The Purpose and Use of Alt Tags on Websites

The Unsung SEO Hero: Why Alt Tags Are a Must-Have for Your Michigan Business Website

As a small business owner, freelancer, or entrepreneur in Northern Michigan—or anywhere around the country—getting your business noticed online is crucial. You're likely already thinking about search engine optimization (SEO) to drive traffic to your website. But while you focus on strong content and high-value keywords, are you overlooking a simple, yet powerful tool right under your nose? We're talking about alt tags, often called alt text or alternative descriptions.


At Noacol Creative, a dedicated Michigan SEO firm specializing in helping businesses like yours thrive online, we know that effective SEO is built on the details. Let's explore what alt tags are and how they can significantly boost your visibility with search engines.


What Exactly Are Alt Tags?


An alt tag is a brief, descriptive piece of text embedded in your website's HTML code. Its primary, original purpose is an accessibility feature: it describes an image for visitors who can't see it. This includes users with visual impairments who rely on screen readers and users whose browsers fail to load the image.


When you look at the code for an image, it looks something like this:


<img src="business-owner-michigan.jpg" alt="">


The text inside the alt="" is the alt tag. It should clearly and accurately describe the function or content of the image.


How Alt Tags Turbocharge Your Search Engine Optimization


Alt tags are not just an accessibility requirement; they are a vital component of your SEO strategy. Here’s how using them strategically can turn your images into powerful SEO assets:


1. Better Indexing and Ranking


Search engines like Google can’t see your images, but they can read your alt text. The alt tag provides context about the image, helping the search engine understand what it depicts and, more importantly, how it relates to the content of the surrounding page.


For instance, if you're a local accounting firm in Michigan, a well-written alt tag can help Google index your image for relevant searches. This is a core part of effective web design and SEO services we offer.


2. Image Search Visibility


When you use relevant keywords in your alt text, you increase the chance of your image appearing in Google Images, which drives traffic to your website. If you're a Lansing SEO services provider, an image of your team with an alt tag like "Lansing SEO services team meeting" can bring a new avenue of traffic directly to you.


This is a key consideration for local SEO Michigan strategies, where appearing in localized searches is everything.


3. Keyword Relevance and Density


Alt tags offer a natural, contextual way to include your target SEO keywords without resorting to keyword stuffing. If you're a web design and SEO agency targeting areas near Detroit, your images could use geographically specific keywords:


Bad Alt Tag: "Picture"


Good Alt Tag: "Brighton SEO agency consultant reviewing website analytics" (hitting a key phrase like Brighton SEO agency)


Better Alt Tag: "Rochester SEO company expert providing digital marketing coaching" (targeting Rochester SEO company or SEO in Rochester)


Using this technique effectively is a major part of the Michigan SEO processes 2024 and beyond.


4. Improved User Experience and Load Time


While technically a separate file, the alt tag helps maintain a good user experience (UX). If an image fails to load, the user still sees the descriptive alt text, preventing a broken or confusing experience. Furthermore, proper image optimization (including smart use of alt tags and appropriate naming photos for SEO) can contribute to faster page load times, another critical ranking factor.


Alt Tag Best Practices from Noacol Creative


Whether you're a startup in Grand Rapids or a small business in Traverse City, follow these simple rules when writing your alt tags:


  • Be Descriptive: Tell the user/search engine what the image is.


  • Be Concise: Keep it relatively short—a few words to a maximum of one strong sentence.


  • Use Keywords Naturally: Insert your target keywords (like SEO agencies Flint, Oakland SEO, or SEO traverse city) only when they fit the image description.


  • Avoid Keyword Stuffing: Don't just list keywords; it harms accessibility and looks like spam to Google.


Ready to Get Your Business Online?


If you're looking for an affordable, effective Christian SEO company that specializes in helping small businesses, startups, and freelancers achieve a powerful online presence—from the beautiful shores of Michigan to across the country—Noacol Creative is here for you. We provide expert SEO services in Michigan and beyond, ensuring your website works for your business 24/7.


Don't let your images be silent SEO opportunities!


Read more of our helpful articles on topics like single page site SEO and the emerging generative engine optimization (GEO) to continue improving your digital marketing knowledge.


Schedule your free consultation with a Michigan small business marketing consultant today and let's discuss how we can build a strong, effective online strategy for your business.