How to Optimize Images for SEO: A Picture-Perfect Strategy

In today's fast-paced digital landscape, it's not just about the words on your website that matter; it's also about the images that accompany them. 

Almost 25% of all searches in Google are image searches. And when you combine that statistic with the fact that there are more than 2 million searches per minute on Google, image optimization is not something you should ignore.

And slow site speeds will hit you in your wallet.

Research on site speed and conversion rates shows that every second your page loads slower than your peers, the conversion rate drops by 17%!! 

People will not wait around for slow pages. 

If you care about sales and profit, build image SEO into your blog post SEO workflow.

In this blog post, we're diving into the art and science of image optimization for SEO. This strategy can significantly enhance your online presence, improve user experience, and, most importantly, grow leads and sales.

So, grab your favorite beverage, settle in, and let's uncover the secrets to a picture-perfect SEO strategy for your images!

Understanding Image Optimization

What exactly is image optimization?

Well, dear reader, image optimization is preparing your website's images to be search engine-friendly so they rank in Google within search results and on the Image tab and contribute to the overall page SEO (related post on all the different places you can rank in Google). 

Below is an example of images ranking on the Images tab for an important search phrase. 

Images are beneficial to your readers because they help usability. Images can display information like charts and graphs, or appealing graphics, but also help break up thick content so it’s easier to read. 

Image optimization is crucial in enhancing page load speed, directly impacting user experience and contributing to your overall SEO. Google wants a fast internet, and its SEO algorithms reward sites that load fast (you can read more about Google’s Core Web Vitals here, which are all about page speed).

With your image in place, it's time to wield the resizing magic. Locate the "Resize" button on the top right corner of your workspace – it's your gateway to unlocking new dimensions. Upon clicking, you're presented with various preset sizes and dimensions.

Whether you're optimizing for social media, a blog post, or a custom size, select the one that suits your needs. As you click your chosen dimensions, witness your image elegantly conform to its new proportions. 

A side note about image dimensions for placement in a blog post or web page - resize your image to the exact size of the space it will fill. If it’s too small or too large, the browser will resize the image before loading it, which slows page loading and hurts your page’s SEO.

Step 3: Download Your File

Locate the "File" button in your workspace's upper left corner, and click Download.

Step 4: Select which image format you wish to turn the image into under File Type (using JPG for this example)

From our experience, jpg is the format we use 90% of the time. It maintains the best quality while making the file the smallest overall size.  

Step 5: Adjust the quality slider to achieve a good balance

You will also notice a Quality slider before you download your image. It defaults to 80. 

Our experience has shown that jpg and Quality set to 80 is an ideal setting that minimizes file size while not sacrificing overall quality. But I recommend testing different levels of Quality with the slider and file types to find what works best.

Captions, Titles, and Image Descriptions: Adding Context and Flavor

Think of captions and titles as the captions beneath a piece of art in a gallery – they provide context. Captions benefit SEO and help the human visitor understand the image better. And the title often shows when a user mouses over an image.

Image descriptions will show if the image doesn’t show or load on the page so you know what was supposed to be there.  The Alt Text and Caption are the most important. The caption can be a bit more explanatory since it’s visible to users, but from there, you can use the exact text that you use in the alt text for the other image meta fields.

Page Speed Tools

Use Google's page speed tool to understand how your page is doing on speed. I would suggest testing a page before you optimize the images if it's an existing page, and then testing it after you have optimized the images. 

The below image shows that we could shave off a whopping 10.99 seconds of loading time by optimizing the images. That's a huge improvement. And we would save 2,198 KiB (2.2 mb) and 1,158 KiB (1.1 mb) off the first two images!!! 

Page Load Speed: Speeding Up Your Success

By reducing image file sizes, and compressing visuals, you're creating a better experience for users (fast page loads). Thus, search engines will reward you with better rankings, more clicks, and more impressions. Today’s internet is all about speed - it’s the currency of the online realm. Visitors won't wait for a slow-loading website; they'll simply move on to greener pastures. By harnessing the power of image optimization, you're not just enhancing page load speed – you're crafting an experience that keeps visitors engaged and eager to explore further.

Your Picture-Perfect SEO Journey Begins

In the dynamic world of SEO, image optimization is your secret weapon. By implementing the strategies we've discussed, you're setting your small business up for long-term success. Improved SEO, faster load times, and enhanced user experience await those who dare to embark on this journey. So, take a leap of faith, optimize those images, and watch your online presence flourish like never before. Here's to a picture-perfect strategy that will leave your competitors in awe!

Remember, your images are worth a thousand keywords and are about to speak volumes for your brand. Cheers to a brighter, optimized future!