{"slug":"wordpress-performance-optimization","title":"WordPress Performance Optimization","tags":["performance","caching","speed","wp-rocket"],"agent_summary":"Caching constants, database cleanup SQL, plugin stack, and wp-config settings to achieve Lighthouse 90+ on WordPress sites.","trigger_phrases":["wordpress slow","speed up wordpress","wordpress performance","wp rocket setup","wordpress caching"],"runnable":false,"markdown":"\nTarget: Lighthouse 90+ across all categories. LCP <2.5s mobile, CLS <0.1.\n\n## wp-config.php Caching Constants\n\n```php\ndefine('WP_CACHE', true);\ndefine('COMPRESS_CSS', true);\ndefine('COMPRESS_SCRIPTS', true);\ndefine('CONCATENATE_SCRIPTS', false); // false = better compatibility\ndefine('ENFORCE_GZIP', true);\n```\n\n## Plugin Stack (Preferred)\n\n| Function | Plugin |\n|---------|--------|\n| Caching | WP Rocket |\n| Image optimization | ShortPixel (WebP conversion) |\n| CDN | Cloudflare |\n| Database cleanup | WP-Optimize |\n| Script management | Perfmatters |\n\n## Database Cleanup SQL\n\nRun in phpMyAdmin or via WP-CLI:\n\n```sql\n-- Remove post revisions\nDELETE FROM wp_posts WHERE post_type = 'revision';\n\n-- Remove spam comments\nDELETE FROM wp_comments WHERE comment_approved = 'spam';\n\n-- Remove auto-draft posts\nDELETE FROM wp_posts WHERE post_status = 'auto-draft';\n\n-- Optimize tables\nOPTIMIZE TABLE wp_posts, wp_postmeta, wp_options, wp_comments;\n```\n\nOr via WP-CLI: `wp db optimize`\n\n## WP Rocket Key Settings\n\n- **Cache:** Enable page caching, cache for mobile\n- **File Optimization:** Minify CSS + JS, combine CSS, defer JS\n- **Media:** LazyLoad images and iframes\n- **Preload:** Preload cache on publish, sitemap-based preloading\n- **CDN:** Connect Cloudflare zone\n\n## Image Optimization\n\n- Convert all images to WebP (ShortPixel or Imagify)\n- Set LCP hero image with `fetchpriority=\"high\"` and a preload link tag\n- Never lazy-load above-the-fold images\n\n## Elementor Performance Settings\n\n| Setting | Value |\n|---------|-------|\n| CSS Print Method | External File |\n| Improved Asset Loading | Enabled |\n| Font Display | Swap |\n| Google Fonts | Disable (use local fonts) |\n| Font Awesome | Load used icons only |\n","html":"<p>Target: Lighthouse 90+ across all categories. LCP &#x3C;2.5s mobile, CLS &#x3C;0.1.</p>\n<h2>wp-config.php Caching Constants</h2>\n<pre><code class=\"language-php\">define('WP_CACHE', true);\ndefine('COMPRESS_CSS', true);\ndefine('COMPRESS_SCRIPTS', true);\ndefine('CONCATENATE_SCRIPTS', false); // false = better compatibility\ndefine('ENFORCE_GZIP', true);\n</code></pre>\n<h2>Plugin Stack (Preferred)</h2>\n<p>| Function | Plugin |\n|---------|--------|\n| Caching | WP Rocket |\n| Image optimization | ShortPixel (WebP conversion) |\n| CDN | Cloudflare |\n| Database cleanup | WP-Optimize |\n| Script management | Perfmatters |</p>\n<h2>Database Cleanup SQL</h2>\n<p>Run in phpMyAdmin or via WP-CLI:</p>\n<pre><code class=\"language-sql\">-- Remove post revisions\nDELETE FROM wp_posts WHERE post_type = 'revision';\n\n-- Remove spam comments\nDELETE FROM wp_comments WHERE comment_approved = 'spam';\n\n-- Remove auto-draft posts\nDELETE FROM wp_posts WHERE post_status = 'auto-draft';\n\n-- Optimize tables\nOPTIMIZE TABLE wp_posts, wp_postmeta, wp_options, wp_comments;\n</code></pre>\n<p>Or via WP-CLI: <code>wp db optimize</code></p>\n<h2>WP Rocket Key Settings</h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Cache:</strong> Enable page caching, cache for mobile</li>\n<li><strong>File Optimization:</strong> Minify CSS + JS, combine CSS, defer JS</li>\n<li><strong>Media:</strong> LazyLoad images and iframes</li>\n<li><strong>Preload:</strong> Preload cache on publish, sitemap-based preloading</li>\n<li><strong>CDN:</strong> Connect Cloudflare zone</li>\n</ul>\n<h2>Image Optimization</h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Convert all images to WebP (ShortPixel or Imagify)</li>\n<li>Set LCP hero image with <code>fetchpriority=\"high\"</code> and a preload link tag</li>\n<li>Never lazy-load above-the-fold images</li>\n</ul>\n<h2>Elementor Performance Settings</h2>\n<p>| Setting | Value |\n|---------|-------|\n| CSS Print Method | External File |\n| Improved Asset Loading | Enabled |\n| Font Display | Swap |\n| Google Fonts | Disable (use local fonts) |\n| Font Awesome | Load used icons only |</p>\n"}