Optimizing Site Performance: Beyond WordPress

Web performance depends on more than the WordPress application. Requests also involve DNS lookup time, TLS handshake, TCP connection, TTFB (Time To First Byte), and Content Download. Each phase can contribute to the time visitors wait for a page.

DNS Lookup Time

DNS (Domain Name System) translates a domain name into an IP address pointing to the website’s server. The lookup takes time and contributes to page loading speed.

Best Practices for Optimizing DNS Lookup Time

1. Use a reliable DNS provider.
2. Implement DNS Caching at the client or server level.
3. Aim for a lower Time to Live (TTL) settings.

TLS Handshake

A Transport Layer Security (TLS) handshake establishes an encrypted connection between a client and server when using HTTPS.

Best Practices for Optimizing TLS Handshake

1. Use TLS 1.3, which requires fewer round-trips than TLS 1.2.
2. Implement OCSP stapling to lower certificate validation time.
3. Use CDN (Content Delivery Network) providers that maintain persistent connections with origin servers.

TCP Connection

TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) provides reliable, ordered delivery of data between the client and server.

Best Practices for TCP Connection

1. Implement HTTP/2, which allows multiplexing, leading to better resource utilization and faster load times.
2. “Keep-Alive” feature allows TCP connections to stay open for multiple requests, reducing the time needed to establish new connections.
3. Use CDN providers that are geographically closer to your users to reduce TCP round trip time.

TTFB (Time To First Byte)

TTFB is the time a browser waits to receive the first byte of data from the server after making a request.

Best Practices for TTFB optimization

1. Optimize server and application logic.
2. Implement Server Side Rendering (SSR) to provide the user interface (UI) faster.
3. Upgrade to a faster hosting service.

Downloading Content

During content download, the browser receives the website’s data from the server for rendering.

Best Practices for Optimizing Content Download

1. Optimize images and other static assets using compression techniques.
2. Implement lazy loading for images.
3. Use CDNs to support browser caching.