Top 7 reasons why businesses should optimize images with CDN

In recent years, we have seen a significant increase in data volume, particularly with images and videos. According to a study by Cisco, image and video data accounted for approximately 82% of all web traffic in 2023 and is expected to continue growing. This increase correlates with higher demands for faster loading speeds and better user experiences.

Businesses today face the challenge of not only storing and delivering images but also optimizing them to meet users’ rising expectations. Page loading speed has become a critical factor affecting customer satisfaction and Google search rankings. Moreover, managing bandwidth and storage costs has become a key issue as the volume of data continues to grow.

1. Increase page load speed

Slow loading times are one of the primary reasons users leave a website. A study by Google found that 53% of users abandon a page if it takes more than 3 seconds to load. Using a CDN to optimize images reduces page load time by distributing images from servers closest to the user. This can improve loading speed by 50% to 70%, encouraging users to stay on the page longer.

2. Reduce load on the origin server

Images account for a significant portion of a website’s total data volume. According to a report by Google, they make up 60% of the total download size. When the origin server must handle and deliver such a large amount of data, it becomes susceptible to overload, especially during peak traffic times. Image optimization reduces file size without compromising quality, thereby decreasing the amount of data the origin server needs to deliver. When combined with a CDN, which stores and distributes images from servers closest to the user, the load on the origin server is significantly reduced. This not only ensures stable and efficient server operation but also protects against overload during traffic spikes.

3. Improve SEO

Google uses page load speed as a crucial ranking factor in search results. A faster-loading website has a higher chance of ranking at the top of search results, increasing user reach. According to Google, reducing page load time by 1 second can increase conversion rates by 2%. A study by Backlinko showed that websites in Google’s top 10 search results have an average load time of 1.65 seconds, compared to 2.5 seconds for websites outside this range.

Optimizing images with a CDN helps reduce page load time, improving user experience and increasing the chances of your business’s website appearing in top search results.

4. Save bandwidth

Unoptimized images can consume excessive bandwidth, leading to high costs and reduced user experience, especially on mobile devices with weaker internet connections. According to HTTP Archive, optimizing images can reduce download size by up to 40%, saving bandwidth and improving site performance.

Google states that using the WebP format can reduce image sizes by 25% to 34% without sacrificing sharpness, which is particularly important for websites with many images.

5. Enhance experience on all devices

Statistics from Google indicate that over 50% of web traffic comes from mobile devices. Unoptimized images can slow down a website, affecting the mobile user experience. By optimizing images for mobile devices, you can reduce load time and increase conversion rates. A study shows that improving mobile load time by just 1 second can boost conversion rates by up to 27%.

In addition to mobile phones, optimal image display on other devices is crucial. A CDN automatically adjusts the size and format of images for each device, improving display performance by up to 30% without manual intervention.

6. Reduce storage and delivery costs

For large websites or those with high traffic, storage and data delivery costs can skyrocket, impacting the business’s budget. Image optimization reduces file size while maintaining optimal display quality, thus reducing the amount of server storage needed. Furthermore, as image size decreases, the data required for delivery is also reduced, lowering bandwidth costs, especially for businesses with large traffic volumes.

7. Increase conversion rates

A fast and smooth-loading website creates a positive impression on users, leading to higher conversion rates. Google reports that reducing page load time by just 1 second can increase conversion rates by up to 7%. Optimizing images is a simple and effective way to achieve this.

By optimizing images (e.g., reducing file size, compressing images while maintaining optimal display quality, using modern image formats like WebP, and employing lazy loading techniques), businesses can significantly decrease page load time. Faster-loading pages result in a more enjoyable user experience, increasing the likelihood that users will continue exploring the site and take actions such as subscribing to newsletters, adding items to their cart, or completing a purchase.

WebP is a modern image format developed by Google, designed to reduce file size while maintaining high quality. It supports both lossy and lossless compression, as well as animated images. WebP’s flexibility makes it an effective alternative to traditional formats like JPEG, PNG, and GIF.

Explore the difference between image formats here.

One of WebP’s most notable benefits is its ability to significantly reduce file size, often by 25% to 34% compared to JPEG and PNG, without compromising image quality. This not only saves bandwidth but also improves website load times, particularly for image-heavy sites like e-commerce platforms, photo blogs, or portfolios.

WebP also offers superior image quality, especially with features like lossless compression and transparency support, making it an ideal replacement for PNG. Additionally, with animated image support, WebP can replace GIF files with smaller sizes and higher quality, meeting the demands of modern websites.

Recognizing the superior benefits of WebP, VNCDN supports the conversion of image formats to WebP, helping businesses effectively optimize their images. By simply opting to use VNCDN for website optimization, the image format conversion feature is automatically activated according to the needs of the business. As a result, all images used on the website will be converted to WebP format, addressing the challenge of file size. Not only does this ensure convenience, but VNCDN’s system can also automatically detect and identify the user’s browser. If the browser supports WebP, VNCDN will deliver the image in this format; if not, the image will revert to its original format to ensure compatibility.

VNCDN's solution, developed by VNETWORK, stands out with its robust CDN infrastructure built on advanced technology and includes 280 Points of Presence (PoPs) in 33 countries worldwide. This system is supported by international uplink bandwidth of up to 57 Tbps, ensuring high-quality content delivery services.

In Vietnam, VNCDN's infrastructure is deployed at top-tier 3 data centers such as Viettel, FPT, VNPT, and Mobifone, with a total domestic uplink bandwidth of up to 10 Tbps. The VNCDN system can simultaneously serve more than 5 million users and process over 8 billion requests per day, ensuring stable operation even during periods of high traffic.

VNCDN is also integrated with various intelligent features to ensure flexibility and efficiency. One notable advantage is its comprehensive API integration capability, enabling businesses to easily scale and customize solutions according to their specific needs. Support for the HTTP/3 protocol significantly enhances performance and security, minimizing latency and improving the user experience across all devices. Furthermore, the smart Origin Shield feature distributes cached content efficiently, reducing the load on the origin server and optimizing traffic, contributing to overall system performance improvement.

VNCDN's 24/7 support team is another key factor, particularly in emergency situations or when traffic suddenly surges. VNCDN’s support team works closely with customers to maintain performance and protect the system from overload, ensuring that business operations are not interrupted due to traffic spikes.

VNCDN by VNETWORK offers not only a robust and reliable CDN infrastructure but also integrates intelligent and flexible features, fully meeting the demanding needs of businesses. With its superior performance and high efficiency, VNCDN is the ideal solution to help businesses optimize online operations and enhance user experience. Take advantage of VNCDN to maximize the potential of VNETWORK’s CDN system. Businesses interested in experiencing VNCDN’s WebP solution, please contact the hotline at (028) 7306 8789 or email contact@vnetwork.vn for professional consultation and support.