One of my friends has recently launched an eCommerce website. It is working extremely slow. It takes approximately 20 seconds or more for loading completely. I am sure that this kind of website speed affects the conversions as well.
Please let me know some way to increase the website speed.
Your first step is to check your server location. For example, if you are based in India and if your server location is UK, then it will create latency issues and your website will load slowly. Make sure that your server location is perfect.
Along with that you can implement the factors mentioned below for increasing your website speed:
* Streamline the elements on your website
* Use CSS in place of images wherever possible
* Enable compression for reducing the bandwidth required for your web pages
* Enable browser caching
* Optimize the images on your website
For enhancing the speed of an eCommerce website, it is important to reduce the number
of HTTP requests. HTTP requests are created when your page has to ask your server for files like images, style sheets and javascript. Whenever the browser runs across any of these files being called, it has to ask your servers for that file while loading a page; and then the server send back the file to the browser to load.
In order to reduce the number of HTTP requests, combine as many style sheets as possible into one style sheet and reuse the elements like pictures and scripts so that there are fewer files for the browser to call.
In case you are operating a WordPress eCommerce website, then you can improve the website speed by caching the WordPress eCommerce website. The best option for you is W3 Total Cache WordPress plugin. You can easily configure this plugin for your website and get the best results.
One of the most convenient ways of checking website speed and improvising on it is through Google Webmaster Tools. There is a tool known as 'PageSpeed Insights'. Access this tool and enter your web page URL. The tool will detect the exact problems responsible for the slowdown of your website and it will also provide you tips for fixing them.
This is a valuable because Google also utilizes a similar tool for website speed analysis in order to determine website rankings. Use of this tool will enable you to see your website through Google's eyes.
Well, I checked out the Page Insights tool and it is indeed a great tool to check website speed. I will recommend it to all the website owners.