Loading Optimization Speed Problems
Hello Warriors,
Over the last several days I've been battling to try to figure out how to get a particular website I am designing to load faster (often takes 10+ seconds before I can see the home page) and need some advice.
What I am trying to figure out is if my slow load time is being caused by my hosting service or if it has to do with my website.
1) I am using WordPress, with a purchased theme
2) I am using the W3 Total Cache plugin
3) I am using the s2Member shopping cart plugin
4) I am using minimal non-theme graphics other than a relatively low file size logo, two relatively optimized banners, and a bar of social media icons
5) I am using CloudFlare to reduce load times & enhance security
6) My site is on a shared server
I have been using Pingdom.com to perform a waterfall test to try to uncover the cause of my extended load times, which has identified extensive 'wait' periods as my problem by far. Pingdom.com defines the 'wait' period as follows 'The web browser is waiting for data from the server', which leads me to believe that my host's server is causing the delay.
The delay is the longest (whether using Pingdom.com or counting in my head while loading the webpage directly) after I have not visited the site for 30+ minutes. The initial page load after not visiting it for 30 minutes ranges significantly, but often reaches 15+ seconds to see the home page.
If I test it again quickly right after my first check just mentioned, it will often load around 4 to 8 seconds to load fully (usually about 1 to 2 seconds to see the home page). This is pretty decent, but then if I wait 30 minutes until visiting the site again it goes back to an extended long load time again.
I realize being on a shared server can cause some level of delays, however, 15+ seconds seems really long to me - obviously visitors will not wait that long to see the home page before clicking away.
Any ideas as to whether this 'wait' time is due to my website or specifically being caused by a slow server at my host?
Thanks! :confused:
Over the last several days I've been battling to try to figure out how to get a particular website I am designing to load faster (often takes 10+ seconds before I can see the home page) and need some advice.
What I am trying to figure out is if my slow load time is being caused by my hosting service or if it has to do with my website.
1) I am using WordPress, with a purchased theme
2) I am using the W3 Total Cache plugin
3) I am using the s2Member shopping cart plugin
4) I am using minimal non-theme graphics other than a relatively low file size logo, two relatively optimized banners, and a bar of social media icons
5) I am using CloudFlare to reduce load times & enhance security
6) My site is on a shared server
I have been using Pingdom.com to perform a waterfall test to try to uncover the cause of my extended load times, which has identified extensive 'wait' periods as my problem by far. Pingdom.com defines the 'wait' period as follows 'The web browser is waiting for data from the server', which leads me to believe that my host's server is causing the delay.
The delay is the longest (whether using Pingdom.com or counting in my head while loading the webpage directly) after I have not visited the site for 30+ minutes. The initial page load after not visiting it for 30 minutes ranges significantly, but often reaches 15+ seconds to see the home page.
If I test it again quickly right after my first check just mentioned, it will often load around 4 to 8 seconds to load fully (usually about 1 to 2 seconds to see the home page). This is pretty decent, but then if I wait 30 minutes until visiting the site again it goes back to an extended long load time again.
I realize being on a shared server can cause some level of delays, however, 15+ seconds seems really long to me - obviously visitors will not wait that long to see the home page before clicking away.
Any ideas as to whether this 'wait' time is due to my website or specifically being caused by a slow server at my host?
Thanks! :confused:
Happy Marketing!!!