When optimizing your website to perform better in search engine results, do
not overlook or neglect the images on your website. Graphics play an
important role in web design, and they can also influence organic search
rankings. Take care to make your website graphics search-friendly. Here are
some tips for better image optimization...
Image Compression
Compress the website images using graphics software. A graphics-heavy
website will be slow to load, so stick to smaller high-quality images. You
only have a few moments to make an impression on a website visitor, and a
slow-loading website may cause visitors to click away.
Proper Size
Make sure the image is sized appropriately for its position on the webpage.
If the visitor's web browser needs to re-size the image each time the image
or page is viewed, it will take additional load time.
Name Graphics
Use keywords in the naming of the graphic files. The filename should contain
keywords related to the image and website. If you are using multiple words
in the filename, hyphenate the words in the image filename. For example:
domain.com/graphic/keyword-phrase.png
Alt Tags
Be sure to use "alt tags" in the HTML code to describe the image. It is
recommended that the alt tags contain keywords or phrases that relate both
to what the image represents as well as to the content of the web page.
Do Not Lose Control
It is very important that you host all images on your own website. If you
link to an image on another website, it not only makes the image load time
dependent on their bandwidth speed, but it also gives them control over your
website! For example, if they decide to change that image, but keep the same
filename, you could end up displaying something on your site that is
completely different than the original image you wanted (and possibly
something you would rather not have your website associated with!).
Create An Image Sub-Directory
While not directly related to search engine optimization, it is recommended
that all website images be kept in a separate folder. This simply makes
management of the website easier.
Title Tags
In addition to alt tags, images can contain "titles". The image title
appears in most browsers when the mouse is on the image. It is important
that the title relate to what the image represents.
When optimizing a website for search engines, take a few extra moments to
optimize the images too.
Regards Gerald Crawford
Webcraft.ws Stellenbosch
PO BOX 12216 Die Boord 7613 Stellenbosch South Africa
Telephone: +27-021-8833027 (office)
Cell: +27-0720390184 (mobile)
SMS: 0796343545
Skype: webcraft.guru
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Website: http://www.webcraft.ws
E-mail: gerald@webcraft.ws
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