Practical checklist
Five checks to start with
- Name each image’s purpose and intended placement.
- Keep an original master and a web delivery version.
- Check detail, crop and layout on phone and desktop.
- Write accurate local-language captions and alt text.
- Record permissions and label illustrative generated artwork.
Decide whether the image explains, proves or decorates
A product detail photograph helps a buyer inspect an item. A process illustration explains an idea. A decorative shape establishes a visual tone. Write the role in the asset list before preparing the file, because the right crop, description and placement depend on that role.
For an exporter, a buyer may need to see a connector, surface finish or packaging arrangement. Choose an image that answers that question. A dramatic warehouse scene cannot substitute for a specific detail photograph, particularly if the scene is unrelated to the company’s actual facilities.
Prepare the source for its real placement
Keep an original master and create an appropriate web version. Review the intended display width, crop and level of detail. An article thumbnail rarely needs the same file as a full-screen product inspection image. A publishing checklist should tell an editor which version belongs in each position.
Ask the implementer to check file dimensions, delivery format and reserved layout space. View the image on a phone and a larger screen. If compression makes a serial number or texture unreadable, adjust that asset rather than applying the same setting to everything. Speed and visual usefulness need to be assessed together.
| Placement | Record | Check |
|---|---|---|
| Article card | Display width, exported dimensions, file size | Subject remains recognisable at thumbnail size |
| Product detail | Display width, exported dimensions, file size | Required texture or labels remain readable |
| Phone layout | Crop, reserved space, delivered file | Important information survives the crop |
Write descriptions that match the visible content
Google’s image guidance recommends relevant surrounding text and descriptive alt text, without keyword stuffing. The description should communicate the image’s role in this page. An image used only for decoration usually needs an empty text alternative; a diagram may need an explanation in the nearby body copy.
For example, “Stainless steel connector with two threaded openings” is more informative than repeating “Hong Kong supplier” several times. If the photograph shows only one view, do not claim it proves dimensions or certifications that cannot be seen. Put verified specifications in the product text where a buyer can read and compare them.
Localise the explanation and preserve the evidence
An English and a Traditional Chinese page can share the same image file when it serves the same purpose. Write the caption and alternative text in each page’s language. Explain any abbreviations or units needed by the audience, and make sure that a crop does not remove a meaningful label.
Keep usage permission, source, product reference and review date in an internal asset record. If an old photograph no longer represents the current product, replace or qualify it. An image library without an owner can quietly undermine otherwise accurate website copy.
Use generated artwork honestly
AI illustrations can make abstract subjects such as site structure or search reporting easier to approach. Label them as illustrations when there is a reasonable chance they could be mistaken for evidence. Do not use a generated factory, employee portrait or product test as proof of an actual business capability.
When commissioning artwork, ask for a composition that works at article and thumbnail sizes, with no embedded text unless needed. Keep the final prompt and selected output in the project records. A reusable illustration can support different language editions, while each article still needs its own relevant explanation.
Sources and scope
- Google: Image SEOdevelopers.google.com
Technical reference; examples and review procedures in this article are editorial recommendations.
- W3C: Images tutorialw3.org
Technical reference; examples and review procedures in this article are editorial recommendations.