The Value of Image Optimisation in Local SEO

Driving Local Traffic

Search engines like Google have an image search function that can drive traffic to your website. Optimising images can ensure they appear in these results, increasing local visibility.

Boosting User Engagement

Images can make your content more engaging, keeping users on your site longer. The longer a user stays on your page, the more relevant search engines consider your site. Having lots of optimised images can also greatly improve local SEO for e-commerce.

Enhancing User Experience

Fast-loading, well-optimised images can enhance the user experience on your website. A better user experience can lead to higher conversions and improved local search rankings.

Best Practices for Optimising Images for Local SEO

Relevant and High-quality Images

Use relevant, high-quality images that reflect your local business. Original images are often better than stock photos, providing a more authentic depiction of your business.

Descriptive File Names

Give your image files descriptive names. For example, instead of ‘IMG_1234.jpg’, use ‘fresh-baked-bread-bakery-london.jpg’. This helps search engines understand the content of your image.

Alt Tags

Alt tags are HTML attributes used to describe the contents of an image file. They help search engines understand the image and improve accessibility for users with screen readers.

Image Size and Compression

Large image files can slow down your website, leading to a poor user experience. Compress your images to reduce their size without compromising their quality.

Geotagging Images

Geotagging images with your local business’s location can help improve your local search visibility. This technique embeds geographical information, such as latitude and longitude, into the image file.

General FAQs

Q1. Why is optimising images important for local SEO?

Optimising images is important for local SEO as it can drive local traffic, boost user engagement, enhance user experience, and improve local search rankings.

Q2. How can I optimise images for local SEO?

You can optimise images for local SEO by using relevant, high-quality images, descriptive file names, alt tags, and compressing images for faster load times. Geotagging images with your business’s location can also improve local visibility.

Q3. What are alt tags, and why are they important?

Alt tags are HTML attributes used to describe the contents of an image file. They are important for helping search engines understand the image content and improving accessibility for users with screen readers.

Q4. What do geotagging images mean?

Geotagging images involves embedding geographical information, such as latitude and longitude, into the image file. This can help improve local search visibility.

Conclusion

Image optimisation is a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of local SEO. By following these best practices for image optimisation, you can drive more local traffic, boost user engagement, and elevate the user experience on your website. It’s time to shine the spotlight on your images and illuminate your local search visibility!

For more information about how we can help you grow your business, or if you need specific advice, you can call us on 0800 110 5923, or you can fill out the contact form here and our support team will get in touch.