Mastering Photo SEO and Using SEO ON BLOG for Maximum Reach

Why Photo SEO Matters More Than Ever

When you sell physical products like luxury candles, eco-friendly candles, or handmade candles, your images are one of the first things a customer sees. But Google bots can't "see" images—they rely on alt text to understand what’s in a photo. Without alt text, even the most beautiful photo of coconut soy candles is invisible to search engines.

That’s why every product image at Willis Candle Shop—from our romantic candles to our paraffin free candles—is tagged with descriptive, keyword-rich alt text. It’s a silent but powerful part of our SEO arsenal.

What Should Alt Text Include?

Alt text should describe exactly what’s in the image without stuffing keywords unnaturally.
Good alt text example:
"Hand-poured coconut soy wax candle in black tin, scented with chocolate and vanilla."

Pro tips:

• Keep alt text under 125 characters.

• Always describe the main subject first (the product).

• Include one or two keywords naturally.

• Avoid using phrases like "image of" or "picture of."

This strategy ensures Google can accurately categorize your images, improving your ranking for keywords like high quality candles and best candles for home.

Why We Use the "SEO On Blog" App for Every Post

At Willis Candle Shop, we use a free app called SEO On Blog (no spaces) built for Shopify. It analyzes each blog post for optimization tips based on SEO best practices. Here's why we love it:

• It checks header structure (H1, H2, H3)

• Verifies keyword placement in body and headings

• Reviews meta title and meta description length

• Checks image alt text

• Suggests internal and external link usage

• Scores the blog post out of 100 for overall SEO health

We use SEO On Blog as a guideline tool, but not a Bible. Some suggestions (like exact keyword density or missing subheadings) don’t always make logical sense for user experience. We trust our instinct and brand voice when deciding whether to follow every tip.

Best Practices for Blog Image Placement and Optimization

• Always include at least one image in every blog.

• Place the image above the fold (visible without scrolling) if possible.

• Use compressed images to keep page load times fast.

• Make sure every image includes custom alt text, not auto-generated junk.

• If possible, link the image to the corresponding product page for bonus SEO juice.

For example, when writing about fall candles, we include an image of our bestselling Tobacco Terrace Wooden Wick Candle linked directly to its product page.

Example of a Well-Structured SEO Blog (Header Layout)

Title: Mastering Photo SEO and Using "SEO On Blog" for Maximum Reach
Meta Description: (as shown above)
H2: Why Photo SEO Matters More Than Ever
H2: What Should Alt Text Include?
H2: Why We Use the "SEO On Blog" App for Every Post
H2: Best Practices for Blog Image Placement and Optimization
H2: Example of a Well-Structured SEO Blog (Header Layout)
H2: Linking to Other Blogs to Build Domain Authority

Each header is set to H2 to maintain a clean structure and hierarchy, allowing Google to parse topics quickly.

Linking to Other Blogs to Build Domain Authority

One often forgotten SEO trick: always link to other blogs internally.
For example:

• Check out our guide on Boosting E-Commerce SEO with Quality Backlinks

• See our biggest candle in the Select Barrel Candle Collection, the 14.75 oz wax weight Coastal Wharf scented candle. 

And, for external links:

• See our feature on The Dedicated House Blog

Internal linking keeps visitors engaged longer. External linking boosts your credibility with Google's algorithm. Both matter.

Wrapping It All Together for SEO Domination

Every blog post we publish at Willis Candle Shop is a strategic asset.
By combining:

• Strong internal and external links

• Schema markup through Avada SEO Suite

• Rich alt text optimization

• Keyword-integrated storytelling

• Quarterly SEO audits

We are building a brand that outpaces bigger players like Goose Creek and PF Candle Company without a million-dollar ad budget. Just smart structure, honest writing, and hustle.

When in doubt? Keep your photos clean, your blogs smart, and your backlinks steady—and you’ll win.