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Optimizing WordPress Performance: Reducing Resource Usage and Improving Website Speed

Last updated on Jul 24, 2025

Optimizing WordPress Performance: Reducing Resource Usage and Improving Website Speed

Description:
This guide provides step-by-step instructions for shared hosting clients on reducing WordPress resource usage and increasing website speed. Learn how to enable caching, minimize plugin overhead, and manage resource-intensive configurations—all using tools available within your hosting account (like cPanel and File Manager). No server admin access is required.

Table of Contents

Why Optimize WordPress?

  • Faster loading times: Improve user experience and SEO rankings.
  • Reduced resource usage: Stay within shared hosting limits, preventing throttling or downtime.
  • Better reliability: Avoid performance issues during traffic spikes.

Step 1: Enable Caching

Caching stores frequently accessed data, reducing server work on each page load.

Using LiteSpeed Cache (Recommended)

If your hosting uses LiteSpeed (most Brixly shared hosting does):

  1. Install the LiteSpeed Cache plugin:

    • Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard.
    • Go to Plugins > Add New.
    • Search for LiteSpeed Cache and click Install Now, then Activate.

  2. Basic Configuration:

    • Go to LiteSpeed Cache > Cache.
    • Ensure Enable Cache is set to ON.

  3. Purge Cache if Needed:

    • After site updates, go to LiteSpeed Cache > Toolbox > Purge All.

Alternate: WP Super Cache

If you’re not on LiteSpeed:

  1. Go to Plugins > Add New.
  2. Search for WP Super Cache.
  3. Click Install Now and Activate.
  4. Go to Settings > WP Super Cache and turn caching ON.

Step 2: Reduce Plugin Overhead

Too many plugins or poorly coded plugins can slow your site and increase resource use.

Audit Your Plugins

  1. List all installed plugins via Plugins > Installed Plugins.
  2. Deactivate and delete any plugins you no longer use.
  3. Replace heavy plugins with lightweight alternatives.

Examples:

  • Replace “Jetpack” (if not using most features) with dedicated plugins for just the functions you need.
  • Use “WPForms Lite” instead of heavier form plugins.

Avoid Duplicate Functionality

Don’t use multiple plugins for the same purpose (e.g., more than one SEO or caching plugin).

Step 3: Manage Resource-Intensive Configurations

Some WordPress features can use excessive resources if not handled carefully.

Disable WP-Cron and Use a Real Cron Job

WordPress triggers wp-cron.php on every visit, which can strain shared hosting.

Step-by-Step:

  1. Disable WP-Cron:

    • Use cPanel’s File Manager to edit wp-config.php.
    • Add this line above the comment “That’s all, stop editing!”: 
      define('DISABLE_WP_CRON', true);

  2. Create a Real Cron Job:

    • In cPanel, go to Cron Jobs.
    • Add a cron job to run every 15 minutes: 
      */15 * * * * php -q /home/USERNAME/public_html/wp-cron.php > /dev/null 2>&1
    • Replace USERNAME with your actual cPanel username.

Limit Heartbeat API

The WordPress Heartbeat API can increase CPU usage.

  1. Install the plugin “Heartbeat Control”.
  2. Go to Settings > Heartbeat Control and reduce the frequency or disable it where possible.

Step 4: Optimize Images and Media

Large image files slow down your site and use excess bandwidth.

Compress Images

  • Use plugins like Smush or EWWW Image Optimizer to compress images automatically.
  • Manually resize images before upload (aim for under 200KB per image).

Serve Scaled Images

  • Use the correct dimensions for images in your theme and content.

Step 5: Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN)

A CDN serves static files from servers closer to your visitors.

Using Cloudflare (Free Plan)

  1. Sign up at Cloudflare.
  2. Add your domain and follow the setup instructions.
  3. Update your domain’s nameservers as directed.

Step 6: Keep WordPress Updated

  • Core: Go to Dashboard > Updates and update WordPress.
  • Themes/Plugins: Regularly update via Appearance > Themes and Plugins > Installed Plugins.

Troubleshooting & Common Issues

My Site is Still Slow

  • Check plugin conflicts: Disable all plugins, then reactivate one by one.
  • Use tools like GTmetrix or Pingdom to identify bottlenecks.

CPU/Resource Limits Exceeded

  • Review cPanel’s Resource Usage area for details.
  • Remove or replace plugins causing high usage.
  • Consider upgrading to a higher tier hosting plan if limits are consistently breached.

White Screen or 500 Errors

  • Restore from backup using cPanel’s Backup tool if available.
  • Disable plugins via File Manager by renaming the /wp-content/plugins folder.

Further Resources

By following these steps, you can significantly boost your WordPress site’s performance and make the most of your shared hosting resources!