If you want to use the GIF format, reduce the maximum number of colors and make the image interlaced, which acts like the progressive option for JPG files. You may also use the height and width tags, when you place images. If you don’t, then the browser has to determine the size of the image, before loading the image.
It may not load the rest of the page, unless all images are loaded. This means that the visitor, who is there to check out the content has to wait for the image to load, which can simply be very annoying. By setting the height and width tags, as the browser knows the size, other part will be loaded even before your image is loaded. PNG color format may also be used. It supports 24 bit color and has better transparency than the GIF format. However, PNG format is not supported by all browsers due to which GIF format is preferred.
Furthermore, you can put keywords in all the text, around the image, image name, page title, which is better for optimization. You may even find it useful to enable image search option at Google webmaster tool.
Keep in mind that images may not be the first things that the visitors see, but they are very useful to keep them on the website. So use only a small amount of them, so that your visitors are not left infuriated by huge amount of loading time it takes. Optimizing images can also be fun.
Peter Brittain
Slinky Internet Marketing
Tags: Optimizing Images
