This checklist defines standardized rules for selecting, sizing, naming, and managing images used across WordPress content.
Images are treated as governed assets. They must be consistent, accessible, and performance‑aware so content remains predictable as the site scales.
Checklist Objective
Establish clear image standards so all visual media remains consistent, accessible, and optimized across Pages and Posts.
Preconditions
- Content Systems — Formatting Rules is completed and approved
- Templates and components are already defined
- No production images have been added yet
Checklist Steps — Image Selection & Formats
1. Define acceptable image formats
- Use modern, web‑appropriate formats where supported
- Preferred formats:
- JPG (photographic content)
- PNG (graphics requiring transparency)
- SVG (icons and simple vector graphics)
- Avoid unsupported or legacy formats unless required
2. Define image usage rules
- Images must serve a functional purpose
- Avoid decorative images without contextual value
- Do not use images to replace structured text
Checklist Steps — Image Sizing & Performance
3. Define image size requirements
- Upload images sized appropriately for their intended use
- Avoid relying on browser‑side resizing
- Do not upload images significantly larger than required
4. Define responsive behavior
- Ensure images display correctly across all breakpoints
- Confirm templates and components handle image scaling
- Avoid per‑image breakpoint overrides unless documented
Checklist Steps — Naming & Media Library Hygiene
5. Define image file naming rules
- Use descriptive, lowercase filenames
- Use spaces instead of hyphens or underscores
- Avoid generic names such as image1 or photo
6. Define media library metadata requirements
- Alt text: required and descriptive
- Title: concise and relevant
- Caption: optional, used only when contextually helpful
- Description: optional, used for internal reference
7. Maintain media library hygiene
- Avoid duplicate uploads of the same image
- Remove unused images when safe
- Confirm images are not referenced by templates or components before deletion
Checklist Steps — Accessibility & Validation
8. Validate accessibility
- Confirm all meaningful images have alt text
- Avoid using images that convey information without text equivalents
9. Validate performance impact
- Confirm images load efficiently on typical connections
- Review page performance after image insertion
Required Output
- Documented image standards for format, size, and usage
- Consistent naming and metadata rules applied
- Media library prepared for controlled content creation
- Images remain accessible and performance‑aware
Pause & Lock
Image standards are now locked. All future image uploads and updates must follow these rules.
Proceed to: Content Systems — Editorial Workflow