In WordPress, in order to optimize your images, without losing the quality, you’ll want to use a plugin like Imagify, which is by the creators of WP Rocket. You can optimize about 200 images each month for free, and they have plans if you need to optimize more.
Another great tool in helping your website load faster, especially if you have images, is to delay the load of the image, also known as lazy loading. Lazy Loading loads the image as your user scrolls the web page, rather than waiting for all of the page and images to load at the same time. Cache plugins like WP Rocket offer a setting to help with lazy loading images.
4. CSS, Scripts, Third-Party Scripts and Ads
Scripts like JavaScripts, as well as Third-Party Scripts that are hosted by resources outside of your site, CSS, and even ads, can weigh down your website. Here’s a few tips for each of these.
5. CSS
CSS is the styling of your site, kind of like choosing a color for makeup that you want to put on your face. The CSS code can become a lot, and has a lot of spaces, which add load time to a site. In order to optimize your CSS, you will want to condense or minify it. WP Rocket can help with that, as there’s an option for that.
If you have multiple CSS sheets, you may want to combine them. If you don’t want to fool with code, then with WP Rocket, you can also use their option to do that.
6. JavaScript
JavasScript is often used in WordPress, as well as your theme and plugins. Usually there’s quite a few, and they can add extra load time. A cache plugin like WP Rocket can minify, and combine those files, without you ever touching code. The plugin can even defer, or delay how the JavaScript loads, in order to speed up the user’s experience.
7. Third-Party Scripts
If you’re using plugins or services from other places, like analytic trackers, you’re adding third-party scripts on your site. Those can add extra load time to your site. It’s best to reduce the use of third-party scripts, or find alternative speedier ways. Additionally, if you’re using multiple analytics services, you may want to choose only 1 or 2. It’s not necessary to use a whole lot of visitor tracking services.
8. Ads
Whether you’re using a third party advertising service for click ads, banner ads, or video ads, or you use multiple services, you’re going to have to make a big decision on whether you want a lot of money or you want your users to be able to actually see your site. Third-Party ad networks can add a lot of load time. In some cases, like the Ezoic network, unless you pay to use their optimization package, you’re going to have a website that loads really slow.
Sure, some of the people currently using these ad networks are bringing in some great cash, but their website speed is terrible. If you are concerned and want visitors, find a way to balance this, so your website loads as fast as it possibly can.
9. Cache
Cache is a stored static version of your website, in order to save resources and load your site faster. In order to take advantage of caching your WordPress website, you need a plugin. In speed and cache plugins, it’s probably best to purchase the plugin.