Compressing images in WordPress is one of the quickest ways to speed up your site. If you want a quick check of your current performance, you can use the free website audit tool. For a deeper guide on improving load speed, see the SEO tips and guides section. This walkthrough shows you how to compress images using ShortPixel, a simple plugin that reduces file size without losing quality.
Why image compression matters
- Your pages load faster.
- Google scores your site higher for performance.
- Smaller file sizes reduce bandwidth and storage.
- Better experience for mobile visitors.
What you need
- A free ShortPixel API key
- WordPress admin access
- 5 minutes of setup time
Quick setup steps
- Install ShortPixel Image Optimizer from Plugins > Add New.
- Activate it, enter your API key, and click Validate.
- Choose compression type: Lossy, Glossy, or Lossless.
- Enable WebP creation and delivery.
- Enable “Resize large images” and set a max width like 1600px.
- Run Bulk Optimizer to process your Media Library.
Recommended settings
- Compression: Glossy
- Create WebP versions: On
- Deliver WebP to browsers: On
- Resize large images: On
- Keep EXIF data: Off
Does ShortPixel slow your site down?
No. ShortPixel processes images on its own servers. Your site only receives the smaller optimised files, so pages load faster.
Need help speeding up your WordPress site?
You can send me your URL and I’ll check your setup for free. I look at hosting, images, caching, and layout issues.