

JPGs tend to load the quickest and will and should be used most of the time.Įrik J., a web developer here at LRS Web Solutions, notes that we generally advise using JPG for images that are meant to be loaded quickly. Generally speaking, JPG should be used for photos. So what file types should you use and when? Let's take a look at a few different image file types. Every file type can serve a specific purpose and sometimes offer a better solution, so you'll just want to make sure you use them appropriately. This doesn't mean you are locked into using one type for the web. Some types work better on the web than others. The truth is, all image file types are not created equal. What Image File Types Should I Use On My Website? Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about website image optimization. Optimized images can greatly improve website performance, give users a better experience, and help your advertising campaigns. Images are critical. Image ads have higher click-through rates than text ads. Google also offers image-heavy advertising options such as Gallery Ads. In 2019, Google's State of the Union address confirmed that it is looking at images when listing search results. Large photos can slow down your site.Īnd clunky images don't just slow down your site they can impact your SEO. Optimized website images are critical for your website's page speed. A good user experience increases the likelihood that the user sticks around on your website much, much longer - and that is the ultimate goal, right?Īccording to Google, images are usually the largest files being downloaded on any webpage, which increases how long it takes for a web browser to launch your page. Lower page load times greatly improve user experience. That's really the goal of image optimization: decreasing page load times. A slimmed-down image file equals faster loading time. Slow loads, broken images, cluttered design - these all lead to poor website user experiences. While photos are your greatest asset, they can also be a daunting enemy when it comes to site speed, user experience, and ultimately, your SEO. Photos are the #1 problem that slows down a site. You want your site to load fast, and so do your customers. Shopify explains this in the most basic way: "Image optimization is about reducing the file size of your images as much as possible without sacrificing quality so that your page load times remain low." They should be used with care and purpose.īut before you add those perfect images to your website, you'll need to be sure the images are optimized. They are a powerful tool to keep users interested in your website - and make your site more attractive to show in search engine results. You can see how big of a role images play in your website. Most of us are visual learners, so photos give context to your information. Beautiful images can really add some pop to your website and keep people on your site a lot longer. Want to know what makes a website stand out more than any other? Imagery - eye-catching imagery - that is optimized.
