How important are Image Names?

IP · #1 25-02-2010, 08:29 PM

I probably have some 20,000 odd images scattered about the web, purely from a traditional "that's how we have always done it" mentality, they are named in code that allows us to easily identify things like supplier, where we hold stock etc.

But I take it I am missing a trick here and should name the product and folders more SEF? Take too long to go back over what is already there, but can change how we go forward...have I understood this correctly, or is there more I need to do?

And most importantly, how much difference does it make?

RandomTemplate · #2 25-02-2010, 10:28 PM

Quite simply, it can't hurt.

Search Engines read the code of your site.
Where a use see the image. The search engine see's.

Code:

<img src='../images/imagename.jpg' />

That will output an image with no affect on seo.

Code:

<img src='../images/brandname/productname_0.jpg' alt='brandname product name' title='brandname product name' />

That will output an image but everything in bold adds towards your SEO.

Haven't checked but if at present you have poor SEO results then hire someone professional to completely rebuilt the system to automate these types of things. Pure and simple because it will more than quadruple your keywords. If you have great SEO results at present, then just change in future.

Hope it helps

EDIT: In regard to background images, file paths etc the theory is the exact same. Image was just a simple method to show an example.

Kip FX Design · #3 26-02-2010, 07:11 AM

RT is bang on the button, your eShop should have a option to create canonical urls, this should work for the pictures/images too, if not, have a word with the dev and I am sure it can be done in minutes, its a very common thing now mate.

RandomTemplate · #4 26-02-2010, 07:35 AM

I'm sure you'll see this as a fairly useless post but.. there was a system (think it may have been a js one) that you just included in the header & it basically virtually generates all the filenames regardless of there real location for seo purposes.

Can't remember its name so i'll have a hunt when I get a chance.

IP · #5 26-02-2010, 09:30 AM

Thanks for the replies, our SEO results are pretty reasonable, so just looking to change how we do it for the future. Not entirely sure if we are able to put alt tags in on everything, in certain cases the image upload is very similar to how you upload an avatar on here. So any thoughts on that welcomed.

JohnHutson · #6 07-03-2010, 10:31 AM

I agree with all of the above but would suggest include the full URL of where the image is located rather than just /images/etcetc

This will help in Google image search too - it's a massive traffic driver for most sites.

For the alt text, be descriptive rather than "Blue widget" - try something like "blue widget in showroom" or something - dont just use a top level keyword as this text is read out loud by text readers.

It also shows you are using the alt tag correctly (for usability rather than search engines)

As far as file name is concerned, all lowercase and seperated-by-a-hyphen.jpg just like you would a URL.

IP · #7 07-03-2010, 11:24 AM

Ahh bugger, are underscores bad then?

Still curious as to how an Alt tag would be added to something like the avatar upload system on here.

JohnHutson · #8 07-03-2010, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IP

Ahh bugger, are underscores bad then?

Still curious as to how an Alt tag would be added to something like the avatar upload system on here.

"Bad" is a strong statement but "preferable" is to use hyphens rather than underscores

Hmmm as for the Avatar - not sure I'm afraid. The code is there on the forum as it currently pulls the username. Sorry I cant help further on that one

BetterTAX · #9 24-03-2010, 06:56 PM

so useful... i was also reading about alt image tags yesterday. as i said, i did one of those optimising checks and it pulled up images that had no alt tags.

i've looked at the code and its correct... no alt="blah blah"

now i could correct this but i dont know where in the code it should go?
i.e.
<a href="http://www.lighthouseclub.org" target="_blank"><img src="assets/logos/lighthouse.jpg" title="The Lighthouse Club and Benevolent Fund" width="50px" height="50px" /><br />

where would alt="The Lighthouse Club" go? after .jpg or after the sizing?

and, is it a good idea to go renaming all my images, and code, to put the company name in? or the http address?

thanks

IP · #10 24-03-2010, 07:09 PM

Kip has done a video on this that might help:
Adding Alt and Title Tags to Improve SEO

How important are Image Names?

Search Engine Optimisation