Why Switching from JPEG to WebP Can Skyrocket Your WordPress Performance

What Is WebP?

WebP is an image format that supports:

• Lossy compression (like JPEG)
• Lossless compression (like PNG)
• Transparency (like PNG)
• Animation (like GIF)

It was created to reduce page size and improve loading time across devices and network conditions.

Why WebP Outperforms JPEG and PNG

Switching to WebP can reduce image size by 25–70% on average without noticeable loss in quality.

Is WebP Supported by Browsers?

Yes! As of 2024, WebP is supported by all major browsers, including:

• Chrome
• Safari
• Firefox
• Edge
• Opera
• Android browser

There is no reason to avoid WebP for modern websites.

How to Use WebP in WordPress

Option 1: Convert Before Upload

• Use Squoosh of CloudConvert to manually convert images to WebP before uploading.
• Export from Photoshop or Figma in WebP format.

Option 2: Use a Plugin

• ShortPixel – Converts to WebP and serves them automatically.
• Imagify – Includes WebP support in its optimization settings.
• WebP Express – Free plugin to serve WebP while keeping original versions as fallback.

Make sure your server supports WebP delivery via .htaccess or NGINX rules.

How to Check If WebP Is Working

• Open your website in Chrome → right-click an image → “Open in new tab” → check file extension
• Use DevTools → Network tab → Filter by images → check “Type” column
• Use PageSpeed Insights → no “Serve images in next-gen formats” warning = success

SEO and Performance Benefits

Using WebP not only improves loading speed — it directly helps SEO:

• Faster LCP (Largest Contentful Paint)
• Higher PageSpeed scores
• Better UX on mobile
• Improved crawlability due to faster delivery

Need Help Switching to WebP?

Switching to WebP is one of the simplest high-impact changes you can make. Request a free image audit from SpeedWP Pro — and we’ll show you how to convert, serve, and automate WebP delivery across your entire WordPress site.