There are many factors that affect the speed of a website. In it, images contribute a big factor.
This is also understandable when images often take up large space in the page size of a web page. So if you do not optimize the image, the page-size will be large. As a result, the page load speed will be longer.
For the same reason, image optimization is always something you need to do when you want to optimize website speed.
In the article on how to optimize WordPress website speed, I mentioned free plugins that help optimize images. Specifically, these plugins will compress images when you upload them to the website. Honestly, the level of image compression of the plugin just stops at a basic level. We couldn’t ask for more either.
So if you want the best optimization for your images, invest in paid image compression services. Of course those services must be of good quality but at a reasonable price.
When it comes to image compression with good quality and reasonable price, ShortPixel is the best solution on the market today.
I am a customer of ShortPixel myself. And I am very satisfied with what ShortPixel brings. So in this article, I will share more about the ShortPixel plugin.
Contents
Advantages of ShortPixel
ShortPixel and its plugin have the following advantages:
- Supports lossy and lossless image compression for popular image formats like JPG, PNG, GIF and WebP plus PDF files.
- Unlimited file size
- Supports converting images to WebP format for optimal loading speed.
- Support converting CMYP to RGP format for good display on any screen size
- Allows to remove EXIF tags such as GPS data, date and device used to take the picture…
- You can use one api key on multiple websites
- Support original image backup to restore when needed
- There are a variety of paid plans that make it easy to choose the one that suits your needs.
- Supports external compression outside of the uploads folder
Defect
The biggest downside is that only 100 images per month are free. However, you can get an additional quota if you use the Tell a Friend program. It is best to buy a paid plan to use it comfortably. The cost here is not too expensive
Instructions for installing and using the ShortPixel plugin
Register an account at ShortPixel
First, you visit the ShortPixel website to register yourself a ShortPixel account. After registering, join the Tell a Friend program to get free compression of 200 photos/month instead of 100 photos/month when registering directly on ShortPixel. This number is even more children. For details, please register by clicking the button below:
After registering for an account, you will receive an email sent to the registered email address. The email will contain the API key and ShortPixel account login password
If you want to buy a paid plan then you have options as below. Here I choose a one-time payment package. Due to the need to compress images at a moderate level, choose the lowest package.
Pay with Paypal
After successful payment, quota is updated immediately
Install and activate the ShortPixel Image Optimizer plugin
After installing and activating the ShortPixel plugin , you will be asked to enter your API key. Copy the API in the email above and paste it in the API Key field. Click the Validate button
Settings in the General tab
Explain details:
Compression type : choose lossy compression (lossy compression) or lossless (lossless compression). If your site is about photography, choose lossless for a small image size while keeping the original image quality.
Also include thumnails : compresses thumbnails as well. Remember that thumbnails are counted as private images and count towards your quota.
Image backup : create a backup of the original image to restore when needed
CMYK to RGB conversion : convert CmYK to RGB image format
Remove EXIF : removes EXIF tags for better compression ratio.
Resize large images : automatically resize large images to a specific image size set by you
Settings in the Advanced tab
Explain details
Additional media folders : compress folders other than uploads
Web versions : create WebP versions of images
HTTP AUTH Credentials : enter if you use a password to block others from accessing the site.
Process in front-end : allows compressing user-uploaded images from the front-end.
Remember to click the Save button to save the changes. Or click the Save and Go to Bulk Process button to save and compress all the images on the site
Compress multiple photos at once
Go to Media -> Bulk ShortPixel and click on the Start Optimizing button.
Depending on the number of images, the optimization process is fast or slow.
After compressing the image, check again with the GTMetrix tool, you will see that the page size is significantly reduced.
Epilogue
Compressing images is one of the simple tricks to speed up your website.
You have many options to compress images. You can compress it manually using web-based image compression services like Kraken or Tinypng . Or use free plugins like WP Smush and EWWW Image Optimizer .
And in this article you know another solution to compress images. It’s ShortPixel. It is cheaper than the competition with many powerful features.
If in doubt, try ShortPixel today. And share your opinion in the comment section below.
