Performance fix guide
Images Missing Lazy Loading
Most images lack the loading="lazy" attribute. Without lazy loading, all images download on page load regardless of whether they are visible, slowing down the initial render.
Issue ID: PERF-IMG-LAZY-001
Severity: medium
Impact: Med
Effort: S
Use this article when
- You need deeper remediation guidance than the issue card can show.
- You want CMS-specific steps before handing the fix to a developer.
- You want a repeatable re-check path after shipping the change.
What this issue is
Most images lack the loading="lazy" attribute. Without lazy loading, all images download on page load regardless of whether they are visible, slowing down the initial render.
Why it matters
Most images lack the loading="lazy" attribute. Without lazy loading, all images download on page load regardless of whether they are visible, slowing down the initial render. This affects load speed, Core Web Vitals, and how many visitors stay long enough to convert.
How we detect it
- FreeSiteAudit flags this issue when the rule for PERF-IMG-LAZY-001 fails and the page evidence points to Dom body.
- You can usually confirm this by checking the page source or the relevant page settings inside your CMS.
Evidence examples
Check the affected page source, rendered output, or relevant CMS setting to confirm the missing or incorrect element.
How to fix it
- 1Add loading="lazy" to all <img> tags below the fold
- 2Keep above-the-fold images eager-loaded (do not lazy-load hero images)
- 3Most modern browsers support native lazy loading
How to re-check it
- Inspect images in DevTools and confirm loading="lazy" is set for below-fold images
Related tools
This issue is best verified with the full FreeSiteAudit crawl rather than a single-point mini tool.