De loading time and optimization of milcraft.nl at Pingdom
Loading time is one of the 200 points that Google looks at when it comes to how high a website is displayed. Together with search terms in the text, title, headers, regularly new content, mobile version and SSL, it is one of the more important points of these 200.
Definitely an important point to do something with and optimize your WordPress website!
How to improve WordPress loading time?
Hosting
A good loading time starts with choosing the right hosting party. Many hosting parties place too many websites on one server, which results in longer loading times.
There is also a difference between the types of disks on which the website runs. This can be HHD (rotating parts, less fast) or SSD (no rotating parts, fast). A website that runs on SSD will in principle run a lot faster. Naturally, we only offer SSD hosting and ensure a good distribution of websites across our servers.
Cache/caching
Now, like other CMS systems, WordPress has the disadvantage (compared to websites, which do not have... CMS have) that the loading time is higher on average.
With each visit, all plugins are used to generate the page.
Using fewer plugins can help, but really spectacular improvements will come about thanks to caching (temporary memory).
Cache means storage space and offers the possibility to store things that you often need when loading the pages.
Types of cache/caching
Page cache
With WordPress, a new page is generated from the different components with every visit. Again and again.
In short, using cache creates a static page of WordPress pages. The first visitor after turning on the cache loads the page and it is then added to the cache.
The second and further visitors will have a faster loading time. This can save seconds, up to 90% of the original loading time.
You can achieve this with a (often free) plugin like W3 Total Cache of Fastest Cache.
browser cache
The browser cache is in the visitor's browser. You therefore have limited influence here. However, using Leverage Browser Cache, a maximum age can be sent so that the browser knows how long certain elements should be kept in the cache.
Database caching
This ensures that, for example, frequently requested search queries on the website can be loaded from the cache. The outcome of such a question does not have to be compiled every time.
HTTP reverse proxy caching
As a site owner you usually have no influence here, and this is arranged before the web server. Example of caching HTTP reverse proxy is Varnish.
It receives questions (requests) from the clients and tries to answer them from the cache.
Still important to know
- Loading time is important and pleasant for the visitor, but ultimately it is about the total experience. For example, a slider with beautiful photos ensures a longer loading time, but omitting it is a shame and usually improves the experience.
- If you measure, measure with a website like Google's Page Speed Insights of Pingdom or and select a location in the Netherlands or closest to the Netherlands. A website in America will show a higher loading time than a website in the Netherlands. And usually your customers will be in the Netherlands.
- Remember that a front page of your WordPress website is often a lot heavier than subpages. However, Google will also take these pages into account.
- If caching is enabled, a page must first load before the cache works. Take this into account when measuring.
- Make sure that certain pages are excluded from cache at online stores and other complex systems. The content of a payment page should of course not be loaded from the cache.
- Test how the website works after switching it on. Sometimes changes are not displayed properly and the cache often needs to be cleared or set differently. Especially if multiple caching methods are used, it is important to thoroughly test whether the website still works as intended.
- Tell co-administrators and other people who edit content that a caching plugin is running on the website.
All in all, caching is something that is very valuable for any WordPress website. If you have any questions about caching or cache on your website, mail or call us on 0172-897789
