Images can significantly influence the weight of your webpage, meaning optimizing them can greatly enhance your site speed.
Given the crucial role of page speed in search rankings and user experience, it’s essential to prioritize this aspect.
On WordPress sites, image optimization plugins can streamline the process of resizing and optimizing image sizes to improve page speed.
Below, you’ll find 10 WordPress image optimization plugins worth considering, and here’s why they matter.
Google Encourages Image & Speed Optimization
If this wasn’t important, Google wouldn’t consistently urge website owners and SEO professionals to focus more on site speed and performance.
Page speed is a significant ranking factor for Google.
To aid in measuring site speed and user experience, Google has developed Core Web Vitals – quantifiable metrics for assessment.
Furthermore, Google recently updated its PageSpeed Insights tool to give users deeper insights into their site’s performance and actions needed for improvement.
If you’ve used PageSpeed Insights, you might have noticed that image optimization often tops the list of impactful suggestions.
Implementing image optimizations is usually one of the most effective actions you can take based on these insights.
Streamline the optimization process using one of the tools listed below.
1. Imagify
The Imagify WordPress plugin is a powerful tool that transforms any WordPress site into an image-optimized one, helping to reduce load time and boost overall site performance.
Features:
- Supports WebP, PDF, GIF, JPG, and PNG formats.
- Automatic resizing and optimization upon upload.
- Various compression levels (Normal, Aggressive, and Ultra).
- Backups of original images.
- Bulk optimization of the entire media library.
- Available in free (limited) and paid versions.
Imagify combined with WP Rocket – a speed and cache plugin – forms a highly effective performance combo for WordPress sites.
2. ShortPixel Image Optimizer
ShortPixel is a well-known WordPress image optimization plugin with over 300,000 users.
Features:
- Three compression levels (lossless, lossy, and glossy).
- Automatic optimization of new images.
- Supports WebP, PNG, JPG, GIF, AVIF, and PDF formats.
- Background optimization.
- Retains original image files.
- Available in free (up to 100 images) and paid versions.
3. EWWW Image Optimizer
EWWW Image Optimizer is a lightweight plugin boasting almost a million active users.
Features:
- Supports popular image formats, such as JPG, PNG, and PDF.
- Lazy loading and conversion to next-gen formats like WebP.
- Adds missing dimensions to images.
- Bulk image optimization.
- Keeps original images.
- No size limit on image files.
- Available in free and premium versions.
4. reSmush.it
ReSmush.it is a free WordPress image optimization plugin.
Features:
- Supports JPG, PNG, BMP, GIF, and TIF formats.
- Bulk image optimization.
- Automatic optimization upon upload.
- Works only with images below 5 MB.
- Copies of original images.
- An adjustable compression level slider.
5. Smush Image Compression and Optimization
Smush is a highly popular image compression plugin for WordPress with over one million active installations.
Features:
- Lazy loading.
- Detailed presentation of compression results.
- Various optimization levels (lossy and lossless).
- Free (limited to images under 1 MB) and pro versions.
6. Optimole
Optimole optimizes images to ensure faster loading websites or blogs.
Features:
- User-friendly interface.
- Four compression levels (auto, high, medium, low).
- Supports Retina and WebP.
- Lazy loading.
- Utilizes a free CDN.
- Available in free and paid versions.
7. Compress JPEG & PNG Images by TinyPNG
TinyPNG optimizes JPEG and PNG formats.
Features:
- Bulk optimization of all library images.
- Automatic optimization on upload.
- Set desired width or height of uploaded images.
- No file size limits.
- Works across multiple sites with one API key.
8. WP Compress
WP Compress offers standard image optimization features along with agency-specific tools like client reporting and remote configuration.
Features:
- One-click bulk optimization.
- Lazy loading.
- Conversion to next-gen formats like WebP.
- Fast hybrid CDN.
- Available in free and paid versions.
9. Optimus
Optimus claims to reduce image file sizes by up to 70%.
Features:
- Bulk optimization of existing images.
- Automatic optimization on upload.
- Supports Retina images.
- Compatible with WooCommerce.
- Available in free and premium versions.
10. Imsanity
Imsanity is a simple and lightweight plugin.
Features:
- Automatic optimization on upload.
- Option to choose JPG quality.
- Option to retain or delete original images.
- Bulk optimization.
Final Thoughts & Tips on WordPress Image Optimization
Gone are the days of manually compressing every uploaded image.
WordPress users can choose from a variety of image compression and optimization plugins to handle this task efficiently.
However, avoid using multiple image optimization plugins simultaneously as it can cause complications.
The optimal setup for a fast WordPress site typically includes using a caching plugin along with an image optimization plugin, such as WP Rocket and Imagify.
Additional Resources:
- How & Why to Use CDN Services for WordPress
- The Best Free SEO Tools
- Comprehensive WordPress SEO Guide
Featured image: Shutterstock/Andrey Burmakin
