Importance of Optimising Property Images: Intro
In today’s digital age, the internet plays a pivotal role in the real estate industry. Homebuyers and sellers often turn to the web to find their dream properties or market their homes. Consequently, real estate professionals need to have a strong online presence to stand out in a competitive market. One crucial aspect of this online presence is Search Engine Optimization (SEO), and optimising property images is a frequently overlooked component of this.
Why Optimise Property Images for SEO? Top 5 Reasons
SEO is the process of enhancing your website’s visibility on search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo. It involves several elements, including keyword research, content optimization, and link building. Optimising property images might not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about SEO, but it can significantly impact your website’s performance. Here are some things to consider:
- Faster Page Loading Speed:
Search engines prioritise websites that load quickly because users tend to abandon pages that take too long to load. High-resolution, unoptimized images can be a significant cause of slow page loading. By resizing and compressing images, you reduce the page load time, which is a factor considered by search engine algorithms.
- Improved User Experience:
Optimised property images not only benefit search engines but also enhance the user experience. High-quality images that load quickly will keep visitors engaged, potentially leading to longer on-site times and lower bounce rates. Search engines recognise these user behaviour patterns and reward websites that offer a superior user experience.
- Image Search Optimisation:
Property images often end up in image search results. By optimising your images, you increase the chances of your property listings appearing in image searches. This can be an additional source of traffic and exposure for your listings.
- Mobile Optimisation:
With an increasing number of users browsing on mobile devices, it’s crucial to ensure that your website is mobile-friendly. Optimised images contribute to a smoother mobile experience by reducing data usage and loading times.
- Keyword and Alt Text Optimisation:
Property images provide an opportunity to include keywords and descriptive alt text. Incorporating relevant keywords in image file names and alt text can improve the relevance of your web pages in search results. Alt text is also essential for accessibility, making your site more inclusive.
How to Optimise Property Images for SEO
Let’s take a look at some practical steps you can take to achieve this:Resize and Compress Images: Use image editing software to resize images to the appropriate dimensions for your website. Compress the images to reduce their file size while maintaining quality. If you’re using a CRM like Aro this should be done automatically for you.
Choose the Right File Format
Webp is the best option these days if your website system supports it, otherwise use JPEG for photographs and PNG for images with transparent backgrounds. Each format has its strengths and is best suited for specific types of images.
Utilise Descriptive File Names
Rename image files to be descriptive and include relevant keywords. For example, “beachfront-house-noosa.jpeg” is more SEO-friendly than “IMG1234.jpeg.”
Write Informative Alt Text
Alt text should be concise and descriptive. It helps visually impaired users understand the content of an image and is also used by search engines. Include relevant keywords when appropriate.
Importance of Optimising Property Images: Conclusion
These small but impactful changes can make a significant difference in your online presence and ultimately help you reach a broader audience of potential buyers and sellers. So, take the time to optimise your property images and reap the SEO benefits for your business.
About the author
Aron @ Aro software
Aron has helped design & build over 2000 real estate websites for Australian businesses.