Lazy load images have become an essential feature for modern websites, especially for blogs that are heavy on visual content. By deferring the loading of images until they are needed, lazy load images help improve site performance, reduce bandwidth usage, and enhance the overall user experience. This comprehensive article will cover the benefits, implementation, and optimal placement of lazy load images on a Blogger site. Additionally, we will provide three alternative scripts in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to cater to various customization needs.
1. Benefits of Using Lazy Load Images
Implementing lazy load images offers several advantages that make it a valuable addition to any blog:
- Improved Page Load Speed: Lazy load images significantly reduce the initial page load time by loading only the images visible in the viewport and deferring the rest until the user scrolls down.
- Reduced Bandwidth Usage: By loading images only when needed, lazy load images help save bandwidth, which can be particularly beneficial for users with limited data plans.
- Enhanced User Experience: Faster loading pages lead to a better user experience, reducing bounce rates and increasing the likelihood of visitors staying on your site longer.
- SEO Benefits: Search engines favor fast-loading websites, so implementing lazy load images can positively impact your search engine rankings.
- Increased Engagement: By providing a smoother browsing experience, lazy load images can encourage users to interact more with your content.
2. How to Use Lazy Load Images
Adding and configuring lazy load images on Blogger involves a few simple steps. Follow this detailed guide to implement it on your blog:
Step 1: Access the Blogger Dashboard
- Log in to your Blogger account.
- Select the blog where you want to add lazy load images.
Step 2: Navigate to the Theme Section
- Click on the “Theme” tab in the left sidebar.
- Click on the “Edit HTML” button to access the HTML code of your blog’s theme.
Step 3: Insert Lazy Load Code
- Find the location in your HTML code where you want to add the lazy load script. This is typically within the
<head>or<body>section. - Paste the lazy load script code in the desired location. Here are three alternative scripts for you to choose from:
HTML Example:
<img class="lazyload" data-src="image.jpg" alt="Description">CSS Example:
<style>
.lazyload {
opacity: 0;
transition: opacity 0.3s;
}
.lazyload[data-loaded="true"] {
opacity: 1;
}
</style>
<img class="lazyload" data-src="image.jpg" alt="Description">
<script>
document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function() {
var lazyImages = [].slice.call(document.querySelectorAll("img.lazyload"));
if ("IntersectionObserver" in window) {
let lazyImageObserver = new IntersectionObserver(function(entries, observer) {
entries.forEach(function(entry) {
if (entry.isIntersecting) {
let lazyImage = entry.target;
lazyImage.src = lazyImage.dataset.src;
lazyImage.dataset.loaded = true;
lazyImageObserver.unobserve(lazyImage);
}
});
});
lazyImages.forEach(function(lazyImage) {
lazyImageObserver.observe(lazyImage);
});
}
});
</script>JavaScript Example:
<script>
document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function() {
var lazyImages = [].slice.call(document.querySelectorAll("img.lazyload"));
if ("IntersectionObserver" in window) {
let lazyImageObserver = new IntersectionObserver(function(entries, observer) {
entries.forEach(function(entry) {
if (entry.isIntersecting) {
let lazyImage = entry.target;
lazyImage.src = lazyImage.dataset.src;
lazyImage.classList.remove("lazyload");
lazyImageObserver.unobserve(lazyImage);
}
});
});
lazyImages.forEach(function(lazyImage) {
lazyImageObserver.observe(lazyImage);
});
} else {
// Fallback for browsers that don't support IntersectionObserver
var lazyLoadThrottleTimeout;
function lazyLoad() {
if (lazyLoadThrottleTimeout) {
clearTimeout(lazyLoadThrottleTimeout);
}
lazyLoadThrottleTimeout = setTimeout(function() {
var scrollTop = window.pageYOffset;
lazyImages.forEach(function(img) {
if (img.offsetTop < (window.innerHeight + scrollTop)) {
img.src = img.dataset.src;
img.classList.remove('lazyload');
}
});
if (lazyImages.length == 0) {
document.removeEventListener("scroll", lazyLoad);
window.removeEventListener("resize", lazyLoad);
window.removeEventListener("orientationchange", lazyLoad);
}
}, 20);
}
document.addEventListener("scroll", lazyLoad);
window.addEventListener("resize", lazyLoad);
window.addEventListener("orientationchange", lazyLoad);
}
});
</script>Step 4: Save Your Changes
- After pasting the desired code, click the “Save” button.
- Preview your blog to ensure the lazy load images are working as expected.
3. Where to Use the Lazy Load Images
Optimal placement of lazy load images can enhance its effectiveness. Here are some best practices for placing lazy load images on your blog:
- Within Blog Posts: Lazy load images are most commonly used within blog posts to ensure that only the images in the viewport load initially, improving page load speed.
- In Image Galleries: For blogs that feature image galleries or portfolios, lazy load images can be particularly useful to enhance performance and user experience.
- In Sidebars and Widgets: Lazy load images can also be applied to images in sidebars and widgets, reducing the initial load time for these elements.
4. What Happens Without the Widget
Not having lazy load images on your blog can lead to several potential drawbacks:
- Slower Page Load Speed: Without lazy load, all images on a page load simultaneously, leading to slower page load times, especially on image-heavy blogs.
- Increased Bandwidth Usage: Loading all images at once can consume more bandwidth, which can be a disadvantage for users with limited data plans.
- Higher Bounce Rate: Slow-loading pages can frustrate visitors, leading to a higher bounce rate and reduced user engagement.
- SEO Challenges: Search engines prioritize fast-loading websites. Without lazy load images, your blog may miss out on potential SEO benefits, affecting its search engine rankings.
Conclusion
Lazy load images are a valuable addition to any Blogger site, offering improved page load speed, reduced bandwidth usage, enhanced user experience, and SEO benefits. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily add and configure lazy load images on your blog. With the provided HTML, CSS, and JavaScript scripts, you can choose the best option that suits your website’s needs. Enhance your blog’s functionality and user experience with effective lazy load images.