1Pick the right stack
Use PHP 8.2+, HTTP/2 or 3, OPcache, Redis/Memcached object cache, and CDN (full page or edge). Prefer lightweight themes and avoid page-builder bloat unless required.
2Cache smartly
Enable full-page cache for visitors, bypass for admins, cart, checkout, and account pages. Use server-level caching (Nginx/LSCache) or a proven plugin. Add browser cache and stale-while-revalidate for spikes.
3Optimize assets and images
Serve WebP/AVIF, lazy-load below the fold, compress to <100KB hero, and preconnect to CDN and fonts. Inline critical CSS, defer non-essential JS, and remove unused plugins and scripts sitewide.
4Tune database and cron
Weekly cleanup of transients/revisions, index heavy tables, and offload WP-Cron to real cron at 5-minute intervals. Monitor slow queries; fix chatty plugins or replace them.
5Guard Core Web Vitals
Target LCP <2.5s, CLS <0.1, INP <200ms. Preload hero image, avoid layout shifts from ads/popups, and cap third-party tags. Run PageSpeed and Lighthouse on mobile, then verify in field data via CrUX.
6Create rollback and observability
One-click backups, staging-first deploys, uptime and error alerts, and versioned config for cache/CDN rules. Document a rollback play so anyone on-call can revert within minutes.
Speed checklist
- Cache exclusions set for cart, checkout, my account, and admin.
- WebP/AVIF and lazy-load enabled; hero preloaded.
- TTFB, LCP, CLS, INP verified on mobile in PageSpeed + CrUX.
- Third-party scripts audited; unused plugins removed.
- Rollback plan and monitoring in place before go-live.
FAQ
Which pages should never be cached?
Exclude cart, checkout, my account, and wp-admin from full-page caching to prevent broken sessions and stale data.
How do I check if speed changes worked?
Test PageSpeed Insights and Lighthouse on mobile, then confirm in field data via CrUX. Monitor TTFB, LCP, CLS, and INP after each deploy.
What plugins slow sites the most?
Heavy page builders, chat widgets, and unoptimized analytics tags often increase JS and CSS bloat. Remove or defer anything non-essential.
Final thoughts
Speed in 2026 is about restraint: fewer plugins, smarter caching, and ruthless control over third-party scripts. Verify Vitals on mobile, watch TTFB after any deploy, and keep a rollback ready so you can revert within minutes if metrics slip. Pair this checklist with building a full store and safe template edits to ensure performance stays healthy as you grow.