Images play an important role in website design, both in terms of aesthetics and functionality. However, if not optimized properly, images can significantly slow down page loading times, which can negatively impact both user experience and search engine optimization (SEO) efforts. In this article, we will discuss how to optimize images for page speed and SEO.
Resize and compress images
One of the most important steps in optimizing images for page speed and SEO is to resize and compress them. Large images can significantly slow down page loading times, so it is important to resize them to the exact dimensions needed for the website. Additionally, compressing images can reduce their file size without sacrificing quality.
There are several tools available for resizing and compressing images, such as Adobe Photoshop, GIMP, and online tools like TinyPNG and Kraken.io. If you use WordPress you will also find several plugins that can help such as WP Smush, Imagify, ShortPixel and EWWW.
When compressing images, it is important to strike a balance between file size and image quality. A tool like JPEGmini can be used to compress JPEG images without sacrificing quality.
Use responsive images
Responsive images are images that automatically adjust their size based on the size of the device screen being used to view the website. Using responsive images can help improve page speed and user experience, as it reduces the amount of unnecessary data being downloaded.
To use responsive images, HTML5’s picture element and srcset attribute can be used. The picture element allows you to define different image sources for different screen sizes, while the srcset attribute allows you to specify multiple versions of an image and let the browser choose the most appropriate one based on the user’s device and screen size.
Optimize image file names and alt tags
Another important factor in optimizing images for SEO is the file name and alt tag. The file name should be descriptive and include relevant keywords. This helps search engines understand what the image is about and can improve your website’s visibility in search results.
The alt tag is an attribute that describes the contents of an image for users who cannot see it, such as those using screen readers. Including descriptive alt tags can also improve your website’s accessibility and SEO.
Use lazy loading
Lazy loading is a technique that delays the loading of non-critical resources, such as images, until they are needed. This can help improve page loading times and reduce the amount of data being downloaded. For example, if a user is only viewing the top half of a webpage, lazy loading would delay the loading of images below the fold until the user scrolls down to that section.
There are several lazy loading plugins available for popular content management systems like WordPress and Drupal, as well as JavaScript libraries like LazyLoad and Blazy. Learn more about Lazy Loading in our technical post, What is Lazy Loading?
Use a content delivery network (CDN)
Using a content delivery network (CDN) is an effective way to optimize image speeds on a website. A CDN is a network of servers that are distributed around the world to provide faster delivery of website content to users. When images are hosted on a CDN, they are stored on multiple servers, which means that users can download them from the server closest to their location, resulting in faster load times.
In addition to faster load times, CDNs can also provide other benefits for optimizing image speeds. For example, some CDNs offer image optimization tools that can automatically resize and compress images for faster loading. These tools can help reduce the file size of images without sacrificing image quality, resulting in even faster load times.
Another benefit of using a CDN is improved website performance during peak traffic times. When a website experiences a surge in traffic, a CDN can help distribute the load across multiple servers, ensuring that the website remains fast and responsive for all users.
Overall, using a content delivery network is an excellent way to optimize image speeds on a website. By distributing images across multiple servers and providing optimization tools, CDNs can help improve website performance, reduce load times, and enhance the user experience.