Speed up images with modern formats

Why modern formats matter

Modern formats like WebP and AVIF usually produce smaller files than JPEG and PNG at similar visual quality. Smaller files mean fewer bytes sent and a page that feels faster for visitors. For logos and simple icons, SVG is vector based and stays sharp at any size.

Quick win. Convert the images that matter

I start with the hero image, the large banner at the top, and any big images near the top of the most visited pages. Converting a few heavy images can make a clear difference without a rebuild.

• Export an AVIF and a WebP for each selected image. Keep the original JPEG or PNG as a fallback.
• Update your template to use the picture element with sources for AVIF and WebP, then an img fallback to the JPEG or PNG.
• Set explicit width and height on the img tag. This reserves space so the layout does not jump while the page loads.
• Use a moderate quality when exporting. I start around quality 70 to 80 and compare by eye with the original.
• For simple logos and icons, replace raster files with SVG. You get crisp edges and small file sizes.
• Clear your site cache or your content delivery network cache, then test the page in a private window.

Quick checks in five minutes

• Open your browser developer tools and check the Network panel. Confirm the Content-Type shows image/avif or image/webp for modern images.
• Right click an image and open it in a new tab. Confirm the file extension and visual quality look correct.
• Try a second browser. You should see the JPEG or PNG fallback if AVIF or WebP is not supported.

I can set this up and keep it tuned through Maintenance Plans or handle one time changes with Website Updates. If you want to build in house skills, I also offer SEO Training.