Alt Text 101: A Simple Way to Improve SEO for Private Practices

As a private practice owner, you’re probably familiar with the importance of having a strong online presence. But did you know that something as small as the text behind your images—known as alt text—can have a big impact on how well your website shows up in search results?

Alt text is often overlooked, but when used correctly, it can enhance your site’s accessibility and help boost your SEO. Let’s break down what alt text is, how it works, and why it should absolutely be part of your private practice’s digital strategy.

Understanding Alt Text: What It Is and Why It Matters for Private Practices

Alt text (short for “alternative text”) is the written description added to an image’s HTML code. It serves two main purposes:

1. It improves accessibility by helping screen readers describe images to people who are visually impaired.
2. It enhances search engine optimization (SEO) by giving search engines more context about what’s on your page.

In terms of SEO for private practices, that second part can make a real difference. Whether you’re a therapist, nutritionist, or physical therapist, using alt text correctly can help search engines better understand your services, your location, and even your brand personality. And it all happens through the descriptions you include with your images.

What Is Alt Text, Really?

Let’s get specific. Alt text is not the same as a photo caption. It doesn’t appear on the page unless the image fails to load, or unless someone is using a screen reader.

Here’s a quick example:

1. Bad alt text: “Image123.jpg”
2. Better alt text: “Therapist greeting a client in a cozy private practice office in Arkansas”

That second example gives context that helps both users and search engines understand what the image is about.

So, think of alt text as a behind-the-scenes caption that provides value to both people and algorithms.

How Alt Text Impacts SEO for Private Practices

Search engines can’t “see” images the way humans do—they rely on clues, like file names and alt text, to understand them. That means when you write thoughtful, descriptive alt text, you’re giving Google more information to work with.

Here’s how it helps:

• Your images become eligible to appear in Google Images, which can bring new visitors to your site.
• Alt text contributes to your site’s overall keyword relevance, especially for local search terms like “anxiety therapy in Arkansas.”
• It improves your site’s technical SEO, which supports better rankings overall.

Alt text may seem like a small thing, but in a competitive market, these little details can help your private practice stand out online.

Best Practices for Writing Alt Text

Not all alt text is created equal. Here are a few tips to make sure yours is actually helping your SEO and not hurting it:

• Be descriptive but concise. Aim to capture what’s happening in the image in a natural, readable way.
• Use relevant keywords, but don’t force them. If you wouldn’t say it out loud, it probably doesn’t belong.
• Make it useful for real people, especially those using screen readers.
• Avoid “keyword stuffing”—cramming your alt text with keywords in a way that feels unnatural or spammy.

Example:
If you have a photo of a waiting room, good alt text might be:
“Peaceful waiting area in a Little Rock counseling office with soft lighting and cozy seating”

That’s more helpful than “office” or “therapy,” and it includes a keyword (“Little Rock counseling office”) in a natural way.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even well-intentioned alt text can fall short if you’re not careful. Watch out for these common mistakes:

• Leaving alt text blank (unless the image is purely decorative)
• Using vague or generic text like “image” or “picture”
• Overloading it with keywords just to try and rank
• Adding alt text to purely decorative elements, like background shapes or icons—these don’t need it and can clutter up accessibility tools

When in doubt, ask yourself: If I couldn’t see this image, would this alt text give me a clear picture of what’s there?

How to Add Alt Text on Your Website

Alt text is easy to add, especially if you’re using a website builder like WordPress, Squarespace, or Wix.

Here’s how to do it on most platforms:

• Click on the image in your media library or on your page
• Look for the field labeled “Alt Text” or “Image Description”
• Type in your descriptive text and save

Pro tip: You don’t have to go back and add alt text to every single image you’ve ever uploaded. Just start with new content going forward and make it a regular part of your SEO process.

Alt Text as Part of a Bigger SEO Strategy for Private Practices

While alt text is a powerful tool, it’s just one piece of the SEO puzzle for private practices. Think of it as a supporting player alongside other key elements like:

• Strong page titles and meta descriptions
• Keyword-optimized headers and content
• Mobile-friendly design and fast loading speed
• Clear calls to action and user-friendly navigation

But don’t underestimate what alt text can do. Over time, these small, thoughtful optimizations add up. They help search engines (and potential clients) find your site more easily.

Final Thoughts: Small Steps, Big Impact

Alt text might not be the flashiest part of your SEO strategy, but it’s one of the easiest to implement and it can make a real difference.

If you’re ready to improve SEO for your private practice, start small: review the images on your homepage, update your alt text, and move forward with intention. A few thoughtful tweaks today can lead to better visibility, better accessibility, and ultimately, more clients finding the care they need.

Boost Your Private Practice’s SEO with Help from Simplified SEO Consulting

Want to make sure your website’s images are working for you—not against you? At Simplified SEO Consulting, we specialize in helping private practice owners enhance their online presence through smart, strategic SEO. This includes often-overlooked elements like alt text. Getting started is easy:

1. Schedule a free SEO consultation.
2. Get expert insight on optimizing your site’s content from an SEO specialist.
3. Boost your visibility and attract more of your ideal clients.

Other Services Offered at Simplified SEO Consulting

Our team of SEO specialists offers a wide range of services designed to help private practice owners strengthen their online presence. Whether you’re looking for a fully managed experience or prefer to learn the ropes yourself, we’ve got you covered. Our Done-For-You SEO Services take care of everything from keyword strategy to optimizing your site’s content and images. Yes, this includes alt text!

Prefer a hands-on approach? Our DIY SEO Online Courses walk you through exactly how to boost your own site’s visibility with confidence.

Looking for something more tailored? Our SEO Strategy Package delivers a custom plan built around your practice’s goals, while our SEO Consulting Package offers expert-level feedback and solutions for specific SEO challenges. We also offer Technical SEO support to fine-tune your site’s performance, Local SEO services to help you show up in nearby searches, and Stand-Alone Copywriting to ensure your content speaks to both search engines and potential clients.

And if you’re hungry for more insights, check out our blog! It’s packed with practical tips and strategies to help private practices thrive online.

About the Author

Alex is one of our knowledgeable SEO specialists with a passion for helping private practice owners strengthen their online presence. Her goal is to not only improve rankings, but also to help clients understand why their efforts matter, making SEO a more empowering part of running a successful practice. Alex takes pride in guiding clients toward steady progress that leads to real results over time.

Ready to take the next step? Book a free consultation with our team to see how we can support your practice’s growth.