Media standards snapshot

Keep media organized, accessible, lightweight, and safe to reuse across the site.

Before uploading	Why it matters
Use a clear file name	Improves organization and makes media easier to find later.
Resize oversized images	Prevents heavy pages and slow loading.
Compress the file	Reduces file size without visibly hurting quality.
Confirm usage rights	Avoids licensing, attribution, privacy, and brand problems.
Plan alt text	Supports accessibility and clarifies image purpose.
Check reuse	Confirms whether the image appears in a pattern, template, synced block, or shared page section.

File naming rules

• Use descriptive words instead of camera file names.
• Use lowercase letters, numbers, and hyphens.
• Avoid spaces, special characters, and vague names.
• Include the subject, page, product, service, or campaign when useful.
• Do not upload files named image1.jpg, screenshot.png, or final-final-new.png.

Weak file name	Better file name
IMG_4827.jpg	denver-office-team-meeting.jpg
homepagebanner.png	home-page-consulting-hero.png
Screenshot 2026-05-14.png	wordpress-editor-featured-image-panel.png
logo-new-final.svg	company-logo-primary.svg

Recommended image formats

Format	Best for	Avoid using it for
JPG	Photos and complex images	Logos, icons, or images that need transparency
PNG	Graphics that require transparency	Large photos when JPG or WebP would be smaller
WebP	Compressed web images	Files that need maximum compatibility outside the website
SVG	Logos, icons, and simple vector graphics	Photos or complex illustrations
PDF	Downloadable documents	Content that should be a normal web page

Image size guidelines

Image sizes should match the job. Oversized uploads slow pages down, waste storage, and force future editors to manage files that were never prepared for the web.

Use case	Practical target
Hero or full-width image	About 1600-2400 px wide
Standard content image	About 1200-1600 px wide
Card or thumbnail image	About 600-1000 px wide
Logo or icon	Use SVG when appropriate, or upload only the needed display size
PDF download	Compress before upload and use a descriptive title

Alt text rules

Alt text should explain the purpose of an image for people who cannot see it. It is not a place for keyword stuffing, file names, or decorative filler.

Image type	Alt text approach
Informational image	Describe the information or action shown.
Product or service image	Identify the product, service, or context clearly.
Chart or diagram	Summarize the important takeaway, not every visual detail.
Decorative image	Use empty alt text when the image adds no meaningful information.
Linked image	Describe the destination or action of the link.

Upload workflow for editors

1. Choose the right image for the page goal.
2. Confirm the image can legally be used.
3. Crop or resize the image before uploading.
4. Compress the file.
5. Rename the file using clear words and hyphens.
6. Upload it to WordPress.
7. Add alt text, title, caption, and credit when needed.
8. Preview the page on desktop and mobile.

Captions, credits, and titles

• Use captions when the image needs context, attribution, or explanation.
• Do not use captions just to repeat the sentence above the image.
• Include credits when licensing or editorial standards require attribution.
• Use clear media titles inside WordPress so files are easier to search later.
• Keep public-facing credits consistent across the site.

Licensing and usage rights

Every uploaded image should have a known source and clear usage rights. Do not pull images from search results, social media, competitor sites, or random PDFs unless the organization has permission to use them.

• Use original company photography when possible.
• Keep stock image licenses documented.
• Check whether attribution is required.
• Confirm that AI-generated or edited images are approved for the intended use.
• Do not upload client, employee, or customer images without appropriate permission.

Common media mistakes

• Uploading original camera files without resizing or compression.
• Using vague file names that make the media library hard to search.
• Reusing an image in a synced pattern or template without realizing it affects multiple pages.
• Adding keyword-stuffed alt text that does not help users.
• Uploading screenshots that expose private dashboards, customer data, or internal documents.
• Using AI-generated or edited images that misrepresent real people, products, locations, or events.

Quick editor checklist

• The file name is descriptive and uses hyphens.
• The image is resized for web use.
• The file is compressed.
• The image has useful alt text or intentionally empty alt text.
• Licensing and attribution are clear.
• The image looks good on mobile.
• The page still loads quickly after the image is added.

Related resources

• Content Publishing Checklist
• SEO Basics for Editors
• WordPress Editor Basics
• Content Audit Checklist
• Performance Optimization