WordPress
How to Speed Up a WordPress Website
Measure slow pages and improve images, plugins, caching and database work in a controlled sequence.
Measure representative pages before changing plugins or buying more resources. A slow WordPress page may be limited by large assets, third-party scripts, database work or server capacity, and each cause needs a different response.
Practical steps
- Measure a cold mobile visit to the homepage and key customer pages. Record LCP, layout shift and the requests or tasks that delay rendering.
- Resize and compress images, use suitable modern formats and reserve image dimensions. Lazy-load below-the-fold media, but do not delay the main image needed for the first screen.
- Review themes, plugins and third-party scripts. Test removing unnecessary work in staging, and preserve functionality such as forms, consent controls and checkout.
- Apply caching appropriate to the application and investigate slow database queries or jobs. Exclude personalised pages, carts and checkout where required by the software.
Check the result
Repeat the same tests under comparable conditions and check real-user measurements when available. Test logged-in and purchasing journeys as well as the public homepage.
Before you proceed
A perfect lab score is not a guarantee of good experience for every visitor. Do not disable required services only during audits or use arbitrary delays solely to conceal their cost.