If you've ever been asked to upload images to your website and felt overwhelmed by terms like pixels, compression, or aspect ratio, you're not alone. This guide breaks down everything you need to know in plain English—no tech-speak, no guesswork.
What Is Image Resolution?
Resolution refers to how clear and detailed your image looks. It's measured in pixels.
- Higher resolution = more pixels = sharper image
- Lower resolution = fewer pixels = blurry or pixelated
Recommended Pixel Sizes
| Usage |
Ideal Size |
| Website Banners |
1920 x 1080 px |
| Product Images |
800 x 800 px |
| Blog Thumbnails |
1200 x 628 px |
| Portraits |
600 x 800 px or larger |
Landscape vs. Portrait
Landscape
- Wider than tall
- Great for banners and full-width images
Portrait
- Taller than wide
- Great for people photos, mobile layout, or product shots
Image File Types
| Type |
Best For |
Pros |
Cons |
| JPG/JPEG |
Photos |
Small size |
Slight quality loss |
| PNG |
Logos, transparencies |
Transparent backgrounds |
Larger size |
| WEBP |
Modern browsers |
High quality & small size |
May not work in older browsers |
| SVG |
Icons, logos |
Infinitely scalable |
Only for vector graphics |
Phones vs. Desktops
A large image that looks good on desktop may load slowly on phones. Let your developer optimize this by uploading a high-quality image—not one straight from a 6,000-pixel camera.
Compression
Compression shrinks the image size to load faster, but overdoing it makes images blocky.
Tools: TinyPNG, Squoosh, Photoshop’s Save for Web
Ideal file size: Under 500KB for general use, under 200KB for mobile.
Lighting and Framing Tips
- Use natural light near windows
- Avoid strong shadows or backlight
- Leave space around subjects — don’t crop too tight
Quick Recap
| Thing to Consider |
Why It Matters |
| Pixel Size |
Controls sharpness and layout fit |
| Aspect Ratio |
Ensures proper orientation |
| File Type |
Affects transparency and size |
| File Size |
Impacts page speed |
| Device Optimization |
Looks good on all screens |
| Lighting & Framing |
Makes your brand look pro |
Final Thoughts
Even if you’re not a designer, understanding the basics of image size, quality, and placement will go a long way in keeping your site fast, beautiful, and mobile-friendly.
Published on 8/22/2025 (5 days ago)