April 25, 2013

Photo optimization is a must-have online marketing tool for modern businesses, as images are going on to become the new content. While the impact of text cannot be underestimated when it comes to content, yet the effect that can be achieved with a well-shot image cannot be matched. If you are ready to step into the world of photo optimization for your business, there are a few basic rules that you shall need to bear in mind to be successful at it.

  • The first step is to choose the correct image. A beautiful photo can add a dimension of vibrancy to your text, and is what shall actually sell your page. Remember to stay away from copyright issues by using images that are Creative Common licensed, or even better, sharing and optimizing self-captured shots.
  • The next important thing is how you name the image. Refrain from generic image titles, and instead choose a name that is descriptive yet simple. You might want to observe phrasing patterns that work well for your users and try to incorporate them into image names.
  • Alt tags are an important component of image optimization. Make an effort to fill out all the alt tags for images on your website, using plain English for file names instead of stuffing them with keywords. You can avoid filling alt tags for decorative images, to prevent being flagged for over-optimization by search engines.
  • If you are optimizing multiple shots of a single image, remember to fill out individual alt tags for each of these images. This will help to guide specific searches for these shots to your website, serving as an effective SEO tool. Refrain from using larger images as these shall prolong loading times on your website. Instead, you can provide an option of a pop-up to view larger sizes of smaller images. Several online image editing tools allow you to reduce image file size to the minimum required to maintain the image quality.
  • Be careful while choosing file formats for images. While JPEGs usually work best in most e-commerce platforms, PNGs and GIFs are suitable for decorative images. The trick is to keep the quality of images high while reducing file size as far as possible.
  • Finally, take out time to test your images and see what works best for your customers and your business. Right from product images per page to image angles, testing is the best way to know just what your target audience is looking for.