> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.appplaza.app/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.appplaza.app/getting-started/getting-started.md).

# Getting started

{% hint style="info" %}
**Who can use this feature?**

* This feature is available for all users
  {% endhint %}

To get started with Avada Image & Speed Optimizer, you customize your settings for image optimization and click Optimize now. The whole process takes just a few minutes.

### What is Avada Speed?

Avada Speed makes your Shopify store load faster. Faster stores keep customers around longer, convert better, and rank higher on Google.

The app does two main things:

* **Speed up** — optimizes your theme code, images, fonts, and scripts so pages open quicker.
* **Image optimizer** — shrinks your product, collection, and blog images and writes alt text for SEO.

You can do most of the work yourself, or upgrade to **Expert** and have a real Shopify specialist optimize your store for you.

### Why use Avada Speed?

* **Faster load times** — quicker pages mean lower bounce rates and higher conversions.
* **Better Google ranking** — speed and Core Web Vitals are direct search ranking factors.
* **Lighter, SEO-ready images** — compressed images with proper alt text, automatically.
* **Do it yourself or hand it off** — full self-serve control, or a dedicated specialist on the Expert plan.
* **Your live store stays safe** — optimizations apply to a theme duplicate that you preview and publish only when you're happy.

###  ⚙️ How to get started

#### Step 1: Open the app

After installing, open **Avada Speed** in your Shopify admin. The first thing you'll see is the **Dashboard** — a quick health check of your store's speed.

#### Step 2: Take a tour of the menu

* **Speed up** — turn on optimizations for your theme.
* **Speed up expert** — let our specialist do it for you (Expert plan).
* **Image optimizer** — compress images and optimize alt text.
* **Analytics** — see how fast your store really is, based on real customer data.
* **Speed audit** — run a deep scan to find specific issues.
* **Subscription** — switch plans or apply a promo code.

#### Step 3: Pick your plan

Choose the plan that fits your store from **Subscription**:

* **Free** — Image optimizer only (100 images/month). Try things out.
* **Basic** — More images per month (10,000). For image-heavy stores.
* **Pro** — Images + basic speed optimization. Most popular for growing stores.
* **Expert** ⭐ — Everything, plus a dedicated speed specialist.

#### Step 4: Run your first Speed up

Open **Speed up**, turn on the optimizations available on your plan, click **Speed up now**, and apply them to a duplicate of your theme. Your live store stays safe — you preview and publish only when you're happy.

#### Step 5: Optimize your images

Open **Image optimizer** and run **Optimize now** to compress your product images. This usually gives the biggest speed boost on its own.

#### Step 6: Check your results

Come back to **Analytics** after a few days to see how much faster your store has gotten — and check which pages or metrics still need work.

### 📌 Merchant Notes

* Whenever you edit your theme (add pages, update templates, install apps), return to **Speed up** and click **Speed up now** again so the changes get re-optimized.
* Optimizations apply to a **theme duplicate** — your live store is never touched until you publish.
* The **Free** plan covers Image optimizer only (100 images/month); speed optimizations require **Pro** or higher.
* A dedicated speed specialist is **Expert plan only**.
* **Image optimizer** typically delivers the biggest single speed gain — run it first if you're short on time.

Contact us in live chat if you have any problems.


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