How to Optimize Images to Improve Site Speed in 2025

A faster website with optimized images has a positive impact on search engines.

Just so you know – Google and other search engines like to crawl and index websites that load quickly. Images have a vital impact on the loading speed of your website. It takes a significant amount of time to load media files, especially large ones.

Did you know?

“Images cover about 21% of the total weight of a web page.”

Source – HTTP Archive

Therefore, your server will work less to load each web page when you reduce the sizes of images. This can also save your website’s disk space and bandwidth. But, you have to reduce image sizes without losing the quality.

What is image optimization?

Large images occupy more disk space and decrease your website speed. This generates a poor user experience that is less than optimal. — Image optimization is the process of decreasing image file sizes without losing quality. Images on your website can be 80% compressed by using various plugins or scripts.

Important One: Best litespeed cache settings

4 Ways to optimize images to improve website speed

This article will discuss 4 ways to optimize images that will relieve your headaches and load your website much faster than before.

So let’s dig in –

Reduce image size before uploading them to your website

It is always better to reduce the image file sizes before uploading them to your WordPress Media Library. Compressing images without losing quality is a common method.

Aside from resizing the dimensions, image compression is needed to reduce the size or weight of the image.

Two types of image compression are used for image optimization

• Lossy Compression –

When an image loses unnecessary data to become lighter while maintaining a certain standard. This compression method is highly appreciated by the servers. Because it becomes easier to load them and your visitors won’t notice significant changes.

• Lossless Compression –

All data in an image remains intact and retrievable in this type of compression. The image will render only when it is uncompressed. This type of compression doesn’t harm the quality. — However, it is not as effective as lossy compression.

The main difference between lossy and lossless compression is – You won’t get the original size after restoring an image that was lossy compressed. The file size would be smaller than the original.

On the other hand, you will get the exact size of an image after uncompressing which was lossless compressed. Obviously, the name ‘Lossless’ suggests no loss.

Use tools or online platforms to optimize image size

A common misconception is – large images with higher pixels guarantee better quality. Even people use images with a measurement between 2000-5000 px. Hence, the common width for large screens is only 1926 px.

There are many tools or utilities to optimize images for better performance. These tools can be either online or offline. We will mention some of the best online platforms and tools for image optimization.

Adobe Photoshop

If you are an expert in Adobe Photoshop, then you can do image editing along with optimizing. It is like a one-stop solution for all image or graphics work. But, you need to possess a certain level of skill for this.

For example – The ideal dimension for a featured image is generally 1200 x 628 px. So, if you have prepared a featured image for your blog with a 5400 x 3600 px dimension, make it to 1200 x 628 px. Dispose of the unnecessary dimensions that are weighing the image.

Tiny Png:

Pretty much all website owners have heard about TinyPNG. This is a widespread online platform for image optimization. This platform has its own method for the ideal compression. Therefore, you will get the best image quality in the smallest image.

— Compress JPG and PNG files either by using TinyPNG or its sister concern TinyJPG.

Furthermore, they have come up with an API for the developers and a plugin for WordPress users for automatic image compression. An extension of TinyPNG can be also found for Adobe Photoshop.

JPEGmini:

Those who are looking for reliable lossless image compression can check JPEGmini. It applies technology for reducing the image size significantly without damaging the quality. You won’t distinguish the difference when you compare the compressed image with the real one.

— Just like TinyPNG, they have a paid API for automatic image compression for your server. Use the web version for free or purchase the offline software for your computer.

Image Optim:

Yes, we didn’t forget about the iOS users. That’s why we are presenting ImageOptim. Perhaps, this is the best image optimization tool for Mac users.

It removes the unnecessary colors and applies the best compression parameters. There are alternative versions for Windows and Linux. Here is the list –

Use lazy load plugins

We don’t suggest using WordPress image compression plugins. It is always better to optimize images before uploading them on your WordPress site. But, you may not have sufficient time or opportunity when you are running a multi-author website.

— In fact, a lazy loading plugin can come in very handy. While using such a plugin, the images and graphics at the bottom of a page won’t render until the visitor scrolls down. The purpose of such plugins is to minimize the bandwidth and number of image viewers at the same time.

Here is the list of the best WordPress plugins for image optimizing and lazy loading –

• Optimole –

A popular image optimization plugin developed by the ThemeIsle team. Automatically reduces image sizes without laying a finger.

• EWWW Image Optimizer Cloud –

A reliable plugin for image compression. This plugin makes images smaller and websites faster. This plugin charges $0.003 for each image.

• ShortPixel Image Optimizer –

A free plugin for compressing 100 images per month. Also, this plugin will compress multiple types of image formats i.e. PNG, JPG, GIF, WebP, etc.

• WP Smush –

An useful plugin for removing hidden information from an image without reducing the overall quality. A free and paid version of this plugin is available. It is also compatible with popular media library plugins.

• ImageRecycle –

A plugin that applies automatic image and PDF compression techniques. You can set a minimum file size to your preference. This is how it stands out from the crowd. Although they have a free 15-days trial, you will have to pay $10 for 10,000 files.

• Imagify –

A plugin for optimizing images with just one click. Can work on the popular image formats along with WebP. If you don’t want to use the plugin, use the web platform for compressing images. The plugin is developed by the WP Rocket team.

Set the right image file format

It is possible to increase the level of compression by using the right type in the right image. Using different formats for different images saves more space and speeds up the website. —  So, both the image compression method and image format are important for absolute optimization.

JPEG, PNG, GIF might be the most popular formats for images. Using SVGs and WebP formats alongside other formats are also getting popular. Let’s talk about them briefly –

• JPEG –

The full form is “Joint Photographic Experts Group”. Generally, smaller than PNG formats. Can be used for general photos in a blog. Good for lossy compression.

• PNG –

The full form is “Portable Network Graphic”. These formats are of high quality by default. Therefore, these formats are perfect for infographics. Good for lossless compression.

• GIF –

The full form is “Graphics Interchange Format”. This format only accepts lossless compression. Such image formats are excellent for animations.

• SVG –

The full form is “Scalable Vector Graphics”. These are traditionally small in size. Google and other search engines treat SVGs the same way as other image formats.

Here are a few facts about SVG format

92.51% smaller than JPEGs (when compressed)

92.83% smaller than PNG (when compressed)

• WebP –

A new type of image format. This format is much smaller than PNGs and JPEGs. Are compatible with both lossy and lossless compressions.

Here are a few facts about the WebP format

26% smaller than PNGs

34% smaller than JPEGs

However, major browsers like Safari don’t support such formats.

Now, let’s take a look at the differences among these image formats –

What does the survey tell about image optimization?

Image optimization is important for a better rank in Google and for keeping a high bottom-line profit. Do you still think image optimization isn’t important for your site speed? Then, take a peek at this-

1 second delay in page loading = 7% ↓ conversions = 11% ↓ page view = 16% ↓ customer satisfaction

So, a few seconds delay has a negative impact on sales and customer engagement. Each second matters when it comes to the loading speed of your website. Page loading speed has a greater impact on eCommerce websites than blog sites. Let’s take a quick look at this survey –

What are the benefits of image optimization?

If you have read this article this far, then you already know the importance of optimizing images. With that being said, we will only mention some of the benefits that many of you may not have known.

• You already know that optimized images are essential for faster loading speed.
• Faster loading speed means Google and other search engines like to crawl and index your website quickly.
• Maintain a high button-line conversion rate for sales.
• Maintain an overall conversion rate for your brand’s lead.
• It takes less time for generating an overall backup for your website.
• Consume less bandwidth and disk space. This can also save hosting and CDN costs

Compressed JPGs vs. Uncompressed JPGs

Perhaps, JPG is the common file format for images. This format is also great for web pages. But, images should be compressed no matter what the format is.

— We have gone through a practical test to present a significant difference between compressed and uncompressed JPG images. We have found different measurements in various performances.

First, we uploaded 6 uncompressed JPGs, each of them over 1 MB in size. Here is the summary –

 

The second time, we upload the same number of images but compressed them. And we have got much better results for each performance field –

The results of this test can be seen with your own eyes to judge how important image compression is

Best way to compress images:

General practices Aside from the above methods, here are some common best particles that you can turn into a habit for image compression –

• Use CDN to improve website speed and performance.
• Use GIF files for animations.
• Get rid of unnecessary white space around the image.
• Remove image data that is less important.
• Remove unnecessary metadata.
• Crop images to exactly match the frame.
• Use JPG for general pictures.
• Use PNG for detailed pictures or infographics.
• If possible, use lossy compression.
• Cleaning the media library from time to time.
• The CSS3 effect can come in very handy.
• Bit-depth can be reduced to a smaller color palette.

Final thoughts and recap:

In the end, you may have understood the importance of optimized images for your website’s speed. So, if you are not compressing or optimizing images, start doing it right now. This will enhance the performance and increase your site’s speed. You will thank us for this.

We will recap the 4 ways shortly for you. This will act as a reminder if you have been distracted somehow.

• Don’t forget to reduce the images before finally uploading them to your website.
• Use the appropriate tools for reducing image sizes.
• Use the right format depending on the image type.
• Use plugins or scripts for image optimization (if necessary).

— Aside from these, WordPress caching plugins and CDN are some of the best options to improve your site’s speed. Thanks for reading this article, let us know your thoughts in the comments section.