People expect websites to load fast, especially on phones. When a page drags, many visitors leave before it finishes, and they rarely come back. Speed also plays a part in how Google evaluates your site. The upside is that a lot of slowdowns come from a few common, fixable causes.
How to check your website speed
Google offers a free tool called PageSpeed Insights. Enter your web address and it tests your site on mobile and desktop, then lists what’s slowing it down. Focus on the mobile results, since that’s how most local customers find you.
The most common causes of a slow site
- Huge images uploaded straight from a camera or phone
- Too many plugins, especially ones you no longer use
- Cheap or overloaded hosting
- Heavy page builders and sliders that load a lot of code
- No caching, so the server rebuilds every page for every visitor
- Outdated software running on an older version of PHP or WordPress
Quick wins
- Resize and compress images before uploading them.
- Remove plugins you don’t use.
- Turn on caching.
- Replace auto-playing sliders with a single strong image.
- Make sure your host runs a current version of PHP.
When speed needs a bigger fix
If your site is built on a heavy theme with multiple page builders layered on top of each other, quick fixes only go so far. A rebuild on a leaner foundation, on hosting tuned for WordPress, is often the real solution.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good page speed score?
Scores are a guide, not the goal. What matters most is that pages load quickly for real visitors on phones. Use the score to find and fix the biggest problems.
Does website speed affect SEO?
Yes, as part of how Google measures page experience. Just as importantly, faster sites keep more visitors, and that means more calls and sales.
Curious how yours scores?
Run PageSpeed Insights, or send your site through the free website check and I’ll include speed notes in plain English. More on websites and hosting.