What is WebP?
WebP is a modern image format developed by Google that provides superior compression and quality compared to traditional formats like JPEG and PNG. This next-generation format uses advanced compression algorithms to reduce file sizes by 25-35% while maintaining the same visual quality, making it ideal for web applications where loading speed and bandwidth efficiency are crucial.
WebP supports both lossy and lossless compression, as well as transparency and animation features, giving developers the flexibility to replace JPEG, PNG, and even GIF files with a single, more efficient format.
Why should I use WebP?
For website owners and developers, WebP offers significant advantages in page performance and user experience. Smaller image file sizes translate directly to faster page load times, which is a critical ranking factor for search engines like Google and improves user engagement metrics. Since page speed affects both SEO rankings and conversion rates, implementing WebP images can boost your website's search visibility while reducing bandwidth costs and improving mobile performance.
Major browsers now support WebP format, including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, making it a reliable choice for modern web development. Converting your existing images to WebP format is one of the most effective ways to optimize your website's performance without sacrificing image quality.