Alt image text

[Bun]

Just wondering if someone can help me here?

I've noticed that in catalog when adding a 'short description' to a product it uses this description for the alt image text also. Is there a way to change this alt image text without changing the 'short descrpition'?

Thank you for your time

[NormanRouxel]

Create a Custom Property called ALTTEXT.

Replace Act_ProductImage.html with

<!-- ProductImage HTML begin -->
<!-- This file is used to build the product image markup. -->

<IMG SRC="NETQUOTEVAR:IMAGEFILE"
	  ALT="CUSTOMVAR:ALTTEXT"
	  TITLE="CUSTOMVAR:ALTTEXT"
	  BORDER=0
	  NETQUOTEVAR:IMAGEHEIGHT
	  NETQUOTEVAR:IMAGEWIDTH
	  NETQUOTEVAR:OTHERIMAGEMARKUP>
<!-- NETQUOTEVAR:ALTERNATETEXT -->

<!-- This file is used to build the product image markup. -->
<!-- ProductImage HTML end -->

In Design / Options / Site Defaults / Properties set ALTTEXT to a default value, e.g. "Product Image".

Now you can set this Property at the product level as required.

P.S. I added in a TITLE parameter as this will allow the alt text to show in Firefox.

[RobSollars]

I think I might be able to help with this one.

If you open up Act_ProductImage.html in your favourite text editing application, you should probably see a few lines closely resembling:

<IMG SRC="NETQUOTEVAR:IMAGEFILE"
	  ALT="NETQUOTEVAR:ALTERNATETEXT"
	  BORDER=0
	  NETQUOTEVAR:IMAGEHEIGHT
	  NETQUOTEVAR:IMAGEWIDTH
	  NETQUOTEVAR:OTHERIMAGEMARKUP>

If you change the ALT="NETQUOTEVAR:ALTERNATETEXT" bit, you can insert whatever you want between the quotation marks. This should change the alt text for the product's image wherever it appears.

It really is wortwhile to have some keyword rich, relevant text in the alt tags, not only to aid accessibility, but also because it's excellent for SEO.

[RobSollars]

Beaten by a scant few seconds! Norman's solution is excellent, since you can set the CUSTOMVAR property seperately for each product, thus yielding more effective SEO on each product.

[Bun]

Cheers fellas......that worked a treat.

[NormanRouxel]

Just one point to note. Make sure you don't use the double quote character ( " ) in your Custom Property value as this will probably break the image tag.

[Bun]

Just one point to note. Make sure you don't use the double quote character ( " ) in your Custom Property value as this will probably break the image tag.

Point noted

It worked a treat, Norman......now I can have description text that is completely different to my alt image text......just what I was after!!

Thank you for your time and patience

[RuralWeb]

Just beware of Alt SPAMMING, SEs are aware it happens and look for it

[Bhujang]

Create a Custom Property called ALTTEXT.

Replace Act_ProductImage.html with

<!-- ProductImage HTML begin -->
<!-- This file is used to build the product image markup. -->

<IMG SRC="NETQUOTEVAR:IMAGEFILE"
	  ALT="CUSTOMVAR:ALTTEXT"
	  TITLE="CUSTOMVAR:ALTTEXT"
	  BORDER=0
	  NETQUOTEVAR:IMAGEHEIGHT
	  NETQUOTEVAR:IMAGEWIDTH
	  NETQUOTEVAR:OTHERIMAGEMARKUP>
<!-- NETQUOTEVAR:ALTERNATETEXT -->

<!-- This file is used to build the product image markup. -->
<!-- ProductImage HTML end -->

In Design / Options / Site Defaults / Properties set ALTTEXT to a default value, e.g. "Product Image".

Now you can set this Property at the product level as required.

P.S. I added in a TITLE parameter as this will allow the alt text to show in Firefox.

Hi Norman

This looks like what I need. I was just about to write a thread then did a search first. How do I create a custom property?
When I looked in the design tab the only options was design options and I cant find site defaults in there... Can you advise further for a newbie...

Thanks Bhu

[Bhujang]

PS

Also what if the image I want to add the alt text to is the brochure image and company logo image will the amedment you described above also allow that alt text to be changed?

Best wishes

Bhu

[peblaco]

This topic is for v7, for later versions use Design Library for layouts or variables.

[Bhujang]

Hi Pebleco

Thanks for the reply. Yes I am running version 11

I found the places you mention but have no cl;ue how to add a text such as Norman offered for a previous version into version 11

The alt is set at productname

Also on the brochure image I didnt have a clue how to amend the alt for that image either...

I am new to all this so any further pointers and hints would be great

Cheers

Bhu

[Bhujang]

Ok so I created a variable what will assign that to the alt text of an image?



Cheers

Bhu

[Bhujang]

Ok i created a variable called ALT TEXT I then replaced the PoductNAme in the location you said for the alt html and then in the product entered the text in the ALT TEXT box thats now there in properties...

But in store preview it has no affect... Still uses the ProductName as the Alt info...

Maybe I need to upload it to my server to see it working?

Any Ideas?

Cheers

Bhu

[Bhujang]

Well I tried it onthe server and still no joy Not sure why, here is the html as is:

title="<actinic:variable name="ProductName" encoding="strip"/>"
alt="<actinic:variable name="ALT TEXT" encoding="strip"/>"
</actinic:block>

<actinic:block if="%3cactinic%3avariable%20name%3d%22IsProductImageDisplayed%22%20%2f%3e%20%3d%3d%20False">
<img src="<actinic:variable name="DefaultProductImage" />"
border="0"
title="<actinic:variable name="ProductName" encoding="strip"/>"
alt="<actinic:variable name="ALT TEXT" encoding="strip"/>"
</actinic:block>

As you can see both alt lines have been changed to the variable input and the the input text added but the page still shows the productname tag for the alt text..

Can anyone please shed some light here for me...

Thanks

Bhu

PS im using the silver layout...