How to serve images in next-gen formats WordPress ?

Описание: Serving images in next-gen formats like WebP, AVIF, and JPEG 2000 can significantly improve website performance by reducing image size without compromising quality. Here’s how you can implement this in WordPress:

1. Use a Plugin for Image Optimization
Several WordPress plugins automatically convert images into next-gen formats and optimize them. Popular options include:

a. ShortPixel
Automatically converts images to WebP and AVIF formats.
Offers lossy, glossy, and lossless compression methods.
Allows serving WebP images with fallback for older browsers.
b. Smush
Compresses and converts images to WebP format.
Integrates with CDN services for faster delivery.
c. Imagify
Converts images to WebP and integrates with WP Rocket for enhanced performance.
Supports automatic optimization upon upload.
2. Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN)
CDNs like Cloudflare or KeyCDN can serve images in next-gen formats. These services automatically convert and deliver images in the best format for the user’s browser.

Steps to Enable WebP via Cloudflare:
Log in to your Cloudflare account.
Enable the "Polish" feature under the Speed section.
Select the "Lossless" or "Lossy" option and check the WebP box.
3. Manual Conversion and Upload
If you prefer manual control:

Convert your images to WebP or AVIF using tools like:
Squoosh
Adobe Photoshop (with plugins for WebP/AVIF support)
Upload the converted images via the WordPress media library.
Use custom code or plugins (like Rewrite Rules) to serve WebP to browsers that support it while falling back to traditional formats.