When it comes to website speed, images are one of the biggest culprits. Slow-loading pages frustrate users and send Google rankings plummeting — but the fix is often quick and simple.
In this post (and short video), I’ll show you how to improve your site’s performance by using better image formats, compression, and sizing — no tech jargon, just practical advice.
🛠 Why Images Can Slow Down Your Site
Many business owners upload high-quality images thinking it helps their site look better — and while great visuals are important, unoptimised images can do more harm than good. Here’s why:
- Large image files take longer to load, especially on mobile or slower internet connections.
- Wrong file types (like PNGs) can be unnecessarily large when a JPEG or WebP would do.
- No compression means you’re wasting bandwidth on visual details users won’t notice.
✅ Quick Fixes That Work
1. Use the Right Image Size
Avoid uploading huge images (e.g. 4000px wide) when your site only displays them at 800px. Resize before uploading to keep your files lean. If you don’t want to be bothered resizing your images before you upload them, try installing the Imagify plugin. It’s free and can automatically resize your photos for you when you upload them.
2. Pick the Right Format
- Use JPEG for photos (unless you can use WebP)
- Use PNG for images needing transparency
- Consider WebP for a smaller, modern alternative supported by most browsers
3. Compress Your Images
Use free tools like TinyPNG, Squoosh, or plugins like ShortPixel or Smush (if you’re using WordPress) to compress images before or after uploading.
4. Host with Siteground
Siteground specialise in fast, secure WordPress hosting and their Speed Optimiser plugin offers many image optimisation features straight out of the box for free including WebP formats, compression and Lazy-load.
💡 Bonus Tip: Lazy Loading
If you’re on WordPress, enable “lazy loading” — it means images load only when they’re about to be seen. It’s an easy win for performance.
🚀 The Results?
✅ Faster loading pages
✅ Better mobile performance
✅ Happier visitors who stay longer
✅ Improved SEO and Google rankings
📹 Watch the 60-Second Video
Catch the quick video version here:
👉 Fix-It With Phil – Optimising Images
Take a look at a Case Study
Have a read of a real-life case study where we changed a website’s speed from struggling to stellar!
Need help speeding up your website?
We are always happy to take a look at your website and give you some personalised recommendations that will help speed up your loading times. Contact us for a free consultation.