Importance of ALT tag in Website Design

Anyone who is knowledgeable about web accessibility will know that images require alternatives, sometimes referred to as ALT text that is assigned to them. Screen readers don’t comprehend images but instead speak out the text they are assigned. For instance, in Internet Explorer, we can see the ALT text by hovering over the image and looking at the orange tooltip which appears. Some browsers (correctly) don’t display this. The HTML used to insert an ALT text is:

What’s the likelihood that there’s the ability to write an ALT description for images? Put an ALT description into the box, and you’re done, you think? The way it works is sort of. It’s not an exact science and get website design in Kanpur.

Spacer images, missing ALT text.

Spacer images must always be given a null ALT description alternatively alt =””. So, screen readers will ignore the image and will not even notice its existence. Spacer images are invisible pictures that are used by the majority of websites. Their purpose is, as their name suggests, to make space on the webpage. Sometimes, it’s impossible to make the display you want; therefore, you’ll be able to put an image inside (specifying its width and height), and then you’ve got the extra space you require.

Fine website development company in kanpur at tokla app.Some websites use alt=”spacer picture.” Imagine how irritating this could be for screen reader users, especially when you have 10 images in one row. Screen readers will use the phrase “Image, spacer image” 10 times in one row (screen readers typically use the word “Image” before reading the alt text). This isn’t useful! Many do not use this alt text for images of space.

Some web developers remove the ALT attribute for images with spacers (and maybe others).

Icons and bullets

Icons and bullets should be handled in the same manner as images that are spaced out, and they should be assigned no alternative text or alternative text. =””. Consider the list of items that have a fancy bullet preceding every item. If the ALT text “Bullet” is assigned for every image, then “Image, bullet” will be spoken by screen readers before every item on the list, making it take time to go through the list.

Icons, typically used to enhance links, must also be assigned an alt =”.” Many websites, which put the icon beside the link text use links as the ALT text for the icon. Screen readers first announce the ALT text followed by the link text and then repeat the link; however, this is unnecessary.

(Ideally, Icons and bullets should be made available as background images in the CSS document. This would eliminate these images from the HTML document entirely and eliminate the need for a description of the ALT.)

Images with a decorative look

The attractive images should also be assigned a non-alternative text or alternative =”.” If an image is simply eye candy, screen readers don’t have to know that it exists and be informed that its existence only creates noise.

You could also say that the images you display on your website create an identity for your business. By keeping them hidden from screen readers, you’re not giving this group of users the similar experience. Accessibility experts generally favor the first argument. However, there is certainly a compelling argument for the second.

Text embedded and navigational information within images

Navigation menus that need fancy text have no option other than to place the text in an image. In this instance, the ALT text should not be used to increase the size of the image. In no way should the ALT text read, “Read about our wonderful services, created to aid you with everything you do’. If the option states” Services,” the ALT text should include the words “Services.” The ALT text should always explain what the image’s content is and repeat the content word-for-word. If you wish to extend beyond the navigation, it is possible to use the attribute title in this instance.

The same is true for any other text contained within an image. The text that is ALT should be a repetition, word-for-word, of the text within the image.

(Unless the font employed is unique, it’s not necessary to use text embedded within images. Advanced search and effects for backgrounds can be accomplished using CSS.)

The logo of the company

Websites can differ in the way they add alt text to logos. Some use ‘Company name”, some say “Company logo,’ and others explain the purpose that the logo serves (usually an URL on the home page)”Back to home.  If the logo serves as an external link to the homepage, it can be effectively conveyed using the tag title.

Conclusion

The process of writing effective ALT text isn’t hard. If the image is a decorative one, the null alternative text such as alt=” is the most common way to be used. However, never not ever leave out the alt attribute. If the image has text, the text in the alt attribute should be merely repeating the text word-for-word. Be aware that the ALT text must be descriptive of the contents of the image, nothing more.

Also, make sure to keep your ALT text as brief and concise as you can. Reading a website using a screen reader takes much longer than other methods, so try not to cause a stuttering experience for users who use screen readers with excessive and unneeded text for ALT.