As the digital landscape evolves and user expectations rise, website performance and speed have become critical factors in ensuring a positive user experience. If you find yourself facing performance and speed issues with your website, it's essential to address these challenges promptly. This article explores common reasons behind website performance issues and provides insights into optimising speed for a smoother and more efficient online presence.
Underlying Technical Issues:
Performance issues often stem from underlying technical issues within a website's infrastructure. These can include inefficient coding, outdated libraries, and server-related problems. Conduct a comprehensive technical audit to identify and address these issues, ensuring that your website's foundation is solid.
Un-optimised Images and Media:
Large or uncompressed images and media files contribute significantly to slow-loading websites. Optimise your images by compressing them without compromising quality. Additionally, consider lazy loading, a technique that defers the loading of off-screen images until they are about to be viewed, reducing initial page load times.
Lack of Browser Caching:
Browser caching allows frequently accessed resources to be stored locally on a user's device, reducing the need to download them repeatedly. If your website lacks proper caching mechanisms, users may experience slower load times. Implement browser caching to enhance the efficiency of subsequent visits, particularly for returning users.
Too Many HTTP Requests:
Each element on a web page, such as images, scripts, and stylesheets, requires a separate HTTP request. A high number of HTTP requests can overwhelm a server and slow down page loading. Minimise the number of requests by combining and optimising files, reducing the overall load on your website.
No Content Delivery Network (CDN):
A Content Delivery Network (CDN) distributes your website's static assets across multiple servers worldwide, reducing the physical distance between users and your content. This results in faster load times, especially for users located far from your primary server. Implementing a CDN can significantly enhance the speed and performance of your website.
Non-Optimised Code:
Clean and efficient code is crucial for optimal website performance. Bloated or poorly written code can lead to slower load times. Regularly review and optimise your codebase, removing unnecessary elements and ensuring that scripts and stylesheets are as lightweight as possible.
Excessive Use of External Embedded Media:
While embedding external media such as videos or social media feeds can enhance content, excessive use can impact website speed. Consider optimising or lazy loading embedded media to prevent it from slowing down the initial page load. Strike a balance between rich media content and optimal performance.
Unnecessary Plugins and Scripts:
Excessive use of plugins and scripts, especially those that load on every page, can significantly impact website speed. Review and optimise your plugins, keeping only essential ones. Minimise the use of scripts and ensure that they are as lightweight as possible to prevent unnecessary delays.
Not Prioritising Critical Rendering Path:
The critical rendering path refers to the sequence of steps browsers take to render a web page. Prioritising the loading of critical resources, such as stylesheets and scripts required for initial rendering, can significantly improve perceived page speed. Ensure that critical resources are optimised and loaded efficiently.
Mobile Unfriendliness:
With the increasing prevalence of mobile browsing, a website that is not optimised for mobile devices can lead to performance issues. Adopt a mobile-first approach to design, ensuring that your website is responsive and provides an optimal experience across various screen sizes.
Inadequate Server Resources:
Insufficient server resources, such as limited processing power or low memory allocation, can result in slow website performance. Evaluate your hosting infrastructure and consider upgrading to a plan that offers ample resources to handle your website's traffic and demands.
Un-optimised Database Queries:
If your website relies on a database, poorly optimised queries can contribute to performance bottlenecks. Optimise database queries to ensure they are efficient and only retrieve the necessary data. Regularly monitor and index your database to enhance overall website speed.
Not Utilising Asynchronous Loading:
Asynchronous loading allows certain elements of a web page to load independently, reducing the impact of slow-loading resources on the overall user experience. Implement asynchronous loading for non-essential elements, such as analytics scripts or secondary content, to prioritise critical components.
Ignoring User Browser Behaviour:
Understanding user browser behaviour is crucial for optimising website performance. Analyse user interactions and focus on improving the loading times of key pages or entry points. Prioritise resources based on user behaviour to enhance the overall experience.
Addressing website performance and speed issues requires a comprehensive approach that encompasses technical optimisation, content management, and user experience considerations.