Skip to main content

Adding an Image in HTML: A Guide to Formatting Web Photos

If you want to increase your conversion rate, you must think carefully about your website layout. The vast majority of people use the internet when looking for products and services, making the world wide web a very competitive place. To convert website visitors, you need to make your website stand out. That is where on-page SEO can be helpful. One of the most important ways in which you can optimize your website is to add images, including HTML images.

HTML stands for Hypertext Markup Language. This is a standardized system for tagging text files. It contains information related to graphics, color, and font. That's why it is incredibly important to add images to your web pages. If you're curious about adding an image in HTML, there are several steps to follow.

If you want to embed an image in HTML, you can learn more about this process below. Then, use your pictures to improve your search results rankings and drive more visitors to your website. Adding an image in HTML is essential for small businesses, medium companies, and large enterprises.

Inserting images into web pages with HTML

When it comes to the process of adding an HTML image to your website, you need to understand why this is important. Adding images to your website can make the page more attractive and readable. If you want to make a website, it's best to ensure it's as interesting as possible.

Images, videos, and other graphics are a great way to break up the monotony. There's a saying that a picture is worth a thousand words, and that's certainly true when it comes to images on a website. You can even tag those images with certain keywords and phrases that can help you improve your search results rankings, making it easier for search engines to figure out what your website is about.

Of course, web crawlers don't have eyes. They can't simply look at your website or the images on it and figure out what's going on. HTML code is responsible for telling search engines what the image is about, allowing them to index your website appropriately.

If you want to insert images into your website using HTML, you need to use the right code. Some of the tags you may need to use include <img> and <body>. We'll discuss this important syntax below.

How to add a background image in HTML

If you want to add a background image using HTML, you can use the background image attribute by placing it inside the <body> tag mentioned above. Here's a code example:

<body background =”image.png”>

You would place the file name of your PNG image in place of the “image” term in the string above. It may take some practice to phrase the coding properly, and you might need to play around with the color gradient to make the image appear the way you want. You should always test the HTML code by looking at the picture before moving on to the next task.

HTML image syntax explained

HTML tag attributes

There are several important pieces of HTML image syntax that you need to understand to get your images to show up properly. HTML tags to know include:

  • <img>: This is the image tag you use to insert a picture into the web page. Technically, the image isn't pasted onto the website. Instead, images are linked to web pages. This tag creates a holding space where the referenced image will show up later. Since it’s considered an empty element, there’s no closing tag.
  • Src: This term specifies the path to the image file. When a web page loads, the browser will retrieve it from a web server and insert it into the page. If this attribute isn't correct, the browser won't be able to find the image or load it properly.
  • Alt: This attribute is responsible for the alternate text for the photo. This attribute has to describe the image file accurately, and the text will display if it doesn't load.

These are a few of the most important terms that you’ll use to get your images to appear on your website.

HTML img src (source) attribute

As mentioned above, the src attribute stands for the image file source. This is important for specifying where the image comes from. The image source is critical for laying out its path. If this value is incorrect or the browser can't retrieve the picture, it won't load correctly. Make sure to always test the src attribute to ensure it's listed correctly before you complete your coding.

HTML alt attribute

The alt attribute is the alternate text for an image, and it needs to be an accurate description of the picture. If an image doesn't load on a browser, you want to avoid having a blank space on the screen. The alternate text will display where the image should have shown up. For example, if an image element was supposed to load but it failed due to a slow connection, the alternate text will appear instead. The alternate text can also appear while an image loads, providing site visitors with a description as they wait. That's why you need the text to be descriptive.

Explanation of alt attribute

An alt attribute is also important for on-page SEO. A search engine can't actually see the picture. Instead, it'll rely on your description of the image to adequately categorize it. If the alt text contains important keywords and phrases, it could also make it easier for a search engine to index your web page. As a result, this can improve your search results rankings.

Additionally, alternative text is great for accessibility. By adding a brief description in the HTML code of your image, screen readers can easily read the text for users. This ensures that most browsers can help those who are visually impaired understand the content you have to offer.

HTML and images sizes

You may be curious about HTML for image sizes. There are different types of code you can use, but it's better to use the “style” attribute instead of the “width and height” attribute. If you decide to use the “style” attribute, you'll immediately specify the width and height of an image afterward. For example, the code might read:

  • Style=“width:300px;height:400px.”

Alternatively, you can use width and height attributes instead to change the image size. This may look like:

  • Width=“300”
  • Height=“400”

Even though both options are valid, using the style attribute is better because it prevents style sheets from changing the size of your images.

Other Ways to Format HTML Images

There are several other ways you can format HTML images. They include:

  • Link image: You can use the <a> tag to add a link to the photo. Then, you can have the image URL while also including the size.
  • W3 image: You may also want to use W3 images. This is used to display a basic image without a border.
  • Floating image: You can use CSS properties to get the image to float to the left or the right, changing its appearance.
  • Image map: If you want to hyperlink certain parts of the image to different areas, you need to use an image map. As an example, you may want to hyperlink countries on a map to certain pages.

Tips for adding images to your website

If you want to get the most out of the images you add to your website, there are a few tips to keep in mind. They include:

Tips for adding images to your website
  • Don’t post copyrighted images. There are plenty of websites where you can find images for free. If you find a picture online, check to see if it's protected by copyright before using it.
  • Ensure pictures are high quality. You need to use a high-quality image if you want to showcase your brand effectively. Using a blurry photo will give the impression that you don't care about your website, and you may drive your visitors away.
  • Optimize images for SEO. In addition to adding an alt attribute to your images, make sure also to keep the loading speed in mind. You need to make sure you compress your images before adding them to your website. If the file size is too large, it'll take too long for the image to load, and your bounce rate may increase.
  • Use relevant photos. Regardless of which images you include on your website, make sure that they’re relevant to your brand.

If you keep these tips in mind, you can get the most out of the images you insert to your website. Adding an image in HTML gets easier when you practice.

Wrapping up: Adding images in HTML

If you want to embed images in HTML, the points above are few of the most important to remember. Even though coding is complicated when adding an image in HTML, there are ways to make the process easier.

This is where you can take advantage of Mailchimp’s web-building tools. Our web builder is easy-to-use and free, so you can create a professional e-commerce website in minutes without spending a fortune. Plus, you'll have access to valuable analytics that can provide insight into how visitors engage with your site. When paired with our collection of marketing tools, you can easily position your website for success and drive more traffic.

Share This Article