How to Speed Up Your Website (Even If You're Not a Developer)

Let me tell you how to speed up your website

A fast-loading website isn't just nice to have, it's a core ranking factor in Google's algorithm. Website speed affects everything from bounce rates to conversion rates. If your site drags, users leave. And if they leave, rankings suffer.

Even a 2-second delay can cause massive drop-offs in engagement. But the good news? You don’t need to be a developer to make a meaningful difference.

The SEO Case for Speed

Google takes site speed seriously, especially on mobile. Pages that load slowly lose traffic before they have a chance to convert. That impacts your visibility, rankings, and revenue.

You can check Google’s official page speed documentation for how it weighs performance metrics.

My Recommended Tools for Speed and SEO

These tools do more than offer data, they give you clear, actionable steps to improve site speed and SEO. Here's how to get the most out of them:

Surfer SEO

• Use it to: Optimise your content structure, compare your page layout with top-ranking competitors, and receive targeted suggestions for on-page improvements.

• Best for: Spotting layout or content blocks that may delay load times and reduce engagement.

KeySearch

• Use it to: Run affordable keyword research, track site performance over time, and generate quick site audits with speed and health indicators.

• Best for: Bloggers, small businesses, and anyone who wants an easy learning curve with solid SEO capabilities.

Mangools KWFinder

• Use it to: Research long-tail keywords, assess competitor domains, and monitor loading speeds alongside keyword tracking.

• Best for: Beginners who want a visual, intuitive dashboard to stay on top of rankings and load performance.

Ubersuggest

• Use it to: Get detailed technical audits, uncover site speed blockers, and track how your improvements impact search visibility.

• Best for: Marketers who want both high-level overviews and deep dives into performance issues.

Step 1: Run a Speed Test

Start with a baseline. Two essential tools will help you benchmark and prioritise:

• PageSpeed Insights – Rates mobile and desktop speed, and tells you exactly what’s causing delays.

• GTmetrix – Offers a waterfall chart, breakdown of loading time by file, and suggestions tailored to your tech stack.

Keep track of your scores so you can measure improvements over time.

Step 2: Compress Your Images

Oversized images are one of the biggest reasons sites load slowly. Even a few uncompressed visuals can tank your load time.

Tools to use:

• TinyPNG – Drag, drop, and compress images without losing quality.

• Squoosh – Customize file formats, resolution, and compression levels for pixel-perfect optimisation.

Use them before uploading images, or install a WordPress plugin like ShortPixel or Imagify to automate the process.

Step 3: Add Caching (for WordPress Users)

Caching stores static versions of your pages so visitors don’t wait for files to reprocess every time. That alone can cut load times by several seconds.

Install W3 Total Cache:

• Enable page and browser caching

• Minify HTML, CSS, and JavaScript

• Use lazy loading for images

It’s a powerful way to increase website speed and make the experience smoother for your users.

Step 4: Trim the Fat

A cluttered website is a slow website. Regularly audit your site and remove:

• Unused plugins or scripts

• Third-party widgets that auto-load

• Excessive animations, fonts, and large video files

Simple, clean sites load faster—and perform better in search.

Step 5: Track & Improve With SEO Tools

These SEO tools don’t just offer keywords—they also provide deep insights into load speed and page structure.

• Surfer SEO: Monitor content health and detect bulky page elements.

• Mangools KWFinder: Track page performance and keyword overlap with competitors.

• KeySearch: Use its audit feature to flag speed drains and get suggestions on what to fix.

• Ubersuggest: Monitor technical SEO issues and see how fixing them impacts your visibility.

These tools help you strike the right balance between speed, structure, and keyword ranking.

Want a Hand With It?

Not sure what to fix first? I offer detailed SEO + Speed audits with personalised fixes and tool recommendations. Reach out to get started.

Quick Reference: Tools Mentioned

• Surfer SEO – Content structure and layout speed
  👉 Try Surfer

• KeySearch – SEO audits and keyword tracking
  👉 Try KeySearch

• Mangools KWFinder – Beginner-friendly SEO suite
  👉 Try Mangools

• Ubersuggest – Technical SEO checks and speed tips
  👉 Try Ubersuggest

• TinyPNG – Image compression tool
  👉 Visit TinyPNG

• GTmetrix – Speed diagnostics and performance insights
  👉 Visit GTmetrix

Frequently asked questions

FAQ

How do I know if my site is too slow?
Use PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix. Anything under 70 on mobile is a red flag.

Can I fix my website speed without a developer?
Yes. With the right tools—like W3 Total Cache for caching and TinyPNG for image compression—you can make huge improvements solo.

What slows down a website the most?
Large images, too many plugins, external scripts, and poor hosting are the top offenders.

How does Surfer SEO help with speed?
Surfer SEO identifies unnecessary page elements and helps refine your structure for faster rendering and better engagement.

Are free tools enough to speed up my website?
Free tools cover the basics. For more advanced insights, paid options like Ubersuggest or KeySearch offer more detailed feedback and features.