How to increase WordPress speed without using a pro plugin: A Guide to Optimal Speed Without Pro Plugins
In this blog post, I will suggest two plugins that you can use for speed optimization on the WordPress site, and also I will give some tips and tricks through which you can speed up your site speed to a maximum level.
If you’re looking for How to increase WordPress speed without resorting to professional plugins, you’re in the right place. We’ve meticulously crafted a comprehensive guide that reveals potent strategies to elevate your site’s speed, leaving your competitors trailing in the digital dust.
Before using any plugin I will suggest you should understand what are the things you should consider for increasing WordPress speed.
If you understand the things that I am mentioning below then you can optimize your site easily with the two plugins that I will mention below.
1. Image Optimization: A Picture-Perfect Approach
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but it shouldn’t cost you precious load time. Enter the realm of image optimization – a game-changer for your website. Compress your images without compromising quality, utilizing tools like TinyPNG or ImageOptim. Additionally, implement lazy loading to ensure images load only when they come into the user’s view, significantly reducing initial page load times.
2. Browser Caching: Speed for Repeat Visitors
Why make your visitors download the same files every time they visit your site? The solution lies in leveraging browser caching. By instructing the visitor’s browser to store static files like images, stylesheets, and scripts locally, you pave the way for significantly reduced load times on subsequent visits.
3. Code Minification: Streamlining for Speed
Clean and concise code forms the backbone of a high-speed website. Engage in code minification using tools to strip unnecessary characters and whitespace from your CSS, HTML, and JavaScript files. The result? Smaller file sizes, faster loading, and an impeccably smooth user experience.
4. Content Delivery Networks (CDNs): The Need for Global Reach
Geographical distances should never impede your website’s speed. Enter the stage, Content Delivery Networks (CDNs), which distribute your site’s static content across multiple servers globally. When a user accesses your site, the CDN delivers content from the nearest server, reducing latency and significantly improving load times.
5. Hosting Environment: The Foundation of Speed
Your hosting choice plays a pivotal role in your website’s speed. Opt for a reputable hosting provider offering optimized WordPress hosting. Seek features like SSD storage, server-level caching, and content delivery network integration to ensure your site operates at peak performance.
6. Database Management: A Lean Approach
A cluttered database silently sabotages your site’s speed. Regularly clean up unnecessary data – post revisions, spam comments – using tools like WP-Optimize or Advanced Database Cleaner. This not only frees up storage space but ensures your site retrieves information from the database with lightning speed.
7. GZIP Compression: Faster Transfers, Efficient Loading
Minimize the time it takes to transfer your site’s files with GZIP compression. This technology reduces file sizes before they reach the user’s browser, resulting in faster loading times. With most modern browsers supporting GZIP, it’s a must-have for any WordPress site prioritizing speed.
8. Lightweight Themes and Plugins: Balancing Features and Performance
Themes and plugins add functionality but can contribute to bloat. Opt for lightweight themes and plugins that prioritize performance without sacrificing features. Thorough research is key – choose those with positive reviews and a track record of regular updates.
9. Advanced Caching Techniques: Elevating Your Game
Take caching to the next level with object caching and opcode caching. Object caching stores database queries in memory, reducing the need for repeated data fetching. Simultaneously, opcode caching stores compiled PHP code, minimizing server processing time. Combine these advanced caching techniques for optimal results.
10. Continuous Monitoring and Auditing: Sustaining the Need for Speed
Speed optimization is an ongoing process. Regularly monitor your site’s performance using tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix. Conduct periodic audits to identify and rectify emerging issues promptly, ensuring your site maintains its lightning-fast speed.
How to increase WordPress speed with Top WordPress free plugins for Speed Optimization
The two most used plugins nowadays for WordPress speed optimization are, the LiteSpeed cache plugin and Asset CleanUp: Page Speed Booster Plugin
LiteSpeed Cache
Certainly! Here’s a step-by-step guide to setting up the LiteSpeed Cache plugin for your WordPress site:
Step 1: Install the Plugin
- Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
- Navigate to “Plugins” and click on “Add New.”
- Search for “LiteSpeed Cache” in the search bar.
- Install and activate the plugin.
Step 2: Access LiteSpeed Cache Settings
- After activation, go to the left sidebar and find “LiteSpeed Cache.”
- Click on it to access the plugin settings.
Step 3: General Settings
- In the “General” tab, enable LiteSpeed Cache.
- Configure the basic settings, including enabling cache, choosing the cache timeout, and selecting the type of cache.
Step 4: Page Optimization
- Navigate to the “Page Optimization” tab.
- Enable options like “CSS Minify,” “JS Minify,” and “HTML Minify” for optimal performance.
- Configure each setting according to your site’s requirements.
Step 5: Media Settings
- Move to the “Media” tab to optimize images and other media files.
- Enable “Lazy Load” for images to improve page loading times.
Step 6: Browser Settings
- Head to the “Browser” tab.
- Enable “Browser Cache” to allow visitors to store static assets locally, reducing load times for returning users.
Step 7: Advanced Settings
- If you’re comfortable with advanced configurations, explore the “Advanced” tab.
- Adjust settings such as Object Cache and Database Cache for further optimization.
Step 8: ESI (Edge Side Includes) Settings
- If your site requires more advanced optimization, check the “ESI” tab.
- Configure Edge Side Includes settings for dynamic content acceleration.
Step 9: Image Optimization
- If not already done, consider integrating with an image optimization service for additional image compression. This can be a separate step based on your preferences.
Step 10: Save Changes
- After configuring all the settings, don’t forget to click “Save Changes” to apply your configurations.
Step 11: Test Your Site
- Visit your website and ensure everything looks and functions as expected.
- Monitor your site’s performance and make adjustments as needed.
By following these steps, you’ll have successfully set up the LiteSpeed Cache plugin to enhance the speed and performance of your WordPress site.
Asset CleanUp: Page Speed Booster plugin
Unloading files on specific pages is crucial for optimizing the performance of your website. Here’s why it’s important:
Faster Page Load Times:
By unloading unnecessary CSS and JavaScript files on specific pages, you reduce the overall file size that needs to be loaded.
This results in faster page load times, improving the user experience and potentially reducing bounce rates.
Bandwidth Efficiency:
Unloading files on pages where they are not required conserves bandwidth.
Visitors to those pages don’t have to download unnecessary assets, saving both their data usage and your server’s resources.
Improved Page Rendering:
Unloading files that are not essential for the content or functionality of a particular page allows the browser to focus on rendering the critical elements faster.
This can lead to quicker perceived load times and a smoother user experience.
Enhanced Mobile Performance:
On mobile devices, where bandwidth and processing power may be limited, unloading unnecessary files becomes even more critical.
It ensures a faster and more efficient loading experience for users accessing your site on smartphones or tablets.
Optimized Code Execution:
Unloading files selectively enables you to prioritize the execution of essential code, preventing unnecessary scripts from affecting the performance of specific pages.
This can be particularly beneficial for resource-intensive pages or those requiring specific functionalities.
SEO Benefits:
Faster-loading pages contribute positively to search engine rankings.
Search engines, like Google, consider page speed as a ranking factor, and optimizing the loading times by unloading unnecessary files can positively impact your SEO efforts.
Minimized HTTP Requests:
Each file loaded on a webpage generates an HTTP request. By unloading unnecessary files, you reduce the number of requests, leading to more efficient and faster loading.
Enhanced User Satisfaction:
Visitors tend to appreciate websites that load quickly and smoothly.
Unloading files on specific pages contributes to a positive user experience, increasing overall satisfaction with your site.
In conclusion, achieving a turbocharged WordPress site without relying on pro plugins is not only possible but essential for staying competitive in the digital realm. By implementing these proven strategies, you’ll not only enhance user satisfaction but also send a strong signal to search engines that your site deserves to be at the top of the rankings.
If you need any help regarding your WordPress site speed, just contact me.