ALT TEXT: DON’T LEAVE YOUR
iMAGES iN THE DARK!
By Rani Sullivan
Alright, let’s chat about something that’s super important but often gets forgotten: alt text for your images on your website. You might be thinking, “Alt text? Is that really a big deal?” Oh, absolutely! Alt text is a game-changer for making sure your website is accessible and user-friendly for everyone. Here’s why you should give it the spotlight and how to make sure yours really shines.
Why Alt Text Is a Game Changer
Alt text, or “alternative text,” is basically a backstage pass for screen readers that visually impaired folks use to access your site. Picture this: someone can’t see your images. Without detailed alt text, they’re missing out on the context and info those images provide.
If your alt text is missing or just says “image” or “picture,” it’s like handing someone a recipe with half the ingredients left out. Frustrating, right? Well-written alt text means everyone, no matter their visual ability, can get the full picture—literally and figuratively!
Common Alt Text Mistakes to Dodge
01
Missing Alt Text
This one’s a no-brainer. If you’ve got images, they need alt text. Don’t leave any image hanging in the dark!
02
Generic Descriptions
Saying “image” or “photo” is like saying “thing” when you really mean “Golden Retriever playing fetch in the park.” Get specific!
03
Keyword Stuffing
Sure, you want to boost SEO, but cramming in keywords makes your alt text sound clunky and unhelpful. Keep it clear and relevant.
04
Ignoring Context
Your alt text should match the image’s role in the content. If it’s part of an article, make sure the alt text ties into the article’s topic.
Tips for Crafting Killer Alt Text
01
Be Descriptive and Specific
Give a detailed, accurate description of the image. If it’s a person, mention what they’re doing or their appearance if it matters.
02
Keep It Short and Sweet
You don’t need a novel—just a concise, complete description, usually around 125 characters.
03
Think About Context
How does the image fit into the surrounding content? Make sure your alt text reflects that relationship.
04
Avoid Redundancy
If the image is purely decorative and doesn’t add info, use an empty alt attribute (alt=””) so screen readers skip it. Just make sure it’s not actually needed.
Examples of Great vs. Lame Alt Text
Lame Alt Text
“thebrat”, “image1.jpg” or “photo of something”
Great Alt Text
“little princess with pigtails wearing a pink costume with a slightly annoyed facial expression” or “Close-up of a cat’s face with bright green eyes, looking straight at the camera”
Don’t let poor or missing alt text turn your website into a visual mystery novel for screen reader users. Thoughtful, descriptive alt text ensures that all your visitors, no matter their visual abilities, can fully engage with your content. It’s a small tweak with a huge impact on making your site more inclusive and user-friendly. So next time you’re adding images, give that alt text the love it deserves! Of course, we are here to help.
Give it a try, what have you got to lose? And let me know how it goes.
LEARN FROM US
Roll with the Marketing Punches: Stay Opportunistic and Optimistic!
Welcome to the wild world of marketing, where optimization isn’t just a “one-and-done” deal but more like a never-ending roller coaster ride. The landscape is always changing, with trends, algorithms, and global events constantly throwing curveballs. But hey, that’s part of the fun, right? To really nail it, you’ve got to tackle optimization with a mix of opportunism and a seriously sunny outlook.
5 Game-Changing Tips for Creating an Unstoppable Small Business Marketing Strategy
Running a small business means having limited resources to do everything that needs to be done. I run a small business and feel this struggle every day.
Don’t Let Color Contrast Sink Your Website Design!
Alright, let’s talk about something that might be flying under your radar when designing your website: color contrast. It might not sound like the sexiest topic, but trust me, getting it right is crucial.
eNewsletter
Join Our Email List, Because You Don’t Get Enough Spam
Hey there! We know your inbox is a sacred, uncluttered space full of super important emails from distant relatives, receipts you’ll never open, and random coupons that expired last week.
But guess what?
We’re here to add some real value to that chaos.
EXECLUSIVE OFFERS that will make you wonder how you ever lived without them.
MIND-BLOWING CONTENT that will probably change your life. Or, at the very least, mildly entertain you while you procrastinate.
OCCASIONAL RAMBLINGS from our team, because you’re dying to know what we’re up to at all times.
Don’t miss out! Hit that button below, because we know deep down, you need another email notification in your life.