EWWW Image Optimizer

The EWWW Image Optimizer is a WordPress plugin that will automatically and losslessly optimize your images as you upload them to your blog. It can also optimize the images that you have already uploaded in the past. It is also possible to convert your images automatically to the file format that will produce the smallest image size (make sure you read the WARNINGS).

By default, EWWW Image Optimizer uses lossless optimization techniques, so your image quality will be exactly the same before and after the optimization. The only thing that will change is your file size. The one small exception to this is GIF animations. While the optimization is technically lossless, you will not be able to properly edit the animation again without performing an --unoptimize operation with gifsicle. The gif2png and jpg2png conversions are also lossless but the png2jpg process is not lossless.

Images are optimized using the jpegtran, optipng, pngout, and gifsicle image tools (available for free). For PNG files, either optipng or pngout can be used. If you want the best optimization, install both, set optipng to level 3 (beyond that is just crazy and rarely yields significant gains) and pngout to level 0. Images are converted using the above tools and GD or 'convert' (ImageMagick).

EWWW Image Optimizer calls optimization utilities directly which is well suited to shared hosting situations where these utilities may already be installed. Pre-compiled binaries/executables are provided for optipng, gifsicle, and jpegtran. Pngout can be installed with one-click from the settings page. If none of that works, there is a cloud option that will work for those who cannot run the optimizers on their own server.

Why use EWWW Image Optimizer?

•     Your pages will load faster. Smaller image sizes means faster page loads. This will make your visitors happy, and can increase ad revenue.
•     Faster backups. Smaller image sizes also means faster backups.
•     Less bandwidth usage. Optimizing your images can save you hundreds of KB per image, which means significantly less bandwidth usage.
•     Super fast. The plugin can run on your own server, so you don’t have to wait for a third party service to receive, process, and return your images. You can optimize hundreds of images in just a few minutes. PNG files take the longest, but you can adjust the settings for your situation.
•     Better PNG optimization. You can use pngout and optipng in conjunction.
•     Root access not needed Pre-compiled binaries are made available to install directly within the WordPress folder, and cloud optimization is provided for those who cannot run the binaries locally.
•     Optimize almost anything Using the Optimize More tool, and the wp_image_editor class extension, nearly any image in WordPress can be optimized.

Related Articles

• Wordpress Themes
• Wordpress News
• Wordpress Plugins