Image Optimization in Astro: Boost Site Performance and SEO

Images are crucial for engagement but can slow down your website. Proper optimization improves load times, SEO rankings, and accessibility. Storage Options src/ directory: Use for automatic optimization (compression, resizing, format conversion) public/ directory: Use for images that don't need processing or require direct URLs Astro's Optimization Components The Component import { Image } from 'astro:assets'; import myImage from '../src/images/my-image.jpg'; Benefits: Automatic compression and WebP conversion Required alt text for accessibility Built-in lazy loading The Component import { Picture } from 'astro:assets'; import myImage from '../src/images/my-image.jpg'; Benefits: Responsive design across devices Multiple format support for browser compatibility Best Practices Choose appropriate formats (JPEG for photos, PNG for transparency, WebP for best compression) Compress images to under 100KB when possible Use descriptive alt text for accessibility and SEO Take advantage of lazy loading Always specify image dimensions to prevent layout shifts Implementing these optimization techniques in Astro will significantly improve your site's performance, user experience, and search engine rankings. For a deeper dive into optimizing Astro websites for SEO, including plugins and performance tips, check out my comprehensive guide. Happy coding!

Feb 25, 2025 - 00:36

Image Optimization in Astro: Boost Site Performance and SEO

Images are crucial for engagement but can slow down your website. Proper optimization improves load times, SEO rankings, and accessibility.

Storage Options

src/ directory: Use for automatic optimization (compression, resizing, format conversion)
public/ directory: Use for images that don't need processing or require direct URLs

Astro's Optimization Components

The Component

import { Image } from 'astro:assets';
import myImage from '../src/images/my-image.jpg';

<Image
  src={myImage}
  alt="Mountains at sunrise"
  width={800}
  height={600}
/>

Benefits:

Automatic compression and WebP conversion
Required alt text for accessibility
Built-in lazy loading

The Component

import { Picture } from 'astro:assets';
import myImage from '../src/images/my-image.jpg';

<Picture>
  <source srcset={myImage} type="image/webp" />
  <source srcset={myImage} type="image/jpeg" />
  <img src={myImage} alt="Mountains at sunrise" width={800} height={600} />
</Picture>

Benefits:

Responsive design across devices
Multiple format support for browser compatibility

Best Practices

Choose appropriate formats (JPEG for photos, PNG for transparency, WebP for best compression)
Compress images to under 100KB when possible
Use descriptive alt text for accessibility and SEO
Take advantage of lazy loading
Always specify image dimensions to prevent layout shifts

Implementing these optimization techniques in Astro will significantly improve your site's performance, user experience, and search engine rankings.

For a deeper dive into optimizing Astro websites for SEO, including plugins and performance tips, check out my comprehensive guide.

Happy coding!