The Importance of Adding Alt Text to Your Images on Squarespace

When it comes to optimizing your website for search engines and accessibility, adding alt text to your images is a crucial step that often gets overlooked. In this post, we'll break down why alt text is important, how it benefits your site, and provide a simple guide on how to add it to your images.

What is Alt Text and Why Does It Matter?

Alt text, or alternative text, is a short description added to an image's HTML code that helps search engines understand what the image is about. It’s also essential for making your website accessible to users with visual impairments who rely on screen readers to navigate the web. Here’s why alt text is important:

• Improves Accessibility: Alt text ensures that your website is usable for people with disabilities, particularly those who use screen readers to understand the content on your site.

• Enhances User Experience: Even if an image fails to load, alt text can provide users with a description of what was supposed to be there.

• Boosts SEO: Alt text tells Google and other search engines what your images depict, making it easier for them to index your site and improve your search engine rankings.

How to Add Alt Text to Your Images

Adding alt text is a straightforward process. Follow these simple steps:

1. Go to the Page

Navigate to the page where the image you want to edit is located.

2. Click on the Image

Select the image you want to add alt text to.

3. Click Edit

After selecting the image, click on the edit option.

4. Scroll to “Image Alt Text.”

In the image settings, scroll down until you find the “image alt text” field.

5. Add Descriptive Text

Enter a descriptive text for the image. Make sure to keep SEO in mind—use relevant keywords that accurately describe the image.

6. Optimize the Filename

Don’t forget to update the image filename to be search engine optimized as well. This could mean including keywords related to your content.

Final Thoughts

By adding alt text to your images, you’re not only enhancing your site’s SEO but also making your website more accessible to a wider audience. This small but powerful step can improve your site’s visibility on search engines and ensure that all users, regardless of ability, can fully experience your content. So, take a few extra minutes to add alt text to your images—it’s worth the effort!