When you visit different websites you will see various kinds of images that have been embedded to improve its looks - to leave a lasting impression in the minds of the visitor about that particular website. The images are stored in different formats that are best understood by the computer and these formats include JPEG, GIF, PNG and more.

You can select a particular format for your website depending on how well each format optimizes the images and there are certain considerations to keep in mind while doing so such as the file size, which if it is reduced, can adversely affect the quality of the image. It is recommended to use .GIF format since this format allows you to save your images in less storage as compared with .JPEG format. GIF formats are commonly used to store icons as well as buttons.

However, if you are using photographs as well as backgrounds that also include special effects, then you should opt for the .JPEG format so that colors are seen to be more vivid and you will also ensure better quality of texture as well.

GIF format, in case you are not aware of its meaning, stands for “Graphic Interchange Format� and it has been around since 1987, when it was known as GIF87a. Since then, it has seen many changes and it is used in animations, and for transparent images. There is also the interlaced and non-interlaced GIF format in existence. Non-interlaced GIF images are filled from the top down to the bottom with each line following the former. Interlacing on the other hand means filling of alternative lines of data and filling again from top to bottom by repeating this process while filling in the omitted lines and this is also how a television also works.

JPEG images are really compressed image formats and the term JPEG stands for Joint Photographic Experts Group. The advantage of this format is to store images (usually photographs) in less space on your computer’s hard drive. This is a very popular means of storing your images and is especially useful for internet usage since it helps transmit images in shorter time.

JPEG format does require more computer memory though the images are less grainy than its forerunner, the GIF format. However, you will see a trade-off taking place and the lesser storage size may be offset by the lesser detail of the final image and this format is ideally suited if you require middle to medium compression. In any case, whatever is the image you choose; you need to select an appropriate image format and that means choosing between GIF, JPG, JPEG and PNG. If you get the mix right, you will see better images that load in quick time as well as match the final output of the image.