Enable Lazy Loading for Images in Magento

Method 1: Using a Third-Party Extension

Step 1: Choose and Install a Lazy Load Extension

1. Find an Extension:
   • Go to the Magento Marketplace and search for "lazy load" extensions.
   • Some popular options include "Mageplaza Lazy Load," "Amasty Lazy Load," and "MageComp Lazy Load."
2. Purchase and Download the Extension:
   • Select an extension that suits your needs.
   • Purchase and download the extension package.
3. Install the Extension:
   • Upload the extension files to your Magento root directory using FTP/SFTP.
   • Run the following commands via SSH in the root directory of your Magento installation:

   php bin/magento module:enable [Extension_Name]
   php bin/magento setup:upgrade
   php bin/magento setup:di:compile
   php bin/magento setup:static-content:deploy -f
   php bin/magento cache:clean
           

Step 2: Configure the Extension

1. Go to the Admin Panel:
   • Navigate to Stores > Configuration > [Your Extension Provider] > Lazy Load.
2. Configure Settings:
   • Enable lazy loading and configure the settings according to your preferences.
   • Adjust settings such as image placeholders, loading animations, and any other available options.

Method 2: Custom Implementation Using JavaScript

Step 1: Add Lazysizes Library

1. Download Lazysizes:
   • Download the lazysizes library from the GitHub repository.
2. Upload Lazysizes to Magento:
   • Place the lazysizes.min.js file in your theme’s web/js directory.
3. Include Lazysizes in Your Theme:
   • Add the following code to your theme’s requirejs-config.js file to include the lazysizes library:

   var config = {
       paths: {
           'lazysizes': 'js/lazysizes.min'
       },
       shim: {
           'lazysizes': {
               deps: ['jquery']
           }
       }
   };
           

Step 2: Modify Image Tags

1. Update Image Tags:
   • Modify your image tags to use the data-src attribute instead of the src attribute and add the lazyload class. For example:

   <img data-src="path/to/image.jpg" class="lazyload" alt="Your Alt Text" />
           

2. Add Placeholder Images:
   • Optionally, add a low-resolution placeholder image in the src attribute to be displayed before the actual image loads:

   <img src="path/to/placeholder.jpg" data-src="path/to/image.jpg" class="lazyload" alt="Your Alt Text" />
           

Step 3: Initialize Lazysizes

1. Ensure Lazysizes Initialization:
   • Lazysizes automatically initializes itself, but ensure that your theme includes the necessary initialization code if needed:

   require(['jquery', 'lazysizes'], function ($) {
       $(document).ready(function () {
           // Additional initialization code if necessary
       });
   });