cannot see them, whether due to visual impairment or technical limitations. This guide will cover everything you need to know about writing effective alt text, from its importance to best practices and common mistakes to avoid.

Why Alt Text Matters

1. Accessibility: Alt text makes content accessible to people with visual impairments using screen readers. These tools read the alt text aloud, providing an auditory description of the image.
2. SEO: Search engines use alt text to understand the content of images, which can improve your website’s search rankings.
3. User Experience: Alt text can enhance user experience by providing context when images fail to load.

How to Start Writing Alt Text

1. Be Descriptive and Specific: Describe the image as clearly and specifically as possible. Instead of “a dog,” use “a golden retriever playing in the park.” Example: “A woman in a red dress walking her dog in a sunny park.”
2. Keep It Concise: While being descriptive, keep the alt text concise. Aim for 125 characters or fewer to ensure compatibility with most screen readers. Example: “A woman holding a bouquet of flowers.”
3. Use Keywords Wisely: Incorporate relevant keywords, but avoid keyword stuffing. The primary goal is to describe the image accurately. Example: “A digital marketing expert analyzing SEO metrics on a laptop.”
4. Avoid Redundancy: Do not start with phrases like “image of” or “picture of.” Screen readers already announce that it’s an image. Example: “Three children playing with a soccer ball.”
5. Contextual Relevance: Ensure the alt text relates to the content surrounding the image. It should add value and context to the page. Example: If the image supports a blog about digital marketing trends, the alt text might be “A graph showing an upward trend in digital marketing statistics.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Keyword Stuffing: Overloading alt text with keywords can harm both accessibility and SEO. Focus on natural descriptions.
2. Leaving Alt Text Blank: All images should have alt text. If an image is purely decorative, use an empty alt attribute (alt="") to indicate this.
3. Vague Descriptions: Avoid non-descriptive alt text like “image1” or “photo.” These provide no value to users or search engines.
4. Ignoring Context: Alt text should complement the surrounding content, not exist in isolation.

Examples of Good and Bad Alt Text

• Good: “A group of colleagues brainstorming in a modern office.”
• Bad: “Office meeting” (too vague).
• Good: “A close-up of a cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, and cheese.”
• Bad: “Food” (not specific enough).

Best Practices for Different Types of Images

1. Product Images: Highlight key features and details. Example: “Nike Air Max sneakers with a red swoosh and white sole.”
2. Infographics: Summarize the main points or data. Example: “Infographic showing the rise of social media usage from 2010 to 2020.”
3. Decorative Images: Use an empty alt attribute to signal that the image is decorative. Example: alt=""
4. Logos: Include the company name and the word “logo.” Example: “Silver Mantle Solutions logo.”

Tools to Help Write Alt Text

1. Accessibility Checkers: Tools like WAVE and Axe can help identify missing or poor alt text.
2. SEO Tools: Platforms like Yoast SEO offer suggestions for improving alt text for better search engine visibility.
3. Screen Readers: Testing your website with screen readers like NVDA or VoiceOver can give you a firsthand experience of how effective your alt text is.

Conclusion

Writing effective alt text is a vital skill for enhancing web accessibility and improving SEO. By being descriptive, concise, and contextually relevant, you can ensure your images serve their intended purpose for all users.

Looking to improve your website’s accessibility and SEO? Silver Mantle Solutions offers expert digital marketing, SEO, content development, and social media marketing services to help your business thrive online. Contact us today to learn how we can elevate your digital presence!