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Performance Optimization
Optimize your WP site for speed
Performance Optimization
Get the most out of your WP site with proper performance optimization.
Why Performance Matters
- SEO — Google uses page speed as a ranking factor
- Conversions — Faster sites convert better
- User Experience — Nobody likes waiting
- Hosting Costs — Efficient sites use fewer resources
Plugin Selection
Choose Wisely
Not all plugins are created equal. When selecting from our library:
Look for:
- ✅ Lightweight code
- ✅ Minimal database queries
- ✅ Lazy loading
- ✅ Conditional loading
- ✅ Regular updates
Avoid:
- ❌ Feature bloat
- ❌ Inline styles/scripts everywhere
- ❌ No caching awareness
- ❌ Abandoned projects
Performance-Focused Alternatives
We flag performance-optimized alternatives:
| Heavy Plugin | Lightweight Alternative |
|---|---|
| Feature-packed theme | Minimal starter theme |
| All-in-one SEO | Focused SEO plugin |
| Visual page builder | Block-based builder |
Caching
Page Caching
Serve static HTML instead of processing PHP:
Recommended plugins:
- WP Super Cache
- W3 Total Cache
- WP Fastest Cache
- LiteSpeed Cache
Object Caching
Cache database queries:
// wp-config.php
define('WP_CACHE', true);Use Redis or Memcached for best results.
Browser Caching
Set proper cache headers:
# .htaccess
<IfModule mod_expires.c>
ExpiresActive On
ExpiresByType image/jpg "access plus 1 year"
ExpiresByType image/jpeg "access plus 1 year"
ExpiresByType image/png "access plus 1 year"
ExpiresByType text/css "access plus 1 month"
ExpiresByType application/javascript "access plus 1 month"
</IfModule>Image Optimization
Compression
Reduce file sizes without visible quality loss:
Tools:
- ShortPixel
- Imagify
- Smush
- EWWW
Modern Formats
Serve WebP where supported:
- 25-35% smaller than JPEG
- Supported by all modern browsers
- Automatic fallback for older browsers
Lazy Loading
Only load images when visible:
<img src="image.jpg" loading="lazy" alt="...">WP 5.5+ includes native lazy loading.
Database Optimization
Regular Maintenance
Clean up:
- Post revisions
- Spam comments
- Transients
- Orphaned metadata
Plugins:
- WP-Optimize
- WP-Sweep
- Advanced Database Cleaner
Query Optimization
Monitor slow queries:
// wp-config.php
define('SAVEQUERIES', true);Then analyze with Query Monitor plugin.
Code Optimization
Minification
Reduce CSS/JS file sizes:
- Remove whitespace
- Shorten variable names
- Combine files
Critical CSS
Inline above-the-fold CSS:
- Faster first paint
- Eliminates render blocking
- Generated automatically by optimization plugins
Defer JavaScript
Load JS without blocking:
<script src="script.js" defer></script>CDN Usage
Benefits
- Faster global delivery
- Reduced server load
- DDoS protection
- Better uptime
Popular CDNs
| CDN | Best For |
|---|---|
| Cloudflare | Free tier, security |
| BunnyCDN | Price/performance |
| KeyCDN | Pay-as-you-go |
| StackPath | Enterprise |
Configuration
Most CDN plugins available in our library:
- CDN Enabler
- Cloudflare plugin
- WP Rocket (includes CDN)
Testing Tools
Measure Performance
| Tool | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| PageSpeed Insights | Core Web Vitals |
| GTmetrix | Detailed waterfall |
| WebPageTest | Multi-location testing |
| Lighthouse | Chrome DevTools |
Key Metrics
- LCP (Largest Contentful Paint) — Under 2.5s
- FID (First Input Delay) — Under 100ms
- CLS (Cumulative Layout Shift) — Under 0.1
GrootMade-Specific Tips
Plugin Conflicts
Some optimization plugins conflict with others:
- Don't run multiple caching plugins
- Be careful with multiple minification
- Test after enabling optimization features
Auto-Updates and Caching
After auto-updates:
- Cache is automatically purged (if detected)
- Verify cache cleared properly
- Monitor for any new issues
Performance Collection
Use our "Performance Stack" collection:
- Pre-selected compatible plugins
- Tested together
- Recommended settings included