Images are one of the most common reasons websites load slowly. Fortunately, image optimization is often one of the easiest wins.
Best practices
Resize images correctly
Do not upload a 3000-pixel image if the site only displays it at 800 pixels wide.
Compress images
Use compression to reduce file size without making images look bad.
Use next-generation formats
WebP can reduce image size significantly for many websites.
Avoid too many large decorative images
Visual design matters, but large background images and sliders can slow pages down.
Lazy load lower-page images
Images further down the page do not need to load immediately.
WordPress tips
- Use an image optimization plugin if needed
- Review your theme’s featured image sizes
- Check whether thumbnails are being generated efficiently
Conclusion
If your site is slow, image optimization is often one of the first places to look.