Measuring and Auditing WordPress Page Speed: Tips and Tools

In this article, we will take a closer look at the most common page speed metrics, such as load time, page size, and number of requests, and provide tips for improving them. We will also introduce you to some of the best tools available for measuring and auditing your WordPress site’s page speed.

Understanding Page Speed Metrics

Before you can start improving your site’s page speed, you first need to understand the metrics that are used to measure it. The most common metrics include:

• Load time: This measures the amount of time it takes for your site to fully load for a user. This includes the time to first byte (TTFB), time to first paint (TFP), time to interactive (TTI) and fully loaded time. Longer load time can lead to a poor user experience and an increase in bounce rate.
• Page size: This measures the total size of all the elements on your site’s page, including images, text, and code. A larger page size can lead to a longer load time.
• Number of requests: This measures the number of requests made by your site to load all the elements on a page. A higher number of requests can also lead to a longer load time.
• Speed Index : This metric measures how quickly the contents of a page are visibly populated. It’s important because it measures user perceived performance.
• First Contentful Paint (FCP) : This metric measures the time from when the user requests a new page to the time when any part of the page’s content is rendered on the screen.
• First Input Delay (FID) : This metric measures the time from when a user first interacts with your page (i.e. when they click a link, tap on a button, or use a custom, JavaScript-powered control) to the time when the browser is able to respond to that interaction.

These metrics are important to measure when trying to improve the page speed, but the specific metrics that are important for your site will depend on your site’s specific needs.

Measuring and Auditing WordPress page speed

GTmetrix, Google Page Speed Insights, and webpagetest.org are all popular tools for measuring and auditing page speed. Each of them has their own unique features and can provide valuable insights into your site’s performance.

• GTmetrix is a comprehensive tool that provides detailed analysis of your site’s performance, including load time, page size, and number of requests. It also offers suggestions for improving page speed, such as minifying code and optimizing images. One of the benefits of using GTmetrix is that it offers a score and a grade for your page, which makes it easy to understand where your site stands in terms of performance.
• Google Page Speed Insights is a free tool that analyzes your site’s performance on both mobile and desktop devices. It provides a score and suggestions for improving page speed, including minifying code, optimizing images and more. One of the benefits of using Google Page Speed Insights is that it also provides a report on the user experience, which is important for measuring how users interact with your site.
• Webpagetest.org is a powerful tool that provides detailed analysis of your site’s performance, including load time, page size, and number of requests. It also allows you to test your site from different locations around the world and on different devices. One of the benefits of using webpagetest.org is that it allows you to test your site’s performance on different devices and network speeds, which can be very useful in identifying issues that may only be present on certain types of devices or network conditions.

In conclusion, each of these tools has its own unique features and can provide valuable insights into your site’s performance. It’s a good idea to use multiple tools to get a more comprehensive view of your site’s page speed and user experience.

How to use GTmetrix

To use GTmetrix, simply go to the website (https://gtmetrix.com/) and enter the URL of the website you wish to analyze in the “Test your page” field. After entering the URL and clicking “Test,” the website will analyze the page and provide a report that includes:

• A summary of the website’s performance, including a score and a grade
• A breakdown of the website’s performance metrics, such as load time, page size, and number of requests
• A list of suggestions for improving the website’s performance
• A timeline of the website’s load process, including a visual representation of when each element of the page loaded
• A waterfall chart that shows the loading order of elements on the page

The report page also allows you to set test location, browser, connection and video recording of the test. You can also test your page with different options and compare the results.

GTmetrix also has a PRO version which allows you to track your website’s performance over time and get alerts when your site’s performance changes, schedule regular tests, and get access to more detailed reports.

How to use Google Page Speed Insights

Google Page Speed Insights is a user-friendly tool that allows you to easily measure and audit your site’s performance on both mobile and desktop devices. The tool is free and provides suggestions for improving page speed. Here is a quick guide on how to use it:

1. Go to https://developers.google.com/speed/pagespeed/insights/
2. Enter your website URL into the search bar and click “Analyze”
3. Wait for the tool to analyze your site and display the results
4. On the results page, you will see a score for both mobile and desktop devices, as well as a list of suggestions for improving page speed
5. To view specific suggestions for each category (such as “Optimize images” or “Eliminate render-blocking resources”), click on the category name
6. To apply the suggestions to your site, you can use the provided resources or consult with a developer
7. Repeat the process regularly to monitor your site’s performance and track your progress.

Additionally, you can use the “Test Again” button to test the page after making changes and comparing the results to see if improvements have been made.

How to use webpagetest.org

Webpagetest.org is a user-friendly tool that allows you to easily measure and audit your site’s page speed. Here is a quick guide on how to use the tool:

1. Go to webpagetest.org
2. Enter your website’s URL in the “Test a Website” field and select the location and device you want to test from.
3. Click “Start Test”
4. Wait for the test to complete, it will provide you with a detailed report on your site’s performance including:
   • Load time
   • Page size
   • Number of requests
   • Speed index
   • First Contentful Paint
   • Time to interactive
5. The tool will also provide you with a visual representation of the load of your site, which can help identify specific elements that are slowing down the load time.
6. You can also see a video of the load of the site, which can help identify visual issues that may be affecting the user experience.
7. The tool also provides a summary of the results, which includes suggestions for improving page speed.

Essential Tips

Here are a few tips and tricks to help you get started:

• Minimize the number of requests made by your site by combining and minifying code, and using a content delivery network (CDN).
• Optimize images by compressing them and using the appropriate file format (e.g., JPEG for photographs, PNG for graphics with transparent backgrounds).
• Remove any unnecessary elements, such as large font files and unnecessary plugins.
• Use a caching plugin to reduce the number of requests made to your server.
• Always test your site on different devices and network speeds to identify issues that may only be present on certain types of devices or network conditions.

It’s also important to remember that page speed optimization is an ongoing process, and you should regularly check your site’s performance and make adjustments as needed. For a comprehensive guide on optimizing WordPress for page speed, check out this article “OPTIMIZING WORDPRESS FOR PAGE SPEED: THE BASICS”