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Speed Optimization Guide

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A complete and Comprehensive Guide On Making WordPress websites faster.

Don’t be overwhelmed by the table below; most optimizations can be easily achieved with an optimization plugin. I personally use the free Speed Optimization plugin that comes bundled with SiteGround’s Hosting plan. However, there are several other options, including W3 Total Cache (W3TC), WP Rocket, and FlyingPress.

Steps to optimizing your WordPress website :

1. Visit GTmetrix: Enter your website’s URL to begin the test. GTmetrix offers this tool for free and allows multiple tests to be performed every hour, at no charge.

2. Review the Report: GTmetrix will quickly generate a performance report, pinpointing each area that requires improvement.

3. Consult our table below to address the specific areas highlighted by GTmetrix. While GTmetrix often uses complex terminology, overcomplicates its instructions, and provides guidance for a broad spectrum of websites, we’ve streamlined and tailored their recommendations specifically for WordPress sites. With our clear and straightforward guidelines, you’ll find it much easier to understand and implement the necessary changes.

4. Re-test After Implementing Changes: After making a change, clear your website’s cache if it’s enabled. Re-test on GTmetrix to assess the impact of your adjustments. Using the new results, move on to the next suggested improvement and continue the process.

wdt_ID	Topic	Difficulty Level	Topic2	Difficulty Level2
1	Avoid an excessive DOM size	Plugin	Minify CSS	Plugin
2	Avoid chaining critical requests	Plugin	Minify JavaScript	Plugin
3	Avoid CSS @import	Plugin	Minimize main-thread work	Plugin
4	Avoid document.write()	Plugin	Preconnect to required origins	Medium
5	Avoid enormous network payloads	Plugin	Preload key requests	Plugin
6	Avoid large layout shifts	Difficult	Preload Largest Contentful Paint image	Medium
7	Avoid long main-thread tasks	Plugin	Properly size images	Easy
8	Avoid multiple page redirects	Easy	Reduce JavaScript execution time	Plugin
9	Avoid Non-Composited Animations	Difficult	Reduce the impact of third-party code	Plugin
10	Deferring Offscreen Images	Plugin	Reduce unused CSS	Plugin
11	Don't lazy load Largest Contentful Paint image	Plugin	Serve images in next-gen formats	Plugin
12	Eliminate render-blocking resources	Plugin	Serve static assets with an efficient cache policy	Plugin
13	Enable text compression	Plugin	Use a tag with width or initial-scale	Medium
14	Ensure text remains visible during webfont load	Plugin	Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN)	Easy
15	Lazy load third-party resources with facades	Plugin	Use video formats for animated content	Medium
16	Use explicit width and height on image elements	Easy

Difficulty Level in Implementing this Optimization = Easy

Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN)

Leveraging a “Content Delivery Network (CDN)” enhances your website’s performance throughout various global locations.
Essentially, a CDN comprises a system of servers that are distributed worldwide. Each server, or ‘node,’ in the CDN resides in a different region and caches your page’s static elements such as images, CSS/JavaScript files, and so on.
As a user accesses your page, these resources are delivered from the cache of the nearest CDN node, rather than from your primary server. This process minimizes latency and ensures a swift page experience for your visitors, irrespective of their geographical location.

How does using a Content Delivery Network (CDN) affect page performance?

A Content Delivery Network mitigates latency by storing your page’s static elements across various servers globally.
Based on your visitors’ geographical locations, your page’s content is delivered from the nearest server or CDN node. Consequently, with a CDN, your page’s resources are dispatched from the location nearest to your visitor, guaranteeing minimal latency. In addition to this, CDNs can enhance your page’s performance through various other means.

How to implement the Usage of a CDN?

Recognized CDNs

Popular CDN are (e.g., Cloudflare, Netflify, Amazon CloudFront). Honestly and based on a decade of experience, I highly recommend the use of Cloudflare, they are a GLOBAL company with hundreds of servers distributed all around the world.

In addition, Cloudflare offers a free service for their CDN. However, I highly recommend users go with their business plan, which will provide them with a Web Application Firewall (WAF) and a significant amount of other optimization features.