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Image Optimization
Image optimization is the process of compressing images and setting display options for optimal use on the Internet. When putting images on the Internet, file size is an important factor to consider; you want a file size that is small enough to allow a reasonable download time but large enough to maintain satisfactory colors and detail. Therefore, three main graphic file formats are used on the Web: GIF, JPEG, and PNG.
When putting images on the web, you have to think about file size. This size should be small enough for the file to download quickly but still retain the desired colors and details.
Three Main Graphic File Formats are used on the Web: GIF, JPEG, and PNG. You can use the following Methods to Optimize Images in these Formats:
If you want to precisely optimize an image for use in web authoring applications such as Adobe Dreamweaver, you can use the Save For Web command. In the Save for Web dialog box, you can preview the image in different formats and with various optimization settings. You can also define transparency and animation settings.
To perform basic optimization, you can use the Save As command. Depending on the file format, you can specify Image quality, background transparencies or halos, color display, and download method.
Images are one of the elements that most weigh down the loading of a web page. Hence, we must be careful in processing them before uploading them.
Immediacy is one of the advantages of the Internet. We can get everything instantly just by asking. A piece of news, a piece of information, a video, a web page.
Today’s websites must deal with several factors. First of all, they are increasingly complex but at the same time, they must be opened in seconds regardless of the device and the quality of the user’s connection.
How to Optimize Images for the Net and Better Performance?
Image Optimization – The main goal of formatting your images is to find a balance between smaller file sizes and acceptable quality. There is more than one way to execute almost all of these optimizations. One of the most popular ways is to simply zip them before uploading them to WordPress. Typically this can be done using a tool like Adobe Photoshop or Affinity Photo. Some of these tasks can also be done using plugins, which we will talk about below.
The two main things to consider are the file set-up and the type of compression they use. Choosing the right combination of file format and compression type can reduce image size by as much as 5 times. You’ll have to research each image or file format to see which works best.
15 Tools to optimize the photos of your website
Photoshop/Lightroom
What am I going to tell you that you don’t know?
Both Photoshop and Lightroom, both belonging to the Adobe suite, allow you to control the size and compression level with which the photos are exported.
Photoshop’s “Save for Web” option is one of the most popular methods.
With this Simple Step: Image Optimization
You will apply a lossy compression (40%, if you leave the default settings) to JPG.
adjust the size of the image.
You will choose what metadata to include and exclude.
My Opinion :
Using Lightroom/Photoshop is the best way to get started with photo optimization.
And if you want to improve your results, even more, add some of the mechanisms that I will tell you about below.
JP Gemini
Therefore, this is one of the best-known software for optimizing images.
It can reduce up to 5 times the weight of your photo without losing too much quality.
Use lossy compression.
It allows you to automate the image scaling and compression process.
It’s easy to use.
It only has one… inconvenience? :
Work only on JPG.
Well… you already know that this is the ideal format for posting photos on the web. So no problem!
The program is available for Mac and Windows. The cheapest alternative is $29. But you can try its Lite version for free, which supports optimizing up to 20 images per day.
However, if you want to use their Photoshop or Lightroom plugin, you’ll need to get the PRO option, which is marked down to $99 (normally $149).
Image Opt-in
For Mac users only :
It is a free and open-source program.
In addition to reducing the size of the file, you can remove the EXIF data that accompanies the photo.
In this way, it is capable of reducing the weight by up to 5% more on images saved for the web with Photoshop.
If you prefer to use the paid web version, you can do 1000 optimizations per month for $9.
RIOT
For Windows only :
RIOT (Radical Image Optimization Tool) is a free application.
Reduce the size of JPG, PNG, and GIF files.
It is a lightweight and easy-to-use compression tool.
Trim age
Also for Linux! :
Did you think I was going to forget about the Lunarians? Nothing of that!
Trim age is available for Mac, Windows, and Linux.
Optimize JPG and PNG with lossless compression (without loss of quality).
Of course, it eliminates the metadata of the photograph (EXIF).
TinyPNG
With the free online service, you can optimize up to 20 images at a time, with a maximum total size of 5MB.
However, for $25 a year, you’ll be eligible to upload an unlimited number of photos, with a full-size limit of 25MB.
Don’t let its name fool you!
It works for both PNG and JPG images.
They offer a plugin for Photoshop, which allows you to export easily, without having to worry about the parameters. It is priced at $50 and is available for Mac and Windows.
Compressor.io
Almost all Advantages : Image Optimization
Therefore, this online tool promises to reduce the size of the image by up to 90% without a perceptible loss of quality.
It uses a combination of different open source algorithms.
It is free, with a limit of 10MB.
Supports 4 file types (JPEG, PNG, GIF, and SVG).
Allows you to choose between lossy or lossless compression (with or without loss). Although the lossless mode can only be applied to PNG and JPG files.
Some Drawback :
Kraken.io
This is another very useful free online tool. Like Compressor.io, it allows you to choose between lossy or lossless.
Optima zilla
Optima Zilla is a free online service that supports uploading up to 20 files at a time, in PNG or JPG format.
Do you know what its Biggest Attraction is?
Allows you to adjust the degree of density applied to each image, from 1 to 100.
Also, while you adjust this number, you see a preview of the image, with which you get an idea of how the final photo will look.
Once optimized, the tool gives you the option to download them individually, or together in a zip file.
Image Optimizer
You can use it online or download the program. It lets you resize and compress photos. The service is free but if you want to remove the watermark you have to pay £29.
Resize Photos
As its name suggests, this service resizes photos. In addition, it lets you decide the compression level of it (1-100).
JPG-Optimizer
This free online tool allows you to choose the compression percentage (by default 65%) and set a maximum width of the photo (in pixels). Of course, you can only upload images one at a time.
The Most known WordPress Plugins – Image Optimization
WP Smush
It is the most popular plugin, endorsed by 600,000 active installations and a rating of 4.8 out of 5 by its users.
EWWW Image Optimizer
Therefore this plugin follows the previous one very close in popularity, with 400,000 active installations.
It offers a greater number of features than WP Smush, but this makes it more complex to configure.
Shares the Same Basic Features:
With the default parameters, it is in charge of automatically optimizing the photos that you upload to WordPress.
It also gives you the choice to do it with the ones already on your site.
In the same way, it allows you to set a maximum size and keep the EXIF data.
Conclusion
Therefore, Many image optimization tools for the web have appeared in recent years. Depending on your needs, some will be more useful than others.
What must you take into account when selecting?
Compression levels.
File format.
Free or paid.
The balance between cost/time invested.
The process is carried out on your computer, on external servers, or your hosting.
Pre-optimization or directly on WordPress.
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