Image Optimizer

compress-image

How to Optimize Imagesfor the Web's Performance, without sacrificing Quality

Did you be aware that optimizing images prior to uploading them to WordPress can have a massive impact on your website speed?

When you start a new blog many novices upload pictures without making them web-friendly. Large image files can make your website slow.

You can address this issue by applying optimization of images. optimizationbest practices in your daily blogging routine.

The following article, we'll help you learn how to optimize your images to improve websites without sacrificing quality. Additionally, we will share automated photo optimization plug-ins designed for WordPress that will make life easier.

Because this is an extensive guide on image optimization for the web, we have created an easy to follow table of content:

• What exactly is optimization? (optimized as opposed to unoptimized)
• What makes image optimization important? What are the advantages?
• How can you conserve and optimize images for web performance?
• The best image optimization tools and programs
• The best images optimization extensions for WordPress

What is Image Optimization? (Optimized vs Unoptimized Images)

Image optimization is a technique of saving and sharing images in the smallest possible files without reducing the overall quality of the image.

Although the process may sound complicated although it's actually quite simple these days. It is possible to use one of the numerous image optimization tools and plugins that automatically compress images by as much as 80% without any visible diminution in quality.

Here's a good example of an optimized contrasted with unoptimized images:

It is evident that if properly optimized, the same image could be 75% smaller than the original , without any degradation in quality.

How does Image Optimization function?

In simple words the simplest way to describe it is that image optimization uses compression techniques like "Lossy" and "Lossless" which reduces the overall dimension of the image file without any loss of quality.

What does it mean to Optimize Images?

If you ever received an order to optimize your photos through your WordPress hosting support team or the speed test tool then it is that you should reduce the file size of your images by optimizing them to be used on the web.

Why is Image Optimization Important? What are the Benefits of Image Optimization?

While there are many benefits in optimizing your image, these are the top benefits to be aware of:

• Faster speed of website
• Increased SEO rankings
• A higher overall conversion rate for leads and sales
• A smaller amount of storage and bandwidth (which will reduce hosting and CDN cost)
• Faster backups of websites (also lowers the cost of backup storage)

In addition to video, images are the next largest item on a web page. The HTTP archive says that according to HTTP archivedata, images comprise about 21% on average of the weight of a page's total.

Since we know fast websites rank higher on search engines (SEO) and achieve higher conversions in terms of image optimization is a must for all websites must implement if they want to succeed online.

Now you might be wondering how much of a difference does image optimization really impact?

According to the findings of a Strangeloop study, a one-second delay in the loading of websites can result in a loss of 7 percent or sales. Additionally, it can result in 11 percent fewer pageviews, as well as a 16% less satisfaction from customers.

If these aren't enough reasons to speed up the loading time of your site and increase your traffic, you must know that search engines like Google offer a preferential SEO for faster loading sites.

By optimizing your web-friendly images, you can both improve the speed of your website and increase WordPress SEO rankings.

Video Tutorial

If you'd prefer written instructions, just keep reading.

How to Save and Optimize Images for Web Performance?

The key to success in images optimization to improve web speed is finding the ideal ratio between the smallest size of the file and acceptable image quality.

Three things which play an integral impact on images optimization are:

• Image file format (JPEG vs PNG vs GIF vs tiff )
• Compression (Higher compression = smaller file size)
• Image Dimensions (height and width)

When you pick the appropriate combination of these three options, you can decrease your image's size by as much as 80%.

Let's take a look at each one in more specifics.

1. Image File Format

For most webmasters, the only three image formats that really need to be considered can be described as JPEG, PNG, and GIF. Choosing the right file type plays an important role in image optimization.

To keep things simple It is best to use JPEGs for images or photos with lots of colors. PNGs for basic images or when you need transparent images. You can also use GIF to create animated images.

If you don't know the difference between each type, the image format PNG is non-compressed, meaning it's a better quality image. Its disadvantage is that its sizes are significantly larger.

However, JPEG is a compressed format that can reduce the quality of images to create a significantly smaller file size.

However, GIF is limited to 256 colors and lossless compression. This makes it the most appropriate option with regard to animation images.

On WPBeginner We make use of three different image formats based on the type of image.

2. Compression

Another thing to consider is compression that plays an essential part with regard to optimization.

There are different kinds and levels of compression available. Each of the parameters vary depending on the image compression tool you employ.

The majority of image editing software like Adobe Photoshop, On1 Photo, GIMP, Affinity Photo and many others have built-in compression tools for images.

You may also save images by default using a web tool such as TinyPNG or JPEG Mini for easier image compression.

While it's somewhat manual the two methods will allow you to compress your images prior to uploading them to WordPress which is the method we use on WPBeginner.

There are a number of well-known WordPress plugins such as Optimole, EWWW Image Optimizer, and others that can automatically compress images once you first upload them. Many novices and even huge companies prefer using these image optimization plugins since it's simple and efficient.

We will share more about these WordPress plugins in the coming article.

3. Image Dimensions

Normally when you import a picture from your phone or digital camera, it has a very high resolution and large file dimensions (height and length).

Most often, these images have a resolution of 300 DPI and dimensions starting from 2000 pixels up to. High-quality images are ideal to print or desktop publishing. They are not appropriate for websites.

A reduction in file dimensions to something less limiting can drastically reduce the size of the file. It is easy to resize images using the software for editing images on your personal computer.

In this case, we optimized photos with 1.8 1 MB of file size The image has a 300 DPI resolution, and image dimensions of 4900x3200 pixels.

We chose jpeg format for larger compression. The dimensions were changed to 1200x795 inches, and it reduced the image's size to 103 KB. This is 94% smaller than the original size.

Now that you know the three main factors involved in image optimization Let's take a take a look at various images optimization tools for owners of websites.

Best ImageOptimization Tools and Programs

As we mentioned earlier, the majority of image editing software comes complete with images optimization and compression settings.

Beyond the editing software for images, there are several other powerful free image optimization tools you can make use of to improve images for websites (with only few clicks).

We recommend making use of these tools for optimizing images before uploading them to WordPress especially if you are the type of person who is obsessed with perfection.

This technique helps you save disk space on your WordPress hosting account, as well as guaranteeing you the fastest images and highest quality as you manually check each image.

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop is a premium software with the capability of saving images designed specifically for the web. Simply open your image and click the "File >> Save for Web" option.

This will open a brand new dialog box. On the right, you can set different image formats. If you select JPEG format, you'll be presented with a variety options regarding quality. When you select the quality option the program will reveal the file's size in the lower left.

GIMP

GIMP is a no-cost and open-source alternative to the popular Adobe Photoshop. It can be used to boost your images' performance for use on the web. The disadvantage is that it's not as straightforward to use as some other alternatives on this list.

In the beginning, open the image within GIMP and then select File > Export as option. This will show the save file dialog box. Then, give the file a brand new name, then click an export option.

It will open options for exporting images. For JPEG files, you can choose the compression rate to reduce the size of the file. And finally, click on"export" to save your optimized file.

TinyPNG

TinyPNG is a no-cost web application that employs a clever lossy compression technique that can reduce their size PNG files. All you have to do is visit their website and upload your pictures (simple drag and drop).

They compress the image, and send you a download URL. You can make use of their sister website, TinyJPG that allows JPEG file compression.

They also have an extension for Adobe Photoshop which is what we use to complete our image editing process since it brings together the best features of TinyPNG and TinyJPG inside Photoshop.

For developers, they've got an API that allows you to convert images for them automatically. And for beginners , they provide a WordPress plugin that can accomplish the task (more on this in the future).

JPEG Mini

JPEGmini is a lossless compression technique that reduces the size of pictures without impacting their visual quality. You can also test the quality of your original image with the compression image.

You can use their web version for free or purchase the application to run on your personal computer. There is also a paid API that automates the process on your server.

ImageOptim

ImageOptim is a Mac application that allows you for compression without sacrificing any quality by finding the best compression parameters and removal of unnecessary color profiles.

Windows Alternative to this Trimage.

Best Image Optimization Plugins for WordPress

We believe that the most effective method to optimize your photos is to do it prior to uploading them to WordPress. If, however, you operate an author-based site or require an easy solution then you could consider using the WordPress image compression plugin.

Here is our list of the best WordPress photo compression plug-ins.

1. Optimole is a popular plugin developed by the people behind ThemeIsle.
2. EWWW Image Optimizer
3. Compress JPEG & PNG images - plugin by TinyPNG team. It is mentioned above in the article.
4. Imagify - a plugin from the well-known WP Rocket plugin team.
5. ShortPixel Image Optimizer
6. WP Smush
7. reSmush.it

Utilizing one from these WordPress image optimization plugins can help you increase the speed of your site.

Final Thoughts and Best Practices for Image Optimization

If you're not saving images optimized for the web, you should start doing the task now. This will make a major difference in your site's speed and users will be thankful for it.

Furthermore, faster websites are excellent for SEO and you'll probably see an increase in your rankings on search engines.

use this tool >> convert to png