Alt text, short for "alternative text," is an HTML attribute applied to <img> elements. It describes the content and function of an image, allowing assistive technologies like screen readers to interpret the image’s purpose for users who are visually impaired. Properly written alt text enhances the accessibility of a page and plays a role in semantic HTML structure.
In web development, alt text serves multiple functions:
- It provides context in cases where images fail to load.
- It ensures compliance with WCAG guidelines.
- It helps search engines better understand visual content, contributing to SEO efforts.
Alt text should be concise, accurate, and informative—avoiding phrases like "image of" or "picture of," which are redundant to screen readers.
Alt text is essential for building an inclusive website experience, ensuring that all users can access and understand visual content. It improves both usability and compliance for landscaping companies who rely heavily on project images to showcase their work.
When implemented correctly, alt text also contributes to landscaping SEO by helping search engines categorize and rank image-rich pages more effectively. For paid campaigns, visually descriptive content with alt text can enhance Quality Scores and conversion rates in Google Ads.
Alt text is a foundational element of an ADA-compliant web design.
Example
Here is an image that could be on your website:
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For example, the image above might have alt text like “Stone walkway leading through a well-manicured front yard with lush green grass, blooming flowers, and trimmed hedges in a residential landscape.” which conveys the scene’s content.
Using clear, relevant alt text on all images makes a site more inclusive and can improve SEO by allowing images to appear in Google’s image search results.