Optimising Website Speed for Better Results: Blog Post by a Web Design Agency for Estate Agents
Picture this: you’ve spent time crafting a visually stunning website for your estate agency, but it still doesn’t convert as you’d hoped. There’s a chance that site speed is your culprit. A fast website doesn’t just help with search engine rankings; it keeps visitors from clicking away. In fact, a delay of just a second can lead to a significant reduction in page views. Your estate agency’s website is the digital face of your business, so it’s vital to keep it as quick and efficient as possible. Web Design Agency can assist you with that.
But enough about why speed matters—let’s talk about how to achieve it. We know the last thing you need is a long list of technical jargon and high-flying promises. Instead, here’s a straightforward guide to some practical techniques you can apply today to speed up your estate agent website. Ready to dive in? Let’s get started.
Choose the Right Hosting Provider
Before you dive into plugins and coding tweaks, ensure you’re with the right hosting provider. Not all hosts are created equal, so look for one with a strong reputation for speed and reliability. Shared hosting might save you pennies in the short-run, but consider upgrading to a VPS or managed hosting for better performance. It’s an investment in your online presence.
Compress Images and Files
High-quality images can make your site look fantastic. Unfortunately, they can also slow it down. Reduce bounce rates with faster loading images. Use tools like TinyPNG or JPEGmini to compress images without sacrificing quality. Aim for images to be under 100KB wherever possible, and look into lazy loading so images only load as visitors reach them.
Optimise Plugins and Remove Unnecessary Ones
Plugins can slow a site down, especially if they’re poorly coded or overlap in functionality. Choose plugins carefully—opt for those with good reviews and regular updates. Audit your existing ones; it’s better to have fewer plugins. Consider deleting any you no longer need to keep your site streamlined and quick.
Implement Content Delivery Network (CDN)
Ever wondered how your site seems to open faster from one city compared to another? A Content Delivery Network (CDN) can help standardise site speed. CDNs use servers in various geographic locations to deliver your site’s static files, drastically cutting load times for visitors who are far from your main server. Consider using a CDN like Cloudflare to boost your site speed globally.
Minify and Combine CSS and JavaScript Files
CSS and JavaScript are integral to your site’s look and features, but they can also be hefty. Minifying these files involves removing unnecessary characters like spaces and line breaks. Combining the files reduces the number of HTTP requests your server needs to handle. Use plugins like Autoptimize or manually adjust files if you’re comfortable with code.
Enable Browser Caching
Browser caching stores bits of your site in the user’s browser so that they don’t have to download everything all over again on each visit. Set expiry dates on various types of content based on how often they update. Implement caching via .htaccess files or use plugins for a less technical approach.
Reduce Redirects
Redirects can buy you time when restructuring site pages but also slow down performance. Each redirect creates additional HTTP requests and increases load time. Audit your site to ensure redirects are really necessary. Aim to keep them to an absolute minimum for a snappier user experience.
Monitor and Test Regularly
Improving site speed isn’t a one-and-done job. Tools like Google PageSpeed Insights, GTmetrix and Pingdom offer metrics and tips for continuous improvement. Regular checks allow you to catch potential speed drops early. Be proactive, not reactive, to maintain stellar site performance.
Optimising your estate agent site is more than a technical task; it’s about giving your visitors the best experience possible. Remember, a speedy site is not just about looking good—it sets you apart in a competitive market. So invest the time now for better returns later. If you’re thinking about a revamp or just need expert advice, explore Web Design for Estate Agents and see how we can give your site the boost it needs.
