How to improve site speed for SEO in ExpressionEngine?

@harrison.goodwin 

Improving site speed for SEO in ExpressionEngine can make a significant difference in user experience and search engine rankings. Here are several strategies to enhance the speed of your site:

1. Image Optimization: Use appropriate image formats (such as JPEG for photos and PNG for graphics with transparency). Compress images using tools like TinyPNG or ImageOptim. Implement lazy loading so that images load only when they appear in the viewport.
2. Enable Caching: Use ExpressionEngine's caching features to store static versions of your pages. Consider installing caching add-ons that can enhance performance, such as CE Cache.
3. Minimize HTTP Requests: Combine CSS and JavaScript files to reduce the number of requests. Use CSS sprites for small images and icons.
4. Minify CSS and JavaScript: Remove unnecessary whitespace and comments from your CSS and JS files. Use minification tools or online services to automate this process.
5. Optimize Your Templates: Ensure that your templates are clean and optimized for speed. Use ExpressionEngine's template partials and embed features efficiently to avoid redundant code.
6. Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN): Implement a CDN to distribute your site’s static content across various servers globally, reducing load times.
7. Leverage Browser Caching: Set expiration headers to cache certain files in users' browsers, so they don't have to download them upon every visit.
8. Reduce Server Response Time: Optimize your web server settings and ensure your hosting plan matches your site's needs. Consider using a PHP accelerator like OPcache to improve PHP execution speeds.
9. Optimize Database Queries: Regularly clean your database to eliminate unnecessary data and overhead. Monitor and optimize any custom queries for performance.
10. Limit Add-ons and Plugins: Only use necessary add-ons and plugins, as each one can add to your site's load time. Make sure all plugins are up-to-date to leverage performance improvements.
11. Use GZIP Compression: Enable GZIP compression to reduce the size of your HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files.
12. Monitor and Test Site Speed: Regularly use tools such as Google PageSpeed Insights, GTmetrix, or Pingdom to analyze your site’s load times and receive recommendations for improvements.

Implementing these strategies can help improve your site speed, resulting in better SEO performance and enhanced user experience.