Your new website is live, replete with engaging copy and inspiring imagery. A lot of time has been invested in creating a seamless user experience too – minimising the chance of confusion caused by poor navigation, ambiguous calls to action and other equally unforgivable digital sins. So why aren’t you top of the pops on Google? Perhaps your slow-loading website is the problem.
In this short guide, we’ll show you how to fix slow-loading web pages so you can storm the Google charts and convert more customers.
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How to fix a slow-loading website: five tips to make yours run faster
It’s time to don a pair of virtual running shoes as we count down our top five tips to help your website run faster.
#1 Are large images slowing your website down?
The larger the images on your website the longer it’ll take to load. So how can you prevent this from happening? Well, there are a few ways.=
- First, run your images through an online zip compression like TinyJPG. Many such apps are free and won’t cost your business a bean.
- Alternatively, if you use WordPress, there are plugins that automatically reduce the size of large images (that’s one less thing to remember).
- Visually assess your images and, if they are wider than the width of the page, they’re probably the cause of your slow-loading website.
#2 Feeble site speed? Start caching your files
What on earth is caching? If caching is enabled copies of files are held in a temporary location. Simply put, this makes it easier for the website to access data – reducing the possibility of slow-loading pages.
Caching needs to be enabled via a plugin. Simply download one via your CMS (although it’s wise to check customer reviews first – as some are better than others.
Three well-reviewed cache plugins include:
- WP Super Cache – copies each page on your site in a static HTML format – so visitors access the replicated version
- LiteSpeed Cache – known for its ability to speed up pages with dynamic website content – like PHPs
- Hummingbird – a user friendly app that scans your site, finds slow loading files or pages and provides tips too
#3 Ditch resource hungry plugins to boost site speed
Plugins can be beneficial. Programs like Hummingbird are a case in point – because they make slow loading websites a thing of the past when properly implemented.
But too many plugins could adversely harm your site speed – resulting in poor user experiences that affect your online rankings and conversion rates.
To resolve the issue:
- Test your website loading speed to identity issues using a free tool like GT Metrix
- Uninstall non-essential plugins – for example, those you never (or rarely) use
Is a slow loading website the least of your problems?
Marketing is complex and time consuming. So why not hand the responsibility to us instead. As a full-service marketing agency there isn’t much we can’t do.
So, if you need digital marketing support in Slough, Maidenhead, Reading or the local Berkshire areas, get in touch and we can meet for a coffee. Not local? Then call us instead.
