Do Contractor Websites Need Image Optimization?
Image optimization is critical to contractor websites in 2023. A simple SEO tactic helps pages rank higher than competitors. Placing a keyword within the image filename and alt-text heavily influences SEO.
Of course, the keyword must match the image so visually impaired users and Google crawlers understand its purpose. Image file size also impacts SEO since large image files can slow down site speed and disrupt the user experience. Here’s how Contractor Webmasters optimize web images:
- Alt-Text: We place keywords within alt-text to help visually impaired users and to help Google understand the page’s topic
- File Name: We place keywords within the file name to create more topical relevance for the page
- File Size: We optimize file sizes to keep websites fast and prevent user dropoff
- Image Placement: We place images strategically throughout the page to enhance readability and user experience
Small details often separate #1 rankings from #2, #3, and so on. Image optimization is one of those minor details that only experts identify and implement into their SEO strategy.
Contractors may think they’ve outworked competitors with content, links, and web design, but without optimized image files, there’s untapped potential in your search results. Contractor Webmasters leaves no stone unturned in the quest to make your #1 for your industry and service areas.
Naming Image Files for Web Pages
Most image files come with default names like 32955294.jpg or contractorequipment403405.png. They may sit on your camera’s hard drive, or you may download them from a royalty-free image library like Pixabay. In either case, the default file name fails from an SEO perspective.
It is essential to rename these image files using the best SEO practices. The first step is to identify what the image is about and which of the keywords it represents. After that, follow these file name principles:
- Concise: File names should be short and to the point
- Keyword-Relevant: Your image should target a specific keyword, preferably one that associates with your page topic
- Lowercase: Image file names should be all lowercase and use dashes as spaces (-)
- Relevant: File names should be relevant to the photo itself, don’t just stuff keywords for the sake of it
At Contractor Webmasters, image optimization is part of our standard SEO process. Each page gets relevant images optimized with the file name, file size, and keyword placement.
We ask our clients for good pictures of staff and equipment and pull from our royalty-free image sources to fill out the website. We only place relevant images within your web page so that users always understand the page’s topic and objective.
Alt Text for Images
Some SEO companies look at alt text as a place to stuff keywords and trick the algorithm. Such a strategy doesn’t work because users are too smart. An image showing a banana with the alt-text contractor services for cheap accomplishes nothing.
Users may think the page is pure spam and navigate away from it, increasing bounce rate and signaling to Google that your page is virtually worthless. It soon loses ranking.
Though some SEOs try to game image alt text, it is quite useful for legitimate SEO practices. The objective is to find images that match your keywords. If you are selling faucet repair services in Los Angeles, you should grab a picture of one of your plumbers fixing a faucet.
If you can’t find that, you should download a stock image of a tap or faucet repair. As long as the photo matches the keyword, you can easily place it within the alt text.
