Adding images to your website is a great way to enhance user experience, break up text, and improve engagement. However, many business owners make mistakes that can slow down their site, hurt SEO, or make content inaccessible. Here are some common pitfalls and how to avoid them.
1. Choosing the Wrong File Type
Not all image files are created equal, and using the wrong type can lead to poor quality or slow loading speeds. Here’s a quick breakdown:
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- JPEG (JPG): Best for photographs and complex images with lots of colors. They balance quality and file size well.
- PNG: Ideal for images that need transparency or sharp edges, like logos or icons. However, they tend to be larger in size.
- WebP: A modern format that offers high-quality images at smaller file sizes, but not all browsers support it.
- SVG: Best for vector-based images like logos and icons. They scale infinitely without losing quality and are ideal for web graphics.
- GIF: Best for simple animations, but not recommended for static images due to their large file size and limited color range.
Avoid the mistake:
Use JPEG for most images, PNG for graphics with transparency, SVG for logos and icons, and WebP if supported for better compression. Need help designing high-quality images? Check out our graphic design services.
2. Uploading Images That Are Too Large
A common mistake is uploading images in their full, high-resolution size when they don’t need to be. Large files slow down your website, which can drive visitors away and hurt your Google ranking.
How to fix it:
- Resize images before uploading. A 2,000-pixel-wide image is often unnecessary if it will only display at 500 pixels on your site.
- Use a compression tool like TinyPNG or ImageOptim to reduce file size without losing quality.
- Enable automatic image resizing and optimization if available.
3. Using Unclear or Default Filenames
Leaving your image filenames as “IMG12345.jpg” is a missed opportunity. Search engines read image filenames, and descriptive names can help improve SEO.
Better approach:
- Rename images with relevant keywords before uploading, like “handmade-ceramic-mug.jpg” instead of “DSC09876.jpg”.
- Keep file names short but descriptive and use hyphens instead of spaces or underscores.
4. Skipping Alt Text (Alt Tags)
Alt text is a short description of an image that helps search engines understand what it is. It’s also crucial for accessibility, as screen readers use it for visually impaired users (WebAIM Alt Text Guide).
Common mistakes:
- Leaving alt text blank.
- Stuffing alt text with keywords (Google doesn’t like that!).
- Writing vague descriptions like “image” or “photo.”
How to do it right:
- Be descriptive but concise: “Golden retriever puppy playing in the park” is better than “dog”.
- Use relevant keywords naturally.
- Only include alt text for images that add value; decorative images can have an empty alt tag (
alt="").
5. Not Using Image Titles and Captions (When Needed)
While not as critical as alt text, image titles and captions can improve user experience by providing additional context (Yoast Guide to Image SEO).
When to use them:
- Image titles: These appear when users hover over an image. Use them to add brief, useful context.
- Captions: If an image needs explanation, a caption can help clarify its purpose.
6. Forgetting to Test on Mobile
A large number of users visit websites from mobile devices, and if your images aren’t optimized for different screen sizes, they may appear too large, too small, or cropped incorrectly.
Fix it by:
- Checking your website’s mobile preview before publishing.
- Using responsive images that adjust based on screen size.
- Avoiding text-heavy images that might become unreadable on smaller screens.
- Check out our mobile optimization guide for more insights.
7. Ignoring Image SEO Best Practices
Beyond filenames and alt text, there are a few other simple steps to help your images rank in search engines:
- Add relevant images that enhance the content (not just for decoration).
- Place images near related text.
- Use structured data (if possible) to help Google understand your images better (Google Images Best Practices).
- Learn more about SEO services to boost your website’s search visibility.
- Check out our content creation services to improve image descriptions and branding.
- Need help making your website more efficient? Explore our web development services.
Final Thoughts
By avoiding these common image mistakes, you can improve your website’s speed, SEO, and user experience. Taking a few extra minutes to optimize images before uploading them can make a big difference in how well your website performs.
Need help optimizing your website images? Reach out to us for expert advice!
