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How to optimize images for performance in WordPress without losing quality?

Optimizing the images on your website is extremely important to improve its performance and loading speed. In the case of the WordPress platform, there are several methods and tools you can use to optimize your images while maintaining their quality. In this article we will discuss a few of them.

Use only necessary images

The first and simplest image optimization strategy is to use only the necessary images. This means that you should avoid overusing images on your website and instead focus on text and other elements that do not consume server resources.

Use image formats optimized for performance

Not all image formats are created equally. Some formats, such as JPEG and PNG, are more efficient and use less storage space than others. Additionally, some formats, such as WebP, are specifically designed for optimized use on the web. Consider converting images to these formats to improve the performance of your site.

Use image optimization plugins

There are many WordPress plugins that help you optimize your images. Below are some of them:

and) Smush – This is one of the most popular image optimization plugins in WordPress. It allows you to compress and optimize images without losing quality.

b) Imagify – This is another popular plugin that offers advanced image compression features.

c) ShortPixel – This plugin not only optimizes images but also converts them to WebP format which is more efficient in terms of loading speed.

Use WordPress features to resize images

WordPress has a built-in image resizing feature that can be used to optimize their size. You can define the size of the images that are automatically generated by WordPress by adding the following code to your theme's functions.php file:

add_image_size('custom-size', 800, 800, true);

In this example, 'custom-size' is the name of the new image size, and 800×800 is the image dimensions. You can adjust these values to suit your needs.

Use lazy loading of images

Lazy loading is a technique that loads images only when they are needed, i.e. when the user scrolls down the page. This can be achieved using plugins such as Lazy Load by WP Rocket or a3 Lazy Load.

Image optimization is an essential part of maintaining high website performance. By using these techniques and tools, you can significantly improve the speed and responsiveness of your WordPress site without sacrificing image quality. Remember that a satisfied user is often a returning user, and page loading speed is a key factor in browsing satisfaction.

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