March 2023

From Blurry to Beautiful: The Ultimate Guide to Image Optimisation

If you want to improve the performance and usability of your website or eCommerce store, image optimisation is the key. In this blog, we will walk you through the 9 must-know tips to optimise your images for stunning visuals. From choosing the right file types to lazy loading and using image sprites, we cover it all. Don't let slow-loading images weigh your website down, read on to learn how to optimise your images and achieve your digital marketing goals.

So, what is Image optimisation?

Image optimisation is an important aspect of digital marketing, as it can help improve the performance and usability of your website or eCommerce store. By optimising your images you can improve the user experience, while reducing loading times and increasing the chances of success for your digital marketing campaigns.

Throughout this blog, we'll delve into the 10 must-know image optimisation tips to help you get the most out of your graphics.

Lauren Rae

Read Time

5

min

1. Use appropriate file types

Different file types are best suited for different types of images. For example, JPEG is a good choice for photographs, while PNG is better for graphics with transparent backgrounds. Using the right file type can help reduce the file size and improve loading times.

2. Compress images

Compressing images helps reduce their file size which can improve loading times. There are several tools available that can help you compress images, such as TinyPNG or Kraken.io.

3. Choose the right resolution

Using images with too high of a resolution can slow down loading times and impact the performance of your website. On the other hand, using images with too low of a resolution can result in poor quality and a negative user experience. To find the right balance, use images with a resolution that is appropriate for the size at which they will be displayed.

4. Use descriptive, relevant file names

Using descriptive and relevant file names can help improve the SEO of your website and make it easier for users to find and understand your images. Avoid using generic file names such as "image1.jpg" or "photo.png."

5. Optimise alt text

Alt text, or alternative text, is a description of an image that is displayed if the image is unable to load or if the user is using a screen reader. Including alt text can improve the accessibility of your website and help improve its SEO. Be sure to use descriptive, relevant alt text that accurately describes the content of the image.

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6. Use responsive images

With the increasing use of mobile devices, it's important to make sure that your images are responsive and look good on a variety of screen sizes. To do this, you can use the srcset and sizes attributes, which allow you to specify multiple versions of an image at different resolutions.

7. Optimise image thumbnails

Image thumbnails, or small versions of an image, are often used on websites to save space and improve the loading speed of pages. To optimise image thumbnails, use small, compressed versions of the original image and make sure that they are properly scaled.

8. Use lazy loading

Lazy loading is a technique that delays the loading of images until they are needed, which can help improve the loading speed of your website. There are several tools and plugins available that can help you implement lazy loading on your website.

9. Use image sprites

Image sprites are a single image that contains multiple images, which can be displayed using CSS. Using image sprites can help reduce the number of HTTP requests that are made when a web page is loaded, which can improve the page load time and overall performance of the website.

In conclusion, image optimisation is a crucial aspect of digital marketing that should not be overlooked. By implementing the 9 image optimisation tips discussed in this blog, you can significantly improve the performance and user experience of your website or eCommerce store.

Whether you're looking to improve loading times, boost SEO, or enhance the accessibility of your website, these tips can help you achieve your goals. So, don't let your website get weighed down by slow-loading images. Start optimising your images now to ensure that your marketing campaigns are as successful as possible.

Want to learn more? Reach out to the GRAVITATE team today for a chat.

Yours,
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Frequently asked questions

What is the ideal size and resolution for images on a website?

The ideal size and resolution for images on a website depends on several factors, such as the size at which the images will be displayed, the type of image, and the desired loading speed. In general, it's best to use images that are as small as possible while still maintaining a good quality. A good rule of thumb is to use images that are less than 100KB in size and have a resolution and dimensions appropriate for the size at which they will be displayed. Using images with too high of a resolution can slow down loading times and impact the performance of your website, while using images with too low of a resolution can result in poor quality and a negative user experience.

What is image optimisation?

Image optimisation is the process of reducing the file size and improving the performance of images on a website or online store. By optimising images, you can reduce loading times, improve user experience, and increase the chances of success for your marketing campaigns.

What is the ideal resolution for images on a website?

The ideal resolution for images on a website depends on the size at which the images will be displayed. In general, it's best to use images with a resolution that is appropriate for the size at which they will be displayed. Using images with too high of a resolution can slow down loading times and impact the performance of your website, while using images with too low of a resolution can result in poor quality and a negative user experience.

What is the role of alt text in image optimisation?

Alt text, or alternative text, is a description of an image that is displayed if the image is unable to load or if the user is using a screen reader. Including alt text can improve the accessibility of your website and help improve its SEO. Be sure to use descriptive, relevant alt text that accurately describes the content of the image.

What is responsive design and how does it relate to image optimisation?

Responsive design is a design approach that ensures that a website looks good and is easy to use on a variety of devices, including desktop computers, tablets, and smartphones. To implement responsive design, you can use the srcset and sizes attributes, which allow you to specify multiple versions of an image at different resolutions. This ensures that the appropriate version of the image is displayed on each device, improving the user experience and the performance of your website.

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