Image SEO is one of the most overlooked optimisation opportunities on Wix websites. This guide covers alt text, file naming, compression, WebP format, and image sitemaps for maximum Google visibility.
Key Takeaways
- Alt text is the most important image SEO element — describe what the image shows and include keywords naturally
- Wix automatically serves images in WebP format from its CDN — but you still need to compress source images
- Image file names should describe the content using hyphens (not underscores or spaces)
- Decorative images should have empty alt text (alt="") not missing alt attributes
- An image sitemap helps Google discover and index images that might otherwise be missed
Images can contribute significantly to SEO when optimised correctly — yet image SEO is neglected on the vast majority of Wix websites. Google now processes images with sophisticated computer vision and image captions contribute to page relevance. This guide covers every image optimisation element that drives results.
Alt Text: The Most Important Image SEO Element
Alt text serves two purposes: it describes images to visually impaired users and tells Google what the image shows. For SEO, alt text should describe the image accurately and include your target keyword where it fits naturally.
- Write descriptive alt text for every content image
- Include your primary keyword once, naturally (do not force it)
- Keep alt text under 125 characters
- Use empty alt="" for purely decorative images
- In Wix, add alt text via the image settings panel (click image > Settings icon > Alt Text)
- Never write alt text that misrepresents what the image shows
Image File Names for Wix SEO
Before uploading any image to Wix, rename the file with a descriptive, keyword-containing name using hyphens. Wix assigns its own CDN file path when you upload, but the original file name metadata is retained and read by Google.
- Bad: IMG_2847.jpg or image1.png
- Better: wix-seo-expert-michael-andrews.jpg
- Best: wix-seo-expert-consultant-london-michael-andrews.jpg
- Use hyphens to separate words (not underscores or spaces)
- Keep file names under 60 characters
Image Compression for Wix Page Speed
Oversized images are the most common cause of poor PageSpeed scores on Wix websites. Compress every image before uploading.
- Target under 200KB for hero images, under 100KB for content images
- Use Squoosh.app (free, browser-based) or ShortPixel for batch compression
- Convert to WebP before uploading — 30–50% smaller than JPEG with equivalent quality
- Wix's CDN serves images in next-gen formats automatically, but source compression still matters
- For product photos, target under 80KB without visible quality loss
Frequently Asked Questions
Want a full image SEO audit and optimisation for your Wix website? Contact the UK's dedicated Wix SEO expert.
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