There are many reasons why your website may seem relatively slow which could relate to an array of different issues. We know from surveys that Internet surfers can be extremely impatient.
A mere delay of just a few seconds can make all the difference between the success and failure of online businesses.
Constant improvements in web hosting and Internet speeds have in some cases given Internet users performance expectations which can be difficult to fulfil – unless you take a structured approach to your website and hosting.
Server speeds
There are many different web hosting packages available today, including shared hosting, VPS, Cloud hosting and dedicated servers. Prices can vary wildly. However, even though many packages seem relatively cheap, this is not an excuse for your web hosting company to deliver substandard server speeds. In the past we have seen a number of issues with server speeds predominantly because web hosting packages were not appropriate for the website. In some of these cases the server may have been out of date. If the server holding your website files is slow to respond to a request from browsers landing on your website then what chance do you have?
It is therefore vital that you ensure that any web hosting package choose is able to fulfil your website’s needs. You should also ensure that the hardware and software are up-to-date. Fast hosting and smart hosting go hand-in-hand, as the smart hosting software ensures the efficient use of shared resources on a shared server. The ability to optimize shared resources will result in faster hosting, less downtime, reduced bounce rates and greater visitor retention going forward.
Poor coding
Whatever the hosting package you choose, you will have access to the backend and the array of files which have built up over the years. Poor coding can have a major impact on your website load speeds. Imagine this, if you have an untidy house with rubbish everywhere it requires more time to traverse it. Getting from the front door to the back door will have different results. However, if you remove the rubbish from the floor then this creates a clearer path taking less time to cross. Well websites work pretty much the same way. If you follow this principle then you get faster load speeds in return.
If you have replaced your content management systems, perhaps you no longer use certain plug-ins. In fact, some dynamic code may no longer work. So, it is best to remove it. Remove code from your website files and remove all files associated with that code. The cumulative impact of clearing the decks and removing old code can be significant.
Optimize your images
In a perfect world you would be able to display any image of any size on your website without impacting load times. Unfortunately, we do not live in a perfect world, and there will be a time and place to compromise on images with the need to reduce the size or remove some altogether. Optimizing your images so they load quicker and take up less memory can be a painful exercise but it is one you should look at on a regular basis.
There is no point having an all singing all dancing website with flashing graphics, dynamic images and eye-catching visuals if they simply don’t load up in time. As we touched on above, modern day surfers become very impatient very quickly. So, if your site takes excessive time to load up the images then they will be gone in a flash. It is also worth noting that dynamic code such as Google adverts may be revenue earning for your website but the adverts can also take some time to load. So, it may be a case of less is more when it comes to Google adverts. The less you have to display, the less of a delay and the greater the chance of visitors staying on the website to actually see the adverts.
Update your content management system
If you use a content management system such as WordPress, you’ll probably notice that over time a number of updates will be released. The idea is to continuously improve the efficiency, security and speed of content management systems going forward. Even though the likes of WordPress will warn in the backend that there is an update available, many people do not take-up this option. This can leave your website open to hackers, slow reaction speeds and ultimately you compare less favorably to your competitors. As content management systems are regularly upgraded you will also see an array of new opportunities to enhance your website design and the experience of your customers. Don’t ignore this!
When updating any type of software, it is advisable to take a backup of your full site beforehand. This ensures that if there are any problems you can always reinstall the backup – which worked. In reality, content management system upgrades are tested, tested and tested again so you are unlikely to have any major problems. However, if the new version refers to a more up-to-date coding/software package then you may need to approach your web hosting company and request an update.
Finding the best hosting package
The key to a fast website often revolves around your hosting package. Ensuring it is the most appropriate for your site takes research and informed decision about hosting services. If the traffic on your website has increased significantly since you started with shared hosting then it is probably time to upgrade. Look towards web hosting plans with scalable resources. The higher the plan on the spectrum, the more significant the allocation of resources. So, the most affordable type of hosting does come with much flexibility.
As your website grows, it’s best to monitor your use of memory, CPU bandwidth etc. As a rule of thumb having more resources is best for your site. If you find that your plan is on the lower side of the plans and deplete or are near depletion then a more advance plan is best. With companies offering cloud-based hosting plans and cPanel web hosting you can get the best of both worlds.
The fact that cloud-based hosting packages are based around a large network of servers, spread across the globe, ensures maximum uptime. If there is a problem with one or more servers then traffic will simply be rerouted to fully functioning servers. However, your website visitors will see no difference whatsoever. At first glance it can be difficult to know where to start, do you go for a beginner package, advanced, business or the ultimate web hosting package? What is a fair price to pay web service providers? What level of support do you receive from the web hosting company?
Introductory hosting deals reflect confidence
If you take a step back and look at the situation from distance, it makes sense that confident web hosting companies are able to offer attractive introductory offers. They know that once you sign up and experience their service you won’t look elsewhere. Leading Hosting companies also offers shared hosting, Virtual Private Servers and dedicated servers with the latest hardware, up-to-date smart hosting software, a variety of different resources and perhaps more importantly, the latest security protection.
The opportunity to optimize your web hosting package with your website requirements is vital. Though, sometimes even the smallest tweaks can make a big difference. A hosting package which is fully optimized with your website will minimize downtime, increase visitor retention and offer you the best platform. This combination can greatly influence your sales and profitability. The reality is, you can have the best website in the world, all singing all dancing, but if your web hosting is not up to speed then you’re wasting your time, money and effort.
