[Support request] Site Speed Troubleshooting

[bradborland]

I ran a check on GT Metrix. What do these issues mean and how can I improve them?

Yslow
1. Add Expires headers: There are 16 static components without a far-future expiration date.

2. Make fewer HTTP requests: This page has 16 external Javascript scripts. Try combining them into one. and This page has 9 external stylesheets. Try combining them into one.

3. Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN): Specify your CDNs in your User Settings. There are 13 static components that are not on CDN.

PageSpeed
1. Enable compression for the following resources to reduce their transfer size by 92.7KiB (66% reduction).

* why does this show? In other words, why does it appear that Mailchimp and Amazon are combined on this line? : Compressing https://s3.amazonaws.com/downloads.mailchimp.com/js/mc-validate.js

2. The following images served from wp.com should be combined into as few images as possible using CSS sprites.

* I have Jetpack plugin as well

[David]

Hi there,

YSlow

1. If you were able to add expires headers to all of those elements you’re at risk that the Code is cached in the browser for a long period of time. So updates to the page may not be seen. I would ignore.

2. This is the most significant point for improvement – follow our tips here:

https://generatepress.com/fastest-wordpress-theme/

3. CDN you would need your host to enable this. If you’re audience is global then good to have. If you audience is local to your server. eg. UK audience UK server then don’t bother

Pagespeed

1. amazonaws is a server, that is hosting the mc-validate.js file for your mailchimp plugin. Not much you can do about compressing that as its not on your server.

2. These are the lazyload image URLs created by JetPack. Ignore the CSS Sprites – its a nice to do but impossible with WP Jetpack images.

The main one you should focus on is Yslow 2 – reduced requests. The rest is pointless noise.

[bradborland]

Awesome, thanks!

I followed the suggestions from the link you gave. I just set it on the same settings.

Will it take some time before I see any speed improvements?

[David]

Optimizing the site should show an immediate effect – in some cases it may show an improvement in the overall rating but that doesn’t always translate into a faster load time.
Your server uses HTTP2.0 protocol which means it can handle more simultaneous requests. So combining files ( which is what autoptimize does ) makes one big file that can take longer then loading multiple small files at the same time. The only way to tell is to try it with and without.

If you use a CDN then yes that can take time for the site to propegate the multiple servers it is a placed on. With CDNs someone far away from your local server may see an improvement whereas you locally may not.

The one thing i notice on your site is quite a long wait time for the initial request and subsequent requests. May be worth giving your host a call to see why that is

[bradborland]

Thanks! I will give them a call.

[David]

You’re welcome

[bradborland]

One last thing. I have a cache plugin (WP super cache). Is that necessary?

I read so much conflicting info.

[bradborland]

I installed Autoptimize and have Jetpack. I don’t know if they have that capability or not.

Is it okay to have both WP Super Cache and Autoptimize activated?

[David]

You can have both installed, personally i would only use the one as it adds another layer for possible conflicts.

[bradborland]

Does Autoptimize have cache capabilities?

[David]

Yes, but not to the same degree that WP Super Cache does. Autoptimze will just combine CSS and JS files into one file and then store them in a cached file.
Whereas WP Fastest Cache is able to cache entire pages as HTML and change how your server deals with caching.
In addition to this you may also have Server Caches.

For me personally i have never had the need for anything more then Autoptimize and my Server caches.

[bradborland]

Okay. I have Bluehost so I’m assuming they have a server cache (?)

So if I get rid of WP Super Cache I can just rely on Autoptimize and be good?

I’m just trying to cut the fat on my site while keeping it in optimal shape (and you’ve been a huge help by the way).

[David]

Yeah – i would go with Autoptimize and the server cache ( its pretty standard option ).

You’re welcome

[Author]

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