8 Bountiful Ways Graphic Designers Apply SEO in their Work

SEO, an acronym for Search Engine Optimization, is one of the most powerful tool that helps you in expanding a business through organic traffic. A good and aesthetically pleasing website will be in so much use by the people only if it is SEO friendly and has a good graphic design, that website gets easily placed on the Search Engines.

Everyone knows that SEO is used for websites and content. However, it turns out that SEO is not limited to writers and marketing, as it also applies to graphic design and here comes the role of graphic designers too. Yes, you read that right. Visual content is also optimized for search engines.

8 Ways Graphic Designers Can Use SEO

Graphic design is the most powerful art that has breathed fresh life into digital marketing. This modern form of art has added a contemporary flair to the advertisement profile of every company. It also acts as one of the key components to build brand awareness and influence the customer’s decision-making process.

Here’s how graphic designers use SEO in their outputs.

Way #1. Create Fresh Designs

In the world of stock images, vectors, and templates, visual contents that use readily available illustrations are common. In the end, a lot of websites use free or paid visuals made for general purposes. Yes, surprisingly, a majority of brands use similar images. The only difference is the editing, text, and logo placed on these images. If you want to rank in search rankings, opt for a unique image.

We always need to keep in mind that search engines love fresh content. The more unique your illustration, the better SEO results. It’s excellent that graphic designers produce custom images that have a unique touch to their illustration style. Such designs will give them better odds of ranking on design-relevant searches.

Way #2. Visual Hierarchy

Does the visual hierarchy of an illustration affect SEO? The short answer is YES. An excellent graphic design output has visual hierarchy and legibility. Besides, it’s the main factor that affects how a consumer sees your work.

We all love an illustration that is easy to scan. An output with a visual hierarchy is eye-catching and encourages user engagement. Of course, it has to be armored with the best image quality.

Way #3. Eye-pleasing Color Scheme

Another factor is color. Whether you believe it or not, it affects SEO. To create an eye-pleasing color scheme, first, one must know about color theory. Besides choosing which color compliments each other best, one must see the color psychology behind it.

For example, did you know that website colors have an impact on conversion rates? Graphic designers play a significant part in mixing color contrasts alone when it comes to web design. That is aside from staying true to the existing branding colors of a business.

According to a webinar by Flint McGlaughlin, a simple change to the flexibility of color design increases conversion by 10%. Overall, a stellar color scheme has a significant impact on site performance. It’s not only limited to websites but also other graphic design outputs. Let’s admit that we most likely click eye-catching images. 

Way #4. File Type is Relevant

Sure, you have a fantastic illustration, but choosing the right file type is essential. We have a variety of image file types available in exporting illustrations. However, these two are the most common online:

• JPEG

Saving your file in JPEG might sacrifice image quality, but the output can adjust its level to an acceptable balance. Also, it’s best to use JPEG for images with rich colors.

• PNG

Usually, PNG produces better quality images. However, it comes with large file size. Please take note that it’s ideal to use PNG for simpler illustrations. 

Way #5. Compression is Key

According to an HTTP Archive report, images take an average of 21% of a website’s weight. A compressed image is the way to go if you don’t want to lose the user’s interest. Let’s admit it. No one has the time to wait for an image to load UNLESS they want to see that content. If you don’t want to lose your audience, then yes, compression is vital.

According to SquareSpace, it is recommended to use an image file that is less than 500KB. When it comes to an illustration file and websites, the answer isn’t always better. All users love a website that features a smooth and light interface.

Way #6. Strategic Title and Description

Of course, SEO does not only apply to the image itself but also the text you use. Your title and description must be relevant to your illustration. So if you’re using WordPress, the image title usually reflects the name of the file you use. Sometimes you can leave it as it is. However, make sure that your title explains the content of the image.

In addition to being descriptive, the file name should also be rich with keywords. Be sure to search for relevant keywords associated with your work. If you don’t know where to start, list the words that best describe your image, be it a genre or a specific niche. Remember, the more detailed, the better. By doing this, it will help search engines comprehend your image, improving your SEO value.

Way #7. Make Use of Alt

Making use of an alt tag will help improve a search engine’s comprehension. Alt tags are an alternative text of images when a browser can’t render them. It means the site will show the alt tag if the image doesn’t load on whichever website the graphic designers uploads their work.

Similar to creating a strategic title, an alt tag text should fit what is shown on the illustration. Once a graphic designers fully utilizes their alt text, the results are beneficial to their overall web page SEO strategy. Furthermore, it will help boost the file in search engine rankings. Also, alt text is required for individuals who can’t view the illustration themselves.

Way #8. Add Structured Image Data

If you’re not uploading your design into your own website or page, then skip ahead. However, if you own a website to showcase your graphic design works, then continue to read this section. It’s important to add structured data to your pages as it helps search engines display your designs as “rich results.”

A rich result includes different types of information, which includes:

• Text
• Image
• Data

For example, a link that showcases a rich result includes a photo, star ratings, reviews, etc. It’s the link internet users are most likely to click. So, where does graphic design come in? You can apply structured data to your commission by adding client reviews, design output, and stellar descriptions. It makes it easier for clients to discover a sample of your work along with the types of services you offer.

Conclusion

If you’re struggling to get your designs noticed, keep in mind these strategies before uploading any image. In the end, we learned eight ways on how a graphic designers applies SEO to their work. Even if you’re not a graphic designer, some steps apply to general image optimization. Take advantage of SEO to make your content relevant. Doing this will unlock a broader set of audiences that will admire your content or illustrations.

As much as possible, be descriptive as you type the caption, file name, or title for your output. Remember that even if we’re talking about graphic design, words are still powerful when it comes to SEO. Let’s be sure to take full advantage of that. On another note, it’s best to research and invest in applications or tools that help with advanced keyword research. It will give you an edge and further refine your content.