Website Speed Optimization: Practical Tips

A fast website is crucial for user experience and SEO. Google uses loading speed as a ranking factor, and research shows that every extra second of loading time can lead to 7% less conversion. Visitors expect a page to load within 2-3 seconds — if it takes longer, they leave.

Image Optimization

Images are often the biggest culprit for slow websites. Use the WebP format for the best balance between quality and file size. Upload images in the right dimensions: if your image is displayed at 800 pixels wide, don't upload a file that is 4000 pixels wide. In Webey, you can add images via the media library. Always use lazy loading so images are only loaded when the visitor scrolls down and they come into view.

Minimize HTTP Requests

Every image, stylesheet, and script on your page is a separate HTTP request. The fewer requests, the faster the page loads. Combine CSS and JavaScript files where possible. Avoid unnecessary external scripts and widgets that add extra requests. Use a CDN (Content Delivery Network) to serve files closer to your visitors — this shortens the physical distance data needs to travel.

Set Up Browser Caching

With browser caching, you store static files locally on the visitor's device. When someone revisits your site, these files don't need to be downloaded again. Set caching headers for images, CSS, and JavaScript with an expiration time of at least one week. Webey sites use efficient caching strategies by default.

Above-the-fold Optimization

Load the content that is immediately visible without scrolling (above the fold) first. Defer loading of content further down the page with lazy loading. This makes your website noticeably faster because visitors don't have to wait for the entire page to load. In Webey, heavy blocks like maps and galleries are automatically lazy-loaded.

Load Web Fonts Smartly

Custom fonts can significantly slow down your loading time. Limit the number of font variants you load — use a maximum of two fonts with two to three weights each. Use font-display: swap so text is immediately visible with a fallback font while the custom font loads in the background.

Avoid Heavy Animations

Complex animations and parallax effects look beautiful but can slow down your website, especially on mobile devices with limited processing power. Use animations sparingly and opt for CSS animations over JavaScript animations where possible.

Measure Your Speed Regularly

Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights, GTmetrix, or WebPageTest to measure your loading time. Test on both desktop and mobile. Pay attention to metrics like Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), First Input Delay (FID), and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) — these Core Web Vitals are direct ranking factors for Google. Measure after every change to see if you are making progress.

Practical Checklist

Check these points for optimal speed: all images compressed and in the right format, no unused scripts or stylesheets, lazy loading enabled for images and videos, CDN active, browser caching configured, and a maximum of two web fonts loaded. Make it a habit to test your speed monthly and make adjustments.