How to Upload Images and Media in WordPress

Adding visuals to your website is one of the best ways to keep your readers interested. A wall of text can be boring, but a well placed image or video makes your content pop. If you are new to WordPress, you might feel a bit overwhelmed by the dashboard. The good news is that managing media is actually one of the easiest parts of using the platform.

In this guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know about uploading images and media to your WordPress site.

The WordPress Media Library

Before we dive into the “how-to,” you should know where your files live. Every image, video, or PDF you upload is stored in the Media Library.

You can find this by clicking on Media in your left hand sidebar. Here, you can view, edit, or delete files you have already uploaded. It acts like a digital folder for all your website’s visual assets.

Method 1: Uploading Directly into a Post or Page

Most of the time, you will want to upload an image while you are right in the middle of writing a blog post. Here is the step by step process:

1. Open your Post: Go to the post editor where you want the image to appear.
2. Add a Block: Click the + (plus) icon to add a new block.
3. Choose Image: Search for the Image block and click it.
4. Upload: You will see three options: Upload, Media Library, or Insert from URL. Click Upload.
5. Select Your File: Choose the image from your computer and click open.

WordPress will automatically place the image into your post. You can then use the toolbar above the image to align it to the left, center, or right.

Method 2: Drag and Drop

If you want to save time, WordPress supports drag and drop. You can simply grab an image file from a folder on your computer and drag it directly into the WordPress editor. A blue line will appear to show you where the image will land. Let go of the mouse button, and the upload starts instantly.

Adding Other Media Files

WordPress is not just for photos. You can upload various types of media to make your site more interactive:

• PDFs: Great for user manuals or free e-books. When you upload a PDF, WordPress creates a link that users can click to download the file.
• Audio: You can upload .mp3 files if you have a podcast or want to share music.
• Videos: While you can upload videos directly, it is usually better to host them on a site like YouTube and “embed” them. This keeps your website running fast.

Optimizing Your Images for Speed

One mistake many beginners make is uploading images that are too large. If your file size is huge, your website will load slowly. Here are three quick tips to keep things fast:

• Resize before uploading: If your blog is only 800 pixels wide, do not upload a photo that is 5000 pixels wide.
• Use the right format: Use JPEG for photographs and PNG for icons or images with transparent backgrounds.
• Add Alt Text: Once an image is uploaded, look for the Alt Text box in the settings. Describe what is in the image. This helps search engines understand your content and helps visually impaired readers.

Managing Your Media Long Term

As your site grows, you will have hundreds of images. You can use the search bar in the Media Library to find specific files by name. If you realize an image is outdated, you can click on it and select Delete Permanently to save space on your server.

Uploading media is a fundamental skill for any website owner. Once you master these simple steps, you can focus on creating beautiful, visual content that your audience will love.