How do I optimise images for speed?

Large, uncompressed images can slow down your WordPress site. Optimising your images helps your pages load faster and improves SEO.

Prerequisites

Choose the right image format
- Use JPEG for photos.
- Use PNG for graphics with transparency.
- Use WebP for modern browsers (smaller file sizes with good quality).
Resize before uploading
Adjust the dimensions to the maximum size needed on your site. Don’t upload a 4000px-wide image if it only displays at 800px.
Compress your images
Use a plugin like:
- Smush
- Imagify
- EWWW Image Optimizer
Enable lazy loading
Lazy loading delays image loading until users scroll down to them. WordPress includes this by default, but you can manage it with plugins if needed.
Convert to next-gen formats (optional)
Consider converting images to WebP or AVIF for even better performance. Some plugins offer automatic conversion.
[screenshot: Plugin setting showing WebP conversion option]
(alt: WebP conversion option highlighted in image optimization plugin)

My images look blurry after compression.
Try adjusting the compression level to a less aggressive setting.
Do I need to re-upload existing images?
No. Most optimisation plugins can bulk optimize images already in your media library.
Will optimising images affect SEO?
Yes — faster load times improve SEO rankings. Just be sure to keep descriptive file names and alt text.

If this didn’t help, please raise a support ticket.