If you are for instance a blogger or write articles for an online magazine or newspaper, you encounter this question on a probably daily basis: should I add an image to my article? The answer is “Yes”. Images make an article more vivid and can actually contribute to improving the SEO for your article. In this post, I’d like to explain the steps that should be taken to fully optimize an image for SEO.

Use Images

Images, when added with a certain consideration, will help understand your article a lot. “A picture is worth a thousand words”. Yeah, well, probably not for Google, but it can for sure spice up a 1000 dull words, illustrate what you mean in a chart or data flow diagram, or simply make your social media efforts more attractive.
It’s a simple recommendation: use images to every article you write online. It’ll make it more appealing.

Finding the right Image

If you have the opportunity to add your own image, please do so. Your team page needs pictures of your team, not this dude on the right or one of his stock photo friends. Off topic: let alone that the dude might need a haircut.
Your article needs an image that has the same subject as your article. If you would use an image, just to use an image and get a green bullet in our SEO plugin, you are doing it wrong. The image should reflect the topic of the post, or have illustrative purposes within the article, of course.
There is a simple image SEO reason for that: an image that is surrounded by related text, ranks better for the keyword it is optimized for. More details on image SEO later.
You might have seen the images we are using for our posts (the ones with the titles). We have added these for a number of reasons:

• They emphasize the title or subject of the post
• It’ll trigger a visitor to read the post, as the first view isn’t just text
• These images are used in OpenGraph tags and Twitter Cards, which will add the image to our social shares.

Just another way to go about adding images. By the way, most of these ‘featured images’ are stock photos. We have made them our own by adding the title in the same way over and over, making the actual image subservient to the text in the image. That goes against a much heard recommendation to not add text in images, but as mentioned, we use that specific image for other purposes, not per se for SEO.

Preparing images for use in your article

When you have found the right image to use, either an illustration, chart or photo, the next step is to optimize that image for use on your website. There are a number of things to take in consideration:

Choose the right file name

Image SEO starts with the right file name. Of course this is the first location to use that keyword. Without even looking at the actual image, you want Google to know what the image is about. It’s simple: if your image is a sunrise in Paris showing the Notre Dame, the file name shouldn’t be DSC4536.jpg, but notre-dame-paris-sunrise.jpg. The main keyword would be Notre Dame, as that is the main subject of the photo, that is why I added that at the beginning of the file name.

Scale for image SEO

Loading times are an important UX and therefore SEO aspect. The faster the site, the easier to visit and index a page is. Images can have a huge impact on loading times, especially when you load a huge image and show it really small, like using a 2500×1500 pixels image and showing it at 250×150 pixels size. The entire image will still have to be loaded. Scale the image to the size you want to show it. WordPress helps by providing the image in multiple sizes after upload already. Unfortunately that doesn’t mean the file size is optimized as well, that’s just the image size.

Reduce file size

The next step in image SEO should be to make sure that scaled image is served in the smallest file size possible. There are tools for that. Of course you could just export the image an test what percentage of quality is acceptable, but I prefer (especially with retina and similar screens) to use 100% quality images.

Numbers explained:

1. Prompt for keyword research
ChatGPT helped me with keyword research from top to bottom. 
Note: ChatGPT can’t replace traditional keyword research tools like Ahrefs and Semrush yet.

2. Prompt for on-page SEO
On-page SEO is a repetitive process. You must optimize URLs, headers, CTA placement, etc. for every published page.

3. Prompt for content optimization
You can use ChatGPT to either check existing URLs or create an SEO-friendly URL for a page you want to publish.

4. Plugins
HarpaAI, AIPRM, Webpilot, PerplexityAI, Keywordseverywhere and whimsical diagrams are of great help.

5. SEO tools
Semrush, Ahrefs and Moz

6. GPT’s
Explore these new GPT’s: Search Quality GPT, StyleMaster, SEO Analyzer

Using this checklist To Rank Number Of Websites At #1 Postion On Google.
Want to make a page rank higher in Google?
This on-page SEO checklist is your ultimate companion.
From Title Optimization To Significant Technical Aspects.
The best part?
Everything on this list is working GREAT right now.
So if you want higher Google rankings in 2024, you’ll love today’s checklist.

• Sunset Google Optimize & GA3
• Pmax experiments
• Shopping Ads for hotels & Pmax for hotels
• High-Value Optimization for NCA in PMax
• You can not use Content targeting anymore in video campaigns
• Campaign-level brand exclusions & asset reporting Pmax
• Rollout of automatically created assets
• Search interest targeting and presence or interest exclusion went away
• New Google Ads design en menu
• Expanded local service ads to new countries and business
• Roll out site names, sponsored label, and favicon
• YouTube overlay Ads are gone
• Change in GA4 from non-direct click import to full cross-channel conversions
• New in YouTube ads mixed formats
• Launch Ads Transparency Center
• Ads with pictures in Gmail
• First click, linear, time decay, and position-based attribution models are gone
• Vehicle Ads out of beta and now available for Pmax
• Expanding Shorts into Video reach campaigns and they are adding In-feed video ads to Video reach campaigns
• Similar audiences are gone
• Funnel reports in GA4
• Business name and Logo is live
• Generative Search experience went live and shows Ads
• New dimensions for audience builder
• New parameter Gbraid for measuring IOS and new gad parameter
• Replaced the Trusted Store Badge with Top Quality Store Badge
• Custom video campaigns are gone
• new campaign type demand gen is live
• lookalike audiences
• Merchant Center Next will replace Merchant Center
• Pmax brand exclusions
• Broad match setting on or off
• 15 headlines in Pmax
• Audience builder live in Ads
• Multiple pictures in one Ad
• upgrade DSA to a Pmax campaign
• Try on clothing Google & beauty AR Ads
• Store sales reporting and bidding Performance Max Campaigns
• Conversion credit for web conversions
• Google Business Profile pictures for local Ads
• Goodby Buy on Google
• New checkout pilot
• smart shopping is gone
• Search Themes Pmax
• Personal data safely from the EU to the US
• Automated customer match lists
• Google Ads enhanced conversion setup for offline conversion imports
• Enhanced Conversions Account Level
• Optimized targeting replaced similar audiences
• Exclude URLs Pmax
• Pmax gets more inventory
• Page feeds in Pmax
• Removing implicit Target ROAS
• Enhanced CPC gone
• Book a call with Google
• The Google Tag
• Performance planner for Pmax & Discovery
• Google raised ad prices
• GA4 Checkout report
• Google Ads Data Manager
• YouTube Spotlight Moments
• Ads Privacy Planner
• Performance Max generative AI
• Performance planner conversion action
• Google TV Ads
• Shortsplacement
• Premier reach & Reservations Ads
• Seasonality Adjustments Apps
• video view campaigns live
• Consent mode V2
• audience builder in GA
• Remove signals reporting identity
• Conversion diagnostic tab
• Multi-formats launch
• PMax device metrics insights
• New cookie feature tracking protection
• Consent requirement before march
• Enhanced conversion GA4
• Protected Audiences API
• Easier way to buy reservation media

To succeed in the Indian e-commerce market, it’s essential to be aware of common mistakes that can lead to failure. In this article, we’ll explore these mistakes and how to avoid them:

1. Lack of market research: India’s diversity in consumer preferences, languages, and cultural nuances requires thorough market research. Failure to adapt to these differences can result in business failure.
2. Ignoring mobile optimization: With the growing use of smartphones in India, mobile optimization is crucial. Neglecting a mobile-friendly e-commerce platform can lead to a loss of potential customers.
3. Poor website design and user experience: Your website’s design and user experience play a critical role in attracting and retaining customers. A cluttered or difficult-to-navigate website can deter users and lead to high bounce rates.
4. Inadequate logistics and delivery: Efficient and reliable logistics and delivery systems are crucial for e-commerce success. Slow or unreliable delivery can lead to customer dissatisfaction and loss of trust.
5. Ignoring payment options: India has various payment preferences, including digital wallets, credit/debit cards, UPI, and cash on delivery. Failing to offer multiple payment options can limit your customer base.
6. Overestimating demand: Overestimating demand can lead to overstocking, tying up capital, and increasing storage costs. Underestimating demand can lead to stockouts and missed opportunities.
7. Poor customer service: Providing excellent customer service is essential in e-commerce. Inadequate or unresponsive customer support can result in customer dissatisfaction and negative reviews.
8. Neglecting marketing and promotion: E-commerce businesses must invest in marketing and promotion to reach their target audience. Neglecting these activities can lead to low visibility and poor sales.
9. Pricing errors: Setting incorrect pricing can have a significant impact on your business. Overpricing can deter price-sensitive Indian consumers, while underpricing can lead to unsustainable profit margins.
10. Ignoring legal and regulatory requirements: E-commerce businesses in India need to comply with various legal and regulatory requirements, including GST (Goods and Services Tax), e-commerce policy guidelines, and data protection laws. Ignoring these requirements can lead to legal trouble and penalties.
11. Inadequate cybersecurity: With the increasing threat of cyberattacks, e-commerce businesses need to invest in robust cybersecurity measures to protect customer data and maintain trust.
12. Lack of differentiation: Failing to differentiate your e-commerce business from competitors can result in a lack of customer loyalty. Offering unique products, excellent customer service, or innovative features can help set your business apart.
13. Scaling too quickly: Rapid expansion without proper planning can strain your resources and lead to operational issues. It’s important to scale your business gradually and sustainably.
14. Insufficient capital and financial planning: Running an e-commerce business often requires significant capital for inventory, marketing, and operational costs. Insufficient capital or poor financial planning can lead to cash flow problems.
15. Ignoring feedback and data: Neglecting to gather and analyze customer feedback and data can prevent you from making necessary improvements to your business.

In conclusion, being aware of and actively avoiding these common mistakes can significantly increase your chances of success in the Indian e-commerce market. Conducting thorough research, staying adaptable, and continuously improving your business are key strategies for achieving success.