With the increasing emphasis on visual aspects, images can make or break your marketing campaign. So it's essential to incorporate high-quality, relevant photos keeping in mind the loading time.
What are the image optimization techniques? Reducing file size and load time, selecting the correct visual format, and improving the user interface are excellent ways to enhance optimization.
Stick to the end to learn the best hacks on how to optimize photos.
5 Methods For Improving Image Optimization
- Selecting The Correct Format
While JPG is the most commonly used graphic format for websites, JPG significantly lowers photo quality. It uses lossy compression, which can't maintain the original quality of the picture.
Compared to JPG, PNG is a better option as it can retain most of the visual quality. However, due to high resolution, the PNG files are larger and take more time to load.
GIF, a bitmap image format, is excellent for small graphics and animations. GIFs are ideal for logos and thumbnails because it only requires a small file and can support transparent backgrounds. However, it can only display 256 colors, so using GIFs for realistic images is not advisable.
- Image Size And Relevancy
Add pictures only if they are pertinent. Images that aren't necessary merely make your material crowded. Even if you do include illustrations, be sure they are sized correctly. Photos that are disproportionate in size don't look well and take forever to load. The idea is to slightly reduce the file's size without sacrificing the desired level of quality.
- Caching
Caching enables quick content delivery, as it stores the files in a proxy or third-party server. Download size and application requests can be reduced with the help of caching.
But how does caching work? You'll have to set up storage for photos at PoP (Point of Presence) servers. Next, when a view request to load a page with images, the nearest server provides them, significantly speeding up the loading time.
However, the major drawback of using such proxy servers is that there's a chance of losing all your photo data if the server is deleted or shut down due to high traffic. So, caching servers aren't recommended for extensive use.
- Appropriate Alt Text
Often, the significance of Alt (Alternative) text is overlooked. Alt text allows search engines to find photos best suited to users' search queries. If your alt text is irrelevant to the photo, the search results won't recommend your page.
Along with proper alt text, it's best if you reference the content of the illustration (other keywords describing it) in the text for maximum search engine optimization.
Want to know how to write SEO-friendly alt text for your images? Follow our other blog posts.
- Compression
Compressing an file is quite different from resizing one. In resizing, only the dimensions of the photos are changed, which results in a change in the resolution.
However, when compressing the photo, it's altered in such a way that file size is reduced while maintaining high resolution quality. The two common compression types include
- Lossy Compression- Photo file size is significantly reduced but results in quality degradation.
- Lossless Compression- Retains most of the quality, but file size optimization isn't done.
You can compress your photos with free compressing tools like TinyPNG, Kraken, and OptimiZilla.
What is web optimization for photos?
Image optimization is the technique used to speed page loading time by resizing your added photos without sacrificing the quality.
What is the most suitable image format for the web?
PNG is the best and most used format for web pages due to its compressibility and universal support. Moreover, PNGs are able to retain most of the quality after resizig.
PNG, JPG, and WebP files are the most suitable formats for optimization.
What format degrades quality by compressing the image?
JPEG format causes the most damage during image compression, so it's better to avoid it. JPG or PNG is a better option.
What are the benefits of image optimization?
The advantages of photo optimization include reduced bounce rates, more engagement, and improved search engine rankings. On top of that, it allows the webpage to load faster and is able to handle more traffic.
Final Words
Visuals play a huge role in online profiling. Image optimization is an efficient way to increase visibility and reach. By utilizing the image optimization techniques mentioned, you can enhance your loading speed, page traffic, and overall webpage performance.
For the best optimization for digital marketing, contact us right away!
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What are the image optimization techniques? Proper format, caching, and right alt text improve optimization. But there's more to it. Keep reading.
