Does it give you a headache thinking about all the different screen sizes, device types, and display resolutions out there?
When it comes to image files, there are many different formats. While some images may look good at first glance, the quality may begin to erode as it’s enlarged.
Problems like this can be avoided by using SVG images instead of the more common PNG/JPG types.
SVG images are scalable, versatile, and editable. They are also supported universally across all modern browsers.
There are several advantages of using SVG files for your website. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know.
What Are SVG Files?
SVG is a type of image file. It stands for ‘Scalable Vector Graphics’. The SVG filetype is popular among designers and web developers.
The SVG file format uses XML markup to describe the appearance of the image by defining shapes and lines. XML is a type of markup language that defines rules for encoding documents in different formats.
You can open an SVG file with any modern web browser. You can also use graphic design programs like Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop to open SVGs on your computer.
The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) developed the SVG open standard as they felt it would be useful for digital display. The W3C designed the SVG format from scratch.
Difference Between SVG and JPG/PNG File Formats
JPG and PNG are two of the most popular image file types on the web. In fact, more than 70% of websites use these image formats compared to just 30% that use SVG.
The main difference between JPG/PNG and SVG is that the former are both raster files while SVGs are vectors. So what’s the difference?
Raster images are static images made up of pixels. Each pixel within a raster image has a fixed color, size, and position.
Because raster images contain fixed pixels, it means they are difficult to scale. In other words, when you scale up the image, the pixels stretch to fill the space, and the quality of the image deteriorates.
Vector formats, on the other hand, do not use pixels. Instead, they contain lines and curves that scale depending on the total area of the image. This makes resizing vector images easy.
It is generally agreed that raster images are best for photographs due to their depth of color. However, SVGs are better for display on the web due to their infinite scalability and aesthetically pleasing look on digital displays.
1. Scalable and Responsive
Because SVGs are vector types, you can resize them without losing quality. The image itself is resolution-independent.
SVGs look crisp and clear on any display from smartphones to desktop monitors. SVGs are a great format for web logos that need to be responsive (change size). In fact, you can use one SVG file to cover all icon sizes.
That’s why designers and web developers favor SVGs over regular image formats.
2. Compact File Sizes
Another benefit of using SVG files is that they have small file sizes. This is important for web designers who want to build sites that load quickly.
When SVG files are properly optimized, their file size is smaller than most other image formats. You can use SVGs for small icons and graphics and you can use them for large hero images.
3. Easy to Edit
SVGs don’t contain pixels, instead, they contain XML text markup. This makes them easy to edit and style.
Using CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) you can change the properties of your SVG images. You can also edit the file using an image editing program like Sketch or GIMP.
The ability to easily edit and style SVGs means they are more versatile than regular image types.
4. Interactive
Did you know that SVGs have their own DOM inside the browser? DOM stands for ‘Document Object Model’ and is a programming interface for HTML and XML documents.
You can navigate this DOM using developer tools. It is this separate DOM that allows you to interact with elements inside SVG images using JavaScript or CSS.
This means you can animate SVGs to create unique, interactive experiences on your website. There are several ways to animate SVG files including using CSS, and JavaScript’s Web Animations API.
The flexibility of SVG images has allowed for a more creative approach to logo design. In fact, designers use SVGs to create animated logos, which have become popular recently.
5. SEO Friendly
SVG images contain XML markup text. This means they can contain keywords and descriptions. Raster images, on the other hand, only allow for a title and alt attributes.
This means SVG files are potentially more SEO-friendly than other image formats. SEO is of prime importance to most brands as it helps them appear higher in search results.
Furthermore, because SVGs have small file sizes, they can load faster than other images. This is important because Page speed is another key factor in SEO.
Convert Your Image Files Now
Now that you know the advantages of using SVG files, why not start incorporating them into your website?
SVGs are XML-based file formats that are easy to edit and style. You can also scale them up or down as much as you like without losing quality. Finally, SVG files are SEO-friendly due to their small file sizes and text-based nature.
Why not start converting some of your image files today? Using Offdrive you can convert between all kinds of different file types for free! It’s quick and easy so Get started today.