Why You Should Be Using WebP Images (And the Best Free Tools to Help)
Following on from my previous blog: The need for speed, I thought a guide on how to convert to WebP images could be useful. So here you have it!
When it comes to website speed, SEO performance and modern web standards, the images you use matter more than you think. If you’re still uploading JPEGs and PNGs, it might be time to meet WebP – Google’s modern image format that brings high quality at a fraction of the file size.
What is WebP?
WebP is a modern image format developed by Google that provides superior compression for images on the web. It supports both lossy (like JPEG) and lossless (like PNG) compression, plus it also handles transparency (like PNG) and animation (like GIF).
Benefits of using WebP
1.Smaller File Sizes
WebP images are 25% to 34% smaller than comparable JPEGs and PNGs, without noticeable quality loss. This helps:
- Speed up your website
- Save server storage space
- Improve mobile performance
2.Faster loading times
Smaller images load quicker, which improves your Core Web Vitals—key SEO metrics that Google uses for ranking.
3.Transparency and animation support
WebP handles alpha transparency (like PNGs) and animated images (like GIFs), so you don’t need to switch between formats.
4.Wide browser support
WebP handles alpha transparency (like PNGs) and animated images (like GIFs), so you don’t need to switch between formats.
Free tools to convert to WebP
Squoosh (by Google)
- Web-based image compressor and converter
- Drag, drop, and convert to WebP
- You can tweak quality settings for lossy/lossless conversion
- No installation needed
https://squoosh.app
XnConvert
- Free desktop tool (Windows, Mac, Linux)
- Batch conversion of images to WebP and other formats
- Also allows resizing, renaming, and editing
https://www.xnconvert.com
GIMP (Free Photoshop Alternative)
- Open-source image editor with WebP export support
- Great if you need to edit your images before converting
https://www.gimp.org
Convertio (Online)
- Simple drag-and-drop online converter
- Free for occasional use (limitations apply for batch conversions)
https://convertio.co/webp-converter
Tips for using WebP effectively
- Always keep a backup of the original file before converting
- Compress images even if they’re already in WebP—don’t assume all WebPs are small by default
- Use lazy loading for images to improve page speed
- Use fallback images if you’re targeting older browsers that might not support WebP
Last but least....
Switching to WebP is a small change that can bring huge performance benefits to your website. Whether you’re managing a blog, an online store, or a portfolio, your visitors (and your SEO rankings) will thank you for faster-loading pages and a smoother experience.
If you need help optimising your images, improving your site speed, or boosting your SEO, get in touch with us today.