| Though Google ranks websites according to over 200 | | | | be. This doesn't typically conflict with other plugins |
| different factors, they have recently announced that | | | | but it can sometimes. |
| page speed will become a part of those factors. | | | | 4.) There are many CSS optimizing tools on the web |
| They do state that page speed will not carry a lot of | | | | that will reduce white space, take out comments, |
| weight in the rankings. However, it's still important to | | | | remove unnecessary CSS, combine certain css |
| listen to Google and follow along. | | | | elements, and use shorter HEX colors. I have seen |
| It is especially important for the self hosted | | | | these optimizers reduce my style sheets by over |
| WordPress users to take some action in this matter. | | | | 2,000 characters and not mess anything up. |
| Many of us have large amounts of plugins that tend | | | | However, it's always wise to make a back up before |
| to slow down our WordPress website or blog. Many | | | | using this method. |
| plugins require separate CSS style sheets, separate | | | | 5.) Reduce your white space and any unnecessary |
| Javascript files, and even more PHP. These all put | | | | code and or comments in your.php files. |
| even more stress on your server and cause more | | | | 6.) By downloading and installing the WP super cache |
| HTTP requests. | | | | you can cut down on load time for repeat visitors |
| 1.) Replace PHP with HTML where possible. This one | | | | and people browsing your website. |
| is the quickest way to reduce your HTTP requests. | | | | 7.) Use the Firefox addon called Yslow to test your |
| Many of us have a top navigation bar that does not | | | | website and get additional tips on where your |
| change much. Instead of using the PHP code that | | | | website could use improvement to increase speed. |
| tells WordPress to list the pages, simply list the pages | | | | 8.) If your CSS skills are good then be sure to use |
| in HTML. Also, in your header.php file you will see that | | | | image sprites where possible. |
| your links to your style sheet, rss feeds, and | | | | 9.) For graphic rich websites you may want to |
| whatever else use the line of PHP code that calls for | | | | reduce the quality/resolution to increase the load time |
| your blog URL. Replace these lines of PHP code with | | | | of the images. Image sprites could be used for this |
| your actual blog URL. This goes for your footer.php | | | | as well. |
| file as well. | | | | 10.) Do not use HTML to scale images. Pre scale your |
| 2.) One of the simplest things you can do that can | | | | images in a photo manipulation program like Gimp. |
| actually drastically increase your page speed is to | | | | Though it is possible to optimize your CSS and |
| move the URL to your CSS file to the top directly | | | | Javascript files for your plugins this may not be a |
| below the HEAD HTML tag in your header.php. This | | | | good idea as plugins are constantly being updated. |
| will cause your style sheet to load much faster. | | | | There are some plugins out there to combine all of |
| 3.) Many plugins hook the their Javascript files in the | | | | your CSS and Javascript files, however I have found |
| WP head causing your website to load incredibly slow. | | | | that this can often break plugins or mess with your |
| There is a great plugin out there that will hook your | | | | css. |
| javascript files into the WP footer where they should | | | | |