Website speed optimisation that actually works
Your site is slow for a reason. We find that reason, fix it, and prove the difference with real before-and-after data. No guesswork, no magic plugins, just solid technical work that delivers measurable results.
Why your website needs speed optimisation
A slow website costs you money every day. Google research shows that 53% of mobile visitors abandon a page that takes longer than 3 seconds to load. For every additional second of load time, conversion rates drop by approximately 7%. If your site takes 5 or 6 seconds to appear on a phone, you are losing a significant portion of your traffic before they see a single word of your content.
Page speed is also a direct Google ranking factor. Since 2021, Google has measured Core Web Vitals as part of its page experience signal. Sites that fail these thresholds are at a disadvantage in search results compared to faster competitors. Improving your speed is one of the few SEO actions that delivers both a better user experience and a measurable ranking benefit.
The good news: most speed problems are fixable without rebuilding your site. A professional speed optimisation targets the specific technical issues dragging your performance down and addresses them methodically, starting with whatever will make the biggest difference. Not sure if your site is actually slow? Test it now or read our guide on why websites are slow and how to fix them.
What we fix
These are the most common performance problems we find and resolve across all website platforms.
Image optimisation
We compress, resize, and convert images to modern formats like WebP and AVIF. We implement responsive images and proper lazy loading. On most sites, this single step reduces total page weight by 40 to 60 percent and has the biggest impact on Largest Contentful Paint (LCP).
Code and script cleanup
Unused CSS, bloated JavaScript bundles, and render-blocking resources get identified and addressed. We defer non-critical scripts, remove dead code, minify what remains, and ensure nothing blocks the browser from painting content as quickly as possible.
Caching and CDN setup
We configure browser caching headers, server-side caching, and CDN delivery so static assets are served from servers closer to your visitors. Returning visitors get near-instant load times. First-time visitors benefit from reduced server round trips.
Core Web Vitals fixes
We target all three metrics Google uses to measure page experience: Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), Interaction to Next Paint (INP), and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS). Each has specific causes and specific fixes. We address them systematically.
Server and hosting review
A slow Time to First Byte (TTFB) means your server is the bottleneck. We measure server response time under load, assess whether your hosting plan is adequate, and recommend specific alternatives if a change would make a measurable difference.
Third-party script audit
Analytics, chat widgets, fonts, social embeds, retargeting pixels, and cookie consent tools all add weight. We audit every third-party script, measure its impact on load time, and remove or defer anything that is not earning its keep.
How we approach website speed optimisation
Every site is different, but the process follows the same principles. We start by understanding exactly what is going wrong, then fix the issues in order of impact. No guesswork, no generic checklists. Everything is based on measured data from your specific site.
Performance audit and diagnosis
We run your site through Google PageSpeed Insights, WebPageTest, and Chrome DevTools. We analyse the network waterfall to understand the sequence of files your site loads, identify the largest resources, the slowest requests, and the assets that block rendering. We check your Core Web Vitals against real user data from the Chrome User Experience Report (CrUX) where available.
Image and media optimisation
Images typically account for 50 to 80 percent of total page weight. We compress every image, convert to modern formats (WebP, AVIF), ensure responsive sizing is configured correctly, and implement lazy loading for below-the-fold content. We set the correct loading priority on your LCP image so the most important visual element loads first.
Code optimisation and script management
We identify and remove unused CSS, defer non-critical JavaScript, and minify remaining assets. Third-party scripts (analytics, chat, social, tracking) are audited for their actual performance cost. Anything that adds significant weight without proportional business value gets flagged for removal or deferral.
Caching, CDN, and delivery
We configure appropriate caching at every level: browser caching for static assets, server-side page caching where the platform supports it, and CDN integration to reduce latency for visitors across different regions. The correct caching strategy depends on your platform and hosting. A WordPress site needs a different caching approach than a Shopify store.
Server and hosting evaluation
If your Time to First Byte (TTFB) consistently exceeds 600 milliseconds, the server itself is a bottleneck. No amount of front-end optimisation can fully compensate for a slow server. We measure your hosting performance, compare it to what is available at your price point, and advise honestly on whether a change is warranted.
Verification and reporting
After completing the work, we retest across the same tools and provide a clear before-and-after comparison. You see the exact scores, load times, and Core Web Vitals improvements. We do not rely on "it feels faster." We show you the data.
Our process
Straightforward and transparent from start to finish.
We audit your site
A thorough technical review using PageSpeed Insights, WebPageTest, and Chrome DevTools. We identify every performance issue and rank them by impact so we know what to fix first.
We present the plan
You get a clear summary of what we will fix, what results to expect, and a fixed price. No surprises, no hourly billing, no scope creep.
We do the work
We carry out the optimisation, test thoroughly on staging where possible, and provide a before-and-after comparison using the same testing tools. You see the numbers change.
Platform-specific expertise
While the principles of web performance are universal, every platform has its own specific challenges and optimisation opportunities. We have deep experience with the most popular platforms and tailor our approach accordingly.
- WordPress: Plugin management, theme optimisation, database cleanup, caching configuration, and hosting assessment. WordPress is our primary speciality.
- WooCommerce: Product page performance, cart and checkout optimisation, catalogue scaling, and e-commerce-specific caching strategies.
- Shopify: Theme code optimisation, app audit and cleanup, Liquid template performance, and image handling within Shopify's constraints.
- Custom and static sites: Build output analysis, asset optimisation, hosting and CDN configuration, and server-side performance tuning.
Not sure which service fits? Start with a free speed check and we will recommend the right approach for your specific site. You can also read our blog for practical guides, including how page speed affects SEO rankings and what makes a good speed score.
Questions about website speed optimisation
It depends on the starting point. Most sites see a 40 to 70 percent improvement in load time. A site loading in 7 seconds on mobile might come down to 2 to 3 seconds. We will give you an honest estimate based on your free speed report before you commit to any work.
We test everything thoroughly before and after every change. We take a full backup before starting, and we use a staging environment where possible. If anything looks off after a change, we catch it and fix it before it reaches your live site.
Speed can degrade over time as you add content, install new tools, or update your CMS. We provide guidance on maintaining performance after the project. For ongoing peace of mind, we offer optional maintenance plans that include quarterly performance reviews and re-optimisation.
A caching plugin is one piece of the puzzle. Professional optimisation addresses the full picture: images, code, hosting, third-party scripts, database queries, Core Web Vitals, server configuration, and asset delivery. A plugin alone rarely solves the root causes of poor performance.
We optimise sites on any platform including WordPress, Shopify, Squarespace, Wix, and custom-built sites. We have specialist services for WordPress and WooCommerce, which have the widest range of performance issues to address. The core principles of web performance apply universally.
Our speed optimisation service starts from £297 for a standard site. The exact cost depends on the size, complexity, and platform of your website. We provide a fixed quote after reviewing your site so you know the full cost upfront. See our pricing page for details.
Page speed is a confirmed Google ranking factor, and Core Web Vitals are part of the page experience signal Google uses in rankings. Improving speed removes a penalty that may be holding you back, improves engagement metrics, and provides a better experience for the visitors Google sends you.
Most projects are completed within 3 to 5 working days. Larger sites, e-commerce shops, or sites with complex technical configurations may take longer. We provide a clear timeline based on your specific site before any work begins.
Ready to speed up your website?
Start with a free speed check. We will show you exactly what needs fixing and what it will cost to fix it.