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These are some of the factors behind a slow-running website.
1. Poor server performance
This is usually down to your web hosting provider, although distance may also be an issue. They may be forcing you to share a server with others, a virtual traffic jam if you will. If this is the case, you should make the switch to another company, preferably one with a better-optimised performance. You may have to pay a little extra for a better service, but your site visitors will thank you for it.
2. There is a high-volume of traffic
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Congratulations, your website must be very popular if you are attracting a high number of users. Still, going back to that traffic jam analogy, everything will slow down as a result. Your web server will struggle to keep up with a large number of people at once, so sacrifices will have to be made, and this includes the speed of your website, to accommodate everybody. Again, a better web host may be the best answer.
3. You aren’t using a CDN service
Using a CDN service isn’t compulsory, but it does help. With a network of independent servers spread geographically, slow loading times can be reduced for your audience, wherever they are in the world. You can find the cheapest CDN online, so the expense doesn’t have to hurt your pocket. With faster SSD drives, you are guaranteeing your site visitors a better, and faster experience.
4. There are too many images on screen
You don’t need to clutter up your screen with too many images. Not only does it look messy, but it will also slow your web pages down. High-resolution images are particularly guilty, no matter how attractive they are. Still, you can do something about it. Reducing the number of images is a start. You should then change the file format. Images within the BMP and TIFF format will badly affect page loading times, so convert them into something easier for your browser to manage, such as JPG images, which will load much faster than the heavier alternatives.
5. You Have too many plugins
There are loads of plugins you can add to your website, especially if you are using WordPress. Not only do they help you in building a more useful website, but they can also enhance the experience of the people who visit your site. Still, you don’t need every plugin that is available to you. They all require javascript to load, and each one will add to the loading times of your webpage. Pick out the relevant ones, and delete any that are causing your site users an unnecessary headache.
6. Your CMS is Outdated
You will be using a CMS (content management system) to manage your website, be it WordPress, Wix, or Alfresco. Managing your content, from images to program codes, your CMS will keep everything running as smoothly as possible. However, if you haven’t updated your CMS with the latest versions in a while, your site may be prone to bugs and kinks. So, no matter how annoying the amount of popups that appear on your page, if something comes up with a reminder to update to the latest version, be sure you do so.
7. There Are Too Many Ads
You can make money through the clever placing of ads on your website, but it will compromise the user experience. They create a greater number of HTTP requests, which can result in your website becoming unresponsive. Popups, popunders, and automatic downloads are the biggest culprits. So, no matter how much money these ads are making you, it would be wiser for you to focus on only a few. Having a lot will only put off potential visitors to your site, so you would be making less money anyway.
Finally
There may be other reasons why your website may be running slowly, such as issues within your coding, but the above are some of the common problems facing most site owners. You can test your site using Pingdom, and they will give you a comprehensive description of anything that might be slowing your site down. For your sake, and that of your visitors, do all you can to improve your website’s performance today.
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