SayPro Templates to Use:

SayPro Monthly January SCMR-5 SayPro Monthly Monthly Classified Image Optimization: Compress and optimize images for better performance by SayPro Classified Office under SayPro Marketing Royalty SCMR

Overview:

The Image Optimization Checklist serves as a detailed guide to ensure that all images used in SayPro Classifieds are properly optimized. This process helps in improving performance, reducing page load time, and enhancing the user experience. The checklist focuses on key optimization steps like compression, resizing, and metadata removal, in alignment with SayPro Monthly January SCMR-5, as part of the SayPro Classified Office under the SayPro Marketing Royalty SCMR program.

---

Checklist for Image Optimization

1. Image Format Selection

• Step: Ensure images are in the optimal file format for web use (JPEG, PNG, or WebP).
  • JPEG: Ideal for photographs with a lot of colors and gradients.
  • PNG: Suitable for images with transparency or graphics with sharp edges.
  • WebP: Preferred for smaller file sizes and high quality, supported by most modern browsers.
• Action: Choose the appropriate format based on the image type (photographs, graphics, or transparent images).

2. Image Compression

• Step: Use lossless or lossy compression methods to reduce file size while maintaining quality.
  • Lossless Compression: Maintains the original image quality (e.g., PNG-8, PNG-24 for web images).
  • Lossy Compression: Reduces file size more significantly but may slightly affect quality (e.g., JPEG compression).
• Action: Use tools like TinyPNG, JPEGoptim, or ImageOptim to compress images.

3. Resizing Images

• Step: Ensure images are resized to the correct dimensions for their placement on the website.
  • Action: Use the exact size required for web display (avoid uploading images with unnecessary resolution and dimensions).
  • Guideline: For web use, aim for images that are optimized for the layout, generally under 1200px in width, depending on the website design.

4. Image Resolution

• Step: Adjust resolution to 72 DPI (dots per inch) for web images.
  • Action: Images with higher resolutions, like 300 DPI, should be downsampled to 72 DPI to reduce file size for quicker loading times.

5. Image Metadata Removal

• Step: Remove unnecessary metadata from images, such as EXIF data (camera settings, GPS location, etc.), which can increase file size and pose privacy concerns.
  • Action: Use tools like ExifTool or ImageOptim to strip metadata before uploading images.

6. Progressive JPEGs for Faster Loading

• Step: Convert standard JPEG images to progressive JPEGs, which allow for quicker page loads by displaying a low-quality image first and progressively enhancing it as it downloads.
  • Action: Use tools like JPEGoptim or online converters to create progressive JPEGs.

7. Use of Image Sprites (When Applicable)

• Step: Combine multiple small images (like icons) into a single sprite sheet to reduce the number of HTTP requests and enhance loading times.
  • Action: Create a sprite sheet for smaller images (e.g., icons) using CSS sprites.

8. CDN (Content Delivery Network) Implementation

• Step: Ensure images are hosted via a CDN to serve content from multiple servers, reducing latency and improving loading speeds.
  • Action: Integrate a CDN for image delivery across multiple locations globally.

9. Image Caching

• Step: Set up image caching headers to ensure that once images are loaded, they are stored in the user’s browser cache to speed up subsequent page loads.
  • Action: Modify server settings to enable cache-control headers for image files.

10. Testing and Optimization Feedback

• Step: Test images after optimization using tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix to ensure they meet performance standards.
  • Action: Run website tests to evaluate image performance and ensure that the optimization steps have improved load times.

11. Mobile Optimization

• Step: Ensure images are optimized for mobile users by using responsive images and different sizes for various screen resolutions.
  • Action: Implement the <picture> element and srcset attributes for responsive image delivery on different devices.

12. Accessibility Considerations

• Step: Ensure images are accessible with alt text for visually impaired users.
  • Action: Add relevant alt text to all images to enhance accessibility and SEO performance.

13. File Naming Conventions

• Step: Use descriptive file names for images to improve SEO and accessibility.
  • Action: Rename image files to be descriptive and include relevant keywords (e.g., “red-leather-jacket.jpg” instead of “IMG_4567.jpg”).

---

Completion Checklist

• File Format: Image in JPEG, PNG, or WebP format.
• Compression: Image has been compressed without significant loss of quality.
• Resizing: Image is resized to required dimensions for the website layout.
• Resolution: Image resolution is set to 72 DPI for web use.
• Metadata: All unnecessary metadata (EXIF, GPS, etc.) has been removed.
• Progressive JPEG: Image has been converted to progressive JPEG (if applicable).
• Sprite Sheets: Small images (icons) combined into sprite sheets (if applicable).
• CDN Usage: Images served via a Content Delivery Network.
• Caching: Image caching headers have been set.
• Mobile Optimization: Images are responsive and optimized for mobile devices.
• Alt Text: Alt text has been added to all images.
• File Names: Images are named descriptively with relevant keywords.

---

Action Plan

1. Verify and Test: Before finalizing the optimization process, test the images on multiple browsers and devices to confirm that the load time has improved, and images are displayed correctly.
2. Monthly Review: Schedule monthly reviews of image optimization to ensure continued performance enhancements and to stay aligned with updated best practices.
3. Documentation and Training: Provide a step-by-step guide and training for the team to consistently apply these image optimization practices for future image uploads.

This checklist should be used monthly as part of the SayPro Monthly January SCMR-5 initiative under the SayPro Marketing Royalty SCMR, ensuring that all image optimization steps are fully adhered to and executed.