WebP is a next-gen image format developed by Google that offers superior compression and quality compared to traditional formats like JPEG and PNG. Using WebP in WordPress helps improve website speed and performance, leading to better SEO and user experience.
1. Why Use WebP in WordPress?
- Smaller File Sizes – WebP images are up to 30-50% smaller than JPEG and PNG.
- Faster Page Load Speed – Smaller images reduce page load time, improving Core Web Vitals.
- Improved SEO – Google prefers fast-loading websites, so WebP helps boost search rankings.
- Transparency & Animation Support – Like PNG and GIF, WebP supports transparency and animations.
2. How to Enable WebP in WordPress
Use a WebP Conversion Plugin
If your theme or browser doesn’t support WebP natively, use a plugin to convert images to WebP:
Recommended Plugins:
- WebP Express (free)
- EWWW Image Optimizer
- Imagify
- ShortPixel
How to Use a WebP Plugin:
- Install & activate a plugin (e.g., WebP Express).
-
Enable automatic conversion for new and existing images.
-
Set up fallback images for unsupported browsers.
3. Testing WebP Compatibility
After enabling WebP, check if your images are loading in the correct format:
- Right-click an image > Inspect (in Chrome).
- Look for .webp in the image URL.
- If WebP isn’t loading, clear your cache and test again.
Using WebP in WordPress is a simple but powerful way to enhance website speed, improve SEO, and optimize user experience. Whether you use WordPress’s built-in support, plugins, or a CDN, WebP is a must-have for modern websites!