This tutorial cover how to optimize our theme we use WP Optimize cache plugin to optimize our themes.
1) Server Requirements
2) WP Optimiza Plugin Configuration (Free Version)
2.1) Database Optimization
2.2) Image Optimization
2.3) Enable Page Caching & Gzip
2.4) Configure Minify
3) Theme Options / Customize Settings
4) LayerSlider WP Optimization
5) Revolution Slider Optimization
6) Elementor Page Builder Settings
7) Clear WP-Optimize plugin cache
1) Server Requirements
As we all know the importance of choosing a good hosting provider for website performance. We recommend you not to use low-quality shared hosting. Kindly try to get service from a well-known hosting provider with good support.
Here is a list of things for you to check a good server.
- Response Time: Your server response time is very important because a lot of things depend on server response time. The first thing that Google Page Speed (aka Lighthouse) checks is your server response time. No matter how hard you try to improve your score it will be not beneficial if the server response time is not fast enough. Usually, google looks for less than 500ms(milliseconds) response time for dynamic sites.
- Server Location: Try to choose a server that is closer to your target audience. Like if you are a Canada-based eCommerce retailer then try to avoid taking servers from Europe. It will only increase the response time.
- HTTP2 Support: Most of the browser supports HTTP2 protocol. You have to check with your hosting provider if they support HTTP2.
- SSL Certificate: You will need an SSL Certificate to enable HTTP2 protocol from your server. So have an SSL certificate for your domain. You can get free a free certificate from Let’s Encrypt.
2) WP Optimize Cache Plugin Install and Configure
We use WP Optimize plugin to optimize our theme so first install the WP Optimize plugin from WordPress.org
2.1) Database Optimization
Just follow the instruction documented in the image in cronological order. It might take some time. Keep the tab open.
Navigate WordPress admin menu then WP-Optimize => Database select all then optimize you can take a backup before optimize database.
2.2) Image Optimization
Navigate the WordPress admin menu then WP-Optimize => Images
Follow the following settings and optimize the current images.
2.3) Enable Page Caching & Gzip
Navigate the WordPress admin menu then WP-Optimize => Cache
Enable Gzip: Gzip is server settings if your server don’t have Gzip enabled then ask hosting to enable the Gzip.
2.4) Configure minify
This is the most important parts follow the following step one by one we mark as red
2.4.1) Minify Status
2.4.2) JavaScript Optimization
2.4.3) CSS Optimization
2.4.4) Fonts Optimization
2.4.5) Settings
3) Theme Option/ Customize Settings
3.1) Font Preload
Add the full path of the font that want to preload after Google Page speed test or GTMatrix text you will get which font need to preload. We already add by default you just need to save it.
3.2) Exclude
Exclude the Java Script files each theme default files we already set predefine just click save.
3.3) JQuery Settings
If any plugin or theme file use old script it need jQuery migration script then don’t check this settings it will give JS error.
3.4) Elementor Settings
If theme used Elementor Page Builder then enable background image Lazy Loading
3) LayerSlider WP Optimization (If Use)
We use LayerSlider WP in these theme Metro, Miako … for this theme use the following optimization
- User slider markup caching = On
- Include scripts in the footer = On
- Conditional script loading = On
- Defer Javascript loading = On
4) Revolution Slider Option (If use)
Now we use Revolution slider in our new themes Digeco, Artex, Aeen, Panpie
Navigate WordPress admin menu Slider Revolution => Globals then follow this
- Include libraries globally = Off
- Insert script in footer = On
- Defer Javascript loading = On
Enable Smart Lazy Loading from Slider Settings see Advanced See Loading Type = Smart
5) Elementor Page Builder Settings
This settings are still in beta version but we got good result after enable it. You can enable it or not
6) Clean WP Optimize Cache
Please follow the following order to clear the WP Optimize plugin cache
- First click to clear Purge minify cache
- Second click Purge cache for all pages
