When images are online, speed outwits Quality. We all like fast loading pages. When the loading bar keeps on rolling, the message is – “time to hit the close button”.
This tutorial will help you choose the correct image format and optimize the file size for online use, of course, without compromising much on quality!
PNG or JPEG or GIF?
We are often confused between which image formats to choose from. If you have observed, text is more readable in PNG and photos look better in JPEG.
Thumb rule: PNG or GIF for text – JPEG for Photographs and the like.
Examples and More info: How to Choose an Image Format for Screenshots.
Optimize Using ‘Save for Web’ In Photoshop
Photoshop has an image optimizer for the web. It has a lot of custom options for every image format.
First Crop the image to the size of your post area. Cropping / Resizing is different from scaling down the image using WordPress image handler. When you scale down the image size is not reduced, just the image appears small.
Cropping an image will actually reduce its size; smaller is better.
Save For Web can be found under the File Menu or press Shift + Control + Alt + S. A window will open up.
Save For Web In Photoshop
Play with the options and make sure that image is not over 50kb. If you have to show larger images, display a smaller preview, Upload the large version separately and link the preview image to the large one.
Optimize Images Using WordPress Plugin
The WordPress Smush.it plugin is the plugin of choice for this job. It uses the Smush.it api to optimize images. Once installed, all images you upload are automatically compressed and optimized.
Smush.it compresses images but converting formats where ever necessary and removing unnecessary and unused data.
Optimize Existing Images via the Media Library
Existing images can be smushed using the “Smush.it now” link in the Media Library.
Formatting Images for RSS Readers
If you see that your images break between text in the RSS Feed or Email, follow this detailed guide.
Hope you enjoyed the tutorial.
Related: Where to Find Cool Free Images to illustrate your posts.
I am a WordPress product developer and creator of Image Attributes Pro. I am passionate about solving problems and travelling the world.
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