Alt text query

andyturner

andyturner

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Name
Andy
Edit My Images
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Hoping to once again tap in to the knowledge of the Gods of SEO who reside here ;)

I have a Zenfolio site, which doesn't allow me to use the font which I use for all my branding. As a workaround, I can replace some of my text with images I create in photoshop which contain the same text using my font (which is called My Underwood), and then add the same text as the Alt text.

My question is, does this impact on my SEO in a negative way? As in does an image with alt text have less impact than just text would?

Hope that makes sense?! An example of what I have done already can be found here www.andyturnerphotography.co.uk/wedding

The reason I ask is that if it will not affect SEO I will do this for most of the text on my site.
 
Another option is to use a simple text replacement technique, so the text exists in the source code and is indexed as normal but is moved off screen using CSS so is not visible on screen.

Have a look here http://css-tricks.com/css-image-replacement/ and you'll get the general idea.
 
Does Zenfolio let you edit the CSS for your site?

If so, you can add:
Code: 
@font-face {
	font-family: BizFont;
	src: url('My Underwood.ttf');
}
body{
	font-family: BizFont, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;
}
...to your CSS, and upload your font to the website.
It'll then display in your font. :)
 
Last edited:
I just checked, it looks like Zenfolio don't allow you to edit the CSS, sorry.
 
In my experience, it is much better to have the text as text. Any 'tricks' you try to play will adversely impact your ranking. Many have tried to do the 'hidden text' thing and it will be at best ignored.

Consider your audience and ensure the font says something to your audience about your product or their lifestyle. Try not to choose something that you think is 'different' or 'fashionable'. While it is ok for a heading, it can become tedious when over used. Probably a bit large in relation to the site too.

To be honest, a largely static site is unlikely to do well in search engine rankings. They favour sites with lots of frequently updated content and relevant links to and from the site. You are highly unlikely to come up in a search for 'wedding photographers'!
 
blue max said:
In my experience, it is much better to have the text as text. Any 'tricks' you try to play will adversely impact your ranking. Many have tried to do the 'hidden text' thing and it will be at best ignored. Consider your audience and ensure the font says something to your audience about your product or their lifestyle. Try not to choose something that you think is 'different' or 'fashionable'. While it is ok for a heading, it can become tedious when over used. Probably a bit large in relation to the site too. To be honest, a largely static site is unlikely to do well in search engine rankings. They favour sites with lots of frequently updated content and relevant links to and from the site. You are highly unlikely to come up in a search for 'wedding photographers'!
Click to expand...

Thanks for this :)

In relation to the last part, why specifically do you think I'm unlikely to rank highly for wedding photographers? What is it that my site lacks? I've tried repeating keywords in my about and welcome pages, and driving traffic through referrals.

(You are right btw, I don't rank highly)
 
andyturner said:
Thanks for this :)

In relation to the last part, why specifically do you think I'm unlikely to rank highly for wedding photographers? What is it that my site lacks? I've tried repeating keywords in my about and welcome pages, and driving traffic through referrals.

(You are right btw, I don't rank highly)
Click to expand...

Quite simply, activity. You need people visiting your site regularly. It's just such a common term that there will be thousands if not millions of sites just like it.

Continuously changing content and promoting the site via social media is the key. It can be a full time job.

It is not just about plugging a few key words in and sitting back any more.

Try not to be disheartened though, it's unlikely any photographer is likely to be doing a whole lot better. Let's face it, if you 'aint on the first page, chances are you won't get a look in anyway. I have a website for my graphic design business and have never had anyone ring up because of it. Just the nature of the beast I'm afraid.
 
blue max said:
Quite simply, activity. You need people visiting your site regularly. It's just such a common term that there will be thousands if not millions of sites just like it. Continuously changing content and promoting the site via social media is the key. It can be a full time job. It is not just about plugging a few key words in and sitting back any more. Try not to be disheartened though, it's unlikely any photographer is likely to be doing a whole lot better. Let's face it, if you 'aint on the first page, chances are you won't get a look in anyway. I have a website for my graphic design business and have never had anyone ring up because of it. Just the nature of the beast I'm afraid.
Click to expand...

Yeah you're totally right about the first page, which is why I'm working so hard at it.

I'll just have to keep refreshing the content and plugging away with facebook etc.

One more question, on the google webmaster dashboard I can view which sites link to my site the most (TP is top!) and Facebook doesn't appear, yet I know for a fact I get many links from Facebook. Any idea why this is?
 
Keywords are great, but honestly as a wedding photographer I'd have thought that a lot of business would come via word of mouth. Like hiring a plumber, I'm more likely to go with one recommended than pick one with a fancy website. So I wouldn't stress too much about not being on the first page of Google. Social media might be the way forward though. I screen shot your zenfolio, there is something odd going on in Firefox on mine.

Screen Shot 2013-10-04 at 15.09.41 by photodivauk, on Flickr
 
Firefox 24.0 on Ubuntu shows the problem Carol screen shot, on every page except the home page. That one's fine.
 
I wouldn't worry to much about the font at the moment. Spend you time on getting your content and SEO right to start with which may take quiet a few revisions. Once you get something that works you could then worry about the font.

In any case as you put all your marketing material together your life will be miles easier if you go for a widely available standard font.
 
ah5168 said:
I wouldn't worry to much about the font at the moment. Spend you time on getting your content and SEO right to start with which may take quiet a few revisions. Once you get something that works you could then worry about the font. In any case as you put all your marketing material together your life will be miles easier if you go for a widely available standard font.
Click to expand...

Yeah I'm not too worried about it, just would've been nice if the font matched. Think I've got it to a place I'm more or less happy with now, just need to work on the content a bit more :)
 
andyturner said:
Thanks Vicky, any idea what may be causing it?
Click to expand...
The sub-pages all use a different style/layout to the homepage. I don't know if you can cut/paste between pages in Zenfolio... :shrug:

The homepage appears to have some problems too.
Looking at the code, you should have a Contact link after the Guestbook link, but for some reason, it's invisible, and tucked under the My Pictures link... :thinking:
 
Vicky/Carol,

I think I have sorted the issue you reported with Firefox, do you think I could trouble you to check? I have downloaded Firefox myself and it seems to be OK, the only problem now is the slideshows on each page don't run, could you also check and see if that is the same for you?

Thanks :thumbs:
 
That's much better.
Your contact button is still hidden on the homepage though. I think you may have to allow more horizontal space for the whole menu bar so it doesn't wrap around.
 
Tori_T said:
That's much better. Your contact button is still hidden on the homepage though. I think you may have to allow more horizontal space for the whole menu bar so it doesn't wrap around.
Click to expand...

Thanks Vicky :)

Weirdly it was the mobile viewing settings causing the problem, so not sure why it would affect Firefox.

Think I may just have too many tabs in my menu bar, may have to just live with it.

Thanks for checking for me :)
 
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