In the world of web accessibility, it’s the little things that make a big difference. And when it comes to images, one of the most important little things is the alternate text. Alternate text is a short, descriptive label that tells screen readers what an image is about. It’s also displayed if the image fails to load. This guide will explore the importance of alternate text for images and how to fix it.

Think of your images as a book. You want to make sure that everyone can read it, regardless of whether they are sighted or not. The same is true for your website. By giving each image a unique and descriptive alternate text, you can create a more accessible and user-friendly experience for everyone. For a deeper dive into the world of accessibility, see our article on accessibility.

An illustration of an image with a clear and descriptive alternate text, symbolizing the importance of alternate text for images.

Your Guide to a More Accessible and User-Friendly Website

Fixing missing alternate text for images is a simple but important task. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Identify Your Images Without Alternate Text: Use an accessibility testing tool like Creeper to crawl your site and identify any images that are missing alternate text.
  2. Add Alternate Text to Your Code: You can add alternate text to your images by using the ‘alt’ attribute. The value of the attribute should be a short, descriptive name for the image.

The SEO Power of an Accessible Website

An accessible website is a more successful website. By making your website more accessible, you can improve your user experience, reach a wider audience, and even improve your SEO. For more on the importance of a well-structured website, check out this guide to the alt attribute from MDN.

Don’t let your images be a mystery to your users. By taking the time to give them alternate text, you can build a more accessible and successful online presence. For more on how to create a winning on-page strategy, see our article on on-page SEO.

An illustration of a checklist, symbolizing the importance of making sure your images have alternate text.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is alternate text?

Alternate text is a short, descriptive label that tells screen readers what an image is about. It’s also displayed if the image fails to load.

Why is it important for my images to have alternate text?

It’s important for your images to have alternate text so that screen readers can announce the purpose of the image to the user. This is crucial for users who are blind or have low vision.

How do I add alternate text to my images?

You can add alternate text to your images by using the ‘alt’ attribute. The value of the attribute should be a short, descriptive name for the image.

Ready to make your images more accessible? Start your Creeper audit today and see how you can improve your use of alternate text.