How to improve page load speed in Ghost?

@elliott 

Improving page load speed in Ghost, a popular headless CMS, involves several strategies. Here are some effective steps you can take:

1. Optimize Images: Use appropriate formats (e.g., WebP, JPEG, PNG) and compress images using tools like TinyPNG or ImageOptim. Implement lazy loading to delay loading images until they are in the viewport.
2. Minify CSS and JavaScript: Reduce file sizes by removing unnecessary whitespace, comments, and code. You can use tools like UglifyJS for JavaScript and CSSNano for CSS. Consolidate files where possible to reduce the number of HTTP requests.
3. Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN): CDNs distribute content across a network of servers worldwide, which improves load times for visitors by reducing the physical distance between the server and the user.
4. Enable Caching: Use browser caching to store static files locally on users’ devices, reducing the need to reload these files on subsequent visits. Implement server-side caching with tools like Varnish or caching plugins available in your hosting provider.
5. Choose a Reliable Hosting Provider: Ensure your hosting provider offers robust performance, including fast server response times and scalability to handle traffic spikes.
6. Limit Use of External Resources: Minimize the use of third-party scripts and fonts as these can introduce additional load time. If necessary, only include critical external resources and load them asynchronously.
7. Optimize Themes: Use lightweight themes and remove any unnecessary scripts or features that are not in use. Ensure your theme’s code is clean and optimized for performance.
8. Implement AMP (Accelerated Mobile Pages): Consider using AMP to serve faster-loading versions of your pages, especially for mobile users.
9. Use HTTP/2: If your server supports it, enable HTTP/2 to improve loading speed through multiplexing and better header compression.
10. Monitor Performance: Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix to regularly analyze and monitor your site’s performance to identify and address bottlenecks.

By implementing these strategies, you can significantly improve the page load speed of your Ghost website, leading to better user experience and potentially higher search engine rankings.