It takes 22 seconds for the average mobile landing page to load. A Google study found 53% of users abandon websites that take more than 3 seconds.
When a visitor reaches your blog, they want immediate action. But, using images in blogs can slow down the process.
This post explains how to optimize your images to improve performance. Let’s dig into making your website load faster so visitors don’t click away.
1. Use the Right Kind of File
The most common images for blogs are JPEG, PNG, and GIF.
JPEG (or .jpg) images are a standard on the Internet. They’re popular because it’s easy to compress large images into JPEGs.
PNG files are popular because they support colors and don’t deteriorate when re-saved. But, PNG files can be larger than a JPEG image.
A GIF (pronounced “gif” or “jiff”) is either animated or a still image file. Never use GIFs for large product images. GIFs look best when the image is small and simple.
You can save images to all 3 formats in most image-editing software. A JPEG offers the best image quality at the smallest file size.
2. Reduce Image File Sizes
When choosing a photo for your blog, reduce or resize it before posting. One way to reduce an image is by using the “Save for Web” command in image-editing software.
If you don’t have image-editing software, try an online tool. Online photo editors like PicMonkey and Canva are popular with bloggers.
There are free editing tools on smartphones and tablets. These cover the basics and reduce file size. You want the smallest size with the best quality.
3. Use Descriptive Image File Names
Resist the temptation to use the default name on image files. Instead, use descriptive language to identify each image.
Search engines look at image file names when crawling your website. Strategic names improve on-page SEO and help you rank higher in search engine results.
Which name is more useful? CDIimage05.jpg or Handstitched Leather Messenger Bag?
Relevant filename functions as a keyword. Always name your images based on keywords your customers use.
4. Use Alternative Text for Images
Alternative or Alt-Text describes the appearance and function of the image on a webpage. The information goes within an HTML code.
The best alt text is descriptive, not spammy. Don’t stuff keywords into your alt text.
Provide an accurate description of the image. If you sell products use their model numbers, serial numbers, and names.
Alt-text is also for web accessibility. A screen reader says the description aloud to blind users. Without alt text, the screen reader announces “image” or the file name.
The alt text displays when a browser can’t render or load an image.
5. Submit an Image Sitemap to Google
If you use pop-ups or JavaScript, image sitemaps can help. Web crawlers can’t crawl images that aren’t in the webpage source code. You must list their location.
Send metadata on your blog images via Google Image Sitemaps. This helps Google find images, like JavaScript, that crawlers can’t see.
Relevant details include subject matter, title, caption, geolocation, and license. Using image sitemaps doesn’t guarantee indexing, but it’s a big step towards image SEO.
Using Images in Blogs
Now you know you must reduce file sizes, use logical names, and get search engines to index images. Optimization matters when using images in blogs.
Contact us anytime for help optimizing your images.
