A faster site is easier to use and does better in search. This guide covers the changes that make the biggest difference, in the order we would try them.
In this guide
Measure first
Test your home page and one busy page with Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix, and note the results. Test again after each change, so you know what helped.
Turn on caching
A caching plugin saves each page as a ready-made file, so WordPress doesn't build it from scratch for every visitor. WP Super Cache and W3 Total Cache are common choices. Use one caching plugin, not several, and clear the cache after you change your theme or settings.
Make images smaller
Images are usually the largest files on a page.
- Resize images to the size they are shown at before you upload them.
- Compress them, or use a plugin that compresses them on upload.
- Use WebP images where your theme supports them.
- Keep lazy loading on, so images further down the page load only when needed. WordPress does this for most images by default.
Use a current PHP version
Newer PHP versions are faster and still get security fixes. In cPanel, open MultiPHP Manager, choose the newest version your theme and plugins support, then check your site. The PHP project lists which versions are still supported on php.net.
Clean up the database
Over time the database fills with old post revisions, spam comments and expired temporary data. A plugin such as WP-Optimize can remove them. Back up first. To keep revisions under control, add this line to wp-config.php:
define('WP_POST_REVISIONS', 10);Remove plugins you don't need
Every active plugin adds work to each page. Deactivate plugins one at a time and test your speed. Delete the ones you don't need, and replace heavy plugins with lighter ones that do the same job.
Use a CDN
A content delivery network (CDN) serves your images, styles and scripts from servers close to your visitors. With our CDN add-on, we set up Cloudflare's CDN in front of your site.
Related guides
- Your hosting plan: resources and limits
- How to install WordPress on GHost Cloud
- How to secure your WordPress site
- WordPress troubleshooting: common errors and fixes
WordPress Hosting is R149 a month or R1,499 a year, with automatic WordPress security updates and a staging copy. See WordPress Hosting.
