16 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
16 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Need to improve pageload times on wordpress site

by packerfan
14 replies
I'm in the middle of trying to hire someone to improve my pageload times for a small (20 page) site. I'm not exactly sure of the questions I should be asking to test their expertise.

The gets a lot of visitors, but I've got some critical pages that take up to 15 seconds to load according to the page speed tool in Google analytics.

Can anyone help me put together a little Q&A for my job interviews? I'm trying to outsource this to someone in north america and willing to pay a fair rate, but when I post the job on Odesk I'm getting what appear mostly garbage SEO stuff and admins.

Anyway, if you have any ideas, please help. And if this is something you're an expert in let me know.
#improve #pageload #site #times #wordpress
  • Profile picture of the author lshiva
    If you are using wordpress, then the are several options. At the top end you can look at a high quality hosting company that focuses on speed optimization e.g. Synthesis or WPEngine. A good wordpress technician can also optimize your site by using caching, image optimization, and a content delivery network such as cloudflare, or maxCDN, among other techniques.

    If you test you site using pingdom, they have a free tool, then it provides a whole host of ideas on how to improve the load speed of any site.

    If your technician is not savvy with caching, image optimization or CDN technology, then they probably will learn on your dime, move on!

    Cheers
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8305477].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author packerfan
      It is wordpress. I'm not technically savvy at all when it comes to this stuff. The site has very few images but does run a lot of javascript for adsense, pinterest, share any, etc.

      I put all that in and I'm sure there are better ways, but I don't know how.

      My average server response time is about 2 seconds, but I've got some pages taking up to 15 to load.

      The site doesn't have a lot of images on it, but it does have a few. Seems like an easy job for someone who knows what they're doing.
      Signature

      Nothing to see here

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8305484].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author M@tt
    Originally Posted by packerfan View Post

    I'm in the middle of trying to hire someone to improve my pageload times for a small (20 page) site. I'm not exactly sure of the questions I should be asking to test their expertise.

    The gets a lot of visitors, but I've got some critical pages that take up to 15 seconds to load according to the page speed tool in Google analytics.

    Can anyone help me put together a little Q&A for my job interviews? I'm trying to outsource this to someone in north america and willing to pay a fair rate, but when I post the job on Odesk I'm getting what appear mostly garbage SEO stuff and admins.

    Anyway, if you have any ideas, please help. And if this is something you're an expert in let me know.
    What is the URL and where is it hosted?

    Start by removing any unnecessary plugins. 1 caching plugin is sufficient. If performance is still weak, it could be that you are on an overloaded and/or poorly configured web server.
    Signature

    Matt Russell | CEO
    www.webhostingbuzz.com for 5 star US/UK web hosting
    And finally a reliable, honest hosting affiliate program. Warriors, join today at http://www.webhostingbuzz.com/affiliates.php

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8305738].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author coops123
      If you post a link i can suggest some changes
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8306484].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author kenzo22
    Maybe it's something with your hosting? Do you have a solid server?
    Signature

    Backup and maintenance plugin for WordPress
    www.wpguards.com

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8306759].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author packerfan
      My hosting seems okay from what I've read. I have hostgator and my server speeds are 2-3 seconds on the high end. I'm pretty sure it's my hacking up the html/java script. I also have W3 Total Cache but I doubt it's set up right. Thanks for the responses so far. It's helping me ask some questions of people.
      Signature

      Nothing to see here

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8307597].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author damoncloudflare
        Originally Posted by packerfan View Post

        My hosting seems okay from what I've read. I have hostgator and my server speeds are 2-3 seconds on the high end. I'm pretty sure it's my hacking up the html/java script. I also have W3 Total Cache but I doubt it's set up right. Thanks for the responses so far. It's helping me ask some questions of people.
        Just a quick note that Hostgator is partnered with CloudFlare, so you should be able to activate it through Hostgator's panel (since someone recommended CloudFlare to you in this thread and you also mentioned your hosting provider).
        Signature

        Damon
        CloudFlare Community Evangelist

        Tips for using WordPress with CloudFlare

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8324700].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author thisisraz65
    Originally Posted by packerfan View Post

    I'm in the middle of trying to hire someone to improve my pageload times for a small (20 page) site. I'm not exactly sure of the questions I should be asking to test their expertise.

    The gets a lot of visitors, but I've got some critical pages that take up to 15 seconds to load according to the page speed tool in Google analytics.

    Can anyone help me put together a little Q&A for my job interviews? I'm trying to outsource this to someone in north america and willing to pay a fair rate, but when I post the job on Odesk I'm getting what appear mostly garbage SEO stuff and admins.

    Anyway, if you have any ideas, please help. And if this is something you're an expert in let me know.
    use nginx rather thn apache
    and varnish may be a good way.
    Signature
    No signature right now
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8307663].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author packerfan
      I have no idea what this even means. I just install wordpress using cpanel and put my site up. I have hostgator for hosting. I couldn't begin to change the server software...
      Signature

      Nothing to see here

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8307667].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Stardustpoint
        Your hosting is fine at hostgator.

        1. Open a ticket at hostgator to check server performance
        2. Open a ticket at hostgator to check wordpress script issue's cpanel slowness
        3. 10 Page blog should be fine. Ask Hostgator if in PHP you can increase memory usage to 256.
        4. Load super cache plugin on wordpress and turn on - simple - google video on it you push one button.
        5. If your site is still slow go to elance and hire a guy they will appreciate the 20 bucks.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8307858].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author mojojuju
      Originally Posted by thisisraz65 View Post

      use nginx rather thn apache
      and varnish may be a good way.
      Switching to nginx isn't some magic bullet that can fix any and all problems, bro. I'm guessing that his problem is related to the slow execution of PHP, or database call. Nginx won't fix that. I'm thinking his Caching plugin is misconfigured, maybe there's too much js and css files. Nobody knows, but switching to nginx is a shot in the dark.
      Signature

      :)

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8307950].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Kingfish85
        Originally Posted by mojojuju View Post

        Switching to nginx isn't some magic bullet that can fix any and all problems, bro. I'm guessing that his problem is related to the slow execution of PHP, or database call. Nginx won't fix that. I'm thinking his Caching plugin is misconfigured, maybe there's too much js and css files. Nobody knows, but switching to nginx is a shot in the dark.
        I always get a kick out of when someone blindly recommends things like this. While on the way, might as well just upgrade to a dedicated server! :rolleyes:
        Signature

        |~| VeeroTech Hosting - sales @ veerotech.net
        |~| High Performance CloudLinux & LiteSpeed Powered Web Hosting
        |~| cPanel & WHM - Softaculous - Website Builder - R1Soft - SpamExperts
        |~| Visit us @veerotech Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8324720].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author website design
    Takes 2 minutes to do yourself.

    1 - optimize images for size and reinsert into wordpress - Free Image Optimizer - Compress and resize photos

    2 - login to wordpress admin - plugins - search for and auto install P3 (Plugin Performance Profiler). Run this program and it will show you what's taking the longest to load. If it's a plugin then disable the plugin.

    It's really easy to do in Wp just give it a try...
    Signature
    no sig needed.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8325003].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author diyakapoor
    If you are going to hire any expert to sort out this problem, then make sure that he/she takes care of 10 important things. First and most important is he checks the caching system. There are 9 more, check here Sure Shot Tips to Optimize Your Website’s Speed | Blog@PixelCrayons

    Rest leave on him, if there is any other issue apart from these 10, he should look at it.
    Signature

    Grow your small business and make it Online - High end Digital Consultation for your Online Business

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8326674].message }}

Trending Topics