How to Speed Up WordPress
by Frank Jovine on 11/20/2009 in Software
WordPress at times, (depending on your host) can be a resource hog if you have too many queries going on at once. A Query is a precise request for information retrieval with databases. In the header.php template there are many PHP calls (Queries) that are unnecessary. The PHP queries can be changed to plain html, thus reducing load times for a given page.
An example of unnecessary php queries in the header.php template include;
- Title: <title><?php bloginfo(‘name’); ?> <?php bloginfo(‘description’);?></title>
- Fav Icon: <link rel=”shorcut icon” type=”image/x-ico” href=”<?php bloginfo(‘template_url’); ?>/favicon.ico” />
- Style Sheet: <link rel=”stylesheet” type=”text/css” media=”screen” href=”<?php bloginfo(‘stylesheet_url’); ?>”/>
- RSS Feed: <link rel=”alternate” type=”application/rss+xml” title=”RSS .92″ href=”<?php bloginfo(‘rss_url’); ?>” />
An example of plain html
- Title: <title>your Blog Name</title>
- Fav Icon: <link rel=”shorcut icon” type=”image/x-ico” href=”http://yourdomainname.com/wp-content/themes/theme-name/favicon.ico” />
- Style Sheet: <link rel=”stylesheet” type=”text/css” media=”screen” href=”http://yourdomainname.com/wp-content/themes/theme-name/style.css”/>
- RSS Feed: <link rel=”alternate” type=”application/rss+xml” title=”RSS .92″ http://yourdomainname.com/feed/rss/” />
There are at least 7 to 10 unnecessary php queries within the header.php and footer.php templates that can be changed to plain HTML.
There are other solutions to speed up your WordPress blog by installing the WP-SuperCache plug-in.
BunnygotBlog
Nov 20th, 2009
This is great!
Thanks Frank
Frank J
Nov 20th, 2009
Bunny,
It’s fast to do and page loads will be faster just by making a few minor changes.
Susie
Nov 20th, 2009
Will you do it for me?
Frank J
Nov 21st, 2009
Susie,
Of course – same credentials?
Jake
Nov 20th, 2009
Useful tips. I think most WordPress users (me included) get stuck in the Codex and have trouble thinking outside of the box. Thanks for sharing the information…
Frank J
Nov 21st, 2009
Jake,
That’s true, but you could lose visitors if your page loads are slow.
Jake
Nov 23rd, 2009
Oh, I completely agree with you. Slow page loads drive me crazy and I have no problem clicking away. These tips seem easy enough to implement that there’s really no excuse not to!
Frank J
Nov 23rd, 2009
Jake,
It is real easy and takes about 5 minutes to do. If you just change 4 or 5 php calls to html, it will make a difference not only in page load times, but will also minimize database resources.
Susie
Nov 21st, 2009
I was just pulling your leg or paddling your.. OH.. I got that domain name!!
Nea | Self Improvement Saga
Nov 21st, 2009
Very helpful. Thanks a ton!
Frank J
Nov 21st, 2009
Nea,
You are welcome and glad I could shed some light on the subject.
George Serradinho
Nov 23rd, 2009
I’m always looking to somehow increase my loading time of my site. There are just so many different ways in doing it, thanks for sharing.
Frank J
Nov 24th, 2009
George,
You meant, finding ways to decrease your page load times. Thanks for the comment.