Why Image Compression Matters
One of the most overlooked reasons websites load slowly is oversized images. Uploading 5MB+ images straight from your phone or camera may look fine, but behind the scenes, they’re hurting your site’s performance. That’s where image compression comes in — a simple but powerful solution that improves loading times and SEO.
What Is Image Compression?
Image compression is the process of reducing a file’s size while keeping its visual quality intact. Instead of uploading a 4MB image, why not reduce it to 100KB without anyone noticing the difference? That alone can shave seconds off your page load time — especially if your page includes galleries, headers, or backgrounds.
Our Go-To Tool: Squoosh.app
Squoosh.app is a free, browser-based tool created by Google that lets you:
- Resize and reformat images (WebP, JPEG, PNG, AVIF)
- Adjust image quality in real-time
- Preview side-by-side comparison before downloading
- Export optimized images instantly — no login required
Dimensioning: Don’t Upload a Billboard
Many users upload hero banners at 4000px width when their visitors only need 1920px or less. A mobile user on 4G doesn’t need a full-resolution desktop image. Use logical dimensions: background images ~1920px, product images ~1080px, icons ~50–100px. Balance size with clarity.
Compression Steps in 10 Seconds
- Visit Squoosh.app
- Drag and drop your image
- Select format (WebP or JPEG)
- Adjust quality slider to ~75%
- Check preview, then download
Bonus Tip: Mobile-Specific Images
Don’t forget to serve smaller images to mobile users. Many builders like Elementor let you load different images per device. This avoids unnecessary large downloads on small screens.
Conclusion
Image optimization is one of the easiest and most effective ways to speed up your website. Better load times mean better user experience and stronger SEO. Next time you’re about to upload an image, compress it first — and thank yourself later.
Need help optimizing your site? Reach out to Eskimoweb — we’ll make your WordPress site lean, fast, and
