Alt Text: It's More Important Than It looks
Many publishers have a habit of just shoveling images onto their site. But by doing this they're overlooking an important component of SEO, particularly if their theme or the way they're handling those images isn't optimized. Images have a field called "Alt" text that is used by search engines to describe or provide context to the image. In essence it helps make the image searchable. Additionally, it provides important accessibility functionality by making the image visible to screen readers. Finally, if the image doesn't render for some reason, it provides text to show what the image is supposed to be. We've noticed an outsized impact on search results when Alt text is populated on images versus when it isn't, so it's important to check that your site is populating these values correctly.
Below is a brief recap of why this is important.
1. Accessibility
ALT text ensures that web content is accessible to all users, including those with visual impairments. Screen readers, which are used by visually impaired individuals, rely on ALT text to describe images. Without ALT text, these users would miss out on important information conveyed through images1. By providing descriptive ALT text, you make your website more inclusive and improve the overall user experience.
2. Improved User Experience
When images fail to load due to slow internet connections or technical issues, ALT text serves as a placeholder, giving users an idea of what the image represents2. This helps maintain the flow of information and prevents confusion, ensuring a smoother browsing experience.
3. SEO Benefits
Search engines cannot “see” images, but they can read ALT text. By adding relevant ALT text to your images, you help search engines understand the content of your images, which can improve your website’s search engine rankings3. This can lead to increased visibility and more organic traffic to your site.
4. Image Traffic
Images with well-written ALT text are more likely to appear in image search results. This can drive additional traffic to your website from users who are specifically searching for images1. It’s an often-overlooked source of organic traffic that can significantly boost your site’s performance.
Best Practices for Writing ALT Text
- Be Descriptive: Clearly describe the content and function of the image.
- Keep It Concise: Aim for a brief yet informative description.
- Avoid Keyword Stuffing: Use relevant keywords naturally, but don’t overdo it.
- Context Matters: Ensure the ALT text is relevant to the surrounding content.
By following these best practices, you can create effective ALT text that enhances accessibility, improves user experience, and boosts your website’s SEO performance.
Taxonomy: Why categorizing and tagging your content appropriately can have a huge impact.
Often we find that clients' sites have an organizational structure that isn't aligned with the content they produce, or the objectives they have for their site.
This can be caused by: legacy site design, unclear internal communication or a lack of global understanding of the sites, gaps in technical knowledge, or an unclear understanding of the importance of categorization and tagging for both user experience and search visibility.
In the realm of search engine optimization (SEO), taxonomy plays a pivotal role in enhancing both user experience and search engine visibility. But what exactly is taxonomy, and why is it so important for SEO?
What is Taxonomy?
Taxonomy refers to the way content is organized and categorized on a website. It involves creating a structured hierarchy that helps both users and search engines understand the relationships between different pieces of content. This can include categories, tags, and URL structures.
Why is Taxonomy Important for SEO?
- Improved Crawlability and Indexing
- Search engines use bots to crawl websites and index their content. A well-structured taxonomy makes it easier for these bots to navigate your site, understand its structure, and index your pages correctly1. This can lead to better visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs).
- Enhanced User Experience
- A logical and intuitive taxonomy helps users find the information they need quickly and easily. When users can navigate your site effortlessly, they are more likely to stay longer, reducing bounce rates and increasing engagement2.
- Better Keyword Targeting
- By organizing content into specific categories and subcategories, you can target a wider range of keywords. This allows you to rank for both broad and specific search terms, driving more relevant traffic to your site3.
- Internal Linking Opportunities
- A well-planned taxonomy creates natural opportunities for internal linking. This not only helps users navigate your site but also distributes link equity throughout your site, boosting the SEO value of individual pages4.
- Clearer Content Relationships
- Taxonomy helps search engines understand the relationships between different pieces of content. For example, linking product pages to category pages can help search engines see the hierarchy and relevance of your content, improving your chances of ranking higher for related search terms5.
Best Practices for SEO Taxonomy
- Create a Clear Hierarchy: Ensure your site has a logical structure with clear categories and subcategories.
- Use Descriptive URLs: Incorporate keywords into your URL structure to make it more SEO-friendly.
- Optimize Navigation: Make sure your site’s navigation is intuitive and user-friendly.
- Leverage Internal Links: Use internal links to connect related content and distribute link equity.
- Regularly Review and Update: Continuously monitor and update your taxonomy to keep it relevant and effective.
By implementing a well-thought-out taxonomy, you can significantly improve your site’s SEO performance, making it easier for both users and search engines to find and understand your content.
Why Is Site Speed Important For Search Rankings? A Rundown.
The latest updates to Google's algorithm have increasingly stressed Google's Core Web Vitals and site speed when ranking a site. (You can assess your site's performance using this tool). Sites with otherwise good traffic and content have been harshly penalized in some cases for having poor site speed or optimization. Media and E-Commerce sites are particularly impacted by this, given the amount of advertising, scripts, and images or video in use on these sites, all of which negatively impact site performance unless optimized carefully.
Below is an example of a site optimized by MIDTC for performance. In all such cases, search ranking, and therefore traffic, improved dramatically.
Website performance is crucial for Google search rankings for several reasons:
- User Experience: Fast-loading websites provide a better user experience. Users are more likely to stay on a site that loads quickly and navigate through its pages. Google aims to deliver the best possible experience to its users, so it favors websites that load quickly1.
- Core Web Vitals: Google uses Core Web Vitals as part of its ranking criteria. These metrics measure aspects of web performance, such as loading speed, interactivity, and visual stability. Websites that perform well on these metrics are more likely to rank higher1.
- Bounce Rate: Slow websites tend to have higher bounce rates, meaning users leave the site quickly without interacting with it. A high bounce rate can negatively impact your search rankings because it signals to Google that users are not finding the site useful2.
- Mobile Performance: With the increasing use of mobile devices, Google has placed a significant emphasis on mobile performance. Websites that are optimized for mobile devices and load quickly on them are more likely to rank higher in search results3.
- SEO Benefits: Faster websites can crawl more efficiently by search engines, leading to better indexing and potentially higher rankings. This efficiency is particularly important for large websites with many pages4.
Improving your website’s performance can lead to better search rankings, more traffic, and a better overall user experience. If you need more detailed information, you might find this article helpful1.
MIDTC has been successfully helping clients improve their site performance through a mix of audits, optimizations, and careful implementation of technology. Typically we want to see a customer pass core web vitals as outlined by Google Page Speed, and have Mobile and Desktop speed indices in the high 80s or 90s before we consider an optimization successful.
The Importance of SEO: Unlocking the Potential of Your Online Presence
In today’s digital age, having a strong online presence is crucial for businesses of all sizes. One of the most effective ways to enhance your visibility and attract more visitors to your website is through Search Engine Optimization (SEO). But what exactly is SEO, and why is it so important? Let’s dive in.
What is SEO?
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. It is the practice of optimizing your website to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs) for relevant keywords and phrases. The goal is to increase organic (non-paid) traffic to your site, making it easier for potential customers to find you when they search for products or services related to your business.
Why is SEO Important?
- Increased Visibility and Traffic
- The higher your website ranks on SERPs, the more likely it is to be seen by users. Studies show that the majority of users do not scroll past the first page of search results. By optimizing your site for search engines, you can increase your visibility and attract more organic traffic.
- Credibility and Trust
- Websites that appear at the top of search results are often perceived as more credible and trustworthy by users. SEO helps build your site’s authority and reputation, making it more likely that users will choose your site over competitors.
- Better User Experience
- SEO is not just about search engines; it’s also about improving the user experience. A well-optimized site is faster, easier to navigate, and mobile-friendly. These factors contribute to a better overall experience for your visitors, which can lead to higher engagement and conversion rates.
- Cost-Effective Marketing
- Compared to traditional advertising methods, SEO is highly cost-effective. While it requires an investment of time and resources, the long-term benefits of increased organic traffic and higher conversion rates can far outweigh the initial costs.
- Competitive Advantage
- In a competitive market, SEO can give you the edge you need to stand out. By staying ahead of the latest SEO trends and best practices, you can outperform competitors who are not investing in SEO.
Key Components of SEO
- Keyword Research
- Identifying the right keywords to target is the foundation of any successful SEO strategy. Use tools like Google Keyword Planner or SEMrush to find relevant keywords with high search volume and low competition.
- On-Page SEO
- This involves optimizing individual pages on your site to rank higher and earn more relevant traffic. Key elements include title tags, meta descriptions, header tags, and content optimization.
- Off-Page SEO
- Off-page SEO refers to actions taken outside of your website to improve its ranking. This includes building high-quality backlinks, social media marketing, and influencer outreach.
- Technical SEO
- Ensuring that your website is technically sound is crucial for SEO success. This includes optimizing site speed, mobile-friendliness, and ensuring proper indexing by search engines.
- Content Creation
- High-quality, relevant content is the backbone of SEO. Regularly publishing valuable content that addresses the needs and interests of your audience can help attract and retain visitors.
Conclusion
SEO is an essential component of any digital marketing strategy. By investing in SEO, you can increase your visibility, build credibility, enhance user experience, and gain a competitive advantage. Whether you’re a small business owner or a large corporation, SEO can help you unlock the full potential of your online presence.