How To Optimize Images: Everything You Need To Know
Images are great! They can bring a website to life and add a ton to the aesthetic value to the table. However, when used ineffectively, images can slow down a website. Don’t worry though, as it is possible to optimize images to negate this potential decrease in PageSpeed. After reading through this article you’ll know everything on how to optimize images on your website.
Optimizing Images is one of the fastest and most efficient way to increase PageSpeed and improve load times on a website. In this article I will explain how to optimize images for PageSpeed and describe the benefits of doing so.
There are two primary tricks I use for optimizing images, and there are several more tips that can help with image optimization. Today I will be sharing my methods and tips for image optimization.
Now let’s jump on in and discuss everything you need to know about image optimization, and breakdown the methods of making it happen.
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Introduction To Image Optimization
If you want a fast and efficient website with high PageSpeed, you’re going to want to optimize all images across the site. Image optimization is the process of reducing the file space of your images to the point where it is minimized as much as possible all while retaining noticeable quality.
What Is Image Optimization?
Image optimization is the process of reformatting the images on a website to reduce file size and reach maximum efficiency. There are several ways an image can be optimized. Here are just a few factors involved in image optimization.
Image Optimization involves the following:
- Removal of non-critical information
- Reduces redundant image data
- Slight decreases in image quality
- Decreases the amount of unique shades of colors used in images
- Converting the image file to a more efficient format (WebP)
Why Should You Optimize Images?
One of the primary reasons image optimization is important is because it helps with PageSpeed. Optimized images load faster and increase the PageSpeed across the site. You can check the PageSpeed of a website through Google PageSpeed Insights.
I recommend checking the PageSpeed of your sight both before and after optimizing the images on the site. This will help you notice and understand the difference between a website where images are optimized and when they aren’t.
How To Optimize Images
When it comes to image optimization, there are two primary factors that I like to emphasize.
These factors are converting images to WebP format and compressing images.
While both of these are forms of image optimization – and converting image to WebP format is one way to compress an image – I like to take time to discuss both separately, because many people are still unaware of the benefits and process of converting images to WebP format.
So let’s jump on into everything you need to know about converting images to WebP format.
Converting Images To WebP Format
Did you know that you can cut down the file size of your images in half or even to a quarter of its original size? This can quickly add up each page or post, which adds up even further across the entire website.
This isn’t some magical paid service either, all you have to do is convert your images from JPEG or PNG into WebP format. I did this manually, but there are even Wordpress plugins that can automatically do this process for you. Plugins like the Smush Wordpress plugin can convert images to WebP format in bulk.
Converting an image to WebP format is just one way to compress an image, which we will discuss in its own section soon, so stay tuned!
Now let’s discuss the benefits of converting images to WebP format, and breakdown exactly how to make it happen.
What Is WebP Format?
WebP Format is a modern image format that provides lossless and lossy compression for images on the web. WebP images are about 25% smaller than their PNG and JPEG counterparts. This means that an image in WebP format will always have a smaller file size than the same image portrayed in any other format.
The WebP format was specifically designed to allow for faster loading times. This is because Google has increasingly taken more interest in investing in the speed of web browsing. Since WebP format was designed with speed in mind, PageSpeed is often increased on websites that convert their images to WebP format.
WebP images can be saved in lossless or lossy compression. Lossless compression is when you retain all information after compressing the image, and lossy compression entails losing some non-critical information in order to lower the file size further.
Since WebP was created with web speed in mind, I would highly recommend converting your images on your website with this format in order to maintain a fast and healthy website.
Why Convert Images To WebP Format?
There are many benefits to converting the images on your website to WebP format. Just converting an image to WebP format can cut down file size in half.
When you convert your images to WebP, amount of space across all pictures on your blog or website adds up fast! I am very happy with the ongoing PageSpeed results from using WebP images, and I highly recommend you do the same.
As previously mentioned, WebP format was designed with speed in mind, so if you want a fast website with images that load quickly, you’ll want to convert your images to WebP format.
I know for a fact that this process is worthwhile, as I tested the PageSpeed of several articles before converting my images to WebP format, and the difference was significant for each individual page. I highly recommend utilizing WebP images here on out.
How To Convert Images To WebP Format
There are two methods I go about for converting the images on my websites to WebP format.
Method 1: Online Image Convert
- Go to a image converting website (like imagine.online-convert.com)
- Select a file to upload to the website
- Click “START” to begin converting images of choice (1-3 images)
- Wait for the conversion to process
- Right-click the “Download” button to the right of the image file name
The newly converted WebP image should now download and be saved on your device. You can convert up to three images at a time, and you can do this three times an hour without cost. This is why I use image.online-convert.com, as being able to convert up to nine images an hour is perfectly fine by me. It gets the job done that’s for sure.
I use this method when I just want to convert a few images to WebP format to use within a new article. If you want to convert your images for free, you will typically only be able to convert a few images at a time. This does get the job done however, and I haven’t been inconvenienced by these restrictions.
Method 2: Wordpress Plugins
- Access the Wordpress toolbar
- Select “Plugins” on the Wordpress Sidebar
- Search for and select a image converting plugin (like Smush)
- Access the new image converting plugin from the Wordpress sidebar
- Configure the plugin to convert images across your website to WebP format
Now your images should be converted to WebP format across your website! Be aware that this can take some times, and most plugins will only mass-convert all the images across your website for a premium fee.
However, if you are patient or want to save some money, there is usually an option to convert a select amount of images at a time. Select the option that appeals the most to you and you’ll be all set.
Caution: Some images may experience a slight drop in quality. This has rarely been noticeable across my many blogs however, and the perks of using WebP images outweigh this slight con. Just be sure to use high-quality images and you should be perfectly fine!
*Note that some MacBook users are unable to see Webp images if they have not upgraded to Safari version 14. However iPhone users should be able to see your site’s images correctly.
Converting images to WebP format isn’t the only way to optimize images for PageSpeed. Converting images to WebP format is just one way of compressing images, so let’s discuss some other ways to compress images.
Compressing Images
Converting images to WebP format isn’t the only way to optimize your images. This is just one portion of an entire processed called image compression.
What Is Image Compression?
The process of compressing images involves decreasing the file size of an image with little to no – noticeable – decrease in image quality. This is done by removing or reducing redundant or unnecessary data from a picture file.
Certain tools are able to optimize images to save file space. This is useful for maintaining PageSpeed across a website and keeping load times quick and efficient.
Compressing images involves the following:
- Removal of non-critical information
- Reduces redundant image data
- Slight decreases in image quality
- Decreases the amount of unique shades of colors used in images
Why Should You Compress Images?
How To Compress Images
Image compression can be done through a WordPress plugin such as Smush. This is a similar – but sometimes separate – process from converting images to WebP format.
The plugin will decrease the file size of images while retaining an acceptable amount of image quality. This process involves removing non-critical or redundant information from images, such as code, text, colors, and size.
Let’s break down how to enable and use an image compressing plugin.
Here is a step-by-step process on how to compress images:
- Access the Wordpress toolbar
- Select “Plugins” on the Wordpress Sidebar
- Search for and select a image optimizing plugin (like Smush)
- Access the new image optimizing plugin from the Wordpress sidebar (typically found at the bottom)
- Configure the plugin to lazy load images
- Select images you want to compress
Now the images on your website should be optimized and compressed for faster load time and PageSpeed!
Remember, if you want to save some time, you can bulk compress images by upgrading to a premium version of Smush.
Image Optimization Tips
Here is a roundup of all the image optimization tips you’ll need to keep your website running fast and efficiently.
Image Optimization Tips & Tricks:
- Convert images to WebP format
- Compress all images on your website
- Use image compression plugins for WordPress
- Keep images simple
- Reduce the overall amount of images on each page
- Do not use large images
- Look out for decreases in quality when compressing images
- Check that image formats are compatible for your readers
Other Ways To Increase PageSpeed
If you are optimizing the images on your website to increase PageSpeed, you might be interested in some additional tips for increasing PageSpeed. Here is a list of other tips for increasing PageSpeed:
Factors that effect PageSpeed:
- Use a fast web host
- Pick a fast WordPress theme
- Cache Web Pages
- Reduce unused JavaScript files
- Reduce unused CSS files
- Limit ad count
- Reduce plugins
Check out my article on How To Increase PageSpeed for a full guide on how to master every opportunity to increase the PageSpeed across a website.
I go into full detail and share every PageSpeed tip & trick that I know, so if you want a fast and healthy website, be sure to check it out!
Closing Thoughts
That’s everything you need to know on how to optimize images to increase PageSpeed! I hope this guide was helpful, and I wish you the best of success in achieving optimal PageSpeed and site health.
Please feel free to reach out to me or comment down below if you have any questions or need any additional guidance. Also feel free to share your own image optimization tips as well! I always appreciate an opportunity to learn more. See you next time!
