Optimising images and backgrounds with css

Optimising images and backgrounds with CSS

Optimising images and backgrounds with CSS is a key technique for improving performance and user experience on a website. By reducing the size of image files and improving the loading of backgrounds, we can speed up page load time and provide a smoother experience.

There are several techniques and best practices we can use to optimise images and backgrounds with CSS. In this tutorial, we'll explore some of them and show you how to implement them in your own code.

Image optimisation with CSS

1. Compress images: Before adding images to your website, make sure you compress them to reduce their size without compromising quality. There are several online tools, such as Compressor.io or TinyPNG, that can help you achieve this.
2. Use appropriate image formats: Choose the right image format for each case. For example, use lossless formats such as PNG or SVG for graphics and icons, and lossy formats such as JPEG for photographs.
3. Set image dimensions: Specifies the dimensions of images in the CSS to avoid abrupt changes to the layout during page load. This can also help reduce load time by allowing the browser to reserve space for images before they are fully loaded.
4. Responsive images: Use the CSS property "background-size: cover" to ensure that background images fit correctly to different screen sizes. This will prevent images from being distorted or cropped.

Optimising backgrounds with CSS

1. Use backgrounds in image format: Instead of using separate images for backgrounds, consider using background images directly in CSS. This can reduce the number of requests to the server and save loading time.
2. Use of CSS gradients: Instead of using images for gradient backgrounds, consider using CSS gradients. This can reduce file size and improve site performance.
3. Repeating backgrounds or mosaics: If you have patterns or small images that repeat across the page, consider using the background-repeat property to create a mosaic effect instead of generating one large image.
4. Transparent backgrounds: If you use transparent backgrounds in your design, use PNG format instead of JPEG. This will maintain transparency without affecting the quality of the image.

Conclusion

Optimising images and backgrounds with CSS can have a significant impact on your website's performance and user experience. By following these best practices, you can reduce image file sizes, improve load times and provide a smoother experience for visitors.

Remember that optimising images and backgrounds is not only about reducing file size, but also about choosing the right formats and using techniques such as CSS backgrounds or gradients to improve performance...: Tips to Optimise Images