Most slow WordPress sites are slow for the same handful of reasons. Work through these in order of impact.
1. Enable caching
Caching turns dynamic pages into static ones and is by far the biggest single win. Use a caching plugin such as LiteSpeed Cache, WP Super Cache or W3 Total Cache. On our WordPress Hosting plans, server-level caching is available and should be enabled in preference to plugin-only page caching.
2. Optimise images
- Resize images to the dimensions actually displayed before uploading
- Use WebP where possible
- Enable lazy loading (built into modern WordPress)
- Compress the existing media library with an optimisation plugin
Oversized hero images are the most common cause of a slow first impression.
3. Use a current PHP version
PHP 8.1+ is significantly faster than 7.x. Change it under Select PHP Version in cPanel and test the site immediately afterwards.
4. Cut down plugins
Deactivate and delete anything you do not use. Sliders, page builders, statistics and related-post plugins are the usual offenders. To find the culprit, deactivate plugins one at a time and re-test.
5. Clean the database
Delete post revisions, spam comments, transients and orphaned metadata. Most optimisation plugins do this on a schedule.
6. Add a CDN
A CDN serves static files from locations near your visitors. This matters most if your audience is spread across countries.
Measuring
Test with PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix before and after each change, and always test in an incognito window so you are not served your own cache.
