Improving Your Website Loading Speed
Improving Your Website Loading Speed
A fast website improves user experience, reduces bounce rates, and can positively affect search engine rankings. This guide covers the most effective steps you can take to speed up your Kapsule website.
1. Use the Latest PHP Version
PHP 8.2 and above are significantly faster than older versions. If your site is running PHP 8.1, upgrading to 8.2 or 8.3 can provide a noticeable speed improvement with no other changes.
To check and change your PHP version:
- Go to Websites in KPanel
- Select your site and open the PHP tab
- Select the latest stable version compatible with your plugins
- Click Save
See Changing Your PHP Version for full instructions.
2. Enable Caching
Caching stores pre-generated versions of your pages so they can be served instantly without re-running all the PHP and database queries on each visit.
For WordPress, install a caching plugin such as:
- LiteSpeed Cache (recommended for Kapsule's hosting environment)
- WP Super Cache
- W3 Total Cache
Clear your cache after making content changes. Most caching plugins add a toolbar button in WordPress admin to do this in one click.
3. Use Kapsule CDN
Kapsule CDN serves your site's static assets (images, CSS, JavaScript) from servers closer to your visitors, reducing load times for users in different regions.
To enable the CDN for your website:
- Go to Websites in KPanel and select your site
- Open the CDN tab
- Toggle Enable CDN on
- Click Save
No additional configuration is required.
4. Optimise Images
Large, uncompressed images are one of the most common causes of slow page loads.
- Upload images at the correct display size rather than relying on CSS to scale them down
- Use modern formats like WebP where possible
- Compress images before uploading using a tool like Squoosh
5. Minimise Plugins
Each active WordPress plugin adds PHP that runs on every page load. Review your installed plugins and deactivate or delete any that are no longer needed.
Avoid installing multiple plugins that perform overlapping functions (for example, two caching plugins). Conflicts between these can slow the site down rather than speed it up.
Testing Your Speed
Use these free tools to measure your site's current performance: