Wix Image Optimisation for Better SEO
TL;DR:
- Add descriptive alt text through Wix's image Settings panel to help search engines understand your images
- Rename image files with relevant keywords before uploading to Wix
- Compress images to reduce file sizes and improve page loading speed
- Use proper image formats (WebP when possible, JPEG for photos, PNG for graphics)
- Descriptive filenames and alt text make your site more accessible and SEO-friendly
Wix handles most of the technical side of image optimisation automatically, but there are still important steps you can take to improve your SEO rankings and site performance.
Getting Your Image SEO Right in Wix
Wix makes image optimisation fairly straightforward, but you need to know where to look and what actually makes a difference for SEO.
Adding Alt Text That Works
Alt text serves two purposes: it helps search engines understand what's in your images, and it makes your site accessible to people using screen readers.
Here's how to add it in Wix:
- Click on any image in your editor
- Hit the "Settings" button
- Fill in the "Alternative Text" field with a clear description
Write alt text that describes what's actually in the image. If it's a photo of a red mountain bike on a trail, write "red mountain bike on forest trail" rather than "best mountain bike for sale".
Renaming Your Image Files
Before you upload images to Wix, rename them on your computer. Instead of "IMG_2847.jpg", use something like "chocolate-birthday-cake.jpg" or "london-office-meeting-room.jpg".
This gives search engines more context about your images before they even get to your alt text. Keep filenames short but descriptive, and use hyphens instead of spaces.
File Size and Format Optimisation
Wix automatically compresses your images when you upload them, but starting with smaller files helps your pages load faster.
Before uploading:
- Resize images to the size you'll actually display them (don't upload a 4000px wide image if it's only showing at 800px)
- Use online tools like TinyPNG or Squoosh to compress images
- Stick to JPEG for photos and PNG for graphics with transparent backgrounds
Wix handles:
- Converting to WebP format automatically (this is good for SEO)
- Creating different sizes for mobile devices
- Lazy loading (images only load when someone scrolls to them)
Image Placement and Context
Where you put images on your page matters for SEO. Place relevant images near related text content. If you're writing about wedding photography, put examples of your wedding photos in that section rather than randomly throughout the page.
Make sure your images actually relate to your page content. Search engines are getting better at understanding what's in images, so stock photos that don't match your content won't help your SEO.
Common Image SEO Mistakes on Wix
Using the same alt text everywhere: Each image needs unique, descriptive alt text. Don't just copy your page title.
Forgetting about image context: An image of a cake could be relevant for a bakery, recipe site, or party planning service. Make sure your alt text reflects how the image relates to your specific content.
Uploading massive files: Even though Wix compresses images, starting with huge files slows down the upload process and can still impact loading times.
Decorative images with SEO alt text: If an image is purely decorative (like a background pattern), you can leave the alt text empty. Don't stuff keywords into decorative image descriptions.
FAQs
Can I edit alt text after uploading images to Wix?
Yes, click any image in your editor and select Settings to add or change the alt text at any time.
Does Wix automatically optimise my images for mobile?
Wix creates different sized versions of your images automatically and serves the right size based on the device, but you should still upload reasonably sized images to start with.
Should I include keywords in my image filenames?
Include relevant keywords that describe what's actually in the image, but don't stuff unrelated keywords into filenames.
How many images should I use on a page for SEO?
Use as many relevant images as make sense for your content. There's no magic number, but every image should serve a purpose.
Jargon Buster
Alt Text: Alternative text that describes an image for screen readers and search engines when the image can't be displayed.
Image Compression: Reducing file size while maintaining acceptable image quality to improve page loading speed.
WebP: A modern image format that provides better compression than JPEG or PNG. Wix converts your images to WebP automatically.
Lazy Loading: Images only load when users scroll down to see them, which speeds up initial page loading.
Wrap-up
Image optimisation on Wix isn't complicated, but it does require some planning. Rename your files before uploading, add descriptive alt text to every meaningful image, and make sure you're not uploading unnecessarily large files.
The biggest impact comes from using images that actually relate to your content and describing them accurately. Wix handles most of the technical optimisation automatically, so focus on the content side of things.
Want to dive deeper into Wix SEO strategies? Join Pixelhaze Academy for step-by-step guides and expert support.