As a digital accessibility expert with a focus on user experience and inclusivity, I'm often asked about the importance of ALT text in web design. ALT text, which stands for "alternative text," is a fundamental aspect of creating an accessible and user-friendly online environment. Here's why it's crucial to have ALT text for images on your website:

### Accessibility
ALT text is primarily used to provide a description of the contents of an image for those who cannot view them. This includes individuals who are visually impaired and use screen readers to navigate the web. Screen readers translate the ALT text into spoken words, allowing users to understand the purpose or content of the image without seeing it.

### Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Search engines like Google use ALT text to understand the content of images. Properly describing your images with relevant keywords can improve your website's ranking in search results. This is because search engines can't "see" images; they can only "read" text.

### User Experience
Even for users who can see images, ALT text can be helpful. For instance, when images don't load properly due to slow internet connections or errors, the ALT text will display instead, giving users an idea of what the image was supposed to convey.

### Compliance with Web Standards
Using ALT text is part of adhering to web standards and laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). These guidelines aim to make web content more accessible to people with disabilities.

### Browser Compatibility and Responsive Design
When images are not displayed due to browser issues or device limitations, ALT text provides a fallback option. This ensures that users on different devices or browsers can still access the content of the images.

### Security and Data Saving
In cases where users have images turned off for privacy or data-saving reasons, ALT text can still communicate the necessary information.

### Conclusion
ALT text is not just a good practice; it's a necessity for creating a more inclusive and accessible web. It benefits everyone, from those with disabilities to those with temporary internet issues. By providing clear and concise descriptions, you're not only improving accessibility but also enhancing the overall user experience and SEO performance of your website.

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The purpose of alt attributes is to provide a description of the contents of an image file. One of the most cited uses of alt attributes is to provide text for visitors who can't see images in their browsers. ... If a viewer can see your images, alt attributes will also show when the user hovers over your image.Jan 23, 2014read more >>