Image optimization tips for BigCommerce stores that increase load speed

Does your BigCommerce store take too long to load? Are customers abandoning your site before they see your products? The culprit might be hiding in plain sight: unoptimized images.

For BigCommerce store owners, image optimization isn’t just a technical nice-to-have—it’s essential for SEO performance, user experience, and ultimately, your conversion rates. Let’s explore practical optimization techniques specifically tailored for BigCommerce platforms.

Why image optimization matters for your BigCommerce store

Before diving into the how-to, let’s understand what’s at stake:

• Page speed impacts rankings: Google’s Speed Update prioritizes fast-loading sites in search results, meaning unoptimized images can directly harm your visibility
• User experience suffers: 40% of users abandon sites that take more than 3 seconds to load—in e-commerce, this translates to lost sales before customers even see your products
• Mobile optimization: Unoptimized images are especially problematic on mobile devices, where bandwidth constraints make heavy pages painfully slow to navigate

Think of image optimization as weight training for your website—trimming unnecessary bulk while maintaining visual strength and appeal.

Optimal image sizes for BigCommerce

Using the right dimensions from the start prevents unnecessary performance issues:

• Product images: Aim for 1028x1028 pixels for standard product displays, which provides enough detail without excessive weight
• Zoom functionality: If you offer zoom features, consider 1200 pixels on the longest side to maintain clarity when customers inspect details
• Consistency matters: Square images (1000x1000 pixels) create visual harmony across product pages and align with marketplace requirements

Remember that larger isn’t always better. Oversized images slow down your store without providing additional visual benefits—like trying to stream a 4K movie on a standard definition TV.

Choose the right file formats

Different image types serve different purposes on your BigCommerce store:

JPEG

• Best for most product photography with complex colors and details
• Supports lossy compression for smaller file sizes
• Ideal for images with many colors and gradients, like clothing or lifestyle shots

PNG

• Use only when transparency is needed (like product overlays or logos)
• Results in larger file sizes than JPEG
• Better for graphics with text, logos, or illustrations with limited color palettes

GIF

• Limit to small thumbnails, icons, or simple animations
• Low resolution but small file size
• Consider for showing simple product functions or highlighting features

Think of file formats like vehicles: JPEGs are efficient sedans for everyday use, PNGs are specialized trucks when you need specific capabilities, and GIFs are compact scooters for quick, light trips.

Compression techniques for BigCommerce

BigCommerce offers built-in tools to help with image optimization:

Akamai Image Manager

If you’re using a Stencil theme, you already have access to Akamai Image Manager, which automatically:

• Optimizes images for different devices
• Converts images to next-gen formats like WebP
• Adjusts quality settings for the best balance of performance and appearance

This is like having an automatic photo editor working behind the scenes to make your images load faster without sacrificing quality.

Third-party compression tools

Before uploading to BigCommerce, consider using:

• TinyJPG for pre-upload compression of JPEG and PNG files
• Adobe Photoshop’s “Save for Web” feature
• Batch processing tools for large product catalogs

A good workflow is to establish an image optimization pipeline: prepare images in your editing software, run them through compression tools, then upload to BigCommerce where Akamai can further optimize delivery.

SEO optimization for images

Properly optimized images do double duty by improving both speed and search visibility:

Descriptive file names

• Use keywords in file names (e.g., “red-wool-sweater.jpg” instead of “IMG12345.jpg”)
• Separate words with hyphens
• Keep names short but descriptive

Alt text best practices

Add descriptive alt text to every image that:

• Accurately describes what’s in the image
• Includes relevant keywords naturally
• Helps visually impaired users understand your content

For example, instead of “shirt.jpg,” use “mens-blue-oxford-button-down-shirt.jpg” with alt text “Men’s blue Oxford button-down shirt with pearl buttons.”

Open Graph protocol

Implement Open Graph tags in your product pages to control how images appear when shared on social media platforms. This ensures your products look their best when customers share them, extending your reach with properly formatted visuals.

BigCommerce-specific optimization tips

Leverage BigCommerce’s CDN

BigCommerce includes a content delivery network that distributes your images to servers worldwide, reducing load times for international customers. This global distribution system ensures that a shopper in Australia doesn’t have to wait for image data to travel from North American servers.

Multiple product views

While keeping optimization in mind, consider offering:

• 360° product videos
• Multiple angle photos
• Zoom functionality for detailed views

These features reduce purchase barriers while maintaining performance when properly optimized. Studies show that comprehensive product imagery increases conversion rates by helping customers feel confident in their purchase decisions.

Standardize product backgrounds

Use white backgrounds for product images to:

• Create a consistent look across your store
• Meet requirements for Google Shopping and other marketplaces
• Make your products the focal point

This standardization not only improves aesthetics but also ensures compatibility with various platforms where your products might appear.

Measuring the impact of your optimization

After implementing these optimization techniques, measure your progress:

1. Use Google PageSpeed Insights to compare before and after scores
2. Monitor your BigCommerce Analytics for changes in bounce rates and time on site
3. Track organic search rankings for key product pages
4. Compare conversion rates pre- and post-optimization

A real-world case: One BigCommerce retailer reduced their average image size by 60% through optimization, resulting in a 2-second improvement in load time and a 15% increase in conversion rate—proving that these technical adjustments have real business impact.

Final thoughts

Image optimization for BigCommerce isn’t a one-time task but an ongoing process as you add new products. By following these guidelines, you’ll create a faster, more user-friendly shopping experience that both customers and search engines will reward.

For BigCommerce store owners looking to boost their overall SEO performance beyond just image optimization, CrocoAI offers AI-powered SEO content automation that works seamlessly with your product catalog to drive more organic traffic and sales.

Remember: in e-commerce, every second counts—and optimized images help ensure those seconds work in your favor. Start implementing these practices today, and watch your store performance soar tomorrow.