6 Image Optimization Tips For Lawyer SEO
Updated: May 11, 2022
How To Optimize Your Images For The SERPs
We're all used to seeing the same stock image on every other website, so when you employ your own photos that serve to communicate the message you're trying to tell, you'll really stand out.
The value of photos and image search cannot be overstated. Therefore, image optimization should be a component of your ongoing Lawyer SEO strategy.
What is Image Search Engine Optimization (SEO)?
Image SEO, often known as image optimization, is all about enhancing the images on your website for two main reasons:
To get a better ranking on Google Image Search.
To increase a web page's overall visibility and optimization.
This entails various tasks and tactics, including the following examples:
Accurately identifying image files
Adding and optimizing alt text for SEO and screen readers
Lowering file sizes
All of these will help Google (and their crawlers) better comprehend your site's photos.
Remember: Google still can't understand all types of images. So it's also vital to know that image SEO isn't just about helping search engines understand what an image is all about.
For example, of the biggest causes of slow web pages is poorly optimized photos, and making little adjustments can significantly impact how fast your site loads.
Tips for Advanced Image Optimization
You may boost your site's overall organic performance by optimizing photos to rank higher in Google Image Search.
Here are seven of the most effective optimization strategies:
1. Name Your Image Files
One of the most straightforward takeaways from Google's image best practices recommendations is to make sure that your picture titles are descriptive.
Generic filenames are assigned to photographs exported from a camera or smartphone (or even a screenshot). Don't use the default filename when uploading a picture. Instead, give it a descriptive name that helps contextualize what it displays and use dashes to divide the words rather than underscores.
If you've previously uploaded images to a page, change the filenames to something more informative. It won't take long and will be well worth your time.
2. Don't Forget Your Alt Text
Alt text is how crawlers recognize what's on your images. Unfortunately, despite the advancements in Google's technology, there is still no way for images to be accurately identified by AI. Hence, you tell the crawlers yourself what's on the images.
Additionally, Alt Text is also used by screen readers, so users with vision problems know what's on the images on-screen.
3. Adjust Image Dimensions
Another common problem with photos is that the image file has substantially bigger pixel dimensions than the image on your site. Make sure that photographs are resized to their maximum display proportions.
You should also make sure that you're using CSS to scale pictures responsively.
4. Image File Sizes Should Be Reduced
Resizing your images to their maximum display dimensions is one of the simplest ways to reduce their file size, but it isn't the only option.
Remember: Huge file sizes are one of the main culprits of slow loading speed. So make sure to compress and optimize your image sizes.
5. Make a Sitemap for Images
If you want Google to find all of the images on your site and have them appear in Google Image Search, you should construct a dedicated sitemap with all of the images' URLs.
Simply said, creating an image sitemap boosts the likelihood of your photos appearing in search results. While you can reference images in an existing sitemap, it's usually best to create a separate map that search engine crawlers can use.
6. Take Advantage Of Browser Caching
Simply put, browser caching occurs when a visitor's browser saves files, allowing assets to load faster the next time they visit the page.
Images are downloaded and shown in the browser when you visit a page. These will all have to be downloaded anew without browser caching the next time this person views the website. However, the browser will already have these saved with browser caching, resulting in a substantially faster page load.
On sites where visitors often view the same pages, browser caching has a noticeable impact.
Consult With SEO Experts At LawyerLeadMachine
Want to market your law firm via Lawyer SEO? We have SEO experts ready to help boost your digital marketing strategy. To review your SEO options, click here.
