Compress JPEG & PNG images plugin for WordPress
Image compression is one of the most effective measures to speed up WordPress. Today we'll learn how to use the Compress JPEG & PNG images plugin – a tool for optimizing images specifically for WordPress users. After successful installation, click on the link to register & receive your API key:
Then enter your name & email in the corresponding fields (email is usually pre-filled):
Click Register Account, an API key will be automatically generated for you, but you need to check your email to activate your account:
I'm quite impressed by this plugin's customization options, it's very straightforward:
Generally you should keep the default settings. The File compression section refers to which image files are compressed. Usually we compress all images, including the original and smaller images created by WordPress. Only the section I pointed to with an arrow is used to change the size of oversized image files on your website—click on it, then set the maximum height and width. A safe threshold is 1000px. If you don't understand the basics of image sizing, I wouldn't recommend touching this section. Whenever you're ready, you can come back and edit it later. Finally, the last 3 lines with the word Preserve contain image metadata, such as date taken, location, and copyright. Normally you should leave it as default, meaning unchecked. This way the information will be removed from the image to help reduce file size. If you're a photographer, you might want to keep this information, in which case you need to check those boxes. Click Save Changes if you make any changes.
Then click the button in the center:
The number 112 is the number of images you uploaded to your website. 536 is the number of images not yet compressed (WordPress creates additional smaller images, so even though you upload 112 images, it creates over 400 more, totaling 536 images). The Compress JPEG & PNG images plugin only compresses 500 images free per month; if you want to compress more, you need to pay at the following rates:
This is quite expensive compared to other paid plugins like ShortPixel or Imagify. At this price, compressing just 1000 images would cost you 4.5 USD.
Compressed image 50.2KB:
2. PNG Images
Original image 46.9 KB:
Compressed image 25.0 KB:
Then enter your name & email in the corresponding fields (email is usually pre-filled):
Click Register Account, an API key will be automatically generated for you, but you need to check your email to activate your account:
A. Setup Options
To access the plugin customization settings, go to Settings > Media:
I'm quite impressed by this plugin's customization options, it's very straightforward:
Generally you should keep the default settings. The File compression section refers to which image files are compressed. Usually we compress all images, including the original and smaller images created by WordPress. Only the section I pointed to with an arrow is used to change the size of oversized image files on your website—click on it, then set the maximum height and width. A safe threshold is 1000px. If you don't understand the basics of image sizing, I wouldn't recommend touching this section. Whenever you're ready, you can come back and edit it later. Finally, the last 3 lines with the word Preserve contain image metadata, such as date taken, location, and copyright. Normally you should leave it as default, meaning unchecked. This way the information will be removed from the image to help reduce file size. If you're a photographer, you might want to keep this information, in which case you need to check those boxes. Click Save Changes if you make any changes.
B. Compress Old Images
Go to Media > Bulk Optimization:
Then click the button in the center:
The number 112 is the number of images you uploaded to your website. 536 is the number of images not yet compressed (WordPress creates additional smaller images, so even though you upload 112 images, it creates over 400 more, totaling 536 images). The Compress JPEG & PNG images plugin only compresses 500 images free per month; if you want to compress more, you need to pay at the following rates:
This is quite expensive compared to other paid plugins like ShortPixel or Imagify. At this price, compressing just 1000 images would cost you 4.5 USD.
C. Test Compress Some Images
1. JPG Image Original image, 56.1 KB:
Compressed image 50.2KB:
2. PNG Images
Original image 46.9 KB:
Compressed image 25.0 KB:
