Have you ever been scrolling through Facebook and noticed people talking about SEO and ALT text? Ever wonder what it is and why you should care? If so, this post is for you!
First, let’s define SEO and ALT text.
SEO is sort for Search Engine Optimization. Dictionary.com defines it as “the methods used to boost the ranking or frequency of a website in results returned by a search engine, in an effort to maximize user traffic to the site.”
ALT Text stands for Alternative Text. Marketingterms.com defines it as “HTML attribute that provides alternative text when non-textual elements, typically images, cannot be displayed.”
Now, you may be sitting here going, “Well that doesn’t help me. Thanks for confusing me even more.” Hang in there, I promise I’ll help!
SEO is important for your website to be shown on Google. Have you ever Googled something and noticed that you get results for things that don’t quite fit what you were searching for? Either that company paid for an ad on Google, or they have FANTASTIC SEO.
Now, there are a lot of things that go into a great SEO. A current and running blog with new content at least once a week, new content on pages, updating photos, backlinks on your site and so much more. A few of those things are simple “sit down and fix” items once a quarter. The others require you to be more active (such as blogging).
The “easy” fixes:
1) Follow your web host’s SEO checklist.
Squarespace (my website host) has an easy-to-follow checklist to help keep you on track. However, I LOVE Pixieset’s SEO manager. I believe it is one of the most user-friendly step-by-step guides on SEO out there.
I included a screenshot of my photography business, BGY Photography, SEO Manager through Pixieset. It walks you through each page with great examples of what you need!
2) Update your ALT Text.
Google loves an accessible website. By adding and updating ALT text on all your images (including logos and buttons!) it will boost your ranking online. I highly recommend updating this at least once a quarter.
Below, I’m including a screenshot from my photography website showing where Pixieset’s ALT text is. It may vary by web host, but a simple Google search should show you how to update it.
The key to great ALT text is keeping is simple, yet descriptive. If I were describing this photo to someone, I’d probably say something along the lines of: “Bre Yingling sits on the ground with her Canon camera, smiling at the photographer.”
ALT text is so important on any website, no matter how simple. Why? Because for those with visual disabilities, ALT text is what screen readers will read aloud. If I had a physical storefront, I’d make sure it was accessible to everyone; why not do the same for your website?
ALT text updating is not a quick job, especially for photographers. Be sure to budget out a solid couple of hours to work on it (or hire a professional to do it for you wink wink)!
3) Make sure all your links lead somewhere.
Have you ever clicked on a link and it just took you to the fun error page saying the page doesn’t exist? Super frustrating, right? Now imagine a client is trying to book you and clicks on a broken link. Chances are, they’re closing out of your website and moving on to the next.
Plus, Google will recognize broken links and dock your spot on searches because they don’t want people going to “spammy” websites. Check and double-check all your links and buttons every month or so.
4) Have clean, clear keywords on all your pages.
Text is king. In the world of modern, clean-cut websites, we’ve forgotten part of how Google searches—by pulling words from your website.
On all Home pages, I always recommend that clients include their name, their business name, their location and what they do. Why? Because your Home page should be your client’s road map. They should be able to get to every part of your website JUST from the Home page, even without the menu. If your Home page has fantastic SEO, your clients will find you.
Don’t be discouraged if you’re doing everything above and still aren’t getting clients. Try blogging weekly, pushing clients to your website instead of Facebook or consider giving your site a facelift to drive your old clients back to it!
Hopefully, this clears up some confusion about SEO! If not, shoot me a message and we’ll chat more!
If you are like some of my clients and are too overwhelmed or just have too much on your plate, I’m now launching project-based services to help you out! You don’t have to book me for a whole month just to get your website fully functional. Want to find out more? Check out my services page or shoot me an email at bre@breyingling.com.
Until next time friends!
