In this video I share with you some simple techniques to optimize your images so your blog loads much much faster.
Let me show you how the loading time for just one image improved from 4.4 seconds to just 0.9 seconds.
Tools referenced within the video:
IrfanView: http://www.irfanview.com/
WP Smush IT: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/wp-smushit/
Just to confirm, you should optimize all new images you use using Irfanview before adding to pages and posts.
And you should install WP Smush IT. After installing this plugin, go to your media library (left hand side of your WordPress Dashboard and ‘smush’ each existing image. This is an one-off job.
All new images you use will be automatically ‘smushed’.
You will be amazed with the difference in your blog’s loading time.
Here’s the video:
Previous posts in this series:
Blog Speed: How To Measure It
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Andrew is a website builder and helps small businesses with their on-line presence…so they can grow their customer list and increase sales. That’s it! That’s what we do each and every day.
Dear Andrew –
As I tell EVERYONE.
If Andrew says you need it – you do.
You are admired for your great integity.
Thanks, Corinne.
Andrew
Hi Andrew,
So what you are telling me put the smush it plug in on my blog and then down load the other one IRfanview and with that anytime I save a picture use it so it is already smushed for my blog. You know me when it comes to the technical stuff. Just want to make sure I am understand this right. Wonderful idea, because sometime I will leave a site because of loading time. This seems like a must do to me.
Debbie oh and thanks for some more great information
Debbie
Things to do (in this order):
1. Install and activate the plugin wp Smush IT
2. Go to your Media Library (from the WP Dashboard) and ‘smush’ each image you have in your library.
3. Download and install the free tool, IRfanview on your pc.
4. Each time you want to use an image on your blog, optimize it using IRfanview on your pc BEFORE uploading it to your blog.
That’s it.
Andrew
We are also trying to improve the loading time and hopefully this will help us
Go through this process and watch my next few videos and your blog speed will improve.
Andrew
Hi Andrew.
Thank you for sharing this.
I am still new in WordPress, heard about this smuch it thingy but I don’t think want to try it. After I knew from this post that wordpress have aplugin for this, will try them later. Keep on coming with your tips ya. 😀
Zezebel
You going to try WP Smush IT now?
Andrew
Hey Andrew,
Many people don’t realize the cluttering their blog with images may make them lose a lot of potential readers or customers that may have a not so good internet connection.
Testing your blog from a 52k modem user perspective is always the best way to optimize your loading speed for all users, because those with low speed connection will have the website load normal while those with broadband connection will have very low loading speeds.
One thing someone can do is to do css sprites from the images that comprise the design of the blog, downloading only one image can significantly decrease your blogs speed, especially if it’s hosted in a cdn network.
Alex,
I once tried using CSS Sprites and messed up the whole layout of my blog. Could be the theme I’m using.
From my experience you have to try and test these things.
Andrew
Hey Andrew
Thanks for that, I have a lot of images on my blog and I know it loads slow so I will be sure to test out that plugin, excellent tip!
Alex
Alex,
I believe it is worth the effort. Do a before and after loading speed time check.
Andrew
Brilliant Andrew! I’ve been scratching my head trying to sort out why my blog is plodding along and opening slowly. I can’t wait to try out this method to improve my speed. Great series! I’ll be back for more.
Great, Cheryl.
It should imporve – let us know.
Andrew
Hi Andrew, great stuff. Just what I needed, or rather, just what my blog needed. Hence, big thank you! That said, I’ve just added and activated the wp-smushit plugin. However, unlike in your video, the smushit column does not display on my posts and pages admin pages. Maybe I missed a step? It’s too late now – time to get some sleep. Will look at it again with fresh eyes in the am :-]
– Beat
Beat
Go to your Media library (left hand side of dashboard) and you should see the smush it column.
Andrew
What excellent advice — thank you so much! I discovered that the site I’ve been the most worried about (very heavy on images) is not nearly as bad as I thought. After I install smush it, I think it will be super speedy.
I gave your videos a thumbup on youtube and subscribed to your channel. I look forward to seeing all your tips.
Thanks, Julie.
Please let us know if you see an improvement.
Andrew
This is a very useful post; I thought I was pretty hot with images as I have good photoshop skills – but on using the speed check I discovered the new image I just uploaded for my free ebook was quite large, as is my header. Work needed here! Thanks, will follow the series with interest.
David
Just some simple small tweaks can make a big difference.
Andrew
Thanks for the quick video tutorial Andrew. You are definitely losing out on customers if your blog’s loading time is too long. Thanks for introducing me to the WP Smush IT plugin.
I am going to give this a try and see how well it improves my blog’s loading time. Thanks again for sharing.
John,
I hope it helps!
Please let us know.
Andrew
My list of “things to get for my paid WP blog” has grown by 1 yet again. The way things are going, I might need a second blog to fit all the recommendations. =)
But seriously, from what I’ve seen, if you’re recommending it, people listen!
Delena
Delena
I hope you put some of ideas into action. It is worth it – well I think so!
Andrew
This is excellent information and I will need to include this in my blog to improve downloading time.
Thanks a lot Andrew,
Krizia
You are welcome, Krizia.
Andrew
Woaw! Important information! I’ve got to go optimize all my sites now for the images. Thanks for the extra work. (I mean it)
Michelle
You are welcome – it is work worth doing!
Andrew
Andrew, I have always used drpic.com to reduce my pic sizes and load time. Have you heard of it?
If I install Smush.it, I’m not sure about the whole “library” thing. I’ve always dealt with my images by uploading via ftp and linking with the url. I don’t think I have anything in the library. Yep, just checked. There are a grand total of 2 images in the library. I tried to use that option in earlier releases of WordPress and it never cooperated in my browser. Can I use Smush.it with the images in my ftp folder?
Amy
I’ve not heard of DrPic. I had a quick look and it looks a far more functional rich tool than Irfanview. I only use Irfanview to optimize and there is no need to upload you picture/image first.
Unfortunately, Smush.It only works with the files in your media library.
Andrew
Hey Andrew,
This one’s great tip. I’ll go and take a look at this in a bit. Thanks.
Tyrone.
Great, Tyrone.
I hope it helps.
Andrew