How to Display Two Images Side by Side in WordPress: A Comprehensive Guide

Visually engaging content is key to capturing your audience’s attention in the digital landscape. WordPress, being a versatile platform, offers multiple ways to present your images effectively. One common technique is displaying two pictures side by side, allowing you to compare, contrast, or simply showcase related visuals in an appealing manner. This comprehensive guide will walk you through various methods to achieve this, catering to different skill levels and WordPress themes.

Why Display Images Side by Side?

Before diving into the ‘how,’ let’s consider the ‘why.’ Displaying images side by side can significantly enhance your content’s impact for several reasons:

• Comparison and Contrast: Easily highlight differences or similarities between two subjects, products, or concepts. For example, showing a ‘before’ and ‘after’ transformation.
• Visual Storytelling: Create a more dynamic narrative by juxtaposing related images. This is effective for travel blogs, recipe websites, or showcasing project progress.
• Product Showcase: Display different angles, variations, or use cases of a product, providing a comprehensive view.
• Aesthetic Appeal: Break up long blocks of text and add visual interest to your page, making it more engaging and user-friendly.
• Improved User Experience: Present information in a concise and easily digestible format, improving user experience and reducing bounce rates.

Methods to Place Two Images Side by Side in WordPress

Here are several methods you can use to display two images side by side in WordPress, ranging from the simplest to more advanced techniques:

1. Using the WordPress Block Editor (Gutenberg): The Columns Block

The WordPress Block Editor, also known as Gutenberg, is the default editor in modern WordPress installations. It offers a user-friendly way to arrange content using blocks, including a dedicated ‘Columns’ block.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Open or Create a Post/Page: Log in to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to the post or page where you want to add the images.
2. Add a Columns Block: Click the ‘+’ icon to add a new block. Search for ‘Columns’ and select the Columns block.
3. Choose a Two-Column Layout: Gutenberg will present you with several column layout options. Select the two-column layout. (Usually depicted as two equal-sized rectangles).
4. Insert Image Blocks: Within each column, click the ‘+’ icon to add a block. Search for ‘Image’ and select the Image block.
5. Upload or Select Images: In each Image block, you’ll have the option to upload a new image from your computer or select an existing image from your Media Library. Choose your desired images.
6. Adjust Image Size (Optional): You can adjust the size of the images within the Image block settings. Click on an image, and in the right-hand sidebar, you’ll find options to change the image width (in pixels or percentage). Experiment with different sizes to find the best fit. Ensure that the aspect ratio is maintained to prevent distortion.
7. Add Captions (Optional): Below each image, you can add a caption to provide context or description.
8. Save or Publish: Once you’re satisfied with the layout and appearance, save your draft or publish the post/page.

Tips for Using the Columns Block:

• Responsiveness: The Columns block is generally responsive, meaning it adapts to different screen sizes. However, always test your layout on various devices (desktop, tablet, mobile) to ensure it looks good. Sometimes, on smaller screens, the columns will stack vertically, which might be desirable or undesirable depending on your content.
• Spacing: The spacing between columns can sometimes be adjusted within the block settings (depending on your theme). If you need more control over spacing, consider using custom CSS (see below). You can typically find spacing settings under the ‘Style’ tab in the block options.
• Alignment: You can align the images within the columns (left, center, right) using the alignment options available in the Image block settings.
• Backgrounds: Some themes allow you to add background colors or images to the Columns block or individual columns, further enhancing the visual appeal.
• Mobile Optimization: Preview how your images look on mobile. If the stacked view doesn’t work for you, consider using a different approach, such as CSS media queries, to adjust the layout for smaller screens.

2. Using HTML Tables (Less Recommended, but Still Viable)

While not the most modern or responsive approach, using HTML tables is a traditional way to display images side by side. It provides a simple, albeit less flexible, solution.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Open or Create a Post/Page: Log in to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to the post or page where you want to add the images.
2. Switch to Text Editor: In the WordPress editor (either Classic or Gutenberg), switch to the ‘Text’ editor (or ‘Code editor’ in Gutenberg). This allows you to directly edit the HTML code.
3. Insert the HTML Table Code: Paste the following HTML code into the text editor:

   <table style="width:100%; border-collapse: collapse;">
     <tr>
      <td style="width:50%; padding: 5px; text-align: center;"><img src="IMAGE_URL_1" alt="Image 1" style="max-width: 100%; height: auto;"><br>Caption 1</td>
      <td style="width:50%; padding: 5px; text-align: center;"><img src="IMAGE_URL_2" alt="Image 2" style="max-width: 100%; height: auto;"><br>Caption 2</td>
     </tr>
    </table>

4. Replace Placeholders:
   • Replace `IMAGE_URL_1` with the actual URL of your first image. You can find this URL in the Media Library.
   • Replace `IMAGE_URL_2` with the actual URL of your second image.
   • Replace `Image 1` and `Image 2` with appropriate alt text for SEO and accessibility.
   • Replace `Caption 1` and `Caption 2` with the desired captions for each image. Remove the <br>Caption 1/2 if you don’t want a caption.
5. Adjust Styling (Optional): You can adjust the table styling by modifying the CSS within the `style` attributes. For example, you can change the `padding` value to control the spacing between the images and the table borders. You can also adjust border styles, background colors, and text alignment.
6. Switch Back to Visual Editor: Switch back to the ‘Visual’ editor to preview the result.
7. Save or Publish: Once you’re satisfied, save your draft or publish the post/page.

Important Considerations for Using HTML Tables:

• Responsiveness: HTML tables are notoriously difficult to make fully responsive. The `style=”width:100%”` and `max-width:100%` attributes are attempts to make the table and images scale to fit the screen, but this may not always work perfectly, especially on very small screens. You will likely need to use CSS media queries (see below) to get the desired effect on mobile.
• Accessibility: Use appropriate `alt` attributes for your images to improve accessibility for users with screen readers.
• SEO: While images within tables can be indexed by search engines, it’s generally recommended to use more semantic HTML (like the Columns block) for better SEO.
• Maintenance: Tables can be cumbersome to edit and maintain, especially if you need to make frequent changes to the layout or content.

3. Using Custom CSS

For more advanced users who want greater control over the layout and responsiveness, using custom CSS is an excellent option. This method involves adding CSS code to your theme’s stylesheet or using a custom CSS plugin.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Upload Images to Media Library: Upload your images to the WordPress Media Library and note their URLs.
2. Add Images to Post/Page: Insert the images into your post or page using the standard Image block (or even just using the HTML `<img>` tag in the Text editor). You don’t need to worry about arranging them side by side at this point.
3. Add a CSS Class:
   • Using Gutenberg: Select both image blocks. Add a ‘Custom CSS class’ to both image blocks. You can find the ‘Advanced’ tab on the right sidebar of the Gutenberg editor. Call this class something descriptive, like `side-by-side-images`.
   • Using HTML: If you’re using the Text editor, wrap the `<img>` tags in a `<div>` with a class. For example:

     <div class="side-by-side-images">
        <img src="IMAGE_URL_1" alt="Image 1">
        <img src="IMAGE_URL_2" alt="Image 2">
       </div>

4. Add Custom CSS: There are several ways to add custom CSS:
   • WordPress Customizer: Go to Appearance > Customize > Additional CSS. This is the recommended method for simple CSS customizations.
   • Theme’s Stylesheet (style.css): You can directly edit your theme’s `style.css` file, but this is generally discouraged unless you’re using a child theme. Changes to the parent theme will be overwritten when the theme is updated.
   • Custom CSS Plugin: Use a plugin like ‘Simple Custom CSS’ or ‘CSS Hero’ to add CSS without modifying your theme files.
5. Paste the CSS Code: Paste the following CSS code into your chosen CSS editor:

   .side-by-side-images {
    display: flex; /* or display: inline-block; */
    flex-wrap: wrap; /* Allow images to wrap on smaller screens */
    justify-content: space-between; /* Adjust spacing between images */
   }
   
   .side-by-side-images img {
    width: 48%; /* Adjust width as needed (slightly less than 50% to account for margin/padding) */
    height: auto; /* Maintain aspect ratio */
    margin-bottom: 10px; /* Add some spacing below each image */
   }
   
   @media (max-width: 768px) { /* Adjust breakpoint for mobile screens */
    .side-by-side-images {
     display: block; /* Stack images vertically on smaller screens */
    }
    .side-by-side-images img {
     width: 100%; /* Make images full width on smaller screens */
    }
   }
   

6. Adjust CSS Values:
   • `width`: Adjust the `width` property of the `img` selector to control the width of the images. Slightly less than 50% is usually needed to account for the spacing.
   • `margin-bottom`: Adjust the `margin-bottom` property to control the spacing below each image.
   • `max-width` and `max-height`: In some cases, you might need to limit the `max-width` or `max-height` of the images to prevent them from overflowing their containers.
   • `@media (max-width: 768px)`: This is a media query that applies the CSS rules within it only to screens smaller than 768 pixels wide (typically tablets and mobile devices). Adjust the `max-width` value to match the breakpoint where you want the images to stack vertically. You can change `display:block` to `display:inline-block` if you prefer a different layout on mobile.
   • `justify-content`: Experiment with values like `space-around`, `space-evenly`, or `center` to change how the images are spaced horizontally.
7. Save Changes: Save your changes in the Customizer or your CSS file.
8. Preview: Preview your post/page to see the results. Test on different screen sizes to ensure responsiveness.

Explanation of the CSS Code:

• `display: flex;`: This property enables Flexbox layout, which is a powerful way to arrange items in a container. Alternatively, you can use `display: inline-block;` which will make the images display inline but allow you to set width and height. `flex` is generally preferred for more control and responsiveness.
• `flex-wrap: wrap;`: This allows the images to wrap to the next line on smaller screens if they don’t fit horizontally.
• `justify-content: space-between;`: This distributes the images evenly along the horizontal axis, with space between them. Other options include `space-around`, `space-evenly`, and `center`.
• `width: 48%;`: This sets the width of each image to 48% of its container, leaving some space for margin and padding.
• `height: auto;`: This maintains the aspect ratio of the images as they scale.
• `@media (max-width: 768px)`: This is a media query that applies different CSS rules to screens smaller than 768 pixels wide. In this case, it sets the `display` property of the container to `block`, which stacks the images vertically, and sets the `width` of each image to `100%`, making them full width.

Advantages of Using Custom CSS:

• Greater Control: You have complete control over the layout and styling of your images.
• Responsiveness: You can easily create responsive layouts that adapt to different screen sizes using media queries.
• Efficiency: CSS is a lightweight and efficient way to style your content.

Disadvantages of Using Custom CSS:

• Requires Coding Knowledge: You need to have some knowledge of CSS to use this method effectively.
• Potential for Conflicts: Custom CSS can sometimes conflict with your theme’s existing styles, requiring careful debugging.

4. Using a Page Builder Plugin (e.g., Elementor, Beaver Builder)

Page builder plugins like Elementor and Beaver Builder provide a drag-and-drop interface for creating complex layouts, including displaying images side by side. These plugins offer a visual way to design your pages without writing any code.

General Steps (Specific steps may vary slightly depending on the page builder plugin):

1. Install and Activate a Page Builder Plugin: Install and activate your chosen page builder plugin from the WordPress plugin repository.
2. Create or Edit a Page/Post: Create a new page or post, or edit an existing one.
3. Launch the Page Builder: Click the button to launch the page builder interface (usually labeled something like ‘Edit with Elementor’ or ‘Launch Beaver Builder’).
4. Add a Section/Row: Add a new section or row to your page.
5. Choose a Two-Column Layout: Select a two-column layout for the section/row.
6. Add Image Widgets: Drag and drop the Image widget (or equivalent) into each column.
7. Upload or Select Images: In each Image widget, upload a new image or select an existing image from your Media Library.
8. Adjust Settings: Use the widget settings to adjust the image size, alignment, spacing, and other visual properties. Page builders usually offer visual controls for margins, padding, borders, and other style elements.
9. Save and Publish: Save your changes and publish the page/post.

Advantages of Using a Page Builder Plugin:

• Visual Interface: Drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to create complex layouts without coding.
• Wide Range of Features: Page builders offer a wide range of widgets and features for creating visually appealing content.
• Responsiveness: Page builders typically provide responsive design options to ensure your layouts look good on all devices.

Disadvantages of Using a Page Builder Plugin:

• Plugin Bloat: Page builders can add significant overhead to your website, potentially slowing down page load times.
• Learning Curve: It takes time to learn how to use a page builder effectively.
• Theme Lock-in: Some page builders can lock you into a specific theme, making it difficult to switch themes in the future.

Optimizing Images for Web

Regardless of the method you choose to display your images side by side, it’s crucial to optimize your images for the web to ensure fast loading times and a good user experience.

Here are some image optimization tips:

• Choose the Right File Format: Use JPEG for photographs and PNG for graphics with sharp lines and text. WebP is a modern image format that offers excellent compression and quality.
• Compress Images: Use image compression tools (like TinyPNG, ImageOptim, or ShortPixel) to reduce the file size of your images without sacrificing too much quality.
• Resize Images: Resize your images to the appropriate dimensions before uploading them to WordPress. Avoid uploading very large images and scaling them down in the browser.
• Use Descriptive File Names: Use descriptive file names that include relevant keywords to improve SEO.
• Add Alt Text: Add descriptive alt text to your images to improve accessibility and SEO. The alt text should describe the content of the image.
• Lazy Loading: Implement lazy loading to load images only when they are visible in the viewport. This can significantly improve page load times, especially for pages with many images. Many themes and plugins offer lazy loading options.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Here are some common issues you might encounter when displaying images side by side and how to troubleshoot them:

• Images Not Aligning Properly:
  • Check CSS: Inspect the CSS rules applied to the images and their containers to identify any conflicting styles.
  • Clear Cache: Clear your browser cache and WordPress cache to ensure you’re seeing the latest version of the page.
  • Theme Conflicts: Try switching to a different theme to see if the issue is caused by a theme conflict.
• Images Not Responsive:
  • Media Queries: Ensure you’re using media queries to adjust the layout for different screen sizes.
  • Viewport Meta Tag: Make sure your theme includes the viewport meta tag in the `<head>` section of your HTML. This tag is essential for responsive design.
  • Test on Different Devices: Test your layout on different devices and browsers to identify any responsiveness issues.
• Images Loading Slowly:
  • Optimize Images: Follow the image optimization tips mentioned above to reduce the file size of your images.
  • Use a CDN: Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN) to serve your images from servers located closer to your users.
  • Check Hosting: Ensure your hosting provider is providing adequate resources for your website.

Conclusion

Displaying images side by side in WordPress is a simple yet effective way to enhance your content and engage your audience. By following the methods outlined in this guide, you can create visually appealing layouts that showcase your images in a professional and user-friendly manner. Whether you choose the simplicity of the Gutenberg editor, the flexibility of custom CSS, or the power of a page builder plugin, remember to optimize your images for the web and test your layouts on different devices to ensure a seamless user experience.