Introduction
When I first started optimizing websites, I underestimated the importance of ALT text. It seemed like a minor detail, but as I dug deeper into website accessibility and SEO, I realized its significance. In this article, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about writing expressive and effective ALT text for WordPress.
Why ALT Text Matters to Me
For me, ALT text serves two main purposes:
- Making websites accessible: It allows users who rely on screen readers to understand image content. Think of it as giving a voice to the visuals on your site.
- Improving search engine visibility: Search engines like Google use ALT text to understand and index images. This is a great way to boost your website’s rankings.
How I Approach Writing ALT Text
When I write ALT text, I follow a few principles:
- I keep it short but descriptive.
- I make sure it aligns with the content and context of the page.
- I include keywords naturally when relevant.
For example:
- Instead of writing “image1.jpg,” I’d write “Golden retriever playing fetch with a frisbee.”
Benefits I’ve Experienced
Since implementing effective ALT text, I’ve seen improvements in:
- Website accessibility: My content reaches more users, including those with visual impairments.
- SEO performance: My images rank higher in image search results.
- User engagement: Clear descriptions encourage users to interact with content.
How I Add ALT Text in WordPress
Step 1: Using the Media Library
- I log in to my WordPress dashboard.
- In the Media Library, I click on an image.
- In the ALT Text field, I describe the image in a meaningful way. For instance, instead of “image2.jpg,” I write “bowl of Caesar salad with croutons.”
Step 2: Editing Directly in Posts or Pages
When working on a post, I:
- Select the image block.
- Look for the Image Settings in the sidebar.
- Add my ALT text right there.
Step 3: Automating with Plugins
To save time, I use plugins like:
- AIOSEO: Automatically suggests ALT text.
- Media Library Assistant: Helps me manage ALT text in bulk.
What Makes ALT Text Effective
From my experience, good ALT text has these characteristics:
- Descriptive: It explains the content of the image.
- Concise: It avoids unnecessary words like “picture of” or “image of.”
- Contextual: It matches the page content.
Here’s a quick table to illustrate:
| Image | Effective ALT Text | Ineffective ALT Text |
|---|---|---|
| A cat sleeping on a sofa | “Gray tabby cat napping on a brown sofa” | “Cat” |
| A beach sunset | “Orange and pink sunset over the ocean” | “Sunset image” |
Common Mistakes I Avoid
I’ve made my share of mistakes, but here’s what I avoid now:
- Keyword stuffing: Overloading ALT text with keywords is counterproductive.
- Using ALT text for decorative images: I leave ALT fields empty for visuals that don’t convey information (
alt="").
Tools I Use to Simplify the Process
Over time, I’ve found tools that help me streamline ALT text creation:
- Smush: Compresses images and lets me edit ALT text.
- AIOSEO: Makes ALT text optimization part of my overall SEO strategy.
- OpenAI Plugins: For suggesting descriptive text when I’m stuck.
Key Takeaways from My Experience
- ALT text is a simple yet powerful tool for making websites accessible and SEO-friendly.
- Write ALT text with users and search engines in mind—describe what you see.
- Use WordPress features and plugins to make ALT text management easier.
FAQs I Get Asked Often
Why is ALT text important for WordPress websites?
ALT text ensures that images are accessible to visually impaired users and indexed correctly by search engines, improving both accessibility and SEO.
How do I write good ALT text?
Describe the image clearly and concisely. For example, “A blue sports car on a racetrack.”
Do all images need ALT text?
Not necessarily. I leave the ALT field blank for decorative images that don’t add value to the content.
Can I automate ALT text creation?
Yes! Plugins like AIOSEO and Smush can help you automate this task.
Conclusion
Writing ALT text might seem tedious at first, but I’ve found it to be one of the easiest ways to make my WordPress site more inclusive and SEO-friendly. By following these tips, you can enhance your site’s accessibility and boost its performance on search engines.