loss of quality, consider responsive images, optimize alt text, use lazy loading, enable browser caching, check image metadata, optimize thumbnail images, use content delivery networks (CDNs).

Choose the right format

Use webp for photographs and images with many colors, jpg if webp isn’t an option. SVG for icons and logos (scalable vector graphics). Avoid using png for images with transparency or simple graphics as these are larger file sizes which will slow you down.

Resize images properly

Before uploading, resize images to the dimensions you actually need on your website. Avoid using large images and scaling them down in HTML or CSS. Some designers recommend saving your images a tiny bit larger than you need, 400px instead of 350px for example, to ensure a crystal clear image with no pixels.

Compress images without quality loss

Use image compression tools to reduce file size without sacrificing too much quality. Online tools like TinyPNG or desktop tools like Adobe Photoshop’s “Save as”, then choose webp, can help with this. If using wordpress or another CMS you can also install another plugin to help compress them further, just make sure you keep it clear and unpixelated.

Consider responsive images

Implement responsive design techniques so that different-sized images are served to different devices, ensuring optimal display and performance. This is essential for speeding up mobile sites, don’t skip this step.

Optimize alt text

Always include descriptive alt text for images. This helps with accessibility and SEO, as search engines use alt text to understand the content of images. 

Use lazy loading

Implement lazy loading to defer offscreen images, so they only load when they’re about to come into view. This speeds up initial page load times. we started implementing this and changed the sitespeed score from 75 to 98!

Enable browser caching

Configure your server to leverage browser caching. This allows returning visitors to load your site faster by storing some data locally in their browser. This will help increase page speed exponentially.

Check image metadata

Remove unnecessary metadata (like camera information) from your images before uploading them to your website. This reduces file size and improves load times.

Optimize thumbnail images

If your website uses thumbnails or smaller versions of images, optimize these as well. They should be smaller in size compared to full-size images but still remain good quality.

Use content delivery networks (CDN)

Consider using a CDN to deliver images from servers closer to your website visitors, reducing latency and speeding up image loading times. This is especially important if your visitors aren’t in the same country as yours.

By following these best practices, you can ensure that images on your website not only look great but also load quickly and contribute to a positive user experience. Efficiently optimized images contribute significantly to overall website performance and can help improve your site’s SEO, accessibility, and site speed.