The document is a presentation by Ben Metcalfe on optimizing WordPress for speed and conversions, highlighting essential strategies such as keeping WordPress updated, utilizing caching plugins, and avoiding poorly maintained plugins. It also discusses the use of CDNs, image optimization, and mobile responsiveness. The presentation emphasizes the importance of technical optimizations like repairing the MySQL database and avoiding core file edits for performance.

1. Optimizing WordPress for Speed and Conversions
Optimizing WordPress
for Speed &Conversions
Ben Metcalfe | Founder, WP Engine
@dotBen | ben@wpengine.com
Affiliate Summit West - Las Vegas 2013
(this presentation is available online – details at end!)

2. Optimizing WordPress for Speed and Conversions
Only major Managed WordPress Host Affiliate Program
$$$$$ monthly pay-outs, new affiliate channel opportunities
wpengine.com/affiliates

3. Optimizing WordPress for Speed and Conversions

4. Optimizing WordPress for Speed and Conversions
Before we begin…

5. Optimizing WordPress for Speed and Conversions
Why?

6. Optimizing WordPress for Speed and Conversions
Level 1
Let‟s get the basics out the way :)

7. Optimizing WordPress for Speed and Conversions
Keep WP up to date
Why wouldn‟t you?

8. Optimizing WordPress for Speed and Conversions
Caching plugins FTW!!
W3-Total-Cache
also: WPSuperCache, BatCache

9. Optimizing WordPress for Speed and Conversions
Avoid bad plugins
Think about plugins that:
• do backups
• do „related posts‟ stuff
• are not maintained/poorly written
• don‟t have many downloads

10. Optimizing WordPress for Speed and Conversions
Is your host slow?
PageSpeed.org
Yslow
http://speed.wpengine.com

11. Optimizing WordPress for Speed and Conversions
Level 2

12. Optimizing WordPress for Speed and Conversions
Offloading (poor-man‟s CDN)
Serve images via Flickr/etc

13. Optimizing WordPress for Speed and Conversions
CDN
MaxCDN (we use parent company @ WP Engine)
Photon by Automattic [Free]
CloudFlare [Free]
Use all the time or just „emergencies‟

14. Optimizing WordPress for Speed and Conversions
„Smush‟ your images
WPSmush.it plugin

15. Optimizing WordPress for Speed and Conversions
Optimize for Mobile
Mobile WordPress Plugins
• WP-Touch
• JetPack‟s Mobile Theme
Responsive Design Templates

16. Optimizing WordPress for Speed and Conversions
Level 3
A little more technical…

17. Optimizing WordPress for Speed and Conversions
Repair your MySQL DB
Sometimes you need to tidy your room :)
PHPMyAdmin or OptimizeDB plugin

18. Optimizing WordPress for Speed and Conversions
Opcode cache, eg APC
php-apc + W3-Total-Cache

19. Optimizing WordPress for Speed and Conversions
Dedicated MySQLDB Box

20. Optimizing WordPress for Speed and Conversions
#Fails

21. Optimizing WordPress for Speed and Conversions
DON‟T edit core files!
No matter what “performance” benefit you think
it will make!

22. Optimizing WordPress for Speed and Conversions
Amazon EC2
… isn‟t a silver bullet

23. Optimizing WordPress for Speed and Conversions
Thank you!
ben@wpengine.com
Follow us for more tips: @WPEngine