-
Home
/
- Speed checklist
Free guide · 12 checks · 10 minutes
The WordPress speed checklist
Our WordPress speed checklist: twelve checks we run on every website we move. Work through them in order: the first few usually make the biggest difference.
The WordPress speed checklist, step by step
Google counts a page as fast when the main content shows within 2.5 seconds, it reacts to taps within 200 milliseconds and nothing jumps around as it loads.
Measure first
Test your home page and your busiest page on PageSpeed Insights, on mobile. Write down the numbers so you can see what each fix changes.
Check your server response
If the first byte takes longer than about 0.8 seconds, no plugin will fully fix it. Slow hosting, an old server or a far-away data centre is the usual cause.
Turn on page caching
Caching serves a ready-made copy of each page instead of building it on every visit. It is often the single biggest speed win.
Use a CDN
A content delivery network serves your images, CSS and scripts from a location near each visitor.
Resize and compress images
Upload images no wider than they are shown, use WebP or AVIF, and lazy-load anything below the first screen.
Remove plugins you don’t use
Deactivate and delete them. Then check the rest: one heavy plugin can slow every page.
Cut third-party scripts
Chat widgets, trackers and embedded videos add weight to every page. Keep the ones you need and load videos only when tapped.
Go easy on fonts
Use at most two font families, host them on your own site and only load the weights you use.
Simplify the first screen
Sliders and autoplaying carousels delay the main content. A single image and a clear headline load faster and convert better.
Use a current PHP version
Newer PHP versions run WordPress noticeably faster. Ask your host which version your site is on.
Clean the database
Remove old post revisions, spam comments and expired temporary data. A tidy database answers faster.
Keep everything updated
Update WordPress, your theme and plugins. Updates fix security holes and often include speed improvements. Then run the WordPress speed checklist again to see the difference.
Rather not work through the WordPress speed checklist yourself?
Every HostDingo plan includes caching, a global CDN, current PHP versions and daily backups, and we move your site for free. Or send us your address and we’ll tell you what’s slowing it down.