Images are an important element of any Shopify store. Not every Shopify Merchant optimizes their image to the fullest extent. The 3 elements of a fully optimized image are proper file name, alternative text, and a compressed image.
## File Name
The importance of the file name gets overlooked because most computers autogenerate a name set of numbers of the name. But Google uses the file name to rank images in Google Images. If an image is not properly named it will not rank.
There’s an advantage to naming images files. Most people don’t know the importance of naming image files. A Shopify Merchant might have an easier time ranking on Google Images in their category with proper image names.
A properly optimized image file name needs to have dashes, not get keyword stuffed, and descriptive. For example the image for this section is titled, “naming-image-files.” The file has dashes, no extra keywords, and describes the image perfectly.
## Alternative Text
Alternative text is for screen readers. Screen readers can’t see the images. Alternative text, or alt text, describes the image and the screen uses alt text as a substitute. Google’s goal is for people to find the perfect website from a Google search. If people that use screen readers can’t read the content, they will leave after a few seconds. If people only stay on a site for a few seconds, Google will rank the site lower. Since people are not finding the site to be the perfect solution.
Do many people with screen readers use the internet? Is alt text that important of a ranking factor? No idea. Here is what I do know. Based on Google's goal. If Google is trying to decide how to rank 2 identical websites, same content and similar backlinks. Which website do you think Google will rank higher? The one with alt text or no alt next? The alt text does not need to be fancy either. A picture of red shoes can have the alt text, “red shoes.” That would count more than nothing. A Shopify Merchant does not need to do, “red {brand name} size 9 shoes with midnight black laces.”
Another reason why a Shopify Merchant should want to add alt text is they can strategically keyword stuff. As long as the keywords describe the image, they will not get dinged by Google. Consider alt text like content for images. If a Shopify Merchant were writing an article about changing the oil of a Camaro, Google would ding them for using “Camaro” or “Change oil” a few extra times in the article. Since that is the content of the article.
For example, let's say I had an image of Kawhi Leonard and Nikola Jokic playing in a game. The alt text I can use is “Kawhi Leonard and Nikola Jokic playing in a game of basketball.” Or I can use “#2 of the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers Kawhi Leonard playing in a basketball game against Denver Nugget’s #15 Nikola Jokic at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado.” There is nothing wrong with the second description because none of it is untrue. But since alt text is treated like content, my image and page might rank for “NBA Los Angeles Clippers”, “Denver Nuggets, and “Ball Arena.”
## Compressed Images
Images take more time to load compared to text. The load time is greater because of the images’ file size. By compressing the images, the images will not take as long to load because the files are smaller.
## Conclusion
Alternative text can give Shopify Merchants an advantage. 2 out of 3 of these can get completed with one app. The difficult task is the images names. Each image name needs to get changed one by one.
Want to get your Shopify store ready for BFCM 2026? Fully optimizing your images is an important element of getting traffic. Here’s how any Shopify Merchant can optimize their images.
Originally published at https://convertifyapps.com
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