How to Optimise Blog Images for Faster Load Times and SEO

Optimising blog images is essential for improving your Webflow blog’s performance, ensuring faster load times, and enhancing search visibility.

By following best practices, marketing teams can maintain high-quality visuals while optimising website speed and user experience.

Why Image Optimisation Matters

Properly optimised images contribute to:

• Faster Load Times: Reducing image sizes improves page speed and user experience.
• Improved SEO: Search engines prioritise faster websites and properly tagged images.
• Better User Engagement: Quick-loading images reduce bounce rates and keep users engaged.
• Reduced Bandwidth Usage: Helps lower hosting costs and improves overall site efficiency.

Step 1: Choose the Right Image Format

Selecting the correct image format ensures the best balance between quality and file size:

• JPEG: Best for photographs and complex images with many colours.
• PNG: Ideal for images that require transparency or fine details.
• WebP: A modern format offering superior compression and quality.
• AVIF: An advanced format providing better compression than WebP with high visual fidelity.
• SVG: Best for icons and logos that require scalability without quality loss.

Step 2: Resize Images to Optimal Dimensions

Uploading images at their required display size helps reduce unnecessary data load.

• Identify the maximum size your blog images need to be displayed.
• Resize images using tools like:
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Canva
  • Webflow’s built-in resizing options
• Recommended sizes:
  • Blog post featured images: 1200px width
  • Inline images: 800px width

Step 3: Compress Images Without Losing Quality

Compression reduces file size while preserving image quality.

• Use tools like:
  • TinyPNG or TinyJPG
  • Squoosh
  • ImageOptim
• Webflow’s built-in image compression tool allows you to convert JPEG, PNG, and WebP assets to AVIF or WebP directly within the Assets panel.

How to Convert Images in Webflow

1. Open the Assets panel in Webflow.
2. Select the asset(s) you want to convert.
3. Choose between AVIF or WebP.
4. Click Compress and republish your site.

Important: AVIF and WebP images are not supported for OpenGraph images. Keep backups of original files before converting, as the process cannot be reversed within Webflow.

Step 4: Implement Lazy Loading

Lazy loading ensures images only load when they enter the viewport, improving page speed.

• In Webflow, enable lazy loading by selecting the image and setting the “Lazy Load” option.
• Test performance improvements using Google PageSpeed Insights.

Step 5: Optimise Image File Names

Descriptive filenames improve search rankings and accessibility.

• Use meaningful, keyword-rich filenames (e.g., webflow-image-optimisation-tips.jpg instead of IMG12345.jpg).
• Keep file names short and relevant to blog content.

Step 6: Add Descriptive Alt Text

Alt text enhances accessibility and SEO by describing image content to search engines and users with screen readers.

• Include primary keywords naturally.
• Keep descriptions concise yet informative (e.g., "Webflow blog image optimisation tips for SEO").

Step 7: Use Webflow’s Image Optimisation Features

Webflow offers native features to help optimise images automatically:

• Automatic Compression: Webflow compresses uploaded images for better performance.
• Responsive Image Scaling: Webflow serves different sizes based on the user’s device.
• Built-in Format Conversion: Easily convert assets to WebP or AVIF in the CMS Collections panel.

Step 8: Monitor Image Performance

Regularly check your site’s performance to identify areas for improvement.

• Use tools like:
  • Google PageSpeed Insights
  • Webflow Site Audit
  • Lighthouse
• Analyse page speed scores and adjust images accordingly.

Conclusion

Optimising blog images for faster load times and SEO is crucial for maintaining a high-performing Webflow blog.

By selecting the right formats, resizing, compressing, and leveraging Webflow’s built-in features, marketing teams can enhance both site speed and search visibility.