Websites & CMS

Swapping Out Images (The Right Way)

How to update images without slowing your site down.

Replacing images on your site is simple - but doing it properly can make a big difference. Large, unoptimised images are one of the fastest ways to slow down a page.

Here’s how to swap images safely and keep your site running smoothly.

Use the Editor for static images

If the image sits directly on a page (like a hero image or team photo), you can replace it using the Webflow Editor:

  • Hover over the image you want to replace
  • Click the blue box that appears
  • Choose “Replace Image”
  • Upload a new file or choose one from the asset library

Once uploaded, the new image will appear instantly - no need to republish.

Use the CMS for dynamic images

If the image is part of a blog post, project, or team member entry, it’ll live in the CMS:

  • Open the CMS Collection (e.g. “Projects”)
  • Click into the item
  • Find the image field
  • Upload a new image and click Save or Publish

This will update the image across any pages that use that entry.

Optimise your images first

Before uploading, make sure your image is:

  • Under 500KB if possible
  • Saved as JPG for photos or PNG for graphics
  • Cropped to the right dimensions
  • Named clearly (e.g. “team-jane.jpg” instead of “IMG_1234”)

There are lots of free tools for compressing images - we like TinyPNG and Squoosh.

Replace, don’t stack

Avoid uploading the same image repeatedly with small edits. This clutters your asset library and can make it harder to manage down the line. Instead, replace the file or give it a clear version name.

Related articles in

Websites & CMS

Webflow Editor: A Quick Tour
Logging into Webflow
Editing Text and Images
Adding New Blog Posts
Managing Existing CMS Items
Using the Draft and Publish Buttons
Swapping Out Images (The Right Way)
Changing SEO Titles and Descriptions
Adding Links, Buttons, and PDFs
Undoing Changes Safely
Working With Video
Mobile vs Desktop Edits
Using the Asset Manager
What You Can Safely Edit
How to Request a New Page
Changing Your Domain
Using Site Search
Page Load Speed & Optimisation
Google Analytics & Tracking
Support