Reserve space for images before they finish loading

What to change

Ask the supplier to keep surrounding text and actions stable while images load or fail.

A worked example

Illustrative example

A branch photograph fills its prepared area without moving the address link that the visitor is about to press below it.

How to check the result

Accept when delayed imagery does not cause material movement of actionable content and the failed-image presentation leaves the page useful.

A mistake to avoid

Preloading every image can increase competition for network resources; acceptance should focus on stable interaction, not one prescribed implementation.

Your action checklist

Use these checks to prepare a discussion with your team or supplier. Tick a check when you have recorded the decision or evidence, rather than when a feature has simply been promised.

Decisions to recordLoad an image-rich service page with an empty cache on a slower connection. Watch the position of links and buttons beside each arriving image.Ask the supplier to demonstrate image failure as well as delay. The reserved area should resolve cleanly without leaving an unexplained enormous gap.Repeat on a phone where image dimensions change. The layout should reserve an appropriate shape for each responsive presentation rather than one desktop size.

Evidence, open questions and decisionsNext action and responsible role

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