2) Use next-gen formats (WebP/AVIF)

Old-school JPG/PNG files are bigger than necessary. Switching to WebP/AVIF keeps quality while cutting file size, so pages feel snappier without redesigning anything.

Do this:

• Convert key images (hero, banners, thumbnails) to WebP/AVIF

• Keep a fallback for older browsers

• Prioritize above-the-fold images first

• Sanity-check visual quality before/after

• If available, turn on auto-conversion in your CMS/CDN

3) Trim code bloat (CSS/JS/HTML)

Extra code and “run-first” scripts make the browser pause before showing content. Cutting what you don’t need and loading the rest later lets important content appear sooner and pages react quicker to taps and clicks.

Do this:

• Remove unused plugins, libraries, and old tracking snippets

• Minify CSS/JS/HTML to shrink file sizes

• Mark non-critical scripts to load later (defer/async)

• Keep only the CSS needed for the first screen (“critical CSS”)

• Delay analytics/chat/heatmaps until after first interaction where possible

4) Fewer requests = less waiting

Every separate file (fonts, icons, widgets, tags) is another network trip. Too many trips create delays. Combining where sensible and simplifying your stack reduces the queue so pages render sooner.

Do this:

• Merge small CSS files where it won’t hurt caching

• Prefer one flexible variable font or system fonts

• Replace heavy icon libraries with a tiny SVG set/sprite

• Consolidate tracking tags; remove duplicates

• Lazy-load third-party embeds (maps, social, video)

5) Turn on caching (browser + server)

Caching lets browsers and servers reuse files instead of fetching them again. The result is repeat visits that feel instant and a calmer server during traffic spikes.

Do this:

• Set long cache lifetimes for versioned static assets

• Use hashed filenames (so you can cache “forever” safely)

• Enable page/object caching on your platform

• Let the CDN cache static files aggressively

• Purge caches only when assets actually change

6) Use a platform with built-in global delivery (CDN included)

Running a separate CDN and tuning cache rules can get technical fast. An easier path is to host your site on a platform that already includes a global edge network out of the box—think Webflow, Framer Sites, Shopify, or a managed WordPress host that bundles a CDN. These platforms automatically serve your images, CSS, and scripts from locations close to each visitor, apply smart caching, and handle modern protocols (HTTP/2/HTTP/3), so your site feels fast worldwide with far less setup.

Do this:

• Pick a plan that explicitly includes a global CDN and image optimization.

• Webflow: use Responsive Images and keep assets in the Webflow Asset Manager (avoid external image hosts).

• Framer: use the Image component and enable built-in image optimization for banners/hero images.

• Shopify/Managed WP: store assets in the theme/files area (or the host’s CDN), not on random third-party servers.

• Keep fonts/assets on the platform (fewer external calls), and test from multiple regions to confirm the lift.

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7) Replace sliders & autoplay video with a single, lightweight hero

Carousels and autoplay video load multiple assets before visitors even read your headline, delaying the first screen and hurting clicks. A single static hero (one clear message + one image) loads faster and converts better; make any video click-to-play.

Do this:

• Use one hero image ≤150–200 KB (WebP/AVIF) at exact display size

• Remove the slider library; keep one headline + one subhead + one CTA

• For video, show a poster image + play button; load player on click (preload="none" / lite embed)

• Keep motion subtle; disable heavy animations on mobile

• Re-test: first screen should render noticeably faster

8) Lazy-load off-screen media

There’s no need to load images and videos that aren’t on screen yet. Lazy-loading waits until a visitor scrolls near them, keeping the initial page light and quick.

Do this:

• Enable native loading="lazy" for images/iframes

• Defer video players and social embeds until needed

• Always set image width/height to prevent layout shift

• Preload only the single LCP (main) image, not everything

• Use a low-res placeholder/blur for nicer perceived speed

9) Let the browser prepare early (preload/preconnect)

Browsers move faster when you give them a heads-up. Preconnecting to your CDN/font host and preloading the most important image or font helps the first screen paint sooner.

Do this:

• Preconnect to CDN and font domains

• Preload the hero font and main (LCP) image

• Use the correct as attribute (e.g., as="font")

• Keep hints selective—too many can slow other work

• Remove old/unused hints regularly

10) Trim plugins and heavy themes

Each plugin or all-in-one theme adds scripts, styles, and server work. Over time that stacks up and slows everything down. A light stack is a fast stack.

Do this:

• Audit plugins/themes quarterly

• Remove anything unused or overlapping in function

• Swap bulky, multi-purpose tools for lighter single-purpose ones

• Disable features on pages where they’re not needed

• Consider a leaner theme if you’ve outgrown yours

Speed is the quiet multiplier behind every click, ad, and visit—and it’s one of the few levers you can pull today to feel a real difference tomorrow.

Even a handful of fixes (lean hero, lighter images, smart caching) can cut seconds, reduce bounce, and lift conversions without a redesign. If you’d like us to handle the heavy lifting end-to-end (with before/after metrics you can share), add our productized service to your cart and Fix Your Website Speed Now.