WordPress Image Optimization Toolkit

Use this when

• A site relies on featured images, hero media, or card grids.
• Images look good in one place but crop poorly elsewhere.
• Performance is suffering because media decisions were made late.

Image preparation checklist

• Identify where each image appears and what aspect ratio the template expects.
• Export source images at practical dimensions instead of uploading oversized originals.
• Choose modern formats where the workflow supports them.
• Write alt text based on the image’s job in context.
• Check lazy loading and layout stability for below-the-fold media.

Editor guidance

1. Use images that can crop safely at different screen widths.
2. Avoid putting important text inside images.
3. Check featured image crops in cards and single pages.
4. Keep original source files outside WordPress when future edits may be needed.

Performance checks

• Review file size before upload.
• Confirm width and height attributes are present in rendered markup.
• Use the smallest practical image that still looks sharp in context.

Quality check

• Review important crops on mobile and desktop.
• Make sure decorative images are not described as content.
• Keep image decisions documented for future editors.