WebP conversion is the process of transforming images into WebP format, a modern image format developed by Google. This format provides superior lossless and lossy compression for web images compared to traditional formats like JPEG, PNG, and GIF.

Key benefits of using WebP include:

• Smaller file sizes – Typically 25-35% smaller than JPEGs
• Better quality – Maintains image quality at smaller sizes
• Transparency support – Unlike JPEG, WebP supports alpha channels
• Animation capabilities – Can replace animated GIFs with better compression

For website owners, WebP conversion is crucial because faster loading images improve user experience and boost SEO rankings. Google's PageSpeed Insights and Core Web Vitals specifically reward sites using modern image formats.

Most modern browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari) now support WebP, but you should implement fallback images for older browsers using HTML's <picture> element. Many hosting platforms and CMS systems offer automatic WebP conversion through plugins or built-in features.

To convert images to WebP, you can use:

• Command-line tools (cwebp, dwebp)
• Online conversion services
• Image editing software plugins
• Automated server-side conversion

Implementing WebP conversion is one of the most effective optimizations for improving website performance without sacrificing visual quality.