Optimising website images involves reducing file sizes through compression, resizing, using the correct file formats, using CDNs, and lazy-loading to lower bandwidth usage without compromising visual quality. Proper optimisation improves Core Web Vitals, speeds up page load times, and enhances user experience, especially for users on slower networks.

Did you know that bloated images can cause visitors to leave your site? Very detailed photos, which are not scaled down or compressed, take a longer time to load. The site becomes even slower for users with a poor internet connection.

This results in increased bounce rates and a cluttered UX. As per Forbes, 39% of visitors may become disinterested if your website’s photos take a long time to load.

Hence, you need to optimise your images for top-notch quality without compromising your site speed. In this blog, we have put together seven tried-and-tested strategies for optimising website images seamlessly.

Top Strategies for Optimising Website Images

Optimising website images helps in reducing network time by sending fewer bytes. Now, let’s take a look at the top image optimisation strategies that actually work!

1. Pick the Ideal File Format

Different formats serve different purposes, so don’t just stick to JPEGs out of habit. Let’s take a look at the wide host of file types you can choose from.

  • PEG: Ideal for photographs and complex images. They offer a good balance between quality and file size.
  • WebP: A modern format with superior compression features that offers smaller file sizes with negligible quality loss.
  • PNGs: These are everyday image files, best for logos and graphics
  • SVGs: Relevant for UI elements or icons. Since they are vector-based, they preserve quality regardless of the device used.
Also Read: The crazy easy way to pick the right template for your website

2. Compress and Resize

Your site’s load time will suffer if your images are large files, regardless of how lovely they are. So,​‍​‌‍​‍‌ choose an online image compressor to resize and compress your images. They strip out unnecessary metadata and apply smart compression algorithms.

Pro Tip: Batch-process your images for efficiency. Automate this step right in your build process to ensure that every image is optimised before deployment.

3. Lazy-load and Prioritise LCP Assets

Always remember, performance is also about the load order. Hence, implement lazy-loading for off-screen images. This means images below the fold only load when the user scrolls down.

Note that most browsers now support native lazy loading via the loading=”lazy” attribute.

Pro Tip: Utilise resource hints like preload or prefetch for these assets. This ensures your page feels snappy and improves your Core Web Vitals score.

4. Employ a CDN with Image Optimisation

Whenever you use a CDN (Content Delivery Network), ensure it supports image optimisation.

Opt for one that can convert your images to WebP or AVIF format in a jiffy. Bonus points if the CDN can resize them according to the viewport. This reduces image processing time and streamlines quick delivery.

Also Read: The Ultimate Guide To Understanding What A CDN Is And How It Can Boost Your Website Performance

5. Use SVGs for UI

If responsive design is a priority for you, SVGs are your go-to! They are vector-based and can scale to any size without pixelation. Best part? They are much smaller than PNGs or JPEGs for simple graphics.

For more accurate control, embed SVG code directly in the HTML. Or, serve them as external files if needed. 

Pro Tip: Avoid embedding large SVGs that contain complex graphics. Instead, use optimised SVGs to keep file size down.

6. Opt for a ‘Blur Up‘ Technique

The ‘blur up‘ technique is a smart way to improve perceived performance. Basically, you start by loading a low-res, blurred version of your image. Next, you replace it with the full-res image once it’s loaded.

It works wonders for large images like hero banners or product photos. Results? A smooth visual experience and reduced layout shifts.

7. Chart Out an Image Performance Budget Per Page

Set a performance budget for images on each page. This means defining a maximum total image size or the maximum number of images a page should have.

Here is an example: You decide that no page should serve more than 500KB of images or more than 10 images above the fold. Then use monitoring tools to track your image performance metrics. Use these insights to compress further or lazy-load additional assets.

Fine-Tune Your UX with Optimised Web Images

You need to understand the context and purpose of each image in relation to your target audience. This further equips you to choose the most suitable file type and the compression method.

In addition to boosting your conversion rates, optimised web images convey a strong brand image.

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