Alt text is the descriptive text you add to images that helps Google understand what your pictures show—crucial for both SEO rankings and making your website accessible to visually impaired users.
What is Alt Text?
Think of it like describing a photo to someone over the phone. Alt text tells Google (and screen readers) what's happening in your images since search engines can't actually "see" pictures. This invisible text helps your images rank in Google Image search and contributes to your overall page SEO performance.
When You Need Proper Alt Text
- All website images, especially those supporting your content
- Product photos on e-commerce sites
- Infographics and charts with important data
- Team photos and business location images
- Any image that adds context to your content
Need help optimizing your website images for better search visibility? Our SEO services include comprehensive image optimization and alt text strategies.
Real-World Example
Poor alt text:
"image1.jpg" or "photo of building"
Effective alt text:
"Singapore accounting firm office entrance with professional glass facade and company signage"
- Without proper alt text: Google can't understand your images, missing opportunities for image search traffic and overall page relevance
- With strategic alt text: Images contribute to your SEO while making your site accessible to all users
Business Impact
Additional Traffic from
Image Search
Properly optimized images can drive significant traffic through Google Images, especially for visual businesses like restaurants, retail, and services.
Improved Page Relevance
Signals
Alt text helps Google understand your page content better, potentially boosting rankings for your target keywords.
Enhanced User
Accessibility
Screen readers rely on alt text to describe images to visually impaired visitors, improving your website's usability and legal compliance.
Red Flag to Watch For
Many Singapore web developers either skip alt text entirely or stuff it with keywords that don't actually describe the image. Others use generic descriptions like "image" or copy-paste the same alt text across multiple photos, missing SEO opportunities.
Pro Tip from Digitrio
We optimize alt text to be naturally descriptive while incorporating relevant keywords where appropriate—helping both users and search engines understand your visual content. Unlike agencies that treat alt text as an afterthought, we use it strategically to support your overall SEO goals while maintaining accessibility standards that Google increasingly values.