Optimizing WordPress to 100% on PageSpeed and GTmetrix With LiteSpeed Cache Plugin
WordPress is the most popular Content Management System (CMS) used to power websites all over the world. However, many WordPress sites struggle with slow page load times, which can negatively impact user experience and search engine rankings. In this article, we will explore how to optimize a WordPress site to achieve 100% on PageSpeed and GTmetrix using the LiteSpeed Cache plugin.
What is LiteSpeed Cache Plugin?
LiteSpeed Cache (LSCache) is a caching plugin developed by LiteSpeed Technologies. It is designed to work with the LiteSpeed Web Server, but it can also work with other web servers like Apache and Nginx. LSCache offers various caching techniques like page caching, object caching, database caching, and more to optimize website performance.
Install LiteSpeed Cache Plugin
To install LSCache, log in to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to Plugins > Add New. Search for “LiteSpeed Cache,” install and activate the plugin.
Enable LSCache
Once the plugin is installed and activated, you need to enable it. Navigate to LiteSpeed Cache > Settings and click on the “Enable LiteSpeed Cache” button.
General Settings
In the General Settings tab, you can configure various settings like caching for mobile devices, browser caching, cache purging, and more. Make sure to enable all the options for maximum performance.
Cache Settings
In the Cache Settings tab, you can configure the page caching options. Enable the “Cache” option and set the TTL (Time to Live) to 604800 seconds (7 days). This will ensure that your pages are cached for a week.
ESI Settings
Edge Side Includes (ESI) allows you to cache dynamic content like shopping carts and login forms. In the ESI Settings tab, enable the “Enable ESI” option and configure the settings as per your requirements.
Object Cache Settings
Object caching stores database queries and other data in the memory, which can improve website performance. In the Object Cache Settings tab, enable the “Enable Object Cache” option and set the TTL to 3600 seconds (1 hour).
Database Cache Settings
Database caching stores frequently used database queries in memory, which can reduce the load on the database server. In the Database Cache Settings tab, enable the “Enable Database Cache” option and set the TTL to 3600 seconds (1 hour).
Image Optimization Settings
Images can significantly affect website performance, and optimizing them is crucial. In the Image Optimization Settings tab, enable the “Auto Generate WebP” option and set the compression level to 80%.
CDN Settings
A Content Delivery Network (CDN) can improve website performance by caching your website’s content across multiple servers worldwide. In the CDN Settings tab, enable the “Enable CDN” option and configure the CDN provider’s settings.
Object Optimization Settings
The Object Optimization Settings tab allows you to optimize various objects like CSS, JS, and HTML. Enable all the options to optimize these objects for maximum performance.
Advanced Settings
The Advanced Settings tab contains various settings like Browser Cache TTL, Cache Exclude, and more. Configure these settings as per your requirements.
Optimize Images
Optimizing images can improve website performance significantly. You can use plugins like ShortPixel, Imagify, or Smush to optimize images. Alternatively, you can use the Image Optimization feature in LSCache.
Use a Lightweight Theme
Using a lightweight theme can significantly improve website performance. Themes like Astra, GeneratePress, and OceanWP are lightweight and offer various customization options.
Minimize HTTP Requests
Minimizing HTTP requests can improve website performance by reducing the number of requests made to the server.
Minimize CSS and JS Files
CSS and JS files can significantly affect website performance. You can use plugins like Autoptimize to minimize CSS and JS files by combining and compressing them.
Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN)
A CDN can cache your website’s content across multiple servers worldwide, which can improve website performance. You can use a CDN like Cloudflare, KeyCDN, or Amazon CloudFront.
Enable Gzip Compression
Enabling Gzip compression can reduce the size of files sent from the server to the browser, which can improve website performance. You can enable Gzip compression in the LiteSpeed Cache plugin settings.
Reduce Server Response Time
Server response time is the amount of time it takes for the server to respond to a request from the browser. You can reduce server response time by using a fast web host and optimizing your website’s code.
Use Lazy Loading
Lazy loading delays loading of non-critical resources like images, which can improve website performance. You can use plugins like WP Rocket, Jetpack, or Lazy Load to enable lazy loading.
Optimize Database
Optimizing your website’s database can significantly improve website performance. You can use plugins like WP-Optimize, WP Sweep, or Advanced Database Cleaner to optimize your website’s database.
Enable Browser Caching
Browser caching allows the browser to cache files like images, CSS, and JS files, which can improve website performance. You can enable browser caching in the LiteSpeed Cache plugin settings.
Use a Fast Web Host
Using a fast web host can significantly improve website performance. You can use web hosts like WP Engine, SiteGround, or Bluehost to improve website performance.
Optimize Your Website’s Code
Optimizing your website’s code can improve website performance by reducing the size of files and minimizing HTTP requests. You can use tools like GTmetrix, Pingdom, or Google PageSpeed Insights to optimize your website’s code.
Remove Unused Plugins and Themes
Unused plugins and themes can slow down your website by adding unnecessary files and code. You can remove unused plugins and themes to improve website performance.
Disable Hotlinking
Hotlinking is when someone links to an image on your website, which can slow down your website by consuming server resources. You can disable hotlinking by adding code to your website’s .htaccess file.
Optimize WordPress Database Tables
WordPress database tables can become fragmented over time, which can slow down your website. You can optimize your WordPress database tables using plugins like WP-Optimize, WP Sweep, or Advanced Database Cleaner.
Use a Fast DNS Provider
Using a fast DNS provider can improve website performance by reducing the time it takes for the browser to resolve your website’s domain name. You can use DNS providers like Cloudflare, Google DNS, or OpenDNS.
Minimize Redirects
Redirects can slow down your website by adding additional HTTP requests. You can minimize redirects by removing unnecessary redirects and using a plugin like Redirection to manage redirects.
Optimize Images
Images can significantly affect website performance, and optimizing them is crucial. You can use plugins like ShortPixel, Imagify, or Smush to optimize images.
Use a Lightweight Theme
Using a lightweight theme can improve website performance by reducing the amount of code and files loaded. You can use lightweight themes like Astra, GeneratePress, or OceanWP.
Use Lazy Loading for Videos
Videos can significantly affect website performance, and using lazy loading for videos can improve website performance. You can use plugins like Lazy Load for Videos to enable lazy loading for videos.
Limit Post Revisions
Post revisions can consume database resources, which can slow down your website. You can limit post revisions using plugins like WP Revisions Control, Revision Control, or WP Optimize.
Minimize External Requests
External requests to third-party websites can slow down your website by adding additional HTTP requests. You can minimize external requests by using plugins like WP External Links or Disabler to disable external requests.
Optimize CSS Delivery
Optimizing CSS delivery can improve website performance by reducing the time it takes for the browser to load CSS files. You can use plugins like WP Rocket, Autoptimize, or Fast Velocity Minify to optimize CSS delivery.
Minimize HTTP Requests
Minimizing HTTP requests can improve website performance by reducing the number of files loaded by the browser. You can minimize HTTP requests by combining and minifying CSS and JS files and using sprites for images.
Optimize Your Website’s Code
Optimizing your website’s code can improve website performance by reducing the size of files and minimizing HTTP requests. You can use tools like GTmetrix, Pingdom, or Google PageSpeed Insights to optimize your website’s code.
Use Expires Headers
Expires headers allow the browser to cache files like images, CSS, and JS files, which can improve website performance. You can use plugins like Far Future Expiry Header, WP Performance Score Booster, or WP Fastest Cache to enable expires headers.
Use Server-Side Caching
Server-side caching can significantly improve website performance by caching pages on the server. You can use server-side caching plugins like LiteSpeed Cache, WP Rocket, or WP Fastest Cache to enable server-side caching.
Use a Lightweight Slider Plugin
Using a lightweight slider plugin can improve website performance by reducing the amount of code and files loaded. You can use lightweight slider plugins like Soliloquy, Smart Slider 3, or MetaSlider.
Disable Pingbacks and Trackbacks
Pingbacks and trackbacks can consume server resources, which can slow down your website. You can disable pingbacks and trackbacks by going to Settings → Discussion and unchecking the box next to Allow link notifications from other blogs (pingbacks and trackbacks).
Optimize Your Website’s Fonts
Optimizing your website’s fonts can improve website performance by reducing the size of files and minimizing HTTP requests. You can use plugins like CAOS for Webfonts, Google Fonts for WordPress, or Typekit Fonts for WordPress to optimize your website’s fonts.
Use a Faster Social Sharing Plugin
Social sharing plugins can significantly affect website performance, and using a faster social sharing plugin can improve website performance. You can use faster social sharing plugins like Social Pug, MashShare, or AddThis.
Use a Fast WordPress Backup Plugin
Using a fast WordPress backup plugin can improve website performance by reducing the amount of server resources consumed during backups. You can use fast WordPress backup plugins like UpdraftPlus, BackupBuddy, or Duplicator.
Optimize WordPress Cron Jobs
WordPress Cron Jobs can consume server resources, which
can slow down your website. You can optimize WordPress Cron Jobs by using plugins like WP Crontrol or WP Control to control and schedule cron jobs.
Disable Unused Plugins
Unused plugins can consume server resources, which can slow down your website. You can disable unused plugins by going to Plugins and deactivating or deleting them.
Use a Faster Search Plugin
Using a faster search plugin can improve website performance by reducing the amount of server resources consumed during searches. You can use faster search plugins like SearchWP, Relevanssi, or Elasticsearch.
Optimize Your Database
Optimizing your database can improve website performance by reducing the size of your database and optimizing database queries. You can use plugins like WP-Optimize or WP Sweep to optimize your database.
Use a Faster Gallery Plugin
Using a faster gallery plugin can improve website performance by reducing the amount of code and files loaded. You can use faster gallery plugins like Envira Gallery, FooGallery, or NextGEN Gallery.
Optimize Your Widgets
Optimizing your widgets can improve website performance by reducing the amount of code and files loaded. You can use plugins like Widget Options or Widget Settings Importer/Exporter to optimize your widgets.
Use a Faster Contact Form Plugin
Using a faster contact form plugin can improve website performance by reducing the amount of code and files loaded. You can use faster contact form plugins like WPForms, Contact Form 7, or Gravity Forms.
Use a Faster eCommerce Plugin
Using a faster eCommerce plugin can improve website performance by reducing the amount of code and files loaded. You can use faster eCommerce plugins like WooCommerce, Easy Digital Downloads, or Shopify.
Optimize Your Custom Code
Optimizing your custom code can improve website performance by reducing the amount of code and files loaded. You can optimize your custom code by using best practices like minification, compression, and caching.
Use a Faster Membership Plugin
Using a faster membership plugin can improve website performance by reducing the amount of code and files loaded. You can use faster membership plugins like MemberPress, Restrict Content Pro, or Ultimate Member.
Optimize Your WordPress Settings
Optimizing your WordPress settings can improve website performance by reducing the amount of server resources consumed. You can optimize your WordPress settings by using best practices like disabling post revisions, enabling browser caching, and using a cache plugin.
Use a Faster Comments Plugin
Using a faster comments plugin can improve website performance by reducing the amount of server resources consumed during comments. You can use faster comments plugins like Disqus, wpDiscuz, or CommentLuv.
Use a Faster Backup Storage Plugin
Using a faster backup storage plugin can improve website performance by reducing the amount of server resources consumed during backups. You can use faster backup storage plugins like Amazon S3 and Glacier, Google Drive, or Dropbox.
Use a Faster Analytics Plugin
Using a faster analytics plugin can improve website performance by reducing the amount of server resources consumed during analytics tracking. You can use faster analytics plugins like Google Analytics Dashboard for WP, MonsterInsights, or WP Statistics.
Use a Faster Translation Plugin
Using a faster translation plugin can improve website performance by reducing the amount of code and files loaded during translations. You can use faster translation plugins like WPML, Polylang, or Weglot.
Use a Faster Ads Plugin
Using a faster ads plugin can improve website performance by reducing the amount of code and files loaded during ads. You can use faster ads plugins like Ad Inserter, Advanced Ads, or WP Quads.
Use a Faster Newsletter Plugin
Using a faster newsletter plugin can improve website performance by reducing the amount of server resources consumed during newsletter sign-ups.
