No web page is complete without at least one or two images. In fact, images will draw more viewers to your website. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words. But how do you optimize images for local SEO purposes? Continue reading this blog to learn seven vital tips for this practice.
Why Do Optimized Images Matter for Local SEO?
Before we get into how to optimize images for local SEO, it’s important to first understand why they matter. First, it’s important to understand that image optimization involves compressing the size of an image in a way that still maintains its quality and definition. The appropriate image size can make or break search engine visibility and user experience on your website. For this reason, ensuring your images are fully optimized will guarantee more traffic and engagement on your website.
How To Optimize Images for Local SEO: 7 Useful Tips
Now that you know why optimizing images for local SEO is vital, here are seven valuable tips for said optimization.
1. Use HTML Links
When embedding images, one of the best ways to ensure Google successfully indexes pages is by using HTML links. Furthermore, HTML will allow the images to be processed successfully.
2. Submit an Image Sitemap
Another effective means of local SEO image optimization involves submitting an image sitemap. For those unfamiliar, a sitemap details all the pages on a website and outlines how they are organized. An image sitemap includes the images being used on each page and allows crawlers to notice them easily.
3. Resize images
A huge part of image optimization for local SEO involves compressing the size of said image on a web page. Having a large image on your website in its original dimensions can slow your page load time, so you want to ensure your image dimensions will not hinder the load speed. If you need help with the right way to resize your images, guides like this one are a great place to start.
4. Make images mobile-friendly
With everyone on the go, you are more likely to use your phone to find information immediately than seek out the nearest computer. That’s why you need to make SEO-optimized images mobile-friendly. You don’t want to have a potential client click away from your page because their web browser took too long to load on mobile due to the image size and dimensions.
5. Include captions
Captions are a great way to enhance the website engagement experience. While image captions may not be the most significant factor in SEO, they can make a small, subtle difference where online engagement is concerned.
6. Descriptive alt text
A surefire way to optimize images for your website is to include descriptive alt text for the images, whether you’re publishing a landing page or a blog. Alt text is the short image description that is displayed when the image itself cannot be shown. It also improves website accessibility.
7. Align images with keyword intent
Finally, the best way to optimize images for local SEO is to choose images that are aligned with keyword intent. For example, if you run a remodeling company and are creating a page for bathroom remodeling services, you want images that are relevant to bathroom remodeling included on that page.
Improve Your SEO With ASAP Marketing Solutions
Now that you understand how to optimize images for local SEO, you can really start taking extra steps to boost visibility and engagement for your company and/or brand. This guide is just one way to get started. To further boost your SEO, reach out to our expert marketing team today at ASAP Marketing Solutions. Contact us and start reaping the benefits of better marketing.
