Loading time for a website or a blog plays an important role in getting better ranking. Longer loading time is definitely a NO NO in SEO. Here are a few tips on reducing the load time -
Remove additional plug ins
Though the plugins are helpful in automating many things in an website, they can also place more load on the servers and as a result, page loads slower. Disable some of the unwanted plugins. Instead of using multiple plugins for different tasks, switch to a single plug in capable of multi functioning.
Use a better host
Though some of the hosts appear cheaper, they offer poor or no support. Many of them are also too chappy. Choose a host that offers better speed a day is capable of occasional hitches in a better way.
Optimise images
Don't use the images as they are. No doubt, images improve the look and readability of your blog - but they also make the page load slower. Compress the the images using the tools which are easily available. There are some plugins which load the images as the user so rolls down rather than loading all the images in the beginning itself.
Avoid using flash files
Flash files which once ruled the websites are now quite obsolete. They are too heavy on resources and increase the loading time.
Get your codes minified
Some of the HTML codes take longer to load. Use the latest codes to replace the older ones. Remove the unwanted elements from your codes.
Use a better theme
It would be better not to go for free themes. Majority of the free themes are poorly coded and can also ring with them some malicious files. Some paid themes may also be poorly coded. Go for a well designed, SEO optimised and fast loading themes.
Don't use many posts on homepage
Restrict the number of posts on the homepage under 10. Some themes give an option to limit the number of posts on your homepage.
Don't use java scripts at the top
Java scripts normally take a bit longer to load. Instead of using them at the top, add them as the footer.
Limit the number of ads
Yes, ads help us in monetizing the blog- using too many ads may turn the blog slower. Use lesser number of banners.
Speed up most viewed pages
Some pages on your blog get more more visits than the rest of them. Make them load faster by removing unnecessary ads, optimising the images and using such optimisation techniques.
Reduce server clutter
Some of the plugins you used before might have gone obsolete. You might have added some need based codes before which may not be needed now. Remove them.
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