How to Speed Up Your Website (And Why It Matters) Template: How-To Blog Post
Introduction
Did you know that a 1-second delay in page load time can reduce conversions by up to 20%?
In 2025, Google and users expect fast, responsive websites. Speed isn’t just a tech thing—it’s an SEO and user experience issue.
This post walks you through simple ways to speed up your website—no dev team required.
Why Site Speed Matters
• Google uses load time as a ranking factor
• Users leave slow sites immediately (bounce rate goes up)
• Mobile users won’t wait more than 3 seconds
• Faster sites convert more—period
Step 1: Test Your Speed
Use:
• Google PageSpeed Insights
• GTMetrix
• Pingdom
Check both mobile and desktop scores. Anything under 70 needs work.
Step 2: Compress Your Images
Use tools like:
• TinyPNG
• ShortPixel
• Squoosh
Large images are the #1 cause of slow load times. Resize and compress before uploading.
Step 3: Use a Lightweight Theme
Avoid themes with:
• Too many animations
• Heavy visual builders
• Unused templates
Choose minimal, clean themes (Astra, Hello Theme, etc.).
Step 4: Enable Caching
Caching saves a version of your site so it loads faster next time. Use:
• WP Rocket (WordPress)
• W3 Total Cache
• Built-in settings on Squarespace/Wix
Step 5: Minimize Plugins + Scripts
Delete:
• Plugins you’re not using
• Tracking scripts that slow things down
• Fancy animations or popups unless essential Less = faster.
Step 6: Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN) A CDN stores your site on global servers for faster delivery. Free options:
• Cloudflare
• Bunny.net
Step 7: Host Your Site With Speed in Mind Cheap hosting = slow site.
Look for:
• SSD servers
• Local servers if you’re serving one country
• Hosts optimized for your platform (e.g., SiteGround for WordPress)
Bonus: Lazy Load Your Images
This means images load only when someone scrolls to them, not all at once. Use lazy load plugins or built-in features.
Conclusion
Site speed is no longer optional—it’s part of your brand’s first impression.
Take 60 minutes to implement these changes and watch your SEO, conversions, and user experience instantly improve.
Follow @carlamariabruno and @ottawareels
�� contact@carlamariabruno.com for more information

