What Is Alt Text?
Alt text is the text description you add to an image on your website. This description is read by screen readers used by people who are blind or visually impaired. If the image can’t be displayed, the alt text appears in its place — giving context to what should be there.
Why Does Alt Text Matter?
- Accessibility: It helps people with visual impairments understand the content of your site.
- SEO: Search engines can’t “see” images. Alt text helps them index your visual content.
- Fallback support: When images fail to load, users still understand what was intended.
- Legal compliance: Many regulations (like WCAG and the EU Accessibility Act) require accessible websites.
How to Write Good Alt Text
Here are a few tips for writing effective alt text:
- Describe the image clearly and concisely
- Avoid starting with “image of…” or “picture of…”
- Include keywords only if relevant — don’t keyword stuff
- Don’t describe decorative images; use empty alt tags (`alt=""`) instead
Example
Bad alt text: “Logo”
Better alt text: “Joomlapartner Internet Agency logo in dark blue”
Conclusion
Alt text is more than a technical detail — it’s a crucial part of creating inclusive, search-friendly websites. By using it correctly, you improve both user experience and your site's visibility.
Need help improving your website’s accessibility? Get in touch — we build professional, inclusive websites from the ground up.