What are the best practices for lazy loading images on a website?

What are the best practices for lazy loading images on a website?

Lazy loading images is a technique that delays the loading of images until they are needed, improving page load times. Best practices include using the loading attribute, implementing a placeholder, and ensuring images are properly sized.

Can you explain how the loading attribute works?

The loading attribute can be set to 'lazy' on <img> tags, which tells the browser to load the image only when it is about to enter the viewport, reducing initial load time.

What are some common pitfalls to avoid when implementing lazy loading?

Common pitfalls include not providing a placeholder, failing to test across different devices, and not considering SEO implications.

How does lazy loading affect SEO?

If implemented correctly, lazy loading can improve SEO by enhancing page speed. However, ensure that search engines can still crawl and index the images.