Images are usually the heaviest part of a page. A single photo from a phone can weigh more than the rest of the page together.
What WebP is
An image format created for the web: about a third lighter than JPEG at the same visual quality, with transparency like PNG.
Resize before you compress
A 4000 px photo shown 1200 px wide wastes most of its weight. Set a maximum size, for example 2400 px.
Choose a sensible quality
Around 80 is invisible to the eye and much lighter than 100.
Remove hidden data
Camera data and GPS positions add weight and can reveal where a photo was taken.
Do it at upload
Optimizing on upload means every thumbnail is light too, and you never have to think about it.
Imagely does all of this on your own server. See the demo and more ways to speed up WordPress.
Frequently asked questions
Do all browsers support WebP?
Yes, every modern browser does.
Will my old images be converted?
Only new uploads; re-upload key images if needed.
Does WebP help SEO?
Faster pages help Core Web Vitals and visitors.