When it comes to on-page search engine optimisation (SEO), one aspect that often gets overlooked is image optimisation.
An optimised image can significantly improve your webpage’s visibility and user experience. In this guide, we will take you through the process of image optimisation for SEO success.
Understanding Image Optimisation
Image optimisation involves adjusting images so that they are suitable for your website in terms of size, format, resolution and image headings for SEO relevance, while still maintaining the quality. Moreover, it involves ensuring that search engines can understand the image’s context by utilising proper file names, alt text, and more.
The Importance of Image Optimisation for SEO
Optimising your images can have several benefits for your SEO:
- Improved Page Load Speed: Optimised images load faster, resulting in improved page speed—a critical factor for SEO.
- Enhanced User Experience: High-quality, quick-loading images can improve the overall user experience, leading to longer page visits and lower bounce rates.
- Increased Visibility on Image Search: Properly optimised images can help your webpage rank in image search results, driving additional traffic to your site.
Step-by-Step Guide to Image Optimisation
Here’s how you can optimise your images for better SEO:
- Choose the Right File Type: JPEGs are typically best for photographs due to their ability to handle multiple colours while maintaining a reasonable file size. PNGs are better for images with text, line drawings, and screenshots.
- Compress Your Images: Use image compression tools to reduce your image file size without compromising on quality.
- Use Descriptive File Names: Use clear, descriptive file names that include your target keywords. This can help search engines understand what the image is about.
- Add Alt Text: Alt text (alternative text) describes an image to search engines and visually impaired users. Include your target keywords in the alt text, but make sure the description is accurate and makes sense.
- Use Responsive Images: Responsive images adapt to different screen resolutions and sizes. This can improve user experience and page speed, especially for mobile users.
Local Image Optimisation for Australian Businesses
For businesses operating in Australia, including location-specific keywords in your image file names and alt text can help you rank in local search results. For example, “Sydney-Harbour-Bridge-at-sunset.jpeg” is more likely to rank for searches related to Sydney than a generic “sunset.jpeg”. You can even use an internal linking strategy with an image using the appropriate title to link to relevant content.
Image optimisation might seem like a minor part of SEO, but it can have a significant impact on your website’s performance and visibility. It’s best to speak with a SEO digital marketing consultant to better optimise your images and increase your search engine visibility.
By ensuring that your images are the right file type, appropriately compressed, descriptively named, equipped with alt text, and responsive, you can enhance both the user experience and your SEO efforts. Remember, SEO is an ongoing process—so keep testing, learning, and optimising!
