Lazy Loading Images for Performance
Improve Load Speed With Lazy Loading
Images are often the heaviest elements on a page. Lazy loading ensures that images outside the viewport are loaded only when needed, reducing initial page load time.
Why Lazy Loading Matters
A fast-loading site improves Core Web Vitals, SEO, and user retention. Without lazy loading, all images load at once, creating bottlenecks, especially on mobile networks.
<Highlight code={<img src="/hero.jpg" loading="lazy" alt="Hero image" />} language="html" />
Techniques
- Use native loading="lazy" in tags.
- For background images, use Intersection Observer API.
- Optimize image sizes using modern formats like AVIF or WebP.
Takeaway
Lazy loading is a simple, effective performance boost that improves the user experience dramatically.