The term "alt text" stands for "alternative text" and refers to a short description used in websites to explain images. This text is displayed if the image cannot be loaded or is used by people with visual impairments to understand the content of the image. The alt text is used to convey the meaning and context of the image when it is not directly visible. It should be concise and meaningful to give users an idea of what is shown in the image.
Here are some examples:
- Suppose you have a website about pets and show a picture of a cute dog. The alt text could read: "A young golden retriever playing in the park."
- If you have a logo on your website, the alt text could simply contain the company name, for example: "vh-crossmedia Logo".
- If you share a diagram or infographic, you should summarise the content of the diagram in the alt text. For example: "A pie chart showing the distribution of age groups in a population."
Alt text is important to ensure that all users can understand the content of a website, regardless of their ability to see images. By using meaningful and concise alt text, you can improve the usability of your website and ensure an accessible experience for all visitors.