Let’s talk about something most small business owners overlook when it comes to SEO:
Your website images.
It’s easy to think of images as “decoration” or “filler”—something that makes your site look pretty. But in reality, images are a vital part of your SEO strategy.
Google doesn’t just read text—it reads images, too.
And if you’re not optimizing your images correctly, you’re missing out on free traffic.
In this blog, I’ll walk you through:
Why image SEO matters for both user experience and rankings
How to name and tag your images correctly
Best practices for image size, placement, and alt text
Real-world examples from MSW clients
And how we do all of this inside our Performance Marketing Program for clients
Let’s make sure your images aren’t just sitting there—they should be working as hard as the rest of your website.
Google is the world’s biggest search engine—and it doesn’t just look at text when it’s deciding how to rank a page. Google also “reads” your images.
And here’s the kicker: Image search drives over 10% of all web traffic (Moz). That’s huge, especially for businesses like yours that rely on local visibility.
So, if your images aren’t optimized, you’re leaving valuable traffic on the table.
When done right, image optimization helps in two major ways:
Google uses image data (file names, alt text, and captions) to understand the content of your page. Properly optimized images contribute to your on-page SEO, helping you rank higher.
Well-optimized images load faster, making your site more user-friendly. Google rewards sites that offer a great user experience, and faster loading times directly contribute to lower bounce rates and higher rankings.
Unlike you or me, Google can’t see an image. It relies on text-based information to understand what’s in the photo. So, you need to tell Google exactly what the image is about—especially when it comes to local search.
Here’s what Google looks for in images:
Instead of leaving it as “IMG_7382.jpg,” rename it to describe what the image actually shows.
Example:
Instead of: IMG_7382.jpg
Use: lake-ozark-wedding-venue-photo.jpg
Alt text is like the subtitle for your images. It describes what’s in the image so search engines can understand it. It’s also crucial for accessibility, helping people with visual impairments understand your content.
Example:
Instead of: “image1234”
Use: “Lake Ozark wedding venue set up for reception”
Tip: Keep alt text between 6–10 words and be descriptive, but don’t stuff it with keywords.
Captions don’t affect SEO directly, but they can help improve engagement with your users—especially when the caption describes the image or ties it to your content.
As mentioned above, use descriptive, keyword-rich file names.
Instead of:
“image001.jpg”
Use:
“Lake-Ozark-Bakery-Display-Case.jpg”
It helps Google understand your image context and increases the chance that your image will appear in image search results.
Google can’t “see” your images, but it can read the alt text. So, make sure you’re using it for every image on your site.
How to write effective alt text:
Be descriptive
Include relevant keywords naturally (but don’t stuff it)
Keep it short—between 6–10 words
For example, for an image of your bakery’s cupcakes, use:
“Handmade cupcakes with buttercream frosting from Lake Ozark Bakery”
This tells Google and the visitor exactly what they’re looking at.
Large images can slow down your website, especially on mobile devices. Slow-loading pages increase bounce rates, which hurts both user experience and your SEO rankings.
Fix it:
Compress images to reduce file size without losing quality
Use tools like TinyPNG, ImageOptim, or Photoshop’s “Save for Web” feature
Aim for image sizes of <100 KB (or smaller if possible)
For images that you want to appear in rich results or featured snippets, use schema markup. It’s a technical SEO strategy, but it’s highly effective in making your images stand out in search.
For example, if you’re a restaurant, adding Recipe Schema to your images (like food photos) increases the chance of getting featured in rich snippets.
Pro tip: Don’t worry if schema markup sounds complex. This is something we set up for you inside MSW’s Performance Marketing Program.
It’s not just about optimizing images for search engines. You also want them to enhance your users’ experience.
When a visitor lands on your site, the first image they see should be welcoming and aligned with your brand message. This could be a photo of your product, your team, or your storefront.
Make sure to showcase what you’re selling. High-quality images of your products or services should be placed near the top of the page or within the content.
Example:
“Custom Wedding Cakes” page → photos of your beautiful wedding cakes
“HVAC Services” page → photos of your techs in action
When writing blog posts, include images that reinforce the content—whether it’s a helpful infographic, step-by-step guide, or product photos.
Include before-and-after photos or project images next to client testimonials. This builds trust and gives tangible proof of the quality you deliver.
At MSW, we don’t just make your website look good—we make it work harder for you. Here’s what we do for every client:
You’re investing in your website and your content—so don’t let your images drag you down. Optimizing them is one of the easiest (and most overlooked) ways to improve both SEO and user experience.
When you name, tag, and format your images correctly, you’re giving Google the right signals—and your customers the best experience.
Let’s make sure your images aren’t just pretty—they’re working hard for your business.
We’ll audit your current images, ensure they’re properly optimized, and give you a list of improvements to boost your rankings and conversions.
📞 Call us at 573-552-8403
Or book your free SEO audit at:
https://mswinteractivedesigns.com/pages/request-a-quote
Let’s get your website images working for you—on Google and beyond.
Related Reading:
→ How an FAQ Page Can Help You Show Up in Voice and Featured Snippets
Discover how FAQ content can boost your SEO, increase time on page, and improve visibility in voice and snippet search results.
Sandy Wardenburg Waggett is the Founder & CEO of MSW Interactive Designs, a premier digital marketing agency specializing in SEO, AI-powered content strategies, and website optimization. With over a quarter century of experience (eek!), Sandy has helped thousands of business owners increase visibility, generate leads, and dominate their local markets through strategic online marketing.
As a Certified High-Performance Coach, Certified Maxwell Leadership Coach, and LXCouncil Moderator, Sandy is not just a marketing expert—she’s a trusted mentor and business strategist who equips entrepreneurs with data-driven insights and future-proof tactics. She leads AI & Marketing Mastery Training and exclusive CEO mastermind groups, helping business leaders stay ahead in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Sandy is also the author of the upcoming book, The Future-Proof SEO Blueprint: AI, AEO, and SEO Tactics for Small Business Dominance—a must-read for business owners looking to outsmart competitors and win in the new era of search marketing. The book provides cutting-edge strategies on AI-driven SEO, Answer Engine Optimization (AEO), and how to leverage AI tools to future-proof your digital presence.
When she’s not crafting game-changing marketing strategies, Sandy enjoys coaching entrepreneurs, speaking at business conferences, and empowering leaders to make bold moves in their industries.
🚀 Want to take your digital marketing to the next level? Connect with Sandy at MSWInteractiveDesigns.com or call 573-552-8403.
