TL;DR
- Resize photos before you upload them. Phone and camera photos are far bigger than a website needs.
- Full-width images: 1,920 pixels wide at most. That’s the maximum we’ve used for portfolio photos.
- Save a copy. Keep your original, full-size photo for print.
- Oversized images slow your site for every visitor.
Why Resize Images Before Uploading?
Big files take longer to download, especially on phones. As Beth told one client, “One image that should be 100KB is actually at 4.5MB.” That one photo was about 45 times heavier than it needed to be.
After one portfolio update, Beth told the client, “I went through and resized all portfolio images to 1920p max size for faster downloads for your visitors.” That’s 1,920 pixels wide.
What Size Should Website Images Be?
- Pixels are the tiny dots that make up a digital image. Image width is measured in pixels.
- Full-width images, like banners and gallery photos: no wider than 1,920 pixels.
- Smaller spots, like a photo beside text, don’t need the full 1,920 pixels.
- File size is measured in KB (kilobytes) and MB (megabytes). One MB is about 1,000 KB. For most website photos, aim for KB, not MB.
How to Resize an Image
- Open the photo in the photo editing program that came with your computer.
- Find the resize option. It’s often under an Edit, Image, or Tools menu.
- Set the width to 1,920 pixels or less. Keep the proportions locked, so the photo doesn’t stretch.
- Save it as a new copy, using Save As or Export, so your original stays untouched.
- Pick the right format. Use JPG for photos. Use PNG for logos and graphics that need a transparent background.
Common Image Mistakes
- Uploading straight from your phone or camera. Those files are much larger than a web page needs.
- Stretching a small image bigger. Pixel images blur when enlarged. See What Logo File Formats Do I Need for My Website and Print?
- Replacing your only copy. Keep the full-size original for print and future use.
What Webmaster For Hire Recommends
- Resize first, then upload.
- Name files clearly, so it’s easy to tell which photo goes where.
- Rather not do it yourself? Send us the originals. See How to Send Large Photos, Videos, and Files to Your Webmaster
:: Common Questions ::
Will Resizing Make My Photos Look Worse?
Not at website size, as long as you start from a larger original and only make it smaller.
Why Is My Site Still Slow After I Resized My Images?
Images are only one cause. See Why Is My WordPress Website So Slow?
Have a Folder of Photos to Add?
See our Webmaster Retainer, or request a consultation.
