WordPress can be very fast. Plenty of WordPress sites load in well under two seconds. But it's also easy to make slow, and most slow WordPress sites got that way gradually: a plugin here, a big image there, a cheap hosting plan that seemed fine at the start.

Here are the fixes we use most, roughly in order of impact.

Measure first

Test your homepage and one key inner page in PageSpeed Insights, on mobile. Note the Core Web Vitals and the main suggestions. Re-test after every change. Our Core Web Vitals guide explains the numbers.

1. Better hosting

If the server is slow to respond, nothing else can fully fix it. Overcrowded shared hosting is the single most common cause we see. Look at our guide to choosing web hosting.

2. Caching

Caching serves ready-made pages instead of building each one from scratch for every visitor. Use your host's server caching if available, or a reputable caching plugin.

3. Compress and resize images

Oversized images are nearly always part of the problem. Resize, compress and serve WebP where possible. More in our image optimisation guide.

4. Cut down plugins

Every plugin adds code, and some load scripts on every page. Remove anything you don't need. See our essential plugins list.

5. Use a lighter theme

Multipurpose themes with hundreds of options load a lot of code. A lightweight, well-built theme can make a dramatic difference.

6. Rethink the page builder

Some page builders add a lot of extra markup and scripts. If your site relies heavily on one, optimisation settings can help, but sometimes a leaner approach is worth considering during a redesign.

7. Delay non-essential scripts

Chat widgets, social feeds, analytics extras and popups don't need to load first. Delaying them until after the main content helps both speed scores and user experience.

8. Use a CDN

A content delivery network serves your files from servers closer to your visitors, which helps especially if you have visitors across India or abroad.

9. Clean the database

Years of post revisions, spam comments and leftover plugin data bloat the database. A careful clean-up, after a backup, can speed up admin and front end alike.

10. Keep PHP and WordPress up to date

Newer PHP versions are significantly faster. Check your host supports a current version and that your plugins are compatible.

When to get help

If you've done the obvious and scores are still poor, the issue is usually in theme code, script loading or hosting configuration. Our One-Time Speed Optimization covers Shopify and WordPress, with a guaranteed minimum Grade B within 15 days. Send us your site.