How To Use ShortPixel Image Optimization Plugin (2024)
Images are a must for blog posts in today’s world.
The problem?
Images are large. They take up a ton of bandwidth. They slow down your website.
The good news is ShortPixel image optimization plugin is a solution to this problem.
It optimizes and reduces image size so they download fast.
Let’s look at what it is and how you can use it on your website.
What is ShortPixel?
ShortPixel is an image optimization WordPress plugin. This means it will reduce image sizes while keeping quality.
It uses methods like image compression, resize of images, and optimized image formats to do this.
What are the benefits of using ShortPixel?
The biggest benefit of using ShortPixel is a boost in website speed.
It does this by reducing image size using compression, image resize, and improved formats like WebP.
I’ve been using it for my websites for several years now and getting great results.
If you want your web pages getting a 90+ score in Google Core Web Vitals then ShortPixel is a must install.
How much does ShortPixel cost?
ShortPixel has a monthly plan and a credit based plan.
Monthly plan means you pay every month and get a certain number of credits to use. Typically, 1 credit is used to optimize 1 image. Monthly plans range from $4 to $99 per month.
Credit based plan means you purchase a certain number of credits for your needs. You can keep optimizing images until you run out of credits. Credit plans range from $10 to $250 based on the number of credits you get.
There is a free plan where you get 100 credits to use per month. It is also free to optimize images using the free tool available on the ShortPixel website (max 50 images at a time).
I was lucky to find ShortPixel on AppSumo several years back. I managed to get a lifetime deal for a certain monthly plan.
How to install ShortPixel on your website?
You can install ShortPixel similar to other WordPress plugins. Go to the Plugins under WordPress Dashboard.
Search for ShortPixel. Install and Activate the ShortPixel Image Optimizer plugin.
How to set up ShortPixel on your website?
You need to get an API key before you can use ShortPixel on your website. Even for the free plan.
Enter your email address and click on the Request Key button to get an API key.
Fill in the required details and you should get your API key either by email or the ShortPixel Dashboard.
Enter your key in the API Key setting as shown. Then click Validate.
Now you’ll see the ShortPixel Plugin Settings are enabled.
Enable the below under the General settings:
- Set Compression type to Lossy.
- Enable Thumbnail compression.
- Enable Backup.
- Enable Remove EXIF.
- Enable Resize large images. Set it to maximum 1200×1200 pixels.
- Click Save Changes.
Enable the below under the Advanced settings:
- Enable Create WebP versions (note that this will take an additional credit. So avoid if you want to save some credits).
- Enable Optimize media on upload.
- Enable Optimize PDFs.
- Enable Optimize Retina images.
- Enable CMYK to RGB conversion.
- Enable Custom media folders.
- Click Save Changes.
Everytime you upload a new image to your website, ShortPixel will work to optimize the image automatically.
But you’ll also need to optimize existing images on your website. Click the Save and Go to Bulk Process button you see at the bottom of the settings.
Then click the Start optimizing button so ShortPixel can bulk optimize all of your existing images.
Conclusion
I think ShortPixel is a must have plugin for your WordPress website if you’re serious about having a fast website.
It’s inexpensive and works really well to optimize images and get you good results in Core Web Vitals.
You can install the plugin with the 100 free credits and try it out before purchasing more credits.
