Optimize Images: What Is WebP In WordPress?
Optimizing your images could play a significant role in expediting the speed of your website. WordPress now supports a more optimized version of images — WebP. This file format can reduce the size of JPEG and PNG by 30%, resulting in faster loading of images for website users.
Optimizing images is more than just using a superior file format – optimized JPEG and PNG images can be further enhanced. Tools are available to make this an easy process.
Today, I’m discussing techniques to optimize images and boost site loading speed. There are several options available, so let’s explore them!
What Is WebP?
Google created WebP, an image format, in 2010. Compared to other formats like JPEG and PNG, it is smaller and provides better lossless or lossy compression.
WebP offers faster speeds than traditional formats, making websites more efficient. But how does this work?
WebP compression is a lossy process that uses predictive coding. It quickly scans nearby pixel blocks and guesses the rest of the code. This saves time and results in a much smaller file size.
It has been observed that WebP compression, which is a lossless variety, can reconstruct the image data it has been using.
Most major browsers support WebP, including Google Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Opera. However, not all browsers offer this file format, so bear this in mind.
This covers nearly all web and mobile traffic, so you can be assured that there’s not much to worry about.
Best Plugins to optimize your Images for WebP
This article will review the best plugins to optimize your images for WebP and various tools for creating streamlined visuals for your website.
1. EWWW Image Optimizer
Are your site speeds disappointing? EWWW Image Optimizer can help. It optimizes images within WordPress and works with multiple file formats, such as WebP. Give it a try!
Importantly, this also works with other plugins’ images, avoiding compatibility issues.
The plugin lets you choose the compression for each file type, with different configurations for various files. You can afterward optimize your images in bulk with a bulk action.
Optimizing individual images is fast, usually taking less than one minute. Bulk actions can take several minutes, especially for larger websites.
2. Smush
With over one million installs, Smush is a WordPress powerhouse for optimizing images – plus lazy loading for an extra performance boost!
Image optimization is the core specialty of this plugin – and it couldn’t shine brighter!
This plugin covers many popular file types. It has a vast reach and extends beyond the media library compared to other optimization plugins. However, it does not offer WebP in the free version.
Images outside the media library will be compressed and optimized simultaneously, including any needed image resize. Then you can check out all the fantastic optimization results for yourself – straight from the image block!
3. ShortPixel Image Optimizer
Get ready to optimize your images to perfection with 100 free tokens from ShortPixel Image Optimizer! Enjoy high-quality compressions without spending a dime.
The Pro version must be purchased in other plugins to achieve similar quality.
Now there is one big problem with this system, and that’s the way WordPress handles images. WordPress makes multiple copies of your images at different sizes, and each one of those sizes takes up a token. Thus, it’s not a one-to-one ratio.
This tool makes creating a brilliant website much more accessible – it converts JPEGs, PNGs, and GIFs into WebPs, so you don’t have to optimize a hundred images monthly manually.
4. Compress JPEG & PNG Images
Compress JPEG & PNG Images is an effective tool for optimizing JPEG and PNG file formats, although it is incompatible with Webp. For many website applications, this meets the needs of most users, mainly if they are not using editing software that can work with Webp files.
You don’t need to pay a fortune for editing tools – look at the options we’ve listed down there!
This plugin provides 500 compressions per month free of charge. Therefore, this may equate to around 100 images, suitable for new websites. However, it suffers from the same issue as its predecessor, optimizing all copies of images.
It should be noted that this plugin is compatible with WooCommerce. Still, caution is recommended as WooCommerce may regenerate image metadata each time the page is visited, resulting in greater use of the plugin’s monthly credits.
5. Optimus – WordPress Image Optimizer
Optimus – WordPress Image optimizer is a good option for reducing the size of images used in WordPress. It can effectively decrease the size by as much as 70%, which may improve page loading speed.
When selecting a solution for your website, remember that a free option may not be suitable for all sites.
Files may be over the 100KB limit, and settings that require optimization may need the Pro version of the program, thus requiring an additional payment.
This plugin will revolutionize your website editing experience! Image reduction is outstanding, and you can use it with ALL the major image file types – including WebP. Bulk action is a total breeze, plus you won’t have to wait long (minus more significant websites) for the magic to occur.
6. Imagify – Optimize Images & Convert WebP | Compress Images Easily
Imagify is an attractive option for websites seeking a free plan for image optimization. It has a generous monthly limit allowing for utilization regardless of the number of images or their size.
Every month, you can optimize up to 20MB of images for free, which may be significant for developers with experience managing images.
Compress JPEG &Compress PNG supports all standard file types, such as PDFs, and can create WebP files with the user’s selection. It allows users to choose Normal, Aggressive, or Ultra optimization settings.
Different optimization levels can be applied to images, and if the user is not satisfied with the result, they can opt for the backup option to restore the original. This enables users to identify which level works best with their images.
WebP Editing Tools
Editing tools do not yet have built-in compatibility with the WebP file format; however, due to the recent use of this format in WordPress, future updates may include native functionality.
In the meantime, you are going to need a tool to create and edit WebP images, and luckily, there are plenty of free options available like:
However, the one I recommend is PhotoPea.
Photopea
Photopea is an excellent alternative to Photoshop, offering a familiar interface and look but with distinct differences.
Photopea is capable of working with Webp image files, and it is free to use.
Photopea runs directly in your web browser without the requirement of an account. Files are saved on the local computer, but cloud storage can resolve this issue for seamless movement between devices.
Without dedicated app support, performance may be impacted when loading detailed images with multiple layers, which could take several minutes.
Photopea is a free tool for converting PSD and other image formats to WebP.
Lazy Loading Boosts Website Speed
WebP helps compress image sizes, but it is not the only technique you can use to optimize visual load times. Lazy loading is another approach to consider.
Lazy loading is a technique that only loads images visible to the user; for example, in cases where the page has numerous images, it may not be practical for users to wait for all of them to load.
Lazy loading is a technique used to load only the content visible on a page initially; some may disagree with this practice.
Users may choose to scroll down, which can result in images beginning to load gradually as they do so. This helps to optimize page loading significantly in cases where many images must be loaded.
Speed. Optimization. Experience.
A faster website provides a better user experience and is expected by visitors in 2023.
Image optimization is a common problem for websites. Poorly optimized images can result from inexperience when setting the correct image size.
Generally speaking, the size of images should be kept below a couple of hundred kilobytes.
Image optimization is simpler than ever with the various WordPress plugins available. Besides increasing visitor satisfaction, this will also help to enhance your search engine ranking.
So, according to Google, speed is the essential metric when it boils down to search results.
Is your WordPress website ready to be revolutionized with WebP? Have you optimized your images for the web?
Get Started Today With My Web Maintenance
We’d be happy to discuss our services if you’re looking for a website optimizer to help you speed up your website. Contact us now for website optimization services.
