The more HTTP requests your site has, the slower it’s going to load. To restrict the number of HTTP requests for a better loading experience, you can significantly improve your website’s performance.
In this post, let’s take you through everything you need to know about how to make fewer HTTP requests for a faster WordPress Website.
Let’s get straight to it!
Minimizing HTTP requests is key element in speeding up a WordPress Website. Each HTTP request, whether it is for images, scripts, or stylesheets – do increase the load time, so reducing these can significantly improve performance.
Here are the important aspects which cannot be ignored for minimizing HTTP requests on a WordPress site:
1. Combine CSS and JavaScript Files
Each CSS and JavaScript file is treated a separate HTTP request. If you have HTTP requests that you absolutely must load, you can combine them into a single file. Combining files can reduce the number of requests. For example, your webpage refers multiple small CSS files, you can combine them into a single larger CSS file, which will get loaded faster because the browser needs to make fewer requests.
Plugins such as WP Rocket, Autoptimize can be utilized to combine CSS and JavaScript files to enhance the performance. These plugins can also minify the code which overall reduce the filesize resulting in improving the load time.
2. Use Inline CSS and JavaScript for Small Code
When you use inline styles and scripts, you are embedding them directly into your HTML. This means you are not making separate requests to fetch them.
Small line of code in CSS, JavaScript files can be avoided and Inlining small pieces of CSS or JavaScript code can be considered to reduces the need for separate files. Any line of code that completed within 5-7 lines can be considered as a small piece of code which can be directly included as inline code.
For small scripts and styles, use inline code in the <head> or at the bottom of the <body>.
3. Minify CSS, JavaScript, and HTML
Minification is the process of minimizing code and markup in your web pages and script files. It is one of the important methods used to reduce load times on webpages. Minifying removes unnecessary spaces and comments, overall reducing file size. Minification dramatically improves site speed and accessibility, directly translating into a better user experience.
Plugins such as WP Rocket or Autoptimize can be utilized for automatic minification of CSS, JavaScript, and HTML files.
4. Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN)
A CDN stores copies of static resources like images, CSS, and JavaScript on servers worldwide. This can reduce HTTP requests to your server by offloading them to the CDN.
CDNs (Content Delivery Networks) can help serve your files from locations closer to your users. This can speed up the delivery of those files. Plus, popular CDNs like Cloudflare, SmushPro might have common libraries cached on a user’s browser which saves time. These plugins offer CDN integration for all media files as per the configuration setting for your WordPress Website.
5. Reduce the Number of Plugins
Each plugin installed on your website carry its own baggage in terms of its own CSS, JavaScript, and other resources files, leading to more HTTP requests. It is highly recommended to ensure that only the required plugins get installed on the website and all other unutilized, redundant plugins must be identified and removed from the system.
Deactivate and delete plugins which are redundant and not required in the functionality. Use a single plugin that combines multiple functionalities instead of multiple plugins with a limited functionality.
Basically, you want to go through the entire list of plugins and check if each plugin is really adding value to your site. If a plugin is not that important then its better off removing it.
6. Optimize Images and Use Image Sprites
Images can create numerous HTTP requests. Reducing their number and optimizing their size can make a big difference. Image sprites are basically a collection of images put into a single image. When you use CSS, you can display just the part of the image you need.
How?
Combine small images (like icons) into a single image sprite. Then, use CSS to display only specific parts of the image as needed.
Use plugins like Smush Pro or ShortPixel to automatically optimize and compress images.
Lazy load images so they only load when users scroll to them. Instead of loading everything all at once, you load stuff as users scroll and need to see it. WordPress has had lazy loading built in since version 5.7. This feature automatically loads images and iframes when they are needed, which can improve the speed and performance of a WordPress site.
7. Enable Browser Caching
Browser caching can improve page loading speed by allowing a browser to load some of a website’s static assets like CSS, JavaScript, and images from their local cache, reducing HTTP requests to the server. This reduces the number of requests made to the web server, which in turn reduces the amount of data the browser has to download.
Caching plugin like WP Rocket, W3 Total Cache, or LiteSpeed Cache to configure browser caching. Alternatively, if you have proper tech team, you can consider adding cache rules to your .htaccess file.
8. Remove Unused Scripts and Styles
Many themes and plugins load scripts and styles on all pages, even if they are required only at selected pages. Each CSS and Java Script files are treated as a separate HTTP request. So, if you have unused scripts and CSS styles that are not adding value, it is good to remove them to eliminate those HTTP requests.
Plugins such as Asset Cleanup or Perfmatters can be utilized to disable scripts and styles on pages where they are not needed.
9. Limit the Use of Web Fonts
Loading multiple fonts or variants adds HTTP requests. You need to be careful with how you use them because each custom font type that you use adds another HTTP request.
Instead of using custom fonts, you can use system fonts like Arial, Georgia, or Helvetica, which are light and load faster. If you’re going to use custom fonts, make sure to limit the number of fonts and weights, and consider loading them asynchronously.
10. Use Lazy Loading for Images and Videos
With lazy loading, your site only loads the media files which is at-present required to be visible on the webpage. Rest all media files will wait to load below-the-fold images, videos, and iframes until a user starts scrolling down.
Because these resources do not load right away, there is no need to make an HTTP request for the initial page load. Plugins such as Smush Pro offers a nice image smushing and lazy loading features.
Additionally, WordPress has had lazy loading built in since version 5.7. This feature automatically loads images and iframes when they are needed, which can improve the speed and performance of a WordPress site
11. Use Fewer Redirects
A redirect automatically makes a browser go from one URL to another URL. A redirect can point to any other URL: it does not need to point to the same website. Whenever the webpage redirects the user to some other web pages or third-party websites, it generates additional HTTP requests.
Regularly check your site for unnecessary redirects, and avoid linking to redirected URLs. Use plugins like Redirection to manage and minimize redirects.
As a thumb of rule, you should use fewer redirects to improve your website’s performance and user experience.
12. Preload Key Assets
Preloading helps the browser load assets like fonts and stylesheets more quickly, especially those required for rendering the top of the page.
Use the <link rel=”preload”> tag in the <head> section for critical CSS and font files, or a plugin like WP Rocket to automate this.
Wrapping Up
Every single assests on your site adds an HTTP request. One image is one HTTP request, One JavaScript file is one HTTP Request, one CSS stylesheet is one HTTP request, one font file is one HTTP request, One Iframe is one HTTP request and so on.
Once you identify, how many HTTP requests your website sends, it is better to check all the techniques covered here to optimize your site performance by making fewer HTTP requests while keeping it functioning normally.
By following these important aspects, you can significantly reduce the number of HTTP requests on your WordPress site, resulting in faster load times and a better user experience.
For further information and queries you can always reach out to us at info@wordpromise.com
