Optimize Squarespace Images

Ever uploaded a gorgeous image to Squarespace, only to realize your site suddenly feels like it’s stuck in molasses? You’re definitely not the only one.

Image size is one of the sneakiest culprits behind sluggish Squarespace websites. And while there are some workarounds after upload, your best bet is to handle image optimization before you upload.

The good news? You don’t need to install anything, pay for a plugin, or cross your fingers that Squarespace will magically fix it. You just need a solid image optimization routine upfront.

Why bother optimizing images before uploading to Squarespace?

Squarespace compresses images automatically to a certain degree. However, relying on that alone won’t get you the fastest load times or the best quality balance.

Optimizing before upload gives you:

• Faster page load speeds
• Better performance on mobile
• No bloated image files bogging down your site

How to optimize images for Squarespace?

Let’s keep it simple. Here’s how to get clean, sharp, fast-loading images for your Squarespace site using a free tool like ShortPixel’s online compressor.

Step 1: Prep Your Images with the Right Dimensions

Squarespace is responsive, which means your images need to look good across desktops, tablets, and phones. Here’s a rough guide for common Squarespace image types:

• Full-width banners: 2500px wide (height can vary depending on design)
• Gallery or grid images: 1500px on the longest side
• Thumbnails / blog previews: 800–1000px wide
• Logos / icons: There’s no support for SVGs yet, so stick to PNG files

Always aim for a balance, big enough to look good, small enough to load fast.

Step 2: Open ShortPixel’s Free Online Compressor

Go to ShortPixel’s Image Compressor and get ready to tweak a few settings:

• Compression type:
  • Lossy – Great for most web images. Smallest file size, slight quality dip (usually not visible).
  • Glossy – A middle ground. Great for photographers or portfolio sites.
  • Lossless – Keeps original quality, but files are larger.
• Resize before compression:
  Want to shrink the actual dimensions? Enter a max width/height, and ShortPixel will resize and compress in one go.
• EXIF data: Disable this—Squarespace strips metadata anyway.

Step 3: Upload your images

After adjusting the settings, you can upload your images by dragging them into the box or clicking to select.

Step 4: Download the optimized files

Once done, download them individually or all at once. You’re now holding lean, clean image files ready to fly on your site.

Step 5: Upload to Squarespace

Now go back to Squarespace and upload the optimized images directly into your pages, galleries, or blocks. You’ll notice faster loading times, smoother transitions, and no degradation in quality.

Bonus Squarespace image tips

• Name your files with SEO in mind
  Instead of IMG_0921.jpg, use handmade-ceramic-mug.jpg. Google loves context.
• Use JPGs for photos, and PNGs for graphics with transparency like icons/logos.
• Stick to consistent aspect ratios in galleries or product lists – it keeps your layout tidy.
• Fill in alt text properly. It helps with accessibility and Google image search rankings.

Wrap-up

If you’re building a Squarespace site that looks stunning and loads lightning-fast, image optimization is your secret weapon. Doing it before upload takes just a few extra minutes but saves you hours of frustration later.

So next time you’re about to drop that giant 6MB banner image into your design, stop – optimize it first. Your visitors will thank you.