Umbraco 12 has been live for just over two months now. Let’s look at one of the key features, Image optimisation, and how it is crucial for a well-performing website, especially for businesses relying on rich visuals to engage their audience. Umbraco 12 has already set a high standard for content management systems, but what if you could take it a step further? That’s where ImageSharp 3 comes into play.
What is ImageSharp 3?
ImageSharp 3 is an advanced image processing library that simplifies the process of manipulating images. With support for various image formats, it enables users to resize, crop, and apply filters to images effortlessly.
Why It Matters
Better image handling means quicker load times and a better user experience, which are essential elements for any website aiming for a high SEO ranking. Improved image performance also translates into higher engagement and conversions, as users tend not to abandon websites that load quickly.
ImageSharp boasts a 14.4 times improvement in performance over ImageSharp 2
Integrating ImageSharp 3 with Umbraco 12
Integrating ImageSharp 3 into an Umbraco 12 system is straightforward, and the impact is immediate.
How to Integrate
ImageSharp 3 is built into the Umbraco 12 package meaning you don’t have to do any special setup to get it running. However, if you are installing on a non-Umbraco 12 system, then the setup is simple
- Install the ImageSharp NuGet package in your project.
- Add the necessary configuration in your web.config file.
The best part? You don’t need to be a tech whiz to get this done; most developers can integrate it well within an hour or so.
Immediate Benefits
Once integrated, you’ll notice faster image loading, and your server’s resource usage will drop significantly. The seamless compatibility between Umbraco 12 and ImageSharp 3 means a hassle-free user experience, allowing you to manage images directly within the Umbraco interface.
There’s a whole host of changes included, which you can see details for in the changelog. Here’s some of the highlights:
- Introduction of ImageDecoder and ImageEncoder
- Border wrapping modes
- New Median Blue processor
- Support for decoding JPEG
- Support for FAST IDCT Scaling for JPEG
ImageSharp 3 Features Tailored for Umbraco 12
Advanced Resizing and Cropping
ImageSharp 3 allows you to apply complex resizing and cropping operations directly from your Umbraco view. This means more time focusing on content and less time fiddling with image editors.
Format Conversion
Need to switch an image from PNG to JPEG for performance reasons? ImageSharp 3 handles format conversions effortlessly, giving you the flexibility to choose the best format for each scenario.
Conclusion
When it comes to boosting your website’s performance and SEO, every millisecond counts. By utilising ImageSharp 3 in your Umbraco 12 system, you are making a smart investment that will deliver noticeable results in website speed and user engagement. Start optimising today and let your images do the talking.
For more insights on improving your online presence with Umbraco 12 and ImageSharp, get in contact with Alpha Labs today!
