Image Optimisation for your Webflow Website

How to Optimise Images for Webflow

The plain-English, no-stress guide to faster pages and happier visitors

Visitors like fast pages and search engines reward them. Heavy images slow your site, burn through Webflow bandwidth, and bump you down the Google rankings. This guide to image optimisation for Webflow shows you, in simple steps, how to resize, compress, and pick the right file types so every picture looks sharp yet loads quickly.

Webflow bandwidth limits — what you should know

Webflow charges by traffic, but the meter measures gigabytes, not visits. Each plan comes with a monthly data allowance. Every time a browser downloads an image it chips away at that limit. Shrinking files means more room for real users and fewer surprise costs.

The allowances in plain numbers

*Cut those heroes to 150 KB and the counts more than triple. Stay small, stay safe.

Upload images at their display size

A browser cannot guess that your holiday snap is four times larger than the design needs. It still downloads the full file, then squeezes it down on-screen. If you downscale before upload, visitors receive only the pixels they actually see, saving time and data for everyone.

Picking the right format (WebP vs JPG and friends)

File type decides how many bytes reach the browser. Choosing wisely can cut two-thirds of the weight without losing quality. The list below explains when to use each format, plus plain-English advice on quality settings.

JPG

JPG images are best for photographs. The quality should be set no higher than 80 percent when you save for the web. Lower values shave more weight, though going under 60 percent can look fuzzy.

PNG

PNG keeps transparent backgrounds and crisp edges, making it perfect for logos or interface icons. Avoid it for photos because the file balloons in size.

WebP

WebP combines the small size of JPG with the transparency of PNG. Most browsers support it, so use it for both photos and graphics when you can. Expect around 25 percent smaller files than JPG at similar quality.

AVIF

AVIF is newer and often 15–20 percent lighter than WebP. Use it for large banners or image-heavy sections. Browser support is strong and growing.

SVG

SVG stores shapes, not pixels. Use it for simple graphics such as logos, icons, or illustrations. It scales to any size without degrading and usually weighs only a few kilobytes.

Free online image compression tools

When you need a quick fix without installing software, drop your pictures into one of these web apps. They run in the browser, show instant previews, and give you a ready-to-upload file in seconds. Each tool supports one-by-one jobs; two handle bulk batches as well.

Use these when you receive a handful of images from a colleague and need them web-ready in minutes.

Free desktop tools for Windows and macOS

If your camera roll runs into the hundreds, desktop apps speed things up. They crunch whole folders, remember your favourite settings, and skip the time spent uploading to the cloud.

Windows

• IrfanView – Open File → Batch Convert, add a folder, pick your output type and quality, then go. Handles resize, format change, and renaming in one pass.
• FastStone Photo Resizer – Queue builder for bulk resize, watermark, and format conversion. Free for personal use.

macOS

• Preview – Select your images, choose Tools → Adjust Size, then export with the quality slider. No extra installs needed.
• ImageOptim – Drag images onto the window and the app rewrites them using smarter compression, often shedding 10–20 percent with no visible loss.

Paid tools for power users

When image work is daily routine, paid software earns its keep by shaving hours off repetitive tasks. The licences below grant advanced automation, high-volume queues, or deeper editing controls.

A beginner-friendly five-step workflow

Follow this routine for every new picture and you’ll keep pages light without thinking much about it. The process works with any software mentioned above and covers the common mistakes we see during site audits.

1. Crop and straighten
   Remove dead space and fix horizons first. Smaller dimensions mean fewer bytes later.
2. Resize to display size
   Use the table in the “Upload images at their display size” section. Export double-width only for elements that demand sharpness on high-density screens.
3. Export to the right format
   • Photos → JPG quality 80 percent or WebP.
   • Graphics needing transparency → PNG or, better, WebP.
   • Large hero shots → AVIF when your tool supports it.
4. Compress
   Run the export through your chosen free image compression tool. Aim to shave at least 20 percent off the file without obvious quality drop.
5. Rename with meaning
   Use clear, descriptive names like blue-linen-shirt-front-1200x800.jpg. Search engines read these names and visitors find them easier in the asset manager.

FAQ

These questions come up in almost every handover call. The answers below clear up the last doubts and keep your workflow smooth.

Will compression ruin my pictures?
Not if you use 80 percent JPG or the default “High” setting in WebP. Always preview before saving.

What about SVG security?
Upload SVGs you created or trust. Malicious code can hide in an SVG, but exporting from a graphics app removes scripts.

Should I use image compression even if I have fast internet?
Yes. Your internet speed doesn’t affect how fast other people can load your site. Many visitors are on mobile data or slower connections. Smaller images load faster for everyone, regardless of how fast your own Wi-Fi is.

What happens if I upload a really large image by mistake?
The page might still work, but it will take longer to load, especially on mobile. It could also push you over Webflow’s bandwidth limit more quickly. It’s best to replace large images with optimised versions as soon as possible.

Can I optimise images directly in Webflow?
Not unless you have Design Mode access but even there you can only convert from JPG down to WebP or AVIF. It’s better to do your resizing and compression before uploading.

Need help?

Image prep can feel endless when you have a full gallery to publish. If you’d rather focus on content than compression, the Trigger Digital team can handle resizing, format conversion, and loading the files into your Webflow project. Your pages stay fast while you keep your schedule clear.