Updates from UIS Web Services

Why create a file-naming convention for your digital content?

While Shakespeare may have been onto something, he certainly has a lot to learn about web content. Save yourself time and unnecessary stress by developing, and consistently using, a file-naming strategy for your media content. Your co-editors, site users and future self will thank you!

A file name is the primary identifier for a digital file. Naming files consistently, logically and predictably will help you maintain well-organized content. This will ultimately help you in managing and retrieving files in the future. 

Keyword Searching Made Simple

The main advantage of using a strategic naming convention for your media files is that it makes it easier to find the file you need in your Media Library. WordPress allows you to search for media using keywords, and the file name is included in that search. You may make it easier to find your files by using key terms in the file name. This is important because WordPress does not provide any media classification by default.

SEO Repercussions

Google and other search engines are constantly updating what they consider to be relevant information for users, but one thing remains constant: having a descriptive file name is always a good idea.

Often, our images inherit names from a camera or phone. These file names are both unhelpful and undescriptive. They provide no clue to the file’s content and are detrimental to your site's SEO.

Recommended File Naming Conventions for Media

It is best to stick to letters and numbers only when naming your media files. If the file name of your image has other characters, such as a space or underscore, they should be removed or replaced with a dash, the “-” symbol. This practice is consistent with WordPress URL naming conventions.  It is important to note that in Wordpress, the file name becomes part of the URL.

We recommend including the following information in the file name when adding media files to your website:

• Main Subject
• Role of the File
• Size, if applicable

Consider the following syntax for your file name if you have a JPEG image of Jack the Bulldog used as a Call To Action (CTA): Jack-the-bulldog-cta-medium.jpg

Other examples of good file names:

• healy-hall-featured-large.jpg
• 2022-graduation-audience-promo-large.jpg
• john-carroll-tulips-small.jpg

Examples of bad file names:

• jack the bulldog.jpg
• img00138347723.jpg
• john carroll & tulips.jpg

The goal is to be descriptive while remaining relevant. By reading the file name title, a user should be able to figure out what the file contains.
 

What Should You Do With Your Existing Files?

If you already have a lot of media in your Media Library and don't have time to update all of the file names, you may still increase the searchability of your digital files without having to upload anything new. To do so, go through and give each one a descriptive title:

1. Navigate to your Media Library
2. Click on a file to select it
3. A popup window should appear with more info about your image
4. In the Title field, give your file a descriptive title (your edits will automatically be saved)
5. Use the left and right arrows up at the top to navigate to a new file
6. When finished, click on the "X" in the top right to exit the window

WordPress and Accessibility Office Hours

We will continue to hold both Accessibility and WordPress office hours every Tuesday afternoon. Please note that all office hours appointments will be held over Zoom only for the time being.

WordPress office hours appointments are every Tuesday, 2:30–3:30 p.m. via Zoom. You can sign up for an appointment slot (for any future office hours date!) here. Please note that we are unable to accommodate unscheduled appointments. If you are currently experiencing an issue outside of office hours, or wish to submit a feature request, please use this form to capture that information. 

You can talk through accessibility-related questions with Kevin Andrews, electronic and information technology accessibility coordinator, on Zoom every Tuesday from 2–3 p.m. You can use this link to schedule an accessibility office hours appointment.

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Still have questions? Comments? Email us at webservices@georgetown.edu.