Neto
Introducing WebP in Neto: Cut page load times to boost sales
12 Dec 2024 • 4 min read
If you've noticed your online storefront zipping along faster than ever, you're not imagining things!
Our dedicated holiday readiness initiative has supercharged Neto’s infrastructure, optimizing everything from cache speeds to JavaScript performance—and delivering 100% uptime during the 2024 BFCM rush. This means your customers can enjoy seamless shopping experiences, leading to increased engagement and skyrocketing sales for the rest of this holiday season.
We have good news for you! By popular demand, Neto now supports WebP image formats across all storefronts. When you upload WebP images in the platform exactly the same way you upload your images now, Neto automatically converts them to WebP—with no changes to your current process. This powerful enhancement comes just in time for the busy shopping season, and it's a game-changer for your online presence.
If you’re curious how WebP can turbocharge your storefront and shave seconds off page-load times with images that render quickly, you’re in the right place. Dive in to discover why converting your images can boost your speed and drive more sales than ever before!
WebP is an image format developed by Google, designed to provide lossless compression for images on the web. WebP images have smaller file sizes compared to traditional image formats like JPEG, PNG, and GIF, while still maintaining high visual quality. As web performance becomes increasingly important for user experience and search engine optimization, WebP's faster load times make it a smart choice to use across your Neto storefront.
WebP is based on the same technology as VP8, a video format developed by Google. The format allows for efficient encoding of images, utilizing lossy and lossless compression techniques. Lossy compression reduces file size by permanently eliminating some image data, while lossless compression preserves all the original image data, enabling users to decompress the image back to its original form.
Additionally, WebP supports transparency and animation, combining the functionalities of various traditional formats into one versatile image solution.
One of the most significant advantages of WebP is its ability to reduce image file sizes dramatically. WebP images can be up to 30% smaller than comparable JPEG images without a noticeable loss in quality. This reduction in file size is particularly beneficial as it can lead to faster loading times, which enhances user experience and reduces bounce rates.
Faster loading times are crucial for retaining visitors and improving search engine rankings. WebP’s smaller file sizes contribute to reduced bandwidth usage and quicker downloads. Studies have shown that every second counts when it comes to web performance: improving page load time by just one second can boost conversions by up to 20%.
WebP images combine all the best features of common image formats: the lossy compression and transparency of JPEGs, the lossless compression of PNGs, and the animation capabilities of GIFs. This makes WebP a one-stop solution for all of your image needs. For instance, designers can use WebP for high-quality photographs (with lossy compression), logos and icons (with lossless compression), and even simple animations, all while increasing page load speed thanks to reduced file sizes.
Initially, WebP had limited support, but as web technologies have evolved, most major browsers now support the format, including Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Opera. While Safari only added support as of macOS Big Sur and iOS 14 in 2020, developers can implement fallbacks for browsers that do not support WebP, ensuring that users still receive an optimal experience regardless of their browser choice.
Search engines increasingly prioritize page load speed as a ranking factor. By using WebP images to enhance loading performance, websites can improve their SEO standings. Additionally, faster-loading pages often result in lower bounce rates and higher shopper conversion and engagement, which further contributes to better rankings.
WebP images offer a smart solution for Neto customers, thanks to their smaller file sizes, versatile features, and excellent quality retention. Given the increasing importance of performance and user experience, WebP's faster load speeds make it a no-brainer for ecommerce brands aiming to gain loyal customers.
Neto simplifies WebP conversion by automatically transforming your JPEG and PNG product images—individually or in bulk—with a single upload. Beyond product photos, you can optimize your entire site's performance by converting banners, category images, blog posts, contact forms, and customer photos to WebP. Fine-tune the conversion quality to match your needs and easily convert your existing image library.
By switching your Neto site’s images to the WebP format, you’ll enhance your store’s online presence and foster a better connection with your customers—ultimately leading to more conversions. Ready to transform your store's performance? Book a Neto demo today.
