What is lazy loading and how do I implement it?

What is lazy loading and how do I implement it in my website?

Lazy loading is a design pattern that postpones loading non-essential resources at the point the page is initially loaded. Instead, these resources are loaded only when they are needed, such as when they come into the viewport. To implement it, you can use the 'loading' attribute in your <img> tags or use JavaScript libraries like Intersection Observer.

Can you give me an example of how to use the Intersection Observer for lazy loading?

Sure! Here's a simple example:

const images = document.querySelectorAll('img[data-src]');
const options = {
  root: null,
  rootMargin: '0px',
  threshold: 0.1
};

const loadImage = (image) => {
  image.src = image.dataset.src;
};

const observer = new IntersectionObserver((entries, observer) => {
  entries.forEach(entry => {
    if (entry.isIntersecting) {
      loadImage(entry.target);
      observer.unobserve(entry.target);
    }
  });
}, options);

images.forEach(image => {
  observer.observe(image);
});

This code will load images only when they are about to enter the viewport.

What are the benefits of using lazy loading?

The benefits of lazy loading include improved page load times, reduced initial data usage, and better performance on mobile devices. It enhances user experience by loading content as needed.

Are there any drawbacks to lazy loading?

Yes, some drawbacks include potential SEO issues if not implemented correctly, and it may lead to a poor user experience if users scroll quickly and content doesn't load in time.