As internet connection speeds get faster and faster, you might expect the websites you use regularly to get faster too. Unfortunately, as browsing speeds increase, it’s also possible for website designers and developers to make use of better technologies and larger files to deliver an improved experience. As such, some sites can seem to stay the same, or even be slower to browse.
We build our websites to be as fast as possible given the technical requirements, but what you may not know is that there are simple steps you can take to make your browsing experience even faster.
1. Use a fast browser, and keep it up-to-date
Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox are generally known for their speed and stability. The developers also regularly update them to ensure optimum browsing with the latest technologies. You should always ensure you’re using the latest version of your browser.
2. Remove unnecessary extensions and plugins
Extensions and plugins can be really useful to extend the functionality of your browser or make certain tasks easier. On the other hand, too many extensions or plugins can slow down your browser. It may help to double-check which ones you get value from and disable or remove those you don’t need.
3. Clear cache and cookies regularly
While caching speeds up browsing, an overloaded cache can also slow it down. Clear it periodically to keep things running smoothly. The process differs between device and browser, so you can use this handy WikiHow guide and follow the steps that are relevant to you.
4. Use an ad blocker
The internet today seems mainly geared toward advertising to us – this is how Google makes most of its money. The thing is, the ads aren’t what you’ve searched for, they are being loaded at the same time, significantly slowing down page loading times.
Using an ad blocker like uBlock Origin or AdBlock Plus can help significantly. We found using an ad blocker had the single biggest impact on browsing speeds. The examples above work on your computer to speed up browsing, but if you’re particularly tech-savvy, you can use a device like a Pi-Hole to block advertising at your network level, meaning you don’t have to install ad blockers on all your devices.
It’s worth noting that some websites and services may intentionally deny or degrade your service if you use an ad blocker, as it may prevent them from earning advertising revenue. Some sites claim that using one is against their terms of service.
Just like the real world, the internet is unquestionably better ad-free, but it is worth considering which sites you block and which sites you allow as some may depend on ad revenue to exist.
5. Block tracking scripts
In a similar vein to advertising, website providers also like to track the activity of users on their sites. Sometimes this is to make meaningful improvements to the service, but it can equally be used to figure out which adverts were most effective and to determine how to serve you with more ads. Analytics and tracking scripts can also slow down the experience, as they have to be loaded when the website is.
Tools like Ghostery or Privacy Badger block tracking scripts that can slow down your browsing.
It’s also worth noting that blocking some scripts might affect how a website functions, so remember to turn off script blockers to troubleshoot a website.
If you think your website might have a speed problem, and you could use a faster, more performant site – we can help. Check out our range of website design services today.
