457 lines
15 KiB
JSON
457 lines
15 KiB
JSON
{
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"id": "optimize-wordpress-performance-without-coding",
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"slug": "optimize-wordpress-performance-without-coding",
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"type": "seo",
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"title": "How to Optimize WordPress Performance Without Writing a Single Line of Code",
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"excerpt": "Learn proven strategies to speed up your WordPress site without technical expertise. Discover caching, image optimization, and how Plugin Compass AI can create custom performance solutions.",
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"content": {
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"blocks": [
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{
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"type": "paragraph",
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"data": {
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"text": "Website speed is crucial for user experience and search engine rankings. Studies show that 53% of mobile users abandon sites that take longer than 3 seconds to load. While there are many technical ways to optimize WordPress performance, you don't need to be a developer to achieve significant speed improvements. This guide covers practical, code-free techniques that anyone can implement."
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}
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},
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{
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"type": "header",
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"data": {
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"text": "Why Performance Matters",
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"level": 2
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}
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},
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{
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"type": "paragraph",
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"data": {
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"text": "Before diving into optimization techniques, let's understand why speed is so important:"
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}
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},
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{
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"type": "list",
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"data": {
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"style": "unordered",
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"items": [
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"User Experience: Fast sites keep visitors engaged and reduce bounce rates",
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"SEO Rankings: Google uses page speed as a ranking factor",
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"Conversion Rates: Every second of delay can reduce conversions by 7%",
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"Mobile Users: Mobile connections are often slower, making optimization critical",
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"Server Resources: Optimized sites use fewer resources, reducing hosting costs"
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]
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}
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},
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{
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"type": "header",
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"data": {
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"text": "Understanding Your Current Performance",
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"level": 2
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}
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},
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{
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"type": "paragraph",
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"data": {
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"text": "Start by measuring your current performance using these free tools:"
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}
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},
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{
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"type": "list",
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"data": {
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"style": "unordered",
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"items": [
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"Google PageSpeed Insights: Provides detailed performance scores and recommendations",
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"GTmetrix: Offers waterfall charts showing exactly what's slowing your site",
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"Pingdom Tools: Simple interface with performance grades and suggestions",
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"WebPageTest: Advanced testing from multiple locations and devices"
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]
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}
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},
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{
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"type": "paragraph",
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"data": {
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"text": "Run tests from several tools and record your baseline metrics. This will help you measure the impact of each optimization you implement."
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}
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},
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{
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"type": "header",
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"data": {
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"text": "1. Choose a Fast, Lightweight Theme",
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"level": 2
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}
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},
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{
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"type": "paragraph",
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"data": {
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"text": "Your theme forms the foundation of your site's performance. Many premium themes come loaded with features you'll never use, slowing down your site unnecessarily. Consider these lightweight, performance-focused themes:"
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}
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},
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{
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"type": "list",
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"data": {
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"style": "unordered",
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"items": [
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"Minimal page size (under 50KB is ideal)",
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"Modular feature approach - only load what you need",
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"Regular updates and active development",
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"Responsive design built-in",
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"Clean code with no unnecessary bloat"
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]
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}
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},
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{
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"type": "quote",
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"data": {
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"text": "Switching from a bloated theme to a lightweight one can reduce page load times by 2-3 seconds without any other changes.",
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"caption": "Performance Case Study"
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}
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},
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{
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"type": "header",
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"data": {
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"text": "2. Implement Caching",
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"level": 2
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}
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},
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{
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"type": "paragraph",
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"data": {
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"text": "Caching is one of the most effective ways to speed up WordPress. It works by storing static versions of your pages, reducing the need to process PHP and query the database on every visit."
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}
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},
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{
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"type": "paragraph",
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"data": {
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"text": "Recommended caching plugins:"
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}
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},
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{
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"type": "list",
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"data": {
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"style": "unordered",
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"items": [
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"Page caching to serve static versions of your pages",
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"Browser caching headers for returning visitors",
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"Object caching for database queries",
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"GZIP compression to reduce file sizes",
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"Minification to reduce CSS and JavaScript file sizes"
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]
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}
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},
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{
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"type": "paragraph",
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"data": {
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"text": "Most caching plugins work immediately after activation with default settings. For advanced configuration, follow the plugin's documentation or use their setup wizard."
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}
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},
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{
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"type": "header",
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"data": {
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"text": "3. Optimize Your Images",
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"level": 2
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}
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},
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{
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"type": "paragraph",
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"data": {
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"text": "Images are often the largest files on a webpage. Proper optimization can reduce image sizes by 50-80% without visible quality loss."
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}
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},
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{
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"type": "header",
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"data": {
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"text": "Image Optimization Best Practices",
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"level": 3
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}
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},
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{
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"type": "list",
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"data": {
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"style": "unordered",
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"items": [
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"Use the right format: JPEG for photographs, PNG for graphics with transparency, WebP when possible",
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"Resize before uploading: Don't upload 4000px images for 800px display areas",
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"Compress images: Use tools like TinyPNG, ShortPixel, or Imagify before uploading, or use plugins that handle this automatically",
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"Enable lazy loading: Images load only when users scroll to them",
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"Use responsive images: Serve different sizes for different devices"
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]
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}
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},
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{
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"type": "paragraph",
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"data": {
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"text": "Look for image optimization plugins that offer:"
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}
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},
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{
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"type": "list",
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"data": {
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"style": "unordered",
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"items": [
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"Automatic compression on upload",
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"WebP conversion for modern browsers",
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"Lazy loading integration",
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"Bulk optimization for existing images",
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"CDN integration for faster delivery"
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]
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}
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},
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{
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"type": "header",
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"data": {
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"text": "4. Minimize Plugin Usage",
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"level": 2
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}
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},
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{
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"type": "paragraph",
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"data": {
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"text": "Every plugin adds code that must be loaded and executed. While plugins extend functionality, too many can significantly impact performance."
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}
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},
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{
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"type": "paragraph",
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"data": {
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"text": "Audit your plugins regularly:"
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}
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},
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{
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"type": "list",
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"data": {
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"style": "ordered",
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"items": [
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"Deactivate plugins you're not actively using",
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"Delete plugins you no longer need",
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"Replace multiple single-feature plugins with comprehensive solutions",
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"Check if theme features can replace plugin functionality",
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"Look for performance-optimized alternatives to heavy plugins"
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]
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}
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},
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{
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"type": "paragraph",
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"data": {
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"text": "Sometimes, combining multiple plugins can cause conflicts or performance issues. For unique requirements, custom plugin development can provide a more efficient solution."
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}
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},
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{
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"type": "header",
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"data": {
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"text": "5. Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN)",
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"level": 2
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}
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},
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{
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"type": "paragraph",
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"data": {
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"text": "A CDN stores copies of your static files (images, CSS, JavaScript) on servers around the world. When someone visits your site, they download files from the nearest server, reducing load times significantly."
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}
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},
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{
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"type": "paragraph",
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"data": {
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"text": "CDN options for WordPress:"
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}
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},
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{
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"type": "list",
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"data": {
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"style": "unordered",
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"items": [
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"Global server network for faster delivery worldwide",
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"Static file caching (images, CSS, JavaScript)",
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"DDoS protection and security features",
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"Easy WordPress integration",
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"Free tier availability for testing"
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]
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}
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},
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{
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"type": "header",
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"data": {
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"text": "6. Optimize Your Database",
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"level": 2
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}
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},
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{
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"type": "paragraph",
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"data": {
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"text": "Over time, your WordPress database accumulates unnecessary data like post revisions, spam comments, and transient options. Cleaning this up can improve performance."
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}
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},
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{
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"type": "paragraph",
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"data": {
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"text": "Database optimization plugins:"
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}
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},
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{
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"type": "list",
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"data": {
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"style": "unordered",
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"items": [
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"Post revision cleanup",
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"Spam comment removal",
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"Transient option cleanup",
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"Database table optimization",
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"Scheduled automatic cleaning"
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]
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}
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},
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{
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"type": "header",
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"data": {
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"text": "7. Enable GZIP Compression",
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"level": 2
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}
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},
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{
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"type": "paragraph",
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"data": {
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"text": "GZIP compression reduces file sizes by up to 70% before they're sent to browsers. Most modern caching plugins enable this automatically, or you can ask your host to enable it server-wide."
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}
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},
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{
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"type": "header",
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"data": {
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"text": "8. Limit Post Revisions",
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"level": 2
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}
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},
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{
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"type": "paragraph",
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"data": {
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"text": "WordPress saves unlimited revisions by default, which can bloat your database. Limit revisions by adding this line to your wp-config.php file (ask your host if you need help):"
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}
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},
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{
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"type": "code",
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"data": {
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"code": "define('WP_POST_REVISIONS', 5);"
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}
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},
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{
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"type": "paragraph",
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"data": {
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"text": "This limits WordPress to save only the last 5 revisions of each post."
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}
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},
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{
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"type": "header",
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"data": {
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"text": "Custom Solutions for Unique Performance Needs",
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"level": 2
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}
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},
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{
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"type": "paragraph",
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"data": {
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"text": "While the techniques above will significantly improve your site's performance, sometimes you need custom solutions for specific performance challenges. Custom plugin development can address unique requirements that generic plugins cannot."
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}
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},
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{
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"type": "paragraph",
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"data": {
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"text": "Here are custom performance solutions that can help:"
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}
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},
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{
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"type": "list",
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"data": {
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"style": "unordered",
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"items": [
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"Custom lazy loading for specific content types",
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"Database query optimization for complex sites",
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"Selective script loading (only load JavaScript where needed)",
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"Custom caching rules for dynamic content",
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"Image optimization pipelines tailored to your workflow",
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"Automated performance monitoring and reporting"
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]
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}
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},
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{
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"type": "paragraph",
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"data": {
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"text": "For example, if you run a WooCommerce store with thousands of products, you might need custom database indexing and query optimization that generic plugins can't provide. Custom plugin development can address these specific needs."
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}
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},
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{
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"type": "header",
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"data": {
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"text": "Advanced Performance Techniques",
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"level": 2
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}
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},
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{
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"type": "paragraph",
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"data": {
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"text": "Once you've implemented the basics, consider these advanced optimizations:"
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}
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},
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{
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"type": "list",
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"data": {
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"style": "unordered",
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"items": [
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"Object Caching: Store database query results in memory (requires Redis or Memcached)",
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"Opcode Caching: PHP code compilation caching (usually enabled by hosts)",
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"Critical CSS: Inline above-the-fold CSS to eliminate render-blocking",
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"Preconnect Hints: Help browsers establish connections faster",
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"Resource Hints: Preload critical resources, prefetch likely next pages"
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]
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}
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},
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{
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"type": "header",
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"data": {
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"text": "Monitoring and Maintenance",
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"level": 2
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}
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},
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{
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"type": "paragraph",
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"data": {
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"text": "Performance optimization isn't a one-time task. Establish a regular monitoring routine:"
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}
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},
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{
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"type": "list",
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"data": {
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"style": "ordered",
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"items": [
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"Test site speed monthly using multiple tools",
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"Monitor Core Web Vitals in Google Search Console",
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"Check plugin updates for performance improvements",
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"Review and optimize new images before uploading",
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"Clean database quarterly",
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"Test mobile performance specifically"
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]
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}
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},
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{
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"type": "header",
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"data": {
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"text": "Conclusion",
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"level": 2
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}
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},
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{
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"type": "paragraph",
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"data": {
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"text": "Optimizing WordPress performance doesn't require coding skills or expensive developer time. By implementing the strategies in this guide—choosing a lightweight theme, implementing caching, optimizing images, minimizing plugins, using a CDN, and maintaining your database—you can achieve excellent performance that keeps visitors engaged and search engines happy."
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}
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},
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{
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"type": "paragraph",
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"data": {
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"text": "For unique performance challenges or specific business requirements, custom plugin development offers a powerful alternative to generic solutions."
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}
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}
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]
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},
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"author": "Plugin Compass Team",
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"status": "published",
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"featured_image": "",
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"meta_title": "Optimize WordPress Performance Without Coding | Plugin Compass",
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"meta_description": "Learn how to speed up your WordPress site without coding. Discover caching, image optimization, and custom AI-built performance solutions.",
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"category": "wordpress",
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"tags": ["wordpress", "performance", "speed", "optimization", "caching", "cdn"],
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"published_at": "2026-01-12T10:00:00Z",
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"updated_at": "2026-01-12T10:00:00Z"
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} |