How Can I Optimize Images for Fast Loading on My Real Estate Site?

The best tools I've used are the Converter for Media plugin (great for WordPress users) and TinyPNG. Make sure your image size is appropriate for the container. Enabling lazy loading for images that aren't visible right away is key. Google Lighthouse is good for measuring load performance, but make sure to back it up with other tools like GTmetrix for real user data!

For compressing images, you should check out ShortPixel, TinyPNG, or Squoosh. Also, using techniques like lazy loading, a CDN, and caching can significantly boost your site speed. And don’t forget to pick a reliable hosting provider that can handle image-heavy sites!

For real estate sites, keeping each image around 100KB-200KB is ideal. For larger images, try to stay under 1MB. I recommend tools like ImageOptim (for Mac), TinyPNG, and even using WebP format for great compression. Don't forget to implement lazy loading, serve responsive sizes, and leverage a CDN—these steps really help with site speed! Google Lighthouse is decent for assessments, but remember it gives controlled results; measuring with GTmetrix can give you a better picture of real-world speeds.

I've had great success with Tinyjpg for image compression. You can name files creatively and then compare compressed vs. original side by side using your keyboard arrows. It really helps to see the difference better!

Remember that some content management systems (CMS) might recompress images after you upload them. This means you could compromise your image quality while not achieving the compression you wanted. It's best to think about the entire process—how images get on your site and how users access them. A CDN like Imgix can help you deliver images in the right size and format (like WebP)!