How to Optimise Images in Shopify (Checklist)
Slow-loading images can drastically affect the user experience, leading to higher bounce rates and lower conversions. In today's fast-paced digital environment, users expect web pages to load within two seconds or less. Failing to meet this expectation can result in lost sales and diminished brand credibility.
Secondly, image optimisation is not just about speed; it's also about SEO rankings. Search engines like Google consider page load speed as a ranking factor. Moreover, properly optimised images with the right alt text and file names can appear in image searches, providing an additional avenue for potential customers to find your store.
Why Image Optimisation Matters
Image optimisation is not just a technical requirement but a vital aspect of your online store's success. It affects everything from user experience to SEO rankings and conversion rates, making it an indispensable part of your Shopify strategy.
Page Load Speed and User Experience
One of the most immediate impacts of image optimisation is on your website's load speed. Heavy, unoptimised images can slow down your page, leading to a poor user experience.
In a world where attention spans are dwindling, a slow-loading page can be a deal-breaker. According to various studies, a one-second delay in page load time can result in a 7% loss in conversions. Therefore, optimising images is crucial for keeping your users engaged and on your site.
SEO Rankings
Google use page load speed as one of their ranking factors. If your Shopify store is slow because of large image files, you're likely to rank lower in search results.
Additionally, well-optimised images with appropriate alt text and file names can show up in Google Image searches, providing another pathway for potential customers to find your products. In essence, image optimisation is a key component of your overall SEO strategy.
Conversion Rates
The end goal for any e-commerce store is to convert visitors into customers. High-quality, fast-loading images not only make your site more appealing but also contribute to higher conversion rates. Clear, optimised images give potential customers a better view of your products, instilling confidence and encouraging them to make a purchase.
Understanding Image File Types
When it comes to image file types, the most commonly used are JPEG, PNG, and GIF. Each has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, and understanding these can help you make an informed decision on which to use for different purposes on your Shopify store.
JPEG is the most commonly used image format. It's best for photographs or complex images with lots of colours and details. JPEGs can be compressed to smaller sizes without a significant loss of quality, making them ideal for faster page loading.
PNGs are generally larger in file size but offer a higher quality and are best for images that require transparency. They are ideal for logos, icons, and other simple images where crisp lines and high clarity are needed.
GIFs are best for simple animations and should generally be avoided for product images due to their limited colour range and lower quality.
Which to Use for What Purpose
Product Images: JPEG is the go-to format for product images. It offers the best balance between quality and file size, ensuring your product looks good without slowing down your page.
Logos and Icons: PNG is your best bet here. The ability to support transparent backgrounds while maintaining high quality makes PNG ideal for these types of images.
Animations: If you're looking to add some animated elements to your Shopify store, GIFs are the way to go. However, use them sparingly to avoid affecting page load speed and overall quality.
Background Images: Both JPEG and PNG can work, depending on whether you need a transparent background (PNG) or not (JPEG).
WebP
Shopify does automatically convert JPEG and PNG files to WebP format when the browser supports it. WebP is a modern image format that provides superior lossless and lossy compression, making it excellent for web usage.
It can significantly reduce file size without compromising on quality, which is beneficial for both page load speed and SEO rankings.
However, the original file types (JPEG, PNG, GIF) still matter because not all browsers support WebP. In those cases, the browser will fall back to the original file type.
Therefore, it's still important to optimise your original images in the formats mentioned (JPEG, PNG, GIF) to ensure optimal performance across all browsers and platforms.
Reducing Image File Size
The file size of your images directly impacts your Shopify store's page load speed, which in turn affects user experience and SEO rankings. Large, unoptimised images can slow down your website, leading to higher bounce rates and lower conversions. Smaller file sizes ensure quicker load times, providing a better user experience and potentially boosting your store's SEO.
Tools and Techniques for Reducing Image Size
Image Compression Software: ools like TinyPNG, ImageOptim, or Shopify's own image editor can compress images without significant loss of quality.
Photoshop or Similar Programs: If you have access to Photoshop, you can manually reduce image sizes using the 'Save for Web' option, which allows you to adjust quality settings.
Shopify Apps: There are various Shopify apps designed to automatically compress images as you upload them to your store. Examples include Crush.pics and Image Optimizer.
Batch Processing:If you have multiple images to resize, batch processing tools can compress them all in one go, saving you time.
Online Tools: Websites like Compressor.io offer free image compression services. Simply upload your image, and the tool will compress it for you.
Changing Image Dimensions: Resizing the image dimensions can also reduce file size. However, make sure to maintain the aspect ratio to avoid distortion.
File Type Conversion: Sometimes converting an image to another file type can reduce its size. For example, a PNG might be smaller as a JPEG. However, this may not be suitable for all images, such as those requiring transparency.
Image Compression
Image compression is the process of reducing the file size of an image, either by removing data from the original file or by using algorithms that store data more efficiently. The aim is to lower the amount of space the image takes up without significantly compromising its quality. This is crucial for improving page load speed, enhancing user experience, and boosting SEO rankings.
Tools for Image Compression
TinyPNG: A popular online tool that offers both lossy and lossless compression options.
ImageOptim: A Mac application that removes bloated metadata to reduce file size.
Kraken.io: Offers real-time image optimisation and various compression modes.
Shopify Image Editor: Built-in feature that allows basic image compression.
Adobe Photoshop: Provides advanced compression options through its 'Save for Web' feature.
GIMP: A free alternative to Photoshop that also offers image compression features.
Manual vs Automatic Compression
Manual Compression:
Gives you more control over the quality and size of the image. Tools like Photoshop allow you to choose the level of compression and preview the result before saving. However it is, time-consuming if you have a large number of images to compress.
Automatic Compression:
Faster and more convenient, especially for large batches of images. Shopify apps like Crush.pics and Image Optimizer can automatically compress images as you upload them to your store. May not offer the same level of control over individual image quality.
Both manual and automatic compression have their pros and cons, and the best choice often depends on your specific needs. If you have a large volume of images and are looking for a 'set it and forget it' solution, automatic compression is the way to go. For more control over each image, manual compression is preferable.
Alt Text and Why It's Crucial
Alt text, short for "alternative text," is a text description that can be added to an image's HTML to describe its appearance and function. This serves multiple purposes:
Accessibility: Helps visually impaired users understand the image through screen readers.
SEO: Search engines use alt text to understand the content of the image, which can improve your image's ranking in search results.
Fallback: If the image fails to load, the alt text will be displayed, providing context to users.
Best Practices for Writing Alt Text
Be Descriptive: Clearly describe the image's content and function.
Use Keywords: Incorporate relevant keywords naturally, but avoid keyword stuffing.
Be Concise: Keep it short and to the point; aim for under 125 characters.
Skip Unnecessary Words: Avoid phrases like "image of" or "picture of," as they're implied.
Context Matters: The alt text should fit within the context of the page and contribute to its content.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Overstuffing Keywords: This can be flagged as spam by search engines.
Being Vague: Phrases like "image" or "icon" don't provide useful information.
Ignoring Alt Text: The worst mistake is not adding alt text at all, which misses out on SEO benefits and accessibility.
Using the Same Alt Text for All Images: This can be confusing for screen readers and doesn't help SEO.
Naming Your Image Files
The file names of your images are more important than you might think. Search engines like Google use these names to understand the content of the image, which can contribute to your SEO ranking. Descriptive file names can also make it easier to manage your media library, especially as your Shopify store grows and accumulates more images.
Be Descriptive: Use names that accurately describe the image content. For example, instead of a generic name like "IMG_1234.jpg," use "red-leather-handbag.jpg."
Use Hyphens to Separate Words: Search engines read hyphens as spaces, making it easier for them to understand the file name. For example, "red-leather-handbag.jpg" is better than "redleatherhandbag.jpg."
Include Keywords: If possible, include relevant keywords in the file name, but do so naturally. For example, if you're selling a red leather handbag from a specific brand, you might name the image "BrandName-Red-Leather-Handbag.jpg."
Keep it Short: While being descriptive, also aim to keep the file name reasonably short. Long file names can be cumbersome and are often truncated in search results.
Avoid Special Characters: Stick to alphanumeric characters and hyphens. Special characters like "&" or "%," can cause issues with URLs and aren't SEO-friendly.
Be Consistent: Try to maintain a consistent naming structure across all images. This not only helps with SEO but also makes it easier to manage your files.
Image Dimensions
The dimensions of an image, specifically its height and width, play a crucial role in how it displays on your Shopify store. Too large, and you risk slowing down your site; too small, and the image may appear pixelated or distorted. Properly sized images contribute to a better user experience and can also positively impact SEO rankings.
Tools to Resize Images
Shopify Image Editor: Built-in tool for basic resizing tasks.
Adobe Photoshop: Offers advanced resizing options, including aspect ratio locking.
GIMP: A free alternative to Photoshop with resizing capabilities.
Online Tools: Websites like ResizeImage.net allow you to resize images without downloading any software.
Batch Resizing Software: Tools like FastStone Photo Resizer allow you to resize multiple images at once.
Responsive Design Considerations
Aspect Ratio: Maintain the same aspect ratio when resizing to prevent distortion.
Multiple Versions: Consider creating multiple versions of each image to serve different devices and screen sizes.
CSS and HTML: Use CSS and HTML to make images responsive, so they adapt to different screen sizes without requiring multiple versions.
Test on Multiple Devices: Always test how your images look on various devices to ensure they are displaying as intended.
Creating Image Sitemaps
An image sitemap is an XML file that lists all the images on your website, providing search engines with additional information about each image, such as its subject matter, type, and location on your site. This helps search engines discover and index your images more efficiently, which can improve your visibility in image search results.
How to Create an Image Sitemap in Shopify
Manual Creation: If you're comfortable with XML, you can manually create an image sitemap using a text editor. You'll need to list each image URL and any associated metadata.
Sitemap Generators: There are various online tools and software that can automatically generate an image sitemap for you. Some Shopify apps also offer this feature.
Google Search Console: Once your image sitemap is created, submit it to Google Search Console to ensure it gets crawled and indexed.
Update Regularly: Whenever you add new images to your Shopify store, make sure to update your image sitemap.
An image sitemap facilitates improved indexing by search engines, allowing them to discover and catalogue all the images on your site more efficiently. This increases the likelihood of your images appearing in search results, thereby driving additional, targeted traffic to your store.
Furthermore, the inclusion of metadata in your sitemap can enhance the SEO ranking of your images, giving you a competitive edge. Many businesses overlook this aspect of SEO, so taking the time to create an image sitemap can set you apart from competitors and contribute to a more robust SEO strategy.
Testing and Monitoring
When it comes to evaluating the effectiveness of your image optimisation efforts, several tools can provide valuable insights. Google PageSpeed Insights is a go-to for understanding how your images impact your site's overall speed.
GTmetrix offers a more detailed performance report, including specific suggestions for image optimisation. Screaming Frog is another useful tool; it can crawl your Shopify store to identify issues like missing alt text or oversized images. Shopify's built-in analytics can also be used to monitor how changes in image optimisation are affecting user behaviour and conversions.
Key Metrics to Monitor
Monitoring the right metrics can give you a clear picture of how well your image optimisation efforts are working. Key metrics include:
Page Load Time: The speed at which your site and its images load is crucial for both user experience and SEO.
Image Search Traffic: Keep an eye on the amount of traffic coming specifically from image search engines like Google Images.
How to Interpret Results
Interpreting these metrics effectively can guide your future optimisation efforts:
Speed: A decrease in page load time is generally a positive indicator that your image optimisation is effective.
Engagement: A lower bounce rate and higher conversion rate post-optimisation would suggest that your efforts are enhancing user experience and encouraging sales.
Traffic: An uptick in traffic from image search engines would indicate that your SEO optimisation for images is paying off.
By regularly testing and monitoring these key metrics, you can make data-driven decisions to continually refine your image optimisation strategies for your Shopify store.
Shopify Image SEO Optimisation Checklist
By following this checklist, you'll be well on your way to optimising your Shopify store's images for both user experience and SEO. Regularly review and update your strategies to keep up with best practices.
File Types
Choose the appropriate file type for each image (JPEG, PNG, GIF).
Be aware that Shopify converts to WebP for supported browsers.
Reducing File Size
Use image compression tools like TinyPNG or ImageOptim.
Consider manual compression for more control over image quality.
Image Compression
Decide between manual and automatic compression methods.
Use Shopify apps for automatic compression, if preferred.
Alt Text
Add descriptive alt text to every image.
Incorporate relevant keywords without stuffing.
Keep alt text under 125 characters.
File Naming
Use descriptive file names for each image.
Separate words with hyphens for better SEO.
Avoid special characters and keep file names short.
Image Dimensions
Determine optimal dimensions for each image.
Use tools like Shopify Image Editor or Photoshop for resizing.
Maintain aspect ratio to avoid distortion.
Responsive Design
Ensure images are responsive for various screen sizes.
Test images on multiple devices.
Image Sitemaps
Create an image sitemap for better search engine indexing.
Submit the sitemap to Google Search Console.
Update the sitemap regularly.
Testing and Monitoring
Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights and GTmetrix for performance testing.
Monitor key metrics: page load time, bounce rate, conversion rate, and image search traffic.
Interpret results to make data-driven optimisation decisions.
