Large images are one of the easiest ways to make a website heavier than it needs to be.
PNG is useful, especially for graphics, screenshots, UI images, and transparency. But PNG files can also become large very quickly. For websites, that often means slower uploads, more storage use, more bandwidth, and slower pages.
That is why I increasingly use WebP and AVIF.
Both formats can create much smaller image files than PNG while still being supported by modern browsers and many CMS platforms, including WordPress.
But the important part is not only the format.
It is when you convert.
Convert before uploading
Many websites solve image optimization with plugins. That can work, but it often has two problems.
First, the original image usually stays on the server. The plugin creates additional WebP or AVIF versions next to it. So instead of saving storage, you may actually use more space.
Second, many conversion plugins require server processing or a paid processing license, especially when converting many images.
That is why I prefer a simpler workflow:
Convert images before uploading them.
Then the website only receives the optimized file. No extra copy, no background conversion, no plugin processing, no license dependency.
The CMS can just use the image natively.
WebP or AVIF?
My simple rule:
WebP is the safe modern default.
It is widely supported, usually much smaller than PNG, and works well for websites.
AVIF can be even smaller.
It is a great choice when file size matters most, but conversion can be slower and compatibility should be checked for your audience and CMS setup.
For most websites, WebP is already a big improvement. For image-heavy pages, AVIF can be worth testing.
My workflow
Before I upload images to a website, I convert them locally.
For WebP, I use 2webp.
For AVIF, I use 2avif.
Both are created by beavertools.app and simple to use: drag in images, convert them, upload the optimized files.
No server plugin. No cloud upload. No processing license. No duplicate originals taking up space.
The files are already ready before they ever reach the website.
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