Case Study: How We Improved Load Time by 70%

Website speed is no longer a "nice to have". It’s a business requirement.

Studies consistently show that users abandon websites that take more than a few seconds to load, and search engines like Google now use performance metrics as a ranking factor. For our clients, this means slow websites don’t just frustrate users; they lose traffic, conversions, and revenue.

In this case study, we’ll walk you through how we helped a client improve their website load time by 70%, what issues were holding the site back, and the exact steps we took to fix them.

The Client Background

The client is a growing service-based business with a content-heavy website built on WordPress. Their site included:

• Multiple landing pages

• High-resolution images

• Third-party plugins for forms, analytics, and marketing

• Shared hosting from a budget provider

Despite steady traffic, they noticed:

• High bounce rates

• Poor mobile performance

• Declining search rankings

They reached out to us after customers complained about slow page loading, especially on mobile devices.

The Problem: A Slow, Underperforming Website

Before making any changes, we ran a full performance audit using industry-standard tools such as Google PageSpeed Insights, GTmetrix, and WebPageTest.

Initial Performance Metrics

• Average load time: ~6.5 seconds

• Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): 4.8 seconds

• Time to First Byte (TTFB): 1.2 seconds

• PageSpeed score: 42 (mobile)

These numbers placed the website well below recommended performance benchmarks.

Key Issues Identified

1. Slow hosting environment
   The shared hosting plan was overcrowded, resulting in poor server response times.

2. Unoptimized images
   Large image files were being served without compression or proper sizing.

3. Excessive and unused plugins
   Several plugins loaded unnecessary scripts on every page.

4. No caching strategy
   Every visitor request triggered full server-side processing.

No CDN (Content Delivery Network)

Global visitors were loading files from a single server location.

Our Strategy: Performance-First Optimization

Rather than applying quick fixes, we implemented a comprehensive, long-term performance strategy focused on hosting, frontend optimization, and server-level improvements.

Step 1: Migrating to High-Performance Hosting

The first and most impactful change was migrating the website from shared hosting to our managed VPS hosting environment.

Hosting Improvements Included:

• Dedicated CPU and RAM resources

• NVMe SSD storage

• Optimized server stack (Nginx + PHP-FPM)

• Latest stable PHP version

Result:

• TTFB reduced from 1.2s to 0.4s

• Immediate improvement across all performance metrics

Step 2: Image Optimization & Lazy Loading

Images accounted for over 60% of the page weight.

We:

• Compressed all images without visible quality loss

• Converted images to modern formats (WebP)

• Implemented responsive image sizing

• Enabled lazy loading for off-screen images

Result:

• Page size reduced by 45%

• Faster initial page rendering, especially on mobile

Step 3: Code & Plugin Optimization

Next, we cleaned up the website’s codebase.

What We Did:

• Removed unused and redundant plugins

• Replaced heavy plugins with lightweight alternatives

• Deferred non-critical JavaScript

• Minified CSS and JavaScript files

• Eliminated render-blocking resources

Result:

• Fewer HTTP requests

• Faster first paint and interaction time

Step 4: Caching & CDN Implementation

To reduce server load and speed up repeat visits, we implemented a multi-layer caching system.

Caching Layers:

• Server-level caching

• Browser caching

• Page caching

We also integrated a global CDN, ensuring static files are served from the nearest location to each visitor.

Result:

• Consistent load times worldwide

• Reduced server strain during traffic spikes

Step 5: Core Web Vitals Optimization

We fine-tuned the site to meet Google’s Core Web Vitals requirements.

Improvements Made:

• Optimized font loading

• Reduced layout shifts (CLS)

• Prioritized above-the-fold content

• Improved interaction responsiveness (INP)

The Results: 70% Faster Load Times

After all optimizations were complete, we re-ran our performance tests.

Final Performance Metrics

• Average load time: ~1.9 seconds

• Load time improvement: 70% faster

• PageSpeed score: 90+ (desktop), 85+ (mobile)

• TTFB: 0.4 seconds

Business Impact

• Bounce rate decreased by 32%

• Average session duration increased

• Improved mobile user experience

• Positive impact on SEO rankings

Why This Matters for Your Business

Website performance directly impacts:

• User experience

• Conversion rates

• Search engine visibility

• Brand credibility

A slow website silently costs businesses money every day.

Our Approach to Performance Optimization

We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Every website has unique challenges, which is why we:

• Perform detailed audits

• Optimize both hosting and code

• Focus on long-term scalability

• Monitor performance continuously

Final Thoughts

Improving website speed isn’t just about making things "faster". It’s about creating a smoother experience for users and building a stronger foundation for growth.

This case study shows what’s possible when performance is treated as a priority, not an afterthought.

If your website is slow, outdated, or underperforming, we’d be happy to help you identify what’s holding it back.

Ready to speed up your website? Contact us to get started.