What is the solution for older Safari browsers when converting images to webp using the Webflow feature?

Published on
September 22, 2023

To convert images to WebP format using the Webflow feature, you have two options: Progressive JPEG or Cloudinary. Unfortunately, both of these options are not compatible with older versions of Safari, which do not support the WebP format. However, there are a few workarounds you can try to ensure a better user experience for visitors using older versions of Safari on your website:

  1. Serve a fallback image: Instead of converting all your images to WebP format, you can serve a fallback image in JPEG or PNG format specifically for older versions of Safari. This way, when a visitor using an older version of Safari visits your website, they will see the fallback image instead of the WebP image. To implement this, you can use conditional statements in your HTML or CSS to detect the browser and serve the appropriate image.

  2. Use JavaScript detection: Another option is to use JavaScript detection to determine the browser and serve the appropriate image format accordingly. You can use libraries like Modernizr or write custom JavaScript to detect the browser and load the appropriate image format. This approach gives you more flexibility in handling different browser versions and implementing fallbacks.

  3. Consider alternative image optimization techniques: If converting images to WebP format is not an option for your specific use case, you can explore alternative image optimization techniques to improve performance. This can include compressing images, implementing lazy loading, or using responsive images to reduce the file size and improve load times. These techniques can benefit all browser versions, including older Safari browsers.

While these workarounds may require additional effort and code implementation, they ensure a better user experience for visitors using older Safari browsers who may not support WebP format.

Additional Questions:

  • How can I convert images to WebP format using the Webflow feature?
  • What are some alternative image optimization techniques for better website performance?
  • How can I use JavaScript detection to serve different image formats based on the browser?