If you want your website to not only look its best, but run its best too, it’s important to understand the ways in which images can affect your website’s overall performance.
Large images that haven’t been appropriately optimized for your website will lead to slower speeds, fewer leads, and ultimately, less sales. According to a recent study done by Unbounce, nearly 70% of consumers say that page speeds affect their purchasing behavior.
If you’re ready to learn how to optimize your images and create a better, faster website, keep reading! We’re breaking down image optimization, why it’s important, and how Americaneagle.com can help transform your business’ website today.
What is Image Optimization?
Let’s start with understanding what image optimization actually means. Optimizing an image is simply a process where you’re taking an original image and fixing it (changing the size, adding alt text, etc.) in order to improve your website’s performance.
A common concern for those who have never optimized an image before is that the quality of the image will be lost in the process. This is completely untrue. When done professionally, your images will not only look as good as they did before, but will perform much better on search engine results pages (SERPs), such as Google.
Why is Image Optimization Important?
Large images, while they may catch a visitor’s attention, can also have negative effects on the speed of your website, simply due to the large consumption of bandwidth.
Large images have large file sizes, which are downloaded once a visitor goes to a website. If there are many large file sizes, a website has to spend that much longer just to download all of the information, leaving visitors frustrated and often impatient, leading them to look elsewhere.
In today’s fast-paced, tech-savvy world, your website shouldn’t take longer than 1 ½ to 2 seconds to load. For Google, the optimal loading time is under half-a-second. This is why we stress the importance of image optimization – a relatively simple solution that boasts massive results.
The Benefits of Image Optimization
While improved website speed and performance are great, there are also a few other honorable mentions when it comes to the importance of image optimization, including:
- Reducing the cost of backup storage
- Creating a better user experience
- Improving Google image search rankings
- Creating a higher conversion rate for sales
How to Optimize Images for Better Performance
Now that we know why image optimization is important, let’s go through the process of learning how to optimize images for better performance of your website.
To see a step-by-step tutorial on how to easily optimize an image, check out our other blog post on image optimization here!
Image Format, Dimensions, and Compression
Image File Format
For an average website, you’ll basically need to understand three different types of image file formats: JPEG, PNG, and GIF. It’s important to choose the image type that plays well with your website.
Here is a basic understanding of the three different types:
- JPEG – Used for photos and images with lots of colors
- PNG – Used for simpler or more transparent images
- GIF – Used for animated images
For most ecommerce websites, JPEGs will work best. However, there are instances where PNGs are a good alternative.
Image Dimensions
Once you’ve chosen your image format, you’ll need to focus on image dimensions. This step plays a huge role in the speed of your website as high-resolution images with large file dimensions take up a lot of space. This can be done simply on any image editing software or via a visual design expert.
Image Compression
The final step in optimizing your images for better performance is image compression. This step plays an integral part in image optimization as it helps reduce any redundant data from the image and can then be transferred onto another system more efficiently.
There are different types of image compression available, including various editing and web tools. The goal of compressing your image file is to get the best, highest-quality image with the lowest file size.
Be Direct with Image Naming
The final step in optimizing your images for better performance is image compression. This step plays an integral part in image optimization as it helps reduce any redundant data from the image and can then be transferred onto another system more efficiently.
There are different types of image compression available, including various editing and web tools. The goal of compressing your image file is to get the best, highest-quality image with the lowest file size.
Update Your Alt Text
Another way to add SEO value to your website is through alt text, also commonly called “alt attributes.” Alt text is the text version of an image, providing search engines with the language they can understand. You can optimize the alt text on an image by adding relevant keywords that will help your website rank better.
For ecommerce products, alt text optimization is a must as it helps your products show up in a Google web search or Google image search.
Make Sure Your Website is Optimized Properly with Americaneagle.com
Looking to build your dream website? At Americaneagle.com, we have the expertise and experience to deliver you the exact results you’re looking for. We can help optimize your website’s images easily and efficiently, giving your business the best chance at ranking.
Whether you’re looking for digital marketing services, experience design, strategy, or web and application development, we’ve got powerful online solutions that fit your business’s unique needs.
For more image optimization solutions, please contact us today!
