How do I improve page speed?
Quick Answer
Improve page speed by optimizing images, enabling compression, leveraging browser caching, minifying code, using a CDN, reducing server response time, and eliminating render-blocking resources.
Overview
Page speed is a critical factor for both SEO and user experience. Google has confirmed that page speed is a ranking factor, and slow sites consistently see higher bounce rates and lower conversion rates.
Modern users expect pages to load in under 3 seconds. Each additional second of load time can reduce conversions by 7% and increase bounce rates significantly. For e-commerce sites, this directly translates to lost revenue.
The good news is that page speed can be significantly improved through a combination of technical optimizations. While some fixes require developer expertise, many can be implemented with plugins or by adjusting server settings.
Image Optimization
Compress Images: Use tools like TinyPNG, ImageOptim, or built-in CMS optimization to reduce file sizes without visible quality loss.
Use Modern Formats: Convert images to WebP or AVIF formats, which offer better compression than JPEG or PNG.
Resize Images: Don't upload 4000px images when 800px is all you need. Size images appropriately for their display size.
Lazy Loading: Implement lazy loading so images below the fold only load when users scroll to them.
Use Responsive Images: Serve different image sizes based on device and screen resolution using srcset attributes.
Optimize Thumbnails: Generate and use properly sized thumbnails rather than scaling large images in the browser.
Code and Resource Optimization
Minify CSS and JavaScript: Remove unnecessary characters, whitespace, and comments to reduce file sizes.
Combine Files: Reduce HTTP requests by combining multiple CSS or JavaScript files where possible.
Eliminate Render-Blocking Resources: Defer or async non-critical JavaScript and inline critical CSS.
Remove Unused Code: Audit and remove unused CSS and JavaScript that adds bloat without providing value.
Optimize Web Fonts: Limit font weights and styles, use font-display: swap, and consider system fonts.
Reduce Third-Party Scripts: Each external script adds latency. Evaluate whether each is truly necessary.
Server and Hosting Optimization
Enable GZIP Compression: Compress text-based resources before sending them to browsers, reducing transfer sizes significantly.
Leverage Browser Caching: Set appropriate cache headers so returning visitors don't re-download unchanged resources.
Use a CDN: Content Delivery Networks serve files from servers geographically closer to users, reducing latency.
Upgrade Hosting: Cheap shared hosting often has slow server response times. Consider VPS or managed hosting.
Optimize Database: Clean up database bloat, optimize queries, and use caching to reduce database load.
Enable HTTP/2: This protocol allows multiple requests over a single connection, improving load times.
Measuring and Monitoring Speed
Google PageSpeed Insights: Get scores and specific recommendations for both mobile and desktop.
Core Web Vitals Report: Check Search Console for real-world performance data from Chrome users.
GTmetrix: Detailed waterfall analysis showing exactly what's slowing down your pages.
WebPageTest: Advanced testing with options for different locations, browsers, and connection speeds.
Lighthouse: Chrome DevTools includes Lighthouse for comprehensive performance auditing.
Real User Monitoring: Track actual user experience with tools that measure real performance, not just lab tests.