What are some strategies for improving website performance and speed in 2024? What are some strategies for improving website performance and speed in 2024?
- Optimized Images: Use compressed and modern image formats (like WebP) to reduce load time without compromising quality. Learn more in our web performance guide.
- Minification and Concatenation: Minify and combine CSS and JavaScript files to reduce file size and the number of server requests.
- Lazy Loading: Defer loading of images and videos until they are needed, which significantly improves load speed. Also supports better UX.
- Content Delivery Networks (CDNs): Deliver static content through a CDN to decrease latency and speed up global access.
- Browser Caching: Enable browser caching so static resources are stored locally, speeding up repeat visits.
- Reduce HTTP Requests: Limit the number of CSS, JS, and image files loaded on your page to cut down load times.
- Enable Gzip Compression: Use Gzip or Brotli compression to compress your text-based resources for faster transfers.
- Optimize CSS and JavaScript: Remove unnecessary CSS/JS and optimize the rest for improved speed. Aligns with SEO best practices.
- Use a CMS Cache: Leverage WordPress caching plugins like WP Rocket or W3 Total Cache to speed up your site through smart caching techniques.
- Monitor and Optimize Performance: Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights, Lighthouse, or GTmetrix to identify and resolve bottlenecks.
- Prioritize Above-the-Fold Content: Make sure content visible on load is given priority for a fast perceived speed.
- Server-Side Performance Optimization: Use efficient technologies (like PHP 8+) and optimize server configurations to reduce response times.
- Responsive Design: Build your site using responsive design techniques to ensure fast and functional behavior across devices. More on this in our responsive design principles article.